Poster and teasers for JTBC’s Heartless City
by girlfriday
The drama formerly known as Undercover has undergone a title and casting change, but we’re full-steam ahead for its premiere in two weeks. The new Monday-Tuesday drama on cable network JTBC is now called Heartless City, and though the cast isn’t a huge draw for me, the teasers are beautiful and mysterious, and effectively made me stop to check out what this drama’s about.
The noir crime thriller comes from the PD of I Need Romance and its sequel, and stars Jung Kyung-ho (Smile, You) as a drug lord. One day a woman he grew up with at an orphanage comes knocking on his door, so he brings her into his world, only she’s actually an undercover cop. She infiltrates his organization to capture him, but while undercover she gets murdered, and he’s naturally the prime suspect… though he swears he was framed.
Nam Gyuri (Haeundae Lovers) plays the cop who was that undercover agent’s best friend — they were practically sisters and her death leaves Nam Gyuri completely alone in the world. So she does the crazy thing, and goes undercover in order to finish what her best friend started, with the intention of finding her killer. What happens, of course, is that she ends up falling in love with the kingpin. How’s that for complicated?
Lee Jae-yoon (Yawang) plays the role that Jo Han-seon was initially cast for — he’s Nam Gyuri’s superior on the special task force and was engaged to marry the undercover agent who was killed. He’s basically blind with rage, and so he sends Nam Gyuri in despite all logic and judgment telling him otherwise.
I find it hard to get invested in Nam Gyuri’s characters, so I’m not sure how the drama proper will hold up, but the director’s touch in the teasers did make me take notice. The drama promises a very dark world, with everything from the city’s cold towers to its seedy underbelly. I’ll believe it when I see it, but at least on cable my expectations are a smidgen higher for just how dark they’re willing to go. I’m more interested in the undercover murder plot than anything, because that’s a great setup for mystery, suspense, and throat-catching tension. The teasers’ taglines: “A vicious love stains the city,” “A mixed-up fate shakes the city,” and “A vicious fate rules the city.”
Heartless City premieres May 27 on JTBC.
Via Xports News
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Tags: cable programs, Heartless City, Jung Kyung-ho, Lee Jae-yoon, Nam Gyuri
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1 kakashi
May 13, 2013 at 9:13 AM
Huh. That was so not on my radar at all ... thanks for the reminder! I will check it out for Jung Kyung-ho but I must admit to severely disliking Nam Gyuri.
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Jo
May 13, 2013 at 12:59 PM
I think Nam Gyuri is pretty..but her face is always frozen. Like there is one expression she always has....the "muuuungggg" face
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Kiara
May 13, 2013 at 1:33 PM
Its not just the frozen face, her eyes too. She'd be great in a horror drama.
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Kandiboo
May 13, 2013 at 3:05 PM
i think it's due to the (probably) vast amount of plastic surgery done... kinda sad.
although i'm not into thrillers etc, it sounds pretty good
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Joy
May 13, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Argh yes. I don't like her acting and she's just to doll-like for me >_<
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2 Daisy
May 13, 2013 at 9:18 AM
Looks so good! I like Nam Gyuri!
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3 mcflan
May 13, 2013 at 9:23 AM
It sounds interesting and I really love Jung Kyung-ho, but Nam Gyuri... Well I'll give it a try anyway.
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4 Ivoire
May 13, 2013 at 9:38 AM
This sounds quite interesting... Thanks, GF!
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5 sara
May 13, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Nam Gyuri? Umm no thanks. Her acting wasn't good in 49 days or Haeundae Lovers. It seems she just knows how to "act pretty"....Her face also looks VERY unnatural. How did she get a lead role for this?
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Newbie
May 13, 2013 at 9:47 AM
She's one of the actresses to me that were changed by eyelid PS to the worse. I can't see anything else but those owlish, unnatural eyes. Pass.
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iamdeb
May 13, 2013 at 10:45 AM
agreed with the plastic surgery. She almost does not look real :(
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Nicole
May 13, 2013 at 10:47 AM
She reminds me of those girls who make a living having transformed themselves into "living Barbie dolls," like that one Russian girl.
Exemplary case of where too much plastic surgery just dehumanizes a person.
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mars
May 16, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Dehumanizes a person? I'm pretty sure that's what the comments picking apart her appearance are doing.
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6 LangitBiru
May 13, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Lee Jae Yoon in this drama! Looking forward for this. I need him to act in happy rom-com drama again. Not some action. Need to see his happy face
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7 Mystisith
May 13, 2013 at 9:42 AM
Hum. Not my cup of tea, plot or cast wise. Pass.
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8 sanaa
May 13, 2013 at 9:48 AM
thanks GF, I like Nam and Jung so i'll definitely check it out!!
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9 jandoe
May 13, 2013 at 9:49 AM
SO up my alley. Hope it gets subbed!
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10 liz
May 13, 2013 at 9:57 AM
they look hot. I'm in.
Jung Kyung-ho can do badass and looks so hot doing it!
Missed him ^^
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anotheraddict
May 13, 2013 at 12:17 PM
I've only seen Jung Kyung Ho being sweet and innocent, so I'm looking forward to seeing him be badass.
If nothing else, it looks like it's gonna be gorgeous. My aversion to Nam Gyuri is fairly mild, and since this is a jtbc production, I'm feeling optimistic.
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11 anvesha
May 13, 2013 at 10:00 AM
He is not nearly old enough to play a druglord (or you know.. he looks too young to be one)
I think I would like the story but yeah I'm no a fan of Nam Gyuri, so umm.. I might just watch it for Jung Kyung Ho.
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liz
May 13, 2013 at 10:32 AM
really? In my country druglord can be even between 25~28 year old.
Nowdays they star young...
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liz
May 13, 2013 at 10:35 AM
start**
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ravens_nest
May 13, 2013 at 11:45 PM
Very true. It depends on how young you start and how tight your game is. Other factors could include whether there is a pre-existing hierarchy that you simply took advantage of on your way to the top.
It also depends on how big his territory is supposed to be. If we're talking all of Seoul (impossible) than def not. But if we're talking one or two districts in Seoul, then it's definitely possible to rise that high, that young.
But it mostly has to do with playing it smart. I've known some young drug lords that have their game up around 30 years old. The question after that is, how long can they last at the top?
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12 Kay
May 13, 2013 at 10:02 AM
what an interesting premise for a story, I might just check this out....
Not a fan of Nam Gyuri though but LOVE Jung Kyung-Ho..
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13 weekwand
May 13, 2013 at 10:02 AM
hmmm.......Cyrano drama-version vs Heartless City??? Definitely opposite genre.
Love both premises but not familiar with the cast.
So I'll decide after watching first and second ep.
Thank you for the info :)
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14 Carmensitta
May 13, 2013 at 10:10 AM
I'm totally looking forward to this one! I don't necessarily love Nam Gyu Ri, but I have nothing against her either.
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15 eunchans
May 13, 2013 at 10:22 AM
This sounds so good! I was on board from those gorgeous teasers, but now I know more about the plot, I'm so in. Cable keeps on being awesome. JKH and NGR look like they have awesome chemistry.
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16 Gihoe
May 13, 2013 at 10:28 AM
I love both of them, so I'm gonna watch it without a doubt.
It was time for a leading role for Nam Gyu Ri, loved her in 49 days...
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17 myra
May 13, 2013 at 10:33 AM
May 27th will be a busy day as 3 dramas will premiere then:Shark, Dating agency and Heartless city...
I can't wait to see Kim Nam Gil again...:)
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18 iamdeb
May 13, 2013 at 10:42 AM
OMG a noir k-drama *imagines Anthony Kim furiously working behind the scenes*
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19 iamdeb
May 13, 2013 at 10:45 AM
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa324/girlfridaydb/news/2013/HeartlessCity7.jpg
why does this dude look so constipated in this shot
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20 snow_white
May 13, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Wow....the premise sounds so interesting..
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21 fab
May 13, 2013 at 11:16 AM
nam gyuri
Subconsiously a turn off...
Overall the drama sounds nice.
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22 mk
May 13, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Let me be shallow and comment on how GORGEOUS Gyuri's pink dress is. *sigh*
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23 Delicatecloud
May 13, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Definitely my cup of tea!! I love Jung Kyung-ho since I first saw him in "Time between Dog and Wolf" will watch and hoping that it will be subbed!
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24 fred
May 13, 2013 at 12:46 PM
"Art" kinda reminds me of Wong Kar Wai's movies like "In the Mood for Love", and Nam Gyu Ri trying to act as Maggie Cheung...
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25 Zareen
May 13, 2013 at 1:04 PM
Ugh. The premise sounds SO GOOD. But nam gyuri does nothing for me :/
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houstontwin
May 13, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Nam Gyuri didn't come off well in Hydundai Lovers. She seemed to have a very limited range (not to mention excessive plastic surgery) but, just like you, the premise sounds good, so I am willing to give it a try. Maybe NG will have an opportunity to stretch her skills.
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26 beggar1015
May 13, 2013 at 1:17 PM
Sounds just different enough for me to at least give it a try. That is if anyone is subbing it.
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beggar1015
May 13, 2013 at 5:07 PM
I see DramaFever plans to have it
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27 sartorius
May 13, 2013 at 2:10 PM
another one to add to my evergrowing list of kdramas....most of which are cable ones these days!
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28 lovebug
May 13, 2013 at 2:38 PM
I want to watch purely for the awesomeness that is Jung Kyung-ho. I am perplexed by the Nam Gyuri casting. She's someone I want to like, but don't know if she is really capable of pulling something like this off. I hope to be proven wrong.
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29 Mama J
May 13, 2013 at 4:46 PM
Don't know her from a hill of beans...but that was Hot Stepbrother from Yawang, and I think adorable Coach from Operation Proposal? That's enough to get me to watch an few episodes, at least!
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30 Sajen
May 13, 2013 at 6:25 PM
never heard of it before I saw it on Drama Fever's coming soon list. I haven't got a clue who the guys are as for Nam Gyuri I loved 49 Days but for everyone else, and the story, not her, I don't really have an impression of her one way or the other.
The story sounds like something that can either be very good, or be completely fed up, and a lot of that has to do with acting, so I might give it a try but I'm not getting my hopes up.
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31 Brenda
May 13, 2013 at 7:32 PM
I LOVE Jung Kyung Ho! I've been anticipating his comeback since he was discharged. I find the premise extremely interesting and am completely excited to see him back on the small screen. . .it's too bad I don't care for Nam Gyuri.
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32 Abbie
May 13, 2013 at 7:33 PM
Looks and sounds cool. I have no problem with Nam Gyuri. She's not terrific, but she is pretty good. Looking forward to this.
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33 rainerust
May 13, 2013 at 10:19 PM
Sounds kinda like Lust Caution. Hmmm. I love JKH but I'm not sure I could sit through this drama for him. I might just rewatch Smile You again instead...
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34 niKai
May 14, 2013 at 4:45 AM
The cast left me scratching my head but I love revenge thriller in general so maybe I'll give this one a try.
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35 Jushi
May 14, 2013 at 5:59 AM
This drama has the corniest plot I've read in awhile. Really cheesy.
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36 atomickitty
May 14, 2013 at 10:37 AM
I like Nam Gyuri.
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37 Steph
May 14, 2013 at 12:20 PM
This has been on my radar for a while now. It sounds like somethign right up my alley. She goes undercover and falls for the kingpin? Yes, please!
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38 Exquisitemelody
May 14, 2013 at 4:09 PM
looking forward to this one!! Really loved him in smile you and I didn't think she was so bad in 49 days. I hope this is as dark as they're making it out to be!!
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39 müge
May 15, 2013 at 8:57 AM
the more Jung Kyung-ho is getting older, the hotter and more manly he becomes. I loved his new look!!!
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40 Gh
May 22, 2013 at 1:57 PM
It sounds good to me and i hope this drama gonna be awsome .and nam gyu ri i love her and really loved her in 49 days so i,m gonna wtch thisl drama
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41 ruiisassezhot
May 29, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Just saw episode 1! Sooo good!! The acting, ambiance, and music are great. Definitely met my expectations after seeing the trailer.
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42 Aj
June 12, 2013 at 9:26 PM
My favorite drama right now...
Nam Gyuri is uncomfortable to look at but I love the story
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43 Lauren
June 16, 2013 at 5:32 PM
So far I'm enjoying this drama - it's a nice break from historical ones now airing. And I like the cast.
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44 Nana
June 22, 2013 at 4:43 PM
After the first two episodes i was hooked, i can believe how good this drama is. Well written amazing cast i just can't wait any longer for Monday and Tuesday to watch the episodes this waiting is killing.
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45 Jessy
June 22, 2013 at 9:20 PM
already watched 4 episodes..Gosh, it's so capturing..never expected to be excited like that
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46 KimKas
June 28, 2013 at 1:44 AM
What little I have seen so far of Moojungdoshi is very promising. I am not expecting Nam Gyu Ri to have such a prominent role (she hasn't, thus far), this is more looking like being Jung Kyung Ho's main role, and thus far it's looking good.
Still early days, but Moojungdoshi is definitely worth a look-in. Much like The End of the World, which was pretty awesome, even though it was slashed to 12 episodes from 20 initially. JTBC have been airing some pretty good dramas, impressive stuff.
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47 Lala
June 28, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Your all stupid I like Nam Gyuri is pretty, a good actress, and her expression is the best part of her acting.. Can any of u low life's do her expression I don't think so!!! That's why her acting is unique...u all would be jealous
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48 Aju'
July 1, 2013 at 2:20 AM
I luv this drama!!!
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49 Marbleloaf
July 1, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Beautifully done drama! Not a fan of nam gyuri but can easily say this is the best drama Ive seen in ages!!!!
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50 sinyard
July 3, 2013 at 7:46 PM
Fave drama so far this year. JKH is brilliant in his role and the ost emotionally sexy. Addictive in the extreme...
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