Uee: Acting, singing... "Every day is a blessing!" » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

51 August 1, 2011August 1, 2011

Uee: Acting, singing… “Every day is a blessing!”

by sassychef

This girl used to make my blood boil. She was so good at her evil eye rolling (Korean actresses seem to have a knack for this) as the bratty pop star in You’re Beautiful that at times I wondered if her eyes would permanently roll back into her skull. However, the much-delayed Birdie Buddy, which has been talked about airing forever, may put her in a more favorable light for me.

Uee recently stated how happy she is these days because she feels as though she is doing everything to the best of her abilities. The singer-turned-actress can’t seem to hide her excitement lately over her budding acting career. She has several projects going to keep her busy, with not one but two dramas (the other one is weekend show Ojakkyo Brothers, formerly Golden Pond).

Recently, at the Birdie Buddy press conference on the 27th, Uee revealed how excited she was that the tvN drama would finally see the light of day. The drama started filming in March 2010, and after nine months of filming, was kept from airing for a whole year due to problems getting picked up by the broadcasting networks. The actress stated that even though she wasn’t nervous about the eventual outcome of the premiere, she still finds it very exciting that it’ll finally air.

In Birdie Buddy, Uee plays a rookie golf player, Song Mi-soo. Her character comes from a humble background in the countryside who dreams of becoming a professional golf player. Even though this is Uee’s third drama (after playing supporting characters in Queen Seon-deok and You’re Beautiful), this will be her first playing the main character; therefore the pressure and the expectations of her acting abilities are higher.

However, “More so than being nervous, all I felt was the determination to do well” was her motto for this drama. Uee said she has learned a lot during the filming of the drama from the other actors, directors and writers. When asked how she would rate her own performance, Uee replied that since her acting career is still in its infant stages, it’s hard to put score to her abilities. However, if she had to say, she would give herself around 30 points, as she’s still in the learning stages in the drama world.

Birdie Buddy will finally air in August on tvN after the finale of its currently airing drama, I Need Romance.

Although I will definitely miss watching the three ladies wreak havoc within their love lives in I Need Romance, I’m cautiously anticipating Uee’s new drama since the anticipation has been so built up. Perhaps I’ll find her redeeming herself after being so bratty in her previous drama… Stay tuned.

Via E Daily

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Tags: Birdie Buddy, UEE

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1 Mandelbrotr

August 1, 2011 at 1:51 PM

I really liked her bratty performance in You're Beautiful. Most memorable was the scene in the parking lot when everyone knows and everyone finally knows that everyone knows (yeah it's a drama mouthful). She switches from fairy to menacing so quickly that Jeremy physically starts in fear. She was over-the-top but played a good foil for the heroes.

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chahaya

August 1, 2011 at 3:00 PM

yeah, that's my fav scene too :)

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elric

August 1, 2011 at 5:39 PM

oh yeah! she was really good

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bittercandy

August 2, 2011 at 6:03 AM

Wholeheartedly agree with you! One minute she is so sweet like an angel, the next minute off the camera she is a witch! Of course it's not difficult to act this kinda role.

She may not be the best actress or oscar winning actress but I actually like her. She did not get on my nerves at all.

She is an idol and I must say she is not afraid to play a bratty bitchy unlikeable role. It may not be good for her image and for that i admire.

I admire her long sexy legs too. She is also have the fats in the right places :P not too skinny, not fat... just right :P

P/S She may not have the greatest talent on earth but at least she is not some talented actors out there who beat people up.. Errr this Choi Min Soo gets on my nerve.. makes my blood boil when I see him in the movies or variety show... Urgh! What a bloody bad personality...

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am

August 8, 2011 at 7:50 AM

oooh! that's a good one! and may I add, she was a pretty believable antagonist with her bitchy character.

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2 YBisTOP

August 1, 2011 at 2:07 PM

She is so pretty. Loved her in Running Man. :)

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bittercandy

August 2, 2011 at 6:12 AM

I thought she was rather dumb in Running Man. Haha.. but I don't hate or find her annoying at all. She is just a lucky girl who has the choices to do things that she wants. I say Bravo to her...

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3 Ace

August 1, 2011 at 2:23 PM

Like her a lot. Even if her character was annoying in YB, I didn't find her as irritating as other second female leads. Besides, she's pretty and she's got a very normal curvy figure that's so different from other skinny idols (though I heard she went on a diet for After School-Red) Anyway, glad that Birdie Buddy's finally airing.

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ar_arguably romantic

August 1, 2011 at 3:14 PM

Agree! Her role was more like another comedic element to the story (due to her character's ineffectual machinations) than a threat to the main couple, so I thought, in a weird way, she was pretty likable. hahaha.

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4 dulcedeleche

August 1, 2011 at 2:23 PM

i loved her in you're beautiful. I also loved the fact the the guy didn't fall for it...like ever.

She pretends she's pregnant to his friends? He tells her dad. classic.

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elric

August 1, 2011 at 5:36 PM

that's Tae Kyung for you :))

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5 monsterlover

August 1, 2011 at 2:40 PM

YES can't wait
i watched the long trailer and
she really fits any kind of character
i am really expecting something goo
although i don't like golf i want to watch this
UEE Fighting :D

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6 kiki

August 1, 2011 at 2:41 PM

she's definitely one talented singer-turn-actress we have around, or so i hope.. i loathed and despised her in YB, but i found her very sweet in WGM (with her fake husband, park jae jung).. Uee hwaiting!

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7 danna

August 1, 2011 at 2:53 PM

heh..So now she has 2 dramas airing at around the same time..btw ojakkyo brothers has a vwry cute cast and the teasers are adorable

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8 Annie

August 1, 2011 at 3:23 PM

I never found Uee's "You're beautiful" character that annoying. She was just dumb and fun to laugh at. Anyone else thinks Lee Da Hee is really gorgeous?

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9 grateful1

August 1, 2011 at 4:22 PM

Thanks, Sassychef! I, too, will miss I Need ~~Skinship~~ Romance, but I'm optimistic about Birdie Buddy. I hope the re-editing of the episodes from 70 min. to 45 min. long doesn't affect the flow of the drama too much. Looking forward to seeing how Uee does in this role.

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10 Terra

August 1, 2011 at 4:28 PM

Yay can't wait to see her drama! =]

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11 sully

August 1, 2011 at 4:38 PM

I Love UEE>....Though i'll skip "birdie buddy"...looks boring. lolz I'll watch her new drama though. The main guy is hot.hahah

She's not the most talented but she seems really sweet outside.

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12 Laeah

August 1, 2011 at 5:35 PM

She's not talented at either singing or dancing. I really don't understand why she's famous. I'm not an anti and I don't hate her, but she just another annoying example of an idol stuck into a drama just to become a cash cow regardless of ability. It frustrates me when fans say that they are talented and blindly follow them, but it frustrates me even more when fans know they aren't but still give excuses for them and why they should be in dramas. UEE is a great example. Her modeling pictures are soulless, her acting is stilted and boring, her singing is the same autotune crap as 100 other idols, her dancing is average, etc. But fans often think their idols can do no wrong.

I miss the times when actual newbie actors would get small parts and slowly build up into stars. Now producers want money so they will put anyone with a fanbase in, even if it ruins a drama. (BOF and YAB anyone?) I'm sorry, but no matter how many fans those dramas drew, the acting was terrible. Beyond terrible. It's all about money these days and people who could have chances to follow their actual dream of acting that they have worked on for years are having roles stolen for a quick buck by people who chose are already successful and famous for other reasons. It's truly sad.

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Revy

August 1, 2011 at 6:12 PM

pretty much this

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Jennifer

August 1, 2011 at 6:53 PM

I think that JGS and PSH were ok, at least they are definitely getting better and growing, acting wise in their successive dramas.

However, I do agree with you on UEE. Something about her just kind of irks and annoys the heck out of me, even apart from her mediocre acting/singing skills.

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Eugenia

August 1, 2011 at 7:33 PM

Amen! Finally, someone who agrees with me and sees through all the BS!

And this is precisely why me and k-pop fans don't get along, haha.

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girl with tardis

August 1, 2011 at 8:30 PM

Laeah, I think you make an interesting point but I disagree with some of what you are saying. I agree that as a viewer it can be frustrating to see a large number of idols in acting roles who are not very good and are only selected because of their fame. However, I don't think UEE is the worst of the lot. I only have a peripheral awareness of kpop, so I can't speak to her level of talent as a model, singer, or dancer. However, I wouldn't say that she ruined You're Beautiful. Her character was written to be obnoxious, but I found her harmless. Some second leads, because of some combination of writing and casting, I find intolerable. Examples include the second female leads in MSOAN and Coffee Prince. I thought UEE was okay. Originally I wasn't going to watch Birdie Buddy, but that trailer was kinda amazing, so now I want to see it.

Generally speaking, I agree there is a problem. I think this was felt moreso in BoF than YB, though. Jang Geun Suk and Lee Hong Ki both did very well in YB. From what I understand JSG started out as an actor, but also happens to be musically inclined, so I don't know if he fits into your definition of pop stars turned actors. Lee Hong Ki did very well as Jeremy, and was a much more likeable and sympathetic second lead than Jung Yong Hwa as Shinwoo. JYH has yet to impress me as a viewer. As for BoF...well, that drama probably fits the point you're trying to make a bit better, pop-star wise. Actor-wise, Lee Min Ho was fun to watch, though unfortunately Koo Hye Sun was not at her best. She was really much better in Pure 19, though I understand not everyone watches the longer dramas.

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Laeah

August 1, 2011 at 8:49 PM

I mean, my point is - it's frustrating when people put idols on their own scale versus real actors. Sure, for an idol, UEE is not terrible. But there is no subtlety to her acting. Anyone can act annoying and bitchy. It really is not a difficult role.

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girl with tardis

August 1, 2011 at 10:38 PM

I would be interested to see whether we might get to see more sides of her in a lead role (such as Birdie Buddy). Her role in YB certainly allowed her to showcase a limited scale of emotions, owing partially to the fact that the Hong Sisters mostly write second leads in a somewhat cardboard manner. There was potential there, but it wasn't clear just from that drama what she would be like in a more complex role. Anyone can act annoying and bitchy, but not everyone can act annoying and bitchy and not drive me insane as a viewer. She didn't, so I'm willing to give her a chance in Birdie Buddy.

I think I see where you're going with the idea of seperate pedestals. Why cast an okay pop star when you could cast a more experienced actor? I can think of a few dramas where the acting suffered because of those kinds of decisions. But maybe it's just because I can think of several instances where individuals have been likeable as actors that I haven't reacted as strongly. For example, I really like Rain as an actor. I think he's got a lot of charisma and screen presence. I don't think I weigh him as an actor seperately because of his music career. However, with the younger actors, whether they began as idols or not, I at least take into consideration youth and inexperience. *shrug*

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lvsanchez

August 2, 2011 at 12:37 PM

I think i'm one of those mindless fangirls that you're referring to... but I don't care how much I love my idols... I love my K-dramas just as much if not more. I hate it when an idol that is cringingly bad gets cast as a lead, but UEE has been the only female second lead that I've actually liked. It's true... maybe she should've started lower on the totem pole... but I'm looking forward to seeing more of her on screen.

And you know idols may be viewed as people who get everything handed to them, but that is totally not the case. They do work their BUTTS off... regardless if some of their talents are questionable.

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dramalltheway

September 9, 2011 at 11:50 AM

Are u blind? Those are thest drama's of all time and also Uee might be "average" but she is following her dreams and eventhough i am not a huge fan of hers I admire her for being able to stand up even when a lot of people bashed her and proved herself. I'd like to see you try to become a dramastar and the huge production companies are not stupid. They talent and beauty when they see one, no one needs your info but u seriously need to chill or ignore these types of news as it doesn't suit

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13 oddworld

August 1, 2011 at 5:55 PM

Laeah, why do you think YAB was ruined by bad acting? The only genuinely terrible acting there was from yonghwa imo..I did fall asleep in every scene he was in but I don't think he ruined the show. I didn't mind UEE's acting in YAB. It was a pretty easy one dimensional role so I'm not saying she's oscar worthy but I think she played the evil interfering annoying character well..since that's basically what her role was meant to be

The leads in YAB were JGS and PSH and they really are good actors, well I did cringe every time PSH overreacted with her cuteness but I blame that on the directing but yeah...they aren't talentless idols...

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Laeah

August 2, 2011 at 11:51 AM

PSH is not an idol, she's an actress. So that's not really included in this. I think she's okay. Some of her other dramas have been much better.

I mean, you can say there were great. I can say they were terrible. It all depends on opinion, but they all had faults and the writing and story line were incredibly trite and forced which just made the characters even worse.

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14 An Ho

August 1, 2011 at 8:24 PM

I agree that UEE doesn't have amazing talent, but she shouldn't be the mascot/scapegoat in this idol tear-apart. Some idols are honestly just there for their looks and their ability to draw in money. But the same case applies to actors. A lot of newbie actors get into dramas for their looks, too. Idols are hardworking (overworked, actually). They might have fans, but actors automatically gain more respect (even though they might not deserve it). Anyway, both idols and actors are just people trying to make a name for themselves. I say stick it to the man, not the idols.

That ends my in defense of idols.

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Eugenia

August 1, 2011 at 10:41 PM

But I think what you see as "newbie" actors are really actors that might've been in the business for a while but didn't get as much recognition as they played minor characters.

For example, I believe Lee Min-ho wasn't really a newbie actor before BOF, but that role shot him into the spotlight.

Hence, there was a gradual process of the actor establishing him/herself and that's where the respect may come from. Whereas idols get lead roles over more competent (and good-looking, to add) contenders who have actually been working hard for any possibly good roles that idols get handed to them when they have no on-screen ability to uphold a drama.

I do agree that idols are overworked and that the big man should be blamed, but it's their choice to become an idol and cross over to the acting world. You can't make those choices without some scrutiny from the public and viewers.

AND I'd like to point out that idols seem to get treated on an entirely different scale for not being so great at acting, whereas actual actors are criticized extremely harshly. I feel as if idols are babied, if not lightly tapped on the hand for mistakes.

My two cents.

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15 poopy

August 1, 2011 at 11:05 PM

okay, i don't like UEE, so my point is obviously going to be biased, haha. but i agree with all of you in this. there's definitely some double-standard thing when it comes to acting critique between idols and real actors. what's worse, i think, supporting roles that should give opportunities to budding actors are instead given to idols. And we all know how that goes. crappy acting.

i think the only idol who's proven himself to be called an actor is rain.

oh and YEH, I don't consider her an idol per se.

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Eugenia

August 2, 2011 at 1:08 AM

Haha that's where we'd clash because I, for one, think YEH is a horrible actress. Her expressions make me cringe. Coffee Prince was the only drama I found her relatively tolerable.

I guess Yoon Kye-sang is an "idol" but I don't think the concept of that really existed in the way it's defined today. I consider him more actor, as if I needed any more proof by his acting props in his recent work.

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Laeah

August 2, 2011 at 11:44 AM

Yoon Kye Sang and Eugene, IMO, are examples of it done right, but they both started acting for the most part after their idol careers. In this sense, they are able to focus on actually honing a skill rather than jumping off to the next schedule.

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16 Abbie

August 2, 2011 at 1:02 AM

This seems exciting! I really disliked her character in You're Beautiful, but she seems like a really sweet person. I hope her drama gets good ratings and that she does well.

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17 Ninih27

August 2, 2011 at 2:58 AM

Laeah two words: THANK YOU!!! I really don't understand the hype around YAB, i really tried to watch it two times but I couldn't make it past ep 11. There are many many good actors who can't get opportunities to shine because they aren't marketable... Don't people get tired to see the same ol' thing???

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Laeah

August 2, 2011 at 11:49 AM

Yeah.. It was just cotton candy to me. I really get annoyed with gender bending rolls that have no purpose. I can understand it in saeguk dramas when girls had to do it in order to have careers, but I really hated how in YAB it was like "Let's put her in boys clothes" "Let's put her into a boy band with hot guys". That's how it felt. Like it was forced.

I mean, they should just make it about gay guys if they are going to do that. It would be so much more realistic.

Like in Coffee Prince, once he knows she's a guy, his confession "Even if you are an alien, I don't care, blah" are pretty much meaningless and it just loses steam.

I get that Korea is still not open to homosexuality, but these really pissed me off.

Anyway YAB had a lot of problems. Not sure why it was so well received. Because of Hong Sisters? Because of JGS? I dunno. It was eye candy, sure, but definitely not a good drama IMO.

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18 Cam

August 2, 2011 at 7:01 AM

That's great, UEE!!^__^ It's a golden opportunity for her to act this new drama and she might improve her acting to become an star like other hot actors, Kim Nam Gil, So Ji Sub, etc.... Fufufu! I've noticed that some of them have an negative comments about UEE but I don't mind to watch her in this new drama & prove what she's doing, of course.
Ahh, true, there's nothing prefect for any idols and newbie actors are trying to work hard to become so incredible stars & make them so satisfied, mm. Oh, lord....I am sure that these newbie actors will have many blessings when they will deserve! ^_^ FIGHTING!

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19 Yin

August 2, 2011 at 12:39 PM

For those who don't know, Jang Geun Suk started as an actor at a very young age and only released a Japanese album this year which launched him as an "official" singer. The real idols in YAB when they did it was LHK and JYH and Uee.

We all have different tastes when it comes to people and to dramas. But I have to say that Uee really made people hate her in YAB. If you think that was an easy role, well maybe you can do better. (I am not her fan, fyi. Just stating my opinion.) I liked YAB because you can actually feel the bond among the characters and appeals to my tastes (and probably others).

Rather than thinking why others like something, think why you don't like it. Lol. I may not like the dramas you like as well, but that just proves that we are all different so there is really nothing to be surprised about why others like something else that others don't.

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20 tomo

August 2, 2011 at 2:47 PM

There's something about UEE that rubs me the wrong way. I wonder if my opinion of her is forever tainted by my harsh dislike of her character in YAB.

But when guy friends gush about how hot she is, I don't get it.

IMO:

She's not pretty.
She's not good at modeling.
She's not good at singing.
She's not good at dancing.
She's not great at acting.*

* But I've only seen her in YAB, and don't intend to watch her in any of her other projects, my love of Joo-won, notwithstanding.

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oddworld

August 2, 2011 at 3:47 PM

not the prettiest I've ever seen but her face (and body) isn't bad at all...I'd definitely do her

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21 BJ

August 2, 2011 at 5:21 PM

I have yet to warm up to her. I don't think she is a good actress and her facial expression just seems really stiff. Maybe in the next project she might get better...

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22 Angelina Ballerina Thimbalina

August 2, 2011 at 8:40 PM

I didn't mind her in YAB because her character was constantly foiled. I thought her acting was okay, like when she was asking tae kyung why he didn't like her she genuinely didn't seem to get it and be "into her own hype".

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23 Angelina Ballerina Thimbalina p

August 2, 2011 at 9:00 PM

Laeah: I agree, though I enjoyed YAB it didn't really make sense as to why they did what they did. I guess it's kinda like when in dramas antagonists just keep attacking the heroine "because they've gone to far to quit in the middle". I liked sungkyunkwan scandal, though because (I forget there names) it seemed very open to homosexuality such as when someone said:if it's a crime to hate, then how can it be a crime to love. Sorry for the tangent :)

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24 Whibfan1234

August 3, 2011 at 7:29 AM

Jealousy is a sickness

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25 jellybeans

August 5, 2011 at 1:23 AM

i think she's a good supporting actress, however not so much of a leading actress. she just doesn't have that kind of ability. she's pretty and have somewhat of a talent, but come on, will you honestly sit there and watch her as the main leading when you know they could've picked someone better. that's the kind of impression i will have on her. even when i haven't seen the drama. that's just how it is. even now reading her as the main leading actress, i'm still wondering why they didn't pick someone else.

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26 callalily

August 6, 2013 at 8:16 AM

Uee proved herself as an talented actress!

Kudos!

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27 Jessica98

November 3, 2013 at 4:54 AM

om...om.......i read every comment up their..... half say ok half say bad....... wow.....
i just want to say to the "person" comment NEGATIVE to my luvly UEE unnie.....back off.... u guys NOT A GOD who want to judge somebody.....
NOWDAYS YOU GUYS CAN SEE A LOT DRAMA ABOUT UEE UNNIE....
About her role drama at YB become ANTAGONIST ....THAT JUST A ROLE FOR THAT DRAMA....ok

JUST BE MATURE GUYS.............

TO UEE UNNIE I WATCH U NEW DRAMA "GOLDEN RAINBOW" I REALLY ENJOY IT.......