A look into the future in sci-fi mystery Circle’s first teaser
by tipsymocha
Last week, we got a glimpse into the present-day timeline for tvN’s upcoming sci-fi mystery Circle: Two Connected Worlds, and today, we get a peek inside what the future holds for Korea. Kim Kang-woo (Goodbye Mr. Black) will headline the future timeline as a detective in 2037 South Korea. He appears in the newly released production stills looking quite detective-y alongside Kwon Hyuk-soo (Missing 9), who plays newbie to Kim Kang-woo’s veteran.
We also get a little more info on the 2037 half of Circle, the events of which will unfold in parallel to the 2017 present-day story. Titled rather aptly Part 2: Brave New World, South Korea (and the world?) in 2037 is split into two societies: there is “Smart Earth,” which is free of crime, disease, and negative emotions, and then there is “Average Earth,” where crime and disease run rampant. Naturally.
Seasoned detective Kim Joon-hyuk, portrayed by Kim Kang-woo, is hot-tempered, focused, and has the highest arrest rate of any detective in Average Earth. However, he will attempt to smuggle himself into Smart Earth, for reasons unexplained. I’m guessing it has to do with the case involving aliens mentioned in earlier reports, that links the present and future timelines. Kwon Hyuk-soo’s character Detective Oh, a new recruit on the force, will aid Kim Joon-hyuk in the crime-solving and, quite possibly, in the latter’s mission to enter Smart Earth.
I don’t know about you, but I am so beyond excited for Circle because I am a HUGE nerd for good sci-fi. The setting itself isn’t novel to the genre, but whereas most stories set in dystopian futures are essentially allegories of class warfare, the angle Circle looks like it’s taking doesn’t seem to include a conflict between the haves (Smart Earth) and the have-nots (Average Earth). Or at least, it doesn’t seem to be the central focus.
tvN also recently released a (very) short 15-second teaser, and while it doesn’t reveal much, the vibe is every bit as intense as I want it to be. We get brief looks at Yeo Jin-gu (Jackpot) and Kim Kang-woo reflected in someone’s eye, while Yeo Jin-gu narrates: “Two worlds. And the one truth they seek.”
Circle: Two Connected Worlds will follow the currently airing The Liar and His Lover, and premiere on May 22. Pleasebegoodpleasebegoodpleasebegood *cue rain dance*
Via iMBC
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Tags: Circle, Kim Kang-woo, Kwon Hyuk-soo, Yeo Jin-gu
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1 Kim Sun👸💖💖💖
April 15, 2017 at 2:21 PM
I get to watch kim so hyun and yeo jin goo this May *dance shoki*
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Ek Ladhki Thi
April 15, 2017 at 6:13 PM
*sees shoki drops dead, resurrects to type this message* Another Nigerian, hi!!!! Much as I would love to watch Yeo Jin-gu and Kim So-hyun together rather than separately, I would rather watch them separately than not at all. Especially after the travesty that was Jackpot and me not being able to finish Let's Fight Ghost because that pairing made me super uncomfortable. In any case, I'm not quite ready to let go of Han-gyul and So-rim and my cutie pie Kyu-sun yet.
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Kim Sun👸💖💖💖
April 15, 2017 at 10:46 PM
My naija padi awayu? Since the dramagods won't grant my wish and reunite kim so hyun and yeo jin goo in a rom com drama... I will settle with watching them in different drama at the same time.
So you wanna join outside seoul group chat for Nigerian kdrama lovers?
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Ek Ladhki Thi
April 23, 2017 at 6:02 PM
Chai, look at me replying this message late. I would love to join the group. What platform is it on?
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Kim Sun👸💖💖💖
April 24, 2017 at 11:29 AM
Whatsapp (08067597603) just send me a message and amma add you up
horlar
April 18, 2017 at 10:49 AM
Another nigerian here(shoki dance)
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Kim Sun👸💖💖💖
April 24, 2017 at 11:36 AM
Ow you dey my sister
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2 mindy
April 15, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Let me join you in your rain dance, tipsymocha. Pleaaaaaase be good! Dramaland has been blessed lately to have increasingly diverse and innovative content, but that almost makes it worse when it doesn't pan out as you hoped. I will always admire W--Two Worlds for its awesome concept and promising beginning, but the writer really didn't seem to have a grasp in the story and the world she created. Let's hope for better things for Circle!
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SuzyQ
April 15, 2017 at 4:55 PM
This comment is soooooooooo on point. "...the writer didn't really seem to have a grasp on the story and the world she created." I was feeling this vibe throughout the whole second half of the drama. Meta, huh?
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3 bananachocolate
April 15, 2017 at 2:32 PM
Somewhere, they found a third earth where yeo jin-gu meets a girl played by kim soo hyun... lol I wish :P
"Smart Earth" reminds me of the novel, the Giver.
Anyhow, excited for this solid casting and really, really with a cherry on top that the writing is solid as well.
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4 Junie Bug
April 15, 2017 at 2:35 PM
This May is going to be amazing!! This drama seems reaallly interesting and I can't wait to watch YJG <3
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5 Ally
April 15, 2017 at 2:36 PM
Please be my next crack drama, please be my next crack drama, please be my next crack drama...*while clicking her heels three times*
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6 accordingtoall
April 15, 2017 at 3:06 PM
I hope this is good. I think the premise is very intresting. And I hope this story works out. Let's all cross our fingers and join in this rain dance. ????
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7 mightymango
April 15, 2017 at 3:07 PM
I'm squirming in my seat because I'm too excited for may 22nd to get here. It feels too far away & I don't know how to wait patiently. *tries to distract self until circle airs*
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8 giocare 🌻💛
April 15, 2017 at 3:08 PM
But will the aliens look like actual 'bring me your leader' type of aliens or will they look just like cast but with a third eye. Other than that cant wait!! Looking forward to this and Duel!!
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9 junny
April 15, 2017 at 3:25 PM
Not a sci-fi fan, but will check this out for Kim Kang-woo! He needs a good project after the mehhh Goodbye Mr Black, so fingers crossed this will turn out solid.
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10 tritri
April 15, 2017 at 3:55 PM
This looks neat! I'm looking forward to watching it.
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11 Ali
April 15, 2017 at 4:09 PM
Am sorry for straying out of the topic but...Nizamuddin Monk!! ??? I was shocked to see him all cleaned up and clean cut ??? *that aside I always love scifi and let's all wait for how this will turn out to be
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12 royrose
April 15, 2017 at 4:19 PM
Super looking forward to this one, but I feel like I need to rein in my expectation. Sci-fi movies are usually big budget (imagine that as a series) and/or need awesome CGI. Is this the first sci-fi kdrama ever? I really wish this to be good. I reeeeeally wish this to be good *joins the rain dance*
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13 blnmom
April 15, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Right there with you, tipsymocha. Super excited and really really really really really hoping it'll be as good as we want it to be.
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14 pjk
April 15, 2017 at 7:17 PM
i wish they used gong seung-yeon's eye in the teaser, lol! she has such gorgeous eyes....
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15 rentenmann
April 15, 2017 at 7:25 PM
Yeo Jin-goo, I am sooooo happy to see you again in May!!!!!
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16 zitless
April 15, 2017 at 7:59 PM
I see we are quite a bunch here. Hello my fellow countrymen. I feel your pain too, but my only consolation is that Yeo Jin-gu is taking over after TLAHL ends. So take heart too.
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17 urnaa
April 15, 2017 at 8:52 PM
Please be good for Yeo Jin Goo's sake since his last dramas have been rather floppy and werent good choices. I want my girl Gong Seung Yeon to rise too.
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18 circulate9oo
April 15, 2017 at 8:53 PM
I won't expect for high ratings I just really am praying hard for a really well executed story. That is all... please let it happen I'm just so hyped about this drama so please please please pretty please be good, I promise to be good too. ??
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19 kakakash
April 15, 2017 at 10:28 PM
Wow this looks soo good soo excited! Just the kind of drama I needed!
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20 jadea
April 15, 2017 at 11:32 PM
This sounds so interesting! I'm praying it's good, especially because I love Yeo Jin Gu. He needs another good drama to be a part of, its been a while.
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21 heliotrope
April 16, 2017 at 2:57 AM
Kim Kang Woo!! The plot sounds great. Can't wait! :)
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22 mintkiri
April 16, 2017 at 3:54 AM
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23 kiara
April 16, 2017 at 5:53 AM
I've endured crappy dramas in the past for Yeo Jin-gu. Good or bad I'll be there for all 12 eps just to watch him act. Joining the rain dance. Please be good.
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rentenmann
April 16, 2017 at 1:22 PM
Same here. Is it really only going to be 12 episodes? Aww, drat. I hope it does well; I'll be watching no matter what!
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kiara
April 16, 2017 at 8:13 PM
As far as I know. He has a movie to shoot after.
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circulate9oo
April 16, 2017 at 11:36 PM
It looks like his appearance in 1987 is just a special one. But he also does have another movie to promote around the same time... Anyway I can't wait to watch him as Gwanghae T_T The trailer looks great.
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circulate9oo
April 16, 2017 at 11:35 PM
IKR, well at least it's better than the previously announced 10 episodes.. :D
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24 curly
April 16, 2017 at 3:59 PM
Wow! Circle will surely be mind boggling!
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25 sequestial
April 16, 2017 at 9:51 PM
Honestly, the eye in the teaser just reminds me of the eye in the opening scene of Blade Runner. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, I guess, if it's being used for a reason beyond just stylistic purposes.
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26 koolsuni
April 17, 2017 at 12:19 AM
Can anyone let me know who the writer and director are behind this project? I can trust the acting but writing and direction are just as important.
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mightymango
April 17, 2017 at 1:48 AM
javabeans mentions the director & writing team here: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/02/kim-kang-woo-offered-tvn-sci-fi-mystery-drama-circle/
I'm not familiar with their works but I feel I can expect something good from the SFD writers, who are the creators & producers.
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circulate9oo
April 17, 2017 at 2:26 AM
Director: Min Jinki
Writers: Kim Jin-Hee, Yoo Hye-Mi, Ryoo Moon-Sang, Park Eun-Mi
:)
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27 zgs1994
April 17, 2017 at 3:22 AM
Well I hope the plot is creepy like The Fifth Wave books!
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28 kaybee
April 17, 2017 at 11:32 AM
TvN + Sci-fi. Count me in!
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29 changhyun
April 18, 2017 at 1:32 PM
Synopsis about smart/average Earth sounds a lot like the plot of "Elysium"!
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kaybee
April 18, 2017 at 1:38 PM
Yeah and it's an even older concept: HG Well's 'Time Machine' had an earth where all the more "primitive" workers etc were doomed to live underground and had evolved differently/seperately from the above-ground people. (Even if they weren't smart now, since they had somehow evolved backwards in a way lol, they were and had always been the priviliged, higher-ranking people in society). So the concept is at least that old, if not older.
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