Casting News: Ha Ji Won, UEE and Lee Jang Woo, and Kim Hyun Joong

This has been a very busy week for kdramaland.  Dozens of casting updates and new drama announcements have been released, including new roles for many of our favorite Korean stars and starlets.  Here are three of the highlights:

Ha Ji Won cast in upcoming blockbuster drama “Prometheus”

In what will be her first screen appearance in a year and a half, Ha Ji Won has accepted the role of lead intelligence officer in upcoming spy thriller “Prometheus.”  The story of Prometheus follows the secret mission of a South Korean intelligence officer(Ha Ji Won) and her team as they infiltrate North Korea for denuclearization. The role was literally written for Ha Ji Won with the production crew aiming to preserve her strong and powerful image through this character.  The drama itself promises to deliver a level of intensity and quality never before seen on the Korean small screen.

This will be the first performance by Ha Ji Won since the sudden death of her brother, actor Jeon Tae Su(Sunkyunkwan Scandal) last January (in the wake of the tragedy, Ha Ji Won chose to cancel all upcoming commitments and focus on her family,) and seems to be the perfect vehicle for her comeback.

“Prometheus” is currently in talks to air at the end of this year.

[source, source]

UEE and Lee Jang-Woo cast in new drama “My Beautiful Ally”

UEE and Lee Jang Woo are currently in consideration for upcoming weekend drama, “My Beautiful Ally.”  This drama will mark Lee Jang Woo’s first drama since his return from the military earlier this year and the second time he and UEE have worked together (the first time being in “Music Bank.”)

The plot description for this drama is unique and intriguing.  “My Beautiful Ally” tells the complicated tale of a woman who suddenly discovers that her parents aren’t her real parents…and are murderers.  Oh my gosh, now that is a birth secret.  There isn’t any word on Lee Jang Woo’s character, but most likely he will be vital in helping UEE’s character put her life back together.

“My Beautiful Ally” is set to begin airing in September following “Marry Me Now.”

Update 07/16/18: Uee confirms casting in “My Beautiful Ally.” [source]

Update 08/08/18: Lee Jang Woo confirms to join Uee in “My Beautiful Ally.” [source]

[source, source]

Kim Hyun Joong cast in fantasy drama “When Time Stops”

For those of us following the career implosion of Kim Hyun Joong (it’s like I can’t look away, agh,) it will no doubt be astonishing to hear that he has just been signed on for upcoming ROMANTIC fantasy drama, “When Time Stops.”  — Please, please, make  it stop.  Whose idea was this casting???

For those who haven’t been keeping up, Kim Hyun Joong has been facing a legal battle for the past several years with his girlfriend after she accused him of horribly beating her until she miscarried.  The girlfriend later revealed that her current pregnancy was also Kim Hyun Joong’s which was proved by a paternity test. Although the courts later determined that there was insufficient proof that his girlfriend suffered a miscarriage and that she lied about events to the court, the series of trials have revealed a very un-kdrama friendly image of this leading man.  By this point his career should be toast — especially considering the recent “Me too” movement, but there still seem to be a few fans rooting for him.

When Time Stops” tells the story of a mysterious time traveler without an age or birthdate, who lives a lonely life — until he meets the female lead and “finds the meaning of life.”

“When Time Stops” is set to air in October.

[source]