Remember the cute baseball-playing kid who played Moon Geun-young’s age-appropriate boyfriend (before she hooks up with Kim Rae-won) in the cute 2004 romantic comedy My Little Bride? Well, the two are pairing up again, because Park Jin-woo has just been cast in SBS’s upcoming high-profile sageuk drama The Painter of Wind.

The main loveline looks to be between Moon and Park Shin-yang — although I’m sure everyone’s wondering how that odd pairing is going to result in any sort of romantic chemistry (honestly, he could play her father). But Park Jin-woo is sure to add some conflict; he plays a royal painter in training, son of a powerful man who pushes himself to succeed on his own merits. He has a rivalry with Moon’s character, allowing jealousy to come between them (described as the Salieri to Moon’s Mozart).

While I don’t think Park Jin-woo has really proven himself yet, I think he has potential, and I’ve always enjoyed watching him. No, being a part of the Nonstop sitcom series is hardly a validation of acting prowess, but these days, what pretty boy or girl hasn’t had a stint on it? (After all, former Nonstop alums include Gu Hye-sun, Han Ye-seul, Hyun Bin, Jang Nara, and Jo In-sung.) He’s also got some pretty decent comic timing (see: Bad Family), although I’m guessing he probably won’t be needing it with Painter, which premieres in September.

Via Newsen

SONG OF THE DAY

Maya - “Story in Your Eyes” [ Download ]

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Tags: Moon Geun-young, Nonstop 5, Park Jin-woo, Park Shin-yang, sageuk dramas, The Painter of Wind

Filed under: Drama Casting & News by javabeans - 17 Comments →

 
Actor Gu Hye Sun and singer-actor Lee Minwoo (or just “M”) first worked together in the sitcom Nonstop 5, but they had their first meeting some time before that.

And, apparently, Gu Hye Sun was less than thrilled.

On the cable program Park Kyung Rim’s Wonderful Outing, Minwoo had a segment where he’d call his friends and ask them to meet up. Lots of entertainers have been the recipients of the call, and on a recent episode airing October 26, he called Gu Hye Sun. She was home resting (she’s currently filming the historical drama series King and I), and despite the late hour, she came out for her friend.

Others who’d showed up included Kim Min Sun, Kang Kyung Joon (also from Nonstop 5 — I love that they’re all still buddies), Kim Chang Ryeol, Shim Eun Ji, and Kil Gun. The MC and recently married comedienne Park Kyung Rim asked for a show of hands for whoever liked Minwoo best of the six Shinhwa members. Everyone raised their hands, except for one person — Gu Hye Sun.

SONG OF THE DAY

M (Lee Minwoo) - “Sweet Sound” [ zShare download ]

How did Minwoo offend Gu Hye Sun? >>

Tags: Gu Hye-sun, Lee Min-woo, Nonstop 5

Filed under: Sitcoms/Variety Shows by javabeans - 23 Comments →

Lately, I’ve noticed something about the dramas I’ve been watching, which is that I’ve been finding — more so than the big dramatic romantic turns — that the most affecting, moving moments are family-related. There’s just something that Korean dramas do that captures family elements so well. They don’t try to make you cry with the SADNESS! and ANGST!, but with little heartfelt moments.

Whenever I read an article about the reason for the Korean Wave/Hallyu’s recent popularity, there’s a mention about the focus of family in kdramas that set it apart from their more sensational, sexy Western counterparts. While not all kdramas are family-related, there often are very strong family undercurrents, even when the main story is about crime, about the workplace, romance, whatever.

It’s not exactly a drama, but there’s an episode of the sitcom Nonstop 5 (episode #244) that shows a perfect example of what I mean, in a bite-sized, 20-minute package. Watch it after the jump.

SONG(s) OF THE DAY

G.O.D. - “To My Mother” (어머님께): This one’s a repost from the mother-related Flowers For My Life episode. [ zShare download ]

Tim - “To My Father” (아버지께) [ zShare download ]

Read more and watch the Nonstop 5 “Family” episode >>

Tags: Bad Family, Dal Ja's Spring, Feelings, Flowers For My Life, Nonstop 5

Filed under: Drama Reactions & Reviews by javabeans - 33 Comments →