Lee Ji Ah now hot property .They hit bullseye casting newbie

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Lee Ji Ah now hot property .They hit bullseye casting newbie

SHE was a nobody who survived dozens of auditions to become Korean hunk Bae Yong Joon's new screen lover in the period drama TheLegend.

Fans were initially shocked by her inclusion in the star-studded cast.

But Lee Ji Ah, 26, has the last laugh now.

The arts graduate has become the breakout star of the serial, which is now showing in Korea and fast gaining attention in other Asian countries.

She plays a female archer who helps Yong Joon's character to become king and falls in love with him.

Director Kim Jong Hak raved about how Ji Ah has the combined appeal of two of Korea's most famous actresses - Shim Eun Ha's beauty and Ko Hyun Jung's strength.

He told The Chosun Ilbo that he picked Ji Ah because she is just like her character - honest, frank and refreshing.

To prepare for her role, Ji Ah, who is signed to Yong Joon's agency BOF, underwent intensive training in archery and horseback riding.

Having majored in graphic design in college, she prepared some of her own costumes and created her own hairdo.

It was worth the effort, as she has been getting plenty of praise.

Her fan base has grown so much that she started a website for them. And she personally designed it, reported Star News.

But, Ji Ah's best pay-off yet is drawing the attention of top advertisers who are fast to cash in on the mass appeal of rising stars.

First, she snagged a two-year deal with LG cosmetics line Isaknox, which is also fronted by Hollywood babe Jessica Alba and sexy Korean singer Lee Hyo Lee.

Then, Ji Ah inked another endorsement deal with Lotte Anytime candy, which had A-listers Choi Ji Woo and Lee Na Young as spokesmen.

An LG spokesman told The Chosun Ilbo that company hopes that Ji Ah's 'fresh and mysterious image' will draw more women in their 20s to its cosmetics line.

After all, she is a nobody no more.

credits: asianfanatics