Get your first look at musical drama What’s Up
by javabeans
We haven’t had much news about the musical-themed drama What’s Up, but the production has just released a four-minute trailer giving us our first real look at the show. And I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with the results; the characters seem well-developed and the cast looks strong.
In the trailer, several students at the university musical department are asked why they decided on their major. Series lead Im Joo-hwan (Tamra the Island) kicks us off with a punchline — it’s because he made a mistake. Contrast that to his nervous, earnest colleague, who declares that being a musical actor “is my destiny.”
You may recognize the opening song; it’s the famous solo from the Jekyll & Hyde musical, and you can hear Jo Seung-woo‘s version here. It was, in fact, a very popular pick among aspiring actors when the drama held its open auditions.
Meanwhile, Daesung seems to be playing an affable sort, which suits his personality; in contrast, I love that Im Joo-eun (Hon) is playing a surly, tough type who retorts to their teacher (musical and television actor Oh Man-seok) she doesn’t care to become a star. Jang Hee-jin (brought in to replace Jeon Hye-jin) looks like the uptight, snooty type who clashes with Im Joo-eun’s laid-back attitude, while lanky model-turned-actor Lee Soo-hyuk is a reclusive genius composer who holds the other students in awe.
Im Joo-hwan’s main character has a few dryly humorous lines sprinkled throughout, such as, “What’s a musical?” He’s the outsider with a cynical take on this world that the others hold so dear, but I’m guessing that he’ll soon discover his own hidden talent, whatever that may be. (Funny enough, that reminds me of Kim Soo-hyun’s character in the similarly-themed Dream High, in that Kim’s character also gets his start for other reasons and then discovers his own skills once he’s part of the school. Even funnier, Kim and Im have long reminded me of each other — both have a similar tall, lanky appearance and strong, intense screen charisma.)
The drama, which still doesn’t have a solid airdate scheduled, is looking at a 2011 premiere.
Thanks to user crysalide for pointing me to the trailer. Watch below.
RELATED POSTS
Tags: Daesung, Im Joo-eun, Im Joo-hwan, Jang Hee-jin, Lee Soo-hyuk, What's Up
![[Cast Away] A psychometric marries his enemy to foil her plans](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/castaway_header1.png)
![[Beanie Recs] Dramas about fangirling](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BeanieRecs.jpg)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
51 katz
November 9, 2010 at 6:50 PM
This looks good! will be watching out for it!
Thanks for the trailer!
Required fields are marked *
52 marmar
November 9, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Um..is this the Korean version of Fame then?
Everything about it hella reminds me of Fame plus they have one of the main songs of Fame in the trailer...
So I'm assuming What's Up is Fame & Dream High is gonna be like Glee.
Looks like Korea is jumping on the musical drama bandwagon now after seeing how its such a big hit in America...
Required fields are marked *
53 ar_arguably romantic
November 9, 2010 at 7:10 PM
looks awesome! The trailer really makes the drama feel like a movie.
Im Joo Hwan's voice sounds a bit like Lee Seon Kyun's! And Im Joo Eun looks so different and badass here! I loved her in Hon.
Who is the girl who talks really fast and did the speech with the accent? She looks familiar! or maybe she just looks like someone else...
Required fields are marked *
54 bottledjeaney
November 9, 2010 at 8:33 PM
for some reason...Im Joo-hwan looks like a mixture of jang keun suk ang kyuhyun of suju...
this drama looks nice....*adds to list
Required fields are marked *
55 boldgirls
November 9, 2010 at 8:59 PM
look like 9lee (maybe)..correct me if im wrong..
Required fields are marked *
56 Ashley
November 9, 2010 at 9:05 PM
Soooo... Is it just me, or are this and Dream High meant to be the Korean versions of Glee?
Required fields are marked *
Ashley
November 9, 2010 at 9:10 PM
Actually, now that I think of it, it's more like Fame, so I guess its appropriate they used the song in the preview ;)
Required fields are marked *
thatguy
November 9, 2010 at 9:12 PM
This is more like the Korean version of "Fame". They even sang it's theme song in the trailer.
Required fields are marked *
57 Rachael
November 9, 2010 at 9:15 PM
Wow.
Haven't been this excited about a drama in awhile! Definately watching this one soon as I can (with subs of course) when it airs.
Required fields are marked *
58 yl
November 9, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Marathoned Tamra over the weekend and all I have to say is....Team Park Kyu!!!!
Will be watching this for Im Joo Hwan =)
Required fields are marked *
59 Lala
November 9, 2010 at 10:29 PM
The trailer looks great! I am now a fan of Daesung and will also be forever be in team park kyu.
But did Im Joo-hwan lose weight????? When I looked at his pictures during his park kyu days, he was more handsome. At the trailer his face looks, thin.
Required fields are marked *
60 red
November 9, 2010 at 10:31 PM
i think a drama format is better for a korean fame (its more fame than glee in my opinion)...
fame i thought was so rushed and you couldn't achieve much with that many characters and just 2 or so hours....
Required fields are marked *
61 rhea
November 9, 2010 at 11:04 PM
The song is "This is the Moment"! A winning song. I remember Filipino Eric Santos singing this on tv. Gave me goosebumps because you can really feel the emotions.
Too excited for this!!
:)
Required fields are marked *
62 Katherine
November 9, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Honestly I'm only watching this drama because of DaeSung BUT the other actors & actresses have caught my attention though.
Required fields are marked *
63 xiaoSxin
November 9, 2010 at 11:23 PM
after watching the trailer for the nth time. I am still feeling giddy and excited over this drama!! Lim Ju Hwan looks amazing!! I hope he shines the most in this drama!!!
TEAM PARK KYU all the way!!!
Required fields are marked *
64 pickles
November 10, 2010 at 1:17 AM
My gosh!!! I had like absolutely no expectations about this drama. But the trailer just blew me away!
Required fields are marked *
65 Crysalide
November 10, 2010 at 4:41 AM
Thanx Javabeans for featuring the article. Can't wait for this drama and have a high rating. I want Daesung drama debut to be DaeBak!
Required fields are marked *
xiaoSxin
November 10, 2010 at 7:42 AM
Me too! I also want this drama to have HiGH ratings.. I want it to be EPIC.
And LiM JU Hwan to win an acting award.. He definitely deserves it with his Tamra performance. I hope this one will be ThE ONE!
Required fields are marked *
66 Da-da
November 10, 2010 at 11:00 AM
I am sucker for this kind of things... I'll be totally watching!
Required fields are marked *
67 Mars
November 10, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Wow, this looks so good! Everyone is so pretty! The visuals are film quality! I'm buzzing with excitement.
Also, to all that think that this looks like Glee, we need to be hopin' and prayin' that doesn't turn out to be even remotely the same. Glee is so, so problematic and so bogged down with unlikable poorly drawn characters, I couldn't stomach it beyond the first half of S1.
Required fields are marked *
68 Lan
November 10, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Why did Jeon Hye-jin leave the production by the way? I don't remember hearing that before this... And who is the female lead? Im Joo Eun or the other girl?
Required fields are marked *
69 elisa
November 10, 2010 at 4:45 PM
lol is that a song from fame
anyways, IM JOOO HWAN IS FINALLY BACKKK. MY BABY. :)
how does he end up looking even younger than before LOL.
Required fields are marked *
70 thatguy
November 10, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Yes it is.
Required fields are marked *
71 kdrama-hunter
November 10, 2010 at 10:35 PM
LOL, just realize the song few minutes ago. Honestly, i don't like it. If they make another song without copying original song from their movie's reference because i love korean song. Hope this is works like "Yo soy Betty, la fea" American version : Ugly Betty.
Just for info, the song "Fame" won an oscar from first FAME film (1980)
Required fields are marked *
72 Hipployta
November 11, 2010 at 2:14 PM
Umm...that was the Fame song...is this the k-drama version of Fame on the low? LOL
Required fields are marked *
73 sunshine
November 11, 2010 at 3:03 PM
I also just realized who Jeon Hye Jin was, and I'm really disappointed that she won't be in the show.
Required fields are marked *
74 Beng
November 13, 2010 at 5:45 AM
oh, wonderful!!! i will surely enjoy watching this =)
Required fields are marked *
75 SadieStarr
November 17, 2010 at 3:45 PM
i realli want to wtch this...it luks realli intersting..&the cast is realli nice
Required fields are marked *
76 NOVO
November 20, 2010 at 6:44 AM
please will y'all be recap this drama ?
i really really hope for this drama because of im joo hwan
Required fields are marked *
77 Pancakemuffins91
November 25, 2010 at 3:11 PM
Whoa! Really looking forward to this drama! Love the camerawork and the cast seems pretty solid...i think the only minus for me is the songs...not too fond of the singers voices...i think dream high might do better with the soundtrack since a majority of the cast is idols and i think kim soo hyun's acting might carry dream high but I don't really know what to say about the other cast members.
Required fields are marked *
78 kims
December 14, 2010 at 12:44 AM
looks promising :) hope to watch it soon... but yeah it seems to be the korean version of "fame"...hope that it will be a success :)
Required fields are marked *
79 blueangel
February 15, 2011 at 3:17 PM
So it's like dream hight but if only the characters were in college and not high school and the idol stars are replaced with actors. sounds interesting to see how it differs.
Required fields are marked *
80 biankoy
February 26, 2011 at 5:21 AM
i was totally ignoring this drama (sorry i was blind to anything without dream high in it) until i saw two words:
DAE SUNG!!!
OMG. I ♥ Dae Sung!!!!
I can see a lot of crap, how people are belittling dae sung because of his looks (as compared to other big bang members)
BUT Dae Sung is really oozing with talent!
and he IS hot! take a look at those eyes. squeeeeeee!
now I'm looking forward to this.
Required fields are marked *