Jung Il-woo, Go Sung-hee for Night Watchman
by girlfriday
Woohoo, most glorious mane of glory, here we come! Jung Il-woo (Gold Rainbow) has confirmed that he’ll be headlining the new supernatural fusion sageuk The Records of a Night Watchman due out this summer on MBC. I’m pretty sure it’s not enough time for him to grow out his Iljimae hair, but I suppose we can’t have Joseon ghostbusters running around looking exactly like Iljimae–universes would collide. I’ll just be happy he took the role and not be too greedy. In an interesting twist, newbie actress Go Sung-hee (Miss Korea) is in contention to play the leading lady, after debuting just last year.
The new fantasy drama from the producers of Sungkyunkwan Scandal stars Jung Il-woo as a ghost-hunting night watchman with the supernatural ability to see ghosts. Guess a ghost-hunter who can’t see ghosts is kinda ineffectual, now that you mention it. Funny how Lee Jun-ki played Iljimae and then Jung Il-woo did, and then Lee Jun-ki played a ghost-seer in Arang and the Magistrate and now Jung Il-woo’s playing one too. Next year: Joseon Gunman Rides Again.
His character is described as a “bad boy prince” (I’m not sure if the prince moniker is metaphorical, but I’m just going to take it at face value for now) plagued with inner turmoil, who rejects his wealth and honor to live a rebellious life. When he gains the ability to see ghosts, he becomes a night watchman. In ridding the world of ghosty evil, he experiences the citizens’ struggles firsthand, eventually transforming him into a legitimate prince. If he’s a royal I don’t see how that makes him legitimate (in the actual bloodline sense), but early press release character descriptions are so often unhelpfully vague. There’s likely a palace intrigue plot surrounding the illegitimate prince; for now, bad boy night watchman who sees ghosts is good enough for me.
Go Sung-hee is a bit of a surprise for the heroine since she’s relatively new. She debuted in the movie Ethics of Wrath in 2013 and then played Lee Yeon-hee’s beauty pageant rival in Miss Korea. I liked her character in that drama, but the actress didn’t strike me as doing a whole lot with the role; granted, she was a stoic proud sort of character (and very pretty), but I remember wishing more emotion from her overall. Perhaps fantasy action will bring out something different in her. She’s currently considering the role, and we’ll have to wait for more casting announcements to get details on the rest of the ghostbusting posse, including character details on the heroine.
Night Watchman follows Triangle on Mondays and Tuesdays in July.
RELATED POSTS
- Jung Il-woo courted for ghostbusting sageuk Night Watchman
- Fantasy ghostbusting sageuk in the works with Night Watchman
- Gold Rainbow: An Introduction
- Thing vs. Thing: Cradle-robbing Teachers
- The Moon That Embraces the Sun: Episode 1
- Flower Boy Ramyun Shop: Episode 1
- Interview with 49 Days’ Scheduler Jung Il-woo
- Miss Korea: Episodes 1-2
- Queen-maker and crew in Miss Korea’s promo posters
- Miss Korea’s preview introduces its cast
![[Drama Chat] The mysteriously disappearing desire to watch](http://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/didiva_5-scaled.jpg)
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1 Skyofblue
May 26, 2014 at 4:08 AM
LOL. Joseon Gunman rides again.
SO looking forward to this and the Joseon Gunman. But gah, I don't know if I'll be able to catch all these new dramas coming out! *frets*
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LyraYoo (@LyraYoo)
June 6, 2014 at 10:01 AM
so as JIW would say..
:D
http://37.media.tumblr.com/f72d53e01f1ec8222429693817b58d26/tumblr_mhh44tzxuY1s1h62so1_400.jpg
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2 sogazelle
May 26, 2014 at 4:14 AM
I like this pair a lot...Even though Sageuks are not my thing, I'm on board!
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3 Jyyjc
May 26, 2014 at 4:22 AM
While I didn't really have a problem with her in Miss Korea, she's just so new so... I dunno...
She very pretty though.
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hoaa
May 26, 2014 at 5:45 PM
She looks like Yoo In-na...
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4 tari
May 26, 2014 at 4:23 AM
They both look equally pretty. I miss Jung Il-woo in my screen!
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5 diw
May 26, 2014 at 4:28 AM
They look good together and the story is interesting so I'll be watching this.
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6 Monica
May 26, 2014 at 4:30 AM
What a lovely pairing. I love Miss Korea, but it's all because of Lee Yeon-hee and Go Seung Hee is not bad at all.
Lucky Il-woo, from Uie to Go Seung Hee.
I'm excited of the story. I hope it will be goooooooooooooood.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
May 26, 2014 at 8:05 AM
Miss Korea was one of my surprise favourites last year. I really wasn't looking forward to Lee Yeon-hee in the role but I've never been so happy to be wrong, she was fantastic. I hope she keeps it up, I feel like she's made a personal breakthrough as an actress and god knows it took long enough.
Shame about the low ratings though, going up against YFAS probably meant the cast and crew of this never got the recognition they deserved.
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Sajen
May 26, 2014 at 5:24 PM
"Shame about the low ratings though, going up against YFAS probably meant the cast and crew of this never got the recognition they deserved."
True especially since while I did enjoy YFAS Miss Korea was better way better.
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7 atz
May 26, 2014 at 4:33 AM
I am not sure about the main female lead,,, she seemed a bit emotion- less in Miss Korea. I wonder why someone like her can get a female lead while there are many other talented actresses out there. but, for Jung Il Woo, I am in. He truly has a prince- like- aura.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
May 26, 2014 at 8:09 AM
atz - I do agree, there are some more proven young talents out there but she did well enough with her role in Miss Korea and didn't bring the level of the drama down. I'll wait to see how she does in this now, before I judge her.
(I hope she's good, I know we complain about a lack of lead roles for young actresses but we generally hope those roles when they do show up, are filled by talented actors and not just pretty faces)
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8 mary
May 26, 2014 at 4:33 AM
*buys more incense for further casting news*
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9 Chandler
May 26, 2014 at 4:43 AM
YAAAAAAAAAAAAY! Ah this is great. I'm certainly alright with the lead, though not exactly particularly excited. Jung Il Woo has great chemistry with all his co stars so that, at the very least, should be good right?
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Chandler
May 26, 2014 at 4:45 AM
Note: I'm referring to the female lead, of course. I'm super excited about Jung il Woo!
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10 ants
May 26, 2014 at 4:45 AM
Jung Il-Woo would be perfect, I'm not against Go Sung-hee she's pretty, but I wish it's Moon Chae- Woon.
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11 KDaddict
May 26, 2014 at 5:33 AM
I'm just happy that the female head isn't that girl in DS, AoF! Thank goodness!
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j18
May 26, 2014 at 6:00 AM
I pity Jin Seo Yeon. She doesn't even have anything to do with this drama nor her name is rumored as the lead actress. Yes, she is nowhere near the level of Jeon Do Yeon and Gong Hyo Jin as an actress but she is serviceable and passable.
I'm appalled that Korean female actors are heavily criticize while Korean male actors who overact and gives a theatrical performance are highly-regarded and to some extent are considered brilliant.
I may not be a fan of JIW I'm still glad that he is returning to sageuk. I can't say anything about the actress since the only drama that I've seen her is Miss Korea.
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Kiho
May 26, 2014 at 7:24 AM
That's just people's honest opinion. So, we can also stop co plaining about why they dislike her.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
May 26, 2014 at 7:51 AM
ah, the strawman 'it's not feminist to criticise women!' argument.
Dramabeans commentariat is pretty equal-opportunity when it comes to calling out the acting skills of those who are lacking, even Hallyu darling Lee Min-ho doesn't escape it. Idols of both genders get ripped a new one for sucking at acting, no matter how much their fangirls cry.
And on the flip side, JB/GF/commenters at large are very generous with the praise when an actress does do well. So you can cease with this 'but MEN don't get criticised as much!' business.
(see the lead of Go Sung-hee's last drama, Miss Korea, for a prime example of that.)
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j18
May 26, 2014 at 8:13 AM
@pogo,
I'm not technically referring to commenters of DB (though there are some who are actually like that). My statement is based on reading personal blogs of fans of Kdrama.
I am not criticizing JB/GF/H2N/GUMMI . Of all popular kdrama sites DB is the one that I like most. And I know that they've criticize Lee Minho (not to mentioned his last two awful dramas.
I am not even a fan of JSY. People have the right to constructively critize her and they also have the right to dislike her or any actress that they want.
The problem is I hope people won't drag another actress in a negative way just for the sake of the other. It is like kicking a person on the head despite knowing that the person is already badly wounded.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
May 26, 2014 at 8:53 AM
@j18 - well, to be fair actors get compared all the time, especially when their performance levels are different. It happened with Lee Min-ho and Kim Woo-bin and Suzy and Lee Yubi just last year, and that's just the ones I can name.
I'm no fan of JSY, and frankly her fairly widespread unpopularity probably has as much to do with her professional conduct as her acting - but I'd much rather confine that discussion to posts that actually involve her in some way. No need to bring that particular piece of ugh into another actress' thread.
I liked Go Sung-hee in Miss Korea (decent performance in a small role), but we really haven't seen enough of her to form an assessment of whether she's ready to step up to the plate as a leading lady yet. Jung Il-woo generally has good chemistry with his leading ladies, but I've never seen him with a rookie actress before so I'm curious about what this could be like. And yet, some actresses make big breakouts after having smaller supporting roles, so I won't rule that out here.
plumseed
May 26, 2014 at 2:57 PM
I have to say that I disagree with you on the statement that male actors aren't criticized and that overacting actors are considered "brilliant". From the actors that I know that are widely praised and considered to be on top, (such as Song Gang Ho, Lee Byung Heon, Ha Jung Woo, Kim Yoon Shik, etc), every single one of them is there for genuinely brilliant acting (watch The Lawyer, The Chaser, and other movies) and years of experience, not for charismatic looks. Many male actors ARE heavily criticized if their acting isn't on par- in terms of acting criticism there's no gender difference involved. There's a clear difference between actors that are considered "top stars" (for example, Song Seung Heon- he's still criticized for his acting but praised for his looks) and "top actors". It's just that JSY is getting more attention because of the fact that she was and is the main actress of a plethora of dramas with very talented actors despite the fact that her acting needs obvious work to the point that it provides a distraction sometimes to her character. And honestly, I think the fact that she's continuously being cast in these main dramas despite her lacking acting isn't exactly logical- an actress ought to be picked for acting skills that are good or fit the character, not skills that are "passable" or "decent".
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Hey
May 27, 2014 at 5:58 AM
Sad to say but I think that the actors you mentioned were not the one she were pointing out and I really agree with her..Just take Lee Min Ho for example..He is greatly praise for his acting(though there some also criticize him) but tbh he's not a brilliant actor..He is mediocre but if Lee Min Ho is an actress and with that average acting he will be criticize b'coz of it..
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Scientia
May 26, 2014 at 7:48 AM
Bait post is bait post.
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12 CaroleMcDonnell
May 26, 2014 at 5:36 AM
My summer is gonna be sooo much fun!!! My wifi better be up and runninb at my new place when all these pretty boy supernatural sajeuks come out....or i will not be happy.
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13 utopious
May 26, 2014 at 5:43 AM
Haven't watched the lead actress in anything but the premise sounds interesting!
lol, so Lee Jun Ki fans are right again about him being a trendsetter. Iljimae, ghost dramas, plus, time span dramas following 2 Weeks (Gods Gift, 3 days).
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14 Quiet Thought
May 26, 2014 at 6:19 AM
Given the costuming and mannerism limitations of Joseon women, an actress has to have a distinctive face and personality to not disappear into the background. Hopefully this young actress will get a chance to do some acting and have the skills to share a scene with Jung Il-woo.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
May 26, 2014 at 8:00 AM
yeah, the sageuk speech has tripped up more experienced actresses than her, it's rare for a rookie actress to get that right on the first try.
And I just hope she maybe feels like a Joseon girl instead of a 21st-century one who's accidentally in a hanbok (I love my fusion sageuks and don't mind if the heroines are not quite of their time when it actually makes sense, like in Arang, but still)
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15 janitaa
May 26, 2014 at 6:26 AM
It's nothing new for Il-woo
Joseon Prince - checked
Bad boy - checked
Hoping for more meaty role for Il-woo.. Bad-ass one too. Wooo.
I watched Miss Korea but not paying much attention to Go Seung Hee. I don't see her as a bad actress, and I don't see her good either. Maybe in here we can see her tackle more friendly role, she did well as stoic icy rival to LYH in Miss Korea.
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16 Tara
May 26, 2014 at 6:46 AM
Yayyyy!!! I'm so happy and excited that Jung Il-woo confirmed...and I hope that this drama will be the crack I've been waiting for! ;)
The premise sounds even more intriguing now...despite it still being vague in some parts. At least this'll definitely make up for JIW being so criminally underutilized in TMETS...!
I'm also excited that two of my fave actors are gonna be headlining two intriguing sageuks -- it's gonna be a really great drama-watching summer!!! :)
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17 katsu
May 26, 2014 at 7:15 AM
excited for jung ilwoo not really feeling the lead actress though, surprised they're going with her for the lead
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18 derp
May 26, 2014 at 7:32 AM
oh please please dramagod.. let Lee Min Ho 1993 be in this drama too.. it's gonna be A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!
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19 Marina
May 26, 2014 at 7:54 AM
If it would be up to me, the Kdrama industry would only produce sageuks. Don't care much about the lead actress, Hope she wields a sword like Ha Ji-Won and changes into a ghost like Shin Min-A. That would be fun to watch. Also, hearing it's SS producers, gives me hope - that sageuk was never boring.
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20 isabel
May 26, 2014 at 7:55 AM
Jung Il Woo ! enough said ((:
Can July comes faster...
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21 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
May 26, 2014 at 7:57 AM
Next year: Joseon Gunman Rides Again.
lmao I'd actually bet money on it, at this point.
I'm glad he's returning to dramaland, I need to scrub the last remaining bits of Golden Rainbow makjang from my brain. (now for Uee..)
As for Go Sung-hee, I will say I really liked her character in Miss Korea but I recognise that was more because of the writing than her acting, maybe.
Still, she was good enough that I hope she can handle a sageuk well - I felt a similar way about Lee Yubi between Nice Guy and Gu Family Book, and look what a firecracker of a performance that girl gave.
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Claire_Eve
May 28, 2014 at 12:42 AM
Joseon Gunman Rides again !!....
me, two....bet on it.
I thought that the way Lee Joon Gi set a trend in costumes both in hanbok and suit and weilding both sword and gun, will be next year trend.
I like Il Woo much much more than his bff LMH, I prefer the veteran child Lee Min Ho.
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22 maldita
May 26, 2014 at 8:44 AM
Sooooo... apparently, Korean articles have come out saying that my beloved Yunho is part of the cast here.
While I love Yunho like no other, I'm very apprehensive whenever he comes anywhere near a drama. LOL
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derp
May 26, 2014 at 8:57 AM
Yunho? oh please nooooo!!!
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
May 26, 2014 at 9:15 AM
Yunho?!
PLEASE GOD NO. NO. ANYONE BUT HIM (or Taecyeon, if I absolutely must rule out all horrible idol actors)
Honestly, nothing against him but as with the other one, I'm not sure why he has or wants an acting career.
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23 redfox
May 26, 2014 at 9:44 AM
it is sort of like all Jung Il Woo´s roles mixed. But all of it is not necessarily new.
perhaps he can play this character on a totally new and unexpected level of skill but Sungkyunkwan Scandal was more cutesy, not very deep characters. I don´t know where the PD will take this. there IS potential to shine in this role however, It depend on whether the PD and actors have the same
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24 Waiting
May 26, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Oooo! This will then be my first time seeing Jung Il Woo in anything, actually.
We, however, must have the hair...it is not optional IMHO. Can't have a sageuk without an attempt at a mane of glory and dethroning Choi Jin Hyuk's Wol Ryung...if that is even possible.
GF...it is possible to best Wol Ryung insane mane??
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atz
May 26, 2014 at 12:58 PM
what about with Kim Bum, JIL's good friend( co star in Unstoppable High Kick) and Song Jae Rim( he was also in Flower Boy Ramyun Shop ). All three look great with mane of glory.
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redfox
May 27, 2014 at 11:40 AM
considering Kim Bum is no longer a cutesy baby-face but an undeniably manly guy, that would be a real competition of different charms. One a sneaky bad boy with a hypnotizing wink and smile, the other .... well, Kim Bum can always surprise, you never know what to expect but all the characters are likable. But no more best buddies plz. I´d prefer him getting his own lead part though
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25 Abbie
May 26, 2014 at 10:14 AM
This just made my day. Really. I love me some Jung Il-woo! I can't wait to see this! Fantasy sageuk is one of my new favorite drama genres. I also think it's funny that he and Lee Jun-ki seem to be playing similar roles.
I'm not familiar with this actress since I decided not to watch Miss Korea, but I'm eager to see what she can do. I hope she takes the role.
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26 Laura
May 26, 2014 at 10:36 AM
have fun with yunho's horrid acting :)
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27 moofubaby78
May 26, 2014 at 11:26 AM
SO. EXCITED!!!! I LOVE Jung Il Woo and this sounds like a great role for him to have fun with :D Bring on July!!!
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28 biankoy
May 26, 2014 at 1:47 PM
WOOOHOOOO!! Oh miracles of miracles! to be able to see him with Sageuk hair again!
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29 jennie
May 26, 2014 at 2:09 PM
Yay, I think Jung Il woo is a great choice! And I'm super happy that an actual actress is going to be a lead instead of an idol actress.
I can't wait for this, it sounds interesting :)
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30 suzie
May 26, 2014 at 3:06 PM
Seem there is an article that says TVXQ yunho is confirmed as the other lead. Oh Big NO.... Please don't spoil this cast line up
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31 joline
May 26, 2014 at 3:14 PM
I am excited for this till I read about Yunho. I was like what....Please not him...nothing against him, best to stick with singing and acting is not one for sure. I welcome Lee Min Ho from RTP anytime.
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32 Nono
May 26, 2014 at 5:32 PM
Am I the only one who really dislikes sageuks ? I just can't get to watching them. I don't really have any interest in Korean history, and every time I hear of one of these dramas I imagine how much better they would have been in a contemporary setting.
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33 timmxui
May 26, 2014 at 5:40 PM
Oh.....Is it true that Yunho is the male lead.Hope.........it is just a rumor... Like the others I don't want to see his horrid acting . Fact is his voice is just not suited to drama acting!!!
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34 Helene
May 26, 2014 at 6:16 PM
This seems interesting. I don't mind TVXQ Yunho, he didn't offend me in Queen of ambition, maybe i was expecting him to be really bad and he wasn't awful, so i'll watch it. ^^
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35 sam
May 26, 2014 at 6:26 PM
ha..ha..Yunho is the topic instead of Jung ll Woo. Poor Jung ll woo....Just like when yunho was rumour in YCFTS . Guess he best stick to singing.he is just not actor material. Sorry Yunho , but like you as a member of dbsk
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suzie
May 26, 2014 at 6:31 PM
oh yes he made headline when he was rumor to be cast in YCFTS. The funny comments from netizens later when the drama was a success were that thank goodness, he was not cast. lol
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36 Dissenter
May 28, 2014 at 12:52 AM
Go Sung Hee as the female lead...hmmm...I'm apprehensive. It took me a couple of minutes to even remember who she played in Miss Korea. I guess one of the posters above was looking at the glass half full by saying that GSH didn't drag down the drama. I think Miss Korea was FILLED with great acting and such a warm script, that GSH's blahness could be ignored. Looking at it as a glass half empty, there were many other actors in Miss Korea that had smaller roles than she and they shone in them. I'm predicting that she'll deliver another vanilla performance and JIW will be stealing all the scenes with his charm.
I was spoiled with the amazing chemistry and fun that can be had from watching 2 good actors (our OTP) in CSL. *sigh* Why oh why can't Kdramas "train" these pretty, young, inexperienced, and sometimes "bad" actors in supporting roles (until they become good) before ruining our viewing experiences? *double sigh* Don't these casting agents and producers realize that these dramas are succeeding in spite of the pretty but bad actors and not because of them? GSH is HOT (hot over talent) and Lee Min Jung is HAT (hot and talented - at least she was in CSL). All netizens unite with protest signs. "No more HOT! Give us HAT!" end rant.
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37 jane
August 16, 2014 at 12:55 AM
it's awfully weird that a newbie like go sung hee can headline a new drama as a lead. It really seems odd, and makes people wonder .....
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38 jung il woo
September 21, 2014 at 2:19 PM
I only watch this historical drama for Jung Il Woo only because I super duper love him a lot, I suppport him for almost 7 years now.
I'm not against on his leading lady here Go Sung Hee who played the role of Do Ha. But as I've watched the nightwatchman from episode 1 to 14... I just found out that Jung Il Woo and Go Sung Hee didnt develop any spark chemistry. They didn't look good together.. Sung hee doesn't know how to adjust herself everytime when she's with Il Woo (Prince Lee Rin), her shyness is still there.. she's very different to jung il woo's leading ladies on his previous drama, most of those leading ladies specially lee chung ah his costar in flower boy ramyun shop, they have a strong chemistry. Even if chung ah have a boyfriend already, she's the only actress that look so good to be with jung il woo... You know honestly I can see that Jung Il Woo is comfortable to act with an actress who is older than him better than younger actress.
I think Go Sung Hee needs more development in acting, because her acting right now is still had a mix of being a teenager.. I hope she will always remember that Jung Il Woo is a matured actor already.. I hope she will learned on how to act as a matured actress.. because matured acting is the only way where you can make a better chemistry with your partner..
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