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Park Sung-woong goes Man to Man with Park Hae-jin

Ooh, Man to Man just got more interesting with the casting of Park Sung-woong (Remember—Son’s War, Hidden Identity) to star opposite Park Hae-jin (Cheese in the Trap) in the upcoming JTBC drama about a Hallyu star and the bodyguard assigned to protect him.

Park Hae-jin was cast early to play the bodyguard, and I’d been wondering what kind of Hallyu star they’d be going for to play the other lead: youthful and fresh-faced like a top idol? Or maybe a hotshot at the height of popularity, like Kim Soo-hyun or Lee Min-ho? Or someone older and more polished, like a Bae Yong-joon or a Jang Dong-gun? Turns out it’s none of those: Park Sung-woong will play a “bad guy Hallyu star” who built his reputation by specializing in villains. (Apt casting!) The character started out a stuntman, transitioned to action star, and then became an international Hallyu star through a lucky opportunity. But despite receiving much love from the public, he hides a devastating secret.

Park Hae-jin’s character isn’t merely a bodyguard, but a shadow intelligence agent who’s in disguise as a bodyguard. Sounds like the star will be challenging to work with, being sensitive and difficult to please, and I expect plenty of conflict between them, although I’m also hoping for meaningful bonding and bromance. The show makes it a point to say that the title doesn’t mean “man versus man” but rather “man x man,” which, *throws hands up in air.* I still have no idea what that means. From context clues, I’m guessing it means they’re not enemies, although given that one’s job is literally to protect the other, I could have figured that out myself.

In any case, although I wasn’t expecting someone like Park Sung-woong to fill this role, I’m fully looking forward to it, because he’s always badass, charismatic, and sexy. It’s also a logical pick given that he just recently worked with the director, PD Lee Chang-min, on last year’s legal thriller-melo Remember—Son’s War. Writing will be Kim Won-seok of Descended From the Sun, Queen’s Classroom, and Friend, Our Legend.

Man to Man plans to be 100 percent pre-produced and will begin filming in early October; it will air on JTBC next year.

Via TV Daily

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Awwww.. I so much like the casting. And the premise sounds promising. Looking forward to it. Bring it on, 2017!

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This is a good news, after the bad news of casting KYK as a lead, i am a fan of this actor since I've watched him in Remember, looking forward to this drama.

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Woot! The intelligence agency spy thingy and the casting just raised my interest.

Btw I was listening to the podcast and we didn't get an overview on kcon la right? Or did I miss sth? I was looking forward to your sessions with the guests.

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Is it weird that the minute I read devastating secret, I was thinking: ooooh, he's gay isn't he. And then when Javabeans made sure to mention that the show insists on it being Man x Man, I immediately thought awww, Park Sung Woong is going to fall in love with his bodyguard (which is totally understandable because it's Park Hae Jin!) and will spend the episodes pining away for him. The villain and the bodyguard. Talk about an unconventional romance :).

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I wish that were the case because I have yet to see a Korean gay OTP. But the simpler answer really has to do with the overdone intel agent thing, unfortunately.

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Yeah. I figured as much :(. And a big pity too. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for when Kdramas will surprise me by going there *sigh*

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Look up 2010 drama Life is Beautiful.

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Not sure why ppl want to promote such an unhealthy lifestyle (ask any doctor or shrink

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I'm not trolling or anything, I just feel like this, if wanting to see two men/women as lovers is such a need for people, there are plenty of variety shows, satire, movies and quite a lot of them available. I've seen South Korean movies ect' that definitely go there. I actually don't need/want to see that in every K-drama but that's just me and my desired niche. Also it's because I see same gender romance in almost everything everywhere else. It's really nice to have an opposite view on all things besides, S.K does show this lifestyle even in it's K-Dramas, maybe just not this one? I not writing this to offend anyone, I honestly like watching K-Dramas to see opposite genders fall in love, or family epics, or badass action. I mean, K-Dramas are like exciting roller coaster rides to me! I don't hate people living that life, not at all, I don't hate anybody, I just want to see the opposite gender media somewhere and I found some in S.K. entertainment. Who knows if I'd ever venture out of the U.S if American media wasn't stuffing same sex media down my throat:(

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Oh my god the homophobia! I really wish people would learn to be a little more open minded and realize that people who aren't straight exist and are just the same as everyone else.

@Angela no one is shoving same sex media down your throat. You don't have to watch it. I don't know if you noticed, but people who are in same sex relationships exist (everywhere), so can you really blame people for wanting to see more representation in the media? Especially when most of the time, same sex relationships are depicted, the couple either breaks up or one of them dies.

As for wanting to see people of the opposite sex in kdramas, let me point you in the direction of EVERY kdrama ever. "Same gender romance in almost everthing"? As if opposite gender romance isn't?

I've been watching dramas for six years and the only kdramas I've ever come across with a same sex couple were Life is Beautiful, Club Bilitis, and Lily Fever (and the latter two could barely be considered dramas). Three dramas out of the entire plethora of dramas out there. Please forgive us if we want to see something other than the straight people that populate every drama. I actually feel bad for LGBT South Koreans because at least in the U.S. I can see LGBT people on t.v even if their stories end unhappily nine times out of ten, but they rarely get representation at all and when they do, the netizens go crazy as if "the big bad gay" is a disease you can catch.

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The answer from any accredited doctor or psychologist in the West is that there is nothing medically wrong with being gay.

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I was so confused about the 'lifestyle' comment that Angela's comment hadn't followed, I wouldn't have understood.

Lifestyle?? Promoting a lifestyle???? Seeing more gay couples will not make you gay, there is nothing to promote other than people lining whoever they like.

And for Angela, how are people 'stuffing' it down your throat? Don't you think gay people feel that heterosexuality is stuffed down their throat?
You don't have to watch it, just change channel, it is your choice to watch whatever you want but others might want to see people who they can identify with, ever thought of that?
Just because you say you are not writing to offend doesn't mean you are not offending.

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He and Kwon Yul were a sorta-gay couple in She Is Wow but emphasis on the sorta angle.

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I would watch that drama!! You should watch Night Flight, it's a coming of age movie about friendships and it is BL.
Also Heroine is very good, it's a Chinese webdrama, one of the most recent ones.

I'll say it is quite hard to come up with ones that have full subtitles, a lot of movies are not subbed, limiting what one can watch internationally.

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Yay!!!!

I'm delighted to hear the news. This is shaping up to be really, really good. I can't wait!

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Don't recognize any of the names except Park Hae Jin who isn't really my cuppa, but I like the look of the hallyu guy. The way he's described and the fact that he isn't a flower boy makes it a whole lot more interesting. Wasn't a fan of the writing in DoTS so that's not got a lot of pull for me, but since the halluy star character intrigues me I'll definitely be keeping my eye on this.

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It doesn't have to be 100% pre-produced. Just make sure it's well written, well shot, well edited. I am excited for the cast so just be a good drama. It can be like Last with 8 episodes complete with script out for upto 12 and it'd be fine as long as it is well done. From what I've seen so far pre-produced does not necessarily mean quality.

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Bingo!

You hit the nail on the coffin.

This!

+1000

Exactomundo!

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Totally unexpected but definitely very intriguing. I was thinking they meant to do your typical pretty-boy actor who makes bad decisions, needs to be protected, and then bring on the bromance as bodyguard and actor acclimated to each other. I would have enjoyed that. Now I'm even more ready to watch this because I can't immediately see the bromance angle and that makes it more fun. Like, what if it's less bromance and more like brothers-in-arms? How cool!

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So glad they've cast a mature person for the "top actor" because the story will probably be more serious.

Looking forward to this especially since it'll be on cable.

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Never thought Park Sun Woong will be the hallyu star but now this excite me the most! And who doesnt want Park Hae Jin as bodyguard ? Looking for more bromance.. Anyway next year is the day after tomorrow, so i don't have to wait for a long time *sigh

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Can't... contain... excitement!!!

If this isn't amazing, I will cry.

I don't why, but I kept reading "Park Hae-jin" as "Park Hae-il" and kind of went crazy for a second thinking Park Hae-il was doing a drama for the first time. Nevertheless, my excitement remains unbridled!

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Oh. This is going to be good:). Why next October though???

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It's beginning filming this October. It's airing early 2017. I hope that means the first 2 - 4 months.

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Lol, I just watched this guy in The Shameless and I'm so surprised. He's the type that I tend to forget about but then every time I see him in something, I'm like "Oh! I like this guy!!" and remember him instantly.

This will be an interesting pair and I hope it makes for an interesting show as well.

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birth secret .. ousted as father - son by end of drama?

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Don't..please

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I will die laughing if your guess is correct. And then haunt you for making that makjang guess. Jk, lol

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Lol

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Will have to check this out. Sounds very interesting.

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This drama just got 100x more badass bc of his casting. I love it! I loved HIM in Remember and omg, both of these guys together–I'M SO EXCITED!!

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I didn't really expect them to get someone very well known tbh. LMH, KSH, BJY or JDG wouldn't realistically pick a JTBC drama. They're too big for that. This choice is good though, I can see it working well and the network didn't have to kill their wallets for it too.

Man x Man tho - what does that even mean? 'X' is the slang for linking a couple no? Lol, that's unlikely but I'm a bit intrigued.

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Anytime i see dis man i think oooo sexy ahjussi! Me like?

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Man x Man.

It's like the Japanese manga Hunter x Hunter, which is about hunters hunting hunters. So maybe the drama is about men manly protecting other men protecting other men..
I don't know.

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Lol

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I continue to be disappointed that it is probably not going to be a gay romance k-drama. Oh what I would not give... And this combination would be very interesting too. I guess I will have to do with hopefully oodles of bromance :D

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Seeing Park Hae Jin in a gay romance? I'd die and watch it from the after life!

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Woot! Such exciting news! He oozes charisma and can also slay me with his vulnerability. Chances are the writing will be a good, too-- Queen's Classroom and Friend, Our Legend were both very touching.

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i liked him a lot in i remember you father's war. i'd seen him many times before, but that was the drama that made me pay attention to him.

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Omg great casting! I sorta thought the Hallyu star would have been some younger idol actor-type, but this is so much better.

I'm used to Park Sung Woong being badass, but I liked it when he's funny and charming too.

I hope there is some bromance between these two actors. ^^

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Oooh, sounds good. Looking forward to it. I only wish it could air sooner.

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I hope its not gays drama....oooh please it can't be :'( not my precious Park hae jin .... noooo its like a nightmare....please be a son who will find out that this actor is his father at the end ...I'm not a homophobic or something but if its gonna be gays drama I'm not intersted at all :(

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Ooooo, here comes the gays in their spooky rainbow pride sheets to haunt you. Oooo, how scary.

As per protocol, I'd likely pass, but also I'd pay good money to have ahjusshi slug PHJ's beautiful mug just for luck.

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Hallyu star...villain hallyu star?! LOL Somehow sounds funny to me because so far, do we have a villain hallyu star irl? I don't think so. So this take on a 'new type' of hallyu star sounds fresh to me.

I've only ever seen Park Sun Woong in the movie 'New World' and he was such a scene stealer! Everyone who has watched 'New World' should check out his parody of his 'New World' character in SNL Korea XD

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I don't think he's Hallyu but Shin Sung Rok? Even though I can only think of two villain roles for him. And he's not action.

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Also to elaborate Sungrok has:

- sword fought in The King's Face
- fought a burglar with one arm in One Mom Three Dads
- battled a mob in Thank You

I think he's pretty action imho

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How about both?

Sungwoong and Sungrok, having a nice evil bromance, kicking ass, falling into each other's arms, falling into love...mmm I'll pay good money for that.

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Oh, PSW ahjussi... So we just got his confirmation and his character. When I read it, why it remind me a lot of Choi Min Soo.

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Finally, a news on this series! What took them so long ..

I hope that man x man should mean more bromance and action. Or, if PHJ is an agent, then perhaps the actor(with a deep dark secret) is the bad guy himself??

Ohh..this is gonna be interesting.

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This has like two of my fav actors.... Mega-squeal!!!!!

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Aw, well there goes my hope that Park Hae-Jin really would be playing everyone lol

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Man x Man = Man(2).

Watching kdramas taught me a lot of things. We have history(I'm even quite verse with the Kingdom of Goryeo and who married who), science(I haven't even heard of schrödinger's cat until I've watched W), english - reading comprehension(subtitles and all), and now math. Nice. ??

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Park Sung Woong?!?! I don't like Park Hae Jin and wasn't interested in this drama, but Park Sung Woong has gotten my attention. Love this guy, he's such a contrast to most of the male actors in Korea. So masculine and whip smart. The likes of Park Sung Woong, Yoon Kye Sang and Yoo Ji Tae - this is where it's at for looks and talent.

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