Kim Soo-hyun confirms next project with Cha Seung-won
by tineybeanie
Kim Soo-hyun (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay) has announced his next project, and it’s a murder-mystery with Cha Seung-won (Hwayugi) called That Night. I’m already so excited to see their bromance in action. They play two men who get caught up in the court system when a woman gets murdered.
tvN’s That Night is a Korean remake of a BBC original TV show, Criminal Justice. Kim Soo-hyun plays a hard-working, ordinary college student who accidentally turns into the number one suspect on a high-profile murder case after a drunken mistake. As the world turns against him, he struggles to survive by using questionably moral means.
Production is being handled by three companies: Green Snake Media, director Lee Myung-woo’s (Fiery Priest, Whisper) company The Studio M, and GOLDMEDALIST. That Night will be written by screenwriter Kwon Soon-kyu (Warrior Baek Dong-soo, Jackpot), with director Lee Myung-woo at the helm. Looking at their filmographies gave me an emotional rollercoaster ride. I loved Lee Myung-woo’s Fiery Priest but Backstreet Rookie and Fashion King still rank in my list of worst dramas ever. I loved Kwon Soon-kyu’s Warrior Baek Dong-soo, but even my die-hard adoration for Yeo Jin-gu couldn’t let me justify the shipwreck that was Jackpot.
But honestly, I would watch anything with Cha Seung-won and Kim Soo-hyun, so I’m already committed to watching. That Night will air sometime in the latter half of this year.
Via iMBC
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1 Mandy
January 5, 2021 at 12:54 PM
What Fashion King? That’s not a drama. That doesn’t even exist. No, don’t tell me otherwise, I won’t listen.
As for Rookie, the material source, writing and (some of the) acting was mostly the issue there. I think from a direction stand point, the guy was expected to turn coal to gold. It’s virtually impossible.
The writer of this drama tho... that’s hard to justify LOL. Hopefully they get it right because they scored huge starts for this. I’m here for the bromance and KSH has a pretty fantastic record on that front. I wonder tho - for those who has seen the OG - will there be a female lead?! If not, I have to say, either I’m fully blanking out or I don’t know of a Korean drama without a female lead.
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halofan68
January 5, 2021 at 5:26 PM
Never say never but it will take a unusually high degree of incompetence to screw this up. The first season of Criminal Justice (which has the same basic plot as That Night) was excellent, as was the HBO remake, The Night Of. In other words, the source material is a proven commodity such that a simply workman-like effort will result in something watchable. But having seen both earlier versions, the prospect of a third take does not interest me.
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Belle
January 5, 2021 at 5:41 PM
The project isn’t interesting to me either despite not actually seeing any version so far. But I’ve been hearing good things.
In terms of remakes tho, Suits: Korean version was an absolute snoozefest. Criminal Minds was absolute nonsense. There has been some f-ups in the past for sure. But I do love both men so for their sakes (and ours), hope it’s good.
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Mandy
January 6, 2021 at 7:51 AM
The writer doesn’t have the best dramas under their belts - all of them have been absolute turds honestly. But with so many versions, I’m sure there will be enough overall story to work with.
I’m hoping for the best. KSH dropped the other drama for this. He usually reads the script carefully before accepting something given all his dramas are well written. Hopefully he’s able to continue that trend.
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Aidualc
January 6, 2021 at 5:04 AM
If it follows the original there will be a proeminent female character, the barrister of the male lead, who is one of the only ones who believes in his innocence. This being a kdrama I can see them maybe making that character the female lead and maybe even go the romance route. Especially if this will be 16 episodes as the original only had 5 so they will have to expand on the source material in order to fill all that time.
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Mandy
January 6, 2021 at 7:45 AM
It’s only 5 episodes? Well, now that’s not the best news given the writer’s track record. He/She has also only written sageuks before. Fingers crossed for this.
As for the female lead, definitely a romance is gonna be thrown in. It’s a kdrama and it’s KSH lol.
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soulsearch12
January 6, 2021 at 2:57 PM
UGH why?! Stranger, Signal, Mother, My Mister, & etc. show that romance is unnecessary. Plus, wouldn't that create more trickiness?
My question is I do get worried when I see a writer tackle a different genre than their previous ones. Of course, surprises do happen. Who would've thought the writer of Another Oh Hae Young would create a masterpiece next with My Mister?! Or the writer of Jugglers, creating It's Okay To Not Be Okay next.
The Night Of (8 episodes), but of course b/c it's a K-drama, you'll get supporting characters who are used to chomp away the time. Depends on the channel too. Seems like this will be a SBS show. Even The Fiery Priest had no romance, and that show did very well ratings.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
January 6, 2021 at 3:13 PM
For a country that is famous for its romance, the dramas consistently voted the best are the ones without romance at all. I'm not quite sure what that says about the audiences or about the writers.
soulsearch12
January 6, 2021 at 3:35 PM
@leetennant I heard even the audiences themselves are tired of the Cinderella/Candy love stories of the previous generation. While, they'll always be rom-coms/romance shows, there seldom hasn't been many Hallyu hits with romance in them over the last half decade or so. MLFTS, DOTS, & CLOY are the only ones that are Hallyu hits, which are 'epic/sweeping' love stories.
On the flip side, I'm worried that the influx of crime/thriller shows will become stagnant like rom-com/romance shows.
Looking at 2020's roster of shows that done well ratings wise, romance as the main genre was nowhere to be found. The Good Detective, Stove League, and the likes surprised. So fingers crossed, K-drama landscape will be more intriguing as people's tastes change.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
January 6, 2021 at 3:41 PM
I mean I wrote something nearly three years ago about how Korean romance writing is stale and that's why people constantly vote non-romance dramas as the best. I don't think the solution is to remove romance but to stop making them so antiseptic and bogged down with bad tropes.
While I'm ecstatic we got dramas like School Nurse Files and Extracurricular last year, I can't say I'm thrilled with the overall rise in action-based, low-characterisation dramas we've been getting. I guess that when you open yourselves up to a different style of writing you get good and bad examples of it as you do with all genres. But Korean dramas are so good at stories of being rather than doing and I think moving away from that would be a big loss.
soulsearch12
January 6, 2021 at 5:01 PM
@leetennant That's a great point you bring up! I think in K-dramas, the romance takes-over the show/plot. Ex. Start Up. It would be nice to have subtle romance, or in the background. It should be sprinkled in, not bog down the story with it. I mean how many 1st love/childhood trope stories must we need lol? If there are going to add romance, can it just be introduced at the start, and then move on from that to the characters, separate from their romance arc same with plot too? Majority/most of the time, I find the romance to be shallow/contrived. Just putting two attractive actors doesn't = soul mates lol.
"I mean I wrote something nearly three years ago about how Korean romance writing is stale and that's why people constantly vote non-romance dramas as the best." Do you've a link? I want to read up on it!
"I can't say I'm thrilled with the overall rise in action-based, low-characterisation dramas we've been getting." I've been noticing plot driven dramas more than ever. Crime/thriller shows do well story wise imo, b/c you have multiple cases sprinkled throughout the show, so it has some warrant when it comes to the plot than romance/rom-com's do. I do agree that as a result, more character based shows have been disappearing. Sure, there have great characters in recent yrs, but it does feel like there haven't been show stopping, amazing character + plot driven stories in a while. Those are the type of shows that create amazing actors, and the less we see them, the less new stars/talents we can create. That's another interesting convo too, the dearth of new stars (Lack of chances, lack of character driven work, and lack of opportunities being given to them).
"But Korean dramas are so good at stories of being rather than doing and I think moving away from that would be a big loss." Your thoughts are always great btw! Can you please clarify a bit on this? I get the essence but where would you like to see the K-drama industry go in the future? Thanks :) !
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
January 6, 2021 at 5:06 PM
Hmm... goes digging the db archives...
This was it - way back in early 2018 for the OTP theme
https://www.dramabeans.com/2018/02/one-true-pairings-the-best-otp-is-a-notp/
I haven't read this in years, I'm a little nervous tbh.
2 merisoo
January 5, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Gosh, just the mention of Backstreet Rookie has my blood boiling. My love and appreciation for Kim Soo Hyun’s talent as an actor is the only interesting part of this news. His performances are always a joy to watch so I’ll be tuning in for him.
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soulsearch12
January 5, 2021 at 8:02 PM
"Gosh, just the mention of Backstreet Rookie has my blood boiling." 100%. Let's hope the PD doesn't insert any racist caricatures in this drama. Ironically speaking, the show this is based on also talks about race, but since this a K-drama, don't think they'll touch upon it.
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merisoo
January 5, 2021 at 9:56 PM
I’ve never seen the original show and now that you’ve mentioned that it touches on the issue of race I desperately wish it wasn’t this PD that’ll be handling it. If you’re not going to take the time to do research and approach the topic from a lense of understanding and nuance then don’t touch it at all. Not talking about race when it’s relevant leads to erasure but talking about race via the reinforcement of negative stereotypes has dangerous real-life consequences. Ughh.
Now I’m thinking about how I’d love to see Kim Soo Hyun in the hands of a strong/capable writer-director duo like ‘Forest of Secrets’ and how absolutely delicious that would. The depth! The intrigue!
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soulsearch12
January 5, 2021 at 11:13 PM
Well in the U.K/USA, race is more integrated in terms of diversity. Of course, issues like this arise in Korea too. But it's homogenous society, so I think they prob. won't. I think they'll do more classism/class issues. So I wouldn't fret too much about that. But IA, the PD did The Fiery Priest, but BSR yeah...I was so grossed out when I saw the clip of the guy at the SBS Awards. Oof, what were they thinking?
I wonder if the Finger PD would've better? I heard he was filming a big time film with Song Kang Ho/Lee Byung Hyun and the like. So he would've been a better choice, perhaps?
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merisoo
January 6, 2021 at 10:50 AM
Very true, and k-dramas from the ones I’ve seen this far are really good at handling the class issue. Although I haven’t seen the writer Kwon Soon Kyu’s work so I’ll hold off on any thoughts about their competency in that aspect.
Definitely better, but if Lee Myung Woo’s company is helping produce I bet this is something he wants to keep his hands on. As for the potential project with Kang Ho and Byung Hyun, can’t say plane movies are exciting but if it’s more focused on the investigative/on-the-ground aspect it might be worth it.
soulsearch12
January 6, 2021 at 2:44 PM
@merisoo Classism is fraught in Korea. It's very well disclosed and displayed in their society. K-dramas always includes them.
Yeah, I guess, what I was going for is if that PD (Finger) is working on a film with those 2 big actors/big film. That speaks highly about that PD's work/ability.
3 lillamy
January 5, 2021 at 1:41 PM
I have good faith in Kim Soo-hyun's ability to pick interesting projects. I'm definitely in. Here's to a small hope his character goes dark and paranoid instead of mopey melo while navigating morally ambiguous waters. Loved his portrayal of the dual main characters in REAL, even though the movie itself was weird.
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Ally
January 5, 2021 at 8:35 PM
It’s not the character, it’s him. I’m convinced he can play a ball of yarn and make it interesting.
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javinne
January 5, 2021 at 9:07 PM
LOL, i agree with you, Ally. I was thinking: don't know anything about criminal justice, don't know the writer or the director, I don't care about this other actor or if there is a female lead or not, but Kim Soo hyun!!!! That's all I need. 😂😅😍
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dramadillo
January 6, 2021 at 7:43 AM
How is it that I now have confused feelings about the pile of yarn (and unfinished projects) at the foot of my bed?! Why have you done this to me!?!
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Ally
January 6, 2021 at 12:24 PM
Because I know how beanies love to knit around here and was trying to confirm my witty comment to my audience. 😆
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dramadillo
January 6, 2021 at 12:30 PM
Well played - you have your audience sussed!! :oP
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
January 6, 2021 at 3:33 PM
I once saw him steal a entire movie with a 3 second cameo
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frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
January 7, 2021 at 3:56 AM
Miss Granny, I'm guessing? Because, yep, that was a damn good cameo.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
January 7, 2021 at 11:18 AM
Yep. That was the one.
4 Cindy
January 5, 2021 at 2:23 PM
I watched bits of the original BBC series and the US remake on YouTube and it made me a bit uncomfortable. Not the type of drama I’d watch but Kim Soo Hyun’s in it, so I’ll have to make an exception for him. I trust his choice but I’m not sure if I’m ready to watch him get beaten up and tortured in a prison cell. But kudos to him
for always trying new roles and challenging himself. It’ll be a treat for viewers to are into this genre of dramas.
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5 miss h
January 5, 2021 at 3:45 PM
This sounds like it is right up my alley. Especially excited to see Cha Seung-won back in drama land.
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6 Kafiyah Bello
January 5, 2021 at 4:01 PM
Will try for Kim Soo Hyun. I havent be able to finish any of the writer's dramas.
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7 Jezz
January 5, 2021 at 5:15 PM
Comment was deleted
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8 Jezz
January 5, 2021 at 5:19 PM
I'm felt interested with this. Kim Soo-hyun would be a criminal victim. Let's hope for Netflix.
That Night was the fourth (international) adaptation of BBC's Criminal Justice. Before this, the first was in US, HBO award-winning miniseries The Night Of, Indian adaptation of Criminal Justice and another Indian adaptation-with-a-sequel-or-spinoff-adaptation Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors.
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9 happiness
January 5, 2021 at 5:41 PM
If it has Kim Soo-hyun I’m watching
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10 gimzy🐣
January 5, 2021 at 6:09 PM
After IOTNBO, I'll watch anything with Kim Soo Hyun. The mention of Backstreet Rookie have me cringing inwardly but KSH is just too good to be ignored. And I loved Cha Seung Won in Hwayugi and I'm already on board with the bromance.
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11 Diana Hansen
January 5, 2021 at 6:32 PM
this makes me so excited to see kim soo hyun alongside cha seung won! those 2 can turn trash into treasure (or close to it)
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12 soulsearch12
January 5, 2021 at 8:06 PM
Really appreciate Kim Soo-hyun picking up a non romance genre for his next work! He could have coasted on something he has proven successful in. Let's hope they don't K-drama it by making the central character hero like. I think keeping it a morally ambiguous one would be more interesting. Anyways, the source material in which this is based on is excellent. Hope it does the original source material justice like World of the Married did.
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13 candilane
January 5, 2021 at 10:10 PM
Love KSH but hate the PD from Backstreet Rookie.. I couldnt even finish that train wreck of a drama.. it also made Ji Chang Wook rep take a hit with foreign audiences for choosing that drama hopefully it doesnt happen for KSH. If there are " racist" caricatures or tropes in this drama then we pretty much know what it is with this guy and his smear campaign against foreigners. I will give this drama a chance because of KSH but if I even get a whiff of any funny business, I am out and will not tune into anything that PD does ever again
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soulsearch12
January 6, 2021 at 3:02 PM
"it also made Ji Chang Wook rep take a hit with foreign audiences for choosing that drama hopefully it doesnt happen for KSH. If there are " racist" caricatures or tropes in this drama then we pretty much know what it is with this guy and his smear campaign against foreigners." Also the PD being an older man, filming the FL who is 21 in an objectifying manner also grosses me out too. Def. says a lot when that was what Korea was lashing out, then the racism smh.
Honestly that drama....in that case, I don't know how much blame I should place on the actors involved. But of course, they chose it/chosen to partake in it. All I can say, is I would be lying if I don't side eye them for choosing to be in BSR.
Esp. disturbing b/c Korea's exports/imports a lot of their culture overseas, so you would think they would be more culturally sensitive. Of course, that doesn't also touch upon their Anti Discrimination Act which hasn't been enacted yet. Mess all around. Anyways, I digress. But going forward, can we not have any racist caricatures or imagery.
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14 yayabean
January 5, 2021 at 11:15 PM
And to quote @tineybeanie
"...already committed to watching."🙋♀️
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15 mizzy
January 6, 2021 at 12:07 AM
Cha Seung-Won! I was so impressed with him in 3 meals a day. That man can cook really well! I only watch bits of Hwayugi but I like the actor. Not into KSH like most beanies here so am not sure I wanna watch this.
As for the PD, I like what he did with TFP and BR but let's just say his style of humor is not for everyone.
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16 Rose
January 6, 2021 at 3:52 AM
I already have a good feeling about this
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17 mintrrb
January 6, 2021 at 1:12 PM
Ewwwwwww Backstreet Rookie!!!!!!
Wtf whyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!
Please don't ruin anything with Kim Soo Hyun!!!!!!
I pray!!!
I'll still be watching it for KSH and I agree with people in the comments - any funny business and I'm out!
I trust KSH, I want to!
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18 Ivarnobones
January 6, 2021 at 3:56 PM
Dunno about That Night but if its from BBC it's probably as short as 6 episodes. How are they going to stretch that to 16 ep? Lots of filler scenes and ppl? And we can't trust the writer either because of his track record. They should've hired a rookie writer while they're at it.
I'm very sceptical about this. KSH did choose a dud before (producer). He might regret turning down Finger for this.
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Huh?
January 6, 2021 at 5:22 PM
Unless you mean some people specifically didn’t like Producers - in which case that’s every drama - In no world can Proxuced be considered a “dud”. I distinctly remember it having the highest single episode ratings for any mini series since YFAS’s 20+%. It won multiple awards in various channels and it was extremely popular. The drama itself had mixed reviews (from average to good), so how is it considered a dud?
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mintrrb
January 6, 2021 at 9:58 PM
I loved Producers!
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Cindy
January 6, 2021 at 11:34 PM
He was definitely interested in Finger. Reports said he was meeting with the production side since the beginning of the project. There were some aspects his team and the production side couldn't agree on so in the end he turned down the offer. Which makes sense since you can't produce a great outcome if both sides are not on the same page. So you can't say he might regret it since they did try to work it out but couldn't come to an agreement in the end.
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Emerald
January 26, 2021 at 4:02 AM
Exactly this! Some folks are just mouthing off as if this project was the reason he turned down Finger when they don't know jack.
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19 Bibi
May 21, 2021 at 7:50 AM
But why Soo Hyun oppa?? Why do you now play these troubled, weak characters? Is it not a waste of your awesome talent and looks? I far prefer to see you in the role of the alpha male, dominating, conquering over every obstacle triumphantly than scraping through.
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