Chuno, Runaway PD comes back with cable spy drama Neighborhood Hero
by javabeans
Director Kwak Jung-hwan is in talks to come back with a new blockbuster action-spy drama, this time for cable channel OCN, and here’s to hoping he gives us more of the action and intrigue of Chuno and Conspiracy in the Court that made him famous, rather than the disappointments of hyped follow-up projects Runaway Plan B and Basketball.
The new project is operating under the working title Neighborhood Hero and, according to PD Kwak, has been in pre-production for a long while. It has a reported production budget of 8 billion won (which translates to close to $7 million USD) and takes the concept of “neighborhood spy action” drama, although I have no idea what those words together mean in terms of drama genre. The only thing I can think of is the (unrelated) blockbuster film Covertly, Grandly, which had spy-action elements but also close-knit neighborhoody relationships. Is that what they mean? It’s hard to tell, though I suppose it’s not a bad project to emulate since that movie was a box-office smash.
In any case, PD Kwak does do better with this kind of plot, all fast action and spy antics. Chuno was super-charged with energy and testosterone, and while Runaway Plan B was less of a hit, I did end up really enjoying its globe-trotting caper comedy beats (even if the plot itself was outlandish and unrealistic—but Lee Jung-jin, chasing Rain, over and over and over again? That was good times). Basketball was a strange exercise in dour histo-reality that was tanked by terrible rookie acting, but hopefully PD Kwak has learned from that and will be using his flashy directorial touch to better effect for Neighborhood Hero.
One thing’s for sure: With OCN up to broadcast the drama, there’s lots of room for cool effects, gritty action, and stylish direction. The timelsot is still undecided, though PD Kwak did say he plans to work with a rookie scriptwriter, with casting and detailed plans still in planning stages. Neighborhood Hero is aiming a 20-episode run.
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Tags: Basketball, Chuno, Runaway Plan B
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1 mary
August 14, 2015 at 10:22 AM
Aah, Basketball. *wipes tears*
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Kiara
August 14, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Oh the prayer circles. Heads stay away from recapping this lol.
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fab
August 14, 2015 at 11:47 AM
Heads is a pro, she can handle any drama demons.
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bbstl
August 14, 2015 at 3:12 PM
hahahahahaaaaa. Did the second lead from Basketball show up in other dramas? I thought he had potential *leers*.
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Kiara
August 17, 2015 at 9:23 AM
Sadly that was the only drama he has done so far.
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2 Kiara
August 14, 2015 at 11:29 AM
Chuno and Conspiracy in the Court were pretty awesome sageuks.
Haven't seen a K-spy drama/movie that I like beside Shiri. I might check it out if I like the writer and the lead actors.
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bd5
August 16, 2015 at 3:52 AM
Thought "Chuno" was pretty boring (wasn't much intrigue at all) - as it was basically one endless chase scene interrupted by killings.
Beautiful cinematography, tho.
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Kiara
August 17, 2015 at 10:02 AM
Not as intriguing as Conspiracy in the Court but I liked it a lot.
That particular historical timeline always gets me and I've never dislike a sageuk based on King Injo's reign although I hate him to pieces. "War of the arrows", Cruel palace: war of the flowers", "Chuno", are some of my favorites.
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3 riya
August 14, 2015 at 11:48 AM
Totally enjoyed Runaway Plan B
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4 fab
August 14, 2015 at 12:27 PM
http://www.dramabeans.com/2010/03/will-chuno-have-a-season-2/
It's sad this was just talk.
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5 eunchans
August 14, 2015 at 1:45 PM
Please work with a good writer this time, PD Kwak!!!!
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6 Mandy
August 14, 2015 at 3:29 PM
I loved Chuno and Plan B's second half was fantastic and very flashy. Both lacked actual substance but I can't deny I enjoyed them immensely so I'm looking forward to what he'll do with this new one. Also, if it's anything close to how awesome Covertly, Grandly was, then I'm so in. That movie still makes me cry when I see it.
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7 prettysup
August 14, 2015 at 3:53 PM
Ooh I love Chuno !!
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8 kanz
August 14, 2015 at 9:30 PM
Based on Kwak PD's leading men and IF he wants to bring someone he had worked with as the main lead, I guess we probably could hope for:
1. Rain
2. Oh Ji Ho (Jang Hyuk isn't available)
3. Jin Yi Han
4. Lee Jung Jin
But neighbourhood spy?? The premise alone makes me want Ji Chang Wook starring in this drama..
I want him to be super cool spy but dorky and clumsy in real life, like Healer Seo Jung Hoo and Park Bong Soo..
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mary
August 15, 2015 at 5:26 AM
Of the 4 you listed, I hope to see Jin Yi Han. He's talented but for some reason can't break into solid leading man status. :(
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Kiara
August 17, 2015 at 10:06 AM
I'm all for Jin Yi-han for lead here. He's so good but underrated.
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9 kakashi
August 15, 2015 at 3:19 AM
I'm in.
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10 parny
August 15, 2015 at 4:46 AM
Chuno was awsome!!!!
Roookie script writer....ummm.....we'll see the reviews before watching.
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