Choi Siwon cons his way into public office in KBS's My Fellow Citizens

59 March 7, 2019March 7, 2019

Choi Siwon cons his way into public office in KBS’s My Fellow Citizens

by tipsymocha

I love a good comedy done well. And not many dramaland leads can do better at comedy than Choi Siwon (Revolutionary Love), which is why I’m excited to see him make his small screen comeback in KBS’s crime-comedy My Fellow Citizens. He’ll be joined by Kim Min-jung (Mr. Sunshine) and Lee Yoo-young (Your Honor) in what looks like a rousing satire of Korean politics.

The show’s newly released teaser gives us a glimpse of Choi Siwon’s conman character, who poses in the clip as a doctor, a lawyer, and an entrepreneur. He promises highly valuable, exclusive inside information to his gullible clients in each of his three personas, which ends up with him in hot water when he finds himself tied up, surrounded by thugs wielding bats and wooden sticks. He’s greeted by Kim Min-jung, a loan shark who calls him what he is: a conman.

But he’s a conman who might prove to be useful to her. And he’s sufficiently cowed by a pretty badass Kim Min-jung, especially after the thugs make threatening moves when he talks back at her “request.” He tentatively asks who his target is, to which she responds, “Our fellow citizens?” The camera pans from a smirking Choi Siwon to Korea’s National Assembly Hall as the clip ends.

It’s a little hilarious how naturally Choi Siwon fits into the role of a slick conman, and I look forward to learning how he finds himself married to a cop, and how he finds himself campaigning for a seat in the National Assembly. I’m a little heartened to hear that the writer behind Police Unit 38, Han Jung-hoon, will be penning the script since the show was such a fun action-comedy involving conmen, and I hope he has a successful debut with KBS. PD Kim Jung-hyun, of Jugglers, will be in the director’s chair.

My Fellow Citizens will, funnily enough, premiere on April 1, on KBS’s Monday-Tuesday slot.

Via Maeil Kyungjae

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1 Nessa (Bebe) 🌹

March 7, 2019 at 10:06 AM

So much behind the scenes hilarity going on even before the drama airs 🤣🤣 Si Won fitting so well with his role as a conman and the premiere of the drama being on April Fools’

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2 Mel

March 7, 2019 at 10:12 AM

Oooh this looks like fun! Siwon and HinaKudo! Fun fun fun!

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3 Diana Hansen

March 7, 2019 at 10:43 AM

looks great! choi siwan is great at comedy so it looks like another fun ride!

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zzthorn

March 7, 2019 at 1:39 PM

Choi Siwon is great at comedy as long as he retains his desirability (like She was Pretty) If he doesn't have that, it tends to be more of a flop, like Revolutionary Love. So if it's slapstick comedy or "idiot" comedy (where its supposed to be funny the more stupid a person acts) then SiWon won't fare so well. As long as he retains enough positive qualities, he can be a little silly and act out a bit. So I hope this new role will be one that allows him to be clever and creative and 100% in control of himself, like he was in She Was Pretty. There, he was entirely engaging and giving us high quality laughs. I just don't want to see him as an idiot again, like what he shows us in Revolutionary Love. It's especially off putting when someone like Choi Siwon plays that kind of role.

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4 UmbrellaMan

March 7, 2019 at 10:53 AM

Let's hope this is a better project than his last. I am trying to keep my expectations low for this drama - but it does sound really good!!

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5 shach

March 7, 2019 at 11:10 AM

Ugh, I love MinJung, but can't stand Siwon, choices, choices.

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GongWoo4eva

March 7, 2019 at 5:56 PM

Agreed. I just cannot support a vocal homophobe. #dealbreaker

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spazmo

March 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM

i am not aware of this... i do know he is very Christian in his beliefs. did he speak out against LGBTQ?

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aime

March 7, 2019 at 7:08 PM

Comment was deleted

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aime

March 7, 2019 at 7:09 PM

he retweeted an article debating the kim davis issue. he learned it was offensive and apologized right after for his ignorance. that is the only thing he has ever done. he never once spoke out against lgbtq, and a trans fan even greeted him at ss7 mexico and he was nothing but lovely to her.

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aime

March 8, 2019 at 6:45 AM

i love how retweeting something he was ignorant about and apologizing for it, someting that’s still being debated in the US supreme courts, means anything to you, but thanks for the view on this article. anyway how you say his interaction with a trans fan, which you don’t even know the details about, has nothing to do with this, when lgbtq involves trans rights too and is actually not “wholly different” …no comment. also the person blaming him for an incident involving his family… ok? no one asked for your support why are you here.

did not expect this kind of stupidity on dramabeans but anyway thanks for the interest and the site traffic.

spazmo

March 8, 2019 at 7:10 PM

@aimee22 goodness, are you talking to me? are you asking why i am here?? what did i say to offend you so....

i was merely asking about something i did not know about. i'm sorry.

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aime

March 9, 2019 at 12:15 AM

(i wasn't talking to you 😰 Sorry it looked that way! It wouldn't let me reply to who I wanted to reply to but then I decided to just add onto my comment and not bother. Sorry 😓 )

aime

March 9, 2019 at 12:18 AM

also please don't apologize for asking! you were really nice when you asked, it's why i answered you too because i know some people just want a fight but you didn't sound like you did. i'm sorry if it looked like i was attacking you!! thank you for being polite and respectful in this whole exchange.

spazmo

March 9, 2019 at 1:31 AM

i'm just so old that i don't understand all these nuances or reactions to what is typed... thanks for explaining!

Wise

March 7, 2019 at 7:11 PM

Define homophobe.

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Waputri

March 7, 2019 at 7:40 PM

I think someone who has a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward LGBT?
It doesn't seem right to call him out only based on one retweet on Twitter, considering how sweet he is to his transgender fans. Does being against gay marriage make someone homophobe? The essential feature of the term “homophobia” must include personal animus or malice toward the gay community. Simply having reservations about gay marriage might be anti-gay marriage, but if the reservations are articulated in a respectful way, I see no reason to dismiss the person holding those reservations as anti-gay people.
Same-sex sexual activity is outlawed in at least twenty Asian countries and being gay is still culturally taboo, including in South Korea.

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aime

March 7, 2019 at 7:55 PM

And to add that he never even expressed that he was against gay marriage, he only retweeted a debate and apologized sincerely in two languages when he learned that it was an offensive debate.

It's a US debate and more than half this country still debates this issue because they don't understand that it's homophobic, if Siwon deeply apologized and said he was ignorant but promised to educate himsef and never once retweeted anything similar, then for his fans who were hurt that was enough.

Wise

March 7, 2019 at 8:54 PM

thank you. i hope no one calling someone as a homophobe easily like that just because he has different opinion about same sex relationship. because that term like you said contain malice and hatred action toward lgbt, to put it simply homophobe is a bad person. and i think lgbt communities agendas aside same sex marriage is want to all discrimination against them especially at works no longer exist. because their sexual interest and opinion isnt related with their ability to works. but having prejudice against si won works just because he is not a pro lgbt? sounds like a hypocrite to me.
after all we agree to disagree about things, lets just be kind about each other.

shach

March 7, 2019 at 11:20 PM

Yes, refusing equal right based on someone sexual orientation is homophobia.

not here for it

March 8, 2019 at 4:47 AM

"Does being against gay marriage make someone homophobe?"

YES. It does. Full stop.

Also please don't reference him being 'sweet to transgender fans' (wtf does that even mean, should he get points for not slapping them in the face?) as evidence he is not a homophobe. This is like the 'I'm not racist I have a black friend' argument and it's downright preposterous.

not here for it

March 8, 2019 at 4:52 AM

(Hit send too early)...

Also while I'm on a soap box let's not confound homosexuality with being transgender, these are very different and one does not imply the other!

aeryn_lane

March 7, 2019 at 8:45 PM

Define facts. Except for one retweet which he profusely apologized for, there is no evidence of your accusation. But since we live in a world where one bad regret gets you labeled as a homophobe, I'm sure no amount of factual evidence that shows his true character would change your mind.

Best of luck to Siwon and the cast of the drama!

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aeryn_lane

March 7, 2019 at 9:02 PM

*retweet

Lars

March 7, 2019 at 7:38 PM

A "vocal hom..." ?? Let's say it's ok if you don't like him as an actor or as a person, but don't show all your ignorance and hate just because you can't stand him. Your comment just makes me wonder why you're here, on an article about him, you're taking time just to hate him? Pathetic.

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shach

March 7, 2019 at 11:23 PM

Wow, what a discussion my comment ignited, I can't stand Siwon acting from the start and I try watching a lot of his dramas, plus I soured a lot toward him after witnessing how him and his family handled their's dog case. I don't support homophobia but in his case I don't know if there is enough evidence to call him that.

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6 sal

March 7, 2019 at 11:13 AM

I get some mr and mrs smith vibe from this as it is about a married couple hiding what they are doing at work from each other. Looking forward to the comedy :D

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mary

March 7, 2019 at 7:35 PM

Now you got me even more hyped with that comparison.

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7 ladykrueger

March 7, 2019 at 11:40 AM

I'll take anything, as long as it makes me forget about his previous drama...

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8 larelle79

March 7, 2019 at 2:14 PM

I know Kim Min-jung gets all the love for Mr. Sunshine, as she should. But I loved her in Man to Man. She and Park Sung-woong need to do another project together.

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thatstp

March 7, 2019 at 2:24 PM

Now I know why we don't really agree on character's motivations and such. We have very different taste. She ruined Man to Man for me. I almost didn't watch Mr. Sunshine because of her.

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Yuyuu, The Drama Queen

March 7, 2019 at 2:30 PM

I'm on you with that.
I'm saying this in the most objective sense possible, but she's on my "I just can't watch her list".

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Yuyuu, The Drama Queen

March 7, 2019 at 2:31 PM

With you on that*
(sorry, it's kinda late here 😂)

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spazmo

March 7, 2019 at 7:07 PM

i agree with you, Kim Min Jung was the epitome of goony dweebie manager fangurl character in Man X Man - she was the least likely candidate to be a romantic partner for the suave debonair spyman... i loved her in that role and also in Mr. Sunshine as Hina!

i had a previous "drama grudge" against her from my very first year watching Kdramas... i had the misfortune of watching The Thornbirds and she was the antagonist, acted so well i actually hated her for years...

silly, yes. it happens, yes. and then, i got over it and learned to appreciate her because of Man X Man and Mr. Sunshine!!!

now i will look forward to her in this role opposite Choi Siwon!
: )

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larelle79

March 7, 2019 at 7:10 PM

I am glad someone sees it. Her progression over the series totally won me over. She grew. She matured. She got it.

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shach

March 8, 2019 at 3:41 AM

Same! For me it was her and Park Sung Woong drama , PHJ, who?

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9 nerdy

March 7, 2019 at 2:18 PM

I would have watched it but Choi Siwon's overracting just gets on my nerve. I normally don't mind actors who overreact but his expressions are too repetitive...
It is unfortunate, I really liked the writer

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kx

March 7, 2019 at 3:12 PM

Choi Siwon overracts. A lot. Thankfully he seems to know his range and always chooses comedic or overdramatic characters and dramas that fit him. Still, sometimes I wish to see a bit more nuance from him because it gets repetitive.

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Dru

March 7, 2019 at 6:24 PM

Well let's hope he's improving then,, i'll give him a chance..
The drama sounds fun..

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miss h

March 8, 2019 at 8:01 AM

Yeah, it gets on my nerves too, which is a shame because I really like the writer and the premise sounds fun.

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10 Yuyuu, The Drama Queen

March 7, 2019 at 2:28 PM

CSW is comedy gold, and I'm always happy to see him in *good* shows. PU38 is one of my favorite and well-written caper drama out there.

My only concern is -- and please don't hate me for this-- that I just can't stomach Kim Min-jung's acting. Her acting style is just SO jarring for me, to the point where I can't focus on her performance at all. I've tried hard to like her acting (since she's been paired with great actors in the past), but never succeeded.

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11 aime

March 7, 2019 at 6:11 PM

Love so many of Siwon's roles, tbh he does well not just in comedy, hope this drama leads to him branching out a lot. Even more than comedy, his forte is sincere, endearing characters, I hope this drama has enough nuance to show him as more than just a comic. Hope this drama is a success! It definitely looks interesting.

Though I have to say, his character for his last drama was so poorly written, once the writers found their ground with him towards the middle, he improved exponentially. The issue with that character was that he was all over the place. It's hard to sell a Revolutionary idiot, even one who uses idiocy as a coping method for child abuse. But that drama couldn't decide what it wanted to be either, a comedy or a serious drama about corporate reform. The writers for this new drama, on the other hand, seem more promising.

Not even commenting on people insulting Siwon as a person considering "vocal" for a single retweet he apologized for and said he was ignorant about is a stretch, but you do you.

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aeryn_lane

March 7, 2019 at 9:12 PM

I too was hoping for a drama role for him because I want to see him show how talented he is as an actor- that he's not just the second lead or the guy with good reactions/overreactions in comedies. But you can never judge a drama by its title or description so I have my fingers crossed that he chose this role because it's both an opportunity to challenge himself as an actor and it turns out to be a well rounded character in an interesting, fun drama.

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12 JiaYou

March 7, 2019 at 6:38 PM

Yeeey for Siwon's new drama! The trailer looks interesting. His last drama was a disaster. My love for Siwon, Kang Sora and Gong Myung combined couldn't save it for me.

And I adored Lee Yoo Young in You Drive Me Crazy.

Looking forward to this!

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13 Kairoskat 💐

March 7, 2019 at 6:43 PM

This does look fun. And theres LYY and KMJ!
I did kinda lkked Siwon in King of Dramas but Revolutionary Love was so meh I dropped it like a hot potato.

Maybe I'll watch 1 ep to test waters. Maybe. I'm in a new drama slump now. I'm starting to pick old dramas to watch. Haha

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14 Jenny

March 7, 2019 at 7:50 PM

Loved him in She was Pretty. Seems like he will do a really good job in this role as well. Can't wait !

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15 Waputri

March 7, 2019 at 8:06 PM

Welcome back Actor Choi! I fell in love with Choi Siwon since Oh My Lady and has been his fans ever since. Could not wait for the new drama, will definitely watch it ❤

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16 plincess_cho

March 7, 2019 at 8:20 PM

i'm not one for dramas, but siwon's acting in revolutionary love had me hooked from the very beginning! these drama previews have captured my attention and i look forward to supporting siwon once again ^^ his acting has only improved over the years, and i hope this drama will showcase that! <333

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17 nadh

March 7, 2019 at 8:39 PM

OMG! Choi Siwon's new drama!! It looks so much fun and interesting. and yashh Choi Siwon fitting this role so well. Looking forward to this. April come faster please!!

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18 bil

March 7, 2019 at 8:47 PM

im really anticipating this drama because from the teaser i can expect this drama will be good! and also choi siwon play this conman, i am really curious. can't wait for the 1st episode😊

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19 aeryn_lane

March 7, 2019 at 9:00 PM

I'm really looking forward to this drama! I know Siwon's defining role on "She Was Pretty" really garnered a lot of well deserved attention so I'm hoping this will recapture that momentum. This looks like a much more dynamic character- I mean, he's playing a con man- so I have faith!

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20 lyn

March 7, 2019 at 9:45 PM

Can't wait to see this drama! Especially to see Siwon act again!!! I'm pretty sure he'd do amazingly <3

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21 Cloggie

March 7, 2019 at 11:44 PM

I am an official Lee Yoo-young fangirl as I've watched every drama she's been in and loved her every single time (yes, I know that's only 3 dramas).

So with this one... I'm going to wait until 6 episodes have aired.

But on the other hand, if I could watch Your Honour with YSY's (let's call it) mannered (I'm being nice) character portrayal, I should be fine here too, right?