Jo Hyun-jae’s new drama, Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek
by javabeans
Oh, finally a reason to perk up about new KBS drama Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek! Yes, I am completely aware that this is motivated by nothing more than shallow reasons. And your point is…?
Jo Hyun-jae is one of the last (or perhaps THE last) main cast member to be added to Ad Genius, playing a likely rival to our hero in the Monday-Tuesday drama that sounds a lot like Baker Bachelor Ad King — in that the drama is really a success story celebrating hard work, contrary to the “genius” in the title.
Calling him a genius might lead to expectations of a rich, brilliant hero to whom success comes easily, but thankfully the story focuses on a more interesting characterization of Lee Tae-baek (Jin Gu), painting him as the underdog who comes to Seoul from the sticks and climbs his way up the ad-world ranks through dint of his blood, sweat and tears. The heroine is Park Ha-sun, whom I love for her one-two punch of sweet sincerity and bulldoggish ferocity, while Han Chae-young plays to her glamorous, sophisticated image as a cool, pragmatic top ad executive.
Jo Hyun-jae sounds like he’s her perfect match, also playing a cold-hearted advertising exec… Oh wait. Only You reunion! I wonder if Jo Hyun-jae will have a romantic pairing with Han Chae-young again, although I suppose their roles are miles apart since this time she won’t be the plucky Candy that the chaebol heir loved and left (and knocked up!). Still, they were cute together in that drama which was all kinds of bleh otherwise, and I’d love to see them back in fictional love.
Jo’s character is a team leader at an ad firm and is named Andy Kang… and you know what that means: More excuses to bust out with “Kang-ah!” Yeah, it doesn’t quite work the same way when it’s his last name, but just try and stop me.
Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek takes over the Monday-Tuesday timeslot from School 2013, and premieres February 4. It’s a 16-episode drama — woohoo! And here I was worried that those were all but going extinct.
Via Chosun
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Tags: Jin Gu, Jo Hyun-jae
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1 Daisy
January 13, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Yay I miss him! But I wish he wasnt playing second :(
Kang Ah!
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KANGly
January 14, 2013 at 1:59 AM
Just want to share Kang ah's latest picture http://johyunjae.net/gallery/view.asp?pageno=1&field=0&keyword=&boardID=1&seq=668
drool... drool... drool...
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hester
January 14, 2013 at 7:55 AM
My EXACT thoughts...why do so many of my favorites end up playing the guy that gets a broken heart?? *sigh* :(
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KANGly
January 14, 2013 at 8:48 AM
So we can fantasize about mending that broken heart for him... ack so corny! JHJ makes me go corny and cheesy...
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bimbobunny
January 15, 2013 at 12:39 AM
Aw, second lead syndrome here I come. I will sink along with this ship. ;_;
Whhhhy
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2 Rashell
January 13, 2013 at 6:28 PM
And just like that this has become a drama I'll at least check out. Because it never can be said enough...Kang-ahhhh!
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3 myweithisway
January 13, 2013 at 6:38 PM
The only reason I will watch this: Kang-ahhhhh!
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4 bb
January 13, 2013 at 6:39 PM
KANG AHHHH!! You just made me feel like watching 49 days and crying all over it again~
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zoe
January 13, 2013 at 10:24 PM
sooo true! Never njoid crying so much...only coz of kang ahhh ♥
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5 lois
January 13, 2013 at 6:39 PM
Yay I love 3 out of 4 leads!! KANG-AHHHHH! <3
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6 annedramaaddict
January 13, 2013 at 6:40 PM
Kang-ahh! Nuff said. I'll at least check it out!
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7 raindrops
January 13, 2013 at 6:40 PM
I was worried about that too(the length ;) )....
Anyways, I'm excited about this show.....and ya, it would have been so good if there was Jae Hee in this :)
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8 dulcedeleche
January 13, 2013 at 6:43 PM
Is it me or can he and Jung Ui Chul (Shut up! Flower boy Band) pass off as bros?
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9 eternalfive
January 13, 2013 at 6:48 PM
KANG-AH!
That is all.
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10 goldeng
January 13, 2013 at 6:49 PM
ohh im a little side eyeing the genius thing... because from all the "geniuses" we'd seen in dramaland lately the only real geniuses were like joseon player Kim Bung Do and joseon power ranger song man bo... but well, im still looking forward to this story :)))
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11 Smile134
January 13, 2013 at 6:54 PM
Me 11th!!!
KANG-AAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!! :D
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12 SH
January 13, 2013 at 7:12 PM
Came here to say the same thing: Kang ahhhhhhhhh :D
I miss him!
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13 KANGly
January 13, 2013 at 7:17 PM
Kang-ahhhhhhhhhhhh is back... so KANGly is back too!
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YY
January 13, 2013 at 9:57 PM
Hi, Kangly, altogether now:
Kang-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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KANGly
January 14, 2013 at 2:01 AM
Kang ahhhhhhhhhhh LOL
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pipit
January 13, 2013 at 11:07 PM
LOL!
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Linda165
January 17, 2013 at 7:34 AM
*UGLY SOBBING* HE'S BACK!!!
KANG AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
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14 Annie
January 13, 2013 at 7:17 PM
He should be getting lead roles imo. Sigh.
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15 linda
January 13, 2013 at 7:21 PM
Kang-ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I missed him so much. His character in love letter is my favorite second Kang-ahhhhh.
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16 Kiara
January 13, 2013 at 7:28 PM
KANG AHHHHHHH <3.
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17 rheina07
January 13, 2013 at 7:30 PM
aaaa welcome back kang-ahhh !!!!! <3
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18 canxi
January 13, 2013 at 7:43 PM
It's a 16 episode drama!!!...for now. LOL, I'm sorry I am jinxing it. But the way things are going in Dramaland with the B3, I'm just taking the episode counts with a grain of salt.
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19 Poisontale
January 13, 2013 at 7:44 PM
Gorgeous pic of him up there! I miss Kang-ahhh!
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20 Min
January 13, 2013 at 7:56 PM
I love you JB^^ haha I am also ready to call out Kang-ah!!! I might see this drama now... I haven't seen a Jin Gu drama so I don't know much about him, but Jo Hyun Jae I love ^^
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21 lovedramas
January 13, 2013 at 8:12 PM
OMG - I actually watched Only You a few more times than I care to admit. So cute those two were.
I will at least give this a try.
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22 djeedjes
January 13, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Jin Gu and Jo Hyun Jae....
after School 2013.
so after flower boys ( sort of ), we get real men.
Yeah!!
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23 Ace
January 13, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Haha. He'll always be "Kang-ah" to us, huh? That was my first thought too when I opened db and saw his very sexy pic. ;)
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Ace
January 13, 2013 at 8:42 PM
I clicked on the link above because one Kang-ah article is not enough apparently. And so I scrolled down to the comments and burst out laughing (started with #1.1 fm pipit and at #1.1.3.1.1 I can't scroll down coz I was laughing so hard). Ah, the Kang-ah love is
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ck1Oz
January 13, 2013 at 9:18 PM
I clicked because you clicked. And man,did I laugh.Hahaha way to see how a fangirly love has passed.But it was funny reading her comments.
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YY
January 13, 2013 at 10:05 PM
I clicked because Ace clicked and ck clicked and it's so funny with the meditation guru and pipit's backache hahahaha
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Ace
January 13, 2013 at 8:43 PM
...gonna stay for a long time.
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KANGly
January 13, 2013 at 8:54 PM
yeah, that was such a crazy, fun time! I hope the Kang ah love will continue in this new drama.
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24 Jess
January 13, 2013 at 8:34 PM
I love this cast! (Yes, ALL 4 OF THEM!) Sooo I will be jumping onto this drama ship! Let's just hope it won't sink!
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25 JC
January 13, 2013 at 8:38 PM
Kang-ah!
Eeeeeee~
This made me so excited: here's hoping the drama will be good.
I was totally in love with this guy in 49 Days, but nothing else of his seems good, unfortunately.
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26 jyyjc
January 13, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Well ya never know JB, it could get extentions which seems to be happening for every other drama lately.
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27 danna
January 13, 2013 at 8:53 PM
Yay! Kang-aaaaah is back...I've been wondering where JHJ was gone?...Even though I like the fact that Jin Gu has his lead role in a drama, this does feel like a step down for JHJ who's only done lead roles the last few years
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28 beppu10
January 13, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Yessss!!! Two things that perked me up by this:
1) Kang-aahhh is back, and
2) he's back with Han Chae Young!
Bring it on, drama! xD
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29 Diaz
January 13, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Kang-ahhhhhhhhhhhh. .
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30 gaeinalee
January 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Ahhh Kang-ah~~~~!!!
It's about time you come back to Kdland after venturing Cdland for a year.. Miss you, darling, me and the rest of DBers.. ^^
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31 amberscube
January 13, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Ahhhhhhh.... I miss you, Kang-aahhhh!
My heart just went crazy!
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32 Trina
January 13, 2013 at 9:28 PM
welcome back Kang-ahhhhhhh! I do hope he will romance Han Chae Young again!!! So far soo good... I am loving this drama so far.
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33 SD
January 13, 2013 at 9:59 PM
Oh yeah, I remember that Jo Hyun Jae and Han Chae Young acted as a couple in Only You. It would be awesome if they act as a couple again in this drama. :)
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34 YY
January 13, 2013 at 10:09 PM
B-But isn't Kang-ah going to be the hero here? I couldn't bear it if Kang-ah played the second lead. Kang-ahhhh you my herooooooooooo pls pls be the herooooooooooooo Kang-ahhhhh*crying* ah ah ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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35 kooriyuki
January 13, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Oh damn I wasn't at all interested in this but now...Kang ah!!! And Only You mini reunion is good!!! Though I preferred HCY and Jae Hee.
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36 pipit
January 13, 2013 at 11:32 PM
I have no interest in this particular drama. But that is one genius ad they put up there! I'm so gonna still that picture.
My man is back! Kang ah is back! Back! Back! (Never realise before that the word back is my favourite word).
This is the best new year's news ever. But how could they put him as second male lead? As far as I know he always plays the lead in everydrama he's in.
Praying for a twist but even though there's no twist and this one turns out to be a bore. Nothing will turn me off with JHY on the screen.
Kang ahhhhh!
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37 Link
January 13, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Han Kang is back!!! :D Loved this guy back in Seodongyo <3 I haven't seen Only You but he broke my heart in 49 Days so I hope he'll keep it in one piece this time. Can't wait till After School ;D
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38 Im not diana34 btw
January 14, 2013 at 1:13 AM
The thing Kang-ah makes you think..
check out comment no. 44.1
http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/04/49-days-episode-10/
(I can’t believe I just looked it up, going back to my works now..)
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pipit
January 14, 2013 at 1:55 AM
You've got our thanks Not Diana34! It's the blow job slip! The best slip of tongue ever ^-^
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KANGly
January 14, 2013 at 2:20 AM
OMG... best slurp of the tongue on DB ever!
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Rach ^^
January 14, 2013 at 6:44 AM
Warning: do not read that comment while drinking water. It will create a mess and you will choke.
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amberscube
January 14, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Omo! Omo! There's an "edit" in FB but not in DB.. Best slip of tongue EVER. Thanks Diana for sharing and the laughs!
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ricky trh
January 14, 2013 at 7:32 PM
*chokes on popcorn* *smacks chest repeatedly*
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
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39 bd
January 14, 2013 at 1:18 AM
JHJ has such a great offbeat delivery which he put to great use in the delightful black comedy - "My Scary Girl."
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KANGly
January 14, 2013 at 6:45 AM
"My Scary Girl"? I don't remember JHJ being in a drama with that title. Does that drama have another name/title?
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YY
January 14, 2013 at 8:37 AM
I would kill any girl who dares to scare my Kang-ah...just saying.
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pipit
January 14, 2013 at 4:44 PM
YY are you trying to compete with Hitler or trying to commit suicide? That's us YY. Us. We would scare the hell out of him if he knew how crazy we really are.
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40 nokcha
January 14, 2013 at 2:09 AM
What a striking picture.....
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41 Bu Young
January 14, 2013 at 2:15 AM
Han Kang! It's been too long!
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42 bella
January 14, 2013 at 4:13 AM
SO,this drama is what??? new style?? Letting Bigger names play the second roles to get people interest???? or that Jin Gu guy & Park Ha-sun-teacher of High Kick 3 is unbelievably popular & ridiculously great in acting???
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pipit
January 14, 2013 at 4:52 PM
I know! So strange isn't? It makes me wonder whether the story might be a little different than our regular kdrama's story where there's a clear cut between the first and second male lead. But it will need a stellar writing and compelling character for the second male lead to outshine the first male lead. Rather like the second male lead in Hotelier who makes me root like hell for him instead of Bae Yong Jun.
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Prissymom
January 14, 2013 at 6:22 PM
JHJ has done 2nd lead roles in the past - First Love and Sunshine (the one with Song Hye Gyo). In both dramas he outshone the male leads.
First Love DVDs are sold with JHJ's face on it, not the male lead. Sunshine's ending was re-written because they could not
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Prissymom
January 14, 2013 at 6:45 PM
Oh my, how did that happen?
Anyway to continue... First Love DVDs are sold with JHJ's face on it and not the male lead's because his role is more memorable than the male lead's.
Sunshine's ending was re-written because they could not allow SHK's character to end up with the male lead because her fans protested against that. Granted, she didn't end up with JHJ, but she didn't end up with the male lead either.
Whether he is 1st lead, 2nd lead, 3rd lead, or no lead (in Daemang he wasn't even listed in the credits and was supposed to die, but the script was rewritten where his character could live to become King) I am sure he will shine.
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Prissymom
January 14, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Oh, forgot to mention that JHJ did both First Love and Sunshine after he did Love Letter where he is 1st lead.
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pipit
January 14, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Wow, I'm totally in awe of your knowledge of Jo Hyun Jae Prissymom. Thanks for the info it makes me want to watch both First Love and Sunshine. *adding those two and Love Letter as must find out DVDs*
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43 sky
January 14, 2013 at 4:52 AM
Yay Im excited that he's back with a new drama. But why is he playing second lead? Why?! With the second leading man so good looking it will be hard to cheer on the hero of he drama. So shallow. Haha
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44 Rach ^^
January 14, 2013 at 6:06 AM
OMG KANG AH... KANG!!! ***hyperventilates***
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45 Rach ^^
January 14, 2013 at 6:36 AM
OK now I'm finding it weird that he's playing second lead???
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46 Cindy
January 14, 2013 at 6:43 AM
Omg! Kang-ah!
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47 Abbie
January 14, 2013 at 6:56 AM
Yeah, I wasn't following the new of this drama closely, nor was I interested in it until I saw the name Jo Hyun-jae. I may have to check this out, if only to oggle my oppa.
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48 Steph
January 14, 2013 at 7:35 AM
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, my love. It's been too long. Mama's all in now!
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49 Ree
January 14, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Speaking of Only You, will you guys ever recap old dramas? I liked Han Chae Young in Choonyang and I'm thinking about watching Only You...
It would be great if you do recaps for the older shows too, you know, if you ever find the time to do that ^^
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50 dany
January 14, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Kang ah! Welcome back!
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