News bites: October 11, 2015

47 October 11, 2015October 10, 2015

by awcoconuts

Han Hyo-joo

This will be a cute cameo: Han Hyo-joo (Dong Yi) will make a special appearance in the Chinese remake of Beauty Inside. In the Korean film, the protagonist wakes up in a different body each day. As if that weren’t challenge enough, he falls for Han and courts her despite his bodyswapping secret. In the Chinese-Korean joint film, she’ll play the opposite role, and will get to be one of the bodies the lead wakes up in. Director Baek Jong-yeol, who directed the original film, will helm the remake as well. [Joy News 24]

Awl, the webtoon-based drama about union workers in dispute with management, will now be a weekend drama on JTBC. Originally planned for the Friday-Saturday time slot, other shows had struggled there for the cable network, and the decision was made to air the show on Saturdays and Sundays instead. The premiere has been pushed back a day to October 24, and Awl, starring Ji Hyun-woo (Angry Mom) and Ahn Nae-sang (Hwajung), will run for 12 episodes. [TV Report]

Kim Bum

Former babyface, now hottie, Kim Bum (Hidden Identity) has been cast in an upcoming Chinese drama titled Yip Man and Bruce Lee. He’s landed the plum role of the legendary martial artist, Bruce Lee, and Kim will be the only Korean actor in the show. Produced in part by major broadcaster Jiangsu Television, it will be a large scale drama filled with top native actors. Kim begins filming in China this month. [Joy News 24]
CJ E&M keeps milking the cash cow that is Miss Granny. The Chinese version of the 2014 Korean box office smash was released earlier this year and was also hit, setting the record for highest grossing Korean-Chinese joint film. Filming has concluded for a Vietnamese remake, which will hit theaters in December, and now, the entertainment company has made plans to produce a Japanese version in conjunction with Nihon Television and the movie studio Shochiku. Stepping into young Shim Eun-kyung’s role will be Tabe Mikako, while the geriatric Shim will be played by Baisho Mitsuko. Mizuta Nobuo will direct, and the film is targeting a release in the early half of 2016. CJ E&M plans on taking Miss Granny to Thailand, Indonesia and Germany next, and has made assurances that each iteration will be adapted to meet the viewing preferences of each country. [Xports News]

Choi Yoon-so, Nam Joo-hyuk

Choi Yoon-so (Sang-ye in Twenty Again) is gearing up for a role in OCN’s Neighborhood Hero by attending action school. She’s been cast as a beautiful and talented secret agent; the best on her team. Her character is more than just a hoobae to former black-ops agent Park Shi-hoo (Alice in Cheongdam-dong), and they’ve become quite close. Neighborhood Hero airs in the beginning of 2016. [My Daily]
YG Entertainment certainly has been pushing Nam Joo-hyuk (Who Are You–School 2015) hard since his debut last year in Surplus Princess. The agency has just released the news that Nam will hold a triple-city fan meeting tour in China — he’ll be in Guangzhou October 18, Shanghai October 27 and Beijing November 7. He’s currently playing a young Joo Sang-wook in Dazzling Temptation and will be in the hotly anticipated tvN drama Cheese in the Trap in December. [Yonhap News]

Song Chang-eui

Song Chang-eui (Dr. Frost) will play Maxim de Winter in the musical adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. (A classic gothic romance seems somewhat of a strange choice to modify for the stage, but I suppose Phantom of the Opera is an example of how it works?) Rebecca has had a successful run in Korea before, and Song has actually performed in another musical written and scored by the same duo, Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay–he was in their Elisabeth. Rebecca the musical will start off touring in Busan on December 2 and make a stop in Daejeon before settling in at the Seoul Arts Center from January 6 to March 6. [Xports News]

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1 alua

October 11, 2015 at 6:19 AM

The Korean Beauty Inside isn't the original film, it's a remake of an American short itself.

I quite like Tabe Mikako. I have yet seen any Miss Granny, but once all the different adaptations have been made, it will be very interesting to compare them all (there could be a nice academic paper in this).

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fishfingers_fb

October 11, 2015 at 8:05 AM

I thought it sounded like David Levithan's book, 'Every Day', which has that exact premise with a male main character, it's been out for years.

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alua

October 11, 2015 at 1:52 PM

The Korean film is based on the 2012 'social film' (?) The Beauty Inside from Intel and Toshiba (it's on the internet) – this is acknowledged in several summaries & reviews. I looked up info for that, they don't seem to mention 'Every Day' anywhere. I googled around, it seems the book is from 2012 – both the American film and the book were released in the same month (Aug). No idea which came first!

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elric

October 11, 2015 at 8:42 PM

It's a bit different from Every Day. A "possesses"/transfers from one body to another, a different life everyday. While in Beauty Inside, Woo-Jin appearance changes. He still wakes up as himself, still retaining his identity.

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2 neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~

October 11, 2015 at 6:20 AM

Tabe-chan is a good choice I guess and I think CJ E&M is really pushing it! hahaha

And Im actually looking forward to see more of Sang Ye, I like her role in Twenty Again because she's someone can we can relate with if we're in her situation hhihi

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3 fantasy

October 11, 2015 at 6:39 AM

Any news of LSH's decision about the drama "Neighbourhood Hero"?? Is he taking the role??

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Dahlia

October 11, 2015 at 9:28 AM

He took it. There have been pictures of him on set.

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4 Mandy

October 11, 2015 at 6:53 AM

I miss Han Hyo-joo... hopefully she'll be back in dramaland soon if only so she could clean up her image a bit. I really want her to star in the remake of BBJX with an equally awesome co-star. But how likely is that? Sighs.

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Ananta

October 11, 2015 at 8:24 AM

I dont understand it, whats wrong with her image?
I like her.

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Rachel

October 11, 2015 at 8:44 AM

Off the top of my head, there're allegations that she used her agency to cover and hush-up her brother's bullying ways in the army.

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lc

October 11, 2015 at 10:39 AM

A victim of her brother's bullying in the army committed suicide, and her agency suppressed any media coverage of it.

Imo she actually fits the aura of the female lead for BBJX, but until I hear that the family of the deceased victim has received a formal apology, Han Hyo Joo is NOT welcome on my screen.

That's the least I can do for this unnamed person and his family who can't get any redress for the injustice and pain they suffered.

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

October 11, 2015 at 5:55 PM

Agreed :)

Pity her, because the wrongdoing done by her brother, but she is the one needs to bear the consequences. Anyway, glad she still get roles in film.

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Joey

October 13, 2015 at 8:24 PM

Well, if she did apologized or at least didn't try so hard to ignore it when there was such a huge complaints over the net forwards the issue, then, the Knetz won't be putting much blame on her. But they found it distasteful to see her keep being the Army ambassador and all kinds of articles about her brother got deleted. Not to mention, the real account by the victim's family and friends who said that they didn't get ONE single apology from ANY of the family member (means, HHJ also didn't send her apology in person to the family) makes her receives the hate from public as well.

Joey

October 13, 2015 at 8:48 PM

If the victim's family and friends didn't say that they haven't received ANY apologize message from her family (means that she can apologized to the victim's family on behalf of her brother in private) then, the Knetz won't be picking much on her. Also, if she's not trying too hard to ignore the public sentiments and keep going being in promoting the army. All articles that mentioned her and her brother's issue got deleted and that doesn't sit well with people in general.

Joey

October 13, 2015 at 8:19 PM

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5 SD

October 11, 2015 at 6:59 AM

Kim Bum <3

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6 Kiara

October 11, 2015 at 7:11 AM

I am a huge fan of Broadway shows/musicals and stage actors. It's a treat to hear news about some of the musicals in Korea. Thank you awcoconuts!

Korean production of "Rebecca" the musical debut in 2013 starring Oh Man-seok and Yoo Jun-sang. Song Chang-eui would be an awesome Maxim de Winter. I hope it'll be as popular as Bram Stoker's "Dracula" the musical starring Shin Sung-Rok (my fav Dracula) and ( currently Kim Junsu).

I wish more idols would do musicals first for the acting experience before jumping into dramas and movies. Most of the best actors in Korea with raw/natural talents started off their career on stage.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2015 at 9:34 AM

yes, on the face of it idols' day job is singing, if they want to act it would make more sense for them to earn their chops in musicals instead.

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Kiara

October 12, 2015 at 6:21 AM

I've warmed up to a few idol actors but the majority of them in dramas are still terrible.
It's the opposite when it comes to musical. I love most of them there and became a fan of some K-pop idols that I've never heard of before like Park Ji-Yeon (T-ara) in the Korean production of Les Misérables. She is my favorite K-Éponine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OcpVuV9gxQ&index=32&list=PLIJNkeTKfHwya4mjFPWF508BtVUSas3WW

Lea Salonga will always be my all time favorite and although Park Ji-Yeon is not at Lea's level yet I still love her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjfmP7h3gBw&index=11&list=PLIJNkeTKfHwya4mjFPWF508BtVUSas3WW

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Y.

October 12, 2015 at 2:01 PM

She's a different Park Ji-yeon from the one in T-ara despite her name being the same ;)

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Kiara

October 12, 2015 at 3:11 PM

See how much I know about idols? Lol Thank you for correcting me.

pigtookie

October 11, 2015 at 9:39 PM

Most of the idols who feature in musicals are the ones who sing well. The idols who act in dramas/movies don't necessarily fall into this subset, especially those who are in the business to jumpstart their acting career and may not have excellent singing/dancing skills.

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Kiara

October 12, 2015 at 6:46 AM

That is true, it's live performance after all. There are also non musical shows but I don't know if idols are as popular on stage as they are on tv.

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sam

October 12, 2015 at 10:05 AM

Junsu of JYJ is the one I know of who has surpassed anyone expectations as an Idol on stage. He was meant for theatre. I've only see Kyuhyun and he was great. However I'm a biased fan. Lol! Brian FTTS was also good but he is too old to be called an idol and he was in a smaller production that had a good supporting cast.

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Kiara

October 12, 2015 at 3:08 PM

Yes, Junsu can also sell out a show.

Kyuhyun sounds awesome live. I didn't care much for "Moon Embracing the Sun" the drama but I want to watch the musical because he is the main lead there. I think Seohyun is his leading lady (not sure).
I've gotten to know quite a few idols from watching musicals. I must say it's more of a positive experience than watching them on tv.

My bias are mostly film/drama actors who goes back and forth between the stage and the big screen like Hwang Jung Min!!! love love love him, Jo Seung Woo, Um Ki-joon, Kim Seung Woo etc.

7 pancchi

October 11, 2015 at 7:14 AM

Is former cutie current hottie Kim Bum playing Bruce Lee?? Big shoes to fill, hope he does justice and has a great time:)
Happy for Choi Yoon-so, she is doing a good job in 20A, hope she gets great roles in future!

Thank you for the news updates, awcoconuts!

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SD

October 11, 2015 at 7:20 AM

Yes, he's playing Bruce Lee. I wish him all the best for this venture. It's no easy feat.

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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐

October 11, 2015 at 5:57 PM

Choi Yoon So should be given lead role already! She is pretty and can act

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8 koreandramalover/kay

October 11, 2015 at 8:29 AM

Considering the history between China and Korea, it is interesting to note that in the entertainment world of both countries at least, the two countries are getting along quite well.

Also, with so many South Korean actors, actresses, singers and entertainers working together with their Chinese counterparts in various genres, I have been wondering a few things, namely :

Is it because of the worldwide appeal of South Korean actors, actresses, singers and entertainers, the Chinese powers-that-be in the entertainment industry are keen to collaborate with their South Korean counterparts, and perhaps piggyback on the popularity of their South Korean counterparts? Especially considering the well-known fact that Mainland China is, today, still very much seen in a negative light by much of the Western world, and also by their Asian neighbours.

Is it because of the immense talent of South Korean actors, actresses, singers and entertainers that compel the Chinese powers-that-be in the entertainment industry to collaborate with them? If that is the case, then wonderful.

But then it brings up another question. How do the Mainland Chinese actors, actresses, singers and entertainers (and there are undoubtedly too many of them to count) feel and think about the collaboration?

I wonder if the Mainland Chinese actors, actresses, singers and entertainers are wondering if their South Korean counterparts are taking away their jobs?

The above question is something not pleasant to think about but it is a reality in today's world, where the brain-drain phenomenon is prevalent and the entertainment industry is no exception.

But for viewers like myself, I am more than happy to have the best of both worlds - talented Chinese and South Koreans working together.

I have watched many Chinese (Mainland Chinese, Taiwanese and Hong Kong dramas and films) and countless South Korean dramas and films and I can safely say that without real talent, none of the actors, actresses, singers and entertainers would last long in the cut-throat industry that is the entertainment industry, especially in both countries, simply because there are so many who are ever-willing to enter the industry.

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koreandramalover/kay

October 11, 2015 at 8:34 AM

Actually, what I wanted to say is not so much the brain-drain phenomenon but the influx of foreign talent into Mainland China through the China-South Korea collaboration.

The brain-drain phenomenon may be seen from the South Korean's perspective, not so much from the Chinese.

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lc

October 11, 2015 at 10:26 AM

The Koreans are just the latest entrants into the Mainland Chinese market. Established Taiwanese and Hong Kong artistes have been working on Mainland Chinese productions for years, and it's only with the recent Hallyu wave in China that you hear more of such Korean-Chinese collaborations.

Even our artistes from the Singaporean entertainment scene are doing it , but on a more limited scale. There are times when I watch Mainland Chinese productions to find an actress or actor from our local scene with a starring role in them.

In the 1990s and up to early 2000s Singaporean wuxia dramas were often shot in China because of the scenic backdrop as well as period settings the country offers. I believe that the Chinese government at that time had a requirement that any foreign produced drama needs to star a minimum number of Mainland Chinese actors/actresses before it can be allowed to be shot in China. Of course now with the size of the Chinese entertainment scene, the bargaining power has tilted towards the Chinese side, and dramas with actors and actresses from outside China are jointly funded, that's how non-Mainland Chinese artistes are able to get a spot in them.

I believe it's win win for both sides. The non-Mainland Chinese artistes get a chance to break into a market with 1.3 billion viewers, while the Mainland Chinese artistes get additional options and casting offers. And of course for the investors, they get to hedge their risks since the drama could be sold to more markets.

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koreandramalover/kay

October 11, 2015 at 10:47 AM

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I agree with everything you've said, especially because I am a Singaporean
and so I can absolutely identify with your sharing.

And without a doubt, it is a win-win for most of the characters involved in the collaboration, including viewers such as ourselves.

However, I cannot help but wonder what other (especially negative) effects the collaboration might have unleashed.

For example, one might say that the Chinese entertainment industry is not paying as much attention to their countrymen and women who are in the industry because of the many collaborations with outsiders.

After all, the Chinese diaspora is so huge, comprising Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and the rest of the ethnic-Chinese living all over the world. So, there is never a shortage of talent to choose from.

So, every time there is a collaboration, one cannot help but wonder what the ethnic-Chinese actors, actresses, singers and entertainers are feeling and thinking.

Could they be thinking :
Are we not good enough?
Are we not commercially-attractive enough to be in the dramas/films such that a non-Chinese need to be in them?

Especially when we know that the dialogue in practically all the dramas/films produced in Mainland China will be dubbed by Chinese actors/actresses and/or voice actors/actresses.

So, in a sense, the South Korean actors/actresses need not even be speaking but just move their lips to as close to what the dialogue sounds like and just act accordingly. Is that even true acting, I wonder? They are not Charlie Chaplin or in a Charlie Chaplin film where the actors just act silently.

In the same light, I wonder what South Korean dramas/film directors and PDs might be thinking when so many of their counterparts are collaborating with the Chinese entertainment companies?

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lc

October 11, 2015 at 11:23 AM

Hi to a fellow Singaporean!

You could say that such collaborations help to broaden the horizons of all parties involved. And it's a matter of luck whether you get to be casted in a joint production versus a local one, much like whether you get to work in a MNC vs working in a local company.

I wouldn't worry for the Mainland Chinese actors and actresses, as there are always state funded wartime dramas, period dramas about the Chinese revolution or just plain historical dramas/epics that will definitely use exclusively Mainland Chinese actors and actresses. And given the limited number of the non-Mainland Chinese artistes, their direct competitors are still their own countrymen and women.

But some interesting side effects of the talent drain into China:

1. Because of a dearth of male actors to fill lead roles in Taiwanese dramas, Singaporean and Malaysian actors are able to be casted in Taiwanese dramas. That's how Christopher Lee from Singapore was able to win the Golden Bell award last year. ❤?

2. The heavyweights in the Hong Kong industry are worried about the future of their entertainment scene, eg. How Hong Kong movies have lost their unique flavour, how hard it's for talent to break out in Hong Kong movies.

3. More Korean dramas are being pre produced so that they can simultaneously air in both China and Korea.

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9 Marcellina Chiazor

October 11, 2015 at 8:30 AM

@fantasy

Yes,LSH has accepted the role in "neighborhood hero". He even posted BTS on his SNS.
I believe they are filming now.

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10 Jenny

October 11, 2015 at 8:37 AM

Hmmm, I really don't see Tabe Mikako in the role (mainly as she's not really convinced me in anything)
Takimoto Miori would have been a nice choice, plus as a bonus she can really sing.
Or if we want to ride on the hype train then Hirose Suzu or Nounen Rena.
Baisho Mitsuko though is great!

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mindy

October 11, 2015 at 12:54 PM

I love Takimoto Miori! Well, I've actually only seen her in Ikemen Desu ne, but thought that she was very endearing (and I personally liked her more in the role than Park Shin Hye). And yeah, she's a great singer, her rendition of Alone/Without Words is my favorite out of all of them!

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11 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2015 at 9:36 AM

Tabe Mikako has big shoes to fill, after Shim Eun-kyung. Anyone got recommedations for any dramas/movies of hers?

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kuromitsu

October 11, 2015 at 1:35 PM

I've liked her since Yasuko to Kenji, but her lead roles are mostly fluff roles. She's definitely not afraid to make herself look ridiculous, but (IMHO), she's just slightly above average on the serious bits.

Probably her closest role to a light-hearted movie would be her Kimi ni Todoke role.

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12 mindy

October 11, 2015 at 11:39 AM

@pogo I've only seen her in Boku no Ita Jikan, which stars Miura Haruma as a young man who has just graduated from college and discovers that he has ALS. She plays his girlfriend. It's pretty good but it's not my favorite "disease drama", haha. From what I gathered from her performance in that drama, she's decent but doesn't leave a big impact. Maybe she's better in other stuff, though.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 11, 2015 at 11:53 AM

Thanks! I've never seen that drama because I've never thought much of Miura Haruma as an actor either, so I guess at least they matched on the skill level?

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alua

October 11, 2015 at 2:00 PM

It's Miura Haruma's best role. The one that shows he can act – his other works don't showcase his skills much.

I actually think Tabe Mikako is good in Boku no Ita Jikan, but it's not such a big or particularly interesting role that she has.

I think Boku no Ita Jikan is one of the better/best disease dramas out there – I normally avoid them like the plague, but this one is rather well done IMO. Sensitively told and well acted. Miura Haruma does not shy away from making himself look – not sure how else to say it – "unpretty". There'd be plenty actors who would not do this sort of role for the fear of harming their pretty flower boy image....

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alua

October 11, 2015 at 2:06 PM

I should add I never thought much of Miura Haruma either (no praise for him in anything else he's done), but this drama shows the potential he has. Pity that nearly every other thing he's done and continues to do are popular manga/anime adaptations that don't demand much in the acting department (physical action skills yes, but not emotionally varied & nuanced acting).

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13 Boba

October 11, 2015 at 4:42 PM

Rebecca is one of my all time favourites books and while it had never occurred to me before, I think it would be a great to make a Korean drama adaption. Just think of all the amazing angst and suspicion!

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14 phjfever

October 11, 2015 at 7:56 PM

I saw the movie by A. Hitchcock & Rebecca has a nice story let alone if it's a musical play! i wish i were in SK to watch my fave K actor Song chang ui! he's awesome & luv him since Golden Bride & of late e a Woman Cry! a very talented actor but still under-rated i guess! SCU fighting! He is the right man for Rebecca as Maxim De Winter!

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phjfever

October 11, 2015 at 7:57 PM

ooopps i had a typo i meant to say Make a Woman Cry! sorry my keyboard was failing

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15 kororo

October 11, 2015 at 8:50 PM

Tabe Mikako is a really good choice.

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16 Chesens

October 12, 2015 at 7:53 AM

I really want to see the Korean version, Beauty Inside. But I can't find a site where I can stream it eng subbed. Can anyone help?

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