A battle of principles in JTBC’s medical drama Life
by tipsymocha
Ever since I jumped on the Forest of Secrets bandwagon, I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for writer Lee Soo-yeon’s next project. And now that we’re a little over three weeks away from its premiere, I’m struggling to contain my excitement, especially since the posters and teaser that have been released for the JTBC’s Life look amazing.
The show is set in a hospital, where there seems to be a conflict of principles among the staff. Our leads, Lee Dong-wook (The Lonely Shining Goblin) and Jo Seung-woo (Forest of Secrets) are placed on either side of the divide. Lee Dong-wook will be playing Ye Jin-woo, an ER specialist who values the calling to save lives, and whose poster reads, “I saw blood spill.” He will face off against Jo Seung-woo’s Gu Seung-hyo, the new General Director of the hospital where the drama takes place. Director Gu is all about the numbers, and the tagline on his poster gives you some sense of what he values: “Hospitals are businesses, and medicine is an industry. Why should they be any different?”
The premise sounds like a familiar conflict in medical dramas, but I’m looking forward to how this writer delivers a fresh take on it. And with such a star-studded cast, which includes some familiar faces from Forest of Secrets, like Yoo Jae-myung, who plays the head of the thoracic surgery center Joo Kyung-moon, and whose poster asks, “How long do you think we can hold on like this?” I was also happy to spot Forest alums Lee Kyu-hyung (Smart Prison Living) and Eom Hyo-sub (I’m Not a Robot) in the newest teaser.
The teaser starts with Lee Dong-wook at work in the ER and narrating offscreen, “The most common question I’m asked is: Isn’t it so difficult that you’d rather die? The next question is always why I had chosen this path.” He says his answer to those questions is, “Because I studied that hard to save people’s lives.” But all that pressure takes its toll and Eom Hyo-sub tells Jo Seung-woo that doctors die of overwork: “Can you imagine how difficult it must have been to drive a doctor to commit suicide?”
But Jo Seung-woo is having none of it and fires back that they’re all looking for sympathy now that they got caught trying to hush it up. I’m not liking the fact the screen keeps cutting to Lee Kyu-hyung on a bed, looking lost and lethargic when the other characters are talking about doctors committing suicide. His character must be close to Lee Dong-wook, because he sounds regretful at having confided in the latter about something.
It looks like an incident starts the ball rolling in Life, as someone arrives DOA (dead on arrival) in an ambulance on April 5th: “After hearing a subordinate’s pointed words. Dead.” Won Jin-ah (Just Between Lovers) rushes into the hospital and gets riled up at Yoo Jae-myung’s words that surgery won’t help. As Lee Dong-wook futilely works to revive a patient, he muses, “It must have been the most difficult day for you. When I said those horrible things, on your last day.”
Man, I’m getting chills, which is strange since medical dramas are one of my least favorite genres, but I just can’t wait to see what Lee Soo-yeon does with Life, since she managed to turn the overused political thriller genre into one of the best dramas of 2017. And the directors’ credits are equally impressive, with Hong Jong-chan (of The Most Beautiful Goodbye in the World, Live Up to Your Name, and Dear My Friends) and Im Hyun-wook (of This Week My Wife Will Have an Affair and Awl) at the helm.
The cast is nothing to laugh at either, with Moon Sori (Little Forest) playing Oh Se-hwa, the first ever female head of the neurosurgery center, who looks like a force to be reckoned with on her poster, where she says, “My work can’t be evaluated by money.” Veterans Chun Ho-jin (My Golden Life), Moon Sung-geun (Falsify), and Yeom Hye-ran (Lawless Attorney) round out the impressive lineup.
I realize that JTBC’s Life is going to premiere this month, but July 23 just sounds so far away. It will take over Miss Hammurabi’s Monday-Tuesday slot on the cable station. In the meantime, I might just have to re-watch Forest of Secrets for the third time to help make the wait easier.
Via JTBC, Seoul Kyungjae
RELATED POSTS
Tags: Chun Ho-jin, Jo Seung-woo, Lee Dong-wook, Life, Moon Sori
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1 panshel
July 1, 2018 at 3:16 PM
Another Daesang for Jo Seung Woo.
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cheekbones
July 1, 2018 at 9:27 PM
I hope he gets to stand at the center this time 😛
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StacyB
July 2, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Comment was deleted
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2 🍙 kimbap noona
July 1, 2018 at 3:38 PM
If Writer Lee Soo-Yeon manages to make me fall in love head over heels for the first time with a drama of hospital politics just like she did with judicial power battle of the wits, I will watch her works for the rest of my drama viewing life.
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meliyasha
July 1, 2018 at 5:26 PM
I'm with you there. Trying to hide my excitement just in case but at the same time waiting impatiently for 23 July to come already
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klmeri
July 1, 2018 at 5:53 PM
Have you tried White Tower? Actor Kim Myung-min made me fall in love with hospital politics and a morally questionable doctor!
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🍙 kimbap noona
July 1, 2018 at 6:22 PM
I love morally questionable characters! I will put it on my watch list. Thanks for the rec!
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3 lemoncello
July 1, 2018 at 3:40 PM
Who doesn’t want to watch this drama? Everything is so promising! 😍😍😱
This looks like reunion for the “Forest” alumni. Ah, July 23rd is too long
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4 cherry 🍒
July 1, 2018 at 4:05 PM
I’m been waiting for this drama since the day it was announced. I have confidence the writer Lee Soo Yeon will make even a hospital drama compelling and gripping. Not so sure about Lee Dong Wook’s acting though, he’s going to have to try really hard standing his ground opposite Jo Seung Woo.
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PYC
July 2, 2018 at 5:18 AM
Agreed with everything you said!!
With due respect and no offense to LDW fans, he might be the weakest link among this consummate cast.
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Midnight
July 2, 2018 at 5:33 AM
No offence taken and I hope this will be the drama that will convert you.
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Sara
July 2, 2018 at 7:56 AM
I don't think you really have confidence in the writer coz she has chosen LeeDongwook already and agreed to put his name "First" and don't worry about Wookie,he has played with veteran actors before and he shined and if you have time check Dramabeans 's authors choices and awards previous year and we will get to know LeeDongWook better...hopefully you change your mind and stop under estimate the hard work of others
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5 mary
July 1, 2018 at 4:13 PM
Isn't it a conflict of interest for the Grim Reaper to be working in a hospital?
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🍙 kimbap noona
July 1, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Perhaps, and is it against my own for joining him for some afternoon tea?
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mary
July 2, 2018 at 2:42 AM
Maybe you already did. You just didn't remember. :P
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suk
July 1, 2018 at 5:59 PM
I would imagine he'd be in the middle of surgery (levitating all the instruments) trying to save someone's life and then he stops halfway like "whoops, times up for this guy, sorry man".
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egads aka Dame Maggie
July 2, 2018 at 2:51 AM
In these difficult times, workers need to take on more and more jobs to make ends meet. Those Reaper coats aren't cheap, and apparently the heavens don't give out company cards.
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mary
July 2, 2018 at 3:03 AM
B-b-but... the dry-cleaning costs of blood on clothes! And we know dramaland surgeons aren't Serious Surgeons unless they operate with blood spurting everywhere.
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6 gadis
July 1, 2018 at 4:30 PM
Aaahh... I'm too excited for this drama. Hopefully writer Lee Soo-yeon is going to, once again, spectacularly meet my high expectation.
I can't wait to see Lee Kyu-hyung oppa back on my screen again, even if his story seems to be extra sad and dark here (couldn't he please choose a happier role next time?). July 23rd couldn't come fast enough.
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meowingme
July 1, 2018 at 7:16 PM
Now I get the Ye Sun-woo in your name, haha. And have to agree that the trailer bodes ill for him...
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gadis
July 1, 2018 at 8:21 PM
Sigh... According to that trailer and some of the bts I've seen floating in sosmed, he's going to break my heart from the beginning. He seems to not be able to stay away from those tragic characters.
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7 miss h
July 1, 2018 at 4:35 PM
I'll give it a try for the writer and cast (Not crazy about Lee Dong Wook though). Hopefully the writer can make me like a medical drama.
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8 Ally
July 1, 2018 at 5:02 PM
I’ve known Physicians who have committed suicide from burnout. I’m interested in seeing how this very good writer and amazing actors portray such a taboo subject.
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Ally
July 1, 2018 at 5:27 PM
I’m also a bit scared that I have 3 dramas that are premiering in July that I’m looking forward to, and can’t possibly keep up with all of them!
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growingbeautifully
July 2, 2018 at 2:34 AM
@ally-le
Oh dear! That's sad. I think the only show I watched that had a physician die of overwork (but it was not suicide) was in The Lonely Shining Goblin. Very sad indeed. 😞
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9 risa
July 1, 2018 at 5:55 PM
NOOOOO! Not Looney! I don't know if I can bear to have Lee Kyu-hyung break my heart again.
Yes, the posters do look amazing. This is gonna be one helluva ride! And it looks like it'll be continuing the streak of stellar, emotionally-intense dramas we've been enjoying this year. (Including Live which remarkably, not only has almost the same name, but also focuses on the overwhelming challenges faced by those who choose a certain helping profession.)
I see we're gonna have another Dr. Ye: all aboard the Ye Line!
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PYC
July 2, 2018 at 5:46 AM
I hope this together with Live and My Ahjusshi will be the three masterpieces of 2018, an unusual year with two already.
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risa
July 2, 2018 at 8:48 AM
I include Mother in that list, too. We've been pretty lucky so far this year, haven't we?!
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10 Nessa (Bebe) 🌹
July 1, 2018 at 6:44 PM
This sounds a bit to me like the Korean version of American TV show "Chicago Med” lol
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11 Katrina
July 1, 2018 at 6:58 PM
The only thing wrong with it as far as I can tell is that it isn't FOS 2. I want to be able to root for Jo Seung woo.😟
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psycho 🍉
July 3, 2018 at 11:55 AM
I would love nothing more than a sequel to FOS, as long as we have the two leads back together.
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Katrina
July 3, 2018 at 3:08 PM
They made such a great pair. One of the few times I just enjoyed the partnership without regretting not having a stronger romance. Alot of non romantic shows I focus on that lack, but I didnt feel FOS lacked for anything
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12 klesis
July 1, 2018 at 7:45 PM
Jo! Seung! Woo! Oppaaaa...
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13 UmbrellaMan
July 1, 2018 at 7:46 PM
I am trying to keep my expectations down. But it's really hard!! This cast! This writer! This production team! All so good.
I am kind of sad that Jo Seung-woo seems to be playing the antagonist. I want to love him again like I did in FoS. Maybe he will be sympathetic even though he's a bad guy.
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growingbeautifully
July 2, 2018 at 2:31 AM
@umbrellaman
I certainly hope so!!!
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14 astromantic
July 1, 2018 at 9:01 PM
Jo Seung-woo playing it bad is going to be so. good.
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15 cheekbones
July 1, 2018 at 9:33 PM
And I'm yet to watch Forest of Secrets. But fortunately tvN Asia is broadcasting the drama this month. So while all of you watch Life, I'll be watching FoS. 😀
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Katrina
July 3, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Well I can't feel that your missing out. That has to be one of my favorite dramas Ever.
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16 Pei
July 1, 2018 at 9:54 PM
WOW! I see lots of familiar face from Forest of Secrets.
Looks promising and will tune in with this!
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17 Kudo Ran
July 1, 2018 at 10:17 PM
High expectations for this dream team (writer + stellar cast) return, best 2018 drama kaja kaboja~ !!!
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18 jillian
July 1, 2018 at 10:34 PM
Ohhhh! I will come out of the woodwork for LDW and JSW!
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19 fencejumper
July 2, 2018 at 12:35 AM
I guess now is a great time to catch up on FoS!
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20 growingbeautifully
July 2, 2018 at 2:29 AM
Thanks @tipsymocha
That first poster of Jo Seung-woo is Everything!!! He looks so good (so like his Forest of Secrets character) that I want to watch this show. Knowing that it's by the same writer nails it for me, even though the premise is exactly the type that will not usually draw me in. 😆
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21 kororo
July 2, 2018 at 4:16 AM
I'm anticipating this drama a lot but Lee Kyu-hyung is about to break my heart again T__T.
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22 Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
July 2, 2018 at 5:00 AM
Omg I've been waiting for this ever since I heard the FOS writer was working on another drama. And it's finally coming soon.
I admittedy am no fan of medical dramas and I always stay away, but this writer has me wrapped around her finger ever since FOS and I'm excited to see how she follows it up.
I love the cast, the director's work (something tells me he'll rip my hear out) and everything looks promising so far.
Bring it on!
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23 cocopug
July 2, 2018 at 5:35 AM
JTBC 'Life' - 'Jo Seung Woo Character' Teaser video
https://www.facebook.com/jtbcdramapage/videos/1343816145752381/
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24 bbstl 🧹
July 2, 2018 at 7:43 AM
Jo Seung Woo's character description reminds me of a public rant gone on about 25 years ago by many of my town's best physicians about how letting the Harvard MBAs run hospitals in the future was going to ruin American health care. 🤷🏻♀️
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25 Kuya
July 2, 2018 at 8:18 AM
Can’t wait to see Lee Dong-Wook as Ye Jin-woo!! He’s the most brilliant and versatile actor I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to see him bring to life yet another amazing character! I’m not gonna be immature and compare him to the rest of the cast just to highlight my own favorite actor or call one of them the strongest or weakest link (like some people here). I respect both actors, and although I prefer Wookie’s acting style, I’m not gonna say anything negative about CSW. This isn’t a competition to see who’s the best actor. This is about great actors working together as a team to bring a wonderful masterpiece to life. Fighting, Life team!
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26 Trinity 🍆
July 2, 2018 at 8:25 AM
I really should give Forest of Secrets another try. Everyone raves about it and even though I watched 3 episodes I just was not getting into it. But maybe I just need to give it another try.
One of my favorite dramas is Gaksital and that took me like 8 episodes to finally get into it (I would have dropped it if I wasn't watching it with my sister). So maybe Forest of Secrets is the same and I just need to stick with it.
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shoesrgreatrite
July 2, 2018 at 8:33 AM
Give it another try! It took me multiple times and multiple rewatch of episode 3 cause i kept forgetting what happened after few weeks of stopping and picking it up again. It wasn't interesting to me at the very start, but give it a bit time and the magic will take over. Trust a fellow beanie :))
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27 shoesrgreatrite
July 2, 2018 at 8:31 AM
I don't think I'm strong enough to watch Life....live. For forest of secrets, it initially took me awhile to get past episode 3 (a month actually) because it was soo slow for me that i couldnt understand why everyone was saying this drama was the best drama of 2017. Then the magic happened after I overcame episode 3, and I said bye bye to my sleep for the next 2 days. Legal/prosecutor dramas were never my cup of tea until forest of secrets came along. Likewise, I can claim for 10 years of my drama watching life (started in 2008 when I was only 11 HAHA) I never touced a single k-medical drama because Greys anatomy scarred me for life. I have no regrets giving up my medical drama virginity to writer Lee Soo Yeon and Jo Seung Woo-sshi. Needless to say, I am SO EXCITED AHHHHHHHHH
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28 Kurama
July 2, 2018 at 8:40 AM
The drama hasn't started yet and yet I already feel depressed by the trailer. In FoS, the character of Bae Doo Na brought some brightness to the story. In this trailer, I just saw sadness, darkness, etc. I will try it but I hope the story won't be too depressive.
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29 yongsital 🐧 ❄️
July 2, 2018 at 11:34 AM
Whattttt?? No poster of my girl Won Jinah. 😢 I mean, she has a poster but it wasn't posted here. And she didn't get tagged. 😭 Or mentioned in the comments. ☹ I love Dong Wook but I'm on board this drama for Jinah. I agree that the plot is nothing new but hopefully the actors raise it up a notch. Hope to see a good amount of cutie Jinah!!
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Kuya
July 3, 2018 at 12:00 AM
It’s okay dear, apparently Dramabeans has tried to focus this article on CSW to appeal to its users (who are all mainly SF or CSW fans judging by the comments). I guess DB is biased as well. They could have used all character stills, or at least the ones for the 3 main characters for this article, but they didn’t. So don’t take this to heart <3
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30 amara
July 2, 2018 at 1:20 PM
I am so excited I CAN BARELY BREATHE
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amara
July 2, 2018 at 1:23 PM
ok that aside. i really dont like lee dong wook’s acting at all (because i think he cant) but i looooove won jin ah SO much (rain or shine was amazing, she can def grow) and jo seung woo is incredible. i think he is the most talented out of all (which in FOS he was mostly on even playing ground) but i cannot wait. Also he is very cute and short.
I love FOS so much. honestly i can name veryfew dramas where i havent skipped around (coincidentally LIVE lol and JBL) and it is almost damn near flawless tbh. so im excited for what they have in store here!!!!!!!
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amara
July 2, 2018 at 1:28 PM
Also i totally forgot yoo jae myung is in this too lmao the only men i will ever like i can die happy now. i feel like my expectations are so high but i like everyone BTS involved and it’s her fault they r so we will c. ahhh
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Denise
July 2, 2018 at 2:21 PM
So you are in love with all the cast and crew BUT you have a problem with the actor whose teasers ,poster and moving poster released First .Leedongwook who doesn't know how to act ,his YouTube's character teaser are the most viewed video among all other teasers and his poster get many likes and shares and surpassed other actors... He ranked first on Naver search when his poster released .
You don't have to like him but at least respect his fans and don't insult him by saying he can't act.
We don't have to be that low
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amara
July 2, 2018 at 2:47 PM
Do u want me 2 put a ‘MY OPINION’ after every sentence. also popularity does not equate to acting talent. But hes rich im not im sure he will survive lol chill
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31 Irit
July 2, 2018 at 1:22 PM
The very sad part, is that so far, it is not licensed by anyone.
If you are interested in watching it, please submit requests:
DramaFever (no need to fill in email address.)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuXiW1XwtSRt0H_ehdDMABJYJNQWA1xj78ni06l4m_OG-ZHg/viewform
Viki
https://vikiinc.wufoo.com/forms/title-request-form/
Netflix (only request Once.)
https://help.netflix.com/en/titlerequest?ui_action=title-suggestion-quicklinks
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amara
July 2, 2018 at 1:24 PM
Thank you!
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32 StacyB
July 2, 2018 at 2:26 PM
Why are you so hypocritical, dear some people? You praise SF's writer like she's god but same time you're questioning Lee Dong Wook and his acting abilities? Don't you think your Daesang winning writer will be considering in choosing actor for her main lead role? After bringing Bae Doo Na back to dramaland she will be choosing someone who khkhkh "can't act"? Well, I will dare to say that yes, LDW doesn't act....he lives his characters and it was stated by both Daesang wining writers with whom he was working recently - Kim Eun Suk and Lee Soo Eun (in her comment for his poster) - that he's becoming his characters and that he shows that exact character they (writers) where imagining.
Why are you so mean after all? I have noticed that almost every single SF=CSW fan is trying to put down LDW. This is so weird. I also don't like someone's acting. But why to bother spending your time and energy on this? Would it be same if CSW was central character as he was in SF and LDW was same as BDN in SF? But I want to dissapointed you. It's not SF anymore. We have what we have here - LDW is main protagonist of this story and he was chosen to be a part of this production by your critically acclaimed Daesang winning writer. So maybe he stands up to her Ye Jin Woo? A
And if you're hating LDW so much then why to bother watching and torturing yourself cause he will have most of screen time for your "pleasure"?
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Kuya
July 2, 2018 at 2:45 PM
I totally agree! There are some really immature fans commenting here. I never saw other fandoms bash another actor like that to highlight their own. I think that only shows how scared they really are. I guess, some people only criticize LDW because they can’t accept that HE’s the main character and not their beloved CSW lol. Time to grow up, folks, this ain’t no competition ;)
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StacyB
July 2, 2018 at 3:15 PM
Glad someone shares my thoughts. What is even more funnier, at the beginning I was hoping for the awesome friendly teaming up with other actors' fans. We should admit that even though Ye Jin Woo is central character, this will be ansamble work and I believe Lee Dong Wook and other actors are enjoying filming together. So I was thinking how nice will be to support drama altogether. But ice bucket has hit me hard when I first read SF=CSW's fans comments insulting LDW. No more illusions. And I expect they will be even worse once Ye Jin Woo's story will be thickened.
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Kuya
July 2, 2018 at 11:46 PM
True, that’s what I wrote about earlier too! This is a great team of actors working together to create somethomg big. Not a casting show lol. Some people may wrong perceptions. Funny thing is, I’ve never seen western actors being compared like that. Fandoms have no problems with each other when 2 famous actors join forces. They just cheer their own faves on without having to bash the ones they don’t like. I’m really losing faith in humanity when reading some of these comments ;(
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StacyB
July 3, 2018 at 12:50 AM
Maybe because fans of famous western actors don't have a need to insult other actors because they're confident in their bias? Just like someone mentioned above "popularity doesn't mean good acting". And in other sites I have seen comments "he is not as popular as LDW, doesn't have many CFs", maybe here is an answer. Western actors' fan know that their actors are popular and talented and no need to insult others to upgrade their fav. After all popularity can be measured but talent no. Since everything depends on taste. I'm a fan of lots of Western veteran actors (not only Hollywood but British, Swedish, French) and I'm watching art house and indie movies. And here I'm sweped by LDW's acting and charisma. So am I dumb and chosing actor who can acted? Have ever those ppl seen his art house noir drama "La Dolce Vita" which he took at the age of 26 or horror/thriller movie "Arang"? I guess no. They maybe judge his acting after watching Scent of a Woman or My Girl. People should calm down in their desire to criticize and insult others and respect others. not even other fans, but actors and crew. If LDW was chosen, if he has been praised by Daesang winning writers, then he deserves it. And it's your personal taste or jealousy don't let you see his talent. So maybe problem in you and not in LDW? (You = haters) peace
yongsital 🐧 ❄️
July 2, 2018 at 3:32 PM
Something similar happened with Wok of Love and Junho being a lead over Jang Hyuk. Not here in DB, but other platforms. It really ruined the premiere for me tbh but I hope LDW fans push through and ignore misdirected hate at Dong Wook. Everyone has a right to their opinion but I for one think him a very good actor. 😁 One of my early kactor crushes. I find his eyes to be extremely expressive. Fighting guys!
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Kuya
July 2, 2018 at 11:50 PM
Thanks for being so understanding! By the way, I’m watching “Just Between Lovers” and I’m really impressed by Won Jin-ah! She’s a great actress, not to mention beautiful, and I’m in love with her voice <3
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yongsital 🐧 ❄️
July 3, 2018 at 11:34 AM
Ooh yes! JBL is lovely and WJA is just as lovely. Hope you like it to the end. Her voice is refreshingly unique.
StacyB
July 3, 2018 at 1:02 AM
Somehow I can understand Jung Hyuk fans and their pain (I have been in same situation with Goblin and Grim Reaper), but it's not Junho's fault that their actor has chosen to be a second lead. It's not like they took JH for first lead and then neglected him. It was obvious from the start that Junho is JRW's choice. But here both actors are co-leads, with a bit bigger LDW's part since he's main protagonist. I have never criticized acting skills of other actor, even is they're my fav's "competitors". I can be mad on production, crew, writer and critisize character but not actor. Talent and visuals are smth which always depends on personal taste. Well, hopefully we will survive it. I believe that LDW will never shut up haters even with his critically acclaimed and massively praised acting (well his Grim Reaper/King was acclaimed and praised) and there will be haters. Because competition will always be here in dramaland and there will be jealous or immature fans of other actors. That's why all should do movies haha. There is no such fan wars or haters
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yongsital 🐧 ❄️
July 3, 2018 at 11:37 AM
Yeah, imo it boils down to the fact that the actors agreed to it and seem interested in the drama so who are we as mere fans to flip tables and scream to the heavens how it's not fair or 'right' for them to take such 'an unworthy role.' 🙄 Let's just enjoy seeing our faves on tv.
cocopug
July 3, 2018 at 5:17 AM
The writer did not choose LDW. It was the casting director's job.
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in_my_veins
July 3, 2018 at 5:28 AM
I've read that this writer chooses and approves actors for her most important characters by her own. Normally that's how such high level writers in Korea do, not only in her case.
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cocopug
July 3, 2018 at 11:04 PM
Hmmm... where did you read it? Well I won't call her a "high level" writer like Kin Eun Sook. This is only her 2nd drama. FYI, she didn't choose the cast of FOS either.
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in_my_veins
July 4, 2018 at 3:23 AM
Strange but that's what I read in Secret Forest's DC gall while watching drama back then. That she was participated in casting. t will be hard to find since they have so many posts there. It's not a secret that all writers are doing it. But some like KES might write the character from the start having in mind someone she wants to get for this role. And of course it's not that writers call actors by themselves (but sometimes it happens as well), and either casting team or someone who's close to actor will call them after sending out script. I'm following this industry over 6 years and have many friends koreans (some of them are working in industry) and I'm sure that in most of the times writers choose their main cast either after suggestion of casting team or after meeting candidate. Otherwise it wil be bad writer who doesn't care much. For example LDW's drama Bubblegum was written by rocky unknown writer but on press con they talked that LDW and JRW were her first choice after casting team suggested candidates. As well, I know some other not star level writers who have participated 100% in castings (from following other actors) and of course writers who care about their productions a lot are selecting/approving even secondary roles. Unfortunatelly not everything is translated and we need to find out by ourselves sigh. On the other hand from following LDW and his interviews I know 100% that he will never get himself casted in drama without meeting writer and getting along with her/him. I'm just saying that I agree with commentor above that writer has chosen LDW to play in her drama. How it was done - with casting director's help or not doesn't matter since LDW would never take a drama without meeting writer and her approval.
33 transient
July 2, 2018 at 10:10 PM
Damn, Lee Dong Wook looks so hot in scrubs.
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34 in_my_veins
July 3, 2018 at 5:25 AM
Enjoyed Secret Forest a lot. Such a well scripted drama, not common for korean dramas, more American shows' style. I wonder if Life will be same in terms of solid script? If yes, this might become one of my favorite drama ever. As well I'm curious if LSE will insert small love tension between main protagonist LDW and sweet nice girl WJA as she did in SF? I liked LDW/WJA's glimpse of chemistry in teaser but I have mixed feelings towards this possible line. I don't want this drama to be "SF in alternative universe" and be similar to it. It's already has tons of similarities with it's cast and SF's fan base on board. Just make it different, writer-nim, begging you. And don't kill Ye Jin Woo in the end, that's what I ask for. As to loveline, CSW/MSR could be a solution. At least it won't be similar with SF as it will look like with LDW/WJA. But on the oter hand how can writer and director fail to use LDW's "best lover" acting skills and his way of showing affection towards woman? What a waste it will be.
Lastly, I really like Moon So Ri's character from teasers and will be rooting for her.
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35 psycho 🍉
July 3, 2018 at 11:51 AM
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psycho 🍉
July 3, 2018 at 12:20 PM
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36 Beverly A
July 3, 2018 at 3:11 PM
Mon Dieu!! I’d pay to watch Lee Dong Wook pass gas! God, he’s gorgeous!
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37 missowlhead
July 4, 2018 at 6:32 AM
You had me at Jo Seung Woo. Goodbye drama slump!
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38 molten cake
July 7, 2018 at 9:52 PM
Oo can't wait! I was very impressed by Forest of Secrets and Because This is My First Life when I watched them last year. Those two become my all-time favorite dramas, and I think I've watched them three or four times so far! Hope Life will be the next one that I can add on my fave list! #fingerscrossed
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