Sword and Flower’s first poster and script read
by girlfriday
Production is underway for KBS’s Sword and Flower, the Goguryeo-era sageuk starring Uhm Tae-woong and Kim Ok-bin as star-crossed lovers with two warring fathers, a political conspiracy, and the fate of an entire country standing between them. Just your average Wednesday-Thursday around these parts. The first teaser poster is out, which looks fantastic — mystery, sweeping romance, maybe some epic bloodshed on the horizon? The cast also gathered for its first script read, and I am officially excited for the Uhm Tae-woong/Choi Min-soo pairing of fatherly doom. Just look at ’em. Rawr.
Playing the two patriarchs at war are Kim Young-chul (IRIS 2) as King Young-ryu of Goguryeo, and Choi Min-soo (Happy Ending) as General Yeon Gaesomun. They’ll fight to the death (literally) for control of the throne during Goguryeo’s twilight years. And caught in the middle will be Kim Ok-bin, princess and daughter of King Young-ryu, and Uhm Tae-woong, the illegitimate son of Yeon Gaesomun.
The veteran actors reportedly took their competitive spirit off the page, each taking care to side with his own son or daughter. Kim Young-chul advised Kim Ok-bin: “You have to come with the image ingrained in your heart that you are the daughter of a precious family,” and ran over her lines with her, while Choi Min-soo spent his break time talking over their characters with Uhm Tae-woong. Adorable. I have the feeling this is going to be the kind of show where behind-the-scenes levity is the only kind we’ll get, but hey, I’ll take it.
The drama from Equator Man PD Kim Yong-soo and Mom Is Pretty Too writer Kwon Min-soo also co-stars Park Su-jin as a second love interest for Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Jung-shin as Kim Ok-bin’s bodyguard, Lee Min-ho as her brother, and Goo Won as Choi Min-soo’s bodyguard.
Sword and Flower follows Mandate of Heaven and premieres July 3 on KBS.
Via SBS E!
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Tags: Choi Min-soo, Kim Ok-bin, Sword and Flower, Uhm Tae-woong
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1 fab
May 30, 2013 at 2:09 PM
That's a great poster indeed!
I better marathon Mandate then...
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2 Leona
May 30, 2013 at 2:09 PM
I like Kim Ok Bin, Yet UTW didn't give me a good impression in his last sageuk aka Queen Seon Deok, While Kim Nam Gil stole all his scenes... yet each one plays the role that would work better for the other one.....
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Annie
May 30, 2013 at 3:15 PM
I didn't watch QSD, but I heard his character kind of got screwed over once Bidam became popular with the audience? Is that a fair point?
Uhm Tae Woong is a great actor but I totally agree that he would have been even better suited for Shark - I would have loved to see him with Son Ye Jin.
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tamagoxyaki
June 1, 2013 at 4:08 AM
I wouldn't watch shark if he was in it tbh..
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Kiara
June 1, 2013 at 7:06 AM
It doesn't feel like a trilogy without Tae Woong. So I don't care if I watch it or not.
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Kiara
May 30, 2013 at 4:11 PM
The writing was a total fan-service when it came to Bidam's character. Historically he was executed for revolving against Queen Seon Deok but he became the queen's lover in the drama. Kim Nam Gil showed up in eps 23 and stole the show from UTW. I love Tae Woong but the great Kim Yushin was kind of boring to watch and I must say that it wasn't entirely his fault.
Kim Young Hyun admitted she didn't want to disappoint Bidam's fans so she changed the original script.
I'm going to give him a chance here. Maybe he will do better as a military dictator's illegitimate son. I'm more excited for my favorite badass ajusshi Choi Min-soo.
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Annie
May 30, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Wow... I totally get reworking historical narratives where records trail off or conflict with one another, but making a queen's enemy into her lover? Urgh.
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Shiku
May 30, 2013 at 10:08 PM
They really weren't lovers, he liked her, she used him and he was executed.
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Newbie
May 30, 2013 at 11:31 PM
Thank you for saving me to watch the show. I'm only at ep 15 now.
Kiara
May 31, 2013 at 4:09 AM
He did love her. Did you watch the last episode?. He willing went to see her knowing that he will die. Its not like he was captured and executed..
shiku
May 31, 2013 at 7:26 AM
Yeah I watched it, I know he loved her (not sure why I wrote like) but I felt like she was using him instead of loving him in return. I used to think she loved him back but as I kept on rewatching the show (6 times already) I came to the conclusion that she was mainly using him. I watched him die stretching out his hand towards her and she just stood there like a statue. He wasn't captured but he was still executed.
@Newbie watch the show, Bidam, Mishil and Doekman are really good in it.
Kiara
May 31, 2013 at 8:02 AM
@shiku Well, its been a while and I know what you are trying to say especially about Deokman. I think in the end she couldn't save him even if she wanted to.
Jo
June 2, 2013 at 1:42 AM
umm, but this happens a lot? Where dramas rework things with a twist. Even Jang Hee Bin is being given a new twist right now.
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trixicopper
May 30, 2013 at 4:34 PM
I love UTW. But yes, watching him in QSD was like watching paint dry. Not his best outing.
And yes, Bidam was not even close to being historically accurate. But it made for a great story! :) And because it needs to be said. My poor Bidam! :(
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Shiku
May 30, 2013 at 10:06 PM
I agree as i found him very stilted which gave me the impression he didn't really understand his character.
I heart Bidam too!
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Ann
May 30, 2013 at 6:13 PM
I have to disagree with everyone and say UTW had some great scenes. They were before Bidam showed up. The scenes in the army were good, and the scene where he is fighting the big baddie in front of everyone and just keeps getting up after being beaten half to death is one of my favorite scenes in the show.
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liera
May 30, 2013 at 8:32 PM
On the contrary...I dropped the drama when Kim Na Gil appeared.
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bambledd
May 30, 2013 at 11:27 PM
I think UTW did pretty well in Queen SD. To be fair, you don't have as much liberty with emotions when you do a sageuk; it all depends on the lines you're given too.
... Only thing was I had a hard time getting over his lisp especially since he was supposed to be this great military leader in Korea's history... Just sayin'.
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nedenuleyn
May 31, 2013 at 2:29 AM
I agree with you. Although I find his lisp and the way he talks (full of excitement) cute in real life i.e 1N2D, interviews, I think that it sounds weird when he is a police officer or general.
I don't think that he was bad in QSD. However, it was not in the standard of UhmForce. I think that if his performances were all like in QSD, it wouldn't attract much attention but we knew what kind of a great actor he is (Resurrection, Devil) people along with him were disappointed.
He said in an interview during QSD:
They were in moments such as when Kim Yoo-shin has to show his weak side and start weeping but that too, it's because I'm not tactful. Actors need to know how to act even if they don't understand but for me, if I don't get my character fully, I just can't act.
That's probably why he rocks in dramas with very complex characters (Resurrection, Devil)
I hope this drama is a hit and very high in ratings.
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shiku
May 31, 2013 at 7:32 AM
I don't know, I've watched a few of his stuff like Hand phone, and the Devil (in addition to QSD) but I still don't get the Uhmforce. Maybe this will change my mind.
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3 kooh
May 30, 2013 at 2:31 PM
I wonder how many episodes it will have. It doesn't seem like it will be a 50 episodes one but more like the regular 20 to 24 episodes. At least that's the impression I'm left with and I really hope so.
July 3rd come faster!
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4 Mama J
May 30, 2013 at 2:45 PM
Choi Min Soooooooooooooo
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trotwood
May 30, 2013 at 3:09 PM
I am squeeling with you my friend. I love this man . . . in a purely artistic, aesthetic kind of way (ahem). I am really excited about the cast even though I am not familiar with the female lead. But the fathers and then we have Uhm yum yum playing a vengeful son. I am so in!
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Mystisith
May 30, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Skylord senior will always be an ahjussi crush of mine. :)
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ilikemangos
May 30, 2013 at 6:28 PM
this
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Bengbeng
May 30, 2013 at 10:58 PM
mine too!!! eversince Sandglass =)
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5 kellie
May 30, 2013 at 2:54 PM
"star-crossed lovers with two warring fathers, a political conspiracy, and the fate of an entire country standing between them." Uh -- Princess' Man II?
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kkongchi
May 30, 2013 at 6:53 PM
My thoughts exactly. Their roles are going to be reversed (he's the son of the usurper instead of her being the usurper's daughter...it's not a spoiler if it's recorded history, right?), but other than that, it sounds like exactly the same story, only 800 years earlier. And minus my future husband, Song Jong Ho.
Who am I kidding though. Give me pretty costumes and revenge and angsty star-crossed lovers and I'm there.
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Kiara
May 30, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Its not a spoiler besides they don't follow the exact history or what we think is the real history anyway.
The roles will be reversed and we will get more actions and I bet we will get a real Romeo and Juliet ending. If they don't kill each other Silla and the Tang army will do it.
I don't think Yeon Gaesomun will get a lot of hate like Grand Prince Suyang in Princess Man (who would want to hate on Choi Min-soo anyway lol). Both military commanders but Prince Suyang never fought a battle in his life. Yeon on the other hand protected his country all his life.
I love the cast but I'm not that excited about the writer but then I said the same thing about Jo Jung Joo who wrote Princess Man lol.
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Hedviglilla
May 31, 2013 at 6:16 AM
"And minus my future husband, Song Jong Ho." :D
Well, it's not to late to cast him....
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6 lemonade candy
May 30, 2013 at 3:12 PM
Nice! Badass Choi Min Soo ahjusshi and UhmForce!!! Will so watch this! Come quickly to the screen!
Straying off from the topic a bit; the dramabeans' SeYeon banner is gorgeous (Haven't been here for a few days and voila. So much pretty going on~)
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7 Annie
May 30, 2013 at 3:17 PM
For history buffs,
I thought hanboks were mainly worn during Joseon times? Is the costume on the poster a hanbok?
Either way, it looks stunning...
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avonmarissa
May 30, 2013 at 4:14 PM
That's the first thing I noticed as well. Were these types of hanboks present during the the Three Kingdoms era?
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Rovi
May 31, 2013 at 12:32 AM
Mmmmh...
After analyzing...
Result: Joseon Dynasty-era hanbok, hybrid of a 15-16th century chima (waist) and a 18-19th-century jeogori (shorter, tighter, and see-through).
I men, what in the fuck's name were the wardrobe team thinking?!!! This is the Three Kingdoms period, not your average Joseon Dynasty fusion-sageuk~!!!
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Anonymous
May 31, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Based on what wikipedia told me (not the perfect source), the hanbok style that we generally associate with Chosun styles was a hybrid of the clothing style of the Three Kingdoms period and the Mongolian fashion at the end of the Goguryeo era. However, these events occur well before the peace treaty with Mongolia.
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Celia
May 31, 2013 at 12:30 AM
Yeah, I also think it's the hanbok used during Joseon time.
Uhm, since it's supposedly in three kingdoms era, I expect the costume will be like QSD or Gye Baek.
As pretty as it is, the inaccuracy is bugging me. Sigh
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Kiara
May 31, 2013 at 4:55 AM
I'm no history buff but it is a hanbok more common during the Joseon era. The Goguryeo women wore longer jacket pass the waist or long outdoor robe like the royalties.
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8 Trina
May 30, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Ummm... It has no head on the poster.. 0.0 Well, I soo hope it is 50 episodes as I would be watching it due mr. HOTTIE Spy Lord Choi Min Soo.... =D I am not familiar with the main lead actress...
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Kiara
May 30, 2013 at 4:40 PM
She was in more movies than dramas that's why she is kind of unfamiliar. I hope they'll make use of Kim Ok Bin's martial art skills. She'd be fun to watch kick some major ass on screen without a body-double like Lee Jun-ki.
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Kiara
May 30, 2013 at 6:12 PM
Whoa, I just noticed that she is holding a sword in the poster. Something tells me I'm going to love her and she is not going to be a fairy princess but a warrior princess.
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9 Kiara
May 30, 2013 at 4:20 PM
I love love love this cast. Must see for me beside I love this part of Korean history.
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10 blokkoms
May 30, 2013 at 4:35 PM
That poster is seriously beautiful. And aww, that's so cute that the family warring extends behind the scenes!
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kfangurl
May 31, 2013 at 12:04 AM
Ditto everything you said! I wasn't as interested in the drama until I saw that gorgeous, gorgeous poster! There's something so elegant and mysterious about it! Love! And the family warring BTS, priceless! XD
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11 tapegunslinger
May 30, 2013 at 4:57 PM
Finally! A poster that doesn't look like it was photoshopped by blind monkeys with no thumbs! And what a gorgeous hanbok...
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12 Mommai
May 30, 2013 at 5:24 PM
That poster is gorgeous!!! I love it so much! The beautiful clothes, the colors, the petals and sparks, all of it!
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13 snow_white
May 30, 2013 at 5:42 PM
The poster looks so different and artistic....
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raindrops1
May 30, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Totally agree. It's captivating.
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14 aX
May 30, 2013 at 5:55 PM
Intrigued. :)
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15 ajj
May 30, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Is Jungshin chingu not there?
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16 JenJen
May 30, 2013 at 6:04 PM
uhm taewoong and choi minsoo=rawr indeed ;D
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17 whilethemusiclasts
May 30, 2013 at 6:15 PM
That is one gorgeous poster. Wow.
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18 bluetsukky
May 30, 2013 at 6:42 PM
that is one gorgeous poster!
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19 mav
May 30, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Best poster I've seen in K- Drama land in ages
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20 djeedjes
May 30, 2013 at 6:48 PM
Choi Minsoo with that angle looks like older version of Bae Soobin ( who is sporting facial hair these days )...
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21 justanotherfan
May 30, 2013 at 7:04 PM
i'm gonna watch this for the younger Lee Min ho :)
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22 chunky
May 30, 2013 at 7:06 PM
I think everyone agreed that, that is one BEAUTIFUL POSTER indeed !!!
I'm not really interested to watch this drama at first, but once I see the poster, I really wanna see it like STAT.
Whoever made that poster should start making poster for all kdrama around.
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23 Lilian
May 30, 2013 at 8:13 PM
The poster does look amazing and mysterious....Will give this a try when it's out. I have to admit that I've never really watched any dramas by UTW
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Tha
May 30, 2013 at 9:54 PM
YOU've missed out, sista! I love him!
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24 Sandy
May 30, 2013 at 8:24 PM
tq gf,
Black and gold hanbook ! what is the story telling us ?.
Poisonous, evil or black beauty widow ?.
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25 canxi
May 30, 2013 at 8:31 PM
Great poster and I love the dark hanbok. Kim Ok Bin is great. Maybe I will give this a try...
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26 seara
May 30, 2013 at 9:32 PM
>>The veteran actors reportedly took their competitive spirit off the page, each taking care to side with his own son or daughter. Kim Young-chul advised Kim Ok-bin: “You have to come with the image ingrained in your heart that you are the daughter of a precious family,” and ran over her lines with her<<
Shin hye yaa~~ how i wish you take this role than "heirs"
You can learn and get acting class from senior actor -__-''
The poster...is freaking awesome!! I have feeling that this drama will be good, and has potential to be 'national drama', like QSD, TMTETS, TPM
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Kiara
May 31, 2013 at 3:12 AM
TPM was not even close to being a national drama. Highest rating was in the low 20s but it was the better drama compared to the other 2 imo.
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27 crazedlu
May 30, 2013 at 10:24 PM
LOVE that poster. i think i could like this.
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28 Bengbeng
May 30, 2013 at 10:48 PM
oh gosh! I love the hanbok!!! I wish I could wear one too =)
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29 anna
May 30, 2013 at 11:17 PM
First reaction to the poster: DAYUMMMMMMMMMM! That is one beautiful poster. I mean judging from the ones I've seen from Shark, this is the HUGE step up. Is our "Juliet" going to be a sword-wielding badass? Kicking ass in her beautiful hanbok? YES PLS! Count me in.
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30 Noelle
May 31, 2013 at 12:04 AM
That is one beautiful hanbok.
I like the behind the scenes rivalry lol. Lunch break must be a hoot. I can just imagine all the stare downs as they reach for the last dumpling. Can I just watch that instead. In Slow motion. Epic.
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kfangurl
May 31, 2013 at 12:07 AM
LOL! Wish there was a like button so that I can like your comment! XD
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31 Torri
May 31, 2013 at 1:46 AM
Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have
you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work.
If you're even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
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32 nedenuleyn
May 31, 2013 at 2:31 AM
I wonder if Dramabeans is going to recap this. It would be great if you did.
Thank you.
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33 pandaren
May 31, 2013 at 3:42 AM
umm I think .. for few months there will be more of sagueks and only a handful of modern era dramas ... so does this mean Kim Nam Gil s SHARK is going to steal nice high ratings???
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34 pandaren
May 31, 2013 at 3:47 AM
the black Korean Kimono looks KILLER!!
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35 korfan
May 31, 2013 at 6:22 AM
I certainly agree with what's been said here, this is a very nice poster.
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36 Mia
May 31, 2013 at 10:38 AM
excellent poster!
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37 Anonymous
May 31, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Echoing everyone else:
Beautiful poster, historically totally wrong. And as a person who likes my historical dramas to truly reflect the times, it's a bit upsetting.
Besides that, looking forward to the Uhmforce, and hoping that yet another Sageuk won't kill me.
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38 Do-ra-ma
June 1, 2013 at 1:23 AM
I can't wait! I mean, this one had me at Uhmforce and Choi Min Soo!
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Do-ra-ma
June 1, 2013 at 1:45 AM
Ha, I just realized Kim Young Chul is gonna make Tae Woong's life hell again in this one. :)
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39 Aquaaa
June 1, 2013 at 12:59 PM
The poster is historicaly wrong but beautiful. I want to see more posters like that from kdrama producers. Most of posters are boring, simple photoshop of actors faces. This one is intriguing.
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40 Boo
June 1, 2013 at 8:04 PM
Gorgeous poster! The graphic designer really nailed it and got me (and others) curious about this drama.
The story sounds interesting, but I didn't think about it much til now.
And Choi Min Soo! I honestly haven't seen any of his works before, but he was awesome in Running Man so I wanna see more of him. ^^
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41 aquamarine
June 4, 2013 at 1:11 PM
I think Uhm Tae Woong was very good as Kim Yu Shin, considering the type of character he had to portray and the contrast with Bidam. He expressed a wonderful sense of stability and loyalty. Maybe not very "exciting" values, but nevertheless awe-inspiring. It's notoriously difficult to play the good guy, especially one with no faults. He did great.
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