You can find all of our “Bias Duality” articles in one place by clicking here! This week’s “Bias Duality” article is dedicated to an actor whose creative prowess makes us all bow to his greatness - Jung HaeIn. With 94.6% of the total votes cast by Kpopmap readers on the poll in our previous “Bias Duality” article, Jung HaeIn was chosen by an overwhelming majority of fans to appear on this series! To participate in choosing the artist who will be featured in our next “Bias Duality” article, you can vote for your favourite idol/actor below! If you would like to see a different idol/actor (one who is not mentioned in the poll) featured in the series, please leave their name in the comments section, and we will add them to the vote lineup next time! Now onto our bias!
The Pearl Of Devotion: Jung HaeIn’s Personal Duality & Evolution
Once in a lifetime, there comes an artist who changes the world. Without a shadow of a doubt, Jung HaeIn is one of them. Dignified, elegant, accomplished, on the one hand, charming, charismatic, and playful on the other - Jung HaeIn is the poster child of duality on infinite levels - a few of which we will try to encapsulate in this article. To start with, let’s dive into Jung HaeIn’s extensive and illustrious career. Before he became the genius that he is today, Jung HaeIn was a musical actor at university, and it was his experience then that sparked his interest in acting. In 2013, Jung HaeIn appeared in AOA Black’s music video for ‘Moya’ followed by his official screen debut with the K-Drama “Bride Of The Century” where he played an idol singer. After his performance in the indie film “The Youth” was highly appreciated by critics, Jung HaeIn was cast in “The Three Musketeers”, through which he achieved mainstream acclaim and went on to become one of the most highly sought-after rising stars in the industry. Jung HaeIn followed it up with “Blood”, a heart-fluttering cameo in “Reply 1988”, supporting roles in “Yeah, That’s How It Is” and “Night Light” as well as another iconic cameo in “Goblin” which tipped the scale over and turned Jung HaeIn from a rising star to a household name. What cemented Jung HaeIn’s position in the industry was his main role as Han WooTak in “While You Were Sleeping”, a K-Drama that truly showcased his unlimited potential and made him top Naver search. To amplify this effect, Jung HaeIn took up an unconventional role next - Captain Yoo JungWoo in “Prison Playbook” - one that would require him to truly dish out his duality. With the overwhelming popularity of the show both in and out of South Korea, fans all over the world grew more and more fond of Jung HaeIn and could not wait to see him in a leading role. The opportunity quickly presented itself in the form of a melo-romance that would soon have us weak in the knees - “Something In The Rain”. Jung HaeIn paired up with Son YeJin for this drama, who was widely regarded as a goddess, and as such, expectations were sky-high. However, Jung HaeIn was so unbelievably swoon-worthy as Seo JoonHee that he started a whole new vogue for “noona” romances. There was simply no looking back from there. By this time, Jung HaeIn was also steadily making his name in the film industry with highly impactful and versatile roles such as Heuk Woon in “The King’s Case Note”, Kim Ho in “The Age Of Blood”, and King Heon Jong in “Heung Boo: The Revolutionist”. His big break in film came along with the peak of his popularity. In the year 2019, Jung HaeIn took on “One Spring Night” - another romance drama with a nerve of melancholia that pulls on your heartstrings and the film “Tune In For Love” - a nostalgia-driven love story rife with “almosts”. The Korean entertainment industry had found a new King of Romance in Jung HaeIn, and his popularity spiked once more, reaching a new height. This trend of a constantly upward curve in Jung HaeIn’s career trajectory has continued ever since. Having dominated one genre successfully, Jung HaeIn moved forward to establish himself as an actor who could perfectly portray even the gruffest and the most delicate roles with ease. In “A Piece of Your Mind”, we saw a poetic softness to Jung HaeIn, whereas in the movie “Start-Up”, he embraced a coming-of-age story with elements of action, comedy, and more. Jung HaeIn carried his legacy of duality even further with two of his most lauded projects - “D.P.” and “Snowdrop”. The former, adapted from a webtoon of the same name, is set for a second season coming soon. “Snowdrop” on the other hand, was an international blockbuster that left viewers with an unforgettably poignant experience. For those who might not know, Jung HaeIn also appeared in K-Pop boy group P1Harmony’s pre-debut film “P1H: The Beginning of a New World” and fellow actor Lee JeHoon’s film “Blue Happiness” as a part of the series “Unframed”. In terms of Jung HaeIn’s personality, it is just as endearing and multidimensional as his on-screen characters. There are so many little inherent dualities here that you’ll end up falling in love with him all over again. For starters, despite all the heartbeats we’ve skipped because of him, Jung HaeIn is actually an incredibly shy and reserved individual. He has a tendency to cover his face when he’s flustered, but his eye smile tells all. Another adorable habit Jung HaeIn has is of scrunching his nose ever so slightly when he smiles, oozing with natural aegyo. Watching Jung HaeIn in his element, whether that be in a behind-the-scenes clip or a variety show, is like watching the sunrise over the ocean. It is calming, sweet, and deeply therapeutic. However, if you’ve known him for any amount of time now, you would realize the duality in this situation. After all, Jung HaeIn has a fiery ambition and unbeatable drive to set his own goals and reach them one by one. He is competitive but in a “show, don’t tell” type of way, which means that while he may not express it visibly, his actions speak louder than words. Jung HaeIn has an unwavering resolve, knows what he wants, and goes for it. He doesn’t just pick diverse projects for the sake of it or to change his image. Rather, he takes into consideration the people he will be working with, the message of the work, and the way it makes him feel. As such, whenever Jung HaeIn plays a role, he naturally imbues it with a little bit of himself and, at the same time, allows the character to help him reflect on his own emotions. His foremost goal is to make his character shine, rather than himself, as an actor, and that is something you don’t see very often, if at all. As dreamy as Jung HaeIn is, as a person, he prefers to be realistic, rational and grounded. In fact, he is so humble that his co-stars rightfully cannot stop gushing over him. He doesn’t hesitate to ask for guidance, and neither does he hold back from diligently helping someone else out. Jung HaeIn is also known for his philosophy of life and the wisdom he holds within, which isn’t surprising considering that his great-grandfather was the eminent Joseon thinker and poet Jeong YakYong. Who else would compare the foam on top of beer to popularity and therefore say that he tries to contain it? However, despite his inspiring maturity and worldview, he can be playful and mischievous too! This makes him the perfect person to go to, regardless of whether you need life advice or just a laugh. Jung HaeIn will make it all better. Another one of Jung HaeIn’s remarkable qualities is the way he is so selfless and giving. Besides being involved in philanthropy, Jung HaeIn also expresses his love and gratitude with gifts. For instance, he once gifted his manager a car as a simple “thank you” for being with him for so many years. Similarly, he also revealed that during one of his fan meetings, he had to rush to the ER because he was sick but still kept his promise of meeting his fans. This wasn’t just an act of professionalism or a display of stellar work ethics. It was purely out of his love for fans and his appreciation for them. Now, that’s a man to look up to. On the contrary, as much as Jung HaeIn likes to take care of his fans and co-stars alike, his ideal type is someone who will take care of him. Did we mention that Jung HaeIn is also an outstanding painter, a chef, and a singer? The wonders of this man’s overwhelming versatility keep making us fall head over heels for him. To see more of Jung HaeIn’s duality, check out his variety show “Jung HaeIn’s Travel Log” and you’ll thank us later! In addition, don’t miss his appearances on shows like " House on Wheels 3", “Funding Together”, “Begin Again 3” and more for all the Jung HaeIn goodness you need in your life.
The Zenith Of Perfection: Jung HaeIn’s Screen Duality
If there’s anyone who defines persistence and effortlessness in the same breath, it is Jung HaeIn. He built his empire on the back of his unstilted hard work and unrelenting sincerity, so it is only fair that he stands tall as one of the finest artists the industry has to offer. Not only is Jung HaeIn South Korea’s pride and joy, but he is also a global figure of excellence whose art is both powerful and socio-culturally significant. He acts not only because it makes him happy but because it makes others happy, and if that’s not the mark of a true artist, we don’t know what is! To explore Jung HaeIn’s screen duality as an actor, let’s take a look at some of his most iconic works that best represent this contrast: “While You Were Sleeping”, “Snowdrop”, “D.P.”, “Prison Playbook”, “One Spring Night” and “Something In The Rain”. Jung HaeIn plays Han WooTak in “While You Were Sleeping” - a ball of sunshine and a man of steel, both at once. Han WooTak is a young police officer with high ideals and dreams in his eyes. He is a kind, warm and genuine person who puts others before himself, even if that costs him his own happiness. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that he is an innately bright and hopeful individual. He has strong values and stands by them no matter what. In the romance department, Han WooTak shows us the true meaning of love - letting go. In the final episode, he gets an optimistic ending: he goes to law school to start afresh and become a lawyer who saves people. This is a character that remains etched in our hearts even today, and that alone speaks volumes of Jung HaeIn’s everlasting charm. On the other hand, we have Im SooHo / Rim TaeSan of “Snowdrop” - a man who first comes to us in the garb of the most perfect gentleman you could ever lay eyes on. However, the dark mysteries that loom over him permeate into his character soon enough, transforming him into someone we can never completely read. The air of ambiguity, the will he, won’t he of it all, is one of the central forces that drive the narrative forward. SooHo is broken but broody, fiercely competent, assertive, intimidating even but also wonderfully soft, gentle, and downright romantic. Unlike Han WooTak’s one-track mind, SooHo is more complex, oftentimes not entirely understood, and if there’s anything that’s held hostage, it is his heart. SooHo’s sacrificial streak threw us down a spiraling vortex of post-drama blues, and we’re still not totally over it, but we will always love him regardless. “D.P.” and “Prison Playbook” both explore the context of military life with similar themes that have vastly different consequences. “D.P.” posits Jung HaeIn’s character Private Ahn JoonHo as a new member of the South Korean Army’s Deserter Pursuit team. The drama adopts a tragi-comic tone, which gives ample scope to Ahn JoonHo’s duality. What’s unique about this role is the deadpan nature of JoonHo’s humor, juxtaposed with the painful pinch of his deep-rooted frustration that ultimately culminates in a drastic decision. Yoo JungWoo of “Prison Playbook”, who faces the wrath of a corrupt system after being framed for the death of a fellow soldier, also struggles with frustration but channels it through violent outbursts, unlike Ahn JoonHo whose ultimate act of protest concerns himself alone. Yoo JungWoo unfolds to reveal a mellow disposition in “Prison Playbook” whereas Ahn JoonHo hardens after an implosion that changes him as a man. The intricate nuances of these characters, the shades of difference they portray, are extraordinary illustrations of Jung HaeIn’s duality as an actor. Finally, two of Jung HaeIn’s most beloved romances, “One Spring Night” and “Something In The Rain” also showcase a subtle but exceptional difference in colour. Yoo JiHo’s love in “One Spring Night” is restrained, contemplative, and slow. The only reason we know that is because Jung HaeIn conveys the sense of “half of a whole” with utmost grace. Yoo JiHo is a single father, so he comes with his own set of reservations, but ever so often, he lets a sliver of impulse shine through, and that is enough to shape his relationship with Lee JungIn (Han JiMin). When asked to choose between Yoo JiHo and Seo JoonHee of “Something In The Rain”, Jung HaeIn revealed that while Yoo JiHo was definitely the more memorable role, his personal preference lies with Seo JoonHee, simply because of his perspective on love. Indeed, Seo JoonHee is a man of effusive passion, unabashed honesty, and reckless abandon - a complete antithesis to Yoo JiHo, if you will. It is thoroughly refreshing and rewarding to watch Jung HaeIn essay such diametrically opposed roles with equal panache and we can never have enough. Jung HaeIn’s upcoming drama “Connect” will hit your screens this December, followed by “D.P. 2” in 2023.
The Best Of All Worlds - Jung HaeIn’s Aesthetic Duality
A simple look at Jung HaeIn’s filmography and his aesthetic duality becomes clear as day. The same person who can melt us into a puddle with his puppy eyes can send shivers down our spine with his piercing gaze. One moment, he’s serving angelic boyfriend realness, and in the next, he’s as godlike as can be. Even in terms of historical dramas, Jung HaeIn has given us a whole range of visuals that are all vastly different from each other. “The Three Musketeers” brings us a clean, smart, chic image of Jung HaeIn, prim and proper in his traditional attire; “The Age Of Blood” presents us with a rare instance of Jung HaeIn sporting facial hair, and we have to say, it is every bit as swoon-worthy as you’d expect and in “Heung Boo: The Revolutionist”, Jung HaeIn dons the King’s ceremonial robe. While the costumes certainly contributed to Jung HaeIn’s aesthetic range, the minutiae of his acting was what truly brought out the distinction. Speaking of fashion, Jung HaeIn’s duality manifests itself spectacularly in his personal style. Cardigans, jackets, plain white tees - these are some staples in his wardrobe. What’s truly amusing, however, is just how fine he looks in a casual fit - almost as if he were perpetually in a photoshoot! When Jung HaeIn is actually modeling though, the result is simply out of this world. To get a taste of this stylistic duality, join the 10.5 million fans who follow the actor (at the time of writing) on Instagram (@holyhaein) and revel in the absolute blessing that is Jung HaeIn’s feed. From iconic selfies to pictorials, boyfriend HaeIn vibes against the prettiest skyscapes, and suited-up award show clicks - every picture is a journey in and of itself with Jung HaeIn. At the end of the day, Jung HaeIn is a luminous individual and an extraordinary artist whose very existence is a gift to the world. Throughout his celebrated career, Jung HaeIn has brought us the most powerful performances laced with delicate nuance, and this incredibly rare quality is what sets him apart. Jung HaeIn is in a league of his own, and we cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next. What is your favorite thing about Jung HaeIn’s duality? Tell us in the comments section down below! If you’re looking for more content about Jung HaeIn on Kpopmap, here are some articles you might enjoy!
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