Kang Min-hyuk to star opposite Ha Ji-won in MBC’s Hospital Ship
by girlfriday
MBC’s upcoming medical drama Hospital Ship has found its leads in Ha Ji-won (The Time I’ve Loved You) and CN Blue’s Kang Min-hyuk (Entertainer), who are in final negotiations to headline. Ha Ji-won was attached to the project early on while the search was a bit longer to find her leading man; an offer went out to Choi Jin-hyuk, but he ended up declining. It seems like a big jump in age and image for the hero to go from Choi Jin-hyuk to Kang Min-hyuk, especially since they were co-stars in Heirs where Choi Jin-hyuk played the older brother and Kang Min-hyuk was one of the high school kids. But I suppose now they could age the character down to be more of the puppy rookie doctor? I would believe that.
The warm human drama is about a medical ship that travels around to service tiny rural islands where there are no hospitals, and will focus on the growth of the young doctors who work there. Ha Ji-won has been cast to play a surgeon who boards the ship to run away from her life after her family faces public ruin. Kang Min-hyuk will play a doctor of internal medicine with a warm heart and a particularly strong sense of empathy—he’s able to read how others feel before they tell him, and knows how to comfort them.
I generally like Kang Min-hyuk and have liked his previous characters, though that’s when he’s usually playing idols or students, which fits with the image I have of him in my head. I wonder how he’ll do as an adult in a leading role, and whether this drama intends to have a noona romance between the leads. I can see him pulling off romance—heck, I rooted for him and Hyeri in Entertainer—but the show will have to do some convincing if he’s going to play a doctor who’s not still an intern.
Hospital Ship will be directed by PD Park Jae-bum of daily drama Begin Again and legal drama A New Leaf, and written by Yoon Seon-joo of Secret Door and Hwang Jin-yi. It’s scheduled to air on Wednesdays and Thursdays in August following Man Who Dies to Live, which comes after Ruler–Master of the Mask.
Via DongA
RELATED POSTS
- MBC’s warm human drama Hospital Ship courts Choi Jin-hyuk
- MBC courts Ha Ji-won for human medical drama Hospital Ship
- Entertainer: Episode 1
- Entertainer adds Chae Jung-ahn, Kang Min-hyuk
- Kang Min-hyuk courted for School 2015
- Heirs: Episode 1
- CN Blue’s Kang Min-hyuk and Kim Ji-won join Heirs
- You’ve Fallen For Me: Episode 1
Tags: Ha Ji-won, Hospital Ship, Kang Min-hyuk
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1 bangwon
June 15, 2017 at 1:43 AM
not sure about the pairing but it might surprise us so hoping for the best
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seoul_searcher
June 15, 2017 at 1:46 AM
I had to rub my eyes twice to see if I saw correctly but one can only hope for the best
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dee
June 15, 2017 at 3:10 AM
I'm with you guys
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Sunflowerdiva
June 15, 2017 at 7:32 AM
Same. I was like, Kang... Min-hyuk? Entertainer Min-hyuk? CNBlue Min-hyuk? Paired with Ha Ji-won? Okay... I could see it working... but I'm skeptical right now.
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dooleygongshil
June 16, 2017 at 10:25 AM
Same. I like them separately but I really can't imagine them together at this point. Perhaps it'll be a cute noona romance? He does cute well anyways. Hahahah.
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2 nahaluk
June 15, 2017 at 1:52 AM
Ha Ji Won is hit and miss for me, I don't remember the potential male lead from anywhere, the PD and the writer are not exiting to me.....
Good, one less drama full me to watch!
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3 royal
June 15, 2017 at 1:54 AM
I've always liked both of them. But never really thought of them as a pair for a drama. I had my reservations when Park Hyung Sik was the lead in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon but fell in love with him, his character, and the lead pair at first episode, so hoping the same goes for this pair. I have a soft spot in my heart for all cast of My Husband Got A Family. So, fighting Minhyuk!
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Mungbeanie
June 15, 2017 at 2:20 AM
Yah I can see this being super cute if the noona romance is done right.
He's grown up a little too, so I'm interested to see him with ha ji won. Who is perfect in comedy, although, this doesn't really feel like it will be a comedy.
Great. Now I need to see it just to satisfy my curiosity.
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royal
June 15, 2017 at 3:48 AM
yeah, as long as there's chemistry and good plot, I'm in.
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sweet_ParkHyungShik
June 16, 2017 at 8:49 AM
agree
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4 PanthomLights
June 15, 2017 at 1:57 AM
I super love Kang Min hyuk.. I'm happy that he will be headlining a project this big. But I don't know about the pairing...
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dee
June 15, 2017 at 3:14 AM
I don't know either
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5 Ahj ❤ ❥ ♡ ♥ ღ
June 15, 2017 at 1:59 AM
Oh it's been a while. Gonna see my one and only Empress Ki again. :)
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Nnae
June 16, 2017 at 3:57 AM
Me too I'm so happy to see her in the drama ?
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6 elric
June 15, 2017 at 2:00 AM
Did you say noona romance? I'll throw all my bad opinions about this casting and just pray to drama gods that it better have some noona romance.
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7 violetsakura
June 15, 2017 at 2:01 AM
I hope I have the wrong fears and Kang Min-Hyuk is going to be SO GOOD with Ha Ji Won, I'm gonna regret my words. But I don't see them as a couple just yet...
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8 Gemini Rat
June 15, 2017 at 2:05 AM
I've seen Kang Min-hyuk in Heirs and Entertainer - and he did well in both roles. He looks too young to be a surgeon, tho. I hope I'm wrong because I like him.
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9 fab
June 15, 2017 at 2:10 AM
WHAT. I've been out of dramas thanks to a hellish move with no Internet but to com back to seeing CJH replaced with him is a bit of a shock honestly.
So he was in Heirs? "I don't know her"
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10 kzebal
June 15, 2017 at 2:19 AM
I'll keep an open mind. He's shown positive signs thus far in his roles, and I have enjoyed them. Let's hope this drama will be in line with that pattern.
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11 fatcat007
June 15, 2017 at 2:21 AM
Jang min hyuk's image in my mind is of a cute high school boy (heirs), but he played a reliable friend in heirs too so I think he can do the empathetic doctor, what I'm worried about is his paring with ha ji won o.0 he looks so small compared to her...
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12 Grapes
June 15, 2017 at 2:23 AM
Some people in real life looks too young for their actual age, and even there's couples who thier look doesn't match but they end up together, so if it's work in real life why it wouldn't work in drama.
I see nothing wrong with the age gap either if they wants to make her his superior (although I highly doubt it), love has no age, the president of France wife is way older than him, i just don't find the synopsis appealing to me but it's worth the checking since it's HJW.
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13 urnaa
June 15, 2017 at 2:43 AM
Ha Ji Won's dream pair for actors, only didnt work for Lee Jin Wook, but i didnt like Lee Jin Wook with Jung Yumi too. I bet Min Hyuk is gonna be legit actor after this drama.
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Sunflowerdiva
June 15, 2017 at 7:34 AM
Min-hyuk will really have to step up his game if he's acting with Ha Ji-won!
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14 Kiko
June 15, 2017 at 3:21 AM
I for once glad that Minhyuk is going to do an adult role.boy going to be 26 this year and with proper styling, he'll look his age and not so puppy cute looking
This is an unexpected pairing but kinda fresh?looking forward to see noona romance
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Nessie
June 15, 2017 at 7:52 PM
I think his youthful look has made alot of people forget how old he is lol
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sweet_ParkHyungShik
June 16, 2017 at 8:50 AM
yup
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15 bqk318
June 15, 2017 at 3:35 AM
It's weird. But if he and writer don't mess everything, everything is OK!
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16 bqk318
June 15, 2017 at 3:36 AM
Now I remember that I just see him in The Heirs. And his acting is kind of boring..
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17 Jrr
June 15, 2017 at 3:40 AM
this just feels weird. i love cnblue & minhyuk, but i don't think he's ready for such a leading role yet, against a senior like ha ji won moreover.
i was still waiting for Choi Jin Hyuk to confirm this, or see who the offer will go to, but i really didnt expect minhyukie to get it, & even in final negotiations now.
well, it's not up to me to decide, can only just wait & see now.
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bbstl
June 15, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Why doesn't Yoon Hyun Min get lead parts like this? He can play the hell out of every kind of role.
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18 Sera The Ms Temper
June 15, 2017 at 3:42 AM
The more I see them, the only possible thing I can see is no romance, but a master-pupil or sunbae-hoobae relationship only. Come on dramaland, we still not lack of talented actors to headline the drama. Especially to be a partner for some big name like Ha Ji Won. I don't care about the huge age gap, but I care more about the acting.
It could be possible as well if they will cast the better actor for second lead though, like what always happen.
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19 MagMag
June 15, 2017 at 3:43 AM
I was disappointed with no Choi Jin Hyuk on the positive side at least his 80's cop image can stay in my mind a bit longer.
As for Kang Min Hyuk I am not sure about him pairing with Ha Ji Won too, hope it will work some how.
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20 Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan
June 15, 2017 at 3:46 AM
What in the world is this mess? I mean I love Kang Min-hyuk but how could they possibly think to cast him opposite Ha Ji-won?! First of all, he cannot hold his own against her acting-wise, second of all, he's too young and baby-faced for this. If they were casting him instead of Choi Jin-hyuk (really though?) how much are they changing the character? I just don't understand it. I didn't wait almost four years for Ha Ji-won to be back on my screen only to be faced with this mess. Reflect MBC.
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alasecond
June 15, 2017 at 4:36 AM
why four years.. didn't she do that flop drama copy of taiwanese drama with ariel lin..
friends turning into lovers with the guy from mister black drama last year
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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan
June 15, 2017 at 6:49 AM
I actually enjoyed her in The Time We Were Not In Love, possibly because I didn't watch the Taiwanese one or because I'm incredibly biased towards her. I liked her performance and I enjoyed her character a lot.
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ssilvrr
June 15, 2017 at 7:57 AM
Ive enjoyed That time we were not in love. It was a realistic portrayer of how friendship can turn into love. Its in contrast with the many standard out of the world cheesy romance so typical of Kdramas.
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gerry13
June 15, 2017 at 4:38 AM
He looks like her younger brother - hope no kissing scenes
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21 celine
June 15, 2017 at 4:18 AM
I can only think of how much my dream of a Ha Jiwon and Gong Yoo pairing is still elusive. /sigh/
This is an unexpected pairing. Will wait for more information and casting.
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22 alasecond
June 15, 2017 at 4:34 AM
really not sure abt the pairing.. while he is super hot.. she looks matured.. and he has these puppy aura..
Also, i don't know.. maybe too much of medical over last 1 year.. the fact it sounds like a regular medical drama takes away all the excitement.. we have been seeing the same saving people in every episode with medical word chevrons appearing on the screen
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23 buckdawna
June 15, 2017 at 4:43 AM
I love me a noona romance, but this seems... off.
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24 juniebug
June 15, 2017 at 5:11 AM
I love Minhyuk but I'm iffy about this one. Like girlfriday said, I have this image of a cute high school idol and not one of a doctor. But, I'm going to hope for the best, root for this pairing, and give this drama a try!
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juniebug
June 15, 2017 at 5:13 AM
HJW and Minhyuk together is something I'm not going to be sure about at all... the different auras they have... how's this going to work out?
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25 jaebumgirl
June 15, 2017 at 5:33 AM
Hajiwon is my favorite K actress so i will surely watch this!
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26 sidnerella
June 15, 2017 at 5:45 AM
I'm very unsure about this pairing, and I love Minhyuk. Hopefully it works out
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27 weissman
June 15, 2017 at 6:10 AM
anything Ha Ji-won is in will be good, she is amazing
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bqk318
June 15, 2017 at 7:14 AM
I don't think so. The Time We Were Not In Love is terrible.
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oneearedgirl
June 15, 2017 at 8:01 AM
Cough cough what show is that never heard of it before
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Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan
June 15, 2017 at 2:07 PM
I thought it was a good drama though, I liked it.
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28 Crystal M.
June 15, 2017 at 7:07 AM
Oh, I love Ha Ji Won. Although, I am not sure of her pairing with Kang Min Hyuk too. I shall wait and see.
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29 coffeecaramello
June 15, 2017 at 7:14 AM
Ha Ji Won is a good actress and I love Kang Min Hyuk. Will give it a try for sure.
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30 MYSTERY WOMAN
June 15, 2017 at 7:30 AM
Kang min hyuk (born 1991) will be 26 in two weeks, the same age as when joo won (born 1987) played a doctor in "Good doctor" at age 25-26 (he turned 26 during the series). So, same age to be playing a doctor. Of course, joo won played an autistic savant, genius doctor. But I think kang min hyuk has enough gravitas ("Seriousness or solemnity in demeanor") that he can easily play a doctor.
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Greenlamb
June 15, 2017 at 5:14 PM
I agree with you comment, but the bold letters gave me a headache. :) (I'm not the one who downvoted you)
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31 gaeinalee
June 15, 2017 at 7:53 AM
I tend to veer away from noona-dongsaeng romance with big age gap and especially when the male actor has a beautiful baby face. But, HJW does own her cute aegyo side too. So, I just hope this would be good and convincing.
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32 loveblossom
June 15, 2017 at 7:56 AM
Dang, this is an unexpected casting! I really like Ha Ji Won and I want to see her in a good drama. I've only seen Kang Min Hyuk in Entertainer and he was pretty cute & decent in that youthful role. Just can't imagine him in a more mature, doctor role.
Really hoping this all works out well though.
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33 Ksim
June 15, 2017 at 7:59 AM
Why is everyone worried about the age? It's all about acting & with the help of make up. I have seen some k-dramas with actors on their 30's portrayed a character on their 20's even teens. Or younger actors portraying an older character.
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34 mischiefdreamer
June 15, 2017 at 8:01 AM
The story's premise sounds like the Japanese drama: A Clinic on the Sea? Will this be a remake or just a rough reinterpretation?
I love Ha Ji Won in everything, keeping my fingers crossed she gets a good partner lead in Min hyuk. ?
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35 Ksim
June 15, 2017 at 8:04 AM
It's all about the money people. This production probably cannot afford the price of Ha Ji Won plus Choi Jin Hyuk. The production probably didn't think CJH price wasn't as costly as what it actually is. His price has probably has gone up from the last drama. :) :) :)
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36 Kestrel
June 15, 2017 at 8:35 AM
Came to this thread just for the comments. I am prepared to be entertained.
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37 TrinPie
June 15, 2017 at 8:53 AM
I love Ha Ji-won but I have such a hard time getting interested in Medical dramas. So unless it's amazing even Ha Ji-won wont get me to watch.
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38 vivi
June 15, 2017 at 9:26 AM
They probably age up his age for the character, coz his image is too young to be an internist. unless he's described as a genius during his school years.
But yeah, I am very unsure about the pairing. But let's see.
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39 canxi
June 15, 2017 at 9:26 AM
Hahaha. The reaction here reminds me of the reaction to Lee Seung Gi being paired with HJW for King 2 Hearts. And that turned out prettyy great. I was one of the few who had a good feeling about that pairing back then.
I have a good feeling about this pairing too. It's unexpected but it seems like it'll be cute. As for being romantic, I don't see why not. I like both Kang Min Hyuk and Ha Ji Won. It'll be interesting to see Min Hyuk in a leading role. I find HJW can be quite unromantic but she is very charming. Might be cool. Premise sounds nice too. I don't watch medical dramas often.
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Jolly
June 15, 2017 at 7:37 PM
Come on now.
Lee Seung Gi is a much better actor than Kang Min-hyuk. The latter is a joke as a lead. He should be a minor supporting role at best.
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40 kelly-k
June 15, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Does this show sound familiar only to me ... Am currently watching a Japanese drama clinic by the sea ...
And they might as well have same story ...
I will watch this one for the noona romance ( am not sure if that is true , but everyone keeps on complaining about the age and since I have never heard of both actors my expectations are at 10% for the pairing )
Am battling the Japanese version because I expected a different actress ...
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Reene
August 29, 2017 at 7:13 PM
I don't get why people complain about the woman being older. And yet their finee with a old man with a young girl. That is double standard BS.
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Reene
August 29, 2017 at 7:15 PM
I like the Japanese version.
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41 chingu
June 15, 2017 at 10:14 AM
Erm, how did we go from Choi Jin-hyuk to Kang Min-hyuk? Waeeeeeeee!? I mean, I guess the latter could pull off the role, based on the character description of being warm hearted and being able to emphasize with others, but I don't know if he'll be able to pull off the role with the amount of substance that I was looking forward to with Choi Jin-hyuk. Kinda disappointed, tbh. I think Kang Min-hyuk is cute, but I don't think he'll make me FEEL for the character as much as I would've if it was Choi Jin-hyuk. I wouldn't mind it if this becomes a noona romance and he'll be romancin' Ha Ji-won, but I just hope they'll be on the same wavelength and it won't be awkward.
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kiara
June 15, 2017 at 2:10 PM
Lol I don't know. I could watch/listen to Min-hyuk and his band maids all day but I when it comes to acting, not so much.
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42 Dongsaeng
June 15, 2017 at 11:13 AM
HA JI WON!!!!!! Where have you been...(literally sheading tears of joy right now?) i'm so happy to see her again rather than the drama *embarassed*
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43 ys
June 15, 2017 at 11:24 AM
Lee Seowon in Liar and His Lover reminded me of Kang Minhyuk; now Kang Minhyuk reminds me of Lee Seowon. I'll be happy with either one of them on the screen.
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44 yasiabf
June 15, 2017 at 11:38 AM
min hyuk is dope but he is soooo young!!
although i am in!
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45 skelly
June 15, 2017 at 1:58 PM
I have the same sort of feeling about this pairing that I had about the pairing of Kim Sun Ah and Lee Jang Woo in I Do, I Do - she is strong and tough and older and he is soft and pretty and young and she will eat him for breakfast. For me, noona romances only work if the male brings something sensational to the table and there is a LOT of sexual energy - Secret Love Affair, for example - so I really don't see this working.
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46 Lyna
June 15, 2017 at 2:07 PM
This is a surprising pairing and the synopsis remind me very much of the Japanese drama Clinic on the Sea.
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47 Adal
June 15, 2017 at 2:14 PM
I'm not too afraid of this pairing, as Ha Ji Won is reputed to make her male costars look good even when they are much younger. With one or two exceptions, namely her last drama, but the that one was a dud.
Anyway, they might end up having a similar chemistry like HJW had with Lee Seung Gi in King2Hearts, so I'm not ruling anything out yet. A lot will be dependent on the script. The Entertainer script sucked so there was a limit to how much Ji Sung or Kang Min Hyuk could do with it. With a good script, I think the pairing won't be so odd. Maybe it's the era of noona romances again ?.
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48 rosaline
June 15, 2017 at 3:54 PM
WAS looking forward to HJW's comeback but now not so much anymore...
WHYYYY dramaland...why...
comments from knetizens are saying its a
' aunt-nephew' relationship. many are also put off by this pairing.
too bad for me, skipping this time.
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Ksim
June 15, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Forget about them. Those are shallow critics. Real age of the actors has nothing to do with characters age.
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49 lillypad
June 15, 2017 at 5:05 PM
HJW deserves better than an idol-actor. He is not leading material, I dont care how good the fan-girls think he is. Her films and dramas havent been doing so well so i dunno if this is a step up or down ;/ Cant she just stick to films??
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50 WishfulToki
June 15, 2017 at 6:26 PM
Um, what? I might jump ship.
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