Forest Entertainment / 1st Look / Earnest Entertainment / CINE21
Each year, we are introduced to a new crop of budding actors who are set to join the long list of their predecessors to brilliantly and powerfully showcase their versatile acting skills, connect with fans and viewers across all genres, and invariably gain massive popularity and recognition for their works.
Bursting into the scenes with their refreshing charms, unique talents, and striking good looks, many of these rising actors are already making a name for themselves as incredible actors and also gaining global recognition.
K-Drama actors are often one of the most sought-after celebrities in commercials and ads. With the unending Hallyu wave of both K-Pop and K-Dramas, it is safe to say that K-Celebrities are leading the pack when it comes to commercial films and adverts with many being global ambassadors for global luxury brands, and others being the face of many products across various industries like food, beauty, electronics, and fashion. All the while earning millions yearly for their services.
The high demand for K-Dramas by its global audience has invariably given rise to new actors as well. Many are slowly but surely becoming global superstars and gaining tons of fans as reflected on their social media pages and mentions. Their talents and influence haven't just seen them gain more roles in dramas or movies but also some of them have become a constant face in the pictorials for many magazines and commercial adverts for different kinds of brands. This laudable aspect projects them as not just amazing or popular actors but also individuals who can yield positive influence and serve as a medium or bridge between the brands and the public.
Commercial Films (or CF as it is popularly called) is a term used to define TV adverts. These are the adverts that get played in between series or shows. They are also often displayed on other media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for more publicity. In South Korea, CF is one of the most lucrative ways that an actor cannot just earn a huge sum of money but also gain more publicity, which might even lead to them being a viral sensation.
Many famous actors have often been dubbed the "CF Kings" because of the large amount of advertisement and endorsement they record in a year both from local and foreign brands. A perfect example would be famous actor Kim SooHyun, who continues to amaze fans with the amount of CF deals and endorsements he has done throughout his career. In 2014, it was revealed that he had starred in at least 30 commercial ads, and in 2021, Mnet TMI NEWS records that he made at least $26.4 million from commercials in a year alone.
While the adverts' scenes are mainly dominated by Hallyu and popular actors, there are also some new faces who are making a name for themselves as faces or ambassadors of brands. Like Song Kang for the beauty brand Bobbi Brown, luxury brand Prada and casual retail brand, PENSHOPPE, Cha EunWoo (ASTRO) and Nam JooHyuk for the luxury brand DIOR, and Jung HoYeon for Louis Vuitton to name a few. With more rising actors gaining increasing popularity, it would also invariably mean that they would have more opportunities to star in many CF.
While there are many new actors who will no doubt follow their predecessors and become CF kings in the future, here are 4 rising actors with a high potential selling power and influence that can go beyond South Korea and extend to the global market making them prime prospects for more CF adverts.
1. Lee SinYoung
Forest Entertainment
The rising actor made his official debut in the web series "Just One Bite" in 2018. Showcasing his budding acting skills and swaying hearts with his boyish good looks, deep voice, and tall height, he posed as a true leading man material as he ended up starring in 2 more web dramas "Its Okay To Be Sensitive 2" and the sequel to his debut drama "Just One Bite 2". He however came into the global spotlight with his role as Park KwangBeom, in the 2019 tvN hit series "Crash Landing On You".
With his dreamy visual features, he became a scene stealer during the series as many fans vividly couldn't get over how handsome he looks.
Crash Landing On You
- the scenes in north korea were everything!!!
- the friendship between the ahjummas tho 🥺
- let’s be real, we’re all in love with lee shinyoung
- CAN HYUNBIN AND YEJIN PLEASE DATE ASAP
- 2nd couple deserved better 😔🌸8.5/10 pic.twitter.com/ksjD8yXLFS
— loie 🍄 (@blissfuldrama) March 27, 2020
His mesmerizing features and impressive acting in the drama no doubt piqued the interest of a lot of viewers and producers as well, as he ended up starring in both lead and supporting roles in various successful TV and Web dramas like "How to Buy a Friend", "Awaken", "Bite Sisters", and "Rookie Cops".
Why should he be in a CF?
Judging by his impressive performances and projects that have gained both critical and commercial successes, Lee SinYoung is undoubtedly one of the fast-rising actors and stars of the industry with great potential to carry on its fame and popularity as well.
Forest Entertainment
This can be clearly seen in his following on Social media. As of the date of this article, he currently has close to 1 million followers on Instagram on his personal page and almost 20,000 followers on his PR page. Since he gained popularity as an actor, he's already been featured in various magazines like W, 1st Look, and Arena, showing off his model-like poses as well.
Kinds of CF he could do?
Forest Entertainment
According to his agency's official profile, he has starred in 3 CF since his debut so far. While he could do any kind of CF he wants, here are some we believe would suit him perfectly.
1. Tourism or Resort Commercials
The Hallyu wave in South Korea has no doubt led to the country being a hot spot for Tourist attraction. In fact according to world data, as of 2020, over 2.5 million tourists visited South Korea, a high figure that was no doubt affected by the Pandemic and the lockdown as with the year before, it was recorded that over 17.50 million tourists visited the country.
Screenshot from World Data
With that in mind, there is a need to amp up the attraction of various towns or resorts, and what better way to do that than with a commercial? Showing off South Korea in its unique complexities, through his eyes would serve as an interesting commercial. Capturing some of the local spots, historical locations, and the unique experiences in store for tourist as well. With his deep voice, his accent, and his youthful appearance, Lee SinYoung is the right medium that can reach across all target audiences.
2. Activewear/sportswear ad
Lee SinYoung is a prime prospect for a sportswear CF ad. He is handsome, confident, hard-working, and passionate about his craft. He is also goal-oriented and revealed he likes to win, which makes him do his best at everything. Asides from this, he also has an impressive physique which combined with his towering height of 1.80cm, he makes everything he wears look fitted and attractive. A CF ad for sportswear brands like Under Armour, Adidas, Nike, and Puma would be a win-win situation for both parties, especially if the brand is looking to bank on one of the future stars of the Industry.
2. Choi HyunWook
1st Look
Choi HyunWook's impressive rise to global recognition is one for the books as he's been one of the young actors who has been gaining reverence for his impressive acting in various hit TV series. Having made his debut in 2019 with the web series "Real: Time: Love". His appearance as one of the antagonists in the series "Taxi Driver" was perhaps one of the first dramas where many fans took real notice of him. Delivering a chilling performance in the role of Park SeungTae, a school bully who eventually gets a taste of his own medicine in the hands of Kim DoGi (played by Lee JeHoon). While his character was one that many originally didn't like or root for, as an actor, Choi HyunWook vividly impressed a lot of viewers with his portrayal of his role. Making him one to watch.
Creative Director Han Joonhe said, "Actor Choi Hyunwook is a friend with a well-developed (instinctive) sense. He has the talent to absorb good things around him like a sponge and to make acting and action his own." pic.twitter.com/a0GUvnf1XD
— Daily Hyunwook 최현욱 (@dailyhyunwook) November 17, 2022
From there he has continued to prove that he is a bonafide actor with a versatile and flexible talent having played a variety of roles in hit series like "Racket Boys", "Jirisan", "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" and more recently the Wavve series "Weak Hero Class", where yet again, his impressive acting skills and his ability to absorb his role is gaining him both critical and commercial recognition. He won the "Male New Actor Award" at the 2021 SBS Drama awards for his roles in "Taxi Driver" and "Racket Boys".
Why should he be in a CF ad?
1st Look
With his boyish good looks and charismatic aura, the handsome rising actor is a head-turner and continued to gain massive popularity amongst K-Drama fans, both at home and abroad. His increasing popularity no doubt adds so much to his appeal as he is already gaining tons of attention from brands and is a sought-after cover star for various fashion magazines as well. For brands, he's modeled for the sportswear brand FILA, he is the exclusive model for Elite Student Uniform, and he's done a streetwear campaigns for the clothing brands, MUSINSA and 1993 Studio to name a few.
Kinds of CF he could do?
GOLD MEDALIST
Choi HyunWook's handsome visuals and fascinating aura makes him very attractive and also combined with his amazing acting abilities, he can suitably fit any kind of character or role for any kind of beauty brand or advert. However, here are some we would love him to do.
1. Clothing brands
As we mentioned earlier, the rising actor is already a favorite for many brands as well as gracing the spreads in fashion magazines. However, we would still love to see him star in a clothing CF ad. Still continuing in the line of the streetwear style as he did for MUSINSA, we believe he has the charisma, charm, and all-around appeal to be one of the faces of his niche. A young and fresh brand fashion brand centered on creating timeless everyday casual but chic wear will be a good option for him.
2. Coffee brand ads
Coffee brands are becoming a very lucrative aspect of the global market and who better to bank on to continue its popularity than a rising actor like Choi HyunWook. While he is the typeset for the young and chic youthful look, he also has a more mature disposition and outlook that exudes a sense of distinction and elegance as well. Traits that are often connoted as the ideal market audience of the product. Putting his handsome visuals and acting talents on display, he might just spur up a new crop of coffee lovers with this proposed commercial.
3. Lomon
Esquire
If there has been a rising actor who has gained more recognition and popularity this year, it is Lomon. The 23-year-old made his official acting debut in 2014 playing the guest role of Choi KangJoo in the series "Bride Of The Century". Having played a similar types of roles in different dramas and movies, it wasn't till 2017, he got his big break with the web drama "Sweet Revenge".
Gaining a ton of popularity amongst young fans of the show for his Tsundere-like personality and his handsome good looks as well. After taking a break for over 2 years, his return to TV would spark more interest in him by the public than ever and rapidly shooting him to a rising actor status as he displays his amazing skills and charms in the hit Netflix series "All of Us Are Dead" and the ongoing Disney+ series "Revenge Of Others". Since the release of "All of Us Are Dead", he's since a trajectory rise in popularity. As of the date of this article, he currently has close to 6 million followers on Instagram.
Why should he be in a CF ad?
Big Smile Entertainment
Lomon is one of the representative faces of Teen acting in South Korea now. Having starred in 3 successful teen series, he fits the image of the preppy school boy or college student, who is bright-eyed, enthusiastic, adventurous, ambitious, and ready to take on the world. He has the youthful energy that makes him one with his peers but still possesses a sense of maturity well ahead of his years that many would find warm, comforting, and attractive.
Kinds of CF he could do?
Esquire
Lomon is a fresh and exciting face that has no doubt captivated the hearts of many fans, who would also eagerly tune into anything he stars in. While he might be able to pull off any kind of ads. here are some of the adverts we would love to see him star in the nearest future.
1. A wine advert
In a recent interview with Esquire magazine, he revealed he was learning more about Wines, their texture, origin, and aroma, and has been trying a variety of wines as he gets older. This interest perhaps serves as the right reason for him to star in a CF about Wine or a Winery. With his growing knowledge about the drink, he can vividly express his views and show a level of sincerity that doesn't make it feel like a regular CF ad. A sincerity that would no doubt read well with viewers and connect them with the brand as well.
2. A beauty brand advert
Lomon is handsome has a striking facial feature that simply makes his face so unique. He is handsome and would no doubt serve as the right model for a beauty brand commercial. A new or luxury beauty brand looking for unique and distinct faces for their campaigns might want to look his way as his aesthetics and features match the ideal image of many beauty brands.
4. Shin HyunSeung
Earnest Entertainment
Shin HyunSeung is one of the fast-rising actors whose gaining more recognition with each role he takes. Having made his debut in 2020, the 24-year-old budding actor impressed with his role as Lee SeungMin in the web drama "Be My Boyfriend". He melted hearts with his soft and well-mannered personality, tall height, and his handsome good looks as well. Consequently, his charms and talents would make him go on to star in various hit dramas like "So Not Worth It", "Sh**ting Stars", "Adamas", and "Behind Every Star". Even though he's been mostly playing supporting roles in TV dramas, it is still an impressive feat as he made his official debut as an actor barely 2 years ago.
Why should he be in a CF ad?
Earnest Entertainment
Shin HyunSeung is proving he is a diverse actor who can deliver a range of emotions that can connect with his audience. With his refreshing good looks and excellent charms he already shines brightly as a young actor, one that many brands and magazines are already taking notice of and offering to star or be a face in their campaign.
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One of them is FILA. He has starred in various campaigns for the global brand, showing off his model-like poses and his dreamy good looks.
Kinds of CF he could do?
FILA
Shin HyunSeung has an image that could rightfully fit any kind of advert. With his towering height, stunning facial features, and magnetic aura, he portrays the charms and traits that would make for a successful model. While there could be an unending list of CF adverts he could do and many, he might very well do in the future, here are some we think he's right fitted for.
1. Clothing Brand
Shin HyunSeung has previously successfully modeled for a sportswear brand, so a clothing brand will no doubt be the next best step for him. He could bring a refreshing and bright energy to luxurious brands like Gucci and Armani, starring in a suit campaign or showing a more laid-back yet chic and trendy style with brands like ASOS or Represent. In either concept, a CF film ad with Shin HyunSeung will be a good idea as with his growing popularity and his youthful appearance, he will be able to connect to a wider range of audience for a long time.
2. Smartphone ad
Affixing Shin HyunSeung as the brand model of a smartphone is a noteworthy idea as he thoroughly matches and portrays the client market of many smartphones today. Young, active, bright, and creative, he possesses the many traits that smartphone companies look for not just in a model but in a customer as well. Serving as a right muse whose thoughts could provide valuable insights into the ever-changing/growing needs of for market while also being a face that many youths could connect with.
Which of these rising actors would you like to see in more ads? Which ones do you think will be the future CF kings? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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