KHJ: Outgrowing the Pretty, On to the Manly

Celebrities of all kinds,shades and shapes from the popular and well loved to the notorious and infamous all covet a certain type of public persona befitting what they want to project. Public persona or image are what we see.

Images of celebrities fed to the public via the media is what talent management companies together with publicists specialize in. From the clothes and accessories, hairstyle, choice of projects, stories to feed the press, pictures to float around, people and events to be seen with/in and other incidents are carefully cultivated. In case there are mishaps or accidental leaks, denials are always forthcoming.

Kim Hyun Joong, just like many other celebrities of his generation were dubbed pretty boys. To project the pretty boy they were dressed up,coiffed and made up even though they are handsome with features sometimes more beautiful than girls.In so many words they are already easy on the eyes in their natural state specially if they are tall, they dance well, sing well and have the gift of gab. Even the brooding types are also well received. If their smiles can launch a thousand ships and are photogenic (they are adorable and adorkable as well)it won’t be long that a legion of fangirls and boys are hotly pursuing them. If their personalities are more than interesting,why they are made for stardom.

Being pretty has its own phase. Maybe brief for some and quite long for others. Kim Hyun Joong realized it is now the time to move on. As one fan noted, he is now taking all the moves to show he has arrived as a man.

First, his physical assets all scream “I’m a grown up man!” From the well built muscular arms, the six pack abs, to the the contoured well defined back muscles -all products of disciplined training and diet.

Second, he doesn’t mince words regarding past state of relationships (always in the past tense to be safe).

Third -his current work and work in progress are the result of his own planning and execution. Also known as hard work, and independent decision making more or less and taking responsibility for one self are signs of being a man.

Fourth, he isn’t shy in articulating he wants to be seen as manly not anymore as pretty. His choice of wardrobe, accessories and hairstyle,his demeanor and choices all lead towards that end. We have seen Unbreakable and Your Story MV’s all reflect manliness. His role preferences for dramas are towards more adult ones (the rowdier, the poorer,the more disadvantaged the better). No more rich and bratty,snobbish roles for him.

Perhaps, if he indeed is serious in his drive towards mature images, we have seen the last of the cuteness in his singing -so better stock up on it.

Being a pretty boy is akin to being considered an adolescent. Getting out of it to being an adult is not just wishful thinking on KHJ part. He made strides towards it. However, media people are constantly teasing him about it reminding him he was the Jihoo that the world loves. Jihoo is only a character, Hyun Joong a far cry from him. Still that drama represent frozen memories that warms many hearts.

Maybe we really need BOF 2 renamed MOF (Men Over Flowers).Then some of us could move on, too.