You know how all signs points to something most likely going to suck, but the love is just too strong to pass it by without having a glance. That’s how I feel about upcoming K-drama Moon Lovers, the K-adaptation of popular C-novel Bu Bu Jing Xin (Startling with Each Step). Starting from the inane name change, the whole thing reeks of K-drama makjang-jization, other than for the casting of male lead Lee Jun Ki. I love him so much and find him a stellar pick for male lead 4th prince, he’s actually more like the novel feel than C-drama version Nicky Wu brought to life in his own way.
Now the promising factor just went up another notch with the news that IU is in talks for the female lead, a role that launched C-actress Liu Shi Shi‘s career into overdrive after she nailed the performance. The rest of male leads are now all cast and confirmed based on the just released news article that the drama has gotten a time slot and network. Moon Lovers will be airing on SBS come September 2016, though it will start filming this January for a fully pre-filmed production. The drama will be broadcast simultaneously in Korea and China next fall.
So far the male lead princes are Lee Jun Ki, Kang Ha Neul, Hong Jong Hyun, Baekhyun of EXO, and Nam Joo Hyuk. A new addition is Kim Sung Kyun, who played Samchunpo in Answer Me 1994. With filming set to begin next month, I hope IU accepts the role and settles this drama down rather than continue the casting carousel. I loved IU in Pretty Boy, playing a character that should be annoying but she delivered the over-the-top in an understated and sweet-natured way. I’m all for her as the female lead rather than wanting someone better since it could end up someone worse. Directing will be PD Kim Kyu Tae of It’s Okay, It’s Love and That Winter, the Wind Blows, and writing will be screenwriter Jo Yoon Young who wrote Save the Last Dance for Me and Let’s Go to the Beach.
Update: after I posted my article comes news that Ji Soo is also going to be in this drama as one of the princes. Holy mackarel!
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IU is the only one who might be serviceable here, but this is still a drama to dread. Poor Jun Ki will over-act and the idols will be cringe-worthy. Why, oh why, do they have to ruin the original??
I wish he could stop doing historical dramas for a while ,even though I freaking love them ,he needs a break
See, that is exactly what I'm saying!
I freaking loved him in Two Weeks, which might be my favorite drama with him in it, and let me tell you, I have seen him in A LOT. Lol
Please come back to modern dramas, Lee Jun Ki!
i don't get why people say this drama's casting is full of idols while there's only one idol here. They cast models more than idols here. I don't really think their acting are any better than idol. Yook Sung Jae who is an idol is so much better than Nam Ji hyuk in School 2015. Some consider IU idols and some not but i think she's one of the good idol actress, better than Suzy at least imo.
IU: NO!
Jisoo: YES!
I just cant stand IU her acting, she has that arrogant vibe. Why cant they choose Go Ara or Jung So Min? IU will look as if she is Junki his daughter.
And Jisoo is going to steal the show,heck I even want him to be the main lead instead of Junki, and I happen to like Junki a lot!
I bet you only watched TP smh....
Watch TBLSS or DH.....
???
Buzzz off what the hell do you know act let's see. The only actor there worth writing home about is Lee Joon Gi get a life.
Ohhhh neitzens aren't going to like this ? I like iu so I don't care
i like iu no matter other say,so if it is true i will watch this even if i dont like saeguk haha..juz becoz i like iu
Apparently Jisoo has been offered a role too! I wonder which Prince he can be.
And I can actually see IU playing Ruo Xi which honestly didn't require much hard acting. Liu Shi Shi acting wasn't all that, at times stiff and raw but she had a very natural presence on screen. I think IU has a similar style to that.
How can you say the character Ruo Xi doesn't require that much . Then clearly I dont know what you were watching. The show revovled around her, yes the prince were there too but only as her supporting character.
she's not bad.. she's good. she's better than other idol-actors... uhmm.. eunji from a pink or sooyoung from snsd also good choices pd nim.. just saying :P
This show will be flooded by rookie actors (and idol actors)except Lee Jun Ki. But who knows it will turn daebak like Dream High especially if they focus on international market.
What makes me worry is international fans doesn't really like saeguk and some actors also not match with saeguk type of drama. But hopefully I'm wrong.
Anyone male lead could pull this drama off except Lee Jun-ki how many big budget sagueks he already failed with for the last 3 years thats exactlly 3 sagueks and this one won't be any different. The problem is not Idols or rookies but LJK.
example cast anyone as the 4th except him then the drama would do good. Lee Jung suk, KWB, and Joo Won. these guys I picked I are not even good at this setting and not exceptional leading men all around. but still better then LJK anyday of the year
@5ji Do you realize how ridiculous is your comment about Lee Joon Gi? As far as i know, he is an actor, not writer. He can't revive a dead script. and it's just u who think his previous 3 sagueks are bad. His acting was great, sorry i'm disappointing you.
If his past three sageuk are failed, why he was cast here? This was a big budget production, would you think they will choose him if he can't make a return of investment. The key factor to have a good drama is a good writer. LJG is one of the great and respectable actor.
There are no such things as respectable in acting but there is results you get the job done or you fail. He has tasted the bitter end of things to many times to hide it under the rug
@5ji, he is a respectable actor, for his longer years in this industry. Not saying anything about his acting. He tasted the bitterness of rating, but not the failure. A success or failure of drama doesn't lie in a one basis of result, the ratings.
LJK is a great actor and his best in saeguk drama
How many big budget sageuks he already failed with for the last 3 years? The answer is none. Arang & JG were moderately successful in Korea and sold well overseas, and Scholar was obviously NOT big budget. The problem is not Idols or rookies or LJK, but as for any drama, always the script, the story, the writing, the production values, the directing. Look how well (not) adaptations like TTILY and Tomorrow Cantabile turned out, despite its stellar cast.
The guys named are yet to be proven in sageuks (they may be very good & exceptional if they were cast) and are presently busy with other dramas in 2016, 2 of them with 40/50 episodes length Chinese dramas.
Whether they are better than LJK anyday of the year, we (including you & me) are all entitled to our opinion. Their fans would probably say yes, whilst his fans would say no.
I'm surprised. IU is being hated on right now by both Knetz and the international community, so the fact that she landed this role (or at least is in the talks for it) impresses me.
That said, I'm actually in the minority who thinks IU was unfairly treated during her supposed scandal and the accusations about her album are just ridiculous compared to the way everyone is treating Lee Byung Hun.
U are one of the majority instead of the minority!
Based on statistics, only small no. of people who are making >50% of
-'ve comments in knetz.
Instead of losing fans,She gains popularity from the journalists' created controversy. This was proven by her concert tickets sold out in seconds/ minutes after release.
Same. I bet the netizens are fuming rn. I'm shocked they sent an offer to her.
Will Jisoo steal the show and my heart once he appears on screen again? ah~~
I think IU was unfairly treated as well but she has big fanbase, she will survive. But I'm not going to watch this drama, sageuk is just not my thing.
Lee Jun Ki is horrible and couldn't safe his sagueks and to add that with IU as his leading lady. that is the definition recipe for disaster and failure. to bad for Kang ha neul and Ji soo to be involved with this because even they can't safe this train wreck.
Lee Jun ki isn't horrible? He just choose the wrong script last time ,it's not his fault he can't save a sinking ship .
But I think he should leave this drama ,they're just pulling idols left to right ,and I don't have much faith in the writer and director to pull a hyeri.
So I want Lee Jun ki to avoid another possible disaster before it's too late
And that's why the time when very good actors stop appearing on TV is very, VERY near. Comments like these obviously come from ignorant (or it just sounds like)teenagers. So, I'll be happy to educate our younger brothers and/or sisters...
I adore KHN, I have no definite verdict on JS (yet) and I'm sure that, even if IU could do better (with a couple of acting tutors), she doesn't want to make that extra effort ( like any other idol who prefers his/her day-time job rather than acting and unlike Lee Joon and very, very few others who prefer acting over K-pop and easy money); however, I am absolutely, positively sure about LJK's acting range and abilities (dear, @apink, watch his older films and dramas. Education and knowledge require time!). The problem here will still be (like in Scholar) the inevitable "one-man show" which is quite clear by now that it "can't save this (or any other) train" for that matter. Every period drama is not, I repeat, is NOT Iljimae
Give the man someone to rely on, acting-wise. JG was his last project with a memorable leading lady and a solid cast.
"JG was his last project with a memorable leading lady and a solid cast."
Nope, that was Arang. Nam Sang Mi was about as interesting as watching paint dry in Joseon Gunman, idol actress or no.
@Gina, I disagree. NSM has worked before with JK and, from watching several projects of hers, I realised that she's the best leading lady any good actor could ever ask for. She's good but doesn't steal anyone's thunder and, at the same time, she's there to punch the lines properly and efficiently, something that's in favor of any project as a whole.
The biggest mistake of all the semi-untalented younger actresses is their endless demands: they refuse to support those projects as well as their more talented colleagues and they usually demand more lines, more close-ups and equally divided screen time despite the fact that most of them are unable to deliver. I'm quite sure that's a very common thing on k-drama sets, especially when idols are involved.
LJK is the one who is saving the sageuks from doing worse, thanks to the boring scripts. Joseon Gunman was no. 1 in its time slot for most of its run.