Ji Sung to headline Haeundae Lovers?

54 June 14, 2012June 14, 2012

by girlfriday

New drama alert! Upcoming KBS drama Haeundae Lovers, named for that famous stretch of city-on-beach in Busan, is the next project from writer Hwang Eun-kyung, of City Hunter and New Heart. The show is currently courting Ji Sung (Protect the Boss) as its hero, which would mean a reunion for New Heart’s star and writer, if he signs on.

The 16-episode drama is described as a romantic comedy, but the plot sounds thicker than your average bear: A detective on the organized crime task force is chasing down a gang when something happens to make him lose his memory. He ends up wandering through Haeundae and somehow finds himself entangled in that same gang’s criminal activities.

Huh. Interesting. Does the cop end up a criminal? And where does the romance fit in? Is the mob boss a fierce gangster lady? ‘Cause that’d be fun. It seems like a fresh idea to set amnesia into the premise for comedic purposes. It’s at least the version of that trope that hasn’t been done to death, and I rather like the cop-forgets-he’s-a-cop-turned-gangster idea. Isn’t there some pop psychology about cops and criminals having very similar personalities? Makes you wonder if it’s a similar set of instincts, just one set reined in by law and order.

So far, two big plusses: an all-location shoot in Haeundae, and the odd premise, which sounds like wacky fun. Haeundae Lovers will follow Big on Mondays/Tuesdays on KBS.

Via Sports Seoul

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Tags: Ji Sung

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1 subject

June 14, 2012 at 5:12 AM

Love Ji Sung but I didn't like none of the writer's works. What to do? Well, let's see who's gonna cast to it and then I'll decide. And now you made me miss Protect the boss. Note to the stylist: Please don't make him curly again!

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2 peter

June 14, 2012 at 5:18 AM

Ji Sung will finally comeback. now who will be his female lead?

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peter

June 14, 2012 at 5:21 AM

wouldn't it be nice to see Lee Bo Young as the female lead as they've been in relationship for quite some time now. ^^

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ahjummabunny

June 14, 2012 at 6:08 AM

no, I don't want to see that.

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Mama J

June 14, 2012 at 9:12 AM

hahahahahah!

Oh Bunny, I do love you.

I'm on board, JiSung is probably my favorite after My Beloved. He's just so...solid, and cute, and grown up, and silly. I adore him.

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fab

June 14, 2012 at 6:17 AM

That's new! Although I have no clue about the personal lives of Kdrama stars.

Oh wait, did they hook up on set of Heaven? Not sure about the title...

Anyhow the premise sounds great! And Ji sung has proved his comedic side.

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ahjummabunny

June 14, 2012 at 6:49 AM

I think they met on save the last dance for me. she was the clingy ex.

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Eohip

June 14, 2012 at 8:43 AM

Don't worry dear~ I wonder why you brought Lee bo YOung up in the first place. Even if you want to see it happen, it will not. Ji Sung is very very protective of his private life.

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peter

June 14, 2012 at 6:41 PM

why not? LBY had done pretty good job in Hooray for love, Harvest Villa and The Ballad of Suh Dong.

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dramabliss

June 14, 2012 at 3:27 PM

Hope not. Love Ji Sung. Okay for him to have Lee Bo Young as his girlfriend but onscreen? I cannot just see LBY having chemistry with anyone, not even with JS.

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wicked

June 14, 2012 at 4:26 PM

"....not even with JS."

Who knows? unless you're stalking them in real life? >_<

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carol

June 16, 2012 at 6:27 AM

speak for ur self lee bo young has great chemistry with all her leads except ji sung as her fan I dont want to see her with him as well cause he is so bleh in all aspects she is way way better

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3 Yue

June 14, 2012 at 5:24 AM

Looking forward to this, it sounds promising!

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4 infiniti512

June 14, 2012 at 5:31 AM

Sounds like Time Between Dog and Wolf gone funny. I will watch Ji Sung in anything hehe.

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becca_boo

June 14, 2012 at 6:40 AM

Heh, that's exactly what I was going to say. Maybe it won't drive me crazy this time, since it's going to be part of the premise and played for comedy.

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anais

June 14, 2012 at 7:43 AM

Yup. Exactly.

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sleeplessinwgtn

June 14, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Exactly what I thought when I read the 'cop-forgets-he’s-a-cop-turned-gangster' premise. I 'fell in love; with Lee Jung Ki in his portrayal of that role. But that was a bit heavy so the comedic version will be a light and breezy viewing.

I enjoyed Ji Sung in Save the Last Dance for Me and his more recent Protect the Boss. I thought he looked taller and more filled-in in STLDFM and didn't make the connection until the end of PTB.

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5 9to5

June 14, 2012 at 5:40 AM

is that a parrot with a flower hat on it's head in the pic above? .. so cute!!

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6 Ace

June 14, 2012 at 6:07 AM

Hope they get a decent director cause I'm thinking that even if the writer/premise is great (loved CH) and the actors are good, but the directing sucks (see Dr.Jin), then the drama will not live to expectations. The description reminded me of Anne Perry's William Monk series wherein Inspector Monk lost his memory at the start of the series and never really regained his full memory though he learned through his dealings with his colleagues that he was an arrogant s.o.b. before.

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nauna

June 14, 2012 at 7:24 AM

Whoa, an Anne Perry reference on DB! I loved this series, but it's kinda gone on forever and I lost a little interest.

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Ace

June 15, 2012 at 5:14 AM

Lost interest as well. Stopped before he became a river police detective or something. I did love Hester a lot though and wished they were young enough to have kids like Pitt and Charlotte in AP's other series. The most memorable Monk book for me was Weighed in the Balance. ;)

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7 Yasmin

June 14, 2012 at 6:10 AM

Hmm, it does sound like time between dog and wolf..but I do like this writers work. I loved new heart and city hunter even though I didnt know that they were by the same writer so this should be interesting. Also after CH I've learnt to keep an open mind :D

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jomo143

June 14, 2012 at 7:24 AM

Thought the same:
A comedic take on TBDaW...hmmm...

I loved all the young folks scenes in CH, and every second of screen time with Kim Sang Joong - swoon!

But, I snoozed at the Powerful Circle of the Worst Dads in the World Scheming scenes.

I hope the bad guys are compelling. My money's on Lee Won Jong (from everything ever) to make an appearance.

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8 yong in

June 14, 2012 at 6:23 AM

i don't see how the plot would come out as a romantic comedy... but i like Ji Sung, so if he accepts this, i'm watching it.

thanks for the info.

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9 kooriyuki

June 14, 2012 at 6:23 AM

Ji Sung in another comedy is a big big plus!!

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10 mtoh

June 14, 2012 at 6:24 AM

I've seen movie with similar plot, from '80s I think.

Never the less, Ji Sung dear, happy to see your comeback!
It really sounds fun.

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11 Cynthia

June 14, 2012 at 6:47 AM

I've often thought that if American movie/tv drama has a Korean-like trope, it would be the good guy/bad guy switcheroo plot (think Cage/Travolta Face/Off). We have no lack of good guy turning bad guy or vice versa (Bourne Identity). It makes for suspenseful watching - adding humor into the mix should shake up the premise. Just might watch this one. Ji-sung can bring the dark funny.
:)

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12 blokkoms

June 14, 2012 at 6:47 AM

Ooh, the writer behind City Hunter? That definitely got me intrigued - and behind a comedy to boot...

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13 glace

June 14, 2012 at 6:48 AM

I will try this just cuz it's set in Busan and we get to see new places lol! But they have to speak in dialect...hope that goes well.

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14 iluvjs

June 14, 2012 at 7:58 AM

But I heard Ji Sung turn down the offer???

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15 blueangel

June 14, 2012 at 8:07 AM

OHH Ji Sung.... I liked him in "protecting the boss" I look forward to this...

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16 rearwindow

June 14, 2012 at 8:09 AM

Ji-sung has such a fantastic comic sensibility. I will be super happy if this pans out.

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17 Cam

June 14, 2012 at 9:04 AM

Bravo ~ Bravooo! :D I watched him in that dramas: "Swallow the Sun"~"Royal Family"~ "Kim Suro" ~ and "Protect the Boss" (I watched half of episodes but not all). Ji Sung are reaaally doing so great job at his acting, yups. ^o^

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18 canxi

June 14, 2012 at 9:18 AM

I like this synopsis a lot!!!! Protect the Boss was one of those few rom-coms that actually made laugh and Ji-Sung was a big part of that. He's gold.

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19 KStyle

June 14, 2012 at 9:29 AM

Love PTB so I'm all aboard.

Bring on the funny Ji Sung( if you do decide to star in this rom com)

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20 emobank

June 14, 2012 at 9:43 AM

Love Protect the Boss! No others actors can act with a balance of hilarity and heart like Ji Sung in a rom-com! I can't wait to see him back on screen.

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21 rjyuggy

June 14, 2012 at 9:45 AM

can they offer the lead to Lee Wan oppa? I badly miss him.

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22 Geneva

June 14, 2012 at 10:14 AM

This sounds like it could be a lot of fun, I hope they don't screw it up by ultimately casting the wrong people. And if they cast the right people I hope they don't screw it up after that either.. >.>

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23 Daniella

June 14, 2012 at 10:36 AM

Lol, I thought PARK ji sung, and I was like, WTH? Lmao, too much much running man (:

Sounds like a hit, but I'm really tired of the Amnesia thing :/

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24 Noelle

June 14, 2012 at 11:15 AM

Sounds fun! I liked Ji Sung well enough in PTB and I can see him in this role if he gets it.

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25 vegaspink

June 14, 2012 at 11:52 AM

Anybody know who is the rumored female lead??

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26 Ally

June 14, 2012 at 11:57 AM

almost kinda sounds like Time Between Dog and Wolf starring Lee Jun Ki :D

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Norkys

June 14, 2012 at 12:52 PM

My first thought was TBDAW as well. :-)

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I can't wait to see Ji Sung... I am very happy now. :-)))

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27 MJP

June 14, 2012 at 5:41 PM

I think GirlFriday just wanted to put a picture of Ji Sung out for us to see.

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28 Lilly

June 14, 2012 at 8:18 PM

I agree that location is good and idea for plot not tired.
Will look forward to seeing this one if they actually get him to do the part. He is a great actor.

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29 jyyjc

June 14, 2012 at 11:35 PM

OOOOh. Sounds interesting. And it's the writer of city hunter too. I think i'm in.

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30 TDRA

June 15, 2012 at 5:29 AM

Faith, the rival drama during the same timeslot, has begun filming for a couple of weeks, but Haeundae Lovers' cast and PD remain unknown. Why so late?

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31 huiting

June 16, 2012 at 7:39 AM

JI SUNG. IN A ROMANTIC COMEDY AGAIN? YES. PLEASE DO.

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32 Vasastar

June 16, 2012 at 8:00 AM

First it is Lee Min Ho and now it's Ji Sung for summertime? COOL.

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33 Vira

June 16, 2012 at 12:38 PM

Owh great. First is time travelling fusion sageuk. Next body switching. After that amnesia (Nice Guy and Haeundae Lovers). Then what ??
Kdramalands surely show the trend right now.