The ardent love of the world's last mermaid in Legend of the Blue Sea

107 October 18, 2016October 18, 2016

The ardent love of the world’s last mermaid in Legend of the Blue Sea

by girlfriday

The first teaser is out for SBS’s upcoming fantasy romance Legend of the Blue Sea, and the tone is unexpectedly sad and wistful, as we’re introduced to the abiding love between a man and a mermaid that spans centuries. This is our first peek at the highly anticipated four-way team-up between stars Jeon Ji-hyun (You From Another Star) and Lee Min-ho (Heirs), writer Park Ji-eun (You From Another Star, The Producers), and PD Jin Hyuk (City Hunter, Master’s Sun), and I for one can’t wait to dive in wholeheartedly.

The new SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama stars Jeon Ji-hyun as the last mermaid on Earth, on the verge of extinction. The drama is the story of her devoted love that’s told in multiple timelines, and as we see in the show’s first teaser, both leads will be featured in both past and present. In the present day, Lee Min-ho plays a genius swindler with fellow conmen Lee Hee-joon (Yoo-na’s Street) and Shin (Big) by his side, and as the mermaid adjusts to life on land and encounters the swindler, romance and comedy will ensue.

The teaser points at a sad backstory for the mermaid, and a love that’s endured centuries. It opens on Lee Min-ho staring out into the open sea and Jeon Ji-hyun swimming underwater, and intercuts quick flashes of scenes in Joseon—the hero dressed in an officer’s uniform, the mermaid captured, poked, and demoralized by men. Then in the present, he wakes up on the shore just as the mermaid walks away from him on two legs. Jeon Ji-hyun narrates in voiceover, “But I will keep my promise. Whether a storm comes, whether no one is here and I am lonely, whether I am afraid because it’s a road I’ve never taken before, I will endure it all and go to you.”

It’s only a series of breadcrumbs for now, but it does make me think that we’re in for a reversal of You From Another Star’s setup that’s familiar in a lot of ways—maybe this time the heroine will carry a torch for centuries, and search for her one true love in every doppelganger she meets. The teaser’s copy reads: “Permitted just once in a lifetime—the love of the last mermaid on Earth. So beautiful it’s like a dream. The legend of the blue sea.”

The legend begins November 16.

Via DongA

107

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1 LeeMinHo❤

October 18, 2016 at 10:32 PM

SCREAM!!! I screamed when I saw the teaser. It was SOOOo unexpected. Im speechless!! So happy and excited for Lee Min Ho come back drama..
The teaser is sOo fascinating.. I have watched it so many times so far. The cinemotography, sound, acting .. everything is sOoo real and has so many feels in it. I am totall in ! Lee Min Ho Oppa fighting!! :)))

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sungjong

October 19, 2016 at 7:23 AM

man..i've never liked LMH before but after this...i think my opinion will in for change..jjh is beautiful like always but LMH looks mind blowingly poignant! and beautiful :P

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kae

October 19, 2016 at 7:30 AM

I was never a fan of LMH either but I'll give this a shot

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2 \^0^/

October 18, 2016 at 10:38 PM

Omo. This surely spreads fast. I saw this first in fb page, then in allkpop, then in soompi, now in dramabeans. I'm about to drown after seeing this for many times. LOL.

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3 hawoojinruinedme

October 18, 2016 at 10:39 PM

C’mon, Show. Please be good. I’m rooting for you. Help me like Lee Minho again. Bring back the good ol’ City Hunter lover in me. I will be ardently anticipating!

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Christabel Godlewska

October 19, 2016 at 3:18 AM

YES!!! It definitely is bringing back the City Hunter feels <3

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rentenmann

October 19, 2016 at 10:18 PM

Ah, City Hunter. While I may have giggled everytime somebody said that phrase in English, I was still riveted to the TV and marathoned it on Netflix. Good times!

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quincygirl

October 29, 2016 at 4:42 PM

Loved City Hunter

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4 Ella

October 18, 2016 at 10:40 PM

hmm.. its a tragedy story right?

Like all mermaid love stories. =))

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quincygirl

October 29, 2016 at 4:40 PM

Yeah, Hollywood has a writers block going on. Seems like everything has to be a remake of something.They are even taking classics and trying to re-do them. So stupid When you have something so good the first time around my advice is don't mess with fate. I am kinda new to watching K-Dramas and have always liked LMH. Could some of you please tell me why you haven't liked him?? Is Bounty Hunter any good? It hasn't showed up on Drama Fever or Viki. Has anyone seen it yet?

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quincygirl

October 29, 2016 at 4:43 PM

The Little Mermaid turned out good with a happy ending. lol

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5 NeChan

October 18, 2016 at 10:50 PM

WOW!!! Waiting!!!!

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6 seoul_searcher

October 18, 2016 at 10:51 PM

I'm speechless! i really hope for the sake of the main leads this show does them justice. so far it looks promising so I'm keeping my hopes up for this one - don't let me down pls!

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7 paroles

October 18, 2016 at 10:52 PM

But... it sounds like they are just repackaging MFAS into mermaid edition! I guess it's good that I haven't watched the drama.

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alasecond

October 19, 2016 at 12:59 AM

As far as I can see it.. its SPLASH through and through.. and i really think SPLASH fits right into 16/20 episode format and cohabitation genre..

even these intial scenes are close carbon copy of the similar scenes from that movie

That movie was a sleeper hit...

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I Quit

October 19, 2016 at 1:56 AM

Comment was deleted

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alasecond

October 19, 2016 at 6:19 AM

Are they making a remake?

Pretty cool although nt sure i d be so tempted to watch dat same story unfold again..

Personally dont find it evergreen love story material

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Clinton Carter

October 19, 2016 at 3:13 AM

This looks nothing like splash, just because it has a mermaid in it does not automatically make it splash. Chill

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alasecond

October 19, 2016 at 6:17 AM

I m chilled...
Gud if u dont c it.. i do...

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fishtales

October 19, 2016 at 6:02 AM

It does have that SPLASH feel, but in that one it was the mermaid who initially saved the guy when they were kids. Isn't the Joseon story from 'Eou Yadam' LMH's character who releases the mermaid after getting caught? Then we start getting into MLFAS feels if it's the same mermaid through the centuries.

I wonder if this will also incorporate into the drama some parts of the pansori story of 'Sim Chung', name of JJH's character. Sim Chung sacrificed herself to the sea for her blind father, gets saved by the sea king and returns to her father.

Typical of this writer...mashup of all genres. So excited!

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alasecond

October 19, 2016 at 6:22 AM

I m sure there will be variations or a diff story..

I m just talking abt d trailer..

D whole mermaid saving him on d beach hiding n then walking away segment

N dat childhood bit probably paralleled to across time n generation true kdrama true love concept style m he he

She doesnt age or what

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8 Peach

October 18, 2016 at 10:54 PM

OoOooh! Despite the hype surrounding this drama, I wasn't really interested. But now I'm intrigued! Mostly because, WOW, it looks GORGEOUS!

I wasn't part of the drama wave that seemed to have watching BoF and Heirs as a requirement, so I don't really have the affinity for LMH that most other drama fans do. But this is the first time I've seen him where my brain was like "HANDSOME," right off the bat.

I love fairytale-esque stories and adaptations, so I hope this doesn't disappoint. I've never seen MLFAS, but the impression I got was that it was quite wacky a times. I don't really feel like that would fit this, but maybe I'll be proven wrong. Right now though, I'm hoping for more sweeping and theatrical.

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fishnchips

October 19, 2016 at 10:47 PM

+1 SAMEEE!!!

I'm neither a huge LMH fangirl nor was I hyped for this at all (like at all, in fact I'm pretty sure half of me was dreading the cliche scam artist falls for mermaid bit) but nOW I AM A BUNDLE OF HYPE.

Also, if you like reading any fairytale adaptations/retellings with twists and turns, I must recommend the lunar chronicles to you. I just stumbled across it the other day and finished binge-reading everything and it was such a delight.

(Also sorry so much enthusiasm in this reply lol it was just super nice to see a comment with someone thinking exactly like I had --rare to find other people who weren't already LMH fans-- so I got a little overexcited ^^;;)

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Flightey Gazelles

October 20, 2016 at 1:54 AM

Lunar Chronicles? Korean or American? I suppose I could Google but....

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fishnchips

October 21, 2016 at 12:53 AM

American book series by Marissa Meyer, haha. I only wish my Korean level was high enough to merrily read novels...

That said though, it's a fun series! YA sci-fi lit, but without any love triangles which I feel is the most important selling point, lol. I mean, love triangles are okay in kdrama since they don't really get drawn out, but in my experience they are always meaningless and frustrating torture when in YA.

Tbh I feel wrong even labelling the lunar chronicles as YA because it's so much more...fun? Energetic? Like, there is a LOT of storybuilding that makes for a really fun, well put together world with interesting concepts.

The characters are all unique, with their own motivations and personalities, and nobody feels like a caricature or side-character. Like, everyone is living out their own story, nobody is there just because.

The romance is abundant (four ships!), but refreshing and meaningful. Each ship and their story is different, and the characters take their time ---but in a logical and rational way, not just to drag it out--- to cement any relationships. Admittedly, the first sparks of attraction usually come along pretty fast, but everything else is paced nicely.

Honestly though, my fave thing is all the twists and turns the author put in the retellings of fairytales. A few are predictable, but others BLOW YOUR MIND in the best way. And also maybe punch you in the gut. Or rip out your heart. You may want to have someone to scream at nearby.

Tbh my only complaint is that the series could've been longer, the plot could've been a bit more complex, we could've spent more time with the characters.... but that is likely because I'm a person whose favourite kdrama are 50-160 episodes long, lol.

Overall, it's a really enjoyable series. A little cliche here and there, a lot of twists, and fun, vibrant characters with their own voices. Highly recommended for any reading needs.

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9 yayabean

October 18, 2016 at 10:55 PM

Can't wait! I like Lee Min-ho, but I'm so super excited, and glad, it didn't take Jeon Ji-hyun another 16 years to do another drama!

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10 aimi

October 18, 2016 at 10:57 PM

it is not romcom??? facepalm! I'm not sure how would LMH handle a melo but i'll be watching it for JJH. fingercross

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Aimi

October 19, 2016 at 6:06 AM

LMH will handle it well for sure. Aja!

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11 tellmewhy

October 18, 2016 at 11:01 PM

Looks fantastic!!! Im crying?? This is finally happening??

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12 tellmewhy

October 18, 2016 at 11:03 PM

After 618352819 days waiting LMH comeback on small screen?? Fighting everyone. I cant wait to see it on Nov 16?

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13 revel

October 18, 2016 at 11:07 PM

I am so nervous and excited for this drama. Is it even possible to live up to the kind of expectations this drama has? The teaser looks good... All the best to whole team. And most of all welcome back Queen Ji Hyun, the reason I would be watching this drama.

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14 VF

October 18, 2016 at 11:12 PM

This does seem a lot like YWCFAS: jooseon era and the leads meeting in the past/during that time. I do hope it's a lot different though. I love YWCFAS but for LOTBS to be a 2.0 of that makes me a bit...:/
It will be a fun watch to see the mermaid adapting to human life. I look forward to this drama a lot! I hope everything turns out great.

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15 angelajungxx

October 18, 2016 at 11:26 PM

OMG can't wait for this drama!!!
it starts on the day i leave for vacation WOOP WOOP
might not get to see it live but that means i can marathon it

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Anabella

October 19, 2016 at 2:07 AM

OMG You too!!! I'm also leaving for Vacation on that day! Don't tell me your going to Disney World cause I'll flip! LOL XD

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angelajungxx

October 19, 2016 at 9:41 PM

I'm actually legit going to Disneyland during my stay there LOL
Plus other theme parks haha

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16 alpha

October 18, 2016 at 11:31 PM

I AM SHOOK. That was legit such a gorgeous teaser.

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17 juliesean

October 18, 2016 at 11:33 PM

I don't know how I feel about this. It's too fantastical. It also looks to be a melo, which is what I want to avoid at all costs. It looks so serious in tone that I feel the bleakness through the screen. I hope I'm wrong cos many times, the trailers are different from the actual drama.

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YellowEyes

October 20, 2016 at 5:51 AM

Its advertised as romantic comedy, its not a melo. Check out on twitter the fan pics made during the filming in Spain and you will see there will be a lot of funny scenes.

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18 gem28

October 18, 2016 at 11:45 PM

This looks fantastic. Hopefully, this turn out just as good as the teaser.

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19 Tara

October 18, 2016 at 11:47 PM

November 16 is too far away!! ?

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20 missjb

October 18, 2016 at 11:51 PM

is this A MELO?

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21 wapz

October 19, 2016 at 12:02 AM

However, I don't want JI to end and had little expectations for this show which seems so much like YFAS, the teasers are really pretty. They can not not increase anyone's interest.

I'm amongst those few people who didn't like YFAS as much as other people. It was ok and JJH was good but I fely it was dragged a lot and the villian had less to do with the leads and more to his own family. How many episodes is this btw? If 16 then I think PJE can write a masterpiece in that if more then it can be dragged.

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missjb

October 19, 2016 at 12:12 AM

Well I really hope it will be a gem.. I don't want it to be like YFAS.... That drama has the potential to be a decent drama, but it's just okay after all... But took So much time for the otp, the plot is okay

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22 Franbergh II

October 19, 2016 at 12:05 AM

ive been wondering for a very long time since i begin to think with logic.
so, mermaid is actually in the same family with seal and walrus right? so theyre supposed to be a lot chubby~ :D
(sorry for destroying the pretty image of mermaid) :D

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23 bluemoon

October 19, 2016 at 12:05 AM

OH MY GOD~ So Excited for this drama. Everything looks amazing. Sad that it's going to be a sad love story that surpasses centuries.

Probably going to be my favorite drama this year next to Jealousy Incarnate.

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24 Lea

October 19, 2016 at 12:34 AM

This teaser reminds me of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, the same sad feel to it. I know the two story are different but Lee Min Ho lying in the beach while the mermaid walked away and the monologue is so reminiscent of that story. I cannot wait for this, I know I am not the biggest fan of Lee Min Ho but this looks good and I am genuinely impressed.

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25 alasecond

October 19, 2016 at 12:57 AM

The whole scene of finding her and she walking away has uncanny resemblance to tom Hanks mermaid movie ( where mermaid comes to surface, he saves her, she lives with him, scientists get interested, he rescues her.. and in the end... he decided to follow her into her world so that both of them can live...)

SPLASH wasn't it?

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26 Nessie

October 19, 2016 at 1:30 AM

Okay wasn't interested at first but now that the tone seems to be set, I'm VERY interested. So glad LMH isn't doing a teen role anymore.

Let these teasers start consuming me now.

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27 saranga

October 19, 2016 at 1:31 AM

these stills look too pretty. i've always been a huge sucker for mermaid themes, and it's rarely well executed. but i have such faith in this writer—literally, i've loved every single one of her dramas minus queen of reversals. so her writing style, which is lighthearted, i dig.

i had my doubts about lee min-ho's appearance in the article about the script reading, but i'm relieved to see that he looks quite normal. and actually, quite handsomer than he's been since BOF/personal taste era. and MUCH better than from heirs. i'm so glad the red/orange hair is gone!

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Grapes

October 19, 2016 at 2:32 AM

+100 about LMH's look he's so much better looking in this drama, i hated his look and his hair in Heirs. in my opinion natural black hair color is the best hair color on korean actors.

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saranga

October 19, 2016 at 3:09 AM

oh my god, i wholeheartedly agree. about black/natural color looking best on korean actors. i think too-brightly colored hair has a tendency to wash out asian features. it's the case with many idols—i don't know what their actual faces look like, because the red/orange/yellow hair wash their faces out so much and they all end up looking alike to me.

of course some do pull off colored hair amazingly well. model soo joo carved out an entire career for herself by coloring her hair platinum, so that was a really lucky stroke for her.

i wished song hye-kyo had her natural dark hair in DOTS—she looks GORGEOUS with her natural hair color. and i just really loathe that reddish color, it flatters few people. though i will say that song looks pretty no matter what. even with the questionable mushroom haircut in worlds within, i couldn't stop marveling over how pretty she was.

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Damnfreakinbiatch

October 19, 2016 at 4:11 AM

Thats why i'm glad jjh's hairstyle is not like what mostly female leads in kdrama had,that see through bangs that made them look like the same face to me eventhough they're pretty and nail it,its a bit refreshing to see such simple hairstyle and bare makeup :)

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28 Nemi

October 19, 2016 at 1:36 AM

Beautiful. More excited about this than any other upcoming drama. Can't wait to see it.

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29 angieya

October 19, 2016 at 1:55 AM

Wow, definitely not what I was expecting. The cinematography is gorgeous and JJH looks ethereal. I think the tone will be similar to YFAS that it'll have comedic moments but also lots of melo. I hope it'll live up to its hype.

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missjb

October 19, 2016 at 2:01 AM

It's from PD Jin HYuk. SO expecting alot of beautiful scenery

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30 Anabella

October 19, 2016 at 2:13 AM

So Beautiful and yet so Short!!! I Demand a Trailer our more Teasers ASAP, pretty Please....

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Baek

October 19, 2016 at 3:40 AM

More to come definitely.. SBS is good at the teasing..

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31 Aya

October 19, 2016 at 2:28 AM

Mermaid? I can't take it yet.. JJH, the voice.. I still see Chun Song Yi, so how I can you forget Do manager?
Anyway, praying to drama god that this will be a hit?

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32 john

October 19, 2016 at 2:48 AM

Looks good, nice cast, the writer and director have had success, let's hope we have a hit.

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33 Aidualc

October 19, 2016 at 3:03 AM

Really excited to see it. And unlike in the script reading photo Lee Min Ho actually looks good.
But is the mermaid a reincarnation too or is it the same mermaid living through all timelines?

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samantha1

October 19, 2016 at 3:09 AM

The mermaid has been living through time...

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angieya

October 19, 2016 at 3:52 AM

And now I'm imagining JJH's in a reunion with KSH after his MS as the ageless mermaid meeting the by then 500 year old alien in a future world where both their last loves have already died eons ago. ?

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34 virgo

October 19, 2016 at 3:43 AM

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Sancheezy

October 19, 2016 at 4:56 AM

if it started from joseon era, it's quite a good idea to have yeong's book about mermaid there, just a wish

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wapz

October 19, 2016 at 6:04 AM

I guess the show is on SBS preceding Jealousy Incarnate. It has nothing to do with KBS and MLDBC.

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alasecond

October 19, 2016 at 6:24 AM

Finally sbs will make some money this yr lol

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Anabella

October 19, 2016 at 10:11 AM

LOL Apparently they saved the Best for Last! ^_~

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purpleowl

October 19, 2016 at 6:07 PM

Yo! Your name though!

I miss DotS.

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35 elric

October 19, 2016 at 3:49 AM

This is absolutely gorgeous! I hope that the rest of drama continues to be visually stunning and entertaining like this teaser. Story-wise, I do see similarities from YFAS but it feels like Lee Min-ho's character has preserve or has some memories of his past himself? I'm not sure or maybe I'm just over analyzing the teaser but that would be a great addition to the plot.

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36 omomo

October 19, 2016 at 4:35 AM

It sure looks beautiful. I've always had a soft spot for shows/films with seaside settings.

Jeon Ji-hyun is so stunning as a mermaid. She doesn't look a day over 25. Whoa.

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37 YellowEyes

October 19, 2016 at 4:51 AM

The teaser was amazing. It was like a poem, and Lee Min Ho looks dreamy. Really ethereal and beautiful. The cinematography is just incredible. Im so excited for this!!
The drama has been advertised as comedy/romance, so I was expecting a lighter tone. It surprised me in a good way, even though Im sure the serie is going to have many funny scenes as well.
Ha! I notice the haters havent said a word about LMH yet. They cant. He looks just too perfect.

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38 V

October 19, 2016 at 4:53 AM

It's looks so pretty! I hope this drama doesn't disappoint.

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39 Sancheezy

October 19, 2016 at 4:57 AM

sometimes I still think it gonna be funny if LMH is the mermaid

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acciokdramas

October 19, 2016 at 5:51 AM

oh my GOD now i'm getting images of a Faith-era Lee Min Ho twirling around in the water with his pet fish Woo Bin (aka Flounder) and his glory of mane streaming behind him gloriously

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40 Hanabi

October 19, 2016 at 5:29 AM

OMG i thought I wouldn't care about this drama but that teaser looks so good..I think I am sold for now.

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41 sooyoungmybias

October 19, 2016 at 5:49 AM

this makes me want to buy a mermaid tail off eBay, go to my local pool and swim around as if i'm Ariel. oh, and maybe save a cute guy or two..no biggie.

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42 hyades

October 19, 2016 at 5:50 AM

Will they follow the original story? I hope not otherwise it will be boring

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43 chiyako92

October 19, 2016 at 6:00 AM

I still don't like them as a couple, but from the teaser this drama looks interesting. At first I wasn't going to watch it, but now I could change my mind.

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44 kdramajunkies

October 19, 2016 at 6:06 AM

The drama's slogan: "Surplus Princess - just darker and with a much more famous cast."

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45 Lessa

October 19, 2016 at 6:30 AM

Hello, gorgeous teaser. <3

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46 Khanh

October 19, 2016 at 6:31 AM

Sbs lineup really awesome. From this to saimdang, i'm curious what will next

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47 korfan

October 19, 2016 at 6:52 AM

Looks interesting. Hope it all goes well.

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48 blessingwind

October 19, 2016 at 7:02 AM

The teaser was nice. It doesnt give u the korean feeling though.haha

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49 leila

October 19, 2016 at 7:18 AM

LOL! its so similar to you who came from the stars! like flashbacks to the past and finding people who look the same in the future. alien. mermaid. same thing. not like i am complaining :D