Level 7 Civil Servant starts shooting
by girlfriday
Aw, I was hoping that the first stills from action rom-com Level 7 Civil Servant would be a little more James Bond and a little less boy-next-door, but I suppose the hero isn’t going to start out a badass, which is part of the fun. It’s just, with a character who got into the spy biz because he wanted to be Bond, I want all the hammy wannabe Bond antics that come with. Regardless, Joo-won is Joo-won, and he looks friggin’ adorable, as always. There just had better be tuxedos for the poster shoot, ‘s all I’m sayin’.
The first stills are out from the set of the drama, which stars Joo-won and Choi Kang-hee as a pair of spies with a contentious relationship, soon to be complicated by romance of course. It doesn’t seem like the drama’s going to follow the original movie to the letter, but with the same writer, we can at least expect a similar tone. Yunno, just your average workplace rom-com… with guns and secret identities, and a whole lot of brushing the napalm out of your hair before a date. (Or perhaps he’ll live on the edge and use it as hair gel?)
Joo-won’s character is rookie agent Han Gil-ro, who’s described as prickly and cunning. Hm, interesting. So not exactly Kang Ji-hwan’s bumbling character in the movie. I wonder if it’s intentional that with the surname, his name means “on one road.” Maybe a hint that he’s a stubborn my-way-or-the-highway kinda guy?
The first scene they shot is a date that Gil-ro arranges in order to uncover Seo-won’s (Choi Kang-hee) true identity. Ha Shi-eun, pictured below, plays the heroine’s best friend whom he uses to set up the meeting, after being humiliated the first time. (We aren’t privy to the humiliating meet-cute, but it involves a blind date.) She’s apparently a no-show, because he threatens her friend, “If I catch her, I won’t leave her alone.” And he doesn’t mean it in the nice way.
But if we have our druthers, Gil-ro won’t figure out Seo-won’s true identity for many moons, at least till we’ve gotten our money’s worth in spy-vs-spy secret identity hijinks. Otherwise, where’s the fun?
Level 7 Civil Servant premieres in January on MBC.
Via Xports News
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Tags: Joo-won, Level 7 Civil Servant
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1 Ivoire
November 27, 2012 at 5:03 AM
Thank you!
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2 Abbie
November 27, 2012 at 5:13 AM
Okay, this guy is just adorable! I am looking forward to this just to see Joo-won, now.
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3 cg
November 27, 2012 at 5:16 AM
Hmm....is the only thing I can say right now :)
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4 Schmazel
November 27, 2012 at 5:16 AM
Is it me or does the best friend really look like Gong Hyo Jin?
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Rashellshep
November 27, 2012 at 6:10 AM
Not just you. That was the first thing I noticed too. I hope this one is good because Joo Won is adorable.
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Cass
November 27, 2012 at 6:16 AM
I thought it was the second female lead, Kim Min Seo :-)
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JoowonLover;P
November 27, 2012 at 7:39 AM
ME TOO. I had to google whether or not Gong Hyo Jin was making a cameo appearance or something lol!
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5 Cindy
November 27, 2012 at 5:23 AM
ADORABLE!
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6 Laurita
November 27, 2012 at 5:29 AM
I guess when we hear the words spy and romance, we all start to imagine our version of the drama. I feel I could create my own story from the little info that we get, but I try not to let my imagination go wild, that I won't be disappointed later.
Now I just want Joo-won from the last photo turn into the one in the first one (a little bit of cuteness is good, but I miss the Man already).
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7 Cass
November 27, 2012 at 5:33 AM
I've seen him in suit like most of the time in Baker King and Gaksitaaaal.. and yeah the baddie Sato Hiroshi, in his super hot white Imperial Police uniform.
I love seeing him dress up like this, boy next door image for this drama. But, I will NEVER complaint if later in the show he will be wearing a tuxedo. Bring it on!
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8 fab
November 27, 2012 at 5:39 AM
Let's just say that we would still like him wearing no matter what... He is such a cutie! Hoping for more stills and trailers.
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9 jєѕѕα™ 주원사랑 (@jung_kYro)
November 27, 2012 at 6:02 AM
It's been a while that I haven't seen spy dramas, and I guess Joo Won's the perfect choice. I really want to see him do some action stints because he really does it himself (just like in Gaksital). Being a spy, I suppose he knows some martial arts moves, right? And, not just a guy who throws punches. If he does, that would be awesome. I want to see some cool moves from our pretty baby boy, Joo Won. :-)
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10 nomu nomu nomu
November 27, 2012 at 6:07 AM
Are they changing his bumbling and dorky personality from the movie to a more standardized k-drama hero personality?
I've learnt a long time ago to never set your hopes too high when it concerns adaptation and/or remake, but I did enjoy the movie overall, so I'll certainly at least give this a chance.
but, as Lauraita said, since we are all imagining our own version of the drama, how about, tonally, we have a combination of True Lies for the comedy, Mr. and Mrs. Smith for the sex-on-legs, Bourne (original trilogy) for the action spies stuff, and James Bond for the clothes. hehehe, Go BIG or go home, right?
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nomu nomu nomu
November 27, 2012 at 6:11 AM
*Laurita
sorry, Laurita. I spelled your name wrong, unintentional.
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11 Mira
November 27, 2012 at 6:36 AM
So excited for this drama !!!!!!
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12 mini
November 27, 2012 at 6:50 AM
I am somehow disappointed with this news?i remember clearly that they introduced Gil Ro as innocent and kind man who care for other.joo won also stated that Gil Ro is meek when he meets the girls.now his character has suddenly changed into cunning one suddenly.i think joo won himself feel confused also because it seems like sudden change.
May be that's why he wrote on twitter that his mind is confused?i am sure jw can Pull off any role but i was expecting innocent and kind gil Ro.
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JoowonLover;P
November 27, 2012 at 7:46 AM
Same here, I got an excerpt from another dramabeans post: "He grows up in wealth and comfort, with a generous spirit toward others and a chic, refined appearance."
I didn't know "chic" also meant "prickly and cunning". lol
Nevertheless, I'm still totally stoked for this drama, I nearly squealed at 2 in the morn when I saw this post!!
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skelly
November 27, 2012 at 9:44 AM
They must have changed his character - I can't imagine anyone with a "chic, refined character" wearing a ratty yellow cardigan decorated with big black buttons. It makes him look about twelve.
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Orion
November 27, 2012 at 8:13 AM
I will be disappointed if they changed the character too. We have more than our share of cunning jerks in Dramaland and the last thing I want to see is another forceful chaebol type, with or without the status and money.
I liked the movie because the characters were more balanced there. Both kind of silly and romantic, both also tough when need be. Hilarious too.
I always go into adaptations without the original in my mind, but a loud assertive male lead is not something I want to see yet again, even if the writer is good. Remake or no remake.
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nomu nomu nomu
November 27, 2012 at 8:38 AM
I'm so bored of those forceful jerkwad chaebol type, It seems every other "hero" character in Dramaland has that description. I suppose they are still catering to the Mr. Dacry obsess fangirls type, but, come on, change it up a little, Dramaland.
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canxi
November 27, 2012 at 1:03 PM
I was hoping for that characterization too. Maybe, he'll be both? I feel like Joo Won is always the "prickly and cunning" guy, so I was looking forward to the change up.
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13 ladida
November 27, 2012 at 6:52 AM
I want that sweater! (Also Joo Won.)
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Mama J
November 27, 2012 at 7:20 AM
It's got to be a pretty awesome sweater to distract me from the total LOVE that is Joo-Won's adorable face, but this sweater succeeded.
I can knit. I'm saving these pictures. I'm having ideas. Because that is one badass jacket and my daughter would totally wear that.
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JoowonLover;P
November 27, 2012 at 7:49 AM
I have to say, that jacket is pretty baller. I couldn't help staring at all the buttons on it lol
P.S.-I love knitting too!
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Mama J
November 27, 2012 at 8:33 AM
It took me a while to figure out the optimal situation for knitting while watching KDrama - can't have really fast-moving subs or really lengthy subs, shouldn't be on any site that requires me to manually move from one segment to the next, etc, and the project needs to be fairly straightforward (no lace, in otherwords!) - but when I can combine the two in the right mix, marathons are EXCELLENT opportunities to knock out a lot of knitting. And I get to feel productive!
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Mar
November 27, 2012 at 11:15 AM
I was thinking my daughter would love that jacket, lmao.
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Mama J
November 27, 2012 at 3:44 PM
You and me Mar you and me - we are always in sync!
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Mar
November 27, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Yeah! I wonder if it has a hood attachment. It had buttons around the collar, but that could just be ornamental.
jomo143
November 27, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Are you taking orders?
Huh? Huh?
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Mama J
November 27, 2012 at 3:44 PM
sure for late 2023
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JoowonLover;P
November 27, 2012 at 5:15 PM
Haha, I'll join you, if that helps!
canxi
November 27, 2012 at 1:04 PM
I also want that sweater!!! :O
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14 Bellamafia
November 27, 2012 at 6:53 AM
OMG..I found myself smiling just by looking at his pics above. I thought bridal mask is the best drama this year, if people doesnt agree with me, i'll go gaksital on them..
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nomu nomu nomu
November 27, 2012 at 6:58 AM
*gaksitaaaaaaaaaaaaal
spelling police here. just pointing out the spelling error. :D
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15 @liss@
November 27, 2012 at 7:18 AM
So excited to see Joo won in a drama again! Hope the drama can hold it's own against IRIS 2.
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16 Denali
November 27, 2012 at 8:31 AM
What's with the perm? Gu Jun Pyo! Tae Ik! Leave Joo Won's body at once!
A dorkable spy? *rolls eyes*
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nomu nomu nomu
November 27, 2012 at 8:51 AM
In a serious spy drama, A dorkable spy, would just be plain illogical. In a comedy farce, it can work, if done right.
I don't think this drama will take itself too seriously or pretend it's IRIS or anything similar of that nature. I'm thinking, tone wise, maybe, Myung-wol the Spy? (the first half)
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Denali
November 27, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Spy Myung Wol turned out to be such a mess that my heart still kinda bleed due to the damage caused to Eric's acting career. Anyway enough of my rambling about the Shinhwa 5D leader. ^^
The thing is, a dorkable spy to me sounds antinomic, even in a rom-com. *sigh* Viewers will see to it, I won't. ;-)
*off to take a peek at King of Dramas' ep 8*
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Me
November 28, 2012 at 6:51 AM
I really enjoyed watching mung wol. Maybe coz it was refreshing to watch a contemporary drama after so many saeguks. Love the lead actress's outfits in mung wol. In particular the leather bat grey top.
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17 Betsy
November 27, 2012 at 9:57 AM
January can't come any sooner. I've been in such a drama funk lately and it feels like I haven't watched a good rom-com in so long. I can't wait for Level 7 Civil Servant to start airing and from all the descriptions about this drama it looks like it will be just my cup of tea.
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18 jomo143
November 27, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Joo Won and Ha Shi-eun look awfully good together...
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19 hani
November 27, 2012 at 2:20 PM
so weird why am i not excited? even though i'm jo won fan.
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20 JenJen
November 27, 2012 at 2:34 PM
Have to wait until tuxedo pics or actual episodes air before I make my final verdict but so far I still can only see Kang JiHwan in this role. JooWon oppa looks too sweet/cute in the promo photos.
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21 Lilly
November 27, 2012 at 6:21 PM
(season of the hair curse, lol)
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22 eleanor
November 27, 2012 at 10:21 PM
Man, Joo Won! How can you be so adorable?! Seriously, that little smile - it's like he practices being adorable in the mirror or something.
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23 sunandhearts
November 28, 2012 at 4:02 AM
gaaaah! I am sooooo excited for this! His performance in Gaksital was phenomenal! Can't January come any sooner? gaaah.. Good thing Joo Won has 1n2d.
Really hope this would be awesome and would be a hit! :D
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24 JoowonLover:P
November 28, 2012 at 9:57 PM
This is soo cute.
Our aegyo monster is so busy these days!!
Joo Won = Niko, the baby deer!
http://twodaysonenight.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/joo-won-narsha-and-kim-won-hyo-to-voice-act-in-animation-niko-santa-air-wings-adventure/
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25 Ophie
November 29, 2012 at 12:38 PM
So looking forward to this show! I can't wait to see how Joo Won has matured as an actor!!! Ok...Ok and can't wait to see his sparkly eyes either. LOL
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