by: Raine

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Second post in the Park Shi-hoo mini-series and I’m totally stoked! I must say that this post in particular was so much fun to write and put together. I got to look at lots of pretty pictures and learn about my ultimate k-actor. On my list of k-dramas to watch  are Iljimae, How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor and Family’s Honor. Not only will I get more Shi-hoo in action (where he shines best), but I will get to feed my addiction. How can it get any better than that?

(Not only a great actor but a talented model. He looks good, of course, but he has a commanding presence in photographs.)

As I mentioned before, this is an interactive series in which I will post polls, ask questions, ask for feedback and update each post according to viewer responses throughout the week. Let me hear from you!

This week’s post focuses on the bromance. What IS a bromance? In Raineland, it is the on-screen pairing of two men who have sizzling chemistry. It doesn’t necessarily have to be homoerotic, but it does have to make you squee and have the irrepressible urge to re-watch scenes with the bromantic pair.

When we talk chemistry, we usually focus on the kind that creates electricity between our man and his woman; the kind that makes you scream “Just kiss her already!” But there is another kind of chemistry that is just as powerful: the bromance. When we see two men with strong friendship, camaraderie, and loyalty, we are captivated. We are drawn in by the intensity of the bond shared between them. This can be seen not only between the characters, but the actors.

(Park Shi-hoo as Kim Seung-yoo with Song Jong-ho as Shin Myun in The Princess’ Man)

In his most recent drama The Princess’ Man, Park Shi-hoo played the role of Kim Seung-yoo, a Joseon-era Romeo to Moon Chae-won’s Juliet with whom he had AMAZING chemistry. But the beauty of this drama is that the chemistry between Seung-yoo and the other characters was also enthralling. The dazzling smile for which he is loved was exchanged with other men, connecting them to one another and to us, the enamored audience.

Because this man commands every scene he is in, when he is paired with another alpha male, it makes for spellbinding drama. In Queen of Reversals, each time Goo Yong-shik was on screen with initial leading man Jung Joon-ho as Bong Jun Soo, we could feel the testosterone flowing through their veins. Powerful stuff. If he’s paired with a man who can’t hold his own in a scene, the eye is drawn to our Shi-hoo and his poor male counterpart is unfortunately forgotten.

(Now that I’m writing this, I wonder if we could create a bromance with himself, like Lee Min-ho in the Camry CV.)

I have amassed a collection of bromances that have existed on screen, odd-couple bromances that made me giggle and the bromances of my dreams. I present them now to you. Enjoy. I know I will.

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Park Shi-hoo Bromances in K-dramas:

(Im Ji-kyu as Kang Woo, Goo Yong-shik’s sassy secretary in Queen of Reversals.)

A) Im Ji-kyu: This is mostly definitely Shi-hoo’s most epic bromance. It kept me laughing and rewinding for more giggles and cuteness. Kang Woo had a saucy reply to every command, a snarky observation for every situation and witty bits of advice for every romantic snafu. Yong-shik and Kang Woo often picked on each other, goofed off and argued like a married couple. They even fought over the remote control. Yes.

(Lee Jun-ki as Iljimae, Shi-hoo’s half-brother and enemy in Iljimae.)

B) Lee Jun-ki: This one was suggested to me and although the thought of mixing the word “bromance” with the word “half-brother” is a bit icky, since my definition of “bromance” lacks homo-eroticism, I decided to go for the pairing. Iljimae and Shi-hoo are enemies who are unknowingly also half-brothers. But hot-damn are they some good-looking half-brothers. I haven’t seen the drama but I watched some scenes between them and there is most definitely some testosterone-tastic chemistry.

(Lee Min-woo as as Jung Jong, Kim Seung-yoo’s best friend in The Princess’ Man.)

C) Lee Min-woo: Oh, how I love Lee Min-woo and his genius portrayal of Jung Jong and we all know Park Shi-hoo was magnificent as Seung-yoo. Put them together and you get one amazing bromantic pair. Jong and Seung-yoo did not question their loyalty to each other. The beauty of their friendship was in how they were completely free with each other. The emotions shared between them were felt by the drama’s viewers. I felt as though I was in the scene with them, aching, laughing, crying, loving. These two, rather than filling the screen with enormous energy, possess a scene so completely that it just simply is.

(Song Jong-ho as Shin Myun, Kim Seung-yoo’s best friend turned mortal enemy in The Princess’ Man.)

D) Song Jong-ho: I ache for this pairing. I entered them into the running because I want to imagine how they were before the tragic events of this story. These are best friends whose relationship is passionate and fiery. Being together makes them feel good. They duel. They joke. They talk. They smile. Seung-yoo accepts Myun completely even though Myun is incredibly insecure. When they were together on screen after their falling out, I felt their intense desire to be friends again. The hatred fed on this desire. It hid the guilt and pain of betrayal and it buried the underlying love that wanted so desperately to be shared.

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Park Shi-hoo Odd-couple Bromances in K-dramas:

(Choi Jung-woo as Ma Sang-tae, Seo In-woo’s enemy in Prosecuter Princess.)

A) Choi Jung-woo: Not quite the odd-couple bromance since they are enemies most of the drama, but when they are on screen together, there is nothing mild about the emotions created. What I love about Ma Sang-tae is that he is the villain, but a pathetic villain void of malicious intent. It allows for a tentative(very tentative) frenemy relationship to develop between Sang-tae and In-woo. They end up working together in the end. I think I support this bromance so much because it was such a great use of a villain.

(Kim Chang-wan as Mok Young-chul, Goo Yong-shik’s unexpected roommate from Queen of Reversals. )

B) Kim Chang-wan: This man is always the backbone of every scene. He has a quiet, unassuming presence that is beautiful thing to behold. His Young-chul’s kind soul permeated each scene, supporting and strengthening characters no matter what the mood happened to be. He crawled under Yong-shik’s skin and before he knew it, the younger man’s posh apartment became a home that he felt safe coming home to. Of course, there was the hysterical clash of Yong-shik’s fastidious cleanliness and Young-chul’s slovenly ways. Particularly hilarious was Young-chul’s inability to remember which toothbrush was his.

(Kim Roe-ha as Jo Suk-joo, Kim Seung-yoo’s hyung in The Princess’ Man.)

C) Kim Roe-ha: Let me count the ways I loved this relationship. They are each others’ rescuers, gibang roommates, partner revolutionaries. They have meaningful conversations in the middle of the night. They have tender moments. They have trust. They can be completely frank with each other. Both men are strong in mind and body and learn to rely on each other, developing the deep bond that comes through mutual hardship.

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Park Shi-hoo Fantasy Bromances:

(Jang Geun-suk in Love Rain, his new drama that will air on KBS2 in March 2012.)

A) Jang Geun-suk: I’m a sucker for Sukkie despite his absurd fashion taste and strange need for constant acknowledgement. The guy has looks. Even more importantly, he’s has acting chops. This is an idol star who has made vast improvement from project to project, just as Park Shi-hoo has.

If we pair these two, we’d probably end up with a hyung/dongsaeng relationship with quirky dialogue, lots of hugging and some great melodrama.

………

(Jung Ji-hoon, aka Rain (Mr. Raine), with his adorable baby face, and then his incredibly amazing manly body he obtained for his film Ninja Assasin.)

B) Jung Ji-hoon/Rain: If anyone were going to replace Park Shi-hoo as my number one, it would be this man. He is talented as an actor, model, singer, rapper and dancer. He is humble, diligent and hard-working. On screen he doesn’t mind making a fool of himself. He can make you laugh, cry, fear him, love him and feel incredible awe.

Put this insanely talented man together with the magic of Park Shi-hoo and you would have a camaraderie that could carry a film or drama without another soul on screen for the duration of the production.

(Kang Ji-hwan as Hong Gil Dong.)

C) Kang Ji-hwan: This is a man whose acting has never failed to move me. Even though he’s made some horrible drama choices, the best part of all of them was that he was in it. He is one of the most natural actors I’ve ever seen. He reminds me of Julia Roberts in that way. The actors lucky enough to be paired with them always shine beside him. He brings out the best in everyone around him, which is a quality I greatly admire.

Take this man and put him next to Park Shi-hoo as a foil and you get drama bliss. Can you imagine the magic these two could work in any genre? Ji-hwan’s natural comedic ability drawing on Shi-hoo’s magnetism and the two of them having a blast on top of it would make for an epic comedic rivalry in a rom-com.

(Yoo Ah-in as Moon Jae-shin in Sungkyunkwan Scandel. Must. Point. Out. Lips.)

D) Yoo Ah-in: I love how goofy this guy can be. Truly. Every time I see him I remember how adorable he was shoving cake in his mouth in the k-film Antique. He is best known for his brooding, action-packed characters, but damn does the man have the knack for comedy. Take his role as Moon Jae-shin, for example. The character has a dark past, he’s a ridiculous martial artist and he is highly unpredictable. But then he does wonderfully cute things like hiccup around women. Ah-in pulls both aspects off with ease and a screen-filling presence.

I have to say it. This pairing would just be all kinds of pretty. I see them rockin’ a saguek as comrades in arms. This would be brotherhood at its best, bound by friendship in place of blood. Picture ninja Seung-yoo beside Crazy Horse Jae-shin. Niiice.

Park Shi-hoo Reader Suggested Bromances:

(That is one handsome cat. He may be more handsome than Shi-hoo.)

A) Lord Timmy of Miami: Because Shi-hoo is a self-admitted cat lover, it is only right for him to have a trusty familiar. And who better to be by his side than Timmy? This cat is considerate, loyal and protective. He will skillfully guide Park Shi-hoo on his path to dominate the K-drama world. (Suggested by MadDino and Villager.)

B) Kim Roe-ha: Our second entry about this man. As I’ve not yet seen Iljimae, Hottie suggested this pairing. Based upon the on-screen chemistry between them in The Princess’ Man, I believe that they were just as magic in Iljimae. Sa Cheon is close to Shi-hoo as Suk-jo was close to Seung-yoo. Roe-ha ssi, you take care of my man therefore I like you.

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If you have anything to add about why a bromance contestant would be an awesome pairing with Park Shi-hoo, I’ll add it in! Thank you for reading. Until next week!

(Hasta la Pasta, baby.)

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Park Shi-hoo Quotes

In reply to be asked about his late start in acting: A man’s career begins when he reaches his 30’s. – Park Shi-hoo

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End Park Shi-hoo the Miniseries: Bromances

(The man has a cat. The man loves said cat. Raine loves said man.)

My first Park Shi-hoo drama was Prosecutor Princess. Let’s bring it back.

From the 2010 K-Drama Prosecutor Princess starring Park Shi-hoo and Kim So-yeon:

“Amazoness” – Oh Joon-sung

Related Posts

Park Shi-hoo the Mini-series: Introduction, Leading Ladies, The Kisser, The Photogallery