Fan frenzy surprises even Kim Myung-min
by javabeans
It’s Kang-mae mania!
Kim Myung-min (Beethoven Virus, White Tower) held a fan signing event on January 3, and although he doesn’t typically fall into the category of idol star or crowd generator, he had just that effect with the thousand fans in attendance.
The event was to promote his new classical music compilation album, called Classic Maestro. One of Kim’s managers explained his own surprise that the numbers were greater and the crowds more enthusiastic than expected:
“We had planned to sign autographs for the first 200 people who bought the album in the morning. However, more than 600 fans came the night before, starting at 10pm, to wait at the event location. …The signing event began in the afternoon at 3pm, but there were more than a thousand fans present. We didn’t know there would be so many interested people.”
I say: Aw, unexpected fan frenzy couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.
It’s not an unusual occurrence to see such crowd craziness for pretty-boy idol groups and kpop stars, but it’s not every day you see this level of adoration for a man known primarily as a gifted actor and not as heartthrob.
Kim was surprised to hear that fans had lined up overnight to wait for the event, and said, “I’m both apologetic and thankful.”
We can thank the “Kang-mae syndrome” for the rapid increase in Kim’s popularity; his role in Beethoven Virus wasn’t merely lauded, it was positively a pop-culture phenomenon.
Added to that is Kim Myung-min’s recent Daesang win at the 2008 MBC Drama Awards, and although he had to share the Grand Prize award with Song Seung-heon, the controversy that has arisen in the wake of the awards ceremony — which has been almost universally panned as unfair, even for MBC award standards — actually favors Kim. After all, most Koreans are incredulous that Song was awarded the same prize as Kim, and the backlash has proven two things: MBC awards have sunken to a new low, and Kim is being proclaimed the “true” winner by, well, pretty much everyone.
(To reiterate a sentiment from the previous award show post: The reaction doesn’t indicate that people hate Song Seung-heon. It’s more that this is a case where the result is SO outrageous that nearly everybody agrees that the Daesang was unfairly given. In contrast, you don’t see anyone clamoring that it’s unfair for Song to have to share his award with Kim — you know the situation has to be pretty obvious when there’s such overwhelming consensus.)
Kim, for his part, has been gracious with the press when asked how he feels about his prize, answering that he is happy with the results because “I’ve already been awarded by the fans.”
Via Asia Economy
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1 Junebaby
January 3, 2009 at 6:43 AM
I so totally get it
KIm Myung Min was so FANTABULOUS in BV !!!!!
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2 nokcha
January 3, 2009 at 6:44 AM
I totally agree! A much underrated actor. I just finished Bad Family....He was terrific. I'll have to give BV another look. I couldn't get past the poorly faked musicianship. And it's nice to see an older guy get the attention!
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3 paranblue
January 3, 2009 at 7:29 AM
hahahaha coool~~~
Kmm is sooo totally awsomee
:DDDD
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4 Gina
January 3, 2009 at 8:12 AM
LOOOOVE him. And while he's very handsome, it's awesome that he's getting recognition for what matters more than looks: actual acting talent.
I'm looking forward to his movie with Ha Ji Won. He'll be working with another talent who throws herself into her roles. Hopefully the end result will be nothing short of amazing.
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5 chajjye
January 3, 2009 at 8:17 AM
KIM MYUNG MIN...u r d best!!!!
you really have to give it to that man. he is just that good.
thank you javabeans and sevenses for letting me found a gem in korean actor in terms of acting.
was watching BV....still amazes at how well he carry out his role.
#4: yeah, i hope that these two will have great chemistry and great outcome. wah. can't wait.
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6 chrono
January 3, 2009 at 8:22 AM
It’s Kang-mae mania! Kang Mae rlZ! HAHA..
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7 Helena
January 3, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Aw. KMM really deserves the love and recognition, I'm so happy for him.
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8 Auntiemame
January 3, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Surprise, surprise to the "suits". But, people do know excellence when they encounter it. And, KMM is an excellent actor.
All's right with the world ... in this situation.
A Happy New Year to everyone at Dramabeans! Hopefully, 2009 will bring you more raves than rant.
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9 thunderbolt
January 3, 2009 at 9:27 AM
I'm thrilled for him. The mania is long overdue. He totally deserves it for his entire body of work, not just BV. ^^
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10 Vivianna
January 3, 2009 at 9:48 AM
{he is happy with the results because “I’ve already been awarded by the fans.” }
How gracious! He is truly my Korean Mr. Darcy.
It must be very cold in winter that the fans lined overnight.
I hope MBC can learn something from the audience reaction!
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11 me
January 3, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Wow ! Korean fangirls all wear glasses ! o_o
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12 all4movies
January 3, 2009 at 10:27 AM
It's so great to see KMM get the recognition he so justifiably deserves.
More power to him.
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13 chucky
January 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Yay for KMM! I'm really happy for him! He so deserves the attention!
Fighting, KMM!
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14 raahmose
January 3, 2009 at 11:34 AM
i'm so happy for him. All the attention and accolades could not have been bestowed on a more deserving and gracious person.
Keep the love coming Ya' All.
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15 kellie
January 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Doesn't he look fabulous? This is so wonderful. The way the public took that character and the actor's work to heart---it's really touching. May it always be like this for him. He's one special guy.
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16 lemon
January 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM
He totally deserves it! Hope he keeps gaining more recognition for his talent.
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17 Heejae
January 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Aww~ He totally deserves the recognition! It's long overdue >0<
I hope he continues to rise in his career, as every role he's taken has been met with great integrity and perseverence. He's really an admirable actor.
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18 le
January 3, 2009 at 12:27 PM
KMM is definitely deserving of his Daesang & the response of the public. KMM & SSH have very different levels of acting, KMM is the most amazing actor.
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19 marcel
January 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
i've admired kim myung min since white tower...& though i do love song seung hon as a star...i must admit i had the same thought as stated above...that the mbc awards had sunken to a new low in 2008...it was all i could do to keep from throwing my peanuts at the tv...it's good to see he's being recognized by the discerning public for what he is...a talented actor & a true gentleman...
it is funny to see so many fangirls wearing glasses...it's quite endearing...i don't have to feel like a lonely four-eye with my thick black rims... O-O
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20 Cookie
January 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM
This couldn't happen to a more deserving person. He totally deserves the recognition and attention that is long overdue.
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21 miae
January 3, 2009 at 2:15 PM
i love him in BAD FAMILY please watch that drama !!! actually the character such ordinary but since he who played it he can made that character life
Song Seungheun low rated of actor actually he only use his face and Body only~ but his face never on TOP poll best face .
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22 KATE
January 3, 2009 at 2:54 PM
GOOD ACTOR....AND VERY MODEST...I LIKE VERY MUCH *.*
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23 Junebaby
January 3, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Miae - I agree with you abt KMM in Bad Family - that was the first KMM drama that I saw and I love. in my part of the world its unfortunate that us his fans are not able to enjoy his IMMORTAL YI SOON SHIN (which - i read - made him into a huge Sageuk actor)..sigh...
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24 :X
January 3, 2009 at 3:39 PM
i should start watching BV and White Tower since the review has been quite positive... hmmm
Anyway, yeah, MBC awards suddenly becomes meaningless... because of the contraversy... as long as everyone knows that its KMM wins it, wonder what does SSH feels... hehe..
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25 MsLuxedo
January 3, 2009 at 4:10 PM
This comment of mine has absolutely nothing to do with Kim Myung Min. Heck, I'm not even familiar with him. I'm not saying that he sucks or anything, I'm just not familiar with him.
I'm just leaving this comment because I think it's pretty funny that most of the fans on the pic (like 75%) are wearing glasses. And I know that half of those simply wear them coz it's cute. Is that all the rage in Korea? Don't get me wrong, I think they're really cute.
I've tried wearing glasses (even though I don't need it) just for the 'look' but people here in US have thought of me as ridiculous (my friends, mostly) because I wear glasses just coz it looks cute.
Sorry for the random comment....
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