More additions to upcoming Hong sisters drama
by javabeans
The Hong sisters drama formerly titled Discovery of Affection has a title change, and is now called Best Love. Meh. Neither title is very good — they sound so generic, and lack the wit and humor of the Hong sisters’ style — but who knows, maybe the change was prompted by those pesky plagiarism accusations that also may have led to character changes when their hero went from a young Lee Seung-gi type to the older, badder Cha Seung-won.
(By the way, the old title is — in true Hong sisters fashion — a pun involving a character name. Just like You’re Beautiful included a pun on the name “Mi-nam,” Discovery of Affection included one on the heroine’s name, Gu Ae-jung, where ae-jung means affection. Oh, Hong sisters. You never met a pun (the cornier the better!) you didn’t love. And then beat into the ground. And I say that with ae-jung.)
The drama has also cast its second leads, and they are two actors who’ve done well with comic material in the past: Yoon Kye-sang and Yoo Inna.
Yoon’s character is a doctor of Oriental medicine, a clean-cut, warm character with a single-minded focus on his work. In fact, his foremost hobby is traveling around the countryside on weekends to gather medicinal plants and supplies. He’s got no interest in the entertainment industry, so it’s purely by chance that he meets a has-been actress (Gong Hyo-jin), beginning their romantic storyline.
Yoon said, “I consider it an honor to be able to work with such an outstanding director and writers, as well as actors. I’ll show another side to myself in playing the gentle, intellectual doctor Yoon Pil-joo, so I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
Meanwhile, Yoo Inna plays another actress, and shares a manager with Gong’s Ae-jung character. That manager, who’s also Ae-jung’s older brother, will be played by comedian Jung Jun-ha (Unstoppable High Kick’s dad). Who wants to place bets now that he gets his own bumbling, slapsticky romance?
I think Yoo is a fantastic addition, and she’s the type of sidekick who can steal a scene with a hilarious quip or her well-timed comic delivery, as she did in Secret Garden and High Kick Through the Roof.
In contrast, Yoon Kye-sang has been opting for heavier, more serious fare these days (Road No. 1, Executioners) so I wouldn’t have expected him in another trendy so soon, but I did love him in Who Are You, where he got to show some hilarious physical comedy as well as some of the deadpan variety. But to be honest, despite how much I’ve loved him in the past (minus Triple, but that was really the fault of the writing that turned him into a creepy lovelorn stalker), I have to admit that I’m disappointed to hear this news, if only because it means he’s stuck in second lead territory. He’s been playing the leading man for a few years now, so I’m actually surprised at this casting.
Many a second lead has stolen my affection so this doesn’t mean he’s automatically going to be wasted here…but let’s be real, the Hong sisters aren’t exactly great with their second leads. You might call them downright clumsy, since they seem to pour all their energies into creating a sizzling, entertaining, rock-solid main couple that all second-lead developments feel like afterthoughts.
Such secondary characters have in past dramas ranged from merely irritating (Fantasy Couple, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho) to downright aggravatingly evil (Delightful Girl Chun-hyang). In their later dramas, they’ve been rather toothless as well (You’re Beautiful, Gumiho), more limp rags than strong opposition. So, methinks the wise thing to do is brace myself for the worst; I’m preparing for disappointment already.
On the upside, rarely has a Hong sisters drama actually cast actors I like in those second lead roles. Often, they’re played by rookies and/or lightweights — Park Han-byul, Park Su-jin, Noh Min-woo, Jung Yong-hwa — so maybe it’s a promising sign that you have solid comic actors in this drama. I can hope.
Best Love begins filming on April 1, and broadcasts in early May, following Royal Family.
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Tags: Best Love, Cha Seung-won, Gong Hyo-jin, Hong sisters, Jung Jun-ha, Yoo Inna, Yoon Kye-sang
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1 antonia
March 29, 2011 at 5:15 AM
i'm waiting for this baby. with hong sisters, yoo in na and gong hyo jin, wich i like, and my own cha seung won who is my new crush (why did i discover him so late???) i have great expectations :D
best love fighting!!!!!
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2 zank
March 29, 2011 at 5:31 AM
why yoon kye sang has to be as second lead..i like cha seung won but i like YKS more.
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gustave154
March 29, 2011 at 7:53 AM
I agree Yoon Kye Sang is awesome!! His role better be good because I'm watching the drama because of him!
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sleeplessinwgtn
March 29, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Me thinks the same. I have been waiting for a YKS drama and will content myself even with one where he's 2nd lead. I do like CSW, though, in City Hall, so all is not lost. And love GHY; looking forward to seeing her again. Hopefully, her character's not as 'irritating (though lovalble)' as in her recent drama, Pasta.
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Anvesha
March 30, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Of all the leads in the series, I like him the most so I'm hoping his character won't be lame and annoying.. And he is the second lead which already makes me sad -sigh-
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3 jomo143
March 29, 2011 at 5:38 AM
OK, it's gonna be second lead love for me, and some great comic Bromance.
CSW against "Yoon’s character is a doctor of Oriental medicine, a clean-cut, warm character with a single-minded focus on his work?"
More than the OTP scenes, I want to see these two face down each other down.
Btw, that photo is very nice, but doesn't really look like YKS.
Hokshi, is it his brother just for the fun of it?
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4 blue1004
March 29, 2011 at 5:43 AM
I'm surprised that Yoon Kye Sang relegated back to second lead as well, but then again, his recent works did not do too well. It's possible he wasn't getting many offers lately.
As for Hong sisters' second lead, you forget Lee Junki from My Girl. Many girls ended up rooting for him. By casting a more well known actor (as opposed to newbies in DGC, Gumiho, or YB), Yoon may have a bigger role. Just maybe?
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Arhazivory
March 29, 2011 at 6:04 AM
Ah, that's true. I did love the secondary lead in My Girl.
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Lena S.
March 29, 2011 at 8:58 AM
i'm one of the girls that rooted for Lee Jun Ki lol and to be honest i liked him way more than Lee Dong Wook.
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Alvina
April 1, 2011 at 8:10 AM
but it gave us that epic racquet ball scene at the end. :P
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5 xyz
March 29, 2011 at 5:50 AM
that's one weird photo of YKS. looks like his head is floating or something.....
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6 come2noona
March 29, 2011 at 5:57 AM
Oh wow. I am totally digging this. Can't wait!!!!
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7 autumnscribbles
March 29, 2011 at 5:58 AM
I think I am going to love Yoon's character, he sounds so quirky and strangely adorable. hopefully he will not get the typical hong-sisters-2nd-male-lead treatment.
as much I love the Hong Sisters' brand of writing, I hope they can change it a little for this one.
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diorama
March 29, 2011 at 12:44 PM
I hope so too. I love the Hong sisters to bits, but even I wish they can get over their repetitive second leads. The second leads in Gumiho weren't so bad, so I have hope.
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8 Ahjummoni
March 29, 2011 at 6:15 AM
errmmmm secondaru guy who goest to the country side isn't a quote of Gong's last movie?the one with the cow? ohh well
sometimes I love to bits secondary male lead role of Hong sisters drama
While I loved to bits the Gumiho Hunter and made me a No Min Woo's fan... I can't say I love his other chars in Rock Rock Rock or Midas where he proved his technical qualities as an actor
I liked secondary chars in YAB - but I can't say I love the singers/actors- they were bubbly and cute and funnyat least the band
in Fantasy Couple was rather :not the prince charming and most annoying char- almost as UEE's char or Park Soo Jin's char- yep I hate some of their villains
in Delightful girl CH Uhm Tae Wong -was rather interesting and I had the wish to enter the screen and kill him-and he had better acting there than in QSD
My Girl- errmm I watched in the period I was fangirling Lee Jun Ki and I was disappointed about his char - too lame for a playboy and female secondary girl the same as UEE meh- at least I love UEE looks (yes I'm shallow)while I can't say I love Park SI Yeon -not her acting or looks
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9 ivy_factiva
March 29, 2011 at 6:19 AM
Yoo In Na! I'm glad she's getting cast in so many roles these days despite her (very) late start in her acting career. She's so gorgeous, and emanates so much charm. Love, love her.
Anyways, I don't think either Discovery of affection or Best Love is that generic a title. 'best love' sounds like an awkward phrase that no one else will use. And in fact, it's not that hard to google for either title in English. Yea, speaking of generic titles... I hate it when dramas or films are named "Beautiful Life"/"Life is Beautiful"/"Only You" etc. There are already so many existing works with the same title.
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Giselle
March 30, 2011 at 10:51 PM
I also love her! I love her in Secret Garden, and I love her in "Heroes" variety show. Too bad it's gonna end soon. >>.<<
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10 Dara
March 29, 2011 at 6:40 AM
Another one premieres in May? Oh, dear JB/GF, which one will you choose to recap? Please don't forget LSJ, I mean Miss Ripley. Heh, you gals will be busy, reminds me of MGIG and PK days.
Let's do the poll!
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11 LL
March 29, 2011 at 6:44 AM
Ooohh can't wait for this drama!
And I read somewhere that CSW and GHJ would be in a virtual marriage in the drama like we got married haha.
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12 Mac B.
March 29, 2011 at 7:01 AM
Noh Min Woo may have been a lightweight/rookie, but he sure was easy on the eyes... :)
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ranie
March 29, 2011 at 7:28 AM
And you know that's all that matters in a 2nd (male) lead ... they play the role of eye-candy-that'll-never-get-the-girl so well.
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Ahjummoni
March 29, 2011 at 9:38 AM
in MGIAG the fun was that Foxy Hunter wasn't romantically interested in Gumiho - it was more the scar in his soul and his duty as Hunter - he was just for our soul - but it is true that usually Hong sisters use eye candies for secondary leads and rarely they insist on their secondary chars - not more than 10 mins screentime per episode , even JGS in Hong Gil Dong was more a smexy wallpaper with a way better interpretation in YAB
however I loved or liked so many secondary chars in their dramas : Foxy Hunter, A.N.JELLs, Jung Soo Young as Kang Ja was beyond adorable, even more than the main OTP
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13 Gladys
March 29, 2011 at 7:33 AM
OMG! Yoon Kye Sang is back again and this time with CSW! I am sure this time his role will fully justify his acting abilities. For those who needs an introduction to him, I would highly recommend watching, "Who Are You?" You'd be smitten by his good looks in his branded suits and great acting skills. Moreover , the storyline of this underated drama is totaly different and refreshing! After watching "Who Are You?" I gave up on Triple and Road No.!. Yay, I can't wait to see Yoonie again!
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14 lovepark
March 29, 2011 at 8:00 AM
The Hong sister's secondary characters are really bleh compared to the main couple, but I did like some of their secondary characters. For some odd reason, I kind of liked Park Sang-min as Billy Park in Fantasy Couple though he had no backbone and was weird and totally not likeable... I guess his "non-likeableness" had the opposite effect on me. I also loved Uhm Tae-woong as Byun Hak-do even though he turned possessive and crazy. If you really look at it, it wasn't neccessarily the characters but the actors that I really liked... so maybe Yoon Kye-sang might fall under the same category as Uhm because I have yet to like Yoon in his previous works that I've seen.
I'm totally happy that Yoo In-na is on board. She seems quirky, and I'm anticipating the antics that will arise between the all the actors!
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Ahjummoni
March 29, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Kim Seong-Min was Billy Park
true about both chars
think it is a combination of 3: script + actor and the fansoul
we tend to loathe or to love actors that played a char in one of Hong sisters dramas - way more than in another kdrama
I hated UEE even I loved her looks, I loved Park Shin Hye even she is not the greatest actress around nor the prettiest, I get bored at Myeong Jun in Midas but I would watch Foxy Hunter running after goblins 2 days without pause, I read articles about CNblue and FTisland just because their leaders were in YAB, I wonder why Park Han Byul still acts even she was invisible in Fantastic couple and Oh My Lady(she is pretty indeed) Choi Ran is a sexy ahjumma even more when she is evil etc
it is more the connection the scriptwriters make with us as they write first episodes around the strengths of their actors: sometimes they fail to touch us or : sometimes even failed chars can drive some of us crazy - Foxy hunter had so many gaps in his writing in the end he wasn't mystery but a lonely guy with some dwarfs and secret missions in his brain(Napoleon much?)
now how many of you fell for the first time for NMW watching Rock Rock Rock- I think less ppl than those who became his fans watching MGIAG - even his acting is way better in RRR
I don't like Jang Geun Suk in Hong GIl DOng but I loved his char in YAB and I loathe his char in Marry Me Marry
Pyeon Jung-Su (Manny) I hate her in Last scandal of my life but I felt to the bone her unending in Pasta ( no closure for her)
Han Sang-Jin loved him to bit in Yi San I cringed so hard in All about marriage
Jo Yeon-Woo - loved him in Yi San(again even he was the bad guy) but I hated him in Hot Coffee or What's up Fox?
Sung Hyun-A loved her acting in Yi San I hate her in Flames of Ambition even this time she is right to be bad
Kim Yeo-Jin was so good and sexy as villain in Yi San yet I didn't find a movie or drama to hate her
it is about the chars too-they aren't uglier in another role but it matters to be the right script+the right actor + the right victim in front of the TV
I bet that many of the chars I love you don't even know even many of you watched the same dramas as I did... the explanation is simple: they didn't connect with you no matter how interesting or meh the chars+actors were
the nastiest thing that could happen to an actor is oblivion or to be invisible on screen or in a play
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lovepark
March 29, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Sorry. I can't believe I wrote Park Sang-min instead of Kim Sung-min. That was stupid of me especially since I even looked up the name of his character...
I agree with your comment because it's almost impossible to not view characters with some subjectivity. It's in the eyes of the beholder.
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15 Unnursvana
March 29, 2011 at 8:04 AM
Yoo Inna is in a Hong sister drama ^^ woohoo. Now I must watch this... but then again, I will probably watch this because the Hong sisters wrote it.
I have liked the second leads in their dramas... I love Lee Junki in My Girl and I like the Gumiho hunter and the second lead in You're Beautiful.
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16 omo
March 29, 2011 at 8:05 AM
This is not good I'm too excited about this drama,
I even had a dream about Cha Seung-won
the other night. I'm pathetic *sigh* I know.
but damn even in my dream CSW looks so F.I.N.E
"I feel like I'm hung up on the line
I'd die for you but we were partners in the crime
Everything about you is so F.I.N.E. - fine
And I'm ready, so ready
yeah.."
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17 Lenita
March 29, 2011 at 8:20 AM
Yoo Inna is busy busy busy....
But I agree, she has such a subtle way of scene-stealing. Somebody should give her a lead in a rom-com, it's about time methinks...
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18 Charlotte
March 29, 2011 at 8:24 AM
Love the girl, but WHAT is Yoo In Na wearing? Coleslaw?
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19 Okie Dokie
March 29, 2011 at 9:32 AM
I'm actually quite excited about this. I haven't met a Hong Sister drama I didn't love to pieces. Hopefully, they'll still go strong. Especially with a great cast.
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20 hpn88
March 29, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Casting win! And with the Hong Sisters writing, I have high hopes that such a wonderful cast wont be completely wasted.
(I think YKS wanted to back off from the more serious roles and get back to doing something a bit lighter after his last more serious roles kinda fizzled.)
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21 nelkk
March 29, 2011 at 10:07 AM
awesome I WANT TO WATCH IT NOWWWWWW
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22 Einna
March 29, 2011 at 10:18 AM
An early birthday present? I like!
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23 Meix2
March 29, 2011 at 10:24 AM
This is not good. I love both CSW and YKS.... I'm already conflicted as to who to root for!
(I used to adore So Ji Sup until he was in Road No.1 with YKS and there was super conflict until YKS won over... From then on SJS has been just meh for me. Oh fickleness, why are you torturing me so?)
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24 tweetpandora
March 29, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Yo In Ah I love her, more interested in watching the drama now, but I want her to get a main role soon.
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25 ar_arguably romantic
March 29, 2011 at 12:30 PM
I like the original title better!! Excited for their new work, featuring a slightly older main couple.
I hope the Hong sisters will cure their tendency to write horrible second leads -especially horrible second female leads. They've got Yoon Kye Sang and Yoo Inna on their hands. Don't waste them!!!! Though the fact that Yoon Kye Sang picked up this role has made me a little more hopeful that he liked what he read and chose this role despite it being a secondary role.
The only Hong sister secondary female lead that I enjoyed watching was Uee's character in You're Beautiful and that's more for the comic factor in her scenes with JGS.
They've been pretty lucky in their secondary male lead actors too. These guys tend to have enough charisma and pull to grab the audience's attention despite not having anything meaty to tackle (except for JGS, who actually had a good story in HGD, but I believe the Hong sisters thought of him as a co-main-male-lead rather than a secondary male lead)
Anyways, an AMAZING cast!
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anon
March 29, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I hope the writers consider YKS a co-main-male-lead.. I don't want to see YKS wasted yet again. Please don't turn his character psycho this time.
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26 JD
March 29, 2011 at 1:52 PM
wow yoo inna is everywhere these days!
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27 Lady of Spice
March 29, 2011 at 1:55 PM
I really love Yoon Kye-Sang!!! I was totally excited when I read that he was being cast until I realized that he was going to be the second lead. The Hong sisters need to make this one good because they can't waste talent like Yoon Kye-Sang (who completely stole my heart in "Who are you?"). I'll just have to believe in the Hong sisters and pray they won't disappoint me.
Yoo Inna was quite loveable in Secret Garden but other than that I don't have much expectations for her as an actress. But the rest of the cast, and the fact that it's a Hong sisters drama, has me feeling really excited about this upcoming show.
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28 sosoxrah
March 29, 2011 at 2:09 PM
This is an interesting mix of actors and I wonder how they will fit together. I do hope Yoon Kye-Sang doesn't become a wasted second-lead since I agree that they all pretty much just linger in the background most of the time while the first-leads pull the drama through. Although I like the individual actors by themselves, I can't see how they'll interact well with each other. I'm still looking forward to it though! Many of the dramas lately have been just blah...
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29 deeko
March 29, 2011 at 2:19 PM
OH NO! I was so thrilled to see Yoon Kye Sang would be added to this drama. My interest in it perked once I saw the announcement... except he's a second lead.
Dunno how I feel about that.
Seems like a waste of his talent. But then again, Cha Seung Won is a very formidable lead. I'm holding out hope that having two strong male actors taking on this drama. As for Yoo Inna, she was good in Secret Garden but maybe because she didn't have much responsibility except being a supporting best friend. I hope she doesn't overdo her role here as most second leads do sometimes.
:-/ Keeping my fingers crossed.
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30 BOGCHI
March 29, 2011 at 2:52 PM
wow Yoon Kye Sang as second lead? Didn't see that coming. I'm sure his role will be big here even as a second lead.. hey maybe it'll be one of those tough love triangle.
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31 mrskimchee
March 29, 2011 at 3:11 PM
Who knows it will be the second lead got the girl???
It'll be awsome!!!
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32 mary
March 29, 2011 at 4:06 PM
YKS looks like Lee Jin Wook here (specially the Rivals-Lee-Jin-Wook).
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33 dorispngPinas
March 29, 2011 at 4:07 PM
loved to hear YKS will be in this drama....but then I don't want him playing second lead.....but then I also loved CSW as the main lead.....
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34 momosa
March 29, 2011 at 4:58 PM
Its like a dream come true! I wrote in earlier post that CSW is great but YKS is better! and poof!!! I've got YKS (nevertheless) as 2nd lead!! poof!! poof!!
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35 GrandmaFran
March 29, 2011 at 5:40 PM
it's rare to really like all 4 leads. i have really high hopes for this drama!
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36 samgetang
March 29, 2011 at 6:47 PM
Getting excited for this drama! I read some comments here saying Hong sisters' 2nd leads are not as effective as the main leads. Hope they get their act this time around...What makes an all-around great drama is to have all the actors breathing fire into their characters. Cant do that if the roles are bleh. Hope they dont waste YKS and YI here! It did sound intriguing to have a thoughtful and intellectual oriental medicine guy interact with the CSW character. Hmmm...possibilities! ;-)
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37 glencorajane
March 29, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Finally Yoon Kye Sang in a new drama and a lighthearted one! Looking fwd to this one!
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38 Ani
March 29, 2011 at 9:41 PM
Although I didn't like the overly tearsy She is Nineteen, that is the drama that Yoon Kye-sang caught my eye. I thought he was cute and he did a really good job acting as the spoiled younger brother of a successful older brother and that he did really well portraying the emotions of someone who felt they were stuck in an unrequited love situation. I could never get into Who Are You despite my love for many things fantasy related, but I look forward to this drama and hope the Hong sisters decide to cut out the adult love scene, and make the second leads more than just props to a means.
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39 strawberry
March 29, 2011 at 9:53 PM
i'm least interested in yoon kye sang, but i love all the other actors. looking forward to this one!
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40 YoonShik
March 29, 2011 at 11:52 PM
I'm disappointed in this news because I love Yoon Kye Sang and don't want him to be the second lead. :( Plus, I do not like Cha Seung Won at all. I don't know what others see in him.
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sleepypanda
May 7, 2011 at 4:53 AM
you should see City Hall, maybe you can change your mind about Cha Seung Won :))
At first he isnt handsome at all but after seeing him in City Hall he is so charismatic to me now.. :)
Anyway I liked Yoon Kye Sang as well.. he is so cute :)
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41 Alice
March 30, 2011 at 12:51 AM
This drama sounds amazing!!! I love the casting -- I just finished a marathon of Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy, and I'm more in love with Gong Hyo Jin than ever. How is she sooooo awesome and natural and loveable and cute? Girl crush!
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42 Jaeminuf
March 30, 2011 at 2:34 AM
Woah, Yoon Kye Sang looks like a younger Kim Sung Soo.
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43 jelly-jamboree
March 30, 2011 at 8:25 AM
I love him & I love her!
I kinda wish they were the main couple :(
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44 bettinagurl
March 31, 2011 at 4:41 PM
omo! i cant wait for this! :) yoo inna! :)
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45 avocado
March 31, 2011 at 8:09 PM
OMO YKS...waw i've been looking his new project..why he always be second lead these days..i love him most in Crazy For Yoy (a must watched drama). I don't root for CSW but this is YKS and Hong's drama so i'll ready for it.
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46 CSW4life
April 2, 2011 at 4:15 AM
I just really can't wait to watch any movie/drama Cha Seung Won is cast in. He is such a versatile actor and his acting skills are superb, it seems that he is a natural talent. He is also very handsome, and even though an ahjussi, I have to admit that he is really hot and manly. I just hope that his role in "Best Love" will be somehow different to his City Hall character, I want to see him in many different roles. Best of luck to Hong sisters' new series.
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