Kim Jae-won to join cast of MBC's May Queen » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

58 June 22, 2012June 22, 2012

Kim Jae-won to join cast of MBC’s May Queen

by javabeans

MBC’s upcoming May Queen now has a(nother) leading man, with Kim Jae-won coming onboard; he is reportedly in final talks with the production company and broadcast station to iron out details of the contract, and will be joining leads Han Ji-hye and Jae Hee.

We haven’t heard much about the plot yet, only that the drama is a success story about people in the shipping industry. Probably the most boring description ever, which isn’t to say the show will necessarily be boring. It’s got decent creds with writer Sohn Young-mok of President and Iron Empress and director Baek Ho-min of Flames of Ambition and Assorted Gems. All successful shows in their own rights. But while I wouldn’t write off a show just for a boring initial logline, you’d think they could take a little effort to pique interest with a more compelling description. Tell us the main conflict, maybe, or who/what the May Queen is. Something, anything, more than “boats and stuff.”

This’ll be Kim Jae-won’s first drama since his shoulder injury; he hurt himself in the early days of shooting Me Too, Flower and ended up having to drop that drama. I can’t decide whether I think that’s a good or bad thing: On one hand, the drama really tanked in the latter episodes (it started off promising, as so many do) and it could be that he dodged a bullet. On the other hand, the drama might have been better if he’d stayed the lead. (Yoon Shi-yoon was great, but I think it was a mistake to cast somebody noticeably younger than Kim Jae-won and then not adjust any of the other cast/story elements to suit Yoon. Instead, I just kept thinking how it would’ve worked with Kim Jae-won instead—particularly the strangely off-putting scenes with Madam Crazy, aka Han Go-eun, who might have had more chemistry with Kim.)

In any case, May Queen is currently readying to film with its child cast, which is pretty strong, as far as child casts go. There’s Kim Yoo-jung (The Moon That Embraces the Sun) playing younger Han Ji-hye, whose character grows up to become an oceanographer. (In a Moon/Sun mini-reunion, we also have Yang Mi-kyung, who played Yeon-woo’s mother, and Ahn Nae-sang, who played the king; he’ll be Kim Yoo-jung’s father in the first four episodes of May Queen.)

There’s also Park Ji-bin, who was Jan-di’s kid brother in Boys Before Flowers, or perhaps you remember him better as Ju-hwang (Orange) in the sibling rainbow of Wish Upon a Star. Additionally, you may recognize Park Gun-tae as the young Jae-kang from The King 2 Hearts, and Seo Young-joo as young Yoo Ah-in in Fashion King.

So basically, the child cast is solid; the adults had better be ready to bring their A game, lest they be overshadowed by their younger counterparts. Then again, many a drama has been bolstered by all the goodwill established by the childhood cast. Since we’re talking about Moon/Sun and all…

May Queen is a 32-episode weekend series scheduled to premiere in August, after Dr. Jin wraps.

Via Star News, Mk.co.kr

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1 Jacq

June 22, 2012 at 3:36 PM

I've always loved him. Who can resist that smile!!!!

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Amanpreet

June 22, 2012 at 7:58 PM

I can resist.

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Mei

June 22, 2012 at 11:25 PM

bahahahaha bubble burster

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pearl

June 23, 2012 at 12:00 AM

i'm with you there. Always find his smile a tad creepy.

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Llamaesque

June 23, 2012 at 4:12 AM

I find everything about him creepy =X He looked like a ghoul in Can You Hear My Heart. (Weirdly, though, I just watched Hwang Jin Yi and found him totally acceptable in it. I think the beard/sageuk garb actually helped him look less freaky.)

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Bengbeng

June 23, 2012 at 9:07 AM

i found the comments funny because he's being touted with "angel smile" or "killing smile" in his dramawiki page =).

2 annie

June 22, 2012 at 3:41 PM

Kim Jae-won! <3 I hope he's doing better now!

Does this mean he will be second lead? Because I don't think I could handle that. I totally fell in love with him in CYHMH. I was planning to skip this one, but id KJW is in it, I might have to watch... hmm.

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3 kopytko

June 22, 2012 at 3:42 PM

Kim Jae Won and Jae Hee in one drama?? Wow, we're going to have a smile-off of the century!

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4 Mystisith

June 22, 2012 at 3:46 PM

Oh, good news! I missed Kim Jae-won on my screen... That stupid accident got me crazy at first. But then Yoon Shi-yoon killed me in Me too, Flower (agree about "the writer should have adapted the script for him tho"). I guess we'll never know if it was a good or bad thing in the end...
An innocent question: Could it be than MBC gave him this role to be forgiven for the accident? Not that I don't respect him as an actor: I do a lot, but...
Ps: I will watch this show for one more reason, and I'm almost sure I will be the only one waiting for that: BOATS!! Now Show please, try to do something more convincing than what we had for Take care of me, Captain (=realistic portrait of a particular professional environment). Crossing my fingers.

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5 panshel

June 22, 2012 at 3:49 PM

The Kim Jae Won-Jae Hee pairing is nostalgic for me because "Wuri's Family" was my first Korean drama. *sigh* That drama will always hold a special place in my heart...

Still don't understand the premise of "May Queen," but I adore the child actors. Typically, the childhood story is the best part of the drama.

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kopytko

June 22, 2012 at 3:53 PM

Haha, I usually skip those parts. Kids don't work on me, so I sometimes start watching from 2nd or 3rd episode and figure out what the kid did in the past from the context.

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panshel

June 22, 2012 at 4:23 PM

Even in sageuks and melos where the childhood story sets up the entire drama?

I cried buckets watching Baek Sung Hyun and Park Shin Hye in "Stairway to Heaven."

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kopytko

June 22, 2012 at 4:30 PM

I don't approach sageuks, I tried MoonSun but couldn't watch any longer than about 20 minutes. I seldom watch melos and I ff childhood parts, too. The writers tend to overagonize minor events from characters' childhoods which annoys me.
I believe if a drama is a good one, you can join in a bit later. The plot should be tight and characters should be something more than gloomy avengers/ avatars who live only to fulfill a chil's dream.

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Saima

June 22, 2012 at 6:20 PM

Same here re sagueks! I've really tried watching TPM and TWDR but somehow wasn't able to commit to them. The longest I've watched a saguek would be SS but dropped it midway through as well. :S

rearwindow

June 23, 2012 at 2:06 PM

I feel exactly the same way re: child actors and sageuks!

6 Alvina

June 22, 2012 at 3:53 PM

Yes! He's back! That's all I can say right now... this has been a pretty slow "season" as far as dramas go, so this bit of news is very much welcomed.

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7 hipployta

June 22, 2012 at 3:54 PM

Wait...is that Kim Gura's son too...those kids had a kid show together too (Infinite went on it). Those kids are so awesome!

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8 MsB

June 22, 2012 at 3:56 PM

Now that KJW is in it, I won't skip it! Glad to see him back!

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9 orangy911

June 22, 2012 at 4:00 PM

YESSSSS =D Kim Jae Won. Come to me.

Please let this be a good drama. Please.

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10 Alicia

June 22, 2012 at 4:43 PM

Its funny Han Ji Hye kinda reminds me of Eugene. They have similar facial features and style of acting and with Kim Jae Won in this, I just might keep thinking of Wonderful Life when I see HJH and KJW on screen.
I'm on board for this drama but is Kim Jae Won second lead? That's going to suck. I don't want to see his heart broken :(

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11 annie

June 22, 2012 at 5:13 PM

he was so cute in Romance

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12 nana

June 22, 2012 at 5:38 PM

bogo sipeo oppa

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13 Yoomin

June 22, 2012 at 5:48 PM

Oh God...thank you. THANK YOU. I've been watching reruns of CYHMY and Great Inheritance for days now because I can't get him out of my head.

Now please excuse me while I go squeal.

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14 Yoomin

June 22, 2012 at 5:51 PM

Oh God...thank you. THANK YOU. I've been watching reruns of CYHMY and Great Inheritance for days now because I can't get him out of my head.

Boat = uniform? Please excuse me while I go squeal.

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15 Saima

June 22, 2012 at 6:10 PM

woahhhh!! JH AND KJW together in ONE project: That's awesome!

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16 'dalia

June 22, 2012 at 6:43 PM

the last drama i watched that was 30+ eps was Listen to My Heart because of KIM JAE WON. so this might become another 30+ ep drama i'll watch because of him. <333

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17 missjb

June 22, 2012 at 6:58 PM

yay!!!! Kim jae won! I hope this drama will turn good, since i heard president is one of great drama..... I might check the first episode.

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18 jen

June 22, 2012 at 7:09 PM

i'm more excited about the child cast than anything >.<

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19 Cam

June 22, 2012 at 7:19 PM

JAE HEE + KIM JAE WON = TOGETHER IN THIS DRAMA ~ How awesome! :D

Ooo, I am sooo curious to watch these young child casts too! ^o^

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20 jomo143

June 22, 2012 at 7:37 PM

Awww! I like Jandi's little brother...
And I will always love Park Gun-Tae was Little Everyone, especially Una from WBDS.

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YY

June 22, 2012 at 9:07 PM

Everybody's making a comeback except my Yellow Hair *bursts into tears*

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jomo143

June 23, 2012 at 4:23 AM

There, there..
Wait!
Isn't he going to be in the shoot-people manhwa with the pretty Maru from CYHMH?

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YY

June 23, 2012 at 6:35 AM

But there's been no news...*strums guitar listlessly*

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21 jyyjc

June 22, 2012 at 7:41 PM

I recognize park guntae as young yeowoon in warrior baek dong soo.

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22 JuDa

June 22, 2012 at 8:53 PM

woowww....this drama really anticipated..yes...young cast look so solid...they have great acting...it look promising there...
i just don't know whose the male lead here..truly said.,Jae Hee and Kim Jae Won always come as a male lead..so when they act together.,i'm really confuse..

Looking at onboard.,sometime feel like JH the male lead..
but because Park Ji Bin will play young version of KJW..,so it look like KJW the male lead..
ARGGHH...really make me crazy..but truly said i really love this two Actor so much..

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23 piggy68gal

June 22, 2012 at 8:58 PM

Park Ji Bin! He's totally adorable!!! I loved him in Wish Upon A Star(although I didn't finish watching it) and BOF <3
I can't believe he's the same age as me(he has such a baby face for a 17 yr old!) and the fact that I'm fangirling over a boy the same age as myself...

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24 Dara

June 22, 2012 at 9:25 PM

Ouch, the word Fashion King, just pain TT__TT
Dr.Jin should pack his bag and go to Mar ASAP so I could have my dose of KJW ^^

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25 Roxy

June 22, 2012 at 9:25 PM

Jae Hee and Kim Jae Won? How can a girl choose?!

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26 Ani

June 22, 2012 at 9:40 PM

the child cast is solid; the adults had better be ready to bring their A game, lest they be overshadowed by their younger counterparts.

Dude. That is a scary good amount of talented young'ens. Pretty cool to see them all there. The adults will seriously have to BRING IT. Ha! Anyways, Jae Hee and Kim Jae Won in one go? Heck yes.

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27 koko

June 22, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Hello! This is totally unrelated to the drama but can you please tell me if the site you are using, which is BlogHer, is free?

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28 canxi

June 22, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Cute kids are cute.

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29 bd

June 22, 2012 at 11:38 PM

I can't get over KJW's smile; for a lack of a better word, it's so "plasticky."

It also doesn't help that the only thing I've seen him in was the absolutely horrible film "100 Days with Mr. Arrogant" (god, that was baaaad).

The funniest part of the film (unintentionally) was the scene at the swimming pool where KJW's walking in nothing but swim trunks w/ all the girls at poolside drooling over him; can we say pastey and a bit pudgy w/ absolutely no muscle definition whatsoever (really, how was the guy ever a model)?

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jen

June 23, 2012 at 12:10 AM

I had the same opinion of KJW until I saw him in Can you hear my heart. I adore him so much now omg.

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nikhapi

June 23, 2012 at 1:53 AM

I agree so much with you. I was really not a fan of him before CYHM. I thought he was very ugly then but his role as Cha Dong Joo in CYHM won me over. I love him to bits now. And I think he did improve alot in the acting category since his draft.

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missjb

June 23, 2012 at 12:50 AM

lol.... I always laughed while thinking that drama. Yes It's horrible, but there are some funny moments that makes me LOL so hard.

He was good in can you hear my heart. and I think it's his best work so far.

I really hope in this drama, he will get a character that's shows his range as an actor.

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missjb

June 23, 2012 at 12:51 AM

ops. Sorry, I mean *movie.

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30 anna

June 23, 2012 at 12:19 AM

Oh man, this drama sounds like a snore, but what a pretty looking casts.

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31 crazedlu

June 23, 2012 at 12:58 AM

WOW. the child cast really is solid. sometimes i end up wanting the child cast to grow up real fast to play the leads themselves. hope this goes well for the drama!

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32 nikhapi

June 23, 2012 at 1:55 AM

My Cha Dong Joo in a new drama?! Gosh I have been waiting for him really. He seems to go MIA since the accident in his supposed drama, Me too flower.

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33 redfox

June 23, 2012 at 4:09 AM

I think May Queen IS a boat. Sounds like a typical boat name. I wonder what type of boat? Research?

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34 sara

June 23, 2012 at 4:38 AM

Smiling angel is back. So happy

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35 antonia

June 23, 2012 at 7:38 AM

after So Ji Sub returning to dramaland in the awesomeness that is Ghost this is the best news!!!!!!
KJW i love you!!! hope you will be the lead, pleaseeeeeeee

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36 malta

June 23, 2012 at 5:31 PM

I guess I'll be watching May Queen now!

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37 meecheellee

June 24, 2012 at 8:46 AM

I'm totally won over by the child actors. Amazing. AND cute. I'm completely sure I'm not a pedo-noona. Honestly, I'm not. LOL, I don't think I'm even old enough to be a pedo-noona. HAHAHA. Oh wells... hope these kids along with Kim Jae Won continue to impress us!!

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38 KIM JAE WON FANSCLUB (@kimjaewon0218)

June 24, 2012 at 9:35 PM

I love everything about Kim Jae Won, will, nothing is perfect. For me, all flaws that he might have are all acceptable.... :) Both of them are good actors, but i prefer Kim Jae Won a lot more than Jae Hee... I hope the story of this drama is good,.. I'll definitely watch it because of Kim Jae Won....