From 'Youth Stars' to 'Villains': Actors Transform for New Roles

Once beloved for their pure and innocent images, South Korean actors Yoo Seung-ho, Ong Seong-wu, and Choi Soo-young are now embracing darker roles, seeking to broaden their acting spectrum.

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My worst deed? It's a secret.

Yoo Seung-ho, previously known as the 'nation's younger brother,' is currently portraying a complex artist and youngest son of a media conglomerate in the SBS drama 'Flex X Cop 2.' His character, Yoo Seong-won, is a suspect in a murder investigation, and a teaser showed him smiling with bloodstains, chillingly asking, "My worst deed? It's a secret." This marks a departure from his usual heartwarming roles, though he previously played a psychopath in the 2013 MBC drama 'I Miss You.' Director Kim Jae-hong specifically requested Yoo for the role, noting his suitability for the character's dense narrative.

Ong Seong-wu, who debuted through the Mnet survival show 'Produce 101 Season 2,' is taking on his first villainous role as Kang Min-hwan in the tvN drama 'Frankly Speaking.' His character is the heir to a major hotel group, appearing gentle but harboring ambition and complexes. Ong expressed a desire to show a different side of himself, stating, "I always have a desire to show new sides of myself. I'm often told I have a righteous look, so I thought it would be good to show a different image."

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I always have a desire to show new sides of myself. I'm often told I have a righteous look, so I thought it would be good to show a different image.

Choi Soo-young, a member of the group Girls' Generation and an actress, plays Anya, the leader of a criminal organization, in the new film 'Mission: Cruise 2,' released on the 12th. This is her first villain role, where she portrays a character who oscillates between playfulness and cruelty. Director Lee Chul-ha praised her, saying, "I thought only Choi Soo-young could play this role because I envisioned a female villain who was cool, mischievous, and childlike. She perfectly understood what I wanted from our first meeting."

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I thought only Choi Soo-young could play this role because I envisioned a female villain who was cool, mischievous, and childlike. She perfectly understood what I wanted from our first meeting.