Poster and teasers for JTBC's Heartless City » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

77 May 13, 2013December 12, 2013

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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51 Elin

July 4, 2013 at 4:01 AM

I love this drama. Been watching it from the first ep and JKH is soooo goood in this drama!

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52 Beth

July 8, 2013 at 12:37 PM

Why are you not recapping this!? It's amazing....

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53 Emily

July 17, 2013 at 9:56 PM

This Drama is absolutely amazing. Different from all those other dramas, it actually focuses on something other than the love story. BEST DRAMA EVER! Totally recommend this
P.S. Jung Kyung Ho makes this drama perfect.

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54 Itzguy

July 18, 2013 at 11:48 AM

I actually like Nam Gyuri a lot, I wasn't sure about her at first but now I'm all for her. Her acting her look I hope to see more of her in the future.

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55 KimKas

July 21, 2013 at 3:52 AM

15 episodes in, this is, by FAR, the best drama of 2013. Seriously. Jung Kyung Ho is badass and that makes a good change. Nam Gyu Ri is better than I was expecting her to be but still : nothing spectacular in her acting, her role is hardly the most demanding. I prefer Kim Yoo Mi has the best female role in this drama, she is classy and badass when she needs to be :)

I understand that javabeans' team cannot recap all series that are airing, but now that I have seen a good portion of this drama, it's a bit of a regret because the dramas currently airing on the main channels (KBS, SBS, MBC) are comparatively bad (e.g. You're the Best, Lee Soon Shin). But, we couldn't really know obviously.

I was told by my Korean friend that most of the good script-writers and directors have moved to the newer channels (such as JTBC) and that's why they're doing good stuff right now. If that is true, it totally makes sense from what I have seen in the first half of 2013.

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orag

August 2, 2013 at 12:55 AM

you are absolutely right! best drama of 2013!!! My number 1 drama of all time. Its absolutely fantastic!

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56 orag

August 2, 2013 at 12:23 AM

Just finished watching this... and I'm speechless... I think no words can describe the awesomeness of this drama. I love it to death!!! and you should watch it for JKH his best so far!!! great acting and you'd love the other characters too!!!

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57 orag

August 2, 2013 at 12:48 AM

I hope dramabeans would review this one... Love it... its amazing, acting, directing, music, cinematography... its all in! and the characters are engaging.. Good actors love it very much!

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58 lingkar

August 13, 2013 at 12:17 AM

I do not care about those who do not like because of nam gyu ri plastic surgery does. I think many other Korean artists perform plastic surgery not only nam gyu ri, even more extreme and more than that done by nam gyu ri. Plastics operation was not a natural thing in the land of south korea entertainment. not an artist or producer should work as they see the value we are acting talent and the work they produce, not other things such as appearance or their personal problems. and we do not have to hate the guy because he's doing something we do not like, is not it their right to do anything. to get a look. as long as it does not harm us, why do we have to hate???? was not fair to nam gyu ri ... but certainly now been proven. nam gyu ri acting is very good it is evidenced by his work drama, played by it gets a very good response .........

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59 kirandeep sraon

August 14, 2013 at 5:29 PM

This drama was the most addictive and badass drama of the year. Still cant forget the close-ups of jung kyung ho. That man is pure hotness. lol... From direction to cinematography to safari ahjussi... this drama was EPIC! .. and yeah Nam gyuri was okay. Kim yoo bin was really really pretty tho.. and she acts really well too. I think this drama has a lot of "movie actors" that supposedly act well. Best drama of the Year. Period.
*saves jung kyung ho's pics on phone* loll

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60 Sunny

September 11, 2013 at 9:50 PM

I miss Heartless City. The drama was EPIC. Everyone lived and breathed their character to the point where they were that character. They were no longer famous actors and actresses. I would rate this show as being the best show of 2013.

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61 Sabelita

September 15, 2013 at 12:11 PM

The doctor is one of the best roles in k drama,it was like the Kang maru but he is doing it in a cable drama so i guess his impact were lower WHAT A SHAME,cable is the future with real life and real kisses.

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62 b1

October 25, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Just finished this yesterday..a nonstop marathon cos i was jailed at home due to my asthma.

But oh god ..what a goodness this is??!!!
The best of 2013 so far on the other side of I hear your voice (uhmm)

Fantastic story (though it became a little draggy at some points), great acting..Nam Gyurk actually suprised me here. I was one of those who think of her as walking doll in her previous dramas but here..she's human.. alive with emotions.

The shots were beautiful.. as in beautiful coupled with the fantastic music.. the casy were great from the Doctor's Son my love. Team leader ajusshi. safari ajusshi, lee jin sook and the side kick buddy..

This series.. sick dark and beautiful.. need I see.. yummy??

Shouldve watched this earlier if only i knew!! Recommended!

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Heartless City