Choi Min-soo searches for his true daughter in Man Who Dies to Live
by tineybeanie
I wasn’t quite sure how Man Who Dies to Live would work out because of its fantastical premise, but I’m already laughing out loud at the wacky new posters, stills, and teasers. In this short 24-episode (12 hour-long episodes) MBC drama, Choi Min-soo (The Liar and His Lover) plays a forlorn father who left home a long time ago to search for his fortune in a fictional Arabian kingdom and comes back years later to reconnect with his now-adult daughter, played by Kang Ye-won (Baek-hee Has Returned).
Choi Min-soo’s character Jang Dal-gu leaves Korea in the mid-1970s and reinvents himself as the billionaire CEO Sid Fard-Ali, a cool confident single wealthy playboy with a reputation for being the George Clooney of the East. Living luxuriously like a caliph with his oil tycoon status, he racks up many scandals with his romanticist nature. However, all the while, he yearns for his little girl Ji-young back home. His strong desire to reunite with her again is the subject of the first teaser, where he waits in an arid field and holds out his arms to embrace his smiling daughter. She runs toward him, but ultimately turns into sand dust in his hands.
According to the second teaser, she could be one of two vastly different women. Possible daughter Lee Ji-young A, played by Kang Ye-won, is an ordinary ajumma whose life goal is to create a happy family. She’s had to endure much loneliness and she’s toughened up to become a pragmatist, especially because her childish husband, a lowly bank clerk played by Shin Sung-rok (On the Way to the Airport), keeps waiting for his big break instead of steadily working hard to achieve success. Despite her hardships, she’s forged on toward her goal of making a happy family and her career aspiration of becoming a screenwriter.
On the other hand, Lee Ji-young B, played by Lee So-yeon (Beautiful You), is a completely different character. She’s a chic careerwoman who doesn’t care about what anyone thinks of her. In the second teaser, she’s shown contrasted to homely Lee Ji-young A. Choi Min-soo says in voiceover as he looks at them: “Don’t forget that my entire fortune will turn to dust if we don’t bring Ji-young back.” Hmm… perhaps his motives to seek out his daughter aren’t entirely pure?
In the airport, Ji-young A slaps her husband’s butt, giving a sly glance at him while saying, “Let’s go a few years later as a family of four,” but he doesn’t look too keen on the idea. In the next scene, we see that Shin Sung-rok knows both the Ji-youngs, as he grabs Ji-young B by the wrist, saying: “Your father thinks I’m his son-in-law.” Then we cut to a soothsayer telling him that he has the fate of living like a rich man, and when he meets Choi Min-soo he thinks he’s finally gotten his big break.
However, in his voiceover, Choi Min-soo has already looked through Shin Sung-rok and judged his character as the type of materialistic husband that would make his daughter miserable. He takes him shopping for high-end suits and Ferraris, perhaps to trap him into helping him for the impending daughter-father reunion. And when the salesman asks Shin Sung-rok if the wealthy man with a cane is his father-in-law, he grins ear-to-ear as he says yes.
In the last scene, we have a glimpse at the first real encounter between the father and potential daughter Ji-young A. She’s wrapped around a tree, very possibly inebriated because that’s the only rationale I can think of to explain the ruined makeup and bizarre tree-hugging behavior. But he recognizes her as his real daughter, only to have her suddenly head-butt him in an epic K.O. that sends him falling with a comically pained expression.
Wednesday-Thursday miniseries Man Who Dies to Live will tell its heartwarming family story starting July 19, following the end of Ruler—Master of the Mask.
Via iMBC
RELATED POSTS
Tags: Choi Min-soo, Jang Nara, Kang Ye-won, kim Tera, Lee So-yeon, Man Who Dies to Live, Ryu Hwa-young, Seo Hyun-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Shin Sung-rok, Sohn Ho-joon, Woo Do-hwan, Yang Se-jong, Yoo Ji-tae
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 Jrr
July 10, 2017 at 2:19 PM
this looks really funny & im loving comedic Shin Sung Rok!
Required fields are marked *
anglvue
July 11, 2017 at 9:23 AM
favorite part of the trailer is Shin Sung Rok in the car, as screen capped above. he is such a versatile actor...and that haircut really helps me to see him in a geeky light... :D
Required fields are marked *
2 azzo
July 10, 2017 at 2:21 PM
OMG!! He's wearing a weird looking Dishdasha and a Bisht, I can't stop laughing!
I'm actually really excited for this drama, hoping it will be quirky and fun!
Required fields are marked *
3 Pickwick12
July 10, 2017 at 2:27 PM
I ❤️ Choi Min-soo
Required fields are marked *
4 Kudo Ran
July 10, 2017 at 2:30 PM
I can't help thinking "I will definitely enjoy this show like I enjoyed Chief Kim" so count me in :) , the first poster is just priceless
Required fields are marked *
5 Aedyna
July 10, 2017 at 2:43 PM
Man, even though he's in his fifties, Choi Min Soo is still hot. And he's older than my dad. o_o;
Required fields are marked *
hallyumint
July 10, 2017 at 3:01 PM
Feel the same way.
Clothes do make a man !
Required fields are marked *
dramalava
July 10, 2017 at 6:21 PM
Haha. He is a hottie!
Required fields are marked *
Julia
July 10, 2017 at 8:44 PM
Totally agree. He so hot. I'm in my 30's, I'm okay with that.
Required fields are marked *
anglvue
July 11, 2017 at 9:25 AM
first, i'm not in my 50s but you make me feel old cos he's older than your dad...hahaha
second, I concur. Choi Min Soo is sooo friggin hot! I definitely prefer him with his beard.
Required fields are marked *
6 Ek Ladhki Thi is Kim Eun-sooks no 1 fan
July 10, 2017 at 2:55 PM
Choi Min-soo totally looks like Jafar from Aladdin, that's not just me right? He's definitely rocking that thawb though. I'm grateful that all the ajhussis know for being gruff are trying out comic roles recently. First Lee Deok-hwa and now Choi Min-soo, I'm curious to see who is going to join this train next.
Also, I love Shin Sung-rok so much it's unhealthy. I love him when he's playing psychotic characters like Kang Do-young and Lee Jae-kyung, and I love him when he's playing goofy characters like this one or Geun-woo in Trot Lovers, or even in his character in 3 Dads 1 Mom.
Required fields are marked *
7 hallyumint
July 10, 2017 at 2:59 PM
Ya but why couldnt have this been set entirely in the 70s in Arabia
Why does this have to be a faaamily draamma !!!
Oh the possibilities of an exotic adventure
Required fields are marked *
8 yuyuu
July 10, 2017 at 3:42 PM
Omgg, this looks really funny! I'm so here for Shin Sung-rok in a comedic role, it was about time he shed his proverbial evil robes
Required fields are marked *
9 jillian
July 10, 2017 at 4:00 PM
This looks like a fun watch. Shin Sung Rok and Choi Min Soo in a comedy...now this I got to see! ?
Required fields are marked *
UmbrellaMan
July 10, 2017 at 4:13 PM
Plus they both look so handsome!!
Required fields are marked *
10 azunaspring
July 10, 2017 at 4:23 PM
omo! I'm looking forward to Shin Sung Rok's funny side!
Required fields are marked *
11 Madkdr
July 10, 2017 at 4:52 PM
It's not just me right?
Choi Min Soo is one of the hottest ahjusshi out there!!!
Required fields are marked *
Peridot
July 10, 2017 at 5:12 PM
He is indeed. ;)
Required fields are marked *
12 rhapsophie
July 10, 2017 at 5:13 PM
Omg hahahaha so wacky! ?
Choi Min-soo ahjussi brought so much excitement, tension and laughter when he was on Running Man way back, and I really loved Kang Ye-won's acting chops and comedic timing in Scene Stealer. He looks really good in the Arabic attire! ? - and I think we'll be in for a hilarious watch as Kang Ye-won's character looks like she can stand up for herself and will have him wrapped around her finger in no time.
I've not watched them in a proper, serious show before, but both of them have so much charisma in person when on variety shows. Can't wait!! ?
Required fields are marked *
13 O_o
July 10, 2017 at 5:15 PM
Does Sid Fard Ali mean something?
Required fields are marked *
sara
July 10, 2017 at 5:26 PM
not in arabic. i think sid is more urdu.
Required fields are marked *
azzo
July 11, 2017 at 12:05 AM
I don't think they meant Sid, it should be Seyyed!
Required fields are marked *
14 loveblossom
July 10, 2017 at 5:30 PM
This looks super wacky and funny so I wanna give it a shot. xD
Choi Min Soo is one hot ahjusshi! I like his trendy hairdo. Hehe
I want to see more of Shin Sung Rok's acting too. Just not quite liking the sound of his role here. Hope he treats his wife well and does not become a bad guy.
Required fields are marked *
15 sara
July 10, 2017 at 5:31 PM
lmao if you're going to get borderline offensive, then do it right. sid fard ali is not even arabic. i am honestly triggered but it seems funny.
Required fields are marked *
dil
July 11, 2017 at 3:58 AM
Yeah, Sid sounds more like a shortened form of Siddhart, a hindustani name. They pretty much mix up South-Asian, Persian and Arabic cultures most of the times. I’ve only seen Korean film Bandhobi (Friend, 2009, A Shin Dong-il film) (Baek Jin-Hee, Mahbub Alam, it’s a good film I recommend), where they didn’t mix up ’’exotic’’ South-Asian culture with other eastern cultures. But this seems like comedic drama so I guess it’s fine.
Required fields are marked *
16 kiara
July 10, 2017 at 5:53 PM
This is what I need to watch with or after "Forest of Secrets." I need a good comedy with actors that I love and Choi Min-soo is love ever since "Sandglass" for me. Excited to see Shin Sung-rok in this drama too.
Choi Min-soo is a Jack of all trades and master off all! He is good in everything. He gets away with everything (kind of) like this ridiculous outfit and haircut. You won't find many K-viewers bitching about it cause that's just how he rolls.
Required fields are marked *
juniper
July 10, 2017 at 6:38 PM
He can do everything, but I think I like him in sageuk best (mostly for shallow reasons haha). He was soooo hot in Blade and Petal.
I don't know what to make of this show, but I'll give it a try for him!
Required fields are marked *
kiara
July 10, 2017 at 7:32 PM
I do love him the most in sageuks too. I can sit through a crappy sageuk from beginning to end if he is in it.
Did you watch him in Jackpot?
I actually don't care what this show is about as long as he is in it lol. (Said the ultimate loyal fangirl).
Required fields are marked *
outofthisworld
July 10, 2017 at 7:54 PM
But are there any good saeguks he's been in? I checked the filmography, I see Jackpot, Blade and Petal and WBDS. Maybe older ones?
Required fields are marked *
kiara
July 10, 2017 at 8:58 PM
No nothing that would beat "Sandglass."
"Sword in the Moon" film was just ok like most of his sageuk dramas but they were worth watching because he was always good.
juniper
July 10, 2017 at 9:03 PM
lol I actually really liked Blade and Petal, but I get why a lot of people don't. But mostly, I just think he exudes this kind of old world masculinity that translates very well into sageuk. (yes, I just wrote that sentence xp)
I agree with Kiara, his best role is in Sandglass. Probably his best performance, too, at the end of the day, though that's more debatable (he's that awesome haha).
kiara
July 10, 2017 at 9:27 PM
It took me 3 episodes to get into Blade and Petal. I wasn't used to the visual storytelling on tv.
That's the one show that I wish it had " Moon Lovers's" budget. It would've been a real treat if they got to finish what they started.
juniper
July 10, 2017 at 9:49 PM
Yeah, imagine if Blade and Petal had been preproduced...it's amazing what Kim Yong-soo was able to accomplish under the circumstances. (ugh Moon Lovers. Watching that thing scarred me for life.)
I wish Kim Yong-soo would do another sageuk! Or team up with Park Yeon-seon again, or something. I don't think I've seen anything he's done since Iron Man a couple years ago. I ended up being strangely fond of that drama, but he deserves so much better.
Sera The Ms Temper
July 10, 2017 at 10:22 PM
These sageuks are enough if you want to fangirl him only lol ???
juniper
July 10, 2017 at 9:10 PM
I only got through a couple episodes of Jackpot. What I saw was actually pretty interesting (even things other than Choi Min-soo), but then I got behind and from the reviews it seemed like it fell apart, and I haven't gone back. I am the ultimate disloyal fangirl haha.
Required fields are marked *
kiara
July 10, 2017 at 9:33 PM
Comment was deleted
kiara
July 10, 2017 at 9:47 PM
That's ok you can always repent haha..
Well, the history was interesting but Kwon was his usual self. Everything went downhill right around the halfway mark.
I'd say I enjoyed it regardless. I got to watch Yeo Jin-goo transitioned well from boy to man.
juniper
July 10, 2017 at 9:57 PM
I don't think I even got to Yeo Jin-gu ;_; Just the combined awesomeness of Jeon Kwang-ryul and Choi Min-soo. It's so exciting he's getting adult roles now, though!
Have you been watching any sageuk lately? I'm working my way through Queen Insoo again, and I'm back up to Suyang's coup. It's just so good. And I'm still working on Age of Warriors hahaha. When I reach episode 100 I'm going to have a party.
kiara
July 11, 2017 at 8:02 AM
I just finished 200 eps of "Emperor Wang Gun." Very old school with interesting historical commentaries.
I personally felt like I was spoon fed throughout the whole show which I didn't mind because it was way too long.
Kim Young-cheol was his usual amazing self and Kim Gap-soo. I enjoyed Kim Hye-ri's character but I loved her in Shin Don more.
Let me know when you are done with "Age of Warriors." I'll celebrate with you :).
I want to watch "Rustic Period" but I can't find it online with subs :(.
juniper
July 11, 2017 at 8:24 AM
Haha right now I'm just waiting for Gyun to die (I'm a Lee Ui-bang loyalist lol). idk, I just can't stand that character and I find Lee Min-woo's performance annoying. Emperor Wang Geon is quite the achievement! I'd actually never heard of The Rustic Period, but I looked it up and now I want to see it too lol. Ahn Jae-mo and Kim Young-cheol doing the same character is almost too much awesomeness to handle.
Speaking of Kim Kap-soo, I ended up marathoning the rest of Whisper...he's so amazing in that! I thought the whole cast did a good job (except Kwon Yul lol), but Kim Kap-soo and Park Se-young were on another planet. Best drama of the year so far imo.
kiara
July 11, 2017 at 4:28 PM
Suh In Suk is so good in sageuks. I can't see anyone else as Lee Ui Bang.
Do you remember his Choi Young from Jeong Do Jeon?
He lost a lot of weight, I hardly recognized him but his voice was ever so familiar. He was in Emperor Wang too.
I need a Ahn Jae-mo weekend marathon. I need more of him in my life lol. I think I just might marathon "Great First Wives" from beginning to end which is kind of scary cause I don't know anything about it lol.
There are 10 people begging DF for "Rustic Period." I'm going to be the 11th. I have little hope that they'd sub it because it's pretty old.
I think it's about Song Il-gook's grandfather during and after the occupation period.
I read somewhere that "Whisper" was originally written as a medical drama with a different name but I guess SBS didn't like it so they went with the legal trend. I think Park was only given 3 months before it airs.
I hope jTBC would steal him and treat him better.
(I know I'm terrible).
juniper
July 11, 2017 at 5:54 PM
Yeah, I eventually recognized him in Jung Do-jeon by his voice, too! I cried like a baby when he and Lee Seong-gye said their last goodbyes.
Have you seen Freedom Fighter Lee Hoe-young? It's supposed to be really good and Ahn Jae-mo is one of the main characters. I need to watch it! I was only able to finish The Merchant because he showed up towards the end (in a totally stupid portrayal of Min Young-ik, but whatever. He and Kim Min-jung were the only people worth watching). I don't get how that show got as bad as it did lol--the writer has a tendency to go nuts, but how a cast that amazing ended up being so bad across the board is beyond me.
Yeah, I thought Whisper was going to be a medical drama at first, and was really surprised it ended up being about lawyers instead. It did kind of feel like Punch's little sibling (which makes sense if he had so little time to prepare), but I had a blast watching it, and I think it stands on its own pretty well. Definitely much better than Empire of Gold.
You'd think they'd treat him better, considering that in addition to being a great writer, he consistently brings in great ratings >:( Seems to me the big three rarely know what they've got until it's gone.
Who knows, maybe there'll be another miracle like Queen Insoo, and they'll do subs for The Rustic Period :D
outofthisworld
July 10, 2017 at 7:52 PM
I've been living under the rock. I only knew of Choi Min Soo when I saw him in TLAHL. That show had all the young, handsome cute guys but I just couldn't take my eyes of this ahjussi. He played the part of an artist so well that I knew this was no ordinary actor.
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
July 10, 2017 at 10:18 PM
If there's only reason I want to watch TLAHL, it will be him ❤ I saw some of his clips, he looked so fineeee?
Have you watched Pride & Prejudice? He and Son Chang Min (King in MSG) were great, together with Choi Jin Hyuk and Baek Jin Hee. This show is not the best written imo but I think it a good show for binge watch.
Required fields are marked *
outofthisworld
July 11, 2017 at 12:17 AM
What's P&P like? legal thriller or something?
Required fields are marked *
Sera The Ms Temper
July 11, 2017 at 12:36 AM
It's legal drama about prosecutors, this drama showed us a darker side in this profession. As for the crime cases, a bit dragging here and there. It is not a flawless drama, but it's inferesting.
17 jaybird
July 10, 2017 at 6:17 PM
For some reason I initially interpreted the 12 hour-long episodes as episodes that ran for 12 hours each and I was mega confused =P
Required fields are marked *
18 dramalava
July 10, 2017 at 6:18 PM
I love this cast! Fingers crossed that it will be funny and unconventional
Required fields are marked *
19 fatcat007
July 10, 2017 at 8:37 PM
I'm already cracking up Haha.
Fun filled teasers are the best, they always draw me into atleast trying the drama :-)
Required fields are marked *
20 hannaehh
July 10, 2017 at 8:39 PM
In ahjussi, I believe. This looks so much fun! Can't wait to watch!
Required fields are marked *
21 gem28
July 10, 2017 at 8:46 PM
A smiling from ear to ear Shin Sung Rok, I'm sold
Required fields are marked *
22 astromantic
July 10, 2017 at 8:51 PM
This... is a drama. LOL
Required fields are marked *
23 Herlene
July 10, 2017 at 9:36 PM
This looks....unusual. I would usually expect such wackiness in movies but not in dramaland...
Required fields are marked *
24 elvira
July 10, 2017 at 10:20 PM
Shin Sung rok is not playing baddie this time?
All board, ppl!
Required fields are marked *
25 Sera The Ms Temper
July 10, 2017 at 10:30 PM
Choi Min Soo & Shin Sung Rok ???
I loved Lee So Yeon in Dong Yi, Dr Jin (despite of my hate with this show lol) & Temptation of Angel, I also survived few of her daily like Ruby Ring lol. So glad to see her in a short drama this time. She has a good screen presence, she only needs a good project.
Required fields are marked *
26 cat de pinkmon
July 10, 2017 at 11:46 PM
Will he speak arabic?
Required fields are marked *
27 bogoshipda
July 11, 2017 at 12:10 AM
Choi Min Soo's hairdo is sooooooo captivating. Look like playboy millionaire, at age 50. So fresh!!! Isn't he the one with curly hair like ajuma who scares the hell our of Yoo Jae Suk. =))))))))
Shin Sung Rok plays another bad husband role here, :'( wish to see him playing a nice gentleman after On the way to the airport...
Kang Ye Won is very cute in Unnies, I haven't watched any of her dramas/movies.
Look forward to this one!
Required fields are marked *
28 kooriyuki
July 11, 2017 at 12:41 AM
I'm half-expecting him to break out into PPAP
Required fields are marked *
29 aea1029
July 11, 2017 at 12:56 AM
OMG. It seems it'd be fun and heart warming. More so, I have high expectations from the cast. Kang Ye-won and Choi Min-soo! Two of my favorite actors. I can't wait!
Required fields are marked *
30 jaderjy
July 11, 2017 at 4:06 AM
Choi Min Soo - Ahjussi crush ?
Required fields are marked *
31 gaeinalee
July 11, 2017 at 7:41 AM
CMS and SSR together? I'm in. I know I could never bore to watch them. They'll be hilarious together, I'm so sure of it.
Required fields are marked *
32 oosiee
July 12, 2017 at 1:17 PM
That last picture though...Tony Stark??
Required fields are marked *