News bites: August 26, 2016

28 August 26, 2016April 6, 2017

by awcoconuts

Honey Lee, Kim Seul-gi, Kwon Yul

Moonlit Palace, a 2D-animated feature that took over a decade to make and required over 70,000 pages of pencil drawings, will finally premiere September 7. In the movie, a door opens to a mysterious moonlit world for the first time in 600 years, and a 13-year-old girl will enter and have the adventure of her life. Kim Seul-gi (Oh My Ghostess) voices an accident-prone squirrel, Honey Lee (Come Back, Ajusshi) lends her voice to a beautiful wife with secret ambitions, and Kwon Yul (One More Happy Ending) voices a warrior in the perfect world that is home to a moonlit palace. Comparisons have been drawn to Spirited Away, but director Kim Hyun-joo dismissed the notion, commenting that many animated stories feature a girl protagonist in a fantasy world. [Herald]
I’m not sure why this is making the news rounds again, but Saimdang, Light’s Diary will run for 30 episodes instead of 24. I was under the impression the number of episodes was confirmed back in May when filming wrapped, but perhaps producers waffled between the two lengths. The hotly anticipated sageuk drama marking Lee Young-ae‘s return to the small screen will premiere in October and conclude in early 2017 on SBS. [Joongang]

Oh Ji-ho, Lee Joo-seung

The stars of Showdown held a press briefing to promote the movie, which premieres September 22. In the film about online gamers meeting in person to turn their virtual battles into real-life fisticuffs, Lee Joo-seung (The Time I’ve Loved You) is a guy out to avenge his brother by going after the CEO of a company (Oh Ji-ho). Lee stated that he prepped for the role by attending stunt school (ah, Secret Garden memories) and that Oh sunbae coached him on action. Oh plays a villain for the first time and drew on his action experience from Chuno and Ghost Detective Cheo-yong for the role. [My Daily]
Last but not least in a string of actors showing up to support director Park Joon-hwa on his current project Bring It On, Ghost is Kim Hyun-sook. She’ll cameo in the finale airing August 30 and demonstrate her chumminess with Park, who was a long-time director on Rude Miss Young-ae. [Xports News]

Kim Hyun-sook, Jo Hye-jung, Yoon Ji-won

Jo Hye-jung (Imaginary Cat) is in talks to take an unspecified supporting role in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-ju, the rom-com inspired by Olympian and champion weightlifter Jang Mi-ran. N.Flying’s Kim Jae-hyun is confirmed, and Lee Sung-kyung, Kyung Su-jin and Nam Joo-hyuk are still in talks. The show will be written by Yang Hee-seung (Oh My Ghostess, High School King of Savvy) and will follow Shopping King Louie, which follows W–Two Worlds, on MBC. [Herald]
Yoon Ji-won (a.k.a. faux Seol in Cheese in the Trap) has been cast in JTBC’s Friday-Saturday drama Fantastic, as an assistant writer to the star writer played by Kim Hyun-joo. Yoon’s a 4D character who attended law school in order to enhance her ability to write the investigative and genre dramas she is passionate about (now that’s dedication!). [Xports News]
I’m still curious as to how well this show will shed its heavy terminal illness storyline to become a celebration-of-life drama, but these new ensemble posters for Fantastic certainly look cheerful and airy. Kim Hyun-joo, Joo Sang-wook, Park Shi-yeon, Kim Tae-hoon and Ji-soo all sport broad smiles, and I particularly love the one where they hold sparklers at sunset — which seems so representative of something one would do with good friends to cap off a memorable evening. Fantastic debuts September 2 on JTBC. [Xports News]

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1 gogo

August 26, 2016 at 8:23 PM

I'm impressed with the fantastic poster so beautiful

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The other Kiara

August 27, 2016 at 3:20 AM

Same. Love the cast so I'll give it a shot.

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2 deltadragon23

August 26, 2016 at 8:24 PM

Kim Tae Hoon = Probably terminal illness included as well as lots of crying

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elvira

August 26, 2016 at 8:46 PM

Is it possible to suffer from terminal illness due to watching too much puppies in a year?

And by puppy[ies], I mean Jisoo...

Because he's spreading angst and cuteness in ALL MAJOR TV STATIONS and THE BIG SCREEN THIS YEAR.

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jozie

August 26, 2016 at 9:20 PM

If it is I'm doomed. But maybe that's why Fantastic is a terminal illness with a smile, cause I'll be smiling.

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3 elvira

August 26, 2016 at 8:42 PM

I love FantastiC poster and can't wait for JSW playing bad-actor, hahahah... He looks like a 'bad actor' in FantastiC's stills.

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4 don'tknow

August 26, 2016 at 9:05 PM

I lost track on how many dramas Ji soo is taking a part of right now...

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saranga

August 26, 2016 at 9:22 PM

i was going to comment the EXACT same thing. how many different things has he popped up in now?

i mean, i'm really glad he's working a lot and it's not a bad idea to take on smaller roles before making the jump to lead/second lead stuff. i understand the theory behind the approach. but they need to be good roles, quality ones. small but impactful. i really can't say that he made much of an impact on me in any of these smaller roles. except maybe pageturner. which was very cute, but nothing career-making.

i'm just afraid that being everywhere will only "cheapen" his worth, for lack of a better term. so many actors get stuck in these bit roles/second leads and never get to become leads. jisoo's too cute/good for that!

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wapz

August 26, 2016 at 9:58 PM

That's exactly what I think. Even though most people like that he's in everything, i think it will make people get bored of him earlier and he will lose his worth by playing such small roles. Even second lead is fine but these tertiary characters like that one in doctors, not so much.

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purpleowl

August 26, 2016 at 11:06 PM

I believe his DB tag mentions 8 individual projects since March 2015. Like 2 or 3 movies and then drama roles, some as main cast or cameos. I'm wondering what the next move is. Perhaps a few weeks of silence will lead to a script we wouldn't expect for him.

If Park Bo Gum, Lee Jong Suk, Go Kyung Pyo can have a similar trajectory and succeed, Jisoo and Kim Minseok can as well.

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wackycashew

August 27, 2016 at 7:33 AM

They're mostly dramas and I think he's been tagged in 7 productions here? His web drama wasn't mentioned, but that would make it 8. =)

Dramas in order of filming:
Angry Mom
Sassy Go Go
Page Turner
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart: Ryeo
Doctors
FantastiC

Web Drama:
Lunch Box

Movie:
Glory Day

He's been in variety as well:
Celebrity Bromance (with Nam Joo Hyuk)
My Ear's Candy (airing now)

I think it just happens to be a lot of him lately due to the broadcast times. For example, I didn't expect that he would cameo in Doctors and snatch a role in FantastiC, which all happen to be one after another given Scarlet Heart follows Doctors, or simultaneously, since FantastiC kicks off the same week as Scarlet Heart. XD Even getting cast in My Ear's Candy was a surprise (as well as Celebrity Bromance a while ago). I guess he is starting to make a name for himself and there must be enough demand/interest out there for shows to cast him.

I don't mind consistent work for him if 1) he gets to attempt completely different roles to avoid being typecast as the angsty bad boy; 2) he gets to work with various actors who are either veterans so he can observe, learn, and grow, or who are popular so he can gain further exposure to viewers; 3) he is not being overwhelmed that his health is affected or that he will not perform to his full potential. I agree with you that he could very well be the next PBG, etc. if he can nab a truly breakout role. =)

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nissa

August 28, 2016 at 5:10 AM

Agree about 1, 2, 3...

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5 Dakchigo

August 26, 2016 at 9:18 PM

I loved Yoon Ji-won in CITT. Like Ji Yoon-ho, she really captured and understood that balance between creepy and pitiful. Well, acting was never that show's weakest link...

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Flightey Gazelles

August 27, 2016 at 1:34 AM

"acting was never that show's weakness" I know!! Even Lee Sung Kyun was not bad acting on her part,it was just the direction. Plus she prooved she's got the chops towards the end when she went batshit crazy,it was still mesmerizing watching her Implode( or is it explode?). I love your description of the actress playing Faux Seol and Oh Young Gon,hell all the supporting cast acting was on point down to the witchy lecturer and cranky assistant...and even the .miserable law student runaway. Its just....sobs...

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6 wackycashew

August 26, 2016 at 9:37 PM

Looking forward to Fantastic!! The latest teaser is sooo good!!

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7 kaira

August 26, 2016 at 10:20 PM

Ji soo!!!!!!! :) oppaaa i want to watch you as main lead in dramas.hope my wish comes true soon.

I really wish ji soo and kim yoo jung be lead of romantic drama. Oppa fighting!!!

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8 salt n' pepper

August 26, 2016 at 10:28 PM

Wow, the posters for Fantastic are living up to the title! The teasers looks really promising, too. I'm getting quite excited for this drama to start and it's airing on my birthday, too, yay!

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9 Bùi Quốc Khánh

August 26, 2016 at 10:31 PM

Acting skills of Ji Soo stills not enough to be main lead. If 'jump' to main lead to soon, he will pair with some weak actress or even idols with poor acting.
So, relax, he need to practice more, don't give he a chance too soon just because you guys faill in love with him.

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kaira

August 26, 2016 at 10:44 PM

Yeah! I agree with you. Don't want him to be pair with weak actress or idols. He should be lead with actress like kim yoo jung :)

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purpleowl

August 26, 2016 at 11:11 PM

Too young for me. One day Jisoo/YJ but for now I hope Jisoo/Go Ah Sung. I haven't seen her act but it seems like the pairing would be good. Maybe a secondary OTP rather than a love triangle.

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Sera The Ms Temper

August 27, 2016 at 3:25 AM

Go Ah Sung is awesome. Watch Heard It Through The Grapevine.

And I agreed Ji Soo is not lead material yet, but he will when the right time comes. I think rather than pairing with some idols who cannot act or bad actress, pair him with good actress. Go Ah Sung can be the one.

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sorrynotsorry

August 27, 2016 at 5:20 AM

It seems like just yesterday he was on Angry Mom. I actually like the career choice of taking a cameo here and there and supporting roles to build up his acting chops. Not only that he is meeting so many actors, directors etc and, I am going to assume, showing them his work ethic. Like many areas of life, it's not what you know - it is who you know. So I think for him, it should be about the role and building a strong foundation in the business and his chance will come. Besides if there are many more scandals in dramaland, there won't be that many actors left for those lead roles. (Ok, slightly overstated.)

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wackycashew

August 27, 2016 at 7:36 AM

Agreed! He can spend time learning and improving before getting those lead roles. And yes, definitely don't want him playing opposite some weak actress. The time will come for him, no doubt. He's too talented to not catch attention. =P

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10 Flightey Gazelles

August 26, 2016 at 10:57 PM

Awwww. That Fantastic poster put a smile on my face. Its so bright and beautiful! Really,perfect way to cap of a post!
Yoon Ji Won is really pretty,I didn't know!

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11 Dimitra

August 27, 2016 at 12:39 AM

"Jo Hye-jung (Imaginary Cat) is in talks to take an unspecified supporting role in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-ju", Oh.. dear Drama Gods.. Please no.. How many more drama is she going to ruin with appearances? Imaginary Cat was not enough? And now Cinderella and 4 Knights.. and now - another one... Keep her out of Kdrama please. The fact that I admire her dad, and love his acting does not translate to her.

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gpap

August 27, 2016 at 2:19 PM

True. There is no such thing as talent by association.

Unfortunately this has happened before and will happen again. But this girl has absolutely nothing; not even looks which does make some difference in entertainment industry - a pretty face with zero charisma on screen is such a common fact everywhere.

On the bright side, her roles are quite small...for now

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fab

August 28, 2016 at 6:10 AM

That she doesn't have the "looks" is also nonsense.

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12 PBY

August 27, 2016 at 1:15 AM

You had me at "Kim Seul-gi voices an accident-prone squirrel". This I have to see.

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