News bites: October 31, 2014

by awcoconuts

• As widely reported this week, Shin Hae-chul, one of the most influential artists in Korean music, passed away on October 27 as a result of complications from a massive heart attack he had suffered a few days prior. TK of Ask a Korean did an excellent write-up on the legend as part of his 50 Most Influential K-pop Artists series just a few weeks ago, and the song highlighted in the post, “To You,” as well as many of Shin Hae-chul’s other early solo and N.EX.T efforts (“You Who Is Deep In My Heart,” “A Doll’s Knight Part 2”), make up part of the soundtrack of my youth. Shin dabbled in everything from ballads, electronica, dance and metal, and throughout his 25+ year career, he never stopped pushing the envelope in the K-pop industry. The loss of the iconic musician is being felt deeply, and tributes from peers, celebs, and fans continue to pour in. [Osen]
• Go Ah-sung has signed a contract with Untitled Entertainment, who will manage the actress’s American projects. Go received favorable U.S. press for her role in Snowpiercer, and she joins the likes of Ashton Kutcher, Uma Thurman, and Kate Hudson, who are also represented by Untitled Entertainment. The actress is currently filming the domestic thriller Office, with Park Sung-woong. [Herald]
• This sounds like it’ll be a body-swapping blast: Lee Beom-soo (Triangle) and Chun Woo-hee (Han Gong-ju) have signed up for Beauty Inside, the film about a man who wakes up in a different body daily and the woman, played by Han Hyo-joo (Dong Yi), who falls in love with him. The man’s soul will alternate between Lee Beom-soo’s body and Chun Woo-hee’s; other rumored host bodies include Lee Jin-wook, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Park Seo-joon. Filming begins next month. [Osen]


Lee Beom-soo, Chun Woo-hee

• Hwang Seung-un (Bad Guys) has been cast in Sweden Laundry, the fantasy comedic drama about the psychic owner of a laundry business. As the younger sis to Song Ha-yoon’s laundry shop psychic, Hwang will play a pretty college student majoring in dance and an aspiring actress. She’s not too bright and sounds like an immature, conceited little sister, but we’re told that she’s got a certain charm and that there are multiple facets to her character. Sweden Laundry premieres at the end of November on MBC’s cable channels. [Joongang]
• Oh Chang-seok is coming off one successful weekend show and might be heading into another: He’s considering an offer for the male lead in SBS’s Goddess of Sales, but in contrast to his nice-guy character in Jang Bori Is Here, he’d play an aloof man who sets women’s hearts aflutter. Kim Su-ro (A Gentleman’s Dignity) has also been offered an unspecified role in the drama, which will pit those of humble background versus the privileged elite. Once casting is finished, Goddess of Sales will air in January after Birth of a Beauty. [Joongang, Joongang]
• The Chinese version of Running Man, titled Run, Brothers!, has swept the continent. The show’s only aired three episodes, but a second season’s already been approved and is being planned. A joint Korean-Chinese production with SBS, Run, Brothers! launched under the supervision of PD Jo Hyo-jin and members of the Running Man production team, who traveled to China to oversee some of the shoots. It has already captured 2% ratings (anything over 1% is considered a hit) and is number one in its time slot. Congrats to the Running Man team on their international success! [Joy News]
• After having an episode preempted earlier in the season, Wednesday-Thursday drama She’s So Lovable will finish on time by airing two episodes back-to-back on November 5, and its final episode on November 6. It will be followed on SBS by Pinocchio, which begins November 12. [Star News]

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