Im Shi-wan as a young prince for MBC’s The King Loves
by javabeans
Here’s a first look at stills from Im Shi-wan’s (Misaeng) new sageuk romance melodrama The King Loves, in which he plays a Goryeo prince, Wang Won (later King Chungseon), right around the turn of the 14th century. His character is described as Janus-like—two-faced, ambitious, power-hungry—which will take Im Shi-wan out of his established image as sweet-faced and kind-hearted as he goes dark and duplicitous to play an antihero. I’m looking forward to seeing him expand his range; I think he has it in him to portray a hidden coldness behind the pretty facade, and hope the project offers a lot of meaty development for him to work with.
Based on a novel of the same name, The King Loves takes a fictional twist on the history and a “passionate melo” approach to the love triangle at the center of the story, which pits our prince against his former best friend, played by Hong Jong-hyun (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo). Yoon-ah (The K2) is the daughter of a wealthy and ambitious aristocrat with whom both men will fall in love, tearing apart their friendship.
Also cast are Jung Bo-seok (Monster) as Wang Won’s cold-hearted father, King Chungryeol, while Jang Young-nam (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-ju) plays Won’s mother, a Yuan emperor’s daughter and Goryeo queen. Familiar dramaland ajusshi Lee Ki-young (Mrs. Cop, Masked Prosecutor) will play Yoon-ah’s father, who discovers that his wife’s sudden death was no accident but the result of a conspiracy, and that spurs him to make a big decision on behalf of his only daughter. Oh Min-seok (Misaeng) takes on a villain’s role, meanwhile, as an ambitious politician who presents fierce opposition to the king. I’m getting the sense that ambition is a common thread running through most of these characters’ lives…
The King Loves held its initial script reading in late December, then began shooting in early January. The drama comes from PD Kim Sang-hyub, the director of melodrama Dazzling Temptation and weekend drama Mama, as well as being second PD on sageuk hit Dong Yi. The drama will air on MBC later this year; it doesn’t yet have an airdate, but will be 100 percent pre-produced.
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- News bites: January 7, 2017
- News bites: December 24, 2016
- Goryeo’s femme fatale and political mastermind added to cast of The King Loves
- Hong Jong-hyun up to rival Im Shi-wan in The King Loves
- Im Shi-wan, Yoon-ah headline new historical drama The King Loves
- The K2: Episode 1
- Yoon-ah reconsiders tvN bodyguard drama K2
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Tags: Hong Jong-hyun, Im Shi-wan, The King Loves, Yoon-ah
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1 Sancheezy
February 9, 2017 at 3:04 AM
I think he looks super good with both hairstyle and the character is intriguing,
can't wait to see the other cast
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2 Grapes
February 9, 2017 at 3:14 AM
Who's the writer?
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esjpx
February 9, 2017 at 12:46 PM
Park Chan-kyung and No Sun-jae, they were assistant writers for Healer and Mirror of the Witch respectively
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3 siesta
February 9, 2017 at 3:19 AM
finallyyyyyy siwan back on my screen! still good looking as ever. is it a Ze:A trend to take sageuk this year? lol. let's just hope it'd be way better written than Hwarang
Yoona blasting through my actors bias list like the truck of doom /sigh
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Nifty
February 9, 2017 at 3:39 AM
Arghhh....you mentioned it and I feel so bad for Park Hyung Sik. He is so damn good in Hwarang but talent being limitized by the poor writing. Hwaramg is literally saved by the actors' acting particularly Hyung Sik.
I still want to see Hyung Sik in another sageuk. Let's see how Si Wan in Goryeo fare against Hyung Sik in Silla. BTW, I always find Si Wan so petite and fragile like his tiny frame may break anytime.
But he does look good in both hairstyles.
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berries
February 9, 2017 at 5:02 AM
yesss i like hyungsik in hwarang. esp his angry scenes its so good!!
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dramafan
February 10, 2017 at 8:51 AM
Gosh Suzy and Yoona. Why and why u need to act when you cant act.
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Yuki
February 9, 2017 at 4:51 AM
I know. I was so excited to have Siwan back, and then I remembered that he has been paired with Yoona...
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Kaylie
February 9, 2017 at 7:26 PM
Yeah! I feel so frustrated that my favourite actors aren't getting paired with actresses that can act equally well... Same case for Lee Jong-seok and Suzy.
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4 Mary Chan
February 9, 2017 at 3:19 AM
YASSSSS FINALLY HE IS BACKKKKKK. Been waiting for his comeback for ages!!!
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5 Aanikha
February 9, 2017 at 3:23 AM
Finally !!! A nice wig.
He looks gorgeous in the first pic. It is hard to uglify him but the recent rampage of disastrous wigs (Moon lovers *shudders* that side bun or even Rebel or Hwarang) has left me in a trauma.
He looks good , really good.
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nchoe
February 9, 2017 at 4:00 AM
I guess it's more because of Im Joo-hwan than the wig. This dude is prettier than girls it's almost not fair T_T
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6 kanz
February 9, 2017 at 3:23 AM
MBC seems determined to rules dramaland with sageuks this year. At least 3 sageuks are released this year, Rebel, King Loves and Ruler: Master of the Mask.
It'll be interesting to see how MBC's first pre-production sageuk fare, after SBS kinda failed with Moon Lovers and Saimdang.
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pollyanna
February 9, 2017 at 3:56 AM
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sooyi
February 9, 2017 at 4:05 AM
I respect your opinion that Hong Jong-hyun made an impression as a villain in Moon lovers. Still I do look forward to how Hong Jong-hyun will portray a good guy. He didn't play villains before Moon Lovers yet his characters were not overall wholly gentle-natured. So I am curious about the result.
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Kendi
February 9, 2017 at 7:04 AM
@sooyi
I have a good feeling that HJH will make my heart bleeds.
But Yoona...sigh...I do love her in PM and I but I'm afraid she will be another plot device/damsel in distress heroine.
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Grapes
February 9, 2017 at 4:07 AM
The ratings for Siamdang has been dropping each week, also so many negative reviews.
I read that they even made some modifications on some parts to speed up the story because many viewers complained about the slow and boring story. I don't watch the drama but that's what i read.
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oosiee
February 9, 2017 at 4:08 AM
Post MLSHR you say?? For me it was post WGM!
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kanz
February 9, 2017 at 6:05 AM
If you look at the amount of mediaplay, as it's Lee Young Ae's comeback project, lots of budget for pre-production and media hype surrounding it before it even airs, then yes it's kinda failed. Especially nowadays when Chief Kim, an underdog drama out of nowhere, stealing the ratings. The last ep only gets 10% mark and coupled with viewers' criticism, SSH's wooden acting and lack of story development, it goes towards failure.
If you compare this to Moon Lovers, it's only a bit better than Moon Lovers. The ratings are a bit better and the editor&director seem working properly and no hiphop OSTs around to distract you. I've also heard that SBS will edit the rest of the series, doesn't it sound like deja vu of Moon Lovers?
I actually enjoy the drama, but even I agree with the criticisms and my point is with the current situation, Saimdang is heading towards another pre-production failure.
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transient
February 9, 2017 at 8:50 AM
SBS will edit the rest of the series, doesn’t it sound like deja vu of Moon Lovers?
I can still remember the hell that is multiple versions. I lived like a zombie those 3 months.
I guess I made the right choice not to pick up Siamdang then despite almost swayed with all the hype.
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HANI
February 9, 2017 at 8:40 PM
I lose interest in Saimdang already despite being so happy with LYA comeback. I probably will watch for another few eps hoping the story pick up but yeah..not much faith and interest in it tbh.
And I guess we keep getting good and high quality cinematography lately I feels like Saimdang is lacking in that. And acting but its SSH, we all know his limit, so no point talking about it imo.
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potatodrama
February 9, 2017 at 12:11 PM
Saimdang is sooooooooooo boring that could freeze hell.
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7 oosiee
February 9, 2017 at 4:03 AM
Whoa...Siwan is looking so fi~ne!!!
I really hope this drama does well...despite Yoona..or Hong Jong-hyun..or MBC..Hwaiting!!
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8 erina
February 9, 2017 at 4:18 AM
the only thing that stopping me from seeing this series (even though im into historical series) is Yoona. I dunno. but i'm excited for this.
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UmbrellaMan
February 9, 2017 at 8:45 AM
You're not alone. She causes me pause. I want to watch this but, dang, I have been burned by her before. Yoona needs to step up the game for this one. Especially since this sounds like a very serious drama. Please oh please I hope they do not write her character as a poor damsel in distress who needs protection and saving every 5 seconds. That will seriously hinder her likability - even if she does somehow amaze us with her acting ability.
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9 slvr1
February 9, 2017 at 4:30 AM
Is it just me or does Siwan totally look like/give off vibes like Ji Chang Wook in Empress Ki in the second picture? They look very similar!
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Im Siwan is prettier than most of us
February 9, 2017 at 5:31 AM
You aren't alone, my friend! I figured that could be attributed to the similar hairstyle Ji Chang Wook had in Empress Ki. Additionally, both men are blessed with beautiful, porcelain-like complexion.
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slvr1
February 9, 2017 at 7:19 AM
Haha! I love your username. :P
Also yes, similar hairstyles, plus similar side faces paired with puppy level cuteness hehe.
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Flightey Gazelles
February 9, 2017 at 9:34 AM
lol this username is so trueeee
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10 Nissa
February 9, 2017 at 4:35 AM
Yoon ah? Really? Which Yoon ah? Nooooo... i mean did i mistakenly thinking? Not the yoon ah.. oh my.
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Hoho
February 9, 2017 at 2:59 PM
Haha. I read "Yoon ah?" Then "The K2". Andweeeee
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LucyLo
February 9, 2017 at 7:24 PM
Ugh, my thoughts exactly. She's OK but not a brilliant actress. I wish they would haven't gotten someone else. :/
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11 rentenmann *SWAG*
February 9, 2017 at 4:40 AM
This looks pretty and from the sounds of it, like something I'd be interested in watching. Fingers crossed that it's good! He and his bandmate are so good in previous series I've seen, but I haven't seen Im Siwan as a bad guy yet. Can't wait!
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Im Siwan is prettier than most of us
February 9, 2017 at 5:47 AM
He plays a baddie in One Line; a recent movie of his that I'm anticipating to watch. Maybe it's just the fangirl in me, but he looks fantastic in this movie still http://asianwiki.com/images/7/77/One_Line_%28Korean_Movie%29-002.jpg
He's probably playing a baddie too in another movie, Robber, of which I can't find the photos. So here's throwing you an unrelated candid photo of him as a replacement hehe http://cdn.koreaboo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/siwan-1.jpg
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CrazyRedHairMireu
February 9, 2017 at 5:50 AM
I first saw him in Equator Man where he embodied ambitious and twofaced as well and fell in love. He definitely has the ability to give a layered performance. I'm glad he's expanding his repertoire because I enjoy him more as a complicated and dark guy.
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January Blues
February 9, 2017 at 4:36 PM
I was going to mention Equator Man as well. He was really good in that. Looking so sad and desperate in one moment and switching to crazy evil the next second.
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sharkie
February 9, 2017 at 5:34 PM
Same here! He stopped being just a pretty face in my book when I saw him in Equator Man!
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mary
February 11, 2017 at 9:47 AM
Wasn't he a spoiled (sometimes mean) chaebol in Triangle?
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12 Yukino
February 9, 2017 at 5:12 AM
Really? Yoon ah? Why's she every where these days ....I'm all in if it is different one but now ..... i'' half in
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13 Bùi Quốc Khánh
February 9, 2017 at 5:36 AM
Am I the only who don't like this style? Just like Chinese dramas.
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annnsow
February 10, 2017 at 3:22 PM
No you're not... I've got so many issues with this style...
I only watch when here is an actor/actress that I adore. Otherwise, nope.
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14 mindy
February 9, 2017 at 5:44 AM
This sounds like a really interesting role for Shi-wan! I honestly have not been in the mood for sageuks lately so I might not end up watching it but I hope it is good.
I keep getting this and Ruler mixed up for some reason. Like I forget which cast is which, lol. Not sure why. The titles aren't at all similar.
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15 Kennedy Rose
February 9, 2017 at 5:50 AM
Oho..woori jang geu rae and mr kang are slated to be "darker" in characters..nice. looking at these stills, you would never think that this delicate-looking prince can be a bad dude...the power of a woman!
Yes, i agree, girls...how on earth that this guy looks so much prettier than us girls? it's really not fair! (bet he'll be better looking than yoon ah)
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16 Kiara
February 9, 2017 at 6:03 AM
Jung Bo-seok returns to Goryeo but why in this? /cry
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17 Kendi
February 9, 2017 at 7:04 AM
So Ruler will be aired first?
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Grapes
February 9, 2017 at 7:22 AM
I think Ruler is after Radiant Office on Wednesday-Thursday, in May.
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18 Trinity 🍆
February 9, 2017 at 8:41 AM
Lots of hate towards Yoona. I have only seen her in K2 so that's the only thing I have to go off of. I think she was wrongly judged in that show. She got all the hate for K2 but I honestly think it was the writer who failed, not Yoona. True, she isn't the strongest actress, but she really didn't do too badly in K2. Her character was so poorly written that she didn't have much to work with. I think her character shouldn't have even been in the show to begin with (or atleast not as a romantic interest). Hopefully this show will let her improve as an actor and will have a much better written character for her.
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Blue bean
February 9, 2017 at 10:08 AM
Thank you for this comment.
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Mariah
February 9, 2017 at 2:59 PM
You're right about K2, that wasn't entirely her fault. But I think the dislikable things about her from K2 were also there in Love Rain, and sort of in Prime Minister and I as well. She doesn't seem like she's grown much.
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ShinRaeMi07
February 10, 2017 at 1:43 PM
Not entirely her fault but she could have done better. She should take up acting classes or enroll in a film academy like other actors do since she really wants to be an actress. She should try to improve her skill and not be contented since she's popular anyway.
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Jazz
February 10, 2017 at 10:55 PM
She was awarded best student in her acting class at her uni...go figure. There's no more class to take...she's the best. It's not about lessons...she doesn't have the flair...but she may get there...we just hv to endure a few more dozens of dramas...
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19 transient
February 9, 2017 at 8:54 AM
Mane of glory seems to favor him.
Thank god the setting is not joseon, now I can watch this. I can't wait to see the innocent-looking Siwan turn black. This ought to be fun.
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20 Brittany
February 9, 2017 at 9:29 AM
I'm looking forward to seeing Im Shi Wan play a bad guy again. He did great in Equator Man.
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21 Flightey Gazelles
February 9, 2017 at 9:39 AM
Good Lord, that's a pretty boy, Jesu!!!!
Why haven't i watched Misaeng?( curses school)
Don't know this Im Shi Wan person but well, the plot already had me intrigued but now you give me eye candy, the plot has to be Jackpot, Dr Jin ( Moon Lovers?) bad for me Not to watch
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22 jadea
February 9, 2017 at 9:57 AM
Si Wan looks good. I might watch this for him, but only if the long triangle isn't the main focus. They irritate me to no end.
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23 Rovi
February 9, 2017 at 10:39 AM
So, details to fill in the blanks.
King Chungseon's actual birth-name was Wang Jeong (왕정), but I do understand why production did this *hello Moon Lovers* Also Mongolian name of "Ijirbuqa" (small ox).
Chungseon's mom (Jang Yeong-nam) is actually more than just a "Yuan emperor's daughter".
She is Qutlugh Kelmysh Beki, daughter of Kublai Khan, first Emperor of Yuan China.
Also, the very first Yuan princess to marry into the royal family of Goryeo.
From these info alone the timeline is after Korea's defeat and surrender from the 13th-century Mongol invasions. Also the start of Korea's almost-6-centuries-long subservience to China; the royal marriage alone made Goryeo a quda (political son-in-law) state under the Mongols' rules.
Drama predates "Shindon" & "Empress Ki" (among others), but is a direct aftermath of "Age of Warriors". First time Korean drama will broadcast the disastrous 13th century era. Expect bald people...
Sooner or later 2 actresses should be introduced:
1. the 2nd Yuan princess to marry into Goryeo; Budashiri, great-granddaughter of Kublai (Kublai -> Zhenjin -> Gammala -> Budashiri)
2. Chungseon's "Korean queen"
Nice to see Hong Jong-hyun back in the Goryeo era. Hope he's not as nutty since he's not a Wang anymore...
Oh Min-seok's agenda must be anti-Mongol/Yuan then, eager to remove the foreign yoke of the quda status of Goryeo...
The conspiracy around Yoona's mother might be involved with Qutlugh Kemlysh, since her death was rumored to be a murder and the allegations brought on a massive violent purge.
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Jamie Opso
February 9, 2017 at 12:24 PM
Wow, thanks for this information, Rovi! It's fascinating and really helpful!
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realiti
February 9, 2017 at 2:28 PM
So informative. Thank you! Although I think I'll forget it all when the drama starts airing so hopefully you will repost this info again at Ep 1recap =]
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Truhurts
February 9, 2017 at 2:29 PM
Thanks for the history lesson. Korea has so much fascinating history I'm always pleased when they step away from the usual boring Joseon era and fashion.
I hope Yoona can do justice to her character for once. She is such a boring lackluster actress.
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Kendi
February 9, 2017 at 9:04 PM
Every era has their own charms.
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Kendi
February 9, 2017 at 9:03 PM
"Expect bald people…"
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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24 nilsche
February 9, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Wikipedia: "ZE:A also knows as Children of Empire"
Whoa. They fit their name very well. Goryeo king and Silla King
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Kendi
February 9, 2017 at 9:05 PM
Haha, yeah I just realized how true it was.
So many talents in ZE:A, I had a huge crush on Kevin back then, such a bae.
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Dramasaurus
February 9, 2017 at 11:19 PM
We just need a Joseon king to complete the collection.
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chanelboy
February 10, 2017 at 2:26 AM
KWANG HEE THE JUNGLE KING
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25 SuziQ
February 9, 2017 at 11:26 AM
I really like Shi Wan in Misaeng in which he gave a wonderful performance as an every man office worker. It's a hard act to follow, but I glad he's back in another drama!
He played such a sweet character but now he's playing a darker personality. In those ancient times, you had to be ruthless or you wouldn't survive....
I liked Hong Jong Hyun too. I enjoyed his CRAY CRAY performance in Moon Lovers although he didn't have much screen time. He does villains well. Both look great in sageuk attire.
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26 purpleowl
February 9, 2017 at 12:22 PM
I'll be watching for HJH but am ready to be introduced to everyone else.
I like Im Shi Wan for Z:EA and am willing to watch a 3rd Yoona production.
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27 realiti
February 9, 2017 at 2:31 PM
I was really excited seeing the stills until I tripped on Yoonah's name O_o I forgot she was in this drama. I dropped K2 even though I really like Ji Chang Wook. I will give this drama a go to see Shi Wan play a dark character. Hopefully Yoonah's character will be a bit more bearable to watch in this drama.
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sharkie
February 9, 2017 at 5:46 PM
"I will give this drama a go to see Shi Wan play a dark character."
Well, in case this one does fail, you can always check out the past portions of Equator Man. Shiwan really went dark there. Plus it was quite the actors' showcase. ;)
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28 Lebelle
February 9, 2017 at 3:39 PM
If Shi-wan will play antihero, then who will get the girl (Yoona)? Will it be HJH? But seems like Shi-wan is the main lead?
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nchoe
February 9, 2017 at 3:56 PM
That's what I love about Sageuk. The main lead is not always the nice one and there's no guarantee one of the ships will sail.
Oh, right. Unless it'll become a youthful Sageuk, then that will be a different story.
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Kendi
February 9, 2017 at 9:08 PM
Even if they end up fall in love at each other, there is no guarantee one or even both are still alive at the last episode....so yeah.
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nomnom
February 10, 2017 at 12:35 AM
This drama is based on the book of the same name. In the book Hong Jonghyun's character gets the girl so I'm guessing the drama will follow the book in that aspect.
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Kiara
February 10, 2017 at 5:50 AM
The novel is most likely a fictional love story. King Chungseon only reigned for a few years and his consorts were chosen for him.
Goryeo was a vassal state of Yuan and the crown princes were taken to Yuan in their early teens or earlier. They were married off to Mongolian princesses just so Yuan can continue to have a tight hold on Goryeo.
I think the only love story that was written in the history of Goryeo was between King Gongmin and Queen Noguk.
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29 wackycashew
February 9, 2017 at 4:43 PM
Can't wait!! Siwan looks so good and I am looking forward to him slaying this sageuk role.
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30 Alin
February 9, 2017 at 9:56 PM
reminds me of ji chang wook
sigh
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Rovi
February 10, 2017 at 4:28 AM
But Ji Chang-wook was based on the Yuan emperor Toghon Temür, and that timeline was around 100 years after this drama.
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31 anna
February 9, 2017 at 10:40 PM
Twitter had me thought that this is a drama version of Frozen Flowers the PG version lol I'm disappointed that it's not.
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Kiara
February 10, 2017 at 7:11 AM
Yea Frozen Flower was based on King Gongmin's reign. I'm the opposite. I'm glad it's not (shoot me). We have had so many sageuks on Gongmin.
Chungseon reigned before Gongmin's time. I don't remember watching a sageuk about him even as a supporting character.
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32 Makoto
February 10, 2017 at 1:17 AM
Im Shiwan looks so damn gorgeous in the first picture.
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33 In your area
February 10, 2017 at 3:29 AM
Yoona?Yoon-ah?YoonaAh? WHO?
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Rovi
February 10, 2017 at 4:30 AM
The one who did the post probably forgot Im Yoon-ah's stage name was Yoona.
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fab
February 10, 2017 at 6:10 AM
I wish it was Song Yoon-ah, the other Y in K2.
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toujoursbelle
March 25, 2017 at 5:41 AM
.....but the lead girl in the novel from book 1-3 was in her teens until she was about 30 and yet you want song yoona, who's in her 40s? Bs.
Also i'm so done with all the delulu shippers in k2 insisting ji chang wook matches song yoona romantically when she basically looks like his mother/aunt. Oh please.
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