KBS full steam ahead with King’s Face, casts Jo Yoon-hee to star
by girlfriday
Recent controversy doesn’t seem to have derailed KBS, accusations of plagiarism and lawsuits be damned. On August 25, producers of the 2013 movie The Face Reader filed for an injunction against KBS for their unauthorized drama remake The King’s Face, alleging that KBS met with them to make the drama, backed out of the deal, and subsequently happened to come up with their own version. In light of this, KBS has issued a statement that The King’s Face, “Is a totally different drama,” and immediately followed it up with casting announcements that Jo Yoon-hee (Scandal, Nine) is being courted to play the leading lady.
I might believe KBS… if they hadn’t been promoting The King’s Face as a remake of The Face Reader for months. Now suddenly all the press releases are describing it strictly as a story about Prince Gwanghae, which just happens to also include a face-reading fortuneteller as a major story element. They’re arguing that the movie is primarily about the face reader (played by Song Kang-ho in the film), while their drama is set in a different century, and will focus on the prince becoming king.
It’s amusingly obvious that they’re trying to find a way out of this mess after the film’s production house, Jupiter Film, came out with statements that they met with KBS Media back in 2012 to make the drama together and had suggested the writer that KBS is now working with. KBS in turn has issued the following statement: “The King’s Face is a totally different drama in people, era, and setting, with different plot and conflict structure, and mode of expression from The Face Reader.”
One wonders why they don’t just cut the face reader out of the story altogether then, if they’re going to toe this line (not that any move at this point makes them look much better). In any case, KBS is now calling it a coming-of-age story about Prince Gwanghae and his contentious relationship with his father. Seo In-gook (High School King of Savvy) is still considering the leading role as Gwanghae, and Lee Sung-jae (Suspicious Housekeeper) is up to play his father King Seonjo.
Jo Yoon-hee has been offered the role of the woman who has the love of three men — Gwanghae, his father King Seonjo, and the face reader (yunno, the one totally different from the one in the movie). Not much is said about her role, but she’ll be caught between the father and son who become rivals in politics and love. Writing is Lee Hyang-hee (War of Money), and directing is PD Yoon Sung-shik (Gaksital, Story of a Man). The thing is, before all this backstage drama I was looking forward to this show; now I don’t know what frankensteined not-a-remake-we-swears-it will be born in its place.
The King’s Face is being prepped for a November premiere.
Via IS Plus, Nocut News
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Tags: drama production, Jo Yoon-hee, King's Face
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1 mona
August 26, 2014 at 4:27 AM
i like her in my husbang got a family but i dont like her with seo in gook. i think her face is old for him. i want someone else like park min young or park shin hye or yoon eun hye but they recieved another offers
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ujsid
August 26, 2014 at 5:37 AM
Well I have to disagree with you. I think she will look good and age appropriate with SIG. SIG doesn't actually look like a high schooler even though he did play that role twice. Her face in no way looks old. There is actually only one actress who I thought has a really old looking face and that's Choi Ji Woo. But well you may disagree with me.
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Because of Reasons
August 26, 2014 at 6:04 AM
She was Joo Min Young in Nine, right? The whole time I was watching that, I was thinking how young and fresh-faced she looked, so I don't think she'll look old next to Seo In Gook. (I just checked wikipedia, and she's in her 30s! I would never have guessed!)
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Dr. Hwata
August 26, 2014 at 9:31 AM
Question. In addition to Nine, didn't she also appear in Lie To Me as an evil girl friend?
As an aside, I am against Yoon Eun Hye in this role, whom Mona mentions, opposite SIG. (Goong happened, but that was then, folks.)
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Miky
August 26, 2014 at 12:05 PM
yes she did and also in Scandal
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2 raysie
August 26, 2014 at 4:46 AM
Well, if even before the drama airs it already starting the controversy, then I don't want my Seo Inguk to be involved with this mess. I want him in sageuk but this controversy just scared me. Maybe it's better if he release a Korean album instead and have a proper comeback as a singer. I miss singer Seo Inguk sooooo much!
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3 neverending
August 26, 2014 at 4:48 AM
I don't see SIG looking like a prince...
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Maiself
August 26, 2014 at 5:02 AM
Shiwon ahh , he looks like a dog, right?
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fit
August 26, 2014 at 5:13 AM
LOL! I love your reference. Ah, I miss that drama even more.
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4 Daisy
August 26, 2014 at 6:17 AM
Eh... Not a fan of her might skip this drama after all...
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5 Mrmz
August 26, 2014 at 6:17 AM
It's just WRONG. I hope they don't get away with it just like that. It's too unfair.
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6 Sajen
August 26, 2014 at 6:25 AM
Personally if I was the writer or any of the actors I'd quit and call all my friends/acquaintances and tell them not to work on the project either.
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Mrmz
August 26, 2014 at 10:31 AM
& have viewers boycott it. It's just unethical and they should first get the rights legally before going forward.
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kittycat
August 26, 2014 at 10:51 AM
Well as an actor I wouldn't wanna get on the bad side of KBS or any of the other Big 3 stations so I probably wouldn't go as far as boycotting it, but I probably would turn it down.
The bad thing about this though is that entertainers in Korea are mostly ruled by their companies and they people paying their companies. Cross the wrong person and you might be black listed. Remember Han Ye Seul.
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Mrmz
August 26, 2014 at 6:49 PM
I meant just the viewers should boycott. Yea actors don't want to put themselves in a tight spot but the viewers are the ones in power here.
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7 Lola
August 26, 2014 at 7:04 AM
Well, at least the cast is great!
I hope the drama behind the scenes will be sorted out quickly so I can look forward to it.
P.S.: Why does nobody considers a drama about all these behind the scenes dramas. The meta-jokes would be awesome.
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dtp_jnr
August 26, 2014 at 7:47 AM
Where have you been?... There's one it's called "King of Dramas".....quite popular in this site.....
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kanz
August 26, 2014 at 8:43 AM
Maybe you want King of Dramas sageuk version? What will Anthony do especially for sageuk dramas? :P
KOD is pretty much a drama about behind the scenes of the dramas and it's really hilarious.
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Lola
August 26, 2014 at 11:05 AM
I know it, but I haven't seen it since I heard very contradicting critics. It seemed very over the top, I might give it a try!
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8 kitto
August 26, 2014 at 8:23 AM
Yeah, been waiting for her comeback. I love her in Nine. She's a good actress btw.
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9 Noelle
August 26, 2014 at 8:31 AM
Why would anyone sign on when this drama is stuck in some bs?
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10 browncoat_78
August 26, 2014 at 8:34 AM
Well, that does it. NOT WATCHING! Jo Yoon Hee is one of the actresses that will just totally put me off anything. I'm sure she's a lovely person, but her acting and just her overall screen presence makes me want to gag. She single-handedly ruined Nine for me, which was very good otherwise. I really hope Seo In Gook doesn't do this drama because then I might be forced to check it anyhow because of my great love for his acting. Please don't do it, In Gook-ssi.
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AJ
August 26, 2014 at 9:25 AM
I couldn't make it through more than two episodes of Nine because of her character. I just hated the way she was written and I remember feeling sorry for the actress. I felt the same way about the heroine of Heartless City. Both roles could have been great with sharper writing ... something to make those characters edgier. Instead the actresses were left holding the empty bag since there was no real character to play.
Just reading about all this plagiarism controversy makes me suspect we'll see some real sub-par writing here.
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eny
August 26, 2014 at 6:32 PM
nine is really good drama,skip that drama because you hate her charracter is big lost i think. I heard good comment about nine but i delay to watch it n just watch it a month ago because i'm not really familiar with the cast n all time travel drama that i always drop time travel drama that i try to watch, then finally i watch it ,it got me hooked n finish it just within a week, but of course it's depend on your taste
i really think nine is good drama, the best time travel drama for me
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G
January 3, 2015 at 1:50 AM
huh, I loved her in Nine, and not just loved, I adored and admired how she was so unconventionally pretty and natural in her role. she brought a unique charm to her role that I believe only she could pull off. her crying was the best for me, I felt like crying with her. no, I felt like dying. man, she realistically made it SO sad. and when she laughed, I felt happy for her as well.
just putting this out there for anyone jumping on the bad ship: you're most likely gonna love her so do not judge too soon :D
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11 Miky
August 26, 2014 at 12:10 PM
They really are shamless indeed,curious if Seo In Guk will relly take the role considering all the bad mojo,i don't think him and his managment will want to be involved in KBS mess even more after his recent good project,i for one hope he wil be polite and say nope,till now he choosed quite carefully his projects so hope now he does the same...i really feel bad for the people behind the orijinal project,hope they find a way and win somehow,KBS sure is shameless,maybe that's why even Seo Yae Jin said no,maybe she knew before the news broke and said pass,who would want that affecting their wok
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12 Mia
August 26, 2014 at 9:39 PM
I adored Jo Yoon Hee in "My Husband's Got a Family" and think she would look good with SIG, but I really hope he doesn't take this project. It just feels all kinds of wrong with all the drama going on between KBS and "The Face Reader" production house. I think SIG really hit his stride with KOHS and this doesn't seem like the drama that would help him keep his momentum. Even though I like the lead actress she's not a big enough name and SIG isn't in the big leagues yet either. Kim Soo Hyun went from getting buzz in Dream High working with a bunch of idols to starring in TMTETS with Han Gain. Han Gain might not get love for her acting ability but she was a big enough name to bring a whole lot of buzz to that drama. Luckily KSH had enough charisma to hold the show down when the adult leads took over.
SIG needs his next drama to be really buzzworthy and the only thing people will be buzzing about with this drama is all the controversy. He'd honestly be better off doing a film until a better project comes his way. Like landing the role of Shin Min Ah's leading man in whatever drama she does next. I think they'd be a whole lot fun together. I'd love for him to work with Yoon Eun Hye too but only because the kiss scenes would be out of this . Unfortunately she hasn't had a hit since Coffee Prince so I'll wait on that one.
If SIG passes on this drama, he should really make the most of his KOHS buzz and release a full album for his Korean comeback. That would keep the buzz going as he does music show promotions and makes his rounds on all the variety shows.
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riarallahssi
August 27, 2014 at 3:02 AM
Yeah I agree. I'm okay with SIG starring in another drama for 2014 but not one with this much controversy. In fact, I like the idea of SIG in a hit film with uber positive reviews and the idea of an album with a bit more mature music seems more fit for him at this point. If he stars in the drama, it will be a very aggressive move on his part and the challenge would fall heavily on him. It could make or break his momentum and the ratings will definitely count for more, especially since it is obviously riding off the success of that movie. The fact that Lee Sung-Jae is already on-board is kind of intriguing though---- why are these actors giving it a go despite the controversy? Is the script THAT good? Or is it the pay? Hmmm
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13 loveinguk
August 27, 2014 at 2:43 PM
this's the frist time of SIG to get the 1st lead role in public tv channal not cable. and I feel sad because it's not good idea for him either he will accept or pass it. I hope he get anorther project that is good enough to help him escape from this one without complaint.
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