K-Dramas That Rock: Dramas That Bring K-Pop To The Screen

Idol actors will have a strong presence in Korean dramas during the month of March. In addition to major casting news, the number of idols currently starring in dramas is on a rise. One of the biggest advantages of K-dramas that have pop idols leading the cast is the potential for talented music performances. Whether the drama is a musical drama or incorporates interludes of music, idol actors help to distinguish Korean dramas from most other international formats. While dramas such as Dream High and You're Beautiful are widely recognized amongst audiences, there are countless other dramas that showcase K-Pop idols.

The 2012 drama Shut Up Flower Boy chronicled the juxtaposition between struggling rockers and the temptation to become mainstream idols. The tvN drama was a follow up to Flower Boy Ramyun Shop and starred Sung Joon and INFINITE's L (Kim Myungsoo). Sung Joon, who is currently starring in I Need Romance 3, portrayed the wayward band leader Kwon Ji Hyuk. Kwon Ji Hyuk was the despondent yet endearingly sweet leader of Eye Candy and love interest of Im Soo Ah (Jo Bo Ah). Art imitates life in Shut Up Flower Boy, as Lee Hyun Soo (L) struggles with the pressure of increasing fame and the opportunity to strike out with a solo career. As Shut Up Flower Boy approaches the musical genre from a more realistic perspective, the drama is not necessarily for the faint of heart.

When the casting for Big Bang's Seungri was announced last week, many fans questioned the roles that other members of the group have held in Korean drama. With his role in Angel Eyes, Seungri will join Daesung and T.O.P as idols who have acted in a K-Drama. G-Dragon and Taeyang have yet to act in a Korean drama, with Taeyang having appeared in a film in 2010.

While Daesung is known for his bright eye smile, his role as Ha Do Sung in 2011's musical drama What's Up was far darker. As Do Sung, Daesung was the mysterious songwriter and lead singer for the rock group Hades. Like Shut Up Flower Boy, the drama focuses on many of the negative aspects of the pursuit to become famous.

Big Bang's Daesung in 'What's Up?' performing 'Rock Star'

While the highlight for most audiences in the 2011 drama Heartstrings was the romance between Lee Gyu Won (Park Shin Hye) and Lee Shin (Jung Yong Hwa), a prevailing theme was the artistic growth of the performers. In Heartstrings, Park Shin Hye demonstrated her ability to seamlessly transition from the role of an actor to a musician and dancer, in a way that was not present in You're Beautiful. Her performance adds to the realism of the drama, making Heartstrings one of the most believable portrayals of the struggles that exist within a collegiate performing arts program.

Park Shin Hye's fictitious traditional band 'Wildflower' with actor Lee Hyun Jin.

Where Heartstrings focused on the performance deficits of musicians who had already demonstrated talent, The Musical highlighted the pursuits of medical student Ko Eun Bi (Gu Hye Sun). Like many students who have become disenchanted with their academic program, Ko Eun Bi dreams of performing in a professional musical. With the assistance of composer Hong Jae Hee (Daniel Choi), Ko Eun Bi pursues her goal of becoming a successful musical actress.

Hallyu star Jang Keun Suk starred opposite Moon Geun Young in the 2010 drama Mary Stayed Out All Night. As Kang Mu Gyul, Jang Keun Suk is the singer and guitarist of the band Absolute Perfection. The pursuit to become a successful musician is an prevailing theme in Mary Stayed Out All Night, with Wi Mae Ri (Moon Geun Young) faced with the difficult decision of choosing love or money.

Musical Korean dramas provide over all entertainment, with the opportunity for some of the most well rounded artists to shine. It is not surprising that many of the acting idols and actors who perform in these dramas are amongst the most beloved by fans. While supernatural dramas and those with the theme of divorce appear to be the current trend, 2014 is a year that is ripe for new musical dramas.

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Sung Joon
INFINITE
Kim Myungsoo
INFINITE L
Park Shin Hye
Daesung
Gu Hye Sun
Jang Keun Suk
Daniel Choi
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