Jung Seok-won and Yoon So-yi join IRIS 2

41 January 24, 2013January 24, 2013

by girlfriday

This drama keeps adding people I like, in the eleventh hour. Is this your ploy to suck me back in, IRISverse? I was sort of planning to boycott when Kim Min-jong dropped out, but damnit, they’re trying to reel me back in. We’ve got new additions to the cast of upcoming spy action drama IRIS 2, and they’re intriguing ones. Jung Seok-won (Haeundae Lovers) has joined the cast as the younger version of Big Bad Baek San, and Yoon So-yi (Color of Woman) will play a South Korean defector who comes back as a North Korean spy. Dude.

Jung Seok-won has signed on for a “special appearance” to play the younger version of the IRIS franchise bad guy, Baek San (played by Kim Young-chul). The sequel promises to tell the story of how the secret organization IRIS began, and to that end they’ll spend some time digging into Baek San’s past. Okay seriously, this would’ve made a much better drama. Why didn’t they just do a prequel instead, with the younger Baek San as the main character? Then you could’ve had whatever appropriate era-specific politics as your backdrop, and the whole thing could’ve been an Anakin-Skywalker-esque tale of how he eventually becomes the Big Bad. Grar, somebody make THAT show.

Yoon So-yi will play a South Korean college student who meets Lee Beom-soo’s North Korean agent, and gets turned against her own country. She then sneaks into North Korea and trains in the special forces and counterterrorism units. How insanely fascinating. She freaking volunteers to go be a communist spy. It’s a nice twist on the usual characters we get in these dramas, and especially considering that it’s the third in the franchise, it’s good to know they’re working more twists in.

Once she becomes an agent, she then returns to her home country as a North Korean spy. The setup instantly makes both hers and Lee Beom-soo’s characters more intriguing at the outset. Was it love that turned her? Well-presented facets of socialism? Some kind of patriotism-shattering trauma? Good old-fashioned brainwashing? Guess I’ll have to give the show a chance, just to find out what happens to her character.

IRIS 2 follows Jeon Woo-chi and premieres February 13 on KBS.

Via Xports News, Joy News

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Tags: IRIS 2, Jung Seok-won, Yoon So-yi

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1 Tulipsaki

January 24, 2013 at 5:03 AM

Is this what's playing when School 2013 is done?

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omolady

January 24, 2013 at 5:05 AM

''IRIS 2 follows Jeon Woo-chi and premieres February 13 on KBS.''

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Addylovesbwood

January 24, 2013 at 11:09 AM

Loool!! I usually jump to comment b4 reading the article too.

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EYR

January 24, 2013 at 5:40 PM

Don't like the leads or the over abundance of idols, but these new additions make it watchable again.

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Rovi

January 25, 2013 at 8:30 AM

Over-abundance my foot, they only have 2 idols as leads! Jiyoung dropped, remember???

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2 SD

January 24, 2013 at 5:11 AM

There will be a tough competition among our Wed-Thurs line-up. With Iris 2, That Winter the Wind Blows, and Level 7 Civil Servant, on our list; I wonder which one will reign supreme.

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sharealot

January 24, 2013 at 5:52 AM

I'm wondering also and I can't wait for the remaining 2 shows to air. Since all three has interesting plots, I think the one who will win this showdown is not because it's really good but the others fail to deliver. (Praying that 'Level 7 Civil Servant' will pick up momentum the next episodes because the 1st episode is just 'meh'.)

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SD

January 24, 2013 at 6:35 AM

Aww really? Haven't seen it yet but I heard it was off to a good start, yet Jeon Woo Chi still landed on top. Hmm...I wonder what went wrong.

As for me, I've got my eyes on That Winter, the wind blows. I'm watching it mainly for Kim Bum. Man, what a stud muffin had he turned into! Kidding aside, I'm pretty curious of the chemistry between Song Hye Gyo and Jo In Sung. Such a pretty couple.

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Addylovesbwood

January 24, 2013 at 11:10 AM

I'm biased towards Joo Won so I'll be rooting for his drama!!

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Ms.Simone

January 24, 2013 at 5:37 PM

Just when I was out, they pulled me back in with Jung Seok-won (blue ranger) :D

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3 allen

January 24, 2013 at 5:12 AM

Yoon So-yi is great doing badass as can be in warrior baek dong soo as well as with Arahan and shadowless sword.

now if only they could have Kim Min-jong and kim so yeon...just just please please even cameo

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Tulipsaki

January 24, 2013 at 5:56 AM

Hmm, I think I have shadowless sword on my watchlist. I should watch a few movies...

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bd

January 24, 2013 at 7:57 PM

YSY was at her best in "Arahan" - one of her earliest works (the role allowed her to portray spunk and attitude - which she is really good at) whereas in "Shadowless Sword" her' character's emotions were more tied down.

YSH was wasted in WBDS - she didn't really fit that character.

Still not sold on "Iris 2" b/c I suspect the writing will be the problem area, but this is turning out to be one heck of cast (nice to see Jung Seok-won's star continuing to grow).

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4 Cuteturtle

January 24, 2013 at 5:29 AM

The description sounds like the series homeland. If it's gonna be as badass as homeland i'm all in.

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Addylovesbwood

January 24, 2013 at 11:11 AM

Watch Iris 1 first... it's nothing like homeland.

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meanrice

January 24, 2013 at 1:42 PM

Homeland S2 was not that good, imo.

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5 snow_white

January 24, 2013 at 5:31 AM

now that is a good news about IRIS 2....

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6 Orion

January 24, 2013 at 5:40 AM

Both welcome additions. Jang Hyuk recently said 'IRIS2' will tone down the melo of the first season, so I'm gaining just a biiiit more hope that this will be more proper action/spy thriller goodness than romance melodrama.

Fingers crossed and hearts pounding!

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7 ck1Oz

January 24, 2013 at 6:20 AM

So why do you viewers or rather why does the whole Iris the original and subsequent dramas seem to generate interest? I mean why are people interested in more of the same world it's set in?
Genuine questions as I vaguely remember watching a couple of episodes. Then remember reading the ending. Its all a big blur. About the point of the series. Or the ending.

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nayomaise

January 24, 2013 at 6:57 AM

I think that people find the IRIS franchise interesting because intelligence organizations (aka government spies) like to think that they're these omniscient observers, watching everyone and acting of their own volition. But when they're confronted with the truth that they too are just another puppet on a string, link in a long chain (insert your own apt metaphor here)... Well it can be quite satisfying to watch "big brother" get his comeuppance, and then fight back.

Or it could just be that we like to watch people blow up famous buildings, have shootouts in local coffee shops, and sneak across international boundaries with no real consequences to themselves or us.

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john

January 24, 2013 at 7:56 AM

I just finished GIANT and was looking for something to take its place.

I'm on Ep 4 of IRIS and I'm liking it so far. Action, adventure and sex, ( one couple has slept together by Ep 3 ! )

I hope it maintains the excitement.

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Orion

January 24, 2013 at 8:29 AM

I came to hate the romantic aspect of it. I love them for showing kissing and sex, considering most kdrama are unrealistically prude, but things turned melodramatic/soapy and I hated that.

I loved 'Giant' and it's one of my favorite series, but the 'IRIS' melo was unbearable for me. It did a lot of things well though, so let's see how you like it later on. :D

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Orion

January 24, 2013 at 8:37 AM

The plot had problems, it could not decide between fresh new series and same old melodrama, the female characters were portrayed as mostly run by their feelings and unprofessional and other issues too.

However, a lot of action, hallyu-powered cast, explosions, guns, big production value. People are naturally drawn to this kind of entertainment. It's the leave-your-brain-at-the-door type of fun, but then the romance/melo aspect got fangirls all emotional and well, the game is lost then.

I hope the sequel will at least be more challenging to the brain and for adult, not teenage girl, tastes.

The action is good, the premise is interesting, the battle feels epic, the dialogue is nicely done for the most part and it had the form of an awesome action/spy thriller. A lot of good things, but the result was poor. I cannot speak of the spin-off or movie, but I hear quite bad things, so I hope that after 3 tries, they know better what is good and what not.

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ck1Oz

January 24, 2013 at 5:11 PM

Ah, thanks for the answers.
So it's a like really long, long ... and more of Jame Bond Korean style.
James Bond had flash but no plot. Had girls but can't remember if the sex scenes were good. I do remember the explosions and gadgets :-)

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8 ujsid

January 24, 2013 at 7:55 AM

I am not really interested in this franchise... But i just wanted to say this... DAAYUM Baek Ji Young is one lucky woman! :Q____

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9 trotwood

January 24, 2013 at 8:02 AM

The only thought I had (still bitter about the Iris ending) upon seeing this post was, "I wonder what is in Jung Seok-won's coat? Could I, too, reach inside without seeming like a creeper?"

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cherkell

January 24, 2013 at 9:06 AM

LOL!!! Maybe he's channeling his Inner Napoleon? :P

Argh, my To-Be-Watched List grows by leaps and bounds these days -- Interest Level has just jumped 150% with this news since I love them both so much! Just keep the idol casting and the melo plots to a bare minimum, and all will be good. :)

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mary

January 24, 2013 at 9:58 PM

HAHAHAHA!

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10 Lovebug

January 24, 2013 at 8:49 AM

I love Jung Suk-won! I was planning on watching this anyway but now espeially interested tune in. I agree the back story would have been a better premise!

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11 Daisy

January 24, 2013 at 9:09 AM

What Kim Min Jong isn't it? Whaaaat? What happened? My interest level went down now LOLOL

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12 Langit13iru

January 24, 2013 at 9:29 AM

so no idol to replace kang ji young? or the rumour is false. Anyway just stop with idols. Happy to see both of them in this drama. aww. JSW and the bad-ass so yi.

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skelly

January 24, 2013 at 12:04 PM

Yes, anytime an idol is not cast, a bell rings somewhere and an angel gets its wings. Seriously.

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13 dtp_jnr

January 24, 2013 at 11:34 AM

This perople are really trying to make me watch this drama by throwing in actors and some actresses that i like.....OK, they win or now, i'll give them 2 ep. and see where that leads me....

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14 crazedlu

January 24, 2013 at 11:38 AM

Yunnoooo, their cast is really shaping up. Dying for some good action entertainment, so I'll just have to check this out.

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15 Siiri

January 24, 2013 at 12:34 PM

Does anyone know the name of the actor who played the North Korean terrorists' hacker in IRIS? He wore a bandanna on his head.

Thanks.

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16 Viki

January 24, 2013 at 3:41 PM

Darnit, the more reason to watch it. They really have a promising cast. I really enjoy these 2.

OMG I DIDN'T KNOW KIM MIN JONG DROPPED! NOOOO!!!!

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17 Airyn

January 24, 2013 at 5:06 PM

Yes to a prequel starring Jung Seok-won! :)

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18 lovin it

January 24, 2013 at 5:09 PM

ha like others who already commented.. I didn't know kim minjong dropped outtt :(
i need to see more of him on the tv screen!
hopefully as a main lead soon??

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19 kfangurl

January 24, 2013 at 9:18 PM

Jung Suk Won!! Yay! :D One more bright spot for Iris 2! Please be better than your predecessors, Show!

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20 Jyyjc

January 28, 2013 at 12:47 AM

Ughh i've been waiting for ysy to be in a new drama and she picks this one which i never planned on tuning in. Guess i have to now.

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21 Greenluvs

February 9, 2013 at 8:38 PM

I'm glad Yoon So-Yi was cast in what what seems to be an important role after all. I was on Asianwiki and only saw her name on the cast list. I was afraid her role would be a non-action supportive role (like an a scientist or IT person), when she's done such a great job in action roles. I was even thinking they should have cast her as Kim Yeon-Hwa instead of Lim Soo Hyang. I look forward to seeing her Jung Seok-Won.

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IRIS 2