The first casting stirrings are emerging in the K-drama adaptation of the Japanese manga Nodame Cantabile. Fans of the almost perfect Japanese version dorama starring Tamaki Hiroshi and Ueno Juri might still be cringing in fear of the eccentric story getting massaged into some sort of K-drama love triangle hero-in-training arc, but the production company Group 8 that owns the adaptation rights is pretty good with keeping with quirky intact. This manga isn’t one of those widely read classics or uber popular mania hits, more people have encountered this music academy story through the J-dorama than its source material. That means Tamaki Hiroshi and Ueno Juri are by and large the image everyone has of the two leads Chiaki and Nodame. Group 8 is currently working on the script but have extended a casting call to two leads that might actually be a good fit. Joo Won has been offered the role of the music prodigy male lead while singer-actress IU is favored to play the offbeat female lead.
Neither are confirmed and frankly too early for that since both sides reportedly haven’t even seen a script yet. IU is no stranger to manga roles since her last drama Pretty Boy (Bel Ami) was adapted from a Korean manhwa and also produced by Group 8. In fact, her character Kim Botong in PB was so 4D and beyond kooky she actually reminds me of Nodame in how far out her thought processes and actions can seem to the normal human being. Joo Won is a hit magnet when he does KBS dramas such as Baker King, Kim Tak Goo, Ojakkyo Brothers, Gaksital, and Good Doctor, and his one blip of a drama was the blah 7th Grade Civil Servant on MBC. IU is also a KBS regular as PB aired on the network as well as her The Best Lee Soon Shin and Dream High. I can see KBS picking up airing rights for the K-version of Nodame Cantabile if Joo Won and IU accepts the role, and my snap opinion is that the casting seems solid even if I’m personally not a Joo Won fan. For some reason I can see him as Chiaki, and IU’s acting has improved leaps and bounds with two back-to-back dramas last year and she’s got the music background and natural charm to pull off a character like Nodame. I’ll keep an eye on this as the casting shakes out.
I think Joo Won and IU would look really cute together, and their acting styles gives off the impression it’ll mesh quite well. What do you guys think?
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For some reason iu doesnt fit for me. I loved her in dream high and she was good (although I hated her character) in best lee but in pretty boy I just didnt buy her acting for some reason. maybe its because nodame is so over the top I think they have to hire an actress that has amazing skills otherwise it won't work and it will just come off cheesy
I also think Joo Won and IU are suitable casting. Joon Won is a good actor but I haven't really warmed up to him, I liked IU in YTBLSS and it seems she was endearing in PB.
I'm kinda torn about this Korean remake... I'm a huge fan of Nodame Cantabile drama and manga. Got hooked by the drama and movies irst and then I read the entire manga. Being piano trained, I could connect with it and it reignited my love in classical music, having somewhat classical music somewhow. NC has a special place in my heart and I don't want a remake to "sully" it!
Skipping this one, some dramas are just never meant to be remade, nodame is definitely one of them. Its not another hana yori dango or it started w a kiss, its nodame, a very very weird japanese heroine lol. When I think of korea remaking it, I can already imagine the girl making cute faces that aren't very cute but rather annoying. Nodame is cheesy but its genuinely japanese cheesy I cant see koreans portray.
Well, I do not watch Kdrama remakes of Jdramas because the originals are too awesome and out there imo. Also, I have not seen anything either has been in due to interest.....Happy viewing.
I think she is too cute, meaning, I think some of it is because of effort on her part. Some of that is her squeeky public image that idols have to maintain, I guess.
JW is good for this. His musical background makes him a good candidate.
God forbid they cast an idol as the smelly-hoarding-disorganized-clumsy Nodame. I think I would much rather prefer a more experienced actress in that sense, but I'm willing to be proven wrong.
The biggest problem though is translating Nodame Cantabile's quirkiness and eccentricities unto a Korean audience who loves cliches, love triangles!, and drama. This is one quirky little beast that will be incredibly difficult to translate
I'm fine with Joo Won, as most people seem to be.
IU isn't exactly top actress material but she pulled off the character Bo-Tong and i see some parallels between her and nodame. Plus i find IU very endearing and i think her vibe suits nodame.
Mostly the hardcore nodame cantabile are worried Korea will mess up this remake. Personally I am not a diehard manhwa fan so when those things get adapted into live-action either from korea, taiwan, japan, or whatever, i'm not keen on becoming a comparison freak. Each one is so vastly different in vibe, tone, and just overall execution with pros and cons to each that I sit back and enjoy each version for the same reasons i enjoy korean/taiwanese/japanese dramas for their own distinctiveness.
TBH, i was thoroughly entertained by all BOF, Meteor Garden, Hani Yori Dango even if you were to tell me to rank them on quality.
Either way my interest is piqued because i quite enjoyed the anime. I'm about to start watching the live-action since everyone is raving about it.
I do rather sceptical about this remake. So, I hope Joo Won can make me love this remake if he decides to sign on, just because I always believe on JW's acting skill.
I think Joo Won would be cool for this role. But IU... I am feeling slightly skeptical.
IU can play piano well. But remake...(SIGHHHH)
If this is really going to happen, then I think Joo Won can sell it. I'm not too sure about IU. Actually, I would be happy if they cast a very talented actress for once, even if she doesn't have a large fanbase. Otherwise, this drama will find it hard to match its predecessor.