Park Jin-hee and Song Il-kook headline new drama

56 September 28, 2011September 28, 2011

by girlfriday

Yay, Park Jin-hee is coming back to dramaland! The star of Giant and The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry has signed on to headline a new cable drama opposite Song Il-kook (Crime Squad). Song has been considering the role and other names have been bandied about for the lead actress, but both are now confirmed to star.

The drama is called Fermentation Family or Balhyo Gajok, which is just the weirdest title ever. But now that a character description is in for Park Jin-hee, it starts to make a little more sense (it still sounds horrible though). She’ll be playing a naturally gifted chef who dreams of becoming the chef of the best fusion restaurant in Korea. But the reality is that she’s the cook in a tiny neighborhood joint with bizarre local clientele, including hotheaded gangsters like the one played by Song Il-kook.

The story is about the unlikely family that forms among the people who are connected through this neighborhood eatery. So fermentation can be literal, like with many Korean foods (kimchi, soybean paste), and it can also be figurative, as in “raising a family.” I just wish it were a better-sounding word in English. “Family” also takes on a double meaning if it refers to the mobster family as well as the bizarro family that forms around the leads.

This drama comes from the PD-writer team behind Mawang / The Devil and Rebirth / Resurrection, PD Park Chan-hong and writer Kim Ji-woo. Those aren’t exactly light and fluffy dramas, which makes me think that this might skew towards the dark thriller type of drama. That’s what I thought initially with the writer, director, and Song Il-kook. But the premise as it sounds now seems to center on Park Jin-hee’s character, and on her restaurant as the focal point for this ragtag family. And to me, ragtag family sounds comical (and awesome). It’s anyone’s guess which way it’ll go.

Fermentation Family premieres December 7 on jTBC.

Via Star News

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Tags: Park Jin-hee, Song Il-kook

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1 Soom

September 28, 2011 at 10:07 AM

I love her!

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2 Shara

September 28, 2011 at 10:08 AM

Yay for Park Jin Hee!

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3 Y

September 28, 2011 at 10:24 AM

Sounds good :D

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4 jomo143

September 28, 2011 at 10:35 AM

I like her. She is cool.
After seeing her all heavy in Giant, fun would be fun.

I don't know him, but I see he was in a movie with CSW.

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5 msim

September 28, 2011 at 10:42 AM

PJH could just bring her beauty, but my impression is she also brings brains and integrity to her work. She doesn't over/under act - she's really subtle.

Plus I can't resist a film or drama set in a café or restaurant, add a female chef and some ridiculous mobster-hi-jinks - it could be the hit of the year (fingers crossed).
Who am I kidding? If she is in it, I'll watch it even if it's dismal - but I'd rather it weren't.

p.s. The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry is a criminally under-rated show (Kim Boo Ki!).

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Dux

September 28, 2011 at 5:20 PM

I love that drama too. Park Jin Hee acting in that drama was fantastic, funny but not the slap stick type. Her other two best friends were also great.

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6 cartmann

September 28, 2011 at 10:47 AM

Whatever it is, this drama just got better...

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7 Kiara

September 28, 2011 at 10:53 AM

Woooooo now thats an interesting pair. I'm liking it.

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8 Noelle

September 28, 2011 at 11:09 AM

I don't know if its just me or what but doesn't he look, a little bit anyway, like Senior Chang from Community?

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Shiku

September 28, 2011 at 12:36 PM

The only similarity between the two is their hairstyle, everything else is very different.

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ionizable

September 28, 2011 at 7:41 PM

can't unsee!!!!!

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9 Bellamafia

September 28, 2011 at 11:37 AM

wow.. another cable drama!

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glace

September 28, 2011 at 2:51 PM

yeah, just like Padam Padam...this channel must really be investing...

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10 Arhazivory

September 28, 2011 at 11:53 AM

If its the peeps who did Rebirth, then I'm definitely jumping on that ship.

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Tha

September 28, 2011 at 9:33 PM

RIGHT?!?!?!? And I love both PJH and SIK!!!! Im so in!!!!

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11 Biscuit

September 28, 2011 at 12:10 PM

LOL. The drama description makes me excited for all the possible similarities that could happen. And there's two of my favorite actors <3

Just imagine Song being a mobster leading over the boys talking like Jumong and waiving a stick around like it was his sword. *Sigh* I love that drama...

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Biscuit

September 28, 2011 at 12:12 PM

*Not "similarities", I meant "possibilities".

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12 Nun-Gun

September 28, 2011 at 12:11 PM

This sounds interesting. I love Park Jin-hee. She's a very underrated actress. I thought she did a great job in Giant but was kinda mad that the other chick (forgot her name) was getting all the attention. :-/

Song Il Kook's recent dramas have not been so good. Hopefully this one is a hit for him because Crime Squad and A Man called God were absolutely dreadful.

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Shiku

September 28, 2011 at 12:41 PM

*shudder* the horror that was a Man called God. I usually don't skip scenes but with this drama I skipped scenes plus whole episodes.

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Jaeminuf

September 28, 2011 at 7:06 PM

Once I made it through the initial shock of the first few episodes, I started appreciating it for its unintended camp factor. Sort of the way people watch 1 star films on mute at some local gay fundraiser shindig with the local drag queen and her sidekick narrating over the visuals.

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13 Cam

September 28, 2011 at 12:16 PM

Ooooo, how interesting =)

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14 kaleido

September 28, 2011 at 12:19 PM

is it a rom-com? I am confused especially if it's from the PD-writer team who did Rebirth and the Devil... those 2 dramas are some serious stuff.... since the Devil being one of my all time favorite.. i am definitely tune in for this one... I actually like both of the lead.. it'll be interesting.

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15 Auntiemame

September 28, 2011 at 12:30 PM

A very slight resemblance to Japanese drama, Shinya Shokudo, which I loved?

http://withs2.com/view/shinya-shokudo
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Shinya_Shokudo

With that production crew and the two stars, this already sounds like a winner.

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16 Cynthia

September 28, 2011 at 12:59 PM

Song Il-Guk?! One of my all-time favorite actors (in sageuks - his other projects just reeked!) - he really needs a good drama to invigorate his career.

When I first read the description of Fermentation Family (btw, it sounds okay to my Eng. ears) I thought that they had renamed the upcoming drama about that rice wine (makgulli?) family. Guess not. Between kimchi and rice wine, the two casts should get together for a block party!

Anyway - Song Il-Guk! Woot!!

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ahjummabunny

September 29, 2011 at 5:15 AM

lol block party!

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17 Rossi

September 28, 2011 at 1:28 PM

My lady is back?! WOOTZ! PARTAYYYY!

Subbing gods...please make this happen!

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18 jossy

September 28, 2011 at 2:11 PM

oh man, Cable channels are on a roll yo! This sounds good and the leads I simply adore!! Can I get Korean cable here in NZ now pleeeease :)

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19 YBisTOP

September 28, 2011 at 2:24 PM

Another family drama? I don't think family dramas attract over sea viewers but hopefully this one will.. because Song Il Gook, my baby, is the leading man. :)

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Ani

September 28, 2011 at 8:03 PM

I love Song Il-Gook too. I swear he's the grown up version of kevjumba - physically I mean. HAHAHA. He's our resident Doraemon, just like Song Ji-hyo said.

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20 Carinne

September 28, 2011 at 2:38 PM

Park Jin-hee's beauty always reminds me of Taiwan actress Brigitte Lin. I'm anticipating BL's comeback on the silver screen.

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Jaeminuf

September 28, 2011 at 7:07 PM

Ooh, I totally see the similarity between PJH and Brigitte Lin. LOVE the latter! Bride with White Hair! Woot!

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Steamy Bun

September 29, 2011 at 7:45 PM

Now that you mention it, they ARE quite similar.

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Jaeminuf

October 1, 2011 at 10:51 PM

OK, you just made me eBay Bride with White Hair DVD. (I have the VHSs of BwWH 1 & 2, but hadn't made the transition to DVD for those.)

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21 ahjummabunny

September 28, 2011 at 2:57 PM

pak jin hee ssi pan ga wa! I really like her. I hope this isn't a brain number 2 with cast changes every few days.

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22 Sylvia

September 28, 2011 at 3:05 PM

Yay, it sounds great! I love her - and I don't know him, but the writer is awesome. The concept could be very interesting indeed!

It'll make a nice change from all those flower boy restaurants. ;-)

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23 trixicopper

September 28, 2011 at 3:33 PM

SIG? I'd watch him tie his shoes. My first Kdrama crush. Way back in EOTS. Looking forward to this. :)

The Devil & Resurrection? Two of my all time favorites. :)

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24 supah

September 28, 2011 at 4:24 PM

Oh, her name had been tied with a cable sageuk so when I read somewhere she was confirmed for a cable drama I instantly thought it was that.
Sounds good, I agree with other commentors, thus far it is sounding Shinya Shokudo-esque and I liked that show, a lot. But will they have Jo Odagiri sat quietly in a corner of the cafe making peanut abacuses? Probably not. :(
Not the greatest Song Il-gook fancier, but I like her, have heard raves about the writer-PD tandem. 'S all win.

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25 ck1Oz

September 28, 2011 at 4:43 PM

Man that is a new channel and they have all the hot new dramas.Isn't it only operational from Dec?

Padam with JWS and Kim Bum on 5th Dec and this on the 7th.Wow...they have the $$$$ huh?

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26 laya

September 28, 2011 at 5:43 PM

Shin-young and Jumong :D

I hope this is good, because I love them both! :D

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27 Abbie

September 28, 2011 at 6:06 PM

This sounds really cool!

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28 aX

September 28, 2011 at 6:09 PM

I so approve of this pairing!!!

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29 Mari

September 28, 2011 at 6:29 PM

FINALLY! A drama with awesome leads!!! Ever since Scent of a Woman ended, I had no dramas to really look forward to (note, those with LEGIT A-list veteran actors and actresses). The plot hints look excellent! :)

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30 red

September 28, 2011 at 6:32 PM

totally excited about this...all i seem to hear about is cable dramas

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31 sunshine

September 28, 2011 at 6:37 PM

Waaay excited about this. Awesome writer-director duo as well as awesome actors. That plus a fun-sounding story? I'm so in.

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32 babyfat

September 28, 2011 at 6:42 PM

wow !! I love her and a great fan of Song . I can see the chemistry. can't wait a great drama during the cold weather season in the States

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33 Jaeminuf

September 28, 2011 at 7:11 PM

OMG, this drama is just about perfect on paper.

Great Actors - Check!
I anticipate PJH & SIG having awesome chemistry!

Great Writing - Check!
Great Directing - Check!
And Rebirth - one of my faves!

Quite possibly great soundtrack, since the Rebirth OST still remains one of my faves.

kiyaaaaaaaaaaaaa! O JOYS JOYS O JOYS!

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34 dulcedeleche

September 28, 2011 at 7:29 PM

hmm it'd be great if it had a vibe similar to Bad Family.

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35 jen

September 28, 2011 at 8:11 PM

dang this is cable's year!

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36 celest1al

September 29, 2011 at 12:04 AM

The PD-writer, SIK +PJH... I am looking forward to this.

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37 JEYEF

September 29, 2011 at 7:29 AM

Darn! The girl is back!
Been waiting for ages, she's been in a hiatus this year.
After the back to back movies and dramas last year.
Now my long wait is over. ^__^

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38 comradeS

September 29, 2011 at 8:21 AM

I love Song Il-kook, Park Jin-hee, and Resurrection/Rebirth has been my favorite K-drama thus far.... therefore, this is my most anticipated cable drama. Yay!!!

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39 Dramamia

September 29, 2011 at 9:41 AM

The first time I have a good feeling about Song's leading lady. This drama doesn't sound dark or horror. But why December 07? Will they finish the shooting before airing?

Looking forward to Fermented Family! Woot!

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40 Steamy Bun

September 29, 2011 at 7:42 PM

OOH! It's very rare that I get excited about the premise of a drama. Usually I just go for whatever my favorite actors are doing. But this just sounds like it could be so good. Unlikely families forming around an eatery is one of those great classic themes. And we can expect lots of gratuitous shots of food.