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Queen In-hyun’s Man casts rivals, releases stills

Now that Queen In-hyun’s Man, the tvN time-traveling romance drama, has begun filming, here are some of the stills and behind-the-scenes shots that are starting to trickle out.

This is a drama that has been looking more and more interesting the more we hear about it — and its trailers and posters went a long way toward piquing my interest — so I’ve got my eye on it, despite the fact that we’re quickly approaching time-skip-sageuk saturation point. Or are we already there? It’s hard to tell what’s funny ’cause it’s funny, and what’s funny ’cause it’s become so old that it’s new again, like that neverending rake joke.

Up top, we have series leads Ji Hyun-woo and Yoo Inna busily discussing the script in preparation for shoots. Ji has ditched the Joseon-era hanbok and is dressed in modernwear, so presumably he’s been here (as in, modernity) for a while. At least for a long enough time to know how to wear a hoodie and a beanie without going all Rooftop Prince with the crazy mix-n-match fashion bin. (Ah, dignified scholars in nightclub sequins and acid wash. You can’t not laugh.)

The drama also has a second lead in Kim Jin-woo, a musical actor turned TV actor from dramas Twelve Men in a Year, Smile Mom, and Road No. 1. He’ll play Yoo Inna’s ex-boyfriend and current Hallyu star Han Dong-min.

Dong-min is a playboy character with a list of romantic scandals a mile long, with lots of other celebs from the acting and pop music worlds. He plays the king, Sukjong, in the drama-within-the-drama New Jang Heebin; in Dong Yi, the role was played by Ji Jin-hee. Sukjong was the husband to Queen In-hyun whose concubine, Jang heebin, plotted to raise her own status and was rumored to have poisoned the queen.

Naturally things are a little weird when the womanizing actor is paired with the girlfriend he dumped, Yoo Inna, when she’s cast as Queen In-hyun. Awkward! And then the love triangle gets going in earnest when Ji Hyun-woo flies into the picture once he gets dropped into the 21st century from the 17th. Where, coincidentally, he supported the real Queen In-hyun in her attempt to regain her standing.

A K-drama isn’t a K-drama with only one love triangle, so on the other side we have Jin Ye-sol (New Gisaeng Story) playing Yoo Inna’s rival for Ji Hyun-woo’s affections. Her character comes from the Joseon era and starts out as a household slave to a nobleman’s family, who loves Ji Hyun-woo from afar. After his family is wiped out in a conspiracy, she runs away and turns to an entertainer’s life (having few options as a former slave).

Interestingly, she is described as a gisaeng who watches Ji Hyun-woo traveling back and forth between the two times, which makes me wonder if this will be more Operation Proposal than Rooftop Prince — in structure as well as tone. Since Ji begins falling for Yoo Inna in the 21st century, the gisaeng can’t help but be jealous of her… but it’s an interesting twist that she can’t see the rival for herself. I’m intrigued by the setup.

But wait, there’s another rival! This one’s from the heroine’s own time zone, and is more of the traditional villainness/antagonist role, played by Park Young-rin (Birdie Buddy). She’ll hate and harass Yoo Inna despite her beloved “nation’s fairy” image (as in, cute and approachable). So while she’s the popular star compared to Yoo Inna’s no-name rookie actress-dom, she isn’t above belittling or mistreating her. I’m thinking UEE in You’re Beautiful.

My favorite photo of the bunch has to be the one at the very bottom, which comes from the same scene as the first photo. It’s got a scroll-down appeal in that it looks pretty normal — boring, even — until you get to Ji’s Joseon-era hat, dangling from his backpack like it’s a normal, everyday accoutrement to daily life. What, this ole thing? It’s just my Confucian scholar’s hat, like everyone else’s.

Queen In-hyun’s Man premieres on April 18 on tvN.

Via Star News, Herald M

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I'm so excited for this drama! It had me at its first poster. Hope it turns out good :D

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The premise and all the complicated setup actually sound pretty interesting. I'll atleast check out the first episode or two to see how it is.

As far as the "more Operation Proposal than Rooftop Prince — in structure as well as tone.", As long as it is not in writing (writing was horrible), it will be fine.

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Lols. Same thoughts. As long as the script, acting, and production values are more on par, I can handle the time-traveling, costume-changing shenanigans. Hopefully, this one can actually make something out of such an anime premise.

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Aw, this looks cute. Ji Hyun Woo is really underrated, lol. I don't think any of his dramas have been successes. He's adorable though. I loved seeing him on variety shows, like IY 2 and Happy Together 3.

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Ditto. I praised him enough in the older posts, so i will stay on the backseat here... I just adore that guy, and yes, he is UNDERRATED.

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I love him too, so much. And I'm also not going to talk about my 50 episodes Calvary just to watch him in ATK.
Oops! I think I just did.

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I love him too. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed Invincible Lee Pyung Kang, which I know logically is a pretty standard to sub-standard drama, half as much if he hadn't been the main guy. I think he has a lot of charisma. And while he definitely has the cute factor, he can pull of serious/intense as well.

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Ji Hyun Woo is super awesome, I think. I love his acting. This drama is exciting, I didn't know he'd be going back and forth and he has three ladies after his affections?? Oh what a stud.

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Yoo Inna's looking so pretty in those stills.

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wow the hanbok color, I love that red. I'll watch this probably

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I love Yoo In Na she deserves a leading role! And she's not a frumpy heroine wooohooo

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This drama just looks better and better doesn't it? If it's anywhere near as good as it looks on paper, this has the potential be the best time-travel drama of the year. I am SO ready for April 18th!

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he's ugly... jacked up teeth

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Eye of the beholder my dear. Eye of the beholder..... And something about "it's what's on the inside the counts" or whatever still holds true ya know? X/

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Oh my goooodness.....(shakes head) Lolol....You shouldn't say that about this actor Ji Hyun-woo (because of his ugly teeth) ~ but, he look like he's really adoooorable little boy with smiling like that. It doesn't matter to his appearance but it's inside of his 'pure' self, of course. :)

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I love this no matter how bad it will be.

You are right about that scholar hat. It carries with it so much meaning from all the sageuks. Sitting on the backpack it looks right at home, but at the same time completely out of place.
Cognitive dissonance.

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I'm right there with you. That's what our biases make us do!
I love that picture, plus we get a rare view of his delicious tush! Love them jeans!

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And they handily placed a target there for us.

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LOL ooooh, Jomo~

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second the motion:)
What a deep and very meaningful observation

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I'm really excited about this. Absolutely love the one teaser where they are like mannequins. Plus, I'm thrilled for Yoo Inna. She won me over in Secret Garden and I'm glad she's getting a lead role.

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What a trend, this crazy mixed-up time-jumping sageuk genre! Since I'm not, and never really got into historical dramas, it's nice to have a different outlook on 'em -- even if it's mixed with modern day. I'm actually liking this trend and will definitely be looking forward to this! Can't wait to see Ji Hyun-woo freak over city lights and just overall being confused and clueless. Hee, fun!

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Can't wait to watch this one. I find it interesting that he can travel back and forth between times. Loved the teaser!

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Does anybody else thinks she looks like Kim Ha Neul from the side in that poster?

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I am confused, someone should draw a map of those interrelations.

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I'll help ya out! Kinda....uh the best I can,lol!

17th Century Hyun-Woo--Queen In-hyun's "right hand" let's say-- gets launched into modern times as he is helping her regain her standing.

In modern times he gets all romantical with Yoo Inna who's playing Queen In-hyun in the fictional drama within this one (dramaception !!).

Back at home in the 17th cent. Hyun-Woo has a lady admirer. Since Hyun-Woo travels back & forth between times (like a magical joseon time....shaman?) she can tell that he has some feelings for someone else. But she doesn't know who that someone is because that person (Yoo Inna) is years into the future.

Again in modern times he also has ANOTHER lady admirer--Crouching Princess/Secret B*tch.

And then to top it all off Yoo Inna has an ex-boyfriend who plays the King (to her Queen) in the fictional drama within the drama (more dramaception !!).

Does that help?? XD

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I can tell you it helped at least me !!

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Success!

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It does look so pretty. Am keeping tabs on this drama as well and I can't wait until it comes out!

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Aaaaaaaw. Kim Jin-woo is also playing the douche here? I guess you have to start from somewhere Bubb. I thought he was a pretty slick playah in Twelve Men in a Year. Heh.

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TvN are on a roll, not that am complaining! Just wondering when the next instalment of Flower Boys is coming up ; )
Btw arent u gonna recap 12 Men in a Year? Its totally 'i need romance' ish brill!

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Talk about Complicated .

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Anyone keeping count on just how many time-travel style dramas are out this year?
We've covered aliens and outerspace earlier this season as well as vampires. It's as if k-ent is taking ques from the SyFy channel or Doctor Who :D

Seriously though, I'm interested in seeing how they tackle this and what "rules" and explanations they'll have for time travel.

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Hmm~Hmm! Ah, it might be interesting & I will try to watch this, keke. ^__^

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So pretty! Love the pictures and will definitely keep a look out for this.

As for the guy in suit is he Kim Jin-woo? I'm totally not familiar with the 2 guys so I getting a little confused. In anyway they look good and that particular photo look a lot like Roy Chiu, a Chinese actor. lol

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