Starring in variety shows, dramas and other programs through the small screen is known to be one of the best ways for idols to connect with their fans. It’s been found out that the idols gain popularity through starring in various shows on TV.

Sports Seoul has recently surveyed 100 idol group members to see who the best ‘idol actor/actress’ and ‘variety idol’ was for the first half of 2011. Using the survey, the public was able to see the idol’s talent and skills shown in other areas rather than just performances on stage.

Best variety program:
The top variety show of 2011, chosen by idols was……… MBC’s ‘We Got Married‘.
Male and female celebrites were chosen and paired up to be in a virtual marriage which was more than enough to stimulate the interest from idol stars. Curiosity also arised when fellow idol stars such as T-ara’s Eun Jung, 2PM’s Nichkhun and f(x)’s Victoria are currently starring in the show. As well as picking the show as number 1, the idols who participated in the survey also expressed their desires to appear on the show stating, “It would be fun to film and date at the same time“, and “I want to experience the sweet virtual marriage life.”

KBS 2TV ’s ‘Happy Sunday - 1 night 2 days‘ was also chosen as one of the most popular variety shows along with ‘We Got Married’.

Best MC:
Unsuprisingly, the best MC was none other than Yoo Jae Suk (39), who is actively hosting across 3 different networks. He’s hosting KBS 2TV’s ‘Happy Together‘, MBC’s ‘Infinite Challenge‘ and SBS’s ‘Running Man‘. The idols have rated Yoo Jae Suk to have “hosting skill that keeps the flow moving” and having “sub-par excellence in the wittiest jokes“. An idol also praised Yoo Jae Suk of being “the generous MC who also takes care of all the new stars.”

Best Variety Idol:
Who do you think? The Best Variety Idol goes to….. ZE:A’s Kwanghee! He gave off an awesome vibe in variety shows such as, MBC’s ‘Three Wheels‘, and SBS’s ‘Strong Heart‘. Fellow idol stars admitted that he was gifted with the abiltiy to succeed in varity shows. Idols stated, “His blunt truthfulness is very attractive” and “He has mind blowing reactions“.

Best drama:
There were 3 dramas that had stolen the idol’s hearts. They are SBS’s ‘Secret Garden‘, MBC’s ‘Greateest Love’, and KBS 2TV’s ‘Dream High‘.

Idols who voted for ‘Greatest Love’ said, “The story line was original and the protagonist was cool.” Those who voted for ‘Secret Garden’ stated “The plot wasn’t boring” and “In addition to both the male and female protagonists’s charm, I fell in with the OST, ‘That Man‘“. The idols that voted for ‘Dream High’ said “It was easy to connect with those with the same dream“, and “It was a drama that filled my eyes and ears with joy.”

Best actor:
JYJ’s Park Yoo Chun (25) who is currently starring in the popular MBC drama, ‘Miss Ripley‘ was voted as the ‘best idol actor’ amongst the idol stars. Idol stars said that through ‘Miss Ripley’, Yoo Chun had shown a great improvement in his acting skills since last year where he was in KBS 2TV’s drama, ‘Sunkyungwan Scandal‘.

Rankings in sectors:

Best Drama:
1. Secret Garden, Greatest Love: 62.7%
3. Dream High: 4.5%
4. City Hunger: 18%

Best ‘Idol actors’:
1. Park Yoo Chun (JYJ): 36.3%
2. Choi Si Won (Super Junior): 34.5%
3. Ham Eun Jung (T-ara): 27.2%

Top shows/variety shows which idols want to star in:
1. We Got Married, 1 Night 2 Days: 32.7%
3. Infinite Challenge: 27.2%

Idols who show excellence in variety shows:
1. Kwanghee (ZE:A): 29%
2. Jo Kwon (2AM): 18.1%
3. Seungri (Big Bang): 7.2%

Best MC host:
1. Yoo Jae Suk: 41.8%
2. Kang Ho Dong: 25.5%
3. Park Myung So: 10.9%

Sports Seoul thanks Girl’s Day, Nine Muses, Dal Shabet, Rania, Rainbow, miss A, Sunny Hill, CN Blue, f(x), INFINITE, ZE:A, Jewlery, G.NA, 2PM, T-ara, 4minute for taking part in the survey.

Interesting results!