Shine or Go Crazy's star-crossed lovers and fictionalized history

17 October 30, 2014October 30, 2014

Shine or Go Crazy’s star-crossed lovers and fictionalized history

by javabeans

So the casting for Shine or Go Crazy’s leads is still in the not-confirmed-but-positively-considering stage (how many more news cycles do you think the production can milk that for?), but at least we’ve got more information about the drama’s plot, and some clarification on the personages involved.

Described as a fantasy romance sageuk set in early Goryeo (in the tenth century A.D.), Shine or Go Crazy depicts the love story between a Goryeo king and the last princess of Balhae (a kingdom whose last years overlapped with the early years of the Goryeo dynasty), and is based on a novel of the same name. (Those are the two leads being eyed by Jang Hyuk and Oh Yeon-seo.) The hero is Wang So, the fourth king of Goryeo posthumously known as Gwangjong, who instituted a number of reforms and had a stabilizing effect in his time… yet was also known for bloody purges in the name of strengthening royal authority, earning him the dubious distinction of being a “crazed king.”

Despite taking historical figures as the story’s basis, I think it’s safe to say the drama will take significant creative liberties. The hero is described as suffering from a curse, and through a chance encounter he meets the Balhae princess, who is destined to become the light of another nation — an understandably dire predicament. (The star- and nation-crossed lovers angle reminds me of Sword and Flower’s main conflict, but let’s hope for a better result than that.) The lovers have a “one-night marriage,” after which their love story turns plaintive and angst-ridden. I can imagine. So she’s his light, and he’s on the verge of crazy; turns out the title’s a lot more literal than I’d assumed.

Ryu Seung-soo has already been cast to play another Goryeo king, and despite earlier articles describing him as the second Joseon king, Jeongjong, that’s not the case after all. (Which is good to know, since I was twisting my brain inside out trying to figure out how the fourth Goryeo king and the second Joseon king could possibly be in the same drama, given the five centuries spanning between their reigns.) He’ll actually be the third Goryeo king, also known as Jeongjong (hence the confusion by earlier reporters), and is the hero’s older brother. Im Joo-hwan is also in talks to join the cast.

Shine or Go Crazy will follow Monday-Tuesday drama Pride and Prejudice and will premiere in January on MBC.

Via Star News

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Tags: Jang Hyuk, Oh Yeon-seo

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1 jhu

October 30, 2014 at 6:36 AM

Awwww. Oppa News! My heart will burst in about a minute or two.

Thank you JB, but:

"The lovers have a “one-night marriage,” after which their love story turns plaintive and angst-ridden. I can imagine. So she’s his light, and he’s on the verge of crazy; turns out the title’s a lot more literal than I’d assumed."

Why does that sound like a medieval Fated To Love You to me?

I know HyukOppa will act the daylights of a 'crazed king'. Take it Oppa. Take it! Shine AND go crazy! Gosh I hope he'll take it.

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2 AJK

October 30, 2014 at 6:55 AM

Oh boy -- this has skip written all over it for me. Crazy JH palled on me pretty quickly in FTLY.

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neverending

October 30, 2014 at 7:47 AM

I didn't really like him in FTLY either. He tends to overact.

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eki

October 30, 2014 at 12:55 PM

Crazy JH? Sensing this romcom will turn into a angst ridden melodrama by the halfway mark.

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Mandy

October 30, 2014 at 8:11 AM

Lol I agree with this even if his antics and slight madness was what made FTLY a lot more interesting than it actually was on paper. He's really good with serious roles though, Chuno and Thank You were great without any overacting.

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3 Alluna

October 30, 2014 at 6:57 AM

Yey! I want Jang Hyuk in a sageuk ASAP!!!! hoping he accepts the offer!!!!

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4 yonghwagf

October 30, 2014 at 7:08 AM

Idk what to feel about this.... isn't oh yeon soo and jang hyuk pairing a little weird? But well the story does have the potential to be a great drama

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Miko

October 30, 2014 at 7:29 AM

Took the words right out of my mouth. I enjoy Jang Hyuk's acting (he's good with desperate, raw emotion) while I honestly think Oh Yeon Soo flails at it (frankly, I rolled my eyes through 50 episodes of her portrayal as Jang Bo Ri).
Anyway, we'll see... I peep news on DB when it airs.

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Miko

October 30, 2014 at 7:49 AM

*Oh Yeon Seo

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kanz

October 30, 2014 at 4:53 PM

Tbh, I still don't think OYS has enough talent and acting skill to be female lead. But I guess MBC loves her now after JBR success..

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5 dash

October 30, 2014 at 7:14 AM

Upon seeing the title, I thought it's going to be another multiple personalities drama. 2015 is definitely the year of crazy heroes.

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6 Mandy

October 30, 2014 at 8:16 AM

As someone who's unabashedly romantic, I find this pretty a pretty awesome premise of executed well. I do hope Jang Hyuk goes back to his more melodramatic/angsty acting because over the top madness is a little out of place in a sageuk.

I'm not very familiar with OYS, but if they can sell the chemistry, this could be great. It's weird that dramaland didn't follow up the success of TPM with many romantic and electrifying sageuks. It was the last one that really swept me off my feet and that was such a long time ago.

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7 cherie

October 30, 2014 at 9:03 AM

I am a fan of Jang Hyuk after watching FTLY. I love the leading lady of FTLY Jang Nara acting also. They pairing up again for a short drama. Really dun mind see them pair up again for a historical drama as wonder how different from a modern drama.

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8 Chandler

October 30, 2014 at 11:44 AM

I really adore all the leading actors in talks to join and it's not like I dislike Oh Yeon-seo or anything (although I wouldn't say I'm a fan either), but I'm not sure how to feel about this one. For some reason, the pairing seems off to me. And the premise is one that needs to be executed exceptionally well in order to be good. I've been burned by dramas like these before. SO I'll be waiting to see how the previews turn out.