Hong Sisters’ new rom-com-horror drama confirms leads
by javabeans
Since this pairing had been rumored for a while, it’s not a huge surprise to hear that Gong Hyo-jin and So Ji-sub have both officially signed on to headline the new Hong Sisters drama Master’s Sun. (By the way, we’re talking about Hong Mi-ran and Hong Jung-eun, the Best Love and You’re Beautiful duo, not Hong Jin-ah and Hong Ja-ram, the Beethoven Virus and The King 2 Hearts duo.)
The show has an intriguing-sounding premise in that it’s a romantic comedy with horror elements; following an accident, the heroine becomes able to see ghosts. She feels cast off by the world and has lost hope in herself, which contrasts sharply with the self-centered and haughty hero who learns to (presumably) mature as a human being. Her “gloomy and quick to tears” heroine sounds a bit dire, but since it’s the Hong Sisters I do expect the dolor to be undercut with comedy; for instance, Gong’s character is too afraid to sleep at nights, which I foresee posing a problem since she has a full-time day job as a secretary. So Ji-sub plays the company president who sees people in terms of monetary worth. Can you imagine her falling asleep at crucial office moments? Hilarious.
This means Gong Hyo-jin will be the writer pair’s star for the second time, after playing a washed-up former idol in Best Love, which is good news; she has a lovely groundedness to her acting that actually works very well with the Hong Sisters’ brand of absurdity. It worked particularly well in Best Love, because no matter how insane Cha Seung-won got (and he got pretty wacky), her emotional throughline felt real. Gong explained being drawn to the project for its blend of irony and horror, which I hope is an aspect that gets full mileage — I LOVED the horror quirk of Arang and the Magistrate and was sad when it went away.
So Ji-sub is one of those actors I’ve been wanting to see tackling more comedy for a while now, just because he’s got such a heavy, melodramatic image. He hasn’t gotten in touch with his softer side in years, so either he’ll be really rusty at it, OR he’ll be unexpectedly fresh and surprise us with a little-before-seen goofy side. Hey, it totally worked for Cha Seung-won and Kim Tae-hee. If he manages to really sell the part of the guy who “gets intoxicated on the sight and sound of himself,” how hilarious would that be?
With PD Jin Hyuk of City Hunter and Prosecutor Princess also attached, so far Master’s Sun sounds pretty promising, even if it does sound an awful lot like Chilling Romance. At least he’s not a magician who conjures ghosts this time too. Truth be told, if not for the colossal suckage that was Big, I’d be a lot more excited about this. But I’m not about to write off anybody for one flop, especially when their work has given me so many hours of enjoyment otherwise, so I’ll be approaching with enthusiasm, albeit muted.
Master’s Sun will air on SBS in August.
Via Kuki News
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Tags: Gong Hyo-jin, Hong sisters, Master's Sun, So Ji-sub
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1 maldita
April 26, 2013 at 8:11 PM
So excited too see So Jisub tackling a different role than he usually does.
On the other hand, I'm apprehensive of this drama. Hopefully it doesn't crash and burn horribly like Big did.
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Sarah2
April 26, 2013 at 10:36 PM
You managed to recover from fantasy couple, I'm sure recovering from big is no problem at all.
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Sur
April 27, 2013 at 8:16 AM
yeah i was thinking of watching both the dramas big and fantasy couple only hong sisters i've not watched and also hong gil dong which one should i watch please help :)
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harukogirl
June 14, 2013 at 6:24 PM
See, I loved fantasy couple....but I'm also a big fan of the original "Over Board" movie it was based on...
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antonia
April 27, 2013 at 6:43 PM
love fantasy couple! one of my hong sis faves :)
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im_eve
April 28, 2013 at 1:17 AM
Fa-HI-NALLY! funny so ji sub (w/c i "kinda" saw glimpses of in Ghost") ftw!
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2 birdscout
April 26, 2013 at 8:18 PM
Cautiously excited :)
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3 geesdoubleyou
April 26, 2013 at 8:22 PM
please dont flop like Big did ._____.
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dani305
April 28, 2013 at 2:28 AM
Nothing can suck like Big did. I didn't even watch an episode of that one. So Ji Sub!! I'm in for the 1st ep.
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4 Wendilynn
April 26, 2013 at 8:26 PM
cautiously exciting. I'm not fond of our heroine. I really didn't like her in Best Love. I just couldn't connect with her and our hero has that "look" of someone who is in love with himself. So, we'll see what the Hong Sisters give us. I'm intrigued.
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korazylady
April 27, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Wendilynn, I'm wondering, since there are so many people who seem to love her, if Best Love was the first thing you've seen her in? Because it was for me, and I didn't care for her at all. I was thinking maybe if I had a history with her and had seen her in some other things, I would have taken to her more in BL.
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Jo
April 27, 2013 at 5:36 PM
watch her movies. They are entertaining and make me love her.
I also love how she delivers her lines. As a native Korean, perhaps its a nuance that can particularly be appreciated as a native speaker/someone who has a good grasp of the Korean language. I noticed that many many subbers just lose so much of the humor and subtleties (esp. since the English language doesn't distinguish between jondae and banmal/formal and informal. It makes a world of a difference sometimes)
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korfan
April 27, 2013 at 11:46 PM
Jo -
Her line delivery is something I find truly special about this actress ..... and I say this as a non-Korean language speaker, which is interesting on my part I suppose.
I don't know what it is, but even through subtitles (which, you're right, I'm sure they miss so much), I can tell there is nuance, subtlety, formality or not, especially when she's speaking. Gong Hyo-jin is just great!
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arina
June 2, 2013 at 12:32 PM
watch her in Crush (movie)..and watch her in Thank you with Jang hyuk.. shes one of a few good actress in korea..
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jayne
May 5, 2013 at 7:20 AM
Looks like we're the only ones who aren't so in love with the heroine. I know exactly how you feel. I tried so hard to like both leads in Best Love finishing the whole series, but somehow I just failed to connect with them. Before that, I tried Pasta and City Hall. I 'm a big fan of LSG and KSA, but I almost scream in frustation because I just couldn't connect with the other leads.
Oh well, maybe three time's the charm. I'm willing to give another try since I admire works of SJS.
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5 Eliza
April 26, 2013 at 8:26 PM
I haven't felt this excited for a drama in a long time! I love Gong Hyo Jin!
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trotwood
April 27, 2013 at 2:06 AM
I love her, too. She has that quality about her that I like her in everything--even in shows that I do not like playing hcaracters that I do not like. She is one of those actresses I fell like I could be friends with in real life.
And So Ji Sub smiling at me *cough* on screen?!?! I'll be making sure my blood pressure medication is at the ready.
I have not been this excited about a drama in awhlie. Bring on the grown ups!
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KDaddict
April 27, 2013 at 5:32 AM
Love Gong Hyo Jin! 1 of 5 K actresses I'm always glad to see on screen!
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Sur
April 27, 2013 at 8:18 AM
true i'm excited for this one because of her she is just amazing in whatever she does
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Lilly
April 29, 2013 at 1:30 AM
Well, well, well. Things are looking up.
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6 Chizzy girl
April 26, 2013 at 8:28 PM
"rom-com-HORROR drama"....i had make sure i wouldn't be watching this at NIGHT...i learnt my lesson from watching ARANG and the MAGISTRATE during late hours...
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jomo143
April 27, 2013 at 6:11 AM
Me, too. That show, with any of the evil mom scenes, made me want to check under my bed, in my closet and leave a light on.
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Sur
April 27, 2013 at 8:18 AM
haha same here
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7 snow_white
April 26, 2013 at 8:29 PM
So excited for this :)
I love Hong Sisters and Gong Hyo jin....
Also, I love almost all of their dramas except Big and the ones I haven't seen.....
Can't wait!! (please don't disappoint us this time)
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8 sally_b
April 26, 2013 at 8:34 PM
hmmm... I find her a bit bland ...and BIG scarred me, just when I thought I liked Hong Sister's shows.
Withholding judgement until I see a few episodes... crosses fingers for a good show.
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9 sartorius
April 26, 2013 at 8:44 PM
m excited....but i agree this is sounding a little too like Chilling Romance....i want to see So Ji Sub tackle another genre.....overall m excited for this though
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10 eny
April 26, 2013 at 8:49 PM
excited about the story, let's see
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11 crazedlu
April 26, 2013 at 8:56 PM
Yunno, I'm still in recovery after Big. Gah, that crash was tragic. It took out a bunch of us.
I'm going in cautious. I think So Jisub and Gong Hyojin will make a good pair. The Hong sisters' strength is fantasy/comedy, so I'm open to liking it. I can't give up on them (I hope I never have to!) when they're the writers behind my favorite Korean drama EVER. The drama that taught me how to enjoy and value Korean entertainment.
And fine, I can't blame Big entirely on the two. I still think the cast SUCKED. Gong Yoo and Suzy included, but MOSTLY Lee Minjung. Urgh. Lee Minjung. Poor, POOR casting.
Come on, Hong sisters!
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Hazel
April 27, 2013 at 4:47 AM
Tbh, I feel like Gong Yoo got too much of a pass for Big's failure - people talked as if he did this great job and was simply dragged down by everyone else, and it's too bad he had to be associated with that mess, etc.
I mean, yeah, the writing was terrible, Lee Min-jung and Suzy were terrible, but his take on Kyung-joon was totally off and actually ERASED the nuances rookie actor Shin Won-ho had given the character. So, he was one of the problems too.
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crazedlu
April 27, 2013 at 8:30 AM
TOOOOTALLY.
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Sur
April 27, 2013 at 8:22 AM
i was having an exam at that time it aired and missed it but when i saw the reactions on DB i passed the whole drama and decided not to try it lately i was thinking of doing it but after this whole comments sections i've decided to skip it again
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12 cherkell
April 26, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Yes, cautiously optimistic as well. But if there's a scene written where SJS pulls out two turntables and a microphone, and sings his new rap song... THEN I'M IN!! :D
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13 Merry
April 26, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Think I'm gonna love this pair. Are they both fancy free? Actress is just so grounded and funny.
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14 Uhnny
April 26, 2013 at 9:22 PM
I am so excited!!!~ :D
I hope Cha Seung Won does a cameo role for this. Even as a ghost. Hahaha. :D
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ryoko
April 27, 2013 at 3:24 AM
That is an excellent idea for cameos, and not just by Cha Seung Won. We could have a whole parade of ghostly cameos by bunches of former Hong Sister actors/actresses. If only this actually happens. Quick, how do we spam the production team?
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snow_white
April 27, 2013 at 5:02 AM
this sounds great!!!
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Sur
April 27, 2013 at 8:25 AM
excellent idea... wow now i'm dreaming about all the hong sister leading men together terrifying gong hyo jin and me wishing i was in her place hehe
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Celery
April 27, 2013 at 11:57 AM
CSW needs a cameo in this. PRETTY EXCITED because I do like her, but on the other hand, I don't feel anything for SJS.
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Unnursvana
April 28, 2013 at 10:49 AM
That would be awesome. I actually want Shin Minah to make a cameo as well ^^
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15 acejihyo
April 26, 2013 at 9:27 PM
i'd practically watch anything gong hyo jin is in, but hong sisters is really the icing on the cake.
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16 mellowyel
April 26, 2013 at 9:31 PM
I want to be excited for this, but I'm getting tired of the haughty man who learns how to be a person trope, particularly of the Hong Sisters' variety. I like their writing, but I wish they'd put more effort into fleshing out their female leads.
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17 altair
April 26, 2013 at 9:34 PM
The plot sounds......not good. The leads: I like (maybe love(?) SJS. GHJ is another story. I never understood how she can be a lead in anything. But then again, I am biased towards beautiful people. I like both my leads to be drop dead gorgeous. Otherwise, I just can't bring myself to watch a drama. In this case, SJS is very good-looking and GHJ is....not. So...... next!
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Nicolette
April 26, 2013 at 11:36 PM
Wow, you sound like an awesome person. I'm glad to see that some people have their priorities in order...
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KDaddict
April 27, 2013 at 5:34 AM
1. Beauty if in the eye of beholder.
2. There is more to drama than 'drop-dead gorgeous', like acting, maybe.
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Sur
April 27, 2013 at 8:28 AM
nicely said.... i just can't stand bad acting no matter how beautiful
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anon
April 27, 2013 at 8:51 PM
wow you are a complete idiot.
gong hyo jin is attractive AND a good actress
you're missing out bitch
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pogo 🍉
October 29, 2013 at 1:17 PM
<3 this comment and its truth (six months later, but still!)
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18 Waiting
April 26, 2013 at 9:36 PM
Interesting picture...looks like he is praying for a hit, too! :P
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19 danna
April 26, 2013 at 9:41 PM
This sounds a hell lot like Chilling Romance...but I liked that movie, mostly because of Son Ye Jin's wonderful performance and therefore I think there's some hope here thanks to Gong Hyo Jin who's equally awesome...Also a fan of this PD and though I haven't seen anything with So Ji Sub, I trust the opinion of some of my favorite bloggers who love this guy.....the only problem are the Hong Sisters...will this duo bring their A game to the table or well, whatever they were playing with Big? Since their track record has been nothing but a very consistent hit or miss, I;m guessing this should be hit since the last was such a big miss....also I like the sound of the heroine....even if the hero is a cliche (bleh) at least the heroine isn't a typical candy
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cho
April 28, 2013 at 12:24 AM
Agree. This is like a drama adaptation of Chilling Romance aka Spellbound.
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20 Zareen
April 26, 2013 at 9:51 PM
I haven't liked a hong sister drama since you're beautiful so while I'm interested in seeing how this turns out, I probably won't be watching it.
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maldita
April 27, 2013 at 5:48 AM
Not even My Girlfriend is a Gumiho?
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Sur
April 27, 2013 at 8:34 AM
not even best love?
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21 Noelle
April 26, 2013 at 10:23 PM
This sounds good.
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22 anotheraddict
April 26, 2013 at 10:30 PM
I'm really looking forward to this. GHJ has long been one of my faves-- I just watched Ruler of Your Own World and fell in love with her all over again. I'm not quite as enthusiastic about SJS, but I actually think he may be really charming in a rom-com.
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ilovekimchi
April 27, 2013 at 4:21 AM
Loved ROYOW! Love GHJ! So looking forward to this....
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23 chaosgirl
April 26, 2013 at 10:43 PM
Hmm, I'm still gun shy from Big...and this doesn't have Lee Minki in it. We'll have to wait and see I guess.
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24 MeeisLee
April 26, 2013 at 11:12 PM
Looking forward to this. I've heard (and seen *.*) so much of So Ji Sub but never watched a drama or movie with him so I'm glad for this opportunity. LET THERE BE MANY BROODY SHOWER SCENES, or just any scene where he takes of his shirt *.*.
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25 Slightly excited
April 26, 2013 at 11:32 PM
I have always been a fan of Hong's sisters work even though "Big" was a let down. I do look towards this drama, just hoping it will do a much better job than Big!
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