Liar Game’s naive heroine, shrewd lifeline, and mysterious gamemaster
by javabeans
Here we have our first teaser for tvN’s remake of Japanese drama Liar Game, which, in the way of all tvN previews, is short but stylish. It’s more of a conceptual teaser than a plot-based one, but gets across the premise neatly: There’s a game involving money that requires you to abandon all trust in others, since you’re trying to be the last one standing with the piles of cash.
Shin Sung-rok plays the host of the Liar Game reality show, and he warns the contestants: “Forget about things like conscience—you’ve all come out to trick everyone else.” I like the idea of him hovering over the show like an ominous god-like presence, since he carries that vibe so well—even when he’s being friendly, he can play things with a sinister undercurrent. (I swear I was half-expecting him to turn psychotic throughout Trot Lovers, where he was meant to be just a little quirky.)
Kim So-eun, meanwhile plays the pure-hearted soul at the center of the show who finds herself within the metaphorical (and also literal, in the teaser) maze, who is then lent a helping hand by Lee Sang-yoon. He’s a con artist who’s just served prison time, and has an uncanny—genius, even—way of reading people, which will become a key tool in guiding the heroine through the game.
Liar Game will premiere on October 20.
Via Newsen
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Tags: Kim So-eun, Lee Sang-yoon, Liar Game, Shin Sung-rok
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1 redfox
October 2, 2014 at 4:09 AM
he is back :-))
how is it that now every time I see Shin Sung Rok I let out this Dracula-Like cartoon laughter of exitement? Can´t wait to see this. Muaaahahahahaa!
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Miky
October 2, 2014 at 6:44 AM
omo i want him to have his own drama as a dark guy and win in the end!
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redfox
October 2, 2014 at 10:58 AM
Dracula. No, a sarcastic, cynical vampire, who runs a hotel for uber-rich and uber-whiny with impossible demands and perverted hobbies. His catchphrase? "People Suck, Not Me!" (tehehe) he could have a cheerful female assistant who is trying to make him see the good in people. his answer? "I have X-ray vision. believe me, there is NOTHING."
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redfox
October 2, 2014 at 11:01 AM
but a mans gotta make money so he puts up with these rich assholes but kinda sabotages their stay. and sometimes gets rid of them? lemme think
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Ajmystro
October 3, 2014 at 5:50 AM
Can this be a 20 episode drama...like now. I'm serious.
Shin Sung Rok would kickass as that broody, sarcastic, passive-cynical vampire and imagine Han Groo as his assistant. I see them all over this.
For real. This needs to happen!
Cocoboo
October 2, 2014 at 7:45 AM
Hahahaha!
He's great at being mysterious and creepy yet that makes him so appealing too! Can't help but be drawn to him.
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Viki
October 2, 2014 at 8:51 AM
I'm excited to watch him! I think b they are making his character bigger than he we on the JP version...I mean, it's Shin Sung Rok...you just gotta. hope he takes off his mask hehe
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2 pogo
October 2, 2014 at 4:23 AM
hehe it was the opposite for me with Shin Sung-rok and Trot Lovers, I was shocked that I fell so hard for him and his quirkiness. (he also had much better chemistry with Jung Eun-ji than her actual leading man, Ji Hyun-woo)
I'm excited for this, I hope tvN will make it good.
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SuziQ
October 2, 2014 at 9:51 AM
Agreed. Shin Sung Rok was under utilized in Trot Lovers. He has a fabulous singing voice,(better than Ji Hyun Woo) but he didn't get to sing.
Glad he's in another drama.He just won Hot Star award in 2014 Korean Drama Award!
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3 maymay
October 2, 2014 at 4:42 AM
They can't cast Shin Sung Rok and make him wear the masks right. Lol. Funny how they have expanded the gamemaster's role. Wait is he that or the actual person behind the game?
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4 whitewire
October 2, 2014 at 5:24 AM
I LOVED THE JAPANESE VERSION!!! I'm sure this remake is going to be D-A-E-B-A-K!!!!
Fighting Lee Sang-yoon and Kim So-eun. Lee Sang-yoon is beautiful as Akiyama Shinichi! Gosh she's perfect for Kanzaki Nao I swear! Kudos to casting director! But the teaser, haha, she's falling off the cliff maze, lol. Hope they cover all seasons, too! Go, go TVN! Waaa, so excited for this!
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whitewire
October 2, 2014 at 5:25 AM
I meant KIM SO-EUN— perfect Kanzaki "naive" Nao!
I thought she's too perfect for Kanzaki Nao, I forgot to mention her name! Love u Kim So-eun!
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Hugepuffball
October 2, 2014 at 10:44 AM
I completely agree- no one will ever be Akiyama besides matsuda (for me anyway) but Kim so eun will be great for nao.
I have to say, I hope they'll throw in a dab of romance. I know it wasn't the original mangaka's intention and it's not that kind of story, but in the finale movie the sexual tension basically broke my life. So... Fingers crossed
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whitewire
October 5, 2014 at 6:29 AM
DON'T even remind me of the chemistry and tension between Akiyama and Kanzaki. I was so darn frustrated. Ever since the first help during the (SPOILER) "Yes/No Game" I feel it's too much to ignore. I can't help it... So I finished the franchise, including Season 2 and the movie. But no I fell into the disappointment trap. Lol!
So K-drama, whatever you do, with romance or without, I do understand, (Oh yes, after the Jap version murdered my hopes) and I will watch this with all my heart. Fingers crossed. Fighting!
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5 chane
October 2, 2014 at 5:39 AM
I watched the Japanese version out of boredom but I was instantly hooked, I finished the entire series minus Reborn in just two days. I really hope this version is as good as the original to cure my withdrawals.
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6 amber
October 2, 2014 at 5:40 AM
I thought the game master was old and on the death bed in original one if I remembered correctly. Nevertheless, I like Kim Soeun enough to watch a show. But my Kanzaki Nao will always be Toda Erika.
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7 Angélina Eang
October 2, 2014 at 5:44 AM
GAH, I haven't watched Season 2 yet because I think I got kind of spoiled when I read some comments on a YT's video lol. So I tried hard to forget but damn it lol.
I guess I am going to watch it before watching the Korean remake. I have faith in tvN that they won't screw it so yeaap'.
But really, more and more actors come to tvN. Just like high profiles PDs and writers too. I guess they have really became one of the most powerful networks in Korea. At least, in creativty and originality, tvN is crushing and destroying the Big 3 of Korea TV, haha :P
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meh
October 2, 2014 at 11:55 PM
Season 2 is way better than Season 1 (Still love Season 1). The games are more intense as it involves wit and Nao is smarter in this Season w/ less crying.
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8 DeNile
October 2, 2014 at 6:19 AM
Is it wrong that whenever I see the title Liar Game anywhere I instantly scream(in my mind) 'AKIYAMA-SAMA!!!!!!'
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pin
October 2, 2014 at 6:52 AM
Omo! Me too, it's like reflex.
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deedum
October 2, 2014 at 6:56 AM
mine too haha the jap series is too good, can't wait to see how tvn put a spint to it
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peaches
October 2, 2014 at 12:09 PM
don't use the word "jap"-__- it's a slur, even if you didn't mean it that way.
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9 The Real CZ
October 2, 2014 at 6:29 AM
I fucking loved the Japanese version and I consider both seasons as my favorite Japanese drama. Liar Game made me a huge fan of Toda Erika, so I am stoked for the Korean version. I already like Kim So Eun, but if this drama turns out well, I'll be stanning her like there's no tomorrow.
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10 CaroleMcDonnell
October 2, 2014 at 7:01 AM
oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sooo want to see this.
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11 lucy
October 2, 2014 at 7:15 AM
well the drama looks promising but i feel like watching 'the maze runner' korean version. LoL!
hope this remake won't dissappoint us. crossing fingers!
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12 Gerane
October 2, 2014 at 7:32 AM
Matsuda Shota was amazingly perfect as Akiyama and I don't think LSY can pull it off but I'm still excited for this because I love the Japanese version.
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13 hellochloe
October 2, 2014 at 7:47 AM
gosh, this brings back memories of the jdorama. *feels old*
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14 Jenny
October 2, 2014 at 7:53 AM
We'll see how this is. On a positive note, the cast might get better along then in the dorama version. Apparently Matsuda Shota and Toda Erika did not get a long at all.
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faith
October 2, 2014 at 11:15 AM
I don't think that was actually true. Erika wasn't in the LG reborn so the 'rumor' started that they didn't get along but just a year later, she was a special guest star for Matsuda's tv drama as his fiancee.
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15 soprection
October 2, 2014 at 8:04 AM
Even though Kim So Eun's character is supposed to be naive and pure hearted, I hope she's also strong and interesting. I'm not familiar with the jdrama/manga/anime so I'm going into this blind but I'm giving it a chance for her and TvN.
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16 Ju
October 2, 2014 at 8:06 AM
Really interesting. I hope that they are going to explore further into human nature and its darkness with this version. After all, the concept of Liar Game is really fascinating in this area : how far can a person go for money ?
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17 canxi
October 2, 2014 at 8:19 AM
This teaser looks awesome and that music was perfect as well. Lee Sang Yoon looks completely different from the image of Akiyama but something in the teaser and his stills is definitely giving me Akiyama vibes. This is great.
The J-drama had the game master be a puppet if I remember correctly, looks like they followed the manga a little more closely and gave him a mask.
correction: Just checked and it was a man with a puppet mask. I guess they are just showing his face in this version because the character has been expanded (and Shin Sung Rok is handsome, lol.) I'm really liking this simpler mask a lot more and it feels a lot more ominous as well. It also seems to be closer to the manga.
Anyway, I am now excited!!
Kim So Eun looks perfect as well!
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18 neverending
October 2, 2014 at 8:45 AM
I LIKE THAT VOICE!
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19 Mrs. Jang guem suk
October 2, 2014 at 10:15 AM
Well Everyone seems excited about this I wanna watch the liar game now lol
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20 kimchikay
October 2, 2014 at 10:15 AM
They better not mess this up...Liar Game tops my all time fav jdrama list!!!!
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21 rearwindow
October 2, 2014 at 10:24 AM
I haven't seen the original, but I want this in my life RIGHT NOW.
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22 goldeng
October 2, 2014 at 11:14 AM
Shin sung rok is giving us that psycopath "i think I'm God" vibe we all love again :333 I got so curious about this drama that I literally ran to YT to watch the original... tVn can do no wrong so Im waiting for this drama too
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23 bd5
October 2, 2014 at 11:30 AM
KSE looks gorgeous in those stills.
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24 Spi
October 2, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Lee Sang Yoon!! Hope he will finally have a good drama :))
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25 oleebeuyoo
October 2, 2014 at 12:07 PM
Kim So-eun certainly seems the part for Kanzaki Nao. BUT I can't un-see Matsuda Shota as Akiyama. Anyway, I loved Liar Game for the most part, so I'm excited for this version! My mom watched the Japanese one with me, and she totally called a few years back that Korea was going to do a remake at some point, hahaha. And I'm glad that it will be on cable! I feel like it may help bring out more nuanced performances and/or keep it pretty dark.
Also, as much as I loved the Japanese version, there are certain stylistic things in Japanese dramas that I don't always love (usually characters that are over-the-top), and a lot of the characters did seem caricature-ish. On the other hand, I do like how Japanese dramas don't always force romances/love triangles in their plots when they're not needed. Definitely interested in seeing tvN's interpretation!
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26 You-Know-Who
October 2, 2014 at 1:31 PM
Am I the only one who thought that when they cast Shin Sung Rok that he will definitely play the role of Akiyama since he's just the right person to play it physically and personality wise?
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meh
October 3, 2014 at 12:27 AM
Yep. That's what I though too. He would be a better Akiyama-san than Lee Sang-yoon. But, I'll wait and see how this version goes. :)
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27 museofmanymasks
October 2, 2014 at 2:39 PM
Looks good. Need to see the Japanese version. Dunno about the other two but SHIN! SUNG! ROK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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28 hana
October 2, 2014 at 5:54 PM
Ok I now want Kim So Eun and Shin Sung Rok to be romantically involved or have romantic tensions instead of her having any romantic tensions with Lee Sang Yoon. In the original Nao and Akiyama kind of had romantic tensions that I think went no where.
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29 Gwen
October 2, 2014 at 7:16 PM
I'm a bit confused. Is this a game show or a drama? I have watched the Genius, is this like the Genius?
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Raitei044
October 2, 2014 at 10:06 PM
It's a drama based on a Japanese drama that was based on a manga.
On another note, I actually really like Fukunaga and Yokoya from the Japanese version. I wonder if they'll appear in this remake, too? If Fukunaga will, will they make him an actual guy, albeit weird, like in the J-dorama or go the manga-route with a male-to-female transvestite? If it's the latter, that would certainly be interesting...
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Akichan
October 2, 2014 at 11:54 PM
The genius was also inspired by Liar game and put in the format similar to Big Brother. Even some of the games were based of the games in Liar Game.
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30 meh
October 3, 2014 at 12:11 AM
The Japanese version is soo damn good that it's going to be hard to top it off and it's quite eccentric which suits the Japanese. I'm not sure if Lee Sang-yoon can pull off Akiyama-san because Shota does Akiyama-san so perfectly that it's hard to see anyone as Akiyama-san other than Shota.
I must say, before you watch the Korean version, go and watch the Japanese version: Season 1, Season 2, and the final movie. I guarantee you that you will love this version. :D
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31 ashura199
October 3, 2014 at 6:26 AM
Feel a lot more optimistic after seeing this trailer! Now i can't wait for this to start!
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32 sangmaharani
October 11, 2014 at 8:38 PM
I watched Liar Game J-drama version after only giving it a try at the first, but ended up collecting all series. Sooooo hooked up by AKIYAMA x NAO tense!!! Their chemistry is beyond perfect! Toda and Matsuda pulled it off really well.
But, however, just like many people's dissapointment, I felt it was such a waste J-version didn't give romance development after those trolling moments between Akiyama and Nao.
I think I will give this one a try, because it's TVN product. Three Musketeers (TVN adaptation) is pretty well done too. And who doesn't know about Reply 1997? Long live TVN and its production staffs!! I hope you lasts 100000 years in this drama industry!
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