Have they found the lead male yet?! That's crazy that they're airing in September, but haven't even start filming...so probably filming as it airs (?)

Oh man~ I was so excited to see her!

Gosh, I wonder if they'll opt for an Idol star now? People kept speculating Sandara from 2NE1..hmmm......

Whoever it is needs to be fabulous at being a complete ditz cause really the female lead has no backbone in the entire drama, but thats what makes the drama such a pointless teen romcom~lol

Ehhhhh.
Im going to go crazy.
Thats a big BUMMER!
When I thought we had a GREAT female lead,and was waiting for the perfect male lead.
They drop her out.
Ehhhh
Hope the person that gets the female lead AND male lead isnt a bad casting!?:(

BUMMER.

so disappointing to hear.

i'm thinking of Seo Woo would also be great in that character, similar with her Tamra character

darnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!
what a disappointment!
now i feel like giving up on this drama.
i just want to know who are the leads, and want to see production going....

Joe Cheng, the main taiwanese actor from It Started With A Kiss said during his fanmeeting in Korea a few weeks ago that his ideal cast would be Lee Min Ho and Yoon Eun Hye. However, this will not happen, because Lee Min Ho has already declined the role (he wants to do a movie I think) and Yoon Eun Hye has just been cast as the female lead in Love Song (it sounds very promising!).

That's really too bad because I absolutely HATED HATED HATED HATED the anime character- she's so incredibly dumb, annoying, irritating and just plain right irksome- but I thought I would be able to tolerate this if Park Bo Young played the character. I guess I won't be watching this now.

I hope she signs back on-FASSST!

i was only a little disappointed but i'm kinda happy. lol, i really want kim so eun, i think she would be awesome~

i just hope they don't make the female lead's character really annoying, i hated iswak for that.

SANDARA! SANDARA! PRZ?

It is becoming a trend to do remake of other countries drama series. I am a little tired of this. Are we now banking on the popularity of the series and the storyline? Add some famous actors and actresses,and we get a hit. Those drama series with originality are not getting high ratings. One has to wonder what kind of audience are we turning out to be?

Aw, that's really too bad to hear.

So no word is out yet on who the lead male will be? I haven't seen the original version (Taiwanese) but I am somehow hoping it'll be Kim Hyun Joong (BOF) & Sandara Park (2NE1) as the lead pairs.

If not those two, I'm still waiting for Yoo Seung Ho & Kim So Eun to reunite. They appeared together on 'Sad Love Story' and were suppose to play lead together in a Kmovie but she had to drop it due to changes and date conflicts.

if lee minho declined it.. i think Jang geun seok can be the lead but he's already filming a movie, ne? hmm.

Oh, don't tell me that the lead actress is going to be irritating and very ditzy with no brain or common sense. That itself is setting a failure for me anyway because I try to avoid watching Kdramas that are like that whatsoever.

Now I am hoping that it'll be Yoo Seung Ho & Kim So Eun since I know those two are promising rising actors and IF the writers give their characters enough charisma, I think they may be able to pull it off. And I can really picture Kim So Eun play a ditzy role and pull it off!

As for Sandara Park, now that I have an idea of what the character is going to be, I hope that she doesn't choose this Kdrama only because I would much rather see her in a little more mature role.

YOO SEUNG HO & KIM SO EUN in their feature film that never happened! :(

http://kpculture.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/fourthperiod.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab173/trang216/So%20eun/movie1.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab173/trang216/So%20eun/movie2.jpg

How about it? To those who are familiar with IT STARTED WITH THE KISS, what do you think? The two happened to be great friends, too, so it may work to their benefit! :D

Maybe Baek Jin Hee?

Oh, THAT sucks. Now they'd better cast someone BETTER than her. And I don't want Sandara Park. No offence, it's just that I'm not sure about her acting ability... And no Kim Hyun Joon!

Kim Soo Hyun (I want HIM to play Naoki!) and... Kim So Eun? No, Kim So Eun is busy with a 100+ episode drama...

Then... Kim Byul or Park Shin Hye ^___^!

I'm a fan of Park Bo Young so this is unfortunate...

I wonder who they'll cast...maybe Park Eun Bin (from Queen Seon Duk) or Kim Min Ji (who had a minor role in BoF)...i just hope it's someone with decent acting skills who will have decent chemistry with the male lead..whoever he is.

aw dammit. I really really liked her in speed scandal and was so looking forward to this.

I hope they get a better replacement then (: I don't want another geum jandi! haaha

oh man! i was even excited about this remake after hearing that she's one of the top contenders to the lead role...sux! whatever...hope they'll find someone who's better than her...and no not sandara!

kim byul sounds cool.

just get someone who can act and not annoy the heck out of everyone. ariel lin played the character well enough that though you hate her so much you want to punch her, she somehow portray enough emotions and cutesy aegyo enough to make you just be like joe cheng's character: she's so dumb but i love her anywayz.

that being said, i agree, please for the love of these actors and crew and good enough writing, cast quickly...i don't want to see another BOF. or not, just push the whole thing to later. i'm sure there are enough other dramas to fill in the slot right now...

too bad..

oh well, i hope they cast Park Shin Hye or Kim Byeol instead =D

just when i was starting to warm up to the idea of her playing Kotoko...
---
give the lead roles to idol stars and i'll kick this show to the curb even before it started filming!

i feel like waging war whenever someone "bash" Kotoko for being spineless - i love the character cause i think she's heartwarming... guess it's just me! just ask Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng then dub their voices in korean -shrugs- i'm still starving of more ArJoe pairing.

kim soo hyun & kim so eun~ my dream cast! hahaa, kim bum & jang geun suk are probably impossible, so my 3rd choice. lol, im pretty sure kim so eun won't mess it up, she's pretty epic in acting XD let's just hope she won't be a geum jandi~

I think Moon Chae Won will be perfect for this role!
She's pretty& cute but she didn't act the role her age.
If MCW casts in this, I will be too happy. XD

Aihara Kotoko = ? I haven't the foggiest idea. Every time I think I found someone. They are signed to another project or off getting plastic surgery or something. This role is simply to hard to cast for. You need to be clingy, put up with verbal abuse, and yet not look pathetic. You have to be smiling like a goofball one minute, crying like an infant the next, and make the audience want to do the same with you.

My other choices were easier and I have not read anything about any of them being unavailable for this.

Kotoko dad = Park Chan Hwan
Naoki mom = Heo Yoon Jung
naoki dad = Choi Il Hwa
Naoki little brother Yuki = Seok-hyeon Wang (I know he is young but imagine the one liners coming out of this kids mouth..lol)
pervert teacher with Noaki obsession = Hyun Young
Shinsuke = Baek Sung Hyun (Up for debate. Finding someone not as good looking but won't annoy the crap out of me for the clinging and often intruding nature would be better.)

Irie Naoki = Park Ki Woong - he is tall enough, good looking enough, the right age, and most importantly can act.

I want my perfect casting choices before the real ones are announced just for a day or two I want to imagine what it could be like before I will have to accept whatever it actually will be... Good, Bad or Ok.

@27 gala

I so agree with you I absolutely adore Ariel and Joe. They are the perfect couple. I cannot imagine any other actors portraying the role as they did. I am all for the Dubbed Korean Version of It started with the kiss.

For some reason i did not like the Japanese Version.

what!!!! she would have been perfect for the role :(
this sucks cause i really want to see her act in another movie or drama soon...why are these companies so greedy!!!! T_T

I can't even imagine who to cast for the main character-she has to be annoying yet lovable; not an easy role to play.

Javabeans, do you know who else is shortlisted?
Getting real anxious for this drama.

I really liked her for the part, in my opinion this production is already starting with a handicap. It don' t have any of the elements use in the history of successful k-drama. There is no social status issue, no disapproving mother or father -in-law there not even that famous "First Love". The story line of ISWAK is going to be very challenging to the Conservative Korean culture, so the cast off the leads are very important to they success. I'm still in shock that K-drama would attempt such a storyline they going to have to do a lot of adapting similar to western style of courtship/worship/obsession what ever you want to call that charming,crazy Ariel and Kotoko character.

I hold ISWAK drama dear to my heart, ISWAK was my first drama and ISWAK and TKA are on top 5 list for best drama EVERY! so when this was announced that Korean version was starting production I felt, confused. I really didn't think they could pull it off even with the Director from Goong. The are working out of they element and I can just see how they conservations components going to fix in such wild and free storyline.

There was a few actress that I thought would be great but they are little older for the part. There was two I felt had the same essences as Ariel and Kotoko. Unrated actress Shin Da Eum she played in "I am Happy and Family honor the second played in "Family Honor" as while and that is Jun Hye Jin she a natural when it come to romantic scene the kisses she did in Family Honor one of the most naturally, passionate body language I seen in a K-drama in a extremely long time. Unfortunately I see she signed up for the upcoming drama "What up" so she out. I really feel the casting is the most important for this drama to come behind the eight ball, I be waiting on eggs shell to see who the leads are, it could be a unknown as long as they able to handle the diverse storyline and come off natural.

Oh, geez..................=(

...........Very bummer! Awwies, I think it'd be nice for Park Bo Young to become an great acting in this incoming drama "Playful Kiss" --- but I can't believe that this new about Park Bo Young is very............(my heads bow down) Bummed.....

Oh well, IF Park Bo-Young is OUT --- I'd be excited and love seeing Park Shin Hye would be in this incoming drama, it's very great!!! I am roooooting for PARK SHIN HYE, yay!

Oh, ahh.......What about main leading male role?? Hmm, it should be........
.........Lee Min Ho OR Baek Sung Hyun, hopefully so! =)

I'm a fan of Lee Min but not for this role, it not about the height, The original actor wasn't so tall. The part played by Joe and Naoki have to have that look! I have seen it with Si Won,the young boy that played in "Lord of Study, Hwan from Fly to the Sky, it's all in they glare, and loving stare that going replace the dialog. In reality the casting of the main actor is the most important because he not vocal, his acting ability have to be express through his and facial expression which is very difficult too do successfully.

Somehow hope Sulli from f(x) ^^

Aw that is a bummer!

I hope the casting works out well though....I have my fears..

i'm also surprised they are doing this one. they're either going to have to mess with the script to get in those traditional kdrama elements we all know and sometimes find annoying, or they're going to have to bite the bullet and try something -gasp- new.
theres a very fine line between sympathetic and just plain irritating and i really can't think of a age appropriate k actress who could do it.
I liked ISWAK once i finished it, but it took me 5 times trying before i watched it all the way through because the kotoko charecter pushes just about every burried feminist bone in my body. she's like a puppy who gets kicked around and always comes back for more, just as happy as before.
ariel was good but there were many times when i was watching ISWAK where i just wanted to reach into the tv and smack her in the head. if the character makes you that frustraited in the hands of someone good, just imagine the nightmare in the hands of someone with less ability?

How about Ji yeon ?
I don't know why , but I really want her to be casted in this drama !
maybe because , her caractere in god of study is similar to this one
the dummy girl ~~
I think she fits perfectly to the role ! she really does !
unfortunately , it's just a/my dream T.T

to #31: i think Park Ki Woong might just do the trick to play Naoki. gah, now i'm opening to that idea. i think he's got good enough range. i'm still crossing my fingers for Im Ju Hwan but it really looks bleak. Park ki Woong actually possesses that physique Naoki [and Joe] has. ugh, i wish the Japanese can remake this one again. they casted such a beautiful Naoki but really ruined the storyline in that dorama! im still iffy with this Korean adaptation.

I think all of the people who I can think of is already busy or is taking a rest after their drama, so I doubt my favorite will be doing the drama....I actually hope that Moon Geun Young to take this drama because she's just finished with Cinderella sister, I want to see her in a rom-com. drama, but she never did one after another so...

If she wasn't still shooting a daily drama, I would really want Kim So Eun (BOF, a Good day for the Wind to Blow) to play the role because she looks the part and has the acting chops. Its a bummer that Bo Young is out but its completely understandable.

@ 7 I actually wouldn't want to see Seo Woo in this even though she has the acting ability, mostly because the character starts off as a high schooler and frankly I wasn't too much of a fan of Seo Woo in the younger years (it could be because of the make up or whatnot) of CS even if I did like her acting in the later episodes. Also Seo Woo stated that CS is probably the last drama that she will play a high schooler in which makes sense considering her age.

As for the Naoki character, I would love to see Im Joo Hwan, because he can do the serious parts and he has comedic timing which is needed as well plus he looks the part. I think Im Joo Hwan has a lot of potential as an actor if given the right role. Unfortunately hes still shooting Whats Up so he is unlikely as well.

I can see why they are having a hard time casting since many of the people that would be perfect for the roles are either already shooting other dramas or in Bo Young's case in the middle of a legal dispute.

@ Basuha - I also wouldn't want lee min ho because I would like to see him avoid being typecasted and this role is very similar to roles he has had already.I agree with you about the whole non-verbal expression type of acting being very important but I have to disagree about the height thing, even though in the jdrama the actor wasn't that tall in the original manga he was really tall (as was Joe Cheng in ISWAK) when compared to kotoko so visually it is slightly important. Casting the male lead is almost more important than the female lead and shouldn't be given to someone with less than stellar acting chops because as you said, a lot of Naoki is non-verbal.

I think who ever they get to play the role has to be able to show emotion in expressions in addition to be both serious/mean and slightly comedic (some of Kotoko/Naoki interactions are hilarious ) while still keeping the hearts of the audience.

why OH why do i have this nagging feeling that Dara from 2NE1 will now replace her...
not to mention the two of them are quite similar in looks.
i don't like Dara but it would make sense given how recent events played out.. I was wondering why her name suddenly disappeared off the radar for My Girlfriend is Gumiho... maybe it's for this.
ANYONE BUT DARA!!!

Well... this sucks. I was hoping for Bo-young because she would have made the character cute, but at the same time i think she would have given her that subtle backbone Kotoko Aihara really needs. And I don't think she would have been nauseatingly cute, but a perfect amount of it to make Irie and the other male character's love/crush for her seem more... realistic?

@41 nana: I concur! I agree! I am downright on your side on this one.

bummer..... as much as I would like to watch this drama or movie I wish someone would also do a korean version of "devil beside you" since it was also based on a japanese manga but made into a taiwanese drama. I think it would really be awesome..... hehhehe =)

I think Lee Ki Woo from Kid Gang and Star Lovers would make a great Irie Naoki/ shi zhu