Hotel King confirms its leads, goes on casting spree
by javabeans
Im Seul-ong, Wang Ji-hye
It’s a casting bonanza for Hotel King, which has not only secured Lee Dong-wook and Lee Da-hae as its leads (omg My Girl squee), but a whole bunch more to make up the supporting cast.
Let’s start with Im Seul-ong, 2AM idol and budding actor, whose casting makes me aww if only because I seriously loved his bromancey relationship with Lee Dong-wook in their last drama, Mandate of Heaven. (Note: I did not love Lee Dong-wook in that drama, but I loved the guys’ arc from childhood best friends to estranged adults to co-conspirators and teammates.) Seul-ong plays a hotelier (as do most of our characters) at the fancy 7-star Hotel CL (do they even make hotels with that many stars?), and his character sounds like just the kind of guy to make audiences fall for him as the second lead: He’s smart, loyal, positive and hard-working with a heo-dang side that keeps him a little offbeat.
Seul-ong’s character also connects with CL’s bold, lively heiress played by Lee Da-hae, which sets him up for a love triangle with the two leads. Poor guy never even had a shot. Lee Dong-wook plays CL’s current general manager who then becomes the CL president’s enemy; I’m guessing this was a long con for him, since he’s out to take down the man for abandoning his mother years ago. We’re not told exactly what kind of crisis arises, but when the heiress finds herself facing dire struggles because an unexpected event puts her father’s hotel in peril, Seul-ong is someone who rushes in to help her and try to save the hotel.
Gong Hyun-joo, N
Then there’s Wang Ji-hye (Suspicious Housekeeper), and this means we’ve got yet another reunion (after the My Girl and Mandate of Heaven rematches) since she and Seul-ong were both in Personal Taste, though not often together. She’ll play a former television announcer who now runs the hotel restaurant, who also once dated Lee Dong-wook. She chose money over love and married someone else, but has never been able to forget him. Oh boo hoo. Excuse me while I don’t cry over your angst.
VIXX’s leader N takes on his acting debut playing another hotel staffer, a guy with a “distinctive and upbeat” personality who acts as the mood-maker with his cheeriness. Gong Hyun-joo (Dumb Mom, Golden Bride) plays an employee who got her master’s at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration and her MBA at NYU, who speaks six languages and is the perfect girl next door. Is she also a genius?
Singer-actor Alex (Medical Top Team, Pasta) is another addition to the show, who’ll join CL’s staff as an employee with an international background.
There must be a strong idol connection going on because we’ve also got a member of girl group AOA, Seolhyun, onboard to play the daughter of Hotel CL’s vice president. I wonder if that’ll put her at odds with our heroine, the president’s daughter, though Seolhyun is described as kind and lovable, so maybe not.
Go Yoon, Seolhyun, Ji Il-joo
Moving on (I know, we’re not done yet), we have Go Yoon (another reunion, this time with Lee Da-hae as one of her IRIS 2 castmates), playing the youngest concierge team leader who spent time studying abroad and now manages the VIP clientele with skill and ease and fluent English. I do hope that’s English and not Engrish. Ji Il-joo (Basketball) will man the front desk.
Last but not least, among the sea of newbie faces, we’ll be seeing some veterans: Kim Hae-sook (King’s Family) and Lee Deok-hwa (Secret) are also onboard to play senior staffers. She takes on the role of an exacting training manager who will abide no mistakes, and he will play the devilish, sneaky vice president.
Can’t say I’m in love with the concept, but there are a lot of names to like about this show. (I know, I know, many a weekend drama has been taken down despite a great cast. I still choose to hope.) Hotel King is an MBC weekend series that’ll follow Golden Rainbow, premiering on March 29.
Via Joy News, Chosun, E News 24
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Tags: Alex, Gong Hyun-joo, Im Seul-ong, Lee Da-hae, Lee Dong-wook, Wang Ji-hye
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1 canxi
February 21, 2014 at 3:15 PM
Wow, I was not expecting ALL these faces when I clicked into this. I have casting whip lash.
But YAAAAY! Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hee!!!
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wannabean
February 21, 2014 at 4:53 PM
now if only we can get them together in real life! xD
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Nancy
February 21, 2014 at 7:34 PM
Let's be honest, how many of us are tuning in mostly, if not just for Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook? Even if there's very little story or major ridiculousness, I'm committed because of them. This sounds like famous last words right now..
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madame kim
February 21, 2014 at 7:38 PM
LOL, ME! Premise sounds ridiculous but I'm willing to bear a lot of crap just to see LDH and LDW.
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canxi
February 21, 2014 at 11:18 PM
Let us pray!
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akamiso
February 21, 2014 at 10:08 PM
Me too, this! I can't believe my all time favorite kdrama couple is coming back together as a couple, is this really real???
Although imagine how terrible it would be if something ended up crappy somehow and it ruined the pairing not only for this drama, but for My Girl too :(:( Ok, I'm not jinxing it.
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pogo
February 22, 2014 at 9:39 AM
yeah, kdrama OTP reunions are so rare (though Lee Da-hae broke the pattern with Jang Hyuk) that any re-pairing of an OTP who was this squee-worthy, WILL make me squee
To be quite honest, it's the only reason I am even paying attention to Mr. Genius Hotel at all.
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canxi
February 22, 2014 at 12:32 PM
Oh, yeah! She did. I wish they would happen more often. There are other people I would want to see together again in better things probably, lol.
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2 redfox
February 21, 2014 at 3:15 PM
I get confused. I need a drawn chart of all the relations and reunions.... but cool!
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3 MistyIsles
February 21, 2014 at 3:25 PM
But...I have little interest in this drama. But I adore VIXX and want to see N's acting debut. But weekend dramas are usually really long, right?... But some of those character descriptions are starting to sound interesting. Guess I'll have to check it out, at the very least.
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4 meenuby
February 21, 2014 at 3:36 PM
Wow, this drama is littered with idols.
All the casting flew over my head, but Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae reunited? Please, Writer-nim, make full use of the chemistry gold you have here!
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eunchans
February 21, 2014 at 3:54 PM
It's only two idols though? I'm sure they won't have much screen time because they only seem to be minor roles. *shrugs*
Yes, I think we will all be watching for the chemistry! I sure as hell won't be watching for the plot.
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kuxi
February 21, 2014 at 7:47 PM
it's not two,but 5. They are 2AM Seulong, Jewellery Yewon, VIXX N, AOA Seolhyun, Alex. I don't know if there's more since it's weekend drama, more episode more actors
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danna
February 21, 2014 at 8:08 PM
except Alex is not an idol
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Gabby
February 23, 2014 at 2:35 PM
It's the same singer-to-actor transition, though.
5 Celest
February 21, 2014 at 3:48 PM
But where's Lee Jun Ki?
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eunchans
February 21, 2014 at 3:57 PM
I don't think he was ever offered Hotel King? He was up for Angel Eyes, but has since passed on it :/ (though he may have dodged a bullet, cause ya know, writer of BOF and all).
I think the role as now gone to Lee Sang Yoon.
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nana
February 21, 2014 at 5:38 PM
I think that was a My Girl reunion joke.
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August
February 21, 2014 at 7:42 PM
Before final casting is wrapped up, it would be awesome if Lee Jun-Ki could join them in this weekend drama. I would be satisfied even if it was just a cameo.
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6 kristy
February 21, 2014 at 4:11 PM
thats a lot!
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7 vanillasalt
February 21, 2014 at 4:37 PM
im watching it for Lee Dong Wook and Lee Da Hae
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8 kanz
February 21, 2014 at 5:19 PM
I love Im Seulong ever since Mandate of Heaven. He seems a sweet and nice guy.. I also love Wang Ji Hye.. This girl is hilarious in Protect The Boss (ice cream girl) and adorable in Bachelor's Vegetable Store. Yeah, I definitely will watch this cuz I adore the casts, except Lee Da Hae since I never watch her acting.
Lee Dongwook, Im Seulong, Wang Ji Hye, Alex, what's not to love?
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Mel
February 23, 2014 at 9:57 AM
I'm with you, let's enjoy the show. As for having the idols, give them a chance... Having other idols may bring their stress levels down.. It probably will be a fun setting since LDH and LDW are happy go lucky... can't wait! I hope it's not too melo with a huge dash of fun!
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9 dmohican14
February 21, 2014 at 5:28 PM
I haven't watched a weekend drama in a while, but with Lee Dong-wook and Lee Da-hae headlining, I might have to watch this, probably with a lot of fastforwarding.
I think VIXX and AOA are under the same agency ( I could be wrong, but I remember N was paired with another AOA girl on the Romantic& Idol because of that reason), so I guess that's why they both signed on.
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dmohican14
February 21, 2014 at 5:35 PM
Ah, I was wrong, it was a girl from a different idol group.
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10 risa
February 21, 2014 at 5:43 PM
I may be the only one, but I'm happy to see Seolhyun's name on the list. She's still a little green, but I thought she was really adorable in Ugly Alert. Her performance in that actually reminded me a wee bit of Lee Da Hae in My Girl.
Im Seul Ong: Yay! Wang Ji Hye: Meh (So far I've only liked her in PTB.)
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11 Jyyjc
February 21, 2014 at 5:57 PM
Is lee deokhwa officially type casted as the devilish sneaky president?
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12 Yenlinh69
February 21, 2014 at 6:36 PM
A 7 stars hotel? Is this a sign indicating that this show will not be grounded by reality? Why did the writer even feel the need to make that up?
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im_eve
February 21, 2014 at 8:35 PM
I think Burj Al Arab in Dubai is 7 star?
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whatsthescenario
February 21, 2014 at 9:33 PM
Yup, it is!!!
https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab/
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canxi
February 21, 2014 at 11:25 PM
Wow. I can certainly see why. O_O
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fab
February 22, 2014 at 5:08 AM
But isn't that like the biggest/tallest hotel/building in the whole wide world? Oh drama...
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dreamy
February 21, 2014 at 8:59 PM
yes.. because most k-dramas are just realistic... right?
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shaui
February 22, 2014 at 3:04 AM
7 star hotel do exist. Hehe! We have 2 here in UAE. Because 1 is never enough :)
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13 anotherfan
February 21, 2014 at 7:37 PM
You had me at masters at Cornell school of hotel administration. Hotelies!!! Lol :) I will at least tune in to see how this goes.
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14 Eddie
February 21, 2014 at 7:48 PM
Wow this drama sounds boring lol
I gotta admit tho, I have a soft spot for LDH after Miss Ripley... plus My Girl reunion !!!
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15 ryoko
February 21, 2014 at 7:48 PM
That's a lot of names and faces at once. Was I the only one who kept reading CL and immediately picturing 2NE1's leader instead of a hotel?
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16 janice k
February 21, 2014 at 7:51 PM
Isn't Jewerly's YeWon cast in this drama too?
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17 danna
February 21, 2014 at 8:09 PM
OMG, this is a phenom reunion party...idk who is acting with who for the second time except that its the epic repairing of LDH AND LDW!!!
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18 Daria
February 21, 2014 at 8:53 PM
My Girl - can't wait to watch these two again.
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19 Lils
February 21, 2014 at 9:05 PM
Time to re-watch My Girl again! :D
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20 xxvxx
February 21, 2014 at 9:56 PM
At first I was like... but if its only 16 episodes... isnt that too much characters? And then I read: weekend drama! No wonder.
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21 Emmy
February 21, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Whoa, that's a whole lot of characters! How many eps is this drama anyway?
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22 kb
February 21, 2014 at 11:14 PM
the next heirs lol
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canxi
February 21, 2014 at 11:24 PM
Why are you cursing us? lol
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23 kooriyuki
February 21, 2014 at 11:27 PM
Javabeans, if this tanks, I'm sure many of us will go down on it with you. Cheers! =D
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24 Calannie
February 22, 2014 at 2:27 AM
I'm only watching it cuz of N, tbh. I mean I like the other actors and all but N is my squishy.
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25 fab
February 22, 2014 at 5:48 AM
Yeeeeeey for the confirmed My Girl reunion! But this many relevant characters, WHY?? How many episodes is it going to be then...
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26 Langit13iru
February 22, 2014 at 10:16 AM
I feel so excited to watch this once Seulong name there. Mandate of Heaven reunion. But then when the broadcast station is MBC. I sorta give up already. There is no way I watch this drama on my PC instead of TV.
Damn MBC, you should have tv station like KBSWorld cater to overseas viewers too.
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27 Abbie
February 22, 2014 at 11:13 AM
I'm watching this for Im Seul-ong. I like Lee Dong-wook, but I'll be honest, his acting in Mandate of Heaven was sub-par, and whenever they were on screen together, Im Seul-ong out-shone him. I'm not even that big a fan of Lee Da-hae, although I've seen her in several dramas.
The rest of the cast is okay or brilliant. The concept of the show is nothing new, but I like that it's set in a hotel. I'll watch it!
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28 salina
February 22, 2014 at 4:20 PM
My Girl remains my fave drama of all time, so when i heard the two leads would be Lee Dong-wook and Lee Da-hae i was SO THERE! but the fact that its a weekend drama kinda kills my enthusiasm...i'm still going to be watching but now i'm not as excited as i was.
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29 Caroline
February 22, 2014 at 6:37 PM
This is totally Heirs 2 =D lol. I can't believe the selection. How did they manage to get the attention of all those hotties?
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Stephanie
February 23, 2014 at 1:44 AM
The reunion of the leads is enough to get ANYBODY's attention. Plus the lux lux of the hotel business. Who would reject a sparkly diamond?
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30 Cocoboo
February 22, 2014 at 8:52 PM
I can't remember Go Yoon in IRIS 2 at all....
Lots of characters in this. I was excited to see Lee Da Hae & Lee Dong Wook confirmed, but dang, I didn't realize this was a weekend drama.
This show is gonna be long then, right?
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apqaria
February 23, 2014 at 12:01 PM
It will be 32 Episodes
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31 coffeenlucia
February 22, 2014 at 9:45 PM
omigosh VIXX's leader N!!! *fangirls* and Alex!! yayayay~ will watch this show now
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32 Mojobobo
February 23, 2014 at 12:33 AM
Ok, kinda confused here. Da Hae is the CL President's daughter but Dong Wook hates the CL President for abandoning his mother...so does this mean there is going to be some sort of forbidden sibling love angst?! No no no, that would be too much melo and I won't have any patience for it at all (seeing as to how I am really going to watch the show for the Lee couple)
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sotongpok
February 23, 2014 at 8:50 AM
it is a weekend drama, so angst aplenty for everyone!
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Mojobobo
February 23, 2014 at 5:10 PM
Aigoo...
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33 Sadie
February 23, 2014 at 12:24 PM
oh please be good...the cast is pretty large though...
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34 Ellie
February 23, 2014 at 5:39 PM
Hakyeon ah~ I'm excited to see N on here. I love him, but I really thought Hongbin would be the first actor in Vixx. So basically N will be playing himself! I'm really excited to see this now, I just hope N doesn't over work himself, they need to let them rest!
Excited about the My Girl reunion too! I don't know if I could do the whole 32 episodes though, I might wait until it's done to start watching it.
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35 hawoojinruinedme
February 23, 2014 at 7:34 PM
Damn that's a lot of people.. So excited about the My Girl reunion though. Cant wait!
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