Seo Ji-seok is The Manny
by javabeans
Oh, Korea. You and your almost-but-not-quite-sensical titles.
This time it’s a cable drama called Manny, which is a mishmash of MAN + NANNY. I can’t even call it a portmanteau because that feels way too highbrow a description of the term. No, let’s call it ungodly union (which, by the way, is also what my friend calls the frantic pairing-off that occurs at 1:55 am in every dimly lit bar every night just before the lights come on). And yes, I know the word isn’t new, but that doesn’t make it any less cringe-inducing now.
The drama is slated for 16 episodes, and, interestingly enough, will be tvN’s attempt to compete on Wednesdays and Thursday nights. The cable channel has been home to some solid programming — two notables are Harvest Villa and Joseon X-Files — but those were late-night Friday offerings. Manny, on the other hand, will broadcast during prime time.
Seok Ji-seok (Gloria) plays the lead as a “cold New York man” (which is to say, he’s got the New York background and ‘tude, but lives in Korea in the drama). He’s also got good genes but a haughty persona, like every k-drama hero of the past decade. Unlike the typical hero, however, he’s also a manny — the best, natch — and lives with a single mother to care for her two children. Rom-com goodness ensues.
Playing the single mom is an actress I always think should be getting better (and higher-profile) roles, Choi Jung-yoon from Smile, You and She Is Scary.
The broadcast network landscape may be looking a little barren right now, but this little cable show may be just the thing to wake things up. Manny premieres on April 13 on tvN.
Via TV Report
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Tags: cable programs, Choi Jung-yoon, Manny, Seo Ji-seok
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1 ohemgee
March 18, 2011 at 2:38 PM
OMG I MIGHT JUST HAVE TO WATCH THIS!!!!
it's like WHO'S THE BOSS!!! hahah
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ohemgee
March 18, 2011 at 2:40 PM
except that this manny is super hot and refined? a genius manny perhaps?!!
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Mia
March 18, 2011 at 3:05 PM
This is the best comment ever - I'm dying over my Physics Paper, which is awful because it needs to get done (now) but still - I love it.
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janna
March 18, 2011 at 3:23 PM
You think you can just make grilled cheese and put in a Disney movie? Please. LET A PRO do this.
Psh. Like the guy in the $1,000 suit is going to get vomited on by a child? (Adjusts ascot, primps hair, scowls at children)
What can I say, I think I'm going to love this.
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supah
March 18, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Well, when you put it THAT way, janna.
As long as he's more his Dr Wang persona than his Kang-seok persona I'll happily skip aboard.
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kay
March 18, 2011 at 4:32 PM
DR. WANG!!!
supah
March 18, 2011 at 7:10 PM
= MINE! Hee!
gracefulmoonie
March 18, 2011 at 9:16 PM
DR. WANG!!!
Too bad he didn't end up with Jang Seo Hee's character.
But his character and the head nurse were hilarious!
supah
March 22, 2011 at 3:58 PM
I'm actually glad he didn't get the girl... He was too good for her. He, to me, is the greatest second lead ever written. 'Nuff said.
Jo
March 18, 2011 at 4:55 PM
In my neighborhood, being a nanny is very serious business. It not only includes watching over a child but making sure that you can make a healthy well balanced meal, can make dinners (formal and informal) for the family/ for parties, knowing another language is a plus too.
My neighbors are really nice, but they are serious about their children's health and mind--so its not like let them watch tv while I scour the internet. Its actually learning time etc.
Its fun---teachin the little ones korean :)))
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janna
March 18, 2011 at 5:10 PM
I didn't mean that to be demeaning in any way, no kid should be parked down in front of a TV while being watched, but I have a feeling a guy out of his element might resort to those things. On a re-read I guess this character is already a nanny and not just a regular chump becoming a nanny.. so hm.
I kind of like a guy out of his element but this might be interesting if the mom is lax on her parenting.
elsie
March 18, 2011 at 4:03 PM
more like Charles in Charge. Charles was the original manny.
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janna
March 18, 2011 at 4:38 PM
He handled both our days and our nights. I know, I know. That sounds suggestive.
...That's exactly what I was going for.
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ohemgee
March 18, 2011 at 8:04 PM
i LOVED charles in charge (scott baio was so dreamy when i was like 4, LOL) too-- but there was no love line with the mom, was there?!!
hahah hence, the Who's The Boss reference.
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ktb
March 19, 2011 at 9:08 PM
I wish I had a Like button I could push for this comment.
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ar
March 18, 2011 at 4:33 PM
*like* x 100!!
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obivia
March 19, 2011 at 7:46 AM
One of the best sitcoms of all time!!!
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2 Fasiris Fay
March 18, 2011 at 2:44 PM
wow I've never even heard of this channel before -_- lol
but the premise sounds interesting! can't wait to see how a 'new york man' becomes a manny... :P
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3 jojo
March 18, 2011 at 2:50 PM
When his hair is short he looks a lot like Hyun Bin. Guess he's gonna be my HB substitute for the next two years. (sigh) Will watch on your recommendation, JB.
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4 Julili
March 18, 2011 at 2:51 PM
I will ttly be watching it for oppa alone!
Love him in Gloria!
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5 Keylye
March 18, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Interesting. This sounds like it could be a lot of fun. I'll definitely check this one out!
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6 diorama
March 18, 2011 at 3:15 PM
You know, I think the drama may turn out better than its awful name. Mainly because if Choi Jung-Yoon acts as well as she did in Taereung National Village, she is going to rock it.
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7 Trina
March 18, 2011 at 3:15 PM
This will be on my must watch list... I love love him in Gloria and OB/GYN.. he was soo great in that drama too... oh.. I also love the actress.. She was good in Smile, You... ahh.. my two favorites so far... ^^
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8 Mac B.
March 18, 2011 at 3:22 PM
ohhh...this sounds good!!!
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9 Aisuo415
March 18, 2011 at 3:23 PM
Oh! She's Jung In's sister in Smile, You! Glad to see her take on a lead role for a change. I've always seen her be the second lead so it's a nice change.
Seo Ji-Seok... I don't know what it is about him, but I just stared at that picture for a whole minute before commenting. Sigh!
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10 Ace
March 18, 2011 at 3:43 PM
The what now?
That was my first thought after reading the title.
Oh, so that's what it means.
Can he be my manny? ;)
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11 coffevampire
March 18, 2011 at 4:35 PM
This looks watch worthy....a mixture of nanny mcphee and harlequin romance, lol.
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12 Kender
March 18, 2011 at 4:42 PM
Oh god, this sounds SO MAGICAL.
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13 Bori
March 18, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Hmm... not sure if want.
But, hey, it's Seo Ji-seok, so why not~
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14 Revy
March 18, 2011 at 5:08 PM
A hot manny...... I so need to see this
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15 yay
March 18, 2011 at 5:30 PM
I hope they change the title. its too cringe-worthy
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16 meenuby
March 18, 2011 at 5:31 PM
OMG, story concept = LOVE.
Also, Seo Ji-seok looks might fine there. And Choi Jung-yoon in lead role for once?
I'm. So. In.
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meenuby
March 18, 2011 at 5:32 PM
*mighty fine....and.... in a lead role...*
what can i say? things are starting to look better on the dramascape. :D
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17 nzgirl
March 18, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Hahaha as I was reading the description I thought the "cold New York man" would be the one getting a Manny. That would have been an awesome bromance drama with homoerotic undertones. I would definitely watch! :)
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18 woolly
March 18, 2011 at 5:53 PM
What exactly is the the frantic pairing-off that occurs at 1:55 am in every dimly lit bar every night just before the lights come on??
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19 ahjummabunny
March 18, 2011 at 6:20 PM
JB I agree with you about this actress. While I've only seen her in dramas I keep thinking she's going backward each time hopefully this is the exception to the rule.
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20 jomo143
March 18, 2011 at 6:23 PM
This sounds awesome, especially if, as Janna says,
the Manny is porting a $5000. manteau when the child pukes on him.
Can he be a manny and a genius? Now there's an ungodly union of drama cliches = A Mannyus!
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pohonphee
March 18, 2011 at 9:21 PM
lol Mannyus, you can't leave out a "genius" in Korean drama.
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21 missemergency
March 18, 2011 at 6:37 PM
the funniest bit about this drama: my friend had a man-nanny named Manny for a very long time. Definitely watching this one!
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22 okitokki
March 18, 2011 at 6:42 PM
Wait, we're ragging on the title? You can't tell me you've never heard of a manny before?! (I've always seen it as male + nanny, though. Not that it makes any difference, really.)
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Agatha
March 18, 2011 at 10:24 PM
The title of manny for a male nanny has been in used for a very long time. Madonna got a manny for her first son, and other single celebrity mothers who had a boy also got mannys (apparently so that the manny can serve as a possitive male influence for the boy or whatever...) and yes thats their official title: MANNY!!!! Madonna's manny was a hunk btw.
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23 Arhazivory
March 18, 2011 at 7:18 PM
This sounds promising. :D
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24 mars
March 18, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Aside from the terrible, terrible title this looks like it could be good. Seo Ji-seok was cute in Gloria (which started off pretty delightful and took a turn in the later half) and I do look forward to seeing him play THE BEST NANNY IN KOREA and shenaniganin' romcom style with Choi Jung-yoon.
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25 Carinne
March 18, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Who's The Boss-esque... I prefer watching Mrs. Doubtfire in Korean version. Keke~
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26 djeedjes
March 18, 2011 at 7:55 PM
I read about this drama few days ago and got interested. Hope there will a subber group picks this up.....
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27 lilone
March 18, 2011 at 8:29 PM
I know a Manny... that's what I thought his name was until the other moms at school clarified it for me. He's the man nanny. I have no clue what his real name is....
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28 Casie
March 18, 2011 at 8:33 PM
*drools* OMG. I wish he was MY Manny.
Yes another drama to look forward to!!!!!
<3
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29 Annie
March 18, 2011 at 9:06 PM
hahaha MANNY! Gotta love Koreans and their Konglish. The premise sounds super cute and I love Seo Ji Seok. What a great combination.
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30 YY
March 18, 2011 at 9:07 PM
I need a manny who looks like SJS like right now. He just needs to take care of me.. *winking*
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31 Ani
March 18, 2011 at 9:10 PM
This Manny?
http://blogs.babycenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/handy-manny.jpg
No? Okay. HAHAHA. Well, I can't wait to check this out for the dimples, I mean story. ^_~
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32 vic
March 18, 2011 at 9:40 PM
i have to feeling that tvN will someday make again a drama as good as joseon x files , i can feel it !
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33 cingdoc
March 19, 2011 at 12:49 AM
WANT AD
A responsible individual to care for my 2 young daughters*
Qualifications:
Perspective applicant must be able to do the following(with ease)
-have a smile that lit up the room
-a physique to die for
-(almost) always plays a (at first)haughty(misunderstood) chaebol son who actually has a heart of gold(Pure 19,Gloria)
Seo Ji Suk, you can be in any role, & I will watch your drama....
*in reality,my children are old enough to take care of themselves,but I would still have you live in our house 24/7,365 days so that I can drool over you...
(hehe,can you tell I'm a charter member of ICOMYM ;)
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34 Lisa
March 19, 2011 at 9:03 AM
I just feel the need to say that Manny is a widely used term. Stupid, but pretty commonly heard.
K that's all. lol
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35 Nikki
March 19, 2011 at 12:49 PM
This cheesy premise is right up my alley! Yay for goofy rom coms!
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36 polinonae
March 19, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Wow this sounds good!!! am watching:D
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37 Alvina
March 20, 2011 at 9:04 PM
ahh, I remember him from Pure 19...
and that variety show Hot Brothers as well as 100 points out of 100. He was super hilarious. I'll look out for this
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38 Jo
March 20, 2011 at 11:54 PM
I loved him from GLORIA!
GOODLUCK!
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39 kdramaFrenzy
March 21, 2011 at 11:18 PM
I love him. Mr. Sexy
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40 jane
March 22, 2011 at 12:24 AM
Was looking for info about this drama and search results came up with "My Big Buddy - London's first registered manny agencies, specialising in male nannies." Hee.
With that said, I can't wait for this drama... with dramabeans be reacapping this?
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jane
March 22, 2011 at 12:33 AM
*will* Dramabeans be recapping this? Darn typos.
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41 Carolyn
December 29, 2012 at 4:40 PM
I love this show. Found it through Netflix. Cannot believe the number of great movies and tv shows come out of Korea. Subtitles are adequate and story lines are fun. Great comic relief in Janice and the assistant in the dress shop. Good acting also by the kids.
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42 anna
January 19, 2013 at 2:58 PM
i watch manny oh!he so hot and handsome.i keep looking at him coz im not familiar with him.he looks like kim hyun joong from ss501 on his haircut.he's totally look hot and awesome.
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