How disappointing! Ditto to what everyone have been saying thus far. YoonA cannot act and it doesn't seem like she can sing either. She's just pretty ... but there are so many actresses that are pretty and can actually ACT. Was the PD on something when he was making the decision? What a downer. I guess I won't be missing much, but I was kind of looking forward to it ... since his works introduced me to kdrama.

Ewww... the premise is so lame, I'm going to watch this ha ha ha :P

same here..i think she's FLAT.. :(

1) Jang Geun-seok is a heck of an actor.
2) YoonA has not yet proved her acting chops, so we are all slightly disappointed in the casting because we believe Han Hyo-joo would have been a better female lead. That's NOT to say YoonA is an evil person and we're antis. It just says that we don't think she's as great of an actress as HHJ.
3) Ratings don't mean much. Just because a plot line and doesn't draw interest doesn't mean it's the cast's fault. If Mary Stayed Out All Night sucked, it's not because JGS or Moon Geun-young are bad actors. If You Are My Destiny had high ratings, it's not because YoonA's an amazing actress.

Wow - hope Yoon-ah can swim, 'cause she's getting thrown into the deep end of the pool in this one.

This is really an odd development in casting, especially when thinking of all the talented young actresses out there who have more acting experience - Yoon-ah is going to get eaten alive being cast opposite JGS, especially since it's a DOUBLE role in two time periods. Her smiling that cute smile and wearing pretty period clothes just isn't going to cut it, but maybe she'll surprise us all (or not).

Hmm, I don't know. I'm a huge fan of SNSD and Yoona, but I definitely not expect her to be casted in this project. Like almost everyone else, I expect a more mature, experienced, and definitely proven actress. As much as I love this kid, she's not an amazing actress... even some certain SNSD members are better actress than her, imo.

But, hey, the PD has chosen her for this role, so I have faith on them. The Season Dramas were my first Korean drama... I'll still anticipate this one.

Arrrgh, it's really hard to see her in this, though. :( *Fighting Im-choding, I hope you improve~!*

There's another thing that bothers me, SNSD girls are just finishing 14 shows of Japanese Tour, 5 shows of Asia Tour (and is still going) and now is scheduled to comeback to Korean market within few weeks... How on earth she would handle the damn schedule? Poor girl will be so overworked :(

I'm not sure why everyone's so disappointed here, the girl's only had 2 acting gig (in which one was tremendously successful). I don't think 2 gigs is a fair representation of whether she can 'act' or not, especially since it's been years since her last.

Besides, if the writer + PD can make probably one of the, if not the most successful drama a decade ago. I'm pretty sure that they know what they're doing casting Yoona.

great. on to drown in a sea of BORING. friiiick!

Really, this "anon" person is like a broken record. I've never watched Yoona act, so I won't pass any judgment on whether or not she's a good fit for her role, but honestly, you're starting to sound like an annoying, buzzing fly. Stop copying and pasting parts of your comments (how many times now have you written "PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS"?); you're losing credibility with every new comment you (re)post, and as an obvious fan of Yoona (and possibly a Sone, considering how many times you've denied it), you're actually making her seem bad. It's nice that you really like and support her, but leave people alone. They're entitled to their opinions, whether you think they're biased or not. (Also, I'm not entirely certain why you believe that being a uni student means you know what you're talking about. Hate to be a grammar Nazi, but your spelling and grammar are all over the place, and your zeal is almost hysterical.)

one word: UGH.

ughhhh i was so looking 4wd to this drama too :( guess i wont be watching it ><

She's bland in SNSD too. Girl's just bland.

FYI one lead just doesnt carry a drama not once have i watched a korean drama and seen one lead carry the drama by him/herself.

some people are disappointed in the overall casting myself included because it is impossible for just JGS to fully carry the drama by himself. the way i see it this drama's female casting was based on popularity not acting skills, because honestly speaking how could Yoona have won over HAN HYO JOO in terms of acting and rating queen??

Seriously what was the PD thinking??? Anyone wanna bet this drama will be a ratings flop???

I'm disappointed with her casting too but I'm most definitely not going to throw away the series. Maybe she'll prove herself and make us eat our words? I didn't like UEE in YB either (thought she was average at best) but I was pleasantly surprised with her acting in Birdie Buddy and OB.

Anon, you seem to be taking this way too personally. Maybe you're a hardcore SONE, but standing up for your idol in this fashion does more harm than good.

Just because some of us don't think Yoona is a good actress and is not on par with Jang Geun-suk does not mean we're an anti.

We're entitled to our own opinions.

I preferred previous casting much better... I like Han Hyo Joo. I don't know what to think because everyone mentioned that this PD is good at pocking the cast, so I won't say anything about acting ability.

I am disappointed because I thought Han Hyo Joo and Jang Geun Seok would be a good couple

not gonna watch this drama anymore... JGS is one of the best actor of his generation and needs someone who can keep up with him acting wise...

i don't have anything against Yoona but there are other WAY better actresses that fit the “pure and healthy energy, and natural beauty,” requirements of the drama... it may not be Moon Geun Young or Han Hyo Joo...

i applaud Yoona for challenging herself but IMHO this might be stretching too far... she can take acting workshops and all but there are things that can only be learned through years of experience and that is what she's lacking...

Honestly I saw Yoona in Cinderella Man and 9E2O and I thought she wasn't very expressive. Jb is right, she's bland :( And this is a melodrama.

wow, this is totally unexpected. I really don't know what to say..just well.... flat.

awww what a bummer. i don't really know how she'll fare with JGS's acting. I've seen some parts of her dramas before and errrr i was not impressed. i wish a better and stronger actress was casted. someone who can level with JGS's acting ability. oh well...

darn i'm so disappointed.

I watched You are my destiny, It was a good family drama, I liked so much the second pair (the one that was teacher that liked the mother of one of his students!) And some veterans plot I also enjoyed. I think Yoona was decent, nothing amazing or WOW, but decent. Sometimes she bothered me because she did a sad face and sounds to show she was crying, but when I looked to her face I didn't see any tears at all... this bothered me, yes in some scene she did great at crying but in others not soo much. Actually she cried so much in that drama...

So when I heard about the news I didn't like it.
I mean, it's a melodrama ... if she didn't improve her crying scenes It will be hard to watch.

And Sones say she is THE actress, awesome and all this crap. She is decent for a idol - but for a actress? No, have much better actress out there - you can't deny it.

But I'll watch the drama.

Jang Geun-seok is going to swallow her alive, spit her back out, and then swallow her all over again in their scenes. They should have gotten someone with more convincing acting chops rather than go with someone's 'look'. JGS needs someone who can volley back in terms of acting.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I believe a good director can make a so-so actress into a legit one. I just hope YoonA can pull her character's personality together. Anyways it is still has Jang Geun Suk who has already proven what a great actor he can be.

so glad hhj is not doing this... the plot sounds like a hot mess

in regards to yoonA, I dnt think shes that bad, but the storyline is helmed on the emotion and if the pd wants to make it work, he needs strong actors. Yoona's not there yet, this would be a stepping stone for acting ability, but for the pds comeback... dnt know what hes thinking

All I can say is am disappointed. Perhaps she is cute and sings-that's all. Lacks in acting dept but I guess she is popular enough with the public that they may forgive her lackluster acting ability. Hope JKS can carry this movie - on 2nd thought he has no choice, but to do it because Yoona's limited acting experience won't do much.

I heard Han Hyo Joo rejected the offer. And just yesterday I was looking at Lee Min Ho and Yoona's Eider photo shoots going 'What would happen in Yonna got cast in JGS's new drama?"

And then I went on dramabeans and saw this post. I'm psychic, I tell you.

But people! What's with the hating? If this turns out to be really good, then everyone is gonna be on the ground, eating up their words. If it turns out to be a big flopping mess, well....I would still watch for JGS. Heard he was FINALLY cutting his hair!

I've never seen Yoona act so i can't pass judgement on her acting ability but i am suprised by the casting, i think i'll have to wait and see if theres praise towads the drama as a whole before i actually watch or discard this drama~

It should've been Han Hyo Joo. I've never really seen YoonA's acting, yet I feel like Han Hyo Joo would be more suitable for a melodrama.

Poor JGS...this was his time to shine, to have his best drama and now, it will be overshadowed by fangirling, romancess and all those hateful things that have nothing to do with the quality of the series...why???!!! First the ratings, then the script and now the girl!!! Why???!!!

I don't know her as an actress, but she doesn't have the weight, the status needed. Besides I personally think that snds girls are like trainned dolls, except from Tiff (my bias XD) unlike Jgs who is so lively!!!

Even when she could act a bit, she needs much more than that. I mean is Jang Geun Suk, the best actor of his generation. It' s a pity that this opportunity he had to grow up is wasted. The story is not that good either, weird and uncomprehensible...

I will watch it, at least i will try...i hated msoan, i couldn't stand it, the plot was horrible ...i must say i'm relieved it's not mgy, i simply dislike her...she's overrated. There are many young actresses as talented as her...( i.e an off topic comment :) )

Well, we must accept it...

Aish, it pains me to know that many possible viewers will not see it because of her!!!

Man, her crying scenes made me cringe in YMD. Maybe she had gotten better as the show went on, which was way too long to test my patience. She did win awards for that role though, then again, sometimes they don't mean much.

Hmm have to say I'm disappointed..This news somehow just made the drama less 'solid' in my mind...Oh well...Highly likely I won't be watching....never really liked the genre much and this puts me of...No offence to SNSD fans...Let me just say that I DO like/respect Yoona, before anyone bashes me for this post.

My interest in the drama just went down to ZERO with Yoona in it. My baby JGS will have to work very hard to pull this drama off.
I don't think I can stand to watch it even for JGS. If I don't like the actors no matter how good the story is I cannot get in to it, sorry that's just me.

Really? Seriously? I love JGS from the very first time I saw him and I don't think an idol can match his level at all.
If it ís my choice, I would like to choose Park Bo Young (is she the one in Speedy Scandal?) Her natural image, her acting and her cuteness is all I wish for some1 who is pairing with JGS.

Wait........... is it possible for JGS to withdraw from this drama??????
I never find Yoona that beautiful or talented. She's cute, that all. I'm so dissapointed.

This sucks.
I get that she has the "pure, fresh appeal" - after all, she's loved in Korea and every idol always picks her as his ideal girlfriend material.
And maybe she was good in auditions, and her performance will improve a lot from her previous work.
but.......
no one will convince me that she'll do a much better job than a professional actress. And no one will convince me she was chosen because of her brilliant acting. She's Yoona from SNSD and her company is SM. That's why she was cast.

i hope she can grow to become a better actress by working with/learning from jang geun suk

Awww... I was looking forward to HHJ and JGS. I cringed when i saw Yoon-ah. IMO she should just stick to dancing and singing and HHJ is definitely a better actress.

I'm still hoping that this news isn't official yet, even though i know it is...

Honestly, I am happy Han Hyo-joo is not in this. Actually -- Yippee!!!!

Sorry, just cannot tolerate (stomach) her any more. Never thought of her as a good actress. Somehow it seems difficult separating the actress' ability from the likeability of the roles/people she plays. Has she ever played a challenging role?

She especially lacks talent in "Heaven's Postman." Uf da!!

I am certainly more than willing to give a new actress a chance. Now, even more so, since she has edged out this other one who is so tiresome.

oh nooo.....i don't like this news...

I wanted to see a new drama with Han Hyo Joo in it....The story line sounds decent, so I'll just watch the first episode and see how it is

Aw, like others I'm quite shocked and somewhat disappointed at this choice.

Honestly, I'm a sone but Yoona has a long way to go as an actress, and to have a lead in a heavy project like this with a prestigious director and male lead like JGS... it just really isn't looking good D:

I'm still going to give it a chance to see how it will pan out though. Hopefully we'll be pleasantly surprised at her acting...

and @ anon, calm down! People have their own opinions, and acting is quite subjective. You and some other sones may think she's a good actress, but others won't. I'm a sone, and I will support her in her activities but in my honest opinion, she isn't very good at expressing her emotions. She can let the tears out but her eyes don't correspond to the mood.

Sigh, there are better rookie actresses or even idol actresses than Yoona. She was just terrible in YAMD and Cinderella Man. I know this because I was actually hooked on YAMD mainly because I wanted to know what happened next with the storyline and stuff. But if we talk about her acting alone, then yeah it's pretty cringe-worthy.

she CAN'T act, i prefer Han Hyo-joo, she's fun to watch and her acting is not dry and tasteless. I saw cinderalla man, and she was horrible. She should stick to being pretty, that's what she's good act, just my opinion

why are idols these dya think just because the can sing (barely) they can act? don't get me wrong some of them have the gift like micky and hero but others should just stick to singing, it would make everybody happy...