Cable rom-com Manny premieres on tvN

70 April 13, 2011November 6, 2011

by javabeans

Today marks the launch day of cable channel tvN’s prime-time drama Manny, which stars Seo Ji-seok (Gloria) as a top-rated Seoul nanny. And how cute is he with his charge? The boy almost looks like a little mini-me, with their matching curly hair and prosh outfits.

Seo plays Yi-han, a live-in manny from New York who cares for the two children of a careerwoman single mom, and he and the mother end up falling in love. The premise is simple, but the dynamic is not so common in K-dramas — a male caregiver partnered with a female breadwinner, plus the fact that she’s his employer, and several years older to boot — and it’s the reversal that makes this interesting.

Seo’s co-star in the pictured scene is young Gu Seung-hyun, a 6-year-old who plays Choi Jung-yoon‘s son Jung-min. Once Yi-han begins working for his family, Jung-min starts to come out of his shell and becomes more playful, while looking to the new manny as a male role model to follow and mimic. Aww, who’s sold already just based on that detail?

Seo Ji-seok is reportedly having a blast on set, since he’s a big fan of kids. He is also enjoying the divergence from his usual roles: “My personality is actually a lot like Manny’s upbeat and playful Kim Yi-han. Before this, I played characters who felt heavy or cold, but I’ll be able to show a lighthearted, fun image here.”

In addition to Seo Ji-seok and Choi Jung-yoon (Smile, You), Byun Jung-soo (Last Scandal) also stars as Choi’s marriage-averse sister, while Jung Da-bin (Life Is Beautiful) plays her daughter.

Via Segye

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1 Alex

April 13, 2011 at 5:03 AM

It looks adorable! I'm surprising myself by actually looking forward to this. :-)

I love role-reversals, and if they resist succumbing to traditional clishes until the end I will be one happy viewer.

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2 haruka

April 13, 2011 at 5:05 AM

Aw, Jung Da-bin. How she has grown up. She will forever be a Shin Bi for me. So adorable.

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ar

April 13, 2011 at 6:12 AM

How time flies! Jung Da Bin has grown up into an elementary school kid now!

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djeedjes

April 13, 2011 at 6:59 AM

yes, when I saw Jung Dabin's name............Shin Bi!
then I saw the pic, wait! She's so big now! ( and less cute, IMO, but prettier )
Looking forward for the subs! :D :D
Definitely must watch..love Kdramas with kids. I don't know why, I think K-child actors are super duper talented.. :D

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Miyoung

April 13, 2011 at 10:43 PM

Doesn't she look like a mini-Eugune in that first picture? (Her "mom" in the drama/ex SES member Eugene)

But I do love me some Seo Ji-Seok.

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grateful1

April 14, 2011 at 9:23 AM

That's what I thought! Her facial expression in the first picture totally makes her look like a mini-Eugene.

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maldita

April 14, 2011 at 12:27 AM

Agree! I was all, "Shinbi's not a toddler anymore!" :(

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3 ionizable

April 13, 2011 at 5:22 AM

haha, it's so... upper east side, saks fifth avenue

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4 kdramaFrenzy

April 13, 2011 at 5:26 AM

So cute.

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5 @.@

April 13, 2011 at 5:48 AM

sounds like a drama i want to watch!

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6 Nabby

April 13, 2011 at 5:53 AM

Just hearing that Seo Ji-Seok is enjoying himself on set is making me want to wach this.

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7 zoe

April 13, 2011 at 5:54 AM

I am trying really hard to like his perm, but cant :(
Compared to Kim Hyun- Joong's in PK and Jung Il woo's perm in 49 days (which they both rock!), Seo Ji-seok's perm looks kinda meh! Not liking it at all!

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Lisa

April 13, 2011 at 6:11 AM

second to that! :)

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swui

April 13, 2011 at 7:13 AM

Third that...even though I last saw him in that long long drama with Gu Hye Sun. They were very sweet in that.

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YY

April 13, 2011 at 8:07 AM

Was that Hearts of 19? Loved that drama. Loved him especially. He had long dark straight hair and was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. I loved him and her, they were so sweet together. Curly hair....meh!

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8 bz

April 13, 2011 at 6:04 AM

Somebody looks like POST per kim hyun joong
now we know why JB is so charmed :D

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bz

April 13, 2011 at 6:04 AM

perm*

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9 Linda165

April 13, 2011 at 6:09 AM

The drama hair stylist went perm crazy, even the little boy...

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10 michi

April 13, 2011 at 6:15 AM

oh..it started already! wonder who's subbing this...?

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11 Sere

April 13, 2011 at 6:20 AM

Awww, I can't wait to watch this.

Does anyone know if any fansubbing group picked it up? Cos I looked around and it doesn't seem so.

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ohemgee

April 13, 2011 at 3:11 PM

yeah...i've been looking around and i can't find anyone subbing it either...

hopefully some kind souls/sites (*hint hint*!!) recap the series in the case no one subs this series...

i will honestly cry without manny subs. i'll still watch it- i'll just be weeping while i watch! ^_^

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Sere

April 13, 2011 at 7:51 PM

Viki has it. Don't know if you can watch streaming vids http://www.viki.com/channels/3474-manny/ I do have some problems with that kind of thing, but heh, it's on my end soooo.

I hope you can watch it.

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ohemgee

April 14, 2011 at 12:21 AM

went to viki earlier today and got my manny fix!

omg totally unsurprising to anyone, i am absolutely loving it!

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Sere

April 14, 2011 at 6:39 AM

I only watched part 1 cos it was just too late yesterday, but I concur. I liked it from the very beginning and that doesn't often happen with dramas. it usually takes me a few eps to get into the story.

12 blueangel

April 13, 2011 at 6:41 AM

haven't seen ji-seok in a while.
someone mentioned his perm hair and compared it to the one in playful kiss. This one is more curly and the one in playful kiss is more wavey.

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13 Ohemgee

April 13, 2011 at 6:41 AM

Must. Watch. Manny.

Now!!!!

Men+children=get me every time

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oi

April 13, 2011 at 7:31 AM

lol......me too

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malta

April 13, 2011 at 8:11 AM

me too. I blame it on the female hormones...

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Daniela

April 13, 2011 at 8:57 AM

Me too! I find Adorable grown men holding kids hands or holding babies in their arms. They look so cute. I hope the subs come fast.

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Carinne

April 13, 2011 at 11:47 AM

Strap a baby in front of a man with a BABYBJÖRN carrier will get me every single time. My kryptonite.

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Miyoung

April 13, 2011 at 10:44 PM

Hahahaha Carinne; your comment? So full of win.

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Carinne

April 14, 2011 at 10:46 AM

Keke~ thanks.

Darn cute kid made me cry just watching ep.01. I wasn't expecting to tear up so soon. I blame it on my maternal instinct.

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14 Arhazivory

April 13, 2011 at 6:51 AM

Awww..this looks so win.

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15 strawberryfieldsforever

April 13, 2011 at 6:55 AM

awww man, look at jung da bin! she's grown so fast! she'll always be my favorite little shin bi <3

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16 danna

April 13, 2011 at 7:06 AM

the kids are sooo friggin adorable!!!...I really wish I could this but I am so swamped

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Rina

April 13, 2011 at 7:44 AM

I like the kid's pictures the most, they are so adorable.

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17 cathy

April 13, 2011 at 7:39 AM

another handsome K actor .

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18 AhjussiAigoo

April 13, 2011 at 7:42 AM

try kimchidrama.net. they'll upload episodes with subs after 2 days

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19 malta

April 13, 2011 at 8:10 AM

Gu Seung-hyun is sooooo adorable! Love kids!

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20 Dorothy

April 13, 2011 at 8:10 AM

Was Gu Seung-Hyun in "Speedy Scandal"?

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maldita

April 14, 2011 at 12:31 AM

Nah. That was Wang Seokhyun who was apparently forced to take a break from showbiz after his parents' nasty divorce and custody battle.

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21 Christine

April 13, 2011 at 9:02 AM

I love the picture! The two of them look adorable. Looking forward to watching this drama....

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22 Casie J.

April 13, 2011 at 9:05 AM

I am SO watching this! Gyah~

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23 snow

April 13, 2011 at 9:09 AM

this sounds like such a cute drama! so tempted to watch...

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24 Christine

April 13, 2011 at 9:11 AM

It looks adorable! I’m surprising myself by looking forward to this drama... Do you know where I can watch this at?

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25 Okie Dokie

April 13, 2011 at 9:28 AM

This sounds really adorable. It hadn't made it's way to my watch list, but after the brief description above, I think I'm going to give it a try.

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26 Revy

April 13, 2011 at 9:38 AM

Going to watch this as soon as it gets subbed. Isn't that the lady from Royal Family

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27 Cherry

April 13, 2011 at 10:10 AM

The first two pictures are a KILLER, cute nanny-soon-to-be-father & kid ^__^ (well i hope it has a good ending =) )
And yeah, the story's different, i mean a male nanny!!
I like it ^__^

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28 okitokki

April 13, 2011 at 10:18 AM

adorable children? i'm in.

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29 tinpra

April 13, 2011 at 10:29 AM

I was just thinking about Manny this morning and wondering when, oh when, it would come out. Yay! What a happy announcement! I can't wait for the subs to come out, hopefully soon. *crosses fingers*

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30 SJ

April 13, 2011 at 11:21 AM

I like him a lot in Heart of 19 & it's good to see him again! i believe this would remind us of Single dad in love with O Ji Ho which i just started watching this week & liking it!
i hope someone uploads this online, it'll be nice to watch this one. thnx JB

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31 SJ

April 13, 2011 at 11:25 AM

I like him in Heart of 19, wld be nice to watch him again! i hope someone uploads this online. thnx JB

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32 Aya

April 13, 2011 at 11:25 AM

wow, looks like kdramaland got the memo, welcome to the 21th century!

According to the GAP Gender Report (2006-2010) Korea is still among the lowest-ranked OECD countries for women rights in the world, which means major gender inequality in all 4 Indexes:

1. Economic Participation and Opportunity
2. Educational Attainment
3. Health and Survival
4. Political Empowerment

The kids are adorable and the story looks fun, so imma try this out... hopefully, the drama won't take a nosedive into "successful ahjumma gets into trouble, gets saved by cutie-pie-but-strong dude, Happy End <3" :/

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33 Keylye

April 13, 2011 at 11:48 AM

Soooooo cute.

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34 Mac B.

April 13, 2011 at 12:33 PM

to cute! the fact that he's really enjoying it because he loves working with kids makes it even cuter :)

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35 Asama

April 13, 2011 at 1:13 PM

i Am so gann watch this. Is there a chance YOU can recap this for us. PLEASE JAVEBEANS, well only if you like the drama.

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36 sleeplessinwgtn

April 13, 2011 at 2:34 PM

Manny and charge ... oh so cute!

I'll be watching this.

Noticed that there's a lot of older women-younger men plotlines in k-dramas in the recent years. I like it!

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37 sleeplessinwgtn

April 13, 2011 at 2:39 PM

there are so many watchable k-dramas coming out...
- Manny
- Best Love
- Baby Faced Beauty
- Lie to Me
- City Hunter

2011 is turning out to be a good year for k-dramas. Hope they keep up to the hype theyve built.

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38 Kender

April 13, 2011 at 4:09 PM

Just watched the first ep an hour or so ago, and OH. MY. GOD. The wacky preciousness is off the charts. I was hooked on this show within the first 15 minutes, and totally in love by the half hour mark.

Oh god I can't wait for tomorrow. /so essite

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39 jandoe

April 13, 2011 at 4:24 PM

not a fan of the main lady (though i've watched her in a couple dramas) but i LOVED that actress who plays the sister . SO watching this, it better be good!

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40 Emily

April 13, 2011 at 5:09 PM

It is currently being subbed at Viikii: http://www.viki.com/channels/3474-manny/

The subbing is not complete yet for the first episode, but it is almost done.

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41 janna

April 14, 2011 at 2:11 AM

I was waiting for someone from NY to come around and tell us how they feel about the Mets.

Flashback: I'm going to allow this. You know which one I'm talking about. Manny, run!

The kids are cute, I like the sister. I hope the story has some more characters otherwise it might get a little stale. I don't know, I felt like it was a small cast of characters, but it's only episode 1.

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42 Cami

April 14, 2011 at 5:23 AM

Storyline seems to be like Catherine Zeta Jones' movie "The Rebound".

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43 Elle-Emme

April 14, 2011 at 7:42 AM

cute story

i will enjoy watching thank God for viki

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44 Maji

April 14, 2011 at 7:48 AM

I thought it was just the right balance of cute - very enjoyable - and the little boy is very good. When he cried about wanting an Apa, I was crying too! Go Manny! *utter hotness*

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45 grateful1

April 14, 2011 at 9:18 AM

I for one found the first episode disappointing, but I am rather picky. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and stick with it for another couple of episodes.

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46 fionnula

April 14, 2011 at 12:39 PM

I cannot wait until Easter. It's the first time I've given up asian dramas for Lent, and probably one of the last. As soon as Easter comes, I will be watching this!

Btw, the fashion looks incredible. Gossip Girl-land a la K-drama world, might I say...

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maracarrero

April 15, 2011 at 6:40 AM

OMG, I'll have to try this next Lent because it will definitely be a sacrifice.

Although the show is "light" I enjoy Manny's love for children and the storyline about the hardworking mom trying to compensate for an absentee father. The eye candy isn't bad either 'cause the subplot is a modeling agency owned by the sister. Very appealing to the eyes! You will be blessed (a common kdrama line) for having suffered 40 days of non-kdramaland.