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Drop Dead Diva becomes Goddess of the Court as next Hollywood-to-Korea project

We’ve got another U.S.-to-Korea remake in the pipeline: MBC is producing a new legal comedy called Goddess of the Court, an adaptation of Drop Dead Diva, which aired on Lifetime in the U.S. from 2009 to 2014. I didn’t catch the original show, but the premise sounds like it would fit right into dramaland.

Drop Dead Diva is a body-swap comedy about a vapid fashion model who dies in a car crash and whose soul somehow inhabits an overweight lawyer who also died while protecting her boss. The heroine will struggle to adjust to her new life, and along the way learn some valuable lessons on self-esteem and personal acceptance. What I want to know is how much law is going to be involved in this, ‘cause a fashion model pretending to be a lawyer? I’m already nervous, but at the same time, slightly looking forward to all the comic potential to be mined from this concept.

I find it funny that out of the two genres at play in Goddess of the Court, body-swapping and legal comedy, it’s the latter that is more uncommon in dramaland, at least from what I remember. What with all the legal thrillers recently, I could use a lighter take on the legal drama, and a fish-out-of-water heroine sounds like the perfect fit for a comedy set in the courtroom. Although there might be a lot of second-hand embarrassment involved since, y’know, a model doesn’t sound all that well-suited for arguing legal cases in front of a judge and jury.

There’s no director involved yet, but the writer attached to the project is Yoo Hee-kyung, of JTBC’s Falling for Innocence. Sony, the production company behind the original series, will be jointly producing Goddess of the Court with Korean production house Trees With Deep Roots, as well as act as the remake’s distributor. The legal comedy is scheduled to air in January of next year in MBC’s Wednesday-Thursday slot, after Hospital Ship and I’m Not a Robot end their runs.

Via Ilgan Sports

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Will they actually hire a plus sized actress tho?

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They have to

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I think the actress who was Shin Mina's assistant in Oh My Venus would be great in this.

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Secretary Noh's friend from Protect the Boss is a very good actress.

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I would so love if it were her! I was wishing to see her in a lead role.

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10 dollars says they cast a beautiful thin actress. put her in a fat suit. and then have her gradually "lose weight" until she looks socially acceptable again.
i could be wrong ofc but...lol i doubt it. this dramaland afterall.

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Unfortunately, I find thius very plausible... that, or the actress will not be overweight at all and everyone will just pretend she is. (My Name is Kim Samsoon, anyone...)

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Maybe she's too old, but I really see Ra Mi Ran in this role. She's funny and when you dress her right, she looks younger and great.

I could also see the cheer mentor, from Sassy Go Go in this role, Lee Mi Do. She's not fat by any stretch, but she has sort of a non-traditional look that would suit the role.

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its like you're in my head!

The first person I thought of was Ran Mi Ran and then the sexy Sassy Go Go coach came to mind too.

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Please please please cast a plus size actress! #teamnofatsuits

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KDrama's idea of a plus size actress differs from us though. Look what they did to weight lifting fairy. ??

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True. I'm thinking if they can't find one, I'm hoping they can find an actress dedicated enough to stay true to the original role by actually gaining weight, not wearing a fat suit - a la Kim Sun Ah with Kim Sam Soon

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You read my mind! I was thinking of Kim Sun Ah too. That woman had amazing sense of dedication to put herself through all that. I won't mind if someone goes to that extent to stay true to the role.

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I agree. Gain some weight but don't use a fat suit. I would still prefer a 'larger' actress though.

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Even Kim Sun Ah wasn't really "fat" in that role though. Lee Sung Kyung supposedly put on weight for Weightlifting Fairy too. She still was the skinniest one there.

There's so many Korean female comedians that would be both fantastic in the role and look the part that they really don't an excuse this time. They hire a skinny actress, it's because they're cowards.

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Kim Sun Ah is around 5'7" and gained weight to become 135 lbs, I believe ?

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This. Kim Sun-ah really was not overweight in that drama, and that everyone acted as though she was did not make it any better. I don't think it'd be a good solution for a skinny actress to gain the amount of weight she would have to in order to actually be overweight enough for the Diva role in this drama. There ARE actresses around who already fit the bill. But of course, the chances that any of these actresses will get a leading role in which TPTB will want an actress they consider attractive is vanishingly low.

It's telling that there are overweight female comedians, but no overweight leading actresses and only a small number of overweight actresses who play either the heroine's funny friend or the pitiable social outcast. Overweight women in Korean showbiz can be considered funny, but not attractive, it seems. This is definitely a tendency that exists in Hollywood and US TV, too, but it seems to be even more marked in Korea.

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I know. A girl can dream though.

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yes. I agree with what you're saying. kim sun ah was supposed to have weight issues in my name is kim sam soon and she did not look it. she just looked like a regular person to me, not overweight at all.

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I think they will just make an actress gain weight (like Lee Sung-kyung) or make her wear a fat suit (Shin Min-a) lol.

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I didn't watch the whole series but I did catch couple of episodes and thought it was funny! I really hope they go with a plus-size actress and not bring someone skinny and make her wear a plus-size costume!

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I watched the first season and thought it was very cute. It wasn't anything wow enough to keep me coming back year after year - but that's perfect for Kdramas since we get only one "season". Let's hope they can adapt this well and they do not perpetuate body shaming or other issues of the like.

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Hard to imagine Korea combining a plus-size woman and no body shaming.

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That is what has me worried

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If we had a man coming back in a woman's body having a plus size actress as the lead is possible. That's the basic plot !
I watched a few seasons and enjoyed it :D

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Or they could have her come back as a plain Jane who isn't so plain. I guarantee it, the original body will be glamorous and the next body will just be a normal looking girl who could use a makeover.

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This is my guess, as well. A kdrama plain Jane, meaning a lovely actress with bad hair.

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I never heard of the American show but It sounds fun. And I wish I see the second drama of the writer Yoo Hee-kyung too. It is on my watching list.

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i loved this show in the US, and I totally think it will fit right in, in dramaland. It was a great balance between cheeky, goofy, and sweet, and I'm sure the drama version will find that fun balance too!!

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Yes I loved it too! I watched until her guardian angel got changed then I somehow lost interest... can't remember much now though... except that she was sassy and fun and her BFF and her were always hilarious together.

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Me too! I stopped after Fred left. The first few seasons were great. I think that's one thing about k-dramas that's better-- we clamor for more seasons, but we don't ever get them, which means that the plots don't have to be dragged out for years until it's not fun anymore.

I'll join with everyone else in hoping they get a real plus-sized actor.

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I watched this too! And I was actually thinking that Korea would never do something like this because of the "plus size." I hope it's as good or better!

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I really enjoyed this show in the US! It was very body positive, and I hope that positivity is preserved.

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Oh, I've heard of Drop Dead Diva a couple of times from javabeans. I never had the chance to check it out, so maybe this is my chance. But I'd still like to check out the original first, too. I do love me some soul-swapping, fish-out-of-water shenanigans, and definitely wouldn't mind a lighter take on the legal side. I'm hoping for a fun show with lots of heart.

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That is the feel the original had. It was cute and funny but not without substance. It had a very positive and light-hearted vibe.
You should definitely check it out if you have the chance!

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I loved Drop-Dead Diva so this should be fun! Though I hope they change at least one detail from the way the original ended...

If it takes it's cue from the original, the legal-know-how will still be in the lawyer's body and it will just come to her as she needs it.

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I love this show!

@Tipsymocha you don't have to be nervous. Jane/Deb have the knowledge and IQ of her host body (Jane) to her favor. It was funny how she discovered that she is now intelligent.

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Ah yes! Now that you say it I remember now! She used to have these random moments of law related brilliance while pondering a problem and then pull them off with such sass! Haha. Hope the remake will be just as fun!

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I'm hoping the remake has a bit more of a satisfying concept of personhood, though. I found the show's willingness to let Deb have Jane's intelligence, knowledge, and experiences but still stick to the story that she was simply Deb-in-disguise was weak (and got harder to sustain the longer the show went on). I'm hoping that Korean drama's ability to grapple with more philosophical stuff will let them take this interesting aspect and make something more out of it than the original show did.

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yaaaas! thank you! I wanted to say something about this but wasn't sure if it was giving too much away. I was recently rewatching on Netflix and it still bothered me as much when I first watched it on Lifetime.

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Very good point... she really wasn't "just" Deb anymore after the very first weeks or months. I do think the show touched on that in later seasons, although it didn't ever really delve into it deeply.

But in all honesty, I'm thinking the kdrama will likely go with a "Legally Blonde" approach more than anything.

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Oh! I really liked the original show! I really hope they keep the spirit of the show by having a plus sized actress. Kim Hyun-Sook and Ha Jae-Suk are both excellent actresses.

However, history has shown this wont happen. They will hire a waif of an actress and to show her dedication she will gain a couple pounds so she wears a size 4 instead of a 00 now. I really hope the remake will prove me wrong but a huge part of the show is about a former body obsessed model learning to cope and even appreciate her body, even though she isn't tiny and slim anymore.

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I'll take an skinny actress putting on a few pounds over a fatsuit (which seems to be the preferred option in kdramas unfortunately). But a plus-sized actress would definitely be best. If they can't at least do that much there's no point in adapting this show.

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Oh I totally agree. I did prefer Lee Sung-kyun in Weightlifting Fairy compared to IU in Dream High. I just really hope they choose a heavier actress over either of those options.

But I can't see the production team using a fat suit. Usually fat suits are only used if the character loses weight later on. Since Jane in the original version never lost weight, I can't see them using a fat suit.

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I second Ha Jae Suk! She could totally rock the role.

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Found the video of Ha Jae Suk dancing it up on Happy Together! She totally could rock this role, she definitely has the sass and even dance moves! (Her dance is around the 9:30 mark. But there is also Kim Seul Gi plus Kang Han Neul so the whole video is worth watching!)

https://youtu.be/MDtC91pryAM

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Thank you for sharing that. You're right, she's delightful.

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she is cute. I'd love to see her as drop dead diva than skinny actress wearing baggy clothes.

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She is quite the good dancer!

After watching that video I am convinced Kim Seul-gi and Kang Han Neul need to be in a rom-com together.

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I second both your suggestions, they are both really pretty and really talented.

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Jun ji hyun for the famale lead !

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Fatsuit anyone? *shudders*

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Oh I loved the show! It could be great for dramaland but, I really really hope they don't resort to the use of a "fatsuit". I'm sure they're actresses who could fit the main role features well, Kim Hyun-Sook, Ha Jae-Suk or Lee Soo-Ji for example.

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From a very selfish perspective, I don't enjoy kdrama temakes of Hollywood productions simply because I don't have access to view them. I don't know who had the brilliant idea to restrict the licenses for Kdrama Hollywood remakes from the N. American audience. As much as I love the concept, it's a pity I won't be available for the execution ☹️

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*ahem* I officially announce my campaign to have Lee Guk Joo as the lead. Reasons: A. She's funny. One might even say... hilarious. B. She's confident and beautiful. C. She's talented and really deserves a chance to shine.

In any case-- no more fat suits. I think we all agree.

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Ugh no thanks. I suggest you look more into her, she's infamous among knetz for making rude comments about other female celebrities and sexually harassing male celebrities. (yes, knetz also tend to bodyshame her a lot, but there are still legitimate reasons to not like her) There are plenty of other talented plus-size actresses that don't have a history of forcibly kissing and groping men.

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If you're referring to the SNL korea scandal, she wasn't involved in that. If it was another incident though, please share.

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Wow, I'd never seen any of these articles. I'm grossed out now *shudder*

I officially retract my campaign for Lee Guk Ju to be the lead... I think she probably needs some time with herself and a therapist :/

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She seemed amazing woman WGM but in reality shows, i also notice her being shouty much.

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OH MY GOSH...just yesterday I was reminded of Drop Dead Diva for some reason or another, and I thought, "You know, it kinda had a Kdrama feel to it..." Then I log in to dramabeans today and see this. What are the freakin' odds?!

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Ooooh, never even occurred to me that a less high profile show like Drop Dead Diva could be adapted into a k-drama, but now that it's happening, I feel like it's perfect for a k-drama take! The body swapping/mistaken identity comedy in the show is very similar to that in dramas like You're Beautiful, High School King, Come Back Ahjusshi, etc.

Kim Hyeon Sook would be perfect for this role I think. Or the actress who played the "before" (ugh) version of the lead in Birth of a Beauty.

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This would be the perfect opportunity for a plus sized actress, but this'll probably be just like weightlifting fairy and kim sam soon. I'm already disappointed since there's a very slim chance they'll actually do this right.

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I really hope they go with an actor who is already plus size and not have one gain weight.

Weight gain and loss is bad for the body.

Also it would be great to give talented actors who rarely get a chance to be leads a turn in the spotlight.

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The hijinks!
Not really familiar with the show. But the premise looks promising.

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Oh my! If is really the writer of "Falling for Innocence", i dont want to watch this. LOL... No, thanks...

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Ah, I remember this show. I watched a few episodes of it and then I started thinking about how the focus of the show was on the kind of vapid model character getting a second chance at life in a different body but I was just really sad for the character who actually died... because the model "died" and people got to grieve and be sad about her death (even though she wasn't actually dead) whereas the lawyer girl really WAS dead and there was no one to grieve for her. and idk, that's so sad and lonely to me, to have a character who dies and literally no one notices (because to the outside world, she's still alive, although we the audience know its not really her) and i dunno it made me really sad and I didn't finish it after that, lol.

Cool to see more adaptations of American shows, though.

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Yeah, you got deep there. I gave that brief thought and moved on with the show because if they went into that aspect, then they might as well not make it at all. It would become a completely different show. Jane/Deb would end up in a mental institution. End of show.

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This is true, and I can understand not liking the show because of it. It really was something that you just had to handwave and go with in order to enjoy the hijinks. They did bring the real Jane back a few times later on in the show, but I rather wish they hadn't, because they didn't do the character a lot of justice IMO.

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Wow.

If done right, this would be awesome!!!

I think there are a few "plus size" female actors who usually play second bananas who would be great.

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If they cast Ha Jae Suk I will definitely watch it. She is plus size and a good actress.

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She is the first actress I thought of when I saw the title.

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I really liked her in Birth of a Beauty! She outshone her "beauty" counterpart if you ask me #teamnofatsuits

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It would be nice if they used a full size actress but I think Westerners and Easterners have different views on how a plus size person looks. They might choose an actress who is a little bigger than the normal actress and have her dress frumpy.

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Jane wasn't a frumpy dresser. Just a boring one. I.e., skirt suits with sensible shoes.

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If I remember correctly, the model inherited Jane's legal knowledge along with her body so she was able to function professionally, but not her life memories. I think they passed that off as a result of the trauma that "almost" killed her. She also got a cute guardian angel helper so look for some Jisoo/Gong Myung-level cutie to be her helper.

There are some fantastic plus sized actresses who could nail this role especially if they accept the comedy angle: Lee Gook-Joo for instance. She is such a diva already! Go Soo Hee (the gangster best friend with maid themed henchmen from Angry Mom) would also be a great choice, as would Ha Jae Sook who played the "before" to Han Ye Seul's "after" in Birth of a Beauty.

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Go Soo Hee, yes to her.

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Your memory is correct. She would suddenly be able to spout all sorts of legalese, despite still affecting that Valley Girl voice. :p I stopped watching after they got rid of Fred, her guardian angel. To me, they should have been the central romance. They had a great vibe, but no, they paired him off with her vapid model friend. *shrugs*

I think she might be too young but Weightlifting Fairy's Cho Hye Jung is adorable and I think she would be able to pull off the "sexy model trapped in a bigger girl's body" just fine.

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I liked Benched more than Drop Dead Diva......I know it got cancelled early but that could work really well.

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I LOVED Drop Dead Diva. In the show, she still had access to legal knowledge but it had to be triggered by a situation (either being assigned to a client or discussing a legal matter with coworkers).

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@tipsymocha, I'm guessing you never watched the show. The reasons the fashion model could be a lawyer is because she was in her body, so she had all her knowledge as well.

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I love Drop Dead Diva! It'd fit excellently into the kdrama world... by like most of the other commentators, I really doubt they will actually cast a plus-sized actress.

My guess is they will most likely change the concept entirely to make the protagonist "unattractive" in some other way - say, the standard 'bad hair, glasses and frumpy clothes' combo that supposedly renders gorgeous thin actresses horrifyingly unattractive in dramaland.

Alternately, as Tai suggested, they could have a gorgeous super-thin actress wear a fat suit and lose weight before she gets together with the male lead. OR they will cast a gorgeous super-thin actress, have her gain 4 to 10 pounds (to still somewhat below average weight), and pretend she is now morbidly obese.

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Just to clarify: I think they SHOULD cast a plus-sized actress!! Unfortunately, given kdramalands tendency to be unable to see any woman who isn't super-thin as beautiful, AND to not be willing to cast any woman who isn't considered beautiful in a lead role, I doubt they will. I would be thrilled if they did. (Just as I would love to see other heroines who aren't conventionally attractive by kdrama standards.)

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(DDD) Drop Dead Diva is a hilarious and addicting US series! It just didn't end very much satisfying but it's a very nice funny series! I hope Korean version will give justice to this! :) Looking forward to this, yipeeeeeee!

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btw to answer tipsymocha's question - in the original series, the "model" character gained the skills of the person who's body inhabits. So because she's in the body of a lawyer - she has the lawyer's brains and courtroom skills but she also keeps her own fashion sense & confidence.

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