People who are defending KHJ's (nonexistent) acting skillz, you've GOT to be kidding me.
The FACT that KHJ can't act to save his dear life is like a GENERAL CONSENSUS amongst drama addicts. He CANNOT, I repeat, CANNOT act. NADA. NONE. NOTHING.

Peace out.

@SJ forever: I totally agree with u, I remember JB has been soo excited with the powerful actors casted for Cinderella's Sister, and it turned out in the end JB didn't like the drama at all. I might want to add to your opinion that a GOOD Drama DOESN'T NEED AN ACE ACTOR all the time for it to become a successful one, but also a good script, director, supporting casts, etc. So as a fan of the original manga, I hope this drama comes out as promising as the taiwan version.

@ockoala

Agree to disagree on that point, sure! : ) It will be funny if I end up watching this drama and loathing KHJ's acting to the point of generating my own vitriolic text. I haven't seen any of the previous incarnations of this story yet, though, so I probably won't watch this one any time soon.

Frist, the movie is not out. Second how KHJ will act in the drama? We know nothing about that but all of you reacts as if the movie and the male lead role are bad. Remember no one is perfect at the first try. actors needs to challenge themselve and gain experiences, lessons before they become better. I'm not a fan of this guy but judge him from BOF, he surely was better at acting than that of the members of F4 9 years ago in Meteor Garden. Guess what, every F4 members improved so much then. Give KHJ more chance to let him prove himself and see the movie before we can complain about him.
oh yeah, anyone who are negative about him or the remake shouldn't watch the drama when it comes out. take your word!!!!!!!!!!!!

^_^ ill still watch the series and see! am excited!

If KHJ totally kills the series, youll probably hear from me here~ big time!

At this time I would like to request for you guys to put down your pitch forks and torches for a while and please don't throw anything at me :)

Well, despite all your guys's opinions on the casting choice, I am actually okay with the decision to go with Kim Hyun Joong. He did switch management companies, maybe KeyEast (Bae Yong Jun) will help shape him into a better actor. I did see a glimmer of hope that he has improved when I watched the Gummy "As a Man" MV. Though it was just an MV it's still acting and I thought he did a good job in it portraying his character. Also, with all those CFs he's been shooting, maybe he's learned how to control his facial expressions and body language.

Example #1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnzJZTVy4q8
Example #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2iDEIAlgag

Since everyone gave their two cents on Kim Hyung Joong's prior performance in BOF I would also like to give mine. Yoon JiHoo was supposed to be this silent but tender hearted caretaker. A soulmate who says very little but who's facial expressions and body language speak louder than his words. Honestly, I think the character of Yoon JiHoo was hard for him to portray because it was a complex character, and with KHJ being a newbie actor and all, maybe that role shouldn't have been given to him. For whatever reasons, be it for eye candy or idol candy purposes, the role was given to him in the end, and though he wouldn't receive an oscar nomination, you have to give the guy points for trying his hardest in a role that he himself didn't completely understand. But c'mon people, its not like BOF was supposed to be a comic, heartfelt, love story drama that could compare to the likes of a drama like "Full House". From the very beginning BOF was an over the top, crazy, eye candy flashing drama, not one to be taken literally or to resemble reality.

All in all, I look forward to Kim Hyun Joong's portrayal of Zhi Shu/Naoki. The casting of the female lead is what I'm more concerned about, she is after all the one who will narrate the dama. My vote goes to Park Bo Yong. While I love Park Shin Hye, I don't think the part of Xiang Qin/Kotoko fits her, she's not quirky enough. As for KARA's Seungyeon and f(x) Sulli, Seungyeon is not a strong enough female lead and Sulli, I know 'age ain't nothin but a numba' but damn! she would look waaaaay too young next to Hyun Joong (sorry, she could be like his baby sister, it looks too creepy). Anyhow, Park Bo Yong all the way! I hope she gets it!

Wow, so much hate around here. I've never seen such a reaction against a casting. I get that many of you loved the original version (didn't watch it, can't give an opinion), but hey! Calm down, ladies and gentlemen...

I don't know, I didn't like him in BOF, but then, that drama was awful in every sense: direction, script, editing AND acting from almost everyone involved (even when it was highly addictive - *sigh* that's the thing with addictions, right?).

So, I don't know, perhaps with a good script, he can do it better...? Or maybe not, and we'll always be able to stop downloading this and watch something else :D

Ehh... not so sure about Kim Hyun Joong's acting! But idol-wise, I'm a fan of Park Shin Hye and Han Seung yeon and Sulli. As actresses, I'm not so sure.

I am not hopeful for this for simple reasons. When it comes to arts, it's about talent and hard work. If someone has talent, it usually shows right away. There's a spark of greatness. He doesn't/didn't have that.

So that means that he CAN become good with hard work as he's not a naturally talented actor, but I don't think he's had enough time to work as hard as he'd need to for the work to do what the natural talent would do for him.

He was so bad in BOF that he would have to be a genius to actually absorb knowledge on the art of acting fast enough and apply it on himself fast enough to be good in this one. If he's managed to become a decent actor within so little time, I'll cheer for him and say a well deserved "well done".

I just don't think he's the kind of guy to be a dormant amazing actor and he's said so himself that he's not good at it, which means his heart isn't in it, which means it's even more impossible that he's worked hard enough to become good.

I actually like the fact that he was cast in this drama, is a great opportunity for him to show that he has improved his acting, and that he can do a good job at it, so I think that before we start booing him and saying how much he will suck, we should wait to see what he has to offer this time around :)

*sobs* they've ruined it

I dont even know wat to say....

Okok, maybe he isn't the most suitable choice at all. But, I guess in a way think about it. Even if he does suck in this drama, it means it's a step up for him to improve as an actor. Just like how other actors/actresses sucked at first but gradually improved.

I'm not against him acting in a drama. I'm just against the fact that it's the lead role. If he wants experience, he should be in a supporting role.

I don't really have a problem with him. He's wooden, yes, but let's give him a second chance. Who knows, he might even surprise us. Plus he's soooooooooooooo pretty!

I'm shallow. So sue me.

A lot of really great actors had lousy starts and most of them would cringe at being judged for life based on one role. Considering his background I'm more than willing to give him another chance.

I wish they would go back on their word. KHJ's acting in BOF was hardly satisfactory. I also saw him in Gummy's mv and I just thought he was terrible in it. He didn't have any lines to say and he still managed to mess it up. As far as I know, all he did was just smile in that mv, with no other action worth noting about. Oh geez, I had little interest in this drama before b/c I couldn't stand the main female character (not the actress), but now this drama has effectively repelled me.

I'm gonna approach this drama without feeling biased against KHJ's stiff acting. I pray to God that he improved though!! But in a way he's not that bad of a choice since his character is taciturn & subtle. Haha yes, I'm consoling myself TT

Okay .... I loved him in We Got Married

so

so

so so so

(I'm trying to spit it out) ....

I hope that KHJ will be able to tap into his natural warmth at key moments in Playful Kiss and manage to look superior and condescending as opposed to bored and blank for the rest of the role .......

Maybe he'll just click with his co-lead, director, crew .... (please, Dear God, no Sulli) and it will all come together for right reasons.

Of course, the last thing KHJ needs is every negative thought about his acting pelting him from all over the known universe while he goes forward with the role.

All my best to you, KHJ!! <3

This is more disappointing than Germany losing to Spain!IT SHOULD BE IM JHUN WAN,the actor from Tamra the Island!That guy can act w/ no sweat!KHJ's acting SUCKS,capisce?!

arghgiehsffsihfhg;;;
oh god. please please please PLEASE no....
i will clutch onto the strayest strand of hope there is left: they pair kim hyun joong up with the best actress available and her talent rubs off on him and it makes for something okay to watch. or somehow the character is different enough from rui and turns out to be a shell that kim hyun joong can adapt.

that said, i am in sore disappointment for the leading ladies casting. park shin hye is decent, but she had the role of acting stupid and dense and winning the heart of a Mr. Darcy enough already. in cyrano, she'll be able to show that she is capable of being intelligent. here...not so much. and idol stars...gah.

lee min ho, jang geun suk....no?

Alright, I'm willing to give this a chance. I barely made it through BBF with his acting but I'm willing to give him a chance since I like his personality. I just hope that he has had some coaching after BBF so he can take on this role. Now all we have left is the main leading gal and I will know for sure if I will watch this one.

I laugh at myself for loving KHJ so much but still yelling NOOOO!! at the screen when I read the title of this post... We all love KHJ for being the hottie he is, but it's just such a disappointment when we see that he's been cast in a drama. I wonder if he knows he sucks so much.....? I think of it this way: Daniel Henney is pretty sucky at acting too, but we still watch it because he's just SO FREAKIN' HOTTTT. Am I right? I've decided I'm going to give KHJ a chance for this though. Who knows what might happen??

MuaHaHaHaHa...

*rubs hands in evil glee*

I can't WAIT to recap this...

I'm not a fan of KHJ, though I am a fan of his face for obvious reasons. A work of art I tell you, surgerised or otherwise.

I do feel like some are being waaaaaaaayyyy too harsh on him though. I mean, come on; he changed agencies so that he can get more acting opportunities.

Yes, one of the many reasons why BOF was insufferable was because of his 'stare-and-look-pretty-and-make-a-poopy-face-that-constitutes-crying' acting policy. But I thought everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY in BOF was insufferable. Yes, even the almighty LMH.

He has acknowledged his subpar acting in an interview; and he stated that he is working on it so that he can have more roles in the future. Give the guy some credit.

Who knows, maybe the reason he got picked was not because of his face, or general appeal to the fangirl republic, but because he actually aced his audition. Let's be honest here: the other two contenders ain't exactly awesome either, no?

Ooooh! Girlfriday, you'd recap this? Woot! Can't wait!

Well, if this news is going to be true I can predict the badest version of ISWAK - namely the Korean Version!

I am 100% the same opinion with JB and no one can imagine how disappointed I am.

It seems that the sayings about Group8 are correct. Bad production company.
Either they suck up with good stories
Or kill good dramas in shortening them
And are uncapable to cast proper actors

Gosh I am so angry and disappointed, cant tell you how much - This is a death blow to a ISWAK fan like me.

I can name many Korean actors for this role dispite this boy above....he is such an pale actor, it even was and is not worthy for me to remember his name (and thats my opinion!)

Like JB said for example IM JU HWAN would fit perfectly for this role, as like Will it snow for Christmas teen character KIM SOO HYUN or JI CHANG WOOK

Why is Group8 acting so uncool in casting an untalented actor - just for promotion.

This Drama dont need this kind of nonsense - stupid promotions by singer idols.
It is ISWAK ladies and gentleman - this is promotion on its highest rate for itself.

Cant they see, tha if they cast a proper actor that they will really win. People will be seriousl and eagerly watch it (guaranteed) just to compare the acting qualitiy between JOE CHENG and lets say IM JU HWAN ...???

A serious and talented korean actor it will create a bigger hipe than with this little untalented boy above...!
I have to say that ISWAK is the wrong drama for him to start as the main lead and to profile him as an serious actor - in my eyes faling is pre-programmed for him.
He should start with an unknown - new written drama where he will not be compared with Joe Cheng.

Yes, its a competion here. Who will create the better, the best ISWAK !
It doesnt base on the plot here, which everyone knows already.
It will base on the actors talent and quality for sure - because it will be the 4th version of ISWAK (Anime included)

So there is absolutely NO NEED for an 4th BAD version of ISWAK.

I am non korean - but I am keeping a proud for Korea, too! So don't ruin ISWAKS korean version in advance :(

Group8 - come to your senses !!!!

Gosh I am so what of p...offfff I have to leave this site just to calm down *grrrrrrrrrr*

Wish a good night to everybody.

Please Sulli, or Park Shin Hye!! They sound like wonderful choices! Especially Sulli, because I think she fits the character more, ever since seeing It Started With A Kiss...and ariel Lin's adorable performance.

I think Sulli is a very engaging, and great choice since her acting is not bad (from her previous acting roles).

I'm still looking forward to this!! Don't give up hope, Javabeans! Maybe we will all be pleasantly surprised! :)

i'm willing to give him a chance. maybe it's because i like that picture of him?? haha. but honestly, i don't really like park shin hye as an actress and i've always hated han seung yeon in general. if it has to be one of those three, i hope it's sulli. she's cute. now if park bo young comes into the picture again, there's hope

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY ?????!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOO! Even Jung Yong Hwa would have been better (less wooden at least). And if they hired Park Shin hye as the main female lead You're Beautiful fans would have gone nuts! But I guess the producers wanted to tap into the BBF fame. Sigh. Too bad.

Hmmm....if Park Shin-Hye is cast...I'm actually quite thrilled. I really like her. Now for KHJ...I didn't watch all of BBF but he did act quite wooden. Lucky Rui is very quite in my opinion so his action, albeit stiff, kind of in a way make sense. I think he looks nice. Shallow much? Nah, I'll judge when the drama comes out. hihi

oh come on, he wasn't that bad in boys over flowers. leave some room for changes and improvement. and i was actually looking forward for this drama..i think it could brought something that many would not expected.
agree with @60, he wasn't that great (as an actor) in bof, but was the drama THAT great to begin with? i mean, when you think about it, everyone's acting there were just mediocre.
as for is he fitting for the role, i can't have much opinion on this since i didnt watch the original.
but yeah, lets just leave this aside and give your thoughts of him after it airs. =)) then we can see and judge it fairly.

@ Girlfriday

You're recapping this? Really? For srs!?! Heck yeah!!! Now I'm going to have to watch this show in order to fully anticipate. I don't know about you guys, but I am in like flynn!

mannnnn, and i was really hoping it would be kim soo hyun! wtf~

Well, my reaction is huh? ok -- I hope they can make it work cause Naoki is a pretty important character. i really love the story and the manga and have seen both the TW and JP versions. I loved the TW version (but i'm biased i suppose).

I have no problems giving KJH another chance, however, he really really REALLY needs to prove himself as an actor. I read all the harsh opinions about him and I have to agree with them. He was pretty bad in BOF and I thought he was ok in WGM but that wasn't really acting like BOF. I think it's perfectly reasonable that people are judging him based on his past work... he did a mediocre job and so people think he's a mediocre actor. I don't think it's that harsh or that far fetched for people to think that. Here's his chance... he's been given a lead role in another very popular series and so he better step up his acting and then he can change people's opinions. The way to do it is to just turn out a better performance this time around. I hope for he can do that.

While I don't really think he's the best choice for this series, I'll see what he can do with it. But I'm definitely not as excited about it as I would normally be.

-- girlfriday --

WOO-HOO!! I will SO be all over this show if you're gonna recap it!! XD

things are looking up?? <8D

*think positive thoughts*

well... the main lead is suppose to be stoic and cold... maybe he might suit this role?

ok, that doesn't sound convincing.

then i'll just have to wait for the funny recaps - now i look forward to that.

BOO. D:

Oh man, I'm so disappointed. Like javabeans said, if it was Kim Soo-hyun or Im Joo-hwan, I would've been all for it and hyped up for the drama. :/

I honestly don't think that he could've improved enough to be able to take on a lead role. Just my opinion.

Maybe the female lead will be someone with proven acting ability and it'll jumpstart my interest.

I'm not that excited...really.

Hey... original never beats anyway! Almost anyone who watches drama already know the story to this so who cares??? At least he'll be yummy to look at. And whoever can't take this... just don't watch or mute it, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the TV! haha... People here are just sooo serious...

@38 bacca-

lol, yes, everyone at AKP is supporting KHJ, mean while, here, it's quite a sad, horrible piece of news. I simply stated "wow, this sucks" and immediately receive about 20 thumbs down on AKP article.

Girlfriday is recapping? well, we'll see how it goes then.

Damn it, girlfriday! Now I may have to put this on my radar just for the recaps! Then I'm gonna waste all my time wading thru the comment wanks too. D: