It’s much appreciated for KBS to provide a complete news update on the casting status of upcoming high profile prime time drama Descendants of the Sun. The drama didn’t just confirm the two leads today, it went ahead and confirmed the second leads as well. For many folks this news is both a relief that casting is done as well as something to look forward to if any or all of of the actors or actresses participating is right up your alley.
The drama leads will indeed be the rumored coupling of Song Joong Ki with Song Hye Kyo, making a new Song-Song onscreen couple that hopefully will sizzle rather than fizzle. Joining them to round out the main leads will be mostly movie actor Jin Goo and rising actress Kim Ji Won as the second leads. The drama heads into full pre-production this June with an eye towards an October air date in Korea, with reportedly a simultaneous airing in China whether streaming online or on a television network.
This will be a drama land return for three of the four leads after a few years away. Song Joong Ki’s last drama was Nice Guy in late 2012 after which he shipped out to the army (has it really been that long?) while Song Hye Kyo did That Winter, the Wind Blows in early 2013. Jin Goo’s last drama was also in early 2013 with the lowly rated Ad Genius Lee Tae Baek but he will be seen on the small screen next week in a cameo role in the jTBC drama Falling for Innocence. Kim Ji Won worked with DotS screenwriter Kim Eun Sook‘s last drama Heirs so it’s no surprise to see her make a return as the second female lead here.
DotS will be set in a fictional war torn country that is currently dealing with a humanitarian crisis after a recent earthquake hits the already beleaguered nation. Song Joong Ki plays a UN peacekeeping troop commander while Song Hye Kyo is a doctor from Doctor’s Without Borders working in the crisis zone. Both second leads will be subordinate officers reporting to Song Joong Ki’s commander in the troop, and they will also be exes who are still not fully over their breakup. Filming will take place overseas and within Korea, all standing in for the crisis territory as the story line will be set almost entirely outside of Korea.
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If we go by netizens' comments so far they are not feeling this. They are still angry about the tax issue.
Let see how long they stay mad by the time this airs.
Once the drama airs and it lives up to the expectation, netizens will praise her for her great acting. Netz hate her for tax scandal but her beauty and talent will surpass if the drama do well. I am looking forward to this drama. I am excited for Song Jong Ki and Song Hye Kyo couple. Kim Ji Won is great too, Jin Goo is so-so but he's obviously better than idols.
hmm, dont think that is the case. Knetz boycotted her movie with Kang Dong Won last year even the movie was adapted from well-loved and popular novel. Sometimes, Knetz' witch-hunt is scary. But one thing for sure, this drama would do well online since both Songs have big fanbases
@j2hr I thought 'My Brilliant Life' did respectably well on the box office. Although, the movie is competing alongside with Tazza 2 & Lucy during that time it managed to accumulate 1.6 million admissions on its whole run.. Tazza 2 & Lucy are action films, & those type of films usually rake big in the box office. 'My Brilliant Life' is a family drama & these type of film usually manage to hit 1-3 million admissions. Plus, It was well received by the audiences because the storyline & their acting
Happy that Kim Ji Won is a part of the cast! I love her!
Kim Ji Won is the best actress in Heirs, and I think Kim Eun Sook really like her that she's her new 2nd lead muse, like Yoon Se Ah. I just hope that KJW will be a female lead someday in drama.
i love her to death
Why cast Song jong ki? she said that she wanted to re-created another trending hallyu wave thru the world like heirs but that cast won't bring her at she is demanding. and to be honest she has good reputation internationally but its sad to she her sink with this casting. I'm certain this won't even do good rating let alone match her demands.
Wha? I'm more scared that JoongKi will sink by taking on her project. LMH went from my favorite actor, who introduced me to Kdramas, to someone whom I don't really care if he returns to dranma land or not after Heirs. JoongKi is a solid actor, who has yet to disappoint in anything he'd been cast in. Granted he doesn't have an extensive resume, but even with that he never failed to wow the audience with his acting (a feat that many more experienced actors has yet to achieve).
I'm not a heirs fan or LMH but KES fan i'm legit worried for her awesome reputation.
SJK has only headlined to projects where LMH has hits after hits since BOF. He brings success everytime he goes out to perform both locally and internationally. his a reliable cast if you have high ambitions like KES but SJK sadly is a risk and he have been gone for a long time here.
I'm really worried for KES and what is she thinking btw don't forget this is big budget drama and why not atleast cast Jo in sung, Rain or Hyun bin cause they do have some sort of hallyu power atleast
@ Nabila LMH had hits because he chose commercial projects aiming to increase his popularity rather than take on any challenges as an actor. In other words, he only aimed to expand his popularity, while SJK chose to hone his skills. The concepts of Heirs and BOF were so similar that there were many raised eyebrows when he chose it. His acting was probably best in city hunter (didn't see Gangnam Blues yet), and has stagnated or went downhill since.then, if you look at SJK, many tried to discourage him from taking the younger role in Tree With Deep Roots, as he could take on much more significant roles. However, with just 4 episodes, he proved his skill and wowed the critics with his acting. Then The Werewolf Boy and Nice Guy further broadened his acting range and his skill became publicly recognized. He became a top actor in a separate league from his peers. popularity is definitely a fleeting thing, which was why I was glad that LMH decided to challenge Gangnam Blues rather than stick to playing shallow characters. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the movie yet.
Hallyu power alone won't be enough these days (look at Jekyll Hyde and Me), and that's with Hyun Bin, who actually knows how to act.
None of JIS and SJS are both strong actors, unfortunately SJS turned her down (I don't remember if this was offered to JIS), and I don't blame him. I only wish SJK could've done the same, cuz all of his works since SKKS had been hits. It's only unfortunate that he's in the military when Kdramas exponentially increased its influence in China.
Woops, I think i wrote @Nabila and auto text corrected it to "None of"
It dosen't matter what projects he chose because this is the entertainment bussiness and its all about the commercial success then anything else. A drama like heartless city which IMO was the best thing I ever watched is totally forgotten in peoples minds because it was commercially disaster.
KES needs a commercial power house and I do agree with you that Hyun bin didn't deliver as expected becuase he was gone for to long and rain usually never gets ratings which leaves us with Jo In sung or So ji sub being potentailly strongst candidates since KSH has a project and LMH god knows where he is now in the middle of scandals and love stories or what not and his not the right man now in his current situation.
SJK is absolutely not the man for this job coming from a KES fan and even SHK is not right for this JOB. I don't even think that you can force a badass image from SJK if needed for his character.
@Nabila - Have you watched Nice Guy? He was quite a badass there.
I think KES's name is enough to get people's attention, and this being SJK's comeback project is also going to garner a lot of public interest. Nice Guy was well received, and you can bet SJK has the skills for the role. I wish he didn't take on this role either, but we'll see how it turns out.
LMH never amazed me as a good actor even in City Hunter.
@Nabila - Lee Min Ho brings success every time? What was Personal Taste and Faith then?
Song Joong Ki had two huge hits before leaving for the army and his talent (not just star power or visuals, talent) is highly praised by the Korean public. Stop putting him down just because he went to serve in the army.
@pigsnout
Why is Lee Min Ho being dragged into this discussion?
And to answer you on Personal and faith in which world were they not success. They both had average ratings and Internationally blockbusters. Faith setting record in Japan last year by being most sold on DVD market and winning award for it over local and american shows and PT made its way all the way to the middle-east.. They were decently success commercial and average ratings. which was great. LMH has clean record deal with it.
@ Ivana
You can see 'Gangnam Blues" movie on gooddrama.net
Agree! Heirs have brilliant actors/actresses in the cast, but the script writing sucks to the heck. Lee Min Ho somehow lost all his charm to me since Heirs. I hated Woo Bin's character in the drama. And Park Shin Hye was almost out of touch in her emotional scenes. Heirs is the worst among the worst K dramas for me. So who's going to bring whom down? Ridiculous enough to think a sophisticated actor like Song Joong Ki would bring down the "reputation" of the inconsistent writer! Not a fan of Song Hyu Kyo, but I have no particular whine about her acting either. She is impressive in her last drama as a tough blind heiress even that story line is not in my favor either.
I'll watch this drama for Joong Ki's sake even the synopsis doesn't sound very appealing and I'm puzzled how they will film it in a convincing setting. War torn zone in the third world? Just hard to imagine how they will deliver it on small screen.
omg LOL
If the script and acting are good, the drama would create new Hallyu stars (i.e: KMHM with JS)
If the script is trash, Hallyu stars cant never save the drama (i.e: Rain with MYG or HB with HJM)
Eeeh, I wouldn't put SJK anywhere below the current trendy actors tbh. You can see how hot of a name he is when he's not even discharged from the military yet tons of offers have been sent to him and just wait for him to get out and ACT. He was the trendiest name in 2012 along with Kim Soo Hyun, too bad he had to go at the peak of his popularity, but good thing is that he's an actor remembered for his skills so he wouldn't have to worry about losing a bit of fame. Oh and I have to say he has hallyu power too. He's the kind that the public loves to follow regardless of being a hardcore fan or not. Brains, acting talent, face, he receives love from all ages and fans of other actors because of his perfect image. You seem to not know the hype he has. I'm actually disappointed he choose a KES project to comeback tbh. Hope the script works this time, Heirs was such a disaster.
I have nothing to add on this little convo except for I was the first one to tell you that this won't work out at all. (do to lack of hallyu power and long time inactivity) See you in december when it ends airing.
@Nabila - too bad that some people think talent matters more than hallyu power or cf deals, for a leading man. And I don't know if you have heard of the concept of dramas becoming hits and making their stars into Hallyu favourites, but it happens. It happened with your bias too.
So right! The difference of a real/charismatic actor from a commercial-hyped star is that he can communicate every subtle nuance of emotion. It's easy to tell that difference by just watching a difficult role to play in a single drama. Commercial hit records do not reveal this information. Song Joongki belongs to the former league. I saw similar acting talents in Lee Jong Suk's breakout drama "I can hear your voice". And his subsequent dramas proved I had the right eyes about acting talents. In my opinion, dramas fail the rating mostly due to bad script writing and directing. Even a superstar with super acting charisma can't save it from failure due to bad writing. Heirs proved that.
Wait, I reread your comment and you said LMH has hits after hits after BOF. I absolutely have nothing against LMH but no, he doesn't have híts after hits. I have to remind you that Personal Taste and Faith are also parts of his resume, and both of which failed big time despite having big name co-stars. SJK, on the other hand, is slow and steady with his career, but has only gone up but never down.
Look I'm not a LMH fan and actully don't care much about him at all.. I'm a KES fan and appreciate her awesome CV which is having Commercial hits and she is on to an awesome career and don't want to see that ruined. on the other hand as I remember PT and faith had average ratings but were overseas commercial success.
Lets not kid ourselves SJK has only been the lead in Innocent man and werewolf boy.. so there you have it.
honestly, I dont like the writer. Specially how she write her's characters ... I dont get the hype too. personally as jong ki fan, I hope he pick another project. I cant stand another 'nice guy' .. great acting, great chemistry but the story made me furious... that double amnesia... sigh
@Nablla, you may take it as insult since you're KES fan. But I think the writer doesn't have a credible nor consistent writing record. Besides, you mentioned Rain as a possible male lead for this war-zoned drama. Then I see how you judge an actor's acting skills is questionable too. I do not have high regards for Rain as an enlisted service man in the military. He was reported several times trying to evade his duties. However, Song Joongki earned the compliment and recognition from his military unit and would be just out of the camp before the drama started shooting. I doubt such a weak character as Rain could properly paint the hero in this war-related drama. He's not convincing at all. BTW, he stinks in his last drama My Lovely Girl. Being famous as a singer or had a handful ok dramas do not guarantee Rain is an all-round actor. Like KES as a writer, he's not consistent. KES delivered two or three hit dramas. But I see her repeatedly trying to use the same old romantic tricks in all her dramas, old and new. She was lucky to have mature and A-list actors/actresses in all her cast. But she still failed them in Heirs which I consider the worst of all in the K drama history. Just take the fact and don't miss the points.
Typo correction - "Song Joongki earned compliment and recognition from his military unit and would be just out of the camp before the drama START shooting.
dang typo again - "STARTS shooting." My apologies!
Some people are beyond stubborn and naive when making comments.
You do know that ''Heirs'' was a megahit and went worldwide and KES best project in her enitre director career. (for a fact)
It overachieved and became a megahit for KES and I don't know why the few vocal haters aren't letting go of heirs yet and trying to put it down when its to late it already overachieved gain majoritly millions of fans worldwide..
Its like standing in a empty battlefield when the battle was over like 1.5 years ago..
@ Lissa. I don't give a dang to the commercial success of Heirs. That drama is a quality failure in many ways. Being stubborn or not, that's my personal taste and judgment. And I believe many people are holding the same views as I. Ann Lee's movies were not always a hit. But he's always an acclaimed director because of his unique artistry in filming production. So what's the point to bring down Song Joong Ki in order to elevate KES's overrated status. Heirs sucks regardless of the rating or commercial success. Period!
Blind stubborness is very sad case in itself Especially when someone is just bitter of the sad fact. Its like saying the world dosen't exist labelling Heirs ''quality failure'' Do you know the meaning failure to begin with because if ''Heirs'' was failure in the real world then all dramas that aired before it or after it would become a failure.
people have different taste but the majority makes dramas hits or megahtis in this case the world opened there arms for ''Heirs'' only to your bitterness and thats a reality you can't deny nobody how stubborn you keep going..
@Lissa, now I see you a rabid fan among Heirs daydreaming fangirls. LOL...it's you beyond stubborn not those who being critical of Heirs writing and directing styles. Now that you've revealed your taste and artistry level, there's no point to downgrade myself to participate in frivolous debate with you. So comical, Heirs is just another twisted version BOF without much creation but repetitive gimmicks and cliche to woo delusional daydreamers. That's the last thing I want to say in response to you.
SJK is one great actor. He has this unique talent of bringing his roles out. I was more captivated by his acting in Tree with deep roots as well as SKKS than all the other male and female leads ever did. He shined through everything and in Nice Guy, omg, that was one awesome delivery. On top of that he is so hot. He can look innocent, cute, playboy-ish, rough, stressed out and pure evil. That's not really easy, given his baby face. I love SHK but I just don't want her to ruin the ratings due to her tax evasion scandal. Kim Eun Sook has always been a great writer, but this storyline is a bit...meh...and looking at her works this isn't her style either. So, idk...it might just be the other way round— Kim Eun Sook and Song Hye Kyo bringing him down.
You are totally wrong about this. :D :D And I am super glad you are. :D
Whyyyyyyy TT______TT I want Kim Ji Won as the female lead though.... ;___;
I'm happy for Song Song couple!! They would look good together. I don't care about their age gap too, it's not too big and they're looking gorgeous!
I'm looking forward to this drama even thou I don't think its going to do great ratings or overseas blockbuster.
And as someone already mentioned which I agree KES is very ambitious with her works and to see her cast SJK means red flag and having the ambition to start another hallyu wave globally with dOTS like heirs while havin cast? I don't know whats going on with this drama but it dosen't seem seriously planned out.
I would be feeling it if the couples were swapped... oh well, I wasn't going to watch it anyway.
sounds good on paper, hoping this will work out fine. I only watched Autumn in my heart and I thought Song Hye Kyo was great, not interested with the rest of her works due to lame storylines. Song Joong Ki was good in Nice guy, his only work that I watched, yes I am pretty picky, I dont watch kdrama that much but he is a good actor. Looking forward this SONG couple.
ahhh omg did I just see Kim Ji Won? am I dreaming *pinches cheek* nope. I'm not. *screams* finally! This really came out of nowhere. Though I wish KJW to get her leading soon but i guess people still think of her as second lead material *sighs* I just hope her role isn't the usual bitchy and jealous (ex)girlfriend, don't want people to hate her again here :( but knowing KES I have feeling it's gonna be the same formula...
Anyway, I was kinda excited for the Song-song pair and hoped for it to be true, now with KJW is definitely a plus. Now I have sth to look forwards to :D
I'm really disappointed with the casting of Song Hye Kyo...
My interest for this drama just went down the hills...
I find her acting terribly cold and boring.
turn off your TV then
Then don't watch, nobody is forcing you.
I don't particularly like either Songs but that they took this drama tells me it will be good. Perhaps this drama will allow them to show different sides to them. Show us a warm and approachable Son Hye Kyo please.