According to Allkpop, nowadays, many people think that age is no longer an important issue, because after all "age is just a number".
However, with the recent airing of dramas like “Cinderella at 2AM” and “ No Gain No Love ,” the topic of age differences (usually the female is older than the male) has continuously come up in interviews and press conferences.
The media seems to focus more on the age gap between the actors than their acting.
Questions like, “There’s an age gap between you two, but does that affect how you work together?” could be taken as insinuations that age somehow determines the quality of their on-screen relationship.
This also takes away from the effort and talent of the actors.
In the drama “Cinderella at 2AM”, the two main actors Shin Hyun Been and Moon Sang Min are 14 years apart in age. Meanwhile, in “No Gain No Love”, the two co-stars Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae are 12 years apart in age.
In interviews, when the topic of age gaps comes up, actors try to respond in a respectful manner or give roundabout, carefully worded answers to avoid adding fuel to the fire of the age gap debate.
But does age gap really matter when it comes to on-screen chemistry? Take “ Crash Course in Romance ” for example.
In this drama, Jeon Do Yeon and Jung Kyung Ho are 11 years apart in age, but their on-screen chemistry was praised, and the drama became one of the most popular dramas of 2023.
Age does not define the nature of a character or the acting ability of the actors.
Veteran singer and actress Uhm Jung Hwa once mentioned that, since she turned 30, every article about her has started by emphasizing her age before anything else. This fact not only undermines her achievements but also reinforces the idea that age is the most important thing for an artist.
Conversely, age differences can sometimes enhance the chemistry between co-stars. Older actors often have a wealth of experience to bring to their roles. This can perfectly complement the energy, passion, and fresh perspective of their younger co-stars, creating a balance on screen.
A typical example is the collaboration between Jun Ji Hyun and Kim Soo Hyun in the hit drama “ My Love From Another Star ”. Despite a 7-year age gap, their acting was very compatible, drawing viewers into the complex relationship between the characters.
Both actors have openly shared how much they learned from each other during filming. Jun Ji Hyun, with her many years of acting experience as a senior, was able to offer advice. While Kim Soo Hyun brought youthful vigor to their scenes. Together, they have created one of the most beloved on-screen couples in Korean drama history.
Allkpop concludes that, in the end, what really matters is how the actors play their roles and create a connection with the audience. Age is just a number when it comes to art - what matters is the depth of emotion, acting skills, and dedication of the actors to their craft.
