The main three Korean networks continue their attempt to seep every last ounce of goodwill I have for them since there isn’t currently a single K-drama on MBC, SBS, or KBS that I wholeheartedly love. The second half downward spiral of Alice in Cheongdamdong has been painful to witness, and the less said about the new arrivals in Yawang (the very definition of a terrible melodrama) and 7th Level Civil Servant (I wanted to smash its first episode into smithereens, its existence in this world so offends me) the better. The next big premiere coming up on the weekday circuit is a ten-ton gorilla in terms of star power and production prowess. It feels like IRIS 2 has been filming since forever, which make sense since the drama spans multiple exotic foreign locales and is a script written about international conspiracy and espionage and potential warfare. Not exactly something that can be cobbled together and filmed a few weeks before premiere. With Jeon Woo Chi wrapping up, IRIS 2 is slated to premiere on February 13th on KBS.
Starring Jang Hyuk, Lee Da Hae, Lee Bum Soo, Oh Yeon Soo, Im Soo Hyang, Lee Joon, Yoon Doo Joon, and Baek Sung Hyun (with special appearances by Kim Seung Woo and Kim Young Chul, though the rumored returns of Kim So Yeon and Kim Min Jong have recently been nixed), the drama picks up directly from the end of IRIS after 3 years have passed. The Korean National Security Service (NSS) is now battling the shadowy organization IRIS, who aims to turn North and South Korea against each other during the official negotiations for a potential reunification. The drama will be filmed in Hungary, Cambodia, Japan and South Korea and the production company Taewon Entertainment is clearly aiming to hit the ratings jackpot that was IRIS (and everyone wants to forget the ratings and quality mess that was Athena: Goddess of War). I am definitely watching this but twice burned with both IRIS and Athena, I’m keeping my expectations low that the story will make sense and actually be good, but I will see how long I can watch just to see some of my favorite actors onscreen, most notably the third-time pairing of Lee Da Hae and Jang Hyuk as well as Lee Bum Soo lighting the screen on fire as a North Korean agent. Bring it on, baby!
IRIS 2 Teaser:
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haven't seen IRIS or Athena, but will give this a try just for the star cast....
Among current airing shows, School 2013 is simply awesome :)
yes! School 2013 is the best thing airing right now, but it's ending next week.... I don't know what I'll do after. Well, the other one I like is FBND.
IRIS was ok, but didn't watch Athena. I might catch a few epi for fun.
Sorry I know it's off topic but I must second @snow_white's recommendation: School 2013 is awesome/really good.
IRIS, will give it a shot.
Glad to see you hated 7th Level Civil Servant as well... the first episode was awful and directionless and I have no words for the Choi Kang Hee - Joo Won pairing. No words.
i'm worried for LeeDaHae, she is so skinny i wonder if she can hold her kicks together.
lol :D
Hi Koala,
Why there's no news about Kang JiHwan's new drama. It is supposed to premiere early Feb, right? Are they not promoting well?
All I can say.... Jang Hyuk's hair.......
I know!!! I love Jang Hyuk, and it pains me to see him with such bad hair!! >.<
Me too! Absolutely LOVE Jang Hyuk to death! I think he could look better in short hair...but cut of it is totally killing that possibility. I've always loved him, but I think he looks infinitely even hotter after his military service. I mean, now compared to him in Successful Story of a Bright Girl...he's smokin'. And still as good of an actor, if not even better.
Has LDH done something to her face, I think in her latest projects it just looks like there is something off with her face. (surgery?)
Not looking forward to this, didn't watch Iris or Athena even though this has LBS.
apparently, like nicole kidman, she's into botox. I hope she doesn't get addicted to the notion of forever looking young.
That explains it, too bad because LDH is pretty but now it's just weird. Botox ruins your face Nicole Kidman used to be so gorgeous but now sigh.
but but but... their posters looking boring.
I am not a fan of action dramas. Actually, I avoid it as much as possible. However, I once watched a drama like these because of City Hunter. And now that Iris 2 is to be released, I will give it a try not because I'm curious with the plot but because Lee Joon is there. (fangirling mode on... ㅋㅋㅋ) But if this drama is not as good as it is marketed then I'm gonna drop this. I don't wanna waste time watching a drama that will not satisfy my palate.
Apparently, the BIG 3 have no hit dramas so far. Since 2012, it has been a year of cable networks so I wish that Iris 2 could somehow get them back on their tracks. *silently wishing because LJ is there
OT: As for the other dramas that are up on air, only FBND is the one that catches my attention and I'm proud to say that I'm religiously watching it. Oh! Boy Series have not failed me, so far. From My Flower Boy Ramyun Shop to Shut Up Flower Boy Band, and now with FBND. I also hope that FBND will be able to sustain it up to the last episode since I really like PSH.
I loved IRIS but loathed Athena, so it's a toss-up for me whether this one will work. But I hope something does, because like you, I am utterly bored by all the main 3's offerings this year. (And double yes on 7th Grade Civil Servant - why does that exist in this world? And I say it as a Joo Won fangirl).
Btw, re Scool 2013 rec that people are making - it's not bad, but it's pretty much a jdrama. It's like a less extreme Gokusen.