Scholar Who Walks the Night ALSO courting Lee Yubi

145 April 9, 2015April 9, 2015

by javabeans

girlfriday: Wait, so now Lee Yubi is ALSO in contention for Scholar Who Walks the Night? I’m so confused.

javabeans: Apparently yes. I am also confused, though at least we did get one actual confirmation, which was that Jin Se-yeon has bowed out of the project. Hooray for concrete facts, and also other things!

girlfriday: But now Kim So-eun and Lee Yubi are both considering, and there’s no information about which one is starring, or whether it’s even for the same role or different roles.

javabeans: Yes. The article writers seemed to assume they were all in contention for the same role, but now that the casting news is overlapping so much, it’s starting to sound like they may be two different roles. Honestly the press sounds pretty confused too.

girlfriday: So naturally, everybody’s confused. It’d be more frustrating if it weren’t hilarious by now.

javabeans: The Lee Yubi news and the Kim So-eun news all say they’re up for lead roles, and that both actresses would be “starring with Lee Jun-ki” and/or “having a loveline with Lee Jun-ki.”

girlfriday: That’s because Lee Jun-ki is the only person officially on the goddamn cast!

javabeans: Yes, at first it sounded like all these actresses were up to be THE romantic lead with him, but now I think the reporters are just citing him as the one co-star they know is true.

girlfriday: The casting for this drama is turning into a farce.

javabeans: I feel like it already was a farce, but now I really can’t take it seriously. Let’s see, we had Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-jin, Han Groo, Jin Se-yeon, Kim So-eun, and now Lee Yubi, and that’s just for two characters. Or maybe three, we don’t know, nobody’s telling us.

girlfriday: Psst, maybe the drama producers don’t know either. They could just be casting a big group of people and hoping it will work out somehow.

javabeans: But there’s a WEBTOON. You could just read that and count up your characters and go from there, producers. What is with this rigamarole?

girlfriday: It’s turning into a pageant or an elimination reality show or something.

javabeans: If you were an actor up for a part, wouldn’t you feel like this was all a big sign warning you to turn back? Who wants the thing five people turned down in front of them?

girlfriday: That’s what I don’t understand about this whole “considering” fad in casting news — I get that they’re testing the waters of public opinion before actually casting people, but you lose faith when you do it too many times.

javabeans: There’s definitely a point at which things start backfiring, and this drama has hit that point and then lapped itself a few times. It reminds me of Blood’s difficulty in securing a lead, which is how you ended up with a brand-new rookie scoring a lead one year after his debut. I mean, it’s a little ridiculous for him to get the part when he’s so green, but also, you ran out of people so it’s not really his fault is it?

girlfriday: And you never want people to think, “Oh, they ran out of people, so they cast you.” The thing is, I totally love Lee Yubi, and would be excited for her to do this drama. I’m just fed up with how the drama is casting (or not casting, as the case may be).

javabeans: JUST PICK ONE. I DON’T EVEN CARE WHICH ONE. JUST ONE WILL DO.

girlfriday: OR TWO. WE DON’T KNOW, DO WE?

Via MBN, TV Report

145

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1 Lin_K

April 9, 2015 at 12:55 AM

I hope this drama turns out well. I really look forward to LJK's projects, and they only come once a year!! So I really really want this drama to be interesting/entertaining! I hope the story is not bad. Why is everyone turning it down? Or maybe like JB and GF said, the producers are just testing the waters with the casting news.

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Lin_K

April 9, 2015 at 12:56 AM

I love both KSE and LYB; so I don't care who becomes the lead or the second lead. They should both accept! :)

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2 SD

April 9, 2015 at 1:01 AM

If I got it right, LYB is the candidate for the cross-dressing role while KSE is supposed to play an orphan adopted by LJK's character and will become a top gisaeng. She will be transformed into a vampire later on by LSH.

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JoyBells

April 9, 2015 at 1:05 AM

So Lee yubi is the lead actress then? And Kim So eun is Lee Jun ki's adopted daughter?! So no love line there.?!

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SD

April 9, 2015 at 1:19 AM

I haven't read the manhwa, but those who have said that she will fall in love with him, but will turn vindictive when he develops feelings for the cross-dressing woman.

The funny thing is some have been saying that her character will fall in love with the cross-dressing female lead lol.

Well let's take everything we hear with a grain of salt for now since which actress will be playing what character still hasn't been officially established. ;)

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Javabeans

April 9, 2015 at 1:06 AM

Is this an assumption or did this news get confirmed somewhere? Because lemme tell ya, girlfriday and I scoured all the news sites and nobody knows nuthin'.

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SD

April 9, 2015 at 1:14 AM

Well you can say it's an assumption because it's from another blog and the writer claimed that MBC was still in search of a lead actress after the news of JSY declining the role was released.

I don't know if the information relayed by soompi, allkpop, and mwave are 100% reliable, but they were all consistent in saying that KSE will be MOST LIKELY playing a supporting role so I can't be too sure.

I hope the production team sheds light on this matter soon because the anticipation is killing me!

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cimmie

April 19, 2015 at 11:08 PM

Not that fluent in Korean, but I thought KSE has confirmed?
I might read wrongly....
http://www.ajunews.com/view/20150414165957061

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3 Lindsey

April 9, 2015 at 1:06 AM

I hope LYB and KSE will be supporting roles, not for female lead. Because LJK deserves a veteran actress rather than young and new actresses. My votes for female lead are Yoon eun Hye, Han Hyo Joo, Moon chae won and park min young.

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Sera The Ms Temper

April 9, 2015 at 1:47 AM

omaigod, its been quite long from the last time i saw han hyo joo in the drama. :(.

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Viki

April 9, 2015 at 2:28 AM

Yeah but I don't think she will be returning to dramaland this soon. She is currently in a movie and she still have her brother's scandal hanging over her :/

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ann

April 9, 2015 at 2:25 AM

You mean the more popular ones because KSE debuted as an actress (though not leading roles) way before any of them on your list.

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alua

April 9, 2015 at 4:00 AM

For all I care, a complete newbie could be cast alongside LJK as long as she can ACT.

Some on that wish list are actually rather average.

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Kiara

April 9, 2015 at 6:24 AM

A men to that.

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Kiara

April 9, 2015 at 6:44 AM

err Amen lol

pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:01 AM

add another Amen.

and since both Kim So-eun and Lee Yubi CAN act, I hope to god our casting roulette stops here. Thank god MBC saw sense.

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KDaddict?JCW

April 9, 2015 at 6:12 AM

I'm just very happy that it is NOT Jin SY. The rest doesn't matter nearly as much.

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4 pigsnout

April 9, 2015 at 1:11 AM

But Kill Me Heal Me also had trouble casting, so many people rejected it and look how it turned out :)

I'm very glad MBC listened to public opinion and threw out Jin Se Yeon from consideration. Lee Yoo Bi and Kim So Eun are both really talented actresses and did well in sageuk. It's okif they' are both in this, either of them is fine for the lead and I don't feel like the other one would be insulted if they got cast as second lead.

Now don't go hire Go Sung Hee as the lead or something, MBC.

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mary

April 9, 2015 at 1:35 AM

*whispers* don't jinx it

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:18 AM

Hey Mary!

Have you realised, if this pans out and Kim So-eun really is the lead, WGM will have shot BOTH halves of the LTE couple to public broadcast drama lead? Can't imagine a better result, myself!

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mary

April 9, 2015 at 10:01 AM

It's very awesome and I feel very kamsa to variety gods. Those two are definitely working hard to be entertaining. :D

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5 hanie

April 9, 2015 at 1:20 AM

JUST PICK ONE.
except, that one if you know what I mean~
My interest keep going down after every casting news.
oh my junki....

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Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 8:49 AM

Trying to see it in s glass-half-full way:

"both actresses would be ... “having a loveline with Lee Jun-ki.”

Yay for Lee Jun-Ki who gets to be a two-timey vampire?

Yay for us because a two-timey vampire means more Lee Jun Ki kisses?

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6 Scarlet

April 9, 2015 at 1:20 AM

How about Baek jin hee? She did lead roles in MBC? I think she is better than these two.

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SD

April 9, 2015 at 1:24 AM

I thought about Baek Jin Hee too and I believe she's a good choice.

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Sera The Ms Temper

April 9, 2015 at 1:51 AM

BJH, KSE and LYB are all a good choice. i love BJH as a Tanashiri in Empress Ki, KSE also a good choice since she has done role in sageuk before. LYB is a fresh and im eager to see her also.

Oh no.. can we see three of them in his drama plays the role as a beautiful vampire. *imagining*

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velvetstuff

April 9, 2015 at 9:34 AM

Lee Yubi was a gisaeng before in Gu Family and I really liked her.

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:19 AM

Kim So-eun and Lee Yubi are also solid in sageuk, but I love Baek Jin-hee. They're all equally good imo.

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7 Jennalyn Zul

April 9, 2015 at 1:27 AM

As long as it not Jin Seyeon, then either both of them will be perfect for the roles.
Actually when will they finalize the cast since the drama will premier early next months.

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Anon

April 9, 2015 at 1:30 AM

Nope, it will be in July after Warm & Cozy

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8 mary

April 9, 2015 at 1:30 AM

LOL MBC

Maybe you can beg Jisung to step in again. We all know he can do a good cross-dressing character. Ha! If only Yona was real. (Though that'd be scary for poor Orion.)

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Peeps

April 9, 2015 at 2:04 AM

Nah. Brand new daddy probably wants to greet and spend all the time in the world with his new baby without eyebags.

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mary

April 9, 2015 at 9:58 AM

And rest his throat! I forgot he could barely talk near the end of KMHM. :(

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nil

April 9, 2015 at 7:44 AM

omg i want more ahn yona.

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redfox

April 9, 2015 at 10:37 AM

well, Jun Ki was in Italy when KMHM aired. He probably doesn´t know who or what "Yo Na" is. so he is a good vic...I mean target. Or you know, test bunny.

but, eh, wait....then would it be Ji Sung as himself pretending to be a girl pretending to be a man, or Ji Sung as Ahn Yo Na pretending to be a girl who pretends to be a man, or Yo Na as no I am totally confused.
but I agree, leave him be in this case.

tbh Jun Ki could just do it himself. Think King and Clown.. He looked like a total girl there!

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9 Serena

April 9, 2015 at 1:30 AM

LYB is young and talented actress. But she never had a lead role. In her last drama pinocchio, her role was a second lead but too small role. She didn't even have a crush or love line with male lead. Poor LYB! I hope she can play female lead this time. She never got a chance when other talentless actresses who don't know how to act at all got female leads. Fighting LYB

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10 girl

April 9, 2015 at 1:42 AM

Oh good lord at this rate they'll cast an idol that hasn't even debuted yet. Oh the mess, the messss!

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Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 9:10 AM

Or cast lots and lots of idols ... have them all bitten quickly by the bad vampire ... and let them wander around soullessly and aimlessly for the rest of the drama.

They might be pretty good at that.

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Shuerei

April 9, 2015 at 12:22 PM

Supposedly they are looking for actresses in their 20s.
Who knows maybe it would be Park Shin Hye...
Han Hyo Joo might be a bit too serious for the role and also she's been paired up with Lee Jun Ki
Park Min Young unlikely coz she was in SKK Scandal in the same author's previous work. Also she is heading to China..
Even Yoona is in China. Not Krystal I hope though I would prefer her over Go Sung Hee.
What about Kim Ji Won?

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 12:41 PM

Kim Ji-won is locked down for Descendants of the Sun which begins filming in July.

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girl

April 9, 2015 at 1:18 PM

They start filming in June. They already had a script reading apparently, but it was very secretive since Song Joong Ki can't show his face in any type of promotional stuff until he finishes his military service.

11 Sera The Ms Temper

April 9, 2015 at 1:46 AM

I hope we can get confirmation soonest possible. for KSE & LYB, fighting to both of u. :)

To JSY, i think u should play a role in rom-com for mnow, and make yourself likeable by the viewers, only that u can start to shine as an actress. All the best...

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glowry

April 9, 2015 at 3:45 AM

agree, probably like Shin Se Kyung.. she's too stiff and don't fit melo and heavy character, but she's quite lovable in GWSS..

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Sera The Ms Temper

April 9, 2015 at 7:18 PM

i hated Shin Se kyung before, but when she did Iron Man and currently, GWSS, i think i'll start to like her. she improved a lot. maybe she suits to do rom com better.

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Leila

April 9, 2015 at 5:21 AM

IKR! actress should go for a likable character first before transitioning to lead roles, oftentimes it's romcom or a memorable/likable supporting role. This way people will warm up to them. It's not all about acting talent.. they should have appeal to the public too.

Proven cases: Han Ye Seul, Park Shin Hye and Yoo In Ah

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Sera The Ms Temper

April 9, 2015 at 7:29 PM

Very much in agreement with you. KSE also a proven case here. Now i think i can understand her a bit, why she dont rush for a lead role. Other young actresses such as BJH, LYB also do the same.

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:16 AM

what she needs is to go back to supporting roles, she isn't lead material for anything.

She's very one-note even in her "bright" characters, and romcoms actually require heroines to be able to carry the material, much like Gong Hyo-jin or Shin Mina do. It's not an easy refuge for a substandard actress to keep collecting lead role paychecks.

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Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 9:18 AM

I was going to add Gong Hyo-jin to Daisy's list. She's really likable, but kinda plays the same character in all her dramas.

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 9:29 AM

She's done a lot of other work besides romcom dramas and she certainly isn't the same across her other work - especially her movies. Her character in Sisters on the Road or Love Fiction or Crush & Blush or even Boomerang Family etc, are nothing alike.

But even in those romcoms, she brings nuance and life to her roles and makes them work within the story. That takes skill, and so does comic delivery.

I'm glad we're on the same page about comedy not being a dumping ground for the mediocre.

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Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 12:10 PM

Oh. I wasn't saying she isn't a good actress. Just that her characters all seem kind of the same to me. Normally that's due a lack of acting talent, but for her it isn't. Although the characters I've seen her play (all in dramas) are somewhat predictable, they're also predictably good.

I think it's a matter of choosing a career path. Some actors are able to develop a unique persona and use it as a brand. There's nothing wrong with it. Over its history, some of the most commercially successful actors/entertainers in Hollywood have done this. So from a career standpoint it can be like bottled magic.

I think Gong Hyo Jin and Han Groo (so far in her very young career) are similar in this respect.

Jon G.

April 9, 2015 at 12:53 PM

For Gong Hyo-jin, she's kind of a special case as she uses a very unique (in K-drama industry) acting method that, to me, resembles the western post-Stanislavski methods. She has very little variability with her method, but where it works, it works really well (at least for me as a western drama* imprinted person) and creates much more authentic results than any of the more native Korean acting methods.
She is limited to certain types of roles, both because of the limitations of the method as well as due to the limitations of K-drama writing.

Many other actors and actresses have certain strengths in their repertoire that predestines them for certain roles, but, for example, schematic actors can easily learn schemata for other archetypes without too much troubles (if they care and the casting directors want to take those risks).

*) drama in a more original sense of the term

Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 1:19 PM

Wow! You need to rename yourself Jon G., PhD.

Never knew there was that level of acting theory. Who woulda thunk it?!! Ugh...now you've piqued my curiosity. *ponders impending research time-sink* Why did you just do this to me? ?

Seriously though, I was mostly thinking of successful entertainers with strongly branded performance types. In the olden days it would have been pretty much any of the A list studio actors: Betty Grable, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, etc. More recently it would be performers like Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Anniston, Cameron Diaz, etc.

Jon G.

April 10, 2015 at 8:50 AM

Well, sorry, I tend to theorise, bad habit from too long an acadamic career. Combine that with a family background with a lot of people who did study drama and worked in that sector (including my father and my elder sister), et voila ...

Gidget

April 10, 2015 at 3:47 PM

Being the curious type, now I have a gajillion questions for you - but I'll limit it to four:

What performance genre did your family participate in?

Did/do you teach dramatic arts?

When you watch dramas do you generally see the performances through the technical lens of story architecture and acting methodologies; or are you able to ignore the technical aspects, suspend disbelief, and become immersed in the story?

Do good artists treat the various acting theories / methods like a big 'bag of tricks' that they pull from to create & portray a character; or do they generally subscribe to a primary approach and use it for all their roles?

Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 9:20 AM

But agree with you about Romcoms not being a refuge for substandard actresses.

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Sera The Ms Temper

April 9, 2015 at 7:36 PM

i just in the opinion, maybe she can try to do a rom com, x necessary a lead actress. Agreed, she needs to do supporting roles until she becomes appeal to the public, only that she can do a lead role. i dont know much about the talent, for me as a viewer, as long as i can feel the actor's acting, its sufficient.

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12 Viki

April 9, 2015 at 2:26 AM

YES! I'M ON BOARD NOW THAT JIN SE YEON HAS DECIDED TO "BOW OUT"! Kim So Eun or Lee Yu Bi, love them both. So whoever ends up getting the role, I will watch, regardless!

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13 alpha

April 9, 2015 at 2:33 AM

Im in for anything after Jin Se Yeon.

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14 kiki

April 9, 2015 at 2:52 AM

Yaaaaayyyyyyy......JSY is out. I couldn't be happier! :D

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15 Lilly

April 9, 2015 at 2:54 AM

I do not know what the original story is like, but if it is all dark and Gothic themed, then I guess I would like Moon Geun-young to do the lead part.

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16 goodytwoshoes

April 9, 2015 at 2:54 AM

I can totally see Lee Yu bi play the vengeful-gone-batshit-crazy adopter sister. Ah mean, she did that so well in Gu Family book. Yeah, if she's in, I am in. *opens Coke*

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Kiara

April 9, 2015 at 5:47 AM

Lee Yubi won me over in Gu Family Book and I have been a fan ever since. I was hoping for her to be in this project with Lee Jun-ki although she was already considered for a different drama. I'm excited about this news!!!

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Kiara

April 9, 2015 at 8:17 AM

Forgot to add that Lee Yubi's mother, the veterant actress Kyeon Mi-Ri is the definition of vengeful gone batshit-crazy in Dae Jang Geum. Her character Lady Choi still haunts me to this day haha.

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Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 9:28 AM

Agree!

But it'll be nice to see the reverse arc. Starting with the crazy and resolving into something more sane (and thus more watchable.)

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17 Jenny

April 9, 2015 at 2:59 AM

Will anyone ever confirm, soon LJK will have to play both characters. Just put on some makeup and a wig and he'll be the prettiest leading lady.
I would love Im Joo Eun to get the role, any role. She's so underrated.

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kanz

April 9, 2015 at 5:40 AM

Lee Jun Ki as DID Joseon scholar vampire...
One personality is pretty crossdresser, the other is immortal scholar vampire..

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:11 AM

They could just use footage from the King & the Clown....

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Shuerei

April 9, 2015 at 12:26 PM

I forgot about Im Joo Eun. She was so lovely in the Heirs.... But she appeared as bad "deity" in Lee Jun Ki's Arang and the Majistrate...

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18 redfox

April 9, 2015 at 3:00 AM

*practicing cart-wheel again*

"cause I´m happyyyyy"

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19 korfan

April 9, 2015 at 3:47 AM

Celebrity casting roulette ...

'Round and 'round it goes ...

Where it'll stop ... nobody knows.

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20 kororo

April 9, 2015 at 4:04 AM

#confused, well KMHM also had casting trouble it turned out fantastically. I'm relieved that JSY declined the offer because the news of LSH being possibly casted as the antagonist made me want to check this drama out.
I really like LY there's something really fresh and spontaneous about her and I've seen her in sageuk before so no worries there. I'm less familiar with KSE at the exception of liar game where she was okay for me...
Can LY play the female lead for sure cause she looks kinda young, to be romanced by LYK... maybe that's just me..

Good luck MBC !! Fighting

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21 alua

April 9, 2015 at 4:04 AM

<I get that they’re testing the waters of public opinion before actually casting people, but you lose faith when you do it too many times.

Actually, I hate the testing the waters with "maybe" casting announcements, because it's all about popularity and not at all about acting talent, which IMO should be decisive when choosing someone for a role.

Plus, it has become really nasty with knetizens' reactions to some of the potential casting announcements in the past, which isn't fair on those actors (however lacking in skills they may be) either. Not their fault they have been extended an offer.

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Manin

April 9, 2015 at 4:32 AM

I agree with you! A lot of casting news get unnecessary hate, and its not going to help anyone improve either if they always gets put down or meet with "this role is too difference from normal. Just stick to this".

I also wonder how the testing of waters influences the writing. Because sometimes you have a person that would fit visually into a role, or otherwise have qualities which a writer wish for the one playing the character. And then when they ttry to cast it just get shot down due to netizens comments.

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paroles

April 9, 2015 at 5:01 AM

Yeah, it's obvious that they are doing that. And it's also ironic given that some of the actresses named have evidently low public fondness. That's also why I predicted that JSY won't get the role because the (non-)confirmation took too long after Lee Junki said he's in. Why are they so intent on finding a 90-er anyway? To be honest, they are going a bit too young (even though I get that the character is probably supposed to be young) which may not be good for romantic chemistry. Is LJK too expensive? Because the rest of the cast is so so so lackluster...

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Kiara

April 9, 2015 at 7:05 AM

I think KSE and LY are going to work out well if they accept the offer. They are younger but Lee Jun-ki doesn't look his age at all. Some of his past leading ladies seems older than him to me. Maybe it's because of his youthful personality? It makes him remain young inside and out.

Kim So-eun was 18 and Ji Jin-hee was 36-ish in "The Man Who Can't Get Married", Jo Seung-woo is almost 10yrs older than her and she did fine in "Horse Healer".
I think Lee Yubi is capable of having romantic chemistry with just about anyone imo.

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:35 AM

yeah, Kim So-eun looked absolutely fine with Lee Sang-yoon ('81-er) in Liar Game.

I don't think Lee Jun-ki is going to pose any kind of problem to either her or Lee Yubi, chemistry-wise. They've both worked well with older costars and looked good.

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paroles

April 9, 2015 at 10:13 AM

It's not about the appearance though. I'm worrying if their personalities will mesh. Usually (imo), if the actors aren't that close off-screen their romantic scenes become so cringey to watch. Then again, age may not be the issue. I thought LJK and NSM had no chemistry in JG too (well, at least in the first few episodes). I'm probably still recovering from that.

Then again, I'm not a fan of both actress, but right now I'm just hoping that there is going to be someone. Personally, I would have accepted the offer in a heartbeat ;)

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 10:20 AM

Lee Jun-ki and Shin Mina weren't close either, and yet people thought their chemistry was fantastic in Arang & the Magistrate.

I think as long as LJK and whoever his leading lady is can find common ground as actors, their not being close offscreen doesn't matter.

paroles

April 9, 2015 at 11:35 AM

@pogo: I thought LJK and SMA lacked chemistry. The bickering parts were okay but once they got to the lovey-dovey things it became awkward.

pogo

April 9, 2015 at 11:51 AM

I'm just saying, actors liking each other/being close offscreen isn't always linked to having good chemistry. Shin Mina has excellent chemistry with Joo Ji-hoon too, and not close or comfortable to him either - he's later indicated he wasn't very nice to his female costars, which at that point was only her+Yoon Eun-hye.

Look at the couple from The Notebook,when they actually filmed it even the director said they hated each other's guts and yet that film is so memorable that people ship them even now (they dated but only began when the movie was being promoted).

alua

April 9, 2015 at 12:20 PM

<if the actors aren’t that close off-screen their romantic scenes become so cringey to watch

I think it's called good acting. Sure, if people are close off-screen (particularly if they are developing actual romantic feelings for each other), that'll help with on-screen chemistry, but good actors can give you on-screen chemistry without being close off-screen at all.

Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 12:35 PM

@Alua
I think you're right about that. Can you imagine how messy their personal lives/relationships would be if they had to be attracted to their co-lead every drama? ?

They have to be able to act it out in an outwardly believable but inwardly impersonal way.

Daisy

April 9, 2015 at 6:56 AM

Not always about popularity Han Ga In, Shin Se Kyung, Kim Tae Hee, Yoona & sometimes Suzy still gets hate for lead roles even though they are popular enough.. But get hate cause of their bad acting.. It goes back and forth in my opinion..

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alua

April 9, 2015 at 9:57 AM

No, I meant it's about popularity in the sense of if the choice is popular with viewers (regardless of how well the actor/actress can act or how popular they are otherwise). The producers testing the waters with casting options is ultimately about predicting viewer numbers and $$$ they can make... it's not about producing a quality drama. But that kind of approach means that the quality of dramas is going to decrease over time.

Criticism/skepticism on the basis of acting isn't per se wrong, but hate that develops on the basis "she looks wrong next to my oppa", "she looks too old/too young", "she isn't pretty/popular/A-list/etc. enough" I find increasingly problematic. It's been seriously getting out of control.

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 10:27 AM

Criticism/skepticism on the basis of acting isn’t per se wrong, but hate that develops on the basis “she looks wrong next to my oppa”, “she looks too old/too young”, “she isn’t pretty/popular/A-list/etc. enough” I find increasingly problematic.

I get what you mean. It's one thing to criticise on the basis of someone's prior acting being found drastically lacking (quite a legitimate complaint), but the other not pretty/popular/too old etc complaints are all extraneous and if listened to too closely, will end up shutting out new talent.

That said, a lot of dramas these days seem to be actively casting newer young actresses (i.e. not Shin Se-kyung and Park Shin-hye) or at least seeking to, instead of idols - a thing I haven't seen since 2013. Baek Jin-hee, Go Ah-sung and Kang Sora have all scored lead roles in prime time dramas in the last few months, and now either Kim So-eun or Lee Yubi is set to join that list.

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Jon G.

April 9, 2015 at 11:58 AM

Well, I found Lee Bo-young's and Gong Hyo-jin's acting (just two examples) extremely lacking in their earlier days after they switched over from modelling and stuff. It took them a better part of a decade before they became watchable. They got lead roles long before their acting skills caught up with that. If they hadn't, they would probably have given up acting at some point.

In K-drama, very many of the actors and actresses have very little acting skills when they debut. Learning on the job is pretty much the norm. At the same time, you need to get lead roles in your late 20ths or you won't last in the industry.

I'm not saying that it's okay to give Jin Se-yeon another dozen of chances because she will find some acting skills eventually. But I'm pretty sure that in 2025, there will be highly appreciated actresses (and actors) who right now are getting lead roles despite the fact that their acting sucks.

Shuerei

April 9, 2015 at 12:36 PM

Hi Jon G, I bought some old shows with Lee Bo Young in leading roles and she didn't particularly shine ...

So I think you are very spot on that given the chance they can improve... And most of the time, by thrusting them into leading roles will put the pressure on them to learn fast.

In the case of Ahn Jae Hyun, I think he is owning the role in Blood now and it's a pity that some viewers didn't give him the chance beyond the first two episodes. In the last few episodes, he didn't seem out of place acting with Ji Jin Hee and perhsps the veteran actor's talents are rubbing off on him. In any case, some actors do improve real time in the leading-role capacity.

pogo

April 9, 2015 at 12:36 PM

I can't speak to Lee Bo-young's earlier work, but Gong Hyo-jin drew positive notice for her acting in second lead and supporting roles very early in her career, right from Ruler of Your Own World, and that was what allowed her to move to lead status despite - and keep in mind how beauty-centric Korean entertainment is - the fact that she was not conventionally pretty by their standards. Unwatchable is early Kim Tae-hee and Han Ga-in. Not Gong Hyo-jin, not by a long shot.

Yes, Korean actors often learn on the job, but some people actually do seem to learn. Others don't, even after multiple jobs.....at that point, I'd say just cut them loose and stop trying to make them happen as actors.

pogo

April 9, 2015 at 12:46 PM

A good example of an actress who was terrible in her early career but hit her turning point later, is actually Gong Hyo-jin's bff Kim Min-hee. She used to be absolutely terrible, but found a role she loved and begged Noh Hee-kyung to cast her in it, and actually hit her stride as an actress there.

Of course, that kind of self-awareness is not something all subpar actresses have. I can't imagine some of today's excuses for actresses openly admitting they suck at acting.

Jon G.

April 9, 2015 at 1:44 PM

@pogo

Well, I haven't watched all of Gong Hyo-jin's early stuff (not even close), but the ones of her movies and some drama things that I saw were very, very rough. Yes, she already collected some popularity with some of her performances (and so did Jin Se-yeon *evilgrin*), but there was very little evidence in that stuff that she might turn into a capable actress one day. That also might have to do with the fact that I'm still not quite sure about the criteria that the Korean (-based) audience uses when defining "acting skill".

"and keep in mind how beauty-centric Korean entertainment is"

Yep, I regularly forget about that, mostly because I don't get Korean beauty (values dissonance once more).

"Kim Min-hee"

Now that you mention her, I'd say there was a certain difference between the career types of Gong Hyo-jin on the one hand and people like Lee Bo-young or Kim Min-hee on the other.
Gong Hyo-jin wasn't great when she tried acting, but she obviously cared about her acting very much and took it seriously. Even though it took some time do develop and to find her range, the effort was visible and the progress, as far as I can judge it, was continuous.
The other type is more of an enlightenment thing, suddenly an actor or actress starts to take his/her profession seriously and turns out to be a rather capable artist.

pogo

April 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM

Even at her rough earliest (and I've seen almost all her work including her bit parts in movies), Gong Hyo-jin had a naturalness, for lack of a better word, to her acting. And while she didn't start out perfect, like you said, she cared enough to improve and hone her skills, and earned viewer goodwill that way. That's something I have never seen out of Jin Se-yeon, and judging by her career MO, not something she values or cares to change.

Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 1:00 PM

"The producers testing the waters with casting options is ultimately about predicting viewer numbers and $$$ they can make… it’s not about producing a quality drama."

It seems you're right, but how can this possibly work?

First of all, casting to please the netizens will seriously disrupt the ability of the writer and the director to execute a cohesive creative vision for their show.

Also, the netizen community is overwhelmingly young, and younger people are much more likely to watch shows online. But traditional revenue models are based on the broadcast's Nielsen ratings.

So if they cast to please the young netizens; but then the broadcast ratings tank because the show isn't good; and the netizens aren't generating revenues because they're watching online; who wins?

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 7:56 AM

Well, no rookie actor till date has ever got 100 percent positive responses to a 'testing the waters' announcement, there'll always be netizens who insist that a talented actor can't act, or only got there because of connections.

But when the response is as immediately, strongly and uniformly negative as it was to JSY's possible casting, I tend to believe they know what's up, and that networks should listen.

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Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 12:25 PM

Is it possible that they got pressure to cast her, knew it wasn't a good idea, couldn't say no, and used the 'considering' announcement as a means to put an end to it?

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 12:39 PM

anything's possible, who knows if they were forced to consider her and the netizen reaction gave them an out? Either way she's out, good riddance.

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Lilly

April 9, 2015 at 1:15 PM

If that is what they are doing it explains a lot.

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22 Miky

April 9, 2015 at 4:17 AM

Hope she gets the leading role,i like her a lot and she will look good,the main girl is cross dressing but the hero knows from the start that she is a women not a guy...

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23 Miky

April 9, 2015 at 4:22 AM

posting again the manhwa sinopsis in case people don't know what is about

"Synopsis

A vampire scholar and a bookseller come together to fight against a conspiracy

An authority figure Gwee who controls the Joseon dynasty behind the scene is actually a vampire. Motivated by his avarice, Gwee conspires to obstruct the crown prince’s accession to the throne.

On the other hand, there’s a righteous vampire named Seongyeol who has been living as scholar for 150 years. He has locked himself in his studies for many years, and there are rumors amongst the villagers that he’s just an old man with leprosy.

In order to hide his true identity, Seongyeol never lets a bookseller revisit his place. But he makes an exception to the rule for a smart and decisive bookseller Yangsun. Yangsun knows the bad effects of corrupt political powers from the experience of losing her parents and three older brothers in a political trap. She believes that the world can become a better place if we broaden our knowledge through books. Because she lives in a society that forbids women from working in the business, she works and dresses as a boy. But Seongyeol instantly recognizes that she’s indeed a woman, and can’t help himself from being attracted to her.

Meanwhile, the villagers are becoming paranoid about a recent mystery murder. The authorities first believe that the death was caused by a tiger’s attack, and summon hunters for their expert advice. The hunters believe that the attacks were not made by a tiger. The first one to recognize it as a work of a vampire is the tiger hunter Hoyeon. As the vampire Gwee makes efforts to hide the crime, Hoyeon is falling into danger.

Seongyeol and Yangsun work together to fight against the vampire Gwee’s conspiracy."

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Lilly

April 9, 2015 at 1:17 PM

TY for post. The story sounds good already and I bet the screen writes can pump it up even more to be very exciting and scary if they want to.

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24 Aigoooo

April 9, 2015 at 4:46 AM

On the upside, too many big names walking away from a drama just gives the not so big names a chance to step up. The downside is the drama loses some credibility. I just hope it becomes a hit.

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Lilly

April 9, 2015 at 1:19 PM

I have good hopes for it being fun to watch. Often an extra creepy factor can be added into supernatural tales set in the past that is hard to do with all the artificial lighting of the present.

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25 Nana

April 9, 2015 at 4:57 AM

Lee yubi please. Can't stand kim so eun. The fakest girl ever

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tonbotomoe

April 9, 2015 at 8:23 AM

interesting since she's been getting hate precisely because she wasn't being fake enough in real life to allow her tv persona to go beyond that but i digress

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mrcrab

April 9, 2015 at 11:21 AM

C'mon grow up girl. If that what you talking about her dating scandal while filming wgm, so you're at the wrong place.This casting stuff has nothing to do with so you named it fake girl. Sigh...We are talking about drama, not reality.
However, both KSE or LYB i'll support whatever they get. I like them both. Just confirm soon you two please!

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26 soomi

April 9, 2015 at 5:02 AM

Dramas have been casting idols and it's annoying. Some of the real actors/ actresses have been losing their chances. What's up with changmin in this drama?
I don't like Kim So Eun too. lee Yu bi is okay. I liked her in pinochio. I always appreciate dramas that cast real ones like KMHM, Punch, pinochio, healer, SOGC which of course have better qualities.

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27 john

April 9, 2015 at 5:14 AM

I just hope the drama is worth all the hubbub. If the script and/or the directing suck, it doesn't matter who is in it.

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:03 AM

unless it's a total disaster, MBC sageuks rarely flop, even the godawful Night Watchman's Journal consistently scored double digit ratings.

but yes, I do hope the script is decent.

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Gidget

April 9, 2015 at 1:30 PM

Night Watchman in double digits. Are you kidding???!!!!!

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 1:47 PM

I wish I was, but no. It really did have double digit ratings through most of its run, ugh.

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28 Rayon

April 9, 2015 at 5:21 AM

I am ok with both the girls. But kim so eun playing second lead to lee yubi doesn't feel right. Hmmm.. Anyways, if they are ok, i am ok.

Sigh!
Junki ya.. Hang in there.

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29 carmz

April 9, 2015 at 5:23 AM

I feel like if you're asking the drama fairies to just pick one they'll just want to smite you and go "Oh, alrighty then. Here's Jin Se-Yeon...you did ask me to just pick one"

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30 be5t4r

April 9, 2015 at 6:05 AM

Hope han ji min will joint the project.... jun ki surely love it......

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31 alienshore

April 9, 2015 at 6:23 AM

Ok, so my mind just went blank after I read Jin Se Yeon is OUT because i got so happy I passed out and bumped my head. YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! So Lee Yoo Bi or Kim So Eun, love them both so either way I'm a happy camper. YES!

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32 oosiee

April 9, 2015 at 6:26 AM

I'd love to see LJK romance KSE..solely to see her hubby SJR get all jealous!
Ah!
Speaking of SJR...reminds me of his long-sageuk hair era...
~sigh~wish he could join here...he can be a great (?) Vampire you know!

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33 sojuboy

April 9, 2015 at 7:03 AM

Anyone has a link to this webtoon website?

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gammiron

April 10, 2015 at 2:50 AM

Here it is: http://webtoon.daum.net/market/view/13989
Unfortunately you can only read up until 10 chapters for free. Oh, and make sure to use Internet Explorer when you open it.

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34 Mandy

April 9, 2015 at 7:13 AM

If all these rejections were just testing waters, then it surely isn't giving me a good impression of the drama. Courting Jin Se-yeon and then hearing that she's officially reject convinces me there's something really wrong with the script. I don't think she's ever done that even with the negative responses she's gotten in the past. Plus with Kim Soo-hyun and Park Hae-jin not interested, it feels as though this is another Blood in the making.

Anyway, I have no idea what's up with the female lead choices tbh. I was questioning Kim So-eun because she looks too young for Lee Jun-ki but come on now, Lee Yu-bi?! The girl looks barely 16. I would love to see some romantic chemistry since theres, you know, a love line. Maybe they'll prove me wrong but I just don't see it.

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 8:10 AM

I'm pretty sure the supposed "rejection" by JSY is just a way of saving face and pretending the actress chose to drop out, instead of the likely truth which is that the network rejected her as lead. It's what networks/production do with pretty much all unsuccessful lead role candidates.

As for the age gap, Kim So-eun looked fine with Lee Sang-yoon in Liar Game, and he's older than LJK and looks it. Same with Lee Pil-mo and Lee Yubi in Pinocchio. I don't think it'll be an issue.

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Lilly

April 9, 2015 at 1:24 PM

I like her too but she looks so bouncy and healthy.
I suppose I want someone a little more frail and goth looking to go with the theme.
Imagine if Bella had been a blonde, bouncy cheer leader type in Twilight. I am sort of going off of that.

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Chrishini

April 9, 2015 at 10:38 AM

I don't think so the actors choosing dramas by reading enough scripts, seeing how Hyun Bin ended up choosing HJM over KMHM. They might just do discussions with writers and pd teams that they should or shouldn't.

Plus, there weren't any news of KSH being courted for lead role in which those articles can be still found. Only the media and fans guessed him because of the drama produced by his agency. The news of PHJ either was not clearly mentioned that his offer was for lead role or not.
You may not know, Han Joo Wan was the first name floated for Joseon Gunman last year, and even JB and GF fault at him being courted for the lead role.

Lee Jun Ki is actually the first name announced in considering the lead character for Night Scholar as long as I know. Who knows? I'm not sure but PHJ might face the same case as Han Groo, kicked out by pd team to approach LJK or the power of SM to place Changmin.

So, I'm not yet worried about the quality of the drama itself. If the writing and directing are fabulous, even the not-so-good actors can shine by the writer's clever creation in their characters to cover the flaws. We have to wait and see.

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Chrishini

April 9, 2015 at 10:47 AM

And yes, I agree to Pogo too about JSY. I don't think she was the one likely to reject this drama because she did accepts all previous female lead roles as many as she can get, even let the timing lapped to film them. Seemed she was rejected by the pd team.
About LYB, she is talented and I think she wouldn't have problem in chemistry with LJK. She looks too young but LJK also looks too youthful for his age, his personality made him for this in my opinion. They can be well-matched.

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Krys11

April 9, 2015 at 1:25 PM

When news about KSH being courted spread, his agency did not deny it and just said that he will not be doing it. They could have said he was never offered to begin with but they said he won't do it.

And Park Hae Jin was definitely confirmed to being courted for lead. It was all over the news and they said that was what the production says. Even his agency says so. They even commented how PHJ was reading and reviewing the script and that nothing is confirmed but you can feel in their statement that PHJ seems not interested at all. If you knew PHJ and follow him as an actor he really was more drawn to dark, almost crazy, and borderline evil attitude characters (he originally signed up and wanted to play Jaekyung in YWCFTS too) so I understand him not wanting this drama. It make sense.

Lots of name came up after PHJ but all those were rumors. The one that really has a lot of confirmed articles are KSH & PHJ before LJK finally accepted.

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YooNsoNe

April 9, 2015 at 7:10 PM

I also read the news since the first stages of drama production that the reps had already denied about his casting as soon as the rumours spread. So left it to PHJ, there were none confirmed news of KSH casting. Also, Keyeast doesn't use its actors yet for their production.

I doubt PHJ as well the same case as Han groo and JSY. I know PHJ as an actor but as we know, K-ent industry doesn't run straight for many actors to pursue their likes. Now exactly this time.
Ugh, seems like this Keyeast team wants to play the media a lot. Which team wouldn't want a better lead actor, not referred to acting, for better prices from overseas? Just the actors being kicked out sounded poor and might cringe at the PD team.

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Elle

April 9, 2015 at 12:12 PM

Agree @Chrishini

Don't know why many ppl still mistaking of KSH being courted for this drama, and PHJ's offer also didn't sound like the lead role. He was cast as the male lead on cable once I think. So if he is cast as a male lead in major networks, he would be in the level of Joo Sang Wook who is often cast for female-eccentric stories. PHJ still definitely isn't the taste for the pd team of a potential prime-time slot male-eccentric drama.

Haha, let the pd team to test the water. Once the cast confirmed, promos out and broadcast begins, all will be forgotten if the drama turns to be awesome and get good reviews.

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35 Daisy

April 9, 2015 at 7:17 AM

I’m okay with either of them as the female lead as long its not JSY!!

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36 aX

April 9, 2015 at 7:20 AM

Wow! I do believe KIM SO EUN was offered the second lead and not the leading actress. Unless MBC changed their mind and offered her the leading role instead, of course.

I can see LEE YUBI play the second lead role more because it fits her aura more. I can see KIM SO EUN play as the crossdressing bookseller and pull it off. Plus she has that innocent look that could probably kill, too.

Although I would much rather have Park Min Young, Park Bo Young, or Moon Chae Won play the lead. If they want to get an idol, my choice would be Dara Park; although she'd be perfect as vampire with her unaging looks.

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37 pogo

April 9, 2015 at 7:58 AM

I'm very happy with this possible turn of events - I love Lee Yubi and Kim So-eun and would be thrilled to see them in a sageuk again, and they're both talented so I don't mind it if one plays second lead while the other is lead. They both deserve the opportunity.

Now I just hope they actually sign on the dotted line and we get some definite report on who's playing whom.

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38 tonbotomoe

April 9, 2015 at 8:24 AM

i'm cool with lee yubi :D main lead, second lead I don't mind who gets which role since they are both great

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39 Marynick

April 9, 2015 at 8:42 AM

Ah! No wonder Yubi rejected school 2015! I hope she is confirmed soon.

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40 SilentSquee

April 9, 2015 at 12:02 PM

Okay, now that JSY is out of the picture, I hope they just stick with these two actresses.

I'd prefer Lee Yubi to be the female lead, but whatever. At this point, just stick these two girls in the roles and let this whole thing be over and confirmed already. This casting thing has been driving me crazy.

No one can please all the Netizens out there. But anyone is better than JSY, imo. So... before we're left with no one except idols to play the female parts, please just cast LYB and KSE!

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pogo

April 9, 2015 at 12:48 PM

I've been rooting for Lee Yubi to get a lead role ever since Gu Family Book, but I do realise that Kim So-eun is a veteran and better known to the public (and more liked, too). I'll be happy if either of them accept.

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41 Lilly

April 9, 2015 at 1:28 PM

When I saw Moon Geun-young in Cinderella's Sister wearing black all the time and looking so goth, I thought if they ever did a vampire drama she would fit great in it.
I know she is looking around for a drama now also. If she could recreate her Cinderella's Sister character in the past for this. I think it would be a good fit. Know it won't happen, but think it would be good.

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42 Krys11

April 9, 2015 at 1:32 PM

I think LYB would be better in the cross-dressing character while KSE for the top gisaeng one. I can already picture them in those roles.

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43 SuziQ

April 9, 2015 at 1:41 PM

Made my day! JSY is out!

I hope KSE gets the lead. I think she could pull it off better as the cross dressing scholar than LY. She is a more experienced actress too and could carry the lead part. LY looks too girly to fit the part.
I hope they will announce who will be signed on soon.

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44 elvira

April 9, 2015 at 3:59 PM

Don't tell me this gonna be one of those star-studded dramas like, ahem, Heirs...

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45 yamapisukii

April 9, 2015 at 7:26 PM

am waiting for the day LYB gets to be the lead. hopefully this is it. *crosses figners* my girl needs some love!.

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46 aya

April 9, 2015 at 9:56 PM

Nope nope nooo KIm So eun.. Anyone but her and Jin Se Yeon. Lee yu is fine for me. But the first two are a big NO

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47 Rovi

April 10, 2015 at 2:47 AM

Am throwing my hands up ala-"MANSE!!!" when I read Jin Se-yeon finally got out.

*returns back to searching for news..."이홍기" is globally trending in Twitter and from what I picked up, he & Fuji Mina are actually dating*

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Rovi

April 10, 2015 at 2:51 AM

Oops wrong, it's not Fuji Mina, it's Shinozaki Ai (model)

SWAHRRY for the off topic...XP

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Kiara

April 10, 2015 at 5:49 AM

You mean Lee Hong Gi and Shinozaki are dating? Who the heck are these people and what do they have to do with this project?

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48 gammiron

April 10, 2015 at 3:15 AM

Been reading some of k-netz responses to this and it turns out they prefer KSE as the lead than LYB. This can be good or bad though, as we see that MBC somehow pays attention to k-netizens' demand as well... the good is that KSE may end up as the lead, but the bad is that MBC might drop LYB because of this. Both good and bad possibilities can happen actually, even LYB as second lead can also happen (since there are some netizens who commented that LYB matches the image of the gisaeng character better). But if they insist on giving KSE the second lead and decide to drop LYB, they may just go searching for the lead all over again... Then again, I might be wrong and MBC would probably end up going with this lineup after all.

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risu

April 10, 2015 at 3:28 PM

If LYB is to be given the second lead, there is a high possibility LYB will not take it because the role is too similar to her character in Gu Family Book.