Sorry JB can you delete my previous message? I might have clicked on "Enter" without knowing it...

Anyway, NOOOOOO!!! Why??!!! I've just lost ALL my interest in this drama... I've watched the Taiwanese version, which was not so bad (I'm talking about the 1st season, because the 2nd one was crap); Joe Cheng did a pretty good job.
But Kim Hyun Joon? He was just... BAD in BOF!!!
Well, I guess we can give him a second chance, but still, he should have sticked to second roles for the moment... It's only his second project on TV, I think he's going a wee too fast... First of all, he really needs to improve his acting skills by taking some extra classes (really, no offence).
And like some of those who commented, I'm kind of fed up with all those K-pop stars-turned-into-actors. Especially when they are bad ones.
Now I don't know if I'm going to watch this. If Park Shin Hye (and not the other 2 girls from Korean idol groups) gets the lead, I might have a second thought.

Kim Soo Hyun would have done a GREAT job.

Out of the three idols, I would say that KHJ would be the best choice. The leading male actor in this drama DOES NOT HAVE TO TALK MUCH. He just has to be stoic, arrogant, and good-looking. Having a good smirk would also help too. KHJ fits all of these qualities! I love Changmin and Yong-hwa, but they can't pull off the arrogant look that KHJ can.

i'd just like to point out to all those people bashing KHJ for his acting that in the same drama, veteran actress GHS totally mauled the female role. So while i'm not happy to have him as the lead it's pretty evident that it's because he put his singing career behind. As for the female lead i'd be seriouslly upset if its sulli because a) sm artists are well promoted and she doesnt nee a big break. B) shes too young. And c) her group is brand new. As far as i'm concerned an idol turned actor is only justifiable if they've been around for a while. My vote: seung yeon, bo young or nam ji hyun

Meh.

I don't really see the hype about KHJ, since (I'll probably get slammed for this...) I don't find him especially attractive to begin with. So I'll probably opt out on this drama...only way I might watch it is if Park Shinhye is cast. I've been a fan of hers since before her Tree of Heaven days :)

Whatever you guys say WE WILL SUPPORT KIM HYUN JOONG ALL THE WAY!!!

Well, I like Kim Hyun Joong and I'm very happy for him. I hope he'll prove to you all that he still has some potential.
Without any shame, I'll confess that I loved Ji Hoo in BoF and especially in the scenes with Jan Di. :)

So I look forward to seeing him in this role. and I'm not a teenage girl and not big a fan of SS501....

I've watched the taiwanese version and I've got to say...I'm really not sure Kim Hyun-joong will work in the role. The male lead is somewhat uptight, but in reaction to the female lead he can be humourus - on occasion.
When I saw him BOF he just seemed too wooden, in acting terms - virutally killing Rui's role. Unless they decide on a good female counterpart and not a virtual newbie to play alongside him or if by some miracle Kim's acting has vastly improved, I'm not holding out much for Playful Kiss.

I am seeing some people don't like this drama to begin with or have never heard of it and are simply curious as to what the big fuss is about.

Why are so many up in arms about this? Why throws rocks and stones at this poor idol? He is not the first to be cast as a lead with little experience. The show hasn't even aired but already the back lash is so strong. Why?

The answer is 20 yrs.

For 20 years Itazura na Kiss has been making waves in one way or another. Dare I say it has influenced and shaped most of the dramas we see today. How many times have you seen the perfect guy with the cold outside and the girl with every flaw melt him? How many times has she been perky and dense while he was smart and aloof. This manga took it to extremes and did most of it first and best. Add to that 2 drama adaptations that were loved to near idolatry. (One of which had two seasons and 50 episodes) Now add a recent anime with a rabid following and you can start to see why the histrionics are coming out.

I feel bad for this guy I really do, but I feel worse for the fan of this story who have been with it for a long time and had lots of hopes for an even better version to love.

OK, sad sack retrospective over, back to being full fledged pollyanna.

@30 I strongly disagree with your viewpoint about the shi Zhu character, At no times was he every concern about what other thought of Ariel characters. This is where the big problem going to arise because the drama didn't have outside objection it only come from Zhu shi himself. He wasn't in turmoil he was just confuse about the direction he want to take in life, like everyone is at that age. The only different he thought he was immune to such emotions. The k-drama remake will make it seem like everyone is against Ariel character because they success has alway been base on some disappointing family member, but that was not the case and the other drama.

Truthfully I am saddened by this choice but I can't let my hope go because I am still so excited for this adaptation. I loved Zhi Shu's actor, despite the numerous flaws of the drama (girl being sweet, lovable but a total doormmat only one). Joe Cheng had great chemistry with Ariel Lin and that's really what carried it.

But the acting has to be pretty restrained following Zhi Shu's character anyway so maybe he can pull it off. I doubt he'll bring anything new to the character (Lee Min Ho, my heart bleeds) but even so it'll be fun. The concept in itself is enough to carry it although hopefully not into the cracktastic mess of BOF. The romance is very situational too so maybe it'll just be fun. Plus, the taiwanese production was, like, presh and all, but so not high budget. The Pretty might be good too.

(Pleeeeeease let them have a good directing/music pleeeease)

And he had his moments in BOF too. His priceless face when the girl ( I forgot her name, the Makino-counterpart) walks in and asks whether he has a spare room. Um. I'm sure he had others.

SO. Which scenes do people hope are kept?
For me, the rain kiss and the YOU SUCK I DON"T LIKE YOU--*makeout*
xD
Like when BOF was adapted from HYD they'll probably have their own versions.

Oh and they need a good mum, because wasn't the taiwanese one awesome??

and omg i totally laughed @53 "HE DOES NOT HAVE TO TALK MUCH" which was the point I was trying to make but is hilarious when trying to make up for KHJ's casting.

Like.... it's okay! Just stand there and brood hotly!

Oh GAWD!...HE totally sucks!....BIG MISTAKE !!

And yeah, why is it nowadays everyone is casting "IDOLS"??? what happened to casting the REAL actors, the ones who work hard/passionate at trying to be the best in their field.

Oh my I want to cry =.=

Kim Huyn Joong for god sake

Yeah I don't hate him

I kind of like him, as a singer

But, what did he think

What did G8 think?

The role Ji Hoo (don't refer it to Rui, I can't bear the thought Ji Hoo is Rui =.=) is very similar to this Role in ISWAK.

WHy not Kim Soo Huyn :((

Oh My god, Park Shin Hye, againnnnnnnnnnn????

IF it is Park Shin Hye, I will definitely say goodbye to this drama, never ever ever watch it even if I have to die =.=

Why not Kim Soo HUyn and Kim So Eun :((

@Hannah

The rain scene and the you suck I will find someone better than you scene. are a must, but the music for the you suck scene in the taiwan one...holy batdinks that was amazingly perfect. I still re-watch it after a long day at work, just that scene.

Good music that is not over used is what I am looking forward to. This director is better that BOF's and will see that less is more(positive thoughts, positive thoughts)

Also I can say if he pulls off the photo/lunch scene well in the beginning.(should be episode 2 or 3) All should be ok from there. It is the first really big emotional upheaval on screen. I look forward to it.

The scenes I want to see most would be in the second season. His speech to his colleagues which was to me his most poignant declaration of love and his speech in the cafeteria. I cheered, awwed, and cried at the same time during both of these.

Choi Siwon.....please...
I wonder why korean's like to put a singer to become an actor though he/she cant act at all..only good looking...

let me just first say... I SO LOVE hyun joong...but i also love almost all your recaps, so i think i am in a bind...
actually the things i hated about your recap was you punches at hyun joong, okay i get it that he is not the best actor there is but you just spilled his blood all over the place *broken hearted* T__T
but then again its the fangirl in me that got hurt, cause just love him to pieces, but i do agree that he shouldnt be in ISWAK korea, i want him in Dream high..
anyway I still love all you recaps, an i do mean LOVE it, well except for BOF & YAB, we differ in our opinion in that dramas. though i love YAB at the start i hated almost from episode 10 until end, anyway well i already said the thing i disagree about BOF...
anyway i hope that hyun joong improved to a level that would surprise you...
anyway i usually dont comment cause i am such a scratter brain but just wanted to comment now since it is about hyun joong...
i'll still be reading all your recaps

so many young and talented actors out there, why must hyun joong?? i like him but seriously his acting is not that great.

@diadda

The first season was cute and fun; plus the starting song was a lot more awesome. And, on a shallow note, Cheng was hotter in the first. (He's still hot; but maybe it was the haircut, I don't know, he had more going on for him in the first season.)

But yeah, the second had a lot more romantic scenes. Personally, I liked the smaller, kidding around ones than the big declarations. Like him piggy-backing her, or after they make up and she's like a monkey hanging onto him to say it made her happy he was jealous. Honestly, and I think it's probably just me, I fast forwarded the cafeteria declaration because there was too much second hand embarrasment for me.The actual jealous!plot was a bit so-so but that scene after was so adorable.

While I love the series unabashedly I do hope the Korean version will cut out some of the cringe worthy stuff. Please let them not add to it =.=

What were other favourite scenes people wanted to see?

Hyun Joong is not so bad in my opinion... I think he did a passable job as Jihoo in Boys over Flowers and personally, i also think that majority of his stiffness in the show comes from the way the Jihoo character was written which was a tad boring and bland compared to his Japanese and Taiwanese counterparts so blame it on the writer...

I would definitely give him a second chance knowing that BOF was his first acting job... I don't want to box him in right away in the bad actor category when he has only started because he's young and he has a lot of room to improve... He acts pretty decently in the MV's that are given to him like that one with Jung Ryeo won methinks...

After all, this drama and his role do not require MISA like crying scenes with East of Eden like angst driven plots...

For me, i would watch this drama first, enjoy the ride and then comment.. Otherwise, i might end up eating my words...

I would still watch this drama even if i don't know the actor from ADAM because it is one of the most fun mangas i've ever read and ISWAK remains to be my most favorite Tdrama... Who knows he might just wow us this time around? (although i think Joe Cheng is one tough act to follow in his role of Zhi Shu... him and Ariel definitely made the manga come to life for me...)

.

why/////////////////////////////

out of the three, it should have been changmin
the role was made for this dude; changmin IS naoki

although, in my eyes no one will ever replace KASSY

Yea... since most of us are against him taking the lead, maybe we should do something about it. We could write to Group 8 and his management.

He's repeatedly expressed that he wants to further his career in music during interviews and promotions for BOF. I just really feel like we should be more active in taking charge instead of just leaving comments and blogging about it. Though, if Group 8 scours the web for reactions to the casting which has not been confirmed by the production crew and the director, mind you, they might just change their mind and have Hyun Joong as a guest star instead. Like, he could play the musician boyfriend of Xiang Qin's girl pal.

@therainhouse

OOOOOO I like that idea, of him being the musician boyfriend. He is also a perfect looking character with a bit of depth. He would be great for it. Problem, it is second season material. I don't know how they are going to organize this or how far they will take the story. If through all of college, he will be in it. The Japanese one cuts off at high school graduation and flashes forward past college. (let down) Who knows what the Kdrama will do.

I haven't watched any version of ISWAK but I guess the casting directors/producers/director have their own take on why they picked Kim Hyun Joong. Who knows, maybe the role was really meant for him. I think everybody deserves a chance, a second, a third -- as much as everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion. Anyone who's real passionate about this drama should've already petitioned long before this drama was even discussed and finalized. If he doesn't measure up, then there's always room for criticism -- either way, it will help the person grow. Besides, there's always a choice to watch or not to watch , hehe, right?
I respect this blog and the opinions. :) It's just work, nothing personal--- I hope. :)

@73 hannah

I adore the little scenes too. I think they are the payoff for the emotional dragging and torture this couple puts me through. The light fluffy interactions make all the angst in between more tangible. But the emotional declarations always got to me. He is a man that doesn't like embarrassment or public emotional vulnerability. When he does it in those big sweeping ways, I can't help but get choked up.

If there is a drama higher up reading any of this(which I highly doubt) please don't let this suck!

I watch KHJ on We Got Married and he was really funny! He and his Buin were really cute :) However, in BOF, his character was super boring...but then I never really find any of the Rui actors very exciting...maybe it's just me. I'm really hoping that this drama will be FUN to watch!

I really liked ISWAK 2...Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng were so lovable. It's weird...I thought Ariel's character was very annoying in the first part, but that's probably just her character. Can't wait to see who the leading actress is going to be...

Oh poots.
The guy's a statue. Oh wells but the male lead doesn't hold as much importance as the femaie lead so it might actually work out if the script is good, actress is good, supporting actors and actresses are good. Taiwanese version of ISWAK was funny as hell. I hope G8 doesn't ruin it.

Okay, I'm out! Like Javabeans, my interest for this drama is now dead.

i'll look on the bright side. (:

i know kim hyun joong is a pretty bad actor, but i liked(loved) him in Boys over Flowers, so this drama won't be as bad as you guys think it will be. Apparently he's been honing his acting skills? So he won't look like an emotionless pretty boy in the drama.

But since they cast an idol as the lead actor, they should get a proper actress as the lead actress. And I reallyyyy hope they get an age appropriate one. No more geum jan di for me thanks. hahaha

I agree with the fact that his acting skills may not be good but you guys shouldn't forget about the fact that his role in BOF was his first that's why he needs to play different characters so he can improve his acting so don't be too harsh on him for this one and let's just enjoy the drama peacefully

I am a big fan of KHJ, and I really interested on how he will perform in this drama

i am praying hard that he does well, but I hope he's antis be kind enough to give him a chance

I was so hyped up about this drama, but after this, I'm hesitant to watch. Add in Park Shin Hye as the lead girl, and I'll skip it altogether. I had a terrible time with KHJ in Boys Over Flowers, and I don't particularly like him appearance-wise either, and the same goes for PSH. Hell.

Ah...first he looks like Bae Yong Jun...now he looks like NEWS' Yamashita Tomohisa. I rather liked the anime Itazura no Kiss, but if his image keeps being so floaty for me, I'm probably not going to watch this. Can't even get his name right, and I keep calling him Yon-sama lookalike. xD

Wow! This is a great news! Can't wait to see Kim Hyun Joong in the drama. Director has made the right choice. No wonder all the drama directed by him is so popular in Asia countries. I strongly believe this drama will have the highest rating. Thanks for sharing such a good new.

Dear Javabean,

Your comments seem a bit too personal....or bias(for better word).

The director of this new drama has good experience in directing Korean drama. Those soap drama that he had directed has been very popular.

I believe whoever selected Kim Hyun Joong would have already considered who really suits to be the main leading actor. They also want the drama to become hot and popular in Korea and in Asia. They also hope that this drama will make money. Believe in them. Who will want to make wrong selection and lost money on it.

In fact, Kim Hyun Joong is very popular in Korea and Asia. I believe he will act well in this Korea. Just like Boys over Flowers, he was new in acting but he did terrifily well and has also made him very popular in Asia. Try to believe in him too. Have faith on him and you won't feel so disappointed when your idol is not been selected.

@Jessica,

Its javabeans own blog, so she can be as bias as she wants.

And just because one singer is popular, does not mean he/she is a good actor. He did NOT do well in BOF, in fact he was terrible, especially compared to other actors who had played that role.

Oops, quite a number of negative comments.
Why make such a negative remarks?
Don't like him, then don't watch.
Why getting so annoy when the news is out? Annoy because your idol is not selected for the drama?
Just don't watch if you don't like it!
Nobody will bother if you watch or not, isn't it?
Just patiently wait for your idol to be selected for the next new drama. Be patient.

I am diehard fan of Leader, Kim Hyun Joong.
We, TripleS, strongly support him. We also strongly believe that this new drama will be as popular as Boys over flower(BOF).
I am sure leader will become the most popular actor again after acting this drama.

Hyun Joong, our greatest leader, wish you all the best. May good luck be with you all the time.

Hyun Joong, Ajar Ajar fighting!

Lots of love,
TripleS

@Star,
Are you frog in the well for many years?
Boys over flower is very popular in Asia. Are you too blind to see the facts? Or , you just couldn't accept the true facts.
You must be terribly mad now or too jealous to see that Hyun Joong is so popular now and he has been selected as the main lead.
Don't make yourself a laughing stock and making such comments without thinking what you had typed.
Pabo, aren't you?

LOL @ Jessica and @ kiongna

What are you talking about. We are not his fans so why must we have faith on him?

Yes!!!! what a good news!

Congratulation, Kim Hyun Joong!

Can't wait to watch your new drama!

Yes!

Holy crap I am laughing so hard right now!!!!.....I don't want my favorite "idol" to act in anything. I want him to appear in variety and music shows. Making a music video is as close to acting as I want my favorite "idols".

Now if after several bit parts they prove they can act. that is another story.

I am loving these fangirls to the Nth degree! Y'all are awesomeness! Keep up the fight for your pretty boy!

Aiyoh, people get angry so easily for a simple comment. Funny people leh.

'One of TripleS from Singapore' said is right. If you don't like him, then don't watch loh. Why getting so angry for such a small matter?

Why you want to pull your hair, face turn red, jumping up and down for people's comment?
Aiyoyo....

Very interesting comments. Enjoy reading the 'fight' so much.

Whoa! 395+ comments already? Notice that when an ex-BOF actor is featured here, rants & raves go by the hundreds? And they're mostly from the unimpressed or the die-hard ones.
I say I'm in the middle. I loved KHJ in WGM. I cringed at his acting in BOF.
I've only watched the Japanese version because the lead guy was cute and yes, all he did was smirk & pout & sigh & look away (I'm sure KHJ can do that! teehee!) The girl was something tho - quite annoying! But I loved the lead guy's younger brother! He was so adorable!
I have not watched the Taiwanese version...it would be interesting to watch the Korean version. With Girlfriday recapping? For real? Bring it on!