Time-slip drama Manhole to follow Seven Day Queen on KBS

72 April 27, 2017June 18, 2017

Time-slip drama Manhole to follow Seven Day Queen on KBS

by tipsymocha

Is the reign of legal dramas finally over? Dramaland tends to strongly follow trends so we can get a long spell of a specific genre, and I wonder if the sci-fi time-bendy dramas are making a comeback with upcoming dramas like SBS’s Reunited Worlds and tvN’s Circle.

KBS has announced their follow-up drama to upcoming Seven Day Queen, titled Manhole: Wonderland’s Feel. I know, the title sounds weird to me too. But I’m pretty sure it’s a pun on the main character’s name, Bong-pil, and the Korean pronunciation of “feel.” In any case, this time-slip drama centers around Bong-pil and his five friends who travel between the past and present through a manhole in order to stop a wedding scheduled a week later. This sounds a lot like Operation Proposal to me, but it’s described as a youth comedy, which… *cue sighs of relief*. I can’t do that to myself again.

Directing is PD Park Man-young, whose credits largely include dailies and weekend dramas like Sweet Secret and Strange Daughter-in-Law, although he did direct miniseries The Vineyard Man starring Yoon Eun-hye waaayy back in 2006. I am much more excited to hear that writer Lee Jae-gon will be handling the script because, if memory serves, he did a pretty solid job on Special Affairs Team TEN, which was a hit for OCN at the time. I can trust he will bring the bendy in time-bendy, and give us a fun, comedic sci-fi ride.

They haven’t announced any casting offers, so beanies, start preparing sacrifices and saying prayers for your dream cast. Manhole: Wonderland’s Feel is set to begin its run on August 9 on KBS in their Wednesday-Thursday slot, following Mystery Queen and Seven Day Queen.

Via Joy News, Star News, Sports Donga, Sporbiz

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1 Jia

April 27, 2017 at 2:37 PM

I didn't get the meaning of writer's statement "but it’s described as a youth comedy, which… *cue sighs of relief*. I can’t do that to myself again."

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spazmo

April 27, 2017 at 4:22 PM

it's becuz Operation Proposal was a "wah-wah fest"... required lots of tissues...
; )

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mysteriousrhain

April 27, 2017 at 11:08 PM

I actually loved Operation Proposal. That was the first drama where Yoo SeungHo became the lead actor..

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2 oosiee

April 27, 2017 at 2:55 PM

I dunno why..when I read the friends part, my mind played Reply 1988 montage! ^^

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graey

April 27, 2017 at 3:00 PM

And now Im thinking of Junghwan trying to stop Taek and Dukseon's wedding lmao

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oosiee

April 27, 2017 at 4:03 PM

Hahaha!
Actually, this could apply to all Reply series..err..Imagine every 2nd lead trying to get the girl! Ha!

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mk

April 27, 2017 at 4:56 PM

I would help him

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3 graey

April 27, 2017 at 2:58 PM

Manhole is a very weird title indeed. And I cant help think of other things, er..with that title xD. I laugh at "youth comedy" cuz i feel like this will be angsty as heck.

I liked Operation Proposal when I saw it in my early days of watching kdramas. But now that I look back, those 16 hours with Yoo Seung Ho yelling that chant again and again seem tedious. It was fun tho because it felt like a story of a second lead trying to be the first lead lol.

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toodles

April 27, 2017 at 4:42 PM

I strongly recommend a name change to this series. That name starts badly enough and ends with an OMG.

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daydee

April 29, 2017 at 1:45 AM

Maybe he falls down a manhole and that's where the time-bendy stuff happens?

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4 lush

April 27, 2017 at 3:04 PM

i see that TEN picture and all i'm going to think about the rest of the day now is how much i want season 3 to happen

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dramaspresso

April 27, 2017 at 5:52 PM

Same!

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5 Jazz

April 27, 2017 at 3:05 PM

Where can I find switch to blog view option?

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okitokki

April 27, 2017 at 3:21 PM

it should be on the top right-hand side of the page, just before the little magnifying glass and "login/register" link. (i actually haven't used this site on mobile since the switch so can't give directions for that).

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daydee

April 29, 2017 at 1:46 AM

It's only available on desktop. As far as I know, I've never seen that option for mobile view.

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6 Ryan

April 27, 2017 at 3:16 PM

I'm the only one in this world who's still waiting for Ten Season 3 even it's totally impossible

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Jrr 🌈

April 27, 2017 at 10:52 PM

? im here waiting too ?

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7 Sheila

April 27, 2017 at 3:33 PM

Yeah it reminds me so much of Operation Proposal which i loved way back then hahaha cant wait though

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8 Kurochan

April 27, 2017 at 4:29 PM

TEN is literally the only OCN show that I like. I have nothing but goodwill for the writer. Anticipating this positively.

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9 Buhdoop

April 27, 2017 at 4:36 PM

The reign of legal dramas is coming to a close - BEHOLD THE NEW REIGN OF THE TIME-SLIP DRAMAS.

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junny

April 27, 2017 at 4:42 PM

But but... I like legal dramas :( The well-written ones, that is. Whisper has enough loopholes to fill a manhole.

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Buhdoop

April 28, 2017 at 10:31 AM

Lol :-)

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10 alert

April 27, 2017 at 5:19 PM

I miss my straight-up rom coms where there's nothing legal or murder or sci-fi involved...it feels like ages since we had a good one.

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Jenmole🍊

April 27, 2017 at 6:34 PM

Funny I was just thinking the same thing the other day.

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Chandler

April 27, 2017 at 7:34 PM

That's why I'm looking forward to Fight My Way! Really hope it doesn't disappoint.

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alert

April 27, 2017 at 9:32 PM

Me too! I'm a sucker for friends-to-lover dramas..

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 27, 2017 at 9:37 PM

That first step...I miss MH!!!

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 27, 2017 at 9:36 PM

I do too. I want something ordinary yet special like Weightlifting Fairy, with a good plot and a coming-of-age story. Just something grounded in reality. I remember watching Chae-rim's early dramas Dal-ja's Spring, about how she hired the guy to be her pretend boyfriend, and they fell in love, and her other drama, "We're Dating", which was even more mundane, about falling in love with the boy-next-door. Jang nara's Wedding was also so simple about marrying a guy who didn't love her, and him slowly falling for her. I love these dramas, they were so simple, yet so memorable.

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alert

April 27, 2017 at 9:45 PM

Exactly those! Weighlifting Fairy was a gem because it's just the kind of pick-me-up drama that I love to watch on mundane days. And I also miss good dramas like Coffee Prince and My Name is Kim Sam Soon. I hope the mix-genre trend died soon, and they would go back to one-genre kinda show.

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 27, 2017 at 9:51 PM

Kim Sam Soon!!!! Yesss! I remember I loved that show. Top 3 on my list! The humor, the quirkiness, the acting, the chemistry, the hot kisses - the perfect rom-com, with that great ending!

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mysteriousrhain

April 27, 2017 at 11:11 PM

Yeah I think that's the last drama where I saw Chae Rim and even Lee Minki.. It's been ages seen I saw them in the small screen.

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maaaki

April 28, 2017 at 1:34 AM

This !
Dramaland tends to follow unknow trends. I don't why writers suddenly write the same kind of things. It's a pity for viewers who don't want to watch the same show on 3 or 5 channels.
I hope dramaland would be more diversified :
- real rom-com, melo, fusion sageuk, sc-fi, legal, thrillers, sageuk, ..... !
But I think may is coming with many different things, too much for my little free time TT

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sweetsour

April 27, 2017 at 10:46 PM

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PakalanaPikake

April 28, 2017 at 2:53 AM

I started watching MY SECRET ROMANCE because I got such a kick out of Sung Hoon in FIVE CHILDREN. So far, it's been fun.

I've needed something light and at times goofy after a long string of intense dramas (OH HAE-YOUNG AGAIN; BEAUTIFUL MIND; ROMANTIC TEACHER, DOCTOR KIM; VOICE) with multiple time lines (GOBLIN; BLUE SEA; TOMORROW WITH YOU; SAIMDANG) and sageuks (MOON LOVERS; MOONLIGHT; REBEL). It's nice to take a break from history, medicine, politics, psychology, literary references, allegory, etc., and turn off my brain. For me, every once in a while, eye candy is good. Light, fluffy, no-thinking-required eye candy is even better.

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 28, 2017 at 3:40 AM

Man 2 Man is awesome fun, @pakalanapikake come join us as we gush over the charming agent!

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PakalanaPikake

April 28, 2017 at 9:37 AM

Thanks, YY! I hadn't planned to watch this one for some reason, but just saw the first episode, and loved it. If it keeps up the wacky style of this first installment, I'll enjoy it a lot. ;-)

11 Del

April 27, 2017 at 6:22 PM

The potential title "Manhole" really got me laughing so hard. Ok, so now anything in Korea could possibly transport you to the a different time or a different world. We have had typewriter, tunnel and now manhole. I would not be surprised if there would be more to come in the form of fitting room, cabinet or what more only god knows.

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kdramaskimchi

April 27, 2017 at 6:42 PM

lol..@cabinet

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transient

April 27, 2017 at 7:07 PM

Maybe a toothbrush next. I remember an ultraman series where a toothbrush is required during transformation to ultraman.

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alert

April 27, 2017 at 9:36 PM

Well to add to the list, we also had incense sticks, walkie talkie and the legendary gummy-fetus.

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mindy

April 28, 2017 at 12:35 AM

Okay... Please explain the gummy fetus to me...

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PakalanaPikake

April 28, 2017 at 2:16 AM

Also known as "brain fetus," it sent a certain physician back to Joseon, and that's all I'm going to say. I'm afraid I might become the target of compostable produce if type its name out loud. ;-)

Aw, heck. The physician was played by Mr. Hand Towel, currently starring in SAIMDANG.

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 28, 2017 at 3:29 AM

The recaps were hilarious...I read every recap and laughed until I cried...@headsno2 was brilliant, she captured all the screencaps with his bug eyes in different shots.

alert

April 28, 2017 at 7:40 AM

Now I'm gonna go and reread all the Dr Jin recaps once more. Those are some legendary recaps ever graced the Beanieland.

PakalanaPikake

April 28, 2017 at 9:50 AM

*ducks incoming fermenting produce*

What the heck. If it hadn't been for watching DR. JIN on Hulu as my first Kdrama, I wouldn't be having this conversation here on DramaBeans.

Besides, Lee Beom-Soo made a very favorable impression as the king, and that got me interested in sageuk.

I saw my first Truck of Doom in DJ as well. ;-)

Will have to check out the recaps.

alert

April 28, 2017 at 4:07 PM

LOL I don't watch Dr Jin but I waited for @headsno2's recaps every week. I think some of us back then were more excited about the recap more than the drama.

YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 27, 2017 at 9:39 PM

The trash bin - he empties the trash and gets sucked in when he bends over; he comes back the same way after he time travels.

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PakalanaPikake

April 28, 2017 at 2:22 AM

Think of all the shower scenes a time portal through the garbage could necessitate. Perfect for personal care PPL without the sandwiches.

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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 28, 2017 at 3:34 AM

In that case, I'm going to suggest Hand Towel for the role then,as the Trash-y Time Traveler and I'd suggest a name change to When A Man Stinks.

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mysteriousrhain

April 27, 2017 at 11:12 PM

I just thought about alice in wonderland when i read the title..

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PakalanaPikake

April 28, 2017 at 3:08 AM

You might be right. ;-)

Maybe they have to use manholes because there's too much concrete in Seoul for rabbit holes. Let's just hope it's utility access tunnels like in BUFFY, and not sanitary sewers (ew!).

Geez, I just had a flashback to THE HONEYMOONERS. Art Carney played the only character I ever recall seeing who was a sewer worker.

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SojuSommelier

April 28, 2017 at 9:47 PM

like with a lion, witch, and wardrobe thing? lol

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bambi

May 4, 2017 at 10:53 PM

Time-traveling hat, time-traveling toilet, time-traveling sneeze... the possibilities are endless.

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12 transient

April 27, 2017 at 7:03 PM

Please get a new title for the drama. I can't take it seriously XD

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13 nirerin

April 27, 2017 at 7:15 PM

I kinda excited when read
"Bong-pil and his five friends who travel between the past and present..." "...described as a youth comedy..."
I Hope casting didn't disappoint, I want awesome chemistry between the friends. And I hope aspect of time slip will be fascinating, isn't confusing to watch.

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meliyasha

April 27, 2017 at 7:47 PM

Same here. I like a good, intense time-travel drama but I think I'd love to see one lighter youth comedy that won't give us headache when we watch it.

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14 evelynray

April 27, 2017 at 8:03 PM

Looks like the time-travel trend is back. I remember that it was a trend in 2012, if I am not wrong.

But I am such a sucker for time-travel and sci-fi genres :') I only hope that they will change the title or something, haha, 'Manhole' is just.... xD

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15 YY Chats with Toast Between Bites

April 27, 2017 at 9:28 PM

The title made me laugh so hard. I keep thinking of a manhole that feels like Wonderland...his name is Bong-pil...rhymes with pill...and that made me think of even stranger things LOLOL

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16 bqk318

April 27, 2017 at 10:28 PM

KBS often pick up light dramas which easily to reach high ratings.

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17 sweetsour

April 27, 2017 at 10:48 PM

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18 aaaa

April 27, 2017 at 10:58 PM

Time to cool down for 1-2 years with timeslipping? =P

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19 poliwag

April 28, 2017 at 4:01 AM

'yeah dude tunnels and walkie-talkies are overrated, I'll just be jumping into a literal shithole and time traveling from there'

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lush

April 28, 2017 at 11:01 AM

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20 john

April 28, 2017 at 4:34 AM

Manhole ? The name invokes an image of "Dirty Jobs" with Mike Rowe.

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PakalanaPikake

April 28, 2017 at 10:03 AM

You're right about MANHOLE and DIRTY JOBS. LOL!

Then again, IRL the virtually-extinct phone booth -- when you can find one nowadays -- often has the same kind of "aura." I'd hate to be Clark Kent.

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21 Lin

April 28, 2017 at 5:53 AM

Does this mean I am not getting my long long long long long looooooong awaited Special Affairs Team 10, 3? Please OCN I need it. Writer please...

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22 SOL

April 28, 2017 at 6:10 AM

A century later...still hopelessly waiting for another season of TEN :')

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23 dukseonnoona

April 28, 2017 at 9:09 AM

Youth comedy, sounds interesting!

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24 DAngel

April 28, 2017 at 10:50 AM

"so beanies, start preparing sacrifices and saying prayers for your dream cast" I love your writing humor! Hmm, if I didn't read what the drama plot is about just by the drama tittle I would of skipped the whole thing.. but depending of the cast I may give it a shot. Thanks!