Shin Dong-wook makes acting comeback with Lookout

54 March 27, 2017March 27, 2017

by javabeans

Excellent news! Shin Dong-wook (Wish Upon a Star), who was diagnosed with a cripplingly painful illness called CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) in 2010, is finally well enough to resume his acting career, and has confirmed joining MBC’s upcoming action-crime-thriller drama Lookout. The series is an ensemble show that centers around ordinary people who have all lost a loved one through various crimes; having lost faith in the system, they come together to form a vigilante group of “Lookouts” who fight for justice and punish those whom the law has overlooked.

The drama’s cast includes Lee Shi-young (My Beautiful Bride) as a woman who seeks revenge against her daughter’s killer, who was never caught, while Kim Young-kwang (The Man Living in Our House) plays an ambitious lawyer whose painful childhood has twisted him into becoming a “monster.” Shin Dong-wook has been cast as Kim Young-kwang’s half-brother, and while the mysterious childhood incident remains vaguely described, the two men “share a pain that’s thicker than blood.” Moreover, he’s the only person who understands Kim Young-kwang’s true nature and knows his plans—and is therefore the only person who can emphathize with him and hold him back. Aw, that sounds like it’s going to be a tragic bromance that’ll twist my heart up, in a good (though painful) way.

Also cast are Kim Tae-hoon (Fantastic) as a righteous prosecutor who believes in the power of the law until he’s disillusioned by the corruption he sees around him. Kim Seul-gi (Splish Splash Love) plays an orphan burdened by survivor’s guilt after losing her whole family, and Key (Drinking Solo) plays a genius hacker.

I’m so pleased to hear that Shin Dong-wook’s health has improved enough for him to feel confident about returning to acting; for a while, I thought we might never see him act again, which would have been too sad (his 2006 drama Soulmate remains one of my all-time favorite shows). Shin had been fulfilling his mandatory two-year military service when he suffered sudden and random attacks of pain, and after he was diagnosed, he was discharged from duty. He spent the next several years out of the spotlight recovering his health, and was able to write a novel titled I Write, Space Journal, which was published last year.

His management had stated then that the nature of CRPS made it possible to carry on everyday life, but that the sudden and unexpected attacks of pain made an acting comeback uncertain. But now, his management states, “He is not 100 percent recovered from his disease, but has improved to such a degree that it will not cause problems for his everyday life or for filming.” His role, naturally, will not be heavy on the action; we can expect most of those scenes to fall to his castmates.

Directed by Two Weeks’ PD Sohn Hyung-seok, Lookout was the winner in an open script competition last year. It will follow Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People on MBC, beginning in May.

Via News1, IS Plus

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Tags: Lookout, Shin Dong-wook

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1 Flightey Gazelles

March 27, 2017 at 3:12 AM

Even though am not familiar with the actor, this is such a happy positive news!!

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quincygirl

March 30, 2017 at 7:35 AM

I have not seen Soulmate but I have seen Stars Falling From The Sky (Wish Upon a Star) and fell in love with him then.

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2 nokcha

March 27, 2017 at 3:16 AM

So happy he's well again! Loved him in Soulmate!

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Syn Tri

March 27, 2017 at 2:48 PM

Ditto! He has such an infectious smile and Soulmate was a rare gem that was always underrated. Soundtrack was excellent.

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skelly

March 28, 2017 at 8:20 AM

Soulmate was one of the very first Kdramas I watched, and it was the one that made me into a huge fan. Although it too was an ensemble show I felt that Shin Dong Wook's role was the one that held everything together, and he did a fabulous job. He's got very good comedic timing and I hope he gets to use that to some extent here. So glad to see him return!

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3 Sw33tPurpl3

March 27, 2017 at 3:24 AM

Yay!! such great news.... i thought i'll never see him on my screen again.... ?

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4 Sur

March 27, 2017 at 3:49 AM

Awwwww!! I loved him in soulmate. So glad to hear such a happy news.

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5 Nina Chikovani

March 27, 2017 at 3:50 AM

It is a great news on so many levels, I am also happy he got one of the lead roles and doesn't has to start his career from the beginning. I hope this project would be a success.
On another note, FINALLY someone casted Kim Young-kwang in villian's role. This guy always gives me creeps.

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fay17

March 27, 2017 at 4:10 AM

He's not cast as a villain I think ,rather this time again he got the lead role. Disappointing, I know.

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quincygirl

March 30, 2017 at 7:57 AM

I have seen Young-kwang in a few roles and never thought he was creepy. Is it because he is a tall man. Maybe I just haven't seen him as a villain.

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6 Lux

March 27, 2017 at 4:11 AM

I was really sad when I learned about his disease after watching Soulmate back in 2012. Then I kind of waited for news about Shin Dong-wook when DB published his "hopes for a comeback" article so I CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS HOW HAPPY I AM RIGHT NOW!

My hype for this drama just skyrocketed, lol. Lee Shi-young + Key + Kim Seul-gi + the smexy Kim Tae-hoon? It doesn't hurt that this drama would have the Two Weeks PD + this seems like my type of genre. Can't wait!

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7 C

March 27, 2017 at 4:17 AM

After Radiant Office is Ruler. Do you mean after Rebel?

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Kbfm

March 27, 2017 at 4:24 AM

Yep i thought its after rebel too...

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Grapes

March 27, 2017 at 4:40 AM

Yes it's after Rebel.

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javabeans

March 27, 2017 at 10:36 AM

Hm, I see conflicting information, but you're right. Corrected!

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8 wapz

March 27, 2017 at 4:24 AM

So glad to hear this! Now can we have the rest of Soulmate's cast landing up good roles too. I haven't seen anyone of them recently except for Lee sung kyung.

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irmar

March 27, 2017 at 10:55 PM

Of all the Soulmate cast, except for Lee sung kyung who is still present, the others haven't really made it: one quit her acting career and the others have been playing sporadically in what looks to be not popular dramas and probably not even important roles.

Sa Kang who played prissy Hong Yu Jin stopped filming in 2008.
The actress got married to a salaryman 4-year her senior in 2007 after a 10-year courtship. In 2012, she retired from the industry for the foreseeable future to be a wife and mother and moved to America following her husband who worked at an American branch of a Korean company. In 2014 she gave birth to her second child.

Choi Phillip, although he's a mediocre actor, has been seen, on and off, in secondary roles, up to now, his last one being Baek Hee Has Returned (a 4-episode family melodrama which aired in the summer of 2016)
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Choi_Phillip

Otani Ryohei, another non-actor (his performance in Soulmate was cringeworthy continues "acting" every now and then in his native Japan. He's appeared in 14 more dramas. But, suffice it to say that I happened to see one o them (Dear My Sister, which is not bad, it's on viki.com), and I never noticed it was him - so it cannot have been an important role.
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Otani_Ryohei

Jung Hwan, the simple womanizing hulk, is also acting on-and-off. For instance, he was in I Need Romance 2012, and lately in Oh My Geum Bi, airing 2016-Nov-16 to 2017-Jan-1. He's credited in "Others", so I suppose it's a small role. He is 40 now. Who knows if his career will get better with ahjussi roles? But there are so many awesome actors of his generation that I doubt he could snatch any juicy roles from them.
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Jung_Hwan

As for Kim Mi Jin, our favourite spinster, she also hasn't quit acting, but since Soulmate she never had anything important. The list of her few dramas didn't ring a bell. In the cast of her last one, Beloved Eun Dong, from 2015, she is among "Others" so I presume it's a very small role. It's a pity because I've seen much worse actresses land comic roles.

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9 MzMeow

March 27, 2017 at 4:30 AM

Love Shin Dong Wook and Kim Seul Gi!

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10 annnsow

March 27, 2017 at 5:02 AM

OMG I screamed so loud when I saw your title that my dad ran to my room because he thought something happened to me hahah I cannot stop laughing

his 2006 drama Soulmate remains one of my all-time favorite shows

same! I'm very happy for him that he's healthy enough to resume his career. I will watch his come back show for sure.

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gaeinalee

March 27, 2017 at 5:44 AM

Soulmate is over a decade ago?? Gosh! How time flies and old I am now...

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11 dollstar

March 27, 2017 at 5:11 AM

Wow, I can't believe this is happening, the pessimist in me had already assumed he would never come back to acting after all these years. I'm happy to be able to see him act again and fingers crossed nothing happens during production. I still remember him fondly from Soulmate.

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dollstar

March 27, 2017 at 5:19 AM

Also he really looks like Mike He in that pic.

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12 gaeinalee

March 27, 2017 at 5:43 AM

He lost his cute full cheek and looked leaner. But healthier i guess now that he could go back to resume his normal activity and act again. Can't wait to see him grace the small screen again.

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13 haruka

March 27, 2017 at 5:50 AM

I actually screamed a little when I saw the headline because YASSSSSS. The last time I saw him was in Wish Upon the Star, thanks to JB's recaps that made me stuck to the series till the end and remembered was expecting his next work until the unfortunate news came out. Hardly can wait for his comeback right now.

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14 Arhazivory

March 27, 2017 at 6:21 AM

*tears* I'm so happy he's well enough to come back. It's been years and what happened was so heartbreaking. I will trust the producers to not have any crazy filming schedule for him.

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15 Adal

March 27, 2017 at 6:27 AM

Awww this brings tears to my eyes. I had assumed I'd never see him in a drama again after such a debilitating disease and that Stars Falling from the Sky would be the last drama I would watch him in! I'm thankful that I'll have the opportunity to see him onscreen again.

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16 Mia

March 27, 2017 at 6:45 AM

This is amazing! I loved him in Stars Falling From the Sky, I'm glad he's feeling well enough again.

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17 mekko

March 27, 2017 at 7:38 AM

Yet another person who's utterly happy he's back to the acting world! Soulmate is the only drama I've ever rewatched, and probably marks when I truly fell in love with Korean entertainment. So happy to see that his health is improving.

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18 Janezelda

March 27, 2017 at 7:52 AM

Count me in! I am thrilled that ShinDong Wook is healthy and able to resume acting. His performance in Soulmate remains one of my favorites!

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19 Makoto

March 27, 2017 at 8:29 AM

Welcome back, Oppa! ♡
Wish Upon A Star is one of the dramas that I often rewatch because of the warm feeling it leaves.
Thanks Javabeans for the good news.

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20 yen

March 27, 2017 at 10:46 AM

Guy from Soulmate! any opportunity to bring out the existence of Soulmate is basically my hobby lol. anyway Im really glad to have him back.

MBC dramas are lackluster these days. But this is looking hopeful.

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iamdeb

March 27, 2017 at 4:52 PM

I think I might need to watch Soulmate now! I've suddenly developed a desire to watch really old kdramas after Viki randomly started playing an episode of My Beloved Sister and I got sucked into it.

I'm also about to start watching Dalja's Spring which I heard alot about. I realized that I really miss the charm of older kdramas.....

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irmar

March 27, 2017 at 10:58 PM

The charm of Soulmate is that, apart from the cringeworthy wardrobe, it doesn't feel like an older drama in many ways. It addresses the different ways that men and women think about relationships in a very modern and frank way.
And when it becomes romantic, towards the end, it is very, very romantic.
The very ending was a bit unsatisfactory. Athough we all knew it was a happy ending, we also wanted one more scene, to see it happening. But it's no big deal.
And the show had the most AMAZING soundtrack.

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21 Miky

March 27, 2017 at 10:58 AM

This is beyond great news...Missed him so much and so happy knowing he is better now...Now drama please be good as it sounds!!!

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22 PakalanaPikake

March 27, 2017 at 11:34 AM

Thank you, javabeans, you made my day! I just about levitated I was so overjoyed to read this news about Shin Dong-wook's return to acting.

After rewatching SOUL MATE, I thoroughly enjoyed STARS FALLING FROM THE SKY and CLOUD STAIRS. The fact that LOOKOUT's director made TWO WEEKS makes me even happier. The rest of the cast looks very good, too.

*does happy dance*

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23 goldeng

March 27, 2017 at 11:40 AM

Such great newss!!! I dont go all rabid fangirl mode often but... Oppa is back!! *throws confetti* After finishing Soulmate in like 2011and wish upon a star he became my ultimate crush I learned about his disease many months later because no matter where I looked I couldnt find more of his work. Hope he takes it easy but at the same time, Id like to see him work his magic again :)

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Yaya

March 27, 2017 at 4:44 PM

Exactly! Totally agree with you @goldeng

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24 Abbie

March 27, 2017 at 12:21 PM

I'm glad he's coming back and I hope he stays in good health!

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25 bmore

March 27, 2017 at 2:36 PM

been tracking news of him ever since he was diagnosed. our group is thrilled beyond words for him to have been able to reach this point. There seemed too little hope for him at the time. i hope it goes well for him.

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Robyne Henderson

March 29, 2017 at 9:50 PM

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26 adriana

March 27, 2017 at 3:08 PM

OH YEAH!!!!!

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27 realiti

March 27, 2017 at 4:29 PM

*pops a bottle of champagne*

Great news! Loved Soulmate so much.
Really looking forward to this.

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28 Yaya

March 27, 2017 at 4:41 PM

OMG OMG OMG! ???

These are wonderful news! Loved him in Soulmate??

Can't wait!

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29 iamdeb

March 27, 2017 at 4:49 PM

I actually yelled out loud when I read this! I'M SO HAPPY FOR HIM!!!! I've only seen him in Stars Falling from The Sky but he had such a gentle air about him that made him likeable and trustworthy.

I can't imagine how physically and mentally tough the past few years have been for him (I've heard CRPS can be an extremely painful condition) so I'm so glad he can finally get back to doing what he loves. Can't wait to see him again!!

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30 buckdawna

March 27, 2017 at 6:11 PM

I'm having a little trouble processing my emotions right now, but the main one coursing through me is *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*

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31 bbstl

March 27, 2017 at 6:47 PM

Oh happy day! What great news.

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32 SHF

March 27, 2017 at 7:16 PM

Yay! So happy to hear he's coming back! I didn't know what happened to him! Thanks!

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33 Tia Lee

March 27, 2017 at 9:48 PM

I'm so happy hearing this piece of news. Hopefully we will finally get "Soulmate" season 2 somewhere down the road.

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34 irmar

March 27, 2017 at 10:59 PM

So glad he's well enough to be back, and so glad he's back. .I was hoping against hope that it would happen some day. A hearty welcome, and I wish that from now on it's only uphill or at least well enough as he is now.

It will be the first time I'll watch an action thriller for his sake.

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35 jagged

March 28, 2017 at 9:43 AM

Will look forward to this comeback drama just for him, only for him so I'm booking Lookout on my watchlist.

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36 Robyne Henderson

March 29, 2017 at 9:43 PM

having two pages on FB for him, i am THRILLED to hear this news! we have been waiting and praying for him for many years so this seems an answer to prayer. cannot wait to see this!

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37 quincygirl

March 30, 2017 at 8:05 AM

This news has made me very happy. I am sooooo looking forward to watching Lookout. I hope he continues to get better and better with each passing day. WELCOME BACK SHIN DONG-WOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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38 Lisa

April 4, 2017 at 10:23 PM

OMG OMG OMG! I haven't even read the entire article yet before scrolling down to post about my excitement. I'm just thrilled to even see this headline. Soulmate is one of my favorite kdramas and I have been hoping that Shin Dong Wook would one day return to acting after his health issues. I'm so happy that he is doing better.

Watch Soulmate if you want to get caught up in a swoon-worthy well-written romance!