Hm, so apparently Lee Seung-gi won’t be the new lead of the Hong sisters writing team’s new drama Discovery of Affection, which has also teased a possible Gong Hyo-jin casting.
The synopsis for the project has reportedly been entirely rewritten, and with that goes Lee Seung-gi’s potential return as their leading man; he’d anchored last year’s adorable fantasy comedy, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho. All that’s been given to describe the project is that it’s about the romance between a top actor and a has-been actress.
I know this news may come as a disappointment to a certain co-blogger, but to be honest I’m perfectly happy with it. One of the things I appreciate about the Hongs is their willingness — preference, even — to go with new lead actors every time, many of them on the lesser side of famous. (They tend to do the opposite with their favorite secondary actors, bringing some back for drama after drama. Choi Ran has appeared in four of six, Ahn Seok-hwan in three.) The exception to this is Jang Geun-seok, but that’s because he moved up from second lead in Hong Gil Dong to main man in You’re Beautiful.
In any case, as much as I enjoy Lee Seung-gi, I’m even more curious about the new direction this drama is taking, because apparently the new contender for the lead is…Cha Seung-won??
With the synopsis revision, the Hongs have aged up the hero a bit, taking him out of his twenties. According to one broadcast rep, Cha Seung-won has taken a solo meeting (without his manager) with producers to discuss the project, which was confirmed by his agency.
It takes quite a leap to go from a good-natured, grinning boy-next-door to a dark, tattooed badass. And I think I’m liking the possibility, if only because I’m dying to see the grizzled, tough Cha putting his funnybone to work as a Hong sisters hero. For one thing, they have a knack for stripping a man of his dignity, in the funniest possible ways. Jae Hee dressed up as Juliet’s nurse. Oh Ji-ho as a plumber. Kang Ji-hwan miming his way out of recognition. Jang Geun-seok in every scene of You’re Beautiful.
I mean, it’s ridiculous and crazy, right? So crazy…it just might work?
Discovery of Affection will be directed by Queen Seon-deok’s Park Hong-kyun, and is MBC’s next Wednesday-Thursday drama, to replace the new series Royal Family.
Via No Cut News
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i’m with you on this one javabeans. i enjoyed LSG in My Girlfriend is Gumiho, but i am ready for someone new to take over the next Hong sister drama. ^^
Love Lee Seung-gi but I’m glad it seems like the Hong sisters will be using a new face.
Cha Seung Won started out as a comedic actor. Watch all of his old films and see how great he is doing something lighter than City Hall and Athena. I love this actor and have every film and drama he’s ever done. I also agree he’s the prime reason I’ve been able to sit through Athena. So freakin’ hot!!! I hope he gets this. Great combination, he and Gong Hyo Jin, just great!!
SDLKFJWEEORIUSDFLKEWJROISFU.
Brain fried from possibilities.
He naturally has some great comedic timing, as evidenced from City Hall. You can totally see it.
And I agree, JB, I like how Hong sisters don’t stick to the same actors, except to do occasional little cameos. It makes it fresh and exciting. As much as I like Lee Seunggi. But yeah.
I don’t like either one of the 2 actors. I tried City Hall about 5 times cuz I liked the female lead but just couldn’t go on. I watched MGIG and quit after ep 5 or so.
LOVED City Hall, but, MGIAG –
don’t tell anyone, but me, too, at ep 5!
HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT.
Love CSW
I was always so jealous of Sunnie in City Hall 
If CSW bags the role, it would be really interesting to see him do a comedy.. hong sister type of comedy no less.. I will surely miss LSG and his cute little dimple though
Given how much I love LSG it’s a surprise I’m not dangling myself off the tallest building I can find right now. I think it’s because – A Hong Sisters drama is a Hong Sisters drama. No matter who they cast, I know it’s going to be all kinds of crazy awesome. How could I ever complain?
I was bummed that LSG was out.. but now I’m even more excited that CSW is in! I LOVE HIM.
is it possible to be incredibly sad but ridiculously happy at the same time?! I love them both…i was thinking abt City Hall the other day…sigh HOTNESS
i’ll the drama either ways
CHA SEUNG WON? seriously guys?
I’m in.
anything for CSW.
I’m LOVING this!!!!
WOOT WOOT!
CHASEUNGWON.
I am there.
I am all in.
FTW…..CHASEUNGWON.
Cha Seung-won? Its’ gonna be a diff ball game. I am so gonna keep a lookout for this drama if it is true.
“For one thing, they have a knack for stripping a man of his dignity…Oh Ji-ho as a plumber.”
Um..how does being a plumber mean they have no dignity? thats a pretty effed up statement, no offence.
Have you seen Fantasy Couple? He’s a pretty hilarious plumber, who routinely exchanges his dignity for paying gigs.
oh wow! Cha Seung Won will be a hoot. He’s handsome.
I’m hoping the has-been actress will be Lee Mi Sook. I’ve only seen her in Cinderella Sister. Anybody knows if she’s done any comedy previously?
Wow…never considered that it, Lee Mi Sook would be GREAT!!!!!
AHHHH! Sooo EXCITED!!! I fell for Cha Seung Won’s brooding, hottness and alpha male ways in City Hall and although I love Lee Seung Gi, I’m totally excited to see what the Hong sisters will do with Cha Seung won and who they will pair him up with. The prospect of what the Hong sisters might make Cha Seung Won do in the name of comedy is already tickling my fancy.
This just got more interesting, can’t wait. CSW has great comic timing.
It should be YOO AH IN!
wow…me 2..DREAMS
City Hall is one of my favorite drama. CSW did an excellent job there. Ditto to lots of people above, CSW is funny, sexy, a good kisser and man he can cry…Can’t wait for this one.
I’m on board.
OMG. If CSW gets lead actor I will be so thrilled! I loved him in City Hall and he’s not bad in Athena either but I think he does best in rom-coms.
awww, just from the title, I felt for girlfriday.
Seems like Christmas is still not coming….Well, you had Dream High, which was already a good surprise
Wow now this sounds interesting..Moreover it peaks my interest
I AM SO EXCITED!
Cha Seung Won was hilarious in City Hall, his funny scenes with Kim Sun Ah are GOLD. I have not doubt that he can do funny very well.
I always enjoy the Hong sisters’ dramas, but I also find them to be a bit… juvenile at times. As in, more cute than hot, if that makes sense. They lack fire and maturity. How awesome would be a drama with their brand of crazy humour, plus the fire that Cha Seung Won brings? (You know he’s gonna bring it.)
Must try not to get my hopes up too much.
if it’s city hall-like cha seung won, i have NO objection. hahaha
CSW is so damn hot, i would love to see him in a hong sisters production
I like that the Hong Sisters get different actors for their dramas’ leads too, makes it fun to look forward to a different dynamic each time.
Oh man, I hope this casting pushes through! Cha Seung-Won is GREAT at comedy. He made his name starring in comedies which were huge blockbuster hits, that it took him a while to transition to dramatic roles.
City Hall aside, I’ve missed him going for broke goofball-wise. Love that no lead actor survives a Hong Sisters’ drama with their dignity intact lol.
i don’t know much about CSW, but like everyone said, if it is Hong’s drama, everyman is okay, worth to anticipating !
well, CSW character seems interesting, he is hot
and for Seung Gi, i hope his next drama project will also as daebak as the previous.
ohhw el…i’m still excited about the new drama. i liked you’re beautiful and my girlfriend is a gumhio was one of thhe top dramas of the year for me….
YESSSSSHHHH!
aww I wanted to see LSG in that drama *sadface* but I can’t wait for this drama to air… I am such a huge fan of the Hong sisters.
HECK YES!
I am actually more excited now to see this drama if they do cast CSW…but remember ladies and gents, they’re only /talking/ haven’t confirmed anything yet.
BUT STILL! This drama could be all sorts of win if they do cast CSW
I’ve seen CSW in Bodyguard (2003) and City Hall, I think he can pull off whatever the Hong Sisters are going to throw at him.
Lurvvvv the new lead choice!!! He and Hyun Bin got into a fight over me once (grin). This guy is SEXY! capital S deadly!
Lurvvv the new lead choice!! he and Hyun Bin got into a fight over me once…(grin) this guy is SEXY!! capital S deadly!!
oops printed twice after I made a correction, sorry ladies and gents (sheepish)
still hoping to see Lee Seunggi ang Eun Hye partner someday…..(wishful thinking!!)
Anything Cha Seung Won! I’m in….!!!!
omgsh! im gonna soo wtch this..not only cuz its a Hong Sisters drama..but i ove Cha Champion…hahaha itd be awsum to see him in a light role
CSW can definitely do comedy (but, it has to be the right kind of comedy).
As for LSG, despite overexaggerating his facial expressions a bit in MGIAG, he did a pretty decent job of things.
However, while he was well suited to play the lovable, hapless male love interest in MGIAG, I didn’t exactly buy into his character also being popular w/ the ladies, much less an “action hero.”
yesssss! so happy about this news. as much as i like myself some lee seunggi, i was looking forward to a new face to a hong sisters drama. woohoooo.
CSW….please dramagods, make it so!