Prime Minister and I confirms Yoon-ah and Lee Beom-soo
by javabeans
Soooo… the Lee Beom-soo and Yoon-ah romantic pairing is happening. Yuuup. When the casting for the KBS drama Prime Minister and I was first announced as a possibility, it seemed so strange a match-up that I didn’t really think it would happen, but whaddaya know. Stranger things have happened in dramaland, I’m sure, even if I can’t think of any right now.
Prime Minister and I is a romantic comedy centering around the household of a prime minister with complete competence in the work sphere and zero competence in childcare. Lee Beom-soo plays the 40-year-old prime minister and single father of three whose household is in utter disarray, while Yoon-ah plays older than her years as a 28-year-old “mother who arrives in the house like a Christmas present,” and a love story unfolds between them. (The description says Yoon-ah’s a reporter, so I’m thinking she steps in to mother the children, but as they call her a young mother it’s unclear whether she has her own kids.) So in the story the age difference doesn’t seem too vast, though I don’t know how well that will translate when the real gap is 20 years and Yoon-ah’s just 23.
It sort of sounds like Prime Minister and I is the warm and fuzzy straight version of the employer-and-housekeeper romance, like Suspicious Housekeeper if it were played out the expected way (and if the suspicious housekeeper weren’t an uber-literal, robotic, and slightly creepy character, that is). In that sense it’s the less interesting version, but I can see how a straight-up heartwarming family drama mixed with funny romance has broader mainstream appeal.
Prime Minister and I will follow Mi-rae’s Choice on Mondays and Tuesdays and premieres in December.
Via My Daily
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Tags: Lee Beom-soo, Prime Minister and I, Yoon-ah
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1 Honora
October 21, 2013 at 4:05 AM
This is going to be so weird
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pabo ceo reom
October 21, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Beyond weird (and not just for the age). Lee Beom-soo's acting is gonna eat Yoon-ah's alive.
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daenaries
October 21, 2013 at 12:45 PM
If the comment section below is an indication of what is to come, then not only is it weird, but off putting as well. The fans of the so called "9 goddesses" have descended on DB to tell us how flawless Yoona is. Any comment about the drama will be expected to be fluff praise and any opposing views ganged up on.
As usual SM cast one of their own in their drama. They say they don't care about Korean ratings, just the international sales, how insulting is that to the SK audience. I don't care about idols being in dramas, but Yoona is just not good. The excuse that it's not her fault, it's the bad script is hogwash imo. Whatever, likely not going to swatch the drama anyway.
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reina
October 21, 2013 at 2:14 PM
hahahaha. agree. Yoona's gonna drown in this one.
Why SM? Why?
Why not have Jung So Min have a go at it?
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Neena
October 21, 2013 at 7:20 PM
Exactly, especially since she is under SM C&C....and actually HAS acting talent.
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mysterious
October 21, 2013 at 4:42 PM
My thoughts exactly. She doesn't stand a chance. And this premise sounds like "The King and I."
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Joy
October 21, 2013 at 8:21 PM
I agree. I saw the title and I was just like "WHY". And Yoona can't even act that well. I'm not even sure if Lee Beom Soo can save this drama.
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2 TRisha
October 21, 2013 at 4:08 AM
O-kay... but why?!?!?! le sigh.
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madame kim
October 21, 2013 at 6:31 AM
as if there are no other age appropriate actress with much better acting skill. she's going to look like a fish gaping for water with lee bumsoo.
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kanz
October 21, 2013 at 6:37 AM
There's indeed capable actress like Han Hyo Joo whom I miss from my screen.. But since it's SM drama I can't protest *sigh*
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reina
October 21, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Jung so Min is under SM and she is a way better actress by leaps and bounds than Yoona.
But if they really want an idol from SM why not have sooyoung have a go at it, she's better acting wise.
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812_98
October 21, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Jung So Min seriously needs to be cast in a groundbreaking role soon. She has so much potential. There are few actresses that can both act their socks off and have great chemistry with their costar, and she is one of them.
She can be what Kim Soo Hyun is to KeyEast. SM just needs to be smarter about it and make it happen.
hapacalgirl
October 21, 2013 at 7:42 AM
Because its a SM produced drama and SM unfortunately has the clout in the business to do whatever the heck it wants. I just wish it kept its greedy hands in the idol world because SM trained actors (in contrast to the actual veteran actors the company recently acquired) are really bland and minimally talented when it comes to acting. They just acquired some decent female acting talent and I wish they could use someone from the new SM C&C acting list rather than using this as another promotional vehicle to display Yoona's less than stellar acting talent.
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skelly
October 21, 2013 at 8:13 AM
I won't make any difference, but I am still banning this, for just this reason. There is way too much cross-pollination between idol management and drama production; Korea is getting almost as bad as Japan, in its use of drama to promote "talent." Pass.
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acting101
October 21, 2013 at 9:44 AM
Idols ARE celebrities - if they are going to branch out of the idol world, then staying in the entertainment industry and going into acting is a viable path.
Not all actors and actresses in Korea can act. And idols are not the only ones making the transitions - there are models, beauty queens, ulzzangs, singers, etc that do it too.
You are implying that these idols simply by their job title are not good enough and will never be good enough to make any kind of transition, more so in dramas. And that is too prejudiced of you... putting the drama world as well as actors and actresses in such high pedestal when there are the likes of Han Ga In, Kim Tae Hee, Song Seung Hoon, etc who have acting controversies as well as Park Shin Hye, Yoon Eun Hye, etc sparking debate all the time whether they can or can not act. Not to mention scriptwriters who can not write good stories and directors who can not direct.
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 10:19 AM
I think you're getting us entirely wrong on the subject of idols acting - the problem is not with idols acting, it is that they get promoted to lead irrespective of whether they can act or not.
And practically all the lead roles in the 19-25 age range for actresses are filled up with idols. No actress who didn't start out as a child star and isn't an idol now even gets a look-in at a lead role on a network tv show, and this is worrying even in the case of the idols who can act because it's starting to look like young actresses can't get to playing lead roles unless they have day jobs as kpop idols.
acting101
October 21, 2013 at 11:00 AM
@pogo
Korea has three public broadcasting channels that each air at least 5 dramas per season plus there are now cable channels too.
You make it seem like idols headline dramas with lead roles majority of the time when that is not really the case. Most would get to play secondary characters with 2 minute air time. And those dramas that do have idols in the lead roles would be around 10% of currently airing dramas.
And it is not like the idols are the ones responsible for the lack of actors/actresses in a specific age group. The entertainment industry perpetuated it by relying on their popular actors and actresses in recent years by making 30 years old play 20 years old characters and even high school students instead of casting up and coming new talents. This is a very small window of opportunity for idols right now, so they can not really be blamed for taking it.
Besides, if the kdrama entertainment industry can survive with the likes of kim tae hee, han ga in, song seun hoon, etc… surely it can weather the existence of idols. Also, kdramas do not earn that much in terms of ratings in the motherland, most earnings come from being exported overseas – in that aspect, these idols are able to deliver at least.
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 11:30 AM
@acting101 - you're making it very clear you didn't read my comment, which referred specifically to lead roles for actresses in that age group, and how even the few that do exist all seem to be going to idols in the last couple of years (Yoona, Suzy, Uee, Sulli....and the only one of that lot who can actually act is Uee.) Trying to shift the blame to older actors is just silly, because they're not even the ones in competition for those younger-gen roles. The only far-too-old actor I have seen playing a high schooler in recent years is Lee Min-ho, in Heirs - and he isn't an actress.
We may not blame idols for taking an opportunity when they see it, but we have every right to call out subpar/mediocre performances where we see them - idols do not escape responsibility for their performance using the excuse of being 'rookies' in service of the 'brand'. Each one of those actors you named has been frequently criticised for bad acting, and there is absolutely no reason why idols should not be. Kdramas survived KTH and SSH etc, but it's going to be a different story when being an actress isn't even enough anymore - and that story probably won't have a good ending.
Sure, cable does exist and has really taken off in the last couple of years, but it still has a fraction of the reach and prestige of doing a show on network tv, for an actor. And while overseas money helps a lot, I think it's still convoluted logic to dismiss domestic ratings and say that it's worth casting an idol who can't deliver in terms of acting (and who actually hurts ratings, as a result), just to get that China/Japan etc money - when it's a known fact that Korean ratings have an immediate impact on the work and endorsements the cast and crew get afterwards.
acting101
October 21, 2013 at 12:01 PM
the comment was about idols in general because the topic is idols acting.
besides there are a lot of non idols actresses that played lead roles in recent years - kim soo eun, jin se yeon, jung so min, ha yoon seo, etc.
still, the lack of actresses in a certain age group IS perpetuated by the industry - either by casting older actress for younger roles instead of finding talent like go hye sun and the rest of f4 as high school students in boys over flowers in 2008; or by not producing dramas that would have to look for new talent... for example most of yoona's lead role dramas with the exception of love rain she played a character that was a lot older than her actual age. see? the few dramas that call for younger cast, they cast older actors/actress. and most dramas call for an older cast thus eliminating younger talents from the running or making them play characters that are a lot older than their actual age like jung so min in can we get married.
also, there is a difference between (1) saying idols should not act and (2) judging idols in their acting performance. most of the comments i made were aimed at the former.
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 6:15 PM
@acting101 – Kim So Eun is lead in a web drama, Ha Yeon-soo and Jung So-min were both on cable (and again, please refer to what I said about cable vs network tv). JSM hasn’t been lead on a network show since Playful Kiss in 2010, and the trend of idol actresses dominating lead roles on network tv for a given age range is, as I have said, a trend of the last couple of years. Boys Over Flowers predates it by quite a bit, as do Yoona’s pre-Love Rain dramas. And as I repeatedly said, the kdrama industry is creating its own problems – the number of young actresses scoring lead roles in the last couple of years can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and trying to say it isn’t because the handful of roles that exist for them mostly do go to idols, including ones who don’t have the acting ability to carry a show, is just being in denial.
I have no problems with idols acting per se, but you seem to be implying that it is ok for them not to be able to act and to keep getting parts when they can’t, just because a few actors are also bad at acting. And that the lack of ability is justified by the potential of foreign ratings – which is laughable.
acting101
October 21, 2013 at 9:00 PM
@pogo
no, i am only implying that idols SHOULD be allowed to act because there is no justifiable reason why they should not be allowed to act simply because the reasons people use to justify why idols should not act are not exclusive to idols acting - those very same reasons exists even for actors/actresses as well. the end.
judging about idols acting performance? that is expected. talking about quality of dramas or ratings? that is unavoidable. BUT acting performance, quality of dramas as well as ratings are not exclusive to idols in acting - that is a discussion regarding to dramas in general... so using these reasons as to why idols should not act simply because their job title is idol and not actors/actress IS stupid, not to mention prejudiced.
visuals/face, fandom, brand power, acting criticisms, having lead roles, low ratings, whatever else reason - are these exclusive only to idols acting? no, right? so why are these factors detrimental to idols but actors/ actresses get to circumvent it? if actors/actresses are given numerous chances of getting lead roles despite lacking in skills (for decades!) or having low ratings in their previous work, why then is it so wrong to give idols the same chances too?!
and you are implying that only idols get their roles through connection and lobbying like actors/actresses are not guilty of that too - that is laughable. and you are too focused in their job titles that you fail to realize that the very expectations you are forcing these idols to conform to is flimsy at best, simply because even actors/actresses fail to meet said expectations too. you are having double standards because you are using "justifiable reasons" to cut off idols from a viable career path, even though the very people in that career path fail to meet it too. why else are you so obsessed in emphasizing that there is a lack of 'actors/actresses' in a specific age group and that there is abundance of 'idols' in its place instead of focusing on finding 'people in a specific age group with acting talent'?!
saying idols SHOULD be allowed to act is NOT the same as saying (1) only idols should be allowed the act, (2) idols should be exempted from acting/ratings criticisms, (3) standards should not be applicable to idols or whatever else you are reading into my comments.
reina
October 21, 2013 at 9:13 PM
@pogo
I was hoping for a LIKE or LOVE button here but found none. wanted like like like like like what you wrote.
haha, my KEntertainment bias is an idol transitioning to solo and acting and I have to say it pains me to see his acting works. I still love him because he endeared himself to me a couple of variety shows ago and have stuck on and I don't plan of moving on.
But his 'acting' is really problematic, I always hope that he takes on second leads or supporting acts to learn the rope of acting. He did improve a lot since his first outing but not to the extent of leading man status. Fans always try to make excuses and all excuses has been becoming thin and dominantly biased and should definitely changed.
But I am not discrediting all idols cause there are some idols that have transitioned quite nicely in the recent years as well also idols from older generation that has proven that they also have talent. I mean the K-idol world has given its fair share of idol turned actors namely Eric Mun, Yoon Kyesang, Jung Ryeo won, Hwang Jung Eum, Eugene, sung yuri.
But I think nowadays talents think that Idol world is one of the easier paths to making a name and landing an acting gig, but that should not happen. Years before, an actor/actress is subjected to being a supporting no name before they get a big break. And that is before the idol-actor came to light. the competition then was tough but now with this surge of idols getting the part to get the international hoopla it has become quite impossible and unfair for those 'actors'. I do wonder how many actors with real talent gets sidelined or give up just because they are not given the parts that would have been directly proportional with their talent just because producers want to sell big internationally with an idol on board a project, sad really. how many Kim MyungMin and Jeon DoYeon is being passed for these idols.
So I wonder, who really approves these gigs, producers? company? idol-actor/actress themselves?
Really KEnt is making their own problems with these, I just hope that they go by talent rather than international recognition...
coffeebeans
October 21, 2013 at 9:33 PM
LOL are you really putting the blame on idols for people with talent being passed over right now?!
because for sure, even before... people with talent are being passed over for the likes of kim tae hee, han ga in, song seung hoon, etc.
this is not a problem that is only caused by idols acting.
Oluchi
October 22, 2013 at 5:35 AM
Please what's an Ulzzang?
ssc
October 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM
to be fair, most idol that are moving to acting usually become idols because it's an easier way for them to get recognition and be able to get acting roles.
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 10:52 AM
which is still a screwed-up way to have to approach acting, really. Sure we get some good ones out of it (Uee, Jung Eun-ji, IU, even that one girl from Girls' Day), but when companies simply treat acting as one more thing on a checklist that idols 'must' do, we get things like Yunho acting.
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 6:13 PM
@acting101 - Kim So Eun is lead in a web drama, Ha Yeon-soo and Jung So-min were both on cable (and again, please refer to what I said about cable vs network tv). JSM hasn't been lead on a network show since Playful Kiss in 2010, and the trend of idol actresses dominating lead roles on network tv for a given age range is, as I have said, a trend of the last couple of years. Boys Over Flowers predates it by quite a bit, as do Yoona's pre-Love Rain dramas. And as I repeatedly said, the kdrama industry is creating its own problems - the number of young actresses scoring lead roles in the last couple of years can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and trying to say it isn't because the handful of roles that exist for them mostly do go to idols, including ones who don't have the acting ability to carry a show, is just being in denial.
I have no problems with idols acting per se, but you seem to be implying that it is ok for them not to be able to act and to keep getting parts when they can't, just because a few actors are also bad at acting. And that the lack of ability is justified by the potential of foreign ratings - which is laughable.
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3 Orion
October 21, 2013 at 4:09 AM
*waving skinship bye bye*
I hope Yoona's history with older men as her romantic pairings will come in handy here, because if there is not at least one kiss, I won't see them as a couple. Don't forget the rom in rom-com, makers.
Pray to the Dramagods, people. And I'll prepare myself for the bad case scenario of this being the third time in a row I will suffer for Lee's sake.
(I'll be more positive within the next few days, I'm sure)
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Lolaaa
October 21, 2013 at 4:49 AM
I don't think I'll be comfortable with the kiss though. They have such a huge age gap. *skin crawls*
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houstontwin
October 21, 2013 at 5:09 AM
If the acting is good, then it won't be creepy because you'll buy into their characters and the fictional relationship.
But I worry about the terrible age discrimination that continually casts younger women in older roles (for example the weekend drama Scandal...). Why can't an actress in her late 20's or early 30's play this character?
Not only that, why did the writers feel the necessity of creating a character in her 20's when the Prime Minister is over 40? Can't a beautiful woman in her 30's be a "Christmas present"?
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Annie
October 21, 2013 at 5:45 AM
... there are a ton of dramas about divorcees and women in their 30s. Heroines in their 20s are more of an exception, especially when you take dailies + weekends into account. And with the surplus of 30+ actresses, there are quite a few 30+ actresses who play younger characters quite convincingly whereas you have younger rookie actresses in their mid 20s playing middle schoolers and teenagers in throwaway fare.
Plus, stuff like this happens in real life. Men in their 40s can and have fallen in love with women in their 20s and vice versa. What's so wrong with portraying this kind of relationship?
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Mystisith
October 21, 2013 at 6:02 AM
Yep. If noona love can happen, then ahjussi love is welcome too. As long as it's done with respect and sincerity, there is no reason to cringe. I refuse double standards.
Since it's a SM drama, we'll see how it goes.
Annie
October 21, 2013 at 6:05 AM
Right on @ double standards. The love story in IHYV is many folds more questionable than the one outlined here.
Emy
October 21, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Exactly.
And Lee Bum Soo's real-life wife, Lee Yoon Jin, is actually 20+ years younger than he is. It happens.
hapacalgirl
October 21, 2013 at 7:45 AM
This set up would be fine if they casted a young female actress that can measure up to lee bum soo's level of intensity and ability. Since like you said, the adjusshi/younger woman happens more often in real life. But Yoona is neither of those and has a tendency to play the cutesy/childish heroine card when casted which will make this set up not work for me.
Kiara
October 21, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Park Eun Bin played Heo Joon's wife and she is 20yrs younger than Kim Joo Hyuk and it worked out well because she knows how to act. She sold it, deep and sweet at the same time.
This can actually work if the actors can pull it off. We all know that Lee can act but he will have carry this girl because being all cutesie is not going to cut it.
foulou
October 21, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Lee Yoon Jin is 13 years younger, not 20+ years. lol.
Mama J
October 21, 2013 at 12:44 PM
Because part of the humor will come from the age gap, I'd expect. It's gotta be built into the story.
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Orion
October 21, 2013 at 9:09 AM
I don't mind the gap. I'll mind it if they make her cutesy to promote her idol-ness, that would be creepy, but the age itself, not a problem. A lot of people with age differences date. Chemistry is the important thing here.
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Annie
October 21, 2013 at 9:35 AM
I agree very much, Orion.
I don't think Yoona is a good choice for this one, but it's got nothing to do with the age gap/storyline.
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themugen123
October 21, 2013 at 4:51 PM
Totally agree.
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4 kdwkyah
October 21, 2013 at 4:12 AM
woah. dat age difference. but im pretty sure lee beom soos charismatic acting will make up for it.
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5 Jane
October 21, 2013 at 4:12 AM
This drama is going against Miss Korea (produced by SM C&C, led by Lee Yeon Hee), so I wonder who is going to win. Obviously the KBS drama airig in the same timeslot but will an SM drama finally able to shine
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Lola
October 21, 2013 at 5:52 AM
Miss Korea is up for the Wednesday/ Thursday slot. While Prime Minister and I is going to air on Mondays/ Tuesdays!
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hapacalgirl
October 21, 2013 at 7:48 AM
Is Miss Korea going against Man from the stars? If it is, there is no way its going to win. Kim Soo Hyun is ratings gold.
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girlatsea
October 21, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Yeah + Beautiful Man (the Jang Geun-seok/IU drama) is supposed to air a couple of weeks before. Man of the Stars will probably take the slot, so I think it'll be Beautiful Man and Miss Korea fighting for the second spot
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anais
October 21, 2013 at 10:47 PM
And Jeon Ji Hyeon's return to TV in god knows how long. 14 years? Wowza.
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mary
October 21, 2013 at 6:47 AM
Either way, SM is going to win. :D
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hapacalgirl
October 21, 2013 at 7:47 AM
SM will win and acting will lose, I just hope MBC releases something that will blow both out of the water since SM produced dramas serve more as promotional vehicles and not so much as quality dramas.
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Lola
October 21, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think it will compete with Empress Ki (MBC) and One warm word (SBS).
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skelly
October 21, 2013 at 8:15 AM
I'm hoping Empress Ki stomps this into the dust.
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reina
October 21, 2013 at 2:26 PM
as much as i love Lee Bum Soo and also hate the costumey still of empress Ki, i am with you. I hope that Empress ki will be the ratings champ. or maybe have drama Kind Words be the champ. i think will star Ji Jin hee, I love and miss him so...
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 8:33 AM
SM got their asses kicked hard with To The Beautiful You this time last year, acting had a definite win with Nice Guy and Arang and the Magistrate clocking up double/triple TTBY's ratings, ha.
If this drama succeeds, it will be despite SM and not because of them.
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girlatsea
October 21, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Wow, they're really getting into the drama industry. As much as I like some SM idols (mostly Shinee), it's kinda scary. First music, then variety, now dramas (even in the tourist industry!!). What's next? Movies? Books? Wait, never mind Shinee has already published a travel book on Barcelona.
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6 101Q
October 21, 2013 at 4:17 AM
I'm actually anticipating this.
The age gap is refreshing. I hope Yoona shows that she's improved... Gong hyojin has said she sees potential in her.
But there better ACTUAL romance.
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7 ricky
October 21, 2013 at 4:19 AM
I like them both.
People will generally call them mismatched because of either age or acting chops. Honestly, Lee Beom-soo could rock it opposite anyone, in my opinion. As far as the acting goes, I think Yoona is decent and will have no trouble in the role.
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8 blast
October 21, 2013 at 4:21 AM
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...hh
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9 fab
October 21, 2013 at 4:28 AM
Noooo way. Chocking. Creepy. Impossible. Unbelievable.
I can't make proper sentences to describe my feelings about this casting.
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fab
October 21, 2013 at 4:30 AM
Shocking too, LOL.
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Mystisith
October 21, 2013 at 6:04 AM
Impossible? I know such situations around me in RL. Several, actually.
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Annie
October 21, 2013 at 6:08 AM
Exactly - speaking from experience, it doesn't seem all that uncommon in Asia.
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mary
October 21, 2013 at 7:25 AM
Agree with Mystisith. I don't see anything wrong with the setup.
Mainly because this sounds a lot like the rumored Korean adaptation of a popular drama from the Philippines, Be Careful With My Heart.
It's about a 20+ y/o girl from the province who was swindled from her I'm-going-to-work-overseas-money. Instead of going back to her family and disappointing them, she opted to stay in the city.
She saved the life of a little girl who turned out to be the daughter of the owner of an aviation company. The owner wanted her to work as the kid's nanny and offered her a high salary but she asked for a scholarship to be a flight stewardess instead.
She ended up working for the owner. A rich widower who was good in business but clueless about family matters. His 3 kids: a troublesome teenage boy, a trying-hard to step into dead mom's shoes teenage girl, and a traumatized little girl who doesn't speak.
The lead girl started out as a nanny but ended up fixing the whole family (and winning over Mr. Daddy Who Does Not Smile Anymore Since Mom Died).
The show had monster ratings and has been extended by more than a year! (As reference, most dramas only last 3 months here.)
Another similarity between both shows is half of the OTP isn't a "serious" actor. LOL In this case, it's the guy acting as dad. He used to be a commercial model and he had a popular side character role in a previous drama so they gave him this project with a not-very-famous-anymore leading lady.
But the story was cute and the lines were funny enough and the show became an unexpected hit. :)
Aaanyway, haha, my point is it's entirely possible for this OTP to work too if the story and the script can cover up for the lack of acting prowess.
BTW, we didn't find the story's age difference icky either. They didn't play up the skinship. The enjoyment was in watching how each member eventually warmed up to the nanny. Kind of like a Gokusen or Great Teacher Onizuka format.
Granted, the show did rely a lot on the acting skills of the leading lady (who's a 30+ year old woman acting as 25ish) since she's the one winning the other characters over. I'm not sure how Yoona's going to manage that. She needs a lot of help from LBS...
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ravens_nest
October 21, 2013 at 7:42 AM
Wait...they're making a Korean version of Be Careful With My Heart?
Huh...interesting.
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mary
October 21, 2013 at 9:27 AM
My sister and I saw some blog posts earlier this year that there were talks to make a kdrama version of BCWMH.
I think it's just a rumor though. :/ There was no additional news after that. Maybe the talks fell through? :(
ron nablo
January 9, 2014 at 7:45 AM
that's right....
10 snow_white
October 21, 2013 at 4:28 AM
Ohhhh....
I didn't mind the age difference beteeen Sooyoung and Lee Jong Hyuk in Dating Agency Cyrano because they had such a great chemistry and she is a good actress...
But can't say that about Yoon Ah....have seen her in only 9 End 2 Outs and wasn't impressed....
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101Q
October 21, 2013 at 4:31 AM
She was only 17 at that time I think
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heiress15
October 21, 2013 at 4:34 AM
really? liked Yoona in 9 ends 2 outs!
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snow_white
October 21, 2013 at 5:52 AM
maybe I didn't like her character there.....
anyways, I think it's refreshing to see a younger woman- a bit older man rom-com because we have seen enough of noona romances....
If the actors are good, I have no problem with this set-up.....
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heiress15
October 21, 2013 at 6:07 AM
really liked yoona in 9 ends 2 outs, and uee in you're beautiful... as well as krystal and kim ji won in heirs!
bratty characters are interesting imo - girls are not evil creatures, but that does not equate to girls being angels. girls are just... complicated! LOL
there is such a double standard in kdramas - guys get to play characters that are jerks, bullies, and whatnots but the audience STILL likes/loves them. and then there are girls who play characters that are not outright evil characters but are not also the typical cookie-cutter candy... and the audience don't like/hates them...
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skelly
October 21, 2013 at 8:17 AM
I don't think it is the "bratty" type of character people object to, I think it is the shrill, one-note "acting" that seems to accompany these parts...
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 8:40 AM
oh I don't know about that, skelly. People can be vicious if a female character is presented as an imperfect one,even if the performance itself is good (Kim Ji-won in Heirs, Lee Yubi in Gu Family Book).
And there's a converse tendency to idolise even mediocre performances, so long as the heroine does the 'right' thing, even if the character is otherwise a Mary Sue (the other female lead of GFB). People sometimes fail hard at distinguishing between actress and character - I've done it myself and learned my lesson.
snow_white
October 21, 2013 at 8:54 AM
I think you have got the wrong idea....but I know how to appreciate good acting...be it a negative character or a positive one...
In 9 end 2 outs, her role was very irritating and add mediocre acting to that....of course, I found that meh....
acting101
October 21, 2013 at 9:07 AM
@skelly
No, it is the double standard. Like in heirs, people are praising woo bin to high heavens like he is so hot or he is a good actor (never mind the fact that it seems like this is the same character he has played before) when in 4 episodes, all his character amounted to is a rich, mean, bully.
On the other hand, kim ji won gets hated on eventhough she plays her character very well - and based on synopsis and story development, her character makes sense and shows depth. But no, she is not part of the otp - ignore kim tan being a jerk to her, just spazz because kim tan is so sweet to eun sang... rachel is evil. *rolls eyes*
Or kang min hyuk can act - never mind the fact that this is his third or fourth time playing this character. And yet krystal can not act - never mind the fact that she is actually animated and is able to do more than 2 default facial expressions (like park shin hye`s shocked face and crying face).
heiress15
October 21, 2013 at 11:26 AM
@snow_white
the second reply was more of a comment of observation in general, and NOT really directed at you. ;)
Riri
October 22, 2013 at 9:01 AM
@acting101
my god i think krystal is terrible in heirs! she speaks in one tone, she talks very fast and it's incredibly uncomfortable to watch.
she does one expression and it's the snickering of the mouth. which by the way is SO overdone in k-dramas. goo hye sun was the queen of this in BOF. why is this the only annoyed expression they can make? while kim ji won who is equally as bratty shows a lot more range and depth in her emotions. i think she's great. while krystal is seen as simply obnoxious, ji won is proving just the same but with hints of insecurity.
11 oneclearnight
October 21, 2013 at 4:29 AM
Tbh Yoona is a decent actress. I quite enjoyed her performance in LR and she was fine in the rom com-y parts of that show (before the stupid angst hit, and then her limitations began to show through). Obviously Lee Bum Soo can act circles around her but if they have chemistry and the writing/directing is good, I can't see why this wouldn't be decent.
(Trying to think positive here. I think the premise is cute).
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12 fab
October 21, 2013 at 4:32 AM
Too bad, now I have to miss the Korean-drama of The Sound Of Music.
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Grace
October 21, 2013 at 4:50 AM
I was about to say the same thing. Maybe, she'll bring out her guitar and sing Do Re Mi?
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ssc
October 21, 2013 at 10:48 AM
you don't HAVE to do anything, you choose to.
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13 Aidualc
October 21, 2013 at 4:39 AM
Strange pairing. I don't have a problem with the age gap since in the drama it wont be that big, but I don't like Yoona because she's so hyped for her supposed beauty and not for her talent. Maybe I'm judging her wrong since I haven't seen her in anything nor do I know if she's a good singer, but I keep thinking of her as the Kim Tae Hee of idols.
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14 heiress15
October 21, 2013 at 4:41 AM
really like yoona as an actress!
but why are her dramas like this - either she plays a character that is a lot older than her actual age and/or her leading man is around 10 to 20 years older than her...
her agency should put her in romantic comedies where she gets to play a character closer to her actual age, as well as have a leading man that is around her age too.
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heiress15
October 21, 2013 at 4:50 AM
uh, what?! suspicious housekeeper has romance in it?!
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houstontwin
October 21, 2013 at 5:14 AM
Well the housekeeper ties Dad's tie. Maybe that is some vestigial romantic gesture on her part.
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heiress15
October 21, 2013 at 6:12 AM
but is the kdrama version really pushing for a romantic angle between the employer and housekeeper though?!
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ilikemangos
October 21, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Don't know about that. Its like a carbon copy of the Japanese version so I'm assuming it'll follow into its footsteps.
also, the housekeeper tied the eldest sons tie too. It pertains to her ocd like nature. The Japanese version had her tie the dads tie too.
then again its hard for Korea to make a show without throwing in some central romance. We'll see. But I doubt it.
rorie
October 21, 2013 at 5:24 AM
so agree....
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15 Lilly
October 21, 2013 at 5:07 AM
The hills are alive with the sound of music.....
Think that one had a 20 year age gap maybe
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16 DLias
October 21, 2013 at 5:17 AM
it's scandalous... wait .. who will playing the baroness ?
and the opposition will say ... the teacher is north korean spy...
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17 Lisa
October 21, 2013 at 5:18 AM
Ummmm..?
Lee Beom-Soo is old enough to be a young father to Yoon-Ah if they have a 20 year age gap.. :o
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18 houstontwin
October 21, 2013 at 5:20 AM
Georg von Trapp was born in 1880 and Maria in 1905 (according to Wikipedia).
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siwonsea
October 21, 2013 at 5:33 AM
poor yoona... lucky lbs...
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Asa
October 21, 2013 at 7:25 AM
For me it's poor LBS....
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Kiara
October 21, 2013 at 8:44 AM
The main actors, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer were only 6yrs apart.
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Hazel
October 22, 2013 at 2:19 AM
Exactly.
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19 omo
October 21, 2013 at 5:24 AM
This is my problem. There are tons of actresses in this age group who are just as green as Yoona. Acting wise, there are lots more who are competent. So, why Yoona?
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Annie
October 21, 2013 at 5:47 AM
How many of them are actually leading dramas?
Yoona is one of the few options in this age group who comes in with some sort of fan base + prior experience --- whether that translates into ratings or no.
That is the sad reality of the industry.
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kanz
October 21, 2013 at 6:44 AM
If the character is supposed to be 28 years old, means they are born in 1985 or 1986 and if we stretch it a little yes indeed there are very few actress. My suggestions are Shin Min Ah or Han Hyo Joo since they are both capable and quality actress. But it''s SM drama folks.. As long as Yoona turns out to be decent, it's quite good
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 7:52 AM
I think we talked about this the other day - kdramawise, if you're in the 20-25 age bracket, not an idol and not named Shin Se-kyung or Park Shin-hye, there isn't a chance in hell for a young actress to lead a prime time network show.
I have no issues with the age gap per se (I'd be far less wary if it was Sooyoung in the lead, and she and Yoona are the same age), but this def. looks like yet another drama where Yoona's costar is going to do all the heavy lifting, acting-wise. She's tolerable enough, unlike the likes of Taecyeon and Suzy, but mainly only in fluff mode.
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Annie
October 21, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Yes, pogo, I remember!
Like I said before, I'm just waiting for the day when we see Song Joong Ki acting in a romance with Kim Yoo Jung/Kim So Hyun...
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Annie - I personally hope that this younger gen of actresses get true drama/movie breakouts in their mid-late 20s, if the major networks don't have the confidence to let them do it now.
It's ridiculous that pretty much the only early-20s actresses we see as network tv leads are girls who started as child actors, your prediction about Kim Yoo-jung/Kim So-hyun could be closer than we think if the networks don't wise up and realise that the underwhelming numbers idol-led dramas pull in isn't coincidence or conspiracy, it's just that sucking at acting = disinterested viewers.
20 Ace
October 21, 2013 at 5:24 AM
Pass.
Next...
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Alinka
October 21, 2013 at 7:16 PM
*on board with you
Pass
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21 Soyb
October 21, 2013 at 5:28 AM
It's not the age a difference so much as the skill difference for me. I would almost rather they had cast a Yoon-ah equivalent actor. If she's limited in her acting, it will be hard to believe in the romance. Oh well... after the Dr. Jin Hot Mess, I was hoping to see LBS in something good. He was so good in History.
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22 jae
October 21, 2013 at 5:34 AM
Not YoonAh fan...
Hmm.. but the age gap is so, uhm, far? It'll be like he's her uncle or stuff specially if she acts all cutesy and will aegyo her way through out the drama..
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23 floralnori
October 21, 2013 at 5:39 AM
If they have to kiss, for once I'll be satisfied with the safe lip-press. Otherwise, yuck.
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24 Appletea
October 21, 2013 at 6:01 AM
So, is there anyone out there that really think Yoona could play comedy and to be a comical character? Or even just to match LBS? Like.. Seriously? Is there anyone?
And to think about it, why there are so many SM idol going around in kdrama lately? The most painful thing about that is that most of them can't act at all *ugh.. Krystal.. ugh* and now Yoona..
Well, but i don't think this will affect me bcs i don't think i'll watch it. But with so many Sm idol going around lately, i hope Yunho won't step into my most anticipated drama Man From Another Star. Don't you dare
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Hazel
October 22, 2013 at 2:25 AM
Krystal is actually entertaining as hell in Heirs. Her character is one of the bright spots, imo.
And yeah, I will also want to burn things if Yunho is cast in Man From Another Star.
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25 space kablooie
October 21, 2013 at 6:13 AM
To me, its not so much the age difference as it is Yoona's acting. She doesn't seem to have much range beyond adorable and pouty. If it were, say, Han Hyo jin or Moon Chae won at 23 doing this, I'd have no problem whatsoever because they have the range to act more like mature adults and less like the bratty girls in Heirs. If Yoona can pull it off-- well, I'd be surprised.
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26 shisuisen
October 21, 2013 at 6:40 AM
Age gap is fine. What's more important is acting skills, followed by chemistry. And to me, her acting is a bit bland. Who knows, maybe she will improve in this new show.
SM sure is trying to take over the world though. -.-
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27 Guest
October 21, 2013 at 6:44 AM
I haven't seen LBS in anything and only a bit of Yoona in her drama with JGS, but not enough to see whether she's good, so the age gap doesn't register with me that much. Haven't heard much praise about Yoona's acting abilities though, so I hope she will be great here. Although the premise seems so old, I hope the writers will find a way to make it fresh or different. It will be great to watch something lighter for the holidays.
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Kiara
October 21, 2013 at 7:55 AM
Start with "Giant"...LBS is amazing and one of the best who is still doing dramas and have not completely disappeared doing films only like most top actors in Korea.
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Orion
October 21, 2013 at 9:15 AM
If 'Giant' feels too big, go for 'History of the Salaryman'. That's the series that introduced him to me and I am a huge fan ever since.
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28 Tien Mahardika
October 21, 2013 at 6:46 AM
well, weird to imagine, but the picture bothers me even so much becoz it's yoona, i mean i kinda still doubt her acting skill, i'm sure many people consider her as a flower in idol-land, but so far there's no significant drama-work that noticeable as a good one, that's for me
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dramaholic
October 21, 2013 at 9:25 AM
She started out as a model at a young age, and had her acting debut in a supporting role in a drama prior to her idol debut. Her first lead role was in a daily drama playing a character that is a lot older than her actual age of 18 at the time - and the general public of Korea at that time know of her as Sae Byuk (her character`s name).
Yoona has potential in acting IMO... if only her management as well as the drama production would stop in restraining her potential just to preserve her "marketable image" because obviously both her management and the drama production are depending on her marketable image.
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29 masterciaossu
October 21, 2013 at 7:05 AM
The story is like Please be careful with my heart in the Philippines and like javabeans said it also sounds like the suspicious housekeeper which I really like so I am looking forward to this but I am kinda worried if the two lead actors' chemistry can captivate me.
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30 Kiara
October 21, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Lee Beom-soo I'm so breaking up with you. How many more bad dramas to have to watch for you. Dr Jin, IRIS 2 ...sigh*
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31 xxvxx
October 21, 2013 at 7:45 AM
Well, I knew she's gonna confirm the minute the articles are out. As a GG fan, I'm excited for another Yoona drama, I am hoping this is out of her usual sad characters and give her more exposure and experience.
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32 carol
October 21, 2013 at 7:45 AM
I don't think Yoona's THAT bad, i mean i've seen worse actors/actresses. The problem with her IMO is that she's not a lead actress material. She doesn't have a strong screen presence. Maybe she should stick with supporting roles first, and try to learn from her seniors such as Gong Hyo Jin or Shin Mina
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 7:58 AM
exactly. She's not that bad, but her role as the 'face' of the nation's biggest girl band does not qualify her to play lead in a drama.
She can do fluff competently enough and thank god her eyes aren't vacant like some idol actresses who make me cringe on sight, but there is literally nothing she brings to the table that a young non-idol actress couldn't do better - as an actress, there's nothing special about her.
Basically, idol management agencies need to stop foisting their 'visual' on us as leading lady material.
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acting101
October 21, 2013 at 8:51 AM
There are plenty of actors and actresses who can not act and still get lead roles. And then there are actors and actresses where people always get into a debate whether they can act or can not act like park shin hye, yoon eun hye, current lee min ho in heirs.
Idols transitioning into acting did not start in this generation of idols. Furthermore, idols are not the only ones making the transition since there are models, beauty queens, ulzzangs, singers, etc that do it too.
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 9:27 AM
true, Han Ga-in is as terrible as any idol, and with far more experience too.
And I am not questioning idols transitioning into acting (Yoon Eun-hye was an idol herself, but gave it up before starting her acting career), but the previous generation of young actresses didn't have to contend with idols getting almost all the prime time lead roles in their age group, regardless of whether they could act or not.
And unlike models, ulzzangs etc., who generally start out small/in supporting roles, idols tend to get lead roles long before they've developed the skills to handle such roles.
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acting101
October 21, 2013 at 10:03 AM
During that time, it was unthinkable for idols to do activities outside of being an idol thus, they graduate from being an idol first before pursuing acting - yoon eun hye, jung ryeo won, eugene, yoon kye sang, kim kang woo.
Also, its a case to case basis even with idols now - there are those that started off as models in their childhood so they have experience in going to auditions as well as acting in commercials prior to their idol debut.
While your last comment is a reasonable concern, it can not be helped because idols have a "brand" already. And if you think about it, this "brand" is not any different in terms of kim tae hee brand or hong sisters brand - it is a legitimate product.
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 10:31 AM
@acting101 - the 'brand' is precisely what's hurting the quality of acting from idols now - the focus on offscreen image instead of acting skills (e.g. pushing a group's 'visual' as lead in one project after another, even when they can't act) often leads to subpar performances and fans wailing 'give them a chance!' even as their bias flubs it, time after time.
And it hurts the talented ones too - Jung Eun-ji (one of the best young actresses to emerge in the last few years) has openly admitted that she 's limited in the kind of roles she is allowed to take on because she can't stray too far from her group's 'concept'.
The number of actresses in that age range who score network leads and aren't idols can be counted on the fingers of one hand - it is officially ridiculous when a kpop career is practically a prerequisite to having even the slightest shot at a lead role, even when idol-led dramas featuring very popular idols keep flopping. (Yoona's last two dramas clocked in the single digits, so much for that SNSD visual following they banked on)
acting101
October 21, 2013 at 11:16 AM
any kind of "brand" is both an asset and a liability...
kim tae hee has one and she can not act. the hong sisters has one and they have produced the same formulaic dramas you can write step by step that can either produce good results ie master sun or bad results ie big. kim eun sook has a brand too - dramas with awful female characterizations, and yet her dramas are considered ratings hit. idols are not the be all and end all of this so-called branding power.
and "branding power" does not necessarily translate to ratings hit, it's effect is more on commercialism. and like posted above, Korea has three public broadcasting channels that each air at least 5 dramas per season plus there are now cable channels too.
you guys make it seem like idols headline dramas with lead roles majority of the time when that is not really the case. most would get to play secondary characters with 2 minute air time. And those dramas that do have idols in the lead roles would be around 10% of currently airing dramas.
and it is not like the idols are the ones responsible for the lack of actors/actresses in a specific age group. the entertainment industry perpetuated it by relying on their popular actors and actresses in recent years by making 30 years old play 20 years old characters and even high school students instead of casting up and coming new talents. this is a very small window of opportunity for idols right now, so they can not really be blamed for taking it.
besides, if the kdrama entertainment industry can survive with the likes of kim tae hee, han ga in, song seun hoon, etc… surely it can weather the existence of idols. also, kdramas do not earn that much in terms of ratings in the motherland, most earnings come from being exported overseas – in that aspect, these idols are able to deliver at least.
and really, dramas is a personal preference. if you like it then watch it, if you don't like it then you can always find one that you like. you might not like idols acting, but there are fans who enjoy it... much like Boys Over Flowers is atrocious, but there are a lot of people that seem to like it.
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 11:42 AM
@acting101 - If branding is an asset and a liability, then we have the right to talk about both. And right now, the liabilities of idol branding appear to outweigh the assets, qualitatively (idol group 'visuals' and their lack of ability despite being aggressively promoted) and quantitatively (ratings).
In any case, you keep bringing up/cut-pasting the same point about branding and not blaming idols, but I fail to see how the branding issue exempts idols who can't act from criticism of their acting skills, using the nebulous excuse that maybe they bring in overseas money and domestic ratings aren't important anyway, to compensate for the fact that Korean viewers clearly don't blindly buy into it.
acting101
October 21, 2013 at 12:22 PM
@pogo
maybe you are the one not actually reading my comments...
people are complaining about idols acting and i am arguing why not? the reasons you guys give exists prior to current generation of idols acting. idol brand? other actors/actresses/scriptwriters have that too. can not act and yet have lead roles? there are actors/actresses like that too. low ratings? there are dramas with 'competent' actors that have low ratings too and/flops too. the existence of idols in dramas did NOT bring an effect that is exclusive only to these idols acting. that is the point i am trying to make.
if the main concern in dramas is acting - then that should be the qualifier shouldn't it? "dramas should have a cast that can act," and not "dramas should not have idols."
judging idols acting performance is an entirely different thing, and one i am not even arguing against.
pogo
October 21, 2013 at 5:56 PM
@acting101 - no, I think you're the one who's failing to read my comments before replying to them. I repeatedly referred to the specific question of whether they could act or not (hence the 'idols who can't act' part, do I have to put it in bold or something?), and to the dearth of roles within a specific age group and the fact that virtually all the roles that do exist for young actresses are given to idols irrespective of acting ability.
And if you don't think it's problematic that having an idol career (i.e. their primary activity is not acting) is practically a requirement for an actress in that age group to get a shot at lead roles these days and leads to young actresses who aren't child stars or idols getting shut out of those roles, I have nothing further to say.
acting101
October 21, 2013 at 9:18 PM
why on earth is it SO important that idols validate their acting ability when judging acting talent is such a highly subjective endeavor? veteran actresses such as park shin hye and yoon eun hye, etc. sparks debate whether they can act or not - much like how people argue whether uee, yoona, krystal, etc can act or not too.
and if you don't think being focused in their job titles of idols vs actors/actresses instead of focusing in their potentials in acting ability and talent is problematic, then I have nothing to say to you too.
sara
October 21, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Yoon Eun Hye can definitely act. She's one of the best in emotional scenes.
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 10:47 AM
exactly, and so can Park Shin-hye (recent criticism of her seems to be more about the way her character in Heirs is written, than anything she actually has control over as an actress)
elizabeth
October 21, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Personally Park Shin Hye seems like a good actress in her age range one of the best. The problem is that it leaves your safe zone no chances and that's as bad as not knowing how to act. As for Yoona I'll give a chance is far from being the best actress idol and more far from being a real actress but she her performance is passable at least give him the benefit of the doubt
33 mira
October 21, 2013 at 7:53 AM
LMAO !!!
oh Lee Beom-soo , I love you ( even watched Dr.Jin for you ) but ...
gonna pass on this one .
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34 alisa
October 21, 2013 at 7:58 AM
I`ll watch this. I love Lee Beum Soo and can tolerate Yoona without a problem, so i will definitely check it out.
Plus this drama goes up against Empress Ki( no way i`m watching that ,sorry Han Ji Won but 60 episode sageuk is not my thing) and Kind Words( love Han Hye Jin but that drama doesn`t attract my attention) so that leaves Prime Minister and I.
Btw this story is VERY realistic , powerful man dating a woman half his ages? People find this strange, seriously?
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foulou
October 21, 2013 at 9:08 AM
they;re not dating those girls for love, though.
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35 MIKAN
October 21, 2013 at 8:05 AM
Poor LBS...she's with this girl who can't even spark a single chemistry. I'm still in bitter mode in Love Rain. She ruined those precious scenes.
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dramaholic
October 21, 2013 at 10:14 AM
But Yoona had great chemistry with Jang Geun Suk in Love Rain!
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alisa
October 21, 2013 at 11:31 AM
I think you mixed Yoona up with Park Shin Hye. Yoonas chemistry with JGS was pretty much the only good thing about Love Rain.
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36 lenrasoon
October 21, 2013 at 8:19 AM
yeah...not watching this.
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37 Trina
October 21, 2013 at 8:26 AM
One word...... Pass!!!!!! LBS why why???!!!!!!
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38 AnotherFan
October 21, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Ouch...
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39 FerCG
October 21, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Reporter?? Wasn't she suppose to be a musical actress?
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40 Mini Squid
October 21, 2013 at 9:20 AM
Maybe it is because he is a smexy middle aged man, and he looks visually matching with Yoona, but this pairing does not give me the heebies jeebies at all. It is weird, yes. But not gross. The gross one was the Choi Kang Hee and Joo Won one. Even if they are both competent actors, I still shudder involuntarily everytime I see their picture.
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41 Me
October 21, 2013 at 9:23 AM
I can't imagine how the kissing scene gonna be like.....wait~! I can! and its horrrriiiibllleeeeee....don't do a long kisses pleeease..guhh...:((
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42 sara
October 21, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Age gap isn't a problem and you haven't seen any still of them to judge their chemistry! There are alot of couples which I sensed zero chemistry between them but then there were just okay. Kdrama can do wonders about chemistry.
You should be worried about the acting itself more than the kissing! LBS is just way better than Yoona. No offense but she can't act
I'm going to pass on this drama . HJW is there leading the epic 50 eps saguek... and that one is something to look forward!
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43 Lola
October 21, 2013 at 10:34 AM
Firstly, I do think Yoona is decent actress who can make this work if she really gives her best shot. And Lee Bum Soo might be the right actor to do that. Other actresses/ actors have mentioned her potential (and not all of them have worked with her) and within the Korean Entertainment Industry, she is actually considered as one of the few idols who might be able to make the transition from idol to actress.
Secondly, another article just mentioned Love Actually and the lovestory between the british prime minister (played by Hugh Grant) and the an employee of Downing Street. Sounds also similar! And that relationship was somehow really cute.
Lastly, I don't know how many of the poster here are from Korea or international fans (and therefore have no influence on the ratings) but those stories are very much loved by all generations especially during the christmas time. On the original korean news sites, people actually look forward to the drama.
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pogo
October 21, 2013 at 11:02 AM
I don't know about that, really. Very few actors would say anything less than encouraging about a young up-and-comer, especially from the nation's girl group, in public, so I'd take their words with a pinch of salt.
I liked her well enough in Love Rain and she has room to improve, but I'm pretty sure her being touted as the next idol-to-actress transition has everything to do with her status as the 'visual' of SNSD and not that much to do with her actual acting skills. And like I said above, her last two dramas as lead had very low ratings so there's no telling whether this will be the one to break the pattern for her.
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Lola
October 21, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Those actresses/ actors named Yoona and were not forced to talk about her. Mostly, they were asked who of the young actors/ actresses have potential and they named her as one of them. They were not put on the spot by forcing to comment on her specifically.
Yoona recent dramas were unsuccessful not because of her acting but the very slow plot progression and the very narrowed target audience which hardly works.
(Up until now it seems to be the same problem with The Heirs: narrowed target audience who are not really watching because they had to much of that drama before it even started. You thought the information that were given out for the international audience was much, imagine what was happening in Korea since May on a daily basis.)
If this drama has a quicker pace and with Lee Bum Soo as one of the most respected Korean drama actors as the other lead it might work out. But it has to be on from Episode 1 onwards!
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44 acting101
October 21, 2013 at 10:52 AM
Korea has three public broadcasting channels that each air at least 5 dramas per season plus there are now cable channels too.
You make it seem like idols headline dramas with lead roles majority of the time when that is not really the case. Most would get to play secondary characters with 2 minute air time. And those dramas that do have idols in the lead roles would be around 10% of currently airing dramas.
And it is not like the idols are the ones responsible for the lack of actors/actresses in a specific age group. The entertainment industry perpetuated it by relying on their popular actors and actresses in recent years by making 30 years old play 20 years old characters and even high school students instead of casting up and coming new talents. This is a very small window of opportunity for idols right now, so they can not really be blamed for taking it.
Besides, if the kdrama entertainment industry can survive with the likes of kim tae hee, han ga in, song seun hoon, etc... surely it can weather the existence of idols. Also, kdramas do not earn that much in terms of ratings in the motherland, most earnings come from being exported overseas - in that aspect, these idols are able to deliver at least.
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Ace
October 21, 2013 at 11:24 AM
*triple take* I get your point and I agree with what you said mostly, but did you say the same thing 3X?
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acting101
October 21, 2013 at 12:28 PM
posted it as a comment instead of a reply... LOL
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45 exquisitemelody
October 21, 2013 at 11:40 AM
So is this the new theme? After time traveling and super natural stuff, the new kdrama theme is...Mary Poppins/Sound of Music/Nanny McPhee.
lol. okay.
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Orion
October 21, 2013 at 11:44 AM
I think it's more along the lines of ajeossis + young female idols working at SM, at the moment. Let's see what else the next season brings. :P
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46 Abbie
October 21, 2013 at 1:03 PM
I'm looking forward to this mainly because of Lee Beom-soo. I became a fan of his after watching Iris 2, where he played my favorite character. So I'll watch this for him. 4
I know Yoon-ah from her idol group, Girl's Generation. I have not seen her act, so I have no opinion on it or her as an actress. From variety shows she seems really kind and sweet, so I like her as a person and an idol. I will withhold judgment on her acting chops until I actually see her act.
About the whole idols can't act thing, I don't think this is true. Sure, some just should not act, but their are others who have made the transition pretty easily and do well. Uee, Siwon, IU, Sooyoung, Jun-hyung of Beast just to name a few. If Yoon-ah wasn't good in a previous drama, perhaps she's improved. I'll wait and see how she does, because I've not seen her act, and I'm already predisposed to like her because I'm a fan of Girl's Generation.
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47 dearly
October 21, 2013 at 2:29 PM
What an unusual pairing. A bad actress with a great actor = ???
wow. This year's dramas really suck. The only drama that kept me interested was Master's Sun. Now that that drama is over, I've been switching to America's tv shows such as "The Blacklist", "Mentalist", and "Criminal Minds". I hope next year there will be less idols in dramas and focus on more actors/actresses that can actually act with better script.
And yes, I am one of those who hates idols acting. I haven't seen one that really stands out.
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reina
October 21, 2013 at 9:24 PM
hahahaha.
criminal minds! best ever show!!!
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48 Bean
October 21, 2013 at 3:12 PM
Ehh....I've never really been a Yoona fan, she has too much hype compared to her obvious skill. I'd be okay with the age gap but seriously, Yoona is touted for her baby face.
My main problem is that SM and other companies always promote their "visuals" to do acting in hopes of making up for their lack of musical/dancing talent. If the idol companies actually went through and found the best actors/actresses within the group, I wouldn't be complaining. I personally enjoyed Sooyoung's acting...I mean she could have improved but I didn't feel the age gap at all.
And Yoona's acting is really sub-par...maybe if she got an acting coach she could really become good...
And seriously SM...if you really want your visuals to all have an acting career....get them an acting coach first
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49 themugen123
October 21, 2013 at 4:45 PM
Don't have or see a problem with the age gap.
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50 addict
October 21, 2013 at 7:03 PM
YOONA is still too young/fresh for the cast
she need to do more sitcom learning to act before taking the leads role!
her face just doesn't suit the role I think~~~
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