Kim Nam-gil, Kim Ah-joong offered new tvN time-slip drama

58 May 11, 2017May 19, 2017

Kim Nam-gil, Kim Ah-joong offered new tvN time-slip drama

by girlfriday

There’s a new drama in the works that may bring Kim Nam-gil back to television. It’s already been four years since he did Shark, and Bad Guy three years before that, but he’s considering an offer for a new tvN time-slip drama that may lure him away from the movies this summer. The series is called Live Up to Your Name, and is also courting Kim Ah-joong (Wanted, Punch) to co-star.

It’ll be a medical-fantasy drama that goes back and forth between Joseon and present-day Seoul, about a talented Joseon doctor who travels 400 years to the present and butts heads with a prickly contemporary doctor. It seems like Faith or Dr. Jin in reverse, or maybe it’s more optimistic to think of it as Queen In-hyun’s Man with medicine.

Kim Nam-gil has been offered the leading role of Joseon acupuncturist Heo Im, a well-known talent who is unable to get due recognition for his medical skills because he’s the son of a concubine. Because of that, he’s a jaded, self-sabotaging sort who’s lost his way. But he’s also described as shrewd and cheeky, with a devil-may-care attitude towards life. The character is based on a real historical figure who helped advance acupuncture in the late 16th to early 17th century.

Kim Ah-joong is considering the role of Choi Yeon-kyung, a cold-on-the-outside, scarred-on-the-inside doctor in 2017 Seoul. She’s a second-year resident cardiothoracic surgeon at Faith Hospital (is the name intentionally a reference to the drama, or is that just a lot of coincidence?), who’s known for her prickly manner of speech and being a walking medical textbook. She’s a firm believer in Western medicine, which of course sets her up to be at odds with the acupuncturist who suddenly gets dropped 400 years in the future and heals people with needles.

Perhaps more than the subject matter, the talent behind the scenes is what might get me to watch. Directing is PD Hong Jong-chan, who just picked up a Baeksang for Best Drama with the incredibly moving Dear My Friends, writing is Kim Eun-hee of Queen’s Classroom, and producing is Bon Factory of The Liar and His Lover. The plot description does say that both characters will travel in time, though I think since we’ve seen Faith and Dr. Jin take the present-day doc to the past, I’m more interested in the fish-out-of-water shenanigans in store for the Joseon doc in the present day. That, and I certainly hope they don’t waste the opportunity for a mane of glory!

Live Up to Your Name is up for the Monday-Tuesday slot following Circle in July.

Via IS Plus

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1 daydee

May 11, 2017 at 10:16 AM

Definitely feeling Faith and Dr Jin (*shudder*) vibes

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daydee

May 11, 2017 at 10:17 AM

And yes to the mane of glory!

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Lilly

May 12, 2017 at 2:03 PM

If most of it takes place in the present it could be more like Rooftop Prince. That was funny and exciting show.

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2 dramapotatoe

May 11, 2017 at 10:37 AM

Sign me up for this pairing, that is if kng actually lives this time

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PakalanaPikake

May 11, 2017 at 10:54 AM

If he works at Doldam Hospital, Kim Sabu will ensure his survival. ;-)

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3 kiara

May 11, 2017 at 10:37 AM

It's good to see a sageuk film based on Doctor Heo Im. Heo Jun always get all the attention.

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4 jadea

May 11, 2017 at 10:39 AM

If KNG takes it they've already spoiled the ending.

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kiara

May 11, 2017 at 10:41 AM

It's about a dead guy anyway lol.

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fab

May 11, 2017 at 10:58 AM

Any other actor could stretch those four centuries, not Kim Nam-gil for sure. I'm just happy that he is considering a TV drama...

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Flightey Gazelles

May 11, 2017 at 10:59 AM

Bwahahahahaha!!!

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Nessie

May 11, 2017 at 3:14 PM

Is KNG the Korean Sean Bean of the west?

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changhyun

May 12, 2017 at 5:18 PM

If you mean of the East, that's a yes

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PakalanaPikake

May 11, 2017 at 10:50 AM

I just realized that. Oh, crap!

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Sera The Ms Temper

May 11, 2017 at 11:38 AM

LOL! He loves to 'die' in his own drama.

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dee

May 11, 2017 at 4:51 PM

he's always break my heart. is it that hard to make him just stay alive?

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5 spazmo

May 11, 2017 at 10:46 AM

i can see this pairing... i hope it works out! with the director, writer and production company at the helm -- i think this will be quite something!

plus, i prefer Kim Nam Gil in comedy (since he usually dies in his dramas/movies), hopefully this will have enough of what you mentioned as "fish-out-of-water" hijinks (and YES, with a mane of glory!) to let him have fun with the role...
; )

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Endo

May 11, 2017 at 1:26 PM

Pirates and some of his scenes in QSD is quite funny.

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6 blues

May 11, 2017 at 10:48 AM

Can anyone help me, is there any way to imagine Kim Nam-gil in romcom? I don't know if it's been so long or indeed I've never really tried it. I want to see him in romcom so bad I don't know how to do.

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keiru

May 11, 2017 at 8:46 PM

Try to watch his movie Pirates ! He's got some comedic scenes and his interaction with Sohn Ye Jin's character was so funny !

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7 PakalanaPikake

May 11, 2017 at 10:49 AM

Thanks for this intriguing report, girlfriday! DR. JIN was my gateway Kdrama, and it got me hooked on sageuk despite the brain fetus, etc. I'm thrilled at the prospect of Kim Nam-gil back in part-time hanbok. Be still my heart. ;-)

I can't wait to see how the acupuncturist ends up in modern times. Will it be via old reliable Sageuk Cliff of Non-Doom? A visit to the Choi Young Memorial Oak during a solar eclipse? Getting run over by the Ox Cart of Doom and receiving supernatural acupuncture by an old Taoist wizard? Will he commute to Joseon by subway?

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junny

May 11, 2017 at 11:03 AM

I suggest watching the original Japanese drama, JIN. Two seasons, really solid acting and plot.

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PakalanaPikake

May 11, 2017 at 8:40 PM

Thanks, Junny!

I'm going to take a gander at the original right now. I've been meaning to for a long time. ;-)

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spazmo

May 11, 2017 at 9:40 PM

Osawa Takao (Jin) is handsome...
; )

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junny

May 12, 2017 at 4:28 AM

And Uchino Masaaki was a riot as Ryoma!

PakalanaPikake

May 12, 2017 at 1:54 PM

I totally agree. ;-)

PakalanaPikake

May 12, 2017 at 1:57 PM

@junny May 12, 2017 at 4:28 AM

Uchino Masaaki as Ryoma totally cracks me up. The way the subtitles make him sound like a hayseed is hilarious. He may be from the boondocks, but he's not stupid.

PakalanaPikake

May 12, 2017 at 1:52 PM

@junny May 11, 2017 at 11:03 AM,

I went off the deep end, and have been marathoning JIN. Thank you for putting that bee in my bonnet. The music is simply beautiful, and the acting and plot are so well done. I'm most of the way through episode 7, and had to stop and thank you because a certain scene has me in tears.

The immensely dignified Dr. Ogata Koan, suspecting that his colleague is from the future, says to Jin: "Please share your desolation with me."

That line alone is worth the price of admission.

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junny

May 12, 2017 at 2:13 PM

I'm very glad you're enjoying JIN! It's a really solid drama, and Osawa Takao was excellent (as was the rest of the cast). He also had lovely chemistry with Ayase Haruka, who played Saki. And I can't imagine anyone as Ryoma after Uchino's portrayal, he was that memorable.

You may also want to check out the source manga of the same name by Murakami Motoka.

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PakalanaPikake

May 12, 2017 at 2:54 PM

For me, JIN raises the bar for timeslip dramas into the stratosphere. Here's hoping that LIVE UP TO YOUR NAME is up to the task.

Now I understand why the Korean adaptation went over like a lead balloon. But it was still my intro to Kdramaland, and for that I'll always be grateful. ;-)

You're absolutely right, the cast is dynamite. I didn't even recognize Ayase Haruka from HOTARU NO HIKARI, nor Koide Keisuke from NODAME CANTABILE. At least I spotted Kiritani Kenta from PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE IN THE SKY and THE ETERNAL ZERO.

Thanks again for your suggestion. You've never given me a bum steer when it comes to Jdoramas. ;-)

junny

May 12, 2017 at 4:57 PM

Haha, Koide Keisuke was hilarious as Masumi and I did like his turn as Kyotaro in JIN. Like you, I almost didn't recognise him in another role (but mine was the reverse, since I watched JIN first before Nodame). I wish Ayase did more roles like Saki, because she was getting typecast for a while with a number of Hotaru-like roles. But her newest, the Seirei no Moribito series, shows her being kick-ass again. If you like fantasy, do give it a try. It's a three-parter, and two have aired so far (the third is set to air in November). I'm neutral towards Kiritani Kenta generally, but I think in JIN, everyone raised their acting level by a few notches.

I'm glad you've liked my J-drama suggestions so far. Happy watching!

8 Dongsaeng

May 11, 2017 at 10:49 AM

Intersting! Reminds me of Faith and i totally like fantasy dramas...let's see?

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9 callie

May 11, 2017 at 11:13 AM

Dramaland is time-slipping me out. Don't Make me hate my favorite genre.

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10 Miky

May 11, 2017 at 11:18 AM

Well i love fantasy dramas so i'm all in but if he's based on an actual figure does that mean he'll go back to his own timeline?i sense sad ending then,and no, i don't consider reincarnation as a happy ending as they aren't the same people,as i see dramaland loving this plot device...Also isin't the writer behind Queen’s Classroom Kim Won Suk(Man to Man)...When i saw the writer name i was Signal!!!
Curious if they will accept the proposals,and i must say,if so please Kim Nam Gil please don't die

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11 Sera The Ms Temper

May 11, 2017 at 11:35 AM

Kim Nam Gil is back to dramaland ??? How I wish better partner for him. Kim Ah Joong could be a hit or miss for me. Nevertheless I just need KNG in drama, die or not at the ending. I just listening to Shark OST before I read this news ?

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fay17

May 11, 2017 at 4:00 PM

Ikr? Literally crying over the pairing. No offense to her fans, but don't like the actress, her expressions seem too cold to me.

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dee

May 11, 2017 at 4:56 PM

me two..
I do soo happy to see him again. kim a jong is okay, but I'd be happier if the cast been offered to another actress. come on, we have a whole bunch of good actresses.
I could give some: kim hyunjoo, lee yo won, seohyunjin, ha ji won, jung ryeo won, or just give him han gain. I still can't accept Bad Guy's ending lol

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12 chingu

May 11, 2017 at 11:41 AM

Omg, this sounds so good! I'm not even kidding. I love medical dramas. Or the idea of medical shows. Either way, I feel like while most Beanies groan at medical dramas, I'm like, "Alright, bring it on." So, bring it on! While I've been wanting dramas to just stick w/ one genre nowadays, I'm actually looking forward to a fusion medical drama where characters (from both timelines!) jump in and out of their respective timelines. Fascinating. I hope it's as smart as Queen In-hyun's Man!

Anyways, I saw Kim Nam-gil for the first time in his movie One Day with Chun Woo-hee and I got some "older Lee Jun-ki" vibes from him (or at least from his outer appearance). I also thought he was pretty charismatic, so I'd love to see him in a drama. Kim Ah-joong's casting news kinda tamed my excitement, though...

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13 alasecond

May 11, 2017 at 12:05 PM

Hmmm.. with her as leading heroine..

PASS!

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dee

May 11, 2017 at 4:57 PM

kinda afraid of that thought too :(

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14 Irit

May 11, 2017 at 12:24 PM

I would love to see it,... But from the production company of Liar and His Lover? That scares me...

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15 krahgi

May 11, 2017 at 12:40 PM

I like Kim Ah Joong, but I'm going to watch this for Kim Nam Gil.

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16 anon

May 11, 2017 at 1:11 PM

LOL...oh great... tragedy ending ahead :'(

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17 justwaytooboss

May 11, 2017 at 1:16 PM

*gross sobbing* yes please, Kim Nam-Gil! Please come back to drama-land!!!

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18 Endo

May 11, 2017 at 1:24 PM

Yes Please. I need 16 hours of Kim Nam Gil.

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19 loveblossom

May 11, 2017 at 1:30 PM

The story sounds good. I like the mix between the two time periods. I actually haven't seen Kim Nam Gil in anything..... Haven't seen Faith or Dr. Jin either.

I've seen Kim Ah Joong a few times, but I'm still indifferent to her. I heard her acting was bad in Wanted, but I couldn't really tell. xP

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20 Nessie

May 11, 2017 at 3:13 PM

I guess time-slip is now the new trend huh. It's like a marriage of the previous trend of Doctors and now time slips. But it's Kim Nam Gil and the team sounds strong too..

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21 annnsow

May 11, 2017 at 3:31 PM

I'm pretty sure Kim Nam Gil would be amazing in this role. I'm looking forward to it although it is definitely not my type of drama. Either way, the plot (acupuncture vs western medecine?!), the team and the actor convince me! Oh, Kim Nam Gil as a Joseon character..... Now, poeple, now that would be a great idea. Please Dramagods, make it happen.

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22 bananachocolate

May 11, 2017 at 3:49 PM

Gosh I am ready for a medical fantasy drama done right! Please get this right, especially since it's a medical focus on acupuncture!! What were thought of as meridian points in acupuncture are bundles of nerves that in certain area, affect parts of the cardiovascular system, especially heart rate and blood pressure. I would love to see Korean's take on acupuncture and how well Eastern medicine and Western medicine methods go together. Although the downside is I might nitpick their medical background lol. All wells. Anything with KNG is <3

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23 canxi

May 11, 2017 at 4:30 PM

I would soooooo be here for this. I'd love to see Kim Nam Gil play a quirky kind of doctor character; he would be great. I'm not sure what kind of characterization they would give him from the description but if he has a relationship with a prickly doctor, I imagine some comedy. I like Kim Ah Joong too so I would be here for her as well. Plot sounds good. Honestly, sign the dotted line KNG!!! Come back!!

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24 lenrasoon

May 11, 2017 at 4:59 PM

I love time-slipping dramas so i'll keep an eye on this.

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25 keiru

May 11, 2017 at 7:05 PM

Yaaas !! Dramaland is blessing me with so much happiness I can get as a fangirl !
Yoon Kyun Sang gets his first leading role and he's (and the drama's) doing great !
And now Kim Nam Gil will be back to dramaland !

I will be a good fangirl for the rest of 2017, please make it happen drama God !

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26 aaa

May 11, 2017 at 8:08 PM

Kim nam gil... omg.... but NOoOooo NOT THE PLASTIC SURGERY MONSTER WOMAN!!!!!

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27 Ryan

May 11, 2017 at 8:58 PM

He will die at the end

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Riju

May 12, 2017 at 4:24 PM

Hahaha.

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28 gaeinalee

May 12, 2017 at 3:23 AM

As much as I love the pairing, I'll watch after it ends. I don't want to invest my emotion just to see him dead or dying. My heart can't take it any more of his death.