Main casting is now finalized and script reading will take place this week on January 8th at SBS studios in Yeouido for the K-adaptation of well known Chinese period novel Bu Bu Jing Xin (Startling with Each Step). The K-version will be called Moon Lovers is for sure going to headline Lee Jun Ki as the male lead, in the role that reinvigorated Nicky Wu‘s career, while singer-actress IU will take on the spunky young heroine, with a performance by Liu Shi Shi in the C-drama version that took her from rising actress to A-lister. The other male leads playing the various princes are Kang Ha Neul, Hong Jong Hyun, Baekhyun, Nam Joo Hyuk, and Ji Soo, with Ji Soo the only supporting male lead with a confirmed role in playing the youngest 14th prince.
This is a supremely flower boy cast if I ever saw one assembled, and truth be told the C-drama version got tons of flack when it was cast for not picking enough flower boys. All the male leads were questioned and raked through the coals by rabid fans of the novel – with Nicky and Kevin Cheng being derided as too told and no longer popular enough for leads 4 and 8, too many newbies in Lin Geng Xin and Ye Zhu Xin, and wrong casting of Han Dong and Yuan Hong as their respective princes rather than other princes. Frankly the C-drama BBJX casting outcry is way more intense than what’s going on with feedback to Moon Lovers, so imma sit back and just wait for this baby to arrive later this year before jumping to any conclusions.
Ji Soo is confirmed as maknae 14th Prince
IU is confirmed as female lead Ruo Xi
Lee Jun Ki is confimed as 4th Prince
As for the other princes, my guess is: Kang Ha Neul as 8th Prince, Hong Jong Hyun as 9th Prince, Baekhyun as 10th Prince, Nam Joo Hyuk as 13th Prince.
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They start filming next week? So fast! I have no issue with the casting (unlike most), I like them all.
This is one hella flowerboy cast.
I thought kang ha neul a bit young to play 8, but he's a good actor so i really don't mind
Now i'm curious to see who played other characters, i.e. the king and other women
Nam Joo hyuk such a big role while Jisoo the 14th
I don't know if IU can pull off Ruo Xi. She's not so spunky and quietly intelligent like RX was. I hope she does well but I have my reservations
I actually don't think Liu Shi Shi plays spunky well either, as it seems forced at times. She's a natural in melo though, and that's what most of the show required. Don't know enough about IU to kniw if she's good in melo though. Anyone?
Judging from her recent acting in You're the Best Lee Soon Shin, Pretty Boy, and Producers, I think IU is adept enough to handle Ruo Xi's character. She is probably the best idol actress to play this role.
Agree with Ann about IU. Yet she has to prove she can interpret such a subtle character. Roaxi is way more complicated than the roles she had ever played in K dramas. And a complex heroine is usually what's expected of a C period drama.
she was great in You're the Best Lee Soon Shin..it was kinda mellow at times...and she was super cute and weird in pretty man..She is awesome she will do great I think :)
Not a fan of IU's acting. But she is cute. Will give it a chance for lee junki and kim ha neul.
I mean kang ha neul
in BBJX, the female lead character doesn't end up with the male lead character right? which prince it is? so, IF... the korean remake make the end just the same as the chinese version, IU'character will likely end up with whom?
i am asking because i don't know
The 14th, but it wasn't out of love. He offered her another option if she could no longer bear to be with the 4th.
OMG I'm fine if her character ends up with Jisoo :D. He will finally get the girl. And I am thinking he will be stealing the scene from Lee Junki :P. Gotta prepare myself for second lead shipping.
Wow :0 .. intereesting.. so it's gonna be jisoo?! how about the love line with the other princes? just a friend or like a 'some' relationship?
i am sorry if i am asking too much hehehe
do you know where i can read or get the book via internet?
omgee so Jisoo gets the girl?? ahhhhh finally!!! I love Joongi though..like I found out joongi was going to be lead and later that jisoo is also in it... ottokeh!!?? too many feels you guys!! lol ♥ I'm okay if she ends up with either of them...
She doesn't end up with any of them. She ends up dying while waiting for 4th to come to her. She lives at 14ths house as a friend but legally has the title of wife.
Nobody will end up with her
Omonaa..what a crappy ending. I hope they will change the ending a bit. Most cdramas that I watch have dramatic ending, it's like they don't know how to make the audiences happy..."let's kill the lead!"
Really? I didn't remember that. I recall the emperor wanting to marry her off but I thought she forever remained without an official status so that the 4th can visit her whenever he wanted. I remember her jealous fit for his concubine and the scene with the visit of his wife. That could have been possible if she were someone's wife?
@ aa, you better watch the C version of the drama. It should be on YT or viki.com with subs.
How I wish the female lead is Park Min Young. She just gives off that Liu Shi Shi vibe, especially after I've seen her in the ancient chinese garb in the mainland c-drama she participated in. IU is ok but I'm not sure she has the goods to deliver a nuanced performance.
Ditto. Plus I can imagine she'll have an amazing chemistry with Lee Jun Ki.
I hate park min young. Not a fan of IU but wanna find out my feelings about this couple, even when I'm still a fan of jun ki-yu bi.
I know this is doomed when IU got casted. What an insult to the fans of the original work as well as the author! And at least cast someone on the same level as lee junki for the 8th prince!
Amen! I had hoped for Park Bo Young to be his leading lady.
I had hoped that IU would accept (IU is my bias)! Yes there probably could have been a better choice, but I like IU and I think this role will push her. I don't like Kang Ha Neul as 8th Prince...... there is something that is just wrong about it. I would have preferred if Ji Soo and Nam Joo Hyuk characters were flipped.
Either way... this could have had an amazing cast with all a-class actors&actresses and still not live up to the original adaptation, in the end its because it will get that kdrama makeover....
IU is pretty girl. But when i watch her in drama, her mouth movement is very strange. I just cant see her as Ruo Xi. Park Bo Young could better. Just hope drama turns out good.
Hmm.. so my bet is:
Baekhyun 10th prince
Nam Joohyuk 13th Prince
Hong Jonghyun 8th Prince
Kang Haneul 9th Prince
At least Jisoo is the second male lead for the last few episodes. Lol.
Damn. I don't know whether I should watch this or not. *sigh*