Premiere Watch: Circle, Fight My Way, Lookout

100 May 21, 2017May 21, 2017

by javabeans

Tomorrow should be a very interesting day, with three competitors launching all at the same time and doing their best to command the most eyeballs right out of the gates. Technically, only two are direct competitors since tvN’s drama airs an hour after the rest, but it’s still going to be a fight to see who garners the most interest and the biggest piece of the pie. All three new shows are quite different in genre and approach, so on the upside, we can start the week with a little variety.

Moreover, today’s crowded premiere schedule also coincides with Whisper’s finale week—which means we’ll have yet another premiere joining us next week with the launch of My Sassy Girl. But first things first!

Circle (also Circle: Two Connected Worlds)

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: tvN
Genre: Sci-fi, mystery
Episode count: 10

Reasons to watch: There are a lot of factors that make me anticipate Circle’s premiere, like the fact that it stars commanding young actor Yeo Jin-gu (Jackpot), who is great in everything, and Kim Kang-woo (Goodbye, Mr. Black), whom I have realized I like very much when he’s playing intense types, villains, or characters with zero romantic storylines. There’s also the experimental split structure that I find interesting, with one part taking place in the present and the other in the future.

But really, it’s the drama’s straight-up sci-fi classification that has me the most excited, because dramaland just doesn’t do enough straight-up sci-fi (what sci-fi it does attempt is often tempered with other genres, like vampire thrillers or time-traveling romances). Also, the last series with a strong, clear sci-fi bent that I can think of was also from tvN and ranks as one of my all-time favorites, Joseon X-Files. So I’m looking forward very much to watching this plot unfold about aliens visiting Earth, and seeing through the dual timelines how that develops over the course of 20 years. I don’t expect romance or comedy or horror or thrills, just a single, high-concept narrative that is told in what I hope is a crisp, short-n-sweet story.

(Note: Originally announced as 12 episodes, I’ve seen recent articles also cite 10 episodes. I’m not 100% certain what the true final count is, but heads up in case this number changes again.)

Fight My Way

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: KBS
Genre: Romantic comedy, drama
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: Okay, so Park Seo-joon (Hwarang) doesn’t always pick winners (see: Hwarang), but he does have a pretty good track record of solid projects and he generally does well in them with his warm, relatable appeal; Kim Ji-won has proven herself playing strong second leads (Heirs, Descended From the Sun) and is finally getting her big break as leading lady. I’m eager to see them both on their own merits and as a couple with hopefully strong chemistry as they bicker and fight along the way to finding love.

The premise is fairly low-concept, so it’s difficult to predict how the drama will feel based just on the plot description of young adults struggling in third-rate lives, who’ve given up on ambitious dreams and have few prospects for a better outcome. (The drama seems to have dropped the title’s pun on the word third-rate (sanmai) but the idea of third-rate is still baked into the premise. I suppose the fight (ssam) pun is less esoteric, and as a bonus it’s still applicable to the concept of struggle.) When done right, this kind of youthful coming-into-adulthood story can feel poignant and universal, and the show feels like a refreshing gust of wind, with some parts comedy, some parts romance, and some parts personal growth.

Lookout

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: MBC
Genre: Action, thriller
Episode count: 16

Reasons to watch: If I had to bet, I’d call Lookout the underdog of this trio (although don’t hold me to that prediction because hey, sometimes you just can’t tell what audiences will like). It’s not because anything about the story is unappealing—it’s got underdog triumph written all over it, and vigilante justice can have a strong feel-good attraction to it.

I think the show will depend on the chemistry of the so-called Lookouts, the ordinary folks who come together to catch criminals when the system fails them, and on the upside we have a good mix of personalities: Lee Shi-young (My Beautiful Bride) as an ex-detective who loses her daughter; Kim Young-kwang (Man Living in Our House) as a cold prosecutor with a hidden agenda; Kim Tae-hoon (Fantastic) as the righteous, idealistic prosecutor; Kim Seul-gi (Second to Last Love) as a young woman who turned into a complete recluse after falling victim to a crime; and Key (Drinking Solo) as a friendly genius hacker. The group is just different enough that I can see them clashing at the start, but with conflict paving the way for a satisfying process of coming together.

I like Lee Shi-young best when she’s being badass (probably because she projects badass so strongly in her real personality), and it looks like she’s got some spiffy action scenes for us—I expect good things from the Two Weeks director! Man, did that guy know how to create heart-pounding sequences and nerve-racking cliffhangers. Dramas that focus too much on institutional corruption can get frustrating for me, but under strong direction, they can be suspenseful and dramatic. I’ll cross my fingers.

100

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1 inna

May 21, 2017 at 8:08 AM

Goshhhh... I'm loaded for Monday & Tuesday lol

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Yanie

May 21, 2017 at 8:08 PM

same feeling! I was saddened with Tunnel's finale but Im glad that there are new shows to watch out for..

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Melody

May 22, 2017 at 8:21 AM

If I have to have a day overloaded, I'm glad it's Mon/Tues--I can always use an extra reason to wake up on Mondays, ya know??

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2 Buhdoop

May 21, 2017 at 8:13 AM

I am all over Fight My Way. I love the premise, plus, It looks like the cast is having fun shooting it, which should show in the drama, right???

Whatever the case, I've already fallen hard.

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ketchup

May 21, 2017 at 11:26 AM

Yeah me too! Out of these premieres I am looking forward Fight My Way the most!

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frozenyogurt

May 21, 2017 at 12:46 PM

Me too.. I really wish Fight My Way to be good and not disappointing like Uncontrollably Fond (too much hype and supposed to be youthful story but ends up too slow and melancholic)

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ar_arguably romantic

May 21, 2017 at 2:39 PM

I feel like there hasn't been a lot of hype for Fight My Way. My feeling is that it will be a good drama, but with low ratings- similar to Radiant Office and Bubblegum. I really like the teasers so far.

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

May 21, 2017 at 6:12 PM

I think it is quite hyped but not to extend of how UF was hyped- maybe Park Seo Joon and Kim Ji Won not the same level of Kim Woo Bin, Suzy (in term of popularity and hallyu star status). I think it has the potential to at least stay in double digit or become the sleeper hit like Chief Kim if the plot is good to watch, esp Whisper is about to end.

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Yuyuu, The Drama Queen

May 21, 2017 at 2:43 PM

Gaahh, I'm right there along with you.

For some reason, I missed the fact that Kim Sung-oh was part of the cast, but now that I know... I'm anticipating the show even more. His comedic acting is gold, I can't wait.

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3 mango

May 21, 2017 at 8:15 AM

They all look great ! I don't know which on I will watch first.

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하데스

May 21, 2017 at 9:55 AM

I don't know if I want to treat Fight My Way as an I'm hungry AF meal and just go for the meal or treat it like a tasty desert I've been craving. Meh, I think I'll go with it first just incase anything happens to turn me off from watching it.

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하데스

May 21, 2017 at 9:58 AM

*dessert, oops. lol.

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4 ⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

May 21, 2017 at 8:16 AM

@Wishful Toki just asked for this ?

Thanks @javabeans?

I am excited for all three shows which will start tomorrow! Upcoming week will be so buzy for us.

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WishfulToki

May 21, 2017 at 8:26 AM

That was seriously the fastest wish I was ever granted. Thank you javabeans!

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5 wapz

May 21, 2017 at 8:24 AM

I'm still confused when Shin Dong Wook dropped out of Lookout? Wasn't he rumored to be in it?

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CCQ

May 21, 2017 at 9:22 AM

I'm not sure why you think he dropped out. According to the official site's character map, he's playing the half-brother of Kim Young-kwang's character.

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wapz

May 21, 2017 at 10:22 AM

Oh! With the teasers and trailers I kept up with, he was nowhere to be found. So I thought he didn't continue it.

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Orion

May 21, 2017 at 11:35 AM

He makes his appearance in the highlight video, so no worries. :)

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PakalanaPikake

May 21, 2017 at 1:33 PM

Thanks for that news on Shin Dong-wook, orion. I figured the powers who be may be avoiding hype overload. What a refreshing concept. ;-)

annnsow

May 21, 2017 at 1:45 PM

I forgot he was in it!! Now this drama list is like caviar to me... *heart eye*

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erratic

May 22, 2017 at 11:58 PM

Oh, he was there, alright. looking like he barely aged a day since a last saw him in Soulmate.

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6 evelynray

May 21, 2017 at 8:29 AM

Ahh, another wave of new dramas! My Sassy Girl airs next week and I'd be watching every timeslot starting next week. Because I really like the casts, and also, I can't not give any one of them a try, especially when most of them are highly anticipated, and I can't predict who will be the winner and how good/bad their plots are going to be. No matter what, I think I am really going to be busy with catching up with every dramas (as if I haven't been already, hahah xD)

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evelynray

May 21, 2017 at 8:35 AM

There is something I have been wondering... Will Fight My Way and Lookout follow Wed-Thurs' new dramas' way of airing, splitting their episode into half?...

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