Now that his face is so plastic-y (and him just being unrecognizable) just does not help with his acting problems, now we're going to get even less facial expressions >.>

And this drama sounds like it has alot of potential too...

its hilarious,when some ppl here said "He shouldn't act,he has yet to improve his acting skills"
what a irrational comments.....

How can he improve if you don't give him a chance?
How can you know he has yet to improve if you don't give him a chance?
Don't judge a people from their past because they're no longer in that state of their life (in this case it's acting skills)
honestly,some ppl here should IMPROVE their personalities first.......no offence

Well said mila. How can someone improve when others dont want to give him another chance. Im pretty sure they saw something in himto cast him for it.i personally think he's improved from what i saw in the cc teaser.
Breaking news y'all, i just read he's accepted the role. Kim hyun joong, fighting!!!prove them all detractors wrong!

This is a serious project that he's taking on.
Rather than a leap he should be taking baby steps in improving on projects that are more suitable to his current acting state.
If one is not ready to take on a project quite at this level, then one's acting skills will be alot more glaring. That means alot more backlash for him as an actor, which is sad because i find him likeable. His lack of emoting will just be jarring -- or i just won't feel for his character as much as i should.
Sure, he could "feel" ready. But his resume would tell us otherwise. In fact, none of the roles on his resume required him to play such dramatic characters with alot of depth.
Even city conquest (action adventure) was fine with me considering we're still in the modern days and there's still plenty of room for some light, comedy stuff. I'm a big believer in taking slower, steady steps for improvement rather than jumping into things you're not quite ready for. But some can argue against that, since everyone's views are different.
But this is very gaksital-esque -- and a period drama at that -- that was attached to big name actors like lee jun ki and kwon sang woo who can really act.
If he can prove to me that he's actually ready to take on a period drama like this come airing time -- i'll eat my words.
Suzy jumped right into the role of yeo wool, and looked at all the backlash she got -- bless her soul.

Even though this guy was in my first drama ever, (which means I will always have a soft spot in my heart for him) his acting is not... not the greatest. but as I said, soft spot :) I do hope that whoever gets the role, be it him or someone else, will do an amazing job with it.

he is so handsome!!& have a great personality esp in Barefoot, but i can't stand seeing him acting.

for hyunjoong maybe in reality show, no in drama.

Yeah I'm definitely not watching it if he's the lead..

Millions of his fans will be watching his drama so for a few who are not planning to watch and still complaining. I will suggest don't watch.

Nobody really knows if he has improved or not until we watch his next project. Who knows, this may even be his cup of tea since its a 180 degrees shift from his previous projects, story-wise and character-wise.

I will watch whatever he does!! If you have not watch is cute video he did for his bday party with fans you should!! he kills it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iTvlBKlN7-4

No, no and no. I was really looking forward to this, don't ruin it for me! I don't even think he's attractive. I won't even give it a chance if he accepts.

I know that Kim Hyun Joong isn't the best actor, but I really have this desire to see him in another drama? Will this be the drama for him? To be honest, I'm not sure. I was really looking forward to City Conquest, but that one fell through. The third time could be the charm. His third drama, the third lead actor that they're pursuing....

We'll have to wait and see!

he just sucks badly at acting, the 2 dramas he acted in, all the Japanese counterparts did much better than him....he better stick to being a singer

I really hate how people like to hate so much. Kim Hyun Joong is called a bad actor for what people have called his 'stony' acting when he got stony characters. I read both mangas , Hana Yori Dango + Itazura Na Kiss. I dont see how his acting could've been better at all. Rui, or ji hoo, was totally calm and almost emotionless most of the time as was Naoki , Baek Seung Jo. Kim Hyun Joong wouldve killed both roles if he had shown more emotion. Of course that compared to Lee Min Hos BOF character, Jun Pyo who was an emotional rollercoaster, HyunJoong would look like a bad actor. Before his acting is judged , his characters should be as well. From the small glimpses I had from City Conquest , he did not seem bad at all acting a stronger and colorful character. I can't wait to see how he handles a livelier and more emotionally wild character. I hope many of you who are dissapointed at him being offered this role will consider my thoughts before judging him so harshly. :)

I read many comments here, how controvertial he is, most of them are against him, But thanks everybody to talk about him, It helps him and the drama to be watched to KHJ fans to enjoy seiing him on the TV which we miss or for you to critic him, but as he said in his song SHUT UP, everything is going well, he doesnt matter what you say, your opinion is nothing since he does what He wants and he learns from City Conquest to be strong and face failures. He is simplly trying what he likes and doing it for his fans, also going to the Army giving us something to see during his absence. Good memories. Even if the drama will be as you say bad, we , his international fans will suport him because we like to do, when he goes to the Army other actors have the chance to superate him, in acting, could be but how he is personaly imposible, his carisma is unique.

I love kim hyun joong