Usually boy groups are singers or dancers, right? But that's not the case with Surprise. Seo Kang Joon, Lee Tae Hwan, Yoo Il, Gong Myung, and Kang Tae Oh. These 5 members form a group. But it's not just another singing or dance group. They are actors. Why is this group acting? Since when did the word 'group' become synonymous with 'idol'?

Strength - Solid acting skills and strong support

Weakness - Unfamiliar concept

Opportunity - The industry's positive attention

Threat - Idol turned actors

Surprise is a 5-member group that challenged idol turned actors. These newcomers are having to go head to head with popular idol singers turned actors that have already become popular through music.

It's not enough that these 5 members were put into one group. But at least they're backed by midsized entertainment agency Fantagio. Fantagio also has actors such as Ha Jung Woo, Joo Jin Mo, Yum Jung Ah, Kim Sung Kyun and more.

Fantagio invested 3 years choosing these 5 members. Fantagio monitored 4,000 people in their actor's league, and these 5 members beat 800:1 odds to become members of Surprise. They then starred in webtoon drama "After School Bokbulbok. The public was surprisingly more receptive than expected.

Subsequently, Seo Kang Joon made a cameo appearance in KBS 2TV's "Good Doctor," and was even spotted on SBS' "The Suspicious Housekeeper." He even took a role in one of MBC's drama festival specials. On the other hand Kang Tae Oh starred on KBS entertainment program "Dream Team 2" and MBC's "Save Wang Jo Hyeong." He is also appearing on MBC drama "Miss Korea," and has been cast on "This Is Our End" (working title).

To put it simply, Surprise members are well-off because of their established acting skills. They did have a leg up on other actors. Most rookie actors have to turn in their headshots and go through auditions to be cast, but Surprise members had already gotten their names out there through "After School Bokbulbok," where they proved themselves to the directors on the show. They used the best platform to promote themselves, despite being rookie actors.

The industry and public have a good impression of the group. There are some reservations towards idol turned actors that get drama and movie roles without having to prove themselves first. They simply get the parts because they're already popular with the public. However Surprise went through an authentic learning process. They starred in an acting work right off the bat.

Even still, the idea of an acting group is still an unfamiliar concept. That's because there are no predecessors. Everything Surprise does will be a first, and they have the great task of marketing this new concept to the public. Each of the actors must come together not just as 5 members, but in a group as a whole.

The main rivals for Surprise has to be idol turned actors. Nowadays idol group agencies are hiring professional acting coaches to improve idols' skills. Thanks to the hired professionals, idols such as Im Siwan and Suzy have emerged as acknowledged skilled actors.

One entertainment rep stated, "Surprise has succeeded in catching the public and industry's attention. But right now, when they're being offered parts in different works, is the most important time. They will only be able to survive in the long run if they're able to present themselves as different from 'idol turned actors.' At least 1 of the 5 members must make haste and become a star so that the other members will become better known and grow together."