"Model-idols": Impeccable acting and good looks

They are good looking and great at acting. Actor-turned models are standing out. They are called 'model-idols' because they are as popular as idols. They areLee Jong-suk,Kim Woo-bin,Seong Joon,Ahn Jae-hyeon,Kim Yeong-kwang,Hong Jong-hyeonandLee Seong-kyeong. It's telling us a lot when more management agencies, who are putting weight on finding new talent, are also merging with model agencies.

- The top of the casting list, they are good looking and great actors

A drama planned for the end of the year failed to cast bothLee Jong-sukandKim Woo-bin.Lee Jong-sukis starring in SBS"Pinocchio"coming in November andKim Woo-binis starring in movies"Twenty"and"The Technicians".

Ahn Jae-hyeonwho starred in the drama "My Love from the Star" asJeon Ji-hyeon's brother, is starring in "Fashion King - Movie" andLee Seong-kyeongwho starred in "It's Okay, That's Love" asLee Gwang-soo's girlfriend, is also increasing her values.

Seong JoonandKim Yeong-kwangare the next 'romance comedy kings' as they are standing out in the KBS 2TV drama"Discovery of Romance"and tvN"Plus Nine Boys".Hong Jong-hyeonis also busy with MBC weekend drama "Mama - Nothing to Fear" and TV show "We Just Got Married".

Their strong points are good looks and model-heights. They are not the best looking but they have character and is good looking enough to catch anyone's eye. They're also outstanding in acting and have gone on top of the list for casting.

SBS Drama Department Director Kim Yeong-sup says, "In the past, former model actors were only known for their good looks, but these days they learn how to act in their model agencies as well. LikeCha Seung-won,Lee Jeong-jaeand So Ji-seob who are good examples, the new model-actors are expected to do well".

- Possibilities of development? Unlimited

Ahn Jae-hyeonandLee Seong-kyeonghave two agencies.Ahn Jae-hyeonbelongs to a model agency named S Team and HB Entertainment which housesJi Jin-heeand Lee Jia. HB has merged with S Team and is responsible forAhn Jae-hyeonwhen he's acting.

Lee Seong-kyeongis part of YG Entertainment which merged with K Plus at the end of June and launched YG K Plus. YG is home toLee Seong-kyeongand 50 other male models includingNam Joo-hyeokfrom the tvN drama"The Idle Mermaid".Cha Seung-wonwho is also another former model also moved to YG this year.

YG director Yang Min-seok said, "The models these days have great potential as they are as popular as K-Pop idols". There's possibility that they might head overseas soon. China and the great Hallyu drama boom has lead to the focus on stars likeLee Min-ho,Kim Soo-hyeon-IandPark Hae-jin. IHQ Acting Academy casting director Ahn Hyeok-mo says, "Tall and rich men are a great hit in China. The models are likely to succeed in China with their looks alone".