Kim Jae-wook cast in Age of Feeling
by javabeans
Well, they just added Kim Jae-wook to Age of Feeling. I guess I have to watch it now. Even if it’s going to hurt, seeing Kim Jae-wook relegated (again!) to second-lead status—he’ll be hero Kim Hyun-joong’s romantic rival for Jin Se-yeon’s affections. His character is described only as an art and music lover with refined taste and intelligence, which makes him the direct opposite of the tough fighter hero.
My main question: When will Kim Jae-wook get his hero turn? He may have started out as a pretty face, but he’s shown a lot of improvement from project to project and has so much screen presence that it’s a shame he’s been the sad love-thwarted second lead for so many projects now (see: Bad Guy, Mary Stayed Out All Night, Who Are You).
This is a drama with a lot of interesting elements in the mix: It’s set in 1930s Shanghai and depicts a “sensitive romantic noir,” taking place amid the backdrop of the Japanese occupation years. Keeping my enthusiasm muted is the fact that it’s gone through a lot of delays and was dropped/passed over by a few leading actors, which I hope don’t point to a troubled production. Fingers crossed.
The photos below come from the drama’s December 2 showcase, where most of the cast (minus new addition Kim Jae-wook) showed up in costume, which includes Im Soo-hyang along with Kim Sung-oh (My PS Partner, When A Man Loves), Song Jae-rim (Two Weeks), and Kim Gab-soo (Birth Secret, You’re the Best, Lee Soon-shin).
Age of Feeling premieres on January 15.
Via Segye
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Tags: Age of Feeling, Im Soo-hyang, Jin Se-yeon, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Jae-wook
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1 rainerust
December 2, 2013 at 4:13 AM
WHY is he NOT the leading man for this?? WHY!
Well OK yes I know star power of KHJ (and not necessarily acting prowess) trumps each time but still, my heart aches for what could have been. Sigh.
Unfortunately I've found that as long as the writing and directing make no sense, no matter how much I love the actor/actress I would not be able to watch the drama (...you see this, Heirs?). So...might give this an episode's shot and hope the story's strong enough to hook me in. This season's worth of dramas haven't been reeling me in, frankly.
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kuxi
December 2, 2013 at 5:23 AM
Kim jaewook's dramas are not hit or well received in s.korean except coffee prince but in coffee prince his role is not big so that's why he never get chance leading role, at least kim hyunjoong has big fanbase and agency who back up him and his dramas always in demand in overseas
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skelly
December 2, 2013 at 9:50 AM
I am happy to see that you defended Kim Hyung-Joon with his connections, rather than his talent.
He's another talentless actor-dol, (yes, I know he is a good singer and an all-round prince of a fellow, but this is a drama) and Kim Jae-wook is going to steal this show right from under him, just like he did to Taecyeon in Who Are You.
Maybe Kim Jae-wook is a a superhero, ActorMan, whose mission is to save helpless dramas from themselves, and slowly rid the world of pretty, sweet kids who cannot emote. I can only hope.
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missDVM
December 2, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Your comment on KJW "saving" horrible acting skills and/or poorly written dramas not only rang true, but it made me laugh somewhere deep inside. :) I am sad that he does not seem to "get a chance" to REALLY take the lead in a drama, because he is phenomenally realistic and emotive in his acting. One day….one day….. hopefully, someday he will be able to take a WELL-WRITTEN drama as the lead. Until then, he may be destined to save dramas and poor actors from themselves.
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missDVM
December 2, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Did I mention that he is good on the eyes, too? No?! Well… not only is a fantabulous actor, but I would show up just to stare at his loveliness. Seriously. HAWT.
chaton22
December 3, 2013 at 10:20 PM
Totally agree with this and OP comment (KJH just make really long MVs instead of dramas!) but the other good news is that KJW is being really active post army. We who love him remember his older dramas but I think it makes sense for him to ramp up with some 2nd leads - he's not Rain to come back from army and get leads right away. He's doing amazing work on dramas that get a lot of spotlight because of the drama-dols and hopefully soon he'll be our leading man!
bd
December 2, 2013 at 1:25 PM
KJW's dramas have not been well received b/c the writing was weak and the lead "actors" even weaker in the acting dept.
And look at KHJ's dramas as the lead - despite his popularity as an idol, they have stunk it up when it came to ratings.
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Annie
December 2, 2013 at 2:54 PM
The thing is that the people making dramas don't really care all that much about marketing to Koreans. Korea isn't where the money is - it's all about Japan and his fans there buy whatever he's selling. This is the reason why you see so many godawful male idols in dramas. Producers are not blind or stupid, they just know where the $$$$ is.
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bd
December 2, 2013 at 8:51 PM
But that's only true to a certain extent - and haven't heard any of KHJ's dramas being big ratings success in Japan either.
Annie
December 2, 2013 at 8:56 PM
It doesn't really matter how his dramas do as long as Japanese TV producers are still purchasing the rights. Jdoramas have been on a ratings freefall for years so a poorly performing Kdrama is just par for the course.
bd
December 2, 2013 at 1:23 PM
An actor usually needs that one break to break into the leading man ranks.
Look at Lee Jin-wook who was playing 2nd banana (and before that supporting roles) until he started to get the lead roles w/ INR2012 and Nine.
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Lovebug
December 2, 2013 at 5:28 PM
I agree in part, but keep in mind both those dramas aired on Cable TVN. He has not been the lead on a major network drama though he deserves it for sure!
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bd
December 2, 2013 at 8:54 PM
True, tho Seo In-guk landed himself a lead role in a film after Am1997 - but not a lead role for one of the 3 major networks, at least not yet.
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NB
December 2, 2013 at 8:47 PM
BTW, is Heirs that Bad? at least they've tried hard...
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Tulipsaki
December 3, 2013 at 7:19 AM
Heirs is that bad. I'm considering re-watching Nail Shop Paris when it plays just to get away from it.
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2 Orion
December 2, 2013 at 4:16 AM
They should rename it to 'Age of Feels' now, because I hear the thuds of fainting people across the globe as they hit the ground.
I agree though, some people get leading roles with way less experience and skills ('Who Are You', anyone?). It's about time he gets a leading role. I think he can pull it off, if it's the right one. And we'll never know if they don't let him.
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Orion
December 2, 2013 at 4:17 AM
Not to mention he's the second lead to two bad acting idols in a row. Maybe that is his plan. To shine through the fail.
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kuxi
December 2, 2013 at 5:28 AM
He never getting shine if all his dramas are failed
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Orion
December 2, 2013 at 5:32 AM
True. This is just my feeble, pathetic attempt to rationalize what ultimately looks like very poor decisions and work by his agency. Or lack of connections. :P
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alua
December 2, 2013 at 10:22 AM
That's not necessarily true though. Good actors do get picked out from bad projects, simply because they will stand out despite all the crap.
I think he needs to branch out into film though, because dramas seem to care for name and fame most of all these days. And sadly, drama watchers often don't seem to mind as long their favourite idol is on the screen.
*sigh*
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pogo 🍉
December 2, 2013 at 10:54 AM
@alua - I agree, I wish he'd do a movie too. I loved Antique.
soserious
December 2, 2013 at 9:57 AM
he is shining all right... but it doesn't seem like his plan is working T_T
let's just hope that this third will be the last of his second-lead roles. i've been waiting for him to be lead so. long.
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alua
December 2, 2013 at 10:28 AM
I'm not a fan of this plan...
I can understand it to a certain degree (taking on roles that interest you, regardless of whether they are lead roles or not), but I just want him to be in something that I actually want to watch. Even if I like an actor, if the rest of the drama is an all-fail, I just can't watch it.
He needs a better agency, or better connections with the right people... you know, like buddy up with Kang Dong-won who certainly does only projects that he likes, some being bigger, some being smaller.
He might do better moving more into the film than drama business as well, since dramas seem so insistent on casting name/fame over talent....
Yeah, sorry, he's going to outshine KHJ for sure. No doubt about it. I don't think I'll be able to motivate myself to watch. Boohoo.
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3 Dur
December 2, 2013 at 4:18 AM
Watched the BTS at AoF soompi thread. Only a glimpse of the younger version of the main leads, I still need to wait and see how Kim Hyun Joong is doing :-).
I hope he and the other main leads can deliver because the younger ones looks pretty awesome.
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4 kooriyuki
December 2, 2013 at 4:24 AM
Why do I like the supporting cast more than the main leads. And Song Jae Rim!!! Omg my bias.
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5 CaroleMcDonnell
December 2, 2013 at 4:39 AM
ohmy! oooooooooh myyyyyyyyyy! ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh
myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
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6 miszdi
December 2, 2013 at 4:40 AM
Song Jae Rim should have a lead role too or at least 2nd lead :)
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7 Mama J
December 2, 2013 at 4:43 AM
There are SO MANY actors in this that I really enjoy, for SO MANY different reasons. I will definitely be watching, for Kim Gab Soo on down through the ranks!
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8 eunchans
December 2, 2013 at 4:45 AM
Ohhh, I thought Im Soo Hyang was the lead. So it is even weirder that Jin Sae Yeon would want to play lead in a very similar sounding drama to Bridal Mask. I really love shows from this era and I love Kim Jae Wook, but I am not exactly super hyped about this. It's criminal that KJW has to play second lead to another wooden actor :/ I wish someone would take a chance on him and hand him a lead role. I think he would definitely rise to the challenge. I know KHJ has legions of fangirls but how much draw does he really have as a leading man? Idk.
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SD
December 2, 2013 at 5:01 AM
Same here. I thought Lim Soo Hyang's Gaya is the female lead. I've just seen 'The Making' of AOF http://t.co/yNgQk9v9vA and based on the scenes, Gaya is the lead. I'm utterly confused.
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Lisa
December 2, 2013 at 5:24 AM
Maybe Kim Jae-Wook chooses not to act as a lead.... Even though i think he is 100% capable of doing so.
Sort of like Yoo Inna where she has the opportunities to act as main but chooses not to?
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Annie
December 2, 2013 at 2:58 PM
The only people who get to choose what projects they want to do are the top stars - we're talking Lee Byung Heon, Ha Jung Woo, etc. The rest of the plebeians have to take what they're offered and like it.
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9 Valerie Gudorf
December 2, 2013 at 4:50 AM
Why does KHJ look so completely different from just three years ago when he was in Playful Kiss? His nose, for instance, is completely changed. Not for the better, I might add. Would one get surgery for that?
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
December 2, 2013 at 5:14 AM
KHJ broke his nose and had surgery.
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Valerie Gudorf
December 2, 2013 at 11:10 PM
That nose certainly make him look rather pugilistic. Perhaps he could play a prize fighter in his next role, given that he's also obviously bulked up as well since is BOF days.
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sam
December 4, 2013 at 10:29 AM
Why does KHJ look so awful? He was really sexy in PK...get the long hair back..just don't bleach it blond!
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10 Ace
December 2, 2013 at 4:52 AM
Hope this will be an entertaining watch. Though Gaksital was a hit, I dropped it and couldn't find the urge to get back on its train. Basketball which I was looking forward to seems to be a hopeless drama. Btw, I'm not comparing the quality of the dramas or anything, I just mentioned it because it was all set during the mid 1900's though AOF is set in Shanghai not Korea.
I like KHJ. KJW joining the cast is awesome.
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11 ck1Oz
December 2, 2013 at 4:55 AM
He's going to out act the leading guy and the 2 female leads. How is that going to work?
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Orion
December 2, 2013 at 4:58 AM
"It's not" is the answer that comes to mind. Or then the rest will suddenly develop acting skills, but I think it goes a bit beyond optimism and into the delusion realm to hope for that. But hey, strange things happen all the time.
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Cindy
December 2, 2013 at 5:05 AM
YongHwa has improved in Mirae's choie. I couldn't stand him in 'You are Beautiful' and 'Hearstrings'. I have hope for KHJ.
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Orion
December 2, 2013 at 5:15 AM
True, but a lead in such an epic period piece would need a bigger change than going from unwatchable to bearable, which is what happened to Yong Hwa.
We'll know soon enough though, if Kim got inspired so much.
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12 Cheliwel
December 2, 2013 at 4:59 AM
I haven't watched KJH since BOF. He's change a lot. Looks like a total different person.
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13 Cindy
December 2, 2013 at 5:06 AM
KIM HYUN JOONG!!! That hair needs to go! -_-
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
December 2, 2013 at 5:17 AM
What is with those too short bangs? I can accept shorter hair, more mature look, but the bangs are awful.
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Valerie Gudorf
December 2, 2013 at 11:04 PM
I agree. Those bangs are indeed terrible.
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Abbie
December 2, 2013 at 6:01 AM
I like his new hair cut. I wasn't feeling the longer hair he had in BOF or PK. I think he looks more mature, even dashing, and super hot.
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SuziQ
December 2, 2013 at 9:52 AM
DITTO! Didn't recognize him at first. Hope he's better in this drama. He has a lot of seasoned supporting actors.
KJW ...I'm glad you're back. Act the pants off of them (especially KJH) and get a lead role soon!
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14 messi
December 2, 2013 at 5:12 AM
His jaw-line is scary o_O
I will watch this drama for older actors that i love. Kim Gab Soo <3<3
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15 ren
December 2, 2013 at 5:18 AM
...did I miss something what happened to Kim Hyun-joong's face? I am also really sad that Kim Jae-wook seems to be permanently delegated the 2nd lead territory.
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16 gratisetamore
December 2, 2013 at 5:27 AM
When an actor gets the second lead roles all the time -maybe that is what he does best. Some make good as supporting actors and we see them in dramas after dramas sometimes in simultaneous dramas. What's wrong with that? Nothing. They get the job,they get awards and recognition.
A drama must have a combination of acting skills and personalities not to mention drawing power.
If you must raise Kim Jae Wook's (btw,I like him, too) status by all means do so but not a lame excuse to hit KHJ again and again below the belt. You cannot make KJW better by throwing mud at another.
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Adal
December 2, 2013 at 8:44 AM
Good point
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pogo 🍉
December 2, 2013 at 10:57 AM
I have no idea why it's considered 'below the belt' or 'throwing mud' to say that an actor who has displayed no evidence of talent onscreen is in fact untalented - it's not like a scandal or anything.
but then, to paraphrase the poem, ours not to reason why with idol fangirls.
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Tulipsaki
December 3, 2013 at 9:59 AM
I agree. if they can't act, then people who can should have the role.
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alua
December 2, 2013 at 11:46 AM
There's nothing wrong with actors playing second leads in drama after drama, it that's what they do best.
There is something wrong with it when the second lead repeatedly outshines the first lead though.
Or when the first lead gets the leading role drama after drama, despite not doing that best.
JIMO.
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ht
December 2, 2013 at 10:30 PM
ITA!
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17 Newbie
December 2, 2013 at 5:28 AM
Oh my! It took me AGES to identify Kim Hyun Joong. I'm shocked.
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18 Abbie
December 2, 2013 at 5:58 AM
I absolutely love that they came in costume! So cool!
I like Kim Jae-wook, and I hope he gets his turn as leading man one day. I hope I don't hate his character in this.
Looking forward to this show!
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19 Luhan
December 2, 2013 at 6:06 AM
Poo Kim Jae Wook whyyyyyyyyy *sobs*
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20 Peridot
December 2, 2013 at 6:26 AM
Can't we move beyond love triangles at this point? I'm tired of that being a source of conflict in a drama, especially when there can be so much more than that.
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21 bangbang
December 2, 2013 at 6:27 AM
His jaw-line is scary o_O
I will watch this drama for older
actors that i love. Kim Gab Soo <3<3
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22 owl
December 2, 2013 at 7:09 AM
Yum. What a gorgeous pic to wake up to on a Monday morning. Art and music intellectual - sounds like a Renaissance man.
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Valerie Gudorf
December 2, 2013 at 11:14 PM
Gorgeous is indeed the word for Kim Jae Wook. He's absolutely swoon-worthy, and the fact that he can act as well is icing on that pretty cake. I watched Who Are You just so as to gaze upon that hunk of physical perfection. Did they air-brush that skin, or is it really that ethereal? Nah---it's got to have been air-brushed.
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23 djeedjes
December 2, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Oh, I like Kim Jaewook, Song Jaerim and Kim Gabsoo...but I don't like Kim Hyunjoong ( i like his real persona, not as an actor ) and Im Soohyang.
I'm torn.
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24 Sunny
December 2, 2013 at 7:16 AM
Are you kidding me? Kim Jae Wook is a not the lead again! And to Kim Hyun Joong. Someone needs to get this man a first leading man role asap.
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25 bogosipeoyo
December 2, 2013 at 7:23 AM
JFC KIM JAEWOOK!!!!!
not a fan of hyunjoong's acting so i disregarded this drama, but now they're casting jaewook as the 2nd lead. acckk! ughhhhhhh i want to watch this for him but i don't think i can drag myself to watch hyunjoong again.
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