Betrayal, greed, and the pursuit of justice for political melodrama Whisper

48 March 9, 2017

Betrayal, greed, and the pursuit of justice for political melodrama Whisper

by tineybeanie

The recently released teasers for Whisper had a dark action-thriller vibe, but PD Lee Myung-hoo (You’re All Surrounded, Fashion King) insists that the core of the drama will be the melodrama between Lee Bo-young (God’s Gift—14 Days) and Lee Sang-yoon (On the Way to the Airport). They will play a homicide detective and court judge, respectively, who meet as enemies but turn into lovers as they work together to take down the corrupt system.

New stills and character shots have been released, and everyone looks gorgeous. Emerald green is definitely Lee Bo-young’s color, and Lee Sang-yoon looks as sharp as ever. The character synopses give so many details on the setup of the story that’ll happen in the drama that they almost feel like spoilers. Lee Sang-yoon is the illegitimate child of Kim Chang-wan’s (Hwarang) character, who is a doctor. His mother was a nurse who worked with his father and they had planned to marry, but one day his father betrayed his mother by engaging himself to a hospital chief’s daughter. Now Kim Chang-wan is the head of that hospital, and Lee Sang-yoon bitterly hates those who choose to gain power and money by creating these political alliances through personal relationships.

However, when a crisis comes his way, he feels like he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place so he ends up making the same choice as his father did many years ago. In exchange for making a guilty ruling on Kang Shin-il’s (Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho) character, who is Lee Bo-young’s father, he receives and accepts a marriage proposal from the Taebaek law firm heiress, played by Park Se-young (Beautiful Mind). Officer Lee Bo-young doesn’t take this lying down—she takes the situation into her own hands and hurls herself into Lee Sang-yoon’s path in order to find the truth that lies behind her father’s guilty sentence.

This type of story about corruption, power, and greed is characteristic of many of Writer Park Kyung-soo’s works, which include the award-winning Punch, Chaser, and Empire of Gold. I haven’t actually seen any of them, but my interest in Whisper was piqued because PD Lee said that the distinguishing aspect of this drama would be the unique play-out of the melodrama in the burgeoning relationship between Lee Sang-yoon and Lee Bo-young.

Even from the early planning stages, PD Lee had Lee Bo-young in mind as his first choice, and said he was over the moon when she showed interest in the drama. Initially, SBS wanted to do a project called Advance, which had a male-centric medical plot, but then the team decided to go a completely different direction, scrapping the script and changing the entire story, which prompted the name change to Whisper.

PD Lee explains the meaning behind the title: “Often, the loudest voices in the room have the greatest power because they’re heard. But quiet voices and the voiceless exist too. I wanted our project to be about listening for these quiet voices. Whispers are small voices that can’t be heard if you aren’t listening carefully. That’s why the drama is called Whisper.” Especially with the current political turmoil in Korea, PD Lee and Writer Park wanted to convey their message to have hope because the world is still a place worth living in through this drama.

Upcoming SBS Monday-Tuesday drama Whisper will begin broadcasting on March 27.

Via Osen, DongA Sports

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1 Whisper

March 9, 2017 at 2:24 PM

Ha! Same title as my cybername plus lead castings that I love! How awesome is that?! Hoping for the drama success!!!Sooooo excited ^_^

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2 kellie

March 9, 2017 at 2:55 PM

I think you mean Lee Myung-woo, the director of Fashion King and Punch? Yu In-sik directed You're All Surrounded. Yu is the only director whose career credits I follow, ever since Incarnation of Money.

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dopefish

March 9, 2017 at 3:17 PM

Dramawiki and Naver says that Lee Myung Woo was the co-director of "You're All Surrounded" with Yoo In Shik, so I think it might be still somewhat correct. Daum and Asianwiki don't mention Lee Myung Woo though. However, Yoo In Shik was the main director of "You're All Surrounded" most likely.

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3 shalini

March 9, 2017 at 3:05 PM

Can't help thinking that Whisper's melo loveline and dogged women seeking justice this sounds like Ji Sung's Secret, while Ji Sung's present loveline-less taut thriller is reminiscent of Lee Boyoung's GG:14 Days! Haha

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Sixtyone

March 11, 2017 at 11:49 PM

I also thinking about GG14D while watching Defendant. Mother-Daughter and Father Daughter right?
Then after reading this article I thought like:
Aah...Lee Bo Young can discuss it with Ji Sung at home.
I'm totally love Lee Bo Young and Lee Sang Yoon,
but can I get Lee Bo Young and Ji Sung someday dear drama-god?

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4 kanz

March 9, 2017 at 3:08 PM

Lee Bo Young looks gorgeous, 'nuff said.

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5 midnightmint

March 9, 2017 at 3:16 PM

She's so prettyyyyyyyyy.

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SHF

March 10, 2017 at 11:17 AM

LBY and Ji Sung are such a beautiful couple, but in the past years, thwy have both gotten sooooo lean! It makes me a bit sad for them. Maybe it's by choice or by industry, but what drew my eyes first to her picture was the collar bone and especially the shoulder bone just popping out! Dear Korea, collar bones/bones popping out is NOT SEXY to me!

Ji Sung's cheeks have gotten so sunken in in the past years, too. I mean, people do lose baby fat as they age, but it just concerns me because they both have to look good for the camera...idk...I would like some meat on them. Just like how I would like Lee Junki to not be so skinny, too.

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6 Zogzog

March 9, 2017 at 3:41 PM

reasons to watch this drama:
- Lee Bo-young (my woman is gorgeous she makes me so gayyyy omg)
- Lee Sang-yoon
- plot
- with my no.1 fave writer in the kdramaland, I cant wait for the meaty dialogue we'll get on this drama hence why i love this writer so much, he puts so much depth in every line they speak or even with the simple scenes like in Punch's eating noodles says a lot with the relationships of characters theres's more but okay, i just carried away lol

anywayss how awesome will be this drama.. I wanna lower my excitement but i just cant help it

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Miky

March 9, 2017 at 4:23 PM

Indeed,the writer forte without a doubt is his writing,it's soo deep and rich indeed...

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7 civils

March 9, 2017 at 4:23 PM

i've watched a few lee bo young dramas on cable and she is quite mediocre, i don't really get her hype

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Chiisan

March 9, 2017 at 5:41 PM

How is she considered mediocre in God's Gift though? It takes only one hour to realize she's the heart and soul of the drama.

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Sera The Ms Temper

March 9, 2017 at 10:32 PM

I dont know if she is considered as mediocre, what will it make for some others that I considered as mediocre. She was mediocre and forgettable in the early of her career, but not in these recent years, especially after I Hear Your Voice and God's Gift.

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Kaylie

March 10, 2017 at 12:31 AM

Honestly I also found her acting mediocre in her previous dramas. My Daughter Seo-young had very high ratings, but I found her bland and emotionless throughout the drama. But I Hear Your Voice changed my opinion of her.

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8 gaban

March 9, 2017 at 4:40 PM

one thing for sure, anyone who are looking for romance in this drama, will be dissapointed.... There wont be any based on this writer previous dramas....

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Miky

March 9, 2017 at 4:47 PM

Point,it's quite true.Not the writer forte yet i don't know if he is intrested ...But who needs it with such fun dialogue...

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sweetsour

March 9, 2017 at 4:52 PM

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Chandler

March 9, 2017 at 5:48 PM

Yeah, but none of those dramas ever had romance between the leads included in the plot synopsis. So the writer might just be looking to expand their horizons finally. I'd love to see what sort of angsty loveline this writer could come up with for our two leads.

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gerry13

March 9, 2017 at 5:50 PM

I thought Punch got a bit of romance

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Kaylie

March 10, 2017 at 12:33 AM

Punch was more on familial love in a broader sense than the traditional romance. Oh and a huge dose of bromance (??) between Jung-hwan and Lee Tae-jun.

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Grapes

March 9, 2017 at 10:54 PM

I don't care about romance if the plot is good like Voice, Defendant, Chief Kim (there's some hints in CK but not actual romance).

I am watching those dramas for the great cast and the gripping plot I don't expect any love line.

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9 sweetsour

March 9, 2017 at 4:42 PM

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10 ET

March 9, 2017 at 5:14 PM

Lee Bo Young looks gorgeous and that shade of green really suits her.

I didn't always like LBY, I found her exasperating in Man From The Equator. Although her character frustrated me in Seo Young, My Daughter, I grew to like her a little more and it grew when I watched IHYV. What really tipped was her performance in God's Gift. Glad to see her back in dramas!

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ar_arguably romantic

March 9, 2017 at 7:52 PM

I used to think she was bland and forgettable, but she has been on fire these past few years. I'm glad to see LBY back on screen and that the production changed directions from the male centric medical drama.

I can't believe it's been 3 years since God's Gift. I still can't get over that ending...

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

March 9, 2017 at 9:51 PM

She is the example of actress who worked hard to earn the recognition of her efforts and talent. Her recent projects enough as a proof. Honestly Ji Sung also started to garner more attention after Secret. In their early stage of carrier I also was not convinced enough with their performance.

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Grapes

March 9, 2017 at 11:03 PM

I think JS shone in KMHM this is the drama which showed that he's an amazing actor who can portray many characters and you can feel that each one is a different person specially Yuna, I really can't forget his acting in KMHM i have a high respect for him since then.

Also he's doing an amazing job in Defendant, such a great actor.

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Sera The Ms Temper

March 9, 2017 at 11:17 PM

You are right. He was superb in KMHM. Who will have known KMHM will be able to beat Hyun Bin's drama (in which Hyun Bin originally turned down KMHM). Part of it of course good writing, but actors' performance also is important part. I started to love him from Secret because that was the first drama I paid attention to him.

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11 little-muffin

March 9, 2017 at 5:48 PM

OMG they look so good on those posters. I'm so excited for this!

tineybeanie, how can you not watch any of these amazing shows: Punch, Chaser, and Empire of Gold? They are all brilliant especially Punch, which remains as my all time fave.

I've always loved LBY and LSY. I hope this will turn out real good. Fingers crossed.

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12 gerry13

March 9, 2017 at 5:54 PM

Wondering what Kwon Yul's character will do? Is he going to steal Park Seyoung from LSY cos he wants to take over the company?

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13 gerry13

March 9, 2017 at 5:57 PM

Park Seyoung is also very pretty in the black laced dress, very classy, love the styling of all the characters

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14 bacon181

March 9, 2017 at 6:10 PM

I think she will always look beautiful in any color

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15 sharreb

March 9, 2017 at 6:59 PM

Lee Bo Young seriously ages beautifully like fine wine. I find her visually more stunning now than a decade ago. N emerald green looks great on her. Im already imagining husband wife duo on red carpet SBS award s n both potentially winning a shared Daesang

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16 boomboompow

March 9, 2017 at 7:40 PM

Woah how freakin gorgeous is Lee Bo Young.

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17 Nessa (Bebe) 🌹

March 9, 2017 at 7:44 PM

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaang, Lee Sang Yoon oppa ~~!!!!
*heart eyes*

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18 bambi

March 9, 2017 at 7:58 PM

"Initially, SBS wanted to do a project called Advance, which had a male-centric medical plot, but then the team decided to go a completely different direction, scrapping the script and changing the entire story, which prompted the name change to Whisper."

YASSSSSS. I love that this is a complete change in story to focus on Lee Bo-young's character. I hope the spotlight stays on her as the driving force in this story (they so often become male-centric, these power-struggle melos). If so, this shall be a must-watch.

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19 kireitenshi

March 10, 2017 at 2:47 AM

kudos to the stylists! both ladies look gorgeous, and the men are dashing. hope this drama lives up to expectations. cast is pretty solid so i'm pretty sure that they will deliver, same goes for the production team. can't wait for this drama to air.

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20 Mya

March 10, 2017 at 4:09 AM

I initially thought this one is gonna be a female fatal type of drama like le femme nikita and that got my interest piqued. But this new info disappoints me greatly if the focus would be at how the leads will eventually work out their misunderstanding and fell in love and fight the powerful together. The vibe won't be much different than Secret and Mask. Hate at first, love in the end in the course of fighting the baddies. I haven't started on Punch but from what I heard I trust the writer will deliver with flying color in the writing department. It's just the main plot that hasn't got me invested in the series. I will skip this one. All the best to LBY. I love her as an actress ever since Save the last dance for me. She has a beautiful demureness in her presence.

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21 JanK

March 10, 2017 at 5:13 AM

Looks promising...Park Seyoung and Lee Boyoung looked lovely. No description of KW's character though. Happy to see LSY after OTWTTA..

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22 sandy80

March 10, 2017 at 8:01 AM

no kidding lee bo young haters are still there
cause she is bland ha id like to know who acts then with rivers of tears with repressed emotions with skills of comedy with such depth I cant even watch her angsty scenes cause I get shivers she gives so much she went into depression after MDSY what is acting i want to kno

i wish lee bo young was in my country we know how to appreciate legends cause she is so being wasted in kdramaland I saw millions of actresses but she is the one and only such depth I havent seen anywhere
really I am so sad for her this is not her place I talked to her once and she is unreal a beautiful human and this beauty comes through in her acting

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23 korfan

March 10, 2017 at 8:35 AM

Dear tineybeanie,

Get Punch, Empire Of Gold, and The Chaser on your "To Watch" list! They're fantastic!

Definitely looking forward to this new drama! If his previous three works are anything to go by, this should be top-notch as well.

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gerry13

March 10, 2017 at 5:35 PM

I watched Punch, the Chaser and now Empire of Gold. The latter cast are mostly from The Chaser except the main leads change. Really enjoy all 3 dramas, very entertaining and good acting - highly recommended

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24 justanotherfan

March 10, 2017 at 9:11 AM

Can we talk about LSY too? He looks really good in the poster. I'm not a big fan of him (I can name a bunch of actors his age that can act better) but I'm always somewhat always attracted to him. Am I even making any sense?lol

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gerry13

March 10, 2017 at 5:36 PM

I think cos of his dimples and height- very tall

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25 mmmmm

March 10, 2017 at 10:04 AM

Lee Bo Young is a good actor, I can see that clearly in ICHYV.

But is it just me who don't recognize her in the first photo? I think the shape of her jaw changed a bit .. correct me if I'm wrong since I don't know if this kind of topic can be discussed here. I don't know if this is her real face, she is somewhat aging or this is the result of using too much photoshop?

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sandy80

March 10, 2017 at 10:09 AM

its photoshop and angle of the photo she looks the same

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26 sandy80

March 10, 2017 at 10:27 AM

seo young was one of the best female kdrama heroines both in writing and portrayal .period
and I am looking forward to the reunion

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27 Vittoria

March 10, 2017 at 9:53 PM

I think Lee bo young look a little bit like Cecilia liu in Imperial Doctress..

Currently watching this Chinese drama..wallace ho is soo hawt!!
Pls, park hae jin oppa, forgive me for betraying you...

*making mooney eyes at Wallace ho**

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28 bedifferent

March 11, 2017 at 10:11 AM

LBY has this demure classic beauty coupled with a strong, feminist vibe ... Emma Watson-ish?

Not a lot of comments on LSY :)

Saw him in Liar Game, Twenty Again and recently, OTWTA. I thought his acting improved a lot. Didn't think he showed a lot of range (acting wise tho likes his character) in Liar Games, was fine in Twenty Again (really fun and charming) but it was OTWTA that made me changed my opinions on his acting.

He was natural there and that flows with the drama's tone. I really like his understated acting and he had great chemistry with KHN. He seems to do better in the quiet moments, character-driven scenes.

Whisper's PD recently said at his press con that he didn't think LSY would be able to break his usual role to take on this part. Initially, he didn't think LSY is able to portray to conflicted multi-layer judge but changed his mind after meeting with him prior to casting. We'll see, if it's a melo drama with push/pull character relationship, I think the LBY-LSY combo could be a good one. They had great chemistry in those older clips of MDSY that I glanced at :)))

On the other hand, I do think too much hype and teasers/spoilers may not be good. The expectations lol.

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Whisper