Wie Ha-joon courted to be leading man in Little Women
by tineybeanie
After the success of Squid Game, it looks like Wie Ha-joon’s first leading role is just around the corner — hooray! He’s being courted to join Little Women alongside Kim Go-eun (Yumi’s Cells) and Nam Ji-hyun (The Witch’s Diner, You Have Driven Off Course). Based on the Western classic novel by Louisa May Alcott of the same name, the drama adaptation of Little Women is centered around the lives of three sisters.
Kim Go-eun has been offered the part of the first daughter, and Nam Ji-hyun has been offered the part of the second daughter. It’ll be interesting to see how much of the original storyline this adaptation keeps the same — especially since reports suggest that the drama is downsizing the family from four sisters to three.
My burning question right now is: which actress will play the main character of Jo? Honestly, I see Kim Go-eun as a better fit for that part, but I’d want a happy love line with her and Wie Ha-joon. I’m assuming he’s playing the part of Laurie since Wie has been described as the main male lead (and I can’t imagine him playing stuffy, older Professor Bhaer.)
Written by Jung Seo-kyung (Mother) and directed by Kim Hee-won (Vincenzo), Studio Dragon’s Little Women will wrap up casting by the end of this year and air sometime in 2022.
Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun
Via Sports Chosun, SpoTV News
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Tags: Kim Go-eun, Little Women, Nam Ji-hyun, Wie Ha-joon
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1 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
October 21, 2021 at 11:40 AM
Story doesn't sound interesting to me (sorry), but the writer of Mother and the PD of Vincenzo sound promising.
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OldLawyer
October 22, 2021 at 8:23 AM
This is my reaction also. These three actors are all good but it was the writer and the PD that caught my attention as well. I am not a fan of the novel but the recent adaptation with Saoirse Ronin was good so there is reason to believe that they can create a very good show out of the material.
So I will check it out when it airs and we shall see how it goes.
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2 Kafiyah Bello
October 21, 2021 at 12:12 PM
This is interesting only because I didn't watch the most recent iteration of Little Women, but I liked the book. I wonder how I will be Koreanized and if it will also be a period piece.
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halofan68
October 21, 2021 at 1:46 PM
I highly recommend! IMO, the adaption was both more faithful to the novel AND modernist in tone and presentation. I find Saoirse Ronin, to be acting's Mike Trout, a five-tool actor who can do serious drama, big crowd-pleasers, art films, satire and and straight comedy. I dunno if she can sing and dance, but I would not be surprised.
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soulsearch12
October 21, 2021 at 2:06 PM
Have you not seen her Oscar level performance dancing and singing in SNL's "Welcome to Hell?" J-pop fans watch out, you got competition!
She hasn't really professionally danced nor sang in her films yet. But I bet if she was going to, she would ace it. And yes, she's an amazing actress who shockers has a private life on top of a curated career! Like whose the Korean equivalent of Saoirse Ronan? I can't think of any actresses in their 20s w/ this much acclaim, privacy, humbleness, and varied roles/films?!
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PYC
October 21, 2021 at 5:21 PM
The recent adaptation is really good and I find Saoirse Ronin’s take of Jo most satisfying.
Going back to the K-reincarnation, I don’t mind Nam Ji-Hyun as Jo. I somehow can never warm up to Kim Go-eun and she’s the reason I can never finish Goblin. My personal choice of Jo is Go Ah-sung (although Bae Donna would be perfect in her younger self).
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Tarry
October 22, 2021 at 1:45 AM
Oh wow I thought it was just me! Nothing personal to Kim Go-eun (maybe it is). I cant warm up to any of her work. I tried/dropped Goblin, King Eternal, Cheese in a trap and now Yumi cells.
I thought it was the scripts/writing but now I'm convinced its just her.
I really liked Saoirse Ronin’s take and loved LW. Really annoyed they've given her the role. Who would be the best fit? Mmmm Seo Yea-ji, even IU would be better. Then again my favourite character in LW was Amy. Florence Pugh pulled it off!
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3 soulsearch12
October 21, 2021 at 12:59 PM
Considering Kim Go Eun was the first name announced, she is most likely the first female lead. Second co-lead would be Nam Ji Hyun. Third person in terms of importance would be Wi Ha Joon (as the main male lead). Fourth person in importance is most likely the third and final sister. I am excited by the combo of actors here! All great talents, and all around the same age too!
For me, what's more exciting is the PD/writer duo. I thought Vincenzo was well directed in scope/scale, while balancing out a lot of characters (which it seems this will juggle 3-4 titular mains), and a slew of others (the sisters will have to fight Korea's most influential family, which I think WHJ might be a apart of?). The writer wrote some amazing Park Chan Wook films, but Mother is a masterpiece! Please watch it, that was also a women led story (the ML there was more of a supporting character, which could be the case here). This combo, this cast, tvN + Studio Dragon, and the original source material = must watch/possible contender for best show of 22'!!
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PYC
October 21, 2021 at 5:28 PM
The movie ‘Mother’ is a must watch. It’s an earlier movie by Bong Joon Jo and lots of critics commented that it is his best work, better than Parasites. What I can say though as an audience is by the end of it, my response is exactly as what I have with Parasites - and it takes week to get it out of my system.
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mindy
October 21, 2021 at 5:39 PM
The Mother here is referring to the stunning 2018 drama starring Lee Bo-young :)
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PYC
October 21, 2021 at 6:02 PM
Is that right? When this news first came out, there’s a report that it’d be written by the writer of the movie Mother.
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kiara
October 21, 2021 at 7:06 PM
This writer is director Park Chan-wook's co-writer. (THE HANDMAIDEN, THIRST, LADY VENGEANCE, CYBORG, etc.).
The K-drama MOTHER was based on Yuji Sakamoto's MOTHER and not Bong's film MOTHER.
4 Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
October 21, 2021 at 1:16 PM
WHJ FINALLY in a lead role?
Writer of Mother!!! I am such a fan of her and have been waiting for her return to dramaland. Mother made cry for all of its 16h run. One of my favorite shows ever.
I'm trying not to get too excited.
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PYC
October 21, 2021 at 5:41 PM
This new drama is apparently to be penned by the writer of the K movie Mother, not the K drama Mother.
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kiara
October 21, 2021 at 7:12 PM
Jung Seo Kyung is the writer of the K-drama MOTHER. It was also her first drama.
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5 javinne
October 21, 2021 at 1:24 PM
Little women is a classic for me, also a favorite one! I would watch even only for curiosity... what would they do with the story...
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PYC
October 21, 2021 at 6:09 PM
Me too!! Wondering if it’s a period drama or contemporary take.
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6 kiara
October 21, 2021 at 1:35 PM
WOOT, girl power! PD and Writer combo.
I wonder if they are still casting the other two sisters. I've only heard about Kim Go Eun and Nam Ji Hyun.
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chibi8535
October 21, 2021 at 1:44 PM
The sister who dies is likely just a flashback....
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halofan68
October 21, 2021 at 1:58 PM
I had the opposite thought -- I can't see a kdrama giving up the tear-jerker potential of Beth's illness. If one sister gets ditched, my bet would be Meg. As to the casting of Jo and Amy, I think the selfish/resentful facet of Amy's character is more suited to Kim Go-eun's range, but not being familiar with the current actor hierarchy, I do not know who is the bigger name whom the producers would feel compelled to cast as Jo.
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kiara
October 21, 2021 at 2:36 PM
I love them both.
Ji Hyun is a former child actress, but Go-eun is the bigger name with range.
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PYC
October 21, 2021 at 6:16 PM
I never like Amy for the reason you stated, until seeing Florence Pug’s Amy in the latest version. She’s bringing this character to live and making it-dimensional. This is refreshing and what a good script and actress can change a long-held perception.
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kiara
October 21, 2021 at 6:40 PM
Same for me too. Florence Pugh is a fantastic actress! ( my girl crush).
I even enjoyed her character more than Black Widow.
Kurama
October 22, 2021 at 12:04 AM
She was good but I still could punch her when she burned her sister writings.
7 Kurama
October 21, 2021 at 1:43 PM
I wonder if Little Women is just an inspiration or more.
I like the 3 actors, the writer and the PD :)
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Tarry
October 22, 2021 at 1:50 AM
Well when they did a remake of Dr Foster, it was just the same. I was really disappointed. Hopefully this one wilp have a krdama take on it
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soulsearch12
October 22, 2021 at 12:06 PM
Speaking of remakes, The Bodyguard (BBC) as a K-drama on Netflix would kill it!!!
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8 chibi8535
October 21, 2021 at 1:43 PM
Since Go-Eun and Ha-joon are both 30, I think the latter is definitely playing the boyish Laurie. I personally see NJH as more of an Amy and KGE as Jo, but then they would have to cast an older, and more feminine actress as Meg. Which makes me think either Go-Eun's playing Meg (and NJH is Jo, and cast somebody youngerrrr as Amy)...
or they'll say, screw the source material, we'll have Laurie end up with Jo cuz k-drama logic!~ xD
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9 soulsearch12
October 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM
If they really wanted to go all in, I would pick Kim Go Eun, Park So Dam, and Han Ye Ri as sisters. I love seeing more natural and monolid actresses!! That would be my dream casting!! But I guess, they didn't think that far ahead...
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kiara
October 21, 2021 at 2:32 PM
That would be awesome—three of Chungmuro's indie darlings.
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soulsearch12
October 21, 2021 at 3:06 PM
I know, that would be rad. Plus, all Korea National University of the Arts graduates too! If I were a writer/PD, I would want to cast these three ladies as sisters in a film or drama. If we are going ML here, just for fun. I would Wi Ha joon, Kim Young Hwang, and Kim Kyung Nam could be cast as brothers lol. Haha.
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soulsearch12
October 21, 2021 at 3:12 PM
*Kim Young Kwang
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PYC
October 21, 2021 at 11:28 PM
Yes, Park So Dam would be a good fit for Jo.
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10 halofan68
October 21, 2021 at 2:05 PM
Professor Bhaer - a somewhat older, judgmental pedant who is nevertheless attractive and appealing enough to be a credible match for the wise and determined protagonist -- tell me Kim Myung-min would not be perfect for this if he were willing to take the role.
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OldLawyer
October 22, 2021 at 8:16 AM
I think that you are exactly right.
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
October 22, 2021 at 9:21 AM
Ooh, that’s good casting.
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11 miss h
October 21, 2021 at 3:51 PM
I love the writer and director. These three actors are all talented, as well.
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12 theimprintonmynose
October 21, 2021 at 11:51 PM
Kim go eun feels more like an Amy to me. Anyways there had always been alot of debate about this character and I wonder if that will carry out here as well.
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13 OldLawyer
October 22, 2021 at 8:14 AM
Good casting, I will check it out but I am not really excited by this one.
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14 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
October 22, 2021 at 9:20 AM
Big fan of the original novel and I’ve watched several adaptations as well. So, I’m pretty excited for this one.
The writer + PD are excellent (the main draw imo) and the cast so far is great. I’m assuming Wi Ha-joon playing the male lead means he’s Laurie? Oof, this would be the first time I’d get something like SLS for the character. I’m usually a big proponent for a platonic Jo/Laurie relationship, but if it’s Wi Ha-joon and one of these two actresses? I’m gonna be real sad.
I am a bit concerned about them cutting out one of the sisters. All four are necessary! I don’t see how the story would move smoothly without one of them. Or maybe I’m just too attached after years of being a fan.
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Kipikip
October 22, 2021 at 10:22 AM
I watched the 2019 movie. It was amazing, easily my favorite of the year. Absolutely loved the dynamics between the four sisters with each of their own different personalities and life priorities.
So yeah while I’m excited there will be a korean adaptation, it’s a shame if the kdrama ends up cutting out even one of them. I see no point there. If a 2+ hours movie can cover very well the relationship dynamics of the four sisters AND their extended families AND their love interests, I couldn’t see why a (potentially) 16+ hours drama couldn’t do it as well.
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tjcdrama
October 25, 2021 at 12:03 PM
agree I can't imagine cutting one of the women! Love Wi Ha-Joon (and his beautiful abdomen) but I definitely still have Timothy Chalamet in my head. He's was so fantastic that I'm having a hard time picturing anyone else as Laurie. That scene where he asks Jo to marry him is so good! Maybe that is why they're cutting a character and trying to change the story enough that it won't be compared to all the classic adaptations.
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15 sparks121
October 22, 2021 at 10:43 AM
I watch anything with nam ji hyun, so I'm here for this.
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16 Eazal
October 22, 2021 at 11:19 AM
Little Women (and all the rest of the novels by L.A. Alcott) are a favourite and inspiration. Jo is the woman who defies everything and everyone to be just herself and not just a daughter, and a sister or a wife. As an 11 year old little woman reading the book for the first time, it was a blast. You can become who you want.
I can get why we are only having three sisters, but who are we getting rid of? Meg or Beth? I guess it will be Beth, we don't want a funeral in the middle of the drama...
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Juni
October 22, 2021 at 11:51 AM
I think it Meg and Jo will be one character. They'll combine the two personalities together because they cast Kim Go Eun and I can see how she can be both.
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Juni
October 22, 2021 at 11:52 AM
Terminal illness is the most famous kdrama trope so they won't drop that.
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17 💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
October 22, 2021 at 6:16 PM
Pros:
-The writer if she's as good as her reputation (haven't seen Mother.)
-The cast.
Cons:
- The Vincenzo director might know how to make it LOOK pretty and fun, but for any directorial skills related to storytelling, they are not a plus for me.
- I... don't care about a Korean Little Women adaption. At all...
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18 JillofAllTrades
October 23, 2021 at 11:07 AM
This reminds me of another classic. Is there any Korean adaptation of Pride and Prejudice?
(Very recently I re-watched an old 80's adaptation of the same novel on Indian Television)
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