Huh?

Aww, so does that mean he didn't leave because of the writer and it's just that they gave him the boot?? Are they not capable of writing love squares?? I mean it seems like Kaya has like 3-4 suitors, why can't they have two for Ok Ryun? I am so confused...

What in the world. That seems majorly messed up. Now we will have to wait again for a project from him ):

But, I guess it's good that the show still seems to be doing OK. But that kind of sucks in and of itself because it makes the industry more wont to do something like this again because it pleases people/gets the desired results???

What in the what?!?! I haven't watched Age of Feeling but this is just weird news.

This is not the way at all....I watched the show coz KJW was in it...

Hope they don't take Princess Aurora route !

NOT COOL, YO.

Sigh... big hugs for you heads

Wuuuuut? And all of us here watching and reading Heads' recap are all wondering what's the rich backstory for him. And he calls it quit?!

Why are all the epic shows I'm excited about have such dramatic behind the scenes? I totally feel Heads' confusion (and rage, probably).

This is a huge problem in Kdrama. Most of the writing should be done and finalized before they even start filming. But Korean tv producers are way to focused on fan input to stick with a program. Now I don't think that's the case here but having a writer quit midway in a drama would not have much impact if the story was already fleshed out. Now they are going to completely dump a side story that has taken up quite a bit of time on this show. This thing is doomed.

There seriously is going on behind the scenes.. The head writer quits, then now Kim Jae Wook quits, and i've also been thinking if the sudden death of Poong-cha was because the actor playing him wanted to quit too (and his death was on Ep. 8 as well).. So what's next? the director will quit as well??

Huh???
Just you try & take out Song Jae Rim too and we'll have words, new writer!

I like the show. It entertains even with its WTFery. Don't turn all East of Eden on us, AoF. Speaking of which, took pretty THT + beat him up a lot = high ratings, so shouldn't
pretty KJH + beat him up a lot = high ratings?

I guess THT had the ajhumma vote for the remote, where KHJ never broke in to that demo?

I hope and hope KJW gets many many offers now that he is free from a supporting role. He lights up the screen, seriously. Why isn't anyone writing a story FOR him?

This is the worst thing ever :(. Can't they negotiate with him again? He's a good actor and I really like him here because he's never had a character like Kim Suok before...

I hope AOF can continue slaying without him and the head writer

P.S. And I sure hope that Jaewook will receive more offers after this, and as a leading man, not a supporting!

Kim Jae wok for vampire sageuk! GO!

I'm sorry to see KJW go because Soo Ok was hinted at having a very interesting story and in this actors hands, given a charm that was just off the charts. HOWEVER.

While I love this drama to pieces and really, have not had any complaints about acting or characterization or cinematography or direction or editing or ANYTHING...it hasn't gone without notice that certain characters are just not there for an episode or two. It happens with a large cast and it's not that unrealistic in a story (everyone can't be part of everything) but with the news about the head writer leaving my thoughts are this:

1. Head Writer was new. ALL the writers are new.
2. Story is DENSELY packed with characters and plots/subplots/sideplots.
3. That's a lot to manage, and so far, they did a decent job. Better than decent, really. If you're watching, it's not hard to figure who is who and what is what, to the point that they want you to understand those things. We get layers of story, which is cool.
4. The story and the complexity are picking up pace.
5. A decision was made (last week? week before?) to replace the headwriter, who we are told was having a hard time keeping up/managing.
6. While the already-written episodes have been airing, the new headwriter, more experienced, has been looking at the storyboards and familiarizing himself with what's been planned.
7. He's decided to make some changes.
8. Part of this would money - it's CLEARLY an expensive production; part would be, perhaps, to pare down the story a bit so as to ensure quality and effectiveness going forward. Perhaps the plan was too ambitious for anyone to manage in the time/budget available.
9. Kim Jae Wook is a professional with a good reputation. He is also deeply loved by a solid fan base. He is not going to flake out.
10. A decision was made (probably by the production company) not to develop Soo Ok along previously discussed lines, or at all.
11. Yes, we love him. But he wasn't necessary for the story.
12. I know, lots of other characters aren't either. What do you want to bet there's LOTS of people who aren't going to be around anymore, or will be around but in a seriously reduced capacity?
13. Because he's popular, KJW is the one getting the attention - but I bet he's not the only actor who's done.
14. This is not necessarily a bad thing, although he will be missed. Anything that supports a tight, well-produced, exciting drama is good for me.
15. I'm not expecting things to go down hill. I'm expecting things to continue to be excellent, but maybe on a slightly smaller scale.
16. Honestly, I'm more pissed about losing the awesome fight scenes.

kJW is why I watched this drama in the first place. I was actually rather bored for the first couple of episodes. I actually don't give a toss about about JT, Chungah, the Dobi Ganag, and OR - and, tho I love Leader Mo, Shenichi, and Aoki, there's not enough of them. Plus, I've a Feeling - hahaha- Shenichi will leave too.

As for the amazing cinematography and fight scenes, if they ruin Gaya's few yet fabulous knife fights while all perfectly dressed in heavy kimonos and pretty hair jewelry, I'm out.

dafuq? seriously though, he was the only character in AoF that was actually funny. all the others are just so.. serious. ...

Am really sad that Kim Jae Wook left. When a head-writer leaves a series, I always get annoyed. Because --weird or not-- the story had a vision or vibe and now and whether the story's great or crap, having the same writer creates a cohesion of theme, plot, character motivation, motif.

I'm thinking KJW left because the production for a darn good reason. It might be his role was cut (which often affects an actor's ego) or the role was so changed as to be insulting or the actor totally agreed with the writer's vision and is nobly supporting the ousted writer.

I understand it had tons of characters and there are basically two main characters so even if Ok Ryeon is destined to be Jung Tae's love..OkRyeon can disappear for several episodes because she's a secondary character.

I'm kinda bummed about this. I feel the story wanted to do something wonderfully great...and somehow that weirdness has been trapped/changed and now has been returned to normal k-dramaland.

Initially I'm like whut?! Why? How?
But then, in the end of my day, I'm kinda glad he quit.
He's underused there. Soo-ok is cute, but I want him to have a bigger and meatier role to maximize his talent.

I hope his name won't have a bad credit because of this and he can get a better role next time.

It's sad I can't see his smile anymore in IG, but at least I still have Yoon Hyun Min and Song Jae Rim.

The only real actor in this drama is quitting... that's telling something. I hope he gets a better project with a leading role or at least where he can use his talent rather than serve as a bystander to the idol actors.

But I am still bummed and confused that he was by faaaar the best thing about that drama where he had little to say! Please dramaheavens let him be the lead in a drama/movie that is worthy of his talent. Tia.
I mean look!
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t413/javabeansdb/drama/2013/other/whoareyou-05.jpg

This article makes it seem like the new writer wrote Kim Jae-wook out. If so, I have no idea what KBS is thinking. Certainly the cast deserves to be treated with more respect than that.

To go in a new direction means changing things in a show that we already love. If you're watching this, you know how solid this show is so far.

I'm still hoping this show will be great, it's my favorite currently airing drama.

Well, I won't be watching this now.

Just start watching it the other day because of KJW and KGS, but now, with him out.. I guess I have to drop it as soon as I start it. *sigh*

Ok, so that means I'm just going to wait till it's done and marathon this sucker, unless y'all cry foul like at the end of Big, Fashion King, and Oh La La Spouses (refused to watch the last ep of that one).

I don't think he quit on his own, probably behind the scenes you could film a makjang. If anything, this leaves him open to become a lead. (Say with sharp pointy teeth!). :)