Korean actor Kim Ji Soo’s appearance in Black Rider was not on our bingo card, but we might just be tuning in.
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While it’s always a treat seeing our fellow Filipinos appear in K-dramas, there’s just something special about seeing Korean actors cross borders to appear in local productions. After all, it’s not every day you see your favorite oppas and noonas casually appear on Philippine TV. But K-drama actor Kim Ji Soo’s latest role might take the cake as you can now catch him on GMA’s action-drama series Black Rider.
MEET ADRIAN PARK
Last July 3, Kim Ji Soo, who you may know from projects such as Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Strong Girl Bong-soon, and My First First Love, added teleserye actor to his resume as he joined the cast of GMA 7’s primetime series Black Rider. In the show, he plays Adrian Park, a Filipino-Korean assassin and self-defense coach.
The role allowed Kim Ji Soo to showcase a new side of his acting prowess in a more action-heavy role. Right off the bat, Adrian was introduced with a gunfight scene, which was then followed by gun training scenes with Vanessa Romero (Yassi Pressman), and an intense confrontation with Calvin Magallanes, played by Jon Lucas.
It’s not every day that you get to see someone like Kim Ji Soo appear in a Filipino series, much less one of the most popular ones in the country, so we’re savoring the moment. This also isn’t the first time GMA had netizens talking with their unexpected Hallyu crossovers. Remember when former Momoland member Nancy McDonie signed with their talent management Sparkle? That technically makes her a Kapuso.
IN HIS ACTION STAR ERA
As Black Rider nears its finale on July 26, it feels fitting that the show is going out with a bang by, among other things, including an A-list Korean actor in its cast that goes beyond a little cameo. And while Ji Soo sadly didn’t film any scenes with the show’s lead star, Ruru Madrid, he did share some fun moments with the Filipino crew in between filming.
In a testament to his craft, Ji Soo continues to improve his English and learn Filipino, immersing himself in his character and the local culture as soon as he landed in the country to film. Given that he’s expressed interest in John Wick-like roles in the future, Black Rider might just be the first step in Ji Soo’s action star era. His acting career in the Philippines is being spearheaded by Kathleen Dy-Go, Managing Director of Universal Records Philippines in partnership with Korean agency SHOW Co. Ltd. led by Geong Seong Han aka Tatang Robin, so fingers crossed this won’t be the last Filipino project we’ll see the actor in.
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