A Year in Dramaworld: The 2020 Wrap Up
Have you ever wondered what happened to some of the most famous Asian actors and actresses, and why they don't star in dramas/films anymore? Let's find out what they've been up to lately!
NOTE: I'll include only those actors and actresses who have been "missing" for more than a year.
Won Bin
Last project: The Man From Nowhere (2010)
So what happened to the star of Autumn Tale who made ladies faint back in the '90s? Well, except for getting married to actress Lee Na Young in 2015 and having their first child in 2016, he's been doing commercials. That's right. It's been reported that Won Bin has earned more than $21 million over the past 8 years - only from doing commercials and modelling. Not sure if the money is the reason for his rare public appearances and the complete lack of interest in filming, because his films and dramas would definitely be very popular even today, but it's still unconfirmed whether he will be returning to the small/big screens.
Barbie Hsu
Last project: Million Dollar Crocodile (2012)
The heroine of the Meteor Garden franchise went off the radar in 2010 after starring in a popular melodrama Summer's Desire and a silly 2012 flick Million Dollar Crocodile. Apparently, she married a businessman Wang Xiaofei in 2010, gave birth to two kids and kinda retired. She's been doing photo-shoots and modelling though, as it can be seen in this ELLE commercial. Still a beauty! However, 2018 was a tough year for Hsu and her family, she had to terminate her pregnancy and felt really sick, but she is recovering.
Shim Eun Ha
Last project: Interview (2000)
The beautiful South Korean actress is famous for starring in the highest-rated Korean dramas and films ever, such as Christmas In August and The Final Match. However, she suddenly disappeared at the height of her fame which only made her even more popular and beloved. Some believe that she decided to lead an ordinary life after paparazzi had been chasing her for months during the time of a rumoured engagement. For years, she had remained out of the public life until she married politician Ji Sang Wook in 2005. They have two daughters together.
If you wonder what she's been up to recently, she's still supporting her husband and occasionally working as an artist. She still doesn't want to return to show business.
Kim Joon
Last project: City of the Sun (2015)
You probably know him as Song Woo Bin from Boys Over Flowers, one of the most popular K-dramas ever. Unfortunately, he is not very active when it comes to dramas and films... He's been busy. Kim Joon shocked everyone when he revealed this year that 3 years ago he married the woman of his dreams with whom he had been in a relationship with since 2009! Nobody knew that, except his close family and friends.
Furthermore, they have a daughter (pic above). He's been busy being a dad and acting in theater. It is unclear why he hasn't appeared on small and big screens more, but it seems he does not object to the idea, as he announced: “I plan on greeting my fans in various productions from now on.”
Kim Woo Bin
Last project: Uncontrollably Fond (2016)
Kim Woo Bin was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017 and has been undergoing treatments since then. However, in August this year, he was spotted taking a coffee break and going on vacation to Hawaii with his friend Lee Jong Suk. Now, he has long hair and appears thinner than usual, but it is great if his health is improving. It is unconfirmed whether he is still dating Shin Min Ah. It's been rumoured that he might star in a new film soon, but his agency announced that he still needs time to recover and he is still on hiatus.
Jun Ji Hyun
Last project: The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)
The star of You Who Came from the Stars hasn't been very active as an actress after giving birth in 2016, but she's been active as a businesswoman. In January this year, she gave birth to a second child with her husband Choi Joon Hyuk. It's been confirmed recently that the actress plans on returning to small screens sometime next year.
Jerry Yan
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Last project: Because·Love (2016)
The star of Meteor Garden hasn't been very active on small screens, but he does appear on reality shows. He recently broke up with girlfriend Chi Lin Ling, and that was it. It seems he is more interested in dance competitions as he is a regular member on Shake It Up.
Kim Tae Hee
Last project: Yong Pal (2015)
Famous for her roles in Stairway to Heaven and IRIS, the wife of Rain has recently signed an exclusive contract with a new agency, BS Company, and expressed interest in returning to acting in an interview with ELLE, as long as the role catches her attention. Apparently, she is looking for a down-to-earth character, rather than just being a pretty face. It's been rumoured that she is supposed to star in a Chinese drama, but there's been no official confirmation.
Eric Mun
Last project: Another Miss Oh (2016)
The bad boy of Que Sera, Sera and Another Miss Oh was too busy enjoying his new marital status to consider a possible role. He married actress Na Hye Mi, 12 years his junior, last year. They seem very happy, but fans are hoping he will return to acting soon because he hasn't done anything except guest a few times on TV shows.
Horikita Maki
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Last project: Higanbana (2016)
Everyone was devastated when the star of Hana Kimi and Nobuta Wo Produce decided to officially retire in 2017. Apparently, she is now a housewife and takes care of their child. Her husband Yamamoto Koji, 12 years her senior, continued to work as an actor and has appeared in more than a dozen roles since their wedding.
Park Yoo Chun
Last project: Lucid Dream (2017)
To say that the former TVXQ and JYJ member has had it rough for the past couple of years would be a huge understatement. The guy hasn't had a break from lawsuits at all. Just as we thought that the dust had settled after the long legal battle in which he was deemed not guilty of numerous false sexual allegations, Micky Yoo Chun was once again sued by an acquaintance over a dog bite 7 years ago, plus he was dumped by his fiancee Hwang Ha Na.
His last drama appearance was in 2015 in The Girl Who Sees Scents and the last project was a film Lucid Dream, which was a huge box office flop. He hasn't managed to land any other role, and it is unsure whether he is even trying.
Narimiya Hiroki
Last project: Futagashira 2 (2016)
Shortly after the tabloids accused the popular Japanese actor of doing drugs, he shocked everyone by officially retiring from the entertainment industry. Both he and his manager denied the accusations, and he even submitted himself to drug tests.
According to him, some friends betrayed him by selling personal photos to tabloids, in which he is seen sitting at the table covered with various hard-to-distinguish items.
Narimiya and his younger brother were left alone after their single mother died when Narimiya was only 14. He raised himself and his brother by doing various jobs until he became a popular actor. For more info read HERE.
Nowadays he is posting regularly on his Instagram account, and it seems that he is simply enjoying life - traveling, going to the gym etc. It doesn't seem like he is missing acting.
Moon Geun Young
Last project: Glass Garden (2017)
The beloved actress hasn't been very active when it comes to filming, and her fans are missing her very much. Apparently, she was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome and underwent surgery last year. Nowadays she is seen spending time with her family, but it is still unknown whether she is considering future roles.
Mizushima Hiro
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Last project: Black Butler (2014)
Hiro hasn't been very active ever since he married singer Ayaka and since they became parents in 2015. Apparently, he is busy parenting, as you can see on his Instagram, and he is the branding director of Magellan Resorts, the CLO of ZIGExN Co., Ltd. and the CEO of 3rd i connections Co., Ltd which represents him. He also starred in Season 5 of HBO's Girls.
