Ji Sung considers MBC’s Rebel Hong Gil-dong, SBS’s Defendant
by girlfriday
Oh interesting… maybe Namgoong Min (Remember–Son’s War) won’t be playing the title role in MBC’s Rebel Hong Gil-dong, because Ji Sung (Entertainer) has now been offered the lead in the fusion sageuk, which would reunite him with Kill Me, Heal Me PD Kim Jin-man. It’s unclear whether Namgoong Min was offered a different role altogether (casting stories still call his a “leading role” but give no further details); but it has been announced that Ji Sung is considering the part of Hong Gil-dong.
Securing Ji Sung may be a long-shot though, because he’s up for two dramas and looking at both favorably: Before Rebel Hong Gil-dong, there was SBS’s prison break thriller Defendant, about a man who wakes up one day to find himself on death row with no memory of how he got there. Both dramas are aiming to air as early as January 2017 in competing Monday-Tuesday timeslots, so he can only choose one. His reps have confirmed that he’s received both offers and is considering them.
Rebel Hong Gil-dong will tell the life story of Korea’s most legendary fictional hero Hong Gil-dong, and purports to use a real-life bandit of the same name on historical record as inspiration for the character. He’s still the illegitimate son of a nobleman who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, but the drama will paint him as a revolutionary activist in 16th-century Joseon, during the reign of mad tyrant Yeonsangun. Honey Lee (Come Back, Ajusshi) is up to co-star as Yeonsangun’s royal consort who can’t forget her first love Hong Gil-dong.
This Hong Gil-dong will be the leader of a smuggling ring who “knows the arts, knows women, knows laughter, and knows loyalty,” and therefore has no need for government positions or personal riches. All he needs in life are his horses and the mountains and the moonlight, and he has no interest in the world his father has devoted his life to.
I can see Ji Sung having a blast with a character like this, even though I’m torn between the possibilities of righteous revolutionary bandit Ji Sung, and gritty thriller underdog Ji Sung. After Entertainer I was kind of looking forward to a darker, weightier role for him, but I don’t know that he can ignore a reunion with the director of syndrome drama Kill Me, Heal Me, for which he earned a Daesang. Besides, it seems rather fitting that Ji Sung should play such an iconic hero of the people, doesn’t it?
Rebel Hong Gil-dong is being considered for MBC’s Monday-Tuesday timeslot following Night Light in January 2017.
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1 redfox
October 13, 2016 at 3:09 AM
uh I am so torn! death row thing sounds like a mature and serious role which can lead to awards if done well, but... a hero like Hong Gil Dong might appeal to audiences and be remembered more. um...um...um... um, just blindfold your eyes and point at something.
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2 CrimeFighter
October 13, 2016 at 3:12 AM
wow, death row thriller is more interesting to me, imho...haha...If I were him, I will choose this drama.
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3 I Quit
October 13, 2016 at 3:34 AM
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Del
October 13, 2016 at 6:16 AM
Saeguk is not really meant for Ji Sung. The Great Seer was a mess but he was also not cut out for the role. And I think he should take up Defendant, otherwise he would be typecasted with the same type of role.
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Gala
October 14, 2016 at 4:00 AM
I love him in Kim SooRo so I can't agree that he doesn't fit the historical feel. I can actually see him doing a good job as Hong Gil Dong.
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4 BA
October 13, 2016 at 3:46 AM
Oh no not Seguk! Oppa's face & voice is not suited for period dramas. And recently he got his hair cut short so I am leaning toward Defendent.
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5 Kim JS
October 13, 2016 at 3:51 AM
another KMHM PD (MBC) Vs HJ&me PD (SBS) match.
I think PD' ability is better KMHM.
But MBC program is historically thing.
Jisung doesn't good at historical drama.
KMHM PD is close friends with Jisung.
At Same time slot, Jisung offered with Two PD's work.
I bet, he accepted KMHM PD's call.
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6 Sinta
October 13, 2016 at 4:00 AM
I think Ji Sung will choose hong gil dong ones. It's the same pd as his last work so there's kinds o connection. I think he will be sorry if he turn it down. It's a shame because I don't want to see him in historical drama. He doesn't match it.
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7 maryxiah
October 13, 2016 at 4:35 AM
Gah, I'm torn too! I don't think Ji Sung looks good in sageuk, but this is Kill Me Heal Me PD we're talking about! Either way, I'm going to support any of his decision, too bad Entertainment sucks so bad, I couldn't watch him in that.
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8 news
October 13, 2016 at 4:51 AM
Oh, it's the worst when the dramas are competing against each other in the same timeslot.
Reminds me of Hyun Bin having to choose between KMHM and Hyde, Jekyll, Me, but KMHM ended up being better.
Doesn't that mean the two PDs are competing against each other again?
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9 Waiting
October 13, 2016 at 4:51 AM
I'll be greedy - I want them both to be leads and can easily see both doing a great job in the role with maybe a slight lead to Ji Sung.
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10 twinkledot
October 13, 2016 at 5:03 AM
If jisung accept this, i hope namgoong min wont be out from the casts line-up. I mean i can picture him as Yeonsangun, he definitely can work it.
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Dramamama
October 13, 2016 at 6:00 AM
I am with you. I totally think NGM will kill it with his portrayal of Yeonsangun! I hope he does YSG. His presence with HL would be electrifying. He really crazy psycho well.
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11 claudefaye
October 13, 2016 at 5:13 AM
I first saw this headline here in Dramabeans and I was like, "Ugh. There can only be one Hong Gil Dong~~a for me! And that's Kang Ji-hwan oppa!" I felt a little bit sad because I don't want to see another actor in that character. I hope other KJH fans will symphatize with me. I love KJH, I super love Hong sisters and all the casts Sung Yuri, Jang Geunsuk, and Hwal Bin Dang cast.
A little bit sad. Hong Sisters' Hong Gil Dong is my number 1 favorite kdrama.
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goryeoprincess
October 16, 2016 at 9:24 AM
I agree. It was an excelent version of Hong Gil Dong. But I admit that I loved Ji Sung on KMHM so, it would be interesting to see him on a role like that... although I haven't seen him on a sageuk role before so...
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12 Mel
October 13, 2016 at 5:25 AM
Does Defendant have a decent writer and PD? It sounds interesting and different from Ji Sung's previous work. I don't want him doing a sageuk.
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13 loveblossom
October 13, 2016 at 6:25 AM
Dangggg. Both dramas sound pretty good, but I'm more interested in Defendant. I wish Ji Sung would take that role and Namgoong Min take the lead in Rebel Hong Gil Dong.
Really want to see Ji Sung in a thrilling, intense drama.
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14 kanz
October 13, 2016 at 6:52 AM
Being a sageuk fan myself I'd love to see Ji Sung as rebel hero Hong Gil Dong. On the other hand, Defendant seems fantastic and coming from City Hunter writer, so I think they know how to write thriller drama.
Can't we just have both, Dramagods? Sageuk Ji Sung and Thriller Ji Sung?
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15 LillyLee
October 13, 2016 at 7:00 AM
I wish I could see him do both dramas.
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16 Sera The Ms Temper
October 13, 2016 at 7:01 AM
I love Ji Sung in modern dramas but just no sageuk. I watched him before but I feel he is not comfortable doing sageuk.
Whatever he chose, I'm looking forward to it. Hope NGM oppa won't turn down this drama.
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17 canxi
October 13, 2016 at 7:02 AM
I personally still want Namgoong Min for Hong Gil Dong and Ji Sung in Defendent.
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Dee Em
October 14, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Yes, that does sound like the better choice. I like both of them as actors, and I personally think that Ji Sung would do wonders with the whole death row thing. This way, it's a win-win for the both of them.
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18 Trina
October 13, 2016 at 7:10 AM
If there is a clone machine. I would like Ji Sung to use it to do both dramas. I trust his wife to choose a
great project for him. ??
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19 Arhazivory
October 13, 2016 at 7:51 AM
I vote for Defendant. It's a meatier role and more up his ally in my opinion. Of course he'd do well either way but I really love a very complex version of Ji Sung.
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20 Andechi
October 13, 2016 at 8:05 AM
I love Ji Sung, like a lot!! Especially for his acting ability. Secret and KMHM was awesome, not sure what exactly wrong with Entertainer... And any news of his next drama is a thrill for me.
He said it once, the rating always flunk every time he does Sageuk. It is a challenge for him, but is he up to a challenge in his career? Need to satisfy his itch for a Sageuk? Can he trust the director to propel the drama as well as his career?
The other offer is also sounds very interesting, a bit safer, suitable darker role for him.
I just hope next project he'll get offer as a Vampire. I haven't quite get enough of him being tragic, sexy and blood thirsty.. Squeee...
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21 korfan
October 13, 2016 at 8:19 AM
Oh wow, decisions, decisions ...... pick which one??
I've seen him more often in modern fare than sageuk. The last sageuk I saw him in was Kim Soo Ro, which was ok. That was a while ago though.
I think I'm leaning more towards a non-historical drama for him, but whatever he selects, I'll check it out and see what happens.
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22 songsong
October 13, 2016 at 8:20 AM
I prefer to see Ji Sung in Defendant rather than in a sageuk.
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23 Bex
October 13, 2016 at 9:09 AM
I prefer the Defendant as well but whatever he chooses I'll be sure to watch!
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24 kwatchergin
October 13, 2016 at 9:47 AM
Well, I like both actors, they're just amazing in acting, (Although I only watched KMHM of Ji sung.) I was really happy for NGM to have a read role again, bc his acting just needs to be shown more. I hope he (NGM) plays Hong Gil dong and doesn't turn it down but it seems like first Ji sung needs to decide whether he likes to be in a historical drama or a morden one. Defendant's plot doesn't seem that new to me and if it has a complicated plot, I guess it won't be popular in Korea since they'd like to watch simple and happy go lucky dramas more, so Hong Gil dong would be more viewed (I guess) .
The thing is, I don't know how this things are actually working because first NGM was offered to this role and now another actor ! Maybe NGM has rejected it by now. Well, hope he gets a lead role very soon if this isn't working for him.
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25 wackycashew
October 13, 2016 at 10:49 AM
Wow, I'm feeling torn as well. Both sound like great roles. Defendant seems darker, but HGD is a classic heroic icon. Depending on his choice and who else signs on to the show, I might check it out.
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26 sweetsour
October 13, 2016 at 12:16 PM
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27 chamcham
October 13, 2016 at 12:48 PM
Oh... I still want Namgoong Min in this :/
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28 Viki
October 13, 2016 at 3:21 PM
Hmmm I'm torn. I dunno if I want Ji Sung or Namgoong Min as Hong Gil Dong. One thing's for sure: whoever of the two ended up with this role will be killing it cuz they are both great actors who adore for their skills
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29 Irit
October 13, 2016 at 4:02 PM
I hope Namgoong Min turned it down. I dislike remakes
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30 Aedyna
October 13, 2016 at 6:00 PM
Honestly, I'm a newbie in dramas so I don't know if he's played anything darker than KMHM, but I'd try something new if I were him :P
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31 hiheel
October 13, 2016 at 6:28 PM
I guess now we know that kill me heal me was the best of both worlds we get ahn yona and we get the more serious(kinda) shin segi
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32 ševča
October 15, 2016 at 12:15 PM
"knows women"... Does it mean this will be a realistic bandit? Or slightly more realistic?
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