Fated To Love You casts second leads
by girlfriday
Choi Jin-hyuk (Emergency Couple) has taken the offer to co-star in MBC’s summer romantic comedy Fated to Love You opposite leads Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara, who have been confirmed since early April. Joining him as the fourth member of the love square is Wang Ji-won, who played the sassy second lead in I Need Romance 3.
The remake of the hit Taiwanese drama is slated to air after A New Leaf, and follows the crazy whirlwind backwards romance between chaebol heir Jang Hyuk and kindhearted nobody Jang Nara, after a fateful one-night stand leaves her pregnant. Choi Jin-hyuk plays a classic Daddy Long Legs second lead, who is (of course) also a geeenius designer. He commands the attention of women everywhere he goes, but he’ll find out that Jang Nara is pregnant and always show up to rescue her and be a perfectly perfect second lead. Sigh, dooooooomed again.
Wang Ji-won will play Jang Hyuk’s fiancée, a star ballerina. The actress is actually a classically trained ballerina in real life, and debuted as a dancer; she only added acting to her resume in the last two years. That’s cool for the role, though I honestly expect her character to be disappointingly one-note. I liked her turn in I Need Romance 3 exactly because she wasn’t the cardboard cutout version of a second lead, so I’ll hold out hope she gets similar treatment here.
So far the character types aren’t anything to write home about, but the cast is shaping up nicely, and hopefully the popular 2008 rom-com will get revamped with some fresh twists for 2014.
Fated to Love You airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting in July.
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Tags: Choi Jin-hyuk, Fated To Love You
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1 reyna
May 13, 2014 at 12:12 PM
i started watching Fated To Love You again just for refresher...i hope they tweek the story a little bit to update it and not just give us a female lead that has ONLY "a unique quality of being nice"...aish...but i do hope they keep the spirit of the original drama. it's what made it a hit after all.
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bjharm
May 13, 2014 at 12:20 PM
well the female lead was also a talented artist working with ceramics not just a 'nice' person lol
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namedx
May 13, 2014 at 12:25 PM
I did the same thing and re-watched all 24 episodes, with the handy skip button of course lol. And though I didn't enjoy it as much as the first time round, I'm surprised at how much appeal it still has 5 years later. And I think the credit for its hit status definitely goes to the lead actors, who set the screen alight with their chemistry alone, not to mention their superb acting.
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jamie
May 13, 2014 at 2:40 PM
Yeah, I think it was Joe Chen as the female lead who really carried the drama. I loved her crying scene at the sandbox and still rewatch it.
In the BTS scenes, you see Joe working up tears and Ethan holding her hand, apparently those were real tears!
Ethan isn't as good as Joe Chen, but he really improved here and his chemistry with Joe was excellent. The kisses too! Please, please include all that heat in the kdrama!
The drama went downhill in the 2nd half as a bunch of nonsense was throw in to get the show going longer since they added episodes. Too bad.
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bjharm
May 13, 2014 at 4:05 PM
welll Joe Chen has made a lot of her leading men very rich on the back of her talent, it wasn't really untill Fated that she started to get the attention she deserved even though the second most rated tv drama in TW was Frog Prince where she also made a star of her leading man, perhaps the most wooden 'actor' I have ever seen, at lest the guy in fated had some real talent. Of course she spends much of her time these days in the mainland.
She was an Idol actor ie a member of a girl band that went into acting, but always wanted to act, it was her company that pretty much forced her into being a pop singer, indeed I read someplace she was black listed for a year because she tried to fight the system, and still has a bad back where they made her jump off a building for a gimic on some varitey show.
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2 Agatha
May 13, 2014 at 12:17 PM
Is it just me or is this cast skewing a bit too mature for the roles I remember? I mean they were supposed to be young people who made a lot of mistakes?....I sure hope this turns out well since I loved the original...
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bjharm
May 13, 2014 at 12:23 PM
the only young ones where the male leads as Joe Chen was around 28 or so when she made Fated 2008, but that normal for TW dramas where the male leads in these sort of drama are young tall and pretty and that about all that they have to be, that said the reason many remember fated so fondly was that in this case the lead actor had some talent as an actor
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3 Silverteem
May 13, 2014 at 12:18 PM
Plot sounds okay for a 2006 drama perhaps.
Otherwise I like the cast.
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eny
May 13, 2014 at 11:12 PM
i watch it last year ,only 1 episode n didn't continue, i thought the story is so old may be if i watch long time ago it was more interesting but i still can't believe how can two person making love unknowing each other, how can they didn't know their love one, that is unbelievable for me
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Marie21
May 22, 2014 at 10:41 AM
I also find it hard to believe but at the same time, they were both drugged, especially the hero, his drink was doctored so not in his normal state of mind! as for her, that was her first time, so I guess we can say she didn't know better. Plus, it was dark in the cabin!
I liked this drama despite all this and the annoying music and flashback scenes!! I find the storyline rather "bold" actually, since it deals with "one night stands", "unexpected pregancy", athat was a first at the time, even in taiwanese dramas which are a bit more "daring" than Korean or Japanese dramas.
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4 namedx
May 13, 2014 at 12:19 PM
Just finished re-watching the Taiwanese version of Fated to Love You, which I remembered as being crazily funny, but oh so romantic!! And though it didn't live up to my expectations a second time round, I did enjoy it for what it was. Plus, the chemistry between Ethan Ruan and Joe Chen is just superb.
Having said that, I'm now doubly excited for the Korean version coz I have a feeling they might tone down the crazy antics a little. Should be fun - fingers crossed!
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5 simone
May 13, 2014 at 12:24 PM
THEY WERE MARRIED IN HEIRS TOO! FOR BUSINESS ! REMEMBER HIS TEARS...
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fab
May 13, 2014 at 1:23 PM
LOL they totally were. She had a boyfriend, he had to leave his girlfriend. Oh My, the ending of Heirs was bad in so many ways...
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pogo
May 13, 2014 at 2:21 PM
I never understood what the deal was with him and gf in Heirs anyway. One minute she's breaking up with him in tears, next episode they're suddenly cuddling in bed, and then right after that, he agrees to marry another girl?
CJH and Im Joo-eun tried, but even they couldn't triumph over that messy script.
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6 Rou
May 13, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Darn, I still can't see Jang Hyuk as a jerk in a romantic comedy knoking off Jang Na Ra pregnant by mistake.
Give me my badass Jang Hyuk back!
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bjharm
May 13, 2014 at 4:10 PM
lol in the TW drama he was drugged with some sort of sex drug and she with flu medicine, he thought she was his girlfriend she her boyfriend. And he made a pretty good jerk in bright girl though a very violent one.
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eny
May 13, 2014 at 11:25 PM
jang hyuk is bad jerk in robber, he's good there, i just don't like fate to love you
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7 mudaepo
May 13, 2014 at 12:37 PM
Choi Jin Hyuk sure keeps himself busy these days. Wasn't he supposed to go to the army sometime soon?
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mdolphins
May 13, 2014 at 5:25 PM
I heard a news report saying he was going to join up after FTLY was over.
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jusash
May 14, 2014 at 9:52 AM
This means his last drama where it's a done deal that he doesn't end up with the main female lead. :(((
That gorgeous timbre, those sexy silvery undertones in both his speaking and singing voice.
I recall more sad romantic outcomes for CJH than I do happy ones. Offhand Heirs, I Need Romance, Gu Family Bk ...
Outside of ER, has he ever been successful at getting the girl?!?
Give the dude a happy ending already.
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Thea
May 14, 2014 at 8:05 PM
@Jusash, you should watch My Daughter is The Flower. Choi Jin Hyuk got the lead, married and also have a child. But if you didn't like long drama (its about 117 episode) you better skip it:-D
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8 ys
May 13, 2014 at 12:39 PM
It's surprising that girlfriday enjoyed Wang Jiwon in I Need Romance 3. I agree the character was interesting, but her acting was flat, her face having the same expression no matter what the situation, with only the occasional eyebrow-movement to signal emotion or an unconvincing smile even when the character was supposed to be at ease and unguarded with Wan.
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9 kopytko
May 13, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Hmmm... Although I like the cast, I am not really excited. I tried watching the Taiwanese original, but found it rather boring and a bit silly - not compelling enough. What I liked most was the innovative visualisation of lovemaking - trains, rockets and so on - I still find it hilarious.
Somehow I am not a fan of remakes. If I like a drama, I might rewatch it, but I don't feel like watching the same story retold...
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coffeenlucia
May 13, 2014 at 1:15 PM
haha that part was so funny!!! and creative too :P
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jusash
May 14, 2014 at 9:55 AM
Totally! :)
There were also shooting rockets too ... if mry serves me correctly.
"Symbolic" indeed. :P (I recall reading that went whoosh on some viewers who didn't make the connection though, on first viewing of Fated To Love You).
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Because of Reasons
May 13, 2014 at 1:19 PM
I started watching Fated to Love you last week, and when it got to the part with the train going into the tunnel and then out, in and out, in and out, I fell about with laughter. That bit was so funny and surprisingly saucy.
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fab
May 13, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Excuse me?! LOL *off to watch*
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pogo
May 13, 2014 at 2:25 PM
how did I manage to forget that part?!
I really hope the Korean version keeps that lol.
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hahaha
May 13, 2014 at 1:53 PM
Omigosh I hope they include that part in the remake!!
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10 DayDreamer
May 13, 2014 at 12:59 PM
FTLY was an okay drama....I liked it until perhaps the second half which is when I dropped it. I guess I got fed up with the angst between the leads. Hopefully, this version does a better job and take out all the lagging and nonsensical bits.
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11 canxi
May 13, 2014 at 1:55 PM
I remember Fated to Love You pretty fondly. Looking forward to this one. I think Jang Nara will be great and I also really like Wang Ji Won. There is something so cool about her.
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12 Jyyjc
May 13, 2014 at 2:16 PM
Ooh she's an actual ballerina!! How interesting. And here i was thinking i couldn't see her as one.
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13 pogo
May 13, 2014 at 2:24 PM
Is it too much to hope this is good? Probably yes.
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canxi
May 13, 2014 at 11:30 PM
Aw, well I think since the source material is quite good... Cut out all the excess and the legion of unnecessary side characters and their stories and it should be better, lmao.
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14 Noelle
May 13, 2014 at 2:26 PM
I don't understand why he is taking the second lead role here. Seems like a step backwards. Oh well, work is work.
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s2rosez
May 13, 2014 at 2:38 PM
A lot of times the actors/actresses who play the main leads in cable-broadcast dramas don't have the star-power to headline major tv broadcasting station dramas (i.e. MBC, KBS, SBS), so they have to make do as second-leads. Hopefully, Choi Jin-hyuk can get enout credit to his name to play the lead in a main broadcasting station drama one day (although, not gonna lie, a little bit of my love died for him because his 'Emergency Couple' character was written so asshat-like).
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s2rosez
May 13, 2014 at 2:40 PM
*enough credit
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bjharm
May 13, 2014 at 4:20 PM
yeah that was my thinking EC was not one of the big three companies show so even if it was a hit for cable show it still dosnt have the status needed, plus the show was more about the female lead than him. Frankly I think playing second lead to the likes of the two Jangs is hardly a step backwards and as he hot right now he good for the drama also.
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alexis
May 13, 2014 at 7:55 PM
It's circular though, because it's hard to get more star power if you're not given the chance to shine. And some actors and actresses are able to continue getting work as main leads even though their past projects have had low ratings. At the end of the day, it's all about who you know, sadly. :(
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lemondoodle
May 13, 2014 at 3:12 PM
It's not that surprising. EC was a moderate hit on cable, but nothing amazing. Heirs he wasted totally and GFB his character was popular, but overall minor. The field for actors is pretty crowed as well and there aren't that many dramas being made a year. Plus he has to go to the army soon.
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pogo
May 13, 2014 at 3:59 PM
short answer: network vs cable.
He's had a good run over the last year or so, taking second lead to a star as big as Jang Hyuk isn't a bad thing.
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canxi
May 13, 2014 at 11:34 PM
Not at all, I think he's doing well and I'm sure he's counting his blessings seeing as before he was doing badly enough (in terms of booking adequate work that payed off, I believe) to warrant wanting to quit acting all together. But, I'm glad he didn't. It seems like they are adding more to the character for the K-drama version, too.
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15 Glasloves
May 13, 2014 at 2:38 PM
This story doesn't attract me one bit, mmm maybe I'll watch the tw version because I like pretty much Joe Cheng and it been a while since I watch a taiwanese drama
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16 izocha
May 13, 2014 at 2:48 PM
Hmmm.....geeeeeeeenius chaebol designer - b/c daddy long legs (ddls) have to be rich so they can put an orphan through college - should be eminently goofy and really really into rescuing orphans, but she, instead has to fight to be paid attention to as a person, because said ddl is actually a mad scientist specializing in genetic and biological modifications for future space colonization. [It's been done slightly less.] Then the leads can explore their life choices without to much impossible still crying in the midst of the show, because the second lead female realizes her career as a space battle choreographer could really take off. So everyone gets what they want in the end and the whole time it will be absurd, truthful, and ... and...and...villifying of the angst based romance.
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17 Katie
May 13, 2014 at 4:32 PM
Ugh, homeboy is dooooooomed again. Why??? He's got the star powerrrrrrr he just needs the right script/writer/drama.
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18 Ellesor
May 13, 2014 at 5:32 PM
I enjoyed the Taiwanese version and its very adult theme mixed with the crazy. I look forward to the remake!
Fighting!
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19 mdolphins
May 13, 2014 at 5:39 PM
Did not like Ethan Ruan in the original FTLY at all, but it wasn't all his fault, the writer had him two timing, alternately loving and hating whichever female that happened to be away from him for almost half of the drama. I hope they change up his super dysfunctional character and make him more likeable and a bit more emotionally stable and a lot less selfish. I Hate him. I am only watching for CJH, WJW and hopefully the JJangs can do a great job and the writing will change up because they are older. This remake also needs to get rid a lot of the stupid plots that seemed to lurk around every corner of every episode in the old one. As a viewer I can only take so many ridiculous plots and twists. Writernim, please make the drama good, I want CJH to go into the military on a high note!!!!
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Marie21
May 22, 2014 at 10:59 AM
Sorry but the character is supposed to be selfish! Sorry again but the lead behaves like a total jerk towards the heroine! We're supposed to hate the guy at first and then falls for him! he doesn't love the heroine -well at least at first- he's just doing his duty by marrying her! actually it's his in-laws who force him to marry their daughter/ sister! So he's caught between doing his duty towards this girl and hiding all this "affair" to his girlfriend, who is by the way also extremely selfish! she beats him on that department! she wants everything on her plate! I can't stand her in the taiwanese version!!
Sorry, I got carried away... so yes, I think it's understandable that we hate the lead at least during the whole first part!
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20 Niki
May 13, 2014 at 6:49 PM
I love her since I Need Romance 3~~♥
I think its something to do with her husky voice and the confidence she exhibited as Oh Se Ryung! I am totally looking forward to seeing her act again, and hope like girlfriday said that her character is not a one-dimensional-cookie-cutout-second lead.
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21 exquisitemelody
May 13, 2014 at 7:16 PM
mmmm yes please.
see that? that was my heart going to the second lead. again.
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22 kamee
May 13, 2014 at 7:23 PM
I think I would actually love to see both the second leads in something with them together. They make such a pretty couple!
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23 shiroikiwi
May 13, 2014 at 8:27 PM
The only thing I didn't like in FTLY was the bad ballet acting....now it will be rectified! Super excited to see real ballet!
I loved the Taiwanese drama. Joe Chen is an amazing actress. Sure, it seems a bit dated now, but man did I cry buckets when I watched it. The humor may be more Taiwanese-friendly (the mom reminded me of my grandma SO much), but I thought it was entertaining overall. I loved the character transformation halfway through the show and thought it was well-written.
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24 maddragonqueen
May 13, 2014 at 9:17 PM
I really really liked her in I Need Romance 3. I hope they give her the opportunity to be good here. I'm sure she'll deliver if they write it for her. Fingers crossed.
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25 JD
May 13, 2014 at 9:22 PM
I hope this version plays up the romance/sexual connection between the two leads and rewrites some of the angst/makjang elements of the story that became overwhelming as the original drama fell into the second half. I've watched the original FTLY twice, and had to skip through the later half to the last few episodes because I couldn't sit through all the machinations that led to the leads being separated.
Also, can we please avoid the second lead's horrible cornrow hairstyle that had no real place on a rich art gallery director in Hong Kong/Taiwan? I couldn't buy Baron Chen as any kind of effective businessman with the weird hairdo/odd clothes.
Overall, I have faith in the chemistry between the actors, but I'm worried the rewrite will hold onto all the makjang elements and ignore the really poignant moments between the families that made FTLY so enjoyable.
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26 miss unknown
May 13, 2014 at 9:22 PM
The Taiwanese version was AWESOME! I still watches the drama off and on until now. I remembered I laughed and cried with every single episode of that drama! And of course, Qiao En (Joe Chen) was SUPER! Her chemistry with Ethan was top notch! So I don't know about this...I just can't see the chemisty between Jang Nara and Jang Hyuk...I'll tried it out for the first episode though.
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27 blo
May 14, 2014 at 12:48 AM
I enjoyed it when I watched it, but not enough that I would watch a remake of it. The story isn't something spectacular. Really, I don't even like kdramas that follow that formula. But it was the female lead that made it cute. Oh...and that one song. I may take a look just to compare... but I really doubt it can be improved upon.
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28 Azimiza1210
May 14, 2014 at 2:22 AM
I just love Chen Xingyi's mother and sisters... they are annoyingly adorable.
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29 Pakykul
May 14, 2014 at 4:59 AM
I thought Choi Jin-hyuk will be in army soon? no?
By the way, I like this drama (TW version)
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30 Stephanie
May 14, 2014 at 6:55 AM
This was really a mega hit in Taiwan. I was like 15 when I watched it.
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31 ds
May 15, 2014 at 12:45 AM
wow 2 remakes of the top taiwanese dramas back to back now? ~
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32 P7879
May 15, 2014 at 1:05 AM
I love FTLY T-version.... I cried buckets of tears with both Joe and Ethan when they lost their baby : (
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Carinne
May 18, 2014 at 3:57 AM
They both lost their precious "gift", and we all know who to blame.... TT___TT
That part was a climatic moment. I really hope all the side characters play a great fit in this remake. From the mother and sisters down to the assistant back up to the grandmother in the hierarchy play such a crucial role in that tragic segment.
Again, like I said before, time to marathon 命中注定我愛你.
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33 Lilian
May 15, 2014 at 7:20 AM
oh man...why is Choi Jin Hyuk taking on such boring roles? I mean I am OK with him not being the lead..as long as it is an interesting /breakthrough role for him. hmm...hope there is more to it , if not it just sounds like another role in the Heirs.
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34 Carinne
May 18, 2014 at 3:46 AM
OMG-sh, Dylan and Anna! Hmm, both actors are passable.
Now, how many episodes will this remake take to give the original story justice? Please, don't squeeze it down to 16 episodes. Oh, the horror!
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