First of all, we’ve got a title change for the drama formerly known as Please Come Back, Miss Kim; it’s now called God of the Workplace. I can’t tell which is better (or worse, really) because the first title was neither here nor there, but the new one has even less personality. Oh well. In any case, now that we have confirmations for both Kim Hye-soo and Oh Ji-ho to headline, the show is casting like the wind. Jung Yumi (I Need Romance 2012) and Lee Hee-jun (Jeon Woo-chi) are lined up to play the second leads, and Jeon Hye-bin (Dowager Queen Insoo) and idol Jo Kwon (All My Love) join the ranks as fellow co-workers.
The workplace rom-com is based on the Japanese series Haken no Hinkaku (Pride of the Temp) and the adaptation is being penned by the writer of Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, Yoon Nan-joong. I looked into her credits and realized that her first credited work is the Drama Special The Great Gye Choon-bin, which Jung Yumi starred in, so it’ll be a reunion for them.
Kim Hye-soo stars as Miss Kim, the no-nonsense perfect employee that even her bosses are a little afraid of, and Oh Ji-ho plays the hero named Jang Kyu-jik, [a pun on jung gyu-jik, meaning permanent employee] a guy in upper management. Jung Yumi is a new hire who has failed countless job interviews and barely made it past this one, with her less than stellar resume. Her quirk is her country accent that pops out in moments of stress, and she’ll have a one-sided love for her boss (Oh Ji-ho).
Lee Hee-jun plays Oh Ji-ho’s friend — the two entered the company at the same time, only Oh Ji-ho kept moving up the ranks and Lee Hee-jun kept getting left behind. They’re different (and compared) in every way, from attitude, nature, to personal values. Lee Hee-jun’s character is actually named Mu Jung-han, which means literally, “heartless.” Pfft, way to be subtle with these characters. At least the puns tell us what we’re dealing with? Jeon Hye-bin plays golden girl Geum Bit-na ["shines like gold"], a new hire on the team with all the right qualifications. So she’ll be Jung Yumi’s opposite. And Jo Kwon will play a very polite and upright new hire.
The drama promises light and funny episodes that deal with office culture, with a strong focus on the contemporary single career woman. With romance, of course. Mustn’t forget the romance. We’ll see if it fares any better than the current time slot’s resident workplace drama Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek, which is recording some dismal numbers (in the 4% range). At least there’s nowhere to go but up?
God of the Workplace premieres in April on KBS.
Via Joy News
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Oooh, I wasn’t sure about this but I love Jung Yumi so I might check it out O:
i like jung yumi too, but i really don’t want to see her in second lead, one-sided love territory. it’s just so lame and overdone . . . i’d much rather her be doing something more dynamic . . . but here’s hoping to a new spin on the character at least!!
True, but then again, I also don’t see Jung Yumi taking that kind of role. I’m sure the character stuck out to her in some way. Maybe, she’ll have someone else vying for her affections too.
She usually chooses really good roles though, and the writer is good, so…maybe ok?
Loooove – Jung Yumi (girl has yet to disappoint me) but don’t like to see her relegated to 2nd lead as well (must be a 2nd lead role that stands out for her to take it).
I’m planning on checking this one out. I guess Kwonnie goes in the “idol actor” slot this time. Is he good at acting? I love him in variety, but haven’t seen him in anything else.
he’s okay. so far most of his roles/acting stints have been comical so it hasn’t really required much of him. but he tries really hard to not be a burden to the crew so i don’t think we have to worry about him.
Will catch this for Jung Yu-mi. One of the very few actors I really enjoy watching.
Workplace dramas are generally not my cup of tea, but who knows?
What’s with calling a human being God of This or That? E.g. God of Study, God of Soccer, and now God of the Workplace.
Is this a Korean language thing? Please explain.
Add gods rising from the east…
Dong Bang Shin Ki!!!
i was going to check it because of Oh Ji Ho, but now i’m really happy cause i like the second leads so much!!!
omagoodness. i didn’t know that ratings for ad genius lee tae bak was so low
i actually like the show.
jyp idols are acting in everything these days! weird. can’t wait to see lee hee jun again<3
I will check this out. I hope it has touches of “The Office” about it. I for one, and I rarely say this about idol castings, am looking forward to Kkap Kwon. I sincerely enjoy him, the rest of the cast ain’t too shabby either.
haha funny I just rewatched Que Sera Sera with Jung Yumi and Eric this weekend…..she’s a great actress! looking forward to it
Absolutely loved JY in the film “My Dear Desperado” – and really liked her in “I Need Romance 2012″ as well (esp. the lighter moments when we got to see JY sparkle).
Jung Yumi is too good for this.
true.. TOO GOOD to be just a SECOND LEAD.. XD
reporter go??? I love u
oh, i hope lee hee jun will also be cute here just like his role in you who rolled in unexpectedly. I don’t want him to be a bad boy again =(
Me too. Loved his character in My Husband Got a Family, he was good in Wild Romance too.
I like workplace dramas and i’ll surely give this one a try….
hoping that 1 day, Jeon Hye Bin will be the 1st lead in the drama again.missing her as the female lead so much.
Loved the japanese version. Hopefully they will be able to keep some of the original humour and quirkiness that made it so fun to watch.
I wonder if Oh Ji Ho is going to have curly hair?
Love Jung Yumi and Jo Kwon (adam couple!!!!!) I want to watch
I really prefer the old title……
Love Lee Hee Joon is outstanding actor!! must watch.