73

Choi Jin-hyuk up to play legal whiz in Pride and Prejudice

Daniel Choi was the name first bandied about to headline the legal drama Pride and Prejudice (which would have reteamed him with the writer of School 2013), but now it’s Choi Jin-hyuk (Fated To Love You, Emergency Couple) in talks to step into the lead’s shoes instead. Some stories state that he’s confirmed while others say he’s just positively considering, so y’all know the song and dance by now.

Kim Ah-joong is still the name in the mix for the female lead role (she’s another who’s “considering favorably”), and her prosecutor character was described as a dogged investigator with no use for things like money, fame, or the bureaucratic system. On the other hand, our chief prosecutor of a hero enjoys all of those things… and let’s hope they mean that in an opposites-attract way and not in a he’s-corruptible way. The leads’ personalities would suggest the former, since she’s work-focused, stubborn, and bold, while he’s unflappably calm and able to crack jokes in serious situations.

They’re both smart prosecutors, but the hero possesses a particularly brilliant mind—enough to bypass university wholesale and become a prosecutor right out of high school, having passed the bar exam at 21. That makes him a veteran with over 10 years of experience, with a skill for ferreting out what other people are really thinking, even as he keeps his own private thoughts inscrutable to others.

If Choi Jin-hyuk takes the drama, it’ll likely be his last before he has to enlist in military service. Pride and Prejudice will follow Records of a Night Watchman as MBC’s next Monday-Tuesday drama, premiering in October.

Via IS Plus

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , ,

73

Required fields are marked *

Why couldn't the heroine possess a particularly brilliant mind? Sigh...

0
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

Because the heroine will need the hero to save her later on...

Also, hero's character usually more interesting than heroine in dramaland.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really want a K-drama where the heroine is smarter than the hero and rescue him for a change. Even Disney has grown up in this respect.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think Protect the Boss is that kind of drama. The secretary was smarter, cooler than the Ceo. and ın High School savy, also the secretary was much more smarter than the manager again :)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

^I also agree with that...Protect the Boss was one of those dramas, it was fun to watch. I'll also add Golden Bride, its a bit older but the female lead ends up turning around the life of a man who has severe panic attack disorder, so I guess she kind of changes him.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

In the ongoing daily soap "My Dear Cat," we can say Yang-soon is smarter than Chi-woong, in that she's got more experience, she's seen as a competent magazine reporter, and she's the one who trained him on the job (not exactly a genius, but geniuses are overrated anyway!). They developed their romance when Chi-woong supported her during her family troubles and *SPOILER* plagiarism scandal. *SPOILER ENDS*

I'd argue she always ends up being the one to need support (although we're only halfway through the drama and shit is only hitting the fan for Chi-woong recently), but at least in K-drama standards, this is one of the healthiest power dynamics I've seen. Of course, we have our usual problem of the girl being the damsel-in-distress and both having their communication gaps, but it's refreshing nonetheless.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I wish both possess normal minds but smart because of hard work. It's more relatable than "gifted genius" and both will be able to have events where they assist and save each other.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

More CJH? Yes, please! He is gorgeous, I do hope he shows up with different hair this time. I dislike the man bangs. I'm not entirely sure he can act because he was pretty great in GFB but it was such an easy character, then he was flat for me in FTLY but it was a superficial character so I can't judge. Never watched EC because I dislike divorce stories.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Even though I was happy he got his big break, I actually liked his character more than his acting in the first two episodes of GFB.

And on a really superficial level, part of me was turned off by that side swept fringe he sported. I knoowww, so many people crowned it the mane of glory and he sure was pretty to look at, but honestly, that thing looked immovable and the cut itself... Minus the ponytail and he wouldn't look too out of place in a k-pop boyband.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought he was already off to the army soon. I guess not. Seems like he's really pushing the deadline.

And it's funny how he's suddenly going to be doing active duty when it was so publicly reported that he was gonna do the police performer thing. All that backlash probably got to him in the end.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I just hope he is signing up as the lead this time round, it's time for him to move up to the first lead instead of being the second all the time!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It would be his big role if the writers do this right. I really have no confidence in MBC dramas these years.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Can we just ditch the whole legal drama bit and let Choi Jin Hyuk play Mr Darcy in the original rendition of P&P *foaming from the mouth*.

0
10
reply

Required fields are marked *

I completely agree. If they were going to use a classic title they should have gone with Crime and Punishment for a legal drama. leave Jane Austen alone if Choi Jin Hyuk isn't Mr. Darcy!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

IKR!
When I first read the title of the drama I was like oooh interesting....then I read the synopsis LOL

Mr. Darcy is my first fictional crush!! and I approve of CJH as his korean version kekeke...but he will never be Mr. Darcy OTL

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes yes yes please! I could not agree more! I would love to have CJH as Mr. Darcy *hands out tissues* :D

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Omg yes! CJH can definitely pull off a Mr. Darcy!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes yes yes omg Choi Mr.Darcy lol saving Mr.Bingley from Jane ...please lets do it ???????

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

ooh yes

I was in favour of this plan with Daniel Choi but the switch in leading man doesn't do anything to change my love of it.

(on the condition that Elizabeth is not a Candy and is played by a decent actress too!)

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agreed! Elizabeth is no candy! the girl has sass!
I am thinking of Park Shi Yeon from "Coffee house" or Lee Bo Young from "I can hear your voice"...loved these 2 sassy ladies!

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agree with y'all! Yes, yes, yes!

Let him play Mr. Darcy. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is no candy.

Who would play Bingley? or Jane?

Who would play Mr and Mrs Bennet?

Well, this is good daydreaming material, if nothing else.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Upon brief reflection, I do think Daniel Choi would be a better Mr. Darcy, if it were to go that route.

He just seems more Darcy-esque to me.

0

I'd die! he could go to the army and in the mean time someone could write up the korean version of P&P in a matter of 2 years. I'd love to hear him say "not handsome enough to tempt me!" I wonder who would make a good Mr. Colins

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It still is perplexing for me that instead of LYB, it's CJH that received a lot of fame after GFB's success. Seung-gi and Suzy were big stars way before the drama, YYS did the very successful AM94 while Sung Joon had INR3. But LYB is only doing a second lead role more than a year after GFB's end when she totally deserved to be the breakout star.

CJH, on the other hand, has - IMO - the same facial expressions and dialogue delivery in almost everything I've seen him in. Other than the so called 'hotness' he really is pretty one dimensional. I though the guy who played Dylan in the original FTLY was bad, but CJH just beat him.

I was hoping Daniel Choi gets to play the lead in this one since it sounded like something he'd kill. Too bad, because I'm so out if it's CJH.

0
13
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same here he's nice to look at but all his characters are pretty much the same. Maybe not the roles themselves but his portrayal. Except for EC, not to say that it was an improvement, just different.

As excited as I was for Daniel Choi the descriptions seem a bit generic so while I know he could elevate it, I'd rather he do something of more assured awesomeness.

I'll at least wait till the teasers to decide if its worth watching but I couldn't care less now.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I admit that even though I really really liked him in GFB (although I didn't quite fall in love with him like everyone else, nor was he enough to keep me watching), his last two characters have felt pretty flat for me too. I personally think that the writing of those characters is partially to blame, but they weren't such poorly written characters that a more charismatic performance couldn't have elevated them a little bit (for me). So I was disappointed. But I'm hoping that a role like this could give him a chance to offer a performance a bit more layered. We'll see.

I definitely agree that this is no longer a must-watch for me, as I certainly have people I'd rather see cast, but I will give it a chance.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh! His last three characters actually! I straight-up forgot about Heirs LOL.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really liked him in GFB, he outperformed every one of the leads with the exception of Lee Yubi.

(yes, even Lee Seung-gi. It got to the point that many people said that the first two episodes i.e. the parent story, was much better than any of the episodes after. So he really did earn his fame)

Lee Yubi on the other hand, delivered a firecracker of a performance that put all her costars to shame, but did not get nearly as much of an advantage from GFB's hit status (second leads rarely do, especially women). Which really annoys me, because she is so talented and versatile, and should have been in a lead role right out of GFB.

At least her new drama sounds interesting and is by a writer who creates interesting female characters, even if she is second lead again. As her self-appointed #1 fan, I really hope she breaks into lead roles after this - she's too good an actress not to.

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's cool if you think that way, but I very much beg to differ. CJH may have had a 'hotter' character or look or whatever in GFB, but in no way - for me - did he 'outperform' Seung-gi or even Yoo Yeon-seok - both of whom were fabulous in the drama and showed a variety of range. Very unlike Wol-ryung who stalked Kang-chi with half his hair on his face looking 'sexy', the other actors in the drama actually had a lot of different facets to play with. But really, this is a debate for another day...

It's very much depends on perception, but CJH is a one dimensional actor who is popular on looks rather than talent. I'm sure there's a lot who won't agree, but there are also lots who will.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wow, passive-aggressive or what? She just said her opinion of his acting and you have to try to say people can only like him because he was "hot" ...

Yoo Yoon Suk is normally a really good actor but the writing for Tae Seo in GFB was so inconsistent that he didn't shine that much. Same with Seung Gi, he was good but looked strained. Whether it was the role or the effort of compensating for his leading lady's bad acting, idk but he looked much better in scenes with the senior cast and YYS/LYB.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

LOL, I don't know why I'm bothering, but maybe it's because you missed the parts where I said "for me", "depends on perception" or "many won't agree".

Opinions differ - as I've said above, I'm cool with that. Maybe it's you who who isn't. I'm quite critical of CJH because of reasons stated above. I'm also straight forward about it rather than being "passive-aggressive" because I have no reason to dance around my main point. Which is that, for me, he isn't all that.

0

"...with half his hair on his face looking ‘sexy’..."

Heh. Mostly what I remember him for. And not in the most positive way... His character, on paper, was already likeable from the offset and you also have to factor in the tragedy that engages our sympathies. Perhaps in the hands of a lesser actor, this role may have been butchered up or overacted, so CJH did fine with the material he was given (bit lacking in some parts, but generally fine), but by no means did he outperform the majority of the cast.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Idk, it's not particularly perplexing to me - unfortunately it's just the way the industry works :(

Attractive dudes who aren't particularly talented (imo) like CJH honestly have a much easier time making it versus young actresses who may actually have the talent. Sad but true.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with you.... I FTLY, Wang Ji Won with the same under develop character act way better than him. Wang Ji Won even have less screen time enable to makes her character come to life and makes me care (if you conider about acting is one of the reason you invest for a character)
Wang Ji Won is just eat him alive in their reunion scene at episode 20...

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

WJW is fantastic in everything I've seen her in. You can give her some crappy material to work with and she still shines. Also another actress that deserves to break out into leading lady category. There are actually so many actresses that aren't getting a chance because of idols. Actors are luckier in that regard.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh totally. Now that you mention it, I'd love to see her in a lead role one of these days because I think she can do interesting things with her characters. Great, another actress to add to my list of actresses that I'm waiting to get lead roles!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

He got lucky with GFB because everything he's done before and after has been totally forgettable. I really do hope LYB moves on to lead roles soon, especially since so many idols who can't act are getting cast instead of her as leads.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes to Choi Jin Hyuk! And if Kim Ah Joong doesn't sign on, can I wishfully hope for Im Joo Eun? Love her! And him in Heirs where they and everyone else were criminally wasted. That would be a reunion that I'm looking forward to! :)

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Second your thought!
CJH's talent was wasted in The Heirs after took roles of daddy Gumiho -____-

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

erm to be far GFB was just as bad, wolryung was more interesting but overall drama story was ridiculous

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

LMAO@ "...criminally wasted." So true!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I feel like a nuclear apocalypse is more likely to happen than Im Joo-eun getting cast in a lead role again, given how much we wish for it and how she repeatedly ends up in cameo roles.

*sigh*

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

3 simple but seemingly difficult hopes for dramaland, no expiration date:
1. Im Joo Eun and Lee Yubi as leads - cable and/or Big 3
2. Choi Jin Hyuk + Im Joo Won part dos
3. Kim Woo Bin + Kim Ji Won

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Aw, I'm happy for him. I totally thought he was supposed to go to army this past summer so I was surprised to see him taking all these roles, but it's awesome that he is! I'm glad he's snagging a leading role before he heads out :) He's certainly had a great year (although, I admit, his recent roles actually weren't my favorites).

And does this mean Daniel Choi can do a rom-com or just some even more awesome drama that I'll be even more interested in? I really miss him in dramaland :( In something I want to watch, that is.

Also, I still wish they'd change the name back to Lawless World. I like it much better :/

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

I second that! Really miss want to see Daniel Choi again. Do I really have to watch Big Man? And yes they should change the name back, especially if it's going to be a thriller in tone.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Me 3 I'd love to see him in a rom-com . I always wanted the special drama "aticipating love" to continue the OTP's story line, that ending was not enough for me ! ??

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved Big Man and you won't believe Daniel Choi's performance! Please give it a chance.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes, I miss him in dramaland. I can't stomach Big Man but if Daniel Choi does a romcom I'll watch it.

Lawless World is much better than copy paste Pride n Prejudice but has nothing similar with the original P&P

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Believe me, I endured and lingered on watching Big Man only for Daniel Choi and Jung So-Min.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ehh though I had a good opinion of him after following GFB but I wonder if all the hype colored my perception. Every other role of his I've seen has been boring and I felt outright contempt for his character in EC. So now I feel I would've rather had Daniel Choi, unless this project bombs then I'm glad he's out.

Someone said she should be particularly brilliant which I agreed but then we see what happens when everyone's a genius (ahem Medical Top Team).

Overall I hope for the best but my tentative excitement is gone (though that was more when it was still Lawless World or whatever).

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree. I feel like in my comment above I'm trying to be happy for him because I liked him in GFB. And I still want to hold out hope that he could do well here. But I feel that while this year was good for him in terms of getting his name out there, it wasn't so good in terms of, well, making me love him more. I'm still hopeful though. Just not excited... (unless it means Daniel Choi gets a super awesome drama instead LOL)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

"enough to bypass university wholesale and become a prosecutor right out of high school, having passed the bar exam at 21"
So u don't have to attend law school to become prosecutor in Korea? Just need to pass bar exam??

I'm honestly waiting for Daniel Choi, because I want to see him as male lead! I already formed my imagination on how Daniel Choi will take this role.

Somehow with this CJH casting, it raises eyebrow on me. I never thought CJH is good enough to be first lead on big3 networks. His character in EC is annoying, instead of charming n he's completely overshadowed by Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra in FTLY. GFB was when he really shone, maybe because that's the only good thing from drama n his character is interesting.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know about Korea, but a law degree is not strictly necessary to practise law in the UK.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Well, I will wait patiently for Daniel Choi's next project. In the meantime, I'm glad Choi Jin-Hyuk has the chance to build up his drama repertoire before heading off to Military Service.

Personally, I liked him in his other projects since Gu Family Book: Heirs, Emergency Couple, and Fated to Love You. Granted his role in FTLY was limited, relegated to a secondary male lead, and overall the storyline for his character was underdeveloped and constricted. Grandpas Over Flowers Investigation Team is on my never-ending Kdrama to watch list.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yay! I'm excited for this. I love his voice.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Take it!! Take it!! TAKE IT!!!! PLEASE!!!!

I loved (and still love, as I'm still going through a very painful withdrawal) him in "Fated To Love You", but felt like I didn't get enough of him through his D.Pit character *sigh* The life of a patient suffering "Second Male Lead Syndome"....

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nooo my mind was set on Daniel Choi for this!
Casting of CJH took me by surprise I thought the next news about him would be the army. Nonetheless CJH is good enough, this role may take him to another level, I haven't really loved the characters he played (FTL EC Heirs).

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes!!!
I thought he was completely wasted in FTLY (especially towards the end) - he needs a kickass role and this sounds really good!

I'm surprised to see the amount of negative comments on here about his acting, considering it was like he was the next thing since sliced bread after GFB in here..anyway, I think he's made some poor choices in roles since GFB, notably Heirs and FTLY where he was pretty much eye candy and nothing more; I wish he'd choose some stuff that showcases his range, like EC - at least it gives him a chance to change things up but I still think he's great!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

i agree with you. his talent was wasted in heirs. Moreso in the FTLY. But i support him all the way. Let us not jump to conclusion. MBC gave him the role coz they had seen something in him that others cant see. Good luck CJH. Fighting!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

He seems to be on a roll lately! Most likely to get as much acting done before he disappears into the army?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I know there are a lot of comments about his acting. All I can say is I am more haply they didn't cast an idol.

Because then some of the acting really sucks. Here at least you guys can carry on a civilised opinion about his acting. His acting is alright. At least he can emote. He has the looks and the height. Plus MBC is conservative anyway.

Hope this drama is a success for his sake. The synopsis sounds boring you see.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Korean dramas and their current penchant for old titles that has nothing to do with the original ones. Iron Man, Pride and Prejudice, what's next? Harry Potter?

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

hahaha.

I would love to see Harry Potter in Dramaland

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Don't give them ideas..... I am not ready to see Hermione as a Candy!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

A candy Hermione should never exists! And they would never accept a gay Dumbledore anyway. They'll make him the epitome of manliness. But Ron would probably be more handsome in a Kdrama.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

His character passes the bar exam at 21 without law school? Is that even legal? Anyway, this sounds interesting, and Choi Jin-hyuk is perfect for it. Hope he signs on! Looking forward to it!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

omgg nooooooooooo!!!!!! army already!! 2 years without him no gah uffffff this is gonna hurtt :'(

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

damn it. I was really hoping Daniel Choi would take on the leading role. Sigh. Choi Jin Hyuk is cute and all, but he just doesn't have that extra charismatic vibe as an actor imo.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with who said he is a limit and one dimensional actor…. I FTLY, Wang Ji Won with the same under develop character act way better than him. Wang Ji Won even have less screen time enable to makes her character come to life and makes me care (if you conider about acting is one of the reason you invest for a character)
Wang Ji Won is just eat him alive in their reunion scene at episode 20… Maybe WJW is just too awsome CJH's acting in that scene is pale in comparison to WJW's

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree. WJW's character was undeveloped too but seems to brought more to the table. And obv no doubt the two Jangs stole the show but WJW still manage to squeeze something out. He on the other gave a dainty second-lead who I didn't much care about. He did a better job than this T-counterpart though.

I like him Heirs and yes he's eye-candy but after watching FTLY, I started to doubt whether he can carry a lead because he seems quite 1-D for me. Maybe was lucky that everyone else in Heirs weren't captivating that I liked him. Except for Mr. Awesome Choi Young Do Kim Woo Bin.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm chomping at the bit for this drama. So ecstatic that Choi Jin Hyuk had enough time for this drama. I was so worried about him going to the army. But now I'm tossing confetti at the news.

I hope he never takes a 2nd male lead again. This super fine namja deserves way better roles. FTLY was so hard to watch because while I hearted the main OTP, his character got so gypped.

I remember first noticing him in It's Okay Daddy's Girl and was blown away with his acting and knew immediately he had the "IT" factor to be a star, but so imagine my surprise and happiness that he finally got attention for GumiHOT daddy.

He was fantastic in Gu Family Book, obviously the character being awesome helped, but there was that extra umph factor that I could never get over in that 2nd ep when he's about to die and he says "Why did you do it?" Gets me every time. Other than that, the drama was a trainwreck, but hey, I was okay with it because Wol Ryung was worth it.

Liked him in Heirs, it was awesome to see him breakdown in that last episode, but it was also amusing to see him play such a cold and conflicted character.

Wasn't prepared to like Emergency Couple, but the chemistry between him in Song Ji-hyo was palpable and I enjoyed the drama, especially their bickering moments and their sweet moments.

Not sure what CJH has done to deserve so much vitriol on dramabeans recently, haters be hating. I miss the days when everyone here on dramabeans lamented over how he was being overlooked and deserved better roles because they had seen him in I Need Romance.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Well said, especially the part about his chemistry with SJH, it was great in EC. I am hoping for the best with this drama, because the synopsis seems to be a little bit over-played lately in dramaland. I really hoping the writing and directing doesn't let me down, because I am sure the actors will be fine.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wow, I saw him in a recent Happy Together episode and I was surprised from that outcome. I believe he has a thing for female idols since he had always dreamed of being a singer before acting. I wouldn't be surprised to see him date a singer rather than an actress.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *