Entourage remake courts Im Shi-wan, Seo Kang-joon to headline

49 February 1, 2016March 6, 2016

Entourage remake courts Im Shi-wan, Seo Kang-joon to headline

by girlfriday

Well, they said that 2016 was the target broadcast for the tvN drama remake of HBO’s Entourage, and they must be serious this time because casting offers are out. The remake project has technically been in the works since 2013, but this is the first time we’re seeing any names announced for the showbiz drama about a star and — what else — his entourage. It makes sense that they’d start with actors familiar to tvN, for the most part: Im Shi-wan (Misaeng), Seo Kang-joon (Cheese in the Trap), Jo Jin-woong (Signal), and Lee Kwang-soo (It’s Okay, It’s Love, Running Man) are currently entertaining offers to headline.

Seo Kang-joon is being courted to play Vince (er, his K-drama equivalent, named Young-bin) — the top star whose coattails everyone else will be riding. It’s pretty perfect casting for the character, a vapid pretty boy actor who embodies all the Hollywood clichés you can think of. And given Seo Kang-joon’s performance in Cheese in the Trap, I’d say he’s even capable of carrying the emotional weight of a major character.

But technically Eric is the main character of Entourage — the best friend and manager to the top star. This is the role Im Shi-wan is up for, naturally, because you wouldn’t court Im Shi-wan for any other character in this show. He’s the only relatable guy in the group, if you can even call him that; maybe it’s more accurate to say that he’s the character whose eyes we see the world through. Im Shi-wan sounds the most iffy in terms of actually getting him to sign on for the show, but I guarantee I’d care about the trials and tribulations of a star’s manager if he took on the role.

Jo Jin-woong must be up for the Ari role, though that hasn’t been confirmed. It’s the only part that fits him — the superstar agent who turns the pretty boy actor into a star. He’s a high-strung nightmarish shark of an agent, but hysterical in his shamelessness. It’s definitely a role that needs an experienced actor in both drama and comedy.

And Lee Kwang-soo has been offered the Johnny Drama character, who in the original was Vince’s half-brother and a C-list star who was desperate for more work. In the remake he’ll be Seo Kang-joon’s cousin, a struggling actor who only gets bit parts. Okay, Kwang-soo is going to be hilarious as Drama. Of all the actors, I think his is the casting that I hope sticks the most, because I don’t know that anyone else could play the same pathetic desperation while still being funny. That’s the trick to Drama, and it already suits Kwang-soo perfectly.

They haven’t cast anyone for Turtle yet, and the actors’ agencies were all quick to say that these were only early casting offers that they were considering. Entourage doesn’t have a broadcast date yet, but there’s talk of it being a Friday-Saturday drama after Memory, which follows Signal.

Via Newsen, FN Star

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1 Jennalyn Zul

February 1, 2016 at 7:15 AM

Man all my favorite actor in one show..OK count me in

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2 Roc

February 1, 2016 at 7:16 AM

Entourage has a lot of sex scenes i think...

Not any female leads???

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Jon G.

February 1, 2016 at 7:30 AM

I don't remember any particular sex scenes in the early seasons that I watched, to be honest.

Entourage doesn't have any female leads, but I'm sure they will find something like it for the K-drama.

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juniper

February 1, 2016 at 4:25 PM

Yeah, I can see how they could replace random sexcapades with dating shenanigans and turn one of the women that walked in and out of that show into a female lead...but the real question for me is what will they do to replace the weed???? Drinking is just not the same lol.

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Sik

February 2, 2016 at 5:56 AM

Thats what i also wanna know what they replace the weed with?
Getting high and getting drunk soo different

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heyitschristina

February 1, 2016 at 10:00 PM

I always considered Sloan the female lead in Entourage but the show was mostly about the bromance and not romantic relationships. I hope they have a Mrs. Ari type of character

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bashful

February 2, 2016 at 1:44 AM

Maybe they'll have the sex scenes between the main characters hehe?

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3 nasalhazel

February 1, 2016 at 7:17 AM

That's a dream cast. I'm not at all interested in Entourage or a remake of it, but that cast ...

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Waiting

February 1, 2016 at 9:02 AM

These actors do seem very well suited for the remake roles. I hope the casting sticks for each of them.

Though, it would be great to have Shim Hyung-Tak somewhere in there. He could pull off a few things and really needs to have part that can utilize him well.

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nasalhazel

February 1, 2016 at 5:30 PM

Shim Hyung-Tak heck yeah.

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4 asdfasdf

February 1, 2016 at 7:19 AM

I doubt Im Siwan will do it. And from the sounds of it it looks like the production company just threw out the casting news as a bait and Siwan's agency isn't so eager.

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5 Jon G.

February 1, 2016 at 7:24 AM

Sure, after "One more happy ending" seems to be a K-drama adaption of "Sex in the City", it's only fair to do the same to "Entourage".

But Im Shi-wan as "Eric"? Seriously?
With Seo Kang-joon as "Vince" you loose the main joke of the show: The star actor character is played by the one guy who really struggles with acting.

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Alessar

February 1, 2016 at 7:55 AM

Nono, "I Need Romance" was the blatant Sex & the City ripoff. One More Happy Ending may have multiple women's storylines but there's a theme and cohesion to the shenanigans that make it very different.

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bd5

February 2, 2016 at 1:18 AM

INR was not as tacky as SitC and it's not like depicting lives of a group of singles hadn't been done way before SitC.

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6 Kiara

February 1, 2016 at 7:33 AM

Whoever took Jo Jin-woong's picture should only be allowed to photograph babies.

Personal preference, I hope they'll tone down the language etc. I know it's realistic in that kind of setting and it's a cable show but here is hoping.

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Jon G.

February 1, 2016 at 7:37 AM

Well, I guess they will have to rewrite the dialogue from New York City English to Korean anyway.

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7 Nina Chikovani

February 1, 2016 at 7:35 AM

Okey casting is perfect, just no love triangles plz...there wasn't one in Entourage, but it's dramaland so I can't be fully optimistic

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8 Adal

February 1, 2016 at 7:42 AM

I hope they all say YES! This is a cast I could certainly get behind.

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9 Selendrile

February 1, 2016 at 7:48 AM

Kwang Soo ? ok now I have to watch this , I don't like "Entourage" as a drama or any of their actor , but if Kwang Soo gonna be in the Kdrama remake I say they nail the casting by offer him that role , anybody know when it actually come out ? the drama I mean

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10 Miri

February 1, 2016 at 7:51 AM

If they'll get rid of Seo Kang-joon and get a better actor instead, I'd be a lot happier. I am so tired of seeing him everywhere, and he is not even a good actor.

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pogo

February 1, 2016 at 8:43 AM

He's very good at a certain type of role, which this particular one sounds exactly like. As long as he's not playing someone years older or supposedly more mature than an average person his age, he should be ok.

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songsong

February 3, 2016 at 6:06 AM

I agree with you Seo Kang Joon is so average. I hope they cast someone else. The rest are fine.

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11 korfan

February 1, 2016 at 8:01 AM

Oh wow, these four acting together would be quite interesting!

Don't know if it'll actually happen ..... but who knows.

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12 canxi

February 1, 2016 at 8:31 AM

I would be interested in this particular cast. Dunno about any other. I've only seen bits and pieces of Entourage so no one comes to mind.

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13 ananke

February 1, 2016 at 8:36 AM

Note to self: Purchase CJ E&M stock.

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blueribbon

February 1, 2016 at 2:20 PM

I am with you on this one :)

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14 pogo

February 1, 2016 at 8:45 AM

Im Shi-wan is the one that has me most excited out of this lot - though I've never seen an episode of Entourage and have no interest in it, I do want to see him step up to the plate and lead an ensemble.

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15 cmak

February 1, 2016 at 9:24 AM

This would be the dream cast! Love love Lee Kwang Soo and Im Shi Wan, and after seeing Seo Kang Joon in "Cheese in the Trap," I am definitely interested in watching if this cast goes through. But I can't imagine how they would be able to adapt this drug-fueled and sex-driven show into a Korean drama. The entertainment industry in America vs. Korea is so different that I wonder how they would make changes without entirely scrapping the original premise of the series.

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16 Asol

February 1, 2016 at 9:27 AM

I love me some Lee Kwang-Soo

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17 whatsthescenario

February 1, 2016 at 9:37 AM

I'm interested in seeing what they will do with Turtle's chwracter. His main role is to provide them entertainment -which in entourage was women and weed. sure, he also drives the car and eventually started his own business, but the first season was mainly about women and drugs.

I'll also be interested to see what they do with Ari's assistant, who is a beloved gay character.

Wonder how much of the Hollywood lifestyle they will water down.

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18 sadia

February 1, 2016 at 10:17 AM

nice drama i like...

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19 anotheraddict

February 1, 2016 at 10:45 AM

Jo Jin-woong probably wants to mix it up a bit, but watching him in Signal makes me wish again that he could always play a character who wears his heart on his sleeve. I should probably rewatch Sons of Sol Pharmacy House-- his portrayal of Brutus is one of the most deliciously heart-wrenching performances I've ever witnessed.

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20 yuja

February 1, 2016 at 11:52 AM

Lol, this is really unnecessary. Entourage is gross and pointless. But I mean, if they cast these actors, I guess I'll have to watch it.

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21 Mandy

February 1, 2016 at 1:27 PM

YASSS! Seo Kang-joon should forever do spoilt bad boys or rough on the edge with diamond heart leads. I looooove him and I am totally ready to see him in a lead role with a good ensemble cast. It's amazing what one drama can do to change someone's image. Here's to hoping SKJ continues his upward trajectory.

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22 bbstl

February 1, 2016 at 2:39 PM

Maybe it's just seeing him on the random banner at the top of the page, but I'd love to see Mingoong Nam as Ari. He was very funny in Unemployed Romance and we sure know he can do crazy.

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Merong

February 3, 2016 at 8:50 AM

Namgoong Min/ Min Namgoong. Namgoong is his surname name, Min is his given name.

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23 vanilla_latte

February 1, 2016 at 4:00 PM

Kwang-soo would be great! If he takes the role, I'll watch it for just for that!

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24 Leethehey

February 1, 2016 at 4:35 PM

I'm not sure why they want to remake Entourage. I don't think the BTS in the entertainment biz is the same in Korea and in Hollywood. So i'm not sure what treatment they'd put in with this Kdrama. I really couldn't care less about this drama BUT if they successfully sign these actors (actually even just Siwan and Kang Joon) then I'm in. That said, I really hope they don't sign up for this. I really can't imagine how this remake will work in Korea. Was Entourage well received in Korea? Why the remake? I just don't get it. Haha.

Anyway, I think Kwangsoo fits the bill perfectly. Of all the potential casting, I think his is the most spot on. I'm not sure about Siwan as Eric. I'd have to see it first and the writing should be able to tweak the character abit. Also, if the manager is that pretty I'd cast him not the star he is representing. Haha. Finally they can do without turtle. I still do not know what the role that character is supposed to play other than buy custom made limited edition sneakers.

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25 Kaylie

February 1, 2016 at 7:28 PM

Omg I'm just squealing at the cast. Si-wan and Seo Kang Joon... Two of my favorite Korean actors who just happen to be absolutely gorgeous AND can act really well?? I don't care about the storyline, I'm in!

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26 dramapotatoe

February 1, 2016 at 8:15 PM

Sigh, clearly can't escape Seo Kang Joong. But hell yes to Jo Jin-woong and Siwan if he signs up.

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27 Nathan

February 1, 2016 at 9:17 PM

Can we replace Seo Kang Joon with Park Bogum?

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songsong

February 3, 2016 at 6:10 AM

Yes please!

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28 jen

February 1, 2016 at 10:12 PM

I don't think Siwan will be interested with this kind of role

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29 whilethemusiclasts

February 1, 2016 at 10:44 PM

I actually think Seo Kang-joon would do well in this role. Also, I was never a fan of his and only really liked him because of Roommate where acting was not required. But Cheese in the Trap has changed my mind. He's surprised with depth and emotions this most recent drama and I'm looking forward to more growth from him as an actor.

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30 myeon

February 1, 2016 at 10:44 PM

tbh this will be amazing !

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31 bd5

February 2, 2016 at 1:21 AM

Hate that there is going to be a Korean production of "Entourage" - as it means $$ in the pocket of Wahlberg who twice had committed crimes of violence against Asian-Americans (and others on other minorities).