Drama Casting & News
Stills from Lee Hong-ki’s Chuseok special
by | August 17, 2011 | 61 Comments

As a self-admitted newbie to k-pop, I had no idea who Lee Hong-ki was. I know that may sound a bit lame of me since I even watched the Hong Sisters drama You’re Beautiful, in which he played one of the main characters. Imagine my surprise when I googled his name, and found out that he played my favorite character from the drama, Jeremy! Silly me.

Lee Hong-ki, lead singer of the popular idol band F.T Island, will be starring in the 90-minute KBS Chuseok special Noriko goes to Seoul, opposite well-known Japanese actress Takashima Reiko. (Chuseok is one of the biggest holidays in Korea, and often broadcasters will air specials in place of the regular drama schedule.)

The drama special is about a middle-aged Japanese ajumma who’s crazy about Korean idol stars. She goes to Seoul as a fangirl on a mission, and meets a young aspiring singer (Jeremy Lee Hong-ki). Lee Hong-ki’s character keeps failing audition after audition despite his passion and love for music. Takashima’s character teaches him how to succeed and through the experience, he grows and matures, and she inspires him to achieve his dream through his hardship.

Since being cast in her role, Takashima has been working hard to learn Korean for her part in the drama special. Below are stills from the location shoots in Seoul over the weekend.

The drama is set to air on September 11, and will rebroadcast in Japan on September 12.

Via Yonhap News

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61 Comments from the Beanut Gallery
  1. MeeisLee

    Well, glad to see Lee Hong Ki in a kdrama again or more like super mini kdrama? I just might watch this :) . Heh, ironic how it’s airing on Sept. 11 though…

  2. S

    Jeremy~!

  3. Plume

    he looks better with dark hair :)

    • 3.1 melissa

      I like his dark hair too. (although, honestly, as long as it’s not that UGLY bun head from you’re beautiful… I’m pretty much good with anything.)

      • 3.1.1 Caitlyn

        Yes! Most colours suit him, it’s just the weird styles that don’t. I don’t like his short hair at the moment, he looks a lot better with longer hair. Not long, just longer.

    • 3.2 midori

      Looks way better with the dark hair! I had to look at his pic a few times to recognize him.

    • 3.3 maria

      he’d look good WITHOUT hair, tbqh. :P hongki *sigh* <3 jeremy and his earnest brand of luurv :P

    • 3.4 WellDamn24

      I agree! Thanks for writing that so I didn’t have to. :)

  4. mud

    Jeremy<3!!!!! He was my fav too. He kinda looks like Jang Geun-suk while sitting on that scooter. Maybe it's the man-liner?

    • 4.1 mud

      Or maybe it’s Maybelline?

      Sorry…couldn’t resist.

      • 4.1.1 suitfetish

        Haha.

        (The skinny jeans, too, probably.)

      • 4.1.2 myweithisway

        <3 this comment to death!!!

      • 4.1.3 Jomo

        :) :) :) :)

      • 4.1.4 maria

        judgment call, huh? good one. LOL!

  5. thameryst

    This sounds like it could be so much cute fun–especially with Hong Ki on board. Can’t wait till it comes out!

  6. v

    well… I was hoping to see Hong ki with Shin Hye next D: ~ boohoo.

  7. suitfetish

    For some reason he’s totally giving a Jung Yong-Hwa vibe off in that outfit.

    Glad he’s getting to play a lead, though! He was over-the-top but in a really lovable way…

    • 7.1 h311ybean

      I was thinking the exact same thing! :D

      • 7.1.1 tytoo

        me too ……~

  8. neonrainbowstarrs

    WHY SO SEXXY HONGKI?!

    sorry couldn’t resist my nonna crush

  9. Yer Vang

    Yah, Lee Hong Ki is back :)

  10. 10 trkn91

    ahhhh i really love Hongki, in normal life he is really funny and adorable.And his voice is just AMAZING.if you ever listen to him,you will fall in love with his strong voice.and i saw a news about FT Island took a concert in Japan and they recently topped a record previously set by Big Bang.So this is smart choise to pick them to this drama.They are really famous in Japan.I will totally watch this.Best wishes for Ft Island and Lee Hongki.

    • 10.1 moomincandylalala

      agree – He’s got a unique voice, when I hear it I can immediately recognize a song as FT island’s. Plus he’s been acting since childhood so he’s got the chops, as demonstrated by his bus crying scene in YAB. really hope to see him playing a lead role in a full series soon!

      • 10.1.1 trkn91

        Yea, right ! I don’t wanna compare but, in my opinion he much more deserves to be leading man in a drama than the OTHER.i want to see him in a romantic comedy drama soon. And i want to suggest you a song from FT Island :D maybe you know it :D “I will get you”

        • 10.1.1.1 vivianlee

          SOOOOOO AGREE with you..
          This guy is real Hongstar^^ He has too much to show to us..
          Let’s hope that he is given good opportunities xD

  11. 11 h311ybean

    Maybe it’s because it’s super early in the morning and I’m sleepy, but he kind of looks like Jung Yong-hwa in the second (semi-profile) photo. A big part of that is because he looks like he stole Shin’s wardrobe from the “You’ve Fallen For Me” set :p (but I’m just used to seeing Hong-ki in full idol regalia, so of course he would be dressed differently as a wannabe trainee)

    • 11.1 thameryst

      nope. I thought so too!

    • 11.2 Selli

      I thought so too. But WHY must they all have earrings? XD Brrrr. I don’t even really like those on women @_@~ Oh well..

  12. 12 myweithisway

    Because it’s Hong-ki oppa….MINE!!! (I scream while I try to jump him)

  13. 13 Cam

    Kekekeke, it’s Lee Hong Ki oppa!!! ^___^

    I really love him since I had watched him in “You’re Beautiful”. I will be looking forward to this!

    Lee HongKi oppa, Fighting!!!

  14. 14 Anvesha

    I knew the girl was familiar! I thought here’s another k actress who looks like a j actress lol

    Looking forward to it :)

  15. 15 Arhazivory

    Life’s coincidences are sometimes creepy. I JUST finished watching Muscle Girl, in which he did an excellent job, and then I turn to DB and…..there he is. Haha. Funny enough, in some scenes of Muscle Girl, I was also feeling a Jung Yong Hwa vibe and I figured it was maybe cause I watched Heartstrings yesterday. -_-’

    • 15.1 Memlu

      Oh, I’ve been meaning to watch “Muscle Girl”! It looks like loads of fun and of course Lee Hong-ki is fab (and adorbs), so I’m glad to hear it’s worth checking out. :D

  16. 16 Siobhan

    Can’t wait to see this…….. i love Lee Hongki…… he acts …he sings…… awesome singer…….love seeing him perform with his fellow bandmates FT Island.

  17. 17 crazedlu

    JELEMY!!!!!!

  18. 18 Silver

    He might look like JGS because of the eyeliner or like YongHwa because of the clothes, but he totally has Go Mi Nam hair in the first picture :P :P :P

  19. 19 Tara

    It’s like Bull Durham but set with korean idols instead of baseball players.

  20. 20 Memlu

    Oh, yay! I’m definitely looking forward to this one. Maybe it’s just my lingering love for Jeremy (hahaha, “lingering,” as if it’s ever faded), but just the sight of Lee Hong-ki’s face makes me want to smile. I need to stop wasting time and start “Muscle Girl” already, oi. Thanks so much for the info!

  21. 21 Rubysing

    LHK is full of charisma and has stage presence. He appeared in Oh My School (KBS) “Mothers as guests” episode and talked about his (younger) rebellious years. It was very touching. His duet with Hee Chul and his choice of a legend’s song recently won him first place in Immortal Songs 2. True kawaii indeed!

  22. 22 Meru

    He’ll always be Jeremy to me.

    I really hope to see him act in a full Korean drama again some time soon. I think he has a lot of potential.

  23. 23 dls

    is the lady from Japan? she looks alike with city hunter’s mom…
    or is it just my eyes?

    • 23.1 vivianlee

      Yes, she is a Japanese actress.. 1st time working with Korean artist

  24. 24 kdfan

    Lee Hong Ki is super talented. He totally awed me with his voice and showmanship in Immortal Songs. I’m not into idolizing since I’m way past the age for it. But I can imagine how crazy I would be over him if I’m still prancing around in my miniskirt :D

  25. 25 Ladida101

    Haha, this might be off topic but I remember when he was a guest in Running Man, and Gary called him Joong Ki. lol (:

  26. 26 charlotte1987

    Lee Hong-ki!!!

    he”s my fave in You’re Beautiful… i miss Jeremy…

  27. 27 someone

    yay! if it’s hong-ki, i’m on board. i’m more used to him being and idol and a singer in FT Island (besides being jeremy) so this is different…and exciting! :D

  28. 28 laya

    Hongki was really cute as Jeremy but I think I like him better with dark hair O_O I think I wanna watch this!

  29. 29 Isabelle

    I really liked him in the show

  30. 30 Beng

    I was mesmerized with him when i see him perform in Immortal Song 2 – Episode 6&7. I can feel his song even though i can’t understand it =). In episode 7, he successfully turn a trot song into a soft rock, fantastic!!!

    I hope i would be able to watch this special.

    • 30.1 vivianlee

      i remembered this episode.. Totally fantastic song arrangement and perfect delivery by HongKisshi..

  31. 31 bgr

    I really liked Hongki with his FT Island bandmates in their rendition of The Man from Shinsadong/ The Shinsadong person – from the tv show Immortal Songs 2.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqU50HxhfbY

    • 31.1 rachel

      i saw him singing the man from shinsadong on tv and it was so gooood! He sang it with so much expression that even tho’ i don’t know korean, i cd feel the emotions. it was a very touching song.

      sassychef/javabeans/girlfriday, u all must watch the youtube above. guarantee u’ll fall in love with jeremy/hong ki all over again (if u haven’t already!!!). what a great voice and great singing!

    • 31.2 someone

      THIS performance killed me. SO GOOOD! I love how he expressed the song as it gradually reached a climax and how he turns all red singing his heart out. And the band was great too! I’m glad they finally got the chance to play live on a show for once! ^^

  32. 32 almontel

    LOL…my dtr knew him well…guess you and I were on the same boat for not even knowing about FTIsland…
    i LOVED him as Jeremy in You’re beautiful and love the friendships that all 4ANJELLs have developed…
    i just saw his pic watching HeartStrings…what a supportive guy!
    I’ll make sure to watch this one since he gave his support to Park Shin Hye and YongHwa…he’s a very likeable guy…
    i give him an A+!!!

    • 32.1 vivianlee

      HongKi @ Jeremy definitely a great friend…
      He had visited ShinHye & YongHwa at the Heartstring site despite late at night once he returned from Japan because he knows he don’t have much time once this Chuseok drama starts filming and he has to rehearsal for the upcoming FTIsland concert..

      Offnote: Goodluck to FTIsland on 2-day concerts – 20 & 21 Aug 2011.. Fighting!!

  33. 33 badmarkz

    not that i’m against it, but, will there some dongsaeng-waaay older noona relationship? story wise, i can’t really understand the premise…

    • 33.1 belleza

      Probably not. Hallyu in Japan works differently from other Asian countries, in that boy bands like DBSK and SS501 were supported by a fanbase of . . . 35-60 year old housewives and grandmums. “Noona” isn’t really the right word. It’s like a doting, respectful auntie relationship, vaguely associated with junai nostalgia. It’s sweet.

      That said, if the writers want to take this in a May/December “Tokyo Tower” direction, Takashima Reiko would be great casting.

  34. 34 sara

    F.T island rocks :)
    my oppa is back!

  35. 35 mel

    Jeremy!!!

    Your YAB crying/singing on that special bus with Gut Mi Nam—you deserved an award for that!!! I wonder how your boyfriend Super Junior’s Kim Heechul feels about this….being casted with an “ajumma.”

    Good luck can’t wait to see this and listen to your powerful voice!!!

  36. 36 Fafa

    Aigo, uri hong gi has grwon up! I wish to have a son just like him. so full of energy.

  37. 37 Jessica

    Well he was actually in a J drama earlier this year. He’s Japanese was good and he sounded really cute. It was called Muscle Girl he was a referee of an all girls wrestling league. It was a little wacky but good.

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