Yoon-ah as Nodame?
by javabeans
So the big news today is that Girls Generation’s Yoon-ah has been offered the lead role in the Nodame Cantabile remake. Inasmuch as this is a highly anticipated adaptation of a beloved Japanese series whose heroine was pretty much universally loved (Ueno Juri), already there’s a flurry of mixed reactions to the news.
Currently Yoon-ah’s casting isn’t final, and articles range from saying that she’s only a possibility to that she’s nearly a lock. I’d take it with a grain of salt—announcing the news this way smacks of the producers putting out feelers before committing—but it does also seem to be serious enough that I wouldn’t be surprised if they went with Yoon-ah after all. KBS likes her, she’s got a large fan base, she’s headlined dramas before, and she has export potential. So I see what they’re thinking in going for someone as mainstream as her.
On the other hand, I find it disappointing since producers were first courting Shim Eun-kyung (Miss Granny, Sunny) for the role and she would have been fantastic, particularly since Nodame is a character with a lot of interesting quirks and dimension, and Shim Eun-kyung is a wonderful actor with spot-on comic timing. The fact that she was the first choice was encouraging, and gave me faith that the show was taking this casting seriously.
So when you put them next to each other as actresses, Yoon-ah kind of pales in comparison; she has improved over the years and I have no problem with her taking on shows that I don’t have a lot of attachment to (say, as with Prime Minister and I, which was cute). But I just can’t bring myself to be any sort of excited about her in this drama. Nodame is a bumbling slob whose piano skills are more savant than skilled, while Yoon-ah’s exactly the kind of approachably pretty girl who would ruin Nodame’s quirks for me, because she would be rom-com-weird, not actually weird. Her version of off-the-wall would be to do everything cutely and prettily, when what I appreciate about Nodame is that sometimes she’s just plain bizarre.
According to a KBS producer, while Yoon-ah is currently considering favorably and is a likely candidate, they do require the approval of the writer of the original series, Ninomiya Tomoko. She has stated that she wants a Korean Nodame who is 100% in line with Ueno Juri’s portrayal, and she does have final veto rights. So there is that.
The Korean version of Nodame Cantabile is planning for an October premiere on KBS.
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Tags: Nodame Cantabile, Yoon-ah
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151 Viki
July 7, 2014 at 7:54 PM
I agree with javabeans' take 1000%. If she were to play Nodame, Nodame will become a cute and pretty character instead of a messy perverted pianist. I really hope the PDs will rethink this casting. There are a lot of protesting from the Knets as well. If you see so many complaints, the ratings probably gonna end up like To the Beautiful You, which ruined Hana Kimi, one of the best dorama, along with Nodame.
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152 Quinze
July 7, 2014 at 7:58 PM
Have these people even LOOKED at the source material?!
What part of Yoona's acting repertoire gave them the idea that she would be good for this role?!
If you're going to do a remake of a Japanese series at least do it justice! If not stick to Kdrama friendly plots. Honestly the only remake I've been able to survive so far was It Started with a Kiss. Otherwise they've all been just plain terrible.
This role requires an actress that can disappear into the role. I don't see Ueno Juri when she's playing Nodame. She's that kind of good. Bringing the source material to life with absolute perfection.
While I don't think ANYONE can top her performance I still want to see the show given proper respect instead of just trying to draw fans by way of using it's title and popularity. If that's the case I'll pass and go rewatch my beloved Nodame.
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Jina
July 7, 2014 at 9:51 PM
Exactly. We should be able to only see the character, not the actor. Joo Won has the ability to do that, but Yoona does not. It's as simple as that. Some people have it, some people don't, and she clearly does NOT.
I'm glad you mentioned It Started With a Kiss. I feel that drama gets more hate than it deserves. It stayed very true to the source material (more so than other remakes) and never tried to be something it was not. It had a lot of heart. I often think of it as a Japanese drama disguised as Korean one.
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Kim Yoonmi (Surname first)
July 8, 2014 at 1:59 PM
The Taiwanese version of It Started with a Kiss, was actually more faithful, even throughout the last scene with the rain--it was often frame by frame the same shots because Winnie is that conscientious as a director. Even when he cut something from the manga he went back and put into the script that he cut it. It's also the *only* version that was fully approved by the author while she was alive.
The directing was a piece of art, and the tone fit very well with the manga using simple things to increase awareness of the characters and their situations, such as the train dividing the characters when they were arguing.
It was so faithful to the manga that even the ending didn't assume what the true ending would be, and kept to the wishes of the author to the bitter end, even though the director wrote on his blog how he wanted to have them have children, he still stuck to the manga.
The Korean version didn't really do that.
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153 Arhazivory
July 7, 2014 at 8:21 PM
I'll like to also add my 'no...just no'
-_-,
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154 windsun33
July 7, 2014 at 9:52 PM
I like Yoona, though I don't think this role is suited for her.
On the other hand, I have seen a few posts directly attacking Yoona that are over the top. Perhaps those folks are not aware that the number one cause of actress deaths in Korea is suicide - in fact that cause exceeds ALL other causes combined. And one of the main contributing causes appears to be vicious netizen an media attacks, combined with the really crappy working conditions.
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155 michy
July 7, 2014 at 10:02 PM
I just had to comment. No please God no.
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156 xvanex
July 7, 2014 at 10:31 PM
ughhhh i really hope she doesnt get the part. When you started saying "I have no problem with her taking on shows that I don’t...." I totally finished the sentence with "want to watch".
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157 L
July 7, 2014 at 11:10 PM
oh please. NOT HER. It's not like I don't like her or what, she's just not Nodame whatsoever. Please let Shim Eun-kyung do it
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158 Changminie
July 8, 2014 at 1:17 AM
If yoona cast as nodame, the story wouldn't be nodame anymore. It will just plain nodame, with dorky so-so, clumsy so-so, stupid so-so acting. Nodame character is key of this serial. Sorry i'm not agree for this.
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159 azahianas
July 8, 2014 at 1:21 AM
I'm totally against this. dot
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160 fanazuma
July 8, 2014 at 2:07 AM
I think this is confirmed already:
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140707000906
Okay. Thanks for saving my time, I'm definitely not gonna even try and watch this. I just...don't want the Nodame and Chiaki I knew and loved to be ruined by this.
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161 TeamShimEunkyung
July 8, 2014 at 2:16 AM
#TEAMSHIMEUNKYUNG
I do agree that Shim Eun Kyung should have this role! She was amazing in the movie Sunny! She perfectly fits the profile
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162 whoooo
July 8, 2014 at 4:57 AM
i love yoona but she's not suited for that role. She's too tall. I want KIM SEUL GI !!
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163 jaejyj
July 8, 2014 at 8:13 AM
i'm yoona bias in snsd but she cant be nodame. i mean, she really really cant be nodame. i think SM use her name for nodame cast to redirect their mess…
well…i'm just saying.
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164 Net-chan
July 8, 2014 at 1:28 PM
Given the number of comments on this post, I'm guessing people are not very happy with that choice.
Yoon-ah as Nodame is a big NO. Pleaaase...
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Net-chan
July 8, 2014 at 1:30 PM
If they really want to cast an idol, please be it Eunji!!!!!
I remember saying that on a previous news post on Nodame lol.
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165 parksooyun
July 8, 2014 at 1:30 PM
I just watched Nodame Cantabile a few hours ago and then I read this news... I was like "WHAT?"
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166 Kim Yoonmi (Surname first)
July 8, 2014 at 1:53 PM
I liked her in Prime Minister and I, but this is not the role for her. No. I will not watch. And I pray fro Heads' sake she doesn't get stuck with the drama if Yoona is cast.
I'm still hoping for Im Joo Eun. =P I can do a tweet campaign right?
@KBS_drama 1988-Jan-07 임주은씨은 짱 노다메 (Nodame) 입니다! 진짜 왕장 노다메를 연극 할 거예요.
She's free right now, so I think Im Joo Eun has all of the range you need. She can be super sweet and then a little crazy all rolled up into one. She's a Nodame I can believe. She can play the sloppy side, the commanding side, the a little lost... she has the full range and a resume to prove it.
Kim Seul Gi as Nodame would also be acceptable. I put her in second. (Since our top choice has shot down the role)
YoonA NO. I don't hate her, but I don't think she can do the full range of acting needed for the role. Drama Gods, please, please help. I can only tweet KBS once.
I'm also shooting down IU. Again, don't hate her, but nooo...
I'm sad.... really sad if Yoona takes the role. I know it's an interesting role, but think, please think, if you don't act it well you'll really break your feasibility as an actress. This role is a make it or break it and there is a reason why Ueno Juri pegged it perfectly.
BTW, I was thinking of alternates for Chiaki, but then that's a different universe. I want someone who can play neurotic, distant and has the looks and the timing.
Though it will never happen because of his drug thing, Joo Ji Hoon of Goong fame actually has a lot of subtle and good timing. I could believe him in the roll, even in the NGs of Goong, and the other shows he was in, he had a subtle comic timing that could work for Chiaki, he can play cold and reluctantly warm. But I'm dreaming aren't I?
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167 Alfani
July 8, 2014 at 2:28 PM
NOOOOO just No! this is just the worst news of the day... not Nodams-chan pleaseeee
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168 chicboys
July 8, 2014 at 3:24 PM
Just cast me, already! LOL
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169 AJ
July 8, 2014 at 4:36 PM
TBH, I don't like both casting of the male and female lead. I don't think I need to give reasons why not Yoona as there are many inputs already.
For JW, I just don't feel he's suitable. He's an alright actor but not good imo. He did improved alot from Baker King to Good Doctor but something about him, I don't find that he has any screen charisma but then to each their own. Also, he's everywhere....he did so many drama ever since Baker King. I personally hope for some fresh faces.
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170 raurlily
July 8, 2014 at 11:41 PM
NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Nettles
July 9, 2014 at 12:57 AM
My exact reaction after finding it was actually confirmed Yoona 100% got the role /deep sighs/
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171 Gizmo
July 9, 2014 at 6:40 AM
Wow. What a disappointment. I won't watch this either. I wish we could file a petition or something. She is just not right for the role of Nodame. I can't believe the writer gave an okay for this.
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Kim Yoonmi (Surname first)
July 9, 2014 at 1:45 PM
Writer didn't. She has no say. I think if she did have say and knew Yoona's work, she'd say no. But then she does need the money for her hand surgery, etc stuff that happened recently.
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172 heyahala
July 9, 2014 at 8:11 AM
i think the actress namjihyun would suit the characte nodame very well. As mean, nam ji hyun 1995 (not the one from 4 minutes though)
And i still cant see joowon as chiaki senpai......it's just ruined...
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173 kdramajjang
July 9, 2014 at 10:56 AM
I find this amusing, though I can honestly say I have not watched the manga before.
Yoona? LOL ouff yep, she's got a long way to go. I can agree with that.
To the manga fans. What if, let say she watched the series or read the books a thousands times, do you think she can still deliver?
Do tell in SK, don't they held auditions when one is being casted for a project? I just read that phrase numerous times "one is considering favarobly" so I'm curious
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Kim Yoonmi (Surname first)
July 9, 2014 at 1:53 PM
After taking acting classes, the ability to read and understand a character does not mean that you can act them. It's *part* of it, but not the full part of it.
The core of acting is to be able to understand emotions and while Nodame's emotions look simple on the outside, on the inside they are layered, complex and scattered. And conveying that depth of emotion and what she wants which is often in conflict with what she needs and what she's feeling makes it difficult to act her out. I mean I understand her, but if you offered me the role, I would say I don't have the acting chops to be able to portray someone so complex.
The problem with acting Nodame that Ueno Juri-san got so perfect is that while she has complexity and may change moods minute to minute and what she wants conflicts with what she needs, the outside *looks simple* If you make the outside look complex as it is in her inner world, you miss the point of the character. And that takes a lot of acting skill. You need to be able to follow her moods, her complexity, but make her seem so simple. Half of it is the writing, but the acting can't be underestimated. It's a really diffcult role to get right. Nodame looks like a mess because what she wants, needs and feels often conflicts, but then there are moments when those things usually align (usually hilariously) and then you can feel a different energy come from her. And that is just pure skill. No amount of writing can convey that in a script or make up for that deficit.
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174 thstrysofar
July 9, 2014 at 7:07 PM
A subpar Nodame will kill this drama. While the character of Chiaki (Joo Won's character) has goals of his own in the story, he's mostly the straight man to Nodame's craziness...so Joo Won isn't going to be able to save the show if they don't have the right Nodame. They need to find somebody who can act the role appropriately and that's pretty definitely not Yoon-ah. If she (or anybody else who can't do Nodame) is cast then I will console myself by watching the Japanese drama episodes, special, and movies and stay far away from this version.
By the way, does anybody else wonder if they're going to rename it? Since Nodame is really a nickname for Noda Megumi? I keep finding myself thinking about this.
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175 Sabrina
July 10, 2014 at 8:05 AM
I never thought that Korean remakes did justice to the Jap doramas. However, I must emphasize, I've been disappointed in remakes of of RECENT YEARS since the Idol generation started where Idols are courted as actors to make use of fanbase to increase ratings.
One good example is To the beautiful you. I swear I could cry since I loved Hana Kimi, both taiwan (loved Jiro Wang) and Jap version (LOVED TOMA) damn alot. Thank God, Lee Hyun Woo was a legit actor that at least brought me beyond 10 eps. Still couldn't finish the drama.
BOF, You're My pet and Playful Kiss didn't impress me either but hey! at least the directors hired actors for the main roles and not random idols. What's Kim Hyun Joong when you have a pool of talents like Lee Min Ho, Kim Bum and Goo Hye Sun right? Although I secretly skipped the LMH-GHS scenes, KHJ didn't bother me since I was too busy searching for my SoEul mate. In PK, KHJ didn't bother me again cause Jo Sung Min pulled off Kotoko well.
PLS DIRECTORS. STOP CASTING IDOL [ACTORS]. *cough* minho *cough* yoona *cough* yunho *cough* SM idols *cough*
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Kim Yoonmi
July 11, 2014 at 6:34 AM
A Heads Up (Not Heads) but that J-A-P is a derogatory word for Japanese people and is offensive to Nisei and Sansei Japanese in particular. If you want to shorten it, may I suggest, "JP" or "JPN." or less effort to type: Nippon?
I know you probably didn't mean it, but I think you should know it.
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176 POY
July 10, 2014 at 9:13 PM
I rewatched the Jdorama since the K-adaptation is generating a lot of talk. I haven't really paid much attention the first time I watched it, but right now I really fell in love with Chiaki Senpai. And I agree, Yoona can't pull of Nodame. Nodame is weird, sometimes disgusting (cleanliness wise) but a lovable character nonetheless. The character is not from the cookie cutter factory of Kdrama heroines, so it will take an awesome actress to fill this role. Seeing Shim eum kyung(?) in Running Man, I think she can pull it off quite easily, along with Kim Seul Gi. It doesn't really need a beautiful actress, so I don't understand why they will give the role to Yoona.
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177 yui
July 10, 2014 at 11:18 PM
If it's true, oh yoona please do surprise us this time!
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