Song Joong-ki considers new drama Descended From the Sun
by girlfriday
Oh man, I have such mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, YAY Song Joong-ki (Nice Guy, Wolf Boy) will be out of the army and is already looking at projects to return to dramaland! On the other hand, if he returns in a Kim Eun-sook drama (the hit writer of Heirs, Secret Garden), I’ll have to follow two years of waiting with two months of pulling my hair out. Of course, this is purely a selfish reaction, since making your army comeback in a hitmaker’s new drama isn’t anything to scoff at.
It’s likely that we’ll be seeing these types of offers come in by the truckload from now until May, when Song Joong-ki is due to be discharged from army duty, so this is only one of many potential projects for him, including the movie Fist Fighting. But he’s reportedly been offered the leading role in Kim Eun-sook’s newest drama Descended From the Sun, her first non-SBS show, to be directed by PD Lee Eung-bok of Secret and co-written by Kim Won-seok (Queen’s Classroom).
The epic blockbuster “human melodrama” is about a love that unfolds overseas, between young people working in the UN Peacekeeping Forces. The two main characters are a soldier in the special forces security team and an army surgeon, and as they throw themselves headlong into disaster to rescue others, they end up in dire situations time and again, and learn to be considerate to one another, growing closer and falling in love.
It’s a huge production from film houses NEW and Barunson, and they plan to pre-shoot the entire show before broadcast. Perhaps that’s one of the many reasons the drama’s premiere keeps getting pushed — it was initially being planned for early 2015, then moved from SBS to KBS’s spring schedule, only to recently get pushed again. Now it’s slated for a fall premiere (still on KBS), sometime after September. I’m curious to see how the drama fares, if it really does manage to be 100% pre-produced.
If Song Joong-ki does sign on, it’ll be the easiest transition out of army that an actor has ever had. I mean, from being a real-life solider to playing a drama soldier? It’d be like he spent two years training for the part. So far it’s just being called one of many possibilities that he’s considering carefully, so we’ll just have to wait (very very impatiently) for May to come around.
Descended From the Sun is planning for a fall premiere on KBS.
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1 SD
February 4, 2015 at 3:05 AM
Is is true that Moon Chae Won is considering the female lead role? Please make a ChaeKi reunion happen!!!
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Sleepy
February 4, 2015 at 3:41 AM
This would make me so happy if it's true! I'd watch the crap out of them even in terrible dramas.
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pigsnout
February 4, 2015 at 4:47 AM
I don't really like Moon Chae Won as an actress that much but I like her pairing with SJK. She was good in Innocent Man.
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sabelita
February 4, 2015 at 12:08 PM
I am sorry but i dont agree with you,she was wonderful in the painter of the wind or the prince´s man but Its my opinion.
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Alin
February 4, 2015 at 5:14 PM
same me neither. she just doesn't do it for me but neither does SJK. they both are good eye candy tho
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btsxfangirl94
February 4, 2015 at 7:33 PM
I LOVE moon chae won as an actress and I don't mind song joong ki I liked him in nice guy and penny pinchers(showing his versatility). I am however one of the very few people who don't think they had much chemistry in nice guy. He's cute and she's beautiful but I never found them to be a good couple. Sure they are better than your average kdrama couple(who are usually miscast together)but they are definitely not one of the best kdrama pairings. She had more chemistry with park ki woong in those few scenes in "war of the arrows" than she did with song joong ki in the entire series of "nice guy". Again not saying they were a bad pairing or anything but very overrated. One of the few well-done drama pairings IMO is Lee joon ki & shin min ah,those two had amazing chemistry.Thumbs up to whoever decided to pair those two up.
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sixtyeightmonkey
February 5, 2015 at 5:11 PM
The first time I saw Moon Chae-won was in War of the Arrows. I thought she was fantastic! Then I watched The Princess' Man and knew I liked her. How strange that I really didn't care much for her in Innocent Man. But when she was on Running Man recently, it was nice to see how she was shy and awkward at first, but eventually warmed up to the cast and had a great time playing the game with Lee Seung-gi.
Back to Joong-ki . . .
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do some RUNNING MAN shows when you get out! Song Sibling reunion!
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katy
February 6, 2015 at 10:53 AM
exactly my thoughts...their chemistry was below average and almost non-existent...u could only see passion for acting but not for each other...i still loved the drama but felt this was the only flaw
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anon
February 8, 2015 at 5:13 PM
Totally agree,
their acting was really great however I felt like I wasn't really rooting for them together as a couple but rather just wishing them individual happiness
love them both as actors however not sure about this pairing
nyai
February 7, 2015 at 5:26 PM
I'm the same but inverse, love Joongki as an actor but Chaewon hasn't impressed me (she is not bad tough) and I also I didn't like the pairing, he had much more chemistry with Park Shi Yeon in NG xD
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fab
February 4, 2015 at 7:01 AM
+1 Yes please!
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pogo
February 4, 2015 at 9:34 AM
I would love to see a reunion.....but I would very much prefer it to happen in a different project. Or a different kind of project. She's fantastic at emotion, and it would grieve me to see her playing the usual weakened-by-love Kim Eun-seok heroine.
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dongsaeng killer
February 4, 2015 at 11:27 AM
I know! Her lead females are the worst! I get so frustrated watching her shows that i have to drop them to keep my sanity
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KDaddict
February 4, 2015 at 5:35 PM
Since Girlfriday hates Kim Eun Sook dramas, I hope that she won't be recapping them. Let someone who can approach this (and other) drama(s) of hers without a prior bias to recap, so that the recap threads won't be negative from the start.
It is a strange environment, to say the least, when a positive reaction to a drama on its own recap thread gets shouted down, like in Heirs. Of course opinions differ on all stars and dramas, but at least allow a drama to find its own audience.
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pogo
February 4, 2015 at 6:58 PM
frankly, a lot of people were rooting for Heirs to be, well, better than what it was and I was one of them. The supporting cast deserved better.
I don't think people mind whether you like a drama or not but implying that those who don't are "haters" whose opinions are invalid because of domestic ratings and Chinese streaming, is going to put people off. And it did not help that some Heirs fans just saw fit to repeat that over and over again in the threads - "Heirs was sold for the most money in China! How can you say it sucks!!" etc etc.
The drama is absolutely free to find its own audience, but girlfriday and javabeans are under no obligation to neutralise their own opinions for the sake of hurting fan feelings. As a fan of certain series they've disliked in the past, I recognise that this is not a fansite and people are going to speak their minds, however brutally.
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matcha
February 5, 2015 at 2:37 AM
Wouldn't you rather read a recap with critical views/analysis than a recap that supported the writer's every decision. One reason why I love reading dramabeans is that writers here actually voice their opinions and aren't afraid to critique them. *And don't you find all that excessive wrist grabbing and those submissive female leads in Kim Eun Sook's dramas a little over the top?* You have your opinions, so let them voice their own too. Yours in the comments section and theirs in their own recaps.
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bd5
February 6, 2015 at 1:28 PM
Well, could it actually be that the writing isn't that good?
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Ella
February 4, 2015 at 12:12 PM
I hope it's not Moon Chae Won. Not the biggest fan of hers and it'd just be nice to see him with someone new.
I'd love to see him with Jung Yumi! She's fab.
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coffeenlucia
February 4, 2015 at 1:47 PM
YASSSSSSSSSSS!
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kororo
February 5, 2015 at 4:51 AM
Never watched secret garden, hated heirs yet I watched every episodes. I'm kinda excited about the plot, It looks more dark and serious yet as always there is romance. It looks interesting and since everything must be pre shot, that means that we can expect high quality, right ??. And A SJK-MCW possible reunion on top of that make this drama worth watching, I hope it works out.
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bd5
February 6, 2015 at 1:30 PM
The writing in SG was just plain awful, so didn't miss much.
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2 kayla
February 4, 2015 at 3:10 AM
SONG JOONG KI. we miss you >.<
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3 Stardust
February 4, 2015 at 3:11 AM
Ewww..I always tear my hair too at KES dramas...but then I watch them. It's a contradiction right.
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eny
February 4, 2015 at 6:33 AM
the first time i heard about this drama i didn't really interested, then i heard rumour about Joo jin mo n Kim Sun ah as the lead n little description about the story my expectation increase suddently i imagine this drama will be epic disaster movie like drama but but then this news really reduce my expectatin, it's not because i don't like song jong ki, it's because i though this drama will better with actor in mid 30 or fourty with rough look, casting young cast with pretty face doesn't seem right, it's totally different with my imagination
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alua
February 4, 2015 at 8:03 AM
I tear my hair out too... but I drop her dramas. Well, SG I watched all the way through but only because it was one of my earlier dramas.
She writes rating hits, so, yeah, it is a big deal to be offered a role and is likely to increase an actor's popularity... but quality is another thing.
Never mind that the premise (like someone else already said) sounds like it has disaster written all over it.
Honestly, I'd rather see SJK in something else.
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nomad
February 4, 2015 at 9:17 PM
Ugh...please let him not take this..I"ve written KES as THE writer to never watch anymore. I can't stomach seeing how manhandling is supposed to be romantic in every episode.
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Leila
February 4, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Secret Garden, My Princess (co-writer) and City Hall did wonders to me. KES might have a lot of miss but since she wrote 3 of my favorite drama, I still look forward on what drama she will be doing. I know Heirs is awful so I rather not watch it.
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Lily
February 4, 2015 at 10:56 AM
The only KES drama I can make it to the end is Lovers in Paris, and it was long long time ago so I don't know if it's the nostalgia factor that colours my perception of it as being good. Everything else I just dropped like a hot potato after trying 5 episodes.
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4 k
February 4, 2015 at 3:12 AM
Please no! Anything but a KES drama.
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Leila
February 4, 2015 at 12:22 PM
I have faith in Song Joong Ki.. He always choose good projects and if he decided to accept this offer then it means he like the script sent to him.
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5 dark chocolate
February 4, 2015 at 3:25 AM
I'm hyperventilating just by the thought of ChaeKi reunion alone...OMG! If they both take the offer! Oh God!!!! Toasts will go berserk!!
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6 reynie87
February 4, 2015 at 3:26 AM
May, please come soon!
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7 Leila
February 4, 2015 at 3:29 AM
Feels like this is going to be a hardcore drama.. I like the idea of Song Joong Ki working with Kim Eun Suk but in a romcom kind of drama. Oh well, either way, I really miss Song Joong Ki so any drama comeback will do.
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8 Jennalyn Zul
February 4, 2015 at 3:46 AM
Song Joong Ki missss youuuuuuu......
I dont care what kind of drama just Song Joongki Lol..that's a lie...
Hope this will be good if he sign..dont want another failure comeback..
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9 tata
February 4, 2015 at 3:52 AM
Lil' skeptical about the writer though. I don't mean to hate but Heirs is pretty painful to watch, good thing they have lots, I mean lots of eye candies.
But Id still watch this if Joong Ki's in it. And a 100% yes to ChaeKi reunion!!
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Aliya
February 4, 2015 at 3:26 PM
The eye candy in heirs is literally what kept me from dropping it. Mainly kim woo bin lol.
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10 paroles
February 4, 2015 at 4:01 AM
But honestly, he doesn't look like "a soldier in the special forces security team".
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blueribbon
February 4, 2015 at 7:12 AM
We don't know yet ;) some actors change after military duty.
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gailt
February 4, 2015 at 8:04 AM
maybe he will be the army surgeon, and the heroine the special ops soldier. either way, i miss SJK a lot, but more in variety shows (Running Man please) than in dramas.
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m
February 4, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Yes, a surprise guest on Running Man first. Please.
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whiteabyss
February 4, 2015 at 4:58 PM
yes. rm first, THEN dramas. a whole lot of them<3
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fab
February 4, 2015 at 8:57 AM
How does one should look as (an Asian) "soldier in the special forces security team"?
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Annie
February 4, 2015 at 10:22 AM
He's got a bad case of baby face to the point where he wouldn't look out of place in a high school role. He just doesn't fit the stereotype of a military man - especially not a captain - and we all know that KES doesn't deal in anything but stereotypes. That being said, he's a fabulous actor so he may end up being more convincing than one might anticipate at first glance.
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pogo
February 4, 2015 at 11:50 AM
To be fair, we haven't had a good look at him in two years and even the most boyish-looking young actors generally come out of their military service looking like grown men. Especially if they go near the tail end of their twenties like SJK.
I agree that KES doesn't deal in anything other than stereotypes but before he left, Song Joong-ki did have the kind of face that could convincingly play late twenties (Nice Guy) as well as late teens (Werewolf Boy) - a kind of 'boyish mature' face that was helped along a lot by his expressiveness. I think he can definitely assume the demeanour of an army captain quite convincingly if he wants to.
(but still, I don't want him to take this! He deserves a better project with a writer who's not a hack)
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Annie
February 4, 2015 at 12:00 PM
Yeah, we'll just have to wait and see. He has rather delicate features so I don't know if the much vaunted military transformation will happen with him - but even if it does, he should run away from this project!
parny
February 4, 2015 at 12:29 PM
I agree Pogo. Just look at Lee Jun Ki as an example. Still has the pretty boy image but has fine lines that adds to the manly look now. If that happens I can finally watch a Song Joong Ki without feeling like a paedo even though I'm only 2years older than him. Lol. But we'll will see.
pogo
February 4, 2015 at 1:58 PM
@Annie - it worked on Kang Dong-won and Lee Jun-ki, it will most definitely work on him!
(but I'm with you, he should stay away from this project if he's looking to value himself as an actor).
paroles
February 4, 2015 at 3:28 PM
I think his features are not "rough" enough, and he doesn't give off the manly aura. Of course, two years of ms can change a lot of things; we'll just have to see.
Anyway, I think Lee Jun-ki and Kang Dong-won are not good examples. Even though they were the representative flower boys then, they have sharper features. It was already obvious back then that if LJK chopped off that hair of his he's going to look a lot more like a man.
fab
February 4, 2015 at 12:57 PM
Stereotypes...if that means the writer won't cast him then I am fine with it. LOL
Knowing he is open for roles in dramas is good enough.
Btw no pictures of him released while in the military?
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Sunandmoon
February 4, 2015 at 4:51 PM
They should hire Hyun Bin...
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11 nate
February 4, 2015 at 4:07 AM
Moon Chae Won had been rumored as female since 2014 i really hope it's true..I really want a chaeki reunion..I heard she's now no.1 as casting candidate on dramas and the three stations offered her their main dramas but getting pushed back bcoz' of her sched so the posssibly is high..But if it's not Moon Chae Won i hope that they cast a good actress..
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12 museofmanymasks
February 4, 2015 at 4:07 AM
Huh it actually sounds like a potentially meaty drama, which I thought was the antithesis of this writer. And I can't write it off as a potentially interesting premise with a slapdash execution if they're bothering to pre-produce the whole thing right? I'm conflicted...if its decent, it may be good for him to have a stab at it, but if its in her usual line, then it'll kill whatever affection I have for him so...Choose wisely dude.
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Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 10:38 AM
"then it'll kill whatever affection I have for him so..."
- Oh no, my affection for Song Joong-ki is something that will never die. No matter what. That boy has my heart for life.
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museofmanymasks
February 4, 2015 at 1:20 PM
haha that's nice but I'm terribly fickle. Heirs taught me that there are actors that fall beyond the reach of my love. Being pretty only atones for some sins lol. It's hard to admire such beauty under the pins I'm sticking into the voodoo dolls of their character's likeness, yunno?
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Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 8:07 PM
I can be fickle with some, but not him. Because he's one of those that I don't watch for the pretty (not even my type). He's made me a fan through his charisma and acting and a poorly written character in a drama that I don't even like wouldn't change that. Then again, if I start to feel like I maybe don't like the character an actor I like is playing, I'm the type to stop watching immediately (Heirs included).
And, for me, it's more about the fact that I adored him and his character in SKKS. When an actor already has a character that has a special place in my heart (SKKS) or a performance that really affected me (TWDR), I can never really stop being fond of them.
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hawoojinruinedme
February 5, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Hah. You and me both sister.
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hawoojinruinedme
February 5, 2015 at 12:59 AM
“then it’ll kill whatever affection I have for him so…”
Exactly what happened to me with Lee Minho!! I know it’s not his fault, and he was just playing an awful awful character, but man, Heirs sure did a number on his image for me (and possibly to other fans as well). To call me his anti-fan would be extreme, but my love for him became much much (much much much) less than it used to be, and even his City Hunter’s Lee Yoon-sung character couldn’t save it if he tried. So please SJK, don’t take this! I don’t want to fall out of love with you! Save yourself! Walk away and don’t turn back!
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Sam
February 5, 2015 at 3:22 AM
I didn't even watch it and I feel the same way! D:
The fact that I still really liked him after BoF, and then Heirs put me off says a lot. It was just so disappointing that he chose to regress back to that sort of drama :( I really need to watch Gangnam Blues and he needs to ditch all the China commercial for him to regain my affections.
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13 purplesheesh
February 4, 2015 at 4:34 AM
I wish he would guest on RM!!!
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Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 10:39 AM
I know! That should be the first thing he does!!!
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14 MiakaSara
February 4, 2015 at 4:41 AM
I heard that the female lead role offered on Moon Chae Won and Song Hey Kyu and Moon Geun Young
for me i wish MGY to act in this drama..miss her so much
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Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 10:40 AM
He'd be cute with MGY.
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Annie
February 4, 2015 at 11:02 AM
Ah, the Moon that Embraces the Sun pairing that could have been...
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15 ellenelle
February 4, 2015 at 4:52 AM
Well, I never thought I would say this, but bring them melos my way! haha
I'm getting a bit sick of the low-quality romcoms coming out lately. The good dramas are increasingly turning out to be action/thriller, melodramas (except the weekend makjang). Even historicals are nothing stellar these days. Hopefully this one turns out good. For Joongki and for me haha
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ellenelle
February 4, 2015 at 4:53 AM
Ah! I also wanted to say, this one already has a bonus, which is a unique storyline. If it's entirely completed before broadcasting, that'll be another plus (it'll be more likely to be coherent because there won't be changes according to ratings). Yay! Something else to look forward to (together with Angry mom haha).
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cheetah
February 4, 2015 at 6:31 AM
I need a good melodrama too. Something like Nice Guy or Secret. Melodrama + SJK= god's gift for me.
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16 Teretekki
February 4, 2015 at 4:55 AM
Let the ChaeKi round 2 begins!!!! Btw, how can we see SJK wearing a military outfit eh? Lets wait for this gals lol!
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17 CL
February 4, 2015 at 5:02 AM
So many mixed feelings. SJK in any drama (YAY!!!) KES (hmmm) PD Lee Eung-bok (yes!) subject matter (ummm)... KES has never done anything like this before (save for City Hall, but that was much more intimate), her writing's really not my cup of tea, but throw in SJK and PD Lee, and I confess, I'm curious. Oh well, still 3-4 months to go till discharge...
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18 lovedrama
February 4, 2015 at 5:04 AM
Please YHE or MGY , miss them
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lovedrama
February 4, 2015 at 5:31 AM
sorry YEH Or MGY , my fav actress hihi
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19 alienshore
February 4, 2015 at 5:04 AM
She may be a hit-maker, but this premise has utter and total disaster written all over it. There is just no way this won't suck. Everytime Kdramaland tries to do something ambitious it fails on nearly ever level. And the more overseas shooting, the worse a drama is. Please do not take this. I would love to see him in that vampire scholar drama that is in the works. I think he would kill that if the writing is any good. He is too good for this. Please, please don't do it, SJK. Even if it means I have to wait to see you in dramaland - run away!
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nate
February 4, 2015 at 5:36 AM
You might be right that this drama will not be a success and this is not a drama like the heirs that even with trashy plot still become so popular bcoz' its story still appeal to young people and this one is a melodrama and I think a genre that may not appeal to the public but this kind of drama is new to kdrama and may not appear again,so i think it's nice to act in this new kind of genre that rarely appears in kdrama. If this will be a success then just imagine the merit that it will give to Song Joong Ki and the female but if it fails I think it's understandable. Plus we don't know the whole plot yet so maybe it will turns out good just like Kill Me Heal Me.
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songsong
February 4, 2015 at 6:38 AM
Yeah Kill Me Heal Me turned out to be so awesome! Love it!
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Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 10:42 AM
YES. That vampire scholar drama! I've been wondering what happened to that project...
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fab
February 4, 2015 at 11:57 AM
Kim Soo-hyun is rumoured to star in it. Wouldn't mind if it got offered to SJK as well, that drama sounds better than this one.
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bd5
February 6, 2015 at 1:32 PM
Kinda like the Kardashians of K-drama.
Horrible and yet, still many watch.
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20 nan
February 4, 2015 at 5:42 AM
Wow, I'm excited for SJK! I'm not really a fan of KES, but she's undeniably A Big Deal, and to be offered the lead in her biggest drama to date means you have ARRIVED.
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21 Redfeather
February 4, 2015 at 5:45 AM
It sounds really dull to be honest...
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22 Abbie
February 4, 2015 at 6:30 AM
I have mixed feelings about this too. If he does take it, then he'll be on TV that much sooner, and I won't have to wait for maybe a whole year for the movie to be available to me. On the other hand, I'm probably not going to watch this drama, no matter who is cast in it. So.... yeah. Sucks.
But still, I'm looking forward to having Song Joong-ki back, regardless of what form that takes, big or small screen.
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23 buckdawna
February 4, 2015 at 6:30 AM
My wish for Joong Ki, that chunk of adorableness: I want him in a City Hunter/Healer-type roll. In an amazing production where he gets to be cute, yet masculine, and of course awesome. If you could kindly forward my thoughts to him, it would be very much appreciated; I know my opinion will greatly affect his final decision.
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Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 10:43 AM
LOL, I hope it does :)
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24 songsong
February 4, 2015 at 6:35 AM
I will be great if we can see Song Joong Ki with Kang Sora in this drama.
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blueribbon
February 4, 2015 at 7:21 AM
You know I would like to see an innocent man reunion, but him with Kang So Ra? I really like the sound of that, even if it doesn't happen for this drama, I would like to see that in the future.
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Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 10:43 AM
Yup, that sounds like a great pairing.
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25 fab
February 4, 2015 at 7:06 AM
I was afraid he would star in movies for a long time after his discharge but oh my, please make this show happen! The premise sounds meaty enough for SJK. Pre shoot? Just for that reason this should be a great project.
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26 haruka
February 4, 2015 at 7:17 AM
I will take anything Joong-ki but if it is a drama soon then, yes please!
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27 Mandy
February 4, 2015 at 7:33 AM
Whether or not people like her dramas, being offered the lead in a Kim Eun-sook drama is a huge deal. Specially for someone who's only had one headlining drama before. So I'm expecting SJK to take it up.
I'm really not a fan of the writer but I don't know why the premise sounds good/decent enough to me. It's nothing special but hopefully will bring in a lot of poignant and heartwarming moments. Now if only I know who they're courting for the female lead, I can decide if it's really worth the watch.
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alua
February 4, 2015 at 8:09 AM
True, it's a big deal to be offered a lead.
But he did headline two films – and if he goes back to that, he could carve out a career for himself in Korean cinema, which would be a much bigger deal. Though I guess he could do that with a KES drama as a stepping stone, particularly for name recognition.
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CL
February 4, 2015 at 8:23 AM
Oh please, it's not like this is his only offer on the table. Sure it's KES, but so what if he's not sold? What if he's more taken with the movie projects that come his way? He'd have done Sea Fog/Haemoo if pre-production wasn't taking so long and he couldn't put off his enlistment any longer. And his people didn't leak this the leaks for both the drama and 권법/Fist Fighting came from the other side. This is a guy who was willing to do a special guest star turn as King Sejong in Tree With Deep Roots, even when he was getting lead offers, even when his friends and sunbaes were calling him nutso, just because he liked the part, believed in the project, and wanted to act opposite Han Syuk-Kyu. I know that his success makes it more difficult for him to be more experimental with his career, but I'd like to think that rebel, my way attitude still guides him, and he's not going to be pressured or dictated into any decision.
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Annie
February 4, 2015 at 8:35 AM
Word. Song Joong Ki taking this drama would be almost mercenary in my eyes (not that I could ultimately blame him as the publicity alone might be worth it before he goes back to movie stardom).
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Mandy
February 4, 2015 at 9:37 AM
Oh please, overreaction much? I don't remember saying this is the only one he's offered. I said - and will say again - I expect him to take this up. Why? Because it's being written by KES and whether you like her work or not, its almost always if not always a cult and ratings hit. For someone who's had just one drama where he's lead, if he wants to establish himself in the drama industry, this is a good opportunity. Simple as that.
No one is dictating him. He's going to make his decision because it's his career - I didn't say so otherwise. I don't care if he does this or something else as long as it's good. But you replying to me as though I'm somehow implying he should be pressured to take this is ridiculous. The reality of it is that this is KES and I'm expecting him to do it. If he doesn't, his choice. Just like it was Jang Hyuk's to decline Secret Garden.
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fab
February 4, 2015 at 9:53 AM
You're actually belittling him. Like CL stated SJK cares more about the content of the part than whether it's the lead role or about the possible ratings. To take up a drama just because of the ratings is not the most sensible thing to do for a good and an established actor.
For example:
Gentlemen's Dignity and Nice Guy had similar ratings but the latter was so much better even though GD was star packed and aired in the weekends.
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Mandy
February 4, 2015 at 10:08 AM
If stating that he'd most likely take up a drama who's written by a writer that rarely had flops is belittling him, then I'm not sorry. Because that's what I expect him to do. He can just prove me wrong and pick something better. I would definitely not mind that at all - in fact, it would make me happy given how much I like him.
Also, you do realize that NG being better than GD is purely a personal opinion right? Because I most definitely preferred GD to the melodramatically boring NG. Also similar ratings? I don't think so. GD broke 20% consistently for many many episodes vs NG who didn't break 20% at all.
asdf
February 4, 2015 at 12:20 PM
I thought Nice Guy was pretty terrible, actually. I completely hated SJK's character. It's like he had zero self respect or direction in life, mindlessly sacrificing himself for one woman or another throughout the whole show and letting his whole life be dictated by women. If a woman acted like him, could we respect her? No. His character was terrible IMO.
Lily
February 4, 2015 at 12:50 PM
@asdf
The reason you hate the drama is exactly why I love it. We have millions of dramas and movies where the woman is always the one being hurt for sacrificing for the man, and then she seeks revenge but along the way she falls in love with an inheritor of a big corporation. Here's we have the complete reversal of that trope for once and I couldn't be happier. There are a lot of subversive themes in that drama that makes it different and memorable from a sea of other revenge melodramas. And no, I totally disagree that his whole life is dictated by women, but I don't want to discuss about Nice Guy here since it's out of topic.
Mandy
February 4, 2015 at 1:46 PM
@asdf - WORD. You just pointed out everything I hated about NG along with feeling as though it was a slow crawl at many points. The whole concept of Maru being the "nicest guy in the world' was ridiculous to me. And the way he felt like a puppet at many times was really frustrating.
Pranx
February 4, 2015 at 2:28 PM
@asdf & Mandy
Nice guy was kind of a crazy drama, but it was not completely senseless. It was a well formed 3-act story, first being his attempted revenge and learning to let that go, second was finding his soul back by helping amnesia afflicted Moon chae won and the final act was his redemption. The only terrible thing in it was the use of medical conditions as crutches and off course a doctor suddenly acting as a business major.
The story of Nice Guy and Secret are like mirror images of each other with just the genders changed.
As for his future projects, I will definitely checkout whatever he chooses, even if it is a cable drama. I just hope that he and his team will choose something that does justice to his talent.
asdf
February 4, 2015 at 5:58 PM
@ Lily, I'd be interested in hearing why you think his whole life was not dictated by women (I don't think it's too off topic since it is a SJK thread). He was a talented genius doctor who decided to go to prison for murder because of a woman; then when he came out, instead of trying to get his life back together, he becomes obsessed with revenge against that same woman; along the way he meets another woman; then he tries to kill himself and her in order to be with her in the afterlife; then for half the show he attempts to help this other woman get her throne back; then he risks his life to save her. It was just like, do you not have your own life?? I just cannot respect a person like that.
pogo
February 4, 2015 at 9:31 AM
true, the offer is a huge deal but these days even a huge-name writer or star is no guarantee of success.
I would not be surprised if he chooses the security of film instead - at least that way he gets a bound script and no live shoot.
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Mandy
February 4, 2015 at 9:41 AM
Yea honestly, as much as I want to be selfish and see him in dramas, I'd much rather he try to establish himself as a movie actor specially after Werewolf boy's success. If he comes back with a headlining movie, he can really take off. But we'll see. Even Jang Dong-gun made a comeback for KES, so maybe he'll be doing this then heading to Chungmuro.
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j2hr
February 4, 2015 at 9:42 AM
i dont think he would take this one either. But this project is pre-production so he would read all the script before filming starts as well as no live shoot for this one.
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28 Marielle
February 4, 2015 at 7:35 AM
Is it terrible of me that I'd like him to be the surgeon and the female lead to be the special forces soldier? (Has recently been rewatching kings 2 hearts) I'd like the female to be as kick-ass as ha-ji-won (a)
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fab
February 4, 2015 at 9:01 AM
No. ;) Though he can be a surgeon and soldier in one.
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29 Annie
February 4, 2015 at 8:05 AM
I think part of the reason that they pushed the drama back is because a lot of actors/actresses said no to this drama - the press release basically admitted this when the team said that the September move was warranted 'to allow people to free up their schedules'... lol, I see what you did there, KES.
I love Song Joong Ki but hope he stays away from this one - he doesn't really fit the role of a special forces captain for me and, more importantly, he shouldn't waste his time on a KES drama.
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Annie
February 4, 2015 at 8:07 AM
And IIRC in the synopsis the army captain is (of course) an errant chaebol son. *GAG* Sounds to me like KES is doing her usual shtick.
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pogo
February 4, 2015 at 9:29 AM
lmao OF COURSE HE IS.
(and I bet it's an asshole chaebol with no sense of humour too. Not the sweet kind like Kill Me Heal Me, or willing to make fun of himself like in Master's Sun)
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fab
February 4, 2015 at 10:04 AM
What a shame. Took a look at her Wiki page...:/
"2011 6th Seoul International Drama Awards: Best Drama Writer for Secret Garden"
How?
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parny
February 4, 2015 at 4:21 PM
Like it or not in K-Ent its about popularity and ratings. Secret Garden was a local and international success in terms of those 2 factors. Just read the posts about the 3 big network awards. Javebeans/Girlfriend pretty much says they hand out awards just to please everybody.Its a bummer to us that cares about quality drama/scripts but thats the reality in Korea.
Leila
February 4, 2015 at 9:38 AM
KES is having a hard time casting because she's too picky when it comes to her male lead. I don't know but I think she want actors like Kang Dong Won, Hyun Bin and Won Bin for this drama.
I think they're having problem with the funding of this drama too. Since this is pre-produced with overseas shooting, they cannot find enough sponsors for PPL.
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Annie
February 4, 2015 at 9:55 AM
Given how high profile a writer she is, I don't think it's unreasonable to go for the Won Bin/Kang Dong Won/So Ji Sub crowd... even Joo Jin Mo and Lee Joon Ki were floated around on the rumor circuits. But nope, not a single bite since this project was announced when she's usually got her cast lined up months and months in advance.
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pogo
February 4, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Kang Dong-won is never going to do another drama again, he's basically said so for years (why would he, when his movies are this successful and getting him all the good reviews like Kundo).
Won Bin is even less of a likelihood, considering how long it's been since his last acting job.
As for So Ji-sub.....it's up in the air really. He's an actor who can deliver great performances if given something to work with, but I don't think Kim Eun-seok is the kind of writer who will want him to be anything than the stereotype of himself.
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Annie
February 4, 2015 at 10:31 AM
This is all true but I bet drama writers still send a boatload of scenarios to Kang Dong Won, Won Bin (pity he couldn't get past the male lead being a gigolo in TWTWB), etc. They all want to be the one to lure these rare creatures back to dramas ;-) I'm just surprised that KES couldn't make even one of the big fish (even amongst actors who don't openly denounce dramas) take a nibble.
Leila
February 4, 2015 at 12:07 PM
We only read rumors here and there but none of it was confirmed. I've been following KES for a long time and she has always been discreet on drama casting offers (especially the male leads). It boggles me who made an article about this casting offer if it's on KES or SJK side.
There's a lot going on to this drama, she's co-writing this with other screenwriter, she going to work with KBS for the first time and with a different PD, having Barunson co-producing this... and pre-produced overseas shooting.
I don't know, sounds like this is a very ambitious expensive complicated drama that and I'm not surprise that the likes of Kang Dong Won and Won Bin reject this. I mean they have ratings to worry too.
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nate
February 4, 2015 at 6:03 PM
‘to allow people to free up their schedules’
Actually this might be true,many had said no to this drama bcoz' they have schedules,no?
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30 Pranx
February 4, 2015 at 8:48 AM
Hope that whatever drama he chooses doesn't misfire like Hyun Bin's comeback vehicle. An overhyped drama with too many big names attached is more likely to fail. Or become a hot mess like Heirs.
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31 pogo
February 4, 2015 at 9:26 AM
I get that Kim Eun-seok dramas are a Big Deal but with the way ratings have been tumbling over the last year, the measure of tv success is not what it used to be.
I'd much rather see Song Joong-ki in a good project, or at least one that has a hope of being enjoyable. He's more than capable leading man material and I'd love to see him in comedy mode - it's a shame the new Hong sisters drama airs a bit too early for him to make it with his discharge date.
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32 Rose
February 4, 2015 at 9:41 AM
I hope he plays in a great drama with great cast in KBS, so I can watch his drama every week not download it every week!:D
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33 Mini Roo
February 4, 2015 at 9:45 AM
How much influence would a co-writer have on the script?? People keep commenting about KES....
The Queen's Classroom writer can only be a good influence
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34 evergreen
February 4, 2015 at 9:51 AM
Second the opinion that would reallly love chaeki together again but in a really good project please!
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35 Chandler
February 4, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Wait. Just let me decide how to feel. I remember hearing about this project and thinking that it seemed an interesting one for KES to take on. You know, seems different from what she's done before and I do like that it's supposed to be a pre-produced human drama. And the writer from Queen's Classroom is a pretty good credit.
But Song Joong-ki. I love you too much. And I want you to be the lead in a drama with a premise I'm crazy for! I mean, I enjoyed Nice Guy and all, but I want a drama that I would watch even if you weren't in it. Please. Just please. Do that for me.
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36 Lily
February 4, 2015 at 10:22 AM
I love Joong Ki like no others but I beg you please stay away from KES scripts. Chae Won sshi, too. She can't write a good female character to save her life and her male lead is more often than not your cardboard one-dimensional macho, brooding chaebol mess. As much as I'd love to see him on TV again, I'd rather him to stay in Chungmuro for a while to expand his film repertoire after the huge success of Wolf boy until he's offered a real remarkable TV role.
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pogo
February 4, 2015 at 11:53 AM
Exactly. It'd be a waste of Song Joong-ki's talent, and with China tightening restrictions on live streaming of kdramas, it's not as if he needs to chase overseas/hallyu fame.
He's got the critical respect + commercial success already, why compromise himself for a drama that will likely not hold a candle to most of his previous work?
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37 alpha
February 4, 2015 at 10:39 AM
Aww. I want ChaeKi reunion! Yes please. If this happens, this will be the second time where my fav. couples appear twice. (1st couples are ofcourse JS and HJE)
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38 kumi
February 4, 2015 at 11:19 AM
Yes, please! This role would be suitable for him.
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39 Cindersarah
February 4, 2015 at 11:52 AM
MASH - the Korean edition....where it won't be in Korea anymore...but Korean will still be spoken...
... I didn't think this through.
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40 Rad
February 4, 2015 at 12:18 PM
*squeal* the 2yr-long wait is soon coming to an end. Happy to see him headlining and all. I've missed this guy in dramaland!
I'd very much prefer he pick a light hearted drama as his comeback project than something like this. For a change it would be nice to see him play less melo roles (not that I don't love him in such).
Maybe a drama like reply 1994? No frills. Just pure fun/laughter/sweetness. The kind that stays with you like a very happy memory. Whilst seeming ordinary, isn't. I don't know, just something close to the heart and easily relatable.
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41 SunKi
February 4, 2015 at 12:34 PM
Ku Hye Sun & Soong Joong Ki new couple :)
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42 mskololia1
February 4, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Please, don't do it dude....Stray far away from any of her projects.
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43 rearwindow
February 4, 2015 at 6:57 PM
OH MY GOSH I LOVE HIM I CAN'T WAIT FOR HIM TO BE ON MY SCREEN AGAIN
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44 Hurrahhurrah
February 4, 2015 at 7:36 PM
A veteran actress please. Any seasoned actress.
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45 Joong-kiyah
February 4, 2015 at 9:30 PM
Joong-ki ah.. take it!!! You will be awesome and KES will create such a perfect character..
KES is a awesome scriptwriter.. if one looked beneath the surface..
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46 panda
February 4, 2015 at 9:48 PM
Yeahhhhh it sounds a great news....miss u much Joong Ki oppa..since the last time saw u in Nice Guy..whoever play your heroine ill watch ur movie for sure. Cant wait....
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47 piggybackrider
February 5, 2015 at 12:58 AM
Interesting, but surprising news. With the massive investment KBS is making I would have thought KES would try to get a couple of A-lister to star.
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48 Seng Lu
February 5, 2015 at 1:39 AM
OMG !! Am I the only who is Dreaming for Song Joong Ki pairing with Kim So Yeon !!
Cuz these two are the most favourite actors of my mine in Korea !!
U can't probably imagine these two pairing right ! I think it would give the new taste with Stone Face actress and Cute ness actor pairing !! see Kim so Yeon and Lee Jun Ki pairing In Two weeks ,
It would be better if this drama genre is Action , melo and fantasy ,
?
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49 Sam
February 5, 2015 at 3:34 AM
Mixed feelings about all of this :/
Song Joong Ki in a drama- YES
The drama premise- I actually quite like it. It's something new for once.
Rumours of Moon Chae Won- Double YES!!
The writer- oh god NO! Didn't even bother with Heirs because it sounded awful from day 1 (Lee Min Ho, why did you sign up for BoF II, WHY?!). And I'm in the minority where I didn't get the big deal about Secret Garden. I love Ha Ji Won, but I just couldn't get into it.
And lastly, SJK in this role- worried. He's a great actor, but I can't picture his babyface pulling off a convincing Army Captain :/
Whatever he chooses to do I hope it ends up being amazing, with a great female lead :)
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50 anne
February 5, 2015 at 9:28 AM
waa.. if this is true, and he will accept the offer to this. Then, I definitely gonna see him.... really miss him!! Kang ma ru... LOL
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