Han Ga-in and Hwang Jung-min to return to dramaland?
by girlfriday
Rumor has it that Han Ga-in (Bad Guy) and Hwang Jung-min (Accidental Couple / That Fool) might be returning to dramaland together, in the mega-million blockbuster cable drama Korean Peninsula, a cable drama from CSTV (owned by Joseon Ilbo, a news network). Nothing’s been confirmed on either side, but it’s a good sign that the production is finally back in the casting game.
It’s a drama that’s been in the works for a long time, rumored to once be the drama comeback vehicle for Jang Dong-gun, while other A-list names like Ha Ji-won and Park Shin-yang have been bandied about as well. But after those casting rumors died, the project seemed to be on the backburner for a while. Can’t imagine that Jang Dong-gun NOT doing your drama is anything other than a setback, but if Hwang Jung-min is set to headline, it’ll officially be back to being A-list.
There’s a 2006 movie of the same name (starring Ahn Sung-ki and Cha In-pyo), which is essentially the same setting, so it looks like the drama’s going to explore and extend that same premise — from what I understand, it’s a futuristic fantasy setup where the North and South Koreas reunite, and then all hell breaks loose over the two countries’ fight over natural resources. It sort of encapsulates the South’s fear in reunification, in a nutshell. Also the title, Han Peninsula, is han as in Korea, but can also be a play on One Peninsula, as in two countries, now one, on one tiny strip o’ land.
The real question for me is not so much in the casting, but in the drama itself, because this is a huge experiment in producing such a large-scale blockbuster drama outside of network television, with no intent to air on on the big three networks (KBS, SBS, MBC). In theory it could be a great way for the cable network to gain a foothold in the drama realm, with a big splash and A-list names (This is no doubt why Jang Dong-gun was their first stop). But the giant 20-million-won pink elephant in the room is… what if no one watches?
Cable dramas get something like a 1-2% share in ratings IF it’s a successful show. To compete with the big three, to somehow get a 20% share (the current marker of a ratings hit)… I just don’t know if it’s possible. It’s fascinating as an experiment because I do think that if besting the big three is your goal, going big budget, big stars is the only way to try and make a dent in the ratings. I do think the premise is pretty damn cool, and if these two were to headline, I’d be on that train in a heartbeat.
Korean Peninsula will be penned by writer Yoon Sun-ju, of Hwang Jini, and is set to air on CSTV in January 2012.
Via Star News
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Tags: cable programs, Han Ga-in, Hwang Jung-min
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1 Aphrodite
August 4, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Hwang Jung-min ? I am in. Even if the drama sucks, like Accidental couple, he ll rock it ! He is simply fantastic!!!
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jomo143
August 4, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Hey, wait!
Someone told me they LOVED AC. It's on my next list.
(No spoilers, please.)
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Z
August 4, 2011 at 2:59 PM
I liked it a lot but mainly just because of Hwang Jung-min. Kim Ah-joong was good and teh rest of the cast was all right but Hwang was MAGIC. It's a really sweet show and easy to watch. I wouldn't take it off the list. I was just thinking of rewatching it the other day.
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Aphrodite
August 4, 2011 at 3:10 PM
I loved it as well. But not because it was some kind of great drama. Same old plot, cliche, etc, but his acting was SO SUPERB, that you couldn't help but loving it.
Watch it and you won't lose.
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mardie
August 4, 2011 at 8:40 PM
AC just finished its encore airing this week in KBS world. i like AC, eventho its not a great drama, but it's light, and i like the lead so much! my mom love it too, but then, she likes BOF where i, not so much.
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2 MeeisLee
August 4, 2011 at 1:15 PM
It definitely sounds interesting. Though I can't say I'll watch. I'm not wary of the acting but if I'll actually be interested once I start watching. I'm looking forward to more news though.
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3 Annie
August 4, 2011 at 1:25 PM
HWANG JUNG MIN!!!!!!! I don't really care for Han Ga In though. Can we get Ha Ji Won back on aboard?
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jacq
August 4, 2011 at 3:27 PM
DITTO! Love HJM!!! but HGI? Not so much.
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annie
August 5, 2011 at 2:46 AM
I had the exact same thought! How awesome would those two be together?
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4 ajewell
August 4, 2011 at 1:31 PM
Dang. I'm allergic to Han Ga-in, but the premise sounds so interesting...
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5 ujsid
August 4, 2011 at 2:07 PM
ha ji won and jang dong gun = yeaaaa
han ga in = YAWN!
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6 Q
August 4, 2011 at 3:04 PM
YAy! Han Ga In! :)
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7 YBisTOP
August 4, 2011 at 4:22 PM
He is so ugly. Could of picked a better looking person. I'm not watching this.
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ujsid
August 4, 2011 at 4:37 PM
come on he is not ugly! he may not be the most handsome guy but ugly is too harsh a word!
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Suzieeq_luv
August 4, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Awww how could you not like those ears? XD
Man is talented tho.
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bd
August 4, 2011 at 4:54 PM
Hwang Jung-min is not ugly.
Is he matinee idol handsome? No.
But he's above avg. looking.
And that doesn't really matter b/c HJM is a phenomenal actor.
HJM and Jeon Do-yeon in the film "You Are My Sunshine" are simply amazing.
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Aphrodite
August 4, 2011 at 5:46 PM
He is an actor, not a model.
He is so great in acting, that he makes you feel, what he feels, and that's what matters.
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Noon~
August 4, 2011 at 5:51 PM
I'm not here to start a fight but I can't stand reading such comments.
Please,don't call people ugly!This is impolite and unacceptable.
and in my opinion,he is not ugly!He's one of the BEST Korean actors.Really ,he is amazing <3
He got many awards on his acting.
Anyway, thanks for this news!I'm so excited to watch Hwang Jung-min in a drama.
Keep it up,girls!
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K
August 4, 2011 at 6:03 PM
sweetie, why dont you go return to your kiddie idol dramas so that the rest of us non-shallow folks can enjoy the mindblowing awesomeness that is Hwang Jung Min in peace..he (or even this drama) might be a bit too much for ur teeny brain
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mardie
August 4, 2011 at 8:43 PM
LIKE!! how can u call HJM ugly, or anybody else for that matter? tsk tsk tsk...
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8 meenuby
August 4, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Why Han Ga-In? Couldn't they have chosen a more skilled actress? :/
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meenuby
August 4, 2011 at 4:57 PM
I mean if they're going all out, why not go all out in the talent department too?
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annie
August 5, 2011 at 2:48 AM
so true... she is not an impressive actress, and opposite a magically talented actor like HJM, she would not show to advantage.
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9 danna
August 4, 2011 at 6:07 PM
I like definitely like HJM a lot more than PSY soo Yay!! not surpired JDG didn't pick this up, though that would have been awesome too...but why HGI??? she may not be the best actress around but I do like her..However if they were going for such a big drama, wouldn't they have gone for someone even bigger??
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10 jlink
August 4, 2011 at 6:20 PM
@Z you are right! Other's might miss out watching accidental couple because maybe they don't like the cast or it doesn't appeal that much bec some people watch korean dramas bec they know the actors and actress and they like them and don't care about what will be the story as long as the cast is eye candy.. But as a korean addict like me I didn't look if the cast is popular or not I care about the story and how they act and the chemistry between the leads.... And for Accidental Couple it is so underrated and I don't know why? FOr me it hook me frm the first episode. Hwang ju min acting is so good and eventhough he's not that handsome like some other korean actors he has this Charm that can make you like him and watch the whole drama. I recommend this drama ro everybody it can make you laugh and cry but for Hwang ju min I give him two thumbs up!!!! He's really great! other cast are good too.
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11 hilly
August 4, 2011 at 6:54 PM
like a lot of ppl here, i overlooked Accidental Couple and even when i was watching i didn't think it was that great but i found myself hooked to any scene Hwang Jung Min appeared in because he made that whole drama work.. he's so charming and lovable.. made me think if another actor played that role, the whole drama would be gone
please don't judge Hwang Jung Min as ugly (the person several posts above).. he becomes so much more handsome once you see him act
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12 Yoori
August 4, 2011 at 7:33 PM
How can anyone NOT like Hwang Jung-min?! His charm and talent surpasses the most handsome actor! And thats not to say he is lacking in the looks department either!
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13 chace
August 4, 2011 at 8:23 PM
To her credit, Han Ga In did somewhat improve in Bad Guy; she wasn't as bland as she'd always been.
But against a heavyweight like Hwang Jung Min ... she's just not made of the same stuff.
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14 ar
August 4, 2011 at 8:37 PM
is korean cable sort of like american cable- where you have to pay for the special cable channel??
I really want to see Han Ga In really give an amazing performance in this. She's usually pretty lackluster for me.
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15 Marjorice
August 4, 2011 at 8:39 PM
tq girlfriday.
Good for HA GA IN to be back atlas !,
high time lady !
after a long break from Bad Guy.
Will anticipate for your acting, dear !.
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16 Katherine
August 5, 2011 at 12:57 AM
Whenever I think of Hwang Jung-min I just remember him on Family Outing being a slacker watching everyone making dinner whilst he just commentated from the side-lines and his curry song lol. I should check out his movies/dramas but don't know where to start. If his in this well then I might just check out for curiosity.
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17 Gg
August 5, 2011 at 1:45 AM
Actually, aside from Hwang's attractiveness, this topic of reunification really interests me. I hope the producers present it without bias as a human story, rather than playing up to the fears of the south. I was quite disappointed with Myung wol the Spy for its shallow portrayal of the north (granted, it's only meant as a light-hearted pastiche style comedy).
I read a good book (nothing to envy) about north Korea before and after the 90s famine and it discussed the negative attitudes of the younger generation in south Korea towards the north. I'm not Korean so I haven't lived under the fear of war in that way but I feel so heartbroken about how north Koreans have suffered under the regime. I'm welcome to other opinions, since my knowledge is not first hand ^_^
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18 samgetang
August 5, 2011 at 3:53 AM
Hwang Jung-min! Yay!
Maybe his un-handsomeness, in the typical sense, is what's actually handsome about him. :-)
His sensitive and superb portrayals make him more handsome than other kdrama actors out there of lesser caliber.
I love his portrayal in That Fool/Accidental Couple.
Will definitely look forward to his new drama.
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19 just saying...
August 5, 2011 at 5:19 AM
Hwang Jung min is considered one of the 5 best actors in Korea. Anyone who doubts that should see all of his movies and then you'd see why. He was robbed of the award for Accidental Couple, while others in the cast, took one home. He was the whole point of watching that drama.
I'm thrilled he'll be working in a drama again. He is the A-List!! To say Jang Dong Gun was first choice is pretty funny. I like Jang Dong Gun, but he's not even close to the actor that Hwang Jung Min is. This actor is the real deal. I can't wait to see this.
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20 Smile
August 5, 2011 at 7:16 AM
I really liked Accidental couple and watched the encore telecast on KBS world recently. Totally charmed by HJM and his smile and was so disappointed when I missed ep 14 and his singing of "Over the rainbow". He is a great actor.
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just saying...
August 5, 2011 at 7:22 AM
That episode was on, I think Wednesday, and I taped it. So adorable. Love, love Hwang Jung-min. Watch his movies and you'll see why.
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21 Liddi
August 6, 2011 at 6:39 AM
Han Ga-In. Count me in!
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22 melusine
August 6, 2011 at 5:42 PM
Hwang! Jung! Min!
'nuff said. I'm in.
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