News bites: December 20, 2015

by awcoconuts

Kim Nam-joo, Lee Min-ho

• War of Roses has lured Kim Nam-joo (You Who Rolled In Unexpectedly) back to dramaland after a four-year hiatus. Her character was born into a wealthy family and previously never wanted for anything, but she’ll struggle after marrying a doctor who doesn’t earn much income. For her family, she’ll deny her inbred taste for the finer things in life. A remake of the Chinese novel Chinese-Style Divorce, Joo Chan-ok (Fated to Love You) will pen the adaptation, while Yoo Hyun-ki (Unkind Women) will direct. KBS has yet to determine the timeslot/format for the show. [Joongang]
• At a recent promotional event for Ferrero Rocher in Taipei, Taiwan, Lee Min-ho (he was commissioned as the chocolate brand’s first Asian model beginning in October) greeted his fans and talked about his upcoming work, saying, “Bounty Hunters was my first [global] project so the experience itself was new to me.” The movie, which also stars Wallace Chung and Tiffany Tang, hits theaters in 2016. [Dong A]


Namgoong Min, Lee Yeol-eum

• Yay for Namgoong Min (Remember–Son’s War) — he’s been cast as the lead in Only One Love Like You, the 16-episode drama special from TV Chosun that’s also cast Kevin and Eli (of U-KISS) and singer Kangnam. Namgoong is a malicious and self-centered top star (and chaebol heir, of course), who has a tender and affectionate side. Lee Yeol-eum (Village: Secret of Achiara) has been cast as the lead opposite him (good for her, it’s barely been two years since the 19-year-old’s debut) and will play a modern-day Candy, doggedly pursuing her dreams. Her character’s nicknamed the “queen of part-time jobs,” and her bright smile will hide the pain caused by her first love. Only One Love Like You will air in the first half of 2016. [Sports Chosun 1, 2]
• If this were a real pairing, dem babies would have some serious cheekbones: Kim Jae-wook (Age of Feeling) will play a Japanese nobleman and Sohn Ye-jin’s husband in Princess Deokhye. Theirs is a marriage of convenience while Park Hae-il is the real hero, but that doesn’t stop me from fantasizing about Kim-Sohn offspring. [Osen]


Kim Jae-wook, Sandara Park, Jeon No-min

• Cutie Sandara Park — girl’s been busy; she’s been in one, two, three web dramas this year — will make a guest appearance on One More Happy Ending. I guess the more the merrier when it comes to Jang Nara and Yoo Inna’s former girl group: Park joins them as a popular ex-bandmate and currently successful actress. One More Happy Ending premieres January 20 on MBC. [Xports News]
• Jeon No-min (Six Flying Dragons) has been cast in tvN’s Memory as a brilliant lawyer. He’s the son of the law firm’s founding partner and the man who initially recruited Lee Sung-min into the practice, but they’ll be pitted against each other during Lee’s final days. The Friday-Saturday drama will begin airing in March. [Maeil Economy]


Wang Bit-na, Im Soo-hyang, Shin Hye-sun

• Casting news abounds for upcoming weekend drama Five Kids, which has secured a lead in Ahn Jae-wook (Light and Shadow). An offer is out to Wang Bit-na to play a frenemy who steals the lead’s husband. If she takes the job, this will be her first project since giving birth to her second child in March. Im Soo-hyang (Age of Feeling) and Shin Hye-sun (She Was Pretty, Oh My Ghostess) are confirmed and will play Ahn’s sister-in-law and younger sister, respectively. About single moms and single dads finding love again, the warm and cheerful family comedy will follow Please Mom on KBS in February 2016. [TV Report 1, 2]
• Yoo Joon-sang (Heard It Through The Grapevine) is confirmed for tvN’s upcoming Monday-Tuesday drama Pied Piper. He’s a persuasive and confident newsman, beloved as the nation’s anchor, but when the cameras stop rolling he’ll obsess over viewership ratings. He’ll play opposite Shin Ha-kyun’s genius negotiatior in the drama by the writing/directing duo behind Liar Game, and Pied Piper will premiere in 2016. [Xports News]

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