Joo-won offered lead in Korean remake of Nodame Cantabile

271 February 25, 2014October 19, 2014

Joo-won offered lead in Korean remake of Nodame Cantabile

by javabeans

Ooh, interesting. Dramaland is pursuing a Korean remake of hit Japanese drama (and manga and anime) Nodame Cantabile, and while it’s only in the very early stages, already the property has generated a lot of buzz about potential casting.

The first big name to be floated as the clumsy but lovable heroine was IU, but her reps swiftly put the kibosh to those rumors, saying that she had yet to receive a formal offer. The same back-and-forth met the latest news about Joo-won being offered a leading role (“It’s still early in the process!” “He hasn’t even received a synopsis!” “Oh wait, yes he has!”), but his agency did eventually confirm that he’d been offered the part.

I haven’t seen the classical-music-themed Japanese drama—which was quite popular in Korea as well—but I have seen the anime, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it after expecting something simple, loose, and unassuming. Nodame Cantabile is set at a music college and centers around students studying to become professional musicians and composers, with a quirky set of characters led by heroine Nodame and the uptight perfectionist she falls in love with, Chiaki.

The story has a witty, sardonic touch to balance out the wacky cast of characters, which is great in grounding the zaniness (as Japanese dramas can get rather surreal and over-the-top in their comedies). It also makes lovely use of classical pieces (which I love, as a big fan of classical music) and has an understanding of the music without necessarily getting bogged down in it—above all, it’s a story of blossoming relationships and personal growth. And now I’m pretty much going to finish writing this post and hunt down the live-action drama now that this news has reminded me to watch it.

I can definitely see why IU would be the go-to name to play Nodame, the chirpy, cheery savant who can barely read music but has a magical touch with the piano. IU has the ability to play quirky and bumbling in a relatable, charming everygirl way, as she’s done in her previous roles (Pretty Man, Dream High, You’re the Best Lee Soon-shin).

And now that Joo-won is up to play Chiaki, I can absolutely see him as the piano virtuoso with the sterling reputation, who harbors the secret wish to shift his attention from playing the piano to conducting. Their relationship kind of reminds me of IU and Jang Geun-seok in Pretty Man, actually, with her basically throwing herself at him all the time and him gradually getting attached, despite pushing her away in disdain at the outset.

Manga and manhwa adaptations have been all the rage for years now, but they’ve met with mixed success so I really hope they do a proper job of remaking Nodame Cantabile, which I find too charming in its existing versions to muck up with a bad version now. I also recall that Beethoven Virus was touted as a pseudo Nodame series when it launched, but that show sorta became all about Kang Maestro (for good reason) and aside from being vaguely about classical music I found it very little like Nodame.

Producing the remake is Group Eight, which has basically cornered the market on manga and anime remakes (see: Boys Before Flowers, Tamra the Island, Goong, Pretty Man). They’ve licensed the property and are aiming for a broadcast in the second half of the year. Fingers crossed, y’all.

Via Newsen, Star News, TV Daily

271

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101 dearly

February 26, 2014 at 4:04 PM

I vote for Park Bo Young or Kim Ah Joong.

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102 143512

February 26, 2014 at 4:56 PM

seems an odd choice. Joo Won never struck me as excelling at straight man comic timing - but maybe he'll do alright. Even more than most manga/jdrama adaptions, nodame was very well suited to the over-the-top whacky style of jdramas. That is a part of the charm. So sweet and endearing. If you havent seen the original give it a try before the korean version comes out.

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103 Sm

February 26, 2014 at 5:24 PM

Korea does have actors who can do quirky. They tend to be film actors, though. Or they're too old for the role. I can see Han Hyo Joo being a great Nodame.

I am a huge fan of the manga. Enjoyed the drama, but for me it's just one interpretation. The jdrama was way over the top than the manga and I didn't think it captured the somewhat more refined, at times realistically dramatic, feeling the manga conveyed. So I'd love to see a live action that feels a little more natural, while retaining the manga's whimsy and quirkiness.

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104 blah

February 26, 2014 at 5:29 PM

Meh to Joo Won. He seems like a hard-worker, but a hard-worker does not make a good actor. His acting expressions from role to role are always the same. Plus, he lacks charisma; so boring on screen.

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maryss

February 26, 2014 at 8:49 PM

Huh? Are we talking about the same Joo Won?? he's totally different from role to role, i don't know how can someone say such things, really messed up

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dearly

February 26, 2014 at 9:42 PM

Glad I'm not the only one. I like Joo Won but he never really stuck out. I sort of get bored watching him act. In fact, I never finished Gakistal (sp??) despite the positive reviews. I stopped watching after Shin Hyun Joon's character died. He was the only character I was invested in. Joo Won's character was quite bland & the lead female was just really bad. Joo Won isn't that bad of an actor but he's not the best as well. I've seen better.

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Jea

February 27, 2014 at 5:17 AM

That's why you can't see his excellent acting because you've seen only until that ep????? That's just the beginning! oh please....

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Lilith

February 27, 2014 at 7:09 AM

There's a saying, Save the Best For Last. You just missed the best parts of Gaksital. But anyway... I just saw the best of the best so... hmmmm.

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midflower

March 31, 2014 at 12:21 PM

T.T Gaksital/Bridal Mask was what made me realize how great Joo Won is...Seriously, that was a great drama.

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Lilith

February 27, 2014 at 6:59 AM

Hmmm... I wonder what a good actor is to you. And boring, well, it will depend on your type. Maybe Joo Won is not your type that is why he comes out as boring. I've seen so many boring actors and they are actually the popular ones. Sheesh. They are not really my type, maybe they are your type?

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dearly

February 27, 2014 at 2:31 PM

Could be. We have quite different tastes and views on 'good actor'. Each to his/her own.

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105 byuldreamer

February 26, 2014 at 6:37 PM

this sounds sooo good..and even better with joowon added to it...but the producers make me wary :(

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106 UZ

February 26, 2014 at 7:31 PM

Woohoooo!!! Japanese NC is one of my all-time fav dramas.. not so sure if joo won can pull off this Chiaki character convincingly... But i'm 100% sure that no one can do that super loveable Nodame as good as Ueno Juri.

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107 sakurai

February 26, 2014 at 7:46 PM

I might be biased or crazy...

Can i have Kim Soohyun as Chiaki and Gong Hyojin as Nodame. I know Gong Hyojin is a lil older but i think she'll definitely nail the Nodame character well..

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108 Jasmine

February 26, 2014 at 8:28 PM

There seems to be a real paucity of qualified K-actresses in their 20s. I'm not going to lie, the 30-something actresses people keep mentioning are NOT fit for Nodame. They're simply too old. I really hope the remake won't be a mockery of the original version...it's just too distressing to think about. :(

Some people have a problem with Joowon as Chiaki, but keep in mind that the Japanese script made it so that Nodame's character was the glue that held it all together. The real spirit behind NC was Ueno Juri's performance as Nodame. And the musical numbers itself. lol Cross fingers that the actress who eventually signs on is either superb in acting experience or a relative unknown, like Lee Min Ho was before BOF.

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109 Muhammad Haikal

February 26, 2014 at 9:22 PM

I dont care AS LONG AS IU doesn't play nodame.. It will be my nightmare... Casting popular actor doesnt meant that the drama will be good.. I think they need to come up with fresh face so that it will be a lot of fun and interesting... but even so, always a remake will be so boring and will not be as good as the original drama. I love Nodame Cantabile because its like my first Japanese drama I ever watch and I still love it so freaking much...
korea may make a good remake only if it is produce by a good production company... by the looks of it, i dont really think they can. I might be wrong but hopefully I do can fall in love again with this remake..

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110 jubilantia

February 26, 2014 at 9:53 PM

NNNNNNNG best show everrrrrrrr

Ok, maybe not the best, but it's up there for me as one of the first asian dramas I watched. Joo Won would be so awesome as Chiaki! Hopefully they get him.

I haven't watched the anime yet, but the live-action is pretty great. Now I want to re-watch....

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111 Jen2014

February 27, 2014 at 6:46 AM

i dunno guys but i think IU would fit the role of nodame :))))) i just finished watching pretty man and i could say it was hella awesome ! with sukkie and all..
*cheersfortheremake!* nodame cantabile has been my number one fave japanese drama (movie as well) aside from gokusen, and hana kimi and hana yori dango and nobuta wo produce and kurosagi and great teacher onizuka and my pet and proposal daisakusen and yamato nadeshiko and absolute boyfriend and life and (should i say more?) and cherry on top Joo won was casted (too fast as to say offered) as Chiake senpaiiiii !
Chiaki at nodame cantabile is piping hot and a great actor! fits the role of nodame ..(fingers crossed someone has to pick the best woman to roll out the role of nodame)
Fighting oppa ! Another drama to watch this 2014 !

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112 Shaista

February 27, 2014 at 7:39 AM

Nodame Cantabile is my all time favorite J-drama. I doubt anything can surpass the Japanese version. And I'm not sure about Joo Won playing Chiaki. I just can't picture him as Chiaki. I agree with the others about Joo Ji Hoon. He's got this Chiaki's vibe as a real person alone.

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113 Mia

February 27, 2014 at 8:18 AM

Nodame-chan!!! Chiaki-sama!!! The drama and the movie was one of my favourites!!! I'd really like to see Joo won in a korean remake, and hopefully they don't butcher it. Now I want to watch it again for the nth time!!! Nodame!!!

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114 Jess

February 27, 2014 at 9:14 AM

This has the potential to be a big mess. Joo Won's acting is too mechanical like process meat. IU, I haven't seen her in anything yet. So not sure.

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115 Luisa

February 27, 2014 at 2:22 PM

i would definitely cast Goo Hye Sun as Nodame.

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116 Carcerie

February 27, 2014 at 5:45 PM

Yes! This is the best news I've read today! I hope Joo-won takes it. He'd be the best bet for the korean version of Chiaki. I'm not sure about IU being Nodame though.

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117 Justme21

February 27, 2014 at 7:04 PM

Joo Won as Chiaki senpai.....*staring at his 'James Bond' photos from last year's award shows*... Oh, hell yeah!!!

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118 MatchaBun

February 28, 2014 at 11:25 PM

I spontaneously screaming NOOO!!!! when I first read the news that Joo Won offered the role as Chiaki Senpai,
I've watched the dorama, anime and read the manga of Nodame Cantabile and in all of those Chiaki Senpai is portrayed as someone who speaks with assertive and quite manly, not like Joo Won that speaks child-like (I've seen him in Gaksital, Kim Tak Gu, Good Doctor & 2 Days 1 Night),
Joo Won not suitable to be Chiaki Senpai!!!

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119 mirae

March 1, 2014 at 12:43 AM

joo won or Kim ha neul..jang eun ji as nodame! :D

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120 mirae

March 1, 2014 at 12:46 AM

JOO WON or KIM HA NEUL (got that uptight personality) for CHIAKI.
KIM JI WON or JANG EUN JI for nodame (they're talented and crazy!)

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121 Yana

March 1, 2014 at 9:44 AM

I was thinking of Yoo yeon suk as the character...

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122 RaineeDays

March 7, 2014 at 1:02 PM

I say let Shing Shing's Sweet Potato be Chiaki =)

SUNG JOON!!!!!

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123 midflower

March 31, 2014 at 12:15 PM

I think Joo Won is a good choice..but IU? :\ I've tried watching her dramas yet I just can't warm up to her. I think she's charming, but Nodame is a very special character to me T.T I don't think IU can do her justice!

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124 omona onna

May 18, 2014 at 11:49 PM

OMG!!

i am absolutely baffled with this idea.

how will they translate Nodame's GYABOOO~ scream into korean later? that's her absolutely quirky charm ^^

Joo-Won? hmm...i do see it..but it would be preferable if he's looking a bit older (he looks way younger than his age. not that i'm oppose ;) ....Joo ji hoon or Lee Sun Gyun would be ok. Nodame, it'll be really hard to match i guess!~ Ha ji won? or new or underrated actress would be nice too...

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Cantabile Tomorrow