Teasers for Jung Yong Hwa and Lee Jin Wook (who I believe plays the Crown Prince) have been released!
Or:
Jung Young Hwa has been cast in a Kdrama remake of The Three Musketeers!
!! !!! !! SQUEE! !
Was pretty much my reaction to this news. I realize that if you are an adamant Kdrama fan or a BOICE (fan of CN BLUE) then you probably already know this. But I like to be you know, behind the curve, so as not to get wacked in the face and can tell you about things later.
If you don't know anything about Yong Hwa, CN BLUE, Kdrama, or the Three Musketeers, then prepare to be confused.
First off: A SUV!
Name order in Korea, Japan, and China (and some other Asian countries as well). If you don't already know, the family is central to society in a lot of Asian cultures (and let's face it, a lot of other cultures.) Therefore the family you come from would naturally come first. (I won't get into the whole Confucian system, etc etc. etc. - because frankly, I'm not all that genius about it myself - being Filipino-American and so there's more of a Spanish influence there. Also, my last name is French but since my family lives in mostly the rural midwest, it's pronuced like the scavenging bird that eats roadkill. It's... a long story.)
Also, a lot of Korean families seem to name their kids with the same middle name, at least in a lot of rural areas or with more traditional families (if Drama and the Internet are to be believed.) So Jung is the family name, and Yong the first, Hwa the middle
As I don't know anything about Yong Hwa's possible siblings, I have no idea if they have the same middle names. This whole name confusion is further complicated by silly, but well-meaning people who switch their names around "western-style" for promotional stuff or captions, but then sometimes also show them with their names in traditional setup. And because a lot of idols/actors use all three names (or occasionally just something random like G.Dragon, T.O.P or just a name like Hyuna or Aliee, no one's ever sure.
About the Show.
I will shamelessly refer you to these various other articles that tell in various detail all about the new drama and Yong Hwa's part in it. (P.S. Pretty sure he's the D'Artangon character.)
http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/07/yonghwa-and-more-attend-script-reading-for-the-three-musketeers
http://www.soompi.com/2014/07/07/a-first-look-in-jung-yong-hwas-mane-of-glory-for-the-three-musketeers/
I can't get too spoiler-y since they are just now in script readings and also, the show is slated to take place in 3 seasons, starting with the first 12 episode season sometime this fall.
Let us stop for a second. A Kdrama - having more than one season? That isn't a sequel or spin-off? Gimme a minute to get back up on my chair from the sheer shock!
The drama will be set in the Josen Era (which for those of you who don't remember all your Korean history from your oh-so-complete history classes ha! means that it will be set in one of Kdrama's favorite (and to my knowledge, fashionable) time periods. We will hopefully get those crazy pilgrim hats made from black Sinamay, awesome robes, and hairpins of power. Also, battle hanboks, headbands of intent, and ponytails of dedication. (If Faith was any indication!)
Also, I was basically as excited as this blogger below - who pointed all the awesome things about this show:
No seriously- go read it, the fangirlling GIF is awesome.
Now Go read the response post she made regarding the updates!
Back? Got it?
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| From this lowly form of transport... |
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| To This. |
I can't squee enough about how excited I am as well to see Yong Hwa on horseback. Please attend to the horseback riding like you do everything else - with much dedication. 'Cause I'd really like you to be awesome at this, Yong Hwa. And the sword fighting. please be badass at the sword fighting as well.
The Book Vs. The Films Vs. The KDrama Vs. The Musical....?
Yes, that's right, there have been countless films (seriously tons!) based on the Dumas novel even a couple of musicals (one written in the 1930's with P.G. Wodehouse on board, a revival (presumably of the same material) that flopped in the '80's and then a German revisiting, and lately a Korean reboot with Jun K. a.k.a Minjun a.k.a. Junsu from 2pm as the young hero, d'Artagnan who aspires to join the musketeers. As if I need any other reasons to fall of my chair and squee.
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| Bonus points to Jun. K. for being able to look that serious with that ridiculously wonderful hat. |
The Korean Cast of The Three Musketeers
Sorry, lack of English subtitles... but you get the idea.
Also: In German - the original soundtrack is pretty frickin' awesome and I don't even speak German.
In the book, the guys (a.k.a the musketeers) weren't always the most standup of guys that you wanted to rally behind, but the plot intrigue was fantastic.
Generally the films and musicals play them more loveable rouges or tragic heroes and I can get behind that. I'm interested to see how Kdrama handles the plot and the characterization. I REALLY want it to be awesome. But here's to hoping. And the waiting.
Also, the one thing I pointlessly wished for - but I totally acknowledge wouldn't make much sense considering the characters:
CN BLUE as the Four Musketeers.
Yes. I know. There's not enough of an age gap. The point is that the grizzled mentors take on the young pup. But considering all the other random things they've done to the story, is it so hard to take?
We've already witnessed Jung Shin do action sequences in Sword and Flower (although I don't know what else happens because I just couldn't get past episode 2 - more on that later). We know that Jong Hyun (with his tae kwon do background) and Yong Hwa can compete due to their Running Man stints, and if Min Hyuk's agility and stamina on his drums are any indication, I fully believe he too can be a badass action hero.
Imagine it:
Athos
Porthos
We've already seen Kang Min Hyuk inhale obscene amounts of food in the name of comedy during the run of the musical-comedy: Heartstrings. He's also quite the adorkable one, and with his "eye-smile" and sly ways, he could be quite the flirt too. Min Hyuk also seems to be capable of playing the dofus of the group as well, even though it's obvious from behind-the-scenes videos he's quite serious and dedicated when it comes to his craft.
Aramis
Lee Jong Hyun is a pro at the serious, quiet type that slays all the Noonas - if CN BLUE's music videos and photo shoots are any indication. I feel like even with just the example of A Gentleman's Dignity behind him, he could still pull off that delightfully wicked underneath the good boy exterior that's needed of the supposedly devout holy man who can't keep himself away from the ladies.
d'Artagnon
Our maknae, Lee Jung Shin possess a fantastic combination of youthful enthusiasm and serious intent. While I love the idea of Yong Hwa as d'Artagnan in the new series, for this incarnation - Jung Shin makes the most sense for me. He would be just what the other three needed to bring the band (sorry, bad pun) together.
Also, I can't pretend that I may have subconsciously echoed real life- as Jung Shin replaced the former CN BLUE bassist (for whatever reasons I have no idea) and helped bring them to the place they are now.
P.S. These guys hold their instruments like their weapons anyways.
Finally, I leave you with this video of the guys - well, basically sitting around and playing games - epically.
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