Actor Hyeon Bin Becomes Top Hallyu Star in Japan
May 23, 2006The new-generation actor Hyeon Bin will likely become the representative top-class hallyu star overseas. In December of last year, Hyeon appeared as a cover model for the Hong Kong edition of the world-renowned men’s magazine “Esquire”, a first for a South Korean actor. This time, Hyeon has recently become a top hallyu star in Japan, overtaking other South Korean celebrities. Hyeon ranked first in the “Third Poll on Hallyu Stars” conducted on readers for the February issue of the “South Korean TV Drama Magazine” published by Kyodo News.
In the poll, Hyeon was followed by Kwon Sang-woo, Bae Yong-joon and Lee Byeong-heon, in that order. Other hallyu stars selected included Ryoo Si-won, Song Seung-heon, Kim Rae-won, Park Yong-ha, So Ji-sub and Park Shin-yang.
Hyeon’s ranking in the poll has stunned all people concerned, as South Korean TV dramas he has acted in have never been aired by terrestrial networks in Hong Kong or Japan.
South Korean TV dramas are normally broadcast by cable TV networks in Japan ahead of terrestrial networks. Through KNTV, a fee-based channel in Japan, the drama “Ireland” aired from January through March of last year, and another drama “My Name is Kim Sam-soon” from August through October of last year, winning great popularity there. After those dramas were broadcast, Hyeon has attracted a growing number of Japanese female fans because of his handsome and gentle appearance.
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