With the recent controversy surrounding Netflix's casting for its remake of "Death Note," fans of the franchise have been weighing in on the perceived lack of Asian American representation in the Netflix production. But more than the controversies, fans have been wondering whether Koreans have plans to develop their own version of the franchise as well.
It is not uncommon for Korean productions to purchase the rights of Japanese hit franchises and has done excellently with its adaptations of "Itazura Na Kiss" (It Started with a Kiss), "Hana Yori Dango" (Boys Over Flowers), "Nodame Cantabile" (Naeil's Cantabile) and "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" (To The Beautiful You). "Death Note", as one of the most popular animes in Japan, could be the perfect concept to showcase the skills of cool K-pop superstars who have started transitioning to acting. Kpopstarz has gathered a list of possible K-pop stars who could do justice to the characters on "Death Note."
Jung Yong Hwa as Light Yagami. After starring in Korean dramas like "You're Beautiful," "Heartstrings" and "Marry Me If You Dare," there is no doubt that the CN Blue leader can pull off the air of kindness and that "Death Note's" Light Yagami has used to cloak his intense thirst for justice. Yong Hwa also has a depth to his acting that can do justice to Light's darker side.
Kim Hyun Joong as Light Yagami. The singer and actor may have just come back from mandatory military service and got himself in trouble with a DUI charge, but his quiet and brooding aura, as well as his good looks, could easily charm the audience into forgetting that he is in fact, playing a vigilante killer in cahoots with a death god or shinigami in a "Death Note" adaptation.
G-Dragon as L. It is true that G-Dragon only accidentally debuted as an actor in "Infinite Challenge's "Muhan Company" but he has already proven that he has the acting chops to pull off a complicated character like L. Not only that, G-Dragon has a natural air of childlike playfulness and mischief, coupled with an intensity that is needed to depict's L's natural eccentricity. G-Dragon is perfect for the role in "Death Note". Period.
Baekhyun as L. The EXO member has the youthfulness and the look of L's anime and live action counterparts has. He has also proven his acting as one of the princes of "Scarlet Heart Ryeo". It would be interesting to see him in a contemporary role of "Death Note's" genius detective with a weird streak.
Who better to play the role of "Death Note's" Misa Amane, a J-pop idol than actual real life K-pop idols? Girl's Day's Hyeri who is set to make her big-screen debut in "Water Monster" and APINK cutie Eunji most definitely fit the bill to play Kira's partner in crime Misa. Their acting experience in hit franchises like "Reply 1988" and "Reply 1997" are testaments to their potential in delivering on the challenging role.
