News bites: December 13, 2015

by awcoconuts

Kang Dong-won, Lee Byun-heon

• Offers are out to Chungmuro stars Kang Dong-won (Black Priests) and Lee Byung-heon (Terminator Genisys) to team up in the film Master, the latest from director Jo Eui-seok (Cold Eyes). The criminal action thriller about cops and crooks will begin filming next year. [Dong A]
• A few updates on the sageuk Hwarang: It will begin filming in January, finish production in May and begin airing concurrently on KBS and Youku Tudou in Korea and China next June. As of now, Park Hyung-shik has confirmed, while Park Seo-joon and Go Ara are still in talks. The number of episodes is still TBD. [Osen]


Eom Ki-joon, Song Chang-eui, Leo

• The revival of the musical Mata Hari, based on the life of the infamous female spy and dancer, has cast Song Chang-eui (Dr. Frost), Eom Ki-joon (Masked Prosecutor) and idol Leo of VIXX (real name Jung Taek-woon). They will rotate in the role of Armand, the only man Mata Hari ever loved. The musical was a flop when it first hit the stage in 1967 and a 1996 revival didn’t fare much better; let’s hope this version directed by Jeff Calhoun (Broadway’s Grease and Newsies) is much more successful. Mata Hari aims to make its world premiere at Blue Square in March. [Sports Kyunghyang]
• He’s mostly been in musicals over the past few years, but soon-to-be father and old school Hallyu star Ahn Jae-wook (Light and Shadow) is currently mulling over a role in weekend drama Five Kids, which will follow the conclusion of Please Mom on KBS.[Xports News]


Ahn Jae-wook, Seohyun

• SNSD’s Seohyun will star as Sophie in Mamma Mia! on stage. The musical based on ABBA songs ended a successful run in Korea a few years ago, and many from the original cast, including renowned musical theater actress Choi Jung-won and singer/actor Lee Hyun-woo (Oh My Lady), have returned to reprise their roles. Seohyun will alternate as Sophie with rookie Park Ji-yeon, and Mamma Mia! will run from February 24 through June 4 at Charlotte Theater. Tickets will be sold beginning December 17. [Xsports News]
• Writer Kim Soo-hyun has been commissioned to write 60 episodes of upcoming weekend drama Yes That’s How It Is. It’s a sign of SBS’s faith in writer Kim and in her fan base, as many weekenders span 50 episodes (not to mention SBS had gotten rid of the timeslot entirely and are now resurrecting it). Yes That’s How It Is will premiere in February and wrap in September. [Joongang]


Kim Tae-hoon, Shin Hyun-bin, Seo Joon-young

• It feels like he was everywhere this past year, and now Kim Tae-hoon (Hidden Identity, Angry Mom) will play Yoo Inna’s husband in One More Happy Ending. Born to a wealthy family, he dreamed of a happy marriage with Yoo’s character, but he’ll suffer because his wife distances herself from him after childbirth. Shin Hyun-bin (Fermentation Family) has been cast as the former wife of Kwon Yul’s doctor, an ob/gyn in her own right. One More Happy Ending airs Wednesdays-Thursdays beginning January 20 on MBC. [Sports Worldi, New Daily]
• Cute, Seo Joon-young will play the lead opposite Lee Yuri (his Woo-hyuk puppy-loved her Mi-rae in Superdaddy Yeol) in her upcoming daily, which has had a name change from Rose of Betrayal to Heavenly Woman. Seo’s character had a horrible childhood and was abandoned by his mother. Raised by his physically and mentally abusive uncle, he poured all of his energy into studying while growing up, vowing payback upon those who looked down on him. It’s too bad the daily drama sounds like typical daily fare; I couldn’t get past the first few over-the-top plotlines before my eyes glazed over. [Joongang]

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