[Star Column] TV actors hunger for movie roles

¡°I don¡¯t know well what acting is, even if I act in TV dramas. If I act in movies, I think I can do better by making my role as my own,¡± TV actor Won Bin said.

¡°I¡¯d like to concentrate on movies in order to expand the scope of my acting,¡± TV actress Chae Rim said.

The two top TV actors said uniformly that they would prefer the movie screen over than tube to find a breakthrough to quench their thirst for acting. Won Bin was cast in the movie, ¡°Chattering of Killers,¡± to be put on a road show this summer, while Chae Rim is seeking a chance to act in a film.

Let¡¯s target the film industry.

TV actor-turned-movie stars such as Han Suk-Kyu, Jun Do-Yeon and Sim Eun-Ha never return to TV. Since he acted last in the MBC drama, ¡°The Moon of Seoul¡± in 1994, Han has never appeared in any TV drama, while actress Jun played only in a few one-act dramas since she took the title role in ¡°Snail¡± on SBS TV in 1997. Actress Sim is also a highly sought actress for TV dramas.

TV stars are yearning to move to the movie world, whereas movie stars are not interested in TV shows. This is due to the difference in the production of TV programs and movies. Actors in TV shows, particularly serials, have to maintain a deadline for production because of the scheduled for broadcasting. The scripts are seldom fully prepared. They are given to the actors at the very scene for shooting.

For instance, the scripts of the MBC drama ¡°Ajumma¡± are modified depending on the locations of the shooting, either at studios or outdoors. In the worst case, the actors are supplied the scripts phrase by phrase.

In such situations, some actors complain that they cannot know what they are doing, not to mention to act in concert with other actors.

On the contrary, movie actors can devote themselves to the movie and their acting because they work together for several months with directors and producers.

¡°I can unite myself with my role in a movie through several discussions and researches with my role,¡± actress Jun said.

Of course, the big money played a decisive role in tempting Won Bin, Chae Rim or others to move to the movie world. If an actor or actress makes a successful debut in the film industry, he or she can receive up to 120 million won per film. However, the actors said the real motivation for their acting careers takes precedence over money, in the event they think they have to live their lives as actors.

TV companies say that they have almost no alternatives. The problem is chronic and a solution, namely production of dramas in advance, is almost impossible under the current circumstances. It is quite obvious that the TV screens might be flooded with shows of low quality in the digital era of multiple channels, not to mention the change of mind of Won Bin and others, if the current practice of producing dramas at deadline persists.