Jaejoong eyes KBS Friday night drama Spy

50 November 24, 2014November 24, 2014

by girlfriday

There was a rumor that KBS was going to keep scheduling dramas in the primetime slot on Friday nights, which seems like an interesting gamble since its current teen drama High School Love On is struggling to build an audience on its erratic (and frequently preempted) once-a-week schedule. But mostly I blame tvN for turning Friday-Saturday dramas into a successful timeslot; with hits like Misaeng bringing in over 5% ratings, now other networks are shifting their programming schedules to follow suit: JTBC has moved Maids to Friday-Saturday, and now KBS has announced their new Friday night drama Spy.

Idol actor Kim Jaejoong (Triangle, Dr. Jin) is being courted to headline the new series, and he’s considering favorably for now. The new drama is reportedly based on an Israeli drama about a mother who’s a former spy and her secret agent son, though the source material wasn’t named in casting reports.

The Korean drama will be adapted to North and South politics, naturally, and will begin with a fictionalized retelling of the circumstances surrounding the execution of North Korean general Jang Sung-taek, the political advisor to dictators Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un who married into the family and was eventually executed by his nephew for treason. There isn’t much plot information beyond that, but it seems like we might be looking at a hard-hitting spy action drama.

KBS is being pretty cagey about the details — some reports say that the series will air two episodes a week on Friday nights beginning in the 9 PM hour, which is a strange way to burn episodes, if they really mean to do a double-header. But Friday night dramas are still new territory for the network, so they must have figured out that High School Love On’s 20-week run isn’t ideal either. I don’t know that this is the solution, but I guess they mean to find out by trying. Spy is slated for 16 episodes at 50 minutes each, and is planning to premiere in January.

Via MBN, Ohmy News

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Tags: drama production, Jaejoong

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1 cg

November 24, 2014 at 7:11 AM

I thought he would enlist for military service after Triangle...

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Bunters

November 24, 2014 at 7:17 AM

JYJ have never confirmed when they will be going, it's just been media speculation and vague statements from CJeS.

Understandably the boys are pushing their enlistment dates as far back as possible to make way for these solo projects and also promotions in Japan. Only recently have they been able to promote freely there. Have to release some material to keep their Japanese fans happy for 2 years, or more if they stagger their enlistment.

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maldita

November 24, 2014 at 9:52 AM

BigEast (is BigEast appropriate? LOL) are ridiculously loyal though. I mean, JYJ haven't done much collectively the past 4 years in Japan and they can still sell out concerts. The fans will still be there.

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Bunters

November 24, 2014 at 10:23 AM

Oh yeah I agree they have a whole legion of Japanese and international fans that will wait for them, but it's still important to do something while they have the chance. Fans understood previously because of the lawsuit but now is the opportunity to have promotions for the first time since 2010. You can imagine why they are pushing their enlistment date as far back as possible.

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2 Laya is totally not a BOICE or a Primadonna noona

November 24, 2014 at 7:12 AM

I'm all for this, but... I thought Jae-jae was going into military service soon?

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3 Bunters

November 24, 2014 at 7:14 AM

Rumour has it that the source material is Israeli TV series The Gordin Cell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gordin_Cell

Jaejoong really surprised me with his performance in Triangle so hopefully the production and writing team let him shine in this. I'm glad he seems to be interested in dramas with darker material. He could easily stick to romcoms like Yoochun did in the beginning, it would be much more conducive to getting new fans but this way he can actually expand his range.

He's definitely not the best idol actor out there, but I would say he's in the top tier. I'm not counting Si Wan or Lee Joon here, who conceivably debuted as idols just to further their idol careers. I don't believe Jaejoong or Yoochun ever imagined when they first auditioned for SM to be starring in dramas every year.

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museofmanymasks

November 24, 2014 at 7:19 AM

Know where The Gordin Cell can be watched online with English subs?

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houstontwin

November 24, 2014 at 10:13 AM

It looks like Amazon Prime might be picking it up. Hulu carried that Israeli drama that Homefront was based on. I forget what it's called.

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Bunters

November 24, 2014 at 10:24 AM

Not sure about the whole series but this is a link to a trailer for the series that is eng subbed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_k09m2-L1Q

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alua

November 24, 2014 at 8:49 AM

Jaejoong's not the best idol actors, but he's one of those that's steadily improving. His projects aren't dramas or films I am particularly fond of, but his acting has certainly gotten better. Si-wan's wonderful, perfectly cast in Misaeng. Kwak Si-yang is stand-out for me, thanks to his performance in Night Flight. I had no idea who he was (or that he was an idol), he just delivered in a very tough and varied role.

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dramafan

November 24, 2014 at 9:17 AM

I was surprised though by Jaejoong's acting in Triange. I wasn't looking forward to much, but I think he did even better than Siwan in terms of acting in that project. Not that Siwan was bad either. Jaejoong just took me by surprise.

Unfortunately he doesn't have a solid project yet that one could recommend to others as a drama fan myself.

With Siwan he is winning me over in Misaeng. Although Lee Sung-min is the highlight of the show for me. But, Misaeng is a drama where no one actor/actress steals the spotlight - which is awesome.

Lets just hope and pray to the drama beings that Jaejoong's project will be a solid one with good writers/directors. I really hope he gets a break before enlisting. Especially, since I wish those idol actors with potential should be moving up the ladder of drama success and those that are failures should disappear. =___=

I was hoping that Jaejoong would do a tvn drama in the near future because those have a higher guaranteed solid plot and writing.

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staplote

November 24, 2014 at 9:24 AM

Thankfully Jaejoong has enough fame from his idol career to not disappear should he want to keep acting, even after the military.

And I think cjes helps too, they have influence in the industry with so many big names..

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houstontwin

November 24, 2014 at 10:14 AM

I don't think that he does tough guy very well but he does sweet and sensitive very well

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staplote

November 24, 2014 at 10:19 AM

Really? I actually think the opposite, though perhaps that's because he was still a bit green in Protect the Boss. He hasn't had a sweet sensitive character since then, though arguably in both Dr Jin and Triangle his character was sensitive.

Triangle was half tough guy half pitiful orphan and I think he towed the line perfectly.

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staplo

November 24, 2014 at 10:20 AM

Triangle was half tough guy half pitiful orphan and I think he towed the line perfectly.

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houstontwin

November 24, 2014 at 12:44 PM

Maybe it was the writing, but I actually liked him in Protect the Boss. There is something about the quality of his voice as well as his appearance that defaults to gentle (in my opinion of course). I think that it will take some growth as an actor for him to be convincing in more hard edged roles. Probably age alone (and time in the military) will help with that.

lilibaiyu

November 24, 2014 at 12:27 PM

I thought Siwan was pretty bad in Triangle, actually. I was surprised he'd been cast at all - there were easily 10 actors I could name who would have done a much better job in that role. Everyone's been saying good things about his performance in Misaeng though and he was one of the favorites in the Daesang Awards so maybe there were some weak variables with his character in Triangle that he just never managed to overcome.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Jaejoong's next project though. He's just one of those compulsively watchable stars.

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4 museofmanymasks

November 24, 2014 at 7:14 AM

For an idol, I kinda like Jaejoong. I haven't seen him in much, but he seems to commit in his roles. I wish I knew the original show because I'm interested now. Anyone know? This might be good if they keep it strictly to the spy realm and strongly avoid putting their characters undercover in a hospital. Ahem. I'll need more details (esp about writer and PD) before I make up my mind.

If I may volunteer an antagonist, I vote Agent Cha (who I found weirdly awesome at times)! Or is it too soon?

50 minutes? Even if its just ten minutes shorter that's pretty exciting. Hopefully that means tighter storytelling.

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Bunters

November 24, 2014 at 7:21 AM

As I posted in the comment above the source material should be The Gordin Cell though I have a feeling it will be adapted heavily to suit the Korean context.

It's a shame I can't recommend any of Jaejoong's projects. Triangle was his best perf yet it was such an abysmal drama overall I wouldn't subject anyone to that mess. His 2009 film Postman to Heaven with Han Hyo Joo was alright though it's probably Protect the Boss that got him the most acting buzz.

(Let's not talk about Dr Jin)

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museofmanymasks

November 24, 2014 at 8:36 AM

I saw him in Jackal is Coming and as a pretty boy idol actor I was expecting more stiffness but he committed to the zany physical comedy reasonably well. Though I wouldn'r recommend the movie as a whole either. Hehe Dr. Jin. His character gave me the same Arang and the Magistrate vibes as the second lead. A similar tragic, conflicted pawn of evil. I watched about 10 minutes of Heaven's Postman and abandoned it. Pretty cinematography though.

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maldita

November 24, 2014 at 9:50 AM

Heaven's Postman will forever have a special place in my heart simply because I thought Jaejoong looked amaaaaaazing in that movie. Like, I watch the movie once in a while just to stare at his ethereal Mirotic-era self.

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scarlett

November 24, 2014 at 4:05 PM

ditto. i just watched the film without knowing who the actors were and it took me a while to google the lead actor and realized that he's actually a member of dbsk.

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5 smoothie

November 24, 2014 at 8:23 AM

Sounds interesting!

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6 sogazelle

November 24, 2014 at 10:33 AM

Fantastic news...I want more Jaejoong on my screen!!!

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7 Abbie

November 24, 2014 at 11:07 AM

The real-life events they're using, doing that happen recently? Like, this year?

Anyway, I hope he takes it. I like Jaejoong.

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Abbie

November 24, 2014 at 11:09 AM

*didn't that happen recently?

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Lizzy4e

November 24, 2014 at 11:50 AM

The North Korean Uncle/General was executed last fall. so yes recently.

His son or nephew has been studying in France and NK agents tried to kidnap him and take him back to NK just last week. The student got away and is in hiding. (it is presumed that he will be executed when he is returned to NK like the rest of his family)

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dramafan

November 24, 2014 at 12:26 PM

Ah that is really interesting information. It makes this drama even more appealing. The fact that it is based on a very recent current event is cool!

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houstontwin

November 24, 2014 at 1:27 PM

Wow...so scary!

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jaejyj

November 24, 2014 at 5:33 PM

If so, the real story itself is interesting and also very sensitive political issues involved. See how the writer smart enuff to adapt the whole scenarios.

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8 Lindy

November 24, 2014 at 1:09 PM

I didn't bail on Triangle only because of Kim Jaejoong. I think he's a good actor with lots of potential and I really hope Spy does justice to his talents with a meaty, well written part for him. I didn't have an opinion of Im Si-wan except he did well as the "I'm rich but oh, so depressed" chaebol character in Triangle as I hadn't seen him in anything else. But I just recently watched The Attorney with Song Kang-ho and I got pissed off anew at the waste of talent that was Triangle. He is wonderful as the tortured young student at the centre of the court case and holds his own in his scenes with Song Kang-ho and the other experienced actors in the film.

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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉

November 25, 2014 at 8:44 AM

haha, I remember all too well your frustrations during those last few eps of Triangle.....so much wasted potential and talent there (thankfully Im Si-wan is now in Misaeng, and he and the drama are both killing it in Korea, such a talented young actor)

But Jaejoong was pretty much the glue holding the few remaining viewers of Triangle to it - sure, his role was well written, but he really went 150 percent into it, and delivered a performance with depth and feeling.

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Lindy

November 25, 2014 at 6:02 PM

I agree; he completely committed to his role in Triangle even though he just might have had the sneakiest suspicion he was in a turkey. (No insult to turkeys as US Thanksgiving is coming up - they are delicious! Canadian Thanksgiving was back in October.) Not watching Misaeng yet although I intend to check it out soon but it's great that Im Si-wan has a good part. Dr Jin was a bit of a mess but Jaejoong really did go 150 percent into it as well.

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9 yoo jae suk

November 24, 2014 at 6:12 PM

i love jae joong so much and he took me by suprise with his acting in triangle....i think he improve a lot....i really hope that i can watch him in this new drama...i want him on my screen more.....=_=

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10 lizz

November 24, 2014 at 6:22 PM

Surprised at the news but pleasantly so. Hope the character is layered and fresh, instead of straight out action spy. But I thought spies are supposed to lie low and blend in , how's he going to do that with his looks? Lol

(Also where have all you commenters been hiding, you all seem like lovely clear headed eloquent people who like Jaejoong. Hugs!)

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pigsnout

November 24, 2014 at 7:52 PM

Hehe did you read Triangle recaps.....we all liked Jaejoong's acting there. He did very well in that role.

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Bunters

November 25, 2014 at 6:09 AM

hey there! I'm a long time kdrama watcher who happens to also like JYJ since 2008. When they decided to cross over it was great news for me since it meant more fans could be exposed to them (with them being unable to appear on music/variety shows etc) but that doesn't mean I can't be critical of their work! Makes a fan all the more prouder when they succeed in their own right.

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11 roller

November 24, 2014 at 7:15 PM

I just watched the Israel's version and the lead actor is quite attractive. I can't wait to see Jaejoong as a spy.

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12 ILUKD

November 24, 2014 at 8:19 PM

Yessssssssss .... One more project .... Yessssssssss

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13 yukasato

November 24, 2014 at 11:36 PM

i get this from twitter (cr. monbrielle)

said :

"the plot spy is based on a drama of israel (also USA is making their own vers. to debut also in 2015" --> interesting hmm...

"the plot is about a former North korean spy who after some time becomes a normal mom aka housewife without worries and so on.

but one day she is found (by the country she worked for) again and is ordered to recruit his son to spy for them.

her son is working in National Intelligence Service (NIS).
so the point of all is the struggle the son will have because he loves his country and is asked to betray them basically."

bae jong ok confirmed as JJ's mother, and as her ex-lover yoo on soo (?) also confirmed.

i see this drama will b another emotionally heavy content for jaejoong (but oh well, no worry, since he's gorgeous even when he's crying lol) and action packed??

i just hope they didn't do this in live shooting system. what if something bad happen?? this is action genre, not rom-com.
i don't want to go through worry just like when he's falling from 4th floor when shooting jackal is coming. or like when yoochun injured his arm IN THE MIDDLE of shooting.

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14 phim hay

November 25, 2014 at 2:48 AM

I’m all for this

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15 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉

November 25, 2014 at 8:46 AM

Considering that I'd never laid eyes on him until Triangle (had no idea that this was the famous Jaejoong), he was actually impressive from start to finish in that drama.

As long as the role gives him something to work with, I think he'll be fine.

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cheetah

November 25, 2014 at 7:14 PM

He was not only impressive in Triangle. He also has a beautiful voice and writes very pretty songs. I like very very much his balads and rock songs.

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16 lucy

November 25, 2014 at 8:04 PM

yeaahh bring it on jaejae! give us as much memories u can before you leave us for two years. LoL

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17 Thandy

November 25, 2014 at 9:54 PM

This is great news, I look forward to more drama time with Jaejoong

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18 Koshin

November 26, 2014 at 4:59 AM

Look forward for Jae's acting in SPY. Wonderful portrayal as Young Dal in Triangle despite the plot is a mess...He also shine as a soloist and can stand very well on his own without any group attachment.

Side notes: No affiliation with TVXQ. They split long ago since 2009. JYJ's fans are simply called JYJ's fans, be it Korean , Japanese and International. Not Big East. Not Cassiopeia.
Kim Jaejoong's fans just called Jaejoong's fans or Jaeharem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jae-joong

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jaejyj

November 26, 2014 at 6:55 AM

YES!!! That *side notes* is what I exact wanted say. And previous TD concert ending ment, Jae clearly stated that they will together stay as JYJ. Thanks!

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19 jaejyj

November 26, 2014 at 7:03 AM

This news really took me surprised since I thought Triangle is the last drama we can see him b4 he goes for MS. Inwardly, I was hoping for another mini rock album. Anyway, it's a great news for an avid fan like me. Liked him in Triangle even though the latter part of drama story/epis were a bit loose. Spy stories are not my thing but I am looking forward to it. This is Kim Jae Joong after all…tbh I'm still not getting over sweet thug Youngdal!!!

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20 jeju

January 11, 2015 at 1:59 AM

I was so excited about this drama ....But after I read that its an adaption of an Israeli drama I am soooooo dissapointed I am not gonna watch it.Dont wanna support Israel in any way.Especially because of their armed forces brutality in Palestine.If you have an ounce of humanity dont support Israel in any way .

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21 phim hay

November 20, 2015 at 8:41 PM

I’m all for this =))))

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