T.O.P to star in Chinese drama

SEOUL: Big Bang idol T.O.P is being considered for a role in a Chinese drama called ‘I Think I Love Ni’ but he is yet to confirm his role in the movie. The idolactor will be cast opposite popular Chinese actress Yuan Shanshan.

Yuan Shanshan’s role in ‘I Think I Love Ni’ is that of an ordinary girl who works at a fashion magazine. She is the secretary to the editor-in-chief. T.O.P, whose real name is Choi Seung Hyun, has been offered the role of the editor-in-chief.

The drama’s story follows the secretary who becomes editorin-chief’s “bumbling pretending girlfriend,” Dramabeans reported.

Korean pop idols enjoy immense popularity in China. The country provides them a huge market to promote their albums and merchandize. Several Korean idols have bagged lucrative endorsement deals in the country. However, recently Chinese authorities have put strict restrictions on Korean programmes and activities.

In August, China’s General Office of Television Broadcasting announced prohibitive measures against the activities of Korean idols in the country. One of the rules bans Korean stars’ activities and concerts that are expected to see the attendance of 10,000 or more people. Due to the new rule, there are speculations that the casting announcement of T.O.P has been delayed.

Big Bang has a considerable fan following in China. Almost all the members of the band have undertaken acting or endorsement projects in the country at one time or another. Earlier this year, T.O.P signed on for a German-Chinese action thriller ‘Out of Control’. He has been paired opposite Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi. The movie is slated to be released in China this December.