Nineties drama School gets a revival
by girlfriday
New drama alert! Well, old-drama-becomes-new-drama alert, technically speaking. Popular ’90s high-school drama series School is getting a modern reincarnation, and the 2012 version produced by Bae Yong-joon (Keyeast/Contents K) has landed a broadcast slot in December on KBS.
The first names attached to the project are Kim Woo-bin (A Gentleman’s Dignity, White Christmas) and Lee Yubi (Nice Guy), who have already been paired once before on the sitcom Vampire Idol. (He was an alien vampire who fell in love with her inside a bunny mascot costume, not knowing there was a girl inside. Adorable.) Both actors are reportedly considering roles in the high school drama remake.
School was an immensely popular series that premiered in 1999, that featured fresh young faces and dealt with realistic issues teenagers faced in high school. It went on to air four seasons total with a new cast of characters each time. Now ten years later, Bae Yong-joon is likely trying to brand a similar hit series that has multiple seasons in its arsenal, much like he originally tried to do with Dream High. (But oh, how sideways that sequel went.)
School has all the makings of a franchise because it’s less about a set story and more about a world (school, natch), and rests entirely on collecting a hot young cast. The original was as much a star-making factory as it was a drama series, as the roster of familiar names can attest.
Just a few of the stars who passed through its halls: Jang Hyuk, Ha Ji-won, Jo In-sung, Lee Dong-wook, Gong Yoo, Im Soo-jung, Su Ae, Kim Rae-won, Kim Min-hee, Lee Yo-won, Kim Nam-gil, Choi Kang-hee, Bae Doona, Jae Hee … the list goes on and on. The remake will be helmed by PDs Lee Min-hong (of School’s first season and Hometown Legends) and Lee Eung-bok (of Dream High 1 and 2), and the writers of Night Hospital.
The big question is the ensemble cast they’ll gather, and if the revamp will manage to feel fresh and interesting. It’s a little hard to tell if the loose concept of the original — high school students having high school problems — will hit audiences the same way, but I can definitely see something that’s more episodic in structure work out, if the writing is compelling throughout.
School is slated to air on Monday-Tuesday on KBS, following Oohlala Spouses.
RELATED POSTS
- Nice Guy: Episode 1
- A Gentleman’s Dignity: Episode 1
- Vampidol Kim Woo-bin joins Gentleman’s Dignity
- White Christmas: Episode 1
- Interview with the Vampire (Idols)
- Vampire Idol: Episodes 1-3
- The Vampire Boys, idols, and managers of Vampire Idol
- Dream High 2: Series Wrap-up
- Dream High 2: Episode 1
- Dream High: Episode 1
Tags: Bae Yong-joon, Kim Woo-bin, Lee Yubi, remakes, School 2013
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1 Saima
October 10, 2012 at 5:13 AM
Yay to KWB!! If he signs onto this I hope this does what DH did to KSH's career. He just needs that one project to propel his career to the next step.
And, omigosh JH and HJW haven't changed much, ne?!
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shepo
October 10, 2012 at 8:29 AM
can you show me which one is JH (jaehee)?,,cus i cant find him
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sharluvsenergy
October 10, 2012 at 9:36 AM
I think she was referring to Jang Hyuk instead of Jae Hee in this case cos Jae Hee isn't in the pictures/screencaps.^^
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shepo
October 10, 2012 at 7:45 PM
oh i see,,hehe,,my mistake...mianhe
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2 lotus
October 10, 2012 at 5:14 AM
why no gong yoo ???!!!
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3 Fishy
October 10, 2012 at 5:16 AM
I remember reading somewhere that IU was gonna make a drama comeback at the end of this year..I wonder if its for this one? O_____o
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Pffft
October 10, 2012 at 5:22 AM
Pffft. Kpop fans run amok here again. Your IU or UI whatever that means will not be in the drama, keep that in mind ok
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fab
October 10, 2012 at 5:28 AM
God no...
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turtles_tszx
October 10, 2012 at 5:33 AM
Considering she was asking in a nice manner makes me wonder which one is the who run amok in here again. It would be fun if IU is in this one.. haha.
People in here claim they're different than kpop fan when in fact they're practically the same except they're idolizing actor instead. It's a gem reading comment at here sometime.
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Village Mrembo
October 10, 2012 at 5:40 AM
Sorry if i offend u but thats not so nice, it's an age thing, he/she will outgrow it soon enough but for now can't they just enjoy their youth?!!
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anais
October 10, 2012 at 6:37 AM
Not at all a kpop fan but IU did fabulously in Dream High. She'd be an addition, not a detraction, to the project.
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lizzie
October 10, 2012 at 8:58 AM
that is because she played herself. She is always the sweet girl on screen and her character didn't ask much.
I think she was decent but her role so limited.
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anais
October 11, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Well, that's a critique that could be laid against a whole slew of actors and actresses. She did well with what she was given. Quite well. We can agree to disagree.
Meghan
October 10, 2012 at 7:52 AM
This seems a ridiculous comment in regards to the very nice, non offensive OP. IU is well loved in Korea for her singing talents, but her debut in Dream High last year was looked upon favorably. Her storyline with Wooyoung was almost more popular than the main love triangle, and she was well loved for her suprising acting abilities.
Having IU in an ensemble drama like this is a plus not only because she is talented actress, albeit a green actress, but she is also well loved by the general public, and I believe she would pull in quite a few viewers. So I would be beyond ecstatic if she were to be cast in this drama.
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Ara
October 10, 2012 at 8:16 AM
I was hoping she'd go for a solo romcom instead of another ensemble piece but I agree that she has the potential to be a great actress.
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Steph
October 10, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Me too, but if not, this would be more prep for it down the line.
hanahh
October 12, 2012 at 1:56 AM
IU was offered to be in about 10 dramas (narrowed down to 2) . most of them are romcom so she will probably be in one. Im not surprise if this was one of them but there r news reporting that her new drama would be airing in early 2013 so chances of her being in this one is slim.
maria
October 10, 2012 at 8:36 AM
keep the rudeness in check, please. freedom of speech and everything, especially considering that her statement was in NO way offensive, irrelevant or derogatory. perhaps we'll think again before we ironically go off on someone for "running amok".
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topper
October 10, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Go learn some manners.
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DarknessEyes
October 10, 2012 at 10:51 AM
No need to be rude... she was just asking. And it's IU. I really see no reason you have to bask on her... >.>
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DarknessEyes
October 10, 2012 at 10:52 AM
*bash
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Javabeans
October 10, 2012 at 12:40 PM
I love IU. And I WILL run amok, I will!
*runs*
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Steph
October 10, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Lol, hold on, what's wrong with IU?! Not only can she actually sing, but she was great in Dream High. Homegirl is adorable and a natural. I don't consider myself a big kpop fan, but I like IU's music and I've been hoping to see her in another drama. I think she'd do great in something like this. I say, bring it (as in her)!
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bd
October 10, 2012 at 12:47 PM
No opinion on IU's acting but they probably should cast those who aren't as famous/well known.
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Sera
October 11, 2012 at 3:19 AM
I was actually really against idols being casted in it because the original was such a star-making machine for young newbies back then and I was thinking young, new actors really needed something like this again instead of having all the younger roles/opportunities given to idols (who already have fame as singers) all the time. I'm also looking forwarding to seeing a lot of the younger actors (e.g baek sunghyun, yeo jingoo, etc) hop on this bandwagon if this reboot ends up successful and maybe even witness the next wave of future A-listers.
That being said, I also think IU would be great for this! She's famous enough to pull in ratings and attention, popular enough to give the reboot some credibility, but different enough from the typical girl-group idol mold to avoid distracting from her character and getting hate. Not to mention she seems a lot better at acting than a lot of her fellow idols.
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najfin
October 12, 2012 at 12:29 PM
omg baek seunghyun! He /needs/ to be in a new drama already!
I've got my White Christmas boys fix coming up: Bang Sung Joon in the 'Can We Get Married?" drama and here I have Kim Woo Bin. I just Seunghyun and Hong Jonghyun in something and I will be a happy bunny!
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Rendang
October 11, 2012 at 8:56 PM
I also like Kpop but I fell in love the Kdrama first before I knew Kpop. I think IU is cute, and her acting is also good.
Seriously, Kpop and Kdrama are sisters :D. They also come from Korea. Muahahahha. No hurts feeling.
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4 biggie
October 10, 2012 at 5:16 AM
daebak!!!
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5 qiurkstine
October 10, 2012 at 5:17 AM
Is that PIE I spy? (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Squeee! Baby Chung Jung-myung. <3
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beppu10
October 11, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Yes!!! I thought I was the only one who saw it :D
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6 biggie
October 10, 2012 at 5:18 AM
Cute couple. Girl reminds me so much of jeon ji hyun.
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fab
October 10, 2012 at 5:27 AM
I think we're not the only ones, in the last episode of NG she got to pick a new name, and guess what it was?
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bd
October 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM
At least in that pic, not really.
Doesn't have as round of a face as JJH and the eyes are pretty diff.
The nose is a bit diff. as well.
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7 kopytko
October 10, 2012 at 5:18 AM
Is it that somebody enjoyed Kim Woo Bin's part in AGD and decided to expand the story? He was hilarious as the troublemaker student with a teacher crush. LOL
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anais
October 10, 2012 at 6:42 AM
Totally! Faboo!
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butterflylion
October 10, 2012 at 7:22 AM
He was my favourite part of the show!
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skelly
October 10, 2012 at 8:20 AM
Absolutely. As far as I was concerned, he was the only thing worth watching in AGD. More power to him.
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Lila
October 10, 2012 at 8:41 AM
Yes! I wish they added more depth to his part in AGD, and given more time to his story
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babyfat
October 11, 2012 at 5:18 AM
then you will enjoyed his guest sting in " To a beautiful you" - once look you just want to have a second glance
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8 fab
October 10, 2012 at 5:20 AM
Now I want to watch the nineties School! Is for a part thanks to AM1997. And to be frank high school back then was much more intriguing than these days were kids only communicate through smart-phones and social media.
Kim Woo-bin was one of the few good things in GD...
BTW is that Jang Nara next to Jang Hyuk?
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shepo
October 10, 2012 at 8:27 AM
the first picture?,,i'm 90% sure,,she's Bae Doona
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bamsa
October 10, 2012 at 3:16 PM
I want to watch the old drama School too... all the good actors!!! :) I am going to search and see if they have subtitles.
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9 janey
October 10, 2012 at 5:21 AM
WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH They all look so old school :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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10 meester
October 10, 2012 at 5:28 AM
Is that Joo Ji Hoon in the left cornermost photo??? hahahahhaha
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cherkell
October 10, 2012 at 6:20 AM
JOO JI HOON!!!! Uncanny resemblance, but Ji-hoon's name is not coming up in my research on this show. But if it truly is him, now I understand where the idea came from for his hairstyle in "Five Fingers." :P
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anais
October 10, 2012 at 6:58 AM
It says Shim Ji Ho.
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jyyjc
October 10, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Omo. Shim ji ho as in chanjin(second lead guy) in color of woman!
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TA
October 10, 2012 at 6:11 PM
Thanks. I was just wondering who's the cute guy in blue, and where I saw him before. I loved him. I watched that boring show for him.
fab
October 11, 2012 at 4:14 AM
OMG now I see it too, Shim JI Hoooooooo where is that guy??
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Sue
October 10, 2012 at 6:48 AM
No that guy is Shim Ji Ho
Joo Ji Hoon debuted in 2004
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11 annie
October 10, 2012 at 5:29 AM
Awww they're babies!
If Kim Woo-bin is in, so am I. LOVE HIM. His cameo was the best thing about TTBY. He was also the only interesting character in AGD. (I see a theme here...)
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Mama J
October 10, 2012 at 10:39 AM
He was my favorite in White Christmas although I did manage to save a swoon or two for Sung Joon.
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KStyle
October 11, 2012 at 6:23 PM
Me too JoAnne
Love me some Kim Woo Bin, he is so dreamy plus TOP's hyung but not really.
He is a really good actor who seriously needs a meaty role that will escalate his popularity and the roles that are offered to him.
I'm so in for School. I was able to see alittle of bit via YouTube (thanks) so yes I'm in full support of a reboot. What they need to do is get the writers from The Flower Boys series and Answer Me 1997 to get in on this show.
School HWAITING!!!
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cheekbones
October 11, 2012 at 8:48 AM
I really hope this would be Kim Woo-bin's Dream High to KSH or Shut Up Flower Boy Band to Sung Joon. Please be a good drama......
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12 Angel
October 10, 2012 at 5:31 AM
This is so cool!
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13 nuna
October 10, 2012 at 5:39 AM
it would be more interesting if they follow the life of the original characters, their kids as the main character this time around.
with idols or not, what matter is some solid acting & interesting story-line.
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iamdeb
October 11, 2012 at 7:45 AM
sorta like Degrassi? The first couple seasons of the new generation were such a guilty pleasure for me. I remember downloading all the episodes as soon as they aired in Canada lol...
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14 Joan
October 10, 2012 at 5:42 AM
Omg the hair.. the camera quality.. makes me so nostalgic hahah
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shelhass
October 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM
The Fashion!
That's certanly painful to watch sometimes. Even if they're mostly wearing uniforms.
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15 piggy68gal
October 10, 2012 at 5:48 AM
Lee Yoo Bi! I am really liking her role in Nice Guy now. She is so adorable! And I have also read about Kim Woo Bin's various characters through the recaps here so I'll be looking forward to this drama if they will really be acting in it. :•)
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16 kakashi
October 10, 2012 at 5:50 AM
ha! love the old screenshots ...
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17 ND
October 10, 2012 at 6:12 AM
they all look so cute!! :)
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ND
October 10, 2012 at 6:13 AM
90s.....my favorite....
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18 ck1Oz
October 10, 2012 at 6:14 AM
Oh man look at those old photos. Playing spot the star now. Wookie- you were so good looking then too. :-)
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19 JIW_sobangnim
October 10, 2012 at 6:16 AM
consider me sold. bae is a good producer and the names from the previous one...and if its rokko like 응답하라 this is BOUND to be good.
god. too much drama. too little time.
no time to live a real life when reel life is like this.
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20 luvyluna
October 10, 2012 at 6:31 AM
So far my feeling can be trusted about who's actor/tress or singer who has "a thing" that will make them getting shiny. When I see Wo-Bin on GD's, I know he has something attracted that make some script will be offered on his hand.. Hope he'll great in the future :)
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21 danna
October 10, 2012 at 6:49 AM
Crazy Mirooo !!!!! I just Lub Kim Woo Bin!! Super excited already
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22 jinkzz
October 10, 2012 at 7:02 AM
In my drowsy and sleepy state, I misread Kim Woo-bin as Won Bin at first glance...lol
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Ara
October 10, 2012 at 7:20 AM
You're not the only one *sigh*
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23 Ara
October 10, 2012 at 7:24 AM
Lee Yoo Bi is really quite beautiful - definitely on par with the more famous actresses in Korea. I think she'll go far in the industry.
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24 neener
October 10, 2012 at 7:26 AM
wow! the old photos are the BEST! and I'll definitely watch this just for KWB I need to watch more of him!
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25 Hallyusurfer
October 10, 2012 at 7:29 AM
I can't really read hangul properly but who's Shim Ji Ho? Jung Si Ah looked sooo different..everyone else looked same.
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26 Sajen
October 10, 2012 at 7:41 AM
Vampire Idol. (He was an alien vampire who fell in love with her inside a bunny mascot costume, not knowing there was a girl inside. )
ok that sounds insane, in a good way anyone know where I can watch Vampire Idol.
Also I was already interested in School because I knew Ha Ji Won was in one of the seasons, but know that I know that people such as Jang Hyuk, Su Ae, Bae Doo Na, Lee Yo Won, Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, fantastic actors and actresses so how could it not be wonderful, o.k. don't answer that they probably didn't come out of the gate as awesome as they are now, but I can dream that they were some of the best on earth from birth can't I, also frankly a loose concept of high school students with hish school problems intrigues me, so does anyone know if there's somewhere I can watch all 4 seasons with subtitles?
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Mama J
October 10, 2012 at 10:42 AM
I'm pretty sure DC-net has it but it wasnt' really being subbed so I stopped watching after a couple episodes. And then they cancelled it well before the scheduled end date, too.
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27 tkc
October 10, 2012 at 7:43 AM
Kim Won Bin is love.
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28 tinatot
October 10, 2012 at 7:47 AM
OMO! Top stars! O.O
i hope i get to see nam jihyun, soohyun(is he still fit for these school roles??) and the moon-sun children in this revamp! :))
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29 Auntiemame
October 10, 2012 at 7:52 AM
They were my favorite couple in Vampire Idol. They were totally adorable.
I look forward and hope the production company find just the right combination of fun, heart and angst.
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30 ND
October 10, 2012 at 8:03 AM
’m just curious..so i’m asking….
I have seen in dramas like best love,full house etc that even the top stars perform all household work like cooking,etc on their own…so is it like this in Korea that everyone does each work by themselves??
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Claire
October 10, 2012 at 10:49 AM
what country are you from? as far as I have known everyone (every country) does work on their own unless you're a rich kid and have maids to do the work instead..
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ND
October 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM
well everyone does that...i know....
but they are the "top stars" who are very rich....so i'm asking about them....
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ND
October 10, 2012 at 11:18 AM
even we do our own work....but i'm not talking about the common people....they are the stars so i'm asking....
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Claire
October 10, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Oh i see..well it's drama/movie so I guess they really have to do that..I also don't know if they do that in real life XD
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snowy
October 10, 2012 at 12:19 PM
:)
shelhass
October 10, 2012 at 5:08 PM
HAUHAUHAUHAUHA.
Sorry, but I have to say something. I'm currently living in Brazil, and almost everybody, ok not evebody, but a large part of people here have maids.
I actually never saw someone do chorus around here, which explains why evebody keeps telling me to find 'someone to help with the house cleaning'.
Hee.
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SoulsEntwined
October 10, 2012 at 1:29 PM
I assume most top stars would be too busy to do their own housework. Of course some stars still live with their parents or rather their parents live with them. So maybe their parents handle the housework?
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31 mud
October 10, 2012 at 8:21 AM
I love a good high school story done right. I hope the cast isn't going to be entirely made up of idols with little to no acting talent. Please let there be actors & actresses, pretty please drama gods. Also, these big name A-listers have not aged a day. Ha Ji-won looks like she's the same then and now.
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32 Miky
October 10, 2012 at 9:16 AM
I absolutely adore this couple,hope they wil pair again in this show
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33 angskeet
October 10, 2012 at 9:17 AM
OMG! I recognize so many actors and actresses! they were so young.
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34 crazedlu
October 10, 2012 at 9:24 AM
Dang. Everyone went through this series before hitting it big. I'm excited. I love myself some high school dramas. If these are the two leads, I'm soooo down.
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35 Brandi
October 10, 2012 at 9:29 AM
Oh wow. The old pics ... makes me laugh and cry at the same time. You mean, the stars were YOUNG? Ha ha ...
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36 canxi
October 10, 2012 at 9:31 AM
I like high school themed shows. When they tackle real problems and it's not just about the struggle to be popular, it can be really cool, entertaining, and nostalgic. Kim Woo Bin is in? Then I'm in. He's one of my favorite young actors. :)
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37 Claire
October 10, 2012 at 10:20 AM
oh god..i hate remakes but this one makes me excited..just look at those actors/actresses..most of them became top stars!
if they put promising young actors/actresses now on the remake, we never know they might be top stars in the future too!
Kim Woo bin and Lee Yubi seems to have decent acting so I'm in! hopefully they put decent actors/actresses because if they put terrible ones, i'm gonna be so disappointed..how bout Lee Minho (the young one) or Park Minwoo (the one in Flower boy Ramyun Shop) ^__^
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38 Mia
October 10, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Toki-couple is back!!! I really hope that they'll act together again. I'm so happy right now :D
Wow to the old pictures! Some of them still looks the same!
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39 Mystisith
October 10, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Love Kim Wo-bin. Will give it a try for him.
On those pics, Ha Ji-won has exactly the same face than today. Gasp. Also, the *murderous side glance* was already there...
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40 MIKEY
October 10, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Where can you watch the original series online?
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41 Noelle
October 10, 2012 at 12:36 PM
YAY Woo Bin! I love him.
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42 jyyjc
October 10, 2012 at 12:37 PM
2nd from the left screen cap in the last row of the last pic looks like 2am's im seoulong.
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43 SoulsEntwined
October 10, 2012 at 1:01 PM
YES PLEASE, so much want. Dieing to see anything staring Kim WooBin
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44 mysterious
October 10, 2012 at 1:29 PM
They had me at Kim Woo-bin! If he is in the drama then I'm in no matter what!
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45 monch
October 10, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Can anyone tell me who is the actor from the inferior left corner in the last picture, i think i have see him before but i can't remember the name :(
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46 thedayea
October 10, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Didn't Untitle do the soundtrack for the original? <3 them...
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47 Jeannette
October 10, 2012 at 2:34 PM
WOO-BIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.
I am so all over this drama.
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48 Lily
October 10, 2012 at 3:59 PM
I'm so happy that Kim Woo-bin is acting in a drama again! I fell in love with his character in A Gentleman's Dignity. Kim Woo-bin FIGHTING !!! ;)
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49 mia
October 10, 2012 at 4:03 PM
I've heard so much about this show. I just hope the lesson was learned from "Dream High 2" not to make the same mistake again. "If it aint broke, don't fix". "Dream High" was written well and had great character development. They could have kept the same format for Season 2 and just added new students with new stories. Hope this revamped version of "School" does better.
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50 shelhass
October 10, 2012 at 4:38 PM
OMOMOMOMOMOMO!!!
I still have this entire drama burned in a CD somewhere (shhhh)! Good old years...
Wait, will we receive lots and lots of cameos, right?
If not I can totally watch it for Kim Woo-bin, as I'm still furious we did not get more of him in To the Beautiful You.
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