What's Up hits airwaves in March » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

67 February 15, 2011February 15, 2011

What’s Up hits airwaves in March

by javabeans

Probably. A few media outlets are reporting that musical drama What’s Up is a “strong contender” for a March 21 premiere, while another announces it as a done deal. Take that as you will.

In either case, the good news is: After more than a year in pre-production, we’re finally close to seeing the anticipated series, which boasts a pretty solid cast as well as a very strong writer in Song Ji-nah, who wrote Story of a Man, Legend, and Sandglass. Two of those are in my all-time top list, while the other…was interesting, despite not being my particular cuppa tea.

And while I am completely into Dream High, I have hopes that What’s Up might even do it one better, because in addition to the similar music-school setting, What’s Up has focused its casting on actors who can act as musical students, rather than using idols with limited acting experience. (And if I must nitpick Dream High for a fault, it’s that the acting sometimes falls short of emotionally convincing. It’s a minor quibble in the scheme of things, but still — imagine if the rest of the cast were up to Kim Soo-hyun’s level. How awesome would that be?)

With What’s Up, we have two very charismatic budding stars in Im Joo-hwan (Tamra the Island) and Im Joo-eun (Hon). And while I’ve yet to see pop star Daesung in anything, I’m hopeful about him; he conveys a personable vibe and has been beefing up his acting skills with musical-theater experience.

The proposed timeslot is SBS’s Monday-Tuesday 9pm hour, which, funny enough, was just announced as a cancelled slot. If the drama airs as suggested, it’ll follow Paradise Ranch. However, according to other reports, SBS is still deliberating whether to slot in a drama or new variety programming in that 9pm hour.

What’s Up is currently 90% done with filming, and will be entirely pre-produced by the time it hits the air, whether that’s in March or (gulp) later.

Via Review Star

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Tags: What's Up

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1 Dream High season 2

February 15, 2011 at 5:27 AM

And if What's Up is successful, maybe there might be a second season of Dream High.

New students but same teachers.

Many will be "Glee"ful about that.

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jomo143

February 15, 2011 at 6:28 AM

It would be cool if they could cast more talented non-idols in Season 2, which I have completely bought as a possiblity a millesecond after reading your handle.

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bella luna ;)

February 15, 2011 at 10:28 AM

can we request for Oska to be a teacher in DHS2?

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Rika

February 15, 2011 at 11:17 AM

Oh my gosh. Could you IMAGINE?? That'd be... interesting.

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bella luna ;)

February 16, 2011 at 8:39 AM

and he can be the teacher every female student is crushing on. ;)

orangy911

February 15, 2011 at 6:35 PM

HAHA i just burst out laughing and my dog looked at me like I was crazy.

Great idea though. XD

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bella luna ;)

February 16, 2011 at 8:42 AM

thanks! :)

i also just realized that having Oska in DH will make him cross paths with Principal Shi again. would love for them to make a meta out of it. :)

I also hope that DHS2, if it ever comes to exist, would go theater - training students for broadway and k-dramas. after all, theater is also performing arts and Kirin is a school for performing arts. ... and then cast Yoo Ah In. ;)

nonski ⭐️A forever JIN who crash landed on Hyun Bins heart❤️!

March 21, 2011 at 3:39 AM

that would be great!!!

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chuachumill

February 16, 2011 at 1:09 AM

yeah...i need my new crack after DH ends..i love daesung..!!!

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2 birdscout

February 15, 2011 at 5:37 AM

This looks so good! I'm really enjoying Dream High, but What's Up will probably be able to crank it up a notch in the acting department! Im Joo-hwan!

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3 junaly

February 15, 2011 at 5:51 AM

oooooo....i really liked IJH in tamra and i hope this drama doesnt get shelved away somewhere to be aired next year. i saw the trailer and i really liked the OST :)

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jossy

February 15, 2011 at 7:51 PM

kyaaa~ Im Joo hwan.. Oreboni <3

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4 Selli

February 15, 2011 at 5:54 AM

It seems like this will be focusing more on musicals? Then it'll probably be quite different ^^ It doesn't seem as bright and cute as Dream High, but rather serious in a way XD

I'm not yet really interested, as there's no one in the cast either who's really compelling to me, except Oh Man-seok XD But it'll be interesting to see how this pans out ^^

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....

February 15, 2011 at 6:24 AM

IA
i'm happy that they choose an actual musical actor (oh man seok) :)

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5 matinsoleil

February 15, 2011 at 5:57 AM

I'm so anticipating What's Up! I heard about this drama in 2009...too long for a drama I wait like santa claus! Hope it's gonna air in March 2011 and not in march 2012...ooppsss. Fighting What's up!

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6 Alvina

February 15, 2011 at 6:02 AM

Interesting; shall I anticipate?

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xiaoSxin

February 15, 2011 at 7:28 AM

of course!! I've never anticipated nor waited for drama like What's UP before. PLus.. it's Im. Joo. Hwan. I am so there. <3

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7 @.@

February 15, 2011 at 6:05 AM

FINALLY!!! I've been looking forward to this because of Daesung (I'm a VIP hehehe)

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8 ....

February 15, 2011 at 6:22 AM

ohhhhh, this looks good O____O
trailer screams "fame", but the cast is pretty solid, i hope it gets the slot ...

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9 dramaboy1

February 15, 2011 at 6:28 AM

"And if I must nitpick Dream High for a fault, it’s that the acting sometimes falls short of emotionally convincing. It’s a minor quibble in the scheme of things"...haha...didn't know acting was merely a side note for dramas

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Bad Minion (Lahlita)

February 15, 2011 at 8:07 AM

Yeah, I saw that and snerked a bit. JB's love for Dream High is blunting her edge. Luckily, she has got us here to bring the snark. Snaaaaarkkkk!

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birdscout

February 15, 2011 at 8:30 AM

LOL! Bad Minion, bad!

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10 autumnscribbles

February 15, 2011 at 6:46 AM

I want to keep my expectations low for WU, but i can't contain my excitement for it~~! I suspect this one will be more music-centric than DH, or at least have higher quality performances. (To be honest, as much as i adore DH, most of the music (and acting) performances so far have yet to reach brilliance.)

anyways, i am really looking forward to this.

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xiaoSxin

February 15, 2011 at 7:32 AM

I know.. I should really start with low expectations to keep me from being disappointed.. but at this point. How could I not?

This drama has been announced since like early 2010, filming started last summer, I watched the trailer a hundred times since its release in November.. and it's Im Joo Hwan. It's been more than a year since we last saw him in a drama.

I'm definitely onboard with this drama now.. whatever happens. ^^ *fingerscrossed*

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xiaoSxin

February 15, 2011 at 7:34 AM

to be accurate... I'm onboard this drama's flagship ever since casting was confirmed for Im Joo Hwan. (^o^).

드라마 '왓츠업' 화이팅!!!!!!!!!!

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chuachumill

February 16, 2011 at 1:19 AM

agreeeddd...but can he sing?ah...who caresss!!!hahahah

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GrandmaFran

February 15, 2011 at 12:42 PM

completely agree! i'm so excited but i think it will definitely live up to the expectation. I mean IJH is in it!!! as much as i want to love dream high, i can't. the acting is so bleh. i don't love any of the songs either. i keep up with it just for pilsook and jason. and that's just because they're flippin cute together.

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chuachumill

February 16, 2011 at 1:24 AM

me toooo!!but samdong awesome too..i love milky couple moree!!

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11 saaandra

February 15, 2011 at 7:24 AM

i've waited for it for soooo long! the preview itself shows some potential for the drama to be GOOD!

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mars

February 15, 2011 at 8:10 AM

Me too! I've watched the preview more times than is healthy because it looks so good! I am trying to contain my excitement but I can't! SO EXCITED.

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danna

February 15, 2011 at 10:55 AM

me too!!...i must've watched the preview on replay over a million times

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xiaoSxin

February 15, 2011 at 11:17 AM

same here. ㅠㅠ

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12 xiaoSxin

February 15, 2011 at 7:24 AM

YESSSS!!! FINALLLY!!! Thanks JB for posting this!!

I was jumping up and down last night on twitter when I saw the news on nate. I really do hope this will be true!

MARCH 21 9pm, SBS .... SET THE DATE PEOPLE!!! It's LIm Ju Hwan making a comeback!

TEAM PARK KYU!!!!!!!! <3

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13 crazedlu

February 15, 2011 at 7:28 AM

i feel the only ones who REALLY lack in dream high are taecyeon and wooyoung. taecyeon does exactly as you say he does (knows the cam is on him and acts for/to it) and wooyoung is sometimes stiff and overexaggerated. but suzy and iu are holding up well.

anyways, i'm excited for what's up!

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14 Celest

February 15, 2011 at 8:02 AM

Oh heck yes.

Totally psyched about this drama.

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15 danni

February 15, 2011 at 8:02 AM

First reaction: "Yay! Dream High redux!"
Second reaction: "Follows Paradise Ranch? Isn't that slot getting cancelled?"

So, I want to be excited because I've wanted to see this forever (Big Bang and Im Joo-hwan fan) but if SBS decides not to air it...

I hope this drama does well ratings-wise if it airs, but since it's airing after Dream High which is dominating ratings, it might not. Remember Daemul and President? Yeah, that could happen here. Hopefully, it won't affect broadcasting stations' decisions on picking up the drama.

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xiaoSxin

February 15, 2011 at 8:28 AM

Same here. I want this drama to be ratings gold too.

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16 p3rk3le

February 15, 2011 at 8:14 AM

omg i've been waiting forever for this and the trailer was awesome!!!
i really have high hopes for this!! i like dream high but i'm not going crazy as most ppl see to..

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17 Rina

February 15, 2011 at 8:21 AM

I've been looking foward this drama, mainly because of Im Joo-hwan and Im Joo-eun. I loved them both in their previous dramas, Tamra & Hon. It feels like a long time since they released that preview.

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18 kaedejun

February 15, 2011 at 9:01 AM

yes yes yes - this musical drama i want to watch!!! i hope it does air in march!!

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19 swui

February 15, 2011 at 9:15 AM

I want to get excited too but I daren't...after what Athena did to me with its splendid casts and all...will most likely watch it for IJH's sake and hope that it's good.

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xiaoSxin

February 15, 2011 at 9:39 AM

I will watch it even IF it's ONLY for Im Joo Hwan's sake. ㅋㅋㅋ

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20 meenuby

February 15, 2011 at 10:04 AM

so 2011 will be the year of musical dramas?

So excited for What's Up. LOVE Im Joo-hwan and like Im Joo-eun from the little I've seen in her in (only saw a bit of Hon because I'm a certified chicken). And I loved Story of a Man, so it'll be exciting to see what Song Ji-nah can come up with in this genre.

I feel only good things in my bones about this drama. :)

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21 danna

February 15, 2011 at 10:53 AM

Looks like God heard my prayer!!!...finallly!!!!.....this is the only drama that i've been looking forward to in 2011....i'm more than excited and this along with the fact that Kim Ha Neul getting the part in Kim wa petto remake just made my day!...now it all depends on SBS's decision to keep that timeslot!...come on SBS!..DO IT!!

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22 singingzombies

February 15, 2011 at 10:56 AM

From the pic I get:

"Please air uuuuussss. Please Air Uuuuussssssssss! PLEASE AIR UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!"

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23 marbleloaf

February 15, 2011 at 11:29 AM

javabeans, you're like my long lost sister! i agree with you in that i'm looking forward to seeing actors by trade in this drama. loving the cast and hope it holds up to my expectations!!

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24 hmi4

February 15, 2011 at 12:12 PM

so this is musical style (meaning the cast will be busting out in songs randomly), not just music themed (ala DH) right?

i like IJH, but i realize i only like him donned in saeguk attires (oh Park Kyu~). in modern wear, he gives off a [bad] dorky vibe.

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ar_arguably romantic

February 15, 2011 at 2:38 PM

i also like IJH in sageuk attire more! I guess some guys look better sageuk style. that's the way i feel like micky yoochun too.

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25 otk

February 15, 2011 at 12:47 PM

always wanted a korean musical <3

I AM DEFINITELY WATCHING THIS!!!! hopefully it doesn't get itself lost in a pointless plot like what's happening to Glee.

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26 hpn88

February 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM

Please air this SBS. I've waited so long for Im Joo Hwan. I couldn't have cared less about SBS canceling that slot, but now I'm strongly for waiting at least until after WU to nix the spot.

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27 jjang

February 15, 2011 at 2:04 PM

FINALLY!
i'm mainly watching this because of the trailer, same basic concept like Dream High, and Daesung xD

hehe, well i can't wait til this spring solstice comes up (:

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28 ar_arguably romantic

February 15, 2011 at 2:35 PM

I love the trailer for What's Up!

Dream High is a tough act to follow so I do think it's too much to think it will out-awesome Dream High, especially when expectations for What's Up are higher. I do like the feel of What's Up in that it doesn't seem like the kids' goal is to become an idol performer. And I also love the two Ims!

With so little news abt What's up over these last 2 months and then now talk abt it coming after Paradise Ranch, I wonder if it had been put on the back burner a bit until the success of Dream High had the execs rethinking.

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29 red

February 15, 2011 at 2:43 PM

originally i was so hyped about this and thought dream high will be terrible with the idol casting...and then they casted kim soo hyun and it perked my interest a little ....but now i am so hooked with dream high.....and i have greater expectations for whats up....

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30 JJ

February 15, 2011 at 3:20 PM

EEEEEP~~ FIN!ALLY~ my bb jooeun will be back~ oh how i missed her..so freakin happy ^ ^
Even tho i (surprisingly) like dream high way more than i expected, i wasn't even planning to watch it...But whats up is gonna kick their asses so badly, cuz my big eyed girl is in hehe
I sooo cant wait.
IM JOO EUN FAN HERE!

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31 sunshine

February 15, 2011 at 8:29 PM

I've been waiting for this project! I love Dream High (a lot), but I am worried about how it will affect this new drama's ratings. Hopefully, people wouldn't have gotten sick of the budding high school musician storyline by then?

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32 YY

February 15, 2011 at 9:43 PM

If anyone can lift a drama to new heights, it's Im Ju Hwan....look at Tamra: he was simply amazing as Parkyu. Because of him, I now rate Tamra as one of my most fav dramas of all time.

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33 momosa

February 15, 2011 at 9:47 PM

That was a long wait for Im Joo Hwan. Finally!! I will watch even if its bad because of IJH!!

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34 nattacatta

February 15, 2011 at 11:08 PM

gah, this is airing two days before i leave for japan. for a year. with limited internet access. why could it not air before i leave?! fingers crossed a japanese tv station buys it...

i have wanted to watch this for so long! daesung is utterly amazing and i think he will totally pull off acting. plus his voice is incredible. (big bang comeback is so soon!!!) and im joo hwan is, of course, perfect. plus it is so awesome and rare to have a cast of young actors.

team park kyu!

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35 gustave154

February 16, 2011 at 1:53 AM

after the success of dream high, i want to see these more of these types of dramas xD hope the drama does well.

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36 diadda

February 16, 2011 at 2:15 AM

Daesung as Hades...I was there as soon as it was announced.

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37 i3rasaila

February 16, 2011 at 7:56 AM

I'm waiting this for ages now. mainly because of Daesung.
and his hot ABS. ok, I'm sold.

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38 saranga

February 16, 2011 at 11:29 AM

really glad to hear this. it will make parting from dream high a little easier :) i think it will have a higher quality feel than dream high, with its higher grade actors and song ji-na. but will it have dream high's crack-addictive charm?

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nonski ⭐️A forever JIN who crash landed on Hyun Bins heart❤️!

March 21, 2011 at 3:53 AM

right on the dot!...charm is what really kept DH on the highspot...i think i would love this new show but i believe it can never replace DH in my heart (hehehe)...if it can make rewatch it a ridiculous number of times then it can...