[Actor Spotlight] Seo In-gook
by missvictrix
Dramabeans is known for its deep dives and commentary on dramas, but we couldn’t have dramas without actors. As part of our new spotlight feature, we’ll be taking a look at some of our favorite actors! First in our actor spotlight series is Seo In-gook, the lead of the currently airing melo Hundred Million Stars From the Sky. His path to recognition officially started when he won the reality talent show Superstar K in 2009 — he’s a great singer and performer — but it’s his acting career that we’re interested in here, and for me, acting is where he really shines.
Seo was born in 1987 in Ulsan, South Korea. He grew up there before breaking out first as a singer and later as an actor. Seo In-gook transforms for each role, and doesn’t have to rely on costumes or co-stars or new hairdos to do it; he’s genuinely talented. He’s as believable and authentic as a hockey-playing high school student as he is a genius profiler, spoiled chaebol manchild, or Joseon prince. No matter the role, Seo is charismatic, earnest, and fun to watch.
Here are some of the highlights from his dramaland career, followed by his full filmography.
Answer Me 1997 (2012)
The first of the now-famous Answer Me series, Answer Me 1997 went from a sleeper with zero buzz to a phenomenon that grew by word of mouth. It grabbed huge ratings for tvN by its final episode and raised the bar for youth dramas. And dramas in general, really. Seo In-gook was joined by Jung Eun-ji, Hoya, Eun Ji-won, and Lee Shi-un, and they played a gang of high schoolers growing up in the ’90s. Answer Me 1997 (and the subsequent shows in the series) was known for solid, poignant storytelling, evocative teenage nostalgia, and well-constructed switches between the teenage timelines in the past and the adult timelines in the present day. We watched to see how their stories unfolded, who they became as adults, and yep, who the heroine wound up with. It’s a K-drama, after all.
Master’s Sun (2013)
After the success of Answer Me 1997, Master’s Sun almost felt like a step down for Seo In-gook — not to knock the drama, which was loads of fun. Seo played the new head of security, Kang-woo, at the company headed by our lead, played by So Ji-sub. So Ji-sub was a chaebol with a mysterious past (of course) and Gong Hyo-jin was the wacky and sweet ghost-seeing heroine. Because the storyline between So Ji-sub and Gong Hyo-jin was so good, the second lead syndrome situation was not as painful (or pronounced) as it might have been in another drama. This might not have been Seo In-gook’s flashiest role, but the drama performed ridiculously well. And after all, it’s not such a bad thing to have a successful Hong Sisters drama under your belt.
High School King of Savvy (2014)
This is probably my favorite of all of Seo In-gook’s dramas thus far. Not only did he do an amazing job playing both the teenage lead and his almost-identical hyung, but he proved himself as a leading man. Not everyone can play a reckless high schooler in a zany show and still have the credibility to pull off the part of a romantic leading man — but Seo did it. He was strong enough as an actor to be the center of a madcap drama that was going to sink or swim based on the strength of his performance. In High School King of Savvy, Seo In-gook played a student who masquerades as his brother, who’s a director in a large corporation. As they say, hijinks ensued. Some people found it a little off-putting by the end (the level of wackiness, the oddball noona romance), but it worked for me in a fun, circusy kind of way. Lee Hana was also great as the bizarre but endearing moss-loving secretary.
The King’s Face (2014)
In The King’s Face, Seo In-gook took on his first sageuk role. The show faced some legal trouble of the plagiarism variety, but performed respectably once it aired. Seo In-gook played Prince Gwanghae, the son of King Seonjo (played by Lee Sung-jae) and a concubine. The drama also starred Shin Sung-rok as the face reader and power behind the throne, and Jo Yoon-hee was the heroine and object of affection of way too many men. It sounds like there’s a lot of room in The King’s Face for complicated and conniving characters, and an interesting exploration of court politics, rivalry (all sorts), and the power of face reading (and readers) to control the fate of many — in this case, particularly Prince Gwanghae’s. Why haven’t I watched this yet?!
I Remember You (2015)
Shows of a crime-y and serial killer nature are not my cup of tea, but did I watch this regardless because of Seo In-gook and the promise of emotional and psychological depth? Yes. Yes, I did. Seo played a genius profiler with a complicated childhood and a whole lot of repressed memories. As an adult, he returns to South Korea from abroad and starts working with a special police unit. The unit’s investigations reveal hidden identities, secrets, inner demons, and more. Shows like this love to ask the question of whether killers are made or born, and I Remember You was a layered psychological story that dug into that question. Seo In-gook did a great job with this complex role, with Park Bo-gum and Choi Won-young putting in impressive performances. I would have preferred to see someone besides Jang Na-ra play the heroine and fellow investigator, as I like her in softer roles more, but it didn’t detract from the story — or the pillow I had to hide behind during certain scenes.
Police Unit 38 (2016)
More police units for Seo In-gook — kinda. In OCN’s Police Unit 38, the eponymous unit was tasked with investigating tax evasion and bringing people to justice… but they weren’t so great at it. Enter Seo In-gook, playing a charismatic swindler and shaker up of plots (literally and figuratively). Heavy on twists, capers, and mixed morals around money, Police Unit 38 seemed to strike a nice balance of fast-moving heists with the appropriate amount of depth and shadiness to make it an OCN show. Ma Dong-seok and SNSD’s Sooyoung also starred. It’s on my marathon watch list, for sure.
Shopping King Louis (2016)
Back to the zany! Seo In-gook played a shopaholic heir living in a French castle with no sense of real life. He didn’t even have “first world problems” — he had “chaebol problems,” like ordering limited-edition tracksuits that were worth more than a car. He was spoiled and had never lifted a finger his whole life, but he was also sweet, loyal, doofy, and wonderful. The plot followed our manchild through family secrets, falling in love with Nam Ji-hyun’s character, and learning about life the hard way — by being scammed, taken advantage of, learning to wash the dishes, getting his heart broken, and more. The show got a little too much for me in some moments, with the bumbling bad guys and over-the-top comedic elements. But the show also gave me one of the hardest laughs in K-drama history, courtesy of Seo In-gook running through Seoul shirtless, every inch of him covered in pain patches. The comedy and hyperbole were strong throughout the drama, but it also had heart, and kept me watching till the end.
Hundred Million Stars From the Sky (2018)
Seo In-gook is back from his mandatory military duty (and ensuing controversies), and Hundred Million Stars From the Sky is his latest starring role. This drama is fresh out of the gates (only a few weeks in) and I’m dying to tune in. Seo In-gook plays the mysterious, charismatic Moo-young, and Jung So-min (yay!) plays a warm-hearted designer. The show is being promoted as a shocking and fateful mystery melo with depth, layers, and much character complexity — the fact that it’s adapted from a Japanese drama only makes me more interested. Basically: Say no more, Show. You have my attention, and I have a rainy weekend to give you.
Seo In-gook’s full filmography:
- Love Rain (2012) [Drama]
- Answer Me 1997 (2012) [Drama]
- Rascal Sons (2012) [Drama]
- Answer Me 1994 (2013) [Drama/Cameo]
- Master’s Sun (2013) [Drama]
- No Breathing (2013) [Film]
- High School King of Savvy (2014) [Drama]
- The King’s Face (2014) [Drama]
- Another Parting (2014) [Web drama]
- I Remember You (2015) [Drama]
- Oh My Ghostess (2015) [Drama/Cameo]
- She Was Pretty (2015) [Cameo]
- Police Unit 38 (2016) [Drama]
- Shopping King Louis (2016) [Drama]
- Hundred Million Stars From the Sky (2018) [Drama]
Smaller role in the 1970 and 2012 storylines. Admittedly, I haven’t watched this one yet since Yoon-ah keeps me at bay.
The first in the now-famous series (see above).
A 50-episode weekend drama about a family and their three, yes, rascally, sons. Seo In-gook played the amorous/married youngest son. (Oh boy!)
Cameo as his character from Answer Me 1997. Answer Me + Answer Me = Answer Me squared! (That’s a good thing.)
Neighbor + security officer = good to have around as a second lead (see above).
A sports film about two young swimming prodigies — one Seo In-Gook, the other Lee Jong-seok. With leads like that, I’m sure the clashing personalities, competing, and eventual bonding are worth a watch.
Seo In-gook at his zaniest (see above).
Seo In-gook’s first (and currently only) sageuk role (see above).
Intriguing and futuristic web drama of five 10-minute episodes.
Are monsters made or born? (see above).
Cameo as Edward, a hotshot chef, purportedly for kicks (as cameos should be), since the same PD did High School King of Savvy.
Cameo as himself. Not my favorite kind of cameo, but I’ll take it!
Stealing from the rich to feed the poor – kinda (see above).
Adventures of a shopaholic manchild (see above).
Currently airing mystery-melo (see above).
RELATED POSTS
- Hundred Million Stars From the Sky: Episode 1
- Shopping King Louis: Episode 1
- Police Unit 38: Episode 1
- Seo In-gook puts in a cameo appearance for Oh My Ghostess
- I Remember You: Episode 1
- King’s Face: Episode 1
- High School King of Savvy: Episode 1
- Answer Me 1997′s cast drops by 1994 for cameos
- Lee Jong-seok and Seo In-gook swim for gold
- Master’s Sun: Episode 1
- Teasers and stills for weekend drama Rascal Sons
- Answer Me 1997: Episodes 1-2
Tags: Actor Spotlight, Seo In-gook
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1 ladyjaye
November 3, 2018 at 3:12 PM
I like this new feature!
Also, welcome Missvictrix!
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2 Mel
November 3, 2018 at 3:19 PM
If we could give likes to posts, I'd give it right here. SIG ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
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KSKalways
November 6, 2018 at 7:52 AM
what a great idea!
Likes on Posts, please @girlfriday and @javabeans !
(I suspect this has been discussed before but it never hurts to bring it up again...)
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3 imzadi
November 3, 2018 at 3:22 PM
Absolutely love him. His is one of my favorite Korean actor. Maybe even my favorite. He is a remarkable actor. He challenges himself with every new series. I love, that he is so distinctly different in every role.
The only drama I didn't watch is the sageuk. But so far he has delivered in everything and I am looking forward to everything he does.
I usually would never have picked a Drama like his current one, if it wasn't for him. But I am glad I did. He is killing it.
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4 Linda Palapala
November 3, 2018 at 3:29 PM
I've heard so much about I Remember You but have yet to find a place to watch it with Eng subs.
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Ayan
November 3, 2018 at 4:03 PM
I think it's on Viki, it's saying not available in my region (UK).
It was also named Hello Monster.
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Linda Palapala
November 3, 2018 at 4:23 PM
Not available in my region either. I found it on probably an illegal site, but I have too many others to watch anyway. Maybe someday.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
November 3, 2018 at 5:29 PM
It's definitely on all the illegal sites. But yeah you probably want the time first. It's super easy to binge but worthy of all your attention hehe
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Katrina
November 3, 2018 at 6:00 PM
It is worth the time- very good!
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rentenmann
November 3, 2018 at 6:30 PM
I live in the US and was able to watch it on Viki but only on my computer. Still gotta get moving on that...
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Linda Palapala
November 4, 2018 at 9:19 AM
I think Viki's license must have expired.
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frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
November 4, 2018 at 2:48 AM
Hm? I live in the UK, and it's available for me?
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Ayan
November 4, 2018 at 9:15 AM
Yeah I think there must be something wrong with the app on my tablet. It's still showing not in my region. I'm going to try and install it again, hopefully that sorts the problem.
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5 FF queen
November 3, 2018 at 3:38 PM
Anyone watch the face reader drama version? I completely forgotten it was remade. The movie is one of my favorites.
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mary
November 3, 2018 at 7:12 PM
I watched it a little bit when I was obsessed with Shin Sung-rok hehe... I ended up dropping it due to time constraints but the first few episodes I watched were okay.
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6 Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
November 3, 2018 at 3:43 PM
SIG is one of my favourite actors, and I've always liked him. I think the first time that his acting skills really BLEW me away was in PU38, bc his character was so layered.
He was technically playing a character who was also playing a character.
I haven't watched all his work, but my favorite drama of his is I Remember You, because it's everything I like: mystery, crime, mind-games, themed episodes, SIG, PBG, the list goes on.
It's definitely in my top 10, and I think I might have to add 100MS as another SIG drama on that list!
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7 sph_7
November 3, 2018 at 3:47 PM
Wow! New feature! I was refreshing for TSHLYE recaps when I saw this cover picture and thought I accidentally clicked into someone’s fanwall. Nice fanwall @missvictrix 😂
Funny I was just reading old post about him on DB. Goning reverse cron order I saw how skeptical everyone was about Seo In Guk stepping into drama. http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/09/another-idol-joins-jang-geun-seoks-love-rain/ He has come so far and so has DB.
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sph_7
November 3, 2018 at 3:55 PM
First time I saw him was Answer Me 1997 and seriously I didn’t know who he was. I was all ready thinking Hoya is the male lead when all the boys walked into the restaurant. He was so, um, ordinary. But as the story progressed I fell in love with him. He turned out so different than the typical high school drama leads. He reminded me why I didn’t watch all those flower boy dramas. He wasn’t acting a certain way, he was Yoon Yoon Jae in and out. I totally felt this boy.
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cherry 🍒
November 4, 2018 at 4:11 AM
My first drama with him was also RM97. I have to admit I didn’t find him handsome at all in the first few episodes but the way he portrayed YYJ got under my skin eventually. I was surprised to learn it was his first leading role because he was just so good, by the end of the series I was swooning so hard LOL.
Also, RM97 OTP is still one my most favourite until today.
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imzadi
November 3, 2018 at 4:13 PM
I have never seen Love Rain, but reading the old comments on SIG "idol" casting is kind of hilarious.
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cherry 🍒
November 4, 2018 at 4:08 AM
LOL, exactly 😀 I don’t think people call him idol anymore. Anyway, he’s one of few talented singer/actors who are brilliant in both fields. Some idols are mediocre in both singing and acting, but Ziggie shines in both.
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x6x
November 4, 2018 at 5:07 PM
I have watched him in Love Rain, minor character and he was still chubby at that time. He is multi-talented no doubt and not your typical idol.
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:12 PM
Glad you liked the feature/fanwall ;)
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teachermok18
November 5, 2018 at 5:53 PM
Just like @geliguolu and @cherryinbloom my first SIG drama was Answer Me 1997 and my initial reaction was, "Who the hell is this guy and why is he the lead?", but a few episodes on and I was completely and utterly smitten to this day! He's extremely talented, plus he's got that very unique face that, even if it's not the typical handsome Korean type, is very striking (and sexy, too!).
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cherry 🍒
November 11, 2018 at 12:58 AM
He’s the type of person that gets more interesting the more you look at him. He’s not typically handsome but he’s stunning nevertheless.
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8 fogcity
November 3, 2018 at 3:52 PM
I've only seen him in Reply 1997, Master's Sun and now The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, but he's a very talented actor. He's also pretty easy on the eyes. He's also really funny and candid on variety shows, especially one where he admits that he had a crush on Jung Eun Ji, his co-star in Reply 1997, but was rejected by her despite his confession. He was also hilarious on a variety show with his mother where he learned that his mother hid the fact that she was 7 years older than his father until after their shotgun wedding/Seo's birth. Seo's shock at learning that he was conceived during his parents' first date--disbelief followed by an indignant/embarrassed "Eomma"...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmKx5Da02Rc
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zitless
November 3, 2018 at 5:05 PM
I watched this too few years ago. It was really funny because you could feel his embarrassment especially when he told his mom to be careful because dad was watching.
Seo In Guk is gold in everything he does.
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mindy
November 3, 2018 at 5:07 PM
That clip is LEGENDARY. I don't watch variety and can almost never sit through a full episode of a variety show but I watched this entire episode of Mamma Mia for him.
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rentenmann
November 3, 2018 at 6:33 PM
I think I have that as a favorite clip on my YouTube account! I love it!
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Aevah
November 4, 2018 at 7:03 AM
Ah yes. Lol, whenever I look at him now that comes up in my mind first XD Not really something you would want coming out since it shows how reckless his parents had been. But luckily things worked and everybody is happy.
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9 Ayan
November 3, 2018 at 3:59 PM
I'm so glad to see this is a feature on dramabeans, looking forward to seeing who is featured next ... Can we get a feature on Lee Jung ki please?
I've only watched I Remember you and Police Task force 38 which I loved.
Will definitely add the others onto my watch list. I don't think I can watch Master's Sun though, I'm too much of a coward for that!
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10 mk
November 3, 2018 at 4:13 PM
Ooh, this is a great feature and I hope more underrated actors are featured.
*cough* Park Jung Min *cough*
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fan
November 4, 2018 at 3:06 AM
He is great actor indeed! I wasn't excited watching him in "Entertainer", but he was wow in some films. I read E- reporters say he is the only one left who needs to get recognition he deserves.
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mk
November 4, 2018 at 4:38 AM
He is so disgustingly underrated and deserves a really juicy drama to launch him into stardom (as does Kwak Jung Wook! Stop giving him supporting roles!).
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fan
November 4, 2018 at 10:37 AM
oops that drama was Entourage.
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11 RenOIshi
November 3, 2018 at 4:51 PM
Like like like!
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12 mindy
November 3, 2018 at 4:55 PM
This is awesome!
I'll be honest, I can't stand to watch 100 Million Stars for multiple reasons despite my love for the leads, which means this is the first time I will have started a SIG drama and been unable to finish. Not because of him, of course.
But SIG was the first actor that I truly fell in love with, and the first one for whom I actively sought out the rest of his filmography. There are a couple of his shows that I haven't watched (The King's Face and Love Rain) but I've seen everything else and even watched the terrible movie No Breathing for him. It's really bad. He's the only good part. And even he's not that great in it.
He manages to show something new in every one of his performances and he's a very versatile actor with great comedic sensibility. I honestly think he was a bit genius in High School King of Savvy. The romance in that show didn't gel for me, but it might be the most I have ever laughed while watching a K-drama. All because of him. I'd still say that is my favorite performance of his, despite there being other dramas of his that I prefer overall. Answer Me 1997, I Remember You, Shopping King Louie... I think he's got a really good eye for scripts.
I really love him and he's one of my absolute favorite actors. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for him.
This feature is so much fun, and I look forward to the future entries! Welcome to DB, @missvictrix!
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Shitty Healing Hunter
November 3, 2018 at 7:33 PM
hello again Mindy 🙋♂️🙋♀️
I started watching 100 Million Stars cause of Jung So-min and cause the premise was very interesting. I'm absolutely hooked on it now.
But I understand you don't like how Moo-young behaves and I guess it is very dark right? 😕
And this is my first Seo In-guk drama and I've been very impressed with his acting. The emotions he conveys just with his eyes without saying anything is immense.
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:21 PM
Thanks @mindy - and I'm glad we agree on his fabulousness :)
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13 zzthorn
November 3, 2018 at 4:58 PM
I think the first time I saw Seo In Guk was in High School King of Savvy. I was impressed with the convincing way he portrayed both of the brothers, keeping them distinctly different. After watching him in a few other dramas, I was amazed by the fact that he made the characters so "real" with authentic emotions and interaction. He was so believable when he spoke, as he spoke with not just his voice but with his body and his eyes and everything about him. He convinces me that he IS that character, that he is experiencing those emotions and those sensations that the character is experiencing. I Remember You/Hello Monster, and Shopping King Louis are two of my very favorite of his dramas. I can't rate his talent high enough on those. His current drama is also blowing me away with how he has portrayed Moo Young.... just amazing, truly. There are few, if any, other Korean (or American, for that matter) actors that have so thoroughly captivated me with the experience he brings in his art. No one has convinced me so well, that they were, in fact a true human portrayal of that character. He is just that good.
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14 suk
November 3, 2018 at 5:16 PM
I was browsing on Dramabeans and randomly decided to click on the SIG tag because of the new recap, and this pops up! I thought it was a really old post until I saw the date. What a coincidence :)
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15 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
November 3, 2018 at 5:24 PM
I was literally just wowing over him yesterday to myself hahaha~!
Every time he's on my screen he's someone different, every drama role has a different vibe, and a different nuance, and it's all Ziggy but it's all not. His ability to make me forget that I'm watching an actor, and not a real person is phenomenal, and not many actors can do that for me.
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AC
November 28, 2018 at 3:27 AM
I'm sorry I don't know who else to ask, why do people call him Ziggy? Is there any special reason to it?
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
November 30, 2018 at 10:22 PM
@acotte
Ah it's a nickname @kaybee came up with based on his initials SIG -Siggy = Ziggy (and also a nod to Ziggy Stardust), which @obsessedmuch and I started calling him all the time and then it caught on with more and more beanies haha.
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kaybee
December 28, 2018 at 3:09 PM
I STARTED A TREND, I'M A SUCCESSFUL PUNNERY SERGEANT *throws confetti over self in celebration*
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16 sweetsour
November 3, 2018 at 6:09 PM
Comment was deleted
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sph_7
November 5, 2018 at 6:11 PM
Police Unit 38/Squad 38/Task Force 38/ Revenue Collection Unit 38 (most title variations ever in the history of kdrama) is a much watch!
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17 JustMe
November 3, 2018 at 6:14 PM
Wow this is a fun segment! But can we please get another cute role from him? Cuz I may be a little freaked out by his newest character.
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:21 PM
@justme SAME! And yet it's so gooooood!
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18 ObsessedMuch
November 3, 2018 at 6:23 PM
Wow I go from DB for barely 2 days and this happens??? I love this new feature and I love it even more because it is starting with Seo In-Guk ❤️
I always liked SIG but I fell in love with him with ep1 of I Remember You and in retrospect, I love him in all shows! Out of his filmography, I have only not managed to watch Love Rain, Rascal Sons and King's Face. On the other hand, I have watched all his other things more than once.
He is such a wonderful actor and the only actor I fangirl about any more! He is killing it in Hundred Million Stars and I can't wait to watch him in more dramas!!
Welcome to DB @missvictrix! This is such a perfect start! 😊
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mindy
November 3, 2018 at 6:30 PM
I was wondering when you would arrive, Muchie! Hehe. I almost tagged you but knew you would see this post anyway and comment right away!
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ObsessedMuch
November 3, 2018 at 7:03 PM
Hahahahaha I almost wouldn't have come in cuz I am still in Singapore, (and still coming to terms with the fact that I saw WINNER boys in real life) but @sicarius messaged me about it 😄
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
November 3, 2018 at 9:02 PM
\^-^/
If it's one thing the Holy Trio has in common, it's Ziggy; it was a must share ehehehe.
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
November 3, 2018 at 9:24 PM
I don't remember him having a very big role in Love Rain. The drama takes place in two time periods, and he's in the second portion.
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:22 PM
Thanks for the welcome!
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ObsessedMuch
November 6, 2018 at 4:08 AM
🤗
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19 rentenmann
November 3, 2018 at 6:43 PM
SIG is one of the few actors I see on my screen and know I will enjoy what I'm about to watch. He's lovely! I think I saw in the comments that he's not your typical handsome guy, and I remember thinking the same thing about him when I was watching Answer Me 1997 for the first episode for the first time. By the end of the episode, I was watching it FOR him. Every work I've seen with him in it (about half of filmography listed here) has not disappointed me.
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Anisss
November 4, 2018 at 8:51 AM
It is a fact that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The first time I saw him in Replay 1997 (It was my second drama after BoF) I remember that I thought I had never seen someone more beautiful in my life.
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20 teachermok18
November 3, 2018 at 7:32 PM
Seo In-guk is one of my absolute favorites! He's like a chameleon- effortlessly transforming from one role to the next. Definitely one of the best- if not the best- actor of his generation. I wonder why despite his popularity, he still hasn't reached it really big as in his contemporaries like Park Bo Gum (who starred in a supporting role with him in Hello, Monster).
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sph_7
November 3, 2018 at 11:54 PM
Sometimes I feel upset for him that he is so underrated. However there’s definitely something that he does differently that has made him somewhat stay hidden. He personally picks his drama projects (as opposed to his agency working their connections for him) and prioritizes the quality of script over the probability of mass popularity. He doesn’t care if his costars are a certain caliber that will add to the drama’s success or if the producers and writers have no accolades at all. For example, 1997 was a drama that didn’t have a bright outlook at the time of casting. He trusted the producer whom he met thru a reality show — it was the pd’s first non-variety work. He himself was a rookie actor but he knew he liked the script. His eye on the drama proved to be right. It shot from 0 to phenomenal — but he never calculated that popularity at the beginning, he just liked the story. Also with High School King of Savvy, he signed on with a rookie PD while he just finished a Hong Sisters drama with huge success. Who does that? The ratings wasn’t spectacular and it took him back to cable again (not what popularity chasers would do back in those years). Yet whenever he speaks of this character and PD he thinks it was a huge success (I do too because I love it!). And now he’s filming this PD’s The Smile Has Left Your Eyes to satisfy his wish to portray a psychopath and heart wrenching tragic love. He probably knows very well this character and drama is everything Korean audience would hate to watch, but he’s still doing it, despite his goal is trying to get back on the audience’s good side. After he filmed Squad 38 and broke OCN’s all time drama ratings, he picked a new writer’s script with the then underperforming MBC — Shopping King Louis. Nothing, absolutely nothing seemed special about this drama from the synopsis. Even MBC didn’t expect it to do well and kept it a low priority while promoting heavily the shows of other time slots. By word of mouth SKL went from lowest to highest ratings drama.
So in conclusion, Seo In Guk either lacks the business sense of drama selection or he simply cares less about it. Sometimes his heavy bet on great scripting pays off — like 1997, Master’s Sun, Squad 38, Shopping King Louis... sometimes it sets him back — like I Remember You, The King’s Face, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. However these set backs are not failures. It’s just that competitors held a better hand from the start.
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cherry 🍒
November 4, 2018 at 4:18 AM
Thank you. That was beautiful 😘
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wengzky
November 4, 2018 at 6:41 AM
I remember there was an article before,I forgot where I read it, the actor who play his dad on HKOS said that SIG does't play his character to be popular and he likes him for that
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Anisss
November 4, 2018 at 8:47 AM
You know when you start hearing about the new project of an actor you like and you pray "Please, let this be good"? It never happens to me with Gukkie's projects. I trust his choices and somehow I know that his character will be really interesting. I think that many people diminish him because he started as a singer and he became famous in a reality show, but I think that shows his versatility as an artist.
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sph_7
November 4, 2018 at 9:12 AM
Yes, I find even when the genre is not my cup of tea, his drama is still the best of such tea I wouldn’t want to drink😂. I’ve never found anything bad about his drama from the production standpoint. Like, you may not like some characters or certain decisions of the characters or the ending, but that is all subjective. Rarely do I see poor writing or lazy filming or blatant contradictions. Everything made sense in the drama’s little world.
I don’t think he’s diminished. After 1997 or even earlier in Love Rain, tv viewers have etched that he is one of, if not best, most successful singer-turned-actor in kdrama. Many times under his music news people say they forgot he’s a singer/idol. He not unrecognized for his acting talent. He’s just not a homecoming queen or class president type of actor.
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Anisss
November 4, 2018 at 9:52 AM
Glad to know! But I want him to be that kind of actor so bad... I think he's 100 million times better actor than Lee Min Ho, for example.
sph_7
November 4, 2018 at 10:02 AM
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21 seoul_searcher
November 3, 2018 at 7:37 PM
Oh I love this new feature. My love for Seo In Guk was a strange one. I remember when I first started watching dramas I’d see him everywhere and think ‘why is he in every drama related clip on YouTube’ little did I know he was so amazingly talented. I gave King of high school a shot because of the interesting premise + lee soo hyuk and don’t remember having laughed as hard for anything as I did for that show and wondering why it was so underrated. Ever since then I sought out his filmography and watched most of his dramas because his portrayal is just so charming and easy to watch.
Here’s to more great projects from him!
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22 mano
November 3, 2018 at 7:44 PM
I only watch two of his work, Shopping King Louie and The Smile has Left Your Eyes. I still can't say his favorite actor, but watching him playing two opposite character successfully makes me want to see more of his work!
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23 thequiet1
November 3, 2018 at 7:45 PM
A fan here, too. Out of all his listed dramas, the ones that I haven't watch are only Rascal Sons, High School King, and King's Face.
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24 risa
November 3, 2018 at 7:56 PM
This is a great new feature-- my hope is that someday, DB will do actual interviews with
oppasactors, as well as writers, PDs, etc. (IIRC, JB and GF did one with Kim Won-seok PD years ago.)SIG is indeed a charismatic chameleon and that makes him SO much fun to watch. They were smart to cast him in Answer Me 1997, and he was smart to pick that project-- what a big break that turned out to be! I really want to see him in a drama in which his character is a singer... purty please?
Thanks and welcome, @missvictrix... I like your "voice". 😊
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:23 PM
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the spotlight... stay tuned!
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risa
November 5, 2018 at 9:26 PM
Ooh, I hope "stay tuned" means what I think it means! 😉
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25 Ally
November 3, 2018 at 8:53 PM
Oh, watch Love Rain! Seo In-guk steals every frame he’s in, sings throughout it, and Yoona is generally very enjoyable. I thought she was adorable, actually. She and JGS make an adorable OTP as well and the veteran actors shine. It would be a great fall drama to binge because it’s starts out with the gorgeous autumnal colors and warmth. Thank you @missvictrix!
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:24 PM
You might have convinced me!
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Ally
November 5, 2018 at 4:37 PM
Just me convincing an eskimo to buy ice. ;)
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26 Kafiyah Bello
November 3, 2018 at 9:39 PM
I love him almost as much as I do Gong Yoo and that is a strong strong love. He is actually my favorite actor in terms of roles and variety of character. I also like that he has this amazing ability to become the character as opposed to acting like the character.
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cherry 🍒
November 4, 2018 at 4:22 AM
You speak my mind, SIG has dangerously approached Gong Yoo’s pedestal which stay untouched for a long time.
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27 astromantic
November 3, 2018 at 11:04 PM
With this post I just realized how many Seo In-guk dramas I have watched. Damn. Didn't know I was such a fan hah (currently watching Hundred Million Stars From the Sky now). And welcome, @missvictrix!
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28 yayabean
November 3, 2018 at 11:28 PM
Cool new feature!
Also, noticed our new Dramabeans minion!
Welcome aboard, @missvictrix!
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:17 PM
Thank you @yayabean! Never was anyone so happy to be a minion :)
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29 Sheila
November 3, 2018 at 11:52 PM
I love SEO IN GUK soooo much. Brilliant actor and singer, very charming and handsome. He is my everything.
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30 hjw
November 4, 2018 at 1:47 AM
Will be interesting to see how many actresses get portrayed in this new feature.
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31 Inguk-ku
November 4, 2018 at 1:07 AM
New feature and it's Seo In Guk, Thank You very kamsa .. ♡. Knew him from the beginning of his career but all craziness started when Minsuk came to my 'normal' and calm life. Since then it's like riding a roller coaster, if you know what I mean.
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32 BdxPelik
November 4, 2018 at 1:11 AM
Whoo! I'm keeping my eye on this feature! Especially for a few of my fav actors... Namely, the dude as my profile pic hehehe
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33 cherry 🍒
November 4, 2018 at 4:25 AM
Welcome to DB @missvictrix! And thank you for choosing SIG as your Spotlight actor.
So basically this feature was created for us Beanies, so we could unleash our fangirling here, right?
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missvictrix
November 5, 2018 at 3:18 PM
Thanks @cherryinbloom! Let the fangirling (and serious critical analysis, of course) be unleashed!
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34 Kurama
November 4, 2018 at 4:45 AM
I really like him as an actor. He's not really handsome like some other actors but he's way more charming and charismatic than typical flower boy actors. When he was proposed the role in Reply 1997, he said no because he thought he wasn't famous and handsome enough. I'm happy he accepted this role finally.
High School King of Savvy : When you think about the story is very weird but he sold it perfectly :p
I Remember You : I'm completely with Jang Nara when she said he was cool and was kind of dangerous (pointing all of him) :D
Police Unit 38 : He was a real chameleon . My only complaint was the female, Sooyoung was not good in.
Shopping King Louis : He was so cute. I mean usualy I don't like useless character and I'm not sure that I would have liked this character with another actor.
Hundred Million Stars From the Sky : He's great in this one.
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35 korfan
November 4, 2018 at 5:04 AM
Nice feature @missvictrix!
Thanks and welcome!
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36 wengzky
November 4, 2018 at 6:24 AM
wooow what a good reaD, been missing him for 2 years, And I'm so happy that he is back in dramaland, of all his dramas, I still cannot watch Love Rain, no matter how much I love him it was hella boooriing,,,so I had to skip it.I like him in rascal son but it was just too long. still wondering if I will watch the KIng's face,,
his charActer in high school king of savvy is my most favorite,,,lee minsuk is really a fun character to watch and sig make sure of it,
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37 Anisss
November 4, 2018 at 8:30 AM
My forever number One! Thanks for the article!
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38 jetsetlag
November 4, 2018 at 9:16 AM
LOVE HIM. Visually speaking Seo In Guk isn't really my usual type, but ahskaksjejbej I totally adore him. He's such a great actor and his projects are always so solid. He really knows how to pick them and he's just such a sweetheart❤️
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39 Affie
November 4, 2018 at 11:36 AM
I came out of a 2 year drama hiatus to watch SIG's latest drama. I initially went into it for Jung So Min...one of my fave actresses. Stayed for SIG. I love complex characters. Only other SIG drama I have watched the Master's Sun. He didn't do a lot there but I was pretty much taken with his portrayal. SIG is killing it in 100M. Thanks for this feature.
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marina
November 5, 2018 at 9:52 AM
Me too. I came for Jung So min n stayed for Seo In guk ❤️ He won my heart.
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teachermok18
November 5, 2018 at 6:02 PM
I went into and stayed for both of them. Both talented actors! <3
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40 owl 🦉 🫰
November 4, 2018 at 11:49 AM
What a great new feature! And thanks for choosing Seo In Guk to kick it off, ❤️ it!
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41 miss h
November 4, 2018 at 12:31 PM
First watched Seo In-guk in Answer me 1997 (On my top 5 list) and have loved him ever since. One of the most versatile actors out there IMO. He has the distinction of being the only actor on my favorite list that is not an ahjussi :)
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42 chousaurus
November 4, 2018 at 1:18 PM
man seo in gook is one of those guys that i'm like damn, he's so lucky. he just has such a natural talent for acting....i mean you have to remember that he didn't start off as an actor! he was a singer! he sings REALLY well but not only that...he acts REALLY well!
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43 x6x
November 4, 2018 at 4:54 PM
One of my favorite actor, never fails to deliver the best in every drama with his adlibs and all. He is playful off0screen but change immediately on-screen. Lots love SIG!
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44 ajewell
November 4, 2018 at 7:12 PM
He is absolutely one of my favorites - I've seen almost all his dramas and movies, except Rascal Sons and Love Rain. My favorites are definitely Reply 1997 and Shopping King Louie. I AM enjoying his currently airing drama too, even though I was hesitant to begin it since I've already seen the original. But he's killing it!
Here's an MV I made for Shopping King Louie, in case anyone was curious but were unsure whether to give it a try: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru3G2wmkAjs&frags=pl%2Cwn
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45 Sa
November 4, 2018 at 11:19 PM
He's actually one of the _main_ reasons I started watching dramas, thanks to Reply 1997. Since it was one of my first dramas I didn't know enough to differentiate satoori but now is a good time to pleasantly, like, die, listening to him in satoori I think. *Off to re-watch* :D
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46 Currently Living On Planet Earth
November 4, 2018 at 11:32 PM
Wait wait wait! He was in She was Pretty?! Why don't I remember him at all?!?!
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wengzky
November 5, 2018 at 6:06 AM
I had to search for it, because when I read it It was like damn he was there?? I'm sure I watch she was pretty and I didn't notice him there, it was a very fast, it was an award ceremony,,haha
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cherry 🍒
November 5, 2018 at 11:15 AM
It wasn’t even a cameo! He appeared like for one second? 😀
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wengzky
November 6, 2018 at 3:03 AM
haha,yeah so fast I didn't even remembered
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Currently Living On Planet Earth
November 6, 2018 at 6:54 AM
Wait, so it's true??!!!
Could you perhaps show that part, cause I have watched that show like twice and don't recall him at all. :)
That is so funny, what kind of cameo is that? XD
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47 sandra
November 5, 2018 at 1:57 AM
My first time seeing him was on Master's Sun I was still new to kdramas and I was just like who is this handsome boy!!!!! Something about him was super captivating, I thought he looked like a model and really wanted to see him as lead...ever since I would watch any of his new dramas...I loved him in both I Remember You and Police Unit 38 ( he was genius in this...I actually wanna re-watch)...I haven't watched some of his earlier dramas but they are on my to watch list...I never watch two dramas of the same actor at the same time...I'm enjoying The smile has left your eyes...he is killin it!!!! Acting wise I think this is his best work so far!!! So happy to see him do better and better! cant wait to see what he does next
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sandra
November 5, 2018 at 1:59 AM
Unfortunately I didnt enjoy Shopping King Louie as popular as it was...not my cup of tea, but I was happy for the success it brought him
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48 marina
November 5, 2018 at 9:57 AM
Oh Beanies, I love every single of your comments as much as the post itself. There is nothing left to add except that I’m in love with the mole under his eye. 😍
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cherry 🍒
November 5, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Have you seen this video? He made fun of his mole there and the whole video is just hilarious 😂😂😂 But you probably won’t get all the jokes if you didn’t watch Reply Me 1997. I swear this is one of the funniest things I’ve ever watched.
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cherry 🍒
November 5, 2018 at 11:19 AM
https://youtu.be/ZvdyHarR2B4
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risa
November 5, 2018 at 9:43 PM
Which video? I don't think I've seen it and it sounds awesome.
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cherry 🍒
November 5, 2018 at 9:49 PM
Oh I did posted it but it was deleted?
https://youtu.be/ZvdyHarR2B4
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risa
November 5, 2018 at 10:03 PM
Thank you very kamsa-- that WAS awesome! I really needed a good laugh and appreciate your taking the time to repost the link. Now I need a SIG + Seul-gi drama!
marina
November 6, 2018 at 4:05 AM
Well, Reply Me 1997 was in my watch list but now because of his mole I'm gonna start it tonight to be able to fully enjoy this vid n get his jokes😊
Thank you for the link^_^
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cherry 🍒
November 6, 2018 at 4:23 AM
I’m tempted to rewatch RM97 too... he’s a true chameleon, so different in every role.
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49 pickyhijabiviewer
November 6, 2018 at 7:41 PM
I watched him first at Answer Me 1997, and after her kiss scene with Eun Ji, I knew he's different. HAHA. and his eyes is my fave feature of his face.
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