Get your first look at musical drama What’s Up
by javabeans
We haven’t had much news about the musical-themed drama What’s Up, but the production has just released a four-minute trailer giving us our first real look at the show. And I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with the results; the characters seem well-developed and the cast looks strong.
In the trailer, several students at the university musical department are asked why they decided on their major. Series lead Im Joo-hwan (Tamra the Island) kicks us off with a punchline — it’s because he made a mistake. Contrast that to his nervous, earnest colleague, who declares that being a musical actor “is my destiny.”
You may recognize the opening song; it’s the famous solo from the Jekyll & Hyde musical, and you can hear Jo Seung-woo‘s version here. It was, in fact, a very popular pick among aspiring actors when the drama held its open auditions.
Meanwhile, Daesung seems to be playing an affable sort, which suits his personality; in contrast, I love that Im Joo-eun (Hon) is playing a surly, tough type who retorts to their teacher (musical and television actor Oh Man-seok) she doesn’t care to become a star. Jang Hee-jin (brought in to replace Jeon Hye-jin) looks like the uptight, snooty type who clashes with Im Joo-eun’s laid-back attitude, while lanky model-turned-actor Lee Soo-hyuk is a reclusive genius composer who holds the other students in awe.
Im Joo-hwan’s main character has a few dryly humorous lines sprinkled throughout, such as, “What’s a musical?” He’s the outsider with a cynical take on this world that the others hold so dear, but I’m guessing that he’ll soon discover his own hidden talent, whatever that may be. (Funny enough, that reminds me of Kim Soo-hyun’s character in the similarly-themed Dream High, in that Kim’s character also gets his start for other reasons and then discovers his own skills once he’s part of the school. Even funnier, Kim and Im have long reminded me of each other — both have a similar tall, lanky appearance and strong, intense screen charisma.)
The drama, which still doesn’t have a solid airdate scheduled, is looking at a 2011 premiere.
Thanks to user crysalide for pointing me to the trailer. Watch below.
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Tags: Daesung, Im Joo-eun, Im Joo-hwan, Jang Hee-jin, Lee Soo-hyuk, What's Up
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1 ohemgee
November 9, 2010 at 12:04 PM
AHHHHHHHHHH! SO. EXCITED.
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pabo ceo reom
November 9, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Looks like a movie :D
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2 mintybou
November 9, 2010 at 12:08 PM
No matter what his role is, he will always be Park Kyu to me. I love him (omg his voice) and is soooo happy he is getting more work!
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3 Laputacastle88
November 9, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Who's the ditzy sounding one the one who sings like a virgin
She seems to be Im joo hwans love interest
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Pancakemuffins91
November 28, 2010 at 9:04 PM
That's Kim Ji Won
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4 orangy911
November 9, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Wow. So I guess the drama trend nowadays is all about singing (Gloria, Please Marry Me, Dream High, What's up). I'm honestly looking forward to this more than Dream High because it's based on musicals. Woot. =D
Does this drama have a broadcast station?
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angelpur
November 9, 2010 at 11:01 PM
You forgot i am legend ;)
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5 may
November 9, 2010 at 12:13 PM
ooh! first one! This show looks interesting. It seems to be a take on the show Fame and the song at the end is from Fame. Don't know any of the actors, except for Oh Man Seok. Will def put it on my list of shows to watch.
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6 may
November 9, 2010 at 12:14 PM
correction , I though I was first...oops. =p
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7 all4movies
November 9, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Korean "Fame"?
Can't wait.
Im Joo-hwan looks awesome in it already.
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rhea
November 9, 2010 at 4:08 PM
Haha, FAME did come to my mind too. And I love Asher Book and Kay Panabaker there. Plus the song "Try". Awesome!
Whatever, I am on board on this since Park Kyu is here.
:)
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amg01
November 9, 2010 at 9:50 PM
This version reminds me more of "Un paso adelante (One Step Beyond)" the 2000/2005 Spanish drama version of 'Fame" with Penelope Cruz younger sister Mónica Cruz!
For the looks of it it has the potential of being a very good drama, at least the preview looks promising....
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kdrama-hunter
November 10, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Same with me, looking the last minute of video (the picture almost same with "FAME"). I hope the music will much better and there isn't love square like another drama normally (like American film, but be focus on character line). Can't wait to see the drama!!!
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8 Jenna
November 9, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Wow impressive looking. Has a movie-like quality to it. Looking forward to it!
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9 hellochloe
November 9, 2010 at 12:19 PM
For me, What's up definitely has an edge over Dream High.
But then I think about Kim Soo Hyun and I get torn. . .
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10 Kender
November 9, 2010 at 12:28 PM
xiaoSxin and I already spazzed about this quite a bit on Twitter. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Seriously, though, this looks AWESOME. And not just 'cause I love LJH to pieces. I'm gonna be all over this when it airs, just watch. <33
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xiaoSxin
November 9, 2010 at 12:39 PM
HaHa!! We did! But it's OK and I'm still high over this teaser and Lim Ju Hwan's tweets.
I can still spazz, rant and rave! 2011? Dang that's too long!!
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mellowyel
November 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Im Joo Hwan has a Twitter??? where??? must follow! lol
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kdrama-hunter
November 10, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Same with me, looking the last minute of video (the picture almost same with "FAME"). I hope the music will much better and there isn't love square like another drama normally (like American film, but be focus on character line). Can't wait!
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11 thatguy
November 9, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Wow. Did the trailer admit that it was the Korean version of "Fame", by actually playing the theme song?
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12 xiaoSxin
November 9, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Thank you for posting this!!
I am so excited for this!! And Lim Ju Hwan is looking so adorable and giving out those smiles!!
The teaser really looks promising.. I hope they promote it well before broadcast!!
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13 mellowyel
November 9, 2010 at 12:39 PM
It looks awesome! It looks like Korean drama camerapeople are beginning to change the frame-rate they shoot at - this as well as Dr. Champ look more like movies than dramas. Does anyone know why the drama industry stuck to the higher frame rate? (i.e. shooting so it looks more like American daytime dramas as opposed to movies?)
P.S. The drama's apparently being shot with a RED camera. Those things are mad expensive, but the images that come out of them are absolutely GORGEOUS. It already looks pretty :)
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14 M
November 9, 2010 at 12:40 PM
I. CAN'T. WAIT
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M
November 9, 2010 at 12:40 PM
I wish I knew what they were saying in the trailer...
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lixin64
November 9, 2010 at 1:08 PM
It's subbed on viikii =]
http://www.viikii.net/videos/watch/113972/0/what-s-up-zero-plus.html
Looks good!
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xiaoSxin
November 9, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Thank you for the link!! Now I can understand the rest of it.. 풓하하하하하!!!
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all4movies
November 9, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Wow, even better with subs.
I didn't even notice Oh Man Seok until I viewed the trailer again.
Now, I'm really stoked!
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15 Brittany
November 9, 2010 at 12:51 PM
This drama looks awesome. Surprisingly awesome.
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16 Hotwow
November 9, 2010 at 1:17 PM
This looks so amazing already. I love the cast and I've been dying to see Daesung in his debut drama (hopefully he'll get a bigger part, so it'll actually showcase his acting rather than getting a role that's exactly the same as his personality.)
The camera work seems to be a lot better than most dramas I've seen so far, so that's a definite bonus.
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17 kaedejun
November 9, 2010 at 1:17 PM
yeah - like others have said, this feels like Korean Fame.
The whole time, every time Im Joo Eun comes up I keep thinking that it's a Korean Hilary Duff.
And Im Joo Hwan looks more like the lead guy in You're My Pet than Jang Geun Suk!!!!!!
this does seem to be a high quality production - it's just a question of whether it will do well. Ohsie wells, Dream High has high standards to catch up to with their trailer...
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mellowyel
November 9, 2010 at 8:02 PM
LOLZ @ Hilary Duff.
hmmm... i think Im Joo Hwan might not fit because Momo is supposed to be a really young dude - he may come off as too old
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xiaoSxin
December 8, 2010 at 6:20 PM
PREPOSTEROUS!!! ^^
Im Joo Hwan can not be too old!!!!
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18 drama4mama
November 9, 2010 at 1:19 PM
Daesung!! Oh I do love shows about musical. I loved the original Fame and this looks like it will be very good
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19 katara
November 9, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Yes! Looks really good. My most anticipated drama of 2011.
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20 hester
November 9, 2010 at 1:37 PM
yay, can't wait!
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21 Dante
November 9, 2010 at 1:53 PM
If Im Joo Hwan is in it, I will be watching. That is all.
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xiaoSxin
November 9, 2010 at 1:58 PM
HaHA!! well said my friend.
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rhea
November 9, 2010 at 4:43 PM
True!
And he's totally hilarious in the trailer! I love how he say "What?"
Joo-hwan oppa, fighting!
:)
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22 sunshine
November 9, 2010 at 2:02 PM
I cannot wait for this to premiere. At least once a week or so, I find myself wondering what happened to this show and googling updates of its progress.
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23 SteamyBun
November 9, 2010 at 2:23 PM
I hadn't even been thinking about this show but my interest has DEFINITELY been piqued. Or peaked. Or peeked? Anyway, it looks exciting. And I spot at least three hot guys (yay!) and two interesting females.
I wonder if this will actually incorporate musical numbers like Glee? I'm a huge fan of both Bollywood and Kdramas, so it's been my dream to see a musical done in the Kdrama format, where the characters just break into song and dance with no warning. Would be even cooler with original songs...
2011 seems like a long wait but I'll be watching when it finally airs!!!
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Anjo
November 9, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Bollywood <3<3 shahrukh khan <3<3 xD
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red
November 9, 2010 at 10:27 PM
lol SRK....i abandoned him for my kdramas
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24 tisyamey
November 9, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Daesung looks promising in this preview... I am looking forward for this little one's performance. I just recently did a 'tamra island' marathon and so I'm a Im Jo Hwan fan already. This drama looks really interesting. I can hardly wait for it's start!
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25 tisyamey
November 9, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Daesung looks promising in this preview... I am looking forward for this little one's performance. I just recently did a 'tamra island' marathon and so I'm a Im Jo Hwan fan already. This drama looks really interesting. I can hardly wait for its start!
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