Singer-actress puts work in China on hold for romantic comedy


Making a comeback after a six year-hiatus can faze even the best of actresses, which might be why pixie-cute Jang Nara is making her return to the South Korean small screen on familiar territory ― the romantic comedy.

Having cemented her reputation in the rom-com genre with series like SBS’ “Bright Girl’s Success,” the upcoming KBS drama, “Baby-faced Beauty” ― a working title ― represents an opportunity for her to do what she does best.

Jang, who first debuted as a singer a decade ago before building up her reputation as a double threat in dramas and movies, reportedly signed up for “Baby-faced Beauty” shortly after she saw the script and synopsis.

The 30-year old last starred in the 2005 South Korean drama “Wedding” opposite Hallyu star Ryu Si-won before going on to star in several Chinese dramas, and still has work on her plate in China that was delayed or canceled in order to star in KBS’ new series. 

At the drama’s press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, Jang revealed that she is “working hard” and that she is concerned about being a burden on her co-stars and directors.

Donning a bowl cut that befits her Thumbelina vibe, Jang will be playing a single 34-year-old aspiring fashion designer whose sole asset is the fact that she looks much younger than she actually is, an asset that Jang said she thinks she has in common with her character.

“When I was young, I did encounter some difficulties because I appeared younger than I was,” she admitted.

Youthful looks, however, allow Jang’s character to take a second stab at her dreams of fashion grandeur. The recently unemployed heroine weasels her way into a fashion company by lying about her age, using her younger sister’s resume to nab the job.

Co-star Choi Daniel, who quickly established himself as the next “it” boy via MBC’s “High Kick 2” and the flick “Cyrano Agency,” will be playing Jang’s love interest.

Of his role, Choi said it was different from his stint in the explosively popular “High Kick 2,” stating that this time around his character, a goofy co-worker to Jang’s heroine, would be “cheery.”

The 25-year-old also revealed that his mother passed away when he was 5 years old and that his father is a fan of television, which in part influenced his determination to continue to star in TV dramas, even if he does star in the occasional film or two.

Choi also made headlines when news broke that filming for one of his earlier TV projects, a drama featuring him and “Boys Over Flowers” actress Ku Hye-sun, was stalled.

Despite the star power of both Choi and Jang, the new Monday and Tuesday night series faces a significant challenge in its upcoming SBS rival ― a rom-com featuring heavyweights Yoon Eun-hye and Kang Ji-hwan ― that will be airing one week after “Baby-faced Beauty.”

The fact that KBS predecessor “Detectives in Trouble” brought in less-than-satisfactory viewer ratings does not bode well for the rom-com.

“Baby-faced Beauty” will air Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:55 p.m. on KBS 2 TV starting May 2.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldcorp.com)