News bites: December 24, 2016

by awcoconuts

Jung Woo-sung, Go Ah-sung

• Steel Rain, the webtoon written by director Yang Woo-seok (The Attorney), will serve as the source material for a film adaptation he will direct. Chungmuro veterans Jung Woo-sung, Go Ah-sung and Kwak Do-won are finalizing details to bring to life the story about a former reconnaissance agent and the Blue House’s foreign affairs and national security agency’s efforts to prevent a war between the two Koreas. A covert operation will be carried out, and Go will play a woman who hails from the North and gets mired in the clandestine plan. Filming will begin at the end of next February. [Star News]
• We’re inching closer to a second season of Signal: Following a lecture on December 20, writer Kim Eun-hee stated that she’s in talks to pen the script for Signal 2 after her next drama wraps, a sageuk that will likely debut in the latter half of next year. Kim said, “I’ve kept in touch with the cast and producers [of Signal], and everyone is very attached to the project.” [E Daily]


Yoon Kyun-sang, Cha Seung-won

• PD Kim Jin-man (Kill Me, Heal Me) explained that he wanted to portray a Hong Gil-dong different from expectations in Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People, and thus chose Yoon Kyun-sang (Doctors, Six Flying Dragons) for the role. “I knew that the simple and trustworthy image of Yoon Kyun-sang would be a good fit for the drama. Only a young actor who has a passion for acting could mold this Hong Gil-dong to be his own.” [Osen]
• Hehe, I love this: Cha Seung-won’s been offered the role of a druglord in Onward, the film that’s also courting Jo Jin-woong to appear as a police officer, and the pair are being called aje fatale in the press (short for ajusshi fatale). [News 1]
• Following a string of thrillers (The Hunt, The Phone, Chronicles of Evil, Hide and Seek) with another is Sohn Hyun-joo, who is confirmed for new criminal mystery film Tropical Night. He’ll play an investigator in the violent crimes division on a case about a doorbell-ringing serial killer. A sequence of grisly murders puts the city on edge, and although a suspect is arrested and put behind bars, the real criminal will resurface three years later. [Herald]


Sohn Hyun-joo, Kim Myung-min

• Kim Myung-min is juggling another film offer—he’s considering playing King Taejong of Joseon in Kang Dae-kyu’s upcoming film, Yongnu (a working title). That would be a bit trippy since he played Jung Do-jeon in Six Flying Dragons who (spoiler alert for those who aren’t familiar with Joseon history) died at the hands of Yi Bang-won (King Taejong’s name at birth). He hasn’t confirmed Yongnu or Water Monster yet, and he’s currently busy filming scenes for VIP. [Osen]
• A musical based on KBS’s Hwarang might be in the works, which sounds like it could be a really fun show to see live—who could resist singing, dancing flower boys with flowing manes of glory? [Xports News]


Jang Young-nam, Jung Bo-seok, Yoon Jong-hoon

• The King Loves has added some familiar names to its cast: Jang Young-nam (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-ju) has been cast as the mother of the crown prince (Im Shi-wan), Queen Jangmok, and she’ll play “the scariest woman in all of Goryeo.” She makes everyone quiver in fear but her maternal desire to provide her beautiful son with everything is strong. Jung Bo-seok (Monster) will play her husband and Im’s coldhearted father, King Chungnyeol. Yoon Jong-hoon (Age of Youth) will take on the role of Jeon, the second eldest hyung of Ryn (Hong Jung-hyun). An elite royal with good looks and an intelligent mind, he’ll oppose the ascension of Im to the throne, and he’ll also fight to win the affections of Eun-san (Yoon-ah) from younger brother Ryn. The King Loves will be directed by PD Kim Sang-hyub (Dazzling Temptation) and will air in the first half of 2017 on MBC. [Osen, Sports Chosun, Xports News]


Choi Woo-shik, Jang Hee-ryung, Shin Hyun-soo

• A web drama based on the popular webtoon Some Man is being developed. About two guys who used to be neighbors and who end up living together, Choi Woo-shik (Ho-gu’s Love) has been cast as a spoiled man-child, while his roomie will be played by Jang Ki-yong (Beautiful Mind). Jang Hee-ryung (Uncontrollably Fond) will play a tomboyish college student who’s sort of a friend to the guys, and sort of not. The bromantic college story will become available next February. [Xports News]
• Shin Hyun-soo (Age of Youth) is trying a historical drama for the first time and is joining Ruler—Master of the Mask as the royal bodyguard of crown prince Lee (Yi) Sun (Yoo Seung-ho). (The two worked together recently in Remember—Son’s War.) Shin’s character is a bit simple and not too bright, but he’s an excellent swordsman and extremely loyal to the prince. The show will air on MBC in the first half of 2017. [Xports News]

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