Jeon So-min joins Kim Ji-suk in tvN fish-out-of-water romance
by girlfriday
There’s a new tvN Friday night drama on the way this fall called Top Star Yoo Baek that’s got a classic city-slicker-meets-country-bumpkin setup, and actors Kim Ji-suk (20th Century Boy and Girl) and Jeon So-min (Cross) have signed on to play the leads. They’re great choices since the drama calls for comedic chops, which they’ve both proven in previous rom-coms.
Kim Ji-suk will headline as Yoo Baek, former idol star who turned to acting and became a household name as a national star. He’s a vain, unapologetic narcissist who gets into some major trouble, and gets exiled to a tiny backwoods island (presumably for image damage control). There, he’ll have the culture shock of his life in a place far from civilization, and meet and fall in love with country girl Jeon So-min. It’s basically Modern Farmer with less rock, but do I ever tire of seeing haughty top stars being taken down a peg or twenty? No, never.
Jeon So-min’s character is a deep-sea diver who has no interests outside of studying and diving. She’s lived such an isolated, quiet life in her small island village that she hardly even knows what a smartphone is. Kim Ji-suk’s top star is, of course, the very opposite in every way—he’s an early adapter who lives the fast life, chases trends, and distrusts others. The drama is described as a culture-clash romance in which the top star will flail and fall, grow and change, and find love.
Top Star Yoo Baek comes from variety PD Yoo Hak-chan (Albatross, Ear Candy) and will air on Fridays on tvN beginning in November.
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Tags: Jeon So-min, Kim Ji-suk
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1 Katrina
September 17, 2018 at 4:05 AM
I can see him doing that role so well. I remember how I hated him as a spineless jerk on Personal Taste, but I always look forward to seeing him now
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Alessar
September 17, 2018 at 6:32 AM
So accurate. And honestly he is so handsome I don't understand why he keeps getting supporting roles mostly. It'll be nice to see him headlining again.
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KSKalways
September 17, 2018 at 6:34 AM
you should have seen him in "20th Century Boy and Girl": ADOOOORABLE!
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Alessar
September 17, 2018 at 10:27 AM
No I saw that, it's the first time in quite a while he's been the lead after being the support in shows like Another Oh Hae Young. It was refreshing to see but the show was very low-key so he could have been used even better.
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Katrina
September 17, 2018 at 11:13 AM
I still have yet to see it. There are just to many dramas coming out
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
September 17, 2018 at 11:24 PM
It's a pretty sweet almost angst free drama.
nahaluk
September 17, 2018 at 3:37 PM
He was soo good as the spineless jerk, that at the end as was rooting for him. It was his honesty that won me over. Aaaand he is sexy as hell!
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2 Katrina
September 17, 2018 at 4:07 AM
I think he'll do a great job in that role. I remember hating him as the spineless jerk in Personal Taste but I always look forward to seeing him now
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Katrina
September 17, 2018 at 11:13 AM
Oops. I already got it posted. My bad
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3 Midnight
September 17, 2018 at 4:13 AM
The premise sounds like a classic rom-com, which I love and have been missing badly lately. And I'm happy to see the character description for Kim Ji-suk. He bores me in good guy roles.
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4 Safeenah
September 17, 2018 at 4:13 AM
This synopsis reminds me of many dramas; shopping king louie, bok shil that has no idea about society, the web drama; the high end crush; jin so yeon lived in the woods before coming to the city. she met Jung il woo there. Then warm and cozy. @kdramaswimmer , our lady diver Se shil in warm and cozy...
I will love to see how it will be executed...at least the actors have great acting chops.....
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windsun33
September 17, 2018 at 12:29 PM
Pretty common theme in k-dramas, ranging from great to awful. :)
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boomboompow
September 18, 2018 at 9:09 AM
Currently watching Missing Nine and the lead characters also sound similar, a washed-out top star and a diver girl from s village.
The other day I was just reading an article on how in the past Jung Kyung Ho set up Jung So Min and Yoon Hyun Min after they starred in (different) dramas together.
I have only now realised while watching Missing Nine that his lead lady in M9 is currently Yoon Hyun Min's new gf. Jung Kyung Ho must have played cupid again didn't he?
Sorry for such a random comment, this just pops up in my mind LOL.
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Safeenah
September 18, 2018 at 9:17 AM
Hhhhaa...Naah..thanks for the info..I never knew Jung kyung Ho plays cupid..Thanks..
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5 greenfields
September 17, 2018 at 4:15 AM
I sense every single trope imaginable coming into use with this set-up, and yet I like the sound of it! ^^; Or perhaps I like the idea of living on an tiny backwoods island & being a deep sea diver with no interests outside of diving and studying. I don't need to know what a cell phone is!
When they get together and when/if she leaves with him, can I take her place on that island? I'll stay there forever! It'll never be lonely!
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Bernadett
September 17, 2018 at 4:31 AM
But we need internet connection in order to continue our life as a drama addict. Unfortunately Mediterranean climates are harmful to my skin. I get sunburnt easily.
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greenfields
September 17, 2018 at 5:05 AM
Hehehehe Wifi & net is V. Important. *nods*
I amend my question: When they get together and when/if she leaves with him, can I take her place on that island? And would her actor-dol husband kindly ensure there's proper electricity, water, heating, cooling, internet and food facilities.
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Bernadett
September 17, 2018 at 5:18 AM
What if he leaves the city life behind and settle down in the village with the heroine? It would be an unexpected twist (maybe in a fluffy kdrama not so unexpected)
Yeah, the above-mentioned technological achievements are the bare essentials even if you long to be back in nature. HA.
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fencejumper
September 17, 2018 at 5:25 AM
Just jumping in to say that I'd love if he leaves the city behind for the village and her.
greenfields
September 17, 2018 at 5:31 AM
HAHAHA hey we/I may long for nature, but are/am basically dead without our/my creature comforts.
PLOT TWIST. I did not see that coming. I don't think that's the way dramas go - the idea underlying dramaland is that one moves into/towards money and success, not away from it. BUT if that happens, then I suppose I can ask if I can take his place? Let me be a famous actor-dol (without any effort ofc, lets say the world changed all of a sudden) & take the opportunity to earn LOADS of money in a creative field & possibly even meet my bias.
bbstl 🧹
September 17, 2018 at 7:57 AM
He'll leave the city life for her, settle down on her tiny island and then the world will beat a path to their door and make a hit reality show about them.
Bernadett
September 17, 2018 at 6:25 AM
As a child I once took a vacation with a group of people in the mountains of Slovakia where we stayed in a log cabin under simple circumstances. A lovely stream flowed across the road, we had our meals at a picnic table in front of the house, sometimes we brushed our teeth by a garden tap, there was no inside toilet, in our bedroom we had only beds pushed together...It was quite an adventure as a kid and I enjoyed it. This place was definitely lacking in creature comforts.
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Katrina
September 17, 2018 at 11:16 AM
Sounds lovely.
@ bbstl sounds like the Blood couple😀
greenfields
September 18, 2018 at 12:01 AM
Wow. Sounds amazing to be honest.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
September 17, 2018 at 11:27 PM
Glad to see Greenie is still looking for a creative way to meet her bias.
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greenfields
September 18, 2018 at 12:00 AM
😂😂😂 thanks for this. Made me laugh tons.
6 Amy
September 17, 2018 at 4:16 AM
Yayyy finally the news. Here's to hoping that it will be a reallllly funny and rating hit drama.
But only one ep per week??
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KSKalways
September 17, 2018 at 6:34 AM
oh no! only 1 a week?!?
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Amy
September 17, 2018 at 7:16 AM
yes, that's what I heard. Same as big forest.
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Katrina
September 17, 2018 at 11:16 AM
Binge, binge, binge~ sigh
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7 Bernadett
September 17, 2018 at 4:19 AM
I already like the heroine with her quiet lifestyle in a small island village devoted herself to her lifelong passions. Gorgeous scenery and personality clash between them is guaranteed. I've seen Jeon So-min only in Maids and I had no problem with her, and Kim Ji-suk was great as an insecure and mad king in REBEL.
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KSKalways
September 17, 2018 at 6:35 AM
Jeon So-min was truly great in "1% of Anything (2016)" :-)
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8 gadis
September 17, 2018 at 4:52 AM
I think I'll be more excited about this drama (especially since I've fallen for Kim Ji-suk's charm because of Problematic Man) if the predecessor drama got subbed. Seeing how Big Forest still has no available sub until now, I'm afraid we'll face the same situation too with Tops Star Yoo Baek.
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Midnight
September 17, 2018 at 6:32 AM
Oh no! I didn't know that!
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gadis
September 17, 2018 at 7:24 AM
I hope this is just because it's a new slot and TvN still hasn't decided to what streaming sites they'll sold it.
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Ek Ladhki Thi
September 17, 2018 at 12:55 PM
I'm willing to brave this show without subs, the only other time I've done this was while watching Avengers Social Club. Kim Ji-suk in a lead role *grabby hands* gimme gimme!
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Kairoskat 💐
September 17, 2018 at 4:36 PM
I want to watch problematic man, but i cant find any subbed version 😢
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gadis
September 17, 2018 at 4:57 PM
Sadly, getting that show subbed seems to be a hopeless quest. I'm slowly raw-marathon it and still has 100 more eps to go.
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Kairoskat 💐
September 17, 2018 at 5:14 PM
I found some eps subbed. If there are idols, some fans sub the episode~
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Amy
November 19, 2018 at 2:38 AM
Some of them subbed in fast drama . se.
Join the gaps in between.
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bong-soo
September 18, 2018 at 7:29 AM
I am guessing that Netflix has not picked up BIG FOREST thus no subs (as of now after 2 episodes). The subs for LIFE appeared after four episodes (after Netflix picked it up.)
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9 Mimu
September 17, 2018 at 4:57 AM
I love the premise. In for it.😍 I still remember how much I did hate him in Personal taste and loved him in Twentieth century boy and girl. I've not seen Jeon So-min in any other drama except 1% of Anything.
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KSKalways
September 17, 2018 at 6:36 AM
same! I haven't seen her anywhere else but lawd, I looooved her in 1% of Anything !
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bbstl 🧹
September 17, 2018 at 7:59 AM
She was marvelous!
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10 🍙 kimbap noona
September 17, 2018 at 5:05 AM
I was worried that it would be difficult for Kim Ji-suk to be cast as the leading man after his first (20th Century Boys and Girls) suffered low ratings, so I am happy for the news!
I really liked Jeon So-min in 1% of Anything in which her character also has a "culture-clash romance" inspiring the hero's growth and change. Very much look forward to seeing these 2 wonderful actors together in November!
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11 seoul_searcher
September 17, 2018 at 5:23 AM
The character descriptions fit these two actors really well. Been hearing about this show for a while finally there’s some progress. But I heard that’s it’s only once a week so the wait will be hard
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12 Yarko
September 17, 2018 at 5:29 AM
Lee Kwang Soo needs cameo in this drama lol
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13 Kurama
September 17, 2018 at 5:30 AM
She will have to dive in the water during the fall ? Poor girl.
I like the story, a pure rom-com to come :p
The casting is nice. It will be fun !
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14 Niall Craig
September 17, 2018 at 5:31 AM
Lee Kwang Soo needs a cameo in this drama lol
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Amy
September 17, 2018 at 7:17 AM
I need a cameo from RM cast as well as Ha seok jin.
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Kairoskat 💐
September 17, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Ha seok jin cameo will be awesome. He was with JSM in 1% and currently with KJS in problematic man 😆
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Chichaloca
September 18, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Ha seok jin pls
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15 wapz
September 17, 2018 at 5:35 AM
All these good Friday tvN dramas and lineup, yet no one is subbing them :( Still looking for Big Forest.
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16 Mani-chan
September 17, 2018 at 5:47 AM
OK I love this set up. Kim Ji Suk seems to be genuinely talented. I need a good rom com so I'm totally ready for this
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17 Efflorence
September 17, 2018 at 6:36 AM
The story sounds cliche but with the right story and chemistry it could be a great romcom. Plus I like both actors.
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Efflorence
September 17, 2018 at 6:39 AM
*Good writing
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18 Ally
September 17, 2018 at 7:03 AM
I love watching Kim Ji-suk and tvN, so this sounds perfect for me! I still think he could have played a compelling Eugene in Mr. Sunshine!
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🍙 kimbap noona
September 17, 2018 at 7:58 AM
Even though I have not yet started watching Mr. Sunshine, I love your casting choice of Kim Ji-suk as Eugene, @ally-le! From what I remember in 20th Century Boys and Girls, his English would definitely suffice for that role.
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Ally
September 17, 2018 at 8:25 AM
IKR! He spent his youth in England!
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Ek Ladhki Thi
September 17, 2018 at 12:57 PM
God, now I weep for what could have been. If he was Eugene in Mr. Sunshine maybe I would have stayed longer.
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Ally
September 17, 2018 at 1:55 PM
After I had this realization, I stopped watching Mr. Sunshine. Maybe I’ll be back, though. Kim Eun-sook wanted the other guy, so it never would have happened.
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Ek Ladhki Thi
September 17, 2018 at 7:25 PM
Darn Kim Eun-sook's stubbornness. It's one of the things I find most admirable and annoying about her.
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Ally
September 17, 2018 at 2:01 PM
*been crying 😭 for weeks*
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canxi
September 18, 2018 at 10:07 AM
Why did you put this out there and make me want it? How mean. Reflect!
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Ally
September 18, 2018 at 11:55 AM
Misery loves company...
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19 bbstl 🧹
September 17, 2018 at 8:03 AM
Gosh, I feel like I've seen this show ten times already and still I know I'll be eyes glued to the screen for this version! Love both actors.
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20 Diana Hansen
September 17, 2018 at 9:31 AM
this sounds fun. i need some relief after all the thriller blood and guts stuff.
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21 javinne
September 17, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Ohhh I always love this kind of classy rom com... simple setting, few underdogs, opposite attractions...
I like both actors...
I am in.
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22 Rukia wants melona
September 17, 2018 at 10:50 AM
This sounds fun. They are both good, it would be great if this project lets both of them shine.
I would really, really like that. In a cozy sort of way... 💕
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23 loveblossom🌸
September 17, 2018 at 11:28 AM
I can imagine Kim Ji Suk perfectly in this role. I really fell for him after seeing him in 20th Century Boy and Girl. ^^
The plot sounds like an old-school drama, but I hope it won't be too cringey. In the mood for sweet and fun romances.
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24 cheekbones
September 17, 2018 at 4:59 PM
I'm in.
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25 jillian
September 17, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Its great to see KJS headline another drama. I like him in 20th Century and The Rebel. Also I love the setup.
Reminds me of YYS's brother and diver lady in Warm and Cozy.
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26 namjihyun
September 17, 2018 at 6:00 PM
I am excited!!
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27 RenOIshi
September 17, 2018 at 8:19 PM
This is guaranteed to be filled to the brim with tropes!! But bring it on!!! The pairing sounds lovely :)
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28 canxi
September 18, 2018 at 10:09 AM
Yaaay Kim Ji Suk. I'm here for his well-deserved rise in star status. I also like Jeon So Min. I've only seen her in two things (one was a cameo) but she's memorable and bright.
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29 Ashablue
September 18, 2018 at 11:13 AM
Ive really needed that classic k-drama rom com with all the classic tropes. This seems like a hopefully a good fix for that!
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30 urnaa
September 18, 2018 at 10:10 PM
I only root for the second lead when Kim Ji Suk is the one The Wineyard man and I need romance 2.
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31 salt N pepper
September 21, 2018 at 5:14 PM
Yay, I like these two! Kim Ji Suk in 20th Century Boy and Girl and Jeon So Min in 1% of Anything. I feel they'll have good chemistry and their roles would fit them well.
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