News bites: February 21 2023

Gong Yoo (The Silent Sea) and Seo Hyun-jin (Why Her) are a pairing that I never knew I wanted, and both are in talks for a new Netflix romance called Trunk. With PD Kim Kyu-tae (Our Blues) as the talent behind the camera and scripts by Park Eun-young (Hwarang), the story is based on a novel by Kim Ryeo-ryung, who also wrote the original novel series for the movie Punch. [Sports Seoul]

Speaking of Punch, Kim Yoon-seok (Escape from Mogadishu) is making his drama comeback with Netflix as well – his last drama being MBC’s Love Me When You Can back in 2006-7. Along with Yoon Kye-sang (Kiss Sixth Sense), Go Min-shi (Jirisan), and Lee Jung-eun (Missing: The Other Side 2), the four will be starring in the mystery-thriller Alone in the Woods. PD Mo Wan-il (A Couple’s World) is attached to direct with writing by Sohn Ho-young. [JTBC]

Honey Lee (One the Woman) has confirmed casting for MBC’s Flower That Blooms at Night (roughly translated), playing a dutiful widow by day and a masked hero at night. Production for the investigative comedy sageuk is being led by a team of four, with PD Jang Tae-yoo (Lovers of the Red Sky, Hyena) and PD Choi Jung-in (On the Verge of Insanity) co-directing alongside writers Lee Saem and Jung Myung-in. [MBC]
2023 is shaping up to be a big year for historicals and the sageuk king Choi Su-jong (My Only One) will be headlining KBS’s 50th anniversary series The Goryeo-Khitan War (working title). The Goryeo-era story will follow the real historical figure General Kang Gam-chan, with Lee Jung-woo (The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won) penning the scripts and directing helmed by PD Jeon Woo-sung (Strongest Deliveryman) as well as PD Kim Han-sol (Imjin War 1592). [News1]
Seol In-ah (Oasis) is considering an offer to star in a time-slip called Sparkling Watermelon, the newest project by writer Jin Soo-wan (Chicago Typewriter, Kill Me, Heal Me). Production is still in the planning stages and filming is set to begin once casting has been finalized, with PD Sohn Jung-hyun (Mental Coach Jegal) at the helm. [SpoTV News]

The promos continue for tvN’s Pandora with a new poster of our heroine Lee Jia (Penthouse 3). Also starring Lee Sang-yoon (One the Woman), Jang Hee-jin (The Red Sleeve Cuff), Park Ki-woong (The King’s Affection), and Bong Tae-kyu (Penthouse 3), the revenge-thriller will be taking over the weekend slot starting March 11. [Sports Donga]
Over on TVING, a new poster has dropped for Part 2 of Island, featuring leads Kim Nam-gil (Through the Darkness), Lee Da-hee (Love is for Suckers), Cha Eun-woo (True Beauty), and Sung Joon (Call It Love). The fantasy will be returning to our screens this week on February 24, with production continuing under director Bae Jong and writer Oh Bo-hyun. [Maeil Kyungje]

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