Kim Yoo-jung replaced on Secret Door
by girlfriday
girlfriday: Uh… so apparently Secret Door is suddenly replacing Kim Yoo-jung with… Yoon So-hee (Marriage Not Dating, Let’s Eat)???
javabeans: What! Why? That’s the stupidest thing. The articles are saying that this is a “baton pass” between child role to adult, but my bullshit meter is flying up to 11, for so many reasons. First of all, the role was described from the outset as just being Kim Yoo-jung’s, from start to finish.
girlfriday: Right? They went on and on about how she’s all grown up now and she’s getting her first big-time lead role.
javabeans: Do you think this was a last-minute thing due to (a lack of) viewer response? Because nobody is buying the romance, and yet, you can’t exactly sizzle it up any more than what it is right now (a very pure attraction based on righteous ideals) because of the actors’ ages. While the characters are only a few years apart in age, the actor gap is a little uncomfortable — he’s thirty, she’s fifteen.
girlfriday: It HAS to be, because the actress change at this point in the game makes no sense otherwise, not that it even makes a whole lot of sense in this light either.
javabeans: This just strikes me as fishy because the producers spent so much time before the show assuring us that the age gap didn’t matter and Kim Yoo-jung was debuting in her first non-child role. And if you switch her out for someone barely a few years older saying that Kim’s “child part” is over, then you obviously lied.
girlfriday: It’s so ass backwards because they spent so much time and effort trying to make Kim Yoo-jung and Lee Je-hoon’s pure idealistic relationship believable, at the expense of developing his relationship with his wife Princess Hyegyeong until much later in the story. Plus, if you were planning this from the get-go, then why wouldn’t you have cast a high-profile actress from the start?? I’m trying to wrap my head around it, but it seems dumb to me.
javabeans: I feel like it HAS to be a last-ditch effort to either salvage the role or minimize it, just because of the (upside-down) order/logic of the decision. Why would you replace Kim Yoo-jung with someone unknown? Either Kim Yoo-jung’s character should have been a few years older (actresses play older all the time), or cast the other chick from the start.
girlfriday: That’s what i don’t understand. Yoon So-hee is an unknown rookie with just a few projects under her belt, and really, onscreen she doesn’t seem that much older either.
javabeans: I guess Yoon So-hee seems like she could play the character more “mature” — in that she would be less innocent? Kim Yoo-jung has the wide-eyed purity that just makes her seem actually younger than her years, whereas I kind of wanted to slap Yoon So-hee every time her Hyun-hee character was onscreen in Marriage Not Dating. Although… I guess making Ji-dam unlikable isn’t exactly the way to save her.
girlfriday: I would be angry if they rewrote the whole character all of a sudden. I will admit that Ji-dam doesn’t really do it for me in her current incarnation, so in that sense, changes aren’t necessarily all bad. It’s just… this is not a change I get.
javabeans: Right, I actually think swapping the actress might be good if you’re trying to build up the Sun-Ji-dam loveline again, which has been nonexistent because it didn’t seem to be working, and viewers weren’t buying it. And Kim Yoo-jung just doesn’t do much against Park Eun-bin’s intensity. What confuses me is the WAY they’re doing it, and also, the person they cast. Will she actually be better? Erm.
girlfriday: I already feel like Ji-dam is less interesting than Hyegyeong, and I’m concerned that’ll only increase. Which would be fine if the show would just focus on Sun and Hyegyeong, like they SHOULD. Ahem.
javabeans: I wish the drama would focus on Sun’s relationships with Hyegyeong and Yeongjo, which are fascinating on their own merits, but if you’re going to shove a loveline down my throat I should at least believe it. Or feel like THEY believe it. You know, I would really have preferred someone like Yoon Jin-yi. She has that innocence that could carry over from Kim Yoo-jung, and the sprightly energy, but can also emote and be more intense. Or even Jung So-min or Kim So-eun (yes I know she’s busy, this is fantasy casting!).
girlfriday: They would’ve been great. Maybe they actually couldn’t get them because this was clearly some sort of mid-season freakout and replacement that was unplanned.
javabeans: Because who announces sudden mid-drama switches on a Saturday morning? On the other hand, signing on a newbie actress at this late stage might indicate that Ji-dam is taking a backseat now. In that case, I can see why you wouldn’t get a higher-profile actress, if they’re just going to be background wallpaper.
girlfriday: That might actually be better storywise, though in that case I would’ve preferred them to at least give Kim Yoo-jung her due and fast-forward and kill Ji-dam off while she played her. Why not make a dramatic exit out of it, instead of confusing people?
javabeans: God I know. Ji-dam really didn’t do much for me alive, but she could have really done something in her death.
girlfriday: Right? Heung-bok 2.0! And then Sun goes mad from the heartbreak!
javabeans: We should just write Secret Door fanfic, which is all dark and angsty and heartbreaking.
girlfriday: I think they just call that history.
Via Osen
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- Secret Door doles out love, punishment, and tragedy
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- Kim Yoo-jung on the set of Secret Door
- Kim Yoo-jung scores leading role in Secret Door
- Marriage Not Dating: Episodes 1-2
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- Let’s Eat: Series Review
Tags: conversation post, Kim Yoo-jung, Secret Door, Yoon So-hee
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1 PilTa
November 1, 2014 at 3:10 AM
Ok that's it....dropping this drama. I only watched it for Kim Yoo-Jung. Whatever the reason is for this stupid replacement, it still doesn't make sense for a rookie to replace an actress as good as KYJ!
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Sun
November 1, 2014 at 5:38 AM
Yes, feel so sad not seeing young Ji Dam Kim Yoo Jung. Maybe I will watch Pride & Prejuce instead!
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Miley
November 1, 2014 at 5:58 PM
i watched the 2 eps of Pride and Prejudice and i like it!
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padei
November 1, 2014 at 10:22 PM
As someone who has pretty much written off most recent kdramas, I actually welcome this change. Yoon So-hee is better than her role in the badly written Marriage Not Dating, she and the young male lead, were the sole positive things in Wild Chives.
If so many inadequate idols can get lead roles, I welcome the chance for this young actress. The drama erred in the first place with the casting of Kim Yoo-jung. Yes, she is a star in the making, but the age gap with the other actors was too much.
If this will bring some excitement to Secret Door and maybe finally provide a worthwhile sageuk this year, in the absence of any water-cooler sageuks, then I welcome this change.
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dtdt
November 2, 2014 at 11:33 PM
I do not think so. Her look is not for a young detective.
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Sarah
November 2, 2014 at 4:01 AM
I also watched the first two episodes of Pride & Prejudice and it's worth checking out. Storyline seems good and the acting is great too. So far the show seems to be tackling a different case per episode, but I think there will be one main case/mystery that is brewing and will be unfolding in upcoming episodes.
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Arang
November 1, 2014 at 10:34 AM
Bad decision.
Yes, I think now I have a better decision than theirs: I'm out off this drama.
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dtdt
November 2, 2014 at 11:31 PM
Me too. Feel so relieved, I have to put myself in to wait for the girl to appear, has more time with the prince...now I can dropt it.
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Salmi
November 4, 2014 at 12:38 AM
I'm totally ditching this drama too...
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2 fab
November 1, 2014 at 3:18 AM
Oh no that sucks-sorry for my French. They can do all kinds of changes to minimize the characters' involvement WITH KYJ, as painful it would be I wouldn't mind them killing her off.
Ps Soo hee was in Marriage Not Dating? She was cool in High School King of Savvvvyy.
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sequestial
November 1, 2014 at 4:04 AM
The character you're referring to in High School King of Savvy wasn't actually played by Yoon So-hee, the actual actress in that drama is Lee Yeol-eum. Easy to mistake those two though, they look uncannily similar.
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john
November 1, 2014 at 5:38 AM
sequestial ~
Yoon So-hee and Lee Yeol-eum could pass for sisters.
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anais
November 1, 2014 at 10:57 PM
Wonder if they went to the same plastic surgeon. Ha.
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fab
November 1, 2014 at 8:10 AM
OMG that's sick! You're right and my eyes are so wrong, I watched both shows intently but from the first glance that girl was the little sister in High School King!
That actress is a lot older than KYJ and LYE by the way, but still stupide.
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Aigoooo
November 1, 2014 at 4:39 AM
Superficially, I thought the actress they got to replace KYJ is a pretty good one. Ever since I saw her in Let's Eat, I always thought she reminded me of an adult version of KYJ.
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fab
November 1, 2014 at 8:20 AM
That's good, because she was not so good in Marriage Not Dating.
They also look like Kim Hyun Joo, because pretttty.
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Chandler
November 1, 2014 at 9:26 AM
Well, to be fair, her role in MND was...hard to play. I'm not really sure if she could have done anything to make the character likable.
I actually think she's a promising actress, but there were some moments in Let's Eat, during the more dramatic scenes, when I thought I sensed some room for improvement. I could certainly see her biting off more than she can chew with this project. And it's just...an awkward casting decision all around.
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girlatsea
November 1, 2014 at 9:37 AM
Loved her in Let's Eat too! And I also liked her in Wild Chives and Soybean Soup. She's very likable honestly and I think she has potential- MND was a just a terrible role to begin with.
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pigsnout
November 1, 2014 at 9:52 AM
The technical parts of sageuk is a worry, but Yoon So Hee is a decent actress in Wild Chives & Soybean Soup, and was good in Let's Eat. It's not a bad choice that way.
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hannah
November 1, 2014 at 7:37 AM
yoon sohee also kinda looks like a younger version of park si yeon... (or is it just me?lol)
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Hobak
November 1, 2014 at 12:06 PM
It's just not you!! They look so similar! And if you compare her to a younger Park Shi Yeon they can pass as twins.
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3 blo
November 1, 2014 at 3:31 AM
Oh my...Should I drop this drama? I've had it on hold for a while but with full intentions of continuing with it. KYJ is an excellent actor. And replacing her with KSH??? Makes no sense whatsoever. Although KSH is cute...that's about it for me.
Anyways, if the drama is good, I'm still willing to continue with it. But this kind of move worries me.
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4 Xxvxx
November 1, 2014 at 3:33 AM
granted I love Yoon Sohee and will watch anything she's in. Must say this last minute change is too fishy on the producers part. Poor Yoo Jung, hope she's not hurt or scarred by her first adult role attempt.
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5 Sharon
November 1, 2014 at 3:40 AM
Oh no….what kind of decision is that? She's great actress. If the change just because of ratings/ viewers, I don't think the replacement could help. Secret Door storyline and acting is great. The problem is korean audiences's taste now becoming strange. The more strange storyline and awkward actings, the more they like.
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Hwari
November 1, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Nah, Blade Man got strange story-line too but Korean viewers never warm up to it.
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news
November 1, 2014 at 9:26 AM
That's b/c Blade Man is "strange" not makjang, which is what I think Sharon is referring to. Based on ratings, it seems Korean audience prefers makjang for it's entertainment value.
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6 Aigoooo
November 1, 2014 at 4:04 AM
LOL I find it funny that you guys pew pew the drama age gap in HSKOS but are not too concerned with the real age gap with the actors in this drama which I find way more alarming since KYJ is still very much a minor who should not be exposed to acting romantic scenes with someone who is very much an adult.
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Aigoooo
November 1, 2014 at 4:24 AM
I know KYJ is way too good to be relegated to playing characters suited for her age. She's already better than a lot of adult actresses out there. Even though I wish she can take on more mature roles, I am more than happy to wait for her age to catch up to her talent because she is worth waiting for.
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AJK
November 1, 2014 at 7:16 AM
And if she has been or is at all uncomfortable, the decision is a good one. It wouldn't be the first time a 15 year old went into a situation that was maybe a little more than he or she bargained for.
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Annie
November 1, 2014 at 9:35 AM
I don't think it has to be one or the other. Kim Yoo Jung is definitely way too young to be acting out any sort of romance with someone that much older but Kdrama's fascination with high school boys is SICK. Nothing good can come of either.
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SoSun
November 1, 2014 at 11:52 AM
It is very sick. I can't stomach the so called noona romances.
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sogazelle
November 1, 2014 at 3:57 PM
I agree that she's too young in real life to be romancing a 30 year old in a drama... And I bet you that the korean audience knows this and they object.
Everyone knows she's a great actress but she's too young in real life.
I love Yoon So Hee...I totally fell in love with her in Wild Choves Bean Soup...She has a great potential and she's just as naturally gorgeous as KYJ and she's 21!
Those who only met her for the 1st time in "marriage not dating" are missing out. That role was terrible and difficult to play.
She was AMAZING in Wild Chives on JTBC. I stop watching when the child part was done because the adults could not follow up on the cuteness of the child parts.
I can see why she was chosen....she'll do justice to the role and I bet you she will have great chemistry with the Prince!
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lemondoodle
November 1, 2014 at 8:13 PM
Nothing wrong with noona romances as long as everyone is legal. Kim Yoo Jung is a great actor, but this has always been a terrible idea for her to act with a man twice her age when she's only 15.
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Cafe
November 1, 2014 at 11:38 AM
Yeah, I know right? Some age difference between two ADULTS is unsalvageable, gross and uncomfortable (especially if the woman is the older one i.e. Witch's romance, etc) but when it is a minor with and grown man, (which is considered legally pedophilia, she is only 15) is all good and flower and unicorns, on top of that these people throw tantrums when the shows change the 15 years old actress for someone with the appropriate age...
I still can't understand how the romance between a 15 years old and a 30 years old man is OK with these people, even if is on tv... and they put all kinds of excuses to evade the real problem: a minor simulating a romantic relationship with an older man. Pedobear must be happy...
Oh, the hypocrisy.
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7 j2hr
November 1, 2014 at 4:24 AM
maybe KYJ's agent does not want her first adult role in flop drama, so they pull her out.
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8 Even
November 1, 2014 at 4:45 AM
I really like Yoon Sohee, and I was hoping that she'd get put in another drama soon...BUT NOT LIKE THIS. D:
This decision just confuses me.
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9 ....
November 1, 2014 at 5:02 AM
Changing an actress & adding "mature" content: What kind of stunt is that? Drama has low ratings cause story is dragging & people are bored, period. A change of staff must have happened at SBS this year, really: Blunder after blunder.
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10 kanz
November 1, 2014 at 5:04 AM
I think rather than shove Lee Sun and Ji Dam onscreen romance, they better make Sun-Hyegyeong OTP...
Park Eun Bin isn't bad in her role, in fact she could carry the drama.
Imagine the angst, one-sided love, etc from that OTP. That would be more interesting than Sun-Ji Dam OTP.
I lost words on how they suddenly replace KYJ with YSH... Truly, bad decision on SBS.
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eki
November 1, 2014 at 5:38 AM
Park Eun Bin only gets 5 minutes screen time per episode. Just a waste having a very good actress, when they don't use her.
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coffeenlucia
November 1, 2014 at 7:43 PM
Very, very true.
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11 john
November 1, 2014 at 5:31 AM
Well, shoot all the way around for all involved. I like both actresses, (tbh , Kim Yoo Jung has better acting chops and much more experience ).
A love line between Nancy Drew and the Prince really wasn't a viable story line from the get go. The inclusion of the "Gotta has a romance" bit the powers that be in the butt. Who get the 20 whacks for that? Writer? Director? Both?
Ji-dam just couldn't be in awe that she's met the Prince and helped him get to the bottom of his friend's murder?
Does Ji-dam wanna jump the prince's bones now, so that's why an older actress is needed? If so, poor plot and a crappy reason to swap actresses.
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Mia
November 1, 2014 at 4:37 PM
Mte.
Korean dramas have this overwhelming, aggravating tendency to make everything romantic when it doesn't need to be (American dramas do this too, but not nearly as much).
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diri66
November 2, 2014 at 12:00 PM
I agree. I was not counting on a love line between them and enjoyed their relationship so far. I loved that they exchanged affectionate looks and that's it. I don't even think it fits Sun's or Ji-dam's character to have an affair... they are too considerate and dutiful.
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12 Lilac
November 1, 2014 at 5:41 AM
Too Bad.
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13 CaroleMcDonnell
November 1, 2014 at 5:50 AM
Ah man!!!! I didn't like the Ji Dam character at all but I'm thinking it's just cruel to take the part away from a person in such acold way. It can really mess up a person's confidence. They're the ones who wrote the silly script, not her.
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thursdaynexxt
November 1, 2014 at 9:15 PM
Agreed! It's a very shabby way to treat her, no matter what the situation is - it says more about the production company/idiots in charge.
I hope she finds a good role soon!
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14 Park Ha
November 1, 2014 at 5:53 AM
Again, that's the way they hurt young actors actresses. It remind me of the decision which Yeo Jin Goo was canceled his role in a big movie with the same reason that they need adult actors to make it more intense.
Change young actors to put "mature' lines in drama? Do they mean "bed scenes"! Oh, shit!
Hope they don't be hurt too much because they are still young!
Yoo Jung, Jin Goo, be strong, I'm ready to wait more to see both of you in future.
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15 Riko
November 1, 2014 at 6:16 AM
I Think its because that drama was a total flop in ratings xdd
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16 jomo143
November 1, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Just when you think network execs can't get any stupider...
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17 Yamsky
November 1, 2014 at 6:36 AM
That's bad, I only watched it because of Kim Yoo Jung, if they will pull her out, I might not follow it anymore. And I might delete the previous episode which I had been downloaded because of the inconsistency of the characters.....bad decision...I will rate you "0" for that.
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18 AJ
November 1, 2014 at 6:57 AM
Bad decision! Okay, I am out of this drama!
KYJ is a talented young actress. Hope, this will not stop her from getting adult roles in the future. Fighting!
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19 maryxiah
November 1, 2014 at 7:01 AM
I think it's a sad day for the many fans of Kim Yoo Jung. I loved her in all the drama I've seen of her. Unlike most people who hated her character in Secret Door, I loved her. The only reason she seemed one dimensional was because her character was under developed and restricted by Kim Yoo Jung's real age. Meanwhile the princess was given much layers with her one-sided love, politic conspiracy in the palace and her son with Sun. If Ji Dam was developed with much layers other than a mystery novel writer who got caught up in the death of the Crown Prince's best friend, I'm sure their romance would be more believable. I loved the moment of connection Ji Dam and Sun have when they spoke of Sun's idealism to serve the people. To me, that was the defining moment, because no one knew better than Ji Dam of Sun's sincerity to serve the people, Hyegyeong might understand up to a point but she was not supportive of Sun because she knew what kind of life they have in the palace, full of betrayal and lies. And when Sun wanted to protect Ji Dam from the palace life, I was hooked. Now with the change of actress I'm not so sure. I don't care what everyone have said about Ji Dam, Kim Yoo Jung brought her to life for me.
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light
November 1, 2014 at 8:40 AM
Sad indeed.
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Tears
November 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM
Agreed!
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20 Chil Bong
November 1, 2014 at 7:22 AM
That's enough for me with this drama! Everything will stop here when Kim Yoo Jung leaves it. Goodbye "Secret Door" and no more tension in my head more!
Though Seo Ji Dam is a fictional character and seems to be more fictional with LH, but somehow I fall in love with her with Yoo Jung's cute image. I don't think I accept another Ji Dam once I miss young free Ji Dam. SBS, are you doing?
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21 mary
November 1, 2014 at 7:28 AM
Noooooooooo! The last time you wished someone would die instead of just *almost* dying (was that City Hunter?)
... something happened.
*goes to sob in a corner*
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22 JT
November 1, 2014 at 7:40 AM
Secret Door lost me after the first 4 episodes. Disappointing after all the hype. And now this jaw-dropping swap. Feel bad for Kim Yoo Jung. Hey! Pride and Prejudice seems to have way more potential ... worth giving a shot, those of you who have decided to give up on Secret Door.
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23 Jenniec
November 1, 2014 at 8:13 AM
Nooooo. I know Jidam is a bit boring for people and she's young. Too young for the romance, but I still like her!!!!!
I want to see her and Je Hoon. Not Je hoon and another?! Plus does that mean they'll do a time jump?? Aren't they also over?
This sucks.
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24 SuziQ
November 1, 2014 at 8:21 AM
Truly disappointed. How could they replace KYJ when the drama is almost half done? Her replacement isn't as good as KYJ.I hope she gets cast in a REAL adult role where they won't treat her like this manner.
The actors are great, but they are losing me with all the political mumbo jumbo goings regarding the different factions. Beautifully filmed, costumed, and acted, the plot is really dragging down.
Poor Park Eun Bin has barely anything to do but glare and express her jealousy between her husband and Ji Dam.Wasted actress.
Same for Kim Min Joong who seems awkward as a cold blooded killer.
This retelling of one of the most horrific cases in Korean history is starting to unravel and becoming a big mess.
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25 hoshichan
November 1, 2014 at 8:23 AM
Sigh... totally disappointed....
i just going to watch the KYJ episode and saying goodbye to the drama....
Be strong Yoo jung
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26 light
November 1, 2014 at 8:34 AM
Noooooo. I knew it!! I have guessed that this might happen! I guessed that there might be a time jump and then cast an older actress to be that would-be concubine without making everyone cringe!!! I love KYJ as Ji Dam. Who knows..maybe her parents thought it would be the best. Or she herself wants to leave. Sigh.
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light
November 1, 2014 at 8:38 AM
again...NOOOOOOO. sometimes when my assumptions turn out to be true sucks.
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27 korfan
November 1, 2014 at 9:10 AM
What an unfortunate situation.
I'm going to assume Kim Yoo-jung was also assured, when production was getting underway, that she would be involved from beginning to end ..... just as viewers were informed.
Either someone flat out lied ..... or they simply changed their mind, I suppose.
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28 Cindy
November 1, 2014 at 9:27 AM
Purely speculation on my part.. maybe the writers want to bring Bing Ae into the palace to be eventually murdered by Sun, so they'd need to include some form of skinship to "upgrade" the Sun-BingAe's direction. KYJ is a minor so they can't go beyond Sun patting Ji Dam's shoulders and looking at each other longingly. Hence a change of an adult actress would make more sense... what do u all think?
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Cindy
November 1, 2014 at 9:30 AM
And they look a bit like each other
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29 juniper
November 1, 2014 at 9:28 AM
Well, this sucks. This is majorly unsettling, but if anyone has to go, she makes the most sense, right? Imagine if we lost Lee Je-hoon or Han Suk-gyu D: As long as they don't cut the run time short now...
...You guys do realize this is a sageuk, not a rom com, though, right? PEB and KYJ's storylines (and love lines, such as they are) aren't in conflict with each other; they just both take a major back seat to the Noron-Soron maneuvering and father-son relationship, and weave in and out of the story as needed. Such blatant shipping and bandying about of OTPs frankly feels a bit silly given the genre and the way the story has taken shape. KYJ's character's screen time didn't come at the expense of PEB's--it was the natural flow of the narrative, which showcased Ji-dam during the investigation, then revealed more and more about Lady Hyegyung as it moved from the murder mystery to the political strife in the palace. (I actually think that slowly revealing the complexities of her character and her marriage with Sado has been well-paced.) Also, her relationship with Sado (here and in her memoirs) is so compelling and fascinating precisely because it isn't about romance. It's about the political role of the wife/princess/queen in Confucian society/court--her private loyalties to her father and public loyalty to her husband and his father; the ways in which she should or shouldn't use their son as a political tool; her frustrations not having Sun's trust and confidence, or the right to overt power over his affairs, mixed in with her political acumen and ambition; her fears and precarious position in the court; her feelings versus her duty. Several characters have intimated in the drama that if Sun paid her more attention, she would have no interests outside of marriage --but I really, really hope the drama doesn't buy into that sexist crap itself, and if it does, that her love for him is never requited. Because in that case, making them the OTP, such as it is, would ruin everything that is so interesting about their scenes together and her character. (For instance--the scene where she's talking about the appropriateness of jealousy with her father, a topic straight out of her memoirs; when Sun orders her to get a hobby instead of involving herself in politics, going from threatening her to cajoling her to ignoring her in all these ways that were just so evocative of the Confucian roles of husband/wife, prince/princess, man/woman, etc; when she uses San against the king to save her husband, and when Sado asks her to leave him out of it in the future). If Hye-gyung were reduced to love scenes in the traditional sense, and built up as The Love of His Life, complete with the love theme and renditions on Oh! The Heartbreak!, it would be a huge disservice to her character.
I don't know, also can I just say, I really hate it when people automatically compare women's performances and roles to each other, almost like they have to trash one...
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juniper
November 1, 2014 at 9:29 AM
...to justify their preference for the other. Like, oh she sucked compared to PEB/Hye-gyung! Or she didn't have the same intensity, or whatever. Like, I get that you think PEB is doing a great job; I think so too. But what does that have to do with Ji-dam or KYJ or now YSH and the problems you perceive there? It's just not necessary to force the comparison. Especially in this case, where it's not one of those Kdrama Love Triangles and you don't have the female lead and second lead vying for the same role in the story, it's just like, can we please not do this just this once.
Aaaaaand this little add-on is just proof that I talk way too much and have way too many opinions. Ignore me!!!
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esjpx
November 1, 2014 at 4:03 PM
I completely agree with you.
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maryxiah
November 2, 2014 at 12:01 AM
I wish I can like your comment. While I'm sad to watch Kim Yoo Jung go, at this point it's hard to salvage her part in the character because of the age thing (which never really bothered me anyway because as you pointed out this drama isn't rom-com and they could have kept the romance strictly PG-13 because the main conflict was never the romance). ANYWAY, I hated how everyone judges Ji dam's character or the actress and compare it to Park Eun Bin. What does it do anyway to compare?
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maryxiah
November 2, 2014 at 12:29 AM
Also I'd like to add, I'm fully aware of the actors age differences but I don't get why it's an issue. They're portraying characters, not themselves and the age gap for the characters are appropriate, it's only sick if they promote minor with someone twice her age romance (say like witch romance) which they aren't. And the issue here isn't that Kim Yoo Jung is too young (she's the right age for her character), it's that Lee Je Hoon is too old for his. Anyway, I rambled too much. I'm just deeply disappointed by the change of actress.
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30 Annie
November 1, 2014 at 9:41 AM
Boo to anyone writing Yoon So Hee off for not being able to save a crappy character. I've seen pretty much all her projects and she's got a lot of potential... how much longer is she supposed to act in the 'friend of...' roles before she's allowed to have a shot at the lead roles anyways? Until she's 30 and getting upstaged by idol girls?
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pigsnout
November 1, 2014 at 12:56 PM
Consider this co-signed! Yoon So Hee is a much MUCH better actress than casual viewers who only saw her in MND would think. If that Sunhwa idol girl, who did not show even close to as much talent as her, can get lead roles, it is not fair to write off a 21 year old actress for getting a role appropriate to her age.
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lucy
November 4, 2014 at 12:56 AM
well in my opinion YSH is someone with potential.
to say she's on par with kim yoo jung, i don't think so. but to say she is better than other idol-actresses, yes she is.
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31 Arang
November 1, 2014 at 10:29 AM
Don't say that because they want to put more "hot scenes" between Sun & Ji Dam to up the rate so they need an adult actress to do this legally? Stupid! They don't know how to use the good actresses they had like Park Eun Bin and Kim Yoo Jung.
IT'S TIME FOR ME TO SAY GOODBYE 'SECRET DOOR'.
My lovable one has gone. So what's the reason I have to stay with it? Now I can let it go and enjoy other drama freely! Tomorrow's Cantabile, here I come!
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diri66
November 2, 2014 at 12:05 PM
Try Liar Game, it's super entertaining.
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32 SadLookingDoor
November 1, 2014 at 10:56 AM
I couldn't agree more with what Javabeans said.They should've just kill her off in the drama or cast Yoon So-Hee in the first place instead of baffling people!
Anyways,If Yoo Jung is being replaced just because of the viewer ratings and wanted to do mature scenes to make it high,then I will be freaking upset and felt bad for her.I hope that she's actually not being forced to leave because it can mess her up and was such a rude move.It was her first freaking lead role too.
I will try to watch two more episodes and see where it goes.Let's see what the production team is seeing in you, Yoon So-Hee.
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33 Mandy
November 1, 2014 at 11:18 AM
I don't even watch Secret Door anymore but I feel this is a bit of an injustice to Kim Yoo-jung. I understand if they maybe needed someone who'd be able to do more 'adult' scenes and that she's too young. But if that was the case, why cast her in the first place? If they can't stick to their initial claim, then they should've killed her off. This is undoubtedly going to be a blow to her confidence, especially since this is her first complete role in a drama.
And if they were going to replace her, why such a weak actress? I suppose they are trying to salvage the ratings or something. Its the lowest rated sageuk of the year and other ones have usually led the pack like EK, JG (when YAAS ended) and Nightwatchman. But I almost don't want this move to work out for them because then it would definitely seem like the reason it was so low was because KYJ couldn't act out the 'adult' part.
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34 Aidsincera
November 1, 2014 at 11:33 AM
OMG. THIS IS THE WORSE THING EVER!!! I'm speechless. PDnim, are you okay??? How crazy are you to change the main lead in the middle of the show?!? Geezzzz. Good luck, PDnim, I won't watch anymore!! Bye!!
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35 Elyse
November 1, 2014 at 11:57 AM
PD team messed up by taking out this amazing actress and the drama is almost half done.Poor girl, she must be so excited knowing that she finally got a lead role and then just POOF! she's out of the drama.And then this girl named Yoon Sohee came and replace her. Im quite unsure with myself, whether to still watch the drama or not.I really hope this new girl will do her best and make Yoo Jung proud.
Sigh..I will definitely miss the moments of old Ji-Dam investigating Shin Heung-Bok's death case and the times when she gets to meet Prince Sado.
But the Seo Ji-Dam in my heart will always be Kim Yoo Jung.
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36 selina
November 1, 2014 at 12:01 PM
Okay so I don't like Ji-Dam, her character wasn't doing it for me and I just didn't like/believe the relationship with Sun that the writers were obviously going towards, but that doesn't mean anyone wanted KYJ replaced. Yes I felt at times she was being out performed but that had more to do with the writing than the actress!!!
I really don't get this sudden actress change. This far in the drama it's not going to change viewers feelings on the character (which I think people like or were just indifferent to) and it most certainly won't make us all suddenly believe Sun and she belong together (especially not with how the writers has progressed them thus far). If anything it may bring backlash and more indifference towards the character. I really would have preferred that they simply kill off Ji Dam with KYJ in the role. Her death would have been huge to Sun and many other characters and could have flipped the narrative on its tale. Such a wasted opportunity for a dumb move in my humble opinion.
I am in this drama for Lee Je Hoon and Han Suk Gyu and the prince and king's relationship (and I also really like the princess) so I am not dropping it. However, this is really unfair and such a shitty thing to do to KJY. I am curious to see how YH does in the role and how the writers use this opportunity to flesh out and hopefully improve the character.
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37 calgary
November 1, 2014 at 12:42 PM
Must be a sex scene written in or something.
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38 NO NAME
November 1, 2014 at 1:09 PM
oh no!!!! it's time for me to say goodbye secret door !!!
I only watch this for Kim Yoo JUNG and replacing her is a bad decision !!! WRONG MOVE SBS !!
I'm out of this drama !!!
I better watch pride and prejudice !!
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39 anon
November 1, 2014 at 2:50 PM
what!! I was so looking forward to watching Kim Yoo Jung in a drama where she's actually in it the whole time... omg -___- wtf!!
Now I duno if I should watch this drama anymore...changing actors in the middle like that seems so unprofessional and makes me feel like the drama isn't actually very good...
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40 LinLin
November 1, 2014 at 3:16 PM
Wow... This really upsets me. I liked her roal. I have a major problem with any show that gets new actors half way though. It is very concerning that they are doing this because it is clearly for romance reasons, but I am a firm believer that NOT EVERY DRAMA NEEDS ROMANCE! I was enjoying Secret Door WITHOUT all the romantics. I mean, it's a Sageuk for heaven sakes! Also I feel like raitings can ruin a drama. The ratings are bad, but that doesn't mean you need to change the drama, sometimes either (in this case) the people already know the story and are not interested or the compition is just too fierce. Scratch the romance plot line and keep KYJ and then I'll continue watching.
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41 Mia
November 1, 2014 at 4:42 PM
They should never have included her character in the first place, or they should've used an older actress, or they should have just had the guts to make it platonic and not shoehorn in a "pure," "idealistic" romance with the annoyingly cute, whimsical music cues in a drama that didn't need it.
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42 LillyLee
November 1, 2014 at 5:33 PM
They need to follow this rule of thumb from now on.
If you cannot do a scene where your romantic leads wake up in bed together then it is not going to work.
15 is not all grown up.
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bd5
November 1, 2014 at 10:04 PM
It was back then.
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Mia
November 1, 2014 at 10:38 PM
But then they needed to fully commit to the portrayal, be honest about the age difference (if she can't pass for older), and explore the somewhat troubling implications of that in terms of power dynamics, traditional gender roles, um, disparities in human physiological/psychological development, etc., instead of trying to infantilize the relationship, giving it - and thus, him - this ~pure and innocent~ veneer (that no one buys into anyway) so that he doesn't come off as creepy.
I don't think this show was willing or even wanting to tackle that whole can of worms, though, considering in the drama the characters are only supposed to be four years apart; therefore, they just should've used an older actress (if they were going to include her character in the first place).
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43 Sour Grapes
November 1, 2014 at 6:32 PM
Changing/ taking out actors, writers and PDs is never a good idea. Sad to see suck a great drama turning into trainwreck because of low ratings. I am out.
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44 Cocoboo
November 1, 2014 at 8:18 PM
The producers should have chosen an older actress from the start if they really wanted to force the romance aspect between Ji Dam and Sun.
I never even thought of their relationship romantically. Couldn't they just be friends with the same goal? This drama doesn't need romance. But if it must, it would have been better to see more romance in Sun and Hyegyeong's relationship instead.
Kim Yoo Jung and Yoon So Hee look similar in those photos... I like YSH since I saw her in Let's Eat, but this abrupt change is a bad idea.
I'm still gonna finish this drama, but it's not thrilling me anymore.
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45 bd5
November 1, 2014 at 10:14 PM
I've been slowly catching up on the eps of SD and have been watching mostly for the acting of the 3 leads (esp. HSK), along w/ seeing the many of the usual suspects/faces in sageuks.
1st time seeing Kim Chang-wan dressed in sageuk garb and playing a "nasty" - so that is a bit weird for me.
The story has been decent, but not great (most interesting has been, not surprisingly, HSK's performance as the King which is so diff. in TWDR), but w/ this sudden and ill-thought out move, probably will end up bailing.
They either should have kept the relationship more on the platonic end or maybe a one-sided love/crush (is there a need for romance in everything?) and even if they wanted to do the love angle, don't see the need for the change (unless they really wanted to do a lot of kissing scenes).
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bd5
November 1, 2014 at 10:15 PM
Which (kissing scenes) are not really necessary.
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46 Mia
November 1, 2014 at 10:39 PM
It's so weird. This had all the makings of a phenomenal drama.
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47 kooriyuki
November 2, 2014 at 1:44 AM
I haven't been catching up with the drama (at Episode 5), but I think Ji-dam as of Episode 5 should still be pretty much a teenager? If Sun is around early 20s, and Secret Door is fast forwarding to him getting shoved into the rice chest soon, that'd mean Ji-dam should be getting to her early 20s, because Sun is almost 30 when he died. In this sense I think it is plausible to have an actress switch because there's no way Kim Yoo Jung passes for someone in her 20s.
That said, I understand the upset it has caused some of us here, especially when the production team announced that it's Kim Yoo Jung's first non-child role. They shouldn't have made such hasty announcements.
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48 lilylily93
November 2, 2014 at 3:21 AM
I seriously though Kim Yoo Jung was Red Velvet's Joy at first.
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49 aicy
November 2, 2014 at 6:54 AM
oh ow,so that's it.they replaced kim yoo jung by a newbie with unknown reason.well it could only mean one thing.i being one her fans would no longer watch this drama since i just wanted this drama for the reason that kyj is the main character.its a pity that i would not be able to watch till the end.
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50 aX
November 2, 2014 at 9:57 AM
Honestly Kim Yoo Jung was the MAIN reason why I would've considered watching 'Secret Door' and I was actually really excited for her. I was always a little IRKED when I first found out that her lead actor was 30 but I was confident in her acting abilities that I presumed it will be fine, if the writing was done well.
Due to my lack of time, I had to put 'Secret Door' on hold but I was hoping to catch up and watch it starting this week. But now after reading this, my interest in the drama all and itself dropped dramatically.
I'm sad for Kim Yoo Jung and VERY disappointed in the drama production team. Shame on them. I hope she only grows from this situation and not feel discouraged. Kim Yoo Jung, fighting!!!
Hmmm, now I'm hoping she'll get a lead role and it happens to be with Yeo Jin Gu!!! Those two are magic onscreen!!!
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