Ji Hyun-woo and Lee Bo-young in Birth of A Rich Man
by javabeans
Casting news has been announced for a new KBS series, Birth of a Rich Man or Birth of the Rich [부자의 탄생], which will headline Lee Bo-young (More than Blue) and Ji Hyun-woo (Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang). The theme is, as you can guess from the title, about the pursuit of wealth.
Lee Bo-young plays the heir to a chaebol group who has her eye firmly on the goal of taking over the company. However, she’s a bit different from other chaebol heirs, insisting on Dutch paying for meals, enjoying cheap vending machine coffee, and using cosmetic samples rather than buying them. Her father harbors the old-fashioned belief that women ought to stay at home and keep house; she throws herself into work to prove him wrong. She meets Ji Hyun-woo, a man who believes himself to be a chaebol who was hidden away by his rich father in childhood. The drama follows the two as they fall for each other and the fake chaebol becomes a real one. Lee Shi-young (Loving You a Thousand Times) has also been cast.
This’ll be Lee Bo-young’s first drama in three years; her last was 2007’s revenge melodrama Queen of the Game with Joo Jin-mo. Ji Hyun-woo, meanwhile, has just finished playing a chaebol’s son in the romantic comedy Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang. It is a reunion project for the writer and director, Choi Min-ki and PD Lee Jin-seo, who worked together recently on the morning drama The Glory of Youth. The drama held its first script reading on the 25th and will begin filming shortly. It will air as a Monday-Tuesday series following God of Study.
Um…. meh? (I’ve never been that drawn to Lee Bo-young, and Ji Hyun-woo can go either way for me. He was great in My Sweet Seoul as the doting younger boyfriend, but he has a tendency to ham things up in comedies. I’m not sure yet what the tone of Birth of a Rich Man will be, but I’m not sold.) Also, I AM SO SICK OF CHAEBOL STORIES.
Via E Daily
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Tags: Ji Hyun-woo, Lee Bo-young, Lee Shi-young, The Birth of the Rich
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1 E
January 25, 2010 at 6:25 PM
Hmm...I'm not a big fan of Lee Bo Young ~ but I was smitten by Ji Hyun Woo on a recent episode of Star Golden Bell haha....you're right though ~ he tends to overact when it comes to comedy. I wouldn't mind if this had a nice indie, relaxing feel to it...but chaebol stories rarely do it that way...I'm tired of the first two episodes being cute and funny and then turning into a big conspiracy plot >.<
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2 samsooki
January 25, 2010 at 6:50 PM
@E,
There are structural issues with the way that Korea produces its dramas. In the US, I think you have hit shows that continue long, long after their expiration date, so much so that you end up with terms like "jumping the shark." That, plus the tried and true hospital and crime procedurals, and there's nothing new under the sun.
In Korea, I think they fall into another problem, which is that the inexorable march of time means that dramas end so quickly and new ones must start, ready or not with the script, and there are only so many ways to make a chae-bol story work.
@JB,
Just curious, but I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to sell new concepts to not only the 3 major networks, but also to the Korean audience that might not be interested in new and unusual, but are comfortable with ideas that they can wrap their head around.
This also goes for US networks too. I am, for example, flabbergasted as to why an extremely clever and neat Pushing Daisies would get the axe, but there has to be like a dozen crime procedurals out there that give the exact same story over and over and over again... sucks.
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3 Bellamafia
January 25, 2010 at 6:51 PM
I actually love chaebol stories. Probably just because I'm broke.. lols.. Everytime my sister wants to watch a kdrama, she always asks me the same question "are they rich?" , we love it if the characters are rich... (yes.. call us 'shallow'! lols).. For us, it's very entertaining to watch someone with lots of money (like BOF).
But... believe me,.. in a real life, we are not gold diggers.. Just happen to like watching chaebols (as long as they don't go bankrupt.. lols..).
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4 samsooki
January 25, 2010 at 7:01 PM
I watch The Mentalist, Monk, Psych, Criminal Minds or any of the CSI's or any of the NCIS'es or L&O, and generally whether it is in the beginning, the middle or the end, within a few minutes I can usually figure out who the bad guy is, not because I'm paying attention, but because there are director/writer-cheats that signal "I'm the bad guy" and so the rest of the show is just a bore that I fast-forward until I find out whether I'm right or the director/writers were just double-crossing me. Either way, I've lost interest completely.
But what can American networks do? Crime procedurals regularly trounce new and innovative shows, and so networks keep showing them.
I feel like the Korean television audience must feel the same way about their chae-bol stories and the chae-bol people who wear nice clothes, live in fancy apartments and drive nice cars, vacationing in exotic places... and really, what can you do... just hope that every now and then, you get neat and interesting story lines... along with the perfect storm of great acting, OST, directing and production values.
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5 kerik
January 25, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Ji hyun-woo? There I'm sold. He's adowable, hehe.
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6 moomincandylalala
January 25, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Just want to make an honest comment/query here, by no means bashing:
I think Ji hyun woo is cute in boy next door kind of way, but on first impression and after watching some of his dramas and tv appearances he never gripped me with his acting or looks, or made me feel that he has star power from an objective POV. I see him more fitting in a daily drama and I don't really understand why he's getting all these lead roles in prime time when his previous dramas haven't drawn such great responses.
(My Sweet Seoul, Invincible LGP)
Anyone care to enlighten me?
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GraceLi
November 17, 2014 at 3:59 AM
Not handsome you mean? He has an appeal and charming. I don't like him also at first (since there are more handsome guys out there) the first time I watched his drama (Birth of the Rich), "I ask myself who is that guy? Why he got the lead role?" But he has a good character (aura) that you can see in all his shows (I watched ATK after this and My Sweet Seoul). Is he really a good man? or just a good actor? Whatever...
I become a fan when I see him in QIHM.
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7 angryparsnip
January 25, 2010 at 7:38 PM
@ 4
Samsooki
I so agree, not too many shows on American TV that I watch.
I loved Pushing Daisies and Wonderfall an old TV series that was so lovely but never had a chance.
I think show like Psych and The Mentalist you like the characters and what they bring to the series. I enjoy Eureka but it seems I forget when it is on.
I work from home and have the TV on more as company. I don't pay too much attention but I do know how to fix plumbing, and re-hang a door, HGTV.
If I watch a show with Subs I have to make time and sit down to really watch it. So I want it to be good as in City Hall and I want to Thank You for the great re-caps. The comment about how to know your wife is pregnant cracked me up !
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8 Gems
January 25, 2010 at 8:11 PM
If I watch, I'd watch for Lee Bo Young. I loved her in Ballad of Seo Dong and Queen of the Game. Isn't she also going to be in Harvest Villa? I know she's been doing movies the past couple of years but I'm really excited about her return to dramas. This could be her year with two dramas on her plate!
In the realm of Korean actresses, I definitely believe Lee Bo Young warrants more respect than some more popular actresses. She's not the best out there but she's certainly solid and better than the average Korean actress, imho. I think one of the reasons she doesn't have a huge fan following is because she gives off an old fashioned vibe; she's not trendy or perky or cute but she is a hardworking good girl who treads steadily toward her goals.
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9 Rev
January 25, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Yeah, doesn't sound like a winner, but since Ji Hyun-woo is rocking the Chief Wahoo cap in the pic. I'll give the first episode a try. :-p
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10 yen_nguyen
January 25, 2010 at 8:58 PM
I'm not very interested in the cast, but the story sounds not too bad, I wish it's fun and positive, setting a goal and trying to reach it are always the most positive things to do in one's life. However, I don't like people to gain the highest position at their very young age.
what if they are rich and happy (like Unstoppable marriage- where people work simple jobs) or not very rich and happy (live in a house with many rooms set around a small garden (like Sol's Pharmacy): perfect scene to enjoy!
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11 pabo ceo reom
January 25, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Wow Ji Hyun-woo is another drama already? I just finished Invincible. Cute drama but very forgettable. This one sounds like it's headed down the same path.....would probably skip it (there's no Nam Sang-mi this time!) if the plot isn't good.
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12 TaeYang lover
January 25, 2010 at 9:23 PM
Totally agree with you I love the male lead he is a good actor and hes hot but the storyline is just not interesting at all.
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13 jandoe
January 25, 2010 at 9:42 PM
i second JB's opinion that chaebol stories are way overrated now!
the storyline sounds typical and cliched, honestly. (not that i've time to watch any at this point... but JB, do recap/review the new Kim Bum drama if you can! that, i'll try to watch if you say it's worth watching ;))
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14 Lemoncat
January 25, 2010 at 9:55 PM
Totally agree with the sentiment towards chaebol stories - I'm not even done with Invincible LPG yet! Ji Hyun Woo is adorable in it though, so I might glance at this. I've only seen Lee Bo Young in Seo Dong Yo, where she was meh.
What happened to Harvest Villa, though? Did it not go through afterall? Shame, because it sounded interesting.
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15 deeta
January 26, 2010 at 1:30 AM
LOL, I love how you capitalised the last sentence because ME TOO! What's the percentage of 2nd generation chaebol who's young, hot, and yummy?
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16 glencorajane
January 26, 2010 at 3:23 AM
I really like Lee Bo Young! I love her in Ballad of Suh dong and Queen of the game. Was wondering why she isnt in any dramas for so long. Will watch for her.
She's not drop dead gorgeous but I find her sweet and with that unusual spunk (not the hit me and I will faint type).
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17 lOveKorea
January 26, 2010 at 4:57 AM
Yes, I wonder too..What happened to Harvest Villa really???
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18 babyan
January 26, 2010 at 5:04 AM
I think the reason why there are so many "chaebol" stories around in Korea is because there is a large percentage of viewers who watch Korean dramas to escape reality. Watching a rich boy who falls in love with poor girl, lives happily ever after, etc makes them feel that it may possibly happen to them too...makes them feel like, hey, one day I might get a dreamy guy too. It's all about feeding the fantasies. Probably that's why we have fairytales, and Disney.
Anyway, I find JHW to be kinda cute, but as an actor, he did overreact in Invincible... Kinda put me off. I hope he does better in this one...
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19 p3rk3le
January 26, 2010 at 7:15 AM
I agree with the last sentence, but the way you're describing things make this story sound interesting.. It doesnt sound like the usual chaebol story, meaning Invinsible LPK, Brilliant Legacy, etc.
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20 moonyuri332000
January 26, 2010 at 7:17 AM
waiting new drama of lee bo young.
I think it will success & cute couple lee Bo young - Ji Hyun-woo ^-^
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21 Dav
January 26, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I'm not opposed to chaebol stories per se, but I am sick of the burden/responsibility portion being used as a plot device, and then conveniently excised later. Either the character is really defying his/her family to love someone / be a playboy / etc., and there are lasting consequences, or s/he's not, and there aren't.
I often think they're a way of getting around the fact that most of these people never seem to do a lick of work. Why is this couple at a park in the middle of a weekday when they're theoretically employed? Well, one of them is obscenely rich! And as those of us with jobs know, our bosses are *thrilled* when an obscenely rich person shows up and takes us away for the day!
Done properly, I think chaebol stories could be interesting, but more interesting would be stories that are less extreme. I'm also kind of sick of parents who do nothing but gamble away the family fortune, mortgage the house, and then die. Or the sort of extreme, fake poverty that many characters pass through ever so briefly. It doesn't look at all like real poverty. So maybe some middle class romance?
It would be nice to see conflicts that are not central to the money and class issues.
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22 Solange Lee
January 26, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Contrary to some, I usually walk away from films/dramas with Lee Bo Young. I find her to be quite boring. Her range of expressions barely moves from here to there and she just seems to be the same from drama to drama.
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23 ellen
January 26, 2010 at 10:11 PM
I like Lee Bo young. She's pretty & performs well. After watching her in Queen of the game & Ballad of Seo dong I waited & searched for dramas she's in. I admire her performance. She did well in Save the last dance.
I like Ji hyun Woo & admire him since musical drama Over the Rainbow( not sure if that's the exact title), He can act, sing besides being charming.
I have seen many chaebol kind of Kdramas. I dont mind them. There are different trypes...I trust the writers not to use same old story. I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING THIS NEW CHAEBOL DRAMA WITH LEE BO YOUNG & JI HYUN WOO. RECAP TOO.
THANK YOU!
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24 Dee
February 4, 2010 at 2:06 PM
I will definitely watch this drama. So excited to see ji hyun woo back for his new drama!
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25 liliana
February 7, 2010 at 9:32 AM
hy lee bo young iam liliana i love you so much
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26 liliana
February 7, 2010 at 10:01 AM
aneong ha seo lee bo young chonen liliana imnida chonen algerien saram imnida manna so bangab semnida
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27 lulu
March 31, 2010 at 6:55 AM
I'm a big fan of Lee Bo Young and i'm looking forward to this series film. She plays very well, and she's pretty. So I love her :X ♥ ♥
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28 tran thi thu huong
April 26, 2010 at 6:28 AM
phim the bitrth of the rich hay that.vai dien cua lee bo young rat moi me va toi rat thich tinh tiet kiem cua chi ay.con co nang bu tae hee that nhi nhanh ,dang yeu.nhin thay chi ay la lai thay buon cuoi rui.hi hi
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29 Mau
May 6, 2010 at 7:53 AM
a its such a nice episode, y don they make a second season of it....it ended too soon...they look so cute together,, they should b togegther in real life !!!
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30 joy
May 28, 2010 at 6:06 AM
they really good together...i love them in birth of a rich man...hoping to watch them more on kdrama...i agree with mau...is there any second season coming?!
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zebib
August 9, 2010 at 12:44 AM
i will watch this drama.i like ji hyun woo he is great actres and he is funny guy.she is cut and talented,famous actres.next time i will waiting new dramas.thanks.
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31 zebib
August 9, 2010 at 12:42 AM
i will watch this drama.i like ji hyun woo he is great actres and he is funny guy.she is cut and talented,famous actres.next time i will waiting new dramas.thanks
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32 dev
November 24, 2010 at 7:59 PM
love Ji Hyun Woo !! ^^
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33 msmisslolli
March 3, 2011 at 11:45 AM
yup.. it's nice if have d second season 4 this drama..
huhu, i love this couple, Ji Hyun Woo n Lee Bo Young..
they r sweet 2gether.. he~~ ^^"
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34 wewe
April 10, 2011 at 8:59 AM
This drama is friggin funny and awesome!!
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35 tran thanh binh
April 16, 2011 at 10:08 PM
tôi nghĩ bộ phim cũng hay đấy chứ! phải công nhận lee bo young có nụ cười rất đẹp, lam người khác phải ngưởng mộ! (\\**_**//)
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