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Nodame Cantabile is a go: Joo-won in, Shim Eun-kyung a maybe

Ahhh, it’s happening! Joo-won (Good Doctor, Gaksital) will be playing the lead character in the Korean remake of Nodame Cantabile, which had been previously suggested but only now confirmed. Wheeee!

The female lead is not yet cast and will be absolutely crucial to making an adaptation work, but the name being offered as a contender at the moment is Shim Eun-kyung (Miss Granny, Sunny). That’s great news, since she would make a fantastic Nodame character. She isn’t decided yet, but has received the offer and is considering it.

Now, to voice concerns: I’m not sure about this pairing. I will think positively and hope for the best because I do love both of them individually, but right now I’m having a hard time picturing them in the Chiaki-Nodame relationship, mostly because she seems rather young. Granted they’re only seven years apart (he’s 26, she’s 19) but we’ve been watching her since she was a wee child in dramaland and she still has that little-sister-next-door vibe; she hasn’t branched out into romantic lead territory so I don’t see her as that yet. Maybe now’s as good a time as any?

But to look on the positive side, I suppose the drama can write around the real-life differences, because acting- and image-wise, Shim Eun-kyung would make a perfect Nodame. IU was the first name floated for the role (though denials were issued quickly) and I could see her working as well, but Nodame is a truly oddball character who goes beyond quirky-cute, and Shim Eun-kyung would absolutely go after her weirdness with gusto without trying to be pretty about it. It’s part of her genius—and Shim is certainly one of those rare natural acting talents, who also has a gift for comedy. I can totally see her playing the gifted pianist who can play something after hearing it once but can barely wash or feed herself.

I’m not sure how Joo-won will fare with comedy since we’ve mostly seen him being dramatic (and no, Level 7 Civil Servant doesn’t count for anything, anywhere, ever), but Chiaki is the straight man of the show who’s surrounded by eccentrics and goofballs, so he only needs to react to their quirks. I don’t know if he’s got any ability at playing (or faking) the piano (not that that ever stopped a drama), but we do know that Joo-won has a musical background, which should surely come in handy. I don’t know how seriously the drama will take its musical moments, but I do hope it finds a way to showcase them; that was one of my favorite aspects of the Japanese show, which let the classical pieces breathe and shine and be an active voice in the show. (I would almost rather the Korean version didn’t get made if it weren’t going to respect that, which is one of my fears.)

The Korean version of Nodame Cantabile is being planned for an October broadcast on KBS. (The order of dramas in that slot goes: Big Man, then Trot Lovers, then Discovery of Romance, then Nodame Cantabile.)

Now, to do some massive praying to the drama gods that they don’t screw this one up.

Via TV Report, Newsen

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Shim Eun Kyung is PERFECT!! I think Joo Won and her will be okay

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I'm still against this remake. If they take away any of the wackiness then it's not the same Nodame. I love the original so much

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Like a lot of you guys, I found the Japanese version perfect at the time that I watched it. Korean dramas have more glitz and polish but I find Japanese dramas sometimes have more heart.

(I enjoy watching both! Just my opinion.)

I am a bit afraid they'll mess up the Korean version, but I hope I get surprised and they put together a really awesome production.

(Otherwise I'll be all a-moaning and a-groaning here in Dramabeans!)

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Sorry. I love the original version too much. Nothing and none can replace it.

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Thanks to Javabeans (and everyone else) for insights into how to look at casting decisions. It's something I've wanted to learn more about.

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Considering how Korea adapting Japanese manga (BBF, Naughty Kiss and an epic failure of HanaKimi adaptation), I have a big doubt they will adapt Nodame Cantabille in a correct way. I mean... how they will change the phrase "Gyaboo...!!" or how they will handle the very funny kotatsu scene... and how quirky the character will be shown.
Although, Joowon is a great actor, I still cannot imagine him as Chiaki. It will be forever owned by Tamaki Hiroshi

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I vote Im Joo Eun for the lead!!

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i like Joo Won as the lead male role in Nodame Cantabile,, but the one who will take the role of Nodame I think Gu Hye Sun can surely play the role perfectly,, sshe can play piano and sing also... For sure they will come up a very good loveteam Joo Won and Gu Hye SUn.. Hopefully they consider my idea.. :)

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JW is probably one of the best for someone in 20s to portray chiaki. The other actor with the same acting level is song joong ki, yoo seung hoo, park ki woong and kim soo hyun. Tho I would say jw is slightly above all of them, considering his performance in good doctor. Altho I love him, I don't find him fit to be chiaki. His face is too babyface... kinda doesn't fit since chiaki is someone who is very strict and mean on the outside but soft on the inside. I would recommend goo young!! His humour, acting and face will fit chiaki. For nodame, not iu pleaseee. I love her from the bottom of my heart, but objectively, her acting is too lack for nodame. I don't know about sem tho. I just hope her acting level is above jw since nodame is harder to portray. If you don't act weird much, you wouldn't be nodame. If you act too much, you are going to be a simply wierdo, not nodame. I don't know about female lead since I haven't find an actress who is par with ueno juri in terms of acting. For mine, I would recommend lee joon!! He is funny and I am pretty sure he can portray him the best (please watch kapdong). But above all, please writer and director, don't ruin nodame. Nodame is thd best asian romcom in the history (in my opinion)

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DARA would be perfect for the role of Nodama.
DARA would be perfect for the role of Nodama.
DARA would be perfect for the role of Nodama.

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if you say iu were your first list, then why don't u choose her

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