SM Entertainment confirmed Wednesday that Kai will take the lead role of the newest drama series of KBS alongside actress Jung Da Bin. However, many netizens were not happy with the appointment of the EXO member.
According to Soompi, the label announced Kai will play as Lee Si Kyung in the pre-produced drama series titled "Andante." The appointment marks his first lead role in TV drama series.
Following the announcement, netizens expressed their dismay over Kai's appointment for the lead role. Many of them doubted the EXO member is capable of playing as the main cast, Allkpop noted.
"Why would they make a kid who's been in a few web dramas suddenly the male lead in a public broadcasting station drama? Even in a supporting role on a public broadcasting station drama, it's easy to get hated on," a netizen wrote.
The netizen continued Kai's appearances in web drama series do not prove that he is equipped to play the lead role for a TV drama. "Honestly, judging by his web dramas alone, I don't feel that he's all that good, but now, he has to do well to avoid backlash," it added.
Others added there are actors who deserve the lead role more than Kai. There were also who said the EXO member should have rejected the offer, while some netizens blamed SM Entertainment for the appointment.
Despite the backlash he is getting for landing the lead role for "Andante," Kai's fans defended the idol-turned-actor and asked the netizens to give him a chance to show his acting capabilities.
"You keep saying SM pushing him to do this and what if Kai really wants to do this? What if the producer saw something in him that fits the lead role? Let's just support him," a commenter posted.
Watch out for Kai and Jung Da Bin in the newest KBS drama series "Andante."