Kim Soo-hyun takes the lead in fantasy sageuk romance
by javabeans
Casting has been revealed for the upcoming sageuk drama Moon That Embraces the Sun, which is adapted from a novel by Jung Eun-gwol, the writer who wrote The Lives of Sungkyunkwan’s Scholars, the novel that gave us Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Phew, that’s a mouthful. Basically: Sungkyunkwan Scandal v.2.0 in the works? Yes, please!
Kim Soo-hyun will take the lead role of Lee Hwon, a fictional king of Joseon who falls in love with a female shaman, to be played (as previously rumored) by Han Ga-in. The drama will be a fantasy romance about young love and coming of age in the Joseon era, set against the backdrop of the palace. So that’s good news if you were a fan of the addictive Sungkyunkwan Scandal, since tonally it seems to share a lot of similarities.
Since we’re dealing with a fictional king rather than a historical figure, my bet is that we’ll be seeing an alternate-universe version of Joseon; this is not your father’s sageuk. Who cares about historical accuracy when you’ve got a delicious romance to root for? And with Kim Soo-hyun finally getting the girl (he’d better), yeah, it’s gonna be delicious.
I’m sure the drama’s title is a reference to the nature of the romance — two entities that Cannot Be Together fall in love anyway — which is reflected in their names. His contains the character for light, and her name, Wol, means moon.
Kim Soo-hyun has had a string of memorable performances playing teenagers in dramas like Giant, Will It Snow For Christmas, and Dream High, but this is his first adult leading role. It’s probably because he’s played younger than his age that he seems so much younger than Han Ga-in, but they’re actually just six years apart; she’s 29 and he’s 23. Already he’s got wonderful presence and tons of talent; watching him is engaging and often stirring.
Kim is currently wrapping up filming on his movie Thieves, the Oceans Eleven-esque caper about a team of thieves led by mastermind Lee Jung-jae. Can’t wait for that, either.
Moon That Embraces the Sun is written by scriptwriter Jin Soo-wan of Capital Scandal and directed by PD Kim Do-hoon of Royal Family. It is preparing for a January broadcast on MBC.
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Tags: Han Ga-in, Kim Soo-hyun, The Moon That Embraces the Sun
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1 queencircles
November 11, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Omg. I LOVED Sungkyunkwan scandal. So. Much. Can't wait for this!
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pabo ceo reom
November 11, 2011 at 5:49 PM
I feel a relapse coming! I do like both leads separately....still not sure about together though. Han Ga-in seems much more mature than Kim Soo-hyun. Guess we'll have to see.
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disfigurine
November 13, 2011 at 12:11 PM
I agree about the Han Ga In being too mature. I like her and all. She's pretty too but her face and Kim Soo Hyun's face wouldn't go well together. I would like a younger female cast in it like Kim So Eun, Park Eun Bin, Park Shin Hye.
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dapinaymrs
November 19, 2011 at 12:48 PM
I have no idea how Han Ga In acts so I'm leaving it up to on-screen chemistry. There seems to be a lot of reaction with noona-dongsaeng pairing but I've never heard so much of it when he was paired with Suzy in Dream High. (Or maybe that was just me) Suzy is 6 years his junior and Ga In is the exact opposite in years.
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2 Christabel Godlewska
November 11, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Yay!!! Sam dong in a new drama!!!!
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3 Phyllis
November 11, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Sounds wonderful! He is everything you say he is. Probably can do anything one might ask.
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4 LimaKid
November 11, 2011 at 11:27 AM
This guy makes me cry at the drop of a hat. Just thinking about his emotional scenes in DH makes me want to tear up
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alua
November 11, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Doesn't he? He totally made me cry in that final episode of Dream High when he was oh-so-heartbroken to be sent away.
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LimaKid
November 11, 2011 at 3:30 PM
I know! And (SPOILER) when his character goes super dark after losing his hearing and witnessing Hye Mi and Jin Guk on the ferris wheel. He does this monologue to his mother that had me in an irrational breakdown of tears.
I'm excited for this upcoming drama.
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alua
November 11, 2011 at 4:24 PM
I haven't actually watched any sageuks yet, but I'll make that leap because KSH can only be good in it.
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jane
November 11, 2011 at 2:57 PM
i think his emotional scenes in will it snow is even more heartbreaking!
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alua
November 11, 2011 at 4:00 PM
I have to watch that... in fact, the only reason why I haven't watched that yet is because he wasn't the lead, but just the younger version of the lead (hence bound to have a lot less scenes... but I wanted plenty of scenes with KSH!)
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jean
November 11, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Yes, KSH was awesome in Will It Snow for Christmas, so much so that when the character grew up I was disappointed because I didn't know Go Soo back then. BUT as it turns out, Go Soo is soooo worth watching the whole thing for. Even though the show started getting a little frustrating towards the end, I never got sick of watching Go Soo. Ah, now that the weather is getting cold again I could use a few eps of WISFC.
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hamster428
November 12, 2011 at 1:24 PM
I can't really rec WISFC because of the way it meandered in the latter half, but if you're worried about the older lead, then don't, because he's awesome as well. His eyes are so swoonworthy.
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tinabobina
November 11, 2011 at 5:09 PM
I have to agree! Every time he did emotional scenes, it was so gut wrenching. I really felt it, and I don't cry in movies or shows very often. But I am so excited for this! He is a beautiful actor to watch!
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5 aoiaheen
November 11, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Looking forward to this one. I love alternate history themed shows. That way I don't have to cringe when something that never ever happened, happens.
I wonder how he'd look in saguek wear.
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6 Kay
November 11, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Yay!!!! KSH as the lead is awesome. Still wishing MGY was the female lead tho. HGI is so pretty but I feel will be the weaker actor to KSH. Maybe I've just never liked her past characters but I can picture her in the role already.
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sojumongi
November 11, 2011 at 3:20 PM
me too! Moon Geun young and Kim Soo hyun would have made an awesome pairing. Both are such fantastic actors
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7 tinysunbl
November 11, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Can we get a Vampire cameo in this drama?
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8 yuni
November 11, 2011 at 11:56 AM
KSH is so adorable..!! I love Han Ga In,,, but I actually want another female lead to star in it...someone who is not married so its a little bit more fun to watch.. I doubt they'll have the same close friendship like the leads in Sungkyunkwan Scandal..But I am still looking forward to it...
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9 alua
November 11, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Yay! He was my favourite as Sam Dong in Dream High. Haven't watched anything else with him in it yet, but I'm happy to hear that my list of KSH-things-to-watch is extending!
"Already he’s got wonderful presence and tons of talent; watching him is engaging and often stirring." Absolutely agreeing with JB here!
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10 meenuby
November 11, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Love him. Han Ga-in...not so much.
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11 ar
November 11, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Yay for KSH for his first adult-role in dramas! And yes an alternate history fantasy sageuk! While Korea really does take its sageuk's seriously and use real historical figures, I miss the fun of fictional kings and figures in hong kong/chinese dramas.
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12 hpn88
November 11, 2011 at 12:13 PM
sounds awesome, but I don't see them meshing as love interests.
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Raine
November 13, 2011 at 11:44 AM
hpn - hopefully there will be unforeseen chemistry!
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13 blokkoms
November 11, 2011 at 12:24 PM
OMG. YES. Kim Soo-hyun + fantasy-sageuk-romance = *squee*
But the one thing niggling at me - Han Ga-in... She looks way too old for him, but I guess KSH would be able to make it work.
Seriously though, this just made my day. :D
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14 Bluefyre
November 11, 2011 at 12:44 PM
YES!! Finally! I can't wait for this!! :D
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15 ohemgee
November 11, 2011 at 12:50 PM
best news of the day!
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16 Taohua
November 11, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Excited Kim Soo-Hyun's in a new drama...but not a really big fan of Han Ga-In. Also ambivalent about the PD/writer combo on this but hoping this will turn out fun since I've been waiting forever to see KSH in a leading role.
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17 HeadsNo2
November 11, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Ohhhhh boy. I am so in. Is it January yet?
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18 sora
November 11, 2011 at 1:35 PM
im excited n cant wait :)
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19 Jem_
November 11, 2011 at 1:42 PM
yes!!!
Can't wait to see him on screen v(XOX)V
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20 luraaa
November 11, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Wow he's 23? I thought he's in his late teens or 20s like Yoo Ah-in who's 24 I think.
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Raine
November 12, 2011 at 3:50 PM
Come to noona.... (Yoo Ah-in too)
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21 Cam
November 11, 2011 at 1:55 PM
YAY!!!! :D :D I reaaally love this actor Kim Soo Hyun since Dream High!! I can't wait to watch him so act very differently in this new drama, of course. Ahh....(groans) I thought he should have to be with different actresses, like Moon Geun Young, Jung So Min, Kang Byul, or whatever....
But...Han Ga In, oh well......I will try to watch this drama because of Kim Soo Hyun, keke. :)
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22 Alexx
November 11, 2011 at 1:57 PM
WHOO!! I am IN -- Kim Soo Hyun~~!!
....Well, I am not really fan of Han Ga In...so I will definitely watch this drama. (I will add this on my list, yups.)
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23 crazedlu
November 11, 2011 at 2:19 PM
yeeerrrsss!
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24 mirabeau
November 11, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Me = much too, too, overly, very, very much, happy. And losing a coherent train of thoughts.
Now, I just wish that Moon geun-young had accepted the role instead of Han Ga-in. Now THAT would have been amazing news *sigh*
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Steamy Bun
November 11, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Moon Geun Young was offered this role?! Oh man, now that would have been awesome. But honestly Han Ga in isn't the worst they could've done. Idols are trying to take over dramaland (what, it's true! I'm not paranoid!), so I'm thankful whenever an authentic actor signs to a good drama, even if they're not necessarily my favorite.
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Raine
November 12, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Omg. WHY DIDNT SHE?!
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25 jane
November 11, 2011 at 3:00 PM
OMG. the gods have answered my plea.
just the other day i was thinking about kim soo hyun and craving for more of him.
Possibly one of my favorite young actors these days(aside from lee min ho, of course.)
AND i found Sungkyunkwan Scandal enjoyable.
Definitely tuning in although i probably would have enjoyed someone other than han ga-in, probably because i've seen her in witch amusement, not a big fan of her.
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26 Viki
November 11, 2011 at 3:15 PM
OMG YES! A LEAD ROLE AGAIN! I am HAPPY! Can't wait, hopefully this drama will be as good as SKKS! or better!
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27 jyyjc
November 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Love kim soohyun. But I'm just not feeling this pairing.
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28 nonski
November 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM
omg! i jus saw this on soompi and now here... *faints again*
i love love love SKKS ad DH and with Kim Soo Hyun, I would care less who she is with as long as he is there~
Thanks for sharing this!
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29 mellowyel
November 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM
16-20 episodes of Kim Soo-hyun? In SKKS v. 2.0? Well, there goes my January - in the best way possible
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mellowyel
November 11, 2011 at 4:21 PM
hold on a second... is he going to have a beard? I'm not sure how I feel about that...
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dapinaymrs
November 19, 2011 at 6:27 AM
*Guffaw* A beard? Can we start with a mustache and a goatee like Geol-o's first?
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30 mnstpdu08
November 11, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Saw this on Soompi this morning (or was it yesterday), and was wondering why you didn't have it up already.
Anyways, I'm excited. I don't usually watch sageuks, but I'll watch it just for KSH. I'm not sure how I feel about Han Ga-In. I wish it was a younger actress - someone around his age.
But I can't wait for Thieves!
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31 Musings
November 11, 2011 at 4:31 PM
Even if this turns out cringe worthy (touch on wood) I will watch every minute of the drama to soak in le KSH ^______^
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32 Steamy Bun
November 11, 2011 at 5:12 PM
GASP! The most awesomest news ever!! I love Kim Soo-hyun and this sounds freakin cool. A shaman? Yes!! Han Ga-in is an interesting choice. I like her look, but how's her acting?
I will sooo be looking forward to this!
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Carinne
November 14, 2011 at 4:29 PM
LOL~ I like your username Steamy Bun. Where is your complement, Mr. Steamy Bun?
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33 momosa
November 11, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Happy news indeed! He's due for the lead role.
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34 yong in
November 11, 2011 at 6:22 PM
omg, cannot wait for this : )
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35 yasminsatria
November 11, 2011 at 6:50 PM
I'm on board! Definitely, absolutle, will watch this one :D
Kim So-Hyun is wonderful actor. I agree with all of yours comment about him, Java. Still remembering his boxing scene in Giant, Woooo!
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36 crysalide
November 11, 2011 at 7:31 PM
Yes or KSH and no to HGI.
Now the main question is, is he gonna have that main of glory that oooooh so many saguek heroes needs to have. i.e; Park Shi Hoo & Ji Chang Wook.
Can't wait for that either
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crysalide
November 11, 2011 at 7:32 PM
I mean yes for KSH. huhuh
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37 Saa
November 11, 2011 at 7:38 PM
YAY FOR KIM SOO HYUN!! YAY FOR SUNGKYUNKWAN SCANDAL V.2.0!! YAY FOR KIM SOO HYUN IN SUNGKYUNKWAN SCANDAL V.2.0!!
Han...Ga...In...? =X
WELL...she's...pretty..at least...? >____>;;
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38 sosoxrah
November 11, 2011 at 7:50 PM
OMG Sungkyungwan Scandal V2.0????? COUNT ME IN!
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Carinne
November 14, 2011 at 4:33 PM
Oh yesh~ please Drama Lords, make it happen....
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39 Noelle
November 11, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Omg. This is going to be my first sageuk just because he's in it. I'm completely in. Even if it turns out horrible and lame.
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40 Fasiris Fay
November 11, 2011 at 9:22 PM
OMG. SO. EXCITED :D
I absolutely love him! He better get the girl this time >_<
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41 Ladymoonstone143
November 11, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Excited for the actor but the actress, not so much....Bad Guy still left a bad taste in my mouth...lol. And for the life of me, I can't imagine the chemistry between them. Bring Jung Su Min...I haven't seen her since Playful Kiss....or Ha Ji Won..she would me a great bad ass female shaman...:)
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Roxy
November 13, 2011 at 5:48 PM
I would love to see Jung Su Min again...and definitely Ha Ji Won (but HJW just feels like a dream...too good to be true X.X). I'm thinking more towards MGY though, I miss her...Just thinking about how good it will be if she was in it instead makes my brain explode. But no, they had to pick Han Ga In... who's married, 6 yrs older, AND not a strong actress. I'm heartbroken...please tell me Han Ga In is not confirmed so SKKS v.2 can reach its full potential.
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42 wanne
November 11, 2011 at 10:36 PM
OMG, i've been waiting forever to see Kim Soo Hyun back on my screen! his Song Sam Dong blew my mind away!
just reading that he'll be in a drama already makes me excited to watch it whatever drama that may be.
but a romance? oh be still my heart! for his eyes when they look at hyemi and when he cries, i'll never get enough of it.
this is definitely my most anticipated drama of 2012! and KSH so far only choose great projects to be in even if he just appear for 2 episodes. so i'm sure this one will be good also. but alas with KSH, he can make any mediocre scene a memorable one.
cant wait!
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43 cuteNuna
November 11, 2011 at 10:42 PM
thx JB this news realy make my day... i love Sungkyukwan Scandal.. i loooveee Kim Soo Hyun so count me in!
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44 autumnscribbles
November 12, 2011 at 12:32 AM
This made my day. Can't wait to see my baby back on the screen~~! I am not too sure about his pairing with HGI though, considering the age of the characters, I thought MGY or JSM or PBY would be more appropriate.
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45 Combray
November 12, 2011 at 6:15 AM
He got the girl in Dream High tho. Even if I think he didn't deserve to lol but w/ever.
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Steamy Bun
November 12, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Oh no you di-in't! *snaps fingers*
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46 ...
November 12, 2011 at 6:16 AM
oooooooooooooo~~~ can't wait to watch this! yay! so glad he's finally back in a drama. won't have to wait till next year to see him! hehe!
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47 foraredrose
November 12, 2011 at 11:33 AM
I just finished marathoning Dream High, so this is music to my ears. Hooray!!! :D
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48 trixicopper
November 12, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Been looking forward to KSH having a lead roll where he is NOT in high school. Yeah! :)
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49 Raine
November 12, 2011 at 3:47 PM
*consumed by cuteness* Can't think enough to comment....He's just....tooooo...cuute.
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50 pockified
November 12, 2011 at 8:03 PM
Kim Soo Hyun! My ultimate bias :)
Slip him into ANYTING and I will watch it. I'm better than a trained puppy when it comes to him!
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