What? Kim Dong Wook was offered this role? I'd love to see his take. Too bad.

I've mixed feelings towards Lee Jin Wook. I liked him in Nine and Three Musketeers but found him meh in others. Honestly, I can't imagine him doing a Jang Hyuk in this but it's a new character and up to Lee Jin Wook to interpret. I'm curious to see how he will step up to it.

I wouldn't mind seeing Lee Jin Wook in Voice since the character of Jang Hyuk already got the closure he needed for his wife's case.

I didn't watch Return but hopefully, this drama would let me forget about Lee Jin Wook's acting in the botched In Time With You remake *shudders*

Ohhhhhh.....okay. I'm not exactly loving him in Return.

There are some of us who would prefer Lee Jin wook. "He's no Jang hyuk" that's fine with me. I like LJW's subtle sarcasm he brings to roles.

Thanks for the update, Javabeans!

For a second there I slipped my clutch and read it as SIGNAL. I guess the mills of the gods are grinding slowly on that sequel.

I'd be all in for a second season of VOICE if there were more of the bat-frequency hearing and fewer serial killers.

Thank you. I didn't want Jang Hyuk in another season of Voice anyway 😛.
Give him a real sageuk with Seo Ji-hye.

I'm pretty meh about LJW. Don't love him, don't hate him. I kind of wanted LHN's character to be the team leader though, especially since she's the one that formed it in the first place.

Kim Young-kwang? -- What the heck?! He has 3 movies coming out in 2018. Dude's been busy since Jang Do-han's swan dive off the building with Yoon Shi-wan.

Hm.

No offense but I think Lee Jin Wook is too handsome for the role, and lack 'crazy' factor.

I like Lee Jinwook! ^^ I wonder if Lee Hana will return, or will there be a new female lead. I’m okay with both!

But the one I miss the most is Kim Jaewook... T.T

How's Lee Jin Wook doing lately? I'm not exactly familiar with his recent projects and I've opted out of Mr. Black after reading the recaps, and cringed in Time We Were Not in Love. And reading the comments above me, it seems like Return isn't doing him good either. Is it him and his acting or is it the wrong projects he's in? Just wondering and looking for opinions :)

I can't stand to watch him in anything after his scandal (which is a bummer because I loved Nine), so if he takes it I probably won't watch.

LJW? Um no, I'm still suspicious of his past scandal, knowing how unfair and weird the law about sexual harassment/ assault in S. Korea. I categorized him in the same group of PYC, PSH and KHJ, must-avoid list.

Oh, yikes, scratch that. I've read up on LJW's recent "scandal" and I don't want him on my screen right now.

I like him. But I like Kim Dong Wook about 100x much more :(

JANG HYUK may be the best actor on the planet (film & tv at least). And I'm heartened by his refusing to reprise this role because he doesn't think he can bring anything new to it. From Fated to Love You to Beautiful Mind to Money Flower, he has never played the same character twice, is not afraid to look silly, ugly, scary, psychopathic, or sweet. As opposed to others who say his acting is too "loud," I think he's "loud" when the drama calls for it, but contained and reticent if that is more appropriate for the character or scene. In general, his acting is very nuanced--but extremely powerful, which some may mistake as "loud." His agility, ability to quickly but carefully switch expressions, and thoughtfulness never fail to move me. He touches my heart while at the same always leaving me thinking--not just feeling.
LEE HANA should, without question, lead the Golden Time team. Her character did a great job last year--and although I'm not a huge fan of her acting, it certainly was good enough to merit her playing the team leader again. I look forward to seeing her grow as an actress and develop the ability to more quickly respond to what is happening in a scene and stretch her emotional range.
LEE JIN-WOOK was sly, gutsy, unkempt, and smart in Return. Of course he plays "brave" well (see Mr. Black) and sexy really well (see Nine). I'd love to see him have the chance to prove himself as part of GT team. And, importantly, he is NOT being hired to be the crazy dog. If he accepts the role, he will make it his own and I look forward to it.
"SHADY DEALINGS"--this is tricky. Sadly, if you don't want to watch anyone with a past, I guess Jang Hyuk is off your list with his scandal re military service (the memory of which hits me hard at the most unexpected times when I'm watching him in a drama). From all I've read, LJW did not do anything wrong, but I don't read Korean, and am not an expert in K law, so I know what I'd like to believe--and there are plenty of articles in English to back me up--but I don't know what I should believe, i.e., what is the truth.
As a poet, I had to make a decision years ago whether to let a poet's political beliefs (Ezra Pound was a facist--or sympathizer at least), lifestyle (was Lord Byron an abuser of women or just a playboy?), etc. factor into whether I would read his or her poetry, and if I did read it, would I let it affect what I thought about it.
I realized I'd be missing out on too many inspiring, challenging, exciting, wonderful bodies of work if I turned away from the art because of the artist.
But it's harder when the artist is right in front of you: when it's in the present not the past and when you are confronted with the actual body of the artist not just the body of work.
There are several American and British actors and comedians who I can no longer watch--at least not for now. Maybe later. Maybe when some time has passed, I'll be able to look at their work the same way I do...