Kim Hyun-joong offered lead in Age of Feeling
by javabeans
Remember Age of Feeling? I’m happy to have the period action melodrama back in headlines now that it’s courting a new hero—this time in Kim Hyun-joong (Playful Kiss, Boys Before Flowers). Maybe third time will be the charm in scoring a lead?
This is a show that always sounded really cool—action and romance in 1930s Shanghai, amidst the Japanese Occupation and expats in China. On the shallowest level available, think of the nifty fashions and hairstyles and period sets. I’m still looking forward to the show, though admittedly the longer it takes for production to pull together, the more things there are that give me pause. First off, if they get Kim Hyun-joong signed on—he is considering the offer, with no decisions reported—it’ll be the third actor they’ve tried to get.
Granted, just because an actor chose against a drama doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it, but once a show has a hard time getting on a schedule and two stars pass, you start to wonder. First, the show sought to cast Lee Jun-ki in the lead, but Lee chose instead to go with the MBC thriller Two Weeks. Then it was Kwon Sang-woo’s turn, but he has since confirmed with MBC’s Medical Top Team. Maybe MBC just has a really good recruiting process?
This may be a good way for Kim Hyun-joong to get back into the acting swing of things after his last drama, City Conquest, failed to get picked up, especially since his variety program Barefoot Friends is floundering. On the other hand, Kim Hyun-joong… is not my first choice for this drama. Or second. Or third. I’m willing to keep an open mind about the possibility that he’ll be better in the future than he has been in the past—but that doesn’t mean I can ignore how he’s been in the past.
KBS has finally settled on a fall timeslot for Age of Feeling, with an eye toward a November broadcast as a Wednesday-Thursday drama.
Also: For some reason Kim Hyun-joong threads have a way of turning into minefields. I would really, really like for this one to stay sane. Don’t make me go over there.
Via Star News
RELATED POSTS
- Kwon Sang-woo considering Age of Feeling
- Barefoot Friends logs perilously low ratings
- Lee Jun-ki looks at action noir for next drama
- Variety Roulette: Barefoot Friends
- Kim Hyun-joong quits City Conquest
- City Conquest passed over for upcoming broadcast season
- Kim Hyun-joong to star as comic book hero
Tags: Age of Feeling, Kim Hyun-joong
![[Rate and Review] Second Shot at Love](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SecondShotAtLove_reviewb.jpg)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 tonbotomoe
July 5, 2013 at 11:42 AM
*chokes* I.....I.....don't know what to say to this D:
Required fields are marked *
Kiara
July 5, 2013 at 12:38 PM
yea ummmmn.......
Required fields are marked *
maiderap
July 5, 2013 at 2:31 PM
lol, KHJ is not a natural actor, but he is still better than some that continue to torture us with their "acting" *cough Jung Yunho cough*
But, still I will advise him to run from this drama. It's a trap. Quirky dramas like this have a very high chance of failing and already with his limitations and others bailing out, it's not a good sign.
Required fields are marked *
bjharm
July 6, 2013 at 2:34 AM
Quirky drama can also become runaway hits, it all a gamble though. On his acting, well lets face it the guy an out an out Idol actor, you can trust him to learn his lines and look hot but that all you can expect from him, long as the director understand this then it should be ok, a good lead actress is vital though to cover up KHJ lacking.
Required fields are marked *
Caitlyn
September 9, 2015 at 6:39 PM
KHJ is a horrible actor. He's NOT better than any idol actor.
Required fields are marked *
hawaiianseoul
July 5, 2013 at 8:27 PM
...I had to double check if it's april 1st or something.
Required fields are marked *
Newborn Fanatic
July 8, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Hrmm.. Kim Hyun Joong after Lee Junki and Kwon Sang Woo turned it down? That's a major step down (acting wise) from the previous two actors. I'm leaning towards this drama being no good....
But if they cast him I'll probably tune into the first couple episodes. :P
Required fields are marked *
2 Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 11:43 AM
I saw those clips of City Conquest in his Gwiyomi Player video and I'm really sad for the drama we don't get to see.
Required fields are marked *
Ivoire
July 5, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Hi, do you have any links, please?
Required fields are marked *
Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 5:54 PM
DramaFever blog :)
Required fields are marked *
Renna
July 5, 2013 at 9:23 PM
KHJ's official Gwiyomi clip:
youtube(dot)com/watch?v=54I4hMmktGM
And him drinking a can of beer at the end of the clip (which was taken before he recorded the Gwiyomi song), saying "I can't do this when I'm sober".. lol
Required fields are marked *
shiroikiwi
July 5, 2013 at 7:35 PM
Yeah, those (very short) clips looked super good! Sadness.
Required fields are marked *
Ivoire
July 6, 2013 at 4:06 AM
Thank you guys! I appreciate it :-).
Required fields are marked *
3 fuzzymogwai
July 5, 2013 at 11:45 AM
everytime i see this drama crop up, i think of kyungsang morning from king of dramas....is that even the right association time period wise? iono...but wouldnt the meta be awesome if kim myung min joined this in a producer capacity....ahh and if they got shiwonnie back....kekekeke and jung ryeo win too kekeke
i love kim hyunjoong as a variety persona, hes hilarious there...but as an actor i find him terribly boring.....
Required fields are marked *
Jolie
July 5, 2013 at 11:52 AM
It be the same time period (the 30's) as Kyungsang Morning and Gaksital.
Required fields are marked *
Haru
July 5, 2013 at 6:36 PM
I SOOOO want this to happen! XD
Required fields are marked *
4 zakin89
July 5, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Well...the premise sounds great and I love the 30s fashion and period-action sounds cool.
But KHJ as the lead? I mean I like him and all but I'd prefer a more seasoned actor for this... I mean I could be totally wrong but I don't think his acting has changed much.
I guess we'll have to wait and see but I'll keep an open mind about it and check it out :)
Required fields are marked *
Sowon
July 5, 2013 at 12:25 PM
I just can't think of anything in common between those guys! lee junki, kwon sang woo, and now what?! kim hyun jung??? wow
Required fields are marked *
kimchi
July 5, 2013 at 8:18 PM
all of them are Hallyu Star
i think KBS wants to secure profit if this drama fail in korea
Required fields are marked *
maldita
July 6, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Pretty boy Hallyu Stars.
Required fields are marked *
eny
July 6, 2013 at 12:50 AM
i think it's not because of bad script that make difficulties in casting, i remember gaksital rejected by many halyu actor so they decided to choose rocky actor like joo won, n there's possibility that the other cast become burden because there will be comparison with gaksital which is success, even the success of drama doesn't because of one actor
Required fields are marked *
5 sartorius
July 5, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Hmmm I like the idea of d drama but KJH as the lead.....mhhmmm no! Maybe second or third lead or something...but not main lead.
Required fields are marked *
eny
July 5, 2013 at 5:53 PM
me too, i hope he's not the first lead
Required fields are marked *
6 Mystisith
July 5, 2013 at 11:56 AM
I really wonder what KBS is thinking. Are they offering a timeslot for this project as a compensation for the City Conquest debacle? Also, their last action drama was IRIS2 and we all know how it ended (bad ratings and bad reviews). Stars who refuse the part is also not a good sign. This channel is just not good with big scale projects. For me it smells like a trap and if I were KHJ I wouldn't get into this. Not a single actor (whatever his acting level) deserves to be stuck in such nightmares...
Required fields are marked *
7 cv
July 5, 2013 at 11:59 AM
I Like him very much. I wouldn't mind if he gets back to acting. Fighting KHJ! ^^
Required fields are marked *
8 alua
July 5, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Kim Hyun-joong, to me, is like the Yamapi of K-dramaland.
Plenty of pretty but wood block acting wise.
And KHJ after courting Lee Jun-ki? I do wonder what KBS is thinking. I don't know Kwon Sang-woo, but LJK to KHJ, that's a significant drop...
Required fields are marked *
Sowon
July 5, 2013 at 12:33 PM
my word!
Required fields are marked *
la dee dah
July 5, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Agree mostly about Yamapi, BUT the one role where I thought he really excelled was Akira in Nobuta wo Produce. I really bought that he was eccentric and that weird. I actually think KHJ should try out a role like that, not those one-note, quiet, serious roles he had before. He should try out an eccentric lively role. He "may" actually be decent at it.
Required fields are marked *
alua
July 5, 2013 at 1:14 PM
I never got beyond episode 1 or 2 of that dorama... (I know lots of people loved it, but I just couldn't).
If I'm honest, I think Yamapi is a wee bit better than KHJ and lookwise I prefer him too (but that's obviously personal preference).
I did appreciate his back hug on the bed in Buzzer Beat, which, at the time, was like the first time in a dorama that I thought I was seeing realistic skinship (though that didn't take much in terms of acting skills).
Required fields are marked *
la dee dah
July 5, 2013 at 1:38 PM
I only watched two dramas of KHJ (or was he only in two dramas?), but he did not make any impression on me at all and was greatly overshadowed by the other actors. So I agree with you that Yamapi is better, acting-wise and look-wise. Nobuta is not for everyone, but I connected a lot with the characters and story about friendship and popularity, etc, so it's one of my favorites. I tend to like the dramas the Yamapi is in, even if he is not very good in them. I get more into the story and overlook the bland acting. I liked Buzzer Beat and also that scene you mentioned, but for me, Yamapi was practically invisible in that show, because Keiko's performance really made the show for me.
Required fields are marked *
skinnymocha
July 6, 2013 at 12:27 AM
Yes, yes, yes! I wouldn't actually mind if KHJ virtually played himself on screen; he has a cool (and a bit out there...) personality. Do that first, get accustomed to acting THEN try flexing his acting muscles via more serious or different roles.
Required fields are marked *
pogo 🍉
July 5, 2013 at 2:30 PM
And KHJ after courting Lee Jun-ki?
My thoughts exactly. I didn't mind him in Playful Kiss (mainly thanks to his chemistry with Jung So-min), but even if this drama was as well-written as it deserved to be, I don't think he has the chops to carry a show.
Required fields are marked *
Levi
July 5, 2013 at 9:47 PM
Totally agree!
Required fields are marked *
dduk
July 5, 2013 at 2:42 PM
OMFG perfect description!
Required fields are marked *
MariD
July 5, 2013 at 3:49 PM
Just stab me please! I love love Yamapi ( nabuta no produce & buzzer beat are 2 of my favorite dramas) how can you compare them!!! I seen KHJ act and Yamapi can act circles around him. Ok.. Enough defending my bias.. But that cut deep!
Required fields are marked *
alua
July 5, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Hahaha! Sorry.
We all have our own biases.... I did rate Yamapi a wee bit higher (not that that will soothe you enough).
Required fields are marked *
9 akikisetsu
July 5, 2013 at 12:01 PM
It sounds to me that this drama is gonna be an emotional wringer and that needs a nuance acting especially from the main lead. I'm just not sure KHJ is gonna get there. Anyways, goodluck.
Required fields are marked *
10 CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Be still, my heart! Kim Hyun Joong has got a special place in my heart. Yes, i know that he was not the best of actors. I think one of his problems is he just gets nervous saying cheesy stuff and really losing himself in a role. But I think he's getting better. He must have. And it's been so long since he's actually had a drama..that ACTUALLY AIRED. So am waiting for all this to work out wonderfully. KHJ in a period piece...wow!!!!!
Required fields are marked *
Ivoire
July 6, 2013 at 4:11 AM
Hello Carole :-)! Spoken like a true fangirl :-)!!!!!! It's nice to see how you are supporting him...
Required fields are marked *
11 Treasure
July 5, 2013 at 12:34 PM
I'm not usually interested in historical (I'm still slogging may way through Faith, and I gave up on Dr Jin and I adore both Min Ho and Jae Joong) but the thirties are an interesting time period between the two world wars so hopefully this will be wonderful visually.
I do think Kim Hyun Joong has matured over the last two years, and he seems very willing to work hard, so hopefully the director will take advantage of his strengths and guide him successfully.
Required fields are marked *
wsb80
July 6, 2013 at 8:02 AM
Omo omo omo.....I thought I was the only one having a hard time getting through Faith (and yes, I gave up on Dr Jin too)......absolutely adore Lee Min Ho...but I....can....just.....not finish Faith somehow......historical dramas are truly not my cup of tea
Required fields are marked *
12 Soonami
July 5, 2013 at 12:37 PM
I think he's adorable in variety as himself, but he does need a lot of work acting wise! Alua's right... I think a fair comparison can be made about yamapi and khj in the acting and beauty department... Singing as well.
Required fields are marked *
shiroikiwi
July 5, 2013 at 7:39 PM
yeah, i often wonder why they don't just give him a drama role that mirrors his actual personality a bit more. (by "actual" i mean the fun-loving and smiling personality we see on variety and interviews, etc)
Required fields are marked *
13 Chesquared
July 5, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Lol, such a downgrade. You know a drama will fail when actors repeatedly decline the role (Ex: Faith). I hope he doesn't take it, despite how much I think he should never try acting again, there was a time in my life where he was the bright ray of sun in my fangirl life. And people really hate idols acting in dramas, but greedy stations just love adding them in just to please the international audience.
Required fields are marked *
kyleD
July 6, 2013 at 12:31 AM
faith is not such a good example, it didnt suck initially, that was more of a problem on the pd side. they put that script through the meat grider a few times and as far as i can remember they actually had kang ji hwan for sure if he hadnt started that legal warfare with pretty much every agency he ever crossed paths with.
otherwise i am really pissed about this, 1930s are so interesting. i do wonder if the script is that bad, they just dont have faith in the writer/pd or it was just bad luck.
with lee jun ki it could have been a close call, 2 weeks just being a little better or a personal preference. kwon sang woo, i am not sure... picking anything medical seems like a long shot because there isnt alot of precedence of those being good.
Required fields are marked *
14 myra
July 5, 2013 at 12:43 PM
I thought this drama would follow the current Sword and flower.....so I'm kind of disappointed :(
But now I wonder what drama will air after Sword...
Required fields are marked *
15 crazedlu
July 5, 2013 at 12:49 PM
agree with akikisetsu. to respect your request to keep this thread from turning into a minefield, i'll keep my comments short: NO.
Required fields are marked *
16 Littlehearts
July 5, 2013 at 1:23 PM
I do wish he would sign this. I am dying to see some more of him... My first love. Ah... Plz come back oppa... Missing you..
Required fields are marked *
17 ilikemangos
July 5, 2013 at 1:25 PM
..of all the projects
I was looking forward to it. Now, not so much.
Required fields are marked *
18 Mar
July 5, 2013 at 1:34 PM
I enjoy Kim Hyun Joong. He's a dork in a hottie suit. I think he gets a bad rap-the two characters he's portrayed were not exactly chock full of personality, he was supposed to be taciturn and stiff and weird. There was one scene in BOF on the stairwell with Jan Di. His eyes said everything. It was stellar. The guy to me is quite a chameleon-look at his music videos; each one is a totally different concept. Plus I just have a big soft spot for the character of Sunbae Yoon Ji-hoo, the best friend most of us will never have.
All that said, I do not think this is a good role for him, but then again a job is a job when you need to work. And oyu cannot build acting experience without working. I was sorry that City Conquest failed.
Required fields are marked *
pogo 🍉
July 5, 2013 at 2:41 PM
Playful Kiss was tolerable, but let's not blame his BOF woodenness on the character, when Oguri Shun played that very same character in the jdrama and managed to make it not only good, but excellent.
I'm all for people gaining work experience, but I am also for people (i.e. idols who appear to have no aptitude for acting) knowing their limitations and not inflicting their continued bad performances on the rest of us, in roles they do not have the skill to pull off and which would be better in the hands of someone who does.
Required fields are marked *
Mar
July 5, 2013 at 7:15 PM
We will have to agree to disagree. I didn't blame anything on the character. I liked KHJ in BOF. I liked the character in BOF. I did not care for the j drama version in any manner, including the cast. You could not pay me to watch it.
It all boils down to personal taste and that is okay.
Unfortunately people we do not care for are cast in dramas whether it is based on if we think they are lacking or for whatever reason. People have a right to go out for roles, to work, whether we think they are worthy or not. I scratch my head over plenty of casting choices. But just as I base my viewing choices on plot and format, I also weigh in whether I enjoy the cast. I'd rather stab myself than watch a show with many of the actors that are considered really skilled, that other people rave about, because I do not personally care for them. That said, I would not watch a drama JUST because an actor I enjoy is cast in a drama either.
Required fields are marked *
pogo 🍉
July 5, 2013 at 8:11 PM
I don't disagree (though the part where you said the character was the one who was taciturn and stiff and weird was what made me think you were pinning those qualities on the character, rather than the performance), we have no say in who gets cast where after all. But just as people have the right to go out for roles, we also have the right to express our opinion based on their past performances, and personally (this seems to be a common opinion) he's not a good actor.
And many idols who do a decent job in their music videos/music often don't carry that over into actual acting. CN Blue's Yonghwa is another.
Required fields are marked *
ilikemangos
July 5, 2013 at 11:56 PM
For someone who has watched both versions and not big fans of either, watching kim hyun joong's portrayal of his character in BOF was lacking compared to oguri shun's portrayal of his.
I am more familiar with kim hyun joong since i've watched more of his projects but you got to give credit where it's due. Oguri shun's performance was better. I'm not basing this on personal preference -- his portrayal was literally better. He was charming, funny, personable, and sweet all in one and that was able to translate through to the screen. Kim hyun Joong almost failed to translate that to the screen and so i didn't feel at all for his character -- i watched him purely for the pretty. This is where acting skills is important.
Anyone can have bias/personal preference for their actors/actresses but it all boils down to emotional connection with their characters and how well they can translate that to the screen.
Required fields are marked *
poth
July 8, 2013 at 8:19 PM
True. Oguri Shun gave some depth to the Rui character, I can't say the same to Kim Hyun Joong's Jihoo in BOF.
blue horizon
July 13, 2013 at 9:39 AM
I'll be the first one to admit that KHJ is not a good actor. In fact, I hated him so much in the beginning of BOF that I actually wrote a long email ranting about his acting (or lack thereof) to all my friends.
But yet there was just something about him in the show that started making me change my mind.
It wasn't that his acting got better, nor anything to do with his looks.
It was just something in his eyes, and the presence he conveyed. I don't know how to explain it. I just started getting drawn to his character. There was a quiet beauty and melancholy to it.
Perhaps that's what people call the je ne sais pas, and why his Jihoo drew so many fans the way it did.
So, even though I'm pretty skeptical about him taking on this role, part of me is rooting for him. I do hope that he nails it.
And importantly for me, the script has gotta be good or at least entertaining enough for me to want to continue.
I like the dude in his real-life variety persona, he seems hardworking, funny and has his heart in the right place, so I can only hope that he chooses the right project this time. I guess time will tell, come Nov.
SheiDee79
August 18, 2013 at 9:19 PM
Kim Hyun Joong's character in BOF, Yoon Ji Hoo, was supposed to have Asperger's Syndrome, which explains how he portrayed the role. He was really effective in it. I couldn't stand a minute of Oguri Shun's portrayal because it seemed that he did not get the memo on subtlety. That's my opinion though.
19 DayDreamer
July 5, 2013 at 1:37 PM
"Also: For some reason Kim Hyun-joong threads have a way of turning into minefields. I would really, really like for this one to stay sane. Don’t make me go over there."
Well, I've never heard of the guy but I guess he's like one of those stars that are bad at acting but have a popular fanbase?
Anyways, I totally agree with you, Javabeans. Age of Feelings is definitely giving off bad feelings despite sounding like a great drama. At first I was disappointed that Oppa (Lee Jun Ki) didn't sign on but now I'm feeling relieved. I'd hate to see him in a potentially bad drama.
Required fields are marked *
20 Farhana
July 5, 2013 at 1:41 PM
I love love love KHJ as a musician but since watching Playful Kiss (I was completely blinded to all crappiness in BOF) I have to admit he's just not a natural actor.
Hopefully now that he's had a bit more practise things will be better.
Required fields are marked *
21 eunjae
July 5, 2013 at 2:27 PM
I actually kind of liked him in Playful Kiss.
I don't understand why he keeps getting lead roles though, I mean, there are so many actors out there waiting for a chance, it annoys me sometimes how people who can't act keep getting lead roles when there could be rookie actors who are just waiting for that one role.
I wouldn't mind if he got supporting roles and built up his experience and got better at acting but..
*sigh*
Required fields are marked *
pogo 🍉
July 5, 2013 at 3:08 PM
I don’t understand why he keeps getting lead roles though
I think talent/aptitude for acting are not necessary traits for idols, you know their agency/fame will just get them the job anyway.
Required fields are marked *
maldita
July 6, 2013 at 12:38 AM
He keeps getting lead roles because Bae Yongjoon is basically grooming him to be his successor.
Required fields are marked *
22 Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 2:31 PM
Okay, I am going out on a limb and hope that he has matured and grown in the acting area. I am going to watch it and let whatever it is be what it is. I get the impression (perhaps wrong) that he is. Fans are fickle and I can see how they may want to be protective. But on the other hand, I usually read interviews where these folks say how they want to expand and explore, taking on roles that will not engender fans to them (evil, crazy, psychopathic, etc.).
If he takes it, I hope that he can make a smash success of it.
Required fields are marked *
Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 2:35 PM
Sorry, I first message is messed up. Read this one instead.
Okay, I am going out on a limb and hope that he has matured and grown in the acting area. I am going to watch it and let whatever it is be what it is. I get the impression (perhaps wrong) that he is not afraid of going outside of his comfort zone. Fans are fickle and I can see how some actors may want to be protective of their carefully created images. But on the other hand, I usually read interviews where these folks say how they want to expand and explore, taking on roles that will not engender fans to them (evil, crazy, psychopathic, etc.) all for the sake of being a better actor like their mentor, so and so.
If he takes it, I hope that he can make a smash success of it.
So, I am choosing to raise my half full glass and adjust my rose-colored glasses. :P
Required fields are marked *
23 lemondoodle
July 5, 2013 at 2:31 PM
It does give me pause when two people who act really well turn it down for someone who.....can't act at all. Okay, let's just be honest. At least he'll look pretty and maybe he'll blow everyone away since nobody has any expectations. Who knows.
Required fields are marked *
24 dduk
July 5, 2013 at 2:46 PM
nope. sorry, I'll pass. I like my dramas to have i dunno... substance... rather than just a pretty face.
Required fields are marked *
25 Nessa🌹
July 5, 2013 at 3:20 PM
Hmmm Many other reports say that KHJ oppa is already CONFIRMED.... I guess we'll just have to wait and see!!!
And I'm looking at this with a glass half full perspective n.n it's been 3 years, and KHJ is known to be a really, and I mean REALLY hard worker for his art (music AND acting)m so there is a possibility that he's improved n.n I'll admit, KHJ is my k-entertainment bias, but that's not the reason why I'm saying all this and being so blindly positive about it it'll.... It's just because I'm truly hopeful and supportive in what he does and who he is as a person even behind all the limelight n.n
Required fields are marked *