Ji Hyun-woo signs on as Trot Lovers’ haughty hero
by javabeans
Aw yay, so after announcing the possibility of a post-army comeback, Ji Hyun-woo (Queen In-hyun’s Man) has confirmed that he will be taking the lead in Trot Lovers. He was only just discharged from his two-year service (May 6 was the date), so he sure is itching to get back to work.
Trot Lovers is a KBS romantic comedy that’ll pair a star musician with a young woman “who can’t live without trot music,” and they’ll work together to make her into a trot singer. His character who has looks, musicality, and mainstream popularity, but he’s “haughty enough to make you grind your teeth.”
Yep it’s a familiar archetype in dramaland, but it’s not one that Ji Hyun-woo has taken on before. In fact it’s part of why I love Ji Hyun-woo (and not just because of his career-defining turn as a smart, witty time-traveler in Queen In-hyun’s Man), because he always has such a warm, welcoming vibe to his acting. (See: My Sweet Seoul, where he played a sweet and adoring noona-killer; or Birth of the Rich, where he was a commoner determined to claim his chaebol status; or Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang, where he played a modernized take on the folkloric fool On-dal.)
And not that you’ve gotta be a musician to play a musician, but it can only help, and Ji Hyun-woo has plenty of talent on that front. He was the former guitarist and backing vocalist for rock band The Nuts (which has since re-formed with new members); check out some of his skills.
The female lead role is yet uncast, though IU (You’re the Best, Lee Soon-shin) is reportedly in consideration for the role. She’d be perfect, honestly, and I could totally see her playing opposite Ji Hyun-woo, so I’d be all for the casting.
Trot Lovers will follow Big Man as KBS’s next Monday-Tuesday drama, and premieres in June.
Via FN News
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1 iced
May 7, 2014 at 8:05 AM
Haha the height difference between Ji Hyun Woo and IU
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IceTea
May 7, 2014 at 9:42 AM
Ji Hyun Woo and IU somehow reminds me of Jang Nara and Daniel Choi from 'Baby Faced Beauty'. Not just the height difference...The lady has a baby face, and the man is not what people typically say good looking yet soooo charming and have such a sweet smile... I actually have a fairly good feeling about this pairing.
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fab
May 7, 2014 at 11:58 AM
WHY is Daniel Choi not typically good looking!? Waeeeeee can't you see his handsomeness! *bags head on desk*
Sorry...
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Chandler
May 7, 2014 at 3:45 PM
Yeah, I agree with you. I'd like to know what a typically good looking guy is lol because, to me, they're BOTH super good-looking!
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IceTea
May 7, 2014 at 5:34 PM
TELL ME ABOUT IT! i get so annoyed when people say Ji Hyun Woo is not attractive enough in the comments.
mia
May 9, 2014 at 5:18 AM
I think...... what 'they' meant was...he is not that drop-dead, sexy gorgeous type but just a very attractive, cute type with a lovable, pleasant vibe. Just like how we compare e.g...Song Hye Go's drop-dead gorgeousness beauty with someone cute, sweet, and charming like Yoo In Ah, who btw is Ji Hyun Woo's current girlfriend. Did I get it right ?
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Jo
May 10, 2014 at 12:03 PM
i don't fully understand? Song Hye Kyo is not dating Ji Hyun Woo--Yoo In Na is.
A
May 7, 2014 at 10:25 PM
Haha yeah it's a cute pairing but... aren't Yoo In Na and IU best friends? I know it's acting but it might be a bit awkward for IU to pretend to be in love with her best friend's boyfriend.
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2 coffeenlucia
May 7, 2014 at 8:06 AM
Wow, a new project right as he exits the army. Hope he doesn't overwork himself!
(Plus he needs some time with Yoo In Na ^-^)
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3 Alinka
May 7, 2014 at 8:08 AM
The height... Well... If its with IU...
Hope whoever got casted will bring the drama to its fullest potential *cheers
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4 ceeu
May 7, 2014 at 8:19 AM
IU.. IU.. IU.. Yess.
Guess that Yoo In-a will be OK with the pairing. Haha... it's her BFF/sister romancing his man :-)
Cant wait for his comeback. Please be good.
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5 Sophee
May 7, 2014 at 8:32 AM
Yesssss!! I'm soooo excited to see Ji hyun woo back in dramaland~
With the news of Ji hyun woo's return from the army and comeback project, i re-read the recaps of QIHM :)) <3 <3 <3
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Kiara
May 7, 2014 at 8:53 AM
The comments on the QIHM recap were pretty hilarious. Kim Boong fever. I missed those days.
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Chandler
May 7, 2014 at 3:48 PM
Me too :)
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nova611
May 7, 2014 at 9:25 AM
yes
me too
rewatch and read recap ...again
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Sophee
May 7, 2014 at 10:12 AM
I wanted to rewatch QIHM but sadly i don't have time to do so..
Its been 2 years since QIHM aired and i still want yoon wol to be brought to the future/present by boong do and meet hee jin.. i don't know but i feel that hee jin will rock showing yoon wol girl power and be best friends.. hahaha (now i'm rambling)
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mary
May 7, 2014 at 6:25 PM
WHY, SOPHEE, WHYYYY? T_______T
I came here to ogle Ji Hyun Woo and your comment made me cry instead.
Yoon Wol-ah! huhuhuhuhu modern Seoul with no class distinctions would've been perfect for you.
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Sophee
May 8, 2014 at 8:39 AM
So true! I still feel so sad for her and how tragic her character was.. i wanted to just pluck her out of joseon times and into modern seoul.. haha
mary
May 9, 2014 at 12:13 AM
TVN should make a spin-off where Yoon Wol wakes up in Seoul after dying in Joseon.
Then she becomes a "Traditional Idol" because of her singing, dancing, and gayageum playing skills.
It's like Rooftop Prince meets Vampire Idol meets Hwang Jin Yi.
6 Shadow-chan
May 7, 2014 at 8:46 AM
YAY!
Now the drama moved from my "definitely want to watch" to my "absolutely MUST see!" list! :D
I guess it really will be a bit awkward with IU, but I'm still hoping for her the female lead, haha.
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7 Lizzy4e
May 7, 2014 at 8:47 AM
I agree with JB that Ji Hyun-wu“Has such a warm, welcoming vibe to his acting”
Glad his is getting back to work so quickly after his discharge.
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boholanna
May 7, 2014 at 9:18 AM
Yup, suffered through A Thousand Kisses for him. He really had that warmth thing going on.
I can't imagine haughty on Ji Hyun Woo. I guess that's why they call it acting. We'll see then.
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skelly
May 7, 2014 at 3:46 PM
Yowza, that's dedication! I hated his character so much in A Thousand Kisses (actually, I hated everything about that show...) that at first I refused to watch Queen In-Hyun's Man - luckily I relented, for it's now one of my all-time favorites, right up there with Coffee Prince and City Hall. I think this news is a perfect excuse for another re-watch...
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8 Kiara
May 7, 2014 at 8:50 AM
I got a kick out of listening to him sing some of Coldplay's songs. He is no Chris Martin but I adore his accent.
Welcome Back Ji Hyun-woo <3.
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9 HKIM2011
May 7, 2014 at 9:07 AM
Ji Hyun-Woo did the haughty boss character in the Old Miss Diary (drama, not so much in the movie), especially in the earlier part of the series, so I'm picturing something like that for him in this new drama. I generally liked his character in Old Miss Diary, so I'm looking forward to what he'll do in this drama.
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Chandler
May 7, 2014 at 3:53 PM
OMG I remember that! He was SO funny in that and quite endearing! I think he'll be able to pull off this role rather nicely too :)
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10 Sierra
May 7, 2014 at 9:56 AM
Yes please. We need more romcoms in kdramaland.
And if IU gets casted, can we have another TIPTOE kiss? :grins: (come on, KBS)
Height difference for the wiiiiiiin.
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11 marry
May 7, 2014 at 10:39 AM
i'm totally rooting for IU for female lead. BUt drama plz be good
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12 b3z
May 7, 2014 at 11:01 AM
I wonder if IU will take the role since the Hyunwoo is her bestie bf/ex. But will love IU singing in drama again, fallin in love with her voice since dream high.
Eunji will be good too since she's a good singer and actress
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13 Chanchan
May 7, 2014 at 11:42 AM
Seriously ? it has been 2 years since Queen In-hyun’s Man ? it feels like yesterday !! Sure time flies fast !!
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14 Hmm
May 7, 2014 at 11:59 AM
Rather than IU... How about casting Eunji from APink who is also singer and a better idol actress.
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nugu
May 7, 2014 at 12:51 PM
i wouldn't exactly say eunji is better actress than IU. in terms of acting they are on same level
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noer
May 9, 2014 at 1:18 AM
Read from IU's soompi thread, SHE REJECTED it. Ooof.
She's in the middle of preparing her album and concert these coming months.
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15 fab
May 7, 2014 at 12:07 PM
I will forever google IU to see if she is not UEE.
So yeeeee JHW is back! But shouldn't he rest a little, I mean If I would serve 2 years in military service, I'd need a year to recover...
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16 CaroleMcDonnell
May 7, 2014 at 12:10 PM
I would so so so marry this guy if i was young, unmarried, in Korea, and he was unattached. Yeah, between Hyun Woo and Sang Hyun.....ay me.... my poor heart! There's something so accessible to them, and Ji Hyun Woo's committment to his music is just so stellar.
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17 myra
May 7, 2014 at 12:22 PM
I know I asked this question before, but still...does anyone know something about the actor who played the prosecutor in City hunter? I mean he was supposed to be released from the army, too, by now, but....nothing...there's no news about him...nada de nada...I like him a lot...
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aznative
May 7, 2014 at 3:51 PM
I read a comment on Asian Wiki that Lee Jun-hyuk was discharged from the military this year on March 18.
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18 kopytko
May 7, 2014 at 1:10 PM
Ji Hyun Woo is perfect for that part.
As for IU... honestly I would like to see somebody else. I have the feeling that she keeps playing the same character over and over again. Her cute image doesn't appeal to me at all.
Not to be counterproductive: I was thinking of Kim Ye Won - the girl can sing too (she sings under her real name Kim Shinah, e.g. in God of Study OST) and has a bit wider range in terms of acting.
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Chandler
May 7, 2014 at 4:02 PM
I actually think that IU had a wonderful down-to-earth, relatable vibe in You're the best Lee Soon Shin. I didn't find her cutesy at all and in fact, she sold the "I'm just your average girl" persona very well. She and Jo Jung Seok are what kept me watching. If someone only saw her in Dream High and perhaps Pretty Man (didn't watch that one, so don't know) then I guess I could understand the reservations, but I think you won't be disappointed.
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kopytko
May 7, 2014 at 10:39 PM
I have my reservations because I have seen all the dramas you mention.
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19 Gidget
May 7, 2014 at 2:36 PM
Now, for me this story becomes much more believable if they turn it into a noona romance and cast Uhm Jung Hwa as the lead.
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dfwkimchi
May 8, 2014 at 11:01 AM
Good one!
Seeing that UJW's character of Ji Yeon in the currently airing Witch's Romance LUUUUUVS trot music!
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20 john
May 7, 2014 at 5:40 PM
Female lead? I could live with IU. She is cute and can sing. I would really like to see either Eun Ji or Da Hee.
If you want a tip toe kiss, Min Do hee.
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21 a_diva
May 7, 2014 at 7:51 PM
i was only going to watch this drama for eric & scratched it off the list when he declined. but now that hyunwoosshi's in!?! i'm in too!
can't wait to see him onscreen again.
hope it's good.
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22 Lilian
May 8, 2014 at 9:44 AM
Wow! this is fast. I guess he really liked the script? or can they approach him even before he's out of the army?
But I do think the role suits him! I like the banner of Ji Hyun Woo too >_<
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23 laraffinee
May 8, 2014 at 2:41 PM
Yay! As far as his singing skills - if any of you have seen him sing "Bring Sexy Back"......well ...that guy can smoke up the screen! I'd watch that man read the phone book.
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