All right, this is more like it: The above promo poster (wallpaper, actually) carries more of the quirky fantasy comedy-melo I’m expecting of Arang and the Magistrate than, say, its previously released main poster.
That first poster’s pretty, sure, but rather straight-up romantic and fantasy-like. Nothing wrong with that, of course (see: Queen In-hyun’s Man), but this is a drama with a loud, assertive dead-ghost heroine and a pretty, pretty magistrate hero (who’s very much alive). With heavenly gods and messengers of death and shamans with half-sight. There’s definitely a strong personality with this show, that’s for sure.
We’ve been following this show pretty steadily so we can dispense with the repetition; y’all know the important points of the show, right? (Mainly: to watch it.) So let’s skip to the new stuff, like the scenes below depicting Arang on the run.
The setup: Shin Mina’s ghost character, who’s described as brash, bold, and cynical (great mix), has no memory of how she came to be dead. But with the Grim Reaper (Han Jung-soo, Chuno) hot on her heels to take her to the underworld, Arang knows enough to NOT go quietly along with him, and manages to flee his clutches. A dead girl who cheats Death? I can’t decide whether that’s awesome or just cruel and ironic.
There’s also some additional information on second lead Yeon Woo-jin (Ojakkyo Brothers), who’s going for a different image this time with the cold-hearted nobleman role.
His character Joo-wal is the adopted son of an influential nobleman in town; he’s elegant, cool, and exacting and causes a fair share of the villages ladies’ hearts to flutter. But not much ruffles his feathers, so he’s not likely to return any of those affections with that haughty attitude firmly in place.
It’s not quite clear how he figures into the main plot, since it seems like our magistrate (Lee Jun-ki) is the only one who can actually see the ghost of Arang. Well, perhaps her half-psychic friend (Hwang Bora) can as well, though it sounds like her powers are touch and go. But given the setup, expect Yeon Woo-jin to come on conflict with the magistrate, though I think we can safely assume it’s more about power than getting the girl this time. ‘Cause, um, I’m thinking two guys fighting over a ghost would be too perverse even for K-dramas, despite their penchant for riddling romances with the perverse.
Arang and the Magistrate premieres on August 15.
Via TV Report, Newsen, TV Daily
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OMG! how come I forgot about this! stupid me!
weeellll the next season of dramas will leave us no sleep at all!
When will it be aug.15 already?! all these new shows are seriously exciting me.
So excited!!! Though of course, all the shows I’ve been anticipating WOULD begin just as I’m starting a new semester…goodbye sleep!
Still not knowing if I will watch this at it is aired or marathon it later since I don’t want to be caught up in the angst of waiting if it’s really good. Either way, I can’t wait to start it!!!!
It’s almost here!! Bring on the manes of glory!!
Is that maknae from Ojakkyo Brothers? This cast just keeps getting better and better
Yes, yes it is! So adorable that boy!
This next batch of dramas look awesome!
All the smiling BTS pictures have to be a good omen, right? I don’t think my heart could take it if this drama was awful. Probably it won’t be, right? I have faith! (Errr…not the drama. But I’m excited for that one, too.)
pretty pretty hanboks..
Thank you for the update!
Hey Ivoire! How are you doing these days? I can’t wait for the OT to resume our discussions.:) Do you plan to watch Arang as well?
Thanks for the information. I’m really looking forward to this drama!
Throws confetti!
Thanks for the news….
I lup joo August 2012
Finally, a historical drama! Last ones I watched was Princess’ Man, Tree with Deep Roots and Moon/Sun. There wasn’t any I was interested in lately. So I’m quite excited for this. Even though Lee Jun-ki is bof…
agreed. always a sucker for a well-done saeguk, but one with many added genres just piqued my interest.. Really wonder how they’re going to incorporate it all together and juggle with so many, but I’ll definitely be tuning in.
At this point I kinda feel they’re just taunting me. I mean, I still have to wait TWO WEEKS before this drama airs. The Olympics are awesome, and stuff, but I don’t want to wait any more.
I cannot wait for this drama, and the press conference is set for August 10 at 14:00 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul per Shin Mina’s official website for AM Entertainment.
was just about to ask what JB and GF were up to with the huge drama break due to the Olympics….
Maknae OPPA!
Seriously…waiting for this and Faith is killing me!
Oh my Ojakgyo brothers loving heart be still!!!
I was going to watch this drama anyways because i ADORE Shin Min Ah, but hearing that we have an OB actor in this drama too made me so excited!!!
Plus we have the white haired Yoo Sueng Ho! This boy is a certified noona killer!!
I am completely onboard with this project!
“I’m thinking two guys fighting over a ghost would be too perverse even for K-dramas, despite their penchant for riddling romances with the perverse.”
but I hope they do as 2 guys fighting over a ghost is the most bad ass premise for any story ever. Oh so excited for Shin Min Ah and Lee Jun-ki awesomeness but also a bit hesitant because I’m afraid that instead of the awesome sensible bittersweet ending I want and deserve we’ll get a stupid Hollywood type non Asian cop-out where it turns out she’s not really dead or she can come back to life under the right circumstances.
Omg please just air already!!
It looks like they are having such fun!
This drama screams AWEsome all around. It better deliver, I really, really don’t want to be disappointed!
EXCITED.
she’s already dead but still hv to run like living beings?
Why not? Two guys fighting over a ghost is fun!
God I feel so bad for Shin Mina running in that getup in the heat. Please stay hydrated and don’t faint!
So much prettiness! It’s going to be a fantastic week of dramas after the Olympic! So excited for so many shows!
Ah, I’m patiently waiting for this one.
Thanks for the article!!!
OB fan too! this on my must-watch list!
Arang and Faith, lego!
I know it’s probably just me but I would have preferred a straight up historical romantic drama. I don’t know, making everything quirky just automatically lowers the stakes and the emotional intensity for me. And then Shin Min Ah has already done a quirky mythological creature in MGIAG.
That being said, I’m still looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see Lee Jun Ki back in a drama!!
I’ve just watched gumiho, and fall in love with shin minah !!
Really cant wait to watch shin minah again <3
hopefully she will be cute and innocent as in gumiho.
I superrrrrrrr love her there <3
Lee jun ki is….just a little too pretty for me…
Not that i have anything against pretty flower boy..
I just want me some handsome manly masculine drama hero for a change…
Arang!!! Is it August 15 yet?
@7258salt Lee Joongi may be the original icon pretty flower boy who can do the real high kick by him self, doing dangerous stunts by him self that even the most masculine looking guy cant do
not to mention his 3rd degree black belt taekwondo… for me being masculine not just has to be handsome manly masculine looking. Cos appearance sometimes can be fake,
he is not just a flower boy, he is more than that!
indeed if you know him better you’ll see what I mean
yeah….
i admit i don’t know him really well. the only thing i’ve watched him in was ‘my girl’ about 3-4 years ago. and he was quite skinny then.
i am looking forward to this drama, just because of shin min ah. i hope i will like the hero…
Agree that Lee Jun Ki was really pretty in My Girl (his debut as a 2nd lead), but that’s almost 7 years ago.
He transformed into a “handsome manly masculine looking drama hero” (though still pretty, can’t be helped that he’s really good-looking & the camera loves him) in his 1st leading role in Time Between Dog & Wolf, where he wowed & gained many new fans including me, with his great acting skills, awesome fighting skills (he has a 3rd degree Taekwondo black belt!), hot kissing, expressive eyes (melted everything he looked lovingly at Nam Sangmi) and made “blowing bubble gum” hot!
Recommend that you watch TBDAW, the storyline’s great (oh, the twists & turns & the cliffhangers!), the actors and acting’s great (Kim Gab Soo & Choi Jae Sang are absolutely wonderful in their respective roles as the NIS director & the crime boss), the bromance, the romance, the film noir quality. the music & soundtrack…a total winning combination.
Looking forward to seeing Jun Ki again in his 1st post military service drama…really missed him on my screen these 3 years! Hoping that Jun Ki, Shin Mina ant the rest of Arang’s cast & crew will create a magical drama experience for us this summer!
OMG…my typos! Melted “everytime”, not “everything”; & Shin Mina “and” the rest, not “ant”.
Long time no see, my JG friend~ Always agree & supporting your comments for our admirable Joongi^^
Lee Joongi is always the trend-setter for creating new attractive characters in very interesting stories. Cos of his great acting skills in K&C, he became the original flower boy. Then he can destroy the pretty-boy icon by starring in ever best action k-dramas TBDW & Iljimae which his explosive popularity made other k-actors became interest to perform in action dramas who didn’t have the idea back then.
But our Joongi does the dangerous stunts by himself, and make the scenes more beautifully energetic than most other k-dramas’ action scenes with only external masculine looking actors without good martial-art skills. That’s why the actors’ characters in other popular action k-dramas can’t beat him as he first played those similar characters with much greater potential.
Joongi’s the worth-knowing, appreciable & the most reliable actor indeed^^ But new KD fans may not know about him bcuz of his military service. Now yes, it’s JG time to attract a lot of new everlasting fans~!! Arang & the Magistrate will also be the new interesting storyline for kdramaland. Come on…the most anticipated 2012 drama with the amazingly talented actor~!! ^^
@JGiStar17A That’s true. Because of him, can’t find a better actor than our Joongi~ He’s ever the Best for everything…!! His fans are the E.L.F for him, always impressive with his great attitudes & talents^^