News bites: January 26, 2025

27 January 26, 2025January 26, 2025

by tccolb

The demand is high for secretary extraordinaire Lee Jun-hyuk (Love Scout) who is fielding an offer to star in Even Lottery Winners Go to Work (roughly translated), a new office series based on the popular webtoon and webnovel by the same title. Expected to broadcast on tvN, production is currently in the early stages with filmmaker Yoon Young-bin (Tomb of the River) attached to direct. [JTBC, Osen]

Joo Ji-hoon (The Trauma Code – Heroes on Call) continues to keep busy as well and is in talks for The Remarried Empress, potentially joining Shin Mina (No Gain No Love) and Lee Jong-seok (Big Mouth) in the fantasy romance. Directed by PD Jo Su-won (My Happy Ending, Thirty But Seventeen), the webnovel adaptation will notably be Joo and Shin’s third project together if the stars align. [Star News]
The first still has dropped for ENA’s upcoming Tastefully Yours (previously Your Taste), rolling up the sleeves of Kang Haneul (Squid Game 2) and Go Min-shi (The Frog) for some heavy work in an outdoor country kitchen. Also starring Kim Shin-rok (Hellbound 2) and Yoo Soo-bin (The Perfect Deal), the rom-com is slated to air later this year in the Monday-Tuesday slot. [10 Asia]

Over on tvN, big updates have been made to their 2025 drama lineup, confirming dates and cast changes, as well as new projects on the list. Following the upcoming My Dearest Nemesis and The Potato Lab, the near future will bring the office rom-com Divorce Insurance in March. The long-awaited medical spin-off series Resident Playbook has also officially been slotted on the schedule, coming to our screens in April. [MBC]
In casting, tvN’s period story Typhoon Corporation is now headlined by Junho (King the Land) and Kim Min-ha (Light Shop), after Geum Sae-rok’s (Iron Family) bow out. And tvN’s fantasy sageuk Tyrant’s Chef (working title) confirmed Lee Chae-min (Hierarchy) as Yoon-ah’s (King the Land) new leading man. Both are penciled in to release in the second half of 2025. [MBC]
New dramas lined up for tvN this year include First, for Love (roughly translated) starring Yeom Jung-ah (No Way Out – The Roulette) and Park Hae-joon (The 8 Show); in addition to Spring Fever starring Ahn Bo-hyun (Flex x Cop) and Lee Joo-bin (Tarot). Also in the works but in the early stages, we have the comedy New CEO Project and the legal series Pro Bono. [MBC]

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1 sonai

January 27, 2025 at 12:55 AM

🙂😃🤩 It’s the first time in ages since I can say I’m looking forward to have a peek into everything on this list! Quite star-studded, these news!

✅ I guess it’s save to say that watching Lee Jun-hyuk in whatever brings him to my screen is a given at this point. 👀 LS is about the best self-PPL an actor could wish for.
✅ JJH being super busy is right up my alley, too.
✅ Outdoor country kitchen? Count this foodie in.
✅ All the rom-coms. What can I say: It’s my kryptonite.
✅ New shows with Junho and Yoon-ah. Yes please!
✅ ABH, after I missed out on Flex X Cop.

It’s gonna be busy!

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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

January 27, 2025 at 3:14 AM

Yayy Lee Jun-hyuk!! So happy he's getting more offers. He's such a versatile actor.

I'm with you - woohoo for allllll the romcoms! TVN is going to make it hard up keep up!

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sonai

January 27, 2025 at 3:46 AM

Yaaay, looking forward to meet in the recaps for all of these, Hopeful! 🥳

*strikes tuning fork for the perfect squeeeee pitch*

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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞

January 27, 2025 at 4:32 AM

*squeeeees in harmony* 🎶
(*≧∀≦)人(≧∀≦*)♪

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sonai

January 27, 2025 at 5:49 AM

😂🥳🎶

🌸 Seeker 🌸

February 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM

Joining the chorus!! 🥳🎶🎺 🎊

2 jerrykuvira

January 27, 2025 at 2:34 AM

This news bites was quite confusing to follow at some point thanks to the mash of announcements - casting and production house.

In happy news, I'm glad that Resident Playbook is back on screening schedule. Finally, a proper medical drama will be on screen. No diss at Trauma. I haven't watched it either.

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🌸 Seeker 🌸

February 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM

Trauma Code is as much about medical science as Ask the Stars is about space. 😂 Good fun nevertheless and Joo Ji-hoon being a self-obsessed prick is strangely fun. Just saying. 🤩

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3 peiyeelai

January 27, 2025 at 4:07 AM

1. So happy that Lee Jun Hyuk is getting more attention and lead roles.
4. Looking forward to Divorce Insurance. It has Lee Dong Wook!
4. Another medical drama! I am in.

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🌸 Seeker 🌸

February 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM

Lee Dong-wook in an office romance has my undivided attention. 😍🥰

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peiyeelai

February 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Yeap...match is just a few days away. Yess

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4 Kurama

January 27, 2025 at 4:36 AM

1) LJH is very demanded! I'm happy for him.

2) He's very busy.

3) I was wondering what KHN was doing, I'm happy to hear he will be in a rom-com!

4) The Trauma Code showed that people are still watching medical dramas despite the political context, so I'm happy they will release Resident Playbook.

5) I still think Lee Chae-Min is not the good choice for this kind of role.

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5 Aunt Tim

January 27, 2025 at 5:48 AM

Thank God that Resident Playbook won’t be pushed back even further. Really excited for that!

That’s a lot of pressure on Lee Chae-min, hopefully he backs that role up.

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6 Gikata

January 27, 2025 at 9:15 AM

2 - why would JJH bother with this junk of IP? Why would he bother with a thankless role of flat, caricature bad royal ex who only exists in the story to elevate ML further into dreamboat-land? And especially why with these 2 in actual lead roles? I like both LJS and SMA well enough, but he's gonna overshadow them combined without breaking a sweat. Also, all 3 are too old for their parts...

P.S. Who is that poor, poor actress who's gonna get the role of Trashta?)))

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Cate

January 27, 2025 at 9:59 AM

With the way this drama is casting my guess would be either Kang Hanna or some very unexpected big name actress like Han Ji Min or Kim Ji Won. The SFL has more chances of overshadowing the other roles apparently so whoever is up for the challenge or wants a big image breakout. I wonder if Park Min Young might be interested. It would be a much needed image change for her.

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Gikata

January 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM

This whole casting carousel sounds like producers wishful thinking, honestly - has anyone here been 100% confirmed so far? Also, idk where makers will find an established actress desperate enough to do such an universally hated part (ex-husband's punching bag reputation in the fandom PALES in comparison), total rookie or low-lister aiming for a long overdue breakout role is more likely. Elsewhere I've seen people suggesting to call Yoon Eunhye back from her canceldom and lol, THAT would make people tune in for sure at least. Even I probably will, for nostalgia and lulz^^

PMY is clearly not interested in challenging herself even a bit anytime soon, I think it's crystal clear at this point. With her career choices overall trajectory I'd even bet she retires early.

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Cate

January 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM

All of them are “positively considering” and filming will start in April so it’s safe to assume at this point that everyone is confirmed. Yoon Eun Hye would definitely be an interesting choice for this drama but seeing the A List status of the rest of the cast I don’t think it’ll happen. They clearly are aiming for a type here. It’s going to be an unexpected popular actress in the 32-37 age range most likely playing against type. It’s sad Park Min Young has typecast herself and doesn’t seem interested to step out of her comfort zone. I honestly believe she would be a good fit for the role and it would finally allow her to stretch her range.

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Gikata

January 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM

It's not a done deal until filming starts, and even then one can never know))) Also would've like to know just who invested this much money in this triple-question-mark project to approach these 3 for lead roles.

I can accept LJS-SMA agreeing, although it makes little sense for many reasons. But JJH, playing second fiddle to them? Unless he REALLY needs that paycheck and doesn't care lol. I wonder what he works so hard these days for - marriage fund? buying a villa? following LMH's steps as love-seeking space tourist, but this time in real life?

Cate

January 27, 2025 at 11:09 PM

In Kdrama positively considering is basically a done deal unless a scandal pops up to derail it. Actors even postpone military enlist to film dramas. Unlike Cdrama the contracts for Kdrama are signed months in advance and schedules have to be allotted even before that. Pre production is already underway so the cast is basically confirmed. Script read will happen in March which is just a little over a month away. The chemistry building workshops must already be underway too since filming will start soon. The confirmation will be out by early March at the latest. Even the character for Rashta would already be finalized. They are just waiting to announce it. Ju Ji Hoon had a big drug scandal some years back and he was barred from working for many years in between. He regained his footing with Kingdom and post COVID when fewer and fewer dramas are being made he must be capitalising the opportunities coming his way while he is still in demand. Many actors are now struggling to find work which is why A list celebrities are taking every chance coming their way least they become unemployed by being too picky and falling out with production houses. Park Bo Young, Lee Jee Hoon, Lim Ji Yeon, Ji Chang Wook, Choi Woo Shik and even movie stars like Lee Byung Hun and Lee Jung Jae are working nonstop. The industry is more competitive than before and long breaks aren’t the prestige they used to be. Shin Min Ah is also picking dramas back to back these days. IU has two dramas to broadcast this year as does Park Bo Gum. These two have taken a very long break which can hurt their careers if their new dramas don’t hold up to the hype like it did for Lee Minho and Gong Hyojin. It’s risky to bet on a single drama to carry you for years when audience memory is fickle.

bewitched

January 27, 2025 at 6:45 PM

" I wonder what he works so hard these days for - marriage fund? buying a villa? following LMH's steps as love-seeking space tourist, but this time in real life?"

I was wondering why I'm seeing so much of him at the moment😂. All of them are too old I think, upcoming actresses and actors would be more suitable.

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Gikata

January 27, 2025 at 7:02 PM

It doesn't look like simple career passion anymore, man clearly makes all the money he can)))

Yep, FL and SML are supposed to be in their mid-to-late 20s, iirc? And ML and SFL even younger than that. I get that veteran stars are more safe these days in terms of ratings, but come on! ~~Are they gonna play their teen selves in flashbacks too?)))~~

bewitched

January 27, 2025 at 7:15 PM

@gikata in their 20s for sure. And manhwa/webtoon characters always have this ethereal looks. I imagine someone with face like Lee Soo-hyuk could easily play any character adapted from manhwa.

Sorry but Joo Ji-hoon looks hotter with his wrinkles 😂. He already looks older than his character back then in Goong, no need to try again when he's in his 40s now.

Gikata

January 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM

@bewitched oh, I can see LSH fitting the role indeed, tho he's also too old. But looks/vibes? Yes! And he's more used to villainous SML roles, even tho it's a criminal waste of the man, imo... ~~Adapt "Midnight secretary" with him as ML, losers!~~

Now that we're at it, was JJH EVER in a drama NOT as a main male lead? In movies yes, but kdramas? Don't think so, correct me if I'm wrong.

bewitched

January 27, 2025 at 8:20 PM

@gikata after Goong? probably never again as second lead. Just like Lee Min-ho, Boys Before Flowers catapulted him into stardom that he became to big for second lead role.

7 kay4625

January 27, 2025 at 9:27 AM

Most excited for Resident Playbook here, which I'm really glad will finally air.

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8 zindigo

January 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM

6 - New CEO Project (also known as "The Boss Shin Project" and also as "The New President Project") is a comedy that's rumored to be starring Han Seok Kyu and Bae Hyun Sung. I think it looks really fun!

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9 🌸 Seeker 🌸

February 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM

1. Lee Jun-hyuk definitely seems to be on new career high. Well deserved. 🫰🏻

2. Interesting lineup. 🤩 Hwaiting for the stars to align.🌟 ✊🏻

3. Kang Haneul in a rom-com.
😍 Yes, please, and pali too.

4. The tvN lineup is promising. Especially looking forward to Lee Dong-wook in a romance comedy in an office setting. 😂 What a relief for Resident Playbook. Good to see the screencap.

5. Whoops!! Both the casting changes plummeted my interest quite a bit. Junho of course is always a must watch and I cannot leave him floundering alone in the ~~IMF crisis~~ space.

6. All these tvN dramas seem interesting. While Spring Fever 🌱🤒 *cough* strikes a familiar note, I don't want to ~~do anything~~ go down that path. Also it was a different season. 😅 So hwaiting!! 💪🏻✊🏻 For a moment I thought Ahn Bo-hyun is playing her student and nearly facepalmed!! 🙈😂

Fried Chicken Shop 🍗😋 owners are apparently the new superheroes in town. Cannot wait for Han Seok-kyu to strike **cough, cough** my funny bone.

Pro Bono sounds exactly like a perfect vehicle for a favorite Oppa. Hope the casting director chooses well. ***cough, cough, cough*** I think uri Yoon Shi-yoon 💙 😍 may have certain experience as an eccentric judge.🤞🏻😂 So for this drama - 📢 aja, aja, hwaiting!!💪🏻✊🏻

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