News bites: April 1, 2017

by awcoconuts

Seo In-gook, Won Bin

• It’s so hard to let this one go: Seo In-gook enlisted on March 28, but before his departure, the multi-talented performer released a digital single called “Walking With You,” which he wrote (the lyrics and music for) in honor of his fans. [DongA]
• Won Bin (Ajusshi) is considering a remake of the British film Still Life. Still just considering. Since last year. [Sports Chosun]
• Oh no, filming on Jang Nara‘s Housewife Detective has been temporarily halted for a month. The drama will be 100 percent pre-produced and hasn’t received a timeslot yet, which may be a reason for the delay, but the show directed by Han Chul-soo (My Little Baby, Bottom of the 9th with 2 Outs) is still being planned for a simultaneous broadcast in Korea and internationally later this year. [MBN]


Jo In-sung, Lee Jung-jae

• Lee Byung-heon has turned down the lead in Ansi City and Park Bo-gum is still undecided, but Jo In-sung (Dear My Friends) is now being courted to play Wang Manchun, the Goguryeo commander who was responsible for pulling together the strength of the people and for protecting the city’s fortress from a Tang invasion. The blockbuster sageuk film about Ansi City’s epic struggle will be directed by Kim Kwang-shik (Tabloid Truth) and distributed by NEW. [Joongang, News1]
• Looking to strike box office gold for a third time are director Choi Dong-hoon and Lee Jung-jae, who worked together on Assassination and The Thieves. Choi’s remake of the Hong Kong film Overheard will be called Wiretap, and Lee’s confirmation is the first for what will undoubtedly be an all-star cast. Cameras for the movie will begin rolling in August for a release in summer 2018. [Sports Chosun]
• JTBC has denied reports that the cable station is remaking The Attorney into a television show, stating that they had merely acquired the rights to televise the hit 2013 film. [Seoul Economy]


Lee Juck, Lee Chae-young, Choi Won-young

• Lee Juck (Youths Over Flowers) is headlining a fun-sounding new variety show called Change Your Course. Filming begins this weekend with Moon Tae-joo behind the camera (an assistant director for Answer Me 1988), and Lee will take courses at international institutions and discuss his learnings with guests in Korea via video capture. Given his proficiency in languages, it sounds like they found the right person for the job. The first episode will premiere on tvN in May. [News1]
• Lee Chae-young (Maids) has stepped in in the wake of Hwang Woo-seul-hye‘s departure from Ruler–Master of the Mask. It’s uncertain when she’ll begin filming her scenes, but the Wednesday-Thursday drama is still on track to premiere on MBC on May 10. [DongA]
• Making a special appearance on While You Were Sleeping is Choi Won-young (Hwarang, Laurel Tree Tailors, and interestingly, he starred in the 2011 SBS daily drama of the same name). The details regarding the guest spot are sparse, but he’ll be playing an impactful role. The 100 percent pre-produced show starring Lee Jong-seok and Suzy is currently filming and will be released on SBS later this year. [Osen]


Yang Se-jong, Seo Eun-soo, Cha Eun-woo, Dong Hyun-bae

• Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim’s Yang Se-jong (In-bum) and Seo Eun-soo (Yeon-hwa) will keep their rapport going in the upcoming suspense drama Duel. They’ve both been cast in the thriller about human clones–Yang will play a 2-in-1 character, a suspect who has lost all his memories and his clone, a mysterious killer, while Seo has been cast as a reporter. Duel launches June 3 on OCN. [Herald]
• Cha Eun-woo (Dugeun Dugeun My Life) and Dong Hyun-bae (Shut Up Flower Boy Band and elder brother of Big Bang’s Taeyang) have been added to the cast of The Best Hit. Cha will play MJ, the popular idol of talent agency Star Heaven. MJ keeps his prickly personality in check for his fans, but behind closed doors, his smile will fade. Dong’s been cast as MC Drill, a secretive guy who lives in the room above Kim Min-jae and who, like Kim, is an idol trainee at Star Heaven. The trio were once friends, but now things are awkward. The ode-to-youth variety drama expects to premiere in May on KBS. [Sports Chosun]
• Forest of Secrets, the thriller starring Jo Seung-woo as an investigator who loses his ability to feel emotions and Bae Doo-na as a scrappy policewoman, has secured its spot on tvN’s schedule and will follow Chicago Typewriter on Fridays and Saturdays in June. [Joongang]

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