The Duo adds comic veteran Gong Hyung-jin

26 March 6, 2011

by javabeans

MBC’s switched-at-birth historical drama The Duo is adding a familiar face to its cast with Gong Hyung-jin, whose last sageuk role was in the fusion action series Chuno. He’s jumping up a few rungs on the social ladder with this new character, from runaway slave to police officer. That’ll pair him with Gwi-dong (Lee Sang-yoon), the policeman born to a runaway slave mother who was swapped with a nobleman’s son and raised an aristocrat. (His counterpart, born an aristocrat but then raised in poverty, is played by Chun Jung-myung.)

Gong Hyung-jin was originally cast as the police chief, but the writer assured him that his role is more prominent than the chief’s. His character does get involved with some corruption, but supposedly retains a cute, endearing quality that keeps him from being too dislikable. Given Gong’s light, humorous personality and his ability to insert comic relief into any situation, I can see that working for him. He added that he’s looking forward to engaging in fast-flying ad-lib action with the other veterans, which is another of his fortes.

I keep meaning to watch more of (and write about) the drama, but I think it’s my vague sense of disappointment with it that prevents me from continuing. I don’t think it’s bad — good cast, decent music — but it just didn’t get to me the way I’d hoped it might. It just feels contrived. That’s too bad since I’m in the mood for something stirring and heartfelt, and would’ve loved it if The Duo fit the bill, even if it does clock in at a rather longish 32 episodes. Sigh, I guess I’ll just have to keep looking.

Via Khan.co.kr

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Tags: Gong Hyung-jin, The Duo

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1 swui

March 6, 2011 at 10:13 AM

Lee Mun Shik and Gong Hyung Jin? LOL. I like them both...but I don see myself watching this too...

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2 pabo ceo reom

March 6, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Yeah I couldn't get into this drama much. I'm not watching anything current as of the moment...I'm heading back over some dramas I missed earlier.

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Lili

March 6, 2011 at 4:20 PM

Same here!!! Maybe i will try Midas but from now I'm rewatching some of my fav drama and I'm re-reading some recaps (secret garden, gumiho, delightful girl, hong Gil dong and more)
Wondering What my Life would have been without Dramabeans??? Nothing !!

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3 YBisTOP

March 6, 2011 at 10:43 AM

I can't find the eng sub episodes of this drama!

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karlutza

March 6, 2011 at 10:53 AM

i think that you can find the first 4 episodes with eng sub on dramacrazy.net

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4 YBsTOP

March 6, 2011 at 10:57 AM

Oh okay, because the ones on Viki are not working and the last time I checked on dramacrazy, they only had ep 1 not even subbed yet. I'll check again though. Thank you.

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5 snow

March 6, 2011 at 11:29 AM

gong hyung jin is so versatile, i can totally see him rocking this role. i wanna watch the duo too, but haven't had the time for it.

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6 sooojin

March 6, 2011 at 12:03 PM

geez i was really excited for like half a second because i thought it was gong hyo-jin
(x

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7 Mia

March 6, 2011 at 12:09 PM

I tried to watch episode one and two but (with no fault at all to the poor drama) my want (nay! ...need...) for CJM to appear had given me a restless "WHY ISN'T HE HERE YET!!!" quality.

I'm thinking to watch episode eight first........

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8 marbleloaf

March 6, 2011 at 12:54 PM

sad, because although i love this drama, i get a sense that i'm in the minority. it was challenging to get past episode two but after that i was hooked. i was watching it for cjm and han ji hye but fell in love with the younger cast. i agree that the story is slightly contrived but the acting is just professional and everyone seems well-seasoned. perhaps i was just in the mood for a good saguk! i hope this drama continues to do well...mbc hasn't had a hit for a while.

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danna

March 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM

i agree...till ep 2, i couldnt really get into it either but once we got into the adolescent time period with ep 3 the story really got going and I love the younger cast too...i have yet to watch past ep 4 but I cant wait to get back on it...the kids bromance is adorable

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marbleloaf

March 6, 2011 at 1:20 PM

word!! the bromance is awesome. their acting is just so good, i can't get over it!

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rabbit2011

March 6, 2011 at 5:17 PM

I'm liking it too. I'm up to episode 4 and it's got me hooked now. I was waiting for an historical saguek to wean me off of all the romance dramas! Was in overload there and completely drained after Secret Garden. In a good way though!

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9 Nhu

March 6, 2011 at 12:59 PM

Well, not everything can be like Iljimae.

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10 glacierkn

March 6, 2011 at 5:19 PM

I personally LOVE this drama. The characters are so well developed, and the pacing keeps me excited. Even though 32 eps sounds long, it's going by so fast already! I love the prolonged child background story.

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Mia

March 6, 2011 at 5:33 PM

Is it really 32 episodes? My goodness I read that it would be 20....I think I can better understand the prolonged childhood story now that I know the proper quantity of Chun Jung-M- I mean....episodes *cough*

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11 Aparna

March 6, 2011 at 6:54 PM

I did not have any dramas to watch lately. I am confused between watching Signs and The Duo. Any Suggestions?

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teali

March 7, 2011 at 12:26 AM

watch BOTH =) hehe

I love both drama..It's a bit sad that not many ppl in dramabeans talk about these 2, but I enjoy both

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anastassia

March 12, 2011 at 6:46 AM

The Duo.

A masterpiece. Really good. I'm a sucker of crime related drama but SIGNS bored me. THE DUO on the contrary is excellent!

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12 ditdut

March 6, 2011 at 7:49 PM

Omg, I didn't know Gong would be in The Duo. Maybe this is the push I need to actually watch the drama.

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13 maryta

March 7, 2011 at 10:06 AM

I SO SAD THAT MY FAVORITE ACTOR TO GO TO THE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU Hyeon Bin

BE CARE OF YOURSELF

WE WAIT FOY YOU

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14 LK

March 7, 2011 at 12:37 PM

Not many romantic/cute/funny dramas right now... I can't wait for 49 Days, I don't know what to watch right now. I'm tempted to watch this, but not many good reviews... The ratings are currently going up though. I haven't heard many good reviews on Midas either, so I didn't start that drama either. Maybe I should watch Sign? I heard better reviews about that drama and I'm quite interested in murder/mystery. What do you guys think?

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15 Brenda

March 8, 2011 at 10:56 AM

Seems that a lot of people are looking around for dramas since SG,MP, and DH ended. I am in the same situation I don't know what to watch next. The options above do not seem as options to me. I am going to re-watch my favorites and wait for a rom-com to come along.

I missing Binnie to much right now, can't seem to let go of SG.

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16 kitkat

March 8, 2011 at 9:41 PM

GF,JB: Is Duo really 32 episodes? I see in certain places as being 20 episodes. I hope it is the latter with a faster flow/pace. I've skipped few episodes in between but I'm liking the most recent episodes of this drama.

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17 bd

March 9, 2011 at 1:08 PM

Prior to "Chuno", I had only seen GHJ in comedic roles, but he really opened my eyes w/ his dramatic portrayal of a rebellious slave in "Chuno" (one of the few highlights).

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orbiter

May 1, 2011 at 6:06 AM

Ditto to that. I loved him in Alone in Love... and subsequently everything else he acted in. But Chuno showed me a different side to him...

GHJ. What a gem.

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