Oh, this makes me sad. We frequently see male entertainers head off to enlist in their mandatory army duty so it’s not like this comes as a surprise, but I’ll really miss Kim Rae-won as he serves over the next two years.

Kim Rae-won isn’t the most conventionally good-looking actor out there, but he has a wonderful energy and warmth, and a very genuine way of embodying his characters that makes him so lovable once you’ve seen him acting. (Titles to watch: Movies …ing, My Little Bride, Sunflower, Mr. Socrates. Dramas: My Love Patzzi, Attic Cat, Gourmet.)

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Go Ara

After a brief rocky period for the producers, Go Ara’s name has risen as top contender to lead MBC’s soccer drama Heading to the Ground [맨 땅에 헤딩 -- and if anyone has a better translation, I'm all ears!].

The drama production had been imperiled once its lead star Kim Rae-won had to drop out to enlist in the army this year. I read last week that the production was having a hard time finding a replacement actor, and the tone of the news was not good for the drama.

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Aw, I knew this was coming, but I hadn’t realized that Kim Rae-won (so wonderfully expressive, so sincere) had been seriously considering a drama role in the upcoming soccer series Heading to the Ground [맨땅에 헤딩, working title], which he will now be declining.

Kim has announced his enlistment date, which is just one month away: He will begin his four-week-long training in South Chungcheong province on August 13. Because of a pre-existing health condition — he has degenerative lumbago (a back ailment) — Kim will be assigned to service in the public sector instead of active military duty.

The Heading drama is planning for an October premiere on Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC; producers had met with Kim and were strongly hoping to bring him onboard the drama. The story involves a player who dreams of playing in England’s Premier League (shades of Manchester United player Park Ji-sung, I’m sure). I’d heard Kim was looking to squeeze in another project before his service (his last was the movie Insadong Scandal, and before that the drama Gourmet), but I guess time ran out. Without Kim, the Heading production is now scrambling to find another lead actor.

Sniffle. Goodbye, my Kim Rae-won!

Via Now News

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Actor Kim Rae-won described his latest project, art-themed Insadong Scandal, as a “bold choice” to cap off his twenties at the March 30 production press conference.

With his army enlistment approaching, this will be the last project of his twenties for the 28-year-old Kim, which he’d chosen carefully for that reason. He describes the role of a cool-headed genius art restorer as “a new challenge, as it’s very different from the characters I’d played before.” (This, he explains, contrasts with the rather boisterous characters he’s played previously.)

I have to say that I’ve always found Kim Rae-won immensely appealing, but in the preview (watch below) he comes off smexy as all get-out. After his prior roles, it’s nice to see him playing a mature, confident guy (dare I say sexy bastard?).

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Actor Kim Rae-won is lending his voice to his fourth OST, this time for his upcoming movie Insadong Scandal.

He’d previously sung on the soundtracks for several projects: the 2005 film Mr. Socrates, 2006’s Sunflower (listen below), and 2008’s drama series Gourmet (listen here). The song he’ll sing is actually a cover of “Today” [오늘은], originally by the Yoon Do-hyun Band.

I don’t think Kim Rae-won is much of a singer (he even admits, “I’m not really a good singer, but I’m thankful to have this opportunity”), but there’s a refreshing down-to-earth real-ness to his voice. I don’t snark about him wanting to conquer the world as a singer because it’s clear that he’s never harbored those aspirations. Which is why I feel his singing on OSTs is more of an exercise in character work — the vocals are iffy, but the emotions are there. Although yeah, maybe I say that just because I love him.

Insadong Scandal releases at the end of April, and Kim is expected to enlist for army duty after that.

Via No Cut News

SONG OF THE DAY

Kim Rae-won – “해바라기꽃” (Sunflower) from the soundtrack for Sunflower (Haebaragi).
[ Download ]

RELATED POSTS

• Upcoming enlistments: Sending off the next wave of stars
• From the set of Insadong Scandal
• Kim Rae-won gets back to the kitchen
• Restoring masterpieces in Insadong Scandal
• Gourmet (SBS)

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