Jo Seung-woo confirms second season of Forest of Secrets
by tineybeanie
After two years of much anticipation, hit 2017 legal thriller Forest of Secrets (a.k.a. Stranger) has officially started casting for its second season. The story from season one was about a prosecutor who had a crucial surgery on his brain in childhood that left him unable to feel emotions. He partners up with a righteous, warm cop, and they begin to pursue a murder case that leads them right back to the door of the prosecutorial organization.
For season two, it has been announced that writer Lee Soo-yeon from season one will be returning to write the script, but the director has been changed from Ahn Gil-ho to Park Hyun-seok (Dance Sports Girls, Uncontrollably Fond).
Additionally, according to his agency, Jo Seung-woo (Life), who starred in the first season as an emotionless prosecutor, will be reprising his role as Hwang Shi-mok. Currently, his co-star Bae Doo-na (Kingdom), who played his partner, Detective Han Yeo-jin, has been offered her role again, but she has yet to confirm.
The ratings for Forest of Secrets were amazing, beginning with 3.041% and rising to 6.568% according to the Nielson Korea system. It also won all kinds of awards including the Daesang at the 2018 Baeksang Arts Awards and the 2017 Seoul Awards. So there are high hopes for season two.
As of yet, the production is still in fetal stages, so no time slot on tvN for season two has been decided. But if anyone wants to gear up for the next season, Forest of Secrets’s season one is still on Netflix to binge watch (check for it under the title Stranger).
Via Newsen
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![[Beanie Recs] Dramas about fangirling](http://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BeanieRecs.jpg)
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1 another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 3, 2019 at 10:20 AM
omg omg omg omg omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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cat-cric-kat
September 4, 2019 at 2:16 AM
So we can expect 200+ comments in each recap.
>beginning with 3.041% and rising to 6.568%
What was the final rating? Its too low for a show that won applause from critiques.
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happiness
September 4, 2019 at 2:35 AM
2017 was the year of terrible ratings a lot of tVn dramas didn't do well, the dramas before secret forest did terribly (i.e tomorrow with you, chicago typewriter) so it was the first drama to break out of the bad ratings and actually rise.
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Carol
September 6, 2019 at 12:12 AM
Are you sure you're replying to anothernicole's comment? Why are you suddenly complaining about the number of comments on FoS posts, when all she said was omg omg!!!
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2 Mina
September 3, 2019 at 10:31 AM
Yeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Yes, I've lost all maturity with this news...
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Mina
September 3, 2019 at 10:38 AM
I'm kinda worried with the director change. Hope we can at least get the same cast from season 1. I can't picture Forest Of Secrets without Lee Jong Hyuk and Bae Doona.
Is it too much to hope for a plot twist where Eun Soo is still alive? u_u
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Miky
September 3, 2019 at 10:53 AM
Lee Jong Hyuk also confirmed also adding Yoon Se Ah in the cast!
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another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 3, 2019 at 10:57 AM
just saw that!! so super excited. (here's a link if anyone else is obsessing as much as i am right now: https://www.soompi.com/article/1349838wpp/tvns-forest-of-secrets-confirmed-for-season-2)
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Mina
September 3, 2019 at 1:01 PM
Thanks!
Mina
September 3, 2019 at 1:00 PM
Yoon Se Ah 😍😍
She was my favorite in Sky Castle. So glad to have her in FoS.
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larelle79
September 3, 2019 at 1:20 PM
Her staredown with Bae Doona at the dinner table will always be one of my favorite scenes.
Saya
September 3, 2019 at 2:44 PM
Meanwhile, Ahn Gil-ho has done an AMAZING job on Watcher, which is exactly the show for a FoS fan. Watch iittttttt!
*obsessed with Watcher*
*wants Season 2*
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Mina
September 3, 2019 at 7:57 PM
Lool I stayed away from Watcher because it seemed like a dark show (and it is not really my cup of tea) but if it is anything close to FoS, I'll give it a try for sure!
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another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 4, 2019 at 7:07 AM
@saya Can I take this to mean that you think FoS2 will be in good hands with Ahn Gil-ho?
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Mina
September 4, 2019 at 9:20 AM
But he is gone, no?
another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 4, 2019 at 9:32 AM
@mina ohhh i see. i misunderstood. got it now --thanks <3
judepps
September 16, 2019 at 1:47 PM
oh i see! i have watched Watcher and i like it without knowing it was the same director of Forest of Secret.
I was glad that FoS 2 is in works, i hope to see all original casts united for season 2. I was a little worried that the execution will not live up to expectation since the director is different.
Nevertheless, love seeing again JSW and BDN in small screen. Action-thriller is my cup of tea so im not going anywhere -:)
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dee
September 3, 2019 at 10:47 PM
Noo Eun Soo already dead, face that.
Lol I'm typing while wishing another plot twist where Lee Chang-Joon still alive instead.
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3 Giegie
September 3, 2019 at 10:32 AM
Yeeesssss! Please say yes, Bae Doo-na! Pretty pleaaaseeee!!!!
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4 minty
September 3, 2019 at 10:54 AM
When you've had a tough day and then you get read this news in the evening... Totally worth it ❤️
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5 mary
September 3, 2019 at 10:59 AM
YES WEASEL IS COMING BACK TOO!!!
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egads aka Dame Maggie
September 4, 2019 at 7:40 AM
I KNOW! IT'S WONDERFUL NEWS.
Still waiting for Bae Doona though.
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6 ash27
September 3, 2019 at 11:03 AM
I'm so excited! Thank goodness the writer and Jo Seung-woo are back for sure. But I'll be super sad if Bae Doo-na doesn't come back too. Don't break up the team!
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7 kiara
September 3, 2019 at 11:10 AM
I am going to miss Yoo Jae-myung and Shin Hye-sun.
I hope Bae Doo-na will sign on because I don't want to miss too many people from the first season. I love them all.
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Midnight
September 3, 2019 at 11:39 AM
Everybody is hoping for BDN and I'm over here sniffing that it will not be the same without YJM 😢
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another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 3, 2019 at 11:43 AM
I will pause my glee for a moment to share a sniffle with you re: this. 😢 No one will ever compare with YJM in FoS1...I wish I had had the time to do a theme-of-the-month post on him when we covered villains. So much of the intrigue of that show was due to his extraordinary performance. I hope they can find someone to carry the strong-villain tradition, but even so, YJM will be muchly missed.
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Midnight
September 3, 2019 at 11:45 AM
EXACTLY. Agree with every word.
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larelle79
September 3, 2019 at 12:05 PM
Agree with this. Although, if you can find a way to get a story out there, I would greatly appreciate it. I don't think Lee Chang joon don't get his due as a true villain. We have seen in programs what villains are packaged to be and he did not fit the mold. Looking back, I should have been paying more attention.
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Midnight
September 3, 2019 at 12:40 PM
His role was what I had been wishing to see in a show for many years. I kept holding my excitement down because I didn't dare hope it would actually happen at last.
And when it did... I was so so happy that I basically don't remember much about the good guys.
I should add that is very rare for me. I almost never prefer the villain to the good guys.
dee
September 3, 2019 at 10:49 PM
Yes I miss Lee Chang-Joon so much oh my God
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8 Mel
September 3, 2019 at 11:29 AM
is this for real??!! I can't believe it!!!! please be good~~~~
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larelle79
September 3, 2019 at 11:41 AM
I am not going in with the expectation of it being even close to what we witnessed in the 1st season. That was perfection and will never be duplicated.
I know that this will not be a trainwreck so there is that. This will be fine.
And yes it's real. They are talking 1st half of 2020. It will be here before you know it.
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Mel
September 3, 2019 at 12:36 PM
I've been disappointed by lots of Season 2s but seeing that Jo Seung-woo has signed on, my hopes are up again. 2020 here I come!
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another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 3, 2019 at 11:46 AM
I am honestly hoping that these actors wouldn't sign on for a season 2 if they didn't think it had the potential to be very good. I agree with @larelle79 that it can't really come close to season 1...there was a degree of perfection there that I can't imagine a match for. BUT it can still be excellent, and I have high hopes knowing that it's this writer and so much of the same cast.
(All those hopes can shimmy on down the drain if BDN doesn't come along, though)
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Mel
September 3, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Let's pray that she does! Can't imagine what it'll be like without her.
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9 miss h
September 3, 2019 at 11:48 AM
Happy for everyone who has been wanting this.
Season 1 was just okay for me, but I love Bae Doona and will watch if she signs on.
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10 Kafiyah Bello
September 3, 2019 at 11:53 AM
I screamed when I saw this. Such a perfect drama. Ahhhhhh, I can't wait.
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11 Kurama
September 3, 2019 at 12:01 PM
I'm still waiting for Signal >_<
Otherwise, I'm happy. JSW was so good in this role! I hope BDN will say yes :) I will miss some actors from the season 1 like Yoo Jae-Myung and Lee Kyu-Hyung.
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judepps
September 16, 2019 at 1:56 PM
@kurama ditto for Signal season 2!
im soo excited for both drama to have season 2 in works.. Both dramas were great and deserved S2.
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12 padmé
September 3, 2019 at 12:01 PM
OMG, that show was everything back in 2017! I loved all the characters. I even missed the theme song of it :)
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Kasumi
September 4, 2019 at 4:05 PM
I still listen to the theme song on YouTube at least once a week! I’m obsessed with this show.
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13 kellie
September 3, 2019 at 12:33 PM
Same writer, different director is a worry. I remember what happened to Mystery Queen and Neighborhood Lawyer when they changed the production team. If they keep the Jo Seung-woo character the same it should be OK -- he was not only interesting but calming to the viewer. I liked that lack of emotion.
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mary
September 3, 2019 at 5:45 PM
I was trying not to think of MQ2. Why would you jinx it, kellie? T___T Whyyyyyy
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another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 4, 2019 at 7:10 AM
i was worried about this, too, but (see above) it seems like this director might be a good fit for the show?
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mary
September 4, 2019 at 7:49 AM
He sounds like a good fit.
(Butttt remember MQ2's director also directed Chief Kim which was hilarious, but but but...)
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another woodalchi nicole recruit
September 4, 2019 at 7:58 AM
oh that's right. ugh.
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egads aka Dame Maggie
September 4, 2019 at 8:07 AM
What is MQ2?
*There was no MQ2 she mumbles bitterly to herself*
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14 Lucy🦋 | Hyun Bins First Love
September 3, 2019 at 12:49 PM
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉!!!!
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15 et865
September 3, 2019 at 12:53 PM
I just watched Season 1 on Netflix recently and loved it, so looking forward to this!
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16 loveblossom🌸
September 3, 2019 at 1:42 PM
Yayyyy great news! I really hope Bae Doona comes back too.
I'm glad the writer is the same, but a bit bummed the director is different. Ahn Gil Ho directed the recent kdrama Watcher. ♥♥♥
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Saya
September 3, 2019 at 2:45 PM
Yes!
Pssst FoS fans, go watch Watcher right now!
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kiara
September 3, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Thank you @saya <3.
WATCHER gave me the FOS feels at times. It's definitely my crime thriller for the year!
Credit to PD Ahn Gil Ho for the amazing cast, directing and ost. Writer Han San Woon did a great job with THE GOOD WIFE and I'm a fan for life after WATCHER.
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judepps
September 16, 2019 at 2:27 PM
@kiarai was a big fan of The Good Wife too and i love WATCHER without knowing that it was the same director of Forest of Secret.
another crime thriller i love is Signal.
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missjb
September 3, 2019 at 7:09 PM
I don't know, I love the cast and the directing and the plot has potential. But for a drama that claimed psychological thriller, it lack emotional connection and depth. Maybe her writing it's not my think. I expected something like beautiful world kind of ride.
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kiara
September 7, 2019 at 12:59 PM
Maybe give it a second try and not watch anything else. I had to put everything on hold and just concentrate on it.
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amara
September 9, 2019 at 5:05 PM
it's more of a socially complex thing imo. im kinda surprised they label it as a psychological thriller and not political thriller. the little emotional threads are there but it's definitely not beautiful and i wish there was more time for the emotional aspect but they wanted to focus on the story for suuuuure.
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17 Jig
September 3, 2019 at 3:06 PM
*sigh* This almost makes me not want to watch the first season. I like my kdramas one and done. Even if the first season can stand on it's own, the completionist in me will want to see the rest of the seasons (if it's good, which I'm sure it is with all the praise)....
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18 missjb
September 3, 2019 at 3:06 PM
If only the director is Park Hyun Seok, I will be more confident. It's time he expand his talent and move on from KBS. He is amazing. And heck even more talent than previous PD for me, well I'm bias since I'm his fans. Btw, lol. he did well in spy. But I heard the director is Le so Yeon? Which news I trust.?
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19 happiness
September 3, 2019 at 4:10 PM
Secret Forest was the best drama of 2017 and I'll always hold a special place for it amongst my list of endless dramas. I'm super SUPER excited for the new season and I can't wait for the endless discussions and theorising we'll get into once it starts. PLEASE BAE DOONA CONFIRM
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20 molten cake
September 3, 2019 at 6:06 PM
Yaaassss can't wait!! Hope Bae Doo-na accepts the offer!
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21 strawberry
September 3, 2019 at 8:57 PM
THE EXCITEMENT IS REAL! Now we’ll know for sure if your weasel has changed his weasely ways or not. Also, I can’t wait to see Yoon Se-ah back as the vengeful widow. The little snippets of her character in season 1 were great! I bet she would make a great adversary to JSW. Hopefully BDN confirms! An article on Soompi said she’s considering it “positively”. *sending prayers to dramaland’s gods*.
Meanwhile, I’m gonna continue rewatching season 1 for possibly the 100th time.
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22 dee
September 3, 2019 at 10:57 PM
I'm not sure about the 2nd season BUT for nor I'm just as happy as the other fellows here. Reminisce back then whenever FoS recap came out and it were like buzzing about it in here sharing our excitement, our prediction and all. What a good time.
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23 Alessar
September 4, 2019 at 8:22 AM
I sat on this one for a long time and just recently watched it. It is EVERY BIT as good as everyone said it was. I also feel like even if the main duo is back they would still have a lot of room to explore the characters together as his extremely limited emotions (it's more like he only feels 1-2% not that he has none; he did laugh and accidentally smile ONCE during the show) did seem to get slightly stimulated from palling around with her. Even if it's just a good mystery to tackle again that would be fine. Just don't give me Mystery Queen 2: We Shouldn't Have Made A Second Season.
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24 Rosa Alvarez rosa
September 4, 2019 at 9:28 AM
For me its one of the best Korean Drama. I cant wait for the second season.
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25 Sweetiepie
September 5, 2019 at 6:52 AM
Wow!!!! That's the best news in ages.... I check in here and find that wonderful surprise. Hope season 2 lives up to the standards set up by season 1 and meets our expectations.
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26 lillamy
September 5, 2019 at 10:29 AM
Yes! Awesome!
It took me some time to get into the show, but it stayed with me for a long time. Also, because of it I discovered Jo Seung-woo in his role as Hedwig, which is like a whole new level of wow.
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27 Hero
September 5, 2019 at 7:44 PM
So, so, so excited for this--as long as Bae Doo Na comes back as well.
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28 amara
September 9, 2019 at 5:04 PM
does anyone know if this is pre-produced? i believe that it should be. that writer did a phenomenal job. i don't have any high expectations for the format and i can deal with a season change as long as it keeps the intelligence of the writing which was damn near flawless. i am so excited.
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29 annnsow
September 11, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Too bad for the changes regarding the director though....
S1's cinematography was incredible. I don't think I'll ever find something as artistically flawless in another Kdrama, ever. Why didn't Ahn Gil Ho come back? T.T
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30 judepps
September 16, 2019 at 1:38 PM
OMG! this is really going to be daebak!!! can't wait to see the casts to be reunited in season 2. I hope this will materialize without any hitch*crossing my fingers* JSW and BDN soon!
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