Can Actors In Public Relationships Deliver Realistic On-Screen Chemistry?
Veteran performers like Rain, who is romantically involved with Kim Tae Hee (Yong Pal) and Lee Min Jung, who is married to Lee Byung Hyun (Memories of the Sword), may seem impervious to doubts regarding on-screen dynamics, but the recent release of behind-the-scenes photos from their upcoming drama, "Come Back Mister," sparked the debate as to whether they can portray realistic couple.
On January 18, Sports Chosun released candid photos from "Come Back Mister," citing the "same-age chemistry" of Rain and Lee Min Jung.
"Lee Min Jung boasts warm visuals and [her] informal clothing reveals innocent charm, that has been unchanged even after marriage, which [will] hopefully increase [interest] in the drama," said Sports Chosun reporter Cho Yoon Sun."
The article went on to praise both Rain and Lee for their cute appearance in the pictures.
However, the reaction from Korean netizens was lackluster, as respondents addressed whether the on-screen couple could deliver the same romantic sentiments generated by their real-life relationships.
According to the English-translation site Netizen Buzz, the third most supported comment on the article questioned the potential of the pair.
"I bet neither of them has 0.1 percent feelings for one another," said one translated response, as posted by Netizen Buzz.
Another netizen questioned whether high-profile relationships of both actors would impact the success of the drama.
"The two leads are comprised of a married woman and a man with a girlfriend," said another commenter, as translated by Netizen Buzz. "There won't be any chemistry. What a flop of a melodrama."
Korean entertainment witnessed a surge of public relationships in 2015, as high-powered couples like Lee Min Ho, Miss A's Suzy, Kim Woo Bin and Shin Min Ah revealed that they were dating, off-screen.
While these stars continue to appear with other celebrities in commercials and fashion editorials, audiences continue to speculate as to whether they can deliver realistic chemistry with their K-Drama partners.
Shin Min Ah recently concluded the KBS2 romantic comedy, "Oh My Venus," where she and co-star, So Ji Sub, exchanged several believable kisses and love scenes.
Her real-life beau, Kim Woo Bin, recently appeared in a steamy endorsement pictorial with Chinese model, Xiao Wen Ju, as part of a Calvin Klein ad campaign.
Kim also maintains his professional charm in the first teaser for his upcoming KBS2 drama, "Uncontrollably Fond," where he appears opposite Suzy.
Scheduled to premiere in summer 2016, "Uncontrollably Fond" will mark the first romantic comedy for both stars, since publically revealing their relationships.
As marriage headlines become increasingly common with stars Hwang Jung Eum, Kim Ha Neul, and Jung Woo abandoning singlehood to exchange nuptials, the issue of whether actors have believable chemistry will become more apparent.
Do you think K-Drama stars who are married or in public relationships are less interesting in their on-screen pairings? Comment below.
