no wonder there is such a high rate of suicide in SK, netizens (whether in SK or outside SK) are just so mean. I wonder why people who visit this site can be so mean about their fellow man ?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They better NOT cast Seungyeon or Sulli!!!!!!!!!!1

I'm on the fence with Kim Hyun Joong's acting (as you said, his disconnected acting in BoF bugged me) but hopefully he's improved since then. I'm sure he was cast as lead because of reasons other than the fact that he'll bring with him a legion of fangirls to prop the show.

Good luck HJ!

(Also, I thought Sungyeon dropped out of the running because of her Japanese promotions?)

i'm not really mad that KHJ is taking the role, i'm hoping some improvement from him. Maybe a good actress would help him bring out a good perfomance (GHS in bbf was just baaad baaad).

The 3 candidates for the female roles doesn't interest me at all. PSY? no offence, i watch YAB, she is just acting cute, innocent, and foolish. I hope it's park bo young, she is an awesome actress in speed scandal.

POPULARITY is business. ACTING SKILL is art. This is TV so no contest.

It cracks me up how there are so few fangirls here and yet some people are making it sounds as if Hyun Joong fangirls are flooding the comments. Being his fangirl myself, I 'm not going to defend him. Like defending him will change what 80% of the commentors think about his acting and his casting. Defending, like criticising, works as a double-edged swords. Competing against Lee Seung Gi and Rain's dramas, Group 8 needs to find popular leads. Park Bo Young would have been a great choice though Park Shin Hye is a good alternative. So this timeslot has turned into a battle between the singer-turned-actors.

I did wanted Kim Hyun Joong to take the role of Athena since it's not a big role. A chance for him to improve his acting skills without the backlash of the acting industry being saturated with idol stars who earn the lead role through their popularity instead of their talents. This does have an impact on pure actors but whether it's the most detrimental is debatable. I mean, Kim Hyun Joong is not the only idol and idols are not the only ones jumping industry. Even within the pure actors, there're some who earn lead role through their popularity as well.

When Kim Hyun Joong went back to singing, people were like he can't sing!
Now when he returns to acting, people goes he would stick to singing! Lol...

@last_thread - LOL! Really cracked me up on the Twilight example. =) Cheers!

LoL @nom_kitteh :) I agree I tend to watch a lot of the dramas for the cute boys and of course fun without substance haha... I watched BOF 2x through... of course my fave was actually Kim Bum (he cracked me up trying to be this player when he looks so adorable...) and yet KHJ "wooden acting," even though I noticed it, it still didn´t detract my enjoyment of the crazyness of the drama, actually the thing that I have against that drama was actually GHS´s Jandi needing to be rescued almost every single episode... that girl seriously needed life insurance hahaha she was always in some kind of trouble <_<

KHJ is as cute as they watch and this drama is going to be pretty lightheearted so I´m not expecting him to need to bust out crying tragically therefore I´ll definitely watch :) Plus only if he could transfer just a little of his real life quirky personality to the screen (as seen through Variety Shows etc..) and give the characters his own interpretation it would be just awesome... still fluff but good quality fluff... either way I´m watching...

**Sigh**
They want idol turn actor, why dont they pick Choi Siwon?
Man!!! This is disappointing!!! I was looking forward to it ....
If the choose another idol for the female lead too, I am sure I wont touch this.

Now I am debating... I dont want PSH to be main lead either.
Not because I dont like her Nor can she act!!!
But I dont want her drama ruined!!!!

Her popularity is raising after YB , this isnt worthy!!!!
Please reject it PSH!!!!
This is not a good project for you

But I thought that she was supposed to be in a special family drama with Kim Nam Joo, nah?
How can she join both as well?
SH, let's stick with by KNJ side this time ok?

Anyways, I still hoping that they 'd switch to JGS or SW at last ( WHATEVER REASON, I dont care!!! Please!!!!)

Woo! Hoo! KIM HYUN JOONG!! I looooooved him in BOF. Super, duper happy that he got the lead. Now, I wish Han Seung Yeon could be the female lead!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not him!!
The Taiwanese version was so cute and I was hoping the Korean would be too (cuter even better) but Playful Kiss will be more like... Wooden Kiss...

(sorry Kim Hyun Joong. you were adorable in WGM but not in BOF. i really want to like you as an actor (plus the fact that i loved ISWAK and want to like this one) so please please please go do some research or acting classes before this k?)

I'm actually disappointed because and sorry to his fans out there, he may be a talented singer and dancer but let's be honest his like a block of wood when it comes to acting.....He has one expression for every emotion except when it's sad and tears are needed I guess they just put a drop of water or something......So for that I vote for Park Shin Hye for the female lead so they can at least salvage this series with an actress who is proven that can act.....PARK SHIN HYE, Playful Kiss needs you.

I am not a fan of KHJ's acting. He was stiff and cringeworthy in BOF. BUT... all that said... ISWAK should be a breeze for him. Acting is hardly required. Just need to look cool at all times... I think he'll pull it off just fine.

Goodlooking: check
Expressionless: check
Emotionless: check

He's perfect for it. As for the female, I really DO NOT WANT Park Shin Hye. DIdn't like her in You Are beautiful and that girl tends to OVERACT all the time. Can we have Han Hyo Joo or Park Bo Young. Need some freshness and not recycled idol drama actresses in similar productions ALL the time.

sorry but what a bad choice. they just want ratings. i hope they don't pick a female lead i like, so i don't have to watch this.

i like PSH, so please i hope they don't pick her & she doesn't want this.

NO. NO. NO. NO! AH, I wanted Jung Yong Hwa. TT___TT

Sigh. All right. Then can we have a good actress. Man, I was looking forward to this drama so much.

LOL. I just had a huge fit. . . .and my mom laughed at me. >.>

Even if i like Kim Hyun-joong, I can say without a doubt this was a bad choice. He doesn't have range and this requires range.

I like this choice, KHJ deserves a chance (or chances).
I love him very much in We got married (even it was not acting, it was his real character) and will open my mind welcome his new drama.

Hm, I think I will just wait and see. It's been a while full year since BOF and you never know, maybe he can connect with this role unlike the last. Maybe not.

Oh well, here's to hoping. At least he no longer has the orange hair...

LOL... Isn't the purpose of all tv shows/dramas about ratings??? Ratings are high because alot of people enjoy watching the show. If the show was bad then people wouldn't continue to watch the drama and the ratings would drop. You can't have one without the other. Less rating = less profit for MBC. I'm sure the ratings are going to be just as high or even higher than BOF.

goodness, this is really causing a stir. i wonder what reactions are like in korea. but as much as i love lee min ho, he did not want this. and i agree with his choice. because it's another shadow of gjp in bof.

i agree that kjh might have improved. i think he was good in the gummy as a man mv, but i don't think something as big as THIS, is where he should expierment his acting talent. sure, he needs another chance, but playful kiss is huge. hit or miss here. i'd hate to see a miss. and i have a strong feeling it will only be a hit because of his fan base.

i'm suddenly over group 8, their productions, and ways of casting....

@ GF"

Are you serious??? You recap THIS??? 0_o
Ohhhh O.k???

If SH is casted for it ( Which I hope not), I'll follow as much as I can
since I love the girl so much

But please could someone make him to take some acting clasess for God sake!!!! THIS is supposed to be awesome drama..... now I feel so down about it

OR JUST CHANGE TO JGS OR CSW PLEASE !!!!! ( ** better option**)
Either of them 'd work with PSH!!!!

** yeah, in my dream!!!**

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh really?
sigh.
sigh.
siiiiiiigh.
He. does. not. have the ability to play a jerk who's not really a jerk. Dude needs more side character acting practice before he can step up to lead role.

Well at least he's not ruining the Kimi wa Petto movie! hah

Hmm well I hope he does a good job being the character :/
IDK though ahh I mean I'm happy, but I feel like he might kill the main character's personality. And man I do hope its Park Shinye because I think she fits the main girl since her acting for YB is somewhat similar to the one in ISAK xD

Ah...dang.....it's so disappointed...
I wish it will be Jang Geun Suk or Im Joo Hwan..(he's great in Tamra the Island) or Kim Soo Hyun (he's great too in WISC)...

Give me Im Joo Hwan or Kim Soo Hyun....!!!!!!!!!

Geezzzzz....I lost my taste...*sigh*

KHJ. Geh. Lead role? Gehhhhh.

I think it's nice though, that people still have faith in him. Though I also don't blame anyone else who are dreading this upcoming drama based on his previous performance. (Which, by the way, anyone, including Javabeans, is perfectly entitled to do.) The boy is cute. But his acting was rightfully stated as cringe-worthy, which, IN MY OPINION, it was. (That crying scene when he was sitting on the dock with his grandfather? Let's just say that if my computer hadn't cost money, I may not have been able to control myself from gouging a kitchen knife through the screen.)

Also, to people saying how he's such a nice guy on variety shows or whatnot? I'm sorry, but what does that have anything to do with his acting or his casting? Just because you're funny and nice doesn't mean you're entitled to lead roles, regardless of acting ability. Let's not make excuses for him.

@annie b

Pretentious, much? I don't think javabeans would appreciate you talking down to her on her own site. THIS IS HER BLOG. She has the right to say whatever the heck she wants on here, and in fact, on a blog, it's a privilege to be able to comment on the posts. You can be against her opinion, and can say so, but there's a difference between fair opposition and being a condescending snot.

I quote, "I knew you would start lambasting KHJ for reasons you alone knows disguised in the name of having standards for acting ." Actually, her opinion IS based on acting standards (most respectfully, in case you failed to notice, this whole blog is about acting) and I doubt there are many people on here who can say they have drama-watching experience as extensive and diverse as JB, thus making her one of the few people who can project an opinion we have good reason to trust.

I quote also, "But you have started attacking him on the basis of past acting behavior. If all people will be judged this way ,this world will go nowhere ." Sorry to say, but I see a blatant untruth here. Everyone is based on their experience; in fact, employment works this way. It is highly unlikely that you would walk into a job interview and expect to get the position without handing over some proof that you have had previous experience in the field and is therefore capable, and some references your prospective employer can go upon, to ensure you're not some whacked-out psychopath. In fact (in my opinion), if all people were not judged this way, the world would go nowhere.

Of course, this is all just MY OPINION.

I digress. There's not point moaning about it now, as JB said, since the casting is final. I suppose there's nothing else to do but hope he's improved.

@ 52 hello........OMG---please, heaven forbid.... what are you saying, that's sooo scary after the recent PYH incident... Lord pls.. Let's not go there...

KIM HYUN JOONG--Playful KissFighting!!!!

Oh hold on!!!
How old is Sulli?
Isnt she too young to KISS in Korea?????

Actually if it had to be idol, Shim Changmin or Jaeojoong of TVXQ might fit the bill better~ Changmin look-wise(he TRULLY does look like the comic version of Naoki),and Jaejoong look-wise too,yes,,but he's also got some acting credit already

but oh well, KHJ can't be THAT bad rite?! I didn't like him in BOF (couldnt finish it even) but it's not all due to his acting,,,like one person here said,,the lack of chem between Jandi and Junpyo plus the itching irritation I get from GHS's portrayal of Jandi were what drew me away from that drama...

Let's hope a decent female lead is cast here,,no GOONG S all over again, please :(

I actually think Jung So Min (Monae in Bad Guy) actually look good for the part, as well as Park Bo Young (top contender in my book), or Jiyeon of T-ara (she can do bimbo quite charmingly huh*case in point: God of Study*)..not PSH though,,dun want her to be typecasted as this klutz, dimwitted girl all the time

@ xylophonic

totally agree with you. javabeans probably does too. you can easily point out the fangirls by reading these comments.

..........as much as i love kim hyun joong i'm kinda disappointed with him being the main....but i still think he can improve from his last role in BOF. i mean come on...he's new to acting so you can't expect him to be amazing from the start lol

BUT if Han Seung-yeon or Sulli beat out park shin hye i WILL PUNCH SOMEONE WHERE IT HURTS THE MOST. i wlll honestly refuse to watch the drama if they decide to make it a full idol cast drama....nothing against those two but seriously i think one idol is enough....and a REAL ACTRESS deserves the role. I loved the japanese manga and i don't want the drama to be ruined cause they chose to cast popular idols instead of based on TALENT -o- Park Shin Hye is a great actress and i feel like she'll do a great job in this role ^^ *sigh* if only i could have seen her with lee min ho :(

i swear...if one of the members from kara and f(x) is cast i will kill someone -o-''

it's already here and there's nothing we could do about it. ugh. unless by heaven's miracles, he pulls out from this drama. now what's really important is to cast an actress that can be comfortable around him - that could spark enough chemistry that can pull him out of his "restrained"acting.

to those saying Naoki role isnt hard to act out, dead WRONG! this character is complex, especially during They Kissed Again - which is a much better, deeper drama than ISWAK - just less comedic. im not sure how far the korean version will go in terms of the story!

I have to say your statement is pretty harsh, especially since I read how disappointed you were of Lee Min Ho not accepted the part. I'm confuse because I really don't see the different in acting skills, Lee Min Ho lacked good acting skills as while in BOF. He proved that he capable of deliver a character with more depth, but that took the drama Personal Taste too realize his potential. This could be the broke out performance's for Hyun-Joong as while since it a more complex character.

He wasn't my first choice and to be honest he wasn't on my list at all. I personally that Si Woo would have been perfect or a new face, but I'm open too see how Hyun-Joong perform. Your review come off like casting him would make the drama unsuccessful, too be fair and honest the storyline itself have this remake coming out of the gate with a broken leg, the curse of K-drama conservative trademark would be the down fall of this drama more then the casting.

I'm a little disappointed in your negative per assumption normally you give strong facts that back up the negative viewpoint, but in this case it just seem like bashing base on Hyun-Joong first drama debut, is that really fair? It a harsh review base on ONE! insufficient fact. It's surprise and a little sad because I expected more from you then this. The one thing I admire about the reviews and recaps that so wonderfully written is the reasoning behind the madness but in this case it just coming off mad...

I thought all the characters in BOF need improvement, but that didn't stop me from watching they next drama, very few people can be natural and even the best can seem like a amateur in a drama just like a amateur can come off like a pro. I can't judge Hyun-Joong due to the limited exposure he has in acting, it not like he a veteran giving out mediocre performance, he a newbie still finding his ground. I wish him the best but more importantly I wish that the directing and the storyline be more on point, because that were the substance lays. It's was never said so truthfully as this "quote" in the drama On Air " A bad script will never have good actors! A well written script will never have bad actors!

TVXQ's Changmin came really close to grabbing the lead role. Oh well, just as long as the girl from Kara doesn't get the lead female role.

NOOOOOOOOOOO...tell me it isn't so..this is a horrible nightmare...javabeans, I know you know your stuff but c'mon maybe you made a mistake? Playful kiss is one of my favorite mangas, and I think the taiwanese version did a pretty good job of making it come to life - a little too long but it was pretty fun overall.
KHJ is cute and all but I think he's a little too skinny and youngish looking to pull this off unless the female lead is super young.
And why couldn't it have been siwon? can anyone ever go wrong with chocolate abs? Do you think lee min ho will reconsider if we throw a tantrum?

Errrrr...It's not like she's flaming him on some KJH thread or forum, so cut JB some slack KJH supporters. (~_~)

Anyhow, I understand the disappointment b/c I wanted a better seasoned actor to play the lead male character. Though it would have been AWESOME if LMH accepted this role, I guess it would have bore him to death to play another haughty character (sighs). What about Jung Il Woo? Isn't my cutey-patootie perfect for this role too??? Ok, ok, ok...I jest...I jest...NOT! Who knows (shrug). Maybe KJH honed his acting skills through Bae Yong Joon's mentorship (crosses fingers).

its worthless to cry now...better pray he would surprise us all ..for the shake of awsome story ISWAK.

Dear Lord pls improve his acting skills so we all can enjoy a good drama.i would not hesitate to eat my words .

@ Midori

but lee min ho had numerous side roles before his lead role. this is a shallow move by group 8. and clearly, the harsh review is not based on one, if you can read the many other comments agreeing with javabeans.

i think we need to cut him some slack, maybe he has improved. but it's pretty ridiculous that fanatics are coming here to point their finger at javabeans on her own blog, about her own opinion. go to allkpop if you want pros and praises for him. there is plenty there. if you are so upset with her "bashing base," by all means, just don't read the post. i really think javabeans could care less if you are disappointed with her opinion. so you're just frustrating yourself and wasting your time.

I know I already ranted on this but I just read @Midori's post and it pissed me off. I think I speak for all blog writers when I say, what business of yours is it to judge whether a blogger's post is 'worthy' or not? Bloggers are not reporters. They are not paid to write. They don't have to be 'fair' ALL THE TIME and just because a blogger is usually fairly objective (which is, I should point out, uncommon among bloggers because the whole point of their blog is to demonstrate an OPINION) does not mean they have to be at all times, and it's shortsighted to expect them to be. Honestly, if some random person on Livejournal with 43 friends ranted about KHJ being cast in PK would you have harped on about them not being objective or 'reasonable' enough? Christ guys, some perspective, please.

Range? ISWAK did not require any range for the male lead. He has to look annoyed, smart, annoyed and then irritated. There are also a few good eye rolls required. This drama requires onscreen chemistry and a great female lead to work.

There are several things I can think now...why he fail as "Rui"...

1. When you play violin...please play it well... or at least good enough to make us believe that you are RUI who plays violin beautifully.

2. When you are on the screen and you do what RUI is doing...please understand that there are main reason why RUI is doing what he is doing....understand his background, his past, his memory...everything that is RUIs

3. When you sad, you don't need to "cry-me-a-river" or when you happy, you don't need to "smile-so-wide-until-you-break-your jaw". You can speak thousand words with your eyes, your expression. There are a million different expressions for a million different emotions. Put the right mask for the right emotion in your pretty face, please...

4. When you are in love....show it...dang...Show it to the screen...Make me feel as if I am a man..I will in love with her too...Or at least make me jealous because you're in love with her and not with me...

end-of-rant

*Sigh*

WOW! just what we needed! they should definitley cast an idol for the lead actress role then this drama is gonna be an EPIC---FAIL! im definitely gonna watch it for the LOLZ! yes, im bitter...so what?!

FFFFUUUUUUUUU

NGL, I would have even taken Changmin. (I mean, I'm biased and I like him, but he still wouldn't be my first choice for a drama. But given the options....)