►►Top Celebrities who took 2009 by surprise

2009 yielded many surprises for the entertainment industry – some good, some bad. While there was an unfortunate series of events that plagued Korea throughout the year, a few chosen ones experienced an explosive popularity that prompted the big question, ‘Where have you been hiding?’

The IS Entertainment team created a shortlist of Korean celebrities who could be classified as an unexpected sensation this year. Here are their biggest surprise celebs of 2009.

Characterized as “beastly idols,” 2PM was unveiled to the public for the first time in 2008 through the Mnet reality program Hot Blood, which documented the rigorous training that JYP trainees undergo. After undergoing a process of elimination, the 7-member idol group was finally formed; they debuted with their first single 10 Points Out of 10 Points. Despite their acrobatic choreography, catchy beats and ridiculously adorable butt dance (which, in my opinion, should have exceeded the popularity of Kara‘s), they did not manage to receive large-scale recognition. However, 2PM rose to stardom when they returned to the music scene with chart-topping tracks like Again and Again and I Hate You during mid-2009. Although Jaebeom‘s MySpace controversy and eventual departure from 2PM created huge bumps in the road for the group, it became an opportunity for both Korean and international fans to unite and demonstrate their support for 2PM with seven members through flash mobs, petitions and charity donations. Recently, 2PM made a comeback as 6 members, sporting a manlier and more mature concept with Heartbeat, which has been snagging awards left and right.

One of the biggest surprises of this year was Kim Yoo Jin, otherwise known as UEE of After School. She joined the girl group in late 2009, but was not well-received by Korea at first. Because of her long and toned legs, UEE was the center of the ‘honey thighs’ syndrome that took the nation by storm. Only four weeks after her debut, UEE was chosen as the advertisement model for a cellphone company, clothing line, and soju brand. Within five weeks, she landed roles in MBC‘s Queen Seon Duk and SBS‘s You’re Beautiful as an actress. Who would have thought this Sohee/Moon Geun YoungWonder Girls rapper Yoobin‘s friend would have risen to fame this easily and this fast? Although some of you may still not be very fond of this long-legged beauty, there’s no denying the fact that UEE has made notable achievements during this year alone – as a beginner in the music/show biz, no less – that grants her bragging rights for the rest of her life. Whether you believe it or not, UEE has contributed to After School’s rise in popularity – so much so, that the group’s comeback song should have been named after her: Because of U-EE.

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December 28, 2009 | Categories: Best Of's, News mixed | Tags: 2am, 2PM, after school, boys over flowers, jokwon, kara, kim joon, uee, yoon sang hyun | Leave a comment