Finding truth beneath the tragedy in JTBC’s A Beautiful World
by tipsymocha
This show is gonna feel like a punch in the gut, I swear. JTBC’s upcoming drama A Beautiful World has just released a trailer and poster, and even these brief glimpses of Nam Da-reum (Fox Bride Star) has my heart breaking for his character. He’ll be at the center of this story of school bullying and family tragedy, which is a combination that already has me reaching for the tissues.
The teaser itself is quite simple but hugely effective: The camera is zoomed into Nam Da-reum, who is laying on the ground with his earphones in. He looks to all the world to be peacefully dozing on a warm, sunny day, though his choice in music might be considered strange for a 16-year old – we can hear strains of a children’s song coming from his ear buds. The tune shares a title with the drama, A Beautiful World, and it’s a very popular one that almost everyone in Korea learns in elementary school. The song grows louder as the camera pans out, and there’s something chilling about hearing children singing, “Let’s make a beautiful world together,” as blood quickly starts pooling below Nam Da-reum’s head. Oof.
In A Beautiful World, Nam Da-reum’s character is the victim of school bullying and he ends up on the brink of life and death because of it. His family will face lies, cover-ups, and a selfish world intent on remaining oblivious to the pain of others in order to find the truth on behalf of their son. Nam Da-reum’s parents will be played by Park Hee-soon (Missing Noir M) and Chu Ja-hyun (Rules of the Game, Temptation of Wife), and he will have a fiercely protective younger sister in Kim Hwan-hee (Miracle That We Met). She’s featured in the title poster, and the caption on it reads, “I want to go back to the days when my brother smiled.”
And of course, we can’t have a school bullying problem without the bully and his parents. Oh Man-seok (Investigation Couple) and Jo Yeo-jung (Perfect Wife) will play the parents to the bully who lead the charge in tormenting Nam Da-reum. The director-writer duo for A Beautiful World, Park Chan-hong and Kim Ji-woo, respectively, have been creative partners for a while. They’ve worked together on dramas like Resurrection, Devil, and Memory, which sounds like a good thing when dealing with a subject matter as dark as school bullying.
A Beautiful World will premiere on JTBC’s Friday-Saturday slot on April 5, following currently airing Legal High.
RELATED POSTS
Tags: A Beautiful World, Chu Ja-hyun, Jo Yeo-jung, Oh Man-seok, Park Hee-soon
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 earthna
March 2, 2019 at 2:41 PM
This trailer wrecked me. Whoever thought of it is awesome! I'm excited to see Nam Dareum in a lead role.
Required fields are marked *
Helio
March 2, 2019 at 2:56 PM
This was finally a promo trailer done right I would give whoever came up with it a big raise. I can already see this being a career defining role for NDR.
Required fields are marked *
mysterious
March 3, 2019 at 7:36 AM
I agree, finally Nam Da Reum as a lead and not just the younger version of someone. He is so talented and I know he will wring buckets of tears from me.
Required fields are marked *
2 Kurama
March 2, 2019 at 2:53 PM
This drama will be a emotional rollercoaster . In the same thema, the korean version of Solomon's Perjury was really great.
Required fields are marked *
sparks121
March 2, 2019 at 4:54 PM
Funnily enough, seo young joo will also be in this drama.
Required fields are marked *
earthna
March 2, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Ohhhh interesting! Was it specified which role he's going to play?
Required fields are marked *
sparks121
March 2, 2019 at 5:53 PM
Translating what's been released in articles: His character is han dong soo. He grew up in a bad environment, doesn't have any hopes or dreams for the future, and is considered a troublemaker by adults. He doesn't have any parents so he works a lot of part-time jobs.
Required fields are marked *
earthna
March 2, 2019 at 9:27 PM
Thanks! He'll be good for that role! Wishing he'd be considered a troublemaker but ends up the one helping Dareum.
Kurama
March 3, 2019 at 1:21 AM
He's really a good actor. It's a good news :)
Required fields are marked *
bong-soo
March 4, 2019 at 5:17 AM
SYJ is the one degree of separation between SOLOMON’S PERJURY and A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.
Required fields are marked *
3 mk
March 2, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Omg, I didn't know this creative duo worked on Memory! I lost faith after Shark devolved into such a mess but knowing they made such a beautiful, tender story has restored it. Resurrection is one of my favorites (even if Devil is objectively superior) and even Kimchi Family was good if a little overdramatic at times. I don't do well with bullying stories though so I'll probably have to stick to recaps :/
Required fields are marked *
Linda Palapala
March 2, 2019 at 6:33 PM
I love everything this duo has done, no reservations. Wish I could find Resurrection somewhere, I never got to finish it.
Required fields are marked *
bong-soo
March 3, 2019 at 10:12 AM
@linda-palapala,
You might try here:
https://www1.ondramanice.tv/drama/resurrection-detail
Required fields are marked *
Linda Palapala
March 2, 2019 at 6:37 PM
My favorite was Devil. I even bought a CD of the soundtrack on ebay over a year ago, put it in my car and listen to it whenever I'm driving around. Still not tired of the music.
Required fields are marked *
4 Jess
March 2, 2019 at 3:10 PM
This is going to be scary! It gives me School 2015 vibes minus the romance. Bullying stories are very hard to watch!
Required fields are marked *
5 suk
March 2, 2019 at 3:20 PM
Nam Da-reum in a lead role!!
JTBC seems to be really good at promoting dark dramas with lighter marketing, like The Third Charm, The Light in Your Eyes, and SKY Castle. The colors of these teasers are so innocent and natural, but adding the blood was genius.
Required fields are marked *
6 sparks121
March 2, 2019 at 4:59 PM
Probably one of the coolest teasers I've seen in recent memory. Nam da reum is great. I was lead to believe the adults(their parents) are the leads, so interesting to see promo of the kids first. Though I have to say, while I love nam da reum, I'm even more excited to see seo young joo. That boy is insanely good and so underrated. I don't think anyone else plays damaged youth better, lol. Though he is definitely great with a completely different role as well(see GG 1979).
Required fields are marked *
7 BC
March 2, 2019 at 5:28 PM
He is only 16 years old in real life ( I think 18 korean age) but he's such a precious actor. I hope he will stay this way and won't make some stupid things in real life behind the curtain. Can't wait to see it!!!
Required fields are marked *
8 lovepark
March 2, 2019 at 5:35 PM
That trailer was effective. Super excited for this!
Required fields are marked *
9 gadis
March 2, 2019 at 5:45 PM
That trailer is hauntingly beautiful. I'm not sure I'm up to watch an emotionally draining drama like this, but the fact that Nam Da-reum is going to be a lead here is tempting me (plus there's Seo Young-joo too).
Required fields are marked *
10 Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
March 2, 2019 at 5:51 PM
Gahhh I’ll have to see what mood I’m in when this airs. It looks like it will break me, but in a good way.
Required fields are marked *
11 missjb
March 2, 2019 at 6:31 PM
Park Chan-hong and Kim Ji-woo. OMG
I love their tandem in Ressurection and The Devil. Eventhough I won't expecting anything close to those two classic for this drama. I will expecting something solid at the very least. I was Dissapointed with Shark turn out to be. But This is JTBC... So I'm hopeful.
Required fields are marked *
12 JustMe
March 2, 2019 at 7:02 PM
OOOHHH IM EXCITED FOR THIS!!! I'm getting JBL tragedy vibes!! (oh wait, he was in there, too). Ofc, we cant compare trauma from bullying or a building accident..... but I'm ready for some crying and healing!
Required fields are marked *
13 Ally
March 2, 2019 at 8:05 PM
Yay! A true defining lead for Nam Da-Reum. We know he has the talent, and hopefully, the show will capitalize on it. I think it will. Fighting!
Required fields are marked *
14 drawde2000
March 2, 2019 at 8:44 PM
I am now looking forward to this. That teaser was very effective.
Required fields are marked *
15 13infamyss
March 2, 2019 at 11:07 PM
Sniff. He's at that age now to lead in a drama. You've come a long way Da Reum - ahjumma will be watching, hope this drama will be good! ^^
Required fields are marked *
BdxPelik
March 3, 2019 at 12:01 PM
This noona saw him as a little kid (also subjected to bullying) in Suspicious Housekeeper. Oh no, not again...
Required fields are marked *
16 PakalanaPikake
March 2, 2019 at 11:07 PM
Comment was deleted
Required fields are marked *
17 Lucy🦋 | Hyun Bins First Love
March 2, 2019 at 11:09 PM
Watching the teaser for first time without expecting anything it literally gave me Goosebumps. Didn't see that ending coming... it was just soo emotional and so deep.
Required fields are marked *
18 PakalanaPikake
March 2, 2019 at 11:11 PM
Comment was deleted
Required fields are marked *
19 Lucy🦋 | Hyun Bins First Love
March 2, 2019 at 11:12 PM
and also I am so glad Nam dareum is finally getting a lead role cause he's been my fav child actor for a while and I am sure he will be nailing his role in this drama. Am just worried that he and this drama will be breaking my heart. I just hope that it have a good ending... I wont be able to bear a sad ending with a bullying story. *fingers crossed*
Required fields are marked *
20 PakalanaPikake
March 2, 2019 at 11:26 PM
Thanks for the casting news, @tipsymocha. Yikes! The trailer for A BEAUTIFUL WORLD looks like a cross between SOLOMON'S PERJURY and COME HERE AND HUG ME. Nam Da-reum was terrific in the latter. But I don't think I can stand seeing him get wangtta'd after what he went through at the hands of Daddy Dearest.
On the other hand, Director Park Chan-hong and writer Kim Ji-woo turned out the fabulous MAWANG / THE LUCIFER -- whose plot hinged on bullying and its consequences. Viewers fed up with ITEM might enjoy MAWANG for Ju Ji-hoon's portrayal of a man on a mission of vengeance. The drama is a gripping cat-and-mouse game marinated in the symbolism of the tarot. The music is terrific.
Required fields are marked *
21 Aevah
March 3, 2019 at 12:47 AM
Sounds like my type of drama. It sounds like Nam Dareum isn't dead but maybe he'll die during the course of the show. I hope not.
Required fields are marked *
22 Dru
March 3, 2019 at 12:56 AM
Oooohhh.. lead role for Nam Da Reum!!! 🙌🙌🎉
Required fields are marked *
23 astromantic
March 3, 2019 at 9:23 AM
This looks so depressing but I'm in.
Required fields are marked *
24 mango
March 3, 2019 at 9:28 AM
If I remember well, NDR acted in Memory as Lee Sung Min's son. It's great to see him reunite with the writers for his first lead role. Let's hope he won't start dying in almost all of his projects as a late teen/young adult *cough*YeoJinGu*
Required fields are marked *
25 bong-soo
March 3, 2019 at 10:41 AM
Wow. What a great teaser. Nam Da-reum will be wonderful. No doubt about that.
How the bully and his parents are treated will be very interesting. The experienced adult actors are one thing. If I am reading ABW's wiki page correctly it seems the bully will be played by the child actor Seo Dong-hyun. I have not seen any of his work A couple early thoughts. I would not be surprised if NDR and SDH are friends so this could be a challenge for both. The Director, Producer etc. are going to have to find a way to protect SDH from those who can't separate an actor from his part. I am already nervous.
Required fields are marked *
PakalanaPikake
March 4, 2019 at 6:35 AM
@marcusnyc20 bong-soo,
I don't know if you've caught up with Oh Man-seok yet. He's one of my favorites. I loved him in MAN OF THE VINEYARD and HYENA, and the drama special series TRUE COLORS OF GANG AND CHEOL and SPECIAL TASK FORCE MSS. Also in the movie thriller OUR TOWN with Ryu Deok-hwan and Lee Sun-kyun. He's done sageuks, too. I have to get my butt in gear and watch SHIN DON and THE KING AND I one of these days. He originated the role of Gong-gil in the stage play YI, upon which THE KING AND THE CLOWN is based. OMS is a musical actor as well, and also directs. He's quite an accomplished performer. ;-)
Required fields are marked *
bong-soo
March 4, 2019 at 7:47 AM
@pakalanapikake,
I have only seen OMS in SQUAD 38 and a brief look at him in VINEYARD. I know he is a fan favorite. I am unfamiliar with the body of his work. Perhaps In ABW he has been cast against type.
I am totally unfamiliar with Cho Yeo-jong who is cast as OMS’s wife.
Required fields are marked *
PakalanaPikake
March 4, 2019 at 10:38 PM
@marcusnyc20 bong-soo,
Oh Man-seok was pretty darned scary in OUR TOWN. Pairing him with Cho Yeo-jong is a canny move. I've seen her in a couple of movies. She can be very intense, with an imperious air, so I expect she'll do well as the mother of a bully. They will make a formidable team of antagonists.
I'm usually curious as to how bullies come into being. Are they born that way, the product of dreadful parenting, or did they start out as wangttas themselves? It will be interesting to see whether Junior the Bully is a chip off of either of the parental blocks.
Required fields are marked *
26 RenOIshi
March 3, 2019 at 5:46 PM
Wow I am super excited for him! He will do great no doubt. But for once can he be cast in a happy role? I have seen him in all the dark ones - Come and Hug Me, Fox Bride Star and another one where he pays these sad characters :( I'll watch it!
Required fields are marked *
PakalanaPikake
March 3, 2019 at 10:23 PM
Yeah, I hope Nam Da-reum gets to perform in a sunnier vehicle soon. Here's to expanding his emotive range at the joyful end of the spectrum. ;-)
Required fields are marked *
27 Lin
March 3, 2019 at 9:51 PM
I loved Solomon’s Prejury and this sounds and looks to be in a similar vein so bring it JTBC.
Required fields are marked *
28 salt N pepper
March 3, 2019 at 10:19 PM
Finally a lead role! Nam Dareum is such a handsome boy and a very talented actor, too. This noona fan can't wait for him to headline more dramas after this. He does the sad, tortured look very well and for some reason remind me of Ji Jin Hee in IHAL and Misty. LOL
Required fields are marked *
29 k1000a
March 4, 2019 at 6:34 AM
He is leading!! Ok am already excited about this... I hope it help me get over my recent SKY Castle addiction (I seriously regret not having watched it while it was airing, but better late than never, right?)
Required fields are marked *