Radio Star actors Kim Young-kwang and Kang Ji-young each showed their own aegyo.
On the 15th episode of MBC variety show Radio Star, the cast of the film First Ride appeared. Kim Young-kwang said he is extremely introverted and that he felt more at ease on Jungle's Law.
Kim Young-kwang said, "drama Walking On Thin Ice I appear with senior Lee Young-ae," and explained his recent work, "Senior Lee Young-ae picks up a bag containing drugs, and because her household is struggling she ends up selling the drugs together. I am a drug dealer." Kim Gu-ra asked, "That Dae Jang Geum?" expressing his surprise.
Kim Gu-ra asked, "Lee Young-ae doesn't talk much either, does she?" asking about the on-set atmosphere. Kim Young-kwang said, "She speaks softly and is very bright on set. She also sends a lot of gifts." Kim Gu-ra asked, "So does Kim Young-kwang just stand there and smile?" Kim Gook-jin asked, "They say she dotes on you," asking about what he had heard. Kim Young-kwang said, "She also shows aegyo and things like that," but when the atmosphere moved toward making him do aegyo he cried out, "affectionately, like that."
Kang Ha-neul said, "When I had my first meeting with Kim Young-kwang he said so little it was frightening. I thought I had to be careful. After only a few times he went 'Haneul-aang.' He has that kind of aegyo. It comes out in moments when he becomes comfortable," defending Kim Young-kwang.
There was also someone at the table whose image has been etched in the public mind by the two-letter word 'aegyo.' It was Kara's Kang Ji-young. The youngest member of KARA, who since debuting in the 00s had always been a hitmaker and enjoyed great popularity in Korea and Japan, has now firmly established herself as an actress in Japan along with Heo Young-ji.
But 12 years ago, at only 19, she was embarrassed and cried when MCs forced her to show aegyo, and she had to suffer from malicious comments even questioning her professionalism.
Now over 30, Kang Ji-young instead confronted the issue head-on. Kang Ji-young said, "At that time, Ras was a frightening variety show for idols. They told us to show aegyo, and I couldn't so I cried. But my tears became an issue," and showed humility by blaming herself, saying, "Back then it was also a transitional period for KARA, there were contract issues and we were sensitive, I have a lot to say about it but I think I was immature then."
Kim Gu-ra said, "Personally, when I said I'd talk about it then I thought the atmosphere back then wasn't bad. If the atmosphere had really been bad we would have edited the entire segment out," trying to ease the mood.
Kang Ji-young said, "After that I wondered what aegyo was that made me so miserable, so I studied it," and said, "Now if someone asks me to show it I can at least do 'If you ask me to show it, I can show it.'" showing an awkward but determined attitude. Kim Gu-ra asked, "Don't they make you do aegyo in Japan?" and Kang Ji-young said, "In Japan they actually don't make one do rude things," and "I'm sorry," which made viewers indirectly feel that Kim Gu-ra's question was, in crude terms, 'picking at her,' but she soon turned it into laughter.
[Photo credit] MBC variety show Radio Star
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