Dating Agency: Cyrano releases first stills
by javabeans
How ’bout some new stills from Dating Agency: Cyrano, the upcoming rom-com from tvN? We’ve seen posters and teaser videos, but the drama just released its first stills today, featuring its lead star Lee Jong-hyuk as the gruff boss of the theater troupe–turned–dating agency, which stages encounters designed to put its lovelorn clientele in the best possible light before the objects of their affection.
Since Lee Jong-hyuk follows Uhm Tae-woong’s character from the movie, and like him this character will be sharp, decisive, and cynical… until he meets his romantic match, perhaps? I ask that as a question because there appears to be no Lee Min-jung character in this drama; Sooyoung will be playing the lead, but her character seems rather different from the ladies of the film.
In the stills below, Lee Jong-hyuk hides behind a newspaper and wears a trench coat, which is universal dramaspeak for spying. Which he’ll be doing a lot of during his recon rounds in preparation for engineering his romantic scenarios.
The drama has also lined up a cameo appearance by Lee Yoon-ji (The King 2 Hearts, The Great Seer), who’ll have a three-episode spot playing half of a couple who’d hired the dating agency. (The other half will be played by Im Hyung-joon of Third Ward and I Am the King.)
Meanwhile, the other set of stills features Sooyoung, who’ll display a “lively romanticism” as a new employee and couples counselor. Ha, that ought to lead to some clashes with our gruff romance-engineer-who-doesn’t-believe-in-romance.
I’ve always thought the concept of Cyrano Dating Agency was perfect for a drama; the movie idea was golden, just not perfectly executed. (Cyrano’s a classic for a reason!) Mind you, I’m not saying the movie should be stretched into 16 episodes (horrors—it was pretty slow in spots), but there’s a great premise if the world were expanded to include more clients and manufactured meet-cutes instead of centering around just one couple. In that sense it makes sense for a drama to focus on the agency and its goings-on, and developing the central conflict in a more complex way. Plus it’s tvN, which seems to be the only station producing half-decent romantic comedies these days.
Dating Agency: Cyrano will run for 16 episodes and premieres on Monday, May 27.
Via Hankook Ilbo, TV Report, FN News
RELATED POSTS
- Poster and teasers for Dating Agency: Cyrano
- The flower boys join tvN’s Dating Agency: Cyrano
- Lee Jong-hyuk headlines next tvN Flower Boy series
- Lee Yoon-ji joins The Great Seer, Go Soo leaves
- Lee Yoon-ji gets in touch with her inner princess
- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 1
- Cyrano Dating Agency releases additional posters
Tags: cable programs, Dating Agency Cyrano, Lee Jong-hyuk, Lee Yoon-ji
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1 verte
May 13, 2013 at 4:07 AM
Oh gosh, I don't like the hair of the guy at the left in the last pic :((
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
May 13, 2013 at 7:53 AM
I don't like Sooyoung's hair either, that red+waves looks ratty. I get that she's supposed to have imperfect hair as part of her character, but I wish they'd done it another way.
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Annie
May 13, 2013 at 10:33 AM
For me the biggest issue is the clash with her complexion. They should have gone for something more vibrant or stuck with black... which, you know, always works on Asians.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
May 13, 2013 at 12:04 PM
yeah, all the girls in her group have blonde/red hair now, and it works on some of them (Hyoyeon) and not so well on others - she looked fabulous when her hair was darker, I wish she'd just go back to that.
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Jo
May 13, 2013 at 12:53 PM
really?! I love love love Sooyoung's hair! I would like it if it had more gloss (as in, if it looked more glossy) but I think it looks adorable.
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KDR
May 13, 2013 at 7:36 PM
I have red wavy/curly hair.. =.="
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
May 14, 2013 at 7:20 AM
awww, I don't have anything against red wavy hair, it's just Sooyoung's that doesn't suit her lol. If you've got a shade that doesn't clash with your skin tone and maintain it nicely, I'm sure it's gorgeous!
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ravens_nest
May 13, 2013 at 11:25 PM
Yea, that middle part is damn near offensive at this point. Somebody red card that stylist, stat!
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2 Belle3005
May 13, 2013 at 4:08 AM
I can't wait for this to be out so that I can watch it already! :D
tvN has had a pretty decent track record so far. AND WE HAVE CHUNDERELLA TOO! :3
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Jacqueline
May 13, 2013 at 4:14 AM
Chunderella <3
hope his character will be funny
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3 verte
May 13, 2013 at 4:08 AM
But thank you JB :D
I'm going to watch this <3
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4 Nat
May 13, 2013 at 4:11 AM
Oh my God, what have they done to Jonghyun?! T_T
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5 rhiaa
May 13, 2013 at 4:24 AM
Eek! Lee Jong-hyuk, I can't wait! And it's in what, two weeks?! Yaaaaaayyy
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6 jheart
May 13, 2013 at 4:24 AM
Thank you so much!
I hope this drama will be as good as expected :x
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7 Carmensitta
May 13, 2013 at 4:34 AM
Finally a drama that stays 16 episodes.All these long dramas get me tired. Plus I love the premise of this drama, can't wait!
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8 Ivoire
May 13, 2013 at 4:40 AM
Thank you for the news!
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9 pandaren
May 13, 2013 at 5:06 AM
wow
looks so fresh , I think it will be fun watching this one!..
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10 ilikehim
May 13, 2013 at 5:09 AM
Why doesnt Lee Jong Hyuk gel his hair up like the poster in the actual drama?! Bait and switch!
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11 snow_white
May 13, 2013 at 5:17 AM
Looking forward to this.....
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12 Kay
May 13, 2013 at 6:29 AM
I'm iffy about Soo Young in the lead ....i wish dramaland would stop casting idols all the time, what are actual actresses suppose to do....anyway, I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, lets hope this adds some comedy to a rather dry drama season this year
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Mystisith
May 13, 2013 at 8:11 AM
Seriously people, can I suggest you stop putting everyone in the same bag and check before writing such comments. Yes, 90% of the idols are bad actors and NO she is not one of them: She is a natural actress. Check The 3rd Ward and the comments of the viewers & you'll realize that everyone agreed on the fact that she delivered impressivelly, even if Show had big flaws.
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Kay
May 13, 2013 at 10:04 AM
I repeat.
"anyway, I shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover"
*rolling eyes*...i suggest you chill out.
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Annie
May 13, 2013 at 10:43 AM
MTE.
Idols are a no-no and yet very often the same people will turn around and salivate over pretty boy models who are just as bad as, if not worse than, idols. (*cough* Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin *cough*)
Evaluating on a case by case basis is the only sane way to approach dramaland.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
May 13, 2013 at 12:02 PM
pretty boy models who are just as bad as, if not worse than, idols.
I was going to agree with this, until I saw this
(*cough* Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin *cough*)
Using those two as examples of 'bad' acting is like shooting yourself in the foot, particularly after School 2013 - and Ryu Hyoyoung is actually good in that, idol or no.
(and even at their worst in their previous weekend/daily dramas, LJS and KWB have yet to come even close to, say, Taecyeon in terms of sucking at acting)
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Annie
May 13, 2013 at 12:06 PM
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, pogo. I don't see any talent whatsoever, just posing and fanservice. What they do have is good screen presence and I don't preclude them from possibly improving in the future.
Taecyeon occupies his own special category of incompetence. Saying that Kim Woo Bin and Lee Jong Suk are better doesn't mean much by comparison.
Annie
May 13, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Again, jmho. We'll have to see in 5 or so years where they'll be.
Jo
May 13, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Really?! I think Lee Jong Seok and Kim Woo Bin were great in School 2013. Not stellar, but definitely legitimate, believable actors. I also like Soo Young. I understand the "feels" toward idols, because I definitely feel this way when I see idols in such large roles, but I would say Sooyoung is one of the exceptions.
pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
May 13, 2013 at 1:53 PM
Annie - there are good idol actors out there (Sooyoung's ok, but in her age bracket I also really like IU, Eunjung, Jung Eun-ji and L) and there are a lot more bad ones who get jobs because of their looks/popularity.
I'd understand the 'just posing and fanservice' part if you're basing that opinion on their previous dramas, which didn't require as much of them, acting-wise. But I've seen posing and fanservice in dramas, and imo School 2013 (and LJS/KWB's performances) does not fall into that category.
A lot of credit obviously goes to the writers who took some brave decisions with the loveline omissions - and I agree that Taecyeon and the Dream High idol cast (barring Eunjung and IU) are a REALLY low bar to set, plus KWB may be in danger of getting stereotyped as a young thug with a heart of gold, but each character he plays is different enough to be distinct - and that is not the result of mere screen presence and prettiness alone.
Moko
May 14, 2013 at 10:15 AM
" Dream High idol cast (barring Eunjung and IU) are a REALLY low bar to set"
Let's give them a chance like Annie said. In 5 years or so we'll see. After all even Suzy got better.
pigtookie
May 13, 2013 at 8:42 AM
yeah it's pretty common now to doubt idols, and for good reason. i'm glad you're willing to give it a try and see for yourself.
though an idol, i see her more as a rookie actress. i think she has lots of room to improve but she's on the right track, by not overdoing it. this project will see to it if she grows or not. i've only seen her in bits of third ward, in which she was not bad, and in snsd commercials, and she seems to be the least awkward one and has screen presence, along with yoona, but hey what can you tell from a commercial :)
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hili
May 13, 2013 at 1:49 PM
I agree i think both Sooyoung and Yoona have a lot of potential and screen presence! I think they are being overlooked for the fact they are from SNSD and people either love or hate that group! That said Yuri and Jessica should never attempt again!
But i watched Sooyoung in Third Hospital and she did well!
Also Yoona was like the only interesting thing about Love Rain- i thought she was charismatic and loveable !
I hope Sooyoung proves she is lead actress material!
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Makoto
May 13, 2013 at 8:20 PM
I watched The Third Ward, too. And I liked Soo Young since then, her character was good. She wasn't the famous second lead who's spoiled, arrogant etc. That's why I am eager to watch her again in another drama. :D
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hapacalgirl
May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
i havent seen Sooyoung's previous drama so I have no opinion on her but Yoona is mediocre at best and is really dull on screen, the opposite of having screen presence. She was this little spitfire with potenitial on 9 ends 2 outs and over the years that potential hasn't been anywhere to be seen. Now I really like Yoona at as a person, so this is not blind hate or being critical because she is an idol especially considering i was first exposed to her as a newbie actress before her SNSD days, but an actual expression of disappointment in that she hasn't improved in the least over the years. I don't think she is a lost cause, but if she genuinely wants to become better at acting she needs to take a significant break from SNSD, take acting classes and really practice and learn then try acting again.
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13 red
May 13, 2013 at 6:34 AM
Please don't disappoint me! I'm looking so forward to you!
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Moko
May 14, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Yey...I'm also hoping.
By the way - can Sooyoung act?
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14 lily
May 13, 2013 at 7:08 AM
-shallow comment-
sooyoung's nosejob is really distracting.. it's the first thing I notice whenever I see her face.
/shallow comment
this looks cool! I love tvn dramas. There's something very.. indie? about them.
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Faye
May 13, 2013 at 7:18 AM
Nosejob? How dare you?! Don't you know that all GG members are One Hundred Percent All-Natural Beauties(TM), and have never had any work done, not even so much as a blow-dry? Jealous hater!
Ahem, sorry. Still recovering from the lecture I received this weekend from a GG fan when I dared to mention something about getting work done.
Getting back on topic, I agree with you that tvn shows have an almost indie feel. Not in the "trying so hard to be cool, but end up being plotless and pointless" sense, but in the "we're going to give you an entertaining show but still make it quirky and cool and unique" way. I'll give this a try.
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iamdeb
May 13, 2013 at 10:39 AM
LMAO *dead*
This is my first time seeing her (I don't really follow K-pop, only dramas) and although I automatically assume she has had PS, her nose doesn't look that unnatural at all to me. There are some korean actresses I've seen that look so unnaturally pretty that I can barely look at them. It's sad to me.
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ilikehim
May 13, 2013 at 11:31 AM
I think So Young is one of the more natural looking ones in GG.
And I reckon Nam Gyu Ri would be one of them "so unnaturally pretty" actresses..
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Jo
May 13, 2013 at 12:57 PM
It's annoying how people bring up plastic surgery when it has nothing to do with the drama. I acknowledge your "shallow" comment as shallow and see it as unnecessary as well.
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Annie
May 13, 2013 at 1:39 PM
Uh... This drama hasn't even aired yet. We have nothing to judge by other than "shallow" and superficious thing such as the casting, how their hair looks, their fashion sense, plastic surgery, etc.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
May 13, 2013 at 7:51 AM
The amount of work all the SNSD girls (with the possible exceptions of Yuri, Seohyun and Yoona, not saying they haven't had anything done - only that it's better done) have had on their faces is distracting whenever they appear on a drama these days.
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15 goldeng
May 13, 2013 at 7:48 AM
TvN?? Nuff said! Im gonna watch!!
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16 ♪♪ ♥ bu bu jing xin cured♥ ♪♪
May 13, 2013 at 7:49 AM
I slept through the movie version on the plane twice - 2 way trip... but I'll give the drama a chance since it has my favorite guys in it!
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17 minhye
May 13, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Aahhhkkkk junsu appa .. can't wait to see u
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~Feather~
May 13, 2013 at 2:12 PM
APPA EODIGA FTW!!!! :D
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18 Mama J
May 13, 2013 at 9:06 AM
More of Lee Jong-Hyuk in my eyes and more of Lee Jong-Hyuk's voice in my ears can never be a bad thing.
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19 nakai
May 13, 2013 at 9:07 AM
I like Junsu appa's floppy hair.
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20 hipployta
May 13, 2013 at 9:56 AM
All I see is Lee Jong Hyuk...and that terrible outfit on the left and Sungjong's hat on the right
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mysticmalady
May 13, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Hong Jonghyun's outfit makes him look so much shorter than he actually is (>1.8m) and I don't get how feathers on a cap is actually a trendy item.
Still...super excited for another cute romcom by tvN!
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21 Abbie
May 13, 2013 at 10:35 AM
Everything I hear about this show, makes me more and more excited. Can't wait!
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22 Nicole
May 13, 2013 at 10:43 AM
Wow, the man candy in this drama is pretty fantastic.
Guy on the far left...keep slouching in your weird fashion sense, but I've got my eye on you.
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23 myungsoohyungsik
May 13, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Gaah... why does sooyoung look so fake in the poster stills?
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24 tonbotomoe
May 13, 2013 at 1:51 PM
I like the premise. Sooyoung is cute and I've been hearing that she's the best actress in GG so I'll give her a try.
However, I'll catch this for Lee Chun Hee *drools* *dies*
He was too good in Conspiracy in the Court so I will follow him everywhere.
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25 brian
May 13, 2013 at 3:53 PM
I haven't seen 3rd Ward but I was watching A Gentleman's Dignity and there was a cameo by Soo Young, and she seemed very friendly and nice. The four guy friends all had a laugh when the attorney friend danced some sort of dance with her. I guess she's in some sort of kpop group, from the way you guys are calling her an Idol.
I happened to see Fashion King and Wild Romance and the people you mentioned didn't seem to be horrible actresses, but mostly they were beaten down by the poor writing of those dramas. In fact, all of the actors seemed to lose out with the writing of those shows. In Wild Romance in general, the plotting continually shocked and confused me.
So while acting is of course important, I find that plotting and writing are even more important. Witty dialogue, logical plots that make sense always make things more satisfying. For instance, in Fashion King, the main character gets shipwrecked somewhere in Mexico, and with extremely limited funds and limited English, somehow makes it to New York City in record time without severe sunburn, dehydration, no ratty beard and decent hair, in record time, without being arrested and deported by ICE. No one can act their way out of a impossible plotline.
So back on subject, I love rom/coms so I'll have to give this a try, even if Soo Young is a member of some sort of Idol group.
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lavelyshai
May 13, 2013 at 6:54 PM
The lead in this drama, Sooyoung is in Girls' Generation and is the best actress(besides YoonA) in the group. You should watch Third Hospital, it was really good. She did really good in that one.
Ugh! Let's no mention Fashion King lol That drama was just terrible and not even the best actor could have saved it. In fact, Sooyoung's SNSD member played Choi Anna, Kwon Yuri. In Wild Romance(another bad one), Jessica(another Soshi member) was in it. Even if Yuri & Sica aren't the best actresses, the writing on those two dramas was just bad. FK could have been good, but it seemed like the writer didn't know which way they wanted the plot to go.
DAC is based on the webtoon of the same name and is considered a prequel to the movie.
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26 varms
May 13, 2013 at 5:53 PM
After seeing all these stills, I am most definitely watching this drama! Yata!
And you're so right in saying that TVN is producing all the half decent romcom dramas these days. I really enjoyed Flower Boy Next Door and I Need Romance 2!!
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27 greenie
May 13, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Can't wait!!! I'm absolutely loving these tvn dramas, perfect blend of comedy and romance, hope they keep it up with this one!
Anyways, so while anticipating this, I checked out Romance Zero, sorta similar premise, and I absolutely loved it!
It's got such adorable scenarios, each episode features a new couple and everything is just so awesome!
Tonewise, it reminded me a lot of Evasive Enquiry Agency with its subtle comedy and immensely endearing characters :)
I hope Cyrano Dating Agency does as good, if not, better a job! I can't wait to see all the couples and see them fall in love, and the antics of this team that includes such smexy actors (i'm lookin' at you Mr Lee Jong Hyuk...)
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28 lavelyshai
May 13, 2013 at 6:58 PM
I've been excited since it was announced Sooyoung was cast in this one. When I watch her acting, I forget that she's an idol. I'm glad people are giving this one a chance despite her being the lead.
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29 pinktape
May 13, 2013 at 7:08 PM
I never had a big expectation for tvN's romantic comedies but they always turned out to be better than I expected! (Reply 1997, all flower boy series)
I don't have a big expectation for this too, since the movie didn't really impress me (it was enjoyable, but wasn't enough to make me spazz over it). But I will hold the judgement until this drama airs.
Oh, and I agree that producers need to stop casting idols as leads because I don't think it's fair for actual actors/actresses out there who can do a much better job than them. It's fun to see your favorite idols on screen, doing something different than usual, but it's starting to get me on my nerves.
I love Sooyoung though (so much), since I'm a GG hardcore fan.
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30 amareally
May 14, 2013 at 8:00 AM
After I watched Appa Oedigga, now when I see Lee Jong Hyuk's face I always seem to imagin Lee Jun Su's bright smile asking "wae? (why)?" over and over again just to annoy him ^___^
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