Huh, script reading already? Love Rain isn’t scheduled to air till 2012, but the main cast convened recently for its first script reading, which included actors Jang Geun-seok, Yoon-ah, Kim Shi-hoo, Sohn Eun-seok, Hwang Bora, and Seo In-gook.
Regarding the drama’s story, Yoon PD said, “There were a lot of one-sided loves in the ’70s era, a time period that the actors haven’t experienced for themselves. It was also a happy time, and the script reflects a lot of the emotions and experience that still linger in my memory.” According to one production company source, “Veteran PD Yoon Suk-ho led the proceedings and explained everything in detail, not leaving out even the smallest thing.”
Yoon-ah, playing two roles as a university student in the 1970s and her plucky daughter in 2012, said, “The two characters have conflicting traits, so I felt the burden of playing both roles. But after working with the director, writer, and other actors I feel like we fit well together, which is reassuring.”
Sounds like Yoon PD has a very specific idea for what he wants to achieve, and I predict the drama will heavily bear his imprint: Scenic locales, a mood-enhancing soundtrack, a strong dose of sentimentality, and lots of melodramangst. In all the news about Yoon Suk-ho and his young cast, I hadn’t paid as much attention to the writer, but now that I remember that Oh Soo-yeon worked on Season Dramas Autumn Fairy Tale (scriptwriter) and Winter Sonata (initial writer), as well as the Cinderella story All About Eve and the extremely angsty A Star’s Lover, I’m feeling warier than ever. I love a good melodrama and I’m not averse to angst, but I hope Love Rain’s pure-love and fated-through-the-generations premise can convey youthful melodrama in a new way, rather than giving us Hallyu Dramas Redux.
Credit:
http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/09/love-rain-holds-initial-script-reading/
KBS drama Mary Stayed Out All Night, set to air next month, will be Jang Geun-seok‘s fifth time playing a musician. Most of those previous instances featured him as the leader in a band, and this time’s no different: He plays Mu-gyul, the free-spirited lead singer of a Hongdae indie band.
(Those other roles were: a rock band singer in Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do, a rock band singer in The Happy Life, an idol band singer in You’re Beautiful, and a talented trumpeter in Beethoven Virus. I might be more worried about Jang being typecast if he were a mediocre actor, but he’s shown a good amount of range despite his still-tender years (he’s 23), whether he’s portraying youthful innocence, hauteur, boyishness, or criminal tendencies.)
The scene pictured here was filmed in the Seoul district of Hongdae, and in the drama takes place on November 8 — the show’s actual premiere date. Pictured is the band that takes its name from its leader, Totally Mu-gyul (완전무결). I guess I can see why they’d take that name if he is the creative engine of the team (a la Dave Matthews Band or Jang Ki-ha and the Faces), but I wonder how the other dudes feel about that. The others are: Ri-no on second guitar (played by Kim Min-kyu), Yo-han on bass (Geum Ho-seok), and Reo (Leo?) on drums (Park Chul-hyun).
Jang said about performing in front of fans, “Opening up the filming set to the public before the drama premieres isn’t an easy thing. But the producers discussed it in meetings and decided to film it with the fans in order to make the scene feel more vivid. Filming is going so well and the fans cheered us on so enthusiastically that I’m happy. I’m still worked up right now. I truly give my thanks to all the fans.”
The songs sung by the Totally Mu-gyul band will be on the drama’s OST; perhaps they’ll rival the A.N.Jell fervor of You’re Beautiful fame?
Source: Dramabeans
Here’s our first look at the characters of Mary Stayed Out All Night! The four lead actors — Moo Geun-young, Jang Geun-seok, Kim Jae-wook, and Kim Hyo-jin — participated in the drama’s title and poster shoot on October 6.
I’m not going to complain about Jang Geun-seok’s look here, because I think he’s actually quite pretty — but that’s the thing. All four of these actors are basically on the same end of the feminine-masculine spectrum here. I know, it’s based on a manhwa, and we know that shoujo manga/soonjung manhwas are all about the pretty, pretty boys. Oh well. I can always turn to Runaway to get my manly-men fix.
Jang plays indie-band singer Mu-gyul, who’s characterized by a boho sense of style. Moon plays Mary, whose fashion sense doesn’t seem too far off from Mu-gyul. Is that how we know they’re meant to be? Not only will they engage in lots of comic shenanigans and fall in love, they can swap wardrobes! Meanwhile, the two Kims both sport a more chic, urban style as characters Jung-in and Seo-jun.
Following the poster shoot, Jang said, “I’m happy and excited. I want to stay this way through the end. The shooting atmosphere is wonderful.” He said of the wave of fan-made posters for the drama, “I was amazed at the fans’ interest, and I’d like to give them my gratitude. With the poster shoot being so enjoyable, I hope the poster comes out great and receives a good response.”
Moon said, “The feel of Hongdae [a neighborhood of Seoul] goes well with the drama’s concept, and shooting is fun. Since we’re all the same age, it was comfortable and fun to shoot together. I look forward to the first shoot for the drama.”
Kim Jae-wook said, “It feels like it went by so quickly. Us actors are still in the process of getting to know each other, but we get a long well and were able to shoot satisfactorily.”
Kim Hyo-jin said, “This is the first shoot, and since the atmosphere was so great, I look forward to the drama. I’ll study the character and give my own take on ‘Seo-jun.’”
Mary Stayed Out All Night premieres on November 8.
Source: Dramabeans
Every drama’s got its share of fan-made art, but the slew of posters for upcoming trendy drama Mary Stayed Out All Night have hit the big time. The Korean media is taking notice of fansites that have put together posters that not only look professional, but also parody other dramas and films.
Below you’ll notice nods to Cyrano Dating Agency (with misappropriated punctuation and all) and We Got Married, among others.
The production staff is particularly amazed at the posters’ marketability, including everything from staff credits, slogans, and premiere dates. Apparently I’m not the only one who mistook some of these for the real thing, as netizens were shocked to discover that they weren’t the official posters, and heaped praise on the dedicated fans.
Looks like there might be a big contender for 2010 Crack Drama of the Year, if buzz like this keeps up. Mary Stayed Out All Night premieres November 8 on KBS.
I love you, Jang Geun-seok, but seriously, in some of these posters it looks like the show stars two girls. You tread a delightfully fine line, my friend.
