59

Coffee House production press conference

With one week till its premiere, the cast of SBS’s Coffee House gathered at the SBS company offices in Seoul for the production press conference on Monday afternoon.

The drama’s four leads were on hand — Kang Ji-hwan, Park Shi-yeon, Ham Eun-jung, and Jung Woong-in — as well as director Pyo Min-soo of Full House and The World The Live In. Even without the actor draw, this drama is built on two motifs that are among my most favorite things — books and coffee — so I was already primed to watch it. Add in Kang Ji-hwan and some romantic comedy hijinks and I’m hoping for a fun ride.

Kang Ji-hwan is a best-selling author who is fussy about his coffee, while Park Shi-yeon is his old friend, a publisher who runs a “book cafe.” The love triangle is rounded out by Eun-jung, who plays an assistant who makes the worst coffee in the world. (Ha! I like it already.) Kang’s relationship with Eun-jung seems to be the usual bickering kind, while his romance with Park develops as it goes between friendship and love.

Kang Ji-hwan’s no stranger to the romantic comedy, and he’s shown that he’s got pretty solid comic timing, so I’m hoping for a lot from him. (His dramatic chops are, of course, just as strong if not stronger.)

Park Shi-yeon is newer to the genre, having mostly been cast in thrillers like La Dolce Vita, Modern Boy, and Story of a Man. It’s strange how I didn’t like her for a long while when she first came on the scene (her weak debut in My Girl didn’t help), but now I’ve come around and am hoping that comedy suits her.

She explained at the press conference that she’s long wanted to do a rom-com (My Girl doesn’t count, at least not for her as she had nothing romantic or comedic to do in it), and “This bright, strong role is different from my previous roles and I’m filming happily.” She described going to work by saying, “Going to the set feels like I’m going on a picnic” and “She’s different from my personality in that she’s cool, and even though she yells when she gets angry she doesn’t hold a grudge, so it’s fun to play her.”

The drama will replace Oh My Lady and kicks off on Monday, May 17.

(The PD has explained that despite the title similarity, which has some people calling this a “House” series, this drama has no story connection to Full House. Some have been wondering if PD Pyo can recapture the ratings success of Full House, but personally I think the days of the 40% miniseries are pretty much over. Oh, you’ll still get serial makjang dramas and epic sagas occasionally hitting 40%, but consider how much easier it was to score big ratings when the only option for watching a drama was to catch its live broadcast or rent it from the video store. It would take a mighty exception for a 16-episode miniseries to hit those huge numbers again, imo.)





Via OSEN

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , ,

59

Required fields are marked *

I heard that this drama‘s leading female has actually been changed to Ham Eun-jung not PSY , you can tell that from its official site... I wonder what PSY is feeling right now

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Kang Ji Hwan looks rather thin...hmm or is it just me..?? Eun-Jong is adorable :D

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Park Shi-yeon still has top billing over Eun-jung in the official site's cast page:
http://wizard2.sbs.co.kr/w3/template/tpl_iframetype.jsp?vVodId=V0000344395&vProgId=1000618&vMenuId=1012610

But if the pairing switches, I'm going to assume it's because (1) it works better with story and chemistry, and (2) both love lines are (hopefully, probably) strong. I can live with that. I'd much rather they switch the main pairing early on than halfway through the drama.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

who's the female lead exactly? i'm confused....i hope it's park shi yeon...she looks good together with kang ji hwan...eun jung is too young for him IMO

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

PSY never struck me as a lead, maybe 'cause her acting doesn't seem to harbor anything special. Eun jung looks, on the other hand, has character and flair, 'cept she does look a bit too young for KJH. In the end, I don't find any of these two females compatible with KJH.

KJH looks awfully gaunt. He looked way more healthier in Hong Gil Dong.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

PSY is looking HOOOTTT! She should be/deserve the lead role! Hopefully it turns out as good as Full House

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

PSY is pretty and all but I honestly am not a fan of her acting.......and for me she always lack that chemistry with her male co-stars....KJH does seem to be very thin in this pictures......I'll still check it out though but I am very cautious about this series....Coffee Prince is a tough act to follow and they are liking it to that series somehow......Love KJH but not so sure about the female leads.......

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The jacket Kang Ji-hwan is wearing kind of looks like a bathrobe to me. (He does look thin) I don't think there's anything too bad with not knowing the female lead, it keeps you guessing.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

@javabeans:

Speaking of switching the main pairing halfway through the drama, was that a reference to Over the Rainbow? I heard they did that there, which was one reason I couldn't bring myself to watch it.

Anyway, that is a good point about working out with story and chemistry. I'd much rather they changed the order of the "lead" cast than make us try to believe something that we really can't.

Looking forward to this! I can't believe it's already only a week away =]

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

as far as I've seen the preview, it'll be really enjoyable. and I hope the lead actress will be Eun-jung not PSY

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i hope lead actress will be psy.
eun jung and kjh age difference is 11 years ._.
too big.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hahah for some reasons I really like a drama where we go crazy guessing who's gonna end up with whom, not only from the start, but also during its progress. For eg. Over the Rainbow, On Air and Hotelier (but for these two we could already see it halfway through), How to Meet A Perfect Neighbor. The debate about couples is very interesting lol.

Anyway Eun Jung, Park Shi Yeon and Kang Ji Hwan look good at the pc. SY and EJ are very pretty <3

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

think about this... aren't we all tired of the fact that in rom coms, we already know who's going to the romantic couple before the first episode even premiered? It's just that we don't know how will they finally end up together.

I think Coffee House has the potential to be a drama where we won't know who the main guy will end up with, until the end of the series.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

although i'm not a fan of her, PSY is a true beauty, elegant and hot. i wonder if she can act clumsy as the assistant who makes the worst coffee in the world. it will be VERY2 interesting if she can pull that character. i'm in! so i dont care if they change the character.
maybe if she get that cheerful role, she'll gain more fans? coz she always play serious role before, thats why we dont have any chance to see her charm.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

did ham eun jung hire GHS to be her fashion advisor?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I must admit I wasn't looking forward to this drama despite KJH being the lead, as I've never really liked PSY. Although I've only ever seen her in My Girl and When Spring Comes -- however she seems so different and adorable-looking here. As much as I watch dramas for the eye candy, a lovable leading(?) lady is also a must.
Sounds superficial of me but now I think I'll have to watch it. Plus, I'll need something light and funny alongside Bad Guy and Giant.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

In shallow note, I really like PSY's dress. And she has the right body for it... *envy*

The more I read about this drama, the more I get interested. And it's gonna replace OML, right? Well then I'm in!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree about PSY. She has come a long way since My Girl. I positively hated her in MG for her underwhelming acting and for being in the category of "another beauty queen turned actress" but after seeing her La Dolce Vita I realized somehow she changed herself into an actor. The thing I'm most curious about this drama is how she will handle a comedy to see if she can pull it off but she seems to be playing the sophisticated confident cool woman and not the bumbling, hot tempered girl.

In terms of the OTP, whenever I hear something like "Park Shi-yeon is his old friend" while the relationship with the other girl is described as "seems to be the usual bickering kind" it seems clear who will be the romantic interest.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i really hope that en-jung will be the leading role!!!
v----ery much /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~
i just think that Psy`s style doesn`t suit for the rom-com feeling~~

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Kang Ji Hwan looks so COOL & DANDY!!! Missed him so much!!! He was such a riot in Rom-Coms like "My Girlfriend is an Agent", Hong Gil Dong & GeumSoon...can't wait to watch him again on a twice weekly basis!!! Might help ease my PP withdrawal after it ends in 2 weeks!!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love kang ji hwan but i find the lead actresses a bit unlikable. They are no match to Sung Yuri, and Geum Soon's charm. But we all know how artistic kang ji hwan is, so he may turn it into a breath of fresh air.

i hope he'll take care of himself. we love you!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

KJH-PSY pairing would be lovely, the other girl looks too young for him, definitely will check it out.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm skeptical of PSY. I'll check out the first episode though. Her scene in the trailer did not impress me. Looking forward to reading your recaps though (should you decide to do so)!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope KJH pairing with PSY , i think PSY doing great in this drama , her character seems suitable for her , she is pretty , her acting not bad , in Man story she is acting well .
For the young idol there , is she good in acting ? hopefully not another Yoona .

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

In this drama poster, it's KJH then PSY who are closer to the camera, the other girl's at further spot, so I think KJH will end up with PSY.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope the lead actress is not that little girl . I mean she looks cute but KJH looks like his uncle or smth . Plus though I hated PSY in My Girl , her character seems interesting in this drama . I'm a little bit tired of innocent , clumsy little girls >.>

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yoohooo! i wasn't too excited for this drama when it was first announced but now that the premiere is coming, the excitement has been gaining momentum for me so now, i'm quite hyped up!! hope everything will go well ^^
love PSH's dress.
and thanks for the article!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I used to hate PSY (My GIrl bias) but I've come around and really like her. I hope she's the lead.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

hell yeah!
kang ji hwan is the reason i'm gonna watch the drama
not park shi yeon neither ham eun jung!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Initially, what draw me towards this drama are Kang Ji Hwan and director Pyo Min Soo alone. I love the directing, cinematography and picture of World Within and Insoon Is Pretty (Full House also not bad i think, its been a long time not quite remember). they're beautiful.

Now, i'm quite excited with who KJH will end up with.
i've never liked PSY but for this, i really really hope this is 'IT' for her.
for once, i want to see the male lead ends up with 'his old friend' instead of the 'bubbly cute girl'. it'll be very refreshing! if not, nothing really stands out from the story. Please PSY

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm96/javabeans122/event/2010/10b/chpc14.jpg

Love this picture of PSY, very greek goddess like.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I know he's yours, but I just wanted to re-iterate what everyone's thinking: Dayum, Kang Ji Hwan is looking FIONE!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same reason for me, because of KJW i'm gonna watch this drama.
because i don't know HEJ acting. so far i never like PSY acting even in story of man (one of my favorite drama). i saw some of picture of KJW and HEJ, they look so cute together so i hoped they are the couple....:)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It would be rather odd to give Eun Jung the lead since PSY has more experience in acting. I dont think PSY would play 2nd lead now given her career status now.

I really like PSY's dress...so pretty..Want it as my own.

I do like Eun Jung more..she's cute!!!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm so in love with PSY dress, which brand is this?
I want one for myself XD
I watch PSY in Story of a man, don't know what to feel about her.
She always look too plain to me but I'm looking forward to this drama, sounds like fun!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I've noticed the padded shoulder blazers/jackets are totally back in style again. Welcome back the 80's. I've lived it and rather not re-live it. Ack!

Kang JiHwan is much handsome in another hairstyle than this 2PM-esque kid primping. Does anyone see some similarity to a troll doll? It's not the model but his stylist. Ack!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'll give the first episode a try, but like many others, I'm skeptical about PSY too cuz her role in My Girl didn't impress me at all....for me, her expression lacks alot of things that can't be expressed in her face...I don't know...I think Eun Jung however fits the role cuz she's got the flair and her character is more interesting to me...we'll see...XXD

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

all i could think of is "oh god he lost a lot of weight" and am not liking it ><
looking forward 2 the drama

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

While I'm not the biggest fan of Park Siyeon... I must admit she has improved drastically since My Girl days. Plus, I'm sick of the bickering couple cliche. It gets old. I like friends turning into couples (probably why I dig 9 end 2 outs so much).

What is Ham Eunjung wearing... while I understand androgynous is "in" these days, but that's going a little over in terms of androgyny... in my opinion. The suit jacket plus a skirt would suffice, but why the dress pants and shoes?! Whoever made that comment about her hiring Goo Hyesun as her stylist, so true.

Kang Jihwan, looking stunning! I am going to watch this most definitely, even if just for Kang Jihwan.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

That is one heck of a dress! I'm so in love with what PSY's wearing, especially the white chiffony top part. It has the be the best dress in the history of a kdrama press conferences, everrr. And then there's the gorgeous tumbling locks, and those shoes -- hubba!
I also loved Shin Se-kyung's emerald green gown at this year's Baeksangs.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's weird, but since Family Outing I cant stand Park Shi Yeon. Moreso as a person than an actress. I've never rooted for any of her characters but until Family Outing I didn't have an issue with her. *LOL* How lame of me.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Will this be the first time where the clumsy-but-cheerful girl DOESN'T get the guy? =0 =0 =0

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Looking forward to this if only for Kang Jihwan. Do not like PSY ( I find her cold) hope the other cute girl is his love interest.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Still iffy on Park Shi-yeon but I hope she changes my mind.

40% does sound ridiculous for a prime time miniseries these days...it would have to be epic.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

park shi yeon looks gorgeous!
and kang ji hwan looks fineeee as always

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

oooh i completely heart psy's dress! cant say much for the other one's get up...must be taking her style cues from go hye sun aghasshi!! ok question is this like the first serial to have an ambiguity going on abt the main couple? have there been other kdramas before which have adopted this method? its quite intriguing actually!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Javabeans.. Can u explain a bit more? Why do u think the period of 40% ratings for a 16 ep mini series is over? ( I am guessing u are referring to the time when Full House and Samsoon aired in Korea).. Is it because of the way people watch dramas now online in Korea?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like Kang Ji Hwan's acting so I am going to watch this regardless of who becomes the main pairing in the end. Although if they did switch the main pairing mid-show it wouldn't be the first time, since it was also done in "East of Eden" after the success of the Lee Yeon Hee / SSH pairing, however if that happens I hope PSY still sticks with the show unlike Lee Da Hae who left after her role became much smaller than what she had signed on for.

Personally PSY has never stood out for me in any of her dramas so I tend to fast forward her parts so I hope she fares better with rom-com. I have actually seen some of EunJung's child actor work in MVs and movies and I liked her acting there so I look forward to seeing what she can do here..

Regarding the age difference, that doesn't bother me much since its not the first time. I mean Chun Jung Myung and Go Hyun Jung had an age difference of 9 years in what's up fox and he has a 7 year age difference with MGY in Cinderella's Sister and they both worked. Also MGY's age difference with her costar in Innocent steps was 10 years as well.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Eunjung is known as a fashion terrorist so I'm not too surprised at her outfit. Eunjung has said that she's sad about her lack of fashion sense also lol.

If Eunjung is the main female lead, I'll definitely be watching. If she isn't, I'll still be watching, but with a little less enthusiasm.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

OMG! I love Park Siyeon's dress. V-neck dresses really suits her because she's curvier.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *