The Matchmakers lead Rowoon opens up about transitioning from K-Pop idol to actor

South Korean actor Rowoon attended a press conference in Seoul for the upcoming KBS drama, "The Matchmakers." The actor, a former member of the K-Pop boy band SF9, shared his views on leaving his group and focusing on his acting career.

As the first episode of the highly anticipated K-Drama "The Matchmakers" premiered on October 30, let's delve into the debut episode of this new drama.

Rowoon opens up about being a former K-Pop idol

• Kim Seok-woo, professionally recognised as Rowoon, is a South Korean singer, actor, and model.

• Rowoon was a former member of the Korean boy band SF9.

• He is well-known for starring in TV series like "Extraordinary You" (2019), "She Would Never Know" (2021), "The King's Affection" (2021), "Tomorrow" (2022), and the one that has elevated his popularity is "Destined With You" (2023).

• On September 18, 2023, Rowoon's label, FNC Entertainment, disclosed that he had decided to part ways with the group.
• He left the group to focus on his acting career. However, he had reservations about historical dramas, and "The Matchmakers" marks his second return to historical drama since 2019.
• With the premiere of "The Matchmakers," a press conference was held on October 30 in Seoul, South Korea.

• During the press conference, he explained, "I aimed to overcome my weaknesses. I'm 27 now and want a long acting career. Whether I do well or not, I hope to gain recognition. Sometimes, criticism is a part of the journey, and I'm determined to tackle challenging roles and improve in areas where I lack confidence."
• He also added that some people may feel let down, but he sees it as a necessary challenge for personal growth and believes that making this tough decision will serve as a valuable stepping stone for him.

In the series, Rowoon takes on the character of widowed Shim Jung Woo.

The first episode aired on October 30, so let's see what happens in it.

*Spoilers Alert* 

• The first episode of "The Matchmakers" features Jung-Woo (Rowoon), a well-educated man who is reluctantly married to the Crown Princess, who tragically dies during their wedding.

• Even though he tried to end the marriage, he had to remain a widower for eight years. The story then shifts to the comical first encounter between Yeo Joo (Cho Yi-Hyun) and Jung-Woo.
• Their encounter is quite memorable, especially because Jung-Woo experiences chest pain when he thinks about her (a typical K-drama moment).
• In their next meeting, Jung-Woo surprises Yeo Joo by confessing his love, but he quickly corrects himself, adding humor and clever lines.
• The episode concludes with a surprising twist: the king orders Jung-Woo to drink poison as punishment for interfering with the Crown Prince's marriage proposals. But will Jung-Woo obey?

You can catch the second episode of "The Matchmakers" on October 31, 2023, at 9:45 PM KST (Korean Standard Time) or 6:15 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) on KBS or Viki.

The cinematography and humor are already adored by K-drama fans, and new episodes will air every Monday and Tuesday. So, from now on, Mondays won't be so bad for those watching this drama.