Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk courted for tvN’s Sandbox
by tccolb
Management for Suzy (Vagabond) and Nam Joo-hyuk (The Light in Your Eyes) have both confirmed that the actors are favorably considering roles in a new tvN drama called Sandbox (working title).
If he accepts, Nam Joo-hyuk will be playing the part of Nam Do-san. The founder of a tech start-up, he enjoys both coding and knitting in his spare time. As a child, he was the youngest winner of a mathematics competition and was the pride of the Nam family name. However, now, 15 years later, he’s on the verge of entering the family hall of shame as it’s been 2 years since he and his friends launched the start-up and they’re running out of money.
Enter Suzy who has been offered the part of Seo Dal-mi. After dropping out of college, she enters the working field early and steadily builds a strong network of relationships through a myriad of part-time jobs. With the dream of becoming the next Steve Jobs and to be more successful than her sister, she diligently saves a nest egg of funds in order to start her future company. However, she somehow gets involved with Nam’s character and joins the start-up team in hopes of creating the next Google or Amazon together.
On the production side, it’s been reported that writer Park Hye-ryun (Pinnochio) will be writing the scripts. If Suzy accepts, this will be the writer’s third time working with her after While You Were Sleeping and Dream High. It would also be a reunion for the director currently attached to this project, PD Oh Choong-hwan (Hotel Del Luna), who was also part of the While You Were Sleeping team.
This isn’t the first time that Suzy and Nam Joo-hyuk were potentially paired as they were previously courted for Come Here and Hug Me (which ultimately went to Jin Ki-joo and Jang Ki-yong), so maybe the fates will align for Sandbox. Either way, Nam Joo-hyuk has a busy year ahead as he is already appearing in Netflix’s Nurse Teacher Ahn Eun-young and writer Noh Hee-kyung’s HERE in 2020.
tvN’s upcoming Sandbox is currently still in the planning stages and is slotted to air in the latter half of next year.
Via Ilgan Sports, Newsen, Sports DongA
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Tags: Nam Joo-hyuk, Start-Up, Suzy
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1 frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
November 11, 2019 at 10:44 AM
Why is the world so desperate to have these two paired? 😂
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javinne
November 11, 2019 at 12:06 PM
I suppose they will do a cute couple
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latebloomer
November 11, 2019 at 4:00 PM
But who will do the acting? It's one thing when there's a good actor who can carry the drama. But these two together?
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Lookie
November 11, 2019 at 4:13 PM
I cast my vote on Nam Joo Hyuk. He was better in The Light in Your Eyes, perhaps because the material was really good and his co-stars were topnotch.
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candycane
November 11, 2019 at 5:17 PM
I won't vote on either. Let's hope for a second lead who can act (e.g. Kang Ki Young). NJH needs two great actresses in Dazzling to help him shine. Suzy is just a wallpaper.
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protect junwoo
November 11, 2019 at 5:52 PM
Best comment
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purplefall
November 11, 2019 at 11:47 PM
I had to log in to like your comment LOL. You just cracked me up hahaha. But yeah I have the same questions when reading this news 😂😂😂
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javinne
November 12, 2019 at 2:45 AM
Oh come on! They are not so bad. I loved WFKBY and WYWS was also not bad. This writer can do some magic, although I know many will demand a lot more. Usually I am ok if the plot makes sense and if the characters are appealing... we will see
Jangkrik
November 13, 2019 at 5:49 PM
IKR. And I don't think this pairing can help Park Hye-ryeon replicate her success from I Hear Your Voice. From Dream High, Pinocchio, WYWS, all have 'normal' young couple, and failed to stand equal with IHYV which have 'abnormal' couple (plus a super amazing villain Min Jun-guk).
After all, I'm glad Park Hye-ryeon managed to escape from that new sports channel to tvN that don't have strict policy in dramas' runtime. She will be free like Hong Sisters.
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frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
November 14, 2019 at 1:29 AM
I adore Park Hye-ryun (infact, I Hear Your Voice is my favourite drama); the one issue I have with her is that she has definitely tried to repeat her earlier successes. Lee Jong-seok starred in so many of her dramas that it became hard to think of the characters as different people, and what if the same happens with Suzy? Irrespective of the fact that I don't like her as an actor, I think casting new people would be so much better.
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2 skelly
November 11, 2019 at 11:22 AM
I am absolutely certain that Suzy will be just as believable as a geeeenius software engineer as she has been as a super-duper secret agent.
In other words, pass.
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3 panshel
November 11, 2019 at 11:43 AM
He enjoys knitting in his spare time? uwu
Suzy and Nam Joo-hyuk make a beautiful couple, and I love that they're the same age.
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Currently Living On Planet Earth
January 7, 2020 at 11:00 PM
Thank you! I was like, what a random hobby to give to the male lead. 😂
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4 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
November 11, 2019 at 11:54 AM
well, at least Park Hye-ryun is an old hand at trying to write parts that don't require too much out of Suzy, or at least don't expose her lack of emoting ability quite as often.
Though a different actress probably wouldn't need quite as much accommodation at the writing stage to cover for limited acting skills.
As for Nam Joo-hyuk. ...I've liked him in other stuff but uh, he's generally good when he's surrounded by more skilled costars. Not so much less skilled ones.
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DoubleFault
November 12, 2019 at 7:24 AM
Every time Suzy is cast, I always think of the many other more talented young female actresses/idols who could do better as female lead. I like Suzy outside acting as she seems to have a good head on her shoulders and super nice to her fans but it bums me that she hasn't really improved much acting-wise as compared to her peers given the actors, writers and directors that she has been very fortunate enough to have worked with.
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KeikoAnn
November 12, 2019 at 9:44 AM
@doublefault agree with your “she hasn’t really improved as much acting-wise as compared to her peers” such as IU! I remember watching Dream High, and at that time I thought Suzy was going to excel in her acting career, sadly that has not been the case, even though the media gives her so much hype.
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5 luzitania
November 11, 2019 at 11:54 AM
I might check it out if only because it’s nice to finally see a rich (and self-made at that) lady coming in to save the day for the male lead. It’s usually the reverse.
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Kairoskat 💐
November 11, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Hmmm...she's working part time jobs, and collecting money with hopes to be more successful than her sister. As far as he character description goes, it sounds to me like a candy character again and definitely not rich or self-made rich.
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luzitania
November 11, 2019 at 6:37 PM
The description said she saved a "nest egg of funds". I mean it's pretty vague but when I read "startup running out of money" and character with funds, I just kind of assumed she would help them technically and financially.
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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
November 12, 2019 at 7:17 AM
That's what I thought. Candy Suzy. She'll get drunk and kiss Nam Joo hyuk who will wrap her up in a blanket knitted by him. The end.
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6 Mel
November 11, 2019 at 12:07 PM
Finally Suzy&NJH drama is soon to happen! Been waiting for these 2 in a drama. This gonna be exciting!!
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7 ar_arguably romantic
November 11, 2019 at 12:18 PM
I like having a main female lead work in the male-dominated tech industry! Suzy seemed to have performed the strongest when working with Park Hye-ryun.
The male lead's knitting hobby seems a little random. I wonder if the new start up will involve crafting. Maybe a korean etsy??
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wapz
November 12, 2019 at 8:58 AM
I thought that was quite random too. They most probably wanted to show a feminine side to the man which imo doesn't work with knitting because I have hardly seen a man who knits unless it's his profession.
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8 ageha
November 11, 2019 at 1:12 PM
I can’t help but think they’re each the male/female version of each other....they’re both pretty to look at, not the worst I’ve ever seen, but don’t really rise above mediocrity (although I’d be the first to admit I’ve enjoyed dramas they’ve starred in, WYWS for her, WFKBJ for him).
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9 Miky
November 11, 2019 at 2:21 PM
So weird seeing a Park Hye-ryun drama without Lee Jong-seok as lead as we very well know he is like the image associated to writer Park Hye-ryun works...Ah,army!!!!
I usually really like the writer's works being one of my favorites and the plot sounds motivating so i guess the possible pairng can be a hit or a major miss...I like the PD as well,unlike the majority i 1st look at the writer and after the PD and i like his style so all the best!
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10 miss h
November 11, 2019 at 2:34 PM
A premise that actually sounds kind of interesting ... and they offer roles to these two.
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11 Miko
November 11, 2019 at 3:16 PM
Would be fun to watch this pair. I'll watch this drama 💖
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12 astromantic
November 11, 2019 at 3:26 PM
Two powerhouses in one drama? What a dream come true!
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Lookie
November 11, 2019 at 5:17 PM
Seriously...? 🤔
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astromantic
November 11, 2019 at 6:36 PM
I should have included an /s in my comment, lol
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13 kx
November 11, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Comment was deleted
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14 kx
November 11, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Visually, they both match well; in fact, I'm looking forward to how they'll look as a couple. Acting-wise, this could be a very nice pairing whereas their matched strengths will pull the chemistry/romance along and won't make me feel conflicted when one pulls the other deadweight (as long as it's not another Habaek).
Of the works by this writer, not all of them but I like her plot ideas for its trickle of fantasy/supernatural element, so I'm sad that this will not have that.
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15 Ally
November 11, 2019 at 4:24 PM
@egads! A knitting techie! I want to see this just to see if NJH can knit!
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egads aka Dame Maggie
November 11, 2019 at 4:29 PM
I'll be watching just for this very reason.
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Snow Flower
November 13, 2019 at 4:14 PM
Me too.
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16 ys
November 11, 2019 at 4:42 PM
Shudders then laughs at the thought of these two in Cone Here and Hug Me.
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17 auraliana
November 11, 2019 at 4:44 PM
Ah, supermassive black hole of acting is coming...
My prediction... Young Korean will love this drama, general koreans will be meh and international drama fans will go ga-ga over this drama, because they have recipe that feeds well k-drama lovers.
PHR finally decided to brunch out from LJS (due to military mostly lmfao), but went straight to pick this two less than a “meh” (kinda) actors.
I’m curious... Doesn’t she want to see her characters to be brought to life by someone really talented and capable? The kids that could play literally anything? Why she always picks ones that literally limit her as a writer?
Maybe that’s why I can’t enjoy her works. She is just a mediocre writer, that don’t wanna step out of her comfort zone. Her work is popular among k-drama fans, but I just stand behind the hype, because I see no improvement. Her dramas also still trend to have too much plot holes. Which is annoying to watch in type of genre she prefers.
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18 mano
November 11, 2019 at 5:38 PM
I will watch it just for the visuals.
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19 mysterious
November 11, 2019 at 5:58 PM
So glad these two didn't do Come Here and Hug Me. That was an awesome drama with some heavy hitters and heavy material. I seriously doubt these two could have pulled it off. I can see them being cute and charming but melo and damaged isn't their strong point.
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canxi
November 11, 2019 at 10:11 PM
I thought NJH played melo/damaged well in Dazzling. This was well after Come and Hug Me and it was a shorter episode count too. So if anything, he'd be better equipped now if not then. I'm not sure about Suzy, tho.
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20 BdxPelik
November 11, 2019 at 8:17 PM
Creating the next Google, how bold
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21 canxi
November 11, 2019 at 10:01 PM
Hmm. I feel like Nam Joo Hyuk is the type of actor that gives off what he gets, so if his co-star is good he will match or get close to matching but if not. I like him and am also aware of his limitations. I'd like to see him where he's more of a solitary lead (no romance) like in an OCN thriller or a slice-of-life type show. It would do well to learn to be consistently good on one's own.
Suzy is never in anything I would personally be interested in watching as of late. I've seen her in Dream High, Architecture 101, and Big. I'm not really sure of her strengths or weaknesses but I've never read any glowing review of her skills either. Maybe I'll watch a past drama and see!
Hard to know what to look forward to from two people more or less still making their way even despite pretty steady work. I did like the low-key route NJH was on. I'd also want to see Suzy in something non-romantic and see how that goes.
The premise of this sounds cool though. It also sounds like it would be a great non-romance which is unlikely but intriguing. I do wonder how reception would be to this news if the two were not likely to get together lol.
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22 nozomi
November 12, 2019 at 12:36 AM
Park Hye-Run likes working with the same actors.
From Lee Jong Suk, to Suzy and to Kim So Hyun and so much more.
This might not be a popular opinion but I like Suzy and Nam Joo Hyuk, they might be the best actors out there but they both have a certain charm that I like.
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23 YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
November 12, 2019 at 7:25 AM
Nam Joo hyuk has his moments. Loved him in Weightlifting Fairy, and he made me cry In The Light in Your Eyes. In fact, just thinking about him In Light makes my heart ache all over again...the end scene made me a sobbing mess.
Suzy? Suzy is pretty. I actually liked her in the scenes of her crushing on the hot cold boss in Vagabond.
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suk
November 12, 2019 at 10:04 AM
Finally I found this comment! I totally agree with you. I personally thought Nam Joo-hyuk was excellent in The Light in Your Eyes. He had many scenes in that drama where he really held his own. I remember when he was yelling at Han Ji-min "Look at my eyes. Do these eyes look alive to you?" or something along those lines. That scene shook me up. He was good. He made me cry a lot. Bride of Habaek, however, was not good.
And Suzy is just so pretty that I really can't complain too much.
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24 Nadia
November 12, 2019 at 8:32 AM
Nam Jo hyuk and Suzy best coupleeee I love bothhh😘😘😘😘
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25 Ria
November 13, 2019 at 6:38 AM
Suzy needs to take some acting classes. I see an idol turned actress of almost her age grew from being average to marvelous. But Suzy has remained the same.
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26 neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
November 13, 2019 at 6:49 AM
Hhhhhmmmmmm Should I or should I not?
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