The Totally Inappropriate Crush on Younger Men of Korea
When partying is all the rage when you are 18 and occasionally someone slides up you and does an awkward dance, or if they are bold enough, ask for your number. Not sure about you, but if that person is above 25 years old, all he gets would be a shaking head with a smile from me. At that time, 25 years sounded so old! Fast forward to today, except for Won Bin (원빈), Ji Sung (지성) and Eric Mun (문정혁), I keep finding myself attracted to celebrities who all happen to be around 25 years of age. Below is a list of my past and current favorites (according to age), why some of them fell out of favor faster than you can say Hallyu; and why I have such a discerning taste for actors at this particular age.
노민우 No Min Woo 1986
I knew him since he was in TRAX, so to me he is forever below 25, hee. Don't tell me he's not an actor, because I've seen at least 5 dramas he was in, and was even a lead in two of them: 'Rock Rock Rock' (락 락 락) and 'Full House 2' (풀하우스 테이크 2). No Min Woo is an underrated musician whose initial band was produced by Yoshiki of X Japan. He is always so confident and comfortable on stage with his guitar or drums. Can't say the same for his acting skills, but he has nonchalantly improved. Min Woo has exquisite facial features, so attractive many joke he is actually a girl in disguise. For those who know how to appreciate 꽃미남 (flower boy), you can't deny that he definitely ranks high in the category. He has since set up his own company to manage his projects. I last saw him as an unhinged son / brother fighting for the reign in drama 'Sword and Flowers' (칼과 꽃).
Best facial feature(s): His whole face
Other pull factor(s): Check out his drumming and guitar skills!
이민호 Lee Min Ho 1987
Fine, he's over 25 now but not when I first saw him in the hit drama 'Boys Over Flowers' (꽃보다 남자). No, it was not the stupid curly hair that did the attraction, but the CFs afterwards that I actually found him visually appealing. Over the years, the crush level died down a lot, and it was at zero level during drama 'Faith' (신의), which I decidedly abandoned after 2 episodes. Granted not all his dramas are good, I've managed to always finish them nevertheless. I blame it on the undeniable eye candy--Lee Min Ho is just Lee Min Ho. Nothing more, and nothing less, maybe that's why the interest has been steadfast dying off in recent months. Finger crossed for 'Heirs' / 'The Inheritors' (왕관을 쓰려는 자, 그 무게를 견뎌라; 상속자들) that is ongoing as this entry is written. Half way through the drama and it's still boring: it feels like something is about to happen, but ends up nothing ever happens.
Best facial feature(s): Eyes & nose
장근석 Jang Geun Suk 1987
He was totally fine as a supporting cast in his early works and reached his peak during "You Are Beautiful' (미남이시네요), earning the title 'Prince of Asia'. From then on, he continued to have the world is at his feet, proceeding to cut albums alongside his acting career. And then he got a little over self-indulgent to the point of being too ridiculous for my liking. If my crush level for Lee Min Ho is near zero, then it is at a negative level for JGS (as I'd like to call him). His movie 'You're My Pet' (너는 팻) were the last I've seen him, but I am most inclined to check out his upcoming drama 'Pretty Boy' (예쁜남자) for IU, though I'm not holding out much regarding the storyline.
Best facial feature(s): Eyes & lips
김수현 Kim Soo Hyun 1988
Everyone's current favorite(?). Not to be confused with the acclaimed (female) writer; first saw him in widely acclaimed movie 'Thieves' (도둑들) on the plane. I must have been too jet lagged to notice anything. While everyone was raving about this upcoming starlet, especially the part where he is the most handsome Joseon King in 'The Moon That Embraces The Sun' (해를 품은 달), I remained indifferent (and I didn't watch it). However, after accidentally seeing him in movie 'Covertly, Grandly' / Secretly, Greatly' (은밀하게 위대하게), I have to agree, his acting skills are GOOD, and went forth to write a review just a few weeks back. Yes, I'm a slow learner this way. My boyfriend hates him and didn't fail to repeat his displeasure while watching 'Dream High' (드림하이) with me (I retraced his old dramas just to see if he is like Lee Jong Suk). I disliked him too, in an episode of Running Man, because he was so passive! He's not extremely good looking like Lee Min Ho, but Soo Hyun is easy on the eyes and his looks grow on you. I like that he knows how to pick interesting films and he does a brilliant job of injecting freshness to characters we may all know so well, such that he eventually owns them. His acting is natural and his charisma lights up the screen every time he is in it. I am psyched for his upcoming drama with Jeon Ji Hyun (전지현) in 'You Who Came From the Stars' (별에서 온 그대), should be a run-away hit for the new year. And nope, it's not solely because of his awesome chocolate abs.
Best facial feature(s): Eyes & lips, extremely small face
Other pull factor(s): His voice
이수혁 Lee Soo Hyuk 1988
Had a hard time looking for a more flattering picture of him. I don't mean to say his photos are no good, but I was searching for one that has a softer emphasis on his sharp features, which I absolutely adore because I am used to his looks. Upon first glance, others may not find his looks appealing (in fact some say he looks like a vampire, which I don't deny), but Soo Hyuk is not a high-end fashion model for no reason. His seductive deep voice is to die for, and I love that he has his own fashion program 'Style Log' (스타일 로그) with mate Hong Jong Hyun (홍종현) so I can listen to him for a good hour or so. In recent years, there has been a group of fine models-turned-actors on which I wrote a previous post. Soo Hyuk is also a good pal of G-Dragon and they are a part of an exclusive group called Nuthang (누땡). He was adorably awkward in 'Vampire Idol' and fine in drama special 'White Christmas' (화이트 크리스마스). He was last seen in movie 'Horror Stories 2' (무서운 이야기 2) as both an innocent friend and a creepy scheming brother; and melodrama 'Shark' (상어) which I didn't follow ultimately. Soo Hyuk is more laid back in his acting career and chooses to be more active in the modeling world. A conversation with a friend in a joking manner had me saying that I'd probably die there and then if I were to bump into Soo Hyuk on the streets of Korea.
Best facial feature(s): His nose, seriously
Other pull factor(s): His voice!
이종석 Lee Jong Suk 1989
Considering his distinctive looks and tall lean frame, it's no wonder Jong Suk has a modeling background. He is often shipped together with Kim Woo Bin (see below) for they have an unspeakable but awesome chemistry in dramas, being best pals in reality. He made a breakthrough in the recently concluded drama 'I Hear Your Voice' (너의 목소리가 들려) as the gentle and earnest empathetic who could literally hear people's thoughts, leveling up his mediocre acting we initially found in 'Secret Garden' (시크릿 가든) as a gay artiste and a misunderstood stud in 'School 2013' (학교 2013). He's already winning major awards. I certainly didn't see this coming and was totally caught by surprise by his point-on and profound acting, so much that I fell straight in love with him, he's definitely a noona killer! Let's just see if he can keep my interest level up, but for now, I will definitely check out anything he's in, his latest being movies 'The Face Reader' (관상), 'No Breathing' (노브레싱) and 'Blood Boiling Youth' (피끓는 청춘), actually can I rename it as 'Hot Blooded Youths' instead...
Updated in May 2014: Yes he is still on my radar.
Best facial feature(s): His luxurious lips
Other pull factor(s): His glowing pale skin!
김우빈 Kim Woo Bin 1989
The other half of the famous ship of the year. These 2 brothers obviously struck gold, even though they pretty much succeeded on their own, separately. Woo Bin rose to fame quite rapidly within the past 2 years, and I'm pretty sure we won't see the last of him any time yet. His looks are of an acquired taste, because I've heard many (who are not so into k-dramas) exclaim he looks ugly. But we all know you can't get to the top of this field if you are really fugly, so rather, Woo Bin has charms that is not for all but it sucks you in once you are on board. He is currently in 'Heirs' / 'The Inheritors' with Lee Min Ho. He had also scored a lead in his new movie 'Friend 2' (친구 2), a sequel to the box office hit 'Friend' starring Jang Dong Gun (장동건) in 2001. The roles he has gotten recently are more or less the same: rebellious, misunderstood, bad boy I-could-care-less type (due to his looks I guess), so I hope he can get a more tortured, real villain character in future. I am even missing his innocent and comical image as seen in sitcom 'Vampire Idol' (뱀파이어 아이돌). Woo Bin somehow gives off a 허당 character (one who is easily confused) on variety shows... and it is simply hilariously endearing to watch him do his thing.
Best facial feature(s): Eyebrows (no kidding)
유승호 Yoo Seung Ho 1993
The youngest but most talented of the lot (granted he debuted at the age of 9 and has been working his way up), also fondly known as the young So Ji Sub (소지섭) in Korea. As if his smolder above isn't enough to kill you, his sincerity and flair for acting is attested by his willingness to play second leads just to hone his craft. It pained our hearts watching his endearing performance as a struggling character in 'Warrior Baek Dong Soo' (무사 백동수) (though the drama went downhill towards the end); I can't forget his character 강백호's 안돼~! in 'Operation Proposal' (프러포즈 대작전). His last major project was 'Missing You' (보고싶다) as a scheming (and psychotic?) lover, right before he enlisted himself into the army at a tender age of just 19. Watch out Kim Soo Hyun, for this young lad has every talent and reason to outperform you while you eventually face a hiatus of 2 years in enlistment.
Best facial feature(s): His smiling eyes
To conclude, talent, passion and personality play a more important role in the game of attraction than just having a pretty face. You may be the king today, but if you do not up your game, you will be easily replaced by other young talents who exhibit more positive attitudes and aptitudes. So these are the 8 young guys who have worked their individual charms on this perverted noona. Is any one of them your bias too? Shall I do a female equivalent post? XD
노민우 No Min Woo 1986
I knew him since he was in TRAX, so to me he is forever below 25, hee. Don't tell me he's not an actor, because I've seen at least 5 dramas he was in, and was even a lead in two of them: 'Rock Rock Rock' (락 락 락) and 'Full House 2' (풀하우스 테이크 2). No Min Woo is an underrated musician whose initial band was produced by Yoshiki of X Japan. He is always so confident and comfortable on stage with his guitar or drums. Can't say the same for his acting skills, but he has nonchalantly improved. Min Woo has exquisite facial features, so attractive many joke he is actually a girl in disguise. For those who know how to appreciate 꽃미남 (flower boy), you can't deny that he definitely ranks high in the category. He has since set up his own company to manage his projects. I last saw him as an unhinged son / brother fighting for the reign in drama 'Sword and Flowers' (칼과 꽃).
Best facial feature(s): His whole face
Other pull factor(s): Check out his drumming and guitar skills!
이민호 Lee Min Ho 1987
Fine, he's over 25 now but not when I first saw him in the hit drama 'Boys Over Flowers' (꽃보다 남자). No, it was not the stupid curly hair that did the attraction, but the CFs afterwards that I actually found him visually appealing. Over the years, the crush level died down a lot, and it was at zero level during drama 'Faith' (신의), which I decidedly abandoned after 2 episodes. Granted not all his dramas are good, I've managed to always finish them nevertheless. I blame it on the undeniable eye candy--Lee Min Ho is just Lee Min Ho. Nothing more, and nothing less, maybe that's why the interest has been steadfast dying off in recent months. Finger crossed for 'Heirs' / 'The Inheritors' (왕관을 쓰려는 자, 그 무게를 견뎌라; 상속자들) that is ongoing as this entry is written. Half way through the drama and it's still boring: it feels like something is about to happen, but ends up nothing ever happens.
Best facial feature(s): Eyes & nose
장근석 Jang Geun Suk 1987
He was totally fine as a supporting cast in his early works and reached his peak during "You Are Beautiful' (미남이시네요), earning the title 'Prince of Asia'. From then on, he continued to have the world is at his feet, proceeding to cut albums alongside his acting career. And then he got a little over self-indulgent to the point of being too ridiculous for my liking. If my crush level for Lee Min Ho is near zero, then it is at a negative level for JGS (as I'd like to call him). His movie 'You're My Pet' (너는 팻) were the last I've seen him, but I am most inclined to check out his upcoming drama 'Pretty Boy' (예쁜남자) for IU, though I'm not holding out much regarding the storyline.
Best facial feature(s): Eyes & lips
김수현 Kim Soo Hyun 1988
Everyone's current favorite(?). Not to be confused with the acclaimed (female) writer; first saw him in widely acclaimed movie 'Thieves' (도둑들) on the plane. I must have been too jet lagged to notice anything. While everyone was raving about this upcoming starlet, especially the part where he is the most handsome Joseon King in 'The Moon That Embraces The Sun' (해를 품은 달), I remained indifferent (and I didn't watch it). However, after accidentally seeing him in movie 'Covertly, Grandly' / Secretly, Greatly' (은밀하게 위대하게), I have to agree, his acting skills are GOOD, and went forth to write a review just a few weeks back. Yes, I'm a slow learner this way. My boyfriend hates him and didn't fail to repeat his displeasure while watching 'Dream High' (드림하이) with me (I retraced his old dramas just to see if he is like Lee Jong Suk). I disliked him too, in an episode of Running Man, because he was so passive! He's not extremely good looking like Lee Min Ho, but Soo Hyun is easy on the eyes and his looks grow on you. I like that he knows how to pick interesting films and he does a brilliant job of injecting freshness to characters we may all know so well, such that he eventually owns them. His acting is natural and his charisma lights up the screen every time he is in it. I am psyched for his upcoming drama with Jeon Ji Hyun (전지현) in 'You Who Came From the Stars' (별에서 온 그대), should be a run-away hit for the new year. And nope, it's not solely because of his awesome chocolate abs.
Best facial feature(s): Eyes & lips, extremely small face
Other pull factor(s): His voice
이수혁 Lee Soo Hyuk 1988
Had a hard time looking for a more flattering picture of him. I don't mean to say his photos are no good, but I was searching for one that has a softer emphasis on his sharp features, which I absolutely adore because I am used to his looks. Upon first glance, others may not find his looks appealing (in fact some say he looks like a vampire, which I don't deny), but Soo Hyuk is not a high-end fashion model for no reason. His seductive deep voice is to die for, and I love that he has his own fashion program 'Style Log' (스타일 로그) with mate Hong Jong Hyun (홍종현) so I can listen to him for a good hour or so. In recent years, there has been a group of fine models-turned-actors on which I wrote a previous post. Soo Hyuk is also a good pal of G-Dragon and they are a part of an exclusive group called Nuthang (누땡). He was adorably awkward in 'Vampire Idol' and fine in drama special 'White Christmas' (화이트 크리스마스). He was last seen in movie 'Horror Stories 2' (무서운 이야기 2) as both an innocent friend and a creepy scheming brother; and melodrama 'Shark' (상어) which I didn't follow ultimately. Soo Hyuk is more laid back in his acting career and chooses to be more active in the modeling world. A conversation with a friend in a joking manner had me saying that I'd probably die there and then if I were to bump into Soo Hyuk on the streets of Korea.
Best facial feature(s): His nose, seriously
Other pull factor(s): His voice!
이종석 Lee Jong Suk 1989
Considering his distinctive looks and tall lean frame, it's no wonder Jong Suk has a modeling background. He is often shipped together with Kim Woo Bin (see below) for they have an unspeakable but awesome chemistry in dramas, being best pals in reality. He made a breakthrough in the recently concluded drama 'I Hear Your Voice' (너의 목소리가 들려) as the gentle and earnest empathetic who could literally hear people's thoughts, leveling up his mediocre acting we initially found in 'Secret Garden' (시크릿 가든) as a gay artiste and a misunderstood stud in 'School 2013' (학교 2013). He's already winning major awards. I certainly didn't see this coming and was totally caught by surprise by his point-on and profound acting, so much that I fell straight in love with him, he's definitely a noona killer! Let's just see if he can keep my interest level up, but for now, I will definitely check out anything he's in, his latest being movies 'The Face Reader' (관상), 'No Breathing' (노브레싱) and 'Blood Boiling Youth' (피끓는 청춘), actually can I rename it as 'Hot Blooded Youths' instead...
Updated in May 2014: Yes he is still on my radar.
Best facial feature(s): His luxurious lips
Other pull factor(s): His glowing pale skin!
김우빈 Kim Woo Bin 1989
The other half of the famous ship of the year. These 2 brothers obviously struck gold, even though they pretty much succeeded on their own, separately. Woo Bin rose to fame quite rapidly within the past 2 years, and I'm pretty sure we won't see the last of him any time yet. His looks are of an acquired taste, because I've heard many (who are not so into k-dramas) exclaim he looks ugly. But we all know you can't get to the top of this field if you are really fugly, so rather, Woo Bin has charms that is not for all but it sucks you in once you are on board. He is currently in 'Heirs' / 'The Inheritors' with Lee Min Ho. He had also scored a lead in his new movie 'Friend 2' (친구 2), a sequel to the box office hit 'Friend' starring Jang Dong Gun (장동건) in 2001. The roles he has gotten recently are more or less the same: rebellious, misunderstood, bad boy I-could-care-less type (due to his looks I guess), so I hope he can get a more tortured, real villain character in future. I am even missing his innocent and comical image as seen in sitcom 'Vampire Idol' (뱀파이어 아이돌). Woo Bin somehow gives off a 허당 character (one who is easily confused) on variety shows... and it is simply hilariously endearing to watch him do his thing.
Best facial feature(s): Eyebrows (no kidding)
유승호 Yoo Seung Ho 1993
The youngest but most talented of the lot (granted he debuted at the age of 9 and has been working his way up), also fondly known as the young So Ji Sub (소지섭) in Korea. As if his smolder above isn't enough to kill you, his sincerity and flair for acting is attested by his willingness to play second leads just to hone his craft. It pained our hearts watching his endearing performance as a struggling character in 'Warrior Baek Dong Soo' (무사 백동수) (though the drama went downhill towards the end); I can't forget his character 강백호's 안돼~! in 'Operation Proposal' (프러포즈 대작전). His last major project was 'Missing You' (보고싶다) as a scheming (and psychotic?) lover, right before he enlisted himself into the army at a tender age of just 19. Watch out Kim Soo Hyun, for this young lad has every talent and reason to outperform you while you eventually face a hiatus of 2 years in enlistment.
Best facial feature(s): His smiling eyes
To conclude, talent, passion and personality play a more important role in the game of attraction than just having a pretty face. You may be the king today, but if you do not up your game, you will be easily replaced by other young talents who exhibit more positive attitudes and aptitudes. So these are the 8 young guys who have worked their individual charms on this perverted noona. Is any one of them your bias too? Shall I do a female equivalent post? XD