Hallyu — the Korean pop-culture wave — is always evolving. One trend: singers taking up acting.

In the United States, that's nothing new — from Barbra Streisand to Marc Anthony, singers have been making the switch. But it's a relatively new phenomenon in South Korea, with star singers such as Rain, who sells out massive concerts, also appearing in the K-dramas "A Love to Die For" and "Full House." Park Yong Ha starred in "Winter Sonata" and sang the theme song for the TV series "All In."

With the rise of hallyu, there's movement in other areas, too — K-drama stars such as Bae Yong Joon and Jang Dong Gun are pursuing big-screen careers. And veteran actors and actresses are gaining the leverage they need to ask TV networks for bigger payoffs.

Meanwhile, the networks are clamoring for new actors and actresses for TV series. Singers are a new talent pool.

There are a couple of lures to make the jump from singing to acting. Acting pays better than singing. And while in South Korea singing careers are brief — the largely teenage fan base makes it a young person's game — an acting career can last many years, as film roles call for different actors of all ages. Plus, with many countries now broadcasting K-dramas, one hit series can catapult a performer to international celebrity status.

Transitioning to acting isn't too difficult in the interconnected entertainment community. A few other singers who have changed careers: Kim Dong Wan from the group Shinhwa was in "Farewell to Tears." Yoon Eun Hae from the group Baby Vox played the Crown Princess in the series "Palace." Sung Yoo Ri from the group Finkel is in the current drama "One Fine Day." Former Shinhwa member Eric, also known as Moon Jung Hyuk, appeared on the series "Super Rookie" and "Phoenix." Singer Lee Don Gun was in the series "Romance in Paris" and is currently in "Smile Again." Jung Ryu Won from the group Shakra was in "My Lovely Sam Soon" and recently "What is Your Planet?"

Comedians are also turning to acting. For example, funnyman Lee Kyung Shil was seen on "Love and Ambition."

I wouldn't be surprised to see these singers-turned-actors take the next step to film. Casting fees have doubled in many cases in the entertainment industry. But recent hit films and TV series show that you don't necessarily need a mega-movie star to make a big hit in South Korea.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises Korean dramas. If you have a K-drama question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066 or reach him at jeffchung@kbfd.com.

SURREAL AND SEXY NEW DRAMA STARTS TOMORROW

'PLEASE COME BACK, SOON-AE' (NEW DRAMA)

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Starring Shim Hye-jin, Park Jin-hee, Yoon Da-hoon. Soon-ae is a middle-aged housewife living an ordinary life whose life takes a turn for the extraordinary when her soul is switched with that of her husband's twentysomething mistress, Cho-eun. Cho-eun is a beautiful flight attendant, in love with a married pilot, who wakes up in the body of her lover's middle-aged wife. The two women employ every trick under the sun to get their bodies back — but does Soon-ae really want to leave behind her newfound youth and go back to her old body?

Premieres tomorrow at 7:50 p.m., repeats Tuesday at 3 p.m.: Soon-ae has a loving family and loyal friends. Il-seok is a mild-mannered pilot who is fooling around with a co-worker behind his wife's back. Cho-eun is his girlfriend who's ready to start a family with Il-seok. When Il-seok and Cho-eun are caught red-handed by Soon-ae's friend, Cho-eun decides to confront Soon-ae.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m., repeats Wednesday at 3 p.m.: Soon-ae is shocked beyond belief when she wakes up with Cho-eun's body. However Cho-eun is still in a coma, in Soon-ae's body, and nobody believes Soon-ae.

'ONE FINE DAY'

EPISODE 9 AND 10

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Ha-neul goes to Dong-ha's office, but Dong-ha gets angry with her. Ha-neul calls Gun to come pick her up at the aquarium, and Hyo-ju also comes to the aquarium after receiving Gun's text message. Ha-neul returns the necklace to Gun, and tell him to return to Australia.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Ha-neul packs her bags to leave the house while Dong-ha is waiting outside. Hyo-ju and Gun try to stop her, but Ha-neul won't budge. Dong-ha takes Ha-neul to his house. Gun takes a job offer from Jin-kwon.

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

EPISODES 13 AND 14

Tonight at 7: Soo-han finds Duk-chill with Song-gook but can't bring himself to show himself to them. The next day, Soo-han punches out Song-gook and tells him never to come around his wife again. Mi-chill disappears with a single phone call, and Il-han desperately looks for her, to no avail.

Tonight at 8: Mi-chill and Seol-chill tell Yang-pal they're seeing someone when he tells them to go on arranged dates. Yang-pal tells both of them to bring their boyfriends home at the same time. Soo-han becomes a new man in attempt to turn Duk-chill around, but Duk-chill is only worried about Song-gook, who hasn't called.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODE 41 AND 42

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Jung-ja's parents' hearts sink when Jung-ja comes back home. Tae-soo's days are filled with happiness, and his mother can't believe her luck whenever she sees Eun-hwan. Jung-ja goes berserk when she hears Tae-see had married Eun-hwan, and storms into Tae-soo's house.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Hae-joo is visited by her daughter whom Hae-joo left at birth. Hong-jo and Sun-hee's wedding takes place on a snowy day. However Hong-jo's mother is still not happy with the marriage. Yuri, Hae-joo's daughter, comes back to Hae-joo's boutique while Hae-joo is away on a business trip.