THE EMCEE

The concept of pairing actors or actresses with singers as emcees on music shows is nothing new. In 2007, Keun Suk was appointed as the emcee of Inkigayo, alongside Super Junior’s Kim Heechul. Although they initially made for an awkward pair, their close friendship soon shone through, as they joked around – and even playfully hit each other – on the show.

Although Keun Suk hadn’t made his singing debut at that time, his role as an emcee allowed him to showcase his singing talent on the show, as he performed “special stages” with his co-host and other singers. On one episode, he displayed his steely vocals on a cover of R.ef’s song, “Bright Love”, and on another episode, he showed that he could rap as well as he could hold a tune, as he spat out lyrics of Leessang’s “Ballerino”. His versatility as an emcee was further highlighted when he was awarded the emcee role for the 1st Melon Music Awards, alongside co-star Park Shinhye.

THE MODEL
With a small pretty face that won him the Grand Prize at the Beautiful Children Pageant in 1995 – he even beat out T-ara’s Eunjung – it’s no surprise that Keun Suk would grow up to be a blue chip in the advertising industry.

Currently standing tall at 1.82m, the lanky singer has fronted numerous brands including Codes Combine, Audition 2, Samsung, and even Japanese brands ACUO and Suntory. Perhaps the potent combination of his acting abilities and affable nature can explain why he has held on the to title of “advertisers’ darling” since young.

In The Centre of the New Hallyu, I Am Jang Keun Suk, his Japanese fans were seen sweeping up his endorsed products and visiting all the places he went to. But it isn’t only the hearts of fans he has captured; it seems that even his industry peers can’t resist the actor’s charms. On Star Date, the actor had actress and fellow model for Codes Combine, Go Junhee, blushing pink when he brazenly divulged that she had asked for his number.