New KBS drama Iron Man casts Ji Sung, Shin Se-kyung
by girlfriday
Aiee, at first I was excited at the prospect of Ji Sung (Secret) headlining a superhero drama, but then came news that Shin Se-kyung (When a Man Loves) was being courted to play the heroine. I swear I’ve tried, but I have never liked her in anything. For now the upside is that both actors are only considering the project, since it’s still in early casting stages. The new drama is called Iron Man and was announced as the Wednesday-Thursday show slated to follow Joseon Gunman in the fall.
I have no idea why they think it’s a good idea to call a drama Iron Man — I mean, they do know about Iron Man the comic book hero, right? Does KBS not have a legal department, or do they just think no one will notice? Anyway, the description is frustratingly vague, but it’s a supernatural drama about a hero whose body sprouts knives, leaving his body covered in scars. He’s a smart, wealthy, prickly man who suddenly develops this ability and faces hardships for the first time in his life, and discovers love and grows up along the way. I still don’t understand the superpower, but I half expect the drama doesn’t either.
The one-liner description says he gets this power because of all the pain he carries in his heart, so it sounds like a literal manifestation of emotional pain, which still doesn’t actually explain the power. The heroine is a meddlesome sort who loves the hero and takes it upon herself to turn him into a real man, whatever that means. I’m actually not that worried about the premise making an internal kind of sense — it’s just that I have no idea what that is until the press releases start being more descriptive.
Writing is Kim Gyu-wan of Cinderella’s Sister, and directing is PD Kim Yong-soo of Sword and Flower, Equator Man, and White Christmas. Yeek. The thing is, I loved White Christmas, which was a case where the subject matter, the writing, and the directing style really meshed well together, elevating everything. Sword and Flower, on the other hand, was a disaster of epic proportions, and has effectively made me approach this director’s future work with one eyebrow permanently raised. Now I REALLY don’t know what to expect from this drama, because the story of a regular man who struggles with a newfound superpower could be really cool; a study on the negative space of blade on skin and the number of steps it takes a man with knives for feet to cross a room? Not so much.
Iron Man premieres in September.
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Tags: Iron Man, Ji Sung, Shin Se-kyung
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1 Who's Scruffy Looking
July 8, 2014 at 4:08 AM
So he turns into a porcupine?
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Adal
July 8, 2014 at 7:05 AM
LOL! That's so funny!
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2 mary
July 8, 2014 at 4:09 AM
SSK was ohkei in TWDR. Then again, that show didn't focus on the romance. But Iron Man sounds like the heroine will play a larger role so I'm not sure if she can do it justice... :(
(I'm trying to sound coherent but tbh, I'm just sitting here giggling about the whole "sprouting knives from the body" premise.)
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Orion
July 8, 2014 at 4:14 AM
"(I’m trying to sound coherent but tbh, I’m just sitting here giggling about the whole “sprouting knives from the body” premise.)"
Since sex does not exist in kdrama, the man has to find some way to nail her. Perhaps he took the expression too literally though.
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skelly
July 8, 2014 at 10:20 AM
LOL!!!!!!
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kfangurl
July 8, 2014 at 6:48 PM
Yes, I thought SSK was very decent in TWDR, actually! That was my first experience of her, and it was only afterwards that I got introduced to her other, more 'meh' outings. At least we know she CAN be very decent? *grabs silver lining*
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3 me.jj
July 8, 2014 at 4:15 AM
Sounds cool. I hope to see a real blade/knives coming out from his body.. That will be very cool.
SSK is not a bad actress, she's pretty decent but her acting, kindda forgettable.
I was so surprised to know that she's actually young, younger than her unnie, Moon Geun Young, but her real life persona make her look like she's already in her early 30s!
Good luck Shin Se-kyung shi!
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4 Darla
July 8, 2014 at 4:16 AM
Shin Se Kyung and PD Kim Yong-soo doesn't sound promising. On the other hand, there is Ji Sung and Kim Gyu-wan. But, seeing how horrible "Sword and Flower" and the acting of Shin Se Kyung, I'm wary of the potentials. I just hope Shin Se Kyung will reject the role and someone w/ talents will accept it.
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Jeannieong
July 8, 2014 at 11:06 PM
Yea. Hope they 'scratch' out SSK. She's terrible in acting. I never liked any of her dramas. She was so stiff. She may be pretty but she just cudnt being out any chemistry with a man. I like ji sung and just can't see both of their chemistry together
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5 jomo143
July 8, 2014 at 4:20 AM
Sheeeeeeeeeit. I love him but he needs to run run run away form this one. LOL at "He’s a smart, wealthy, prickly man..."
Every time I see her name I think "KBS...miscasts Shin Se Kyung..."
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Rachel
July 8, 2014 at 6:32 AM
"prickly man..." Geddit? Geddit? Hahaha.
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bighead
July 8, 2014 at 6:47 PM
LOL. 100% agree with you. He needs to run run run away from this one particularly SSK. Can't stand her emotionless face.
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6 Mrs.Jang guem suk
July 8, 2014 at 4:22 AM
I don't like her either she never really idk how to explain it I just never did as for JI Sung I love that man and I'm going to watch it for him no matter what kind of stupid story this show has ( Mr.Knifeman that's what this show should be called)
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7 fun-lugha
July 8, 2014 at 4:26 AM
Wouldn't "knife man" be a more fitting title? Or would the censoring people be having issues with the mention of a knife? Well goodluck Ji Sung, I'll give it a peek just for you!
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Ash
July 8, 2014 at 5:39 AM
I'm waiting for them to censor out all the knives, leaving us with Blur Man.
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LollyPip
July 8, 2014 at 6:11 AM
Thanks, I just spit my coffee on the dog's head...
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pigsnout
July 8, 2014 at 6:25 AM
Lol dying of laughter..
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comix
July 8, 2014 at 7:20 AM
Exactly what I was thinking. Hahaahaha
Blur Man!
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Sur
July 8, 2014 at 8:54 AM
lol can't stop laughing.. the image is quite hilarious, I hope ji sung doesn't sprout knife from his face too then they'll block the pretty
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Mrs.Jang guem suk
July 8, 2014 at 11:59 AM
The Human Blur.....LMBO ..... My poor poor poor Ji sung Why sugar plum bear
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8 jann
July 8, 2014 at 4:28 AM
This woman sucks the life out of the drama...she either looks cocky or indifferent...sigh...is my love for ji sung enough to cover all the lack of love for her?
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9 kooriyuki
July 8, 2014 at 4:39 AM
She was alright in High Kick 2...until I read somewhere that said she suggested that horrible ending. Then I started o.O everytime her name gets attached to a project. N it doesn't help her subsequent projects after TWDR seem to flop spectacularly...
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10 Aigoooo
July 8, 2014 at 4:42 AM
It would be funny if the guy's name ends up being Gin Su.
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11 luvnlife
July 8, 2014 at 4:47 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE the actor! I think he also has a movie lined up.
I dislike very few actors/actresses but this is one actress I don't like. (Take one look at her picture and that is the same expression you will get the entire drama no matter what situation occurs.)
Sigh… hopefully her 'schedule is busy' so they cast another actress.
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hahanzyy
July 8, 2014 at 4:56 AM
Agree. I tried too but just cannot like her. She is definitely a one-expression actress :(
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Qwerty
July 8, 2014 at 6:40 AM
Shin Se-Kyung wasn't so bad in that movie where Moon Geun Young is a high school student married to her childhood friend who is her student teacher (My Little Bride, I think). She had facial expressions back then.
It's like she's getting worse, like she's being trained to be less expressive, like it was a consious decision. Although, I think it worked for her in Tree with Deep Roots. Personally, I think it would be difficult to maintain a blank expression with so much going on. But if your character is mute and highly traumatized, it makes sense.
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Kiara
July 8, 2014 at 10:28 AM
"It’s like she’s getting worse"
I liked her back in QSD, She had facial expressions in it too. I think she did fine in TWDR. She had a lot more scenes than QSD and she didn't ruin it like some of her modern dramas.
I think Kim Young-Hyun knows how to write characters that hides her imperfection. She cast her twice in her last two sageuks.
I'm not sure whats up with her. She is not improving at all.
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12 Arawn
July 8, 2014 at 4:55 AM
Problem with Shin Se-kyung is that she, seemingly, cannot show any emotions. "When a man loves" was kinda weird because neither of the leads could act, but whereas Song Seung-heon manages to be likeable and sympathetic nevertheless, Se-kyung was only cold and unapproachable. Even her pictures are awkward. It's like she cannot truly show emotions and everything looks fake.
This drama should be named Iron Man and Stone Woman.
(I feel kinda bad saying this about Se-kyung, I have nothing against her per se and who knows how nice and emotional she is in real life. But she just cannot bring those emotions on the screen or at least so far has not been able to.)
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momosa
July 8, 2014 at 6:18 AM
How on earth does she get to headline so many projects is a mystery to me. Really, she wins for expressionless or with that 'I don't care' look.
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Darla
July 8, 2014 at 2:58 PM
And it's not just her movies/dramas that she's expressionless. Her modeling photos are also expressionless. Pretty gal w/ a dull face. :/
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13 joki
July 8, 2014 at 5:05 AM
I find her acting not attractive, boring. honestly speaking, her appearance mess up the whole drama. i have tried too, in Fasion King and Man loves women, but it just sucks....
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14 browncoat_78
July 8, 2014 at 5:10 AM
Shin Se Kyung!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Argh!!!! Why or why??? I hate her. I just do. I will never like her. She cannot act. Even being the female lead in my favorite drama (Tree with Deep Roots) still did not lead me to give her any love - in fact, I hate that she mars my otherwise perfect drama! There are so many wonderful actresses in Kdramaland, why does she keep getting roles? I would have loved to watch this, but she is an actress that can deter me from watching dramas.
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john
July 8, 2014 at 5:43 AM
browncoat_78 ~
She wasn't too bad in TWDR, but then again, she was mute for a full 1/3 of the drama. :)
That's a good case for damning with faint praise .
Was her muteness a cover for her suckiness? I think a case could be made for that.
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Adal
July 8, 2014 at 7:10 AM
She was awful though, in When a Man Loves. Both leads sucked. It would have been halfway decent if at least one of them could have carried that drama.
I see her as a weight that can potentially pull down the power of Ji Sung's acting. Hoping they can cast another lead actress, or that he declines so I can dump this drama.
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15 apluszee
July 8, 2014 at 5:34 AM
Noooooooooo. I swear I tried too, I watch a few dramas which she starred in (Fashion King & Tree with Deep Roots) and even the movie she was in with Rain (Return 2 Base)... and no matter how much I love the lead actors in the stated dramas & movie, I'd still gave up halfway because her acting bored me. I kept on questioning myselft though if it's just her or it's her acting expressions. Tough luck, I guess.
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16 john
July 8, 2014 at 5:34 AM
Hmmmm..
Supernatural iron dude? I have an idea for a drama !
The story behind Black Sabbath's song Iron Man goes as follows. From Wikipedia:
"Geezer" Butler, (Black Sabbath's bass player), wrote the lyrics as the story of a man who time travels into the future, and sees the apocalypse.
In the process of returning to the present, he is turned into steel by a magnetic field. He is rendered mute, unable verbally to warn people of his time of the impending destruction.
His attempts to communicate are ignored and mocked. This causes Iron Man to become angry, and have his revenge on mankind, causing the destruction seen in his vision.
That, my friends would make for an awesome drama.
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17 sogazelle
July 8, 2014 at 5:40 AM
This actress is horrible at acting!...She ruined "when a man loves" for me.
How can someone so young be so expressionless and cold on screen?
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18 kiwichan
July 8, 2014 at 5:52 AM
Ji Sung!!! errr...IRON MAN??? o.O
HA! I just done re-watching Secret once again since not many or I can say none dramas attracting me that much these days! Yay for Ji Sung, how I miss his acting so much..those sparkling eyes..ahhha!
And watching Running Man makes me miss him even more :lol:
but......Shin Se Kyung -______-
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19 mskololia1
July 8, 2014 at 6:20 AM
Reads like rivers of tears....Pass.
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20 soprection
July 8, 2014 at 6:22 AM
I'm just trying to figure out how they're even going to show the superpower because don't they usually censor knives in dramas? It kind of sounds like the whole thing isn't very well thought out, tbh.
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mystisith
July 8, 2014 at 6:40 AM
They will be made of bones those knives. This way they can say it's part of his anatomy and then they will scr** the censorship. Many ways to play the idiots at their own game. Mwahaha...
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Jesse
July 8, 2014 at 12:38 PM
Why are knifes censored at all? I see blood, guts and huge axes and swords in historical dramas all the time which are never censored, but when a little knife is shown it's blurred ...
It's just weird.
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21 captaincrunch
July 8, 2014 at 6:39 AM
I think the problem with Sword and Flower was the script... not the PD. Kim Yong Soo is the best cinematographer in kdramaland, imo.
That said, this does sound pretty bad.
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Kiara
July 8, 2014 at 7:32 AM
I have to agree with you. Kim Yong Soo is a talent PD and cinematographer but I think the show needed more time and budget. It would have worked if they completed 15eps before it airs. Visual story telling is lot more difficult to keep it's quality with live shooting imo.
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22 snoe
July 8, 2014 at 6:48 AM
I never got Shin Se Kyung's appeal. She always wear the same expression.
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23 samsooki
July 8, 2014 at 7:17 AM
I love me some Ji Sung. Just saw episodes of Save the Last Dance for Me last night.... It's amazing how much k-dramas have changed from back in the day.
I don't know SSK all that well, but I am willing to give it a chance.
My thinking is that the title of Iron Man shouldn't be too big of a deal from a trademark standpoint. Ji Sung's body is supposed to be filled literally with iron, hence the name, and that's more of a curse thing than a "super hero" thing, and so there's little chance of confusion between Ji Sung's lonely and tragic love-lost character who sprouts iron from his body with Marvel's Iron Man (billionnaire philanthropist inventor weapons manufacturer).
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bbstl 🧹
July 8, 2014 at 7:57 AM
Yes, at least in the US, I think there's no law protecting just the title. You could write a book named "Gone with the Wind" and still be fine with the title.
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samsooki
July 9, 2014 at 10:24 AM
I don't want to get into trademark law, but yes you can protect book titles. Example - _____ for Dummies. Nobody else can use that Dummies title in their title of self help books.
Of course, this is completely different than copyright law (cannot copyright a book title), and with every law there are numerous exceptions, carve outs, and limitations.
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24 Mandy
July 8, 2014 at 7:20 AM
Shin Se-kyung for me is as bad as Suzy is in the acting department. But while the latter actually is quite charming and has some screen presence at times, SSK has none.
I've never finished a drama with her in it because she irks me to no end. I was expecting them to cast a younger male lead too, whatwith all that super powers and stuff. Last time we had characters with some 'super power', they casted KSH and LSG, while JIW is to star in a new one. So both the casting is a little odd IMO.
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25 readlead
July 8, 2014 at 7:20 AM
all i can say, she is so lucky all this time. always get to co-star with good actor.
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26 snow
July 8, 2014 at 7:49 AM
"....but I have never liked her in anything." Exactly my thoughts....
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27 mira
July 8, 2014 at 7:52 AM
1. Anything to do with Sword and Flower
2. Shin Se-kyung
3. Story line
:(
I hope Ji Sung backs out T_T
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28 kanz
July 8, 2014 at 7:53 AM
When I read about Ji Sung headlining a new drama: Yay!! Finally!
Then SSK also cast as the heroine. There goes my expectation for this drama to the drain. Not only how she keeps getting roles, but she won some acting awards (like last year MBC drama awards) is a mystery to us. How on earth? After Yoona yesterday, this is the worst news today.
Can someone replace the casting director on KBS? S/he seems have no talent to recognize good actor.
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Darla
July 8, 2014 at 3:01 PM
This is going to come across as rude but I'm still going to state it: I think she has a strong 'supporter' for her to get lead roles & still win awards w/ zero talents. There are far better actresses that I can name of that could have done way better than her if they were to play her roles.
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kanz
July 8, 2014 at 3:19 PM
Yep, whoever the backer, they must be quite powerful. I like TWDR and even in it she has awful expressions (okay, it's fit on her character but still).
I'm weeping here thinking so many young actress who can't get lead roles because there's Yoona, Suzy or SSK who get the roles despite limited acting ability.
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29 choice
July 8, 2014 at 8:10 AM
I can't stand her! Seriously there are so many talented actresses out there like for example, Ha Yeon-soo, and why won't they be casted?!!
On the one side idols get the benefit and on the other side untalented actors got to act way more then the ones with real talent.
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30 Taylor
July 8, 2014 at 8:21 AM
No! No! No! Ive seen her in 2 dramas( waml and fashion king) and in both dramas a I didn't like her acting.
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31 mo0mi
July 8, 2014 at 8:38 AM
ahh shin se kyung is the worst actress in korea as far as i'm concerned. if she is in it, i will never watch. it's sounds idiotic any ways so maybe it's good for her to take it and not an actress i like so i have to make time for this ridiculous-ness..
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32 hellodeere
July 8, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Seriously, after yesterday's Yoon-Ah cast.... today's Shin Se-Kyung cast is even worse. At least Yoon-Ah was likeable in Prime Minister and I. Freaking Shin Se-Kyung. swear they only cast her because she's "pretty" -_____________-
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33 Miky
July 8, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Yey for Ji Sung booooooooooo for Shin Se-kyung ,with all the sorry that i don't actually feel i don't like her ,she doesn't make me feel anything with any of her characters,an actor must make some connection with the viewer and make people understand and resonate with the character feelings yet she can't do it...i don't feel anything even when she cries....
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34 Hugepuffball
July 8, 2014 at 10:12 AM
WAIT UP. Don't knives have to be blurred on Korean tv? How in the world.... So it'll be ji sung's head over a moving blur?
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35 jaejyj
July 8, 2014 at 10:20 AM
Shin Se Kyung? Never like any of her previous dramas. She simply looks arrogant and doesn't know how to show her expression. Bad…just simply bad.
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36 Sam
July 8, 2014 at 10:42 AM
Meh at the title and premise, YAY at Ji Sung, double BOO at Shin Se Kyung.
Will most likely give this a pass, unless the female lead changes AND I get wowed by the promo material.
Ji Sung man, why can't you pick better dramas? I feel bad for you for getting stuck with annoying actresses, but you choose the dramas. That's all on you buddy.
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37 Araa
July 8, 2014 at 11:20 AM
They should just call it Knife Man if he's going to be sprouting knives out of his body left and right.
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38 Illa
July 8, 2014 at 11:45 AM
Shin Se Kyung it's Lee Kwang Soo's Sister xdddd
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39 Syl
July 8, 2014 at 12:03 PM
NOOO Shin Se Kyung is just terribad...I love Ji Sung, i hope they will share at least some chemistry !
Anyway, is there any new project for Im Joo Eun ? I've been a fan of hers since Hon, but her career doesn't seem to take off which is a shame..
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40 Hmm
July 8, 2014 at 1:59 PM
I thought they were going to adapt Marvel's Iron Man and these two would be Tony Stark and Pepper Potts.
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Kiara
July 8, 2014 at 2:22 PM
But then Disney will sue.
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Hmm
July 8, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Not if the Korean production team buys the licensing rights to put it on Korean television.
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41 Starlit
July 8, 2014 at 2:38 PM
Ji Sung.... I will watch it anyway just for that man.
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42 chicboys
July 8, 2014 at 2:59 PM
"New KBS drama Iron Man casts Ji Sung," up to this, this is a really good news, up to this.
", Shin Se-kyung" You gotta be kidding me
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43 AJ
July 8, 2014 at 4:22 PM
I love Ji Sung but SSK is on one of my 'not want' to watch actress list. sigh! What to do?!!!!!! Since it is not confirm yet, I am crossing my finger she's out and maybe someone like Han Ji Min in.
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44 Quiet Thought
July 8, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Shin Se Kyung . . . what on earth? . . . Omigawd! . . . Holy Si-yite . . .
Wait a minute, I've never seen her in anything at all. And she doesn't look like anyone I could pick out of a crowd at a convention of Hooters waitresses.
Never mind, it's a concept so stupid I'm baffled that anyone would put up the money for the specials effects that would be needed.
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45 jyyjc
July 8, 2014 at 9:59 PM
I will not fault SSK for the looking arrogant as some people are just unlucky enough to be born with a bitchy resting face like myself. However, she is simply a bad actress, just plain bad.
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46 Viki
July 9, 2014 at 12:50 AM
Me neither. I just can't watch her nor that girl who's now in Dr. Stranger.
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47 Chaeki
July 9, 2014 at 6:48 AM
SSK is like a porcelain doll, she has an expressionless face out of all actresses, can't really smile naturally or cry the right way. Lol sometimes she is depressing to look at. JS is a top actor I really look forward to him after secret.
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48 Krystal Anne
July 9, 2014 at 8:54 AM
What?! SSK?? She's pretty but her acting is bad. Though to be fair I have only watch her in Fashion King w/ Yoo Ah In and in When A Man Loves w/ SSH, so I can only judge her base on her acting in this 2 dramas. And I dislike her in both dramas. Most especially in Fashion King! Maybe it was because of my love for YAI but she has no chemistry with him at all and her acting look so awkward. I feel like she is pulling him down so even though YAI's acting was great the scene still looks awkward because of her. It was the same for WAML, she also has no chemistry w/ SSH and her expressions there are the same. It look so calculated that it came out fake or forced that I can't bring myself to like her even if I tried hard to.
I just hope she have improved. Or maybe give her a cold woman role who talk less so it at least fit her. If they gave her a bubbly, always happy and very optimistic character, I am almost certain she won't be able to pull it off or it'll look so awkward.
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49 ashley774
July 9, 2014 at 12:22 PM
I reallly hope she rejects the offer. Im sorry but she cant act to save her life. To pair him with her is an insult to ji sung.
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50 ssong1016
July 23, 2014 at 12:07 PM
Shin Se-kyung?! not her please...
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