Jung Hae-in to lead his first romcom K-drama series? Plus Park Shin-hye eyed for legal drama The Judge from Hell, and more in Korean drama casting latest

After starring in season 2 of Netflix’s D.P., Jung Hae-in is in talks to lead Some and Shopping, about a stormy romance between a CEO and a TV saleswoman
Park Shin-hye looks set to lead The Judge from Hell, while Squid Game’s Wi Ha-joon may play a teacher in Graduation

K-drama news

Pierce Conran

Published: 4:45pm, 7 Oct 2023

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In our latest round of K-drama casting news, romance is in the autumn air as several top stars mull over offers to appear in major romantic dramas gearing up for production.

1. Some and Shopping

Jung Hae-in has reportedly been approached to lead the new romcom Some and Shopping. His agency confirmed that it is one of several projects that he is currently considering.

Jung has been offered the role of Lee Hae-sook, the intelligent and charming chief executive of a cosmetics company. The drama will chronicle Hae-sook’s stormy relationship with a popular home-shopping channel host. There is no word yet on who is being considered to co-star alongside him.

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Though Jung is well known for romantic roles such as in Snowdrop and Something in the Rain, this role would mark his first time headlining a romantic comedy.

Of late, Jung has been expanding into serious drama and genre roles, starring in acclaimed shows such as Disney+’s horror-thriller Connect and the military-themed drama D.P., which just aired its second season on Netflix.

2. Graduation

Wi Ha-joon (Squid Game, Little Women) may be joining Jung Ryeo-won (May It Please the Court) on screen as it has been revealed that both actors have been offered leading roles in the private-academy-themed drama Graduation.

Taking place in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam neighbourhood, the story will follow the romance between a man and woman who first met as student and instructor and who reconnect years later when the man becomes a private academy instructor as well.

Wi Ha-joon in a still from “Little Women”.

Wi, who is currently on screens alongside Ji Chang-wook in Disney+ gangster drama The Worst of Evil, is considering the part of Lee Joon-ho, a student who excelled in school and never forgot his academy teacher, his first love.

Playing that first love will be Jung, who was approached in summer to appear in the series. Jung is known for classic dramas such as My Name Is Kim Sam-soon.

The series will mark the comeback of director Ahn Pan-seok, who is known for popular dramas like One Spring Night and Something in the Rain.

Jung Ryeo-won in a still from “May It Please the Court”.

3. The Judge from Hell

Actress Park Shin-hye is reputedly set to star as the lead in the legal drama The Judge from Hell, a new project from powerhouse K-drama production house Studio S (The Penthouse, Taxi Driver).

Park is believed to be playing Kang Bit-na, a judge who covets power, doesn’t trust anyone and lacks compassion for the people who come up before her bench. The show will also depict her interactions with a warm-hearted detective.

Park Shin-hye in a still from “Sisyphus: The Myth”. Photo: Netflix

Not seen since Sisyphus: The Myth, Park will be back on screens soon in the medical drama Doctor Slump. She is known for hit series like Pinocchio and The Doctors, as well as films such as Miracle in Cell No. 7 and The Call.

This isn’t Park’s first time in a courtroom, having played a lawyer in the film Heart Blackened, the Korean remake of the Chinese film Silent Witness.

4. I’m Against My Romance

Go Min-si (Sweet Home) and Choi Hyun-wook (Twenty-Five Twenty-One) have received offers to appear in the upcoming JTBC drama I’m Against My Romance.

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The series will follow ex-lovers who reunite 10 years after they became each other’s first loves. Go is considering the part of Hong Jae-bi, a clumsy teacher at a day care centre, while Choi is eyeing the role of the righteous Kim Tae-kyung.

The series is set to be made by hit director Lee Eung-bok, known for Mr. Sunshine, Guardian: The Great and Lonely God and Descendants of the Sun. He previously worked with Go on Sweet Home, while Choi had a brief role in his mountaineering drama Jirisan.

Go Min-si in a still from “Sweet Home”. Photo: Son Ik-Chung/Netflix

Go recently appeared in the blockbuster Smugglers from director Ryoo Seung-wan, the biggest local hit of the summer. She will next be seen in both the second and third seasons of Sweet Home.

Choi is currently appearing alongside Ryeoun in the fantasy youth drama Twinkling Watermelon.

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