Watch Now: ‘K2’ Starring Yoona, Ji Chang-Wook Is The Next K-drama Blockbuster
Upcoming Korean drama K2 and Descendants of the Sun have many things in common. They are both high budget, boasts a stellar cast, and brings to light the true meaning of patriotism.
K2 will premiere on September 23 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Korean time.
Here’s the spectacular thriller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z86-kivGESE
Directed by Kwak Jung-Hwan, the drama stars Kim Je-Ha as Ji Chang-Wook, an ex-solider. He is also called K2. He is hired as a bodyguard by Choi Yoo-Jin (Song Yoon-A). Choi Yoo-Jin is the wife of a presidential candidate (Cho Seong-Ha) and the daughter of a chaebol family. Meanwhile, Ko An-Na (Yoona) is the daughter of the presidential hopeful. Her identity is not known to the public, and she is a recluse.
This drama marks Yoona’s return to the small screen after a brief hiatus of three years. The last time the Girls’ Generation member was seen on TV was during KBS 2TV’s series the Prime Minister and I in 2013.
The teaser videos of K2 look quite impressive and reek of high budget. The drama seems to be packed with both political intrigue and romance.
Ji Chang Wook started off his career as a struggling actor in a musical theater. He debuted as an actor in 2008 in the movie Sleeping Beauty. Ji Chang Wook rose to fame in his lead role of Dong-hae in the drama series Smile Again that screened from 2010-2011, followed by his notable roles in Warrior Baek Dong-soo (2011), Empress Ki (2013-2014), and most recently, The Healer (2014-2015).
Just like Song Joong-ki in Descendants of the Sun, Ji Chang-wook plays a soldier. However, he is not a soldier on active duty. The K2 storyline will perhaps show Ji Chang-wook in uniform, taking us through what really went wrong with his life while in the army.
Like Song Joong-ki’s Yoo Shi-Jin, who wants to protect children, the elderly, beautiful women, and most importantly Kang Mo-Yeon played by Song Hye-kyo, Ji Chang-wook makes it his life’s mission to protect Ko An-Na, played by Yoona.
omo!!! Finally Couple poster!! #TheK2 #JiChangWook #Yoona #Tvn pic.twitter.com/paDywaMZVJ
— SADIA (@sa__dia) September 12, 2016
The teaser does hint at deception, lies and a murder plot.
It’s a pity if this drama doesn’t air in China due to the Hallyu ban, as Yoona’s popularity has been soaring in China.
According to a report by AllKPop, Yoona receives as much as a total of 3 billion KRW (~$2,660,310) for her Chinese drama!
“Yoona is worth about 3 billion won per drama. It can vary depending on the production, but it was reported that recently a total of 3 billion won was requested. It is a big number, but it is a reasonable with her being in Girls’ Generation, and having various drama experiences in Korea,” stated Chinese drama associates.
Some said, “Isn’t that too excessive?”, but drama associates replied, “It is completely reasonable for YoonA,” and added, “Now China doesn’t simply consider only the popularity of the Korean celebrity. The star’s personality, private life, and professionalism is all taken into account, and with that in consideration, YoonA’s worth has to be high.”
Moreover, in 2016, Yoona was chosen by Forbes magazine for Asia’s “30 under 30” most influential celebrities in the Entertainment and Sport category.
Ji Chang-wook too has been working hard.
“In order to handle his action scenes in K2, Ji Chang Wook has been hitting the weights, which has paid off during practice. With great agility and reflexes, his combat training has been going smoothly. It’s great to see him working hard even amid a packed schedule. You can look forward to his action scenes in the drama,” stated Glorious Entertainment.
K-drama enthusiasts, being fans of talent and hard work, are sure to be impressed by K2.
But will it surpass the popularity of Descendants of the Sun? Only time will tell.
[Photo by Donald Traill/AP Images]
