Ho-gu's Love (and also his tiger, sword, and dupe) » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

49 January 12, 2015January 12, 2015

Ho-gu’s Love (and also his tiger, sword, and dupe)

by javabeans

The first teaser’s out for tvN’s upcoming romantic comedy Ho-gu’s Love, and it is just adorable. Granted, when you cast baby-faced Choi Woo-shik (Fated To Love You, Rooftop Prince) as your hero you’re bound for cute, but he’s working extra-hard in this clip to turn on the charm, and it totally works.

In the poster above, Choi is featured in the uniform of slackers everywhere, the bright-colored tracksuit. The tagline reads, “I am South Korea’s representative Ho-gu.” Hogu is kind of an odd word in general, and definitely a weird thing to name your child, since it refers to a pushover or dupe. In fact, the word/name is quirky enough that it’s the whole point of the teaser, which features Choi Woo-shik acting out a few of its meanings.

For instance, you have the hogu that’s a dangerous tiger’s trap, or the one that’s a situation in a baduk game. There’s also the hogu used for self-defense in martial arts. Choi (er, Ho-gu) demonstrates these scenarios with gusto, and then each situation turns on him and makes him the victim—the tiger “attacks” his throat, the baduk game defeats him, his wooden sword hits him in the head. (In case you’re wondering what he’s yelling, it’s “Head! Head! Head!” as he mimes striking someone in the head with his stick.)

Then we learn its last definition: “A person who’s so naive he’s easy to take advantage of.” Then we close on the voiceover: “My name is Kang Ho-gu.”

I initially felt Choi was a bit young for this part, until I realized he’s 24 (two months shy of 25), so really he just looks like a baby. (So cute!) The drama’s director, PD Pyo Min-soo (Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, You’ve Fallen For Me, The World They Live In), explained casting Choi to lead the show because he liked his youthful energy and positivity.

He said, “At the time of his audition, I didn’t instruct him to stick to acting only what was written in the script. He’s already earned notice for his acting ability, so instead he tried out some jokes. Ho-gu’s Love is a romantic youth drama with a strong comedic element, and Ho-gu is a character who’s innocent but also witty. Choi Woo-shik is a perfect match for that kind of character, who can be serious when he needs to be serious and is able to counter humor really well and make everyone laugh.”

Add in UEE (Gold Rainbow) and Im Seul-ong (Mandate of Heaven), two actors I’m pretty fond of, plus the writer of the zippy Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, and I have high hopes for Ho-gu.

Ho-gu’s Love will premiere on Monday, February 9.

Via My Daily

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Tags: Choi Woo-shik, UEE

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1 brightsept

January 12, 2015 at 7:16 AM

I dont even know who he is, but he looks so cute! Cant waitt

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2 little-muffin

January 12, 2015 at 7:27 AM

Our maknae from team TEN! =D
This looks like a feel good drama..

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bebeswtz

January 12, 2015 at 10:33 AM

Also our Son-In-Law prosecutor Lee from the currently airing "Pride and Prejudice" =)

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jomo143

January 12, 2015 at 10:50 AM

He's a highlight of that show for me.
The 1:1 scenes with CMS are above average funny. He can hold his own with really strong players.

Not that he isn't getting attention, but I am hoping this is his break-out performance. If it is written well. Fingers crossed!

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pogo

January 12, 2015 at 11:16 AM

Don't forget, our Little Dragon from Fated To Love You!

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dashie

January 12, 2015 at 5:33 PM

Also our yellow Ranger of the Joseon Four in Rooftop Prince!

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pearl3101

January 12, 2015 at 6:39 PM

Yes yes TEN.... I so miss Ten.. :(

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3 krikkrikkrik

January 12, 2015 at 7:34 AM

Awww. Finally! :D a project that he's the lead :D and also loves watching him on variety show before a.k.a heatbeat! :D I remembered he said to work harder in the future so that older generation would recognize him since a lot of older ppl didn't know him while he's in the show.

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4 Danielle

January 12, 2015 at 7:38 AM

Teaser all fluffy and cute, to watch or not to watch? I have high hopes for TvN, especially after Misaeng and I need me a romcom, come on! What do I watch when I spend Valentine's day alone? *cries a river*

P.S. I immediately stroked my laptop screen the moment I saw Ji Chang Wook in the page's "Header", while murmuring "pretty, pretty". I did that about 5 times before reading the article. JCW, screw you for being so distracitvely attractive/attractively distracting.

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5 pogo

January 12, 2015 at 7:41 AM

awww he's so cute! I liked his acting in Fated To Love You and he's amusing as the baby-faced prosecutor in Pride & Prejudice. Hope this one is good, he seems good at the comedy.

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6 Chandler

January 12, 2015 at 8:04 AM

Yay! I'm looking forward to this so much! I've loved him ever since Ten :)

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7 4D

January 12, 2015 at 8:15 AM

Choi Woo-shik is so adorable! I'm so glad he has a shot at lead and it seems like the concept fits him well. I'm excited!

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8 panda

January 12, 2015 at 8:17 AM

Dragon, #hwaiting!

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9 miilo

January 12, 2015 at 8:32 AM

:D this is soooo cute! Laughed so much at the "head! head! head!" thing. Not that I want February to arrive already (enough trouble with Jan speeding past), but definitely looking forward to this!

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10 iamdeb

January 12, 2015 at 8:41 AM

Aww, my favorite Joseon Power Ranger!!! I'll definitely be checking this out. I really love that poster too. It sort of reminds me of a poster for a Wes Anderson movie.

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lemonicricket

January 12, 2015 at 8:53 AM

Ha, I thought the same thing about the poster! Also how can you be that ridiculously adorable at 24/25?

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11 sogazelle

January 12, 2015 at 9:47 AM

I adore him...he's so cute!!!!

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12 LollyPip

January 12, 2015 at 10:08 AM

This is looking as adorable as I could have hoped, and especially with Uee and Im Seul-ong in the mix, the show is just going to be a total cutesplosion. Really looking forward to this one!

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13 Sanchita Suman

January 12, 2015 at 10:14 AM

what do koreans eat? Do they savor a special kimchi which doesnt allow their muscles to age or what?
Jang na ra (fated to love you) is in 30s & still can pass off as a high school student! n now him!
25?? gosh man! U gotta be kidding!

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14 matinsoleil

January 12, 2015 at 10:24 AM

He's the lead, he's cute, i like UEE and I can't freaking wait to be in February!!

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15 Villain

January 12, 2015 at 10:52 AM

I learnt Seung gi eats rotten kiminchi thats why he looks older than his age unlike others

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fab

January 12, 2015 at 11:34 AM

Say what?

That baby face is not old looking at all.

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miilo

January 12, 2015 at 4:03 PM

Hahhahahahaaaaa!

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16 fab

January 12, 2015 at 10:55 AM

Oh my that is so adorable! Ouri dongseng from Fated to Love You is the lead in a drama. ;)
And I can in some way or the other relate to Ho gu...LOL/

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17 blueribbon

January 12, 2015 at 11:10 AM

The first 12 chapter are for free on Daum, I looked through them even though I didn't understand them. I am excited for this show, please be good, I have all my faith on you tvN.

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18 canxi

January 12, 2015 at 11:40 AM

I was watching the teasers yesterday and his laughing running around with the wooden sword made me laugh. I had almost forgotten about this drama but now I'm looking forward to it.

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19 CaroleMcDonnell

January 12, 2015 at 12:27 PM

looks soooooooooooo fun. thanks

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20 thetofurkey

January 12, 2015 at 1:11 PM

February 9th? Perfect. I'm sure at that point Healer will have emotionally drained me and I'll be ready to incorporate some levity into my drama roster. Looking forward to this one!

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21 dfwkimchi

January 12, 2015 at 1:40 PM

First saw Choi Woo Sik as the suicidal contract sales person who got scammed and held our rookies n school girls from You're All Surrounded!
He showed his acting skills in that episode - serious and then comedic

I am looking forward to this series.

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dfwkimchi

January 12, 2015 at 1:42 PM

Sawry. Not quite finishe. He held them hostage in the restaurant where he cut the gas line.

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22 museofmanymasks

January 12, 2015 at 1:52 PM

I think its giving me cavities already. TOO MUCH SWEET!

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23 kimchikay

January 12, 2015 at 2:21 PM

I'm SOOOO excited for him and this drama....saw him first in Shut Up Family and was instantly in lurveeee with this kid...he's so good at comedy and I think he's going to be great with UEE.

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24 dmohican14

January 12, 2015 at 2:44 PM

He's so cute! I liked him a lot as Dragon in FTLY, so I'm happy to see him getting his first lead role. Crossing my fingers that this will be good.

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25 Skyofblue

January 12, 2015 at 2:53 PM

Ho-Gu's Love is by the writer of Flower Boy Ramyun Shop? I guess I can finally add stuff to my list to watch after Pinocchio and Healer are finished. Happy to have new shows!

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26 whitewire

January 12, 2015 at 5:18 PM

For sure I will not miss this. Really happy for Choi Wooshik! He always had the cute vibes! Noticed him since Rooftop days... I'm soooooo happy for him!

(Can dramaland give Jung Sukwon his lead role, too? That guy deserves more recognition! Just Rooftop Prince mojos...)

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27 Beanfan

January 12, 2015 at 5:34 PM

What's the source of fascination with track suits? Secret Garden was the first time they appeared so prominently for me, but here again?? At least these are run-of-the-mill and not studded with sequins.

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choochoo

January 16, 2015 at 2:58 AM

many people who have no jobs or looking for a job (study for exams) wear those tracksuits. not fashionable item :).

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28 ultramarineblue

January 12, 2015 at 5:36 PM

Sooooo cute!!! I love him in Pride and Prejudice and tvn's been doing great so definitely gonna check this out.

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29 pimpy

January 12, 2015 at 5:50 PM

Yay, a tvN romcom. I am looking forward to this after. :))

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pimpy

January 12, 2015 at 5:56 PM

*after Healer* LOL I forgot :D

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30 Dongsaeng killer

January 12, 2015 at 8:40 PM

Awwwwww so cute! Will be watching

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31 lalita

January 12, 2015 at 11:08 PM

oh dear god...nope. I was looking forward to this drama but my eyes just rolled to the back of my head.

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blueribbon

January 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM

tvN tends to make quirky teasers for their shows, most of the time they don't even have anything to do with the theme and feel of the show. Besides it's based on a webtoon, they tend to be quirky.

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32 banchoii

January 13, 2015 at 12:20 AM

he reminds me of HaHa sometimes. haha. he is so adorbs.

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33 soprection

January 13, 2015 at 11:25 AM

Okay, that trailer was really silly. But no dramas are holding my interest right now and I've liked some of TvN's previous rom-coms so I'll probably give this a try anyway.