Vampire sageuk drama in the works

204 February 11, 2014February 11, 2014

by javabeans

First Joseon aliens, now Joseon vampires? HA. This should be interesting.

Before we get too excited, Kim Soo-hyun’s reps have already denied that he’ll be taking on this new drama project, almost as soon as rumors hit the internet that he might be considering it. So no, this is not a casting notice of any kind. But I can see how the thought process led to Kim, given that he’s done sageuk drama before (The Moom That Embraces the Sun), flirted with the paranormal (You From Another Star), and is on a hot streak (everything he’s done in the past four years, really).

The project is based on a manhwa titled Scholar Who Walks the Night (or Scholar of the Night), written by Jo Joo-hee and Han Seung-hee, which was just licensed for adaptation. The story is set in Joseon times when a nobleman’s family is ruined due to false accusations, and the daughter disguises herself as a man to sell books. Then she meets a mysterious, handsome Confucian scholar who turns out to be a vampire. And he’s not the only one, because the palace is home to another, this one described as murderous.

Admittedly, manhwa-adapted dramas can be hit or miss—Gaksital was a hit, as was Boys Before Flowers and Goong, but there have also been lots that have faltered, like Pretty Man, Strike Love, and Tamra the Island. Still, this one has enough quirky traits to capture my interest. How could it not?

Kim Soo-hyun’s denial to the casting rumors makes sense, since he’s currently in the thick of drama shoots and intends to take a break afterward while he picks his next role. Plus, I’d argue that he’s even too perfect a choice for a handsome Joseon vampire scholar character that it’s almost too obvious to go after him—it’s such a wacky premise that I want to see them be a little out there with their choices. (Which means: no boys who have previously played vampires, no matter how much they look the part a la Kim Woo-bin or Lee Soo-hyuk, and also no to actors who already look vampiric, such as Noh Min-woo. C’mon, if you’re gonna go for weird and quirky, cast someone unexpected, like Yoon Shi-yoon, or Joo-won. Can we have that drama, please?)