After being passed on by other actors, a few big roles finally find their stars. Meanwhile, one of the year’s biggest hits sets the gears in motion for another follow-up in our latest round of drama casting news from Korea.
1. I’m Against My Romance
Actor Lee Jong-suk is mulling an offer to appear in the new series I’m Against My Romance. Already rumoured to be appearing in the drama is Go Min-si (Sweet Home).
Helming the project will be renowned drama director Lee Eung-bok, known for his string of hits including Descendants of the Sun, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Mr. Sunshine and Sweet Home.
Go Min-si in a still from “Sweet Home”. Photo: Son Ik-chung/Netflix
The series will explore whether rekindling a romance with one’s first love can lead to renewed disappointment or the beginning of something entirely new.
Known for Pinocchio and W, Lee is coming off his leading role in the hit thriller series Big Mouth.
Before being offered to Lee, the role was turned down by Twenty-Five Twenty-One actor Choi Hyun-wook, who was not able to commit owing to scheduling conflicts.
Go recently starred in Smugglers, the highest grossing Korean film of the summer, and has also appeared in Love Alarm and Jirisan, another show directed by Lee.
2. Nice Guy
Following the recent third season of Dr. Romantic, Lee Sung-kyung may be joining forces with Lee Dong-wook (Tale of the Nine-Tailed) for the drama Nice Guy. Both stars, as well as Ryu Hye-young (Law School), are considering offers to appear in the series.
Lee Sung-kyung in a still from “Dr. Romantic” season 3. Photo: Netflix
The story will follow Seok Chul, the male grandson in a family of macho gangster. He will face the ups and downs of life while trying to protect his family, throughout which he will bring the audience to laughter and tears.
Lee Dong-wook recently featured in Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 and Bad and Crazy, while Lee Sung-kyung was seen in Sh**ting Stars and Call It Love.
The series will mark the small-screen debut of acclaimed film director Song Hae-sung, who previously made the Choi Min-shik classic Failan, Maundy Thursday with Gang Dong-won, and Boomerang Family.
Lee Dong-wook in a still from “Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938”. Photo: tvN
Taking on the writing duties is Kim Woon-kyung, who penned the dramas Yoo-na’s Street and The Duo.
3. Bulk
Hot on the heels of The Worst of Evil, Ji Chang-wook is expected to join the cast for the eight-part streaming series Bulk, which will kick off a marathon six-month shooting schedule at the end of November.
Also in talks to appear are Jo Woo-jin (Narco-Saints) and Ha Yoon-kyung (Extraordinary Attorney Woo). The series may also reunite Ji with his The Worst of Evil co-star Bibi.
Ji Chang-wook in a still from “The Worst of Evil”. Photo: Disney+
Much like the series he just appeared in, Bulk is also a crime-themed drama taking place against the backdrop of ritzy Seoul neighbourhood Gangnam. It will focus on a veteran police officer, a prosecutor and a fixer for the underworld who team up to take down criminals.
Ji’s other recent credits include The Sound of Magic and If You Wish Upon Me.
The show will be directed by Park Noo-ri, who previously made the financial thriller Money with Ryu Jun-yeol.
Jo Woo-jin in a still from “Happiness”. Photo: tvN
Originally eyed for the role offered to Ji was True Beauty actor Cha Eun-woo, who passed on the part back in March.
4. Strong Girl … season 3
With Strong Girl Nam-soon riding high on the ratings chart, Korean studio JTBC has announced its intention to pursue a third series in their “Strong Girl” action-romantic-comedy franchise.
Lee Yoo-mi in a still from “Strong Girl Nam-soon”. Photo: Netflix
Strong Girl Bong-soon, the first season, aired in 2017 to a strong response and featured Park Bo-young (Daily Dose of Sunshine) in the lead role as the descendant of a line of women who all possess supernatural strength.
Though Park appeared in a cameo in this year’s Strong Girl Nam-soon, the leading lady reigns were passed on to Lee Yoo-mi of Squid Game fame as another member of the super-powered family, who teams up with her mother and a cute detective to take down a Gangnam drug lord.
While JTBC have confirmed plans for a follow-up, it does not appear that writing has got under way yet.
Questions that will plague fans until more concrete plans materialise include whether series creator Baek Mi-kyung will return and, if the show continues its loose anthology format, who will become the next ‘strong girl’?
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