Jang Keun-suk attracts overseas fans to local fan meeting

Korean actor Jang Keun-seuk is reportedly attracting his fans from overseas to a local fan meeting later this month, according to his agency Tree J. Company on Monday.

The event was originally organized for some 3,000 Korean fans but 23 percent of the tickets were reserved by the actor's fans overseas -- particularly those in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Jang, who has never done any official work in the Chinese market, gained a huge fanbase in the region after starring in the SBS TV series "Minamishineyo" last year. In November, the Chinese fans visited the set of "Minamishineyo" and attended Jang's fan meeting in Japan.

"Minamishineyo", which co-starred actress Park Shin-hye, was reportedly the most-searched keyword on Chinese portal sites and the actor has since been receiving numerous offers from China.

"We are receiving fan letters and presents from overseas fans everyday," an official at Tree J. was quoted as saying. "Jang is taking a break from work and is busy reading his fan letters." He also added that the actor wants to learn foreign languages in order to communicate better with fans.

Even fans from Australia, Canada, Singapore and the U.S. are reportedly flying in to attend the fan meeting, to be held at Olympic Park Olympic Hall on January 31.

The actor, 23, has appeared in several notable television dramas including "Beethoven Virus" (MBC, 2008), "Hong Gil-dong" (KBS2, 2008) and popular sitcom "Nonstop 4" (MBC, 2003). He also done some acting work on the big screen, most recently "The Case of Itaewon Homicide" last year.

He became a phenomenon throughout the country after starring in "Minamishineyo", in which he portrayed an eccentric lead singer of idol group A.N.JELL.

Reporter : Ko Jae-wan star@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr