Yeo Jin-gu signs on for High Kick's not-a-sequel » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

48 July 10, 2013

Yeo Jin-gu signs on for High Kick’s not-a-sequel

by javabeans

Hot on the heels of all that High Kick 4 speculation comes this bit of great news: The sitcom has cast teen heartthrob-in-the-making Yeo Jin-gu. Or maybe he’s already a heartthrob and noona-killer, on top of being a promising future leading man. (But still fifteen! He’s a 1997-er, folks, read it and weep.)

Producers and cable station tvN have been very adamantly stressing that this sitcom is NOT—they repeat, NOT!—part of the High Kick universe, despite being created by the same hitmaker PD, Kim Byung-wook. Maybe that accounts for its very quirky (working) title, Potato-Shaped Sweet Potato Star 2013QR3. The “2013QR3” part of the title was done to mimic the naming of a new planet, and the show itself will incorporate astrological references.

Yeo Jin-gu’s character is named Hong Hye-sung, which could be one such cosmic reference (hye-sung = comet)… or, you know, just a normal name. Potayto, sweet potahto? In the show, the Hye-sung character is a computer programmer who dreams of becoming Korea’s Mark Zuckerberg.

Though this is not part of the High Kick franchise, as with all of Korea’s daily sitcoms, we can expect a large cast with multi-generations and a bunch of quirky characters. Yeo Jin-gu has mostly made a name for himself wowing audiences in the childhood roles for tons of adult stars, many of them in serious dramatic roles: I Miss You, The Moon That Embraces the Sun, Giant, Warrior Baek Dong-soo, Swallow the Sun, Tazza, Iljimae. But he’s got a lovable playful side, which we’ve seen glimpses of, and I’d LOVE to see him on a daily basis. Most of the time we get two, maybe four awesome episodes of him, and then he goes away and we’re stuck with Jang Hyuk, or Kim Soo-hyun, or Yoochun! All right, those aren’t bad trade-offs, but you can’t help wanting him to stick around for longer.

Potato-Shaped Sweet Potato Star 2013QR3 will air in usual sitcom format: four episodes a week, broadcast on Monday through Thursday evenings, for 120 episodes total. It’s aiming to begin filming in August and will probably broadcast soon thereafter (sitcoms and dailies shoot closer to a live schedule in general). We can expect lots more casting news to come in the following weeks.

Via SBS

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Tags: Yeo Jin-gu

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1 Arhazivory

July 10, 2013 at 9:34 AM

When did I fall in love with this boy? Ah right....Iljimae (the third kdrama I watched). Loved him, loved him, loved him and been watching him ever since.

The premise is different and nerdy which I like. If someone subs this, I'll give it a go methinks.

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Kiara

July 10, 2013 at 9:55 AM

Been loving this kid since Iljimae too and yes he’s already a heartthrob and noona-killer JB. Cant believe I watched "I Miss You" just for him.

Subs or no subs I'm watching this. He is like Kim Myung-min to me. Just mention his name and I'll be there.

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bd

July 11, 2013 at 12:49 AM

Should watch his very 1st role in the ensemble film "Sad Movie."

Even at that tender age, his talent was noticeable.

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2 Bellamafia

July 10, 2013 at 9:35 AM

I've never watched korean sitcom before. Is it a 30 mins show? In my mind, it's like Friends or Big Bang Theory or something.

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canxi

July 10, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Yes, it's a 30-min show! There is even a laugh track I believe, lol.

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Viki

July 11, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Yep, there is laugh tracks too hehe

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maldita

July 11, 2013 at 7:11 AM

Can be either 1 hour long or 30 minutes long.

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3 pogo

July 10, 2013 at 9:44 AM

If this is as long-running (50+ episodes) as most Korean sitcoms/the other three High Kick series, I am THRILLED at the thought of getting that many episodes of this awesome and talented noona-killing young man.

The casting news/rumours for this so far have made me very happy indeed, and if this is anything like the previous 3, I'd love to see his (and Ha Yeon-soo's) career given a boost before he transitions into actually playing a character all the way through in a prime-time drama.

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4 snow_white

July 10, 2013 at 9:44 AM

Yay that he is starring in a light and funny show :-)

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5 Kelinci Biru

July 10, 2013 at 9:51 AM

i love him. Please grow up faster.

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ilikemangos

July 10, 2013 at 10:53 AM

seriously.
I'll give him another 3-4 years before i'd like to really see him start wooing the girls in a high school drama or something.
But considering how fast this boy grows up, (that voice! that acting!) if we saw him take on a big role in the next couple of years i wouldn't be surprised.

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6 Waiting

July 10, 2013 at 9:55 AM

I love this kid because he can bring it acting-wise. It will be great to see him more frequently than a handful of episodes.

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7 Abbie

July 10, 2013 at 10:05 AM

I haven't seen this kid in action, but I've heard good things about him. I hope he is in this new show. Can't wait to see it!

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8 Pokioki

July 10, 2013 at 10:10 AM

15??!!! I always seem to forget he is a 97 liner. He has such a strong presence that it seems impossible for him to be a minor. And I always seem to find the child actors have a much bigger impact than their adult counterparts.

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9 Midori

July 10, 2013 at 10:22 AM

I'm old enough to be his mother so I wish all the best for this talented cutie pie! I love that he's built like a linebacker and not the trendy skin & bones look. This ajumma love you.

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ilikemangos

July 10, 2013 at 10:57 AM

agree, he's not too thin like most of our leading men but he's also still a kid going through puberty.
With a really deep voice and naturally dark skin, he's going to grow up to be one of those more rare actors.

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rose

July 10, 2013 at 2:56 PM

I'm old enough to be his aunt...lol...and i agree with you 100%...love that he isn't the typical scrawny kid. Ajumma love all around^^

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Barbara Starks

July 10, 2013 at 7:36 PM

I totally agree I especially like his dark skin, he looks healthy. I always love his build it a man body no skinny jeans there. I have to say this pic look like he had a nose job, if so I'm so mad because dammit he was HOT with what GOD gave him!!!!!

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KDaddict

July 10, 2013 at 8:07 PM

I love this kid, everything about him, since Iljimae. How did a small child that age leave such an indelible memory on us viewers? He was cute, elegant, thoughtful looking, all at the same time. His talent shone thru even then.

He has changed little by little over the years; each change brings him closer to heart throb territory.
I love everything abt him, most of all his acting.

Of all the casting news, this make me the happiest.

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10 latteholic

July 10, 2013 at 10:39 AM

The noona-killer generation just get younger and younger every year.
Or is it just me getting older?

I'm happy with the casting so far, I just hope that it will be subbed!

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11 canxi

July 10, 2013 at 11:01 AM

This is awesome news! He really is gonna be something great real, real soon. But, wasn't he cast for another drama? What happened with that one?

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12 JenJen

July 10, 2013 at 11:04 AM

97-er?! I keep forgetting that since he looks like a 94/95-er. either way he is a noona killer (and a handsome one at that).

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13 Bro

July 10, 2013 at 11:07 AM

I will be watching (or at least trying to) since I loved the High Kick series. They helped me discover actors like Yoon Si-yoon and Lee Jong-suk.

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14 disfigurine

July 10, 2013 at 11:27 AM

Wow he is so young. I can't believe I'm a noona because I'm only a 1995-er! So isn't he too young to be cast as a computer programmer?

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~Feather~

July 10, 2013 at 11:48 AM

Maybe he's a genius computer programmer? You know how dramaland likes it's geniuses. :P

btw, I'm a 1995-er too! :D And I like your name. :)

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15 Fun-Lugha

July 10, 2013 at 11:55 AM

I did read and am still weeping!

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16 matinsoleil

July 10, 2013 at 12:23 PM

120 episodes? God help me. No matter what Yeo Jin-gu plays I have to watch!! It will be my 1st sitcom but 120ep it's huge...

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17 Mar

July 10, 2013 at 12:40 PM

Well that was a smart move for the show. For the actor, that's a steady job but a big commitment and limits him; he's on fire and can probably get a lot of drama and movie work that gives him a variety of work, exposure to more people/good experience and good networking opportunities.

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18 fusionjack

July 10, 2013 at 1:18 PM

i am hoping lee seung gi or suzy can be casted too, since it is a new learning experience for them

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19 modest-goddess

July 10, 2013 at 1:33 PM

15! I feel like such a dirty old woman.

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20 mona

July 10, 2013 at 1:33 PM

i fell in love with him when i watched TMTETS . he is good looking and has a perfect body however he is just 15. he is a real noona killer. i will watch this upcoming drama because of him. YJG good luck

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21 HeadsNo2

July 10, 2013 at 2:14 PM

Love him. Hate the working title. Can they just pull a Green Scalpel and call this Good Sitcom?

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22 Makoto

July 10, 2013 at 2:34 PM

haven't watch any sitcom before, but any show with him would be okay for me. wish there will be english sub for it.

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23 Herlene

July 10, 2013 at 3:19 PM

he looks a bit like choi jin hyuk in this pic

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Vickie

July 10, 2013 at 8:47 PM

LOL THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING...

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24 unknown

July 10, 2013 at 3:30 PM

I heard kim yoo jung also sign a drama and movie deal! I wonder which drama is it now since all the drama has a cast already unless it's this one? How exciting! Either way, in still watching for this one! I love sitcom bc of its light and hearthrob content

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25 aX

July 10, 2013 at 4:18 PM

OMG! I hope this also starts KIM YOO JUNG!!! Ahh these two are too daebak!!

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ck1Oz

July 10, 2013 at 6:10 PM

If those 2 star together. Or even with the other actress, I might actually keel over with joy. But no K drama casting is ever that good.

But yeah for that OTP- oh no, they might be siblings in the drama- a lot of us would be watching it. You think?

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26 ck1Oz

July 10, 2013 at 5:51 PM

Noona killer. He is such a Noona killer. Except for me being an Ajumma.

For him.120 episodes subbed or not- I am watching him.

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27 Bengbeng

July 10, 2013 at 10:57 PM

he's turning to be an eye catcher and would break lots of noona's heart, well including the ahjummas =)

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28 Viki

July 11, 2013 at 12:02 AM

Yay Yeo Jin Goo finally gets his own role and not the "kid growing up to the main character" role!

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29 Amalia

July 11, 2013 at 12:03 AM

OH MY GOSH. This is awesome news!! I can totally imagine Yeo Jin Gu in a sitcom! I'm looking forward to this new sitcom more and more, especially because I'm watching High Kick 3 (yes, I know the tvN one is definitely not the sequel to it) so I'm expecting lots from PD Kim Byung-wook!!

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30 anna

July 11, 2013 at 4:27 AM

Holy crap! That's him??? He's only 15? WOW. He looks very mature for his age.

Now I'll proceed stepping away from the computer.

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31 Lilian

July 11, 2013 at 6:15 AM

The title of the drama is a total winner! Haha....but I shudder at the thought of the commitment level required to watch this drama though =( how??

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32 ida

July 11, 2013 at 9:31 AM

yay!
more yeo jin gu!
Hope it's a good project for him...
fingers crossed, and regardless, he will probs bring the goods whether or not the rest of the drama is middling. :)
I've been watching Giant, and I loved him in the early portions.
So fricking goood.

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33 Perrie

July 11, 2013 at 7:40 PM

Yay! I'm so happy for Yeo Jin Gu!
I really wanted to see him with Kim So Hyun in that ajusshi drama because they had great chemistry in I miss you.
hope some one subs!