Hwang Jung-eum, Kang Ji-hwan as potential drama couple
by javabeans
Okay, so I started reading this news with a “meh” attitude, and by the time I got to the end of the page I was just about hopping in anticipation. The drama is titled Incarnation of Money (or Money Incarnate; it’s a working title and neither translation really works for me, but we’ll see what they come up with). It’s an upcoming SBS weekend show from the producers of Giant and History of a Salaryman. And it’s courting Hwang Jung-eum and Kang Ji-hwan.
Okay, now for the details. Hwang Jung-eum (Golden Time, Can You Hear My Heart) appears to be the stronger prospect at the moment, having confirmed that she’s “favorably considering” the role (and some articles even have her as a done deal). She’ll be reuniting with the writer and director, having worked on their first project together, hit drama Giant, which surpassed 40% ratings and was a multi-generational epic. Since the team went on to claim hit number 2 with History of a Salaryman, suffice to say that Round 3 is facing some heightened expectations.
Her character description piques my curiosity: Hwang plays the daughter of a loan shark and “knows nothing but money.” With a personality described as pragmatic and a strong work ethic, she eventually becomes the president of a savings bank. It’s a different type of heroine than we’re used to, in a dramaland that loves its leading ladies to be on the victim side of that loan shark equation; they’re always the ones being chased by the money-grubbing gangsters, not the ones on their side.
Her character will start out “ugly” and then get an extreme makeover; she starts out overweight and wearing glasses and braces. “With tons of hard work and lots of money, she undergoes a transformation to become a top-class beauty.” I sort of groan at the necessity to make her go from extreme to extreme, but it sounds like her ugly duckling past informs the character and carries over into the present.
Then things get wacky: Our hero named Lee Cha-don knows of her past and is in debt to her, but happens to be locked up in a psychiatric hospital on a remote island. Already I like this. Kang Ji-hwan (Coffee House, Detective Cha) can do wacky and dramatic like nobody’s business, so I’m totally seeing this. So our heroine goes to spring him from the joint, armed with faked marriage registration documents, beginning their faux-spouses routine.
But that’s not all. Then! She starts to suspect her new not-husband of having killed her father, who died under suspicious circumstances. Just as “her ideal man” makes his appearance and kicks up the love triangle.
This sounds cracked. And I mean that in a good way. If I hadn’t seen History of a Salaryman, my eyebrows would be UP TO HERE (points at ceiling) right now. However, since I did watch that kooky show, which had some of the zaniest comedy in recent drama history (with stellar acting and fantastic directing), I am instead really excited about Incarnation of Money (or whatever they end up calling it). Can’t you already picture it? I mean, I’m not so blinded by actor-love to be a fan of everything someone does, when that includes some real crap stuff (Lie To Me), but I am just itching for Kang Ji-hwan to be in something great that uses all of his talents.
Some reports state that this drama, at 24 episodes, will take the post-Five Fingers weekend slot. Which happens to be previously announced as Alice in Cheongdam-dong’s slot, which makes me nervous for that show. Other reports state that Incarnation of Money will follow Alice. Do countdown clocks come with a Confused setting?
Via Osen
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1 greenie
October 20, 2012 at 12:39 PM
OOOOOOOH! SO EXCITED!!!
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2 Mystisith
October 20, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Production Team behind Salaryman = I'm there! And that premise with dramas cliches put upside down? I don't even mind the cast.
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Lena S.
October 20, 2012 at 6:28 PM
mte
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D
October 21, 2012 at 5:39 PM
and i'll be right next to you. i love love love that drama (not necessarily all the characters)
now will they be having some rooster...
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3 Hannah
October 20, 2012 at 12:43 PM
KANG JI HWAN!! I know people didn't like LtM but honestly, he was just so good in it, the plot was terrible. I am so excited that he and YEH are in new dramas. End of 2012/Early 2013 are shaping up to be a good year. AND LSG is coming back! Haven't seen anything with Suzy in it, besides the entertainment shows, and MissA, but I like her so I will also give that a try. YAY!
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4 annie
October 20, 2012 at 12:43 PM
This. Sounds. Awesome.
I really hope KJH takes the role, it sounds perfect for him as you said. And I've been dying to see him in something GOOD.
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annie
October 20, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Also, production team: please give the poor girl good hair this time. I feel for her.
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danna
October 20, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Yes...someone needs to save her from all the hairy distractions on her heas...cuz she is a really gorgeous woman....hopefully the extreme makeover part will taje care of that
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5 Arhazivory
October 20, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Well, this plot sounds win. And I loved HoTS! <3
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6 Natalie
October 20, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Baha what the heck is with that premise?! Sounds bizarre, so I'm in!
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7 becca_boo
October 20, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Oh, this could be fun. Very fun.
Thanks for sharing the news!
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8 sumee
October 20, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Ohhhhhhhhhh..NICE !
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9 Daisy
October 20, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Hwang Jung Eum please please please sport a decent hairstyle!
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10 Noiha
October 20, 2012 at 1:03 PM
the team behind giant and salaryman? i'm so in.
but hwang jungeum......... sigh. i hope she can give a breakthrough performance like jung ryeowon did in salaryman
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11 Noelle
October 20, 2012 at 1:15 PM
I'm all for KJH. Hopefully this show utilizes him well.
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12 dulcedeleche
October 20, 2012 at 1:24 PM
oh no. I'm torn. Do I want this to come before Alice or after? I'm not sure between KJH or PSH, who will win in the battle for my affections.
Actually Alice should come first. Since they started filming already...and have a confirmed cast.
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13 MaB
October 20, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Well is definitely sounds interesting and loved History of a Salaryman!
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14 jinny
October 20, 2012 at 1:29 PM
WHY OH WHY. I love the description and promising plotline (promising in terms of ensuring that I'll laugh until my sides hurt) but I dislike both actors (I'm sorry, I just can't get into their acting...don't kill me!) Hopefully they'll have some kind of new quirky twist that makes me their ultimate fan or they'll be bearable enough for me to watch :P
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AAAA
February 27, 2014 at 7:32 AM
I recommend "Be Strong, Geum Soon" for a look at Kang Ji Hwan's capabilities when he meets a decent script. (His other dramas are forgettable, even though he was very good in them, just bad scripts, co-stars, and plots) Incarnation of Money and Be Strong Geum Soon are two of his best works, in my opinion. They are the only ones with scripts good enough for his acting abilities.
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15 rearwindow
October 20, 2012 at 1:37 PM
This sounds totally whacked out, but I'm excited. Is it weird that I'm particularly stoked for Hwang Jung-eum to be in a drama with NORMAL HAIR FOR ONCE? I swear I'm not all that shallow. I'm just scarred from Can You Hear My Heart?
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16 Roxy
October 20, 2012 at 1:39 PM
HJE is gorgeous but gosh the hairstyles' she recently had in her previous dramas are just TERRIBLE. From CYHMH (dreaded bowl-haircut) to Full House 2 (god-awful).
So since she's supposed to be a 'top-class beauty' in this drama please give her a decent do, PLEASE DRAMA GODS.
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17 ck1Oz
October 20, 2012 at 1:42 PM
What????
The plotline is absolutely bizzare.So bizzare that I am going to watch it.Besides it's from the team from Salaryman. At this point,unless its a totally rotten actor would watch it just to see where the story goes.It would be sure different from the usual slapping mother in law weekend fare.
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18 Toystar
October 20, 2012 at 1:47 PM
KJH yes! Love him and this sounds like fun so I'm down!
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19 peace88
October 20, 2012 at 1:59 PM
I'm in for sure, love both of them as well which is a plus, I would rather watch this then Alice in Cheongdam-dong, but since they have already start shooting Alice I'm sure this show would be coming to 2013.
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20 spicyricecake
October 20, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Too many projects coming up! I want to watch them all but don't have time. KJH!!! I think I will
Hwang Jung Eum is pretty here, kind of reminds me of Park Si Yeon.
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21 jomo143
October 20, 2012 at 2:10 PM
KJH would be crazy to pass on working with this writer/director team. Especially since it sounds like the part was written for him.
HJE - can you never start out being NOT ugly once?
Cause you aren't.
I wish the make-over angle didn't reinforce the stigma of being unattractive, especially overweight as being equal to bad personality. We need to be evolving, writers.
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22 Annie
October 20, 2012 at 2:24 PM
I ship it. Praying for HJE's hair right now...
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23 sPark*
October 20, 2012 at 2:27 PM
I love Kang Ji Hwan. I even watched Lie To Me until the last two episodes for him. I haven't finished any of his dramas except Capital Scandal (I just noticed), but I've always watched until right before the last two episodes lol His projects have been pretty meh lately, but I still adore him. Hwang Jung Eum hasn't always been my favorite, but I adore her in Giant. I hope this drama is all sorts of awesome because I loved Giant and watched some of History of a Salaryman. The drama plot sounds crazy and I can't wait. I hope this drama is better than HOAS.
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AAAA
February 27, 2014 at 7:35 AM
You need to watch Be Strong Geum Soon, he was excellent in it. Great screenwriting, great co-stars, great ending. Not often a drama finishes on such a high note. Very good story line and pacing.
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24 SuziQ
October 20, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Agree with you. Why do being overweight in Korea equate to unattractive and an ugly personality and that she needs an extreme makeover? Sounds like 200 lbs. Beauty similar plot, so Been there Done that......
Both HJE and KJH can do funny and quirky comedies, but why does she always get cursed with weirdo hairstyles?PLEASE find her a beautiful hairstyle....so she doesn't look like a DORK.
Sounds like a great production team. I hope they have a great script because KJH was wasted in LTM.
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25 hara
October 20, 2012 at 2:42 PM
i hope they will change the lead actress though. not so fond of hwang jung eum... but kang ji hwan? am sooooo in!
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pipit
October 21, 2012 at 5:50 PM
Me too. I'd rather have somebody else if the male lead is KJH.
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26 reeen
October 20, 2012 at 2:50 PM
she definitely looks plastic enough to make the makeover thing believable :D
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Ara
October 20, 2012 at 8:35 PM
I hate to agree with you but something about her face definitely seems plastic. I think some people's faces can just take it better than others or they have better features to work with; look at PMY, she had her jaws shaved down and some sort of nose job and you basically can't even tell!
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RealKDramaaddict
October 22, 2012 at 11:48 AM
I have never been impressed by her acting. In fact, I disliked her in every drama she starred. Lots of unnatural crying or always cheerful, two types of expression, did not feel any depth behind her eyes.
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27 canxi
October 20, 2012 at 3:12 PM
What did I just read? LOL, so awesome.
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28 ar_arguably romantic
October 20, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Heroine who worked for her riches? Kang. Ji. Hwan, Locked up in a psych hospital and the heroine breaks him out?! I am in!
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29 dandelion
October 20, 2012 at 3:58 PM
To be honest, Kang ji hwan is my least favorite actor. I find his acting overrated.
All the dramas I have watched him in he was overacting like crazy. He overacts his dramatic scenes and also the comedic scenes. The only drama of his where his overacting worked to his advantage was Hong Gil Dong. Another thing that drives me nuts about him is his squeaky voice, it is not pleasant to the ears!
Hwang Jung Eum, her acting isn't bad, but I don't like the vibe that she gives off onscreen and offscreen.
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eny
October 20, 2012 at 6:03 PM
i didn't see his acting overated, i think the story of many drama/ movie that he portray overate esp comedy. I see 90 days falling in love n coffee house it's not overate.
This drama sounds interesting n the actor/actress is fine for me ,i'm gonna check it
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dandelion
October 20, 2012 at 7:59 PM
I watched 90 days of love and Fireworks and he totally overacted when delivering his lines. I dont know if it's because of his Stage Musical background or what, but his movements and line delivery may it be on melo or romcom is very exagerrated and I don't like it.
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noona
October 21, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Probably because he had his start in theatre. I noticed theatre actors usually exaggerate their movements to better convey their emotions.
Even I thought he moved his head too much on 90 days. But he has improved a lot since then.
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AAAA
February 27, 2014 at 7:37 AM
He suffers from having had too many bad scripts. I recommend "Be Strong, Geum Soon". He was very good in that. Plus, the production and writing is excellent.
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30 topper
October 20, 2012 at 4:19 PM
Production team of Giant and History of a Salaryman. Now that's a good project to sign up for.
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31 dal
October 20, 2012 at 4:36 PM
I'm happy for Hwang Jung-eum to have another drama. Just reading this news sound so good all ready. I can't wait to see both of them.
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32 Keshia
October 20, 2012 at 4:43 PM
This is so cray cray that I'm in love with it already. Can't wait!!
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33 QIII
October 20, 2012 at 4:51 PM
I wonder if Kang Ji Hwan is still JB's husband or did she kick him to the curb after Lie to me?
:D
Sounds like fun
History of the Salary Man is a drama in my top ten
I would follow the writers of HOTSM even to the depths of makjang hell because they would find a way to make it fun.
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mary
October 20, 2012 at 6:17 PM
I thought KJH was Koala's husband and JB was married to Jae Hee..?
*confused with all the claiming*
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34 Addylovesbwood
October 20, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Wished they casted her in as Joo Won's leading lady in Secret agent. oh well!
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bluemoon
October 20, 2012 at 5:17 PM
That would be awesome
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karen
October 20, 2012 at 5:27 PM
Yeah, now that you mention it, I suddenly realized that Hwang Jung Eum will be very suited to be the leading lady of Secret Agent! I can imagine it very well. She'll embody the character perfectly. Plus I can picture that she'll looks good with Joo Won, and their age gap is only 2 years.
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Roxy
October 20, 2012 at 10:11 PM
O.O YES PLEASE.
Thanks for pointing that out... but what are the chances of that happening right?
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35 bluemoon
October 20, 2012 at 5:17 PM
ohhhhh sounds so interesting...............love the cast so far...........Agreed, HJE is gorgeous but she needs better hairstyle in her dramas.....that short mushroom now in CYHMH and FH2 is not that flattering on her................
ohhhhh can't wait for this drama
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36 Mai
October 20, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Sounds like fun!!! Can I just cross my fingers and toes that she finally gets some nice hair (refer to CYHMH & FH2). Sounds like a bizarre storyline but these two can definitely pull it off.
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37 Lena S.
October 20, 2012 at 6:30 PM
Honestly i love KJH but i got more excited when i heard that the team from History of the Salaryman are behind this, so i'm keeping my eyes on this one.
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38 Annie
October 20, 2012 at 6:43 PM
I wish I liked KJH more. I just really hate his voice.
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39 Sajen
October 20, 2012 at 7:00 PM
sounds insane in a good way just like the awesomeness that was History of a Salary Man.
while of the two this is the show that interests me more despite Moon Geun Young's presence in Alice in Cheongdam-dong but um isn't Alice already filming with a confirmed cast how could this possibly air first?
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40 saltandpepper
October 20, 2012 at 7:07 PM
Kang ji hwan... :)
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41 shi suisen
October 20, 2012 at 7:23 PM
The male lead just happens to be locked up in a psychiatric hospital on a remote island? I'm sold. XD
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42 cheekbones
October 20, 2012 at 7:59 PM
Totally shallow and a bit off topic, but that's one smexy Kang Ji-hwan there in the pic. *drools*
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43 iamdeb
October 20, 2012 at 8:03 PM
Kang Ji Hwan in that picture = MY BODY IS READY
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Celest
October 20, 2012 at 9:31 PM
lmao I pretty much had the same reaction as well xD
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44 Mar
October 20, 2012 at 8:35 PM
Like the premise, mostly. The ugly duckling trope, yeah, it has to say something, be part of character development, or to me it is annoying. Especially when they put attractive women in bad clothes or glasses and call them ugly. I'm more inclined to be okay with a clueless dork that gets some fashion advice. Overweight kid that grows up and loses weight as she matures whether it's over coming a medical condition, or part of growing up or she has a hobby that's physical, I can be okay with that. Someone that decides to "get hot" to attract a hot asshole, not so much. Not sold on the female lead. She was okay in Golden Time, but I really do not have a good feel for her abilities. KJH will of course work the hell out of it no matter what.
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45 n818
October 20, 2012 at 8:57 PM
''......but I am just itching for Kang Ji-hwan to be in something great that uses all of his talents.''
I KNOW ! Which is why I'm so excited. Hopefully it works out.
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46 bear99
October 20, 2012 at 9:27 PM
I'm totally IN !!
Hwang Jung Eum + Kang Ji Hwan would be da bomb for this kind freaky thing ... Both not afraid to look wacky and weirdo. I love this kind of actors were they not really care about beauty image whatsoever, all they care is great acting.
Plus the producer of Giant and Salary Man ....what can I say. We talkin about quality of a drama. I have no doubt this drama will be rockin!! I hope this drama will air after five fingers !!!
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47 malta
October 20, 2012 at 9:31 PM
History of a Salaryman is the only reason this drama sounds like it could work.
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48 Amberscube
October 21, 2012 at 2:08 AM
Hmmm... interesting. I love HOTS and this one could work for me.
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49 subject
October 21, 2012 at 2:19 AM
Count me in. Wherever Giant and Salaryman's producers will go, I will follow. HeadsNo2, prepare yourself, I look forward to your brilliant recaps here.
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50 Lilian
October 21, 2012 at 2:34 AM
loved Kang Ji Hwan in Coffee House. Hope more news is revealed as to who us the third wheel in the love triangle.
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subject
October 21, 2012 at 2:54 AM
And I REALLY hope they won't use the cliche of love triangle. This writer does NOT use this technique which is one reason why he is one of my favorite writers.
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