News bites: January 4, 2022

Joo Ji-hoon (Jirisan) may become a doctor for his next project as he’s currently considering the lead role of Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk in a webnovel adaptation called Severe Trauma Center: Golden Hour. In the meantime, Joo has been busy filming for writer Lee Soo-yeon’s (Forest of Secrets) Dominant Species, and can also be seen in Wavve’s new movie Gentleman, which launched on the platform last week. [Osen]

Ahn Bo-hyun (Yumi’s Cells 2), on the other hand, is in talks for a new crime-action called Gold Spoon. If he accepts, Ahn will be playing dramaland’s favorite character type: a third generation chaebol. However, instead of a CEO, this story will follow our hero’s journey as he somehow becomes a police detective. [YTN]

A new teaser was released for SBS’s Escape of the Seven and it looks like another wild ride with PD Joo Dong-min and writer Kim Soon-ok of the Penthouse series holding the reins. Slated to air in September of this year, the crime thriller’s large ensemble cast includes regulars Eom Ki-joon (Little Women), Shin Eun-kyung (Penthouse 3), and Yoon Jong-hoon (Shooting Stars), in addition to newcomers Hwang Jung-eum (Men Are Men) and Lee Joon (Red Heart) among many others. [SpoTV News]
More stills have dropped for tvN’s Crash Course in Romance as well as the Netflix teaser, showcasing our rom-com’s main cast. Starring Jeon Do-yeon (Human Disqualification) and Jung Kyung-ho (Hospital Playlist 2), the rom-com premieres next week on January 14, in the weekend slot. [News2]

Yoon Hyun-soo (Seasons of Blossom) has been cast in a new drama called Running Mate, which marks screenwriter Han Jin-won’s (Parasite) first foray into directing. The production is currently in discussions with TVING and is planning a coming-of-age story with Yoon’s character running for vice-president on his high school’s student council. [YTN]
Lee Wan (Our Gap-soon) may be returning to dramaland after six years, potentially joining Park Hae-jin (Showtime Begins) and Park Sung-woong (Unlock the Boss) on SBS’s new thriller National Death Penalty Vote. Aiming to broadcast later this year, PD Park Shin-woo (Trap) is at the helm with scripts by Jo Yoon-young (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo). [Sports Kyunghyang]
A new poster has come out for MBC’s fantasy romance Kokdu: Season of Deity, featuring our two leads, Kim Jung-hyun (Mr. Queen) and Im Soo-hyang (Doctor Lawyer). Premiering this month on January 27, production is being led by a team of four with PD Baek Soo-chan (Alice) and PD Kim Ji-hoon (Check Out the Event) co-directing, alongside writers Kang Yi-heon (Bad Detective) and Heo Joon-woo (Bad Detective). [News1]