Premiere Watch: Hwayugi
by girlfriday
Hwayugi
Time slot: Saturday & Sunday
Broadcaster: tvN
Genre: Fantasy horror romance
Episode count: 16
Reasons to watch: Yay, Hwaygi week is finally upon us! I know I’ve been disappointed by the Hong sisters writing duo on more than one occasion, but they’re also the writing team that brought us Master’s Sun, Best Love, and My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, not to mention dramaland classics like My Girl and Delightful Girl Chun-hyang. So hope is still alive for them to come back strong in their latest project, especially when they’re reuniting with Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, and Lee Hong-ki.
The fantasy romance is a modern twist on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West that places an assortment of supernatural beings in the middle of modern-day Seoul, a city infested with dark spirits that must be eradicated. I’m going into it not expecting a faithful remake in any sense of the word, since the novel seems to be just a jumping off point for a few key characters (like the Monkey King or the Bull Demon King), and I expect the drama to create a mythology all its own that’s very different.
The one carryover seems to be the Monkey King’s mischievous personality, which I’m looking forward to most since this is Lee Seung-gi’s first post-army drama, and I like him best when he’s playing delightfully impish, immature characters. Come to think of it, I don’t know of a time when he didn’t play a character like that. Maybe it’s just fate. God, I hope his army comeback project doesn’t bomb.
Please don’t be a disappointment, Show. It’s Christmas for crying out loud! Have a heart!
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Tags: Hwayugi, Premiere Watch
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1 sriracha
December 17, 2017 at 8:07 AM
I'm stoked for this! You only have one job Hong sisters *MakeItGreat*
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fgb4877
December 17, 2017 at 1:54 PM
I loved your comment in both their meanings:
1.- They have only one project at hand (as far as I know)
2.- If they don't perform, then I hope they have other talents to make a living.
Sorry for being harsh. I loved their previous works (never saw BIG) but Mad & Boring dramatically curbed my love for K-Dramas.
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2 mmee
December 17, 2017 at 8:09 AM
looking forward to it
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3 Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
December 17, 2017 at 8:14 AM
I've been trying to really keep my expectations low for this, but after seeing the latest trailer... I was just so excited. Lee Seung-gi comeback! Sexy ahjussi Cha Seung-won! Oh Yeon-so, who I've never been excited about, but who's looking great in this! The great supporting cast! A fantasy romance!
So many things I like, but also a recipe for great disappointment (I'm looking at you Hong Sisters)
I will prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.
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mary
December 17, 2017 at 3:32 PM
The last work I've seen from Oh Yeon-seo is Come Back, Ajusshi and she's such a fit for the old Hong Sisters' style. :D I hope they casted with that style in mind because I need that old HongSis back.
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Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
December 17, 2017 at 3:44 PM
If this could redeem the Hong Sisters, I would forever be grateful to her for being part of it.
*crossing my fingers REALLY hard*
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4 Hope Airen
December 17, 2017 at 8:20 AM
I'll watch it either way for Lee Seung Gi .. I waited 2 years for his army discharge -I was counting for god sake- and for a drama comeback -that was quick, thank god- but I really hope this turns out as amazing as the teasers and highlight are making it out to be!
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5 🍙 kimbap noona
December 17, 2017 at 8:22 AM
Yes! There is no better way to celebrate Christmas by savoring a Chinese classic featuring a pantheon of animalistic immortals and demons, says this atheist.
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🎁🎄liquidsoap🎄🎁
December 18, 2017 at 7:32 AM
lmao the less invested you are in the spiritual part of the holiday the more you're looking forward to it. says this agnostic who can't wait for Koliada 🎄
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6 ptptn
December 17, 2017 at 8:27 AM
Yaass!! We can see the "immature Lee Jae Ha" again. Hong Sisters + fantasy = 👌🎆🔥
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7 frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
December 17, 2017 at 8:32 AM
You better be good, or I swear to God.
No-one wastes Lee Seung-gi.
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greenfields
December 17, 2017 at 8:48 AM
Amen to that! I'll be sure to eat Subway for lunch tomorrow as a prayer to the dramagods - better pull in those ratings in Korea because Lee Seung Gi and better be damn near spectacular because Lee Seung Gi!
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tsutsuloo
December 17, 2017 at 9:00 AM
I haven't been to Subway since Bill Clinton left office. Will make my offering next week for sure!
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greenfields
December 17, 2017 at 9:03 AM
😂 hahahaha
I was thinking of putting up a picture on my fanwall as well. Of the Subway sandwich and the Hwayugi poster. Ensure the dramagods get the message!
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UmbrellaMan
December 17, 2017 at 7:05 PM
Bahahahahaha 😂😂😂 This is the best comment in ages....
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egads aka Dame Maggie
December 17, 2017 at 11:45 AM
Subway is my last resort, desperately starving sandwich shop, but if eating there this week works as a prayer I will make the sacrifice.
I really want this to be good.
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mary
December 17, 2017 at 3:33 PM
LOL at this whole thread. Thanks, beanies, for your sandwich sacrifice!
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🍙 kimbap noona
December 17, 2017 at 7:30 PM
Thank you Dramabeans for the subliminal Thanksgiving banner to sustain our sandwich fervor.
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HANI
December 17, 2017 at 8:40 PM
I'm having a subway today so I guess I'll start the prayer chain~
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8 Diraito Teson
December 17, 2017 at 8:46 AM
Oh Yeon Seo !!
I really love the times I get to fangirl for actresses, but unfortunately it does not happen as often as I would like.
Drama, you know I will watch you, and even if LSG has not attracted me yet (I tried NJttW variety, Star King, and MGIAG drama, and they all fell flat), there is still hope, maybe he'll pull a Yoo Seung Ho 😅😅😅
Lee Hong Ki - I expect the usual from him, which is the best 😀😀
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K
December 17, 2017 at 8:55 AM
Star King 🤔
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
December 17, 2017 at 3:52 PM
Oh Yeon-seo is fantastic ,and a little under appreciate (because people tend to remember she is overacting but forgot her other qualities as an actress!) Thank God Hong sisters have a good eye to cast a good actors in their drama.. I won't even interested with this drama if they have casted a mediocre actress for female lead as always happen in kdrama.
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spazmo
December 17, 2017 at 6:21 PM
have you watched King 2 Hearts? seungi really manned up in that one -- RAWR....
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Diraito Teson
December 18, 2017 at 11:18 AM
The first episode of K2H was not good, however maybe it'll grow on me like SKW Scandal did last summer.
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spazmo
December 18, 2017 at 11:39 AM
the villain is totally ridiculous (tweedledum character), but what you probably didn't like in the first ep is Lee Jae Ha's immature/insolent personality -- LSG is so good at being a brat! but, the best thing is watching him transform into something different...
*winks that you won't be sorry*
plus the ensemble cast is STELLAR!! the origin of the chivalrous/endearing BOTMAN, also!
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9 sweetsour
December 17, 2017 at 9:03 AM
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thank u
December 17, 2017 at 9:48 AM
But surprisingly, you care enough to leave a comment even if you're not interested. 😪
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sweetsour
December 17, 2017 at 10:18 AM
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hhisc
December 17, 2017 at 10:31 AM
LOL, so funny because I would not have given this drama a 2nd glance if PBG was the Lead. After watching the trailers not sure he could even pull it off. No disrespect to him intended.
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besiiii
December 17, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Amen! lol Pbg could not even pull it off. The heart shape haircut of Son oh gong and it's behavior. Pbg's acting is too boring for me. Lol
I will not even plan to watch this drama if not for Lee seung gi.
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sweetsour
December 17, 2017 at 10:55 AM
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hhisc
December 17, 2017 at 11:04 AM
I will give most dramas a chance if I like the actors that are in it. I do have people that are on my do not watch list. LOL I only have one biase that I will suffer thru a female lead I do not like. But it is hard to enjoy.
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besiiii
December 17, 2017 at 10:44 AM
Seem like a casual butthurt fan of an overated actor PBG. LOL!
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sweetsour
December 17, 2017 at 10:56 AM
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DANI
December 17, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Woah there!
There's absolutely no need to be so insolent. Everyone is entitled to their own likes and dislikes! Please don't target others just because they don't have the same opinion as you :/
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WishfulToki
December 17, 2017 at 11:58 AM
I'm hesitant with this modern-day version too. Usually fantasy/myth works for me when set in a distant past, but not in the present unless I can think of it as a parallel world with its own consistent rules (and I do not mean butterfly god). Still, I hope the best for LSG's comeback project.
My plate isn't full but due to the "2017 Slump" I developed a snobbish preference for only dramas that can give me a top quality story and acting. I've probably missed a few good dramas this year, but if I'm not sure about one element, I skip to the next course and not waste my time. It's a good diet. I watch only one or two dramas at a time now. 😂
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AQP
December 17, 2017 at 7:20 PM
I share your feelings. The premise of this story is ridiculous, not to mention a remake of a famous classic which have been told many times in movies, dramas, animes, etc. I really dont know why Hong Sisters are doing this story... as if they have nothing more creative. :( from the onset, just seeing the synopsis had me in shudders and i already write this off as one of the dramas i will never watch.. no matter which actor/actress i like who gets casted (sad really)...
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10 I don't like HOTDOG
December 17, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Yeahhhhhh it's Christmas!!! OH PLEASE DON'T make us disappoint! THIS IS WHY I LOVE Girlfriday to react and write about Lee seung gi's upcoming drama.
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11 tesshan
December 17, 2017 at 10:41 AM
Trailers seemed interesting. Really hope this turns out to be a good one! I loved Master's Sun and I really hope they do not mess up with this one.
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12 fay17
December 17, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Dear dramagods, please help me connect with the OTP, pretty please! ^^
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13 1tea1
December 17, 2017 at 11:24 AM
I really do not have high expectations for this drama. I hope it can prove me wrong.
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14 SnarkyJellyfish
December 17, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Pleasebegood.Pleasebegood.Pleasebegood.
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15 peanuts
December 17, 2017 at 11:33 AM
Sooo excited!! Please be good!
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16 alasecond
December 17, 2017 at 11:41 AM
n if this becomes a big hit.. he will go back to the heights of his stardom as in 2012.. or maybe way more than where song joonki is.. and b back with yoona :P
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17 alasecond
December 17, 2017 at 11:43 AM
actually since there is no competing drama of that scale.. i think by default this one is going to be a success.. its christmas.. all holiday stuff.. seungi is someone public likes ( i mean clouds moonlight became a bigger hit than it deserves to be atleast in my book) .. there is no reason for this to tank in korea at least..
and international viewers don't matter much.. plus again same logic.. dearth of dramas.. so by lack of comeptition will not and cannot be a total loss
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18 Mili Vi
December 17, 2017 at 11:55 AM
An interesting cameo will be filmed the next week, so maybe I will watch the drama because of it
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19 Barbrey
December 17, 2017 at 1:39 PM
For me I'll be watching for Cha Seung-won, who stole my heart, after I initially couldn't stand him, in Greatest Love, and to see if Hong sisters can pull out another good drama. I also like Lee Seung-gi, who seems perfect for this role. Trying not to get my hopes up too much but certainly the acting roster looks promising.
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UmbrellaMan
December 17, 2017 at 7:02 PM
I fell in love with him in the Greatest Love. He is so wonderful and let's not forget sexy and handsome!
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delurked
December 18, 2017 at 1:38 AM
Cha Seung-won, my ahjussi crushhhh 😍😍 You and me both, @Barbrey.
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20 Lena S.
December 17, 2017 at 3:28 PM
I tried not to be excited but the trailers released so far seems so good, that i'm feeling that the Hong sisters are back to form with this one *or so i hope*.
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21 sammi
December 17, 2017 at 4:34 PM
I'm ready for this! I think the cast has chemistry and the synergy between actor and the writing will work. It's just a personal hunch, though. I haven't seen any Kdramas all the way through this year except for Secret Forest. I'm also just ready to see LSG come back to dramaland.
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22 zaradeamor143
December 17, 2017 at 6:53 PM
@girlfriday i thought this drama has 20 eps? has it already changed?
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23 UmbrellaMan
December 17, 2017 at 7:01 PM
I cannot wait for this!! Thankfully Viki is subbing it. I know tons of people are excited as it's Lee Seung-gi's return, but I am in for Cha Seung-won baby!!
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24 Tyan
December 17, 2017 at 8:45 PM
It's being overhyped everywhere 😂
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25 Elena Liwag
January 22, 2018 at 11:30 AM
Again, Korea's amazing talent for a Drama Series. It is one of the best Romantic Comedy Supernatural Drama Series. We love all the Episodes and can't wait for the next! Elena-London
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