News bites: February 27, 2016

by awcoconuts

Ji Chang-wook

• Ji Chang-wook recently wrapped filming on Chinese drama Mr. Right in Shanghai. He’s been in the city working on the show for three months, and he plays a man who goes from a lowly entry-level employee to a chaebol heir overnight, while his co-star Wang Xiao Chen suffers the opposite fate when her ultra wealthy family is suddenly forced into bankruptcy. The show is expecting an airdate in China in mid-2016. [Sports Seoul]
• There’s an expected premiere date for the Chinese film remake of Heirs, an international project that has enlisted Heirs writer Kim Eun-sook to write the movie adaptation. The script is currently being finalized and the film should hit theaters before the end of the year. [DongA]
• Running Man star Lee Kwang-soo is everywhere lately. He’s still mulling over the Johnny Drama role in the Entourage remake, and now he is positively considering the lead in a web drama called Sound of the Heart. It’s based on a popular sitcom-like webtoon, and he’d play the central character, a writer. The manhwa is being adapted for TV by SNL Korea writer Lee Byung-hoon, and ten episodes of ten minutes each will first be released online, then air on KBS. Filming begins in mid-March. [Joy News 24]


Lee Kwang-soo, Yoon Kyun-sang

• The rumor mill continues to churn regarding upcoming manhwa adaptation God of Noodles. One minute, Yoon Kyun-sang (Six Flying Dragons) was cast as a ragey lead character in the show opposite the still-unconfirmed Lee Je-hoon, and the next, the story was emphatically denied by his agency, Popeye Entertainment. Yoon’s reps scoffed at news that negotiations were underway, clarifying that an offer had never been received. The pre-show gossip should die down and we should get some confirmed casting news soon, as God of Noodles is scheduled to follow Descended From the Sun on KBS. [Joongang, Sports Chosun]
• KBS is courting Lee Seo-jin to be the main MC on a new variety program. The concept is one in which the MCs would donate their various skills, which in Lee’s case might be looking handsome and being grumpy? The variety/talk show will be directed by Oh Hyun-sook (Mr. Peter Pan, Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook), and variety figure Noh Hong-cheol, who has laid low since a drunk driving incident in late 2014, is also in negotiations to join. Is it too much to hope Lee declines so that he’ll still be available for Na PD kidnappings? [Star News]


Kim Min-seo, Lee Seo-jin

• Kim Min-seo (Hwajeong, Rosy Lovers) will make a special guest appearance on Pied Piper. She’ll cameo as Shin Ha-kyun’s flame in the premiere, which airs March 7 on tvN. [Xports News]
• In conjunction with the National Police Agency, Signal recently undertook a “storyfunding” effort. Stars Lee Je-hoon and Jo Jin-woong released the results of their campaign (over 1,000 people contributed 11.7 million won, which will be donated to the families of victims of violent crimes) and expressed their gratitude via handwritten signs. [Sports Seoul]
• Congratulations to Hwang Jung-eum — she married professional golfer and businessman Lee Young-don on February 26. A brief press conference was held just prior to the wedding at which Hwang said, “I’m so grateful for the blessings of so many people. We promise to live well!” The wedding was officiated by Lee Soon-jae halbae (they were in High Kick 2 together) and had approximately 700 guests. [Sports Chosun]

Hwang Jung-eum

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