Lee Hee-joon joins Lee Min-ho as a con artist for Legend of the Blue Sea

64 July 6, 2016August 1, 2016

Lee Hee-joon joins Lee Min-ho as a con artist for Legend of the Blue Sea

by javabeans

Aw yay, I really like Lee Hee-joon (Yoo-na’s Street, SORI: Voice From the Heart), so I’m pleased to hear he’s joining Jeon Ji-hyun (You From Another Star) and Lee Min-ho (Heirs) in their upcoming big-buzz project, Legend of the Blue Sea. He has met with the team and given his verbal agreement, and final details of his contract are currently being worked out.

This is the drama reteaming Jeon with her You From Another Star writer (Park Ji-eun) and Lee with his City Hunter PD (Jin Hyuk), which positions it to become one the biggest-hyped dramas of the year. Whether it becomes the biggest hit remains to be seen, but the production has certainly stacked the deck in its favor.

The script has not come out yet so details are still thin, but we do know that it’s based on a folktale of a mermaid. Contrary to earlier reports that it was based on the famous Little Mermaid fairy tale (by Hans Christian Andersen), the drama is actually taking a different source as its inspiration: Eouyadam, or Eou’s Unofficial Histories, Korea’s very first collection of folktales dating back to the 16th century.

The mermaid story from that collection that forms the basis of this fantasy-melo romance is based on a real-life figure, governor Kim Dam-ryung; it was recorded that he returned to the sea a mermaid caught by a fisherman.

In the drama, Lee Hee-joon will play a scam artist who speaks in a thick saturi accent, and he guides hero Lee Min-ho along in taking the con artist’s path. They’ll form a trio of scammers in total, and PD Jin Hyuk is reportedly auditioning rookie actors from every agency for the last role. Jeon Ji-hyun will, obviously, play the mermaid role. (Or is that not obvious? Am I dashing anyone’s hopes of seeing Lee Min-ho in a fish tail and seashells?)

Legend of the Blue Sea is set to be a Wednesday-Thursday SBS drama, to follow rom-com Incarnation of Jealousy, which follows currently airing thriller Wanted.

Via Osen

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1 mindy

July 6, 2016 at 2:06 PM

Weee, more con artists in dramaland this year, hehe. :) I'm so looking forward to this (as I'm sure most people are) and hope it's really good. I love folktales, so the fact that this is based off of Eouyadam makes me even more excited!

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2 Dulcinea

July 6, 2016 at 2:08 PM

I am so excited about this drama!! I love Lee Min-ho and Jeun Ji-hyun :)

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3 Peach

July 6, 2016 at 2:09 PM

Love him! ?

I would rather have him be the male lead than LMH tbh...

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eunchans

July 6, 2016 at 2:21 PM

Lol me too!

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4 Linda

July 6, 2016 at 2:10 PM

soooo excited about this one, a con-artist is something new for LMH, the expectations are high on this one

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5 asfiction

July 6, 2016 at 2:28 PM

I heard that the will shoot the drama in Australia to take advantage of the blue sea which indicts alot of under water filming

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michykdrama

July 6, 2016 at 4:52 PM

Really?!? Omo I hope they come to Sydney! Lol. I'd die happy if I could see live filming.
But I'm actually more interested to see Jeon Ji Hyun honestly. She is so ?

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 6, 2016 at 7:10 PM

You will be the luckiest if you can meet her!

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Flightey Gazelles

July 6, 2016 at 10:52 PM

I don't know what I'd do if I ever met her face to face,probably turn to a human fish,I'd go into yeep mode.

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michykdrama

July 6, 2016 at 11:39 PM

Lol. Well a girl can dream... I should go learn how to say "can I take a photograph with you?" in Korean just in case!

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6 fab

July 6, 2016 at 2:32 PM

So, the long cherished dream of seeing LMH in a fish tail is crushed and died. ?
First is first, Incarnation Jealousy s premiere is nearer!

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7 mary

July 6, 2016 at 2:57 PM

RIP abzmos.

What would be funny is if they caught Mermaid Ji-hyun but she keeps conning the conmen because she refuses to be taken back to sea. ^____^

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purpleowl

July 7, 2016 at 10:26 AM

That would be very funny

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8 Nika94

July 6, 2016 at 3:21 PM

I am So sO sooooooo happy for Lee Min Ho's come back drama...
It has been so hard these past 3 years :(((
You may not believe me but I cried when I first saw the very headline about his drama. I couldn't handle the excitement and I shed tears :')))
LOVE Lee Min Ho so muchhhhhhhhhh

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9 Nika94

July 6, 2016 at 3:24 PM

Can someone explain what is a folktale please??

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mindy

July 6, 2016 at 4:12 PM

A folktale is an old story that holds some sort of cultural importance to a particular group of people, usually passed down orally through generations. People sometimes use it as a synonym for fairy tales, though.

They usually have some sort of fantasy/supernatural element and a moral.

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marjanminoz

July 6, 2016 at 4:15 PM

Thank you so much for the explanation :))

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10 ❤Lee Min Ho

July 6, 2016 at 3:28 PM

❤❤Lee Min Ho❤❤
Why Nov seems so far?? XD
Miss Lee Min HOOT on my screen..
I like this actor too :)))
No Love Triangle... right??? :))))
Im so sick of love Triangles

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sorrynotsorry

July 6, 2016 at 4:00 PM

The love triangle is the most overused, tired trope in all of k-drama. If I never saw it ever again, I would totally be fine with it. The only drama it hasn't bothered me was The Master's Sun because eventually they switched the love line. Please k-drama gods, make it stop!

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11 Indie

July 6, 2016 at 4:01 PM

LMH hwaiting

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12 Lulu

July 6, 2016 at 4:04 PM

it was freackin time Lee Min Ho to be back in dramas. I thought that he would go to the military service before doing another one. TG he did not. I hope this drama is really good to make it up for that mess called Heirs. :D

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Indie

July 6, 2016 at 4:26 PM

It did wonders for LMH's career and is still being watch heavily to today. Kindly sorry we can't give it back. it's treasure are keep giving

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marjanminoz

July 6, 2016 at 7:23 PM

@Lulu
Heirs has HUGE HUGE viewers in Dramafever. U can go and check what are the list of the most watched dramas. Heirs is still bringing so much popularity for LMH and PSH. "Heirs" is the most popular among the Kim Eun Sook's dramasm So all those Million Million viewers all over the world have a bad taste and are watching Heirs and you beanies here are right when u say it's a mess drama????
People who make comment here dont convey the majority of opinion about a drama. U gotta look at the bigger picture.

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Rossi

July 6, 2016 at 10:02 PM

"So all those Million Million viewers all over the world have a bad taste and are watching Heirs "...yep.

Quantity =/= quality

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Lulu

July 14, 2016 at 5:51 PM

That's the point. Just because a lot of people watched it dosn´t mean it was good. For example I did because read about the fuss over it, and kept going because recaps made me laugh after watching it and reading.

It's like a Gong Yoo fan saying Big was good, just because he was good on it. Or let's say that his carrer took off after doing Big and not Coffee Prince (I've read it's really good, haven't watched it though), would it make BIG a good drama? No. His acting and leadig lady wre good, and some parts of the sory but i general It wasn't.

Lulu

July 14, 2016 at 5:45 PM

I'm sorry, I looove LMH ad his acting but TO ME, Heirs was bad. It doesn't matter that a lot of people watched it, that doesn't make it a good one. Plus, there was a big hype about it.

I watched it just because he was on it, and didn't even bothered o watched last ep, just read the recap, ad there was nothing but more crying.

Sorry, but that's my opinion. To me It was a mess. Too much crying and fighting over stupid reasons. I think poor PSH had to have her arms and wrists fixed by the end of every shooting.

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Lulu

July 14, 2016 at 5:56 PM

Read my reply to Rossi.

Even if that drama made him even bigger, it's a waste that City Hunter didn't. That on to me was his best work. Or even Personal Taste and Faith he had more lovable characters, and his chemestry with leading ladies was better. My opinion.

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13 Dakchigo

July 6, 2016 at 4:06 PM

Wait, is this a sageuk? Or are they actually modern-day con men? I wish it's modern-day.

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purpleowl

July 7, 2016 at 9:55 AM

That's what I was wondering. I think it's modern but just based on someone from the past, like a modern Romeo and Juliet.

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14 marjanminoz

July 6, 2016 at 4:29 PM

"fantasy-melo"
In most of sources, I read it is rom-comedy.
Which of them is true? Is this drama melodrama or comedy?!
I don't think this drama is going to be Saguk.
For the production team , I wouldn't be beneficial. Because previously, in "my love from another star", Gianna Jun advertised lipstick, clothes, so on. Considering the fact that China is going to pay a HUGE amount of money for each episode and also there is so much interest and hype, they could use this opportunity to boost Korea' economy LOL
Saguk wouldn't bring them any advantage. I Believe Saguk is actually disadvantage. They gotta cast so many cast for the roles. Modern time drama gives the chance to the cast to shine and bring out the best in themselves. Sorry Saguk lovers, I don't meand to offend. These are my personal ideas.

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15 Blue

July 6, 2016 at 4:37 PM

I have so manyy questions about this drama. Who should I ask from? Other projects give many details like Kim Eun Sook's dramas. This writer seems not sure about the script. I hope she writes a good one. If not she has to fear for her life. LOL Gaaziiilion fans of LMH will come and haunt your house LOL XD

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mindy

July 6, 2016 at 5:29 PM

But the script of Heirs sucked and for some reason it was popular and Kim Eun-sook didn't have to fear for her life.

I think that Park Ji-eun is a much better writer than Kim Eun-sook anyway. And there are dramas with crappy synopses that end up being great and vice versa.

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16 Maybenot

July 6, 2016 at 5:07 PM

Lee Min Ho as Con artist?? Wowww what a hwatttttttt Con artist. Director-nim! Please let us see a lot of half-naked con artist with Six Pag near sea. ????

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Bùi Quốc Khánh

July 6, 2016 at 8:08 PM

PD Jin Hyuk don't have six pack. I think.

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Maybenot

July 6, 2016 at 8:31 PM

I meant Lee Min Ho's six pak ???
Sorry for my bad writing??????

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17 HowImetYourMotheR

July 6, 2016 at 5:39 PM

Im not really familiar with this writer's projects. I know "my love from another star" is good. But I couldn't watch it, because i actually dont like noona romance. This time, i will watch "legend of the blue sea" just because im a loyal fan of lmh. I don't like leads with a lot of age-gap. Gianna could be lmh's noona or aunt!
Does this writer write memorable and refreshingly new male lead?? Or is it typical kdrama hero. My other question is why do Park Ji Eun's dramas get high ratings?! What is so special about her dramas?

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mindy

July 6, 2016 at 6:19 PM

You From Another Star isn't a noona romance, though... he's 400 years old! And an alien!

And you're really complaining about a 5-year age gap when so many dramas this year have the male lead being 10+ years older than the female lead??? 5 years is nothing out of the ordinary in dramaland... I'm honestly confused.

I have no opinion about her male leads, really (although I loved KSH's character in Producers lol) but if she can write Jun Ji-hyun's character even half as well as Cheon Song-yi then we're in for another treat.

YFAS was addictive and honestly JJH made the character way better than it already was on paper (and it was already a good character on paper). With JJH in this drama again I have few worries. Even if everything else is mediocre, I can trust JJH to bring a great performance.

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marjanminoz

July 6, 2016 at 7:12 PM

U must be KSH's fan, giving him compliment and saying negative comments about LMH.
Well, that is ur opinion. I say KSH isn't able to perform well. His acting is wooden like and he has zero sexual appeal.
If you don't like it, then dont watch it!!

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 6, 2016 at 7:15 PM

I don't see Mindy gave positive comments for KSH and negative comments for LMH.

You are taking things to heart so much, I assume.

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mindy

July 6, 2016 at 7:52 PM

I never said negative things about Lee Min-ho, though...? City Hunter is one of my all-time favorite dramas, for the record (and I still think it's LMH's best role to date). I like Lee Min-ho just fine and I'm excited to see him in this drama.

I also like Kim Soo-hyun but I'm not head-over-heels in love with him or his acting like I am with some other actors. I don't think I even said anything positive about him in my post except that I liked his Producers character, I thought he was funny in a deadpan way.

And I am going to watch it... and honestly I'm 75% sure I'll like this drama already...

I don't know how you interpreted my post that way.

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ck1Oz

July 6, 2016 at 10:45 PM

@Mindy- when it comes to LMH,KSH and PSH fans ( or those fans who take instance offence then) it is always an insult or bashing in fheir eyes; whenever anyone doesn't gush and say they are perfect. And you don't even have to say their names. Just mentioning their drama and NOT praising it will do too.

⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 6, 2016 at 7:19 PM

Tbh I think JJH carried the MLFAS actually. Without she as Cheon Song Yi, that drama will be just a mediocre one. KSH was also good too.

I have hope on her.

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mindy

July 6, 2016 at 7:53 PM

Oh yeah, I totally agree. I honestly don't think YFAS would have been the smash hit it was if a lesser actress had played Cheon Song-yi.

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 6, 2016 at 7:24 PM

LOL, you are exaggerate when you said that JJH can even be LMH's noona or aunt.Yes she is older but LMH also does not look so young compared to JJH. If looking at his past projects, he had great chemistry with someone older than her (for example Faith, BOF and few others) except Heirs.

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18 Gumiho

July 6, 2016 at 5:47 PM

cast Yoo In-Na as the second female lead. She already worked with writer Park Ji Eun in "my love from another star". She is a real talent and beauty. She is also very cute and lovely. ^^
Yoo In-Na or Jung Yoo Mi( Rooftop prince) as the second female lead.
I think "Shin Mina" would have been a good choice for mermaid too. But the female lead has already been decided.
If Shin Mina was cast as the lead, Lee Min Ho could kind take a revenge on Kim Woo Bin romancing Suzy in the drama "Uncontrollably Fond". Hehe ????

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19 marjanminoz

July 6, 2016 at 5:52 PM

All of LMH's leading ladies are older than him, except PSH who had the worst kissing scenes with him and PBY who had none. He himself said, among all of his costars, he felt most comfortable to work with Kim Hee Sun who's older than him, married, and also had kid, so what's the matter with all of that?

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20 nikaminoz

July 6, 2016 at 5:56 PM

1-No saguk 2- No love triangle 3-NOOOOO IDOL 4-No Lame ending 5-NO slow paced drama 5-Yes Many kisses ?
That is all I want

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21 Yen

July 6, 2016 at 6:01 PM

I like that this actor is going to have "think saturi accent". Funny
This is like the Big Bang explotion for celebrities! The top of the top in male lead and female lead... Too daebak to express!

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

July 6, 2016 at 7:26 PM

im already imagining his character. lol must be funny

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22 ChiE

July 6, 2016 at 6:05 PM

What a great cast! WOW WOW WOW say goodbye to kbs. SBS is Rulling.

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23 Golshifte Farahani

July 6, 2016 at 6:09 PM

A Joseon drama Would be awesome as long as it is well-written. Yayyy For Lee Min Ho and J JH and Lee Hee Joon

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24 LMH's goddess Poodle Hair ?

July 6, 2016 at 6:16 PM

I miss Lee Min Ho's poodle hair. That needs a comeback asap! I vote for his poodle hair for this drama.

GIVE ME SOME POODLE NOODLE HAIRSTYLE! ? ?

Seriously, it's his best hairstyle ? thumbs up if you agree ???

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mindy

July 6, 2016 at 6:22 PM

I really can't tell if you're joking or not lol

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Nika94

July 6, 2016 at 6:50 PM

Do u mean his hair style in Boys over flowers?? :))) I like it too. I think that hairstyle made him look so adorable and dorkyyy. It was a different and I think LMH pulled off Gu Jun Pyo's looks pretty well. I have watched "Boys Over flowers" more than 20 times and I think his hair style makes adorkable and suits Gu Jun Pyo's character. Gu Jun Pyo and his hair style was awesome. I feel in love with Gu Jun Pyo in BOF.

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Nika94

July 6, 2016 at 6:57 PM

Thumbs up ??????

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25 Soohu

July 6, 2016 at 7:34 PM

Does anybody here know a translated version of "Eou’s Unofficial Histories"in English?! I like to read it a little bit and see what it is about. I wish Javabeans would give more details about this folktale.

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26 BinBin

July 6, 2016 at 8:35 PM

I think we are gonna see a lot good bromance considering "Trio of scammers" .

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27 Lulu

July 6, 2016 at 8:50 PM

to me, and I am giving MY opinion, Heirs is a mess. I don't think it was good. Too much crying, excesive stupid "fights", I don't think PSH and LMH and chemestry on screen. Of course it had fun parta like Eun sang's mom and KT's mom relationship, and others. But come on.

I love LMH and he's such a great actor that saved that character. I've watched I thhink all of his dramas, and loved him in all of them, but to ME, heirs is bad as a story. Good for him that his carrer got bigger because of it. But to me, city hunter could've been easily his biggest role.

My opinion.

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28 Nazhira

July 6, 2016 at 8:59 PM

Woa... hold on there whoever write this report, yeah, you sank my hope of seeing Lee Minho as a merman. Cause a beautiful mermaid is already sooo mainstream, I had wished I could see something different. Oh well, I wished to see LMH half naked with fishtail. He would make a haaawt merman.. ???

But now you've just ruined my imagination. ?

Anyway, whatever Lee Minho in, surely will be big. His gazillion fans around the globe will wait for this excitedly and support the drama when it comes out.

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29 Flightey Gazelles

July 6, 2016 at 10:53 PM

I don't know what I'd do if I ever met her face to face,probably turn to a human fish,I'd go into yeep mode.

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30 purpleowl

July 7, 2016 at 10:13 AM

Lol, fish tail and seashells.

No seashells would have been preferred because, like, where do they go? But yeah hot mermen with long hair is kinda becoming my favorite thing in entertainment so I wish it could have been the other way.

Seriously, it's not too late. Jeon Ji Hyun as a con artist ?, genderbending the folktale & merpeople expectations, and her being in a con group with two guys who aren't in love with her. That would be epic! And the abzmos!

Is the con man supposed to be the modern fisherman? Fishing for humans to con?

Goodbye, abzmos! I'll keep watch Mako Mermaids for that I guess.

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31 YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

July 7, 2016 at 10:30 AM

Sung by Almost-mermaid LMH

Look at this tail, isn't it sleek,
Toiled long nights to make it complete,
Wouldn't you think I'm the guy,
The guy who's lost everything?

Look at this face, isn't it sad,
Wanted to be a pretty mermaid,
Looking at me now, you'd think
Sure, he's lost everything

I got my abzmos all pumped up and ready
I got all numb making a fish tail this long
You wanna see my fingers?
They're all bendy
But who cares? No big deal. Coz there’s more

I got all sweaty to get in this tail
Butt couldn’t fit, so did some punchin’
Shovin’ down hard on those
Whaddya call ‘em? Oh, cheeks

Zippin' my tail, I don't get too far
Danglin’ down the edge of the bathtub
Then slidin' along down the
What's that word again? Sink

I don't know when, I don't know how
But I know this sink’s shakin’ like crazy right now
Out of the sink, wish I could be
Part of your world