K-pop-to-drama crossovers are fast becoming the norm, with many singers making their acting debut via the small screen.

Girls’ Generation member Seohyun is among the recent crop of K-pop idols to star in a television series.

“I have harbored dreams of becoming an actress since I was young,” the 22-year-old singer confessed at the drama’s press conference in Seoul on Monday. “But, I didn’t want to rush it.”

“I planned on taking a chance when the right role came along,” she explained.

Of the decision to star in SBS’ new weekend drama, “Hot Love” (working title), Seohyun revealed she saw many similarities between herself and her character and felt it was the right role for her debut.

“I felt I could express the character well,” she said. 

“Her persona perfectly paralleled that of her role,” said director Bae Tae-sub, explaining why Seohyun was cast to play Han Yu-rim, a bright veterinary student.

Bae also stated that Seohyun studied theater, adding, “She has that foundation.”

In the upcoming drama, Seohyun stars as the first love of Kang Mu-yeol, the son of a wealthy and prominent family. Their love is short-lived when Han Yu-rim and her father pass away in a tragic car accident.

Han Yu-rim’s untimely demise leaves Kang devastated and draws him closer to Yu-rim’s younger sister, Han Yu-jung, who is equally devastated by the loss of her sister and her father.

Han Yu-rim promises to make for a powerful and memorable first role, one that Seohyun is taking very seriously as her first step into the realm of acting.

“I have been singing under the alias Seohyun and I wanted to start out as an acting novice and not as the singer Seohyun, so I am debuting under my real name Seo Joo-hyun,” she explained of how she wanted to differentiate her six-year singing career from her soon-to-be-launched acting career.

Come Saturday, Seohyun will be the fifth Girls’ Generation member to star in a television drama. 

Girls’ Generation members Yoona, Yuri, Jessica and Sooyoung have already made their drama debuts and Yoona, in particular, has cemented a high profile career for herself in several dramas including lead roles in MBC’s “Cinderella Man” and KBS’ “Loverain.”

Now Seohyun is ready to become the next member to enter the small screen acting fold.

Seohyun’s debut follows on the heels of fellow member Sooyoung’s latest role in tVN’s rom-com “Dating Agency: Cyrano.”

“I recently watched a lot of ‘Cyrano,’” Seohyun said. “Sooyoung’s acting was very natural and so I made a mental note to try to make my own acting natural as well.”

Seohyun also revealed that her fellow Girls’ Generation members have been cheering her on and giving her advice.

At the press conference, “Hot Love” co-star Jeon Kwang-ryeol praised Seohyun, predicting that this is merely the beginning for the ambitious young star, “She will become a great actress.”

“Hot Love” starts airing Sept. 28 on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:45 p.m. on SBS.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldcorp.com)