Taiwan News Confirms Siwon and Donghae’s Involvement in Extravagant Challenge with Ivy Chen
When a project gets lodged in development hell, months and years go by without any updates. If by the grace of drama gods it gets resurrected, suddenly the flood gates burst and everything shifts into power gear. The TW-drama adaptation of the popular manga Skip Beat, which has been languishing for 2 years (and multiple lead actor changes), has finally gotten the green light.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago as a possibility, which various TW news outlets have now confirmed, Super Junior members Choi Si Won and Lee Dong Hae will be playing the leads in Extravagant Challenge, opposite TW-actress Ivy Chen (stepping in for Ariel Lin). The drama is expected to enter pre-production in April, with filming to commence shortly thereafter.
If Ariel couldn’t play Kyoko, I’m glad that it’s Ivy who will be taking on the challenging role of a country bumpkin who follows her childhood best friend Sho to Tokyo as he embarks on a popstar career, only to discover the friend has been using her lovesick adoration as free maidservice. In her utter disillusionment and anger, Kyoko vows revenge on Sho by becoming an even bigger star than he is, and then rubbing it in his face. Along the way, she meets Ren, who Sho considers his biggest rival, and they become friends and co-workers of sorts.
I have very mixed feelings about Skip Beat. On one hand, the concept is brilliant and fraught with so much room for interesting plot and character developments. On the other hand, the execution by the writer is godawful, with the story meandering all over the place, only to get good in the middle stretch, and now puttering along at snail’s pace.
When I read Skip Beat, the first thought going through my mind was that this manga is better suited for a drama adaptation than any manga I’ve read in recent years. I think Ivy is up to the task of transforming into Kyoko, and Si Won will be playing reticent Ren and Dong Hae will be playing short-fused Sho.
I’m pretty sure this drama is now a go since the Taiwan newspapers are reporting on it, but I’ll be waiting for the Korean newspapers to further confirm Siwon and Donghae’s involvement in Extravagant Challenge as the airtight confirmation that this ambitious project is for sure going to happen.
[Credit: United Daily News UDN]
I’m saying it now and no one better fight me on it: Siwon is MINE. ALL MINE.
I’ve heard that Siwon speaks Mandarin, and he’s acted in Chinese productions before, but I don’t know about Donghae. Should be interesting if the writer has an iota of sense. But then again, look what happened to M3.
He’s all yours, kiddo~
I think they’ll be dubbed in the end. Just my hunch.
Yay! finally.. I generally love the manga, it’s a little boring every now and then but I love the characters. So drama is good, so at least I can see the end
Hum, I curious who gonna be Ren between the two of them… probably Si Won since he’s more experienced, Ren suppose to be really good in acting.
Oh my fav SuJu boys!!<333
I'll try to take out time for watching Extravagant Challenge…good luck for everyone related to the project…
Ohhhh! That’s good news. Although I hate the fact that it’ll be dubbed >______< But I like the cast and story so I'll be following it for sure. It's the only TW-Korean collaboration that I have any hopes for… btw I read some article ages ago, when the new cast was first rumoured, that Choi Si Woon would be playing Sho and Lee Dong Hae would be playing Ren. I thought that was so wrong! Choi Si Woon is perfect as Ren so I really hope it'll turn out that way… On the other hand, I think Ivy Chen fits the role of Kyoko much better than Ariel Lin (just can't see her as Kyoko…).
I heard that too, that Siwon would be Sho and Donghae would be Ren, way back when their involvement was first being rumored, and I thought, “Nooooo!!!!! It’s got to be the reverse!”
I’ve sort of thrown up my hands at this production of Skip Beat. I was so super-duper excited when Jerry and Ariel were attached, but when they left, my attachment dimmed substantially. I sure hope they do a good job, with the new cast and all, but in order to keep my heart from being broken again, I’m going to keep my expectations very, very low.
Yeah… never hurts to have low expectations, considering the amount of problems there’s been with this particular twdrama adaption. We can only wait and see.
WHOO. (: I can’t wait. I loved Skip Beat and I hope they make it as great as the manga.
i got mixed feeling about Siwon and donghae as Ren and sho..
For one thing, though I think Siwon can act I still dont think he has the acting props and experience to be REN. while with donghae’s case though i love him to every bits and pieces of him, I have not seen him act yet, so i dont think he can act as the Bossy, righteous and scary Ren or the arrogant and charismatic Sho…
I am not sure i am happy with idol-actors playing my fave fave fave manga characters.
may it taecyeon, wooyoung, seulong, Kikwang, heechul, Jaejoong, Junsu, Yoochun, TOP, Minho or even HyunJoong. yes even hyunjoong, even however much i want hyunjoong to be on a drama, i wouldnt want him in this drama. As in no idol-actor please. hmmnn but what can I do, its already confirmed. i dont think i will watch this when it airs….
I would have wanted someone with more acting props and experience than this two, and as KOALA mentioned it could be dubbed, thats double urghhh and no-no in my book. dubbing in drama Are usually super obvious. please no dubbing for skip beat. NO please, no…
I would have been on the boat of this drama 100% cause i super love the manga and anime. but if they had casted the leads with the acting props of Vic (zai zai) as Ren and Ethan Ruan as Sho, then I would literally be in front of my computer 24/7 waiting for everysingle info/pic/vid and etc…
But if the production really wanted some Korean influence I would go for Kim Soo Hyun (cause his recent stint from Dream high really made him number 1 in my book), or Jang Geun-seok (he can play the arrogant card both in Ren or sho side) and Kim Bum (well i just love him in any drama except dream)…
I am not bashing anyone I was just expecting so much from SKIP BEAT cause I super love that manga, even now still waiting for chapter/episode 172 spoiler scans.
I just want this drama to be PERFECT!!! cause the manga is PERFECT in itself except the fact that its still not yet finished..
anyway i just put my rants here cause i dont think i can rant at the production of Extravagant Challenge…
as for the girl, I already love her since Smiling pasta…
“i got mixed feeling about Siwon and donghae as Ren and sho..
For one thing, though I think Siwon can act I still dont think he has the acting props and experience to be REN. while with donghae’s case though i love him to every bits and pieces of him, I have not seen him act yet, so i dont think he can act as the Bossy, righteous and scary Ren or the arrogant and charismatic Sho…
I am not sure i am happy with idol-actors playing my fave fave fave manga characters.”
THIS. i agree completely.
no matter what happens on Extravagant Challenge, I love Skip Beat.
I can continue loving the manga.
I agree with you on Skip Beat. I loved it at first, and individual moments in the serious are golden, but the plot overall has totally lost me. It has the potential to be a really good drama though.
Hmmm …
I like Skip Beat. And, yes, if any drama screams tv adaptation that’s it. The original story is fun and dynamic and I hope the drama will follow it closely. But there are several things that make me uneasy:
1. Kyoko is crazy. One half of her is a raging lunatic and the other is the nicest girl next door you can imagine. I have no idea who Ivy Chen is and if she can go from crazy to cute in a heartbeat or whether or not they’ll let, but i sure hope she can pull that off.
2. The Suju boys don’t make me happy either. I haven’t seen Donghae act. i can’t say anything about him. As for Si Won – I’ve always imagined him as Sho. I’m not sure that someone like Ren is within his reach yet.
3. Taiwanese idol dramas tend to oversimplify and sugarcoat EVERYTHING. To insane levels. Sometimes I’m not sure that anyone over 12 can enjoy them without feeling very, very stupid. I know that SB is a shoujo manga but it also has darker and serious moments which are essential to the story. Please, please don’t turn it all into lollipops and rainbows, please.
AGREE!
completely agree!!!!
i hate it…..i hate it…i wanted donghae as ren…now i can not watch it…its makes me cry
donghae can not act mean…..i do not want this>..<
i hate it really….i hate it…..i want donghae as ren…please…please…it makes me cry i can not watch a jerk and stupid donghae as sho…>.<…..
wow… they really took quite some time and switching of leads… >_< i'm still not really convinced they'll start the shooting soon xP
was anticipating Jerry yan (not ariel lin though, kinda happy she's not going to be in it) but Choi siwon (and donghae) makes up for the "loss". still… kinda strange to have Koreans in a taiwanese production kekkeke
I love Skip Beat as a comic story although kind of dragging now. . I don’t think the soap will live up to the story and I will be greatly disappointed (most likely…unless I watch it as a completely unrelated story). I think it will very challenging to play Ren… just don’t see anyone playing that part AT ALL. When I was reading the story, Jiro Wang kept popping up in my mind as a perfect SHO. Other than that, I will just watch it if OCKAOLA recommends it.
“Jiro Wang kept popping up in my mind as a perfect SHO.”
same here. it will be very difficult to pick an actor for Ren. and Kyoko.
bipolars never easy. LOL.
i think its better if DONGHAE would be the lead actor! and i think Ariel Lin is better, since i have watched her drama it started with a kiss. But maybe, ivy chen would fit the role too. y wud they pick her if , anyway?
but I want DONGHAE!!!!
I prefer Donghae oppa as Ren because he is cute and lovely. I don’t want him to be a play boy ! However i’m glad he is in the drama with Siwon.^o^
Wow! Just found this article at allkpop:
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/03/sujus-choi-si-won-and-donghae-to-begin-filming-for-their-taiwanese-drama
It says that filming will being on 31st March! Seems like this is the real deal! Although I wasn’t too thrilled to read that Bianca Bai has been casted as well (second female lead I guess)… at least she’s not the lead. On the other hand, big yay to the confirmation that Si Won will be Ren and Donghae will play the role of Sho!
Now I just hope this twdrama will be aired during the latter half of this year!
Haha. I know. I was bummed out when I found out Bianca Bai was gonna be in it. XD I don’t know why… but I don’t like her. Fated to Love You ruined her for me.
OMG!!!! i love the manga even now that the production is slow i still love it i always look foward to the next chapter but now i hear their making a drama and on top of that is the gorgeous donghae and hot siwon i cant wait i know they will get their characters right
FIGHTING AND GOOD LUCK CANT WAIT!!!!! ^_^