Kim Tae-hee to star in Chinese drama

Kim Tae-hee

By Lee Kyung-min

The local entertainment industry has viewed China as a less important hallyu destination compared to Japan, but more stars are headed toward one of the world’s largest markets for film and music projects.

A latest example is the radiant actress Kim Tae-hee, who has just landed the lead role in the Chinese TV drama, “Wang Hee-jee.” “With a budget of 10 billion won ($97 million), a Chinese production company will start shooting as early as mid-June, her agent said Tuesday.

Chinese producers are increasingly becoming open toward the idea of casting popular Korean stars in their big-budget TV dramas targeting nationwide audience.

Kim’s China contract is considered a rarity, possibly making headway for other Korean movie stars to broaden their fan-base in a country that normally does not cast foreign actors in their TV dramas.

So far, most Korean actors have gained their popularity in China with Korean works that were broadcast via online platform such as Youtube, or Yuku, what many call the “Chinese Youtube.”

Since Chinese dramas have been uninviting for Korean actors, they are mainly seen on entertainment programs familiar with the local audiences.

On May 25, Kim appeared on a talk show on a local channel with another Korean actress Lim Soo-jeong. Given that Kim rarely does talk shows in Korea, the move was seen as a testament to her ambitions in China.

Kim’s latest TV drama work “Jang Ok-jeong, Living by Love,” brought her some critical success, despite her reputation as a pretty face who can’t act. Kim has at times been ridiculed for her lack of natural acting ability.

When broadcaster SBS cast Kim Tae-hee in the historical drama series, there were concerns that the superstar actress with zero period piece experience was unfit to portray the most infamous royal concubine during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).