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Chuno, Runaway PD comes back with cable spy drama Neighborhood Hero

Director Kwak Jung-hwan is in talks to come back with a new blockbuster action-spy drama, this time for cable channel OCN, and here’s to hoping he gives us more of the action and intrigue of Chuno and Conspiracy in the Court that made him famous, rather than the disappointments of hyped follow-up projects Runaway Plan B and Basketball.

The new project is operating under the working title Neighborhood Hero and, according to PD Kwak, has been in pre-production for a long while. It has a reported production budget of 8 billion won (which translates to close to $7 million USD) and takes the concept of “neighborhood spy action” drama, although I have no idea what those words together mean in terms of drama genre. The only thing I can think of is the (unrelated) blockbuster film Covertly, Grandly, which had spy-action elements but also close-knit neighborhoody relationships. Is that what they mean? It’s hard to tell, though I suppose it’s not a bad project to emulate since that movie was a box-office smash.

In any case, PD Kwak does do better with this kind of plot, all fast action and spy antics. Chuno was super-charged with energy and testosterone, and while Runaway Plan B was less of a hit, I did end up really enjoying its globe-trotting caper comedy beats (even if the plot itself was outlandish and unrealistic—but Lee Jung-jin, chasing Rain, over and over and over again? That was good times). Basketball was a strange exercise in dour histo-reality that was tanked by terrible rookie acting, but hopefully PD Kwak has learned from that and will be using his flashy directorial touch to better effect for Neighborhood Hero.

One thing’s for sure: With OCN up to broadcast the drama, there’s lots of room for cool effects, gritty action, and stylish direction. The timelsot is still undecided, though PD Kwak did say he plans to work with a rookie scriptwriter, with casting and detailed plans still in planning stages. Neighborhood Hero is aiming a 20-episode run.

Via Star News, Osen

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Aah, Basketball. *wipes tears*

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Oh the prayer circles. Heads stay away from recapping this lol.

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Heads is a pro, she can handle any drama demons.

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hahahahahaaaaa. Did the second lead from Basketball show up in other dramas? I thought he had potential *leers*.

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Sadly that was the only drama he has done so far.

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Chuno and Conspiracy in the Court were pretty awesome sageuks.

Haven't seen a K-spy drama/movie that I like beside Shiri. I might check it out if I like the writer and the lead actors.

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Thought "Chuno" was pretty boring (wasn't much intrigue at all) - as it was basically one endless chase scene interrupted by killings.

Beautiful cinematography, tho.

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Not as intriguing as Conspiracy in the Court but I liked it a lot.
That particular historical timeline always gets me and I've never dislike a sageuk based on King Injo's reign although I hate him to pieces. "War of the arrows", Cruel palace: war of the flowers", "Chuno", are some of my favorites.

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Totally enjoyed Runaway Plan B

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Please work with a good writer this time, PD Kwak!!!!

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I loved Chuno and Plan B's second half was fantastic and very flashy. Both lacked actual substance but I can't deny I enjoyed them immensely so I'm looking forward to what he'll do with this new one. Also, if it's anything close to how awesome Covertly, Grandly was, then I'm so in. That movie still makes me cry when I see it.

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Ooh I love Chuno !!

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Based on Kwak PD's leading men and IF he wants to bring someone he had worked with as the main lead, I guess we probably could hope for:
1. Rain
2. Oh Ji Ho (Jang Hyuk isn't available)
3. Jin Yi Han
4. Lee Jung Jin

But neighbourhood spy?? The premise alone makes me want Ji Chang Wook starring in this drama..
I want him to be super cool spy but dorky and clumsy in real life, like Healer Seo Jung Hoo and Park Bong Soo..

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Of the 4 you listed, I hope to see Jin Yi Han. He's talented but for some reason can't break into solid leading man status. :(

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I'm all for Jin Yi-han for lead here. He's so good but underrated.

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I'm in.

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Chuno was awsome!!!!
Roookie script writer....ummm.....we'll see the reviews before watching.

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