Who is Jeong Ho-bin? 'Love Like a K-Drama' judge slams Kim Won Shik's 'make-believe' love for Honoka Kitahara as she misses out on lead role
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Jeong Ho-bin joined the 'Love Like a K-Drama' cast as one of the judges to pick the leads for Episode 5 of the reality series. Things got heated up pretty quickly when the talented veteran Korean star called out Kim Won Shik for butchering his audition with Honoka Kitahara.
As soon as Won Shik and Honoka returned to their seats after their audition, Ho-bin, known for playing Jung Sang-rok in the 2009 drama 'Boys Over Flowers', summoned them to the stage.
He bluntly asked Won Shik if he loves Honoka and he said he does.
Subsequently, Ho-bin fired at Won Shik, saying, "And you call that love? Is that the best you can do to express your feelings to the person you love? Huh? Do you really think that you were able to convey the depth of your love for Honoka with the performance we just saw? You must be joking."
As Won Shik tried to apologize for his performance, Ho-bin inquired, "You don't really love her, do you? That's why Honoka had to cover for you with her performance and her acting technique."
The judge felt Won Shik couldn't do the scene like it needed to be done if his "feelings are a one-way street." However, when Won Shik did the same scene with Nozomi Bando, whom he has seeping feelings for, their acting was applauded.
Kim Won Shik 'takes full responsibility' after 'Love Like a K-Drama's Honoka Kitahara fails to land lead role
As the judges picked Nozomi and Kim Dong Kyu as the new leads for Episode 5 of the mini-K-drama series, Won Shik broke down, blaming himself for Honoka's loss.
After the cast for the next episode was decided, Honoka was seen trying to comfort a tearful Won Shik. He ran off to cry in the bathroom after saying sorry to Honoka.
In her confessional, Honoka said, "I feel like there's a wall between us." She noted that she is unsure if Won Shik is the one who can make her feel better, as she regrets not being able to "help him work his sadness out."
Won Shik told Song Ji Hyuk that he wasn't disappointed with the result and that he was disappointed with himself. "Honoka failed because of me," sighed Won Shik.
He's happy that Nozomi got the lead role, but he feels Honoka "did her best and deserves a shot."
Honoka Kitahara breaks Kim Won Shik's heart by kissing 'Love Like a K-Drama's Lee Tae Gyun
Won Shik was first associated with Honoka and the two of them appeared to be at peace together, but when Lee Tae Gyun joined the picture, tension grew.
Honoka's choice of Tae Gyun above him as her love interest disappointed Won Shik. She appeared charmed by Tae Gyun in practically every episode and wanted to develop her connection with him instead of Won Shik.
Naturally, Won Shik found it difficult to be on the set of the filming after Honoka and Tae Gyun kissed and subsequently admitted to being drawn to Tae Gyun.
Jeong Ho-bin calls Kim Dong Kyu's feelings for 'Love Like a K-Drama's Nozomi Bando 'make-believe'
Following Nozomi and Dong Kyu's audition, Ho-bin again chose to call out the male Korean star and asked Nozomi if she loved Dong Kyu.
Another judge said how much they loved Nozomi's acting but would have liked to see Dong Kyu more involved in the scene. Ho-bin was clearly looking for a more energetic performance, as he did in the scene with Rio Yamashita.
Ho-bin said that he sees his love when he performs the scene with Rio, but with Nozomi, "it seemed like those feelings were make-believe."
He asserted, "We can't see the love."
Episodes 1–9 of 'Love Like a K-Drama' are currently streaming on Netflix, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday.