Taecyeon romances Basketball's Lee Elijah in new drama

105 January 6, 2014February 26, 2014

Taecyeon romances Basketball’s Lee Elijah in new drama

by javabeans

I’m wondering who it is that watched the ill-fated Occupation-set period drama Basketball, took in lead actress Lee Elijah’s awkward and sometimes confusing performance, and thought, “Yes, let’s ask her to act some more.” Because I would like to suggest to that person that a re-evaluation might be in order of their eyes, decision-making process, and perhaps also career path. ‘Cause let’s face it, she was not good in that drama, and it wasn’t merely a case of greenness that experience might eventually overcome, but bad enough to make me angry at her for being so frustrating. (On paper there’s no way the love triangle shouldn’t have worked, but mostly I just thought less of both guys for being dumb over her.)

Be that as it may, Lee Elijah has landed herself another drama: She’ll be romancing Taecyeon in upcoming weekend series Wonderful Season, whose headliners are Lee Seo-jin and Kim Hee-sun. It’s the drama written by Lee Kyung-hee, scripter of compelling melodramas like Nice Guy, Will It Snow For Christmas, and Thank You, so I expect it to be fast-moving and watchable at the very least.

The drama centers around a prosecutor (Lee Seo-jin) who rose out of his impoverished beginnings to success, who comes back to his hometown in the sticks fourteen years after leaving it. In the process, he’ll learn the importance of family, the greatnesss of love, and the value of neighbors and warmth. Taecyeon plays one of Lee Seo-jin’s brothers (Ryu Seung-soo plays their hyung), and he’ll get caught up in a bickering romance with Lee Elijah, who plays a teacher at a rural school who grew up comfortably in a well-off family.

To give her character a bit of a quirk factor, she also happens to be the regional president of the SHINee fan club and always uses SHINee examples while explaining her lessons. Ha. Please tell me there’ll be lots of 2PM digs at Taecyeon’s expense—you can’t pass up such a golden opportunity for meta jokes!

Wonderful Season plans to premiere in February after the currently running King’s Family wraps. Though at the rate King’s Family is going, I wouldn’t be surprised if it got extended a bit, after having repeatedly broken 40% ratings and established itself as a national drama. Sure that show’s crazy and nonsensical, but people are watching. (And yes, so am I. I don’t even know why. Don’t ask me hard questions.)

Via Asiae

105

Required fields are marked *

1 HeadsNo2

January 6, 2014 at 9:10 AM

Why.

Required fields are marked *

Waiting

January 6, 2014 at 10:10 AM

I only read two recaps and that was all I could take so I understand your comment. LOL

Why do I feel the need to watch a likely train wreck...

Required fields are marked *

Denali

January 6, 2014 at 10:20 AM

Han Ga In wasn't available. Neither was [continue the list of supposed actress with no acting skills whatsoever]...

Required fields are marked *

luvnlife

January 6, 2014 at 10:37 AM

Agreed... she is expressionless. For those that missed her in Basketball... the picture above is the exact expression she used throughout the drama. I hope she set some time aside to practice.

"Deer in headlights" look throughout the drama and she forgot her lines.

Required fields are marked *

Waiting

January 6, 2014 at 10:59 AM

Well that pretty summed up Fishyface in When A Man Loves and I think she won something for that...

Required fields are marked *

Miky

January 7, 2014 at 3:32 AM

didn't had the badluck to see her yet acting more than 10 sec and forgot but can she posibly be worse that her?

Required fields are marked *

Mel

January 6, 2014 at 4:56 PM

well the best part is that she'll be romancing taecyeon who also can't emote.

if she was paired with an actor who could actually act it would feel like she was dragging him down, but at least this way it'll be the blind leading the blind?

Required fields are marked *

pogo 🍉

January 6, 2014 at 12:53 PM

Maybe we should just thank the drama gods for two small mercies:

1. At least they're not headlining (Lee Kyung-hee dramas tend to demand leads who can, y'know, act.)

2. Maybe their combined awfulness at acting will create a black hole of acting suck that will cause us to entirely forget the screentime they take up. (this is the best case scenario)

Required fields are marked *

Waiting

January 6, 2014 at 3:00 PM

LMAO!

Required fields are marked *

skelly

January 6, 2014 at 3:06 PM

My theory is that they searched high and low...for an actress who would not overshadow Taecyeon in terms of acting talent.

Required fields are marked *

mary

January 6, 2014 at 4:57 PM

Haha!

I came here for this comment. Here, have a thumbs-up. :)

Required fields are marked *

sutt

January 6, 2014 at 6:46 PM

I wish I could like this a thousand times

Required fields are marked *

KDaddict

January 6, 2014 at 5:40 PM

Er..., I've sth to add that is kinda…..not nice.

We've a water delivery guy who comes by on a regular basis.
Each time that he came by while I was watching KD on the big screen tv, he'd say: "Oh, I've seen that actress in a porn film." The 1st time or 2, I let it pass. I didn't want to talk to him. After a few times, I was both irritated and angry.
So I said: "You may watch porn all the time, but those are some pretty big actresses, so it's not possible".
He said: "Those are secretly filmed as the actresses are sent out to 'entertain' men who invest in their upcoming projects. The face of the men are blocked, but that of the actresses aren't."

I thought it was pretty disgusting; I hope it is not true, but then we also know that the entertainment industry has an underbelly. Somehow your discussion reminds me of that guy's story.
I no longer let him take the water into the house BTW.

Required fields are marked *

c

January 7, 2014 at 11:50 PM

The guy's claim is super disturbing :S I can def believe some actresses make it through 'entertaining' company execs but I find it hard to imagine that that's how the majority of the industry functions (hope I'm not being naive here).

Also pretty sure the investors wouldn't sabotage the projects they're investing in by exposing these actresses to scandal (esp. in a place as conservative as SK)... Why would they??? If they filmed it they'd probably keep it for their personal enjoyment (...) rather than upload it for random water delivery guys to watch.

The actresses aren't the only ones risking their reputation. Filming and broadcasting/distributing (aka uploading) porn is illegal — I remember reading something about a police crackdown resulting in ~7000 arrests late last year. The investors (likely rich and semi-famous!) in particular have the potential to become high-profile examples, and they probably know it!

Do you live in Korea or a Western country? If it's a Western country, it could be that all Asian girls look the same to him...? In any case, whether he's telling the truth or not, that guy sounds like a total sleazebag, blergh!

Required fields are marked *

zhill

January 7, 2014 at 2:50 AM

Heads lol! Like JB, I also don't know why I watched that crazy KF ... just like TMTETS, it's over-rated though I watched it till the end.

Required fields are marked *

2 pandaren

January 6, 2014 at 9:13 AM

Kim hee sun was my first crush back in my childhood when I saw The Myth! the last project I watched was Faith , anticipating this one!

Required fields are marked *

3 Aly

January 6, 2014 at 9:18 AM

... What?! They want her to act AGAIN?

I'll always remember that scene in Basketball where she forgot her lines and someone in the staff whispered it to her.

Anyways, I thought Taecyeon was going to the army soon? Maybe I was wrong.

I have zero interest in this project.

Required fields are marked *

Waiting

January 6, 2014 at 10:11 AM

"I’ll always remember that scene in Basketball where she forgot her lines and someone in the staff whispered it to her."

You are joking, right???

Required fields are marked *

PeepsLeAwesomePotato

January 6, 2014 at 10:33 AM

I'll answer for her: No.

Required fields are marked *

Quiet Thought

January 6, 2014 at 2:24 PM

Please, I don't want to injure myself by actually watching the series, but can you name some specific scenes where I could get a good laugh out of Lee Elijah?

Required fields are marked *

PeepsLeAwesomePotato

January 7, 2014 at 12:13 AM

LOL, do I seem like someone who would sit through torture? I simply read through Head's recaps and sift out all the "funny" parts and then search the videos for them. I particularly remembered the above case. I thought Heads was lying. Guess not...

Peridot

January 6, 2014 at 11:02 AM

I heard the comment about her not remembering her lines. Do you remember which episode it was and around what time that occurs? I'm curious, but I do not know if I have the strength to even re-watch that part. I eventually gave up on that drama.

Required fields are marked *

skittles

January 6, 2014 at 12:03 PM

I just found it! It was episode 11 at the end. Almost 57 minutes in. You can hear someone whisper the beginning of her line to her.

Glad I skipped this drama...

Required fields are marked *

news

January 6, 2014 at 6:59 PM

I'm so mean I went to watch it.

Required fields are marked *

sotongpok

January 18, 2014 at 10:06 AM

Meanie Number Two here - I read your comment and it made me decide to go look for it. HAHA

doomy

January 7, 2014 at 6:40 AM

WHAT. why didn't they edit that out or call for a reshoot??!

Required fields are marked *

zsa

January 7, 2014 at 7:37 PM

maybe she had wasted too many rolls of films so they don't bother to edit....for the sake of the environment and resources

doomy

January 7, 2014 at 6:45 AM

i've not seen basketball but i will stubbornly like her bc her name is epic.

Required fields are marked *

Detective K

June 4, 2017 at 8:30 PM

Reading this in 2017 and after scouring the Internet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZt71SnynEQ

Apparently it's the 'key' scene in that episode and so they actually uploaded it on YT. Woah.

Required fields are marked *

Shiku

January 6, 2014 at 11:04 AM

Like really? Do you know which episode? I kinda want to watch it for the lols.

Required fields are marked *

Laura

January 6, 2014 at 11:42 AM

Which scene was that? I didn't watch Basketball but I just cannot believe the director (or whatever is responsible) would let such scene come into daylight ...

Required fields are marked *

maldita

January 6, 2014 at 5:12 PM

Taecyeon still has a at least a couple of years before he absolutely has to enlist.

Required fields are marked *

PeepsLeAwesomePotato

January 7, 2014 at 12:16 AM

He says he's planning to enlist in 2016. Because he has schedules planned until end 2015. Like woah. Manager must be busy.

Required fields are marked *

Valerie Gudorf

January 6, 2014 at 6:12 PM

Army? Hmmmm... I was under the impression that Taecyeon is an American. His English is entirely North American accented. Can he be required to pull Army service while living on SK?

Required fields are marked *

sartorius

January 6, 2014 at 6:19 PM

He ditched his American Citizenship for a Korean one....Korea doesnt allow people to hold dual citizenship.

Required fields are marked *

treya_barton

January 7, 2014 at 8:35 PM

Taec is Korean. He lived in Boston for a period of time growing up where he learned English. He did have a dual citizenship but when the big controversy over whether or not he would eventually enlist arose he decided to give up his American citizenship.

Required fields are marked *

4 Hipployta

January 6, 2014 at 9:19 AM

King's Family and I are on a break until I can suspend logic enough to continue

Also LOL at your thoughts on the casting director...and I agree

Required fields are marked *

KDaddict

January 6, 2014 at 5:44 PM

King's Family has become entertaining and funny in the way that Dr. Jin was. LOL.

Required fields are marked *

5 Sour Grapes

January 6, 2014 at 9:22 AM

I wonder if she has a powerful sponsor. She is a complete newbie in the industry with no acting talent whatsoever and yet it is her second lead role in a drama this year.

Required fields are marked *

lemondoodle

January 6, 2014 at 11:42 AM

she seriously must. kbs weekend drama is a pretty coveted role, even in supporting since it has guaranteed high ratings and exposure.

Required fields are marked *

pogo 🍉

January 6, 2014 at 1:09 PM

I wonder that about some other people too (no apparent talent and yet they get lead roles), though in Taecyeon's case it's blindingly obvious that it's his agency being greedy.

Required fields are marked *

Tara

January 6, 2014 at 1:16 PM

That's exactly what I'm thinking too...how could someone who couldn't act worth crap get a nice role in a KBS weekender (which are typically ratings kings).

This makes me think of people like Shin Se Kyung, who also cannot act (a cardboard cutout would have more emotion than she can!)...and yet, she gets lead roles.

I personally did not see Basketball--just read like the first two recaps and stopped because it didn't pull my interest--so I can't personally vouch for her horrible acting. But judging from the comments on here...if that's true, then that's a damn shame! Shame on the casting director to cast someone (albeit in a smaller/not lead role but still a role nonetheless) who can't act worth diddly-squat.

It does kinda put the casting director in question...I always scratch my head at certain castings in those coveted weekenders. The most recent being KF's Heo Dal's younger sister, or, who I refer to as Plastic Girl (if you see her face, you'd know what I mean) ;P haha

Required fields are marked *

Hazel

January 6, 2014 at 3:34 PM

In Shin Se Kyung's case I would think it's the fact that she is (or was) renowned for being a "milky-skinned" beauty and her residual popularity from High Kick (which I heard she was pretty decent in; not as stiff as we've been seeing her) that still land her lead roles, although I get the sense that lately, as her momentum has stalled, her stock has fallen in the industry. The fact that there's such a paucity of established actresses from her age group surely helps her as well.

Required fields are marked *

Tara

January 7, 2014 at 6:22 AM

Thinking about it...you're right, there aren't that many established in that age group. Had to look up her age and was surprised that she was younger than I'd thought.

Well...the only two dramas I've seen her in was When a Man Loves and Fashion King, which were horribleee. So I guess maybe it wasn't enough drama material to gauge her abilities...? I've yet to see High Kick 2 (saw High Kick 3) and only read recaps of Tree With Deep Roots.

I'd have to agree with the earlier comments that Lee Elijah was cast to have Taecyeon shine in a better light. I like him a whole lot better in 2PM though...even if his acting has improved some. Truly the blind leading the blind...haha ;P

Silver Lining: At least they're both not leads!!!

Required fields are marked *

6 poulpion

January 6, 2014 at 9:23 AM

Now I want to watch Basketball just to see how bad she is. :p
...Then again, I just saw a bit of Boys Before Friends so maybe I should give myself time to recover from that first. ^^

Required fields are marked *

gun

January 6, 2014 at 9:31 AM

Nooo! Stay far away from Basketball...

Required fields are marked *

Yoori

January 6, 2014 at 11:57 AM

Me too! I'm curious as to how bad she is.

Required fields are marked *

DeeDee315

January 6, 2014 at 4:01 PM

First episode is all it will take. I was done after 2 and should have stopped after one. She was just awful.

Required fields are marked *

kungfupigeon

January 6, 2014 at 5:10 PM

You saw Boys Before Friends too? I got like two minutes in and I was nearly crying from laughter

Required fields are marked *

Livy

January 7, 2014 at 11:36 PM

Boys before friends? Is that a new drama? THat sounds like it would be good from the title alone! or do you mean the terrabad boy before flowers? T__T

Required fields are marked *

lovestodream

January 15, 2014 at 7:27 AM

oh no - boys before friends is the american remake of boys before flowers. it looks HORRIBLE. (http://www.viki.com/tv/22268c-boys-before-friends) it's set in grad school, which makes even less sense. in high school, yeah, being unpopular can feel like a life or death thing. but for people in grad school? people in grad school being people who actually finished high school, got in to college, finished college with fairly good grades and then got in to grad school -- who are THAT concerned with being popular? laaaaame-o.

Required fields are marked *

7 aristokat

January 6, 2014 at 9:40 AM

Why???
I am genuinely confused at this point.

Required fields are marked *

8 taegyo

January 6, 2014 at 9:41 AM

maybe there will be SHINee cameos? that could be good. I'll probably try this out, because I try out most shows when they start – but her performance in Basketball is nooot encouraging, nor does it give the show any points beforehand. Who knows, though, maybe she'll surprise everyone. Hopefully.

Required fields are marked *

9 Q

January 6, 2014 at 9:42 AM

Is her real name really Lee Elijah?

I know that Park Sandara or Sandara Park of 2n1 has a one unique name for a Korean.

Required fields are marked *

Shiku

January 6, 2014 at 11:08 AM

I thought Sandara Park is Filipino.

Required fields are marked *

Roxy

January 6, 2014 at 11:10 AM

No, she's Korean. She just lived in Philippines for a while.

Required fields are marked *

ann

January 6, 2014 at 11:17 AM

I read somewhere that 'Sandara' is in Korean books or something and I thnk ppl dnt normally use it to name their children.

Required fields are marked *

10 August

January 6, 2014 at 9:53 AM

Why??? :(

It's too early in the new year to break New Year's Resolutions - succumbing to torture/inflicting pain from bad kdramas and acting!

After watching Taecyeon in Who Are You?, I said I would run for the hills before I watched him in another drama/romantic pairing.

Where are all the "TALENTED FEMALE ACTRESSES" for lead/2nd lead/character actresses in kdramas? The men (young/non-idol) have a very deep field for projects.

Geez, I really enjoyed Kim Hee-Sun in Faith and was looking forward to another drama of hers.

Required fields are marked *

11 milkmustache

January 6, 2014 at 10:19 AM

To be honest, I think I'll only be watching this for Lee Seo-jin and Kim Hee-sun. Taecyeon is somewhat okay, but I don't like Lee Elijah's acting at all. Which is sad, because her character sounds pretty interesting. I just wish a different young actress was playing it.

Required fields are marked *

verte

January 6, 2014 at 4:49 PM

Lee Yu Bi would be so much better.. :(

Required fields are marked *

12 lemondoodle

January 6, 2014 at 10:22 AM

He's the better actor of the two...which is very very sad.

Required fields are marked *

pogo 🍉

January 6, 2014 at 1:10 PM

She's WORSE than him?!

How is that even possible **mind boggles**

Required fields are marked *

13 MsB

January 6, 2014 at 10:27 AM

Not a Taec fan and Eliijah couldn't act out of a plastic bag! No, definitely skipping this one!

Required fields are marked *

14 Tammy

January 6, 2014 at 10:31 AM

I haven't seen basketball, but I read enough of the reviews to know I'd be whimpering in pain. My question is, who on earth thinks Eyebrows can act? Sorry, I see Taecyeon, and that's all I can think of is his eyebrows. Big eared doofus was already taken.

Required fields are marked *

15 eunchans

January 6, 2014 at 10:48 AM

Well, I guess if you stick them both together, I can at least fast forward through them more easily. That's the only positive thing I can say.

I always try and defend actresses bc I feel they get criticised alot more than their male counterparts (who get praised even though they suck) but I can't really think of anything nice to say about her acting, so I'll say nothing at all lol.

At least her character has the good taste to like SHINee :').

Required fields are marked *

megumi

January 7, 2014 at 4:04 AM

i think it's because most dramas lead are females and it's centered around them, so obviously they will get the most attention and criticism if their acting is bad, i don't think it's the case of female actresses being criticised more than male, the male actors get criticised too if their acting is bad...

Required fields are marked *

pogo 🍉

January 7, 2014 at 12:56 PM

I don't know about elsewhere, but dramabeans is very much equal-opportunity with the criticism of poor acting. I mean, Taecyeon is being bitched about every bit as hard as this girl...

Required fields are marked *

16 john

January 6, 2014 at 11:05 AM

Wow. Is she related to a bigwig somewhere? Her acting in B-Ball was terrible. I'll give her a 2nd chance, just to see.

What would Anthony do with an actress that couldn't act?

Required fields are marked *

mary

January 6, 2014 at 11:59 PM

Knowing Anthony, if the actress came with a lot of sponsors, he'd still take her in. :P

Required fields are marked *

17 Shiku

January 6, 2014 at 11:13 AM

Gosh, I have to brace myself for this as I really want to see LSJ's drama. Couldn't they have found better actors like Jung So Min, Kim Won Bin instead of her and him?

Required fields are marked *

18 mira

January 6, 2014 at 12:03 PM

and Taecyeon ? ...again !?
PASS

Required fields are marked *

19 T

January 6, 2014 at 12:40 PM

gonna watch this this for ok taecyeon
can't wait till feb. :(

Required fields are marked *

20 Sajen

January 6, 2014 at 12:40 PM

I'd like to point out that the same person that thinks she can act also thinks Taecyeon can act, so perhaps a career change is indeed in order.

Required fields are marked *

21 mel

January 6, 2014 at 12:47 PM

Neither of these two should ever get acting jobs again (although I onlymade it to episode 3 of basketball so don't have tons of experience watching her)

But truthfully I hope kings family gets an extension im liking that show and there is always tons more makjang mess to happen to that family

Required fields are marked *

22 myra

January 6, 2014 at 12:55 PM

and KBS has finally another weekend drama, JUNG DO JUNG. could you please add it to the drama list here? it's nice when all the dramas are listed...

Required fields are marked *

23 sweetyo0on

January 6, 2014 at 1:49 PM

I apologize in advance if this offends anyone but....

sponsor

Required fields are marked *

24 Amah vivian

January 6, 2014 at 1:53 PM

This is murder

Required fields are marked *

25 Nicolette

January 6, 2014 at 2:21 PM

OMG as a die hard SHINee fan I may just have to watch for the references! LMAO. On the other hand not particularly interested in this drama or anything that Taecyeon is in...

Required fields are marked *

maknaee

January 6, 2014 at 10:56 PM

ahahaha me too. I'll try watching for 'SHINee's story' /? lol

Required fields are marked *