I am watching Absolute Boyfriend and my biggest beef with Jin Goo there is that he plays a robot in the drama but so far has displayed no robot acting skill. If he has tried, I don't see it and if he hasn't even tried, then I take the PD to task. Like you, I wonder if it's not the PD's direction, why do they not coach the actor?

Reading comments in Absolute Boyfriend, I have also realized that fans are more bowled over by Jin Goo's looks and cuteness. When it comes to romance, Jin Goo is doing everything right by the book. So if you want to talk about technicalities of acting, I can't fault him. He is also very expressive.

What is lacking is the X factor in romance and I am not sure if it's entirely age related because I have seen young actors do well in this aspect.

I do not know what is the answer but I think he should continue trying in rom coms instead of sticking to what he does best.

@outofthisworld I doubt he himself hasn’t thought of being more robotic. I just don’t know why they have him act 3 different ways — pre-DaDa BF, DaDa BF, Diana DF. It’s like the robot has multiple personalities. Why was Diana’s BF so cold? He stopped all BF-services from the beginning, while he won’t quite it when Dada said multiple times to quit it. I just think this script is unstable.

@geliguolu
Seo Kang Joon in Are You Human Too is a fine example of playing robot with subtle but very discernible differences.

On playing robot in AB, the buck stops with the PD. I too think the script is problematic, I never understood how Zero Nine/Young Gu works.

@outofthisworld Didn’t watch that. But didn’t he have a human role? Then it’s absolutely necessary to play the robot like a robot. That was the direction in I’m Not A Robot too. AB is different because there’s no need to show the difference between human and robot. I’m fine to suspend belief and accept that AI has reached a level of high impersonation. Still, 09 should be the same boyfriend manner to any girl, at least in the beginning. What ‘s with the different robot settings?

@outofthisworld
I completely agree about him missing the "X factor in romance." I've only ever seen him have platonic chemistry with his costars. And I don't think it's an age thing. Maybe he just hasn't figured out how to do romance on screen yet, or maybe he doesn't get romantic attraction in general. Speaking as someone who's aromantic, there are definitely people who don't have a mode other than platonic. Either way, as a actor, romance seems to be a challenge for him, so I hope he can figure out a way to make it work. If he wants to get those kind of roles, that is.

@ash27

At this moment, he doesn't have the natural charisma for romance nor sex appeal. I do not know if it is something that can be cultivated. Some actors just seem to ooze with it, even if they are barely 20.

I think a well written role and good PD can do wonders. Some rookies shine in their first rom com just because they had these.

Jin Goo is doing the right thing by taking on rom com roles now. Ability to do romance(not necessarily rom coms) is required in almost all dramas, whatever the genre.

From the teasers, I think IU is killing it so at least Jin Goo has a good partner. If it's going to be funny, I will definitely watch.

Aaand now we're in danger of assuming the dude's sexuality. Let's just stop now. His romance scenes don't work for everyone. End of story.

(@outofthisworld
Yeahp sex appeal is not a thing learnt or taught, it's just a thing people have AND because everyone experiences attraction differently, different people will have sex or romantic appeal to different recievers, that's thankfully how the world works)

Thanks @sicarius! I totally agree.

Geez, I was just about to post a nasty reply to the above.

@outofthisworld
So true. The writer and PD can make all the difference. Since he clearly has the acting skill, I think if he has a good script to work off of and a director who has a more hands-on style, it could help a lot. And like you said, IU looks like she'll do great based on the teaser, so that bodes well. I'm really most apprehensive about the Hong sisters, but it looks interesting enough I plan to check it out.

When he played the mad king in TCC he nailed the sexual tension in the scenes he had with his "cold queen". Which is why I know he's capable of it and can have that X factor. So I don't know why it doesn't translate.

Also, yes his sexual orientation has nothing to do with any of this. It's called being an actor.

@ultramafic Now that you mentioned the crazy king in Crowned Clown, I think you are right. There was actually sexual tension or at least it wasn't cringey.

Maybe, Jin Goo should play the opposite of earnest, wide eyed lover boy. Romance aside, I thoroughly enjoyed his portrayal of the King in Crown Clown. It was when he was the clown that my interest died.

KDY is amazing. He needs a lead roll stat.

When I found out he was that young in MLDBC I was in shock for like a week lol. He looks and acts irl, and seems on screen to me like a 27 year old lol.

At the risk of sounding liking a broken record when it comes to TCC, I too thought he had brilliant tension when it came to the Cray and the Queen but those were not supposed to be romantic (unless there's something wrong with you). It was the later moments with the Clown that did nothing for me.
In scientific conclusion he should only play the bad guy or the anti hero LOLOLOL

It will be if it's a hobbit hole... wait this is a grave though hmmm

Warm and Cozy :-p