Lee Young-ae to return to dramaland in remake of BBC’s Killing Eve
by tccolb
In a drama comeback after 4 years, actor Lee Young-ae (Saimdang, Light’s Diary) has confirmed casting in an action-packed black comedy called Wonderful Gu Kyung-yi.
Adapted from BBC’s acclaimed Killing Eve, Lee Young-ae takes on the titular character of Gu Kyung-yi. Formerly a police officer, she became a social hermit after her husband died and now works as an insurance investigator. She has a tendency to be suspicious of others, but has a knack for sniffing out the culprit and always wears a signature long coat. Once a case is closed though, she’s quick to return home and celebrate alone with a glass of whisky.
The actress who’ll take on the role of rival and main villain has not yet been announced. The character is described as a college student with a hip and colorful personality, but a dark soul. Her colorfulness hides the fact that she’s responsible for a series of murders.
The drama is currently in the planning stages and will be produced by Keyeast. Directing will be helmed by PD Lee Jung-heum (Nobody Knows, Falsify), and scripts will be penned by a team of rookie writers from the Korea National University of Arts.
Via Ilgan Sports, Newsis
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Tags: Inspector Koo, Lee Young-ae
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1 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
January 22, 2021 at 1:25 PM
This could be very good or very bad. I'm especially concerned by the "will be". Shouldn't the script come first? And maybe let people see that it's a good script before they start casting? Would it be too much to ask if they could confirm that it doesn't go off the rails towards the end?
"Team" & "rookie" could go either way.
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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
January 22, 2021 at 3:26 PM
The cynic in me thinks the A-team will write the beginning, the B-team the middle, and the You-don't-want-to-know-what-letter-Team will do the ending.
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aafa83
January 23, 2021 at 8:49 AM
LOL
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2 welh
January 22, 2021 at 1:33 PM
The writers may be translating the English scripts.
But is this show actually tied to a network or is it pre-produced then sell later show?
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3 callie
January 22, 2021 at 2:03 PM
Lee Da Hee as Villanelle please.
I've been saying this since the project was announced.
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4 yuja
January 22, 2021 at 2:56 PM
whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat !!!
it already sounds like a very different show, though. and are they going to preserve the sexual tension/toxic romance angle??
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5 Kafiyah Bello
January 22, 2021 at 2:56 PM
Hmmmmm, idk about this.
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6 Alluvial_Fan
January 22, 2021 at 3:56 PM
Woah! Villanelle was a right scary psychopath in Killing Eve. Is Kdramaland ready for a female serial killer with zero remorse but a playful sense of humor?
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7 Krampa
January 22, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Ok Killing Eve is gay as hell and hard to replicate because of the chemistry that the 2 leads have. I have doubts if they don't carry over some of the tension and atmosphere. Obviously given mainstream Korean culture being conservative, they'll have to adjust and change things, but it would be pointless and disappointing if that chemistry doesn't translate over in the adaptation.
Also making Villanelle a college student is...a choice. Idk how that'll work into the dynamic but making Eve an insurance investigator might be setting the stage for a toned down, less intense context.
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Krampa
January 22, 2021 at 4:09 PM
Now if this drama gets picked up by Netflix, they'll have a lot more creative freedom I think, so I hope that happens.
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8 miss h
January 22, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Scripts will be penned by a team of rookie writers from the Korea National University of Arts.
That is different. I'm for trying new things and new blood in drama land but hmm, IDK.
I really like Killing Eve, the first season at least. This sounds like a very loose adaptation. I don't really see kdramaland doing justice to Villanelle.
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9 quirkycase
January 22, 2021 at 4:27 PM
I'm ... leery about this. The premise already sounds potentially toned down, and I expect they'll erase everything that makes Eve and Villanelle's obsessive, toxic relationship so fascinating to watch. It'd be disappointing if this turned into yet another bland serial killer drama, so let's hope they're willing to be a little edgy.
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10 Oi
January 22, 2021 at 10:56 PM
Joo Soo min from the penthouse please
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11 frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
January 22, 2021 at 11:13 PM
Killing Eve???
I-Is this a joke?
Because I want this.
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frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
January 22, 2021 at 11:16 PM
Okay, now that I've read the article, I don't think that what these people are making is Killing Eve. It sounds interesting, sure, but it's not Killing Eve.
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knewbie
January 23, 2021 at 7:54 AM
It doesn't sound like Killing Eve to me either. In fact, of all the Korean remakes of US or US shows (Life on Mars, The Good Wife, Less Than Evil, Doctor Foster, the forthcoming adaptations of Peter Moffat's Criminal Justice and Undercover), this seems the least like the original.
It'd be great if it were a true remake, though, cos I think Lee Young-ae would make a great Eve (she was Park Chan-wook's Lady Vengeance after all), and it'd be so cool for a show starring a Korean-American to actually have a Korean version.
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frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
January 23, 2021 at 8:53 AM
You're right, Lee Young-ae as Eve will be great. Not that this character sounds anything like Eve, mind.
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Alluvial_Fan
January 25, 2021 at 10:27 AM
Agree that it will not be the incredibly nuanced chemistry of Killing Eve. With one FL being an insurance investigator I'm vaguely reminded of a late '80's film called Black Widow with Debra Winger and Theresa Russell. It was a cat and mouse game with two strong female leads. The villain killed off lots of husbands (room for many big name male cameos).
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12 rubytuesday
January 22, 2021 at 11:43 PM
soulsearch12 and I literally fancasted this like over two weeks ago in the "Mine" drama comment section, so kind of shook. but also disappointed because now there's no chance of a Seo Ye-Ji Villanelle like I dreamed in my heart of hearts :'). also, the plot sounds fine but not really KE.... so. Huh. idk.
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tea rex
January 23, 2021 at 4:49 AM
omg Seo Ye-Ji as villanelle would be just... so perfect. Why do you think there's no chance?
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soulsearch12
January 24, 2021 at 3:26 PM
I also think it's b/c she's also in talks for another show rn, so schedule conflicts. If I had to choose between Lee Young-ae or Kim Nam Gil as my screen partner, I would be pressed to choose one haha!
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soulsearch12
January 24, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Haha!! Seems like dreams really do come true. Now I manifest for both of us to be filthy rich as well!!! ;)
As for the plot yeah, I think honestly cat/mouse game is an important aspect, but its also the magnet like attraction both these characters who are total opposites of each other have. Plus the dark/dry humor as well!! Are K-dramas ready for a female anti-hero? Or both anti-heroes? I'm just here for a 2 female led show!!
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13 Kurama
January 23, 2021 at 1:13 AM
I didn't watch Less Than Evil that was the remake of Luther. Was it good? I wonder if Kdrama can adapt this kind of stories.
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14 Mike
January 23, 2021 at 6:44 AM
I suspect I can add to the list of 'not available in your region' series like 'The Good Wife'. I hope I'm wrong.
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15 immawish
January 23, 2021 at 9:43 AM
WHOOoooooooot?
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16 CharmingKey
January 23, 2021 at 10:17 AM
Agree with what a lot of other Beanies have said above. This is loosely based on Killing Eve at best. I LOVE Killing Eve, so I'm skeptical. There is chemistry and humor that will be very hard to match.
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17 Viki
January 23, 2021 at 4:22 PM
I've never seen Killing Eve before but it's always on my watch list. Is she playing the role that Sandra Oh is playing or the other girl? This drama can go both ways depending on how they'll adapt it from the original. I have a feeling they are going to change a lot of things.
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Krampa
January 23, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Lee Young Ae would play Sandra Oh’s character, yeah!
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18 Heartoppaya
January 24, 2021 at 1:05 AM
What if Seo Ye Ji portrays Villainelle? That’s gonna be a a force to reckon with.
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19 soulsearch12
January 24, 2021 at 7:12 PM
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2021/01/694_302074.html
"CJ ENM's drama production affiliate Bon Factory has inked a strategic partnership deal with U.S. based Endeavor Content to jointly produce global content, both in English and Korean, for a global audience."
"The two companies will utilize each other's intellectual property and original content as well as jointly planning and producing movies and dramas for worldwide release."
Endeavor content has taken part in the production of Golden Globe and Academy award winning movies such as "La La Land," "Call Me by Your Name" as well as BBC hit thrillers "Killing Eve" and "The Night Manager." Which explains why this show is being adapted for the Korean audience.
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20 Ephemeris
January 24, 2021 at 11:14 PM
International drama lovers are always bashing Western shows and elevating K-dramas yet Koreans are obsessed with Western shows given the constant remakes. The irony.
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21 JillofAllTrades
January 26, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Kim Seul Gi for Main villain please, she needs roles which fit her potential.
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