This week, the Korean entertainment headlines are buzzing with the announcement that the “Lovely Runner” star, Byeon Woo Seok, will headline the Netflix live-action adaptation of “Solo Leveling.” Adding to the excitement, Park Seo Joon is officially set to make a special appearance in the upcoming “Bloodhounds 2.” Let’s find out more about the latest casting news this week!
Byeon Woo Seok to Lead Netflix’s “Solo Leveling,” Park Seo Joon to Cameo in “Bloodhounds 2”
Byeon Woo Seok Tapped to Lead Netflix’s “Solo Leveling”
Netflix has officially announced that Byeon Woo Seok is set to star in the upcoming Korean live-action series adaptation “Solo Leveling.” The upcoming series is based on the global hit Korean web novel, which has already been adapted into a webtoon, a video game, and an anime series.
“Solo Leveling” follows a young man, Sung Jin Woo, an E-rank hunter notoriously known for being the weakest and lowest level. After a near-death experience in a high-level dungeon, he gains the distinct ability to level up by defeating various monsters with each battle. As he defeats the monsters at multiple levels, he grows exponentially stronger and attains more abilities. Sung Jin-woo’s rapid ascent transforms him from an underdog into a new hope for humanity.
The “Lovely Runner” star will portray the protagonist, Sung Jin Woo. The role marks the actor’s first foray into the action genre. In addition, director Lee Hae Jun of “A Hard Day” and Kim Byung Seo of “Ashfall” will co-direct the upcoming production.
Park Seo Joon to Cameo in “Bloodhounds” Season 2
Park Seo Joon will make a special appearance in the upcoming “Bloodhounds 2,” the hit Netflix series based on the webtoon by Jeong Chan. The actor will reunite the “Gyeongseong Creature” star with director Kim Joo-hwan and actor Woo Do-hwan, with whom he previously collaborated on the 2019 film “The Divine Fury.” Park joins a list of notable guest stars for the new season, including Rain, DEX, and 2PM’s Hwang Chan-sung.
The first season introduced two talented young boxers, Geon Woo (Woo Do Hwan) and Woo Jin (Lee Sang Yi), who find themselves entangled with vicious loan sharks. After falling victim to a ruthless scheme, they channel their boxing skills to dismantle the entire criminal enterprise led by the formidable Kim Myeong-gil (Park Sung Woong).
In the new season, the duo will face a greater threat: a global underground boxing league. Baek Jeong (Rain) leads this illegal organization. Known as a formidable fighter, he once defeated a world boxing champion. He now aims to drag Geon Woo into his dark league.
Song Kang Ho Steps Down from “Insiders”
Veteran actor Song Kang Ho has officially departed his second drama project, “Insiders.” According to reports, the Parasite star’s exit was due to scheduling conflicts that arose after a significant change in the production plan. The production initially had a two-season format, but it changed into a single 12-episode season.
Song was set to portray the character of Lee Kang-hee in the series. The extended filming schedule conflicted with the actor’s other commitments, forcing his departure. The “Insiders” team production must now postpone filming for two to three months. They are currently casting for a replacement.
Set in the 1980s and 1990s in South Korea, “Insiders” is a new live-action series adaptation of a popular webtoon. The webtoon gained its first live adaptation in 2015 with the Korean film “Inside Men.” The story centers on Ahn Sang-gu, a political hoodlum. He acts as a behind-the-scenes power broker for the corrupt elite and carries out their dirty work.
Lee Yi Kyung and Song Ji Hyo to Cameo in “Confidence Queen”
Actors Lee Yi Kyung and Song Ji Hyo will make cameo appearances in Park Min Young’s new drama “Confidence Queen.” This upcoming series is a Korean adaptation of the Japanese series “The Confidence Man JP.”
The show marks Song Ji Hyo’s comeback to the small screen after starring in the 2022 “Sh**ting Stars.” This series will also mark as a reunion between Lee Yi Kyung and Park Min Young since the 2024 drama series “Marry My Husband.”
“Confidence Queen” tells the story of three con artists. They team up to defraud corrupt corporations, mafia bosses, and wealthy criminals. The trio devises intricate plots and tricks to secure their ill-gotten gains.
The new Korean adaptation “Confidence Queen” will premiere in the second half of this year.
Park Yong Woo to Star in “Eun Soo Good Day”
Actor Park Yong Woo joins Lee Young Ae and Kim Young Kwang in “Eun Soo Good Day.” In this series, the actor will portray the role of Jang Tae Gu.
The story centers on Kang Eun Soo (Lee Young Ae), an ordinary housewife. Eun Soo is desperate to cover her terminally ill husband’s medical bills. She accidentally enters the world of illegal drugs after she finds a bag full of drugs. Kang Eun Soo partners with Lee Kyeong (Kim Young Kwang), a man who leads a double life. He works as an art instructor by day and a clandestine drug dealer by night.
Park Hae Soo May Reunite with Jeon Do Yeon in “The Great Ok Sook”
Reports suggest Park Hae Soo is positively reviewing a role in “The Great Ok Sook.” It is a new webtoon-based K-drama of the same name by Mae Mi (story) and Hui Se (illustrations).
If the actor accepts the role, this series would mark Park Hae Soo and Jeon Do Yeon’s fourth collaboration. Their first collaboration was on the stage play “The Cherry Orchard.” Their upcoming K-drama “Confession” marks their second collaboration. Additionally, Jeon Do Yeon will make a special appearance in Park Hae Soo’s forthcoming film, “Good News.”
“The Great Ok Sook” follows a group of women dispose of a body in the Han River. Park is in talks to play the character of Yoon Tae Woong. He is the influential head of their apartment building’s reconstruction association.
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