News bites: August 23, 2023

Han Ji-min, Lee Jun-hyuk

The busy Han Ji-min (Behind Your Touch) is reviewing offers for her next project, putting her psychic-veterinarian days “behind” her and potentially sitting at the big desk as a dashing CEO in Acquaintances (working title). Also in discussions – and also dashing – is Lee Jun-hyuk (Dark Hole), who is up to play said CEO’s secretary. As per the rules of dramaland, romance is of course on the horizon. Yes please, sign me up. [My Daily]

New character posters have dropped for ENA’s upcoming Day of Kidnapping, showcasing the black comedy’s motley foursome, with dad-but-not-dad Yoon Kye-sang (Kiss Sixth Sense), sassy Yoo-na (Green Mothers’ Club), determined cop Park Sung-hoon (Not Others), and inscrutable Kim Shin-rok (Shadow Detective 2). Coming to our screens on September 13, production is being led by PD Park Yoo-young (A Model Family) and writer Kim Je-young (Cheese in the Trap, the film). [News1]

A new rom-com called Treat Me Carelessly (roughly translated) is in the works, with Lee Yoo-young (Insider) reportedly cast as the lead and L (a.k.a. Kim Myung-soo) (Numbers) still in talks. Taking a page from ye olde classics, the webtoon adaptation has the former playing a self-made modern woman and aspiring designer, while the latter’s character is a traditional stiff upper lip, hailing from the Confucian-trained hills. [Dispatch, Star News]
Speaking of webtoon adaptations, A Good Day to Be a Dog has been picked up by MBC and is planning to air once a week in a new Wednesday slot. Starring Cha Eun-woo (Island), Park Kyu-young (Celebrity), and Lee Hyun-woo (Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area), the fantasy rom-com finished filming this past April and is currently in post-production. PD Kim Dae-woong (Start Up the Engine) is at the helm with scripts by Baek In-ah. [MBC]

Cha Eun-woo, Park Kyu-young, Lee Hyun-woo

Over on SBS, the War for Survival is about to begin in the newest teaser, featuring our apprehensive leads – minus Eom Ki-joon (Little Women). Starring an intense ensemble cast including Hwang Jung-eum (Men Are Men) and Lee Joon (Red Heart) among many others, the makjang thriller will be kicking off next month on September 15. [Herald Pop]
Also coming in September is Netflix’s wistful romance A Time Called You, and in the newest batch of stills, we get another look at our love smitten leads: Jeon Yeo-bin (Glitch), Ahn Hyo-seop (Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim 3), and Kang Hoon (The Secret Romantic Guesthouse). I can already feel my heart being pulled into so many directions and I don’t know if I’ll make it out alive when the full series arrives on September 8. [Newsen]