Esteeming: Hyun Bin

If you’ve been following our blogoversary giveaway, you’d know that this is (supposed to be) the made-to-order Pure Pretty post that Djining won as her prize. Which means that we have Djining to thank for this opportunity to gaze at and appreciate the one and only Hyun Bin, while I have Djining and Google to thank, for the many hours of (admittedly very enjoyable) research that went into this post!

The thing is, as I was working on this post, it kinda ballooned into a k-love post (oopsie?), and I had to upgrade the entire thing in the process of making it.

Congratulations Djining!! I hope you don’t mind the upgrade, and I hope this post lives up to your expectations. I made sure to be as thorough and meticulous as possible in making this post for ya; only the best pix, and also, wherever possible, in large wallpaper-worthy sizes as well. All for your (& our!) viewing pleasure, my dear. ;)

Alright then. Are you ready to dive in? Coz man have I got a LOT of Hyun Bin eye candy for ya!

Hyun Bin – Dream in My Heart

http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/apsfp1kx31/dream_in_my_heart_-_hyun_bin.mp3

MY HYUN BIN APPRECIATION

Before getting into the Hyun Bin Pretty, I thought it’d make sense to share at least the highlights of my own appreciation for Hyun Bin with you guys.

After all, of late, I did come across whispers in dramaland that some drama fans among us have actually asked the question, “Who’s Hyun Bin?”

…To which most drama fans would likely respond with, “Omo. How could you not know who’s Hyun Bin??”

But it’s ok. I understand. If you don’t yet know who Hyun Bin is, you’re probably just new-ish to the k-scene, is all. After all, Hyun Bin enlisted in the military not too long after wrapping up Secret Garden (2010), and then took quite a while choosing his comeback project, which was a movie instead of a drama.

So if you got on the k-train fairly recently and haven’t watched any of his older projects and aren’t a movie fan, I do get that you probably wouldn’t be familiar with Hyun Bin.

But, trust me when I say this man is well worth your attention, ok? :)

Secret Garden

I personally fell for Hyun Bin’s charms while watching Secret Garden, which was arguably the Event Drama of 2010.

In 2010, I was just three and a half years into my drama journey, and I was still all about the rom-com genre and the accompanying romantic feelz. And Hyun Bin did not disappoint.

Yes, on hindsight, I’d probably have some issues with some of his character’s more domineering moments if I were to attempt a rewatch now, but I can’t deny that Hyun Bin’s intent smoldering gaze made me swoon. A lot.

Just look at him turning that intent gaze on co-star Ha Ji Won.

He’s not touching her or even leaning in for a kiss. He’s just looking at her, and the air between them is crackling with a truckload of sexy tension.

Augh. I could hardly breathe while watching this scene.

Besides the sexy, I was also impressed with how gamely Hyun Bin threw himself into the funny; body-swapping, sparkly tracksuits and all.

Even more than that, I was extremely impressed by Hyun Bin’s fantastic delivery, particularly in a (very difficult) elevator scene, which reportedly was completed in a single take. Mad, mad props, man.

With just this one drama, Hyun Bin had firmly established his presence on my k-radar.

Other Projects

I went on to seek out other dramas of Hyun Bin’s, starting with Worlds Within (2008).

I liked (but didn’t love) Worlds Within for its docu-drama sort of feel, and was suitably fascinated by the Reel to Real romance between him and leading lady Song Hye Kyo (which reportedly lasted until he enlisted in the military, after which both actors’ agencies announced their break-up).

As understated as the show felt, my reaction to it was equally muted. I didn’t hate this show, but I wasn’t terribly blown away either.

I also watched My Name is Kim Sam Soon (2005), which is a classic in most fans’ books.

I personally wasn’t so taken with Hyun Bin here, although many Hyun Bin fans would beg to differ. But I did like the idea of a strong heroine, and came away more impressed with Kim Sun Ah than anyone else, heh.

Of course, that didn’t mean that I’d lost interest in Hyun Bin. Not at all.

In fact, he was the main reason I checked out Late Autumn (2011).

The movie was a little more art film in tone than I was in the mood for, but I can’t deny the hotness of Hyun Bin’s famous kiss scene with co-star Tang Wei.

Let’s just say that Hyun Bin doesn’t.. hold back. ;)

Here. If you haven’t seen the movie, you can now at least check out the famous kiss scene:

The Season of Military Scarcity

In early March 2011, Hyun Bin impressed us all, by choosing to serve his military service in the Marine Corps, widely considered the toughest service branch of all the service branches.

This, despite the fact that many k-celebs were opting to serve in the much less, er, backbreaking entertainment unit.

I was sorry to see him leave our screens for MS, but was duly awed by his commendable and courageous choice.

At the same time, with a distinct scarcity of Hyun Bin on our screens, my attention wavered, as they say in dramaland. I still thought of Hyun Bin in positive terms, to be sure. But there were definitely newer distractions in dramaland that were consuming my attention.

Movie Comeback: The Fatal Encounter / The King’s Wrath

After Hyun Bin’s military discharge in December 2012, it took another one and a half years for his comeback project, The Fatal Encounter, to hit screens.

I recently (finally!) watched the movie, and was reminded all over again of what an excellent actor Hyun Bin is.

He’s understated in expressing his character’s struggles, yet manages to convey the full extent of his concerns with impressive nuance, and a regality fitting of the role.

And yes, there was some pretty spectacular shirtlessness on display too, which I’ll save for later. ;)

Given Hyun Bin’s excellent performance in The Fatal Encounter, I can only say that I’m looking forward positively to his dramaland comeback, Hyde, Jekyll and I, which is almost upon us (woot!).

Please be awesome, Show!!

THE HYUN BIN GALLERY

I have to say, the sheer amount of Hyun Bin goodness available on the interwebs is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Every corner I turned, there was more Hyun Bin to be had, and it was really, really tough narrowing down the awesome. (Ooh, the hardship! HA.)

Here, I lay out all the 237 photos that I shortlisted. Yep, 237 photos! That’s a long shortlist!

Wherever possible, I’ve included wallpaper-worthy HD sizes, so if you like a particular photo, you might want to open it up in a new window and see whether it’s one of the wallpaper-sized goodies. ;)

Dreamy Boyfriend

Since this is a post for Djining, I thought a great place to start would be what I call the Dreamy Boyfriend photos.

We get Hyun Bin bearing flowers, gifts and even groceries in this section. That’s pretty much everything you’d want from your Dream Boyfriend, right?

My favorite photo in this section is the very last one. Coz it’s Hyun Bin all cozy in a tank, thoughtfully scrawling a love message to you on the mirror. So swoony.

Boy-Next-Door

In a similar vein (coz don’t many of us dream of dating the boy next door?), I really like the boy-next-door vibe on Hyun Bin.

It’s Hyun Bin at his fresh-faced, clean-cut, cheery best, and looking at these pix, I could plausibly believe that maybe, just maybe, this was the (very handsome) boy living next door.

It’s really hard to pick a favorite picture in this section, since I like so many of ‘em, but I think I like the last pic just a little more than the others. Coz Hyun Bin looks so adorably smiley and cute while he hangs out holding his iced coffee. I can literally picture him outside my house on the way to his, pausing just to smile his neighborly hello. And maybe ask if I wanted to hang out in his backyard. Eee!!

Cheeky Playful

Cheeky playful is a look that we don’t see so often on Hyun Bin, since he spends more time looking smoldery and serious in his photoshoots (more on that later).

Which is why I especially like these photos of him showcasing his more mischievous side.

I love this first pic for the refreshing bemused expression that we hardly see on Hyun Bin. And I love the last pic coz despite the sharp suit and gentlemanly outlook, the naughty glint in his eyes is unmistakable. Likey muchey.

I have the impression that Hyun Bin is a man of substance, so it’s not unusual to me, to see him wearing a thoughtful expression. When I see him looking thoughtful like this, like he’s pondering something, I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking about. Well, that, and I also like admiring his handsome features. ;)

My fave photo in this set is the one of him wearing shades while contemplating the photograph in his hands. He just looks really cool like that.

Broody

How’s broody different from the pensive thoughtful photos? Well, I think of broody as having a darker, somewhat edgier, somewhat fiercer vibe. And of course, that just ups the sexy as well.

My favorite photo of this set is the last one. Coz, Hyun Bin, wearing an open-collared, rolled-up-at-the-sleeves crisp white shirt, a vest, and that broody expression just spells schmexy to me.

Smoldery

Smolder is all about the eyes, I tell ya. It’s kinda like broody, but with a very deliberate, sexy, fiery sort of gaze. Mmm.

It’s really tough to pick a favorite in this section (for obvious reasons, heh), but I must say that the 4th pic is especially alluring. There’s something really raw and quite steamy about it that makes it more mesmerizing than the others. Plus, those bedroomy eyes. Flail.

Smirky

The smirky pictures are basically smolder with a touch of naughty mischief. Which is great, coz that’s like combining two of Hyun Bin’s best looks, right? Smoldery naughty = total win.

I really like a lot of the photos in this set, but I’d have to say that my favorite is the one where he’s wearing a goatee and smirking at the camera, and we can barely see his eyes coz his hair’s in his face. There’s just something so intense about that gaze, and yet something so devil-may-care about his styling, that makes the whole vibe very casually sexy indeed.

Just Plain Dreamy

Of course, there are times when Hyun Bin is photographed so beautifully that he’s just plain dreamy. Whether he’s got his eyes closed in a dreamlike state of mind, or is looking right at the camera, these pix showcase Hyun Bin’s almost incandescent side, and I like it a lot.

I couldn’t pick just favorite in this set, so I picked two.

I love this second pic, coz of the mesmerizing look in his eyes. So bedroomy and dreamy, yet so focused and intent. It’s quite arresting to look at.

I also really love the close-up of his profile further down. It’s got such a contemplative vibe to it, and it shows off his lovely features.

Snuggly Swoony

Snuggly swoony as a section really needs no explanation. It’s basically the pix where Hyun Bin looks all cozy and comfortable, like he’s totally ready for some serious cuddling and nuzzling. Mmm.

My top picks in this set are these first two pix, coz he looks so adorably snuggly. ♥

Sharp Suit

I just love a man who can rock a sharp suit, and Hyun Bin proves that he is fully capable of some serious sharp-suited panache.

He looks so handsome – pretty much perfect, really – in each and every one of these photos.

In terms of favorites, I’d have to say that I really love the second pic; he looks so effortlessly debonaire in it. And I also love the third pic, coz he’s got such a delightfully mischievous look in his eyes while riding that bike in a suit. Very nice.

Preppy

Preppy is also a look that Hyun Bin wears well; it’s like a cousin of the sharp suit, only more casual, and a touch nerdy.

I really like this first pic, coz it looks so effortlessly preppy chic; plus, Hyun Bin looks like he’s just standing there lookin’ out for you on the horizon. ;)

I also really like the last pic, a close-up of Hyun Bin wearing a pair of glasses. I love that he’s rocking the geek chic, and with a touch of mischief in his gaze too.

Quirky Handsome

I made this section coz there are a couple of photospreads that leaned rather quirky, and while they seem rather random at times, Hyun Bin is consistently handsome in the photos.

I like the fourth pic quite a lot. His hair is decidedly on the crazy side, but he looks so intent in making that phone call. Kinda makes you think he’s trying to call you, right? ;)

Laid-back Handsome

These pix are where Hyun Bin is all casually laid-back and comfortable. I like that in most of them, he genuinely looks like he’s just hangin’ out with you, and it’s a perfectly normal, everyday sort of thing.

I like this first pic coz he’s all rumpled and he looks like he literally just rolled out of bed and is waiting for you to tell him what’s happening for the rest of the day.

I do also love the second pic, for the warm autumn colors and its cozy vibe. He totally looks ready to hold hands while taking a stroll under the pretty autumn trees. Lovely. ;)

Rugged Sexy

I love the touch of rough ‘n tough these photos have; it really just ups the sexy in my eyes.

I really like this first pic coz Hyun Bin looks so fresh-faced yet rugged at the same time. And that shadow of a goatee is a win in my books. I do have a thing for men who can rock the goatee. ;)

I also love the second pic, with the fake tattoo. He just looks so luminous, while rocking that James Dean vibe. Yum.

Not-quite-shirtless Sexy

Much as we know that Hyun Bin’s in possession of quite the hot bod, photospreads tend to tease us with the not-quite-shirtless brand of sexy. A glimpse of pecs here, and a peek at abs there, and we get a whole lotta sexy goin’ on in these photos.

It’s pretty much impossible to pick a favorite in this set. I mean, there’s just so much win in these: Hyun Bin, wet, bathtub. Thud.

And, beautiful biceps too. ;)

Shirtless

Hyun Bin’s been known for years for his bare-bodied allure, and what amazes me about him, is that his body only seems to be getting more ripped and sculpted as time goes by.

I’m laying out these pix roughly in chronological order, just so that you can compare and see for yourself. It’s an impressive – and very excellent – trajectory, isn’t it?

Also, while I am suitably blown away by the stills from his latest movie further down in this set, it’s the shot of him shaving, from Secret Garden, that I have a real soft spot for. Coz it was literally when this scene appeared on my screen that my jaw dropped to the floor, and I was all, “Well, hellooo.. However did you manage to hide all this delicious defined muscle under all those fitted suits???” *cue starry-eyed drooling* ;)

Candids

No photo gallery on this site is complete without a Candid section, and it’s here that we see Hyun Bin show more of his personality.

I love that we get the sense that he’s a fun kinda guy, who generally is having a good time even while at work. And really, there’s so much win in these candids.

I love the fourth pic of him puffing up his cheeks like a chipmunk; I love that shot of him leaning against the palm tree, all dressed down in casual togs and smiling; I love that pic of him in the hoodie, coz of that very genuine, lit-from-within, megawatt smile.

Just, so much awesome. :)

Closing Thoughts

Yes, I know I haven’t mentioned his dimples at all in this post. Sorry. They are quite lovely, to be sure. And, they do appear in a whopping number of photos in this post, too.

It’s just, as nice as they are, they never have been the things that have drawn me to the awesomeness of Hyun Bin. I just feel like he’s so much more than Mr. Dimples.

He’s talented, disciplined, dedicated, passionate, and so good at what he does.

Keep on bringing the awesome, Hyun Bin-sshi. We’re so glad you’re coming back to dramaland.