Medical mystery drama Beautiful Mind revived for KBS spring schedule

81 February 16, 2016March 31, 2016

Medical mystery drama Beautiful Mind revived for KBS spring schedule

by girlfriday

Remember the drama that used to be called Dr. Frankenstein and once courted Kim Soo-hyun, and then later courted Yoo Ah-in, and then changed its title to Beautiful Mind and also courted Lee Jong-seok? Well, none of the actors are considering the project anymore, but KBS has decided to put it back on their roster as a Monday-Tuesday drama this spring, and the hunt is back on for a leading actor to play a psychopath surgeon.

The medical mystery drama comes from writer Kim Tae-hee of Sungkyunkwan Scandal and PD Mo Wan-il of the drama special Sirius (also second PD on Dream High 2 and Smile, Dong-hae). It was once described as a split-personality drama, but after the wave of multiple-personality drama heroes came and went, it began to be described as a medical drama about a cold, unfeeling hero who had a frontal lobe lesion that prevented him from feeling emotion.

I don’t know how much (or if any) of that has remained intact, because now the drama is being called a medical drama with a mystery bent, with a hero who’s an outright psychopath. He’s “a psychopath genius neurosurgeon.” Why do I get the feeling that this drama went from riding the Kill Me, Heal Me wave to riding the Cheese in the Trap wave?

The female lead will be a detective in the violent crimes division, another leading character will be a male cardiothoracic surgeon who becomes a new assistant professor at the hospital, and there will also be a female researcher in the neurology department with beauty and brains.

Interestingly, the drama promises to shed the usual medical procedural framework and will tell a mysterious story about “someone who kills, someone who saves, someone who chases, and someone who’s chased.” Well, it certainly sounds more exciting than a regular medical drama with a misunderstood psychopath slotted in as its hero. Maybe it’ll be dark and thrilling? Maybe Kim Soo-hyun, Yoo Ah-in, and Lee Jong-seok will be kicking themselves for turning it down? Hey, I never said it was likely; I said maybe.

Beautiful Mind follows Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning in April.

Via IS Plus

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1 Gladys

February 16, 2016 at 8:32 AM

... will tell a mysterious story about “someone who kills, someone who saves, someone who chases, and someone who’s chased.”
OK now I'm intrigued for sure! Thank God they gave up on the slip personalities. Now who's going to be courted. My bets are on Joo Won even if I hate the idea of this being his last drama before the army

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Kaylie

February 16, 2016 at 8:50 AM

Lol after yet another medical drama Joo Won's gonna be able to do minor surgeries with his medical knowledge.

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Gladys

February 16, 2016 at 9:11 AM

LOL ^^

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Cafe

February 16, 2016 at 12:07 PM

LMAO

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soapbox

February 16, 2016 at 10:12 AM

The plot still cracks me up tbh. Makes me think lead is the person who kills and the person who saves. Like his stimulated frontal lobe gets him violent, then he comes down from his high and performs surgery on the person to bring him/her back from the brink of death. That would explain the split personality from the original plot and the frontal lobe plot that remains lol.

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lolcoolcat123

February 16, 2016 at 9:35 PM

Even though the drama is fairly different from Kill Me Heal Me, its position in the dramaland is same as KMHM. Many actors declined the role, and no one was interested, and then suddenly the great Ji Sung accepted and the drama was in a tight schedule. But the drama was a hit! What if the same thing happens here also. Even better, what if they court for Ji Sung next. I really hope the drama turns out to be a hit, because then i would be proved psychic (lol)! But who agrees, that this drama is going through what KMHM went through?!

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lolcoolcat123

February 16, 2016 at 9:40 PM

Oh wait i think im late as people have already commented about this being a KMHM situation. Lol now im embarrased! ?

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2 Mandy

February 16, 2016 at 8:34 AM

The drama that Will. Not. Die. I'd like to see who bites the bait - if anyone even does - this time around.

I'm sure there's a reason so many actors declined to do this. Kim Soo-hyun has an eye for doing brilliantly rated and well loved projects and even Yoo Ah-in has been doing well in the past year or two. So I'm forced to think this will be crappy.

Admittedly though, the description seems a lot more interesting now than it did before. Maybe they'll court Joo Won for yet another doctor role. After the godawful Yongpal and Cantibile tomorrow, I hope he makes better decisions.

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Adal

February 16, 2016 at 8:53 AM

OR this could just be like Kill Me Heal Me that with the right actor and cast become a huge success. KMHM had many people pass over it because it was supposed to be a crappy script and difficult to pull off... until the miracle that was Ji Sung.

I hope the script's good, and the cast is good as well. Maybe, it'll end up being another version of I Remember You with a medical twist?

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Mandy

February 16, 2016 at 9:09 AM

KMHM is mostly a one-off thing. Firstly, IMO, the drama was so very campy and sloppy in whatever I've seen of it. Ji Sung made the difference there. Second, the actors being courted for that weren't known to pick amazing dramas in the first place. Hyun Bin has more misses than hits - no matter how good of an actor he is. And Seung-gi came off GFB and YAAS - both being meh and boring. That doesn't equate to KSH and YAI. The former has been on a literal unstoppable roll since forever and the latter has done great since 2014.

Maybe I sound too pessimistic though. Maybe you're right and it turns out well. As long as it's not Blood or Dr. Stranger level bad...

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hana

February 16, 2016 at 10:32 AM

But Dr. Stranger was way more better than blood at least in its acting & rating!

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whitewire

February 22, 2016 at 1:42 AM

You're right on point @Mandy chingu

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mashimomo

February 16, 2016 at 9:18 AM

Interesting you brought up I Remember You. Maybe this could be something for Park Bo-gum (or maybe it's just my current obsession with him that's fanning this) since it's Min-like? Or maybe someone as layered as Park Ki-woong. But yeah, too many profiled actors turning down this role, so it may not bode well for the production team trying to get actors to lead the drama. Either way, premise sound interesting and I hope it's definitely not Dr. Stranger level bad.

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Waiting

February 16, 2016 at 11:20 AM

You know...part of me wishes Ji Sung would take this on but really, I want Namgoong Min to do it as a real lead and solidify his craziness ability to do crazy!

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Miky

February 16, 2016 at 12:36 PM

I wouldn't say NO to that choice for real,to have NamGong Min as a psycho in a lead role,take that everyday!sounds a bit like Dexter as main guy thing(killing etc)...quite curious who'll accept the leading role...curious if they handed a script to Park Hae Jin as well even if i doubt he might want to accept an role to be typecast and even more after the success of Cheese

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Sera The Ms Temper

February 16, 2016 at 6:13 PM

yesfor Ji Sung and a big YES for Nam Goong Min. It is the time for NGM to finally be the lead, right? ;)

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3 soapbox

February 16, 2016 at 9:03 AM

"Maybe Kim Soo-hyun, Yoo Ah-in, and Lee Jong-seok will be kicking themselves for turning it down?"

I actually do think the production company and KBS have high hopes for this drama. Otherwise they wouldn't keep shelving it for over 1 1/2 years to wait for a big star to hook, they could have just cast anyone. So maybe someone also relatively popular finally agreed? Still not looking forward to it though.

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marry

February 16, 2016 at 11:32 AM

Totally agree! It seems the production team really wants it to be turned out good quality, and trying their best for finding someone with acting skills + popularity!

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4 Cafe

February 16, 2016 at 9:26 AM

To be honest, KBS sounds desperate. Trying to catch ANY chance of rating, since it's been in the low rating land for how many dramas right now?

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kalel

February 16, 2016 at 10:12 AM

Unfortunatrlly, you're right despite the fact that KBS had brilliant stories the past two years. Some of them were light and perky while others were thrilling, depicting complicated characters (or should I say sociopath/psychopath/antiheroes/"slighly" outlaws?) - as if most of the writers were coming right from cable channels. Too bad they didn't deliver the appropriate ratings no matter the high quality in those dramas.

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5 Arhazivory

February 16, 2016 at 9:28 AM

"psychopath genius neurosurgeon" lolwut :D

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6 nasalhazel

February 16, 2016 at 9:58 AM

Can one of the characters also suddenly realize he is a time travelling vampire hypnotherapist? I would watch the living heck out of a show like that.

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shaynanigans

February 16, 2016 at 10:50 AM

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Waiting

February 16, 2016 at 11:23 AM

Love it!

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Petra

February 16, 2016 at 12:57 PM

Lol. ? I'm up for that.

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

February 16, 2016 at 10:07 AM

Maybe this would be Lee Min-ho's drama before he goes to the army. I don't care if this drama turns out to be the best thing since sliced bread, I'm glad Yoo Ah-in turned it down to play Lee Bang-won instead. Lee Bang-won is bae forever.

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Miky

February 16, 2016 at 12:38 PM

Rumor has it they are wanting him in You Who Came from the starts writer upcoming drama,so who knows...if army duty let's him i think he might choose that one

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I-I

February 16, 2016 at 4:37 PM

I don't think LMH will take this drama. he has already one offer ed

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ET

February 16, 2016 at 6:36 PM

Unlikely to be Lee Min Ho since he has an offer supposedly tailored for him.

This role is potentially complex and I can't see LMH doing it. Then again, it is exactly why he should be taking on challenges like this or any character which people least expect him to do. However if he is comfortable being the hallyu star, why take the risk?

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I-I

February 16, 2016 at 6:46 PM

There is to much pressure on him and it could leave his fans with bad taste in there mouths taking such roles.

he chellenges himself on the big screen with more freedom but in Kdramaland there is no freedom for him or to play around with roles

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ET

February 16, 2016 at 7:45 PM

You mean Gangnam Blues? That didn't work for me, he was just Kim Tan with moustache. If he had viewed that as a challenge, I will still applaud him for the effort. Better than not trying.

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Seungri

February 16, 2016 at 8:20 PM

That was entirely different ball game.. Gangstrt-Noir-action genre is even different then the normal gangster action genre.

Bounty Hunters was next on the table which is also something entirely different Action-comedy and bounty hunting across countries.

while faith and City hunter were also different genre's so he hasen't always gone safe. I actully recall on here the same place on DB people saying his taking to much of a risk with City hunter since rain floped with his action drama etc etc and people questioned that genre with him and the rest is history etc etc.

8 FritzB

February 16, 2016 at 10:11 AM

I'm not sure whether 'Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho' is a 16 or 20 episode drama, but in either case, wouldn't that make for a May/June premiere, not April.

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songsong

February 16, 2016 at 5:06 PM

Right and NLJDH is only airing in end March.

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9 marry

February 16, 2016 at 10:21 AM

I think Lee Jong Suk had kicked himself many times for turning down Misaeng...

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soapbox

February 16, 2016 at 10:38 AM

Why? It was either Misaeng or Pinocchio and they both turned out good, and Pinocchio shot him to hallyu status due to the attention in China. I feel like people don't give Pinocchio enough credit, out of Park Hyeryun's work it was way better thought out than I Hear Your Voice (though admittedly I still liked IHYV more because of Lee Boyoung).

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marry

February 16, 2016 at 10:50 AM

Of course Pinocchio was a really successful one and brought him more popularity but knowing LJS, he badly wants to widen his acting skills in different genres and the only thing which is important for him is acting and get recognition for his hardworking in it, not popularity or money... So I believe he may preferred Misaeng over Pinocchio but he didn't want to risk right after Dr Stranger... even tough his character and performance in DS is my favorite one between his dramas!!!

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marry

February 16, 2016 at 10:52 AM

*getting

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soapbox

February 16, 2016 at 10:57 AM

Pinocchio was a good drama though, it was sold as a romcom but it had a point of view and opinions on South Korea's society, unlike other romcoms in kdrama. Jongsuk has immense respect for Park Hyeryun and Soowon, after Pinocchio ended he was asked if he would work with those two again and he said he definitely would because he trusts them. He doesn't regret his choice at all.

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marry

February 16, 2016 at 11:05 AM

I hope so... At least he had lots of fun during filming it :-)

soapbox

February 16, 2016 at 11:26 AM

@marry

Why does this sound condescending lol.

marry

February 16, 2016 at 11:44 AM

@ soapbox
Did I say sth wrong??? If it is the case I'm deeply sorry!

soapbox

February 16, 2016 at 11:53 AM

@marry

No it was just funny, like after the convo of saying Misaeng was superior to Pinocchio and then you say 'well at least he had fun filming it' so it felt condescending lmao. You don't need to apologize all the time though, it wasn't a big deal to me. Even if we have differing opinions about kdramas, who cares.

marry

February 16, 2016 at 12:06 PM

@ soapbox
I just wanted to say acting wise he may prefer sth more chalanging like Misaeng but as having fun as u mentioned he loves Hyeryun and Soowon so he had fun during filming Pinocchio so he is satisfied with his choice, just this.
You know sweetie, I really hate hurting others' feeling :-)

songsong

February 16, 2016 at 5:11 PM

Agree with you @marry, I think it would really widen his acting competency into another level. He loves to stretch himself and is capable, should have taken Misaeng.

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pogo

February 16, 2016 at 10:57 AM

Not really, he took Pinocchio instead and Pinocchio actually did really well, it wasn't like Secret Door which flopped into the low single digits after a ton of hype.

But it's funny to think of a potential Lee Jong-seok/Kang Sora reunion happening after The Drama That Must Not Be Named. Even though Misaeng didn't have any actual love lines between Gae-rae and Young-yi either, ha.

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Waiting

February 16, 2016 at 11:31 AM

I can't even imagine Lee Jong-seok as Jang Geu-Rae. I think he is a very good actor, but I definitely feel Im Shi Wan was perfectly cast for the role.

I have been missing Lee Jong-seok since IHYV. Have not been very interested in his recent projects. Maybe I'll give Pinocchio a try for a marathon during the next snow storm. :)

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gala

February 16, 2016 at 12:15 PM

I highly recommend Pinnochio. I think the drama has a good mixture of all the elements of what a drama should be - the emotional pull, the laugh-out-loud moments, the heart-fluttering scenes, the on-the-go action (for reporters that is), the hurt and anger, and the overall satisfying ending.

I also thought that all actors performed what they were asked for, and none was really the "black hole". everyone was their character.

also, maybe it will sound shallow to some (or an eye-rolling comment), but it made me look at news in a different perspective. it made me appreciate the not-so-sensational news, but to actually focus on those dry ones. also, to look at what the media are reporting in all its perspective - not just take it at face value.

(i hope that helps to convince you to give the drama a try. and if you, hopefully you'll like it!)

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hana

February 16, 2016 at 12:20 PM

+10

pogo

February 16, 2016 at 1:24 PM

yeah, I can't imagine anyone but Im Shi-wan as Jang Geu-rae either - I like LJS a lot, but ISW was perfection as Geu-rae, the kind that's impossible to beat.

Do give Pinocchio a try, it's not perhaps as electrifying as IHYV but it was one of the better dramas of 2014 and had an unexpected gem or two among the cast. And he and Park Shin-hye had fantastic chemistry. It's definitely great for a snowstorm day! (if only we got those here, sigh)

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Waiting

February 16, 2016 at 2:35 PM

Pogo...I have about 2 feet of snow to send to you!

I will give Pinocchio a try soon. I have a bunch of work to do for the current snowstorm but the next should be free of extra work projects.

rori0711

February 17, 2016 at 3:51 AM

Im Si wan was great as Jang Geu Rae, so was Lee Jong suk in Pinocchio.

I love both dramas.

I'm sure LJS will do fine as Jang Geu Rae. He's a versatile and intense actor. He may appear typecasted but I've seen, been impressed with his works and yet there's a lot more to look forward to.

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amy

February 16, 2016 at 4:07 PM

@marry why should he kicking himself??....????
Pinocchio is perfect, one of the best dramas I have seen and propel him to a hallyu star. He met with PSH who is now his best friend, who may also be his girlfriend, and she is lovely and beautiful....ok I should stop this shipping business?

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TT

February 24, 2016 at 1:27 PM

A++++

It helps SW as he was a newbie but LJS was a star himself... I don't think it'd make any difference

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10 genkibaka

February 16, 2016 at 11:23 AM

I think the drama has potential since the writer is not a bad writer.

And I said the same thing KMHM and that drama turned out fine.

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11 Quiet Thought

February 16, 2016 at 3:22 PM

Why don't they just give up on the medical thing entirely and make this a drama about a writer with connections to a network producer who desperately shop a lame script outline around for a year, constantly making changes, until they're a joke in the entire industry?

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12 amy

February 16, 2016 at 3:58 PM

a psychopath genius neurosurgeon.

this is too much to swallow. i am thinking more of hannibal,the doctor who is eating brain and people's parts except that he is a psychiatrist.

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rori0711

February 17, 2016 at 4:04 AM

if it turns out half or even 1/4 of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, i'm pretty sure those 3 Alist actors would kick themselves together lol

why do i feel like the gutsy one who will take up this role will turn out better if not great.

I hope KBS will take a chance on someone who may not be famous but has solid acting and unlimited potential.

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13 @liss@

February 16, 2016 at 4:05 PM

If its from the PD of sirius i really hope that he can cast Seo Joon Young. He's so talented yet underrated. But i think he is currently in another daily series so i think it's not possible....

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14 I-I

February 16, 2016 at 6:11 PM

Joo Won fans need to relax because they want there actor to take every single drama casting there pops up.

there are roles to take and others to leave. How many dramas did JW fans desired..

Monster, Entourage, lmao for god sake even God of Noodles, and now the all abandon tv-show aka the famously known just reject drama Dr. Frankenstein.. But I love Joo Won fans to pieces but they need to relax and follow there actors choices which are much better then there example YongPlyi was great choice by Joo Won and got himself a decent and famous actress Kim Tae Hee and obviously did wonderful ratings and actully broke the 2014-2015 ratings curse

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I-I

February 16, 2016 at 6:14 PM

I could give JW a D when it comes to Drama decisions

and I would give Joo Won B+ for his decisions

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I-I

February 16, 2016 at 6:15 PM

Keyboard error I meant JW fans for a D... and himself for a B+

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QueenBi

February 16, 2016 at 7:14 PM

@I-I
Its an interesting thought. Where did you read the information about JOoWon's fans recommendation so they deserve a D?

Just curious.

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I-I

February 16, 2016 at 9:44 PM

Joo Won has alot of fans in Kdramaland and they are the in your face type and everywhere there is casting news and mainly discuss casting news. they have overworked Joo Won becasue of ther ridiculous demands his working like horse.

Visit in the places they hang out.. Joo Won has been here and there in the last 2 years between borders and what haven't he done in that time span

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hellya

February 16, 2016 at 9:22 PM

JW's fans think he is the best actor to ever grace korean screen. They keep singing yongpal success was due to him.

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Darrly

February 16, 2016 at 9:52 PM

The funny thing is that if he dosen't get a work or something they will throw tantrums faster then the eye bliks. They have constantly under pressure.. so in a sense his not controll but by his fans mood

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15 Michiki

February 16, 2016 at 7:22 PM

I hope Ji Chang Wook will be offered the lead role of this drama. It sounds interesting. It would be fun to see JCW in a white coat as a neurosurgeon, which I have never seen him on screen before.

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hellya

February 16, 2016 at 9:12 PM

yes x 10000 Ji Chang Wook ? but no to Joo won, how many type of doctor he wants to play?

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rori0711

February 17, 2016 at 4:06 AM

count me in!

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16 rinoak

February 16, 2016 at 7:27 PM

I LOVE THIS!!! I also love that they are straight up admitting he will be a psycho who kills people. I'm really into anti-heroes so if he also saves people I am completely sold on the premise!

I just hope someone who can really pull off the role gets it, like Ji Sung (I know he won't) or Park Bo Gum (he's probably too young, sadly) or maybe Nam Goong Min, as was mentioned. Lee Min Ki would probably be great, but he never does dramas anymore. Joo Ji Hoon is another good choice. And can you even imagine how awesome Jo Seung Woo would be? Ah, there are so many good choices, I hope they choose wisely.

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DoubleFault

February 17, 2016 at 7:58 AM

I'd love to see Park Bo Gum in this, even D.O. (Exo), as both really do well in such roles. Sadly, both of them are probably too young for this role. D.O. is stuck playing HS students because of how young he looks.

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17 sumee

February 16, 2016 at 9:32 PM

Pyscho Doctor .. Are we pulling a house here ?

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lolcoolcat123

February 16, 2016 at 9:53 PM

Lol your comment made my day. Btws i loved that show. To be extra sure you're talking about House M.D., right?!

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sumee

February 17, 2016 at 9:36 AM

@Lolcoolcat123 yes definitely I love huge Laurie and house beyond repair ? And i really hope they don't do it

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18 Eny

February 16, 2016 at 10:08 PM

the story seem more interesting now, a part of me wanna see joo won in this role but it's doctor again, can they eliminate doctor part, if we don't have joo won, can we have joo jin mo or bae soo bin, love to see one of them

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19 Mini

February 16, 2016 at 11:22 PM

Can't attack Joo Won so attack Joo Won fans.Cool! We never thought he is the best actor ever. We just glad that he is doing well.

Also,because he is going to army anytime soon,we wish he have one last drama.Is it wrong to wish for that? Other actor fans also,throw in their fav actors name.What is wrong with that?

JOO WON BEING CONTROLLED BY FANS? Ah right.How we wish!We have so much money to buy his company right? NONSENSE.