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Nam Joo Hyuk Discusses Preparations for Action Drama ‘Vigilante’

Nam Joo Hyuk is taking on a challenging new role in an upcoming action drama. The “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” star has revealed why he decided to take on the role of a young police academy student in the new Disney+ show. In addition to that, Nam revealed his intense preparations to become the titular “Vigilante”.

Nam Joo Hyuk Talks About New Action Drama

Disney+ has shared new stills from “Vigilante” and all of them put the focus on Nam Joo Hyuk. Moreover, the streaming service shared the actor’s insights on his upcoming role of Kim Ji Yong, a man who lives as a police academy student by day but takes on the role of a vigilante by night. But what drew Nam to the project? As it turns out, he knew about the story before it was adapted into an action drama.

“‘Vigilante’ was a webtoon I really liked, and I decided to star in the drama because I had a strong desire to portray the character Kim Ji Yong,” he said.

Nam also addressed how he went through an intense regimen so he could take on the role considering this would be his first action drama.

“Since it’s my first action project, I had many discussions with the martial arts team about the details throughout filming,” he said. “I believed that my character should exhibit a distinct vibe when in a police uniform compared to his Vigilante persona. When portraying the character in his Vigilante role, I focused on presenting a somewhat darker and more solemn figure. Instead of overtly displaying emotions, I tried to act by internalizing those emotions.”

What is ‘Vigilante’ About?

“Vigilante” follows the story of Kim Ji Yong (portrayed by Nam Joo Hyuk), a model police university student who champions justice during the day but transforms into a vigilante at night. When confronting criminals who have evaded the grasp of the law, he takes justice into his own hands.

From a tender age, Kim Ji Yong suffered the heart-wrenching loss of his mother, a victim of the brutal acts committed by local thugs. Observing these malefactors returning to their criminal ways, even after being shown leniency and released from incarceration, Kim Ji Yong adopts a solemn mission: to deliver his own judgment upon those criminals who have managed to evade legal consequences.

“Vigilante” will premiere on Disney+ on November 8, 2023.

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Park Eun Bin on Why She Took ‘Castaway Diva’ Role

Park Eun Bin has played several memorable characters throughout her career and her next project is expected to be just as outstanding. But what drew the “Do You Like Brahms?” star to her new role in “Castaway Diva”? Park shared that she felt that she needed to do the series while working on a challenging drama!

Park Eun Bin Opens Up About Taking on ‘Castaway Diva’ Role

In a new interview with Harper’s Bazaar Korea, Park Eun Bin discussed how she chose “Castaway Diva” while working on a drama. The star of “The King’s Affection” admitted that she was immediately drawn after reading the screenplay.

“During the filming of ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo‘, I spent much time in solitude reflecting on my inner self. This was undoubtedly a period of relative loneliness for me,” she said. “However, upon reading the script for ‘Castaway Diva’, I felt a surge of courage.”

Park continued that she immediately felt a connection to the character Seo Mok Ha, who ends up being stranded on an inhabited island for 15 years.

“Among numerous other intriguing proposals I received, the primary reason I was drawn to Mok Ha’s character was her incredible strength, which I highly desired to emulate at that point in time,” she said.

In “Castaway Diva”, Seo Mok-ha (played by Park Eun-bin) is an aspiring young woman with dreams of becoming a diva. Her journey begins when she emerges victorious in a UCC competition. However, a twist of fate leads to a harrowing mishap, leaving her stranded on an uninhabited island. Mok-ha’s life takes an unexpected turn as she remains isolated on the island for 15 years. After this lengthy period of solitude, she eventually makes her way back to the bustling world she left behind, forever changed by her extraordinary experience.

The series will also star Kim Hyo-jin, Chae Jong-hyeop, Cha Hak-yeon, and Kim Joo-hun. “Castaway Diva” is scheduled to premiere on October 28, 2023.

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Suzy Reveals Emotional Connection With ‘Doona!’ Character

Bae Suzy has taken on a lot of memorable roles but her new character in “Doona!” is the one that hits closest to home. Not surprisingly, the former Miss A member admitted that she has an emotional connection to Lee Doona in the upcoming Netflix series.

Bae Suzy Admits Emotional Connection With Lee Doona

In a new interview with Cosmopolitan Korea, Suzy discussed her new drama series “Doona!” which is set to premiere on Netflix later in October. Interestingly, the “Anna” actress pointed out her similarities with the character Lee Doona, admitting that she felt an emotional connection to the role.

“Our experiences differed, yet, I felt a deep understanding of Doona’s journey, which in many ways reignited memories of my early idol days,” Suzy said.

“In my early twenties, I didn’t have the chance to truly understand or express my pain like Doona,” she continued. “My emotions were bottled up, unlike Doona, who allows herself to experience her emotions fully, even when they’re painful. Doona also isn’t afraid to show her somewhat malicious side that intentionally speaks harsh words. Ironically, this side of her persona is what makes acting thrilling.”

But what if Suzy went through the same thing as Doona, choosing college life over her career? The “Vagabond” star jokingly stated that it would have been enjoyable.

“I think I would have lived quite well, enjoying life perhaps more than most,” she said.

“Doona!” is a romantic drama series based on a beloved webtoon with the same title. The story centers around the experiences of Lee Doona, a former idol as she encounters Lee Wonjun, a regular college student, in a shared living arrangement. Bae Suzy takes on the role of Doona while “Temperature of Love” actor Yang Sejong will portray Wonjun. The new series will premiere on Netflix on October 20, 2023.

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Lee Je Hoon’s Company Shares Update on ‘Taxi Driver’ Star’s Health

Lee Je Hoon recently made headlines after he was unable to host the 28th Busan International Film Festival due to an emergency surgery. Since then, the “Taxi Driver” star‘s agency has shared a health update to assure fans about the actor’s well-being.

COMPANY ON Shares Lee Je Hoon Health Update Following ‘Taxi Driver’ Actor’s Emergency Surgery

On October 17, it was reported that actor Lee Je Hoon recently underwent emergency surgery at a hospital in Seoul, followed by a two-week inpatient treatment to address his condition of ischemic colitis.

According to Lee’s management agency, he was rushed to the hospital late at night on October 1 due to severe abdominal pain. Medical examinations revealed an issue with his colon, and he was diagnosed with ischemic colitis, a condition characterized by a sudden reduction in blood flow to the large intestine. The severity of this condition can vary among individuals, but the associated complications can pose significant risks to the patient’s health.

As a result of this unexpected health crisis, Lee Je Hoon had to withdraw from his role as the host of the opening ceremony of the 28th Busan International Film Festival, which took place on October 4, 2023. He also had to temporarily halt filming for his upcoming MBC drama “Chief Inspector: The Beginning” which is scheduled to air next year.

The emergency surgery that took place on October 1 reportedly extended into the early hours of the morning but was ultimately successful in addressing his condition. After receiving subsequent rounds of treatment, Lee Je Hoon’s health is said to be recovering rapidly. The actor was discharged from the hospital last week and is currently focusing on his recuperation at home. His agency, COMPANY ON, emphasized that Lee Je Hoon’s health remains their top priority, and once he is fully healed, he will resume work on his projects.

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Look: ‘The Marvels’ Releases Character Poster for Park Seo Joon

The highly-anticipated Hollywood debut of South Korean actor Park Seo Joon is almost here! On Monday, October 16, Marvel Studios released the character posters for the lead cast of The Marvels.

Among those featured were Seo Joon’s character Prince Yan. Interestingly, this marks the first time for Marvel Studios to confirm the role of Seo Joon in the film. 

In the poster, the actor appeared regal wearing a maroon top while sporting long hair. 

The Marvels will revolve around Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeua teaming up to save the universe together.

Samuel L. Jackson is also confirmed to reprise his role as Nick Fury. Serving as a sequel to the 2019 film Captain Marvel, The Marvels will premiere on November 10.

Park Seo Joon in ’The Marvels’ 

Seo Joon’s involvement in the movie was first confirmed in September 2021, but his agency Awesome ENT declined to comment about his role in the film. 

Although several teasers have already been released for The Marvels, the Korean star only made brief appearances on them. But fans have long been hypothesizing that he will be playing Prince Yan of Aldana, a love interest of Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers. 

In the Marvels comics, Carol went to the planet Aldana to help Prince Yan get out of an arranged marriage, only for her to end up as his bride. 

In a previous interview with The Guardian, Seo Joon has opened up about his participation in The Marvels movie. 

“When I first heard that the Marvel Cinematic Universe wanted to speak with me, I couldn’t believe it. I actually couldn’t believe it,” he was quoted as saying. 

Additionally, Seo Joon revealed that he felt nervous at first since he had no prior experience filming a Hollywood film. But he said that the cast and crew were “helpful and welcoming” when he was working on his scenes. 

He is the third Korean actor to star in a Marvel movie, following Claudia Kim and Ma Dong Seok. 

In terms of his Korean projects, Park is known for his roles in Itaewon Class, She Was Pretty, Fight For My Way, What’s  Wrong with Secretary Kim, and Dream.

Featured image: Marvel Studios releases the character posters for ‘The Marvels.’ Credit: Twitter/Marvel Studios

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Nam Yoon Su Joins ‘Love in the Big City’ Adaptation

Actor Nam Yoon-su is preparing for a new project. The film Love in the Big City is slated for a 2024 release. It’s based on Park Sang-young’s novel. The story follows the free-spirited Jae-hee and her gay BFF, Heung-soo, as they navigate life and love in Seoul. The novel received nominations for the Booker Prize and the International Dublin Literary Prize. It’s popular in South Korea and beyond, boasting nine printings so far.

Nam Yoon-su displayed his versatility as an actor through his roles in Beyond Evil, Extracurricular, The King’s Affection, Today’s Webtoon, and more. He last appeared in Soulmate alongside Jeon So-nee and Kim Da-mi in March 2023. Fans eagerly await his performance in this unique film.

Joining him are Goblin star Kim Go-eun and Pachinko actor Noh Sang-hyun. Kim Go-eun debuted in 2012 with A Muse and has since been part of hits like Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and Little Women. Meanwhile, Noh Sang-hyun started as a model before breaking into acting with 2015’s The Wicked Are Alive.

What has Nam Yoon-su gotten into?

The film adaptation will receive 1.5 billion won in OTT production support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Love in the Big City will also be adapted into an eight-episode drama by production houses Big Stone Studio and Merry Christmas. They aim to release it in the latter half of 2024.

Film production is progressing smoothly, with PlusM securing funding from a domestic start-up company specializing in video investment. Michigan Venture Capital has reportedly invested 2 billion KRW out of the total production cost of approximately 6 billion KRW. However, due to its theme, the drama adaptation faces challenges in securing investors.

Negotiations with several OTT platforms are ongoing. However, concerns about external image and public opinion, particularly related to HIV and same-sex relationships between men, have made securing funding more challenging. If the drama’s production experiences delays, there is speculation that its central theme might need to be changed. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Nam Yoon-su will show a new side of himself in this project. Source: X/@baywings.

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Park Hyung Sik And Park Bo Young Reunite For ‘Strong Girl Namsoon’ Cameo

Park Hyung Sik and Park Bo Young have officially reunited! The stars of the beloved drama “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” have reunited on screen after a six-year hiatus for the spin-off series “Strong Girl Namsoon.” This comedic spin-off delves into the lives of three generations of extraordinarily strong women as they investigate drug-related crimes in the Gangnam area.

‘Strong Woman Do Bong Soon’ Stars Reunite After Six Years for ‘Strong Girl Nam Soon’

Newly released stills from the show have reignited excitement among fans as Park Hyung Sik, who played Ahn Min Hyuk in the original series, joins forces with Do Bong Soon, played by Park Bo Young. In the stills, Do Bong Soon is seen being investigated at a police station for unspecified reasons. In a surprising turn of events, Ahn Min Hyuk bursts into the police station in disbelief. Their encounter with Gil Joong Gan, the maternal grandmother of the new series’ lead character, Gang Nam Soon, piques the viewers’ curiosity. Gil Joong Gan’s entrance is marked by her commanding presence and regal aura.

In “Strong Girl Namsoon”, Lee Yoo Mi portrays Gang Nam Soon, Do Bong Soon’s quirky and energetic second cousin, who possesses remarkable strength and has traveled from Mongolia in search of her parents. Kim Jung Eun takes on the role of Gang Nam Soon’s mother Hwang Geum Joo, a wealthy figure in Gangnam with a strong commitment to justice. Finally, Kim Hae Sook embodies the character of Gil Joong Gan, Gang Nam Soon’s maternal grandmother and a revered figure in the Majang neighborhood.

Fans can look forward to the next episode of “Strong Girl Namsoon,” which is scheduled to air on October 14 at 10:30 p.m. KST. The reunion of these beloved characters from “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” has generated significant anticipation for this new chapter in their lives.

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Watch: Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung Shows off Chemistry in ‘My Demon’ Teaser

Heads up, K-drama fans! Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung are set to show off their chemistry in the upcoming drama ‘My Demon.’

On Thursday, October 12, the drama unveiled its first enticing teaser. The fantasy romance series will follow the story of Do Do Hee, played by Yoo Jung, a demon-like chaebol heiress who falls in love with a demon.

Meanwhile, Song Kang will portray the dangerous demon Jung Gu-Won, who is known to make deals with humans using their souls as collateral.

However, things begin to get complicated as Gu-Won loses his powers after having a contractual marriage with Do Hee. And it turns out, his only way of survival is by protecting his new wife.

In the 50-second clip for ‘My Demon,’ Gu Won looked elegantly suited in a black attire while sheltering the graceful Do Hee from the rain.

In addition, the teaser also gave a glimpse of the couple’s fake wedding. “I can’t be shaken. It’s not even a real wedding,” Do Hee said in a troubled voice. Then, Gu Won is seen answering with: “You did not forget the contract right?”

Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung on starring in ‘My Demon’ 

Both Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung have penned their names in the film industry by starring in numerous hit dramas. 

For instance, Song Kang has gained recognition for his roles in the series Nevertheless and Sweet Home

Meanwhile, Yoo Jung is known for leading the projects Love in the Moonlight and Backstreet Rookie

But interestingly enough, My Demon will be their first project together. 

When asked about the upcoming series, Yoo Jung answered: “It’s a project in which the charismatic character and story felt interesting to me.”  The actress also mentioned that she enjoyed filming the drama because she thinks she will be able to showcase a new side of herself that she has not been able to in her previous works.

Meanwhile, Song Kang stated: “I’m really happy to be able to work together with My Demon.” Moreover, the actor also asked for the fans’ support.

My Demon will premiere on November 24 via SBS Network.

Featured image: SBS releases the first teaser for ‘My Demon’ starring Song Kang and Kim Yoo Jung. Credit: Twitter/SBS

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Cha Eun Woo Opens Up About Unique Kissing Scene In New Drama

Cha Eun Woo is making a comeback on the small screen with the upcoming drama “A Good Day to Be a Dog”. Interestingly, the ASTRO member revealed that there were unusual preparations for the show which features a unique kissing scene.

Cha Eun Woo Reveals Unique Kissing Scene in ‘A Good Day to Be a Dog’

On October 11, the MBC FM4U radio show “Two O’Clock Date with JaeJae” hosted the lead cast of MBC’s upcoming drama “A Good Day to Be a Dog” as special guests. The primary cast is composed of Park Gyu Young, Cha Eun Woo, and Lee Hyun Woo.

During the radio broadcast, a curious listener inquired about the on-screen dynamics between the actors and the real canine co-star in the series. Park Gyu Young said, “Since, in the scenario, my character turns into a dog, when it comes to talking about chemistry, I think Eunwoo will have a lot to say.”

That’s when Cha Eun Woo opened up about working with a furry co-star. “I actually had to film a genuine kissing scene with a dog,” he said. The idol then pointed out that working with a dog was not as easy as it sounds.

“The puppy was adorable, but it just wouldn’t focus. It wouldn’t even kiss me,” Cha said. He also admitted that he had to take extra measures to ensure the dog would work with him.

“To initiate the kissing scene, I had to apply ‘Churu’ – a pet snack – on my mouth to coax it to kiss (lick my lips),” Cha said.

“A Good Day to Be a Dog” is the latest MBC drama featuring Cha Eun Woo. It is an adaptation of the popular Naver webtoon written by Lee Hye. The story revolves around a woman cursed to transform into a dog whenever she kisses someone and a man with an irrational fear of dogs who, ironically, holds the sole known remedy to break the enchantment.

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Wavve’s ‘Weak Hero Class 1’ Gets Second Season

Following the overwhelming success of Weak Hero Class 1, fans have every reason to celebrate as the Wavve original thriller K-drama is set to continue its gripping tale. The drama clinched the Best Original OTT Award at the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards held on October 8, 2023, in Busan, South Korea.

@may.hoon529

congratulations weakheroclass1 약한영웅class1 👊👍🏻👏🏻 parkjihoon choihyunwook hongkyung shinseungho leeyeon asiacontentsaward2023 bestottoriginal

♬ beauty and a beat now u guys can leave me alone – ⠀ ⠀

The first season of Weak Hero Class 1 was very well-received by K-drama enthusiasts thanks to its compelling storyline and masterful storytelling. The series delves deep into the life of Yeon Si-eun, a student determined to stand up against bullies disrupting his academic pursuits. As the story unfolds, Si-eun befriends two other students, and together, they confront various bullies.

Producer Kim Myung-jin was visibly moved while accepting the Best Original OTT award for the drama. Reflecting on the drama’s showcase at the Busan Film Festival the previous year, she said, “We had this great opportunity to meet the audience for the first time and received a lot of love. I believe that we were able to come this far thanks to that support and energy, so we are trying to create the next story with this drive again. We hope you will show more anticipation and interest in our story going forward. We also hope that you keep the story of ‘Weak Hero’ in the future.”

Weak Hero Class • Teaser | This top student is ready to fight back [ENG SUB]

Fans can’t wait for ‘Weak Hero’ season two

Due to the drama’s big win and the confirmation of a second season, fans expressed their joy and excitement. Many have eagerly awaited such news since the first season’s conclusion. There’s also a buzz of anticipation around whether Choi Hyun-wook, Park Ji-hoon, and other cast members will reprise their roles.

As mentioned by the producer, the award played a pivotal role in the decision to renew the series. The drama’s first season was based on the webtoon Weak Hero by SeoPass and Kim Jin-seok. It consisted of eight episodes and was helmed by director and screenwriter You Su-min. Right now, there aren’t many details on the second season of Weak Hero Class 1, but K-drama fans are already beside themselves with excitement. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Guess ‘Weak Hero Class 1’ wasn’t so weak. Source: X/@winkandhearts.

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