First I thank you for criticizing this drama without having a harsh or offending voice as lots of other do. These are the kind of review we really need.
Second, I thought I share this with you You are right that private life of an actor (almost) hasn't something to do with the quality of a drama.
Considering you haven't followed Kim Hyun Joong I'd say he has a talent in acting but he can't show it on any kind of drama. His talent flourishes in some special genres and those famous movies we know of him which have lots of emotional scenes. (e.g : inspiring generation)
His private life with his evil ex girlfriend made lots of damage to his career and he was struggling for four years. After he fought really hard and managed to come back to his career it was like starting from zero and he had to start with small and not that strong shows to come back to the acting field and I agree that he might have failed a little bit to show his talents of acting because of the limited offers were made for him (limited because of his private life).
So I'd say it is not that he lacks talent. His personal life drama limited the options he had but he had to come back and please fans anyway. I thinks that's why.
However, I also think that although he didn't show all of his talent but he made the show much more interesting and stronger than it had the potential to be.
I've watched other drama's of this actor and I have the complete opposite opinion of his acting in comparison to yours. Specially if you watch inspiring generation(He had a very professional acting in this one)/ Playful kiss and Boys Over Flower( one of the most famous k-dramas) you'll see his ability to play many different types of personalities and how good. he delivers emotions of the character. I agree that " when time stopped" wasn't that strong as a series but I would say Kim Hyun Joong and An ji Hyun's act made this show much stronger than it had the potential to be.
Also, we should understand that Kim Hyun Joong needed a come back after all the trouble his evil ex made for him that's why he started with a little show. However I think he is both talented in Singing and acting.
About his own personality, believe me first I hated him cause I thought he lacked personality and was arrogant. But when I followed him after I was inspired by his voice and acting I found out that I haven't know a celebrity more decent and honest than him.
Second, I thought I share this with you
You are right that private life of an actor (almost) hasn't something to do with the quality of a drama.
Considering you haven't followed Kim Hyun Joong I'd say he has a talent in acting but he can't show it on any kind of drama. His talent flourishes in some special genres and those famous movies we know of him which have lots of emotional scenes. (e.g : inspiring generation)
His private life with his evil ex girlfriend made lots of damage to his career and he was struggling for four years. After he fought really hard and managed to come back to his career it was like starting from zero and he had to start with small and not that strong shows to come back to the acting field and I agree that he might have failed a little bit to show his talents of acting because of the limited offers were made for him (limited because of his private life).
So I'd say it is not that he lacks talent. His personal life drama limited the options he had but he had to come back and please fans anyway. I thinks that's why.
However, I also think that although he didn't show all of his talent but he made the show much more interesting and stronger than it had the potential to be.
I agree that " when time stopped" wasn't that strong as a series but I would say Kim Hyun Joong and An ji Hyun's act made this show much stronger than it had the potential to be.
Also, we should understand that Kim Hyun Joong needed a come back after all the trouble his evil ex made for him that's why he started with a little show. However I think he is both talented in Singing and acting.
About his own personality, believe me first I hated him cause I thought he lacked personality and was arrogant. But when I followed him after I was inspired by his voice and acting I found out that I haven't know a celebrity more decent and honest than him.