Oh wow! I really look forward to this~

i never realized that Han ji hye didn't have double eyelids. I'm not a big fan of Han ji hye. She's gorgeous and is a decent actress, but something about her voice bugs me. But then maybe having her as a gisaeng in a period film will make it less obvious? but the male cast is a amazing!

no word on eom taewoong's role? >.> seems like the biggest roles are listed... i was looking forward to eom taewoong the most...

lovin Han Ji Hye! excited forthis!!!

It'll be hard to watch these favorites pitted against each other - sigh - but I will anyway. Wow, all three in one flick... OMG -

A really good cast... but it's another story about a gisaeng... :/

"She has eyes that are difficult to find these days. I told her to never get surgery. "

Go Mr. Director! See, this is why actresses should go natural~!
Besides... it makes sense -_-
I mean, Han Ji Hye would look like a real (or more Korean than others) Korean in 1596......

Due to surgery, many Korean actresses have more Western/European features, but I'm sure in the 1500's... Koreans looked more Korean with Korean facial features, rather obviously artificial, pinochio noses and so-and-such Nor did they have eyelid scars from double lid surgery. (Or beings that can pass off as a mixed race to some - that's what the grandmas I know always say - since, mixed races were not common in 1500s). Having an actress with lots of surgery kinds of takes out the feeling like you're truly back in history... since.. they kinda stick out -_-

I remember seeing these group of old Korean grandmas, and if you look at them and their facial features, you can see that most of them didn't have such perfect Park Shi Yeon noses, nor shaved jaws, or humorously large eyes ....so if these features weren't common within the last 100 years, they didn't have those features (or the majority) 500 years ago.

interesting cast. i'm a fan of the 2 guys from Accidental Couple, even though the drama wasn't that great, they made it worth watching.

(GASP) what??Hwang Jung-min? Cha Seung-won?? did i just see those names together ??whatever it is, i'm SO there.

@ 8 ,

I know! Their bromance was the most adorable/entertaining thing about that drama! Now i'm kind of excited for this project. The casting looks awesome. Cha Seung-won!!!!

CSW!??! yes please... yespleaseyespleaseyesplease!!! :)

totally in love with him after CH =P

CSW in a period film? I am so in.

Damn thats a good looking cast.

asian-looking eyes are not having double eye-lids? That's so biased! All of my asian friends have natural double eye-lids.

OMG CHA SEUNG-WON! :O
The thing that matters the most. :)
Has anyone else noticed that he's playing another illegitimate son? And in a way, another rebel?

No double eyelids was the critical criteria? I find the director's casting thought process rather fraught with a lapse in logic, but this means that a Lee Da Hae (Miss. super peepers) would automatically be out. I've not been impressed with HJH in all her dramas that I've watched, she's gotten prettier and prettier, but something about her acting style turns me off, even when she was the only one trying amongst the 3 female leads in EOE.

But, our CSW's next project, I'm so looking forward to hearing more about it and seeing pre-production stills. CSW is so suited to play a wicked/evil/villianous character, and inbue him with charisma so you can't look away.

CSW?! HJM?! In the same film?!?!
OMG! The male cast is AMAZING! Couldnt have asked for a better cast.

I can't imagine HJH with CSW tho xD
I like HJH's eyes too, very hard to find single eye lid actresses these days..
Im looking forward to this film~

WOW What a male cast! This movie is ALL about the men! CSW, UTW AND HJM! Did I mention CSW!???!!!! LOL This movie already has me wishing it was 2010!

Have to say the casting decision of Han Ji-Hye is odd. Or rather the reason for it. Now I have enjoyed watching HJH in the past ('course I have enjoyed CSW more! :p ), can't say she is my fav or the strongest actress - but a casting decision based on eyelids?! @_@ While I commend the director for his comments about the fact that it is hard to find the actresses who have not had surgery...it's a bit random, and perhaps a bit insulting to HJH. Sort of like - 'you look the part, your acting does not matter.' Could the director not have cast a certain 'Mayor of Inju city 'instead? That way he would have a strong actress AND a the coupling with CSW that has guaranteed uber chemistry. LOL

Then again director Lee Jun-ik did direct 'the King and I' which I really enjoyed. And he has cast this movie with some awesome men, who also are great actors. My only concern is how HJH will stack up to the awesomeness of CSW and HJM? (Wonder what UTW role will be in this movie?)

Only reservation - HJH paired with CSW!? I know CSW is awesome but HJH as his romantic interest? I completely understand how / why HJH's character would fall for CSW (I mean really! that would be the easiest part!) just can't see him falling for her... (or is this my CH bias? hmmm.....)

Then again I doubt I'll be paying much, if any, attention to HJH in the movie. Well aside from wishing that I was in her place - to be acting alongside uber smexy CSW, HJH and UTW. Single eye lids or not - she is one damn lucky girl :)

So UTW and RSB are still in the cast? We thought CSW replaced UTW due to UTW's busy schedule in filming Queen Seon Duk. And RSB was replaced by BSH also because of conflicting schedule. He was going to be in this film, which was originally scheduled to start filming last March. However RSB had two movies(?) he's working on.. and the delay in filming had him back out. Hey, but if he's still in the movie..that only makes the casting more impressive than it already is.

Cha Seung Won? That got my attention.

I'll watch it if he's the hero in it. He just better not die.

Han Ji Hye DID get double eyelid surgery. She doesn't have them in her earlier works like Summer Scent but she got them done right before East of Eden. They're very subtle but there nonetheless.

Big help that she has single eyelid, its matters a lot to PD. She got casted along excellent actors.

She has some acting awards...

2008 Korean Drama Awards: Excellence Award for Female Actress (EOE/I Hate You But Its Fine)
2008 MBC Drama Awards: Female Excellence Award (East of Eden)
2007 KBS Drama Awards: Female Excellence in a Daily Drama Award (I Hate You, But It's Fine)
2004 40th Baeksang Arts Awards: Newcomer Actress Award
2003 KBS Drama Awards: Best New Actress

lol. I think many left out an important point, director Lee said " I met with her through staff recommendation". One possible intepretation is that the casting team recommended her; director Lee, most likely the most powerful figure a film, needs to see her before making the final call.

@12: This is not CSW's first period film. He starred in Blood Rain in 2005, he was good there too.

@21: In history, Lee Mong-hak (Cha Seung-won's role in this film) died. Since this is based on Park Heung-ryong's manhwa, I'm not sure.

There was an article that mentioned BSH replacing RSB. Several months ago, it's reported in MyDaily (i think) that UTW was to play Lee Mong-hak. Are they playing other roles now or making cameo appearances?

I like her outfit (the hanging belt needs to be tucked though, or let it hang on the side). Love the yellow and black combination.

As for CSW...hmm. I started watching City Hall last week, I'm on ep. 8 now and I haven't fallen in love with him nor his character yet. :(

ya she looks really pretty in that picture
i was take aback
lol

"i never realized that Han ji hye didn’t have double eyelids. I’m not a big fan of Han ji hye. She’s gorgeous and is a decent actress, but something about her voice bugs me"

@asianromance (3)

Actually HJH has "hidden" double eyelids - only become a little visible when she looks a certain way.

Never had a problem with her voice but she has a very bubbly/fun personality (not afraid to look silly) and is a pretty darn good dancer.

*******************

"Due to surgery, many Korean actresses have more Western/European features, but I’m sure in the 1500’s… Koreans looked more Korean with Korean facial features, rather obviously artificial, pinochio noses and so-and-such Nor did they have eyelid scars from double lid surgery."

@Biscuit (7)

Ughh, not this again.

Yes, many actresses have gotten surgery, but many haven't, as well as the majority of the male actors (I guess Song Seung Heon, Kim Sung Soo, Won Bin, Oh Ji Ho, Yoo Gun, Jo Han Sun don't look "Korean" to you).

First off, double eyelids is NOT solely a Western/European feature. Aside from Africa and the Indian subcontinent, the double eyelid is fairly common in East Asia w/ about 30% of NE Asians and 60% of SE Asians having natural DBL eyelids.

Second, the East Asian DBL eyelid is DIFFERENT from the European, African and Indian DBL eyelid.

Third, a high-bridged nose is not uncommon in NE Asia (more prevalent than in SE Asia), and while it is more prevalent in people of European descent, only a small % of WFs have the high bridged and yet petitie nose that is idealized (it's the reason why a nose job is one of the most popular surgeries in Hollywood).

Fourth, high cheek bones and fuller lips are desirable features for females that are more commonly found in NE Asian females than in WFs. It doesn't mean that WFs who opt for cheek implants or collagen lip injections want to look "Asian." Along the same lines, a WF who gets a nose job isn't wanting to look "more white."

**********************
"Han Ji Hye DID get double eyelid surgery. She doesn’t have them in her earlier works like Summer Scent but she got them done right before East of Eden. They’re very subtle but there nonetheless."

@anonymous (24)

No, they are natural. Again, HJH has "hidden" DBL eyelids - most of the time they aren't apparent until she gazes a certain way.

**********************
Man, what a horrible picture/look for Cha Seung-won (in that photo).

@16 ockoala

You took the words right out of my mouth. I liked HJH in Sweet 18 and probably the only role she played that suited her personality the most. It'll be interesting to see how she pulls this one off.

"Director Lee Jun-ik explained that he cast Han Ji-hye without auditioning her — NOT FOR HER TALENTS"
What exactly is this director trying to say to HJH?

Double eyelids or no double eyelids do not a great actress make. *Sigh*

"the double eyelid is fairly common in East Asia w/ about 30% of NE Asians and 60% of SE Asians having natural DBL eyelids."

BD, great point! Actually in both my circle of high school friends and college friends, only like 15% of the ones who are Asian DON'T have double eyelids- most of them do have natural double-eyelids.

maybe what the director said about not auditioning HJH and picking her for her eyes not for her talents is an exaggerated report. Maybe he had already heard she was talented enough (I mean SHE is pretty famous. who doesn't know of Han Ji hye?!) and decided it was safe to pick her for her "Asian-looking" eyes without auditioning her.

yay baek sung hyun! <3
i fell in love with him after watching haeshin and he acted so well as the young jang bogo.
but the cast in general's quite fantastic. :)

Wow... all these talented actors. I love all of them for different roles they have played. I can live without HJE totally. I don't care for her as an actress and I have no idea why but she irritates me on sight. I look forward to Cha in costume role. He has the right appearance I think.

No other female role apparently.

Peg

Awesome actors like CSW and HJM together??..asa!!..and yes Baek Sung Hyun was great in 'Haeshin' too but he's mostly remembered for 'STH'..CSW was in a sageuk movie..he was some detective..what was the movie?? 'Blood..' something?..He's mighty fine looking of coz..

brilliant casts. Awesome! can't wait.

CSW? im watching this for sure................

Well, I'm a HJH fan. Well, sorta.

I think she has that personality that just is her. Like Hwang Bo and hers. Like Baek Ji Young and hers. Haha. Don't know what I'm talking about. She does sometimes bug me with her characters especially when they get serious. It's like she's just acting that part. But on other occasions, she's pretty great.

Though I'm not so sure bout her singing though. Honey Lee can sing...

Single eyelid people sometimes get double eyelids. Especially when they wake up in the morning. XD

But i'm sure the director was just giving us the icing of the cake. He would have screened her through after she agreed to take the role.

@27 bd:
Yoo Gun! I initially thought he was mixed. He's one hottie. XD

well, whatever the reason the director chose HJH, go him for rooting for no eyelids surgery! strangely enough for me, both my parents have them but i don't (and neither did my paternal grandma so i prob got it from her). and guess what, there is nothing wrong with not having it. it's more special nowadays anyways =P

Double eyelids

I don't really get it, when I started watching Kdramas sometime 2004 and got interested in Korean celebrity news, thats the time I learn that a lot of Koreans (celebrities or not) do get surgery mostly double eyelids and rhinoplasty. Nose jobs I get it, it does change the appearance of the person (whether for the better or not is sometimes a big question), but for double eyelids, I don't see the difference or the supposedly enhancement in appearance after the surgery.

Is it only me?

while the director's reasons are probably greatly exaggerated or simplified, most of the comments gloss over the director's other reason for picking han ji hye...her poise. it wasn't only the eyelids but an overall impression that fit his image of the role, plus assurances from other staff that she was qualified.

it's interesting how we all tend to get swept away with the more sensational topic of plastic surgery.

i find han ji hye charming with a measure of class and charisma, though i kind of understand why some may find her distant. my favorite feature of hers happens to be her eyes, but i'm not sure if they are completely natural, the result of natural weight loss, since there is a slight difference between her debut days and the present. regardless, she is a different kind of beauty (labels of "asian-ness" aside) and i look forward to seeing how she will transform herself in this role (though, honestly, it would be hard to top ha ji won's portrayal of a kisaeng...her performance was truly amazing).