Heechul joins flower grandpa body-swap comedy
by girlfriday
Well this is an unexpected addition. It was hinted at earlier in the winter that tvN would be rolling out a drama version of their hit variety show Grandpas Over Flowers, with lead halbae Lee Soon-jae headlining. The comedy, called Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit, has now been confirmed for a late April broadcast, and has secured a cast of funny halbaes along with Super Junior idol Kim Heechul. The craziest part? It’s now apparently a body-swap comedy. HA.
The new drama comes from one of the writers of the old ’90s sitcom Three Men, Three Women and the PD of movies Meet the In-Laws and Tone-Deaf Clinic. The original description was just that it would be about a group of grandpas who work at a delivery service, who moonlight as detectives and take it upon themselves to solve cases. They’re led by Lee Soon-jae, age 79, who was a traffic cop as a young man, and had unfulfilled hopes of being an ace detective.
His fellow courier-detective halbaes will be played by veteran actors Byun Hee-bong (Goddess of Fire Jung-yi, The Spies), age 72, and Jang Kwang (Suspicious Girl, Goddess of Fire Jung-yi), age 62, who will each have their own colored pasts before becoming deliverymen.
Now the plot description has a totally new twist: a twentysomething elite detective suddenly wakes up in the body of a seventysomething halbae, and has to figure out how to get back in his own body. We’re not told explicitly that Heechul and Lee Soon-jae are the ones swapping bodies, but it makes sense given that Heechul is playing an elite detective and Lee Soon-jae is the star. I wonder if the recent success of grandma-body-swapping comedy Suspicious Girl had anything to do with the supernatural twist, but it sure makes it a funnier premise.
Heechul is a surprising choice but not necessarily a bad one since we’re in wacky comedy territory. His character is described as “odd but warmhearted,” which should suit him just fine. Since completing army duty last August, he’s been putting in appearances on variety shows and cameoing here and there, but it’ll be his first drama in four years since I Love You Ten Million Times.
Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit will follow a similar schedule to Let’s Eat, and air one episode a week on Wednesday nights. It premieres April 30.
Byun Hee-bong, Jang Kwang
Via TV Report
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Tags: Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit, Kim Heechul, Lee Soon-jae
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1 ebay
March 2, 2014 at 8:10 PM
The plot itself looks fun to watch for. And since I haven't watch any drama/shows of Heechul!
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2 Sophee
March 2, 2014 at 8:11 PM
Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! HEECHUL OPPAAAAAAAAA!! Hahahaha..
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3 NN
March 2, 2014 at 8:17 PM
I'm not sure this drama needed the body swap premise, seemed funny enough with the grandpa detective wannabes. Anyway, I look forward to at least a first episode recap at Dramabeans so as to check it out, pretty please? =)
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4 TS
March 2, 2014 at 8:24 PM
Why are body swap comedies so popular in Korea?
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5 Fab
March 2, 2014 at 8:25 PM
like detective conan but in reverse haha
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6 Sajen
March 2, 2014 at 8:44 PM
It sounded more interesting to me before the body swapping was added.
I'm not sure I'll be able to watch, ever since Jang Kwang played those nasty vile disgusting twins in Silenced I've had trouble not getting creeped out at the sight of him.
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DarknessEyes
March 2, 2014 at 8:47 PM
doesn't that just mean he did a fantastic job as an actor then? :P
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Sajen
March 2, 2014 at 9:07 PM
True, still doesn't stop me from getting creeped out every time I see him.
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PeepsLeAwesomePotato
March 3, 2014 at 12:07 AM
LOL, your username reminds me of TVXQ-era Xiah Junsu. "ddakness aaiyes"
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DarknessEyes
March 3, 2014 at 10:01 PM
That is what its actually from lol ><
Yes, I am a die-hard Cassie xD
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7 DarknessEyes
March 2, 2014 at 8:46 PM
omg this looks HILARIOUS!!!
And Heechul I think is almost perfect for this role.
I am excited for this thing :D
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8 Hipployta
March 2, 2014 at 8:56 PM
Since I was already watching but now I'm looked in...seeing Heechul act like an old man and Soon Jae Halbae like Heechul's crazy self...LOL
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9 Tara
March 2, 2014 at 9:10 PM
Is the body swap part of the storyline really necessary...? was what ran through my mind as I read this--because I would have watched this regardless, just from the earlier premise.
It would have been too good to be true if the flower grandpas had been the G4 from GoF (I know, one could only hope!), but I like the casting of these two--wouldn't really say they look like flower halbaes though, but they do fit grumpy grandpas to a tee :)
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10 maldita
March 2, 2014 at 9:24 PM
Yes! Heechul oppaaaaaaaaaaa! ❤️
NGL, this role is perfect for him, especially since it'll be more on the comedic side, which is right up his alley. Besides, he's actually pretty decent as an actor, at least from what I remember of Bad Family, Golden Bride, and I Love You A Million Times.
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11 liz
March 2, 2014 at 9:52 PM
No!! I dislike him so much, he loves to make jokes about others people problem to catch attention and isn't really funny.
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maldita
March 2, 2014 at 10:09 PM
Keep in mind that he's in a talk show that is supposed to joke and gossip about what's going on with celebrities. He isn't doing it to catch attention. He's doing his damn job.
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Mikva-chan
March 3, 2014 at 8:24 AM
Idk what u find funny but Heechul is pretty damn hilarious .
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12 YY
March 2, 2014 at 10:09 PM
Hot Grandpa is back!
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YY
March 2, 2014 at 10:10 PM
Grandpa oppa!
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13 elfannas
March 2, 2014 at 10:23 PM
Omo heechul oppa in grumpy pants?? And mat halbae in full aegyo/charisma mode?? **fully on on board** I have great faith in the writer and pd that this is gonna be another hit for tvn!!
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14 sweetyo0on
March 2, 2014 at 10:51 PM
I forget that Heechul acted really well in Rainbow Romance (?) I got really worried and then I was like whew. I can wait for this drama in peace!
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15 sponge
March 2, 2014 at 11:08 PM
I was actually hoping he was on another variety show but I havent really watched heechul act so im definitely going to check this out when it premieres! The wackier the better heh
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16 Lilian
March 2, 2014 at 11:47 PM
I've never seen Heechul in a lead role. Have only seen him in small roles. Hopes he does here so that he continues to get good roles! I will definitely watch this when it is out...
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17 pigtookie
March 3, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Well that's surprising, Heechul returning to dramaland finally (yes!), but that is a pretty interesting script, one that I'd watch regardless of who's starring. His character seems like a good fit- chances are he's going to play his young elite detective and some grandpa's soul.
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18 kanz
March 3, 2014 at 4:04 AM
Oh God, nowadays finding drama that doesn't involve idols is nearly impossible. I don't know abt his acting, but judging from his cameo in heirs, he isn't even lead material
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JoJo
March 3, 2014 at 5:29 AM
It wouldn't hurt to do a little research on Kim Heechul. He's not a newbie actor. I'm amazed he even has the time to do all these projects. Yes, I'm an ELF.
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NewFan
March 3, 2014 at 5:59 AM
He actually debuted as an actor before an idol.
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Shadow-chan
March 3, 2014 at 11:34 AM
He had a cameo in Heirs...?
Who did he play? I seriously don't remember.
(Well, not that I would have noticed at the time since I have no idea who he is, but I can't remember from the photo in this article...)
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maldita
March 3, 2014 at 4:34 PM
Ep. 4 when Bona went to her dad's record label concert and she talked to the MC. Then Chanyoung surprises her with his arrival from the US.
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19 Min
March 3, 2014 at 4:13 AM
yay! Oppa!! jajaja lately I've been watching dramas starring handsome young men who I'm a noona to, but Heechul, he's an oppa so yay! I am sooo going to see this :P
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20 gg
March 3, 2014 at 5:20 AM
Soon jae halbae!!!!! My favourite animal lover <3
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21 CaroleMcDonnell
March 3, 2014 at 5:23 AM
looks so good
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22 Coccinelle
March 3, 2014 at 7:10 AM
Well, I think your hunch is dead on, you've never seen Heechul imitating Lee SoonJae? He's pretty good if you ask me. I'm pretty sure it will be as hilarious as Cha Seung Hyo imitating Son Il Gun.
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23 darksilvercloud
March 3, 2014 at 8:07 AM
HOOOOOOO! This sounds totally fun to watch!
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24 Abbie
March 3, 2014 at 9:08 AM
I was already going to watch this because I have such a soft spot for Lee Soon-jae halbae, but adding Heechul just sealed the deal! I really hope either Dramafever or Viki posts it with Eng subs, because I really want to watch it now!
The body swap sounds hilarious in this instance. Imagine Heechul acting like a halbae! Can't wait!
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25 AnotherFan
March 3, 2014 at 11:07 AM
This sound very interesting and could be a real fun watch if executed right. I will definitely check it out. Only thing though - I wish they could bring in the other grandpas from Grandpas Over Flower. Maybe that's too much of a cast? But hopefully they will at least cameo.
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26 bonchan
March 3, 2014 at 5:02 PM
Heechul often imitated Lee Soonjae at variety show in the past and impressed many viewers. So no doubt why he could get that role ^^. I am very looking forward for the drama recaps. Pretty please ^^. I would be super awesome
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27 Mia
March 3, 2014 at 6:20 PM
ahahaha that sounds so funny :D it reminds me of Detective Conan, an older version hee cute
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28 min
March 4, 2014 at 12:15 AM
I love Heechul but he can't act
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chi
March 4, 2014 at 9:11 AM
I actually think he's a good actor, saw him in Bad Family & LYAMT, I think this role suits him well
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29 Sadie
March 4, 2014 at 9:52 AM
this drama is making my year ^^ between this and 'All surrounded(?)' im just a happy happy bird...flapping my wings everywhere in excitement...lol...and not to mention i LOVE heechul oppa <3
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30 yuki
March 10, 2014 at 7:34 AM
I hope you will read it because the contact form doesn't work for me. I found something really shady, I have no way of knowing if it was really stolen but please take a look : http://kyuline13.tumblr.com/post/79149324480/heechul-joins-flower-grandpa-body-swap-comedy
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