According to TV Report, the hottest topic among entertainment agencies and their managers is the upcoming MBC drama for early next year, The Moon That Embraces the Sun. Based on the bestselling novel by the same name, The Moon That Embraces the Sun is a novel by Jung Eun Gweol, the author of another bestseller that was also adapted into a drama by the name of Sungkyunkwan Scandal.
The managers of young, rookie actors are knocking on the door of Pan Entertainment, the production company behind The Moon That Embraces the Sun, to try to get their own actors cast in the drama. The reason is because The Moon That Embraces the Sun is often called the story of Joseon era’s F4.
One manager explains, “Many entertainment agencies are closely eyeing The Moon That Embraces the Sun. Especially because this is a drama that can potentially make a star out of a rookie and give rise to the second Lee Min Ho, everyone’s on high alert.” CEO Son Seok Woo of Lee Byung Hun’s BH Entertainment Agency has also requested an audition for his actors, admitting that this latest project has a likely chance of making big stars out of rookie actors, following in the footsteps of Boys Over Flowers and Sungkyunkwan Scandal.
A representative from Wellmade Star M Co., the entertainment agency that houses Ha Ji Won, added that among the drama scripts that are going around right now, The Moon That Embraces the Sun has the strongest story and is the most likely to be successful. In fact, he shared that it has become so competitive among managers that they are not sharing sources with each other.
So with so much anticipation among the entertainment insiders, what is the big deal with The Moon That Embraces the Sun?
The original novel was published in 2005 and became a bestseller in Korea. It tells a love story between a fictional Joseon king, Hwon (means “warmth”), and a female shaman, Wol (means “moon”). And the drama will feature love and conflict between one woman and four “flower boys.”
The rumors of The Moon That Embraces the Sun being adapted into a drama had circulated since late 2010 when Sungkyunkwan Scandal was airing on TV, and created more buzz when Moon Geun Young’s name became linked to it in the summer of 2011. However, more definite names have now been released, with the announcement that it will be directed by PD Kim Do Hoon (Spotlight, Royal Family) and penned by Jin Soo Wan (Wonderful Life, Capital Scandal).
Unfortunately, Moon Geun Young is no longer linked with this project. Instead, the news is that Han Ga In (Bad Guy) has been offered the leading role and she is “seriously considering” it.
Photo credit: etoday
While the adult roles have yet to be cast, the casting of the kids have already been completed.
The talented Kim Yoo Jung (Flames of Ambition, Dong Yi) will play the younger Heo Yeonwoo (who later becomes known as Wol). Yeonwoo is born as the daughter to a noble family and was arranged to be married to the Crown Prince. However, due to a plot against her, she escapes death and later grows up to live as a female shaman.
Yeo Jin Goo (Giant, Warrior Baek Dong-soo) has been cast to play the young Yi Hwon. Not knowing that Wol is the same woman who was once arranged to be his queen, he falls in love with the mysterious shaman. High Kick Through the Roof’s Jin Ji Hee will play young Princess Minhwa, Hwon’s younger sister. Having received much love growing up, she is a spoiled princess, literally.
Playing the role of the younger version of Yi Hwon’s (older) half-brother, Prince Yangmyeong, will be Lee Min Ho (Gyebaek, Sungkyunkwan Scandal), who is not to be confused with the actor of Boys Over Flowers and City Hunter’s fame. Naturally, Prince Yangmyeong will fall in love with the same woman as his half-brother.
Finally, rounding up the child actors cast is idol group member Siwan of ZE:A, who will play Yeonwoo/Wol’s older brother, Heo Yeom. Siwan’s character, Yeom, boasts of good looks and intelligence, and is the object of Princess Minhwa’s affection. *spoiler ahead* However, when he learns that Princess Minhwa plotted against his sister to prevent her from being wed to the Crown Prince, Yeom falls into despair. *end spoiler*
The drama production announced that it will cast the leading and supporting actors after going through an audition process. But if I may be of assistance, here are my suggestions.
Well, we all know that he can play a charismatic king really, really well, so why not finally give him the chance to play a king to completion? Korea, seriously, this role is PERFECT for Song Joong Ki (Tree With Deep Roots). Make it happen – and that’s an order!
And for the role of one of the other members of the so-called F4, I’d like to recommend Lee Je Hoon (The Front Line, Bleak Night). He is the new rising star of Chungmuro, and although his casting is unlikely because he will also be filming for the upcoming film Introduction to Architecture, this will be a perfect opportunity to get his name out to the public at large. And although I shared that I wasn’t blown away by his acting in The Front Line, there’s no arguing that he definitely can act, which is much more than I can say about most young rookie actors these days.
And although I have nothing against Han Ga In, I think we need a younger leading lady to match these men. May I suggest Han Groo (Killer K)? I definitely see some great acting potential there and hey, look! She looks great in a hanbok! (Too bad that’s nearly impossible because she’s already cast in a daily drama. Hmph!)
Who would you like to see as the Joseon era’s newest F4?
Via Star News
17 comments
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estel
October 29, 2011 at 11:20 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
If Song Joongki doesn’t get this lead role, it will be a crime against humanity.
Laica
October 30, 2011 at 2:52 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I second this!
muchadoboutlove
October 30, 2011 at 7:45 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
me three! ^o^
D
October 29, 2011 at 1:48 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
yes, SONG JOONG KI!!!! Come on Korea!!!!!!!
munkie
October 29, 2011 at 3:32 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
hmmmm isn’t han ga in also filming for intro to architecture? i really hope someone else gets the role, bc although she is very pretty, her acting is a little lackluster.
blue
October 29, 2011 at 4:11 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yup, Han Ga In is also doing Intro to Architecture. So if she’s doing a film and is also considering doing a drama, it gives me some hope that there’s no reason why Lee Je Hoon shouldn’t be able to do the same thing too. The more I think about it, the more I think he’ll be perfect for this drama. Shouldn’t get my hopes up too much though.
sPark*
October 29, 2011 at 6:12 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I love your casting choices!
I adore Song Joong Ki and Lee Je Hoon. It would be amazing if I could see them in a drama together! As for Han Groo, I like her too. It is too bad that she will be tied to a daily drama for a while. On the other hand, I’m not a big fan of Han Ga In. I think she is beautiful, but acting-wise…meh. I’ll be looking out for this drama! However, hype doesn’t always translate to a good drama. I really hope it doesn’t end up like Boys Over Flowers (addicting, but crap lol)
K
October 29, 2011 at 9:52 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Befote SKKS began everyone was calling the jalgeum quartet the Joseon F4 and fir some other drama there was an ahjussi F4 …i’m honestly getting really tired of this usage….come on korea, get over BOF….on the other hand this sounds extremely interesting and also kinda wierd that they’d cast han ga in for what sounds like a very young role…also my mind is blown by all the different combinations ofbtalented male actors that it’s trying to fit in here
K
October 29, 2011 at 10:16 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Also I want SJK to be a breakout star since TWDR so bad that its be come like a sickness…i pray that he gets casted as lead for every drama announced…this though is perfect for him….make it happen Korea!!!
dramaok
October 30, 2011 at 12:31 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hi Blue!
You know I think Han Ga In could work. it largely depends on who she is cast with. the character Wol doesn’t speak a whole lot so someone with big wet eyes and a ton of femininity would work well i think.
the characters in here are older than SKKS scholars. here, age 21-25 range as grown ups, so i don’t think they necessarily need a real young cast. someone born after 1982 i think would work well, so Han Ga In is right there. i guess i’m just kinda indifferent to her and waiting for more news, esp. who the male leads will be.
initially i really wanted Kim Jae Won and Im Soo Jung as the king and Wol, and Joo Ji Hoon as the king’s bodyguard, who has such sensibility despite saying nothing.
But I think Song Joong Ki could play any role in the drama and do well so that would be awesome too if he was cast in here in any capacity, but him vs. Han Ga in, I’m not so sure. a little too much noona-dongseng energy maybe. king should be a couple of years older than Wol. i actually haven’t really seen Song Joong Ki in a super romantic role. he always does such a great job in various bromances, so im sure he’ll do great in that too, but the chemistry between wol and king is gonna be super important. it’s a historical romance all the way. the romance is huge, unlike SKKS.
hope this drama makes it to air and won’t disappoint. i’m a little weary that it will take forever for this to actually make it to broadcast, for some reason.
blue
October 30, 2011 at 12:39 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hi dramaok!
Did you finish reading the novel? How did you like it? I’m thinking that this will be the next book on my to-read list.
I actually also liked the idea of Kang Dong Won as the king (just strictly based on the premise because I haven’t read the novel yet), but the problem with most of these “older” male actors is that they’re all in the army!
Kaleido
October 30, 2011 at 7:24 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
when is this drama going to start filming? I love SJK and I think he deserve to be a male lead… i saw the first 4 ep of TWDR for him…. if they are goiing to up the age a little… isn’t Lee Jun Ki is coming out of army in feb? I think LJK will be perfect.
dramaok
October 30, 2011 at 2:07 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
yes i finished the book and it was very good. she is a very good writer. it’s not as funny as SKK scholar days, as it is more mature and serious in tone but very romantic! i fell in love w/ all the male characters in here. i mean, real men! not boys. MEN. lol.
i like the idea of Kang Dong Won as anything and everything. dear lord hotness overload.
turan_dot
October 30, 2011 at 11:48 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you for the interesting heads-up. It doesn’t do any good to say it but I’m really tired of 20-something casts in sageuk.
K
October 30, 2011 at 9:21 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Han Ga In is a no noooooo, I was disappointed in all of her dramas, can it be anyone else?
Me, kcomments ^^
Btw, Blue, could you make it that I don’t have to type name and email every time to comment. I know , silly, but lazzzzy me called for hehe.
D
November 10, 2011 at 11:44 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
KIM SOO HYUN CASTED!!!!GAAAAAAH! and I’m so ecstatic, I’m not even that dissapointed that my Joong Ki didn’t get the part ….but now can they please switch out Han Ga In, she is wayyyyyy to old to be playing KSH’s love interest (imo) can’t wait to know who the rest of the F4 will be….now I dont wan’t SJK to be chosen for a sidekick again no matter how much I want to see him on the small screen again
blue
November 11, 2011 at 9:12 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks for the tip! I’ve updated the news… I’m excited about this casting too! Oh boy, my anticipation for this drama just keeps growing. Hopefully it won’t be a letdown!