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Those who know me, they are well aware of the fact that I have this huge soft spot for Jae Hee ever since I saw him in Delightful Girl Choon Hyang. He showed great comic timing and excellent chemistry with Han Chae Young. I love him a lot and it pains me to see him not getting the attention that he deserves. After completing his mandatory military service, he has done four dramas. Colour Of Woman was good at the start but then derailed later on and I dropped it. Then there was melodrama May Queen which I didn’t watch as I came to know that he won’t be getting the girl and well, I think the drama wasn’t appealing. I’m happy for him that it received good ratings and he also bagged an award for it. Then there was Jang Ok Jung, and I hated it that he was sidelined so much in that show, after initially citing him as one of the main characters. Last year, he did jTBC’s period weekend drama First Born. Anyway, I’m always happy to read some news about him and I’m simply glad that he’s back to dramaland, even if it’s through a daily drama. I’m even thinking about giving it a try (if subs are available of course) just for my Jae Hee! Even if there is a smidgen of some good things in it, it will be worth a watch. Well, hopefully.
The drama is titled Save The Family and stars Jae Hee as an ambitious doctor who doesn’t believe in love after failing in it once. He also considers marriage as business. He works in a village but then becomes less enthusiastic about that life and plans to move back to the city.The female lead is Kang Byul, who plays an assistant chef, who obviously believes in love and marriage. According to dramaland laws, opposites always fall in love and so starts our hero’s conflict as feelings swing between love and ambition. The plot has potential to tick all trademark bullet points of any regular weekender or a daily soap but hey, at least there is no makjang-ness in it! Kang Byul has done supporting roles in dramas like God’s Gift 14 Days, Rooftop Prince and Mandate Of Heaven while appeared as main lead in recently wrapped drama Miss Mamma Mia.
Save The Family comes from the writer of I’ll Give You The Stars And The Moon and Melody Of Love and is being directed by PD of Wife And Woman, both veterans in the field of daily dramas. The show starts on Monday, 11 May on KBS, airing from Monday to Friday. Check out the posters and script reading pics. As always, Jae Hee is the best thing about his project and looks great here. Overall, the show seems cute and upbeat enough to dive in both feet.
The Drama Corner 
Ah…my love for Jae Hee knows no bounds, miss Snow! I have first seen him in the iconic Kim Ki-Duk’s Three Iron -one of the best asian movies, ever- and have always thought of him as a splendid young actor. I’ve practically watched all of his projects and the Hong sisters’ drama is one of the best. I’m still wondering what is going on in this industry; how come an amazing handsome actor is stuck in a daily drama? Why can’t he find a better project? JTBC’s Firstborn had very good ratings, especially for a cable channel drama. May Queen was also decent but KJW is MBC’s darling so Jae Hee couldn’t stand a chance; but the ensamble was indeed wonderful even if the script was nothing out of the ordinary melodramas. He doesn’t have movie projects either for a long time now…inexplicable and weird for such a marvellous artist!
Couldn’t agree more Hariaharia! It’s so sad and disappointing that such a talented actor has to do tired projects aka daily soaps….I have heard great things about Three Iron..but it looks really dark but I might watch it someday for my Jae Hee love…which like you…knows no bounds…haha
It’s great that his last drama First born got good ratings….I really, really want him to have some breakout role again….if not in dramas, then in movies…I think I read a few months back that he has some C-movie lined up but don’t have much information on it…maybe it already got released.
Α c-movie and a daily drama for our boy like he’s an idol or a rookie? Sigh…good Lord!!
It could be management or connections. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes. Tons of excellent actors don’t “make it”. Or it could be Jae Hee’s own choices, some actors don’t aim for the stars. I remember reading that Kang Ha-Neul didn’t care to have lead roles, it is the character that he’s interested in, lead role or not, even if it’s a small role he’d take it, and he’s more into plays than dramas. But I know it’s frustrating when one of your favorites, especially a talented one, doesn’t get what you know he’s worth getting.
Well that’s true but in his case I think it was because he was out of limelight for too long…he went for military service and then he didn’t have any mega hit before that (after Delightful Girl Choon Hyang) and after coming back, his dramas did do well but buzz was comparatively low. Anyway, it can be as you said, he might be not that ambitious..I’m just glad that he is continuously doing dramas and movies 🙂
Οur Jae Hee does not probably fit in this particular star system *snif, snif*. I really hope for KHN to keep rising till he’s mature enough (artistically speaking) to make his own choices. He’s on my top-5 of young actors from whom I expect practically everything in the near future, Let’s hope he’ll get all the recognition his talent deserves!
Yes, yes, and yes. I love Kang Ha Neul. He is so talented and it looks like he genuinely loves his craft. He is not after limelight, just wants to do consistently good work. May he keep on achieving success in his career. I hope to see lots of good work from him 🙂
I’m not even kidding, it was in my “Can’t Wait” post and you were even cited, until I saw the amount of episodes. I don’t have the strength. I’m quite frustrated because the synopsis is actually good. And I love the title, since I’m a fan of “pro-family” movies and tv shows LOL!!! I’m waiting for your review if you decide to watch it.
I love the pictures and i’m happy for JaeHee that it is on KBS!
I want to watch it. But it’s not easily available and more difficult is to find the subtitles. I’m waiting for that.
He does look great here….and the synopsis is not too bad either…it’s not new but sounds simple and sweet.