Im Joo-hwan up to rival Kim Woo-bin in Lightly, Ardently

59 October 27, 2015July 19, 2021

Im Joo-hwan up to rival Kim Woo-bin in Lightly, Ardently

by javabeans

Im Joo-hwan (Oh My Ghostess) may have tapped into his darker side in his last drama, but he’s looking to return to his nicer boy-next-door side for his (potential) next project, KBS’s Lightly, Ardently, alongside previously cast Kim Woo-bin (Heirs) and Suzy (Gu Family Book). Current reports are that he received the offer and is positively considering it, with all the usual caveats.

It looks like Lightly, Ardently is all about opposites and contrasts, starting with the title, which is meant to be contradictory. Then you have Kim Woo-bin playing a “super-lofty” Hallyu megastar, while Suzy is a “super-low” and obsequious documentary PD. They were separated in a heartbreaking fashion as children, then meet again as adults, starting out at odds with each other and then developing into an ardent love.

Im Joo-hwan would play Kim Woo-bin’s rival, a corporate director of planning who is so perfect—he’s got the looks, brains, personality, sense, and family background—that he seems like “God’s masterpiece.” Um, not to oversell it or anything. He’ll be a gentle, sweet, warm character who ought to provide a sharp contrast to the hero’s hauteur.

The drama comes from writer Lee Kyung-hee, who’s a practiced hand at romance melodramas (I’m Sorry, I Love You; A Love to Kill). I’d call her recent dramas more along the lines of light melodrama, though, in that they incorporate emotional angst and tears without being overly intense or heavy, which, between you and me, is how I prefer it (see: Thank You, Will It Snow For Christmas, Nice Guy). Just to give you a sense of what we might expect.

Lightly, Ardently intends to be half-pre-produced and will air in the first half of 2016.

Via TV Report

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1 hana

October 27, 2015 at 7:15 AM

If you ignore the fact that the character was a total psychopath, I really loved his role in oh my ghostess. His acting was great which made it sad that he was a villain since initially I was hoping for a love triangle with her past love and her new love for chef. But it went a different way~ it will be nice for him to play a role I can love him in haha

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2 neener

October 27, 2015 at 7:26 AM

After OMG, I wanted to see more him so this might be nice exceeeepppttt, Suzy's there huhuhu Sorry to her fans though.

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3 cocoonedsoul

October 27, 2015 at 7:32 AM

when will dramaland give im juhwan lead roles again? :( DIDN'T YOU GUYS WATCH WHATS UP
... oh wait, no one did.

but tbh i've watched him in many roles, and all his roles gave me the creeps, even if he was the nice guy. there's something unnerving about him, like if i saw him alone in an alley, i would run. (unless, you know, he smiles and i'm distracted by the pretty)

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KompaktneHaare

October 27, 2015 at 7:51 AM

You are quite right about that :D

Why did no-one watch What's UP?? Seriously.. it was seriously good..

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kira

October 27, 2015 at 1:09 PM

Well it would have had better ratings, but being pushed back several times due to one of the leads' RL scandal didn't do much good to it, so yeah, that was the result. I'm talking about Daesung's accident which ended in someone losing his life btw.

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damianna

October 27, 2015 at 7:57 AM

I did watch it and I liked it, a lot.

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gumihotales

October 27, 2015 at 8:00 AM

I watched What's Up! Loved that drama lol. I actually rewatched it not too long ago after I finished Oh My Ghostess because of him. I miss him in a leading role even though he did do a fantastic job in that drama as a second lead.

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violetsakura

October 27, 2015 at 8:32 AM

I did! And it's a gem! It's really a shame so many drama addicts have not seen it... and I have liked him since What's Up! He was awesome in Oh My Ghostess too!

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boomboompow

October 27, 2015 at 8:34 AM

I thought it was just me! Although, I did watch Whats Up after OMG so it could be because of that too.

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gaeinalee

October 27, 2015 at 8:46 AM

I watched it too! You're not alone.. ^^

There are people who watched and loved What's Up, and the casts.. how could I forget this drama that full with aspiring young talented actors? Sadly, it just less hyped compare to other drama during that time, like IRY this year, or Nine 2 years ago.

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pogo

October 27, 2015 at 8:57 AM

I'm convinced no one did watch What's Up and that is the reason why, four years later, Jo Jong-seok is the only one of the cast to have moved into lead roles proper.

There is no other reason why Im Joo-hwan, Kim Ji-won or Im Joo-eun would still be playing supporting roles now.

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canxi

October 27, 2015 at 9:00 AM

And Ugly Alert (where he was the lead with Kang Sora) was great, too. Pretty different from the usual daily drama; I really enjoyed it.

But the PD did say how he kind of had to put up a bit of a fight to get Im Joo Hwan that role, lol.

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Ali

October 27, 2015 at 10:12 AM

LOL, he was kind of creepy in the episode of Running Man he was on that was a mafia game. I kept thinking he was the mafia because of his expression, but he was just thinking very hard (and he was quite intelligent, really, I was impressed).

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Mary A

October 27, 2015 at 11:49 AM

I did watch it and I loved it. I liked IJH since then and disappointed why they don't give him a leading role anymore :(

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Jig

October 27, 2015 at 12:26 PM

I love What's Up! The main girl was a newbie too at the time and was really good. I should check out if she's done anything else lately...

Im Joo-hwan was also really good in the movie The Suicide Forecast. He played a fairly minor role but the whole movie is really good.

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kira

October 27, 2015 at 1:05 PM

You mean Kim Ji Won? She's Yoo Rachel from Heirs and she'll be in Descendants of the Sun airing next year. She's done quite a few projects after What's up, just not in lead role (except for her web drama with So Ji Sub). None of the other girls were newbies so I assume you're referring to her.

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Peridot

October 27, 2015 at 2:37 PM

LOL! I watched What's Up. I've been a fan of Lim Joohwan for a long time and have been wondering when he'll be recognized for his talents. But I would rather he take on roles that challenge and/or interest him. Fame is not everything.

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Sera The Ms Temper

October 27, 2015 at 6:27 PM

sadly I never watch it. Maybe i am forgiven since i just become an addict for 2-3 years lol. But will watch it, there are many casts that attracted me.. TQ for mentioning it :)

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youcallitwinter

October 28, 2015 at 8:00 PM

imo, one of the best dramas I've EVER seen. What's Up ran circles round most dramas of its ~type in terms of acting, characters, friendships, shipping chemistry etc. I was so invested in it, and the OTP is just one of my absolute favorites. Im Joo Hwan was gold, so gorgeously nuanced. Everything about that drama was insanely well done, I remember writing a rec post for it and everything, because I wanted everybody ever to see it. I still feel cheated out of a second season, it was way too good for the shoddy broadcast treatment it received.

Also, like, the writer was Song Ji Na, who also wrote Healer, HOW CAN PEOPLE STILL NOT HAVE SEEN THIS?!

GO WATCH. AMEN.

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4 ObsessedMuch

October 27, 2015 at 7:32 AM

I really liked him in OMG. He is a good actor and good looking too(though not really someone who can be called "God’s masterpiece"). But now that I have seen him playing a villain, I dunno if I would like him as a second lead, and that too opposite Kim Woo Bin. I mean second leads are usually supposed to be quite lovable and worth rooting for. I don't see myself rooting for him if his competitor is Woo Bin!

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5 natalie?

October 27, 2015 at 7:36 AM

I would prefer it if they put a little comedy in it? I am not kidding. Is that possible? I am so nervous with this drama ... writer -nim do well! Is next year all about melos and serious dramas ?

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6 fay17

October 27, 2015 at 7:38 AM

Old wine in new bottle..the story never changes...

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pogo

October 27, 2015 at 7:57 AM

ha, I literally just commented below that the premise sounded like a genderflip of Producer, but inserted into a melo.

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fay17

October 27, 2015 at 8:31 AM

Kdramas keep producing these typical second leads who are nice..check..good looking...check..director/top official in some blah blah company check...and of course nice to the poor heroine while the hero is the obvious jerk..check...This needs to stop...story wise there is nothing new anymore..these days I keep watching any new series for two or three episodes and then leave it midway.The nice visuals is not enough to keep you hooked for 16 plus hours lol.

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7 pogo

October 27, 2015 at 7:42 AM

Is it just me or does the whole star/PD thing sound a lot like Producer, with Baek Seung-chan and Cindy's genders reversed?

And I love Im Joo-hwan, but seriously, he should be a leading man in his own right. Did no one watch Ugly Alert?

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alua

October 27, 2015 at 8:02 AM

Definitely someone who should get leading roles. He's for sure better than both Woobie (who has potential) and Suzy (ummmmm).

I guess he's not cookie-cutter pretty in the bland way that many people like. He's got his own, very distinct & charming face (unless he plays creepy like in OMG of course).

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canxi

October 27, 2015 at 9:01 AM

Lol, I watched Ugly Alert. :D

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August

October 27, 2015 at 9:24 AM

In addition to Ugly Alert...but after watching Im Joo-hwan in Tamra the Island how could he not be a leading man in more dramas? It's a travesty, I tell you!

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bugs_bunny

October 27, 2015 at 2:16 PM

+1 for tamra the island, i believe that was his best role thus far...

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momosa

October 27, 2015 at 2:39 PM

Love, love him in Tamra.

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kuromitsu

October 28, 2015 at 3:08 AM

I loved Ugly Alert. It's the reason why I'm not scared to try kdramas with more than 20 episodes.

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8 fabdrama

October 27, 2015 at 8:08 AM

"God's masterpiece" is actually new, good one writers.

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9 teacarina

October 27, 2015 at 8:10 AM

That drama plot sounds a hell lot like many others. Hopefully they'll bring something new to the story.

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10 Alyssa

October 27, 2015 at 8:12 AM

Finally. I'm still wondering why he's still playing second lead? I've loved him since Tamra, the Island! Park Kyu is still one of my favorite drama characters ever.

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11 tia

October 27, 2015 at 8:16 AM

The plot sounds like something from early hallyu era dramas

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12 urbangirl

October 27, 2015 at 8:29 AM

Add me to the What's Up fan club. Also loved Jo Jung Seok and Lim Jo Eun in WU. It had so many good actors.

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13 Elianne

October 27, 2015 at 8:53 AM

Ah what would a drama be without extreme diametric characters? Of course he's 'super-lofty' (read: arrogant jerk) and of course she's 'super low' (read: plucky & powerless).

It sounds like any other drama out there, but I love KWB and IJH and I'm ok with Suzy so count me in?

That said, pleeeease don't waste KWB in another heir-sih abuser role. I still have arguments with my friend who thinks his character was so "romantic, just misunderstood". UGH

And how many rain dances do I have to do to get IJH a lead role? He was wonderfully creepy and scary in OMG that I'd love to see him in a funny rom-com just to get my mind blown. (I know he was in What's Up but I spoiled it then by reading all the recaps and now I can't watch it :( Also, I tried Ugly Alert and quit after a few episodes; the childhood backstory was so infuriating, I couldn't stomach seeing the adult characters)

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14 gaeinalee

October 27, 2015 at 8:54 AM

I guess I'll watch this drama for the male actors, IJH is talented and KWB has lot of potential. As for female lead, uhh, has she improves yet? I like her in DH 1 and Architecture 101, but afterward...

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15 canxi

October 27, 2015 at 9:02 AM

YAY! Well, everyone is sure to be watching this show so he'll have lots of exposure. Now, I have a solid reason to tune in as well.

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16 Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan

October 27, 2015 at 9:12 AM

Oh no, I wasn't going to watch this but Im Joo-hwan. He was so good in OMG, totally broke my heart. I couldn't finish What's Up because Ji-won's character irritated me so much and I got bored. He's going to act circles around Woo-bin and Suzy for sure.

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nomad

October 27, 2015 at 9:40 AM

Agreed...he's certainly the better actor from the others.

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17 risa

October 27, 2015 at 10:07 AM

I'm really fond of him, especially after watching him in What's Up and Ugly Alert-- I don't know if I can bear to watch him play a sweet guy who gets his heart broken. Hopefully he'll get another love interest before the drama ends.

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18 eunchans

October 27, 2015 at 10:10 AM

The role sounds like something he could play in his sleep tbh. On the upside, at least he could get some good exposure through this show? It's pretty hyped already.

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pogo

October 27, 2015 at 10:54 AM

I doubt it. Lee Kyung-hee dramas don't typically make their second leads too interesting, she prefers to concentrate her efforts on the main leads so no one can sneak up and steal their thunder (Nice Guy was kind of an exception that way, with Park Shi-yeon's character. And she was a villain there)

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19 Alessar

October 27, 2015 at 10:23 AM

He seems like a weird inclusion in this mix. He's a great actor, but the show sounds dumb. You've got two people who are really popular and younger, and then you have this handsome veteran in a smaller role. Surely after Oh My Ghostess he can get something better.

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20 yayabean

October 27, 2015 at 11:01 AM

Inadvertently Beanies have assigned homework, must watch What's Up.

I agree with the prior comments, he's a great actor and his smile is captivating, which is why he gave me the creeps in OMG.

Must Suzy be on this project? Ugh.

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21 weirdnshort

October 27, 2015 at 11:38 AM

I'll pass on this. Melodrama isn't my thing. Still sounds cliche.

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22 ^6dragons

October 27, 2015 at 12:28 PM

I actually wanted him to dive right back into dark, twisted characters. OMG was a nice transition in it. There wasn't enough of him in OMG. I mean people end up remembering dark and twisted character better than typical boy-next-door character but anyways I support him.

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23 kira

October 27, 2015 at 1:07 PM

Th role seems boring, give the man something meaty to work with, he has the talent for it.

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Sera The Ms Temper

October 27, 2015 at 6:23 PM

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kalel

October 29, 2015 at 11:38 AM

+1! I watched him in that third-rate role in BoF but I was still wondering who he was (and what the only talented actor was doing in that school play to begin with). I think he's one of those artists who's able to make something out of nothing. I wish him all the luck on this project!

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24 Sajen

October 27, 2015 at 1:27 PM

This is an odd cast for me, I like Kim Woo-bin, I love everything I've seen Im Joo-hwan in and Suzy is very very pretty.

As for the writer Thank You remains one of my favorite dramas of all time thinks in ;large part to the cast.

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25 eerinmide

October 27, 2015 at 5:38 PM

What must I do, DramaGods? Rain dances? Blood sacrifice? Surrender my first born son? WHAT MUST I DO TO GET SUZY OFF THIS DRAMA?? My heart already breaks just thinking about it! Of all the million girls in the world, why pick her DramaGods? Why?? Is this punishment because of how much I hate BOF and everything Lee Min Ho these days?? Is this what hell is like ?? :"( *cue overdramatic wail*

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26 Sera The Ms Temper

October 27, 2015 at 6:22 PM

This guy deserves lead role!

But i do understand, some actors want to become real actors and try variety of roles, instead of stuck to lead role with similar type of roles. But i sincerely hope if Im Joo hwan wants to take a second lead role, just make sure it is worth it, instead of typical role.

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27 REI

October 28, 2015 at 1:04 AM

The storyline can describe any popular drama, I guess they playing safe for rating (and sell out to other countries). That being said, I want Im Joo Hwan character have a dark twist, he was so perfect in OMG

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28 natalie?

October 28, 2015 at 1:59 AM

does anyone think that his vibe is familiar with Jack Gleeson? Especially the smirk ... ?

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29 Franbergh II

October 28, 2015 at 2:38 AM

why there is seems no producer or writer want to cast kim woo bin and kim ji won together again??!!
if only they change suzy's place to kim ji won, that would be interesting reunion for her with both actors :D

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youcallitwinter

October 28, 2015 at 7:53 PM

Oh my god, Kim Ji Won with two of her (sort of leading men), Im Joo Hwan (her and Joo Hwan in What's Up is still one of my favorite drama couples of ALL TIMES by miles, I was so ridic invested in them) and Kim Woo Bin (who she had excellent chemistry with in Heirs). WHY DIDN'T THIS HAPPEN?! I mean, of course, if it did happen, I probably wouldn't even be able to watch the drama because I would def be unable to give up on Joo Hwan/Ji Won post What's Up. But I LOVE Kim Woo Bin, so I wouldn't be completely second lead shipping either, and basically I would've been driven crazy. SO GREAT, I'M ALREADY CRYING AT THE LOST POSSIBILITIES.