KBS casts body-swapper drama Oohlala Spouses

61 August 22, 2012October 2, 2012

by javabeans

Just when you thought the body-swap trend was dying down, here comes another one — but don’t write it off just yet, because this one is working a specific angle: They’re husband and wife.

KBS is prepping a new rom-com drama series, Oohlala Spouses (Ulala?), to be headlined by Kim Jung-eun (I Am Legend) and Shin Hyun-joon (Gaksitaaaaaal). Aw, they should be cute together. Shin Hyun-joon plays the patriarchy-minded husband, a hotelier, while wifey Kim Jung-eun is your typical Korean ajumma. The two awake one morning to find their souls in new shells. Oh, this oughtta be good.

The drama has my attention from the get-go, despite being disappointed by recent body-swappers like Big and even Secret Garden. The difference here, I think (I hope), is that the body-swapping serves a key purpose other than comic hijinks, since it forces the two to literally walk in each other’s shoes and reevaluate the relationship with their newly gained perspectives.

I’m sure we’ll get those hijinks, but if we’re using the swap as a mode of enlightenment and understanding, then the comedy is really just icing on the cake. I love when the comic scenario turns into something more meaningful — it’s something we really lacked in Big, for instance, which is a shame since dramas like Who Are You used the device to such poignant effect. Plus, I like both actors and find them equally suited to light-hearted humor as they are to heart-tugging drama. And you know, I’m not gonna lie; I’m going to really enjoy the hell out of “paternalistic” hubby being forced to do the dishes, laundry, cook, and maybe wear a ridiculous perm.

The writer has already proven prowess in this genre, having penned the 2006 Park Jin-hee drama Please Come Back, Miss Soon-ae, although in that case the switcheroo happens between a young woman and an ajumma. PD Lee Jung-sub directed melo-makjang hit Baker King Kim Tak-gu.

Oohlala Spouses will follow Haeundae Lovers on Mondays and Tuesdays, and is looking at an October premiere.

Via Osen

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1 Ryoko

August 22, 2012 at 1:20 PM

I'm so tired of the body-swap trend that I almost didn't bother to finish reading the opening paragraph. However, the husband and wife slant actually revived my interest. I see lots of potential for exploration of male and female stereotypes. If it's done right, like Javabeans said, this could be both comedic and heartwarming.

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MsGB

August 25, 2012 at 9:20 PM

You said it, Ryoko! I'm not to crazy about it either but as soon as I read whose playing the parts, I definitely got interested! I cannot wait to see Shin Hyun Joon act like an ahjumma! Hil-la-ri-ous!

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2 D

August 22, 2012 at 1:26 PM

ooh..i've seen the title for this drama floating around w/o a real synopsis...but this sound interesting.....i like the setup despite the turn off that these previous body swap dramas have been

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3 harukogirl

August 22, 2012 at 1:34 PM

Ditto on previous comments - this one could be awesome if played right. One the reasons I loved the old Freaky Friday was the whole "mile in my mothers/daughters shoes" thing. But between husband and wife sounds even better :D

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4 Abbie

August 22, 2012 at 1:40 PM

Sounds funny. Big I got bored of after 4 episodes, and Secret Garden just didn't catch my interest. This should be better.

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5 Mia

August 22, 2012 at 1:41 PM

always the same actor.... again and again... (why ??) that's so boring...

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Haru

August 23, 2012 at 1:58 AM

Do you mean Shin Hyun-joon? If so its because he is a f*cking EXCEPTIONAL actor ;D He can act the hell out of any script!

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6 MsB

August 22, 2012 at 1:43 PM

The minute I saw Kim Jung-eun, I was in. Shin Hyun-joon makes it better! Definitely will be watching this!

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7 Ara

August 22, 2012 at 1:51 PM

I'm in. Not a fan of Kim Jung Eun but I think she and Shin Hyun Joon would be cute together. Marrying the Mafia reunion ftw!

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8 Mystisith

August 22, 2012 at 2:06 PM

I'm personally having an overdose of time-travel dramas and on the other hand I didn't watch many dramas with body-swapping. *Scratching head and thinking hard*. I only saw SeGa and absolutely loved that part of the drama thanks to the excellent acting and the funny situations. Furthermore, Shin Hyun-joon is a king of comedy. So I will definitely watch this.

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9 Ivoire

August 22, 2012 at 2:14 PM

Thank you for the news!

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Ivoire

August 22, 2012 at 2:47 PM

I am in! I really like SHJ, I think he is funny but he also does dramatic really well (Gaksitaaaaaal!!!!!!!!). I saw him in that long music video (where he gives his eyesight to the girl) and again I was impressed with his acting. I LOVED him when he was the host of "Entertainment News" (or something like that ) on KBS (which I saw on KBS World, States side) and I LOVED the chemistry he had with Lee Si-young while he was hosting that show. They worked so well together.

I am not a big fan of Kim Jung-eun's acting. I saw her in "Lovers in Paris" and I wasn't impressed with her acting. That might have changed, one never knows and so I am willing to give this a try, especially because I really like SHJ as an actor. I will admit that the premise sounds promising, especially the way that Javabeans sees it. If played/used that way, this body-swap theme could actually work. It would be funny and have a deeper meaning, and make one think. All elements I love in a drama.

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Tru2u

August 22, 2012 at 4:25 PM

I have to say i liked her in "Lovers" I don't know why, but i just love her and Lee Seo Jin together, hahahaha.

But!!!! SHJ Gosh, i LOVE him!!! Have you seen Marrying the Mafia II? I cried from laughing so hard XD

I always wanted him to me the leading guy in a Rom-Com drama, you can imagine how happy i am!! ^^

Loved him in this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8SxlzW1468

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kgeek

August 22, 2012 at 7:25 PM

OH GOSH.

Watched that vid way, way, way before. and I never thought it was SHJ was the lead guy. :)))

Just realized that now. lol.

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Tru2u

August 23, 2012 at 10:37 AM

lol

weekwand

August 23, 2012 at 12:15 AM

the YT video reminds me of his movie(His Last Gift) where he gets stabbed just right before he donates his liver to his newly-found sick daughter.

his face is melo yet comedic that's why he's so good in it

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Tru2u

August 26, 2012 at 10:03 PM

I can only imagine the amount of tears you shed while watching it.

junhee

August 24, 2012 at 9:57 AM

i did not like her acting in lovers in paris, too. i thought it was too, i don't know, cutesy..?? but i loved her in lovers and she really delivered in kimchi war and that movie about the korea women handball team. i'm sooooo excited for this. i just hope that they write it really well. like javabeans says. this could really be could. and shj~~ hehe. he's good.

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Damselfly H

August 24, 2012 at 11:20 AM

I became a big fan of SHJ because of Dummy Mommy (바부암마), with that being the first drama I've watched with SHJ (I skipped Cain and Abel, sorry, but now I'm catching up with that!). SHJ raised his voice a whole octave with a dancing cane to make his character so entertaining and believable in Dummy Mommy, I was shocked to hear his real voice watching the press conference. That scene where he was portraying fear of losing a love hit a home run for me. I really look forward to Oh La La Couple.

As for Kim Jung-eun, I think what she needs is really good writing and a really good director. I honestly believe "I am Legend" was not well organized writing from the start. Let's hope that Oh La La Couple will put her on the list of actors who can act.

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Ivoire

August 22, 2012 at 2:55 PM

Does anyone know how long this drama will be, please?

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Haru

August 23, 2012 at 9:16 AM

Its KBS~ Mon-Tues slot ~ probably 16 episodes.

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10 rawr89

August 22, 2012 at 2:18 PM

rather than a boy-girl swap, i would like it more if it were a guy-grandpa swap. then the guy basically falls for grandpa's granddaughter.

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Ara

August 22, 2012 at 2:35 PM

So the guy in Grandpa's body would fall in love with the granddaughter? Well, I guess Who Are You? already kind of went there. Big was just stupid... I never understood why Kyung Joon had to be a high school kid.

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MsB

August 23, 2012 at 1:50 PM

Who are You? was disturbing! Could not finish it! Dad/Guy swaps and girl falls for guy?!! EEWW!

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11 Mary

August 22, 2012 at 2:24 PM

sounds very interesting very interesting hopefully way (waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay) better than big

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12 Iviih :)

August 22, 2012 at 2:40 PM

Reminds me the brazilian movie ''Se eu fosse você'' in english it is translated to ''If I were you ''

It's is about a couple that are always fighting and saying ''If you were me, you would understand'' they always and never undersand the other side.

And so some magic happens and they have their bodies switched, what follows it is super funny scenes of them trying to pretend to be each other and not let anyone find. They realize how is to be in the other shoes. And they also try to save their marriage. Aw.

It is a cute and funny movie, it even got a second movie.

If the drama be like it I bet it will be a cute and funny drama^^

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13 Damselfly H

August 22, 2012 at 2:46 PM

Yay! I was waiting for this! Thanks!

This reminds me of Disney's direct-to-video movie "A Saintly Switch". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0164683/ But I always like the K-drama spin, e.g. Fantasy Couple (based on Overboard!)

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Felix

August 23, 2012 at 3:11 AM

You know what? That what I think. I already watch it.
Here the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLN0_ghe-Tc

After watch it I imagine if Korean entertainment will make a movie or drama like this then it will be freaking outstanding. My wish come true when read about this news.

Shin Hyun Joon. Whatever happen please be in this drama.

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14 Joe

August 22, 2012 at 2:49 PM

Do any of you remember 6 body swap comedies?

If not, here are the film titles:

1. Freaky Friday is 1976 Disney Classic film starring Jodie Foster as Annabel Andrews and Barbara Harris as her mother.

Notes: Freaky Friday is 1976 Disney Classic film was remade twice, the first being a 1995 television film starring Shelley Long and Gaby Hoffmann. The second was a 2003 feature length film with Lindsay Lohan as the daughter and Jamie Lee Curtis as the mother.

2. Like Father Like Son made in 1987 comedy film starring Kirk Cameron and Dudley Moore. Like Father Like Son is a remake of the 1976 Disney Classic film titled Freaky Friday.

3. Da grande is a 1987 Italian romantic comedy film starring Renato Pozzetto, Ottavia Piccolo and Alessandro Haber. It has similarities to Big.

4. 18 Again! a 1988 comedy film starring George Burns and Charlie Schlatter. The plot involves a grandson switching souls with his grandfather by means of an accident.

5. Vice Versa a 1988 Film comedy film starring Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage. It is the fourth screen adaptation of the 1882 novel of the same name by F. Anstey. Three previous adaptations were released in the UK in 1916, 1937 and 1948.

6. Big a 1988 romantic comedy film which stars Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a young boy who makes a wish "to be big" to a magical wishing machine and is then aged to adulthood overnight. The film also stars Elizabeth Perkins, and Robert Loggia.

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Ivoire

August 22, 2012 at 3:01 PM

Thank you Joe, for the info. Interesting...

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Mama J

August 22, 2012 at 6:46 PM

Have seen each except Da Grande

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Blaumauss

August 24, 2012 at 9:19 AM

Mee too. Have sen each except da Grande. And I can add 2 filmtitles:

- Switch (1991) with Ellen Barkin: a sexist, chauvinist pig gets his just desserts when his angry ex-girlfriends murder him and he is reincarnated as a super sexy woman.
Veeeeeery funny. :-)

- 13 Going on 30 (2004) with- Jennifer Garner. A 13 year old girl plays a game on her 13th birthday and wakes up the next day as a 30years old woman... nice but nothing special

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mary

August 22, 2012 at 7:09 PM

Thanks for bringing up Freaky Friday (is it related to girlfriday, by any chance? hurhur I have no life.)

Oohlala Spouses reminds me of FF because the swapping people are related and are in much need of walking-around-in-another's-shoes time. :) Can't wait to see their relationship get even better because of the swap. (Well, get worst first, then get better better.)

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oftheshore

August 23, 2012 at 5:07 AM

Thanks, Joe!
As I mentioned in the comment below, if you like body-swapping comedies, there's a cute Russian film (I'm sure subtitles are available somewhere) with a premise eerily similar to that of this drama.

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15 Noelle

August 22, 2012 at 3:05 PM

I loved him in Kiss Me Kill Me so I'm really looking forward to him in this. Never seen her in anything, sadly.

Off topic... Did anyone watch him in Dummy Mommy? Is it worth watching?

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weekwand

August 23, 2012 at 12:01 AM

i adore him in KMKM.
being assassin yet your spot is surrounded by cops-sniper??? i'm rofl so hard during that scene.
he's good in comedy and can play melo as well.
i always watch him in movie, so this drama will be the first of me watching him as lead actor.

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Damselfly H

August 27, 2012 at 10:36 AM

@Noelle SHJ got me at Dummy Mommy. It is a showcase of his drama and comic chops, and I think we just barely scratched the surface of his acting skills. A must watch.

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16 Tru2u

August 22, 2012 at 3:22 PM

Secret Garden and BIG did nothing for me. *Hides*

But THIS!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This sounds juicy!!!!

Husband & Wife switch bodies?!?!?!!?!?

Both get to see life from a different angle?

Shin Hyun-joon is the leading man?

Kim Jung-eun is the leading female?

I didn't have anything to look forward to after I Do I Do ended, but this and Vampire Prosecutor has peaked my interest!!! ^^

I'M SOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!

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Ivoire

August 22, 2012 at 3:29 PM

Hi True2u, :-)!

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Tru2u

August 22, 2012 at 4:12 PM

Hi Ivoire, how have you been?

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bd

August 22, 2012 at 10:30 PM

Could it be b/c both have subpar writing/dialogue and characters that one didn't really end up caring for?

And both SG and "Big" didn't even do the whole "body-swapping" bit well.

Shin Hyun-joon does drama and comedy equally well - so this, at the very least, has that going for it.

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Tru2u

August 23, 2012 at 3:49 PM

Honestly everything about SC was just Meh.. to me. I did managed to reach episode 12, but couldn't take it anymore and dropped it.

BIG, Oh how happy i was when i heard that it will be Gong Yoo come back drama, but i watch 10-15 minute of it and dropped it, i couldn't get pass how childish the lead actress is and was going to be, and thank heavens i did hahahahahaha. I just can't stand watching someone who is supposed to be 30 acting like a child!!

The characters didn't hook me like i wanted them to, i couldn't relate SC characters. Oh! how i wish they had explore in dept about how it feels to be in another gender body. Didn't watch BIG but from the few minutes i did watch i knew it was going to be a drag for me.

Your correct about Shin Hyun-joon, He is good in anything, but we finally get to see him in a Rom-Com!!

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17 aX

August 22, 2012 at 3:41 PM

I approve this pairing! Let's just hope we dont get screwed 'BIG' time this time around with body swapping! We know what happened last time--damn you 'BIG'!!!

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toystar

August 22, 2012 at 4:56 PM

agreeded!!!!

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18 j

August 22, 2012 at 3:54 PM

ooooh excited for this one! i loved Please Come Back, Soon Ae!

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19 chichiri

August 22, 2012 at 7:43 PM

I LOL'd at how we call it "Gaksitaaaaaal" instead of just thenromal Gaksital. Are we forever changed?

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20 Arhazivory

August 22, 2012 at 8:28 PM

Gaksitaaaaaaaaal.

Sorry, no softsubs yet and I'm suffering so seeing Shin in a post makes me happy. Hehe. I like the fact that it's hubby and wife switching. I think I'll watch this. :D

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21 lilly

August 22, 2012 at 9:50 PM

despite some flaws in big there are still some moments that make u tearly. like someone says this one would be so funny if it play right

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22 Altari

August 22, 2012 at 11:11 PM

The idea sounds so genius I wonder why it hasn't been done yet.

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23 jyiskool

August 23, 2012 at 12:43 AM

I LOVED Please Come Back, Miss Soon Ae!!!! I hope that this will finally be a drama that gets this done right.

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24 im_eve

August 23, 2012 at 12:47 AM

from lovers..to spouses! hee

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25 Stardust

August 23, 2012 at 2:55 AM

Oohhooo Gaksital body swapping!! OH YEAH!!

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26 oftheshore

August 23, 2012 at 3:47 AM

This sounds like the plot of a recent Russian film, Lyubov-Morkov (in Russian, 'love' - 'luybov'- rhymes with 'carrot' - 'morkov'). The spouses in this film were on the verge of getting a divorce, but the body swap essentially saved their marriage. Despite the ubiquitous product placements, it's a surprisingly decent comedy.

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27 Naddie

August 23, 2012 at 5:00 AM

And you know, I’m not gonna lie; I’m going to really enjoy the hell out of “paternalistic” hubby being forced to do the dishes, laundry, cook, and maybe wear a ridiculous perm.

And with that, I'm in! :D

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28 Village Mrembo

August 23, 2012 at 5:36 AM

Aah! Cant wait for the end year reviews! Am pretty sure if theres one drama y'alls agree on it's gaksital but then am looking forward to the differing opinions on dramas like Queen In Hyun etc. Roll on December!

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29 Koji

August 23, 2012 at 9:42 AM

Another body swapping drama???? And right after Big and in KBS as well on top of that??!
Well... There's Shin Hyun Jung, had seen him host in Entertainment Weekly and of course seen what he can do in Gaksitaaaal :)

Sounds like great fun!
Hope its not gonna be a Big flop.

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30 DryedMangoez

August 23, 2012 at 1:35 PM

It's Kim Jung Eun and Shin Hyun Joon so there's at least two talented actors to look forward to. Can't wait to see it.

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31 yee

August 23, 2012 at 2:27 PM

For a long time, I have always admired both of the actors up there, and Im hyped! They are great actors and so I am looking forward for this drama!

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32 Biru

August 24, 2012 at 4:55 AM

Shin Hyun Joon as the leading man in a drama... Finally!!! I've been waiting for so long. He got the chance for Stairway to Heaven but instead he gave the lead to Kwon Sang Woo....