For the posters that commented why people disagreed with the blogger since it's their personal blog...er....So people that comment can only agreed with the blogger and not share their opinions? Then what is the point of commenting if it's to write, "Oh, you're right! I agreed!"
I like JB's style of writing and have enjoyed reading many of her articles for a long time now, however, I am also open-minded in that I am aware she has her favorites and can be biased in her writing, so it is true that if you enjoy reading JB's blog, you take the good with the bad but it does not mean you don't have the freedom to express your opinions....that is why we have the comment section. So, let's all agreed to disagree and leave it at that. We don't need to stoop to the level of attacking each other.

darn it i want to see changmin in this drama so bad. too bad he not as popular as the leader of ss501

I give support to KHJ. He needs to redeem himself. I think that's the reason also why his management is really pushing his name around.

but please make PHS as the lead actress. She fits the role to a T

SOMEONE PLESE TELL ME HOW COME SULLI IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS SINCE I THOUGHT YOU CANT KISS IN KOREA IF YOU ARE BELOW 18???

AND THIS DRAMA IS ABOUT KISSES???

THANK YOU!!!

i cant stand this guy acting i wish it was someone else even if its not changmin

Please prevent me from THROWING UP IN THE MOUTH. What is this kid doing as the main lead? He obviously has no idea how to act (case and point: how he ruined a perfectly easy Rui character in Boys over Flowers). WHY?!

And to people who are hating on Javabeans, nobody likes you. Please GTFO. She has a right to write what she feels. You don't have a right to be here to give her crap for her opinions (which I happen to agree with).

Goodbye Playful Kiss. You totally got kicked off of my list of dramas to watch. To think I was even looking forward to this since I didn't really like the Taiwanese version that much.

mmm ... i don't want to see any one of them in the drama. there are so many talented young actors out there who would fit the role perfectly. well, i guess the producer is looking for high rating ... fangirls will watch anything with their favourite in it. don't get me wrong, i have nothing against idols in dramas, as long as they know how to act. and there are those who can.

Didn't Sulli debut as an actress first? Anyway, I'm hoping it's Park Shin Hye since she has the highest amount of experience..Han Seung-yeon has the least I think..

I absolutely hated the Taiwanese version since Ariel Lin's acting to me was just so bad I couldn't get through it, so I hope that this one at least has enough eye-candy.

Shitt..why it has to be him?!!!!
dam! damn!
He can just be an eye candy for a drama but not a main lead.
this drama can become as suck as BOF!
(>o<)/ completely agree with PrincelyLuna

I love him and am excited that he will be in this :) Just had to show my ssuport!!!

Kim Hyun Joong Fighting!!!!

Dear Javabeans - MERONGGGGGG :) LOL I'm totally biased and I love Kim Hyun Joong leadershi from WGM and SS501, so I will be taking out my Pom Poms cheering! I believe in miracles and so now let the games begin! Regardless, I'm sure there will be plenty of thousands looking forward to him starring in ANY role, and there will be alot of people who are already cussing, ranting, puking and not wanting to watch even before it started *oh well* let's just let fate run it's course and see what happens! AJA AJA Hyun Joong shi! Just do your best, whoever has whatever to say, they are not the ones going to act the role nor are picked for the role, and ahhh so what, there are countless who loves you just the way you are *winks* Your loyal fans and friends will hoist you as your grow and learn - you can't please everyone all the time, so take heart!

Hugs Javabeans *pats* *pats* kenchana - lots of other dramas for you to love, watch and recap - and we love you for it and for the ones you hate *chuckles* I love reading them too - eventhough I cringe with your direct hits at my Kim Hyun Joong but I forgive ya! - I admit his acting skills need loads of work - kekeke - now i'm sendiing you virtual blinkers (to ensure you no need to watch it even by accident from the side (like horses in a race)and chocolates to make you happy so that you can let him slide pass you and let him just do his thing - whatever that thing might be! LOL *prays god, please be kind!!! * Good Luck Kim Hyun Joong!!!!

I really hope they don't cast PSH b/c I think she's been doing so well with her past project of YB and it would be a shame to stunt all she's learned from there with something that's not going to help her out. i'm not against kim but PSH can def find something better to improve her skills. She's been kinda on and off with choosing good projects and i really hope she gets on good ones now. :]

argh! who is casting these actors/actresses for this show? It's all about the idols isn't it... There are so many other people they should of considered... seriously no one was good enough for the role except for KHJ? This series is so not worth watching... psh the main guy is supposed to be cool and smart, KHJ can't pull that off ! in BOF he was definetly the "awkward" cast member even Kim Joon's acting was better than his.

I dont want PSH for this role either ( my bias for her, she def. deserves better!!!)

But Sulli is only 16?!?!?!?! 0_O ARE THEY SERIOUS CONSIDERING HER?!?! I mean they know this is not TREE OF HEAVE that PSH played when she was 16 right? She couldn't kiss in that drama !!!!
Seung-yeon is dropped out due to her JP activites

.........................
That means we only have PSH ?!?!?
What 's about Park Bo Young????
Can she still consider the role? '

I REALLY DONT WANT PSH FOR THIE ROLE!!!! IT MAY TAKE HER DOWN SIDE GAIN!!!!
Plus he has too many fan girl to to be safe ^^;;
I dont want to worry for SH if she took the role
So PBY, PLEASE TAKE THIS ROLE!!! IT FITS YOU BEST!!!

.......
That means we only have

take Sung Yu Ri as an example. she did really bad job in Princess's first love but was so amazing in Snow queen. and remember, not always actors who seems to be really good at their debut will show their consistence of acting at other projects. we've seen that in countless drama; many thought-to-be good actors are really bad in portraying their characters, even the well-known ones. Acting requires more than just the talent's actor itself, such as the scripts, the directing, ect. instead of worry about KHJ, why don't we worry about the female roles.
As we know, most of the korean actors nowadays are originally models, singers and then challenge themselves in acting. rarely some of them graduate from acting school, so of course they wouldn't have enough skills. therefore, why do we make a big fuss about KHJ in this drama which we don't even know how he will perform yet. Good or bad, let time and himself prove it!
Indeed, the original story of the drama is kind of weird (don't know if JB realizes it or not) but it's drama for teen so it's ok and even more ok with a idol in it whether it's KHJ or somebody else.
The more we talk about this, the more I want to see this drama as I never have any interest in this kind of drama.

@kdramalovers

We're not "attacking" the people who have a different opinion from JB. All we're saying is that people shouldn't start ranting about how JB is biased. We all are, in some way. Some people just don't realize that JB has the right to express her opinions, & they're, in a way, disrespecting her & her blog.

We're not saying that people should only comment if they agree with JB's opinion; no, we're not pissed about that. We get that tons of people will support KHJ through anything (which is pretty much why he got casted in the first place). We're pissed off because some people don't get that this is a blog, & therefore, JB can & will state her thoughts on a certain topic.

i love hyunjoong. i really do, but just not as an actor. i wish they had gotten a real actor to play the main lead for this drama. an actor that is serious about his craft and has had years of experience acting for dramas, movies, stage plays etc. there have only been a few singers turned actors that actually have real talent and a knack for getting into their characters. that goes the same for korea, the US and any other country in the world. the same way that not all actors can venture into having a career as a singer and succeed.

if hyunjoong really wants to be taken seriously as an actor, he needs to work hard for it. i feel like idols nowadays are just being handed lead roles in dramas just so the production companies can boost interest for the drama, it is also in the hopes have that having an idol as the lead will equate to better ratings. so sad. when i found out that the girl from speed scandal is being considered as the female lead, i thought, maybe just maybe, this wouldn't be as disastrous as bof. guess i was wrong. i would love for hyunjoong to prove me wrong and have him end up with the best actor award at the end of the year. but chances of that are... are pretty slim to be quite honest. blahhhhh. i'd have to pass on this one when it comes out even though i loved the other versions and the manga.

This series is not Shakespear, so the PD’s do not need to find the Korean Laurence Olivier (I hope you young kids know who he is) for the lead. Give KHJ a chance.

................

Exactly!!! I was thinking about those same lines.

LOL by just looking at all these comments.

I'd prolly just catch the first episode. BOF was crazy but still fun to watch while it lasted. Perhaps Playful Kiss would be like that.

Though seriously. Whatever happened to serious actors. I mean Sulli can act, but yeah, she's too young.

To make this work: Write the character as close to KHJ's real 4D personality as much as possible (I know it's a manga adaptation, but nobody's saying you can't tweak it) so he will just be himself. AND get a proper female lead who can act. I'm sorry but I agree with those who said that the female lead holds more power in the show. And lots of great supporting actors.

I think then it will pass nice enough. I mean, I'm trusting the director to know how to make it so beautiful you forget about the flaw. :P

There goes another good drama adaptation :) I don't want to be bias but I haven't gotten rid of the bad taste out yet from his performance in BOF (he totally ruined Rui for me) and here he is again with another drama to ruin :)..Well, let's keep our finger cross (and toes too). Don't know if JB or Girlfriday will take on this to recap but another drama out of my list to watch.

Well I love KHJ soo much that I don't even care if his acting isn't awesome. I really hope his acting has improved a lot that it'll shock all you haters!!!

Why don't they throw...
Im Joo Hwan and Seo Hyo Rim....
or
Im Joo Hwan and Park Bo Young...
or
Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Hyo Rim....
or
Kim Soo Hyun and Park Bo Young...

dang.....
agree with @Madita...
They don't need another pop-idol-turn-to-actor to boost the rating...
The story itself is enough to boost the rating...
I mean...come on everyone..it's ISWAK we are talking about...
And I am sure I am not alone in this...
that many of us..read the manga, watch the anime, watch the dorama live version, watch the taiwanese version...
Because I am one....
Hahaha...

I better just dream it....or even make fanfiction for this..
*sigh*

Btw..javabeans...

This is for the first time that I read all the comments.....4 pages already..and it must be 425 comments..and I read all of them...

Hahaha..I think you are entitled to your opinion.
It's fun if we have same opinion for one thing..
but it's fun too if we disagree on something..
that way..I can understand your point of view....
besides that..the world is more beautiful because of differences...

I giggled when I read that girlfriday is willing to be the recapper...
Hahaha..can't wait...

But on other aspect...I also hope that Kim Hyun Joong will make me eat my words.
My wishful thinking.....

why why!! among all these other actors why they have to choose him!! no offense but i really dun think he is ready to be a leading role especially for itazurra na kiss...
im no longer looking forward to this drama anymore... +.+

NOOOOO!
And Playful Kiss has/had such potential!!! I wasn't aware that DBSK's Changmin had been an option too! His personality wouldn't be that far off from the actual character! Group Eight usually does a great job with newbie casting, I don't like Kim Hyun Joong. :P

No matter how I look at it, I just don't know how they're gonna cast the leading lady in this. :P

@2 - It's not about not agreeing with dramabeans, it's the way people are attacking her (the person) for voicing her opinion in her own blog. I think it's plenty fine to say "I don't agree with you", and there are many posters here who have done so, but without shooting at JD.
*thumbs up for JD*

@general: As for KHJ... the lead role of Kiss is very demanding. It requires a lot of subtle acting if you want to get across the character properly and make the audience understand the human under the "emotionless" facade. There's so much turmoil in this character, as he has to face his own feelings, the fact that feelings are not logical, the fact that he loves a girl who everyone considers below his level, and all the other plot elements of this story. This performance is the key of Kiss, because if the reactions are not shown properly, then even a great lead actress won't make up for it. Plus, the lead female character is annoying even if played properly (like, the Japanese version had a great actress who did a wonderful job with the character, but I still wanted to throw the character into the pits! :))...
So, let's hope that KHJ has improved enough to shoulder the responsibility his role will give to him. I think that BOF showed what is in his comfort zone and what is not. He was okay as long as he was in his comfort zone, but a soon as he was forced to step out of it, portraying the emotions became a visible forced act. If he finds a director who spends a lot of time coaxing him to make the "uncomfortable" into a comfort zone, then he might just be able to pull it off.
(In that aspect, I always marvel at what performances the Taiwanese directors can get out of Taiwanese Idols. )

@JB: *thumbs up*

WHYYYYY. I　ｓｏ　ｗａｎｔｅｄ　Ｋｉｍ　Ｓｏｏ　Ｈｙｕｎ　：Ｃ

OMG i might actually cry :(

They are going to ruin my favorite drama EVER. I really like KHJ's personality in real life, but we've all seen how weak of an actor he is. I can't believe they would pick him for this role! Sooo disappointed.

@ Mar21

If I may, I would like to modify a little of your message. You said ".... First you don’t want him in Athena and now you don’t want him in playful kiss… I guess u don’t want him in any drama at all.. "

To be more accurate, this would be closer to face ".... First you don’t want him in Athena and now you don’t want him in playful kiss… I guess u don’t want him in any drama (where he plays the lead & suck at it) at all"

Wouldn't we to any actor? I don't think any actor let alone Kim Hyun Joong who is badder than bad at acting (Beats me why he refuses to take the supporting roles to sharpen his skills. Instead he (repeatedly as we can all now see) ruin otherwise memorable characters) can rebute my little addition to your messge. :P

Why not just watch the darn drama and see how good he is.

He isn't my top pick, but the male lead in the original is pretty stoic and expressionless.....fits KHJ well~

^ * Closer to fact.

To be frank Mar21 it's me rather than Javabeans that does not want Kim Hyun Joong acting because

1. He does not seem to have the least bit interest in acting (He's more likely aiming to be in the category of people who aim to make a career out of something they are so bad in purely because it's a successful career by society's standards.

2. I sure don't know how much work acting is, but surely he must know right? So why the straight-to-lead-roles that will only lead to straight-to-dvd kinda stuff that nobody remembers?

Kim Hyun hoong might be handsome, might be popular but in my book, he sure is NOT important enough to be free from FAIR CRITICISM.

i am a hugeee DBSK and YAB fan..... but i have to say that Kim Hyun Joong is the best of the 3 contenders for the role. 1. he has the best 'stone' face... 2. if the plot is any similar to the taiwanese drama, he has the best 'snob' face. let's all cross our fingers and really hope for the best!

and pleeeeeaassseeeee let Park Shin hye be the female lead. she still has good acting skills. (just not the 'acting cute' skills)

*sigh* Oh the drama and kaflama! Oh the overdramaticness of it all. Oh POOPY!

Ha ha ha, he he he, hi hi hi, ho ho ho!!! KHJ trying to act again! I bet there'll be loads of unintentional comedy. Wonder if this will fall under the BOF category of "it's so bad it's good'? Or will it be 'it's so bad it's........... awful'?

I am so looking forward to girlfridays recaps!!!

*SIGH*..I was looking forward to this drama too. But not anymore. I have nothing against KHJ....I don't know him personally, but my comments are based on my observation of his acting skills, or lack thereof in BOF. I can't say that I feel confident he'll do justice to a SEEMINGLY SIMPLE, yet COMPLEX role in Playful Kiss. My personal opinion is he just doesn't have it in him. He needs to perhaps participate in a few or more acting workshops. This might help.

hahaha oh wow, 339 comments!

I read the manga and personally couldn't stand the story - which is pretty much the main girl throwing herself at the feet of this haughty-ass guy repeatedly. My pride stung for her every page I read. But hey, maybe I missed something that makes it so fantastic, idk.

In fact, the only thing that's going to make me pay any attention to this drama is this casting news and the fact Girlfriday has mentioned she's going to recap it. Hallelujah! I'm going to sit at my computer reading the recaps and laughing maniacally. Thank you for this small pleasure, Girlfriday, thank you so much.

..So, so, so much. =p

Well I have nothing to add as most people have ranted about this and some others have attempted to defend KHJ. I am staying neutral for now until I actually watch the drama. Maybe then I will make a better judgment about his acting skills.

I haven't watched the original nor the Taiwanese remake because the girl annoys me to no end. But I am looking forward to it [I am a SS501 fan].

I really hope they cast a strong female lead. I am kind of hoping that it is PSH though. I watched the CF she did with KHJ and I think that they can make it work.

The CF they did together for Coca Cola Dynamic Kin: link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RMjka6LB9U

I am still iffy about Sulli though. No matter how much I think about it I cannot imagine a 24 year old kissing a 16 year old. At least a 4 year difference seems better to me.

Hmm... interesting casting choice. I thought KHJ was okay Boys Over Flowers, hopefully he will do well in this role. Sulli is a surprising contender, I saw her in Song of the Price when she was a child actress and she did a pretty good job.

Actually, I never really cared for the actual storyline of Itazura na Kiss. I watched the Japanese and Taiwanese version, but could never really get into it unlike other dramas based from manga. Hopefully the Korean drama will be a good remake.

oh wow.. they finally settled on Leader? aw thats such a waste, of what seemed like a very promising korean remake.. i love Leader, don't get me wrong, esp when his with the rest of DoubleS boys, and when their on shows and stuff, he's like frkn hilarious! and so loveable but as an actor, really is not that good.. i was hoping he wld just keep to what his so great at - singining and performing on stage ^^ but maybe his improved? mm doubtful though.. *sniff* pretty disappointed by this news, unfortunately. thanks for the update tho!

I think DARA PARk of 2ne1 suites best for the. female role! Though shes not in the. choices..^^

Ewwww.....
U guys should not judge people by his first acting!
You should just pray for him,,,
he suppose have learned to be a better actor or something...
Be positive, guys!
Give him another chance, will you?

Hope is the most important thing in watching a movie or drama,,, or anything...
hope it will be a good, but...
if it turns to a bad, ugly, shame, ridiculous, stupid, drama so be it...
keep your excitement,
and wish for the best...

no comment
i am boring with idol drama..
not my type, but let see then hahahhaha..
his acting totally pathetic on BOF.
but since he is singer i don't care.

He's sort of pretty, I suppose...

but "Kim Soo-hyun? Ji Chang-wook? Im Joo-hwan?"
I would have died of happiness if any one of those three had gotten it.

I'll still consider watching the show, but I'm not getting my hopes up. NEXT.

Mmm... why do I have to be content with "hope for the best"? I mean, I'm a customer, aren't I? Can I not expect for the company to hire the best persons for the job, so that an enjoyable result can be expected?
Like, when you go for buying food, will you go to the same shop who had not-so-great-looking&tasting veggies for veggies again because the vendor looks hot, or go to the neighbor shop where you have seen great veggies and know that they taste good, but the vendor is an ugly guy?

Yeah, I'm sure we all like our eye candy, but do I have to "hope for the best" & shut up about it just because aforementioned eye candy is cast in a role that is two sizes too big for his feet? Why is it that hard working young and talented actors don't stand a chance to get their break, because the lead parts are being cast with people who are being promoted by powerful companies?
I do understand that these companies want to increase the singer's market value and make him known to a wider audience, but acting needs passion, because ike with everything, if your heart isn't in it, then you will not shine. Are those companies really doing DHJ a favor? Just wondering.

This KHJ, I have yet to watch his debut BOF so I don't know his acting. People like JB, or another person ( Helena?) are Pro-s after the seasoned Hollywood movie critics . Let alone understand the language, we never have time to indulge like them in K drama/ movies, so we rely on what they say. But I don't think they did the review based on anything personal. So why do we need to get into squabbles?

In general, this young person is trying to become singer cum actor. That is his chosen profession. One agency is trying to give him a chance to become what he wants as his profession. To succeed or not is up to him. He will show his talents through trial and error /learning process from the chieftains , and for that purpose , whether who like it or not he must choose one drama or one movie to show his talent. So many no no critics! You gave the thumbs down on this one. If he choose another one you will still say the same. I'm very much keen to know" what would you like this person to do?" Just quit and go back to where he comes from.

Irregardless of what a few may think, I like KHJ. As a newbie actor he's done very well.

Do remember that the drama is very lighthearted - not a heavy drama, emotional, type of story. In fact, I do remember the Taiwan Version very vividly because of the funny moments which this drama would have plenty of.

KHJ will have my full support now that he is cast. Keeping that crab mentality out of the system and perhaps, the drama would turn out to be enjoyable when it starts airing that is.