As Kim Jin-young, not as the 'creator' Dex, meets home viewers for the first time, reactions to his acting skills are mixed. There were some concerns since Kim Jin-young joined the work through casting that saw 'potential' without an audition, but there are criticisms that he seemed awkward from the very first appearance. Therefore, attention is focused on whether Kim Jin-young's acting will improve as the episodes progress.
The ENA new drama 'The Defects' (written by Ahn So-jung, directed by Oh Gi-hwan), broadcast on the 21st, presented the desperate story of children trying to survive in a collapsed system.
'The Defects' is an action thriller depicting the desperate survival and revenge of children who narrowly survived after being abandoned by their adoptive parents. Based on a Kakao webtoon that won the 'Best Creative Award' at the international content market SPP 2017 and recorded over 51 million views, it has garnered attention from both original fans and drama enthusiasts.
'The Defects' gained more attention because of Kim Jin-young's appearance. Creator Dex, who is a UDT veteran, is known as a 'flirting master' and has won public favor. Showing diverse chemistry in entertainment programs and being called the 'rating fairy,' Dex knocked on the door of TV drama with his real name, Kim Jin-young.
Although Kim Jin-young has previously challenged acting with 'Tarot: The Seven Stories,' there were concerns about being cast as a lead in a TV drama so quickly. Regarding this, Director Oh Gi-hwan stated at the press conference that Kim Jin-young's appearance was a 'casting,' not an 'audition,' explaining, 'I selected him because he has potential as an actor.' The choice of a new actor for a leading role raised concerns and puzzlement as it proceeded with a 'casting' based on potential rather than a verifiable 'audition.'
The first TV drama 'The Defects' released has intricately portrayed the unprecedented world of illegal adoption cartels, with a tight narrative and messages that directly challenge social taboos, as well as a fast-paced development, meticulous direction, and thrilling action that provide extreme suspense.
However, reactions regarding Kim Jin-young's acting were mixed. In scenes where he needed to lead the atmosphere, his hollow gaze, awkward walking, and expressions that hindered immersion were highlighted. The debate over his acting skills, with some viewers suggesting he was 'robotic,' 'needs to practice acting a lot,' and 'given the significant role, what's he doing,' and 'his anxiety is evident,' arose right after the broadcast. On the other hand, responses also indicated that 'it wasn't that awkward,' and 'though his tension shows, other aspects are fine,' suggesting that considering this as he is still a rookie, there is potential.
Ultimately, it is up to Kim Jin-young to prove both the concerns and expectations. Director Oh Gi-hwan explained at the press conference that 'the Kim Jin-young from the first month of filming and the Kim Jin-young at the time of crank-up were definitely different.' According to the director's statement, Kim Jin-young is expected to show gradual improvement, as while the first episode left some regrets, it can be seen that satisfaction is increasing. Co-stars Yum Jung-ah, Won Jina, and Choi Young-jun praised Kim Jin-young's attitude and passion, recognizing his potential as an actor. In this intersection of concerns and expectations, what kind of performance will Kim Jin-young present? And what evaluation will he receive as an actor after the conclusion of 'The Defects'?
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