Namgoong Min, Yoo Inna, Jin Yi-han for tvN’s next romance
by girlfriday
Hello, beautiful threesome. Offers are out to Namgoong Min (I Need Romance 3), Yoo Inna (You From Another Star), and Jin Yi-han (A New Leaf) to headline tvN’s next Monday-Tuesday drama, a romance with a mystery twist called My Secret Hotel. It’s intentionally a weird genre mashup of murder and romance, and the project was previously going by the working title Sweetly, Brutally, ha. I honestly don’t know what to expect from the tone based on the plot description, since it could be cute, spooky, or… just Gap-dong.
The drama comes from PD Hong Jong-chan (the second PD on Doctor Stranger) and writer Kim Do-hyun (of Channel A’s Goodbye Wife), and will be about a woman who runs the wedding planning division of one of the country’s top 1% wedding destination hotels. And while planning perfect weddings for the elite, she’ll be caught in a love triangle between her ex-husband and a new man (I don’t know which is which, and since we’re not told if this is a divorce-and-remarriage drama or an I-got-my-groove-back-without-you drama, it could go either way). To make matters even more complicated, a murder turns the hotel topsy-turvy.
Despite the murder it doesn’t actually sound like a dark plot, and tvN’s Monday-Tuesday shows tend to stick to fairly romance-heavy themes; who knows, it could be the one to break away from the steady stream of rom-coms. I just hope it isn’t mishmash the way Doctor Stranger is, and that there’s a way that wedding planning, ex-husbands, and murder plots come together in a logical fashion.
As for the cast, I’m always happy to see Yoo Inna headlining a drama. Namgoong Min’s been all over cable — he recently starred in I Need Romance 3 and headlined the JTBC weekender Jang Gook Becomes Dallae (or Wild Chives and Soybean Soup), which got cut in half and bowed out recently. Jin Yi-han has been just as busy in Empress Ki and then A New Leaf which just wrapped, and his lack of resolution in Leaf is enough for me to root for him to sign on for a new drama immediately.
All three actors are considering the roles, and depending on High School King of Savvy’s pending extension, My Secret Hotel will premiere in late August or early September.
Via Osen
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Tags: cable programs, Jin Yi-han, My Secret Hotel, Namgoong Min, Yoo Inna
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1 JC
July 8, 2014 at 10:07 AM
This is exciting news! I like all three of these actors, and the premise certainly sounds interesting. I'm sort of hoping for a lighter, maybe zany approach to the murder part of the plot, instead of a full out thriller romance.
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2 B
July 8, 2014 at 10:10 AM
Yeeeeeayy Yo In na in lead role again. I love her in Queen in hyun's man. I also found love in Jin Yi han LOL love his voice. OMO Namgoong Min voice also LOL.
It seems rom-com genre is come back. After continuously conspiracy and revenge theme last season. Isn't it weird spring should be more of aromantic season but dramaland full of dark theme LOL. Hope this one will be good..
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bjharm
July 8, 2014 at 9:38 PM
yes not sure why she keep taking second lead, I can understand the one with IU as they said to be so close and it was IU first lead in a drama. Also glad she got out of the thing with her boyfriend without any attacks from the korean netzies, guess the trick was waiting out the time untill he got out of the army before announcing the breakup.
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3 skelly
July 8, 2014 at 10:17 AM
VERY happy to see Yoo In Na back in a lead role! I am not a big Namgoong Min fan - I thought his acting was the weakest of the four major roles in INR3 - so I am sortof hoping he is the ex-husband who gets left in the dust by Mr. New And Improved. Kdramas don't usually use that plot, though, with their ridiculous obsession with First Love Trumps All.
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Adal
July 8, 2014 at 10:38 AM
Seconded. You mirrored my feelings exactly.
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4 Waiting
July 8, 2014 at 10:18 AM
Good to see that we don't have to wait too long to see these actors back working and all the better that the show is starting fairly soon.
It can't be fun to have your show cut down as was the case with Wild Chives and A New Leaf.
I have some serious trepidation about any link to Doctor Stranger. I liked the cast, but was glad that I did not watch it...too many bad comments and the few recaps I saw were not really positive.
Still, I will give this show a try when its out.
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5 soprection
July 8, 2014 at 10:22 AM
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, Yoo Inna. Love her and I'm always happy to see her in a role that lets her be likeable instead of a mean girl. And I like Jin Yi-han. Truthfully, I'm not too keen on Namgoong Min in another rom-com. I just didn't find him appealing at all in INR3. He seemed like a great sunbae but as a love interest? Not so much. But who knows? Maybe this drama will change my mind.
That being said, the premise does sound a little odd...I don't know WHAT is up with TvN and its penchant for introducing murder into otherwise normal shows (like in Let's Eat). But anyway, I am tentatively interested for now.
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6 penny
July 8, 2014 at 10:26 AM
Oooh, if this goes the cozy mystery route it could be a lot of fun. Wedding planner turned detective with her ex-husband would make room for lots of verbal sparring and hi-jinks.
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7 Mandelbrotr
July 8, 2014 at 10:26 AM
Heh. Gapdong has achieved adjective status.
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8 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
July 8, 2014 at 10:29 AM
awww yessss, it'll be good to see Yoo Inna return to cable. (I hope. I liked Gap-dong for Lee Joon and to a lesser extent Kim Ji-won, but it could have been so much more...)
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9 quirkstine
July 8, 2014 at 10:33 AM
I like Namgoong Min well enough but Jin Yi-han!!! *cue fangirl screams* He needs to headline a rom-com AND be 1/2 of the OTP stat! I hope this is it for him. I don't care if he's the ex or the new guy, I just want him to get the girl this time. And I think he and Yoo Inna will make a cute couple.
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10 Because of Reasons
July 8, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Sweetly, Brutally would have been an awesome title! I like the juxtaposition of two seemingly contradictory adverbs (see also Covertly, Grandly). It has a dramatic, almost poetic feel. But unless this show is going to be fairly dark and quirky (which it may be, who knows?) My Secret Hotel (my hotel of secrets?) would probably be the better fit.
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11 Kiara
July 8, 2014 at 10:45 AM
More hawt-ies for Yoo Inna. Eat your heart out Ji Hyun Woo :p.
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12 Ladytron33
July 8, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Good to see NGM in a project so soon after Wild Chives. It must have hurt to have your project cut in half, especially since the majority of the drama up to that point had been filmed with the younger cast. There was so much negative talk about him being miscast for that role - he was considered by many to be too "short and petite" to be the love interest - and I was afraid it would ruin his career. I've always had a soft spot for him since his Can You Hear My Heart days; Ma Roo Oppa was my first ever second lead crush!
I hope this drama brings the feels like King of High School is doing. That's my drama crack right now! Going to refresh all night for episode 8 over on Kdrama!
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kanz
July 8, 2014 at 2:13 PM
Oh yeah, Ma Roo Oppa! That was my first drama with Namgoong Min.
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KDaddict
July 8, 2014 at 5:30 PM
I had never been more happy to have a show I was watching cut, in HALF! Wild Chives was all kinds of wrong, n not becos of NGM. So I'm glad for him to get another show.
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13 canxi
July 8, 2014 at 10:49 AM
Lol, they really should call it Sweetly, Brutally.
Here for this. I didn't even read the article all the way through, to be honest. You had me at Nam Goong Min, Yoo In Na, Jin Yi Han. There was not much thinking involved, lol. Still on auto-pilot as I type this.
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14 ys
July 8, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Jin Yi-han's "lack of resolution in Leaf is enough for me to root for him to sign on for a new drama immediately." YES.
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15 eviltampon
July 8, 2014 at 10:57 AM
I'm hoping for Jin Yi Han to be the lead man!!! loved him since Happiness in the wind with Kim so eun ^*^
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16 snow
July 8, 2014 at 11:05 AM
I like all three of them...and it's tvN and romance...so I'll keep an eye out for this one..
Yoo Inna was wasted in You From Another Star and I'm glad she will play the main lead here...if she signs on..
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17 Chandler
July 8, 2014 at 11:10 AM
Ooooo this sounds like it could be fun!
I'm really happy Yoo Inna is headlining her own drama again because she's too likable to play a second lead I don't care about and very easy to root for. And back on tvn too! I'll seriously probably watch this no matter what because I adore her.
I also do like Nam Goong Min, but I admit that I'd rather see Jin Yi Han in a lead role right now. I haven't seen him as the first lead since Conspiracy in the Court. Either way, they'd both make cute couples.
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18 Hiro
July 8, 2014 at 11:25 AM
It's Wild Chives and Soybean Soup a good drama??? anyone knows??
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TG
July 8, 2014 at 11:34 AM
Not particularly good but it seems just as good if not a little better as your other weekend drama fare. The characters are all annoying and it's way too slow. But I hadn't realized it got cut. But it does have Namgoong Min who might just be one of the most beautiful men alive.
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john
July 8, 2014 at 11:51 AM
Hiro ~
The childhood portion, (first 12 or so) eps weren't too bad.
I was watching strictly for Yoon So-Hee, though.
The adult portion, meh. I dropped it at ep 20.
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Dorotka
July 8, 2014 at 12:06 PM
I'm still mourning the sudden cut.
It's not that this is the best drama ever, but I got attached to the characters and wanted to see it till the end.
What didn't happen because you could see the writer slowly (sometimes too much :--) ) building the stories up and then suddenly the last 2 episodes tried quickly wrap it up... with some stories left unfinished.
As many others I liked the high school part (and skipped the parents' angst)... but after some time and adjusting I also got used to the adult part and just as I started looking forward to the next episodes, they cut it, buhuu...
I don't regret watching it, but I'm not sure if it's worth watching for you - it still is a story cut in the middle.
The characters didn't get their time to properly love, repent and unite.
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19 TG
July 8, 2014 at 11:32 AM
Wait - what happened to Jang Gook Becomes Dallae (wild chives ...)? Wasn't it a 50 ep series originally? What happened?
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20 Minny
July 8, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Yes, Yoo Inna as lead again! Finally, it was a long wait.
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21 hipployta
July 8, 2014 at 11:42 AM
Here for Yoo Inna and Jin Yihan (though I prefer him in his EK hair)
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22 Mrs.Jang guem suk
July 8, 2014 at 11:53 AM
Hopefully its like Let's Eat . When you forget all about the murder and focus on the comedy and Yihan Oppa voice yay ??
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23 john
July 8, 2014 at 11:53 AM
Yoo Inna , go for Jin Yi-han . Have lots of hot and heavy scenes and enjoy life. Well, it's tv, but still, go for it and have fun.
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bbstl 🧹
July 8, 2014 at 1:06 PM
But not completely tv, it's cable! *wiggles eyebrows and smiles wide*
I am just LOVING TvN.
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canxi
July 8, 2014 at 7:10 PM
Lol, treat yourself Yoo In Na, girl. You deserve it.
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24 Abbie
July 8, 2014 at 12:10 PM
I always love with Yoo Inna is the star of a drama. I sometimes feel like she gets the shaft by other younger, less experienced actresses, but that's just me. She's really good at playing the "witchy" characters, but I like it even more when she's the nice character. So, I'm gonna watch this for her as well as Namgoong Min, who is just.... *sigh*. Yeah, you get the idea. Not TOO familiar with Yin Ji-han, though I'm sure I've seen him somewhere.
Anyway, looking forward to this!
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thursdaynexxt
July 9, 2014 at 5:13 AM
Yes!! She needs more leading lady roles, stat!! On major channels!!!
(That said, I'm glad that tvN knows a good thing when they see it!)
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25 domo
July 8, 2014 at 12:58 PM
OMG yes! I will definitely watch this for Yoo Inna :>
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26 Brian Nguyen
July 8, 2014 at 2:07 PM
I am really glad Yoo In Na is back to leading a drama ! :D I love how these days she is slowly getting out of that 2nd lead role!
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27 kanz
July 8, 2014 at 2:17 PM
OMG Jin Yi Han is back to dramaland just after ANL! My master TalTal is back!!
I also love Namgoong Min and Yoo Inna so I have no problem with the casting. The story seems like something from Agatha Christie novel, with romance and murder mystery going on.
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28 Ek Ladhki Thi
July 8, 2014 at 4:03 PM
Can Yoo Inna and Jin Yi-han be the OTP? I'm not much of a Namgoong Min fan, I only liked him in Can You Hear My Heart that was because of the cute bromance with Kim Jae-won. I really really want Inna and Yi-han to be the OTP, please drama. Please?
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29 AJ
July 8, 2014 at 4:15 PM
Not a fan of Yoon Inna but I love both guys. The plot sound like something fun to watch. Will definitely keep an eye out for this.
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30 Miky
July 8, 2014 at 4:19 PM
Well i'm in with the show because it's tvN and till now i adored all their shows,on paper the plot sounds wierd but who knows what will be in action...i like the trio but my heart wants Jin Yi-han to get the girl,my shallow heart still pins over Tal Tal
let the guy get the girl!!!!!!!!!!!
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31 Niki
July 8, 2014 at 6:08 PM
YEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!! *fist pump, confetti and crazy dancing*
I was just lamenting about the lack of Yoo Inna on my screen and wished she was back on dramaland! And the gods of dramaland has answered my wish!! I'm so over the moon over this! My love Inna! And my new love tvN! I hope she sticks to cable. Even though the exposure is not as wide, but the quality of drama is always waaayyyyy.....much better than the big 3.
I'm praying that the OTP is Yoo Inna with Jin Yi Han. I love that man in saeguk garb. Tal Tal's mane of glory! He and Inna will look so good together. And his acting connects with me more than Namgoong Min. Sooooo.....looking forward to this!
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32 dramapotatoe
July 8, 2014 at 11:11 PM
Ooh, yes please! I've been waiting forever for Yoo Inna to headline another drama.
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33 Viki
July 9, 2014 at 12:44 AM
Will watch anything:
1. Yoo In Na
2. tvN
3. Promising plot
So yep, tuning in. And I like Namgoong Min too. I haven't seen New Leaf so I don't know about the rookie actor. Will watch out for him here. :)
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34 thursdaynexxt
July 9, 2014 at 5:18 AM
The rom + com + murder mixture has worked surprisingly well for other dramas (think You From Another Star, I Hear Your Voice ... maybe even throw in Let's Eat and Master's Sun), so I look forward to it!!
Just go for the "sweet" and go easy on the Gap-dong!
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35 Lilian
July 9, 2014 at 6:29 AM
Nice.. I like Yoo Inna too! I like her best in funny roles =)
Hope she has equally good chemistry with both guys, just like in Queen In Hyun's Man
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36 blyssxoxo
July 9, 2014 at 7:17 AM
Wow!! The storyline sounds really good!! And definitely love YIN and NGM!! I hope they are the OTP.
Can't wait!
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37 salt n' pepper
July 10, 2014 at 1:23 AM
Oooooohh, I love Yoo In Na and I don't have any issues whatsoever with both of the male leads. Since it's a TvN drama, it sounds like it will be good (or at least tolerable). Okay, I'm in!
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38 jingelbells
August 5, 2014 at 12:33 AM
Yoo In Na! MY fave Korean actress and I'm so glad she's given another leading role! ^^ We only have TvN as Korean Channel and cable and I am never been so glad of that fact until now! hehehe can't wait for the 18th! whoever she ends up with in the drama, I hope she would have steamy and romantic scenes with him! (harhar!eat that Ji Hyun Woo!) I'm one of the those who were actually broken-hearted when they broke up, can't wrap around the fact that after declaring love so publicly love that..they would fall out of love that easily....so I'm happy that Yoo In Na looks her bubbly and happy self and I would definitely watch this because of her!
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