Kpop/Kdrama: Dramas To Idolize

Kpop/Kdrama is a new series about kdramas that involve kpop idols or dramas that focus on a kpop band. Any drama that combines the two tends to become a favorite. And it is likely to have a great soundtrack.

The first in this series is the new drama "Monstar" which follows the story of a troubled idol. He is both a star and a monster, because he has psychological scars that never healed properly. Not only will the drama star B2ST's Yong Joon Hyung in his first leading role, he will sing on the OST. BTOB members will play band members in the drama and contribute to the soundtrack.

"Monstar" employs the "Dream High" and Shut Up Flower Boy Band" formula for kdrama success. It brings the music and the idols to a high school.

Idol rapper Yong plays Yoon Sul Chan, the bad-tempered vocalist for the group Men in Black. In the drama, Yoon Sul Chan's management company punishes his actions in a saesang stalker-fan incident by sending him back to high school. Ouch. That's cruel. Nobody who has successfully escaped high school wants to go back.

Yong has not personally had any negative saesang experiences with B2ST. The singer figures that having enthusiastic fans is something idols should be grateful for. So, he only has to play at being sent back to high school.
"My experiences with B2ST have helped me a lot in my role," said Yong. "Especially when Yoon Seol Chan gets entangled in rumors and with saesang fans."

Once his character Sul Chan has enrolled, he joins a band and the music they play helps him come to terms with the past. Rookie actress Ha Yeon Soo has been cast as Min Se Yi, Yoon Sul Chan's love interest. The former cosmetics model was concerned about how idol fans might react to her role and whether they might be jealous.

"I'm really nervous," said Ha Yeon Soo. "But I try not to think about it and will work to show my best side."

Making this series a little different from previous kpop/kdramas is the fact that its produced by the South Korean music channel Mnet. A collaborative effort between the Mnet and tvN, the drama premiered this week.

Director Shin Hyung Gwan says the project has been in the works for a long time and the goal was to "successfully mix together music and dramas, the two themes beloved by Korean viewers."

And kpop/kdrama fans around the world.