Two prominent figures from the K-pop world, Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung and TWICE’s Dahyun, are currently captivating audiences on screen with demanding new acting roles, affirming their successful transition from stage performance to dramatic storytelling. Sooyoung, celebrated for her dual portrayal in the romantic thriller Idol Crazy, is earning praise for her nuanced performance, while Dahyun’s emotional delivery in Love Me has quickly crowned her a rising “acting idol.” Hong Kong viewers can stream both series through Viu to witness these compelling performances.
Sooyoung headlines Idol Crazy as Mong Se-na, a top criminal defense attorney who harbors a secret: she is an intensely devoted superfan of Do Rae-ik, the lead singer of the idol group Gold Boys, played by Kim Jae-young. The premise pivots when Do Rae-ik becomes a suspect in a murder investigation, forcing Se-na to professionally defend her idol, initiating a suspenseful romance. Recent episodes have explored the complex emotional fallout after Do Rae-ik discovers Se-na’s fan identity and dismisses her, feeling betrayed.
Despite her heartbreak—symbolized by throwing away all her idol merchandise—Se-na remains committed to her client. This week, the pair ventured to the “Piano Forest” to hunt for crucial evidence, leading to an unexpected moment of genuine connection and mutual confession. The storyline thickened with the discovery of contradictions between a deceased person’s last will and their final messages, hinting at a broader conspiracy with the introduction of a new witness.
Critics and viewers alike have lauded Sooyoung’s elevated acting proficiency. She convincingly navigates the tightrope between depicting the passionate, sometimes irrational, behavior of a dedicated fan and maintaining the composed, sharp intellect of an elite lawyer. This dualistic performance has generated significant positive feedback, with fans noting her detailed emotional portrayal and uncanny ability to embody two distinct personas simultaneously. Her performance is highlighted as a compelling study in fan devotion colliding with professional obligation.
Dahyun Debuts with Emotional Depth in Love Me
Meanwhile, TWICE member Dahyun is drawing attention for her role in the healing romantic drama Love Me, which centers on Seo Jun-kyung (Seo Hyun-jin), a single obstetrician whose guarded facade is broken down by Joo Do-hyun (Jang Ryul). The series explores their journey to rediscovering familial warmth and personal growth through love.
The central narrative intensified this week with the entry of Im Yoon-joo (Kong Sung-ha), Do-hyun’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son, who aggressively seeks reconciliation. Her confrontations, including a tense visit to Jun-kyung’s hospital, have strained the main relationship. Burdened by the emotional complexity he has brought into Jun-kyung’s life, Do-hyun ultimately resolves to commit, preparing to propose marriage.
Beyond the main couple, Dahyun’s subplot with actor Lee Si-woo, portraying childhood friends Ji Hye-won (Dahyun) and Seo Jun-seo, is gaining significant traction. Their twenty-year friendship is marked by Jun-seo’s romantic idealism and painful immaturity—a characteristic offset by Hye-won’s supportive presence. A pivotal, highly emotional scene unfolded after Jun-seo was badly beaten while dealing with an ex-girlfriend. Hye-won, overcome with sorrow and frustration, broke down, confessing her feelings: “Is this how your life will end? Why did you let yourself get hit? I’m crying because I’m in pain, I love you.” This confession led to an impulsive embrace and kiss, culminating in a critical development in their relationship.
Dahyun’s authentic portrayal of Hye-won’s pain resonated strongly with audiences and TWICE fans (‘Once’), who were surprised and impressed by her mature performance. Following early positive reviews last year that anticipated her move into acting, Dahyun expressed nervousness about her drama debut but credited the support of her group members. She recently stated that Love Me, which delves into themes of family, love, friendship, and romance, contains universal emotions that spectators can connect with, suggesting subsequent episodes might bring viewers to tears. Both Sooyoung and Dahyun are effectively establishing themselves as serious, versatile actresses, setting a high standard for K-pop idols venturing into dramatic roles.
