Himalaya revived, now starring Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo

20 September 2, 2014September 2, 2014

Himalaya revived, now starring Hwang Jung-min, Jung Woo

by javabeans

This is an interesting re-casting, given that I had just assumed the movie Himalaya was dead once its two leads, Kim Myung-min and Lee Min-ki, dropped the project last year when its production was delayed. But now the project is back on track, having cast Hwang Jung-min (A New World, Veteran) and Jung Woo (Answer Me 1994) and now gearing up for production.

Himalaya is based on the true story of a 2004 expedition to Mt. Everest in which one team member died and another, the team captain, risked his life to retrieve his body. Jung Woo will be playing the part of deceased climber Park Mu-taek; Hwang Jung-min will portray the leader, Uhm Hong-gil.

I’m always fascinated by roles that get replaced by other actors, particularly if the actors are very different—such as Lee Min-ki and Jung Woo in this case. But I can also totally see how both pairings would have worked together, and I find this new pairing just as strong as the original (which isn’t always the case when a project struggles and then brings in new talent). Dare I say that I even find this new pairing even more brimming with potential for conflict and emotional expressiveness? (Imagine Hwang Jung-min crying. Now imagine Jung Woo crying, then dying. Are you crying?)

Himalaya will be directed by Lee Seok-hoon, who has enjoyed recent success with the blockbuster summer action movie The Pirates (hm, I wonder if its box office success helped revive this film) and previously worked with Hwang in the hit comedy Dancing Queen. It’ll enter shoots in November and plans to release next year.

Via TV Report, My Daily

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1 Drama Debussie

September 2, 2014 at 12:47 PM

I want to groan but knowing Jung Woo is involved made me moan instead.

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2 Meh

September 2, 2014 at 12:55 PM

I love Kim Myung Min but I think this pairing is way stronger.

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alua

September 2, 2014 at 1:15 PM

That's what I'm thinking too.

Don't know KMM, but Lee Min-ki, as much as I've liked him in everything I've seen him in, rides a teeny bit on his looks and roles that weren't that demanding. Hwang Jung-min and Jung-woo might not score as high on popularity, but strike me as solid character actors. Hwang Jung-min particularly has impressed me in some of his roles.

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Because of Reasons

September 2, 2014 at 1:21 PM

I tend to agree. I think that Hwang Jung Min and Jung Woo would inhabit the characters in a more believable way than the two original leads would have. Which isn't to say that Kim Myung Min or Lee Min Ki are bad actors, but I think HJM and JW (especially Jung Woo as compared to Lee Min Ki) would fit these roles better.

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3 Orion

September 2, 2014 at 1:12 PM

I love Kim Myung Min, but one cannot really complain when they replace him with Hwang Jung Min. Brilliant actors, both of them. So I am still really looking forward to this.

It sounds like a very interesting movie and it is crucial for such character-driven pieces to have solid actors. I have not seen a lot of Jung Woo, so I do not remember how he is like in terms of skills, but looking at his info, he seems like a good choice.

So yes please.

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4 changhyun

September 2, 2014 at 1:13 PM

Jung Woo in an emotional role...this has a lot of potential

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5 termas

September 2, 2014 at 1:26 PM

Ah, I love Hwang Jung Min! He's such an impressive actor.

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6 Nina

September 2, 2014 at 1:48 PM

love KMM but I'm totally excited about this new casting ... HJM is simply awesome and Jung Woo is by far the most skilled of all the actors that dramaland have gifted us on the last years so I'm totally in with this movie .
I love reunions and this one with Jung Min and Jung Woo is like a dream to me cos they're gonna a be a team again ( they worked together as cops in the movie Bloody Tie ... 8 years ago ) ^^
Btw, another funny thig about these two .... this movie is bringing the most famous guys from Masan to the screens XD Hwang Jung Min is the most famous celebrity from that city while Jung Woo's Trash oppa is the most infamous Masan son XD thanks to Reply1994

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7 cheekypig

September 2, 2014 at 1:54 PM

woot-woot!! excited for this pairing!! i love them both!

honestly, i cant help why wonder why the movie was dropped when they had kim myung min and lee min ki? was it schedule problems or what?? hmm... i smell something fishy...

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Nina

September 2, 2014 at 2:13 PM

I heard the movie will be filmed in Nepal .... and filming there is so freakin difficult bcos the autorithies are really strict when it comes to filming and organizing a schedule can be really difficult

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Sika

September 3, 2014 at 1:44 AM

Are they really going to shoot in Nepal? I'm pretty sure they won't be shooting in actual Himalayas as the authorities are strict, as you mentioned, but maybe few scenes on the way to basecamp?
Anyways, would love to see them here in Nepal!

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8 ujsid

September 2, 2014 at 1:57 PM

Oppaayaaaaa is going to die?
#*@*#&@&@&#
*Smashes things*

okay relaaax...

This movie going to wring a lot of tears out of me isn't it? *sigh* :'(

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9 danna

September 2, 2014 at 3:29 PM

Ooh, with pairings are pretty great. It this one is a dynamic I'd love to see play out more
..and yes, I'm already crying...I wish Hwang Jung Min would do another drama (one that I'm actually willing to watch)

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10 Chandler

September 2, 2014 at 3:57 PM

I agree, I love both KMM and LMK, but I have to say I'm actually a little more excited for this pairing for some reason. I'm not sure what it is. It goes beyond their skills. it's like I just have this feeling that they'll gel really well together or something? Anyway, really looking forward to this.

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11 dimmed

September 2, 2014 at 4:42 PM

Wait.. hwang jung min and jung woo? Is this really happening? is this fuckin happening? *drowninfeels*

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12 Heartoppaya

September 2, 2014 at 6:09 PM

Fiiinally news of oppa-ya. B-but he dies?.... Jung Woo is an actor who's eyes express feelings more than words. Call it talent, call it the actor's great acting, I call it his natural charm. Jung Woo's definitely gonna charm my panties off. That's for sure. After AM94, it's already half down...

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13 Chichiri

September 2, 2014 at 7:35 PM

"Imagine Jung Woo crying, and then dying."

HAHA ok i'm sold

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thursdaynexxt

September 3, 2014 at 2:15 AM

And trust me, I'm already crying! :(

But I won't be able to keep away from this new pairing!

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14 dragon/fly

September 3, 2014 at 1:16 PM

AHh...So excited about this! Hwang Jung min is definitely one of my favourite actors...hope the writing and the plot will be tense and top notch cause with this great pairing we can already expect the best acting wise

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15 whitewire

September 4, 2014 at 12:51 AM

I'm an eternal fan of Kim Myung-min, and wanted him to take this role... But Hwang Jung-min and ONLY HWANG JUNG-MIN is fit to replace KMM in this role.

Both are excellent actors, and I'm in for this!

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