News bites: May 6, 2024

20 May 6, 2024May 6, 2024

by tccolb

New stills have dropped for TVING’s upcoming I Openly Dream of Cinderella, this time showcasing our jaded prince Lee Jun-young (The Impossible Heir). Touted as an 8th (?!) generation chaebol, I had to do a double take to check if I read it correctly because this means his family comes from some super old Joseon money. But despite his distrust for both people and love, our hero’s icy heart will likely find warmth in our heroine Pyo Ye-jin (Moon in the Day), when the rom-com premieres later this month. [Sports Donga]

In casting news, a Lee Se-young (The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract) and Na In-woo (Marry My Husband) pairing may be in the works, with both actors reviewing offers for a new series on MBC. Titled Motel California, production seems to be in the very early stages as the details regarding the story – in addition to the director and writer – have not yet been released. [Osen]
Yoo Jae-myung (Song of the Bandits) is considering a role in the new black comedy Knock Off (working title), potentially joining Kim Soo-hyun (Queen of Tears) in the lineup. If Yoo accepts, he’ll be reuniting with PD Park Hyun-seok (Forest of Secrets 2) and writer Han Jung-hoon (Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos), who were both part of the Song of the Bandits team. [News, MK Sports]

tvN released another bundle of photos for The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, where it’s smiles all around for Jung Ryeo-won (May It Please the Court) and Wie Ha-joon (Gyeongseong Creature). In just five more days, we can finally cozy down for what better be a heart-fluttering romance on May 11, with PD Ahn Pan-seok (One Spring Night) directing and scripts penned by Park Kyung-hwa. [News]
There’s no time for tvN to rest, though, as they’ve also been gearing up for the returning crime-action, Player 2: Master of Swindlers. Assembling a mix of new and familiar faces with Song Seung-heon (Black Knight) leading the crew once again, we’re introduced to our second season’s group in more stills and two new teasers: found here and here. Although I’m far from ready for Lovely Runner to end, Player 2 is set to take over the Monday-Tuesday slot on June 3. [Osen]

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1 sonai

May 6, 2024 at 11:07 PM

You hear that? Yup, that’s potentially me squeeing. 😂 Cannot wait for MIDNIGHT ROMANCE. 👏👏👏

Other than that, CINDERELLA could be fun (and of course it’s scheduled for this month).
Plus inexplicably, I now have a song stuck in my head, after reading [H/M]OTEL CALIFORNIA. 👀 Uh, thanks?

☕️☕️☕️

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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️

May 7, 2024 at 6:47 AM

That’s so funny as that song started playing in my head too. I started to wonder if it was a stand alone song or one from a film🎶

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OldLawyer

May 7, 2024 at 7:57 AM

Definitely a stand alone song- and a very odd choice to mirror in a drama title.

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sonai

May 7, 2024 at 8:13 AM

Well, it’s still early days, you know. They could still rename it to “Midnight California Dreaming” or “Lovely Californication” or something else… more appropriate. 😂

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Minnie🫘👩🏻‍🚀Pioneer and Teacher 👩🏻‍🏫🌱🏹

May 7, 2024 at 8:24 AM

Same!!! LOL! And now it will play all day like a broken record.

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PD Ahn was an English major, so I trust that he did his research before picking the songs. I think "Hotel/Motel California" is not about a Hotel or motel in California. Some say it's about light and darkness, inspired by a novel by John Fowles. The main character is a teacher who, against his knowledge, loses his ability to determine the difference between reality and deception.
I always remember one line from the song besides the obvious: "We are prisoners here of our own device."
Sometimes, I don't want to know what sort of nightmare is happening behind the music, but curiosity always gets the best of me. That's the same way that draws me to PD Ahn's dramas: the feel-good mood, but then there's more, and it's not always pleasant.

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2 Kurama

May 6, 2024 at 11:30 PM

1) It sounds like a very old classical Kdrama.

2) Just give me the one with Kentaro Sakaguchi, What Comes After Love.

3) I will love this duo!

4) QoT was disapointing in the adult romance department, this one will be perfect for this, I can feel it!

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3 🌸 Seeker 🌸

May 7, 2024 at 2:19 AM

1. Hopefully Lee Jun-young can get one good drama out of the six he's in this year. And I want it to be Cinderella because I love Pyo Ye-jin. 👫

2. Interesting cast. 👏

3. As if Kim Soo-hyun didn't already do black comedy in Queen of Tears. 😭

4. Romance is blooming. 😍 🥰 A swoony ML is a good look on Wie Ha-joon.

5. Song Seung-heon 😍 😍

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Diana Hansen

May 7, 2024 at 1:47 PM

Man, you read my mind! Agree with every word you wrote! Nothing will take the place of Lovely Runner for a long time but I''m hoping for a good romance to make good use of a swoony Wie Ha-joon.

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🌸 Seeker 🌸

May 7, 2024 at 4:48 PM

😘 Same pinch Chingu! 😊

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4 Unaspirated

May 7, 2024 at 4:55 AM

Look at Lee Jun-young with his fancy umbrella and his lapel jewelry! Hahaha I’m so excited to watch this and see the rest of his 8th-gen chaebol accessories!

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🌸 Seeker 🌸

May 7, 2024 at 4:52 PM

His apparently expressionless face is worrisome. I hope he does not play tsundere as @ladykrueger says for Kim Young-dae - tabula rasa.

Bring on the bling. I can deal with all sorts of accessories. 😀

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5 Kafiyah Bello

May 7, 2024 at 5:55 AM

1. I am cautiously optimistic for this one. If they can keep it straight forward without a murder plot and some solid character development, this will be really enjoyable.

2.hmmmm, after NIW's bland turn in his last drama, I am wary, but will give it a try.

3.YJM, I hope he doesn't die in this drama.

4.I am hoping for good things with this one.

5.Huzzah

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6 OldLawyer

May 7, 2024 at 8:00 AM

Eighth Generation Chaebol- sort of like the Duponts (originally French aristocrats)?

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tccolb

May 7, 2024 at 2:37 PM

I'm not sure how they're going to spin it given Korea's history through the 1900s. I mean, there's a reason why most of K-drama's chaebols are 2nd or 3rd generation. But I suppose it'll be some yangban or rich merchant family that somehow held onto their riches?

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OldLawyer

May 7, 2024 at 6:01 PM

It would be best explained as simply one of the old nobility who managed to evolve and change with the times. Alternative- a traditional merchant family who originally traded with China. Either way the uncomfortable history would involve the extent to which they at least accommodated the Japanese when Korea was occupied.

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7 Dylan [Suffering from Judge from Hell brainrot]

May 7, 2024 at 9:17 AM

1) could be fun, sounds very cliche and formulaic already tho.
2) all I want is the Sakagucci x Seyoung drama T-T
4) is Romance in Hagwon being streamed on Netflix?

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sonai

May 7, 2024 at 9:52 AM

MIDNIGHT ROMANCE is on Viki in my region. 👏🫰💯

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8 kiara

May 7, 2024 at 10:51 AM

"The Midnight Romance in Hagwon"
I think we'll get our romance plus some less appealing, controversial aspects of Hagwons.

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9 Miky

May 7, 2024 at 12:38 PM

Just please give Lee Jun-young a good drama already !!!
Love the leads in Midnight Romance but sadly my heart doesn't flutter at the script,please prove me wrong...

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