Series Alert: Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

I guess I don't have a format for these posts.

Let's just get to it! I have been unemployed for several months and this has provided me with a significant increase in free time to binge watch dramas. I certainly prefer k-dramas but I'm not exclusive. Taiwan, China, Japan, and several other countries all produce really great programs so I do venture out.

This time around I made a trip to C-Dramaland (China!) and I watched Scarlet Heart. The series is focused on a young woman that gets into an accident in the modern world and then wakes up to find herself transported hundreds of years into the past. She quickly realizes that has landed right in the middle of a story with which she is very familiar because she studied it in history class. Knowing the fates of all the major players, she has to carefully navigate around any situations in which her choices might change the past and, consequently, the future. Most of these situations revolve around the emperor's sons , 14 princes to be exact, and their fight to succeed their father as emperor of the nation. But as the story progresses and the years pass by, she begins to realize that her presence may have already been accounted for in the history books.

It is a long and epic journey that can be beautiful and heartbreaking. I really enjoyed it. Cecilia Liu, Nicky Wu, Kevin Cheng and all the other actors developed a phenomenal rapport with one another and depicted the politics between the brothers as something that could be savage and compassionate.

Needless to say, I was really startled when I stumbled across the news that Lee Joon Gi and IU would be staring in a k-drama re-make of this series - set to be broadcast on SBS at the end of August. I have confidence in Lee Joon Gi to capture the quiet brooding of the 4th Prince. But IU will have to work hard to meet the quality of Cecilia Lui's portrayal of the young time traveler.

It is difficult work adapting a series that has previously found success. As an audience member, I want all the great qualities of the original to be present but something that is just different enough to keep my attention. I'm excited!!

Let the countdown to August begin and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I am employed by then!

Share your thoughts!

Series Alert: Six Flying Dragons

I stumbled across this one by pure accident.

Slated for an October release on SBS, it will take over the time slot currently occupied by Mrs. Cop. The only reason I felt compelled to make this into a series alert is because Kim Myung Min is tied to the project. And, I will watch anything that includes him in the cast.

This period drama will focus on six characters, hence the name, and their successes at the start of the Joseon Dynasty. The central figure of the drama is Lee Bang Won (Yoo Ah In), a son of the first king of the Joseon Dynasty that later inherits the throne. Half of the six characters are based on real historical figures from that era and the other half are works of fiction.

Shin Se Kyung (Blademan) and Byun Yo Han (Ex-Girlfriend's Club) are also set to play major characters in the series.

Series Alert: Nodame Cantabile

I happened to stumble across this by pure accident. But it looks like Joo Won's next project is confirmed to be a remake of the 2006 Japanese drama Nodame Cantabile. This is another manga-turned-live-action drama about a group of aspiring, and somewhat quirky, musicians attending a music academy.

The Japanese episodes are available for viewing on YouTube, with English subtitles, for those that are interested in what we might be seeing come October, which is when the remake is scheduled to broadcast. Search for "Nodame Cantabile episodes" and it should be at the top of the results.

I am pretty excited about this drama for a few reasons. First, it bears some striking similarities to Beethoven's Virus, which is in my top 10 BEST EVER k-dramas. But it is different enough to feel fresh. Second, Joo Won (Good Doctor, Bridal Mask) is a versatile and talented actor that I feel confident can fill the role of Chiaki Shinichi without losing anything in translation. Third, the drama brings classical music to life in an era where it doesn't garner much attention. The j-drama devotes significant time just to the performances (I've had goosebumps a couple times) and I hope the k-drama remake will do the same.

There are some internet rumors that Yoona (Prime Minister & I, Love Rain) is being considered for the female lead, Nodame, and I am a bit on the fence with that casting choice. She's an okay actress with a musical background. The latter may trump the former for this project. But I have only seen her in roles where she's required to be cute and I wonder if she can channel the necessary awkwardness needed to capture the essence of Nodame. Just my opinion.

As I learn more, I'll update this post!

Series Alert: Fated to Love You

I wanted to throw this out there because I am super excited! According to the internet (and the internet is always right), a Korean re-make of the 2008 Taiwanese drama Fated to Love You is slated to air in July and it will be starring one of my favorite actors, Jang Hyuk (see: The Slave Hunters) . I'll have to keep my fingers crossed that the episodes become available in the States.

Last weekend, I started watching the Taiwanese version of this drama and I have to say that I am really impressed with it on all levels. Historically, I haven't invested much time in Taiwanese dramas because the production value isn't as high their Korean counterparts. From acting to sound issues, the few that I've tried to watch felt amateurish. But Fated to Love You had me hooked mid-way through the first episode. The script, acting, sets, etc... are all outstanding. In fact, the script is fairly clever in how people and topics are introduced into the plot and the timing of their importance. As soon as I make my way through the whole series, I'll post a review.

My sincere wish is that the 2014 re-make won't be too conservative in its approach to the topics of sex and unplanned pregnancy because I think the series will lose some of its charm if that happens. That being said, Jang Hyuk is the perfect choice for the role of the male lead. He will bring the right amount of levity and comedy to the role. Of course, he'll have some big shoes to fill as Ethan Juan played it perfectly the first time around.

July isn't that far away so this is something to look forward to!

Update: Choi Jin Hyuk (see: Emergency Couple) is currently slated to play the role of Daniel, which I assume is the equivalent role of Dylan from the Taiwanese version. If you are a Choi Jin Hyuk fan, I wouldn't get too excited, yet. There are three main arcs to Fated to Love You and this character doesn't have much to do until the last third of the series. So, there are likely to be several episodes in a row where he isn't seen much or at all.