Nodame Watch: Shim Eun-kyung’s hat goes back in the ring
by girlfriday
The search for the heroine of KBS’s Nodame Cantabile remake — now called Cantabile Romance — is veering into its own farcical saga at this point. Shim Eun-kyung (Miss Granny) initially turned down an early offer to play the heroine, which was a crying shame since she’d be so perfect for the role. And then we all saw what happened when idol-actress Yoon-ah (Prime Minister and I) was courted after her.
As soon as Yoon-ah bowed out of the drama following the wave of fan reactions, a fresh batch of casting speculations cropped up in the media touting Ha Yeon-soo (Monstar), Lee Hana (High School King of Savvy), Kim Seul-gi (Flower Boy Next Door), and Chun Woo-hee (Han Gong-joo, Vampire Idol) as Nodame hopefuls. All four actresses eventually denied that they were in the running, and it started to feel like casting this heroine would be more difficult than carrying a glass slipper throughout Seoul and just putting it on random feet until we found our Cantabile Cinderella.
But in the course of the day we came full circle: Shim Eun-kyung’s name is back in the headlines as Nodame all over again, though we’re still far from confirmations. The movie she was scheduled to film this summer (the gritty revenge thriller Waiting For You) was reportedly pushed back to the end of the year, freeing her up to consider the drama. Producers approached her agency eagerly, and all that’s set for now is that she’ll meet with them and possibly reconsider.
It’s pretty funny that her just taking a meeting with the producers is kicking up this much fuss, but I suppose it just shows how sought-after she is as a young actress, and also how much people want her to play this character. Shim has this fantastic crackling energy about her and a surprising depth in her performances that always moves me to laughter, tears, or often both. At this point I don’t know if Group Eight would ever live it down if they let her slip away again, so let’s hope they do whatever it takes.
If Cantabile Romance ever finds its heroine, it’ll air in October.
Via Segye
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1 minmin
July 15, 2014 at 4:05 AM
Again.
Whatever drama.. Whatever!
Joowonie, you still have time to back out :-) :-).
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amy
July 15, 2014 at 4:54 AM
This drama has bad karma all over the place. I hope he back out :(
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SP.Wei
July 15, 2014 at 6:33 AM
Too many news about it, make people not interested about it anymore and they keep bashing and making fun on it.
Ooo ooo.
I love Joo Won but I don't like his choice of drama this time :-(
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Claire.dee
July 15, 2014 at 4:22 PM
Ah tired with all these media play.
Joo won-ie, you don't deserve this. I'm not sure if i'm excited anymore about this drama.
Production house really trying so hard for attention.
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misskania
July 17, 2014 at 1:45 PM
Let Joo Won out and Joo Ji Hoon in! Or someone with defined cheekbones just like Chiaki Senpai, oh, i mean Hiroshi Tamaki
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2 MsB
July 15, 2014 at 4:08 AM
After seeing her in Sunny and Miss Granny as well as remembering her as the younger sister in Bad Guy, she has always been the first on my list who could carry this out. I'm not familiar with any of the other actresses listed but none of them were on my possible list. I still feel this will be totally different as I have yet to see a "slap stick" type of K-Drama! But SEK would have at least made it very entertaining. *Crossing Finger*
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rinodino
July 15, 2014 at 4:13 AM
Look at what Grp 8 did with Pretty Man, it will never be slapstick. They are calling it "cantabile romance", I suspect they were never going to do the extreme comedy but a rom com version and hence the choice of Yoona. Anyway, at this rate, no one will want to do it.
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eny
July 16, 2014 at 2:13 AM
honestly the only part that i didn't like in Japanese version is the overate comedy in it, i always feel when the comedy in manga translate to drama it became weird, i feel really weird i see how the kick other lead until she thrown away n how the female lead getting drag
I hope the korean version din't take the overate comedy like that, because i like the story
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Mariah
July 16, 2014 at 8:52 AM
Agreed. I just watched it, and a lot of the stuff that's passed off as comedy is... troubling. Nodame gets more abuse?! Comic gold? Apparently?
There were some really nice aspects of the show, but in the end, it didn't really play the way I'd have done it. I think the friendship between the male lead and the blonde guy, or the concertmaster's story, those things were much more compelling to me than almost anything having to do with Nodame, mainly I think because she was the one played for laughs the most (her and the timpanist ... ugh). And she only got played straight in the last two episodes, which, while refreshing, seemed like a total departure, an end-run curveball.
If they do this, I hope they really overhaul the story. There's certainly enough there to do some good things, but the balance and tone could use a shift, along with some deletions of horrible plot elements.
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3 carl
July 15, 2014 at 4:11 AM
Didn't she rejected it again today ? Confused now. I remember seeing it earlier. The drama news seems be off the top 30 naver list now so i can't tell what is the latest.
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4 dmohican14
July 15, 2014 at 4:11 AM
LOL, at this point, if Shim Eun-kyung doesn't do it, they should just give up. She's the best option hands down, unless they get Im Joo Eun who it seems like no one's considering, so if it's not her, I fear another netizen backlash.
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Kim Yoonmi
July 15, 2014 at 9:43 AM
I msged KBS on it and asked them for Im Joo Eun... but I can understand why they would try to push for a more popular actress. I'm hoping, though that the writer isn't a newbie as they usually are with adaptations, otherwise all of the good casting will be worth nothing.
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Kim Yoonmi
July 15, 2014 at 9:48 AM
BTW, Not saying I'm disappointed in Shim Eun Kyeong's possible casting one bit, but saying *if* she passes it up, it's unlikely they'd choose Im Joo Eun and I could understand why they'd want someone hot (popularity-wise) to lead the show, though that would make me unhappy.
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canxi
July 15, 2014 at 10:41 AM
At least you asked, though! Lol, yeah I think everyone is expecting them to go with someone more well-known and popular. But I also feel like this could be a breakout for Im Joo Eun as well as her being able to do the character justice. Listen to us, KBS. You don't know what you're doing, lol.
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junny
July 15, 2014 at 11:29 AM
To be honest, I hope no actress takes the role so that the idea of a remake will die a rapid death.
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canxi
July 15, 2014 at 3:33 PM
It's been thrown out there for so long, I would honestly feel bad if they didn't get to do it, lol. I mean...I'm also curious, too. XD
luna
July 15, 2014 at 12:36 PM
I LOVE Shim Eun kyung. I think she is a terrific actress and would make a great Nodame, but I don't know about her paring with Joo Won would look realistic. Im Jo Eun who I love equally and think would also make a great Nodame and her and Joo Won are around the same age and would look great onscreen together. Im Jo Eun Is too underrated also.
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MsB
July 15, 2014 at 3:08 PM
WAAAY underrated!! Breaks my heart when she gets these bit parts! All you have to do is watch her in Wild Romance. Her and Mgr Lee made the show memorably! Yes, she is my 2d choice!
canxi
July 15, 2014 at 3:34 PM
She is. She always gives a nice performance--she deserves a lot more shine.
Noelle
July 15, 2014 at 3:46 PM
Oh I love her! She was great in Wild Romance and for me the show's highlight. I can see her in this role so clearly.
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Thea
July 17, 2014 at 4:16 AM
But, after watch IJE beeing HJE's mother on Endless Love, I think shes to older to be Nodame. *sorry just my opinion*
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5 jen
July 15, 2014 at 4:20 AM
i hope she take's it. girl the whole world is beggging youu!!! how many time does that happen???
and poor yoona though. pretty funny how the backlash have turned back to the 'mshe's really prety she's a wall'' in just a day. if she didn't decline it would have been mental slaughter on her by the internet .
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6 mel
July 15, 2014 at 4:25 AM
I saw news on K-media trying to throw some names again.. Sigh.
Why don’t they just list down all the actresses in Korean than, from child actress to upcoming actress to noona actress!
What’s the use of throwing more names because it will end up with fan-war and dissatisfaction all over again.
Lee Ha Na
Ha Yeon Soo
Chun Woo Hee
Kim Go Eun
http://www.ajunews.com/view/20140715103821156
I rather see Joo Won not doing this drama than involve in such casting mess.
I have this feeling that it's not gonna be a good drama.
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7 news
July 15, 2014 at 4:28 AM
I have mixed feelings.
At first, it's Yes!! How can it NOT be her?! Otherwise, Kim Seul-gi would be my second pick.
At the same, I've tried a few times and can't seem to go beyond a few episodes of Nodame Cantabile, mainly because it's hard watching how he treats her. Can someone enlighten me?
But this sure is becoming a saga of its own like Dae Jang Geum.
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minmin
July 15, 2014 at 4:30 AM
HAHA. Exactly.
Just like MBC- Dang Jang Geum.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 4:51 AM
I still in the don't-remake-this camp.
If remade, I'd prefer Im Joo Eun or Kim Seul-gi, because they are lower profile and they'd deserve a break-out role. Then again, I have no trust that this drama is in safe hands, so that even if they cast an actress capable of portraying Nodame, it's not like that means they'll let her be Nodame. Since the casting of Nodame isn't the only problem this remake has...
As for Chiaki / Nodame. Well, it's a kind of mangaesque humour that you have to adjust to (you might not). Don't judge it on the basis of real life. Remember that Nodame is never offended by the way that Chiaki treats her, in fact, it doesn't register with her at all that it might be harsh / offensive / etc. Also, he looks down on everyone (not just Nodame), it's one of his flaws that he slowly overcomes (to some extent) in the drama.
Maybe try watching the anime a bit, then you can see it's a pretty literal adaptation of that, just that it happens to feature real-live actors?
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thursdaynexxt
July 15, 2014 at 5:52 AM
Yes, VERY mangaesque humour!
Saw some BTS videos, and I think they deliberately made it so in the Japanese drama version, and practiced all their stunts to get that exaggerated slapstick feel - it gets pretty physical!
There really were moments when I was watching the J-drama, and it totally felt like an anime!
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Tulipsaki
July 15, 2014 at 7:18 AM
I agree: I take it all as a live action cartoon.
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damianna
July 15, 2014 at 5:33 AM
Hi. I watched Nodame quite recently. Every j drama lovers I asked would never fail to recommend me to watch it before, but I never did until this remake thing got everyone excited.
The first few episodes was weird but then I started to like it so much. It had this anime-feel and somewhat illogical at times, but that's sometimes the charm of j dramas. Some people can handle it, some don't.
I watched the series, the specials and the movies and now I'm reading the manga in my free time also browsing the net looking for Tamaki Hiroshi and Ueno Juri's other projects. I'm crazy like that.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 6:14 AM
If you want recommendations,「Love Shuffle」for Tamaki and the recent「Alice no Toge」for Ueno. Ueno is very versatile across the board in her projects. Tamaki gets a little typecast (he often plays a bit of a weakling – not in Nodame though).
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junny
July 15, 2014 at 6:19 AM
I'll also add the fabulous Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi for Tamaki - totally loved him in there and the overall storyline. It's a gem of a drama that often gets overlooked because of the plot, but is a fantastic watch. The difference between Tamaki as Chiaki and Tamaki as Ogawa sensei is as stark as day vs night, but is all kinds of awesomeness.
For a sweet romance, try Tamaki and Miyazaki Aoi in Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 6:45 AM
Oh, I haven't seen that one yet... Cheers for that rec. Never had the guts with that plot synopsis and no one ever mentioned it before. But there are always these underwatched gems that you just randomly stumble upon...
junny
July 15, 2014 at 7:09 AM
@alua
Hope you enjoy it :) Am always happy to share the Tamaki love!
Incidentally, I haven't see Love Shuffle (have it in my backlog of dramas, though) because I don't like Tanihara Shosuke, he gives me the creeps. Never took to Matsuda Shota either... but I'll brave the drama one day XD
aafa83
July 15, 2014 at 7:23 AM
I second the rec for Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru (Heavenly Forest). It's one of my favorite Japanese movies.
alua
July 15, 2014 at 8:08 AM
「Love Shuffle」is a sort of (lower profile) cult drama. Its premise is bizarre, but it's worth the watch.
Tanihara Shosuke's character is a bit of a manipulative creep in this one as well, indeed, I can't say I liked all characters in this drama – his and Kanjiya Shihori's least of all.
Matsuda... he just keeps doing detective dramas, which are a waste of his talent (he needs to do more of what his brother Ryuhei is doing). He's great in Love Shuffle though, that's one of his interesting roles.
If you need convincing, this post sums up the awesomeness of Love Shuffle succinctly.
junny
July 15, 2014 at 8:29 AM
Muahaha, okay I'm sold. I shall get onto Love Shuffle pronto! Tamaki bares skin, yum! He had some of that in Nodame Cantabile too... mmmm, Chiaki senpai in the shower...
danna
July 15, 2014 at 11:14 AM
I second Love Shuffle, it is fantastic...and also should come with the warning of being very addictive...I almost saw the entire thing in one sitting
Megumi
July 17, 2014 at 2:03 PM
Tbh I watched 'Love Shuffle' for Tamaki but ended up falling in love with Matsuda Shota, now I'm obsessed with Shota and have watched all his dramas and movies, I still love Tamaki and his acting but you're right he gets typecast in similar role most of the times in dramas, his movies are different though.
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soprection
July 15, 2014 at 6:45 AM
I've only seen Ueno Juri in Last Friends but she was fantastic in that and it is a great show, even if it's completely soul-crushing in that very real way that serious j-dramas often have.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 7:54 AM
I only watched half of Last Friends – needed a break because it was so soul-crushing indeed. What I saw was very commendable – the topics they tackle....!
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soprection
July 15, 2014 at 9:15 AM
Truthfully I stopped watching halfway for a few months because it just depressed the heck out of me. And then someone spoiled the ending for me (unintentionally) so I figured I might as well finish it. It does end on a hopeful note which is nice but it still left me in a bit of a funk for a few days. It really tackles some heavy stuff. I sometimes still think about what happened to Eita's character as a kid. I don't know how your own family could do that to you. But anyway, it basically scared me off of those kinds of j-dramas since. Real life is depressing enough.
alua
July 15, 2014 at 9:51 AM
I think it's important those kind of dramas are made. Of course, not every drama we watch should be like that, but I appreciate any of those that tackle taboo issues seriously.
I was watching Kare, Otto, Otoko Tomodachi around the same time, which picks up one of the Last Friends topics and is also quite heavy (but not that heavy), so that was as much as I could take... I do intend to finish Last Friends one day.
soprection
July 15, 2014 at 10:11 AM
Ha, I was sure you (or someone) would respond and say that. I completely agree that it's important for media to tackle sensitive issues like that and shine a light on them and I'm sure that they are often powerful, moving and thought-provoking works. I commend writers who can treat such topics with sensitivity, nuance and honesty and respect actors who can portray people struggling through or with those issues realistically. I really do.
That being said, at the moment, I watch very little tv or movies. (I average about one drama a cycle unlike most) and I really just want media to be a nice escape from real life. That's why I typically stick with comedy and/or romance. Fluffy and light and something that can be a bright spot in the drudgery of everyday life. I'm sure that serious dramas/tv/movies/books are just as amazing as people say but I'm really not at a point in my life right now where I can engage with that kind of media in a meaningful way so for now, I'm keeping those things on the backburner. One day I'll watch White Christmas! But not today. I have to psyche myself up for it.
junny
July 15, 2014 at 10:27 AM
I think digesting heavy dramas also depends on the mood. I still have Soredemo, Ikite Yuku in my drama backlog and have been meaning to watch it, but currently not really in the mood and don't quite have the energy to give it the attention it deserves.
damianna
July 15, 2014 at 6:56 PM
OMG guys! Thanks for all the recommendation. Let's spread the Nodame love!
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Kim Yoonmi
July 15, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Part of it is getting over the fact that the characters in J-dramas tend to be more quirkly than in K-dramas or any other country's dramas. A lot of Japanese characterizations live on quirks.
Second, Chiaki is harsh to everyone, not just Nodame. He's in the category of half shut in his head just like Nodame is, but it manifests differently in his world. (Not doing spoilers)
For Chiaki, he wants the world to be perfect around him, to not be sloppy, to have all of the things in a neat order and he thinks that perfection will allow him to also reach perfection, but Nodame challenges him with that constantly. She shows him a kind of perfection in her messiness. He also has been pushing everyone away, making him secretly lonely with his demand for perfection. He's kept everyone at arm's length.
So because Nodame is so chaotic, it annoys him deeply because it shakes the foundation of who he think he is and needs to be.
What makes the pairing unique and fascinating is that even though they have that difference where Chiaki is order and Nodame is sloppy disorder, that pairing feeds into their *creative* drive towards each other. That dynamic pushes both of them creatively. Chikai in effect becomes more like Nodame and Nodame becomes more like Chiaki, which makes both of their art better.
In effect, even though Nodame seems clingy and lacks a sense of independence, by meeting Chiaki, he inadverantly pushes her towards that independence and what she really wants. And Nodame in turn pushes Chiaki to allow disorder, which enhances his sense of creativity and freedom from structure.
A good reproduction of the show will be able to show this evolution through the music. If they cut to *only* the romance, the main heart which is Nodame gaining independence and being encouraged towards it by Chiaki inadvertently and Chiaki finding his own sense of personal freedom will be lost.
Chiaki is not an easy character. He has conflicts as well, inner turmoil that play out only when Nodame is around. He functions as a straight man for much of Nodame, but then he also needs to be able to show parallels to Nodame's world. The isolation created by his need for perfection, which is not perfect at all... the ability to find his own value and worth--his story runs parallel to Nodame and she pushes him, but doesn't try to change him. He often tries to change her, but in doing so he finds himself changing. That's difficult acting.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 9:59 AM
<A good reproduction of the show will be able to show this evolution through the music. If they cut to *only* the romance, the main heart which is Nodame gaining independence and being encouraged towards it by Chiaki inadvertently and Chiaki finding his own sense of personal freedom will be lost.
And that is why the retitling worries me.
On a sidenote, do Koreans have kotatsus? The kotatsu episode is like my ultimate favourite one, I don't even want to imagine that one being changed / omitted...
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Kim Yoonmi
July 15, 2014 at 9:23 PM
No Kotasu (singular and plural), but Koreans have ondol, which you could abuse for heat, though it work on a plumbing system these days. Koreans also use space heaters. BTW, Ondol are a piece of heaven.
If Nodame doesn't gain her own sense of self and independence, the character will have no arc to follow and the story will simply fail. The main catalyst for that was the music to demonstrate how she changed over the course of the series.
The best part of the story wasn't that the characters set out to change each other, it's the fact that the character by being around each other and other people naturally changed by the situations they were in. That's refreshing. It's not change the man or make the woman better, it's that the events and characters worked in natural progression to each other. Plus most attempts by both characters to change the other ended up hilariously and failed, and instead made the character trying to effect the change, change instead of the person they were trying to change. *cough* Nodame and the bridge scene. OMG! *Spoiler free* But I think that scene proves my point. Chiaki didn't change in that scene, Nodame had the largest impact character-wise from that scene though she was trying to effect change in him.
The same is true of Chiaki as well, he also showed change through the music itself. It went from tidy to more Nodame style. *cough* avoiding spoilers.
I wonder if they are going to do the forest bit with Chiaki too. I know that's patently Japanese quirk, but I liked the silly bit of symbolism and self-deprecating humor (the show making fun of itself as much as the Chiaki). I coded all the spoilers in this post. =P Only people who have watched the show will understand.
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Mariah
July 16, 2014 at 9:19 AM
"The best part of the story wasn’t that the characters set out to change each other, it’s the fact that the character by being around each other and other people naturally changed by the situations they were in. "
Do you think that's true? I mean, I know that was a major theme, and it was true for many of the characters.
With Nodame though, it's a major plot point that she has different ideas about her own future than other people do. I wouldn't say that we or the other characters know why that's true until the last few episodes, and it's way before then that other characters work on changing her.
It's possible I'm not remembering accurately, but the show doesn't make clear (that I recall) if her initial desire ever really changes. By ending on the concert, we don't necessarily know what happens to her, and whether it ends up being what she wants.
I actually really enjoyed the show, with the exception of almost anything having to do with Nodame. First, because I can't write off the treatment of her as "in anime, abuse can be wacky!" and second, because I'm really not on board with how the other characters constantly tell her that her own desires for herself are wrong, or that she has to choose between love and her desired path.
The concertmaster and the blonde guy and blonde guy's dad kind of save it for me.
junny
July 15, 2014 at 10:24 AM
@Kim Yoonmi
Some very good points, really like what you said about the Chiaki-Nodame dynamic.
What's also interesting about Chiaki is that although he tends to look down on everyone, once he recognises that the person has genuine musical talent/potential, he is not averse to changing his opinion, and even lends them a helping hand to the best of his abilities. Nodame, of course, is the main beneficiary, but I also love how he helped Mine out and recommended Masumi for the RS Orchestra.
@alua
I think the Koreans have ondol, but that's more underground heating. Kotatsu are used almost exclusively in Japan. And I agree, that kotatsu episode was hilarious and heartwarming, though I think Chiaki would beg to differ XD
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Kim Yoonmi
July 15, 2014 at 9:30 PM
I think Chiaki doesn't want to admit he's lonely. That's why when he's surrounded by people in an awkward situation and usually going on and on about the situation, he doesn't try to get out of it like normal people do. He has this duplicity to him. He'll complain for a fair bit, but then what he says isn't what he truly feels and means. =P Tamaki-san truly acted that part well. The feeling of being dragged along, and complaining, but not hating it at his heart. <3
The things Chiaki says about other people also contradicts what he's actually feeling. =P Adding to the humor of the situation because a good straight man doesn't even get it, even from himself.
He'll go on and on about how everyone is off at this or that, but when people ask him to come along, to be around him, he never, ever refuses because the truth of the matter is that he is super lonely and in that non-geek/housebound way doesn't relate to people well. I think that's why he eventually comes to see their value and worth, even when they don't live up to his standard. He's too proud to admit he wants friends.
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vanillasalt
July 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM
@kimyoonmi @snow Your character analysis couldn't have said it any better. In a way both Nodame and Chiaki are oddballs when put together. In the beginning he wants this perfect world where music should just go by the book and that's that. Nodame, on the other hand, believes music should be free hand and be played any way you like it. You're right in the fact that towards the end they were just like each other musically. I just love them as a couple a lot, they suit each other really well :)
junny
July 16, 2014 at 2:00 AM
@Kim Yoonmi,
LOL, totally agree with what you've said, and Tamaki played that aspect brilliantly, I loved it. Besides, his expressions were all so comical and so out there, fantastic stuff. I really think he let himself go there, and in the end reaped wonderful results.
I also think Chiaki had that mentoring/nurturing touch - very latent, until he met Nodame and kept on helping her despite himself. I really like that about him. It also links to that self-worth bit you mentioned, that kept cropping up during the drama and I really felt for him there.
Also, while I think over the years (drama, specials and films) Nodame and Chiaki grew more musically similar, I don't think in the end they were just like each other. Chiaki understood that, which is why he said what he did at the end of film 2. He's always wanted to help her maximise her true potential, and wasn't seeking a clone. I think that's one of the things I like best about Chiaki. Of course, he then has to go and mask that with much grumbling, sarcasm and haughtiness, as per his Ore-sama persona XD
Kim Yoonmi
July 16, 2014 at 7:32 AM
@Snow
I totally agree about Tamaki's acting. It was understated and I don't think people understand what's needed to go into a great straightman.
I also appreciated that though Tamaki tried to often involuntarily help Nodame, she still didn't change unless she wanted to change. ^_^ The last scene from the manga (Also in the second movie) where they were in that place demonstrates, still that they didn't merge into some hideous "I can't live without you, let's live with each other 24-7" monster, but more that one had influenced the other so that the music was more like the other, but not exactly the same. (Especially per Chiaki's commentary) And effect it wouldn't be exactly the same because both characters had established independence within the relationship. Especially with Nodame's announcement to Chiaki.
Mariah
July 16, 2014 at 8:57 AM
It gets better, but yeah, maybe it's because I'm not a regular anime/Jdrama watcher, but I was very ooged out at first.
I think the remake would seriously require revamping the story, mainly dropping some of the more egregious stuff (how Nodame is treated, a mellowing of some stalker-like aspects to the timpanist, among other things), and playing up the more charming and funny aspects.
I have to say, even by the end of it, I wasn't really on board with the OTP. But I can imagine it would work better if they stopped it with the abuse. I don't mind cranky characters, but his treatment of her is just not right.
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Mariah
July 16, 2014 at 9:01 AM
OH, and, the abuse makes the story not make sense.
Music teacher is mean and abuses Nodame: life-alteringly awful.
Love interest is mean and abuses Nodame (far more regularly than the teacher, if I'm reading it right): a basis for love.
Granted, she's a few years older in the latter case, but that's still kind of F'd up.
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8 redfox
July 15, 2014 at 4:32 AM
just drop this remake. Nodame is already perfect.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 4:52 AM
Amen to that.
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James94131
July 15, 2014 at 6:23 AM
Agreed! This project should die just like last year's proposed remake of 1 Litre of Tears that MBC announced that it was making with Park Bo Young.
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9 Tangerine
July 15, 2014 at 4:35 AM
How about Go Ara? She'd be perfect as Nodame!
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10 Tangerine
July 15, 2014 at 4:37 AM
Not sure if my last comment got in. How about GO ARA? Won't she be perfect for the role.
:) I hope they'll consider her. Pls oh pls drama gods let it be Go Ara!
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11 beem
July 15, 2014 at 4:44 AM
Just hope gyaabooo will stay as gyaaabooo and not turn into aiggyooo. And I hope they would cast the cutest timpani-afro-gay guy....because..because Joowon in unrequited failed yaoi bromance is so good for my health.
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janitaa
July 15, 2014 at 5:04 AM
And Oppa instead of Senpai??!!
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yann lee
July 15, 2014 at 5:45 AM
sunbae is the exact meaning for senpai
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vanillasalt
July 15, 2014 at 10:34 AM
I really hope they don't get rid of the gyabo or mukya bc it'd remove personality from the
Nodame character, I think. Part of the oddballness of nodame was the nonsense words she'd say every time she was comically hit or angered in some way. I love when she says that!
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Kim Yoonmi
July 15, 2014 at 9:56 PM
In Japanese those are sound effects, but the thing is that she actually says them out loud. It's kind of like you saying, "Thump thump" if your heart beats loud. Japanese tend to use onomatopoeia in regular speech more often than English does. Gyabo and Mukya are part of those, but really difficult to translate.
Gyaaa- is kinda an eek. or interjection.
Mukyaa is the sound of getting angry.
I found that out from an onomopedia dictionary.
Japanese also say, "Yoishu" before picking up heavy objects or getting into cars. Which is a sound effect and more likely done by women then men. But translating it.... ummm.... really difficult. There isn't a satisfactory wasy of translating a lot of sound effects.
For example, in Japan, most of the Frogs and toads do say, "Gero Gero" and not ribbit. It gives you a sense of the *scale* of the frogs. which are HUGE. But if you're translating "Gero gero" and going on about how big the frog is and say "Ribbit" it just doesn't capture how mind bogglingly huge those frogs really are. (Put one hand in front of another. Yup. That huge)
So that's why the translators chose to not translate it because you can't really translate the majority of Japanese sound effects well. There is a sound effect for silence too....
BTW, Koreans also use more sound effects in speech than most English, but less than Japanese do. IIRC I think there may be more onomatopoeia in certain sub dialects of African American English.
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Mariah
July 16, 2014 at 9:04 AM
That's really interesting! THanks for letting us non-speakers in on it a bit. It makes a difference, and is one of the main reasons I read DB.
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12 junny
July 15, 2014 at 4:58 AM
If Shim Eun-kyung takes the Nodame role, producers should consider selecting another actor for Chiaki. As it stands, Joo Won doesn't fit the Chiaki role - the vibe is totally wrong and he's no Tamaki Hiroshi.
But it seems after the Yoona backlash, any actress worth her salt would be concerned about taking on the role since it's such a beloved character portrayed to perfection by Ueno Juri. I wouldn't be surprised if Shim Eun-kyung eventually declines and maybe she should stay far away from this remake since it's looking like a hot mess already.
And we haven't even gotten to the possible storyline changes...
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Mindy
July 15, 2014 at 5:05 AM
Kang Ha Neul is suitable for Shim Eun-kyung
Height difference and acting-wise.
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Sam
July 15, 2014 at 5:38 AM
I was just thinking that yesterday after seeing the article about him on DB! :D
But I still have hope for Joo Won. I love his acting.
My only issue is the drama itself. Please can it not be another Level 7 Civil Servant. Pleeeease. I can't take another crap Joo Won drama. He's too good for this! You'd have thought he'd have learnt to stay away from remakes after that disaster :(
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prita
July 15, 2014 at 5:43 AM
7 Grader drama having the same problem too... Finding a lead actress for it. Ooofff.
Don't do it boy..
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redfox
July 15, 2014 at 5:05 AM
maybe Shin Sung Rok, then?
even though he would still not be Tamaki Hiroshi, or completely right, I would get more kick out of it. and I read in one thread he has some musical background too.
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junny
July 15, 2014 at 5:59 AM
Hmm... Shin Sung-rok is a bit creepy for me after his turn in You From The Stars, haha. He's also 31.
I was thinking Lee Min-ki might have been possible (he's 29 though). But I'd still rather prefer this remake didn't happen.
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keets
July 15, 2014 at 6:44 AM
My gosh! I didn't even consider Lee Min Ki. He'd be a badass senpai!
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tablet
July 15, 2014 at 6:47 AM
Ugh I want Lee Minki or Bang Sung Joon to play Chiaki
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Sur
July 15, 2014 at 9:08 AM
True lmk would be awesome.. From him i remembered even Sung Joon would be nice!!
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danna
July 15, 2014 at 11:18 AM
Lee Min Ki would be phenom as Chiaki.but I think he's not doing dramas anymore
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redfox
July 15, 2014 at 9:50 AM
oh me god Sung Joon, why did I not think of him? he would contrast Shim Eun Kyung so well too.
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dramacupcake101
July 15, 2014 at 7:33 AM
I think Kim Jae Wook would make a great Chiaki
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13 klir
July 15, 2014 at 5:31 AM
She was a perfect fit all along but that still doesn`t mean i`ll watch this drama.
Actress was never a problem to me, it`s the fact Group 8 is producing this and that means a complete mess.
I feel like if declines they should just call it quits.
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14 hawoojinruinedme
July 15, 2014 at 5:46 AM
I was practically in cloud nine when I saw Kim Seul Gi's name in the mix, and then came crashing back down to earth immediately just after a few words. Nevertheless, Shim Eun Kyung really is perfect for this drama and I hope she takes it!
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15 eunchans
July 15, 2014 at 5:51 AM
I really hope she doesn't take it because it looks like a mess in the making and really isn't worth her time. She's such a promising actress and doesn't even need a project like this to boost her popularity either after Miss Granny.
If she does decide to do it I probably will have to watch it + I was hoping they wouldn't cast anyone I liked in this. gdi :/
I think it's probably KBS who want her rather than Group 8. Group 8 are looking after an actress who is popular in Japan bc this drama is basically made for the Japanese audience (hence trying to cast Yoona) but KBS are eager for it to be a hit at home too. They got Joo Won (none of his dramas have outright flopped, and he has had hit after hit for KBS) and are trying hard to grab Shim Eun Kyung too.
I'm sure there's plenty of excellent mangas/manhwas they could adapt instead of this...
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kwoondoon
July 16, 2014 at 5:28 PM
I never understood the whole remake thing. Why would the Japanese (even fans of certain idols) choose to watch a crappy remake (watered down 90% of the time) when they have the originals already? I can understand wanting to watch an original Korean drama and if there are your favorites in it then it is like a bonus but why the remakes?
Waste of money...
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16 theRealWorld
July 15, 2014 at 5:52 AM
Official Comunicate: Yoona Refuses the role
Real Comunicate: The Pds Kick Ass Yoona
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klir
July 15, 2014 at 8:30 AM
The Truth: SM blocks both Yoona and PdS from going forward with this, after seeing the backlash their golden girl got.
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17 Raid
July 15, 2014 at 5:54 AM
Aaaaa..... Aaaaaa.... Aaaaaa....
ALELUYAH...... ALELUYAH.....ALE...... LU........ YAHHHHHHHHHH ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
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18 maldita
July 15, 2014 at 6:33 AM
As much as I'd love to see her do Nodame, I'd rather she stays away from this inevitable mess of a drama.
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19 rinodino
July 15, 2014 at 6:47 AM
Lol, looks like we have to wait till next week. Shim side will make decision next week, http://m.news.naver.com/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=312&aid=0000038127
It just hit me that we are not casting to Nodame but the best look alike to Ueno by the logic of these netizens.
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verzaholicbee
July 15, 2014 at 12:49 PM
And that's why I don't like Joowon as Chiaki, even if his acting is amazing, his face is too nice and young, he doesn't look at all like Chiaki senpai!
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junny
July 15, 2014 at 1:46 PM
To be fair, Ueno Juri does look a fair bit like the manga Nodame, and Tamaki Hiroshi definitely bears some resemblance to the manga Chiaki (though I'd venture to say he's much better looking than the source character, heh). You don't cast actors who are nothing like the source material, because after all, this is part of what "live-action" is all about.
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20 esjpx
July 15, 2014 at 6:50 AM
I don't think taking this project would be a good move for her career, seeing that teen manga adaptations rarely do well.
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21 Lola
July 15, 2014 at 6:54 AM
From the moment the remake was announced, I was sceptical. Group 8 basically ruined every Japanese drama-remake starting from Boys over Flowers to Bel Ami.
Then the mess with Yoona and the lie that they need the writers blessing when they never approached him in first place.
While Shim Eun-kyung can pull Nodame off perfectly and Joo Won is one of those actors who can suprise, I just think the story and comedy will not be the same as in the original.
What I love about Nodame is that it is the journey of a bunch young, unique people coming together working on one goal and in the process finding themselves as well as change. Romance was not the main theme (well, unless you call Nodame's obsession with "senpai" the romance factor.)
I'm scared they ruin that for the cheesiness.
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22 Aly
July 15, 2014 at 7:08 AM
I do like Shim Eun Kyung but I would still like it better to see Im Joo Eun cast as Nodame.
I'm just really rooting for Im Joo Eun's career to really hit it big.
PS: Is anyone in Dramabeans planning on recapping "Marriage not Dating"? Because that drama is seriously GOOD and not getting enough attention!
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Bex
July 15, 2014 at 9:08 AM
Yesssss marriage not dating is really interesting I thought it was going to be more predictable than it has turned out being! A recap would be lovely but there are so many good ongoing dramas I can understand why there hasn't been any.
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coffeenlucia
July 15, 2014 at 5:11 PM
Marriage not Dating is so awesome!! Fav airing drama right now ^-^
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23 danna
July 15, 2014 at 7:32 AM
I'm crossing all fingers and toes... Hoping this happens now..... If not I'd rather they don't make this drama.... Mostly I'm hoping they don't
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24 TP
July 15, 2014 at 7:40 AM
One would know if it gets too much trouble to make a drama, when production HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET, it's best to abandon the project. Group 8 is being ridiculous, this drama readaptation is nothing but money to them. I won't be surprised if this drama will be a total critical and commercial failure.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 8:58 AM
Critical failure, yes, major failure with most that have watched the original, but commercial not necessarily.
See recent "successful" dramas such as Heirs and Dr Stranger. Big moneyspinners and career-enhancers too. But dragging the quality of K-dramas to the pits (IMO).
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
July 15, 2014 at 10:46 AM
Was Dr Stranger successful, in the end? I mean, at least Heirs clocked in those 20% ratings for weeks but I don't think DS ratings went past 13 percent after the first couple of weeks.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 12:08 PM
I don't know about ratings (although I vaguely seem to remember that the competing dramas in the same time slot had lower ratings even if the DR ones didn't skyrocket?).
However, the Chinese movie sequel surely is something that they are cashing in on.
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windsun33
July 15, 2014 at 1:20 PM
I am obviously out of touch with most of the mass of k-drama watchers - it seems like the ones I hate the most are often the big money makers (regardless of how bad the plots are).
This is one of the few places on the internet where every drama is not "the best drama ever". :P
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25 shaynanigans
July 15, 2014 at 8:38 AM
Like everyone else here, I've been completely caught up with the Nodame Fever. I even marathoned the Japanese (live-action) version this past weekend.
WOW!!! I can't wait to see how the Korean version tackles this challenge. Will it be as whacky? Will it play like an anime come-to-life? Who will play Mine? Will my wish be granted with Hoya being cast as Kuroki?
And Nodame..... The back and forth with finding a female lead is enough to drive any fan into a tizzy.
You have to admit, this is a genius marketing campaign. For how many months now have we been reading the casting news with baited breath? Each tidbit is consumed with relish or objection. Filming doesn't even start for another 3 months and yet this drama seems to be THE DRAMA everyone is talking about.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 9:03 AM
<You have to admit, this is a genius marketing campaign.
True, but it could backfire (people do get tired of overpromotion). I also still think their 'testing the waters' approach by throwing out potential casting names (to the wolves) is cowardly.
Then again, this sort of happened with Heir, which was a mess but financially successful.
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rinodino
July 15, 2014 at 9:23 AM
I think it is starting to happen a little. I see a lot more "don't even bother remaking it" or asking "Shim to decline" comments in the articles.
The news isn't ranking as high in the read/click side as it was last week. Worst still, I suspect they may have lost some $ in buying rights. They probably have to pay more to Shim now since BH mentioned adjusting the salary and the price to sell to China/Japan possibly lower without Yoona.
In the end, it is all Grp 8's fault and they are in trouble, paid for rights, signed 3 actors and no drama to film yet. They will pay Shim anything to do this or they are dead meat i guess.
If I am BH entertainment, I will up the price ridiculously high lol. Shim Go Go Go...
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26 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
July 15, 2014 at 8:42 AM
Ideally, KBS should just give up on this. I don't think Joo-won is right for Chiaki either, Shim Eun-kyung (and after her possibly Im Joo-eun and Kim Seul-gi) seem like better choices for Nodame but this production house has a track record of messy manga/manhwa adaptations and SEK is too good to be associated with their brand of mess.
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danna
July 15, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Seeing the amount of support for I'm joo run and Kim Seul GI makes me think that fans are better at casting these shows than the producers... I mean whoever thought of Yoona?
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27 NileRose
July 15, 2014 at 8:54 AM
Let Nodame alone korean producers I am sorry for those talented korean actors and actresses who are working hard but the writers don't have any creative stories to make the korean dramas unique & special .
Seriously the Drama for them is only business but Nodame is the beauty of classical music I adore this drama & characters especially Nodame & chiaki .
If the script & dialogue don't match J version I won't watch it whatever who are playing .
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28 windsun33
July 15, 2014 at 1:22 PM
Given the rabid fan reaction, I wonder if it is even possible to find anyone that would be acceptable.
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29 liz
July 15, 2014 at 1:47 PM
Ok, people need to get over some remakes. Some original jdramas aren't that good, just that their fans are too biased and stan the j actors, some actors that doesn't even act that well. Bof, hana yori dango, meteor garden all suck, nothing can save it. I read the entire manga and still prefer it over the dramas/movies.
One good remake would be The queen of classroom.. I loved it, people said the jdrama was better and I tried to watch it but... I prefer the korean version, the jdrama version the kids acting weren't that good and I couldn't love them as much I loved the kids from k version.
I watched Mars tw drama and checked the manga, they followed everything right and did a good remake of the manga.
Operation proposal, people said the k version sucked so bad, but the original the main actor were so so bad, I prefer the kversion with better acting - but I admit they changed things a lot, still was more interesting than the same thing happening in the jdrama.
Now, nodame I tried watching the j drama and.... not sure but I couldn't get into it. I still prefer the manga tbh.
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alua
July 15, 2014 at 4:29 PM
No one's claiming a general superiority of j-dramas or j-actors here. Of course there are terrible j-dramas, terrible j-actors, and some remakes are better than their original.
Some original / remakes are not even a matter of "better", they are merely different and can each stand on their own.
Manga to drama isn't a "remake", but an "adaptation", which is a wholly different thing, with different issues related to genre. Issues multiply if the adaptation is done across cultures and/or languages, which happens as well.
Some things aren't suited to remakes, others aren't suited to adaptations. And sometimes it all works out!
In this case, a large number of people seem to agree that 1) the original was so good (in writing, directing, acting, sound, etc.) that no remake is needed and subtitling/dubbing is sufficient and 2) that there cultural elements (type of humour, character types) that are either nearly impossible to transfer or unlikely to be transferred in a remake but that were decisive for the original.
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30 Bera
July 15, 2014 at 2:07 PM
Please just let this disaster dies.
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31 girl
July 15, 2014 at 3:15 PM
i think kim so eun will be a good choice.
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32 Ppasun
July 15, 2014 at 5:27 PM
I just don't understand people who get all bent out of shape insisting KBS and Grp 8 shouldn't remake this drama. Do they honestly think they are going to listen to them? They see an opportunity possibly to make some dough targeting non-fans of the original manga and Jdrama (mostly Korean and Chinese) and are casting their dice. If they fail, it is their loss and people so unhappy about the remake can just not watch. Even the author of the original didn't have any problem selling the right to remake the drama, so why are people who have no say in this getting so upset?
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Kim Yoonmi
July 15, 2014 at 9:45 PM
The mangaka has had wrist surgery and had to rest up at the end of the first major serial for Nodame before she could finish the story with a side story--which took 6 months. Surgery and continuing health problems aren't cheap. This isn't to say I blame her for selling the rights, but that in the original she spent a lot of time corresponding with the real Nodame (which is a real person she loosely based the character on and got consultation from) to make the drama, was able to leverage the producers to do better versions of the music and coordinate with the real Nodame during the production and insist on it.
The difference here is she has health issues and needed the money, so I'm worried she's not going to have the same leverage as she did for the original series. And the original Nodame will not be involved. BTW, I'm hoping she gets better... if you think Koreans are workaholics, Japanese aren't much better....
Stories are fun and have a sort of resonance for people. It's sad to see something so good followed by a terrible remake. (Do I have to name a few?) You can take people vested in the project to be good rather than terrible because they are passionate about the story.
I'm not going to begrudge anyone their opinion. If they can type the Korean, they can send it to the KBS twitter feed. =P I sent a message requesting Im Joo Eun. (Before Shim Eun Kyeong came back in the ring)
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33 Feliss
July 15, 2014 at 5:39 PM
Hmm.. My heart... is still rooting for Kim Ji won...
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34 J
July 15, 2014 at 7:01 PM
Watching the comment sections and being 200% sure these are the same people who will be watching and following the recaps once the drama's out! Pffft
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35 jam
July 15, 2014 at 10:17 PM
after shim eun kyung, i'd love kim seul ki to take the role!!!!! both are perfect for these kind of roles.
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36 webby
July 16, 2014 at 12:34 PM
The title of the remake in itself is a telltale sign of a disappointment that is to come.
Nodame Cantabile is first and foremost, at least in my book, about the love for classical music that brings Chiaki and Nodame together.
The remake's title seems to indicate that Nodame Cantabile will get the typical k-drama makeover: heavy romance with the love triangle-or-quadrangle resolved in the 20th of 22 episodes.
No.
Leave Nodame Cantabile alone.
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37 Kaybee
July 17, 2014 at 11:05 AM
I LOVE her! She is right for the role but Joo Won? Errr...maybe is not right for her though he is good in his own rights. The pairing is too off. He can pass off as her older brother not a lover.
She is young and has a very young and vibrant air about her unlike some actresses even though if they are young, they look older and has a mature vibe like Yoon-Ah. Yoon-Ah and Joo Won would have bee ideal and so is Im Joo Eun like some people are suggesting. Kim Seul-gi is not a bad choice either... She is fun.
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