From the president’s office in SBS’s Daemul
by javabeans
She may be president, but I’m thinking she looks more like a pageant princess. Or a prom queen. Let’s just say that I don’t think a pink evening gown and sparkly heels are perhaps the most dignified look for a nation’s first female president, even if she IS played by the awesome Go Hyun-jung.
Accompanying her in these shots are her three co-stars Cha In-pyo, Kwon Sang-woo, and Lee Soo-kyung.
When Daemul was first announced, I was pretty excited about it, particularly the more I read up on its source material. (Details here.) It seems the manhwa is pretty dark and flirts with racy topics, and I’m not just talking about the Kwon Sang-woo as gigolo part. It seemed like a mature, adult story that could be quite interesting, particularly with the president being a youngish, single woman who develops a bond with her right-hand man with a shady past and hidden motives. Add political intrigue, conspiracy plots, and a thriller vibe, and we’ve got some interesting dynamics in play.
Before the drama airs, I can’t say for sure what the tone will be like, but the fact that it evokes none of that abovementioned stuff leads me to wonder just how whitewashed the story has become. I’ll still be watching the first week, but if the story doesn’t drop some really fabulous conflicts right away, the pull of Runaway and Playful Kiss may win out.
We’ll see, come October 6 on SBS.
Via E Daily
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Tags: Cha In-pyo, Daemul, Go Hyun-jung, Kwon Sang-woo, Lee Soo-kyung
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1 yen_nguyen
September 16, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Go Hyun jung looks like Moon Geun Young here. And the pics have something which is weird and not right. I can't tell them ugly but they are not pretty.
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Rovi
September 16, 2010 at 9:28 PM
yeah, esp. the 1st & 3rd pics...
maybe that's the face Moon Geun-yeong will grow into when she reaches her late 30's
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Ani
September 16, 2010 at 10:36 PM
I thought she looked like Moon Geun Young too! X)
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Herro
September 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Yeah, I was confused for a second and thought it was Moon Geun Young!
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2 Sere
September 16, 2010 at 10:40 AM
JB, what really intrigued me were all the things you mentioned and the fact that they're gone or have been watered down bums me. I was really looking forward to those elements and now the story just seems...dull. IDK. We'll see if the writers can make it interesting, but, just like you,I may drop it soon, if it isn't interesting from the get go.
And word on the pink dress. I can buy (sort of) the black one as a dress for a President, but the pink one is SO not what I associate with "politics".
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3 oh! tht! chick!
September 16, 2010 at 10:42 AM
the only thing missing is the beauty queen hand wave....man why couldn't they have dressed her up in a power suit? nothing too Hilary Clinton-esque maybe a toned down version of it would have fit GHJ perfectly and would have said game on( instead of making the presidential office look like a studio for some cheesy pageant photo shoot!) but i trust her so ill watch this one for sure!
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4 Kender
September 16, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Yeah, these shots don't do anything for me. The men look blah, GHJ looks inappropriately styled, and while LSK is adequately pretty, there's nothing special here.
Honestly, I'm getting less and less excited about this drama. :/ I really think it might be watered down after all.
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5 Liz
September 16, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Hm did you see the new trailer? I think will have a good plot^^ And have heavy scenes already in the trailer itself. I think it will be a good drama, but well let's see!
here the link for the new trailer:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pPb_DCC4Pc
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Jane
September 16, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Yeah, I was just about to post this. Here's a clearer version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LShUydcSJAI&feature=player_embedded
She surely doesn't look very presidential in those stills but I'm looking forward to the drama. I love how KSW ripped open his shirt hehehe
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Sere
September 16, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Oh! That kind of -and I'm stressing on the *kind of* - picked my interest again. Hmm, I'm still not as hyped up as I was before, though. Gah, why did they take out the gigolo bit? :/
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krix
September 16, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Thanks Liz and Jane for posting the trailer.
The poster has her looking more royal than presidential; the trailer has her more presidentially (?) attired.
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beggar1015
September 16, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Whoa! He had me at ripping his shirt open :-9
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6 ockoala
September 16, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Her pink get-up from head to toe is so many types of wrong I don't even know where to start. While "gigolo" KSW is dressed like he's attending a State function, "president" GHJ is dressed like she's attending an 80s era Mrs. State Fair pageant.
No reflection on the likely quality of the drama - only that the costume coordinator from Daemul needs to be dragged outside and beaten with a pink feathery boa.
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7 olive
September 16, 2010 at 10:53 AM
i am confused. so who's the lead guy? Kwon or Cha?
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Sere
September 16, 2010 at 11:30 AM
I think it was Kwon, but I also recall reading an article here saying his role had been downsized to give Cha more screentime? I could be wrong, though. My memory, it fails so hard ^-^
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8 cassie
September 16, 2010 at 10:56 AM
It´s kind of strange, but I can´t find ANYTHING about the original manhwa. I tried to look up the artist, but I was not really successful.
The only thing I found, was about the drama, but no the source material.
Is there a link or something like that for more information about the drama?
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cassie
September 16, 2010 at 11:08 AM
sorry, I meant more information about the manhwa;)
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Javabeans
September 16, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Are you looking in Korean? If you're looking for info in English, you're probably not going to find it. If you search on Korean sites, you'll be able to find it.
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cassie
September 16, 2010 at 1:49 PM
unfortunately I can´t speak, read or anything in korean...sigh...too bad, I was more interested in the original story. I mean gigolo and a president, wow!!!
But now I´m not sure about the drama....
Thanks anyways, JB....
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9 riachann
September 16, 2010 at 11:05 AM
i want watching this :: i want :: i want
Love Ko Hyun Jung! n.n
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10 solaris721
September 16, 2010 at 11:11 AM
I just giggle at the title now, ever since I found out what it means in S Scandal.
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pumpkinattack
September 16, 2010 at 3:08 PM
I, too, was wondering if that was the same "Daemul."
teehee ^^
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11 pei ha
September 16, 2010 at 11:29 AM
In the first picture, KSW looked so short. Is he wearing those special shoe inserts for the other pics?
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12
September 16, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Maybe they should rename the drama to "The president's first prom", or "The crazy woman who thinks she's the queen", or "President's poor attempt at cosplay." I don't want to make fun of them but these poster keep bothering me so I have to say something. Maybe she's just eccentric and have a partiality for pink.
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Rammie
September 16, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Haha! You're funny!! But I have to agree! :-)
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13 mskololia
September 16, 2010 at 11:48 AM
No breast hugging, strapless dress with any open-toed shoes should be shown for her unless she is entertaining. These pictures of her are awful for a woman President. The pepto-bismol dress....What were they thinking--county fair???
I don't know about this from the pics...i was thinking of watching but nothing is jumping out as racy, or a thriller... :(
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14 belleza
September 16, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Moon Geun Young looks awesome in that prom dress. Totally looking forward to the Korean version of Pretty in Pink!!
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15 kim bum
September 16, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Don't forget this series is based on a manhwa, so don't except the characters to be real. Use your imagination!
Maybe the lady president should wear a meat dress like Gaga.
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belleza
September 16, 2010 at 12:27 PM
If they produce this drama like Bad Romance, well I hope the Russian Mafia are from Busan at least.
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16 Yoshi
September 16, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Oh gawd!! (dunks head in a bucket of water)
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17 jen
September 16, 2010 at 12:31 PM
okaayy whos the male leadd.... is it kwon sang woo or cha in pyo?
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18 sandy80
September 16, 2010 at 12:41 PM
very silly pics and that dress is so wrong
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19 supah
September 16, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Oh, we all know SBS can't promote their dramas for sh%t. Yep, that's prom, that.
But whatever, I'm still starry-eyed over these stills and can't see anything BUT these: http://www.dramabeans.com/2010/09/daemul-finally-begins-filming/
October 6, pallee!
OK, I lie, just peeked at the trailer and it's looking as good as I'm imagining (hoping) it'll be.
Just hope the show proves a decent enough platform for the stalwart actress that is GHJ.
(Cha In-pyo -- hee hee, he's so handsome, I'm all giddy and excited, I hope him and GHJ are the OTP here *Squeee*.)
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20 danna
September 16, 2010 at 1:44 PM
i agree...for someone who was trying to stay so far away from runaway...it does look soo much more appealing now..im still hoping Daemul turns out good....maybe i'll wait a couple of weeks and wait to see the reviews turn out....also this freakin long at 26 eps
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21 AnitaLotti
September 16, 2010 at 1:53 PM
My first thought as well: Is she Miss Korea or the President of Korea? At second glance I discovered the naked feet with the painted nails and thought: What in heaven were they thinking? Isn't it possibly to dress he appropriately and pretty?
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22 Marg
September 16, 2010 at 2:07 PM
Not only is that dress inappropriate, but it's ugly too. What were the stylists thinking?
And, I'm sorry, but Kwon Sang-woo's haircut is so incredibly unflattering...makes him look dull and sorta old.
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Sere
September 16, 2010 at 2:37 PM
Have you seen him in Almost love? This cut is incredibly *flattering* compared to that one. LOL And FYI? I actually grew fond of his mushroom mop in that movie...
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Marg
September 16, 2010 at 3:16 PM
Haha...no, I haven't seen Almost Love. I suppose I'm just not a fan of the mushroom/bowl cut on anyone (men or women). Kwon Sang-woo is def a handsome fella, but I like him best without the heavy bangs. I especially liked how he looked in Bad Love.
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ar
September 16, 2010 at 3:44 PM
in Almost Love, wasn't his character a Bruce-Lee fanatic- hence the funky cut?
I'm glad the drama is finally getting filmed after the actors/actresses have been waiting for so long...but I probably won't watch it. I have this thing with fictional presidents.
Whoever dressed her must not watch the news much about how women in politics should dress. I bet GHJ felt a bit awkward too..
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23 Aya
September 16, 2010 at 2:44 PM
From the wavy princess hair to the painted toenails, these pics have nothing to do with politics or power... ugh, do they really want to depict their nation's first female leader in this attire (even if fictional)?
The only somewhat Blue House appropiate, government-like one is Cha In-pyo. A male lead. While Mrs. President looks like Barbie in Disney's Special Edition. Irony/sexist much?
Dear fashion and PR team @SBS, somebody getting fired. XO XO
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24 geeza
September 16, 2010 at 3:27 PM
whoaaa.....her smile..looks like not Go Hyun Jung, her eyes look to much forced widen!
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25 samoa
September 16, 2010 at 4:18 PM
With that dress, I hope netizen won't ask SBS to blurr the top part of GHJ body. Is this drama for above 15?
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26 Annie
September 16, 2010 at 4:43 PM
They all look so stiff and uncomfortable.
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absothe
September 16, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Yes that's what I was thinking, she looks extremely uncomfortable here, that's why the pictures turned out so ugly. Maybe she hated the dress too.
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27 Liesel
September 16, 2010 at 5:02 PM
She looks stunned in the third photo.. LOL
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28 Dav
September 16, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Oh dear. Dear, dear, dear. *tsks*
The one with black dress, you can practically see the entire cast wishing they were somewhere else. Everyone looks immensely uncomfortable.
Also, the styling . . . I think I would have done something sleek with her hair, and maybe a really nice suit. There are ways to make her femme without going to this.
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29 hanjiyoon
September 16, 2010 at 5:56 PM
Ahh, the dress and the sash. Please no. >_< That aside, I'm really looking forward to this drama. These pictures may have deterred my anticipation a little bit, but the new trailer definitely made up for it. LSK looked really amazing. And I can't help but laugh when KSW ripped open his shirt. LOL. (:
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30 Auntiemame
September 16, 2010 at 6:48 PM
With all the high fashions in Korea, the best they could come up with was a pink prom dress ... that looks like it came from Wal-mart?!!! And, did the stylist forget to bring an iron/steamer?
And, the sash?!!! Beauty pageant, royal occasion or drum major?
I hope they will pay more attention to the drama than to this photo.
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31 Margie
September 16, 2010 at 7:06 PM
her pinky long dress was crumpled not professional enough from the wardrobe dept.
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32 dzigh
September 16, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Still, I will try to watch it for GHJ.
GHJ, fighting!
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33 llama
September 16, 2010 at 8:00 PM
interesting cause australia just elected their first female prime minister who is wrapped in controversy cause 1) she isn't married and has a "partner/lover" as the papers call it and 2) he is a hair products salesman
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34 mellissa
September 16, 2010 at 8:31 PM
"Off with their heads!", as the Queen from Alice in Wonderland would say..... the heads I am referring to are the heads of the wardrobe consultants for this drama.
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35 Koreandramasrock
September 16, 2010 at 8:37 PM
Posters have usually not been a good representation of the drama for me so I am going to think positive about this drama regardless especially as I can't imagine GHJ picking a 'weak' script for her next project.
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36 cheanne
September 16, 2010 at 9:02 PM
She is tall......
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supah
September 17, 2010 at 4:48 AM
Yeah, she's very tall. In those sparkly kitten heels she's a towering 6-foot sharp.
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37 Rovi
September 16, 2010 at 9:25 PM
I've said it
oncetwice, and I'll say it again...I STILL GET THE EFFING MISHIL VIBES!!!
(all that's missing is a wig, some accessories, her flowing gown, and a massive retinue of nangdos & hwarangs...)
Maybe the wardrobe, stylists, or the production team still remember her win as seon (善 선) in Miss Korea 1989, so maybe they felt the need for a "presidential" sash, hence the beauty pageant feel...
Actually, if you really scrutinize, the sash has also the atmosphere of being worn by the Korean Imperial Family during the early 20th century (aka during Gojong & his son Sunjong's reigns; search their pics, and if you want, you can also include Eom Gwi-bi, mother of Princess Deokhye)...
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belleza
September 16, 2010 at 10:31 PM
My guess is that her dress was an intentional allusion to her pageant days. Why, I can even see Cha In Pyo as the pageant host . . .
Cha In Pyo: Ms. Go Hyung . . .
Go Hyun Jung: THIS Go Hyung Jung!
Cha In Pyo: I'm sorry Sae Ju . . . uhm . . . THIS Go Hyung Jung, what do you think is the secret to world peace?
Go Hyun Jung. THIS Go Hyung Jung believes that peace in the Kingdom of Shilla must come from THIS Go Hyung Jung!! All enemies shall be punished by THIS Go Hyung Jung!!!
Kwon Sang Woo: Dang. And I thought seducing Deokman I mean Lee Yo Won was bad love . . .
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Rovi
September 17, 2010 at 3:06 AM
Haha...I love your allusion...
some comments:
-Go HYEON-jung, not Hyeong
-"THIS Go Hyeon-jeong" (이 고현정...) -> waah, you still remember that Mishil refers to herself in the 3rd person (이 미실...)!!!
-I've said it before, Seo Hye-rim is the reincarnation of Mishil; I've commented on the article about GHJ meeting with the "President" of the US in the "White House"...
-I love that you've referenced Kwon Sang-woo with Lee Yo-won. "Bad Love" ryt...
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supah
September 17, 2010 at 4:56 AM
LULZ!
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oh! tht! chick!
September 18, 2010 at 2:17 PM
omg tht was too good!! LOL! THIS Oh! tht! chick! is amused! :D
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38 aX
September 16, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Pictures doesn't make me anticipate very much but I can definitely sense Mishil's power!
I will solely watch this for her even though I love Kwon Sang Woo. :D
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39 Fafa
September 17, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Kwon Sang Woo has grown up.
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40 reignbow
September 17, 2010 at 7:07 PM
i'm not keen on the lead actress sorry, i didn't like her in when spring comes, etc. i like cha in pyo & kwon song woo - when i saw her photo at a distance i thot it was moon geum! i'd see this only coz of cha & kwon but not these two ladies! :((( no offense!
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41 jyssandra
September 18, 2010 at 5:18 AM
i agre theres a problem of the clothes and also to the hair. its beter if GHY have a proper hairdo not suit to a president.. sorry
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42 Ashley
October 6, 2010 at 1:08 PM
They all just look so... Happy. I'm not sure the President (the first female President nonetheless!) would smile sweetly in her cute shoes like that.
So what was the verdict? Does the show look good?
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