Im Joo-eun completes love square for Lightly, Ardently
by girlfriday
I’m always happy to be seeing more of Im Joo-eun (Empress Ki, Heirs) in dramaland, even though it’s in another supporting role. She’s currently entertaining an offer to join KBS’s Lightly, Ardently, the new romance melodrama starring Kim Woo-bin and Suzy. If she signs on, she’ll be reuniting with What’s Up costar Im Joo-hwan, who’s considering an offer to play Kim Woo-bin’s rival.
The new series comes from acclaimed writer Lee Kyung-hee (Nice Guy, I’m Sorry, I Love You), and stars Kim Woo-bin as a top star and Suzy as a documentary PD. They went through a heartbreaking separation in their youth, then meet again as adults when he’s a singer-actor Hallyu star and she’s a lowly PD who’s shameless about money. As the title goes, they’ll share a relationship that starts out light and grows ardent as they fall in love.
Im Joo-hwan is up to play Mr. Perfect — a corporate director with looks, smarts, and pedigree. He even has a gentle personality to go with his perfection, which makes him sound way too good to be true. (Check for ghost possession! Just in case!)
Im Joo-eun has been offered the role of a planning manager at a cosmetics company, which is one of the subsidiaries of the company that Im Joo-hwan works for. She’s cut from the same mold as him but comes from an even more privileged background — he’s described as being born with a “golden spoon” in his mouth, while she was born with a “diamond spoon” in hers. Did we really need the metaphorical spoon to be made of diamonds, really?
She’s an heiress of a contemporary royal family that puts out generations of political leaders. Her father is the leader of the ruling political party and next in line to be a presidential candidate. She’s a person who’s used to monopolizing the best of anything in the world, which I’m sure will make for a stark contrast with Suzy’s character, who sacrifices her pride for money. I know that we need Im Joo-hwan and Im Joo-eun to provide some angst and rivalry in the central romance, but couldn’t they just leave the other two and date each other?
Lightly, Ardently is in consideration for a spot on KBS’s schedule early next year.
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Tags: Dark Hole, Im Joo-eun, Uncontrollably Fond
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1 amberscube
November 11, 2015 at 1:29 PM
I love Im Joo-eun! Excited for this drama!
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2 Cheryl
November 11, 2015 at 1:40 PM
I love her! Or rather, I love her and Kang Dong Ho. They were so great in Wild Romance.
Does anyone know what happened to him? Army? Quit acting?
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kitkat
November 11, 2015 at 2:19 PM
yay! me too! loved that drama. loved her character. :)
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lovehaydn
November 11, 2015 at 2:58 PM
Yep! He's in the army. Should be out soon though. :)
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Sera The Ms Temper
November 11, 2015 at 5:10 PM
OMAIGOD. these two were among the best thing in Wild Romance! hahaha
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Christine
November 14, 2015 at 9:58 AM
I loved that couple in Wild Romance.
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3 mary
November 11, 2015 at 1:43 PM
Yeyness. A project for her! :))))
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obessiveCompulsive
November 12, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Finally, she is such a great actress which is why its so upsetting shes once again in a supporting role. And yeah why don't the 2 Im's just get together lol.
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4 pogo
November 11, 2015 at 1:44 PM
I am so ready to see Im Joo-eun again, Heirs totally wasted her in ridiculous ways. I did love her chemistry with Choi Jin-hyuk (also wasted) and Kang Haneul though. I wish she'd reunite with either of them in a project some day.
So now that's three out of four leads who are fairly solid on the acting front....shame Lee Kyung-hee's female second leads tend to be so annoying (unless they're Han Jae-hee of Nice Guy, who was just infuriating instead - but very well acted)
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5 ketchup
November 11, 2015 at 1:46 PM
I love Woo-bin so I am looking forward for this drama. I like Joo-eun too so I hope Suzy plays up to the other costars's level.
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6 juniper
November 11, 2015 at 1:53 PM
hmmmm...does anyone else feel like they ought to swap the two leads with the two second leads lol? Im Joo-eun playing second fiddle to Suzy in a melo...just another example of how backwards casting in dramaland is. idk. Remember when Lee Kyung-hee worked with pairs like Gong Hyo-jin and Hong Soo-hyun? Those were the days.
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alua
November 11, 2015 at 2:41 PM
Both Im Joo-eun and Im Joo-hwan are terribly underrated.
They are so going to outshine the main couple.
Backwards casting indeed. Film directors should snatch them up, especially Im Joo-hwan.
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juniper
November 11, 2015 at 3:06 PM
Yeah, Im Joo-hwan deserves a lot better. At least we can always go back and watch Tamra, though (Team Park Kyu forever lol). I could be wrong, but I don't think Im Joo-eun has scored a leading role yet. Meanwhile, Suzy has branched out into sageuk (or what passes for it these days) and now melo...idk. It makes no sense until we consider the money backing Suzy and dramaland's delusions about returns on casting, which is right back where we started haha.
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shiara
November 11, 2015 at 5:31 PM
Im Joo Eun is the lead in Hon (Soul). That drama is a scary one.
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juniper
November 11, 2015 at 8:27 PM
Oh cool! Will have to check it out :)
Linh
November 11, 2015 at 5:55 PM
I wholeheartedly agree. Wish Im Joo Hwan plays the lead, he is such a talented actor
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Sophia
November 11, 2015 at 11:06 PM
I was thinking the same thing. I can't take Suzy acting seriously to believe in the drama. That's why I didn't bother watching Gu Family book. And from the comments on here, I dodge a bullet there. Hehe.
And Kim Woo Bin has only played smirky bad boy. Meh....Will probably miss this drama too.
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Sera The Ms Temper
November 11, 2015 at 5:12 PM
lol, i am about to comment the same. these two are so underrated.
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August
November 11, 2015 at 5:36 PM
Im Joo-eun playing second fiddle to Suzy in a melo…just another example of how backwards casting in dramaland is. idk. Remember when Lee Kyung-hee worked with pairs like Gong Hyo-jin and Hong Soo-hyun? Those were the days.
If we didn't know any better we would think this was another dimension - an episode of the twilight zone - but no, sadly it's reality (and not just in kdramaland either). Good casting all around in a project, those were the days. Will we ever be able to return to a time when casting the best talent for a role is the norm again?
Money determines what gets made and sold. The effects of money and greed sometimes impede upon the potential greatness and overall enjoyment of a project; distort the writer's vision; trumps the best talent in the casting process; and thereby corrupts whatever it is the project's original intent was in the first place. Continuing to miscast and let bad apples - those that lack the required acting talent & skills; refuse to study acting; and lack the determination/motivation to do the hard work required to improve - secure top billing in main lead role(s) keeps happening. Enough already. Not to mention, that many skilled and underrated actors have proven their acting prowess and talents only to be relegated to bit roles, maybe a secondary role, a tertiary character, etc.
All one can do is hope that one day soon drama faeries will bestow upon Im Joo-eun and Im Joo-hwan the "lead" roles and high praise they're both due.
Been burnt many times, too many bad experiences...I've come to a point where I caution myself on getting fully excited about casting announcements for a project until the full slate of main leads are finalized. Then I allow myself to squee.
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juniper
November 11, 2015 at 8:57 PM
Yeah, it's majorly depressing, especially when you consider that casting idols and top stars doesn't make any financial sense, either. For whatever reason dramaland operates by the faulty logic that looks and popularity will lead to success over actual honest-to-god skill and quality, only to be proven wrong time and again. It's just a bad investment, period. Idols/top stars require huge salaries, and even allowing for the state ratings are in across the board, rarely give shows a boost significant enough to make a return on their investment. Obviously there are some exceptions, like Jeon Ji-hyun, but Suzy is no JJH, in terms of celebrity or skill.
I feel your pain--I've been burned a lot, too. It just sucks that we have to expect the worst all the time or get let down. These days I just settle for ignoring sour notes in otherwise good casts (The Village) or being surprised when someone doesn't make me want to spork my eyes out (AM 1988).
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pogo
November 12, 2015 at 10:49 AM
/sigh
I agree with you there. It's ridiculous that even Lee Kyung-hee has stooped to working with the likes of Suzy and then trying to dress that casting up as being for any other reason besides the endorsement money and attention.
Don't put poo on my plate and tell me it's foie gras, basically.
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meenuby
November 11, 2015 at 9:06 PM
@juniper
That was totally my first thought too...it's sad how IJH and IJE are relegated to second lead roles when they have so much talent to offer.
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anastassia
November 12, 2015 at 12:13 AM
Agreed. She is very much talented and first lead material.
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7 lordseungri
November 11, 2015 at 2:24 PM
Wohoo love her!
I have a bad feeling I'm going to love her more than Suzy and ship her with KWB instead
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8 tapiocapearl
November 11, 2015 at 2:35 PM
Or both Ims could just do their own drama where they're the leads? But seriously, they should just have their own love line. Don't want them being meddly, annoying second leads.
I loved Im Joo-eun in What's Up, but it's been four years since that. When is dramaland gonna have her be a lead?????
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9 sisterkiller
November 11, 2015 at 2:50 PM
yesss! im joo eun is always effortlessly the cool girl in town. something about her makes her feel like an unpredictable variable in any project.
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10 mia
November 11, 2015 at 3:37 PM
Yay I've been waiting for Im Joo eun!!!
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11 Quiet Thought
November 11, 2015 at 3:49 PM
Here's a similar metaphor from Africa:
"She's a rich girl
She don't try to hide it
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
"She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
People say she's crazy
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Well that's one way to lose these
Walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes"
Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mombassa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmf9ZJ_Yn0A
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12 Zah
November 11, 2015 at 3:56 PM
Please learn how to act Suzy. Please please please.
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13 Mini Roo
November 11, 2015 at 4:15 PM
What's Up feeeeeels
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14 Ivoire
November 11, 2015 at 4:30 PM
Thank you at Quiet Thought, for the metaphor from Africa.
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15 crazylu
November 11, 2015 at 4:46 PM
Meh heh heh. Looking like they're setting up for the second leads to out-act the famous headliners. Count on it.
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16 Sera The Ms Temper
November 11, 2015 at 5:17 PM
I have a selfish wish, to see the second leads outshine the main leads. Not hating KWB and Suzy, but I always have a soft spot for supporting actors. KWB and Suzy got the main lead, simply because they are more popular, not a better actors..
Err, can we have Im Joo-hwan and Im Jo-Eun become the main leads?
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Hwari
November 11, 2015 at 8:07 PM
How bout they become lead because the writer want them. Not because they're popular. That's why when this drama been announced, the writer and the leads been mentioned.
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Sera The Ms Temper
November 11, 2015 at 9:54 PM
Well, we don't know for sure. but is writer has a full right to choose the actors he/she want in a drama?
I still stick in my opinion that the most reason they were chosen because of their popularity, rather than their acting skill.
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shirayukihime
May 31, 2016 at 4:44 PM
agree.. they're pre-produced it for china... selling it to china with a high price.. so i agree that they were chosen cause of popularity
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17 canxi
November 11, 2015 at 5:30 PM
Yeah, when I read this I also thought, why can't we just have two couples so I can root for the Ims, lol!
Kinda want to watch for Im Joo Eun and Im Joo Hwan. Hope that Kim Woo Bin and Suzy both step it up acting next to those two.
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18 sw33tnshie
November 11, 2015 at 5:56 PM
I agree with everyone about wanting im joo hwan getting another lead role besides tamra....but if he takes this role, i think it will suit him well. He is 'mr perfect'..haha.
I'm not into Suzy either and I'm not sure if i saw any of im joo eun's dramas....both wouldn't she play that role better?? (Even if it is a second lead)
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19 pigtookie
November 11, 2015 at 7:22 PM
Yup, this completes it for sure. Typical higher profile lead casting with more talented actors as second leads, in the usual kind of stereotypes we have for characters. I can't complain though, because this is bound to bring Im Joo Hwan and Im Joo Eun more exposure, and I'd be thrilled to see them together in a show again. They had a few good scenes together in What's Up. Speaking of which, we need more What's Up reunions in dramaland.
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kira
November 11, 2015 at 11:15 PM
Oh I would LOVE to see Jo Jung-suk and Kim Ji Won in a comedy movie. I think they could pull it off really nicely.
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20 kdramaddict01
November 11, 2015 at 7:34 PM
I love this actress! And I agree it would be interesting and exciting if IJE and IJH's characters are a romantic couple in the drama.
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21 kdramaddict01
November 11, 2015 at 7:37 PM
I was torn about watchng this one because while I like KWB as an actor and don't care for Suzy as an actress. But IJE and IJH are tipping the scale towards me watching this drama.
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22 PeepsLeAwesomePotato
November 11, 2015 at 8:00 PM
Lol, Im JooHwan and Im JooEun. IJH vs IJE. Their names make it sound like they're siblings.
I have nothing else to say until the drama airs at which time I may or may still not have anything to say about the drama.
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23 kdramaddict01
November 11, 2015 at 8:18 PM
I saw her in Heirs and wished that she and CJH were the leads with their storyline. I would like to see them in a drama together again as lead. Before Heirs, I also saw her in Wild Romance and ended up sticking with the drama because of the romantic story line with KDH character. These are 2 of just a handful of dramas where I didn't watch for the main storyline but rather a secondary story line.
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24 daydreamer
November 11, 2015 at 8:32 PM
Ooh, a What's Up reunion ??
To be honest, I prefer the secondary leads more. They have great charisma and screen presence
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25 kira
November 11, 2015 at 11:11 PM
It's been 10 years since this girl debuted. Why hasn't she gotten a lead role yet? Not to mention she's gonna be 30 in korean age very soon, so her chances of getting a lead part are diminishing. I know there are plenty of lead parts that require a more mature woman, but you have to be established already to get those, you know like Shin min ah, Gong hyo jin or Song hye kyo. Such wasted talent!
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Sera The Ms Temper
November 11, 2015 at 11:57 PM
I just hope the time will come. She has been in few high rated dramas, such as Heirs and Empress Ki, unfortunately she is yet to receive any role that can establish her status as an actress.
Err i really have a long list for many underrated actors/actresses who have so many talent to offer. Unfortunately, the opportunity is not there... hmm. I wish cable tv will give her opportunity in the future.
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anastassia
November 12, 2015 at 12:18 AM
If there is any drama I always imagine why it isnt Im Joo Eun and hope it will be her instead. Suzy is trying hard but she arent capable just yet but popularity and demand in the industry make her lucky like this.
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26 Elianne
November 12, 2015 at 1:40 AM
I love love love KWB but seriously, who do I have to bribe to get a drama with Im Joo-hwan and Im Joo-eun as the leads??
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kororo
November 12, 2015 at 6:42 AM
+++++1
More Im Joo-eun is always good, I love her. I might have to add this drama to my list now...
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Sera The Ms Temper
November 12, 2015 at 4:51 PM
Join me in your bribe, dear
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Elianne
November 12, 2015 at 8:10 PM
Crowdsourcing bribes ftw!
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27 Adal
November 12, 2015 at 3:53 AM
So they could choose the main leads based on popularity to ensure the ratings, but they're not sure they can carry the drama so they choose strong and talented second leads to boost the acting and ensure that the drama reaches its conclusion. Sounds like a winning combination to me, one more drama casting completed kdrama world...next!
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noure
November 12, 2015 at 6:25 AM
+1
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28 graey
November 12, 2015 at 3:59 AM
Team Im's!! Let it be like High Society! The drama sounds so cliche. A rich-rich loveline would be refreshing.
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29 hwajung
November 12, 2015 at 5:12 AM
Im joo run unni, I luff u. Kim won bin and Suzy as lead. hope dere won't b a kiss scene cus I'm already thinking about Lee min woo making an appearance and tearing the whole place apart. ' imagining all sort of weird things and wiggling my brows in anticipation'.
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30 Hailey
November 12, 2015 at 2:20 PM
I'm torn. I was not expecting to watch the drama because of the early cast, but two of my favorite Ims have confirmed. Why drama Gods, why?! Will probably skip to their scenes only. I cannot stand Suzy and not a big fan of Woo Bin, unfortunately. ;(
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Sera The Ms Temper
November 12, 2015 at 4:59 PM
Me too. At first, I already decided not to watch this. I liked KWB in School 2013 ( more than LJS), and in Heirs (more than LMH) unfortunately I am not ready to see him in melo, yet. Not yet convinced by Suzy's acting, on top of that, melo.
But with Ims confirmed, I cant say no to to this drama anymore. I loved Im Jo Eun in Wild Romance, Heirs (criminally underused) and Empress Ki ( She is villain, but she proved it that she can be versatile).
Dear writernim, our sincere wish, give Ims equal screen time, they really deserve it. Just make a loveline between these two. Give them a chance to actually reveal to us their real talent.
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31 mateus
November 12, 2015 at 6:07 PM
Im Joo Eun with her sexy aura...owh...I will happy to dedicate my life to keep my face under her armpit...yummy
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32 lizzy
November 14, 2015 at 10:20 AM
I'll watch out for this bec of IJE and IJH!! I love them since What's Up. I've always wanted to see them in a drama together (as leads)
Can the writer make some twist & have them end up as a couple or with a loveline at least? Joo Eun once said that they're the captains of ‘Im Joo family’:D <3 <3 <3
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