Kim Woo-bin infuses fresh blood into Friend 2's gangster underworld

85 October 11, 2013October 10, 2013

Kim Woo-bin infuses fresh blood into Friend 2’s gangster underworld

by javabeans

This is really gonna be Kim Woo-bin’s year, isn’t it? I remember when he was first cast in Friend 2, the anticipated sequel to 2001’s hit gangster-noir film Friend, he was described in terms of being the son of Jang Dong-gun (the character of the original film). But while he’s only got third billing, it seems all the promo is now centering around him—funny how within a year or so he went from “that funny-looking-but-kinda-cute model guy” to “OMG KIM WOO-BIN.” Not that I disagree with his skyrocketing fame, since he’s got charisma up the wazoo; it’s just a funny shift in such a short period of time.

Here are the character posters for Friend 2′s three main stars, with Yoo Oh-sung reprising his character from the original. Joo Jin-mo plays his father, though not in the same timeline (which would be awkward, since he’s younger); we’ll see him dominating the 1960s Busan gangster scene as a mob boss.

The sequel gets going after Yoo Oh-sung is released from prison after 17 years and meets Kim Woo-bin, the son of his deceased friend. After so many years locked up, it’s a brand-new world out there—but with fresh blood in the mix, he sets out to conquer Busan once more. The film, directed by Kwak Kyung-taek of the original, will explore the same theme themes of friendship, brotherhood, and betrayal. I don’t know if it’ll be able to recapture that lightning-in-a-bottle intensity and emotion of the first film—and it’s a different angle with multi-generational relationships, rather than four childhood friends—but it looks like it’s aiming to re-create that violent, gritty gangster world. The movie will release in November.

Preview below:

Via My Daily, TV Report

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1 RainCloud

October 11, 2013 at 4:12 AM

Yay! More of Kim Woo Bin! *melts*

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JuDa

October 11, 2013 at 6:53 AM

yeah...just looking at his picture,
i'm dying..
Hot guy+ Great actor= KWB<3

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Rossa E

November 20, 2013 at 6:30 PM

He resembles TOP a lot when he's wearing sunglasses mm..

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2 Lux

October 11, 2013 at 4:27 AM

First, Heirs. Now, this. More Woo-bin, rejoice!

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3 afufu

October 11, 2013 at 4:32 AM

keep thinking how kim dong wan and yoo oh-sung look so much alike.

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4 aina

October 11, 2013 at 4:37 AM

Just, the woman;s hand on the poster is sooooo weird

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come2noona

October 11, 2013 at 4:48 AM

Hehehe. I think that is his hand. Maybe he's about to take off his sunglasses. It does look rather feminine.

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rui.is.assez.hot

October 11, 2013 at 8:08 AM

He needs to cut his nails then.

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Lord Byron

October 11, 2013 at 9:17 AM

Great observation! I had to look at the poster again to see what you mean and agree with you.

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KDaddict

October 11, 2013 at 8:47 PM

What's with that hand? Really.

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5 redfox

October 11, 2013 at 4:38 AM

WONGSTER.

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redfox

October 11, 2013 at 4:39 AM

Or wongsta.

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Tulipsaki

October 11, 2013 at 4:58 AM

ROFL

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6 Tulipsaki

October 11, 2013 at 5:00 AM

It releases in November, and I'll have to wait until next year for subs.

Someboy who knows Hangul, please, pwetty please, recap this movie in detail. I like to know what WoobieMyWuv is doing and saying.

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7 Tulipsaki

October 11, 2013 at 5:04 AM

It releases in November, and I'll have to wait until next year for subs.

Someboy who knows Hangul, please, pwetty please, recap this movie in detail. I like to know what WoobieMyWuv is doing and saying.

And omo, Woobie on that motorbike: I've got tears in my eyes, that was so beautiful.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2013 at 7:31 AM

Woobie on a bike! Woobie in a suit! (and let's never forget, Woobie with Jong-seok!) This year has been VERY kind to us ;)

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owl

October 11, 2013 at 7:46 AM

Very kind, indeed. :) ♥

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kfangurl

October 11, 2013 at 5:45 PM

Couldn't have said it better myself! Woobie is everywhere & I couldn't be happier! I can only ogle & hyperventilate. And flail about. And rinse and repeat.

I ❤ Woobie..

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8 Manin

October 11, 2013 at 5:06 AM

I really really want to see this. Though I suppose I'd have to watch the first one first. :p

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9 May

October 11, 2013 at 5:16 AM

OMG, *lick screen* *right click* *save image as....boyfriend1.jpeg* =P I can't wait

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mary

October 11, 2013 at 7:08 AM

LMAO

*saves copy of boyfriend.jpg for self*

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minea

October 11, 2013 at 8:19 AM

HAHAHA

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10 Toto

October 11, 2013 at 5:22 AM

yay soo happy for him!! loved his badboyness since white christmas!!

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11 Ek Ladhki Thi

October 11, 2013 at 5:25 AM

For some reason, I don't like this guy and don't get his appeal. However, in these posters, he kinda reminds me of one of my favourite actors in Bollywood, Aamir Khan. The ears, the eyes, the swagger. It all reminds me of Aamir's role in Ghajini. One of my favourite roles of his.

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wag-a-muffin

October 11, 2013 at 5:37 AM

I wasn't all that fond of him either, until I watched last week's Running Man. He was so endearingly goofy, I instantly became a fangirl.

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minea

October 11, 2013 at 8:20 AM

Wait, what?! he's in Running Man? waaah! got to find that episode!

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wag-a-muffin

October 11, 2013 at 8:22 AM

It will be recapped soon. (It is the most current one.)

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Sae

October 11, 2013 at 8:47 AM

Exactly what happened to me! Him and Jin Hyuk.
Watched it here: http://vimeo.com/76259430

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Jo

October 13, 2013 at 11:30 PM

WHAAA.
I love him especially because of White Christmas. lol
See him act before judging

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12 sartorius

October 11, 2013 at 6:03 AM

Oh boy that poster.....*melts* *fans self*

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13 Nilechoclat

October 11, 2013 at 6:09 AM

My bias Is Kim Woo Bin attractive and Charming :D

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14 tiff ng

October 11, 2013 at 6:12 AM

omg sooooo hot!!!!~ him in that look, that smouldering glare... *MELTS~ i really cannot wait for this, seems pretty epic imo ;)

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KDaddict

October 11, 2013 at 9:13 PM

This guys has eyebrows that have lives of their own. Can't take my eyes off his eyebrow whenever he appears in Heirs.

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15 LoveIt

October 11, 2013 at 6:22 AM

He seems to have the one schtick that he is using. He using this same "menacing look where he looks under his eyebrows or something. He seems to be playing very similar characters. Can he play anything other than the bad ass? I am board with him already, and I am one of the ones that don't find him looks attractive at all. HOwever he does have swag.

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LoveIt

October 11, 2013 at 6:22 AM

*bored

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chickenwing

October 11, 2013 at 6:54 AM

I'm curious to see him in a passive geek role. The kind that gets bullied in school. It'd be a total reversal of his current image. Maybe something like Kim Soo Hyun in Covertly, Grandly.

On a side note, he doesn't look anything like a menacing gangster in the first pic

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mary

October 11, 2013 at 7:13 AM

Especially with those manicured hands. :D

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2013 at 7:27 AM

He did play a dork who gets practical jokes played on him by a little girl with crackling candy.....but that was in a daily drama that went mostly unsubbed, so I doubt most people have seen it.

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tokkioncrack

October 11, 2013 at 7:52 AM

What is the drama?

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2013 at 8:18 AM

Vampire Idol.

dayf

October 11, 2013 at 8:12 AM

actually it's being subbed atm by girl on facebook just look up vampire idol fan subs. She did 37 episodes so far

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dayf

October 11, 2013 at 8:01 AM

he both can and did play different characters. if you wanna see him playing someone who's not menacing in the slightest, but sweet and cuddly, you can go watch Vampire Idol. There are 79 episodes of it, and he's nailing it all the way. It's the writers and directors who are to blame. They are so used to limited actors that after seeing him do bad boy thing once, they always want him to do the bad boy. Don't blame the actor. And, side note, the thing you don't find him attractive is 100% irrelevant.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2013 at 9:02 AM

He was SO adorable there, and for anyone who wonders what Woobie looks like with an actual love interest, this is the way to go, to satisfy your curiosity.

And it also has the wonderful Lee Yubi making her debut - she and Woo-bin have lovely cute bffs-turning-to-lovers chemistry. (thanks for the info about the subs, btw - off to catch them!)

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LoveIt

October 11, 2013 at 10:35 AM

He has played variations of the same character 3 times in a row now though that is my point. So even if he played something different in Vampire Idol, that is irrelevant to my point. Because I am now bored with him. I want him to play something different.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2013 at 10:55 AM

You're the one who asked if he could play something besides a badass, and dayf answered in the affirmative. If that's irrelevant to the original question, it's your prerogative.

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lily

October 11, 2013 at 2:38 PM

yeah mte. He's very limited imo.

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mong

October 12, 2013 at 8:12 AM

How can he be limited when he has not been offered different roles. When he plays different kind of roles then we can see whether he really is limited or not.

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jay

October 12, 2013 at 1:26 PM

Yeah, it's a little unfair to say he's limited when all we normally see of him is when he is in this kind of character.

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Kiara

October 12, 2013 at 5:48 PM

He has potential to make it big someday. He is charismatic and I kind of like him playing 2nd, 3rd etc lead roles so he can continue to learn with ease. His acting seems natural because he is having fun, no pressure. Same thing I said about Song Joong-ki before TWDR.
I hope he wont take lead roles unless he feels that he is ready for it.

16 K

October 11, 2013 at 6:47 AM

I find him not handsome but oddly attractive and manly. >_<

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....

October 11, 2013 at 7:30 AM

me too! and he just looks so GOOD in a suit ^v^

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Bellamafia

October 11, 2013 at 8:43 AM

Me three! Totally agree, not handsome, but something about him that oddly attractive n manly.

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17 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2013 at 7:29 AM

aaah, Woobie My Wuv! I'm the first one to admit he wasn't always perfect as an actor, especially when he was a rookie, but he has charisma in spades and can light up a screen in ways that should be illegal (I swear, him in Heirs.....UNF)

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18 ilikemangos

October 11, 2013 at 7:56 AM

Hm.
I always like to see fresh faces in k-ent. Especially for actual good actors/actresses to catch a break for once.
I have not watched him in anything other than the recently aired Heirs, and while i didn't get the crazy fascination with him at first, i do get that he has a certain charm that he injects into his character. And he certainly seems to have chemistry with everyone, girls and guys alike.
I'll be looking out for him. It took me a while to warm up to chuck bass although i i found him fascinating to watch, so i'll give kim eun sook some time to give woo bin's character more than his douchey, mean rich guy persona.

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marid

October 11, 2013 at 8:52 AM

Watch White Chritsmas.. That's were all my love for this man comes from.

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blegh

October 11, 2013 at 9:22 AM

White Christmas is my favorite drama to date. and crazy mirue is on the very top of my favorite characters list.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2013 at 10:33 AM

ilikemangos - I actually think his most standout role so far was in School 2013 (and he and Lee Jong-seok are fantastic there). He was good in White Christmas, but very raw - and that shows.

(if you want to see him NOT playing a thuglike high schooler, watch Vampire Idol. He's adorable in that, and even gets a love interest, played by possibly my favourite new actress of the year, Lee Yubi)

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Kiara

October 11, 2013 at 2:55 PM

I'm waiting for Lee Yoobi's next project. Most promising new actress.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 12, 2013 at 2:16 AM

I was so impressed by her in GFB and I hope she graduates to main lead roles soon, she's too talented to be stuck playing second fiddle to the likes of Suzy.

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19 blegh

October 11, 2013 at 9:12 AM

kyaaa! aaaaaa! this. I'll be waiting for impatiently.

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20 jandoe

October 11, 2013 at 9:45 AM

Damn everything just looks SO GOOD. I'm definitely gonna watch the first movie before diving into this one.

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21 mysterious

October 11, 2013 at 9:59 AM

I love Kim Woo-bin and have been so excited about this movie! Of course I'm also sad every time I see him now; ever since I found out he has a girlfriend of 2 years! Every girl wants to fantasize about a guy but it becomes hard to fantasize when you keep seeing pictures of his real-life girlfriend. Kim Woo-bin unavailable - that's just depressing. But darn it if he don't look good!

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22 Noelle

October 11, 2013 at 10:03 AM

Love him!

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23 Abbie

October 11, 2013 at 10:42 AM

This looks so cool, but I'd have to see the original to see this. Is Kim Woo-bin the bad guy in this or what?

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24 lee

October 11, 2013 at 12:01 PM

Ha! I actually shouted "OMG Kim Woo Bin".

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25 potterfreak

October 11, 2013 at 1:38 PM

Am I the only one who doesn't find him remotely attractive at all?

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mysterious

October 11, 2013 at 1:47 PM

Probably.

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Momo

October 11, 2013 at 6:53 PM

No, I also don't, he is allien looking...

I don't get why LJS also is popular, his nose is too plastic looking for my taste, but tastes are tastes

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redfox

October 11, 2013 at 9:12 PM

he has charisma.

this is the reason people are so obsessed with plastic surgery. people are very opinionated

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26 hoaa

October 11, 2013 at 4:04 PM

I love woo bin and i'm sooooo excited!!!

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27 moofubaby78

October 11, 2013 at 6:08 PM

- funny how within a year or so he went from “that funny-looking-but-kinda-cute model guy” to “OMG KIM WOO-BIN.”
Yes JB...you just described me to a T ;) That's exactly what I thought reading articles about him and LJS on DB. Now I'm devouring SCHOOL 2013 in between HEIRS and I love being on the Woobie train :D

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28 JD

October 11, 2013 at 6:21 PM

Man it freaks me out how much he resembles Benedict Cumberbatch. Korea should really do a Sherlock Holmes-esque drama/movie starring Kim Woo Bin!

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redfox

October 11, 2013 at 9:15 PM

oh that would be awesome, I can see him mentally suitable too. he can be badass and cold but also vulnerable and aching

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29 selina

October 11, 2013 at 6:27 PM

The first movies is one of my favorite k-movies. I was mad when they said they were going to make a sequel cause sequel generally almost always such. Then they laid out the plot and told me my bb woo-bin was going to be in it and warmed up to the idea (well just happy i am getting so much of my oppa). The posters are pretty meh to me but the trailer looks good and my bb Woo-bin as always looks like he owned his role.

I love Woo-bin because he does not look like your average so pretty a little too pretty flower boys that are all the rage. Don't get me wrong I fangirl over those types too but Woo-bin's face has a strong aurora and looks so manly and menacing. Honestly he doesn't look (although he really is just a gangly dork in real life) like someone who would get picked on/allow himself to be bullied, or the nerdy dork that can't get the girl. He looks like he should be the bully, the gangster, the serial killer next door. Casting directors cast to type and his whole being just oozes the big man on campus head hyung in charge. However I like that although he is given those roles more often than not, he is still able to infuse something new and breath fresh life into those characters that I don't feel I am watching him be exactly like his previous bad self yet again. He is a versatile actor, and he does have talent along with his charisma. His looks are not everyone's cup of tea and as I say; more for me :D!

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30 y2k2000

October 11, 2013 at 8:02 PM

He's one of the few actors that I can stand to watch on Heirs.

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31 denise

October 11, 2013 at 8:51 PM

when I saw White Christmas and fell in love with Kim Woo Bin's Kang Mireu character, I had a feeling he was gonna be a rising star. He has talent, charisma and the dashing good looks.

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32 Danisaur

October 11, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Kim Woo-Bin is an extremely talented actor, and this role suits him and his serial killer eyes perfectly.

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33 Mystisith

October 11, 2013 at 11:30 PM

Good actor, definitely (as in natural way of acting). The camera loves him and he oozes charisma. I think that its alien looks (like his buddy LJS) are one of his strengths. At least he is noticeable in the crowd...
Back to topic: Not sure it's my kind of movie but I hope it will be successful.

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34 wren

October 12, 2013 at 12:40 AM

really?! people thought Kim woo bin funny looking? really!? he's so edgy and different. I watched white Christmas recently. really liked his character.edgy.like from-another-world edgy. hmm maybe he is funny looking :)

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35 kDkiddo

October 12, 2013 at 1:10 AM

Omg in suit and shades ! Omg

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36 daria

October 12, 2013 at 6:33 AM

hurry hurry, make it november already!!!

first, i've got choi 'the voice' seunghyun's Commitment, & now, this! someone up there loves me... thank you :)

kwak kyung-taek's Friend, both film & drama, are my personal faves.

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37 Jess

October 12, 2013 at 11:48 AM

Okay, I'm in.

But now I'll have to watch the first 'Friend'. And I hope they'll be releasing more trailers. <3

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38 goldeng

October 12, 2013 at 3:37 PM

Woo bin funny looking?? For me ,it was " OMG KIM WOO BIN *fans self*" since day 1! When I first saw him in AGD, I fell for his charm in a split second