Nearly two years after her suicide, critics say, little has changed in the cutthroat “Korean Wave” of TV, film and music that each year draws thousands of young hopefuls ready to endure whatever it takes - including sexual abuse and exploitation - to make it big.
The aftermath of Jang’s suicide triggered a federal government investigation into “slave contracts,” in which young talent, mostly women, become locked into exclusive contracts by their agents requiring them to work long hours for low pay, receive unwanted plastic surgery and, in Jang’s case, turn to prostitution.
Since 1990, a half-dozen TV and film actresses have committed suicide over the stress that comes with success in South Korea. Jang’s death stunned this nation transfixed by celebrity and all its trappings. In the seven-page note she wrote before her March 2009 suicide, the 27-year-old TV sitcom regular described how her manager forced her to have sex with industry VIPs such as directors, media executives and CEOs, many of whom she cited by name. In the end, the disgrace proved too much. But to realize her dreams, Jang Ja-yeon was resigned to take her place in the seamy realm of the South Korean sexual casting couch. “Jang Ok Jung, Live for Love” will premiere on SBS on April 8 at 9:55PM KST.She was a young actress with designs on mega-stardom. However, unlike the countless dramas and movies about this famous villain, this drama will tell the story of Jang Ok Jung before she became concubine Jang Hee Bin and focus on her role as a fashion designer and cosmetic maker in the Joseon era.
“Jang Ok Jung, Live for Love” will tell the story of Jang Hee Bin, a famous concubine in the Joseon Dynasty who was behind the deposition of King Sukjong’s wife Queen In Hyun. Meanwhile, Han Seung Yeon will take on the role of Sook Bin, a concubine of Yoo Ah In’s King Sukjong and rival to Kim Tae Hee’s Hee Bin/Jang Ok Jung in the new series. I rather liked her softer, rounder face,” “That’s just too sharp,” “How can anyone’s chin change like that,” “Looks like she had her chin shaved off,” and more. Those who’ve seen the photos comparing the old Han Seung Yeon with the new commented, “There’s no way this is just a result of weight loss,” “No matter how much baby fat you lose, your facial skeleton doesn’t change,” “She’s still pretty, but it’s a shame. The difference in Han Seung Yeon’s chin sparked another round of plastic surgery rumors. As shown in the photo on the left in the photo above, Han Seung Yeon had a rounder chin during her debut days. Her pronounced V-line is a stark contrast from the singer-actress’s original jawline. However, netizens could not help but observe Han Seung Yeon’s noticeably sharp chin.
On March 11, Han Seung Yeon made an appearance at the press conference for upcoming SBS drama “Jang Ok Jung, Live for Love,” along with Kim Tae Heeand Hong Soo Hyun. Dressed in a regal pink and green hanbok, Han Seung Yeon looked lovely and cute as ever. KARA’s Han Seung Yeon sparked plastic surgery rumors once more with her recent appearance.