Major DCInside Rumor that Lee Jong Seok and Song Hye Kyo Will Star in Next Hong Sisters K-drama in 2021 Titled Shining Ambition

Take it with a grain of salt but DCInside has been a veritable treasure trove of early casting news for the last decade and I always take note of the spoilers from the forum. A list of rumored/in the works K-dramas of 2021 leaked last week and the most exciting news is hearing Song Hye Kyo and Lee Jong Seok have been offered the leads in the Hong Sisters next K-drama scheduled for 2021. It’s called Shining Ambition (Korean title Returning Soul) and is the Hong Sisters first drama in two years since 2019’s Hotel Del Luna. It will be directed by the PD of Misaeng, My Ahjussi, and Arthdal Chronicles. Lee Jong Seok is finishing his military service right now and will be discharged in January 2021 so this casting news is totally probable. Now it’s just wait and see if it pans out. If this happens I’m all for it, never thought about these two working together but I can see sparks aplenty.


Comments

Major DCInside Rumor that Lee Jong Seok and Song Hye Kyo Will Star in Next Hong Sisters K-drama in 2021 Titled Shining Ambition — 40 Comments

  1. Hmm, too bad I don’t care for LJS (he’s the one kdrama actor/actress I just cannot watch in a drama after 10 years and I’m still not sure why :() Almost everything else about the drama sounds great. I know he has a lot of fans all over the world so good for them if true.

    I really hope Hong Sisters have broken that habit of every other drama of theirs being…not so good.

  2. Pairing is ok I guess, but I’d love to see SHK act with someone near her age again. I didn’t feel any chemistry with her and Park Bo Gum. Not really a fan of the Hong Sisters. The ones I watched in recent years, Warm & Cozy and Hwayugi, were train wrecks in my opinion. Both also did not do that well ratings-wise. Although Hotel del Luna had high ratings, I wasn’t a fan because I felt the writing was too draggy and repetitive. However, I LOVE the PD. Misaeng and My Ahjussi were two absolute masterpieces.

  3. That is such an odd pairing. SHK is mostly great with actors her age honestly. LJS would look like a kid next to her. I though PBG and she had zero chemistry personally. Oh wells.

  4. Why can’t SHK do a show that doesn’t have a love line??? Or at least do a romcom with someone her age. Ugh, hate this pairing

    • I think her acting is very limited that’s why she mostly stick to romcom. In the past, she did try some other genres but they were not well received. Her popularity surged back after Descendants of the Sun. She was very lucky imo. Now, she will keep choosing romantic genre with popular leading co-stars (regardless of their age) to help her maintain her popularity. She may be popular but if her co-star is not a well known actor, I doubt there will be much people tuning in to watch, To me, SHK is better as CF model, not as an actress.

      • Even before DotS, she was still able to maintain her high popularity with TWTWB. Of course the ratings weren’t high as DotS but the drama was still popular and the parodies were everywhere. And regardless of what people say about her acting, the fact remains that almost all her dramas got high ratings. Production houses, writers..they are doing dramas for profits and for that reason, she’ll still be one of the first choices when it comes to casting.

      • Actually I like SHK a lot which is why I would prefer she does something outside of either melos and romcoms. With many dissing her last pairing with PBG, I’d rather she pair up with an older gent. I have never watched any LJS show and do not intend to start. Cheers

      • i agree alot w yr comments that shk is a better cf model than an actress.. she is v beautiful n her image is v powerful thats why alot of her dramas did well.. bt her acting spectrum she is ok.. hopefully we’ll get to see her in a romcom or sth else other than portraying a cold n arrogant character

      • …. you seriously think That Winter The Wind Blows, DotS and Encounter are examples of ‘romcom’?

        SHK is a fine melo actress, if anything it’s comedy she’s weak at (eg Full House). I’m rather apprehensive about the idea of her in a Hong Sisters drama for that reason but then So Ji Sub pulled off Master’s Sun so who knows?

  5. Did LJS do his military service yet?

    I think SHK should at least use that as a rule of thumb when deciding her co-stars. Why does she continue to go for the young ones?

  6. Seriously? No, just no. I’m not a fan of SHK. She’s not a very good actress and seems to only have 1 or 2 expressions. She’s pretty but boring. I don’t find her charismatic at all – sort of like Kim Tae Hee. Both beautiful but bland. I’ve liked LJS in his previous roles but didn’t care for Romance is a Bonus Book where he was paired up with another Noona. Im unsure why he keeps getting cast with older actresses…I really loved Pinocchio. He actually had great chemistry with PSH. Hopefully this is just a rumor.

    • Lol I’m no fan of SHK either but the one with 1 or 2 expression along with being extremely boring is LJS. He plays the exact same role (or they definitely feel like versions of the same roles) every single time. But I can agree with one thing – this pairing is a no no.

      There are so many more better pairings for them both and they should stick to people their age because that’s when they’re most effective romantically on screen.

      • You’re right in that LJS isn’t the best actor around either but I’ve enjoyed his dramas a lot more than SHK’s. I just can not picture these two as an OTP. K drama casting isn’t doing very well lately as a whole imo. Weird pairing are everywhere.

    • Lol I agree. I feel like no one says anything against her here because she’s the hallyu queen goddess, but I find her acting average at best, which is sad considering her status and decades in the industry. In Kim Tae Hee’s defense, she was pretty good in Hi, Bye Mama. The mother role really suited her. I think it would benefit Song Hye Kyo if she took on a different type of role or did a drama that didn’t focus on romance.

      • Yeah, I can’t deny her popularity as a “Hallyday goddess” but I really think she’s overrated as an actress. Beautiful yes, great actress no. I think people, especially in Korea, give her a pass because of her face but to me she’s like this beautiful ornament that looks amazing but has very little character or that certain something. But we all are different. But perhaps it is the type of roles she plays and maybe she should broaden her horizons outside the romance genre.

  7. Yeah, I can’t deny her popularity as a “Hallyu goddess” but I really think she’s overrated as an actress. Beautiful yes, great actress no. I think people, especially in Korea, give her a pass because of her face but to me she’s like this beautiful ornament that looks amazing but has very little character or that certain something. But we all are different. But perhaps it is the type of roles she plays and maybe she should broaden her horizons outside the romance genre.

  8. This pairing is just so unconvincing to be honest. It’s never a good sign esp. similar pairings of dongsaeng-noona flopped miserably like Ha Ji Won and Kang Min Hyuk in Hospital Ship. I would prefer SHK with Nam Goong Min doing a thriller or darker themed drama rather then rom-coms. Let’s face it, SHK should move on from melo or tearjerker romantic dramas or pair her up with similar age actors. I like her in Hotelier. They are so many to choose from like Lee Min Ki, Yoon Kye Sang, Gong Yoo, etc. Sigh.

  9. I would love to see SHK pair up with a senior actor but if LJS is gonna be her next co-star, I’m ok with it despite not being his fan. I’m not choosy. All I need is her comeback.

  10. Some commenters here are so funny. Trying so hard to discredit SHK. When her drama got high ratings, they said it was all because of her co-stars. Isn’t that funny coz as far as I know, SHK is the one with almost a perfect record for dramas, minus Worlds Within?

    Also, SHK may not be as talented as some other actresses, but she definitely didn’t get her drama daesangs for showing bad performances.

  11. Acting is subjective. What is boring to you maybe subtle and natural to others. To whoever saying that no one against her or people give her a pass must have forgotten all the bashing and hatred that she received whenever her name appears in any upcoming projects. No one gives anyone a free pass. When there is demand, there is supply as 20 years in the entertainment industry, her name is still hot and remaining her top tier, obviously there is a reason for it.

  12. I may be in the minority but I love seeing LJS in noona-younger man romance dramas. He’s like a cute puppy although he’s now in his 30s. I’m optimistic about this pairing overall. I hope the Hong sisters strike it rich again since I love Hotel Del Luna.

      • @Ta
        I did! I loved it so much! When I look outside and look at the moon, I get reminded of the scene in the drama where he said, “the moon is beautiful tonight” aka “I love you.”

  13. I hope this project comes true! It would be nice to see LJS in a hong sisters drama! Based on visuals alone, this pairing would really look good on-screen.

  14. SHK whenever there is an upcoming drama news most often if not mixed reactions receives negative comments but when its airing they will be watching anyway.??

    Not a fan of LJS(and I have nothing againsts him). I too hope she will be pair with someone within her age.. I’ve been wishing for a Won Bin-SHK reunion drama eversince Autumn tale but seems like WB isnt keen on doing dramas.. Eversince I’ve watched Gong Yoo in coffee prince, I also would like to see them do a drama.. Lee dong wook too..

  15. Song hye kyo para mi es una excelente actriz solo que los actores que le ponen no le acompañan porque no le ponen actores como lee min ho l agente pide mucho esa dupla o le jon ki o ji so hay tantos famosos además en descendientes del Sol fue un drama muy famosos por la actuación de todos no la desmerescan

  16. as I’ve said before, SHK should move on to other genres other than melo or romcom. If its still a romance, I would like her pair to be her age with acting creds. Lets put an end to the noona-dongseang romance drama.

  17. Will be tuning to this when it air. Really miss Song Hye Kyo on the screen. Rooting for this production. Lol why people are complaining about SHK and discrediting her so much. There is literally nothing interesting or worth to watch in the K-entertainment what so ever nowadays. Every dramas are cliche as hell. All the winning nominations dramas are meh same as popular dramas. No depth but recycled Romeo and Julia recom and melo plot. Anything should be fine as long as the fans still support the idol. Rooting for Hye Kyo.

  18. I like both of them separately. Not feeling the pair, but LJS is good in noona romances and they have a 7yr difference, which is not that big. I would check the drama.
    Another possibility that I’d like is that there is no romance at all in the drama, or only hinted, like, in an X-files kind of way, eternal flirting not going anywere, haha!!

  19. She’s beautiful, but she’s going to look too old for him. They’re not a visual match and I don’t care for the pairing. I agree with others when they say she should be paired with a more mature man. Someone with a bit of wrinkles (smile lines), probably a bit of gray and lots of charisma.

  20. I bet those who think SHK has no chemistry with younger male actors esp with PBG or want same age actors are still rooting for her ex or shipping Bogum with other actresses Bcoz true blooded Bogum fans are open minded.
    Or simply can’t accept that she can be paired with any actors whatever their age is.

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