When the news of Dara signing with YG first came out, my first and most fervent wish had been for Dara to be loved and appreciated by the Korean audience. My second wish had been more selfish — I wanted to see her act in her own language. Since the first seems to be true, much to my surprise (because I hadn’t thought they would embrace her as hugely as they have) and complete delight (because YAY Dara is awesome and she deserves the love!), I am now waiting on my second wish.

I specifically wanted to see her in a series. If not as a main character, then a semi-main supporting character. You know how K-series work — there’s always a main guy and/or girl, then everyone else kind of revolves around the two. So as long as she was in that circle, for more than a single episode (LOL), then my wish is granted. Haha.

Because of this, I made a list of 10 Korean actors and actresses that I wanted Dara to work with at some point. Heehee. Feel free to make your own lists in the comments, because this is fun! I promise! And besides, this list is my bias, as well, so I’m sure you all have your own thoughts on the matter. So have a go go go! 😀

I’m not including obvious choices, people she’s already worked with at some point no matter how small the interaction or people in the same company, because obvious choices are obvious. Hahaha. We all know who they are, and we all cherish hopes of seeing the obvious choices reunite with Dara on something we can own copies of. LOL. However, I will list them, without explanation at the bottom. 😀 Also a handful of my runners up.

Goodluckshirt’s Dara Co-Star Wishlist (in no particular order) UNDER THE CUT 🙂

1) 천정명 Chun Jung Myung

Most popularly from Foxy Lady (but I’m most fond of him in Goodbye Solo), Chun Jung Myung is, IMHO, a charismatic and incredibly flexible actor. He’s covered a pretty wide range of characters despite his slim filmography. And he’s got this sexy-cute thing going for him that Dara manages to do as well. Pretty amazing.  Haha. It’s a huge bonus if it’s true that he’s one of our semi-confirmed fanboys and that just means that he’s pretty awesome because he likes someone so awesome. LOL. He’s back from military service this month! Yaaaaaay!

2) 김유진 Eugene

Ever since I saw Eugene in Save the Last Dance for Me, I thought it would be amazing if she and Dara played sisters in a series. It would be kind of AMAZING, seriously. Then Eugene made me love her when I saw Wonderful Life. Then she made me even happier when she co-starred with Lee Dong Wook in Heartbreak Library (because I love him). And she made the transition from singer (SES) to actor, so that’s something to look up to. And Bada (Eugene’s bandmate) loves Dara, so they could hang out all together. There are too many reasons for Eugene and Dara to collaborate, ok. I really want it to happen. Also, apparently Eugene hangs out with Han Byul! ❤

3) 이태성  Lee Tae Sung

This guy is the sole reason why I managed to sit through 6 or 7 episodes of Romance Zero. Everyone on that show was seriously annoying, but Lee Tae Sung charmed me into staying a little longer. And just past the first episode, and already I was imagining how a scene between Dara and him would go. LOL. This dude is very charming, and he reminds me of Rain, but also a little bit of Kwon Sang Woo or something. I really like him. He’s not always photogenic, but he’s so attractive onscreen when he’s acting. Sexay. I think it’s the way he moves and carries himself.

4) 박한별 Park Han Byul

84 line Hwaiting! This is more out of affection for the two of them (Dara and HanByul) than anything else, because I think they’d have way too much fun shooting together. And think of the fun we’ll have haha! Imagine the mitus. 😀 Aside from that, I’d love to see how they would play off each other onscreen. Also, starring in something together also means promotional photo shoots together. Hehe. ❤ However, I think Han Byul can also be a very charming actress, though in some roles better than others. She was quite loveable in Couple of Fantasy. 🙂

5) 김래원 Kim Rae Won

I love Kim Rae Won. I’ve loved him since I saw Plum Blossom, then I got mildly addicted to My Love Patzzi, even through the horrible Korean late 90s/early 2000s highlights, and he still is wonderful in Gourmet :D. He’s been one of my favorite Korean actors for a while now. Kim Rae Won is a handsome guy, though at times it depends on his hair. Haha. But he is a really great actor, and I love that he seems so laid-back and manly, but always manage to show this vulnerable, sensitive side. He’s good stock. 🙂 Plus he’s always managed to hold his own with both straightforward characters and more offbeat ones. And Dara’d learn so much from him I think. 🙂

6) 임수정  Im Soo Jung

I unexpectedly wept over her performance in Lump of Sugar where she was brave and sweet and incredibly sincere. And I loved how fearlessly took on the role in I’m a Cyborg, It’s OK and knocked it out of the park by transforming into this incredibly fragile, vulnerable, fearful thing. Im Soo Jung gives incredibly nuanced and sensitive performances, and I’d love to see her work with Dara. She also seems really cool and seems to have this interesting thought process, so that’s a good thing too. And aside from the mentioned movies, she was also in …ing, Sad Love Story, and the drama Sorry I Love You. Excellent track record.

7) 김남진  Kim Nam Jin

Spring Bears Love is probably one of my most favorite Korean films. It didn’t do well in the box office. But I don’t care (eh eh eh eh eh). Because Kim Nam Jin is delightful in it (so is Bae Doo Na, but see that below). He’s very manly but brings lovely sincerity to his characters. He looks like he could take care of Dara, no problem. Sweep her of her feet, or carry her while scolding her, or just scolding her while she mutters under her breath in anger… totally excellent. Hahaha. I’ve obviously thought of this awhile now. Hehe. But he’s also quite excellent at pining away silently, so that bodes well for my imagination too. Hehe.

8) 배두나  Bae Doo-na

Gosh Bae Doo Na.Where do I begin? She’s unbelievably multi-talented and I love the way her mind works, and I love that she’s quirky and almost a little strange by Korean standards. She’s an amazing photographer and an unbelievably sensitive actress. It helps that her eyes register this woundedness when she’s acting, but that alone is a difficult thing to accomplish. You can have big eyes with no emotion. She’s very good at what she does, and she’s an incredible onscreen presence. I’ve loved everything I’ve seen her in because she’s amazing. Like Kim Rae Won, I think Dara would learn a lot from her. And I think they’d find understanding in each other. 🙂

9) 재희  Jae Hee

Jae Hee first came to the scene with 3-Iron and made waves (and it’s an incredible film). Then he made waves with Sassy Girl Choonhyang. Then he showed up in One Mom and Three Dads and was all adorable. Hehehe. Jae Hee is cool. And he’s talented. And he has a sick bod. And he’s so charming. And look at that face! 😀 I really think he and Dara would look good together onscreen too, I only wish there was a way we’d be able to see it. Hence his place in the wishlist. 😀 Yay Jae Hee! 😀

10) 정려원  Jung Ryeo Won

Ah Jung Ryeo Won. A lot of Korean actresses have an untouchable look to them, even the girls who play stranger characters, and I love that Jung Ryeo Won often has a slight mussed up, unkempt feel to her. She has an incredibly unaffected air that I really respond well too, but it might just be me. I dunno. I loved her in Which Star Are You From, and I loved her in my Two Faced Girlfriend, and I like seeing her on red carpets when it’s like she doesn’t seem to care what everyone thinks. I’d love to see her work with Dara 🙂 Maybe some sort of crazy magic will come with them working together. Heheeh. 😉

RUNNERS UP and OBVIOUS CHOICES:

First up is the entire YG Family Actor/Actress Roster. The possibilities of them crossing paths in projects is quite likely, and since I like Dara with EVERYONE, obvious opinion is obvious, like I said before. Haha. And YG’s Actor/Actress roster is really quite strong, from multi-talented and Dara-friend Goo Hye Sun, quirky and delightful presence Kang Hye Jung and our favorite TabiSan, DaraDae, and apparently Daeri, just to name some of it. Maybe even Se7en if he wants to act again ❤ Let’s Go YG Family Family! 😀 😀

Then of course, our ever delightful fanboys. Oh Park Hae Jin — I love you and your incredible drive and your surprising earnestness as an actor. If I could give you the chance to hang out with Dara and act with her so you both could learn from each other, you know that I will offer it to you on a silver platter. Gold, even. You are only here in obvious choices because I spent so much time analyzing your delicate fanboying in FO. Bias fan is bias 😀 Danny Ahn, you sexy man. I would wish you on this list as well.

Runners up will include Lee Dong Wook because I think he is charming and beautiful, Dara met him once in the Philippines though. They should totally reconnect. Haha. Also Lee Da Hae because she’s really cool, and I like her onscreen presence. She’s quite natural. I would love to see Dara act with Jung Il Woo again, and of course Lee Min Ho 😀 I’ll take everyone she’s worked with before, seriously. I also would love to see Dara work with Kim Sooro (he’s an incredible actor, and quite the chameleon), and Kim Sun-a. This list could go on and on seriously, so maybe you guys could take the reins and give it a try. EDITED TO ADD: RAIN belongs on this list as well. It’s Rainism yo.

Have fun! 😀 😀 😀