Behind the scenes with City Hunter
by javabeans
Now that City Hunter has sunk its claws into me (in the best way, I mean), it’s time to take a look at all its news-related tidbits till the next episode comes out. (I need my Lee Min-ho fix! Seriously, how can a person be that beautifully charismatic? It’s mesmerizing.)
First off, we have new stills teasing the romantic developments to unfold in the upcoming episode, wherein Yoon-sung (Lee Min-ho) applies a Band-Aid to Nana’s (Park Min-young) face. You’ll know why if you’ve seen Episode 4, when a shadowy figure (presumably Yoon-sung) saves Nana from being picked off sniper-style by his own Daddy Dearest.
I just love this brewing conflict, and particularly since Nana doesn’t look terribly pleased to receive his care, which suggests that he’s gotta keep his heroics under cover. So here she is, thinking he’s some inconsiderate, careless playboy who calls her at his every whim to drive him around, completely unaware that he’s totally smitten with her, and just saved her life. Ahhh, this stuff KILLS ME. I love it.
This scene was filmed on May 23 and will broadcast in June 8’s Episode 5, which is a bit of a relief since that means they’re not yet in a live-shoot scenario, filming more than two weeks ahead of airdate. That’s not a whole LOT of room, but it’s better than being so tight that you’re filming the day you air, with mere hours for editing and post-production. (Or filming after your star has been drafted into the army, using body doubles, as in the case of one time-strapped drama.)
I’ve been impressed with the quality of City Hunter so far — the assured pacing, the strong ambiance, the music — and no doubt that that kind of work takes time. Hopefully the production manages to keep itself ahead of the game for most of its run.
City Hunter was also featured on today’s (June 6) broadcast of SBS’s Good Morning program, which took a trip to the drama’s set. In the segment, Lee Min-ho shared a behind-the-scenes story of his “spoon fight” in Episode 3, wherein he takes down his burly enemy with naught but a tiny spoon, wielded like a deadly weapon.
Lee said, “Originally, the fight was written in the script without the spoon, but it got added in. The martial arts that I’ve been learning teaches that anything can be used as a weapon, so I used what was around me.”
Unfortunately, Lee has reportedly been dealing with injuries to his shoulder and wrist after being hit with some shrapnel. This is his first time in the action genre and he admitted, “It looks very cool, but actually it’s really difficult. I injured my wrist while training for the drama, which I started three months before filming began, and it’s gotten worse the more I’ve used it. But it’s at a level that I can manage.”
Let’s hope that’s true, because I’m enjoying the heck out of the drama and am desperately hoping it doesn’t nosedive later on, as so many series are wont to do. *crosses fingers and wishes*
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Tags: City Hunter, Lee Min-ho, Park Min-young
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1 xiaoSxin
June 6, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Time to watch CH then!!!
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2 Maria Green
June 6, 2011 at 11:18 AM
oh poor lee min ho, great post
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3 Programmer Ahjumma
June 6, 2011 at 11:20 AM
ohhhh poor Lee Min Hot... you made us addicted to you once again
GOSH I love the writing ... but not the cliffhangers
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Steph
June 7, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Lol, Lee Min Hot! I like that. H eis so darn charismatic. I can't with his charisma, sigh.
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4 sushi
June 6, 2011 at 11:21 AM
the shadowy figure might not be lee min ho...
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FlexibleSamurai
June 6, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Exactly, it can be the lawyer... but on second thoughts, Drama doesn't know how to make cliffhangers so it's probably Min hot.
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mars
June 6, 2011 at 1:54 PM
I don't know how that would make sense? Aside from the fact that Young-ju ain't an action hero, it looked like the restaurant had been emptied out save for Seo Yong-hak and his family. It'd be super random if Young-ju showed up to save the day, especially when YS was shown rushing to the location.
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Phem
June 7, 2011 at 12:19 AM
LMAO. I totally burst into laughter with that "Min Hot" HAHA
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Cynthia
June 6, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Unless there was someone else running around in PINK pants, that was definitely LMH saving his girl - his knee is clearly seen behind her in the final shot - the color is unmistakable.
One thing that has raised my caution flag is that I just watched the OST "Love" w/Eng subs and the lyrics are really specific. I hope to TPTB the lyrics DON'T foretell the ending of this drama - otherwise, we're all gonna be jumping off a cliff.....
(And after being traumatized by the 49 Days ending, I trust no drama. At all.)
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Yasmin
June 6, 2011 at 3:45 PM
I know right, i was just thinking that. Also, the PAR track so goodbye OS one that I am slightly worried about! I don't a farewell between our two leads!! This drama needs a couple of happy songs for the balance and to reassure us worried fans!! Min hot and Kim na na stay alive pleeeaase!!!
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Yasmin
June 6, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Ugh that didn't make sense!! * OST track So Goodbye is the one that* sorry!
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Jen
June 11, 2011 at 10:10 PM
LOL OMG SAME HERE. I was totally taken by surprise with 49 Days' ending that I'm weary of all the other kdramas I'm currently watching. If it's another relatively sad one, I think I might consider skipping it D:
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5 far away
June 6, 2011 at 11:26 AM
wow!! 2nd!!!
I'm falling for this drama but won't watch it now.
I'm enjoying the recap,though.
Thanks JB & DB ^_^
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far away
June 6, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Oops! I meant GF :)
it doesn't feel good when you think you are second when you are not :(
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6 aiqcn
June 6, 2011 at 11:28 AM
I love lee min ho. But, I think he looks older than his age. Does he smoke or drink? Whatever he is doing, he needs to stop cause he is such a good actor. I want to see him more in more movies and dramas. So far, City Hunter Rocks!
I like the actor that plays Jin Pyo. He is such a bad ass. Park Min Young seems okay so far. She still doesn't Wow me yet. I'm not digging the actress that plays President's daughter though.
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Nanaotua
June 6, 2011 at 11:39 AM
yes he does smoke and he surely drinks too
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Moonlightmadness
June 6, 2011 at 11:49 AM
buyaah....ajummahs can love the heck out of him without feeling like pedophiles
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tiaradiamond
June 6, 2011 at 12:00 PM
he doesn't like drink, because he get drunk easily.
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tiaradiamond
June 6, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Of couse he drinks, many korean loves to drink.
But he doesn’t like drink, because he get drunk easily.
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jomo143
June 6, 2011 at 7:26 PM
I like to think of him as looking manly as opposed to old for his age. He doesn't have the boyish look that some of his contemporaries have, like JIW.
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7 Mac B.
June 6, 2011 at 11:37 AM
can't wait for Wednesday :)
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8 Daniela
June 6, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Javabeans shares my feeling for this drama and she already expressed it in English so...AMO ESTE DRAMA. Es muy bueno y emocionante!
Aww, Lee Min Ho. I'll repeat a comment that I saw on Viki: When you smile, I smile more.
Also, I love his trench coats. I dont love his skinny pants, but meh, he looks good anyway.
I am impatiently waiting for episode 5. He looks so cute when he is applying the Band-Aid.
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Mac B.
June 6, 2011 at 11:48 AM
aww..."when you smile, I smile more"...so true :)
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9 YBisTOP
June 6, 2011 at 11:46 AM
LOVE it!
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10 ...
June 6, 2011 at 11:48 AM
lee min ho get better soon! don't want him to get more hurt!
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11 ohemgee
June 6, 2011 at 12:05 PM
awww my poor minho!! take care of him SHOW!!
i am so excited to marathon CH this weekend!
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12 alan
June 6, 2011 at 12:18 PM
someone know if the plot of the drama is similar to the manga?or the only thing in common is the name?
alguien sabe si la historia del drama es la misma que la del manga o lo unico en comun es el nombre?
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13 crazedlu
June 6, 2011 at 12:18 PM
this show is average as an action-like drama. i guess it's passable as korean television. haha. but i do i like it. yes, it's a lot because of lee minho's face and wardrobe. heh.
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14 grace, the one from Jersey, USA
June 6, 2011 at 12:28 PM
I think that we are all pretty amazed at how crisp
and bold this series is turning out. I almost wish
that I could watch some of these action scenes in
"slo-mo" because they whiz by on screen so fast.
(The chase through the Thailand market in
Episode #1 for example.)
And I'm not too happy about the time between
filming and an air-date of only two weeks, even
though it's better than nothing. With so many
(I'm sure) dangerous stunts still ahead. Two weeks
"grace" :) might not be enough time.
I hope everyone connected with CH stays safe.
In other news:
C'mon #5 and #6.........Hurry up! :)
*
*
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15 Marj
June 6, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Totally mesmerizing - agreed.
He's one of the few young actors that can truly battle out some of the more seasoned actors when it comes to charisma. I keep thinking that my screen ought to be melting or something every time I watch City Hunter :)
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grace, the one from Jersey, USA
June 6, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Marj,
THAT'S TERRIBLE! :(
Your computer screen melted and it's all
Lee Min-ho's fault? I think that he should show
up at your door and replace your computer.
The nerve of some people; making somebody's
computer screen melt!!!!
*
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Deeliteful
June 6, 2011 at 2:15 PM
LMAO....ermm can he show up at mine too...my screen is melting too :)
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Linda
June 6, 2011 at 11:24 PM
he should come fix my melted screen.. topless
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16 Birdie
June 6, 2011 at 12:44 PM
2 weeks lag is not much,if you allow for incidents and sickness.Doing action scenes must be physically exhausting . With a tight schedule, and lack of sleep,hopefully LMH and the cast will not get injured during this drama.
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Ju Ina-sshi
June 7, 2011 at 5:28 AM
Yes, that's worrisome. It also bugs me that they might not have the time to do so well with the filming and editing and those staff as they did in recent episodes. As JB said, hopefully they manage to keep themselves ahead of the game, because it looks like A LOT of work to do.
Though I'm not very familiar with this genre, those action scenes seem awesome for a TV production. In my opinion action looks better in movies, because they just have more time to redo and edit and even then it sucks sometimes (especially in TV productions). The scenery in Episode 1 and 2 was mind-blowing. It seems like improving that is impossible..so the only way to go is now is down.... *sob*
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17 Carinne
June 6, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Sleep deprived LMH... sad... looks like he aged +10 yrs. older. PMY looks like she aged too.
CH cast Fighting!
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18 Min jae
June 6, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Aww :( poor Lee Min Ho. Love the drama though. Anyone know where i can find teasers/spoilers/trailers?
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19 bananabee
June 6, 2011 at 12:57 PM
I'm REALLY keeping my hopes up for this drama... It definitely has a lot of potential
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20 Fasiris Fay
June 6, 2011 at 1:03 PM
hubba hubba! -drool-
gaaah, how can someone be so hot?!
I haven't yet started this drama, but I will be definitely watching my LMH <3
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21 Nhu
June 6, 2011 at 1:06 PM
He's not just beautiful (although he totally is), he also radiates charisma. God, whenever he smiles I wanna die. And he doesn't JUST have a pretty smile, his eyes light up. You and that best friend of yours (Jung il Woo) KILL me with your talent.
I really want it to get even darker, so that he can stretch his dramatic acting chops. This is someone I can envision becoming a serious actor in the future.
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22 kayeren
June 6, 2011 at 1:20 PM
minho oppa
fighting!!!!!!!!!!!
^_^
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23 Kay
June 6, 2011 at 1:24 PM
"Seriously, how can a person be that beautifully charismatic? It’s mesmerizing" ---> My thoughts exactly! I have to say; this drama is addictive... I'm totally a big fan of LMH~ And to have this drama show his fighting skills= AWESOME!!! In this he's totally dreamy guy with looks, money, the hidden hero~ wow~ can't wait for next episode~ Too bad he's injured from what I have read and I hope that will not be serious (for now and also in the future)...A great action kdrama~
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24 Linh
June 6, 2011 at 1:48 PM
True true that...how can a person be so young and yet beautifully charismatic? And yes, mesmerizing too. I feel like I am robbing the cradle. Have been a big fan of LMH since Boys Before Flowers and he sure grows with each project. I like the direction of this drama, I can see why they keep the title City Hunter, even though it is really different from the manga, but his character is somewhat similar, the playboy underground... Can't wait...
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25 Lahlita
June 6, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Wow, JB. I knew you liked Lee Min-ho, but you're a straight-up fangirl (fan-noona?)! It's hilarious!
I haven't yet started watching this because of busyness, but I read the recaps religiously. The boy is aces. While watching BOF I was certainly that I'd never watched a more hilarious crock of stupid shit in my life. But I enjoyed it nonetheless and I LOVED Lee Min-ho so hard. I might have to forgo sleep and get my Min-ho on. Speaking of sleep, when do you sleep? Recapping four/five dramas, a variety show, and still translating interviews and behind-the-scenes stuff? Are you ... God?
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Ju Ina-sshi
June 7, 2011 at 5:30 AM
Are you?
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Lahlita
June 7, 2011 at 1:25 PM
LOL. No, I'm not God, although I see how one can make that mistake when faced with my awesomeness. :-D
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