In K-drama casting news, Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon eyed to lead Petty Love, and more

The latest news sees offers for Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae, The Glory’s Lim Ji-yeon, Seohyun of Girls’ Generation and 2PM’s Ok Taec-yeon

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Lee Jung-jae in a still from Squid Game season 2. The South Korean actor has been offered a lead role in the coming romantic comedy Petty Love. Photo: Netflix

Published: 7:15pm, 23 Nov 2024

Stars of Netflix hits Squid Game and The Glory may come together to collaborate on a major romcom, while a period drama with a novel fantasy twist, a legal drama and a period office drama are also sending casting offers. Here’s the latest news from the Korean scene.

1. Petty Love

Lee Jung-jae, who is on the cusp of returning as Player 456 in the hugely anticipated second season of Squid Game, may be gearing up for another K-drama, having been offered the male lead role in the romantic comedy Petty Love.

Meanwhile, the female lead has been offered to Lim Ji-yeon, known for playing the villain in The Glory.

The role offered to Lee is that of veteran actor Im Hyun-joon, who has been typecast as a detective but fosters ambitions of being a melodramatic lead.

Lim Ji-yeon in a still from The Killing Vote. Photo: SBS

Lim is eyeing the part of Wi Jung-sook, an award-winning political journalist who finds herself demoted to the entertainment beat after becoming embroiled in a corruption scandal.

Scripting the series is Jung Yeo-rang, who scored a huge hit in 2023 with the family-themed medical drama Doctor Cha. Kim Ga-ram (Good Partner) is expected to handle the director’s reins.

2. The First Night with the Duke

The cast appears to be firming up for The First Night with the Duke, a new drama based on a web novel by Hwang DoTol that is set to star Ok Taec-yeon of the K-pop outfit 2PM and Girls’ Generation member Seohyun.

Set during Korea’s Joseon era, this fantasy drama will follow a woman who suddenly finds herself turning into a minor character from a romance novel.