See this post for a detailed list of the upcoming dramas. I’m providing just the short version here for the polls.
Five Fingers (다섯손가락)
Cast: Joo Ji Hoon, Ham Eun Jung, Ji Chang Wook
Writer: Kim Soon Ok (Smile, Mom; Temptation of An Angel)
Director: Choi Young Hoon (War of Roses; OBGYN)
Five Fingers is a story about young adults who overcome their past scars, find love, and fulfill their dreams. Joo Ji Hoon plays a genius pianist with a tragic past, and Ji Chang Wook is his younger brother who is jealous of his talent. Ham Eun Jung plays Joo Ji Hoon’s love interest, a poor girl who dreams of being a pianist.
Faith (신의)
Cast: Lee Min Ho, Kim Hee Sun, Lee Philip, Ryu Deok Hwan
Writer: Song Jin Ah (The Legend; What’s Up)
Director: Kim Jong Hak (The Legend; Sandglass)
Faith is a time-traveling fantasy sageuk set in the turbulent setting of the late Goryeo Dynasty. Lee Min Ho plays General Choi Young, the head bodyguard of the King, who kidnaps a modern day plastic surgeon Yoo Eun Soo (Kim Hee Sun) into the 14th century. It is a drama about leadership, political struggles, and love that transcends time and space.
Haeundae Lovers (해운대 연인들)
Cast: Kim Kang Woo, Jo Yeo Jung, Nam Gyuri, Jung Suk Won
Writer: Hwang Eun Kyung (New Heart; City Hunter)
Director: Song Hyun Wook (Brain)
Haeundae Lovers is a romantic comedy drama about a public prosecutor (Kim Kang Woo) who falls in love with a gangster’s daughter (Jo Yeo Jung) after developing amnesia.
Arang and the Magistrate
Cast: Lee Jun Ki, Shin Min Ah, Yeon Woo Jin
Writer: Jung Yoon Jung (Chosun Police)
Director: Kim Sang Ho (Can You Hear My Heart)
Arang and the Magistrate is based on a famous tale of a young woman named Arang who was murdered and returns as a ghost to haunt the magistrates that are posted in her town. In the drama, Lee Junki shows up as the new magistrate and they- with Shin Mina as Arang- fall in love.
The 3rd Hospital (제3병원)
Cast: Kim Seung Woo, Oh Ji Ho, Kim Min Jung, Choi Soo Young (SNSD)
Writer: Sung Jin Mi
Director: Kim Sol Mae (Bad Guy; Iris); Hwang Jung Hyun
The 3rd Hospital is a drama about the modern day conflict between Eastern and Western medicine. Oh Ji Ho will play a Eastern medicine doctor who rejected his Western medicine education after someone his lover died from an incurable disease. Kim Seung Woo plays his half-brother who practices Western medicine.
To the Beautiful You (아름다운 그대에게)
Cast: Sulli (f(x)), Choi Minho (SHINee), Lee Hyun Woo, Kim Ji Won
Writer: Lee Young Chul (Once a Upon a Time in Saeng Cho Ri; High Kick 3: Counterattack of the Short Legs)
Director: Jeon Ki Sang (Witch Yoo Hee; Boys Over Flowers)
To the Beautiful You is the Korean live-action adaption of the popular Japanese manga, “Hanazakari no Kimitachi E.” It will follow the chaos that will ensue when a girl (Sulli) disguised as boy enters an all-boys boarding school to revive the career of her idol sports star (Choi Minho).
May Queen (메이퀸)
Cast: Han Ji Hye, Jae Hee, Kim Jae Won, Ahn Nae Sang; Kim Yoo Jung
Writer: Son Young Mok (Iron Empress; President)
Director: Baek Ho Min (Assorted Gems; Flames of Ambition
A drama centered around the success story of a woman who overcomes obstacles to become a professional in the ship industry.
Nice Guy (차칸남자)
Cast: Song Joong Ki, Moon Chae Won, Park Shi Yeon, Lee Kwang Soo
Writer: Lee Kyung Hee (I’m Sorry, I Love You; Will It Snow for Christmas?)
Director: Kim Jin Won (Normal Love)
Nice Guy tells the story of a man named Kang Maru (Song Joong Ki) who gave up everything for his girlfriend Han Jae Hee (Park Si Yeon), only to be betrayed by her. He later gets his revenge by using Seo Eun Ki (Moon Chae Won), who gets caught up in a “fateful storm-like love.”
I’m getting excited just thinking about all these new dramas! Are you?
I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sure at all about the last question. I suck at remembering the name so I picked the name that I know most: Lee Min Ho. I’m most attached to him so gotta pick him. Biased…..I know:D
Ah, Kim Jae Won. I was such a huge fan when he first became big. The days of My Love Patzzi, Rival, and Romance. I know most people liked Kim Rae Won in My Love Patzzi but I rooted for Kim Jae Won just because he was Kim Jae Won.
lol me tooo!!! loved that drama i ended getting all my besties (EIGHT of them) to start watching it and from then on we were all huge kim Jae and Kim Rae fans, loved KJW in can you hear my heart, he was perfect
I’m actually anticipating Faith and Arang equally. Too bad I could only pick one in the first question. As for the others, I’m gonna check out the Hana Kimi remake, with every finger and toe crossed that SM doesn’t ruin it, but I’m not interested in the others at the moment. That might change once they start airing and I see reactions and read a few recaps.
I think Arang will make a big sweep of the collective ratings but there is City Boy to contend with so i’m not too sure. haha. I foresee that it’ll be a tug-of-war. All the pretty boys are out; Lee Jun Ki, Song Joongki, Joo Ji Hoon, Lee Min Ho, Jae Hee….ooo…ovarian-explosion.
The only drama that piqued my interest is Arang so i’m only looking forward to that.
I might give Five Fingers (whats up with the horrible title? Its a sitting duck for bar room jokes a chance coz i thought JJH was really good previously in Goong and The Devil. Unless Yoo In Na or Uhm Force each decides to accept a new drama, then i’m automatically onboard for those 2. And i apologize for my lack of response on Big. Am currently on a business trip so i can only access the web via my puny handheld. T_T But thank you so much for the recaps. I’m really sorry that i couldnt leave a comment. Typing this comment took me bout an hour. Curses for pudgy fingers.
So many upcoming dramas… what to watch first? Or watch all of them? 😀
I was thrilled about Arang because I like Shin Min Ah… I didn’t want to watch Faith… but then I saw teaser with hot looking Lee Min Ho 😀 I definitely wanted to watch Nice guy because I adore both Moon Chae Won and Song Joong Ki… But I want to watch To the beautiful you too because I loved Taiwanese version… LOL! What I am going to do? 😀 😀
I’m anticipating “Arang and The Magistrate” & “Nice Guy” the most out of all these dramas.
Soooo looking forward to Shin Min Ah-Lee Jun Ki & Moon Chae Won-Song Joong Ki!
I don’t watch dramas which episodes more than 30 (’cause it’s way too long), so I’m gonna left out “Five Fingers” and “May Queen”.
hmm.. about “Faith”, I’ll give it try.
If I have time, I’ll see “To The Beautiful You” just for the sake of Lee Hyun Woo (’cause I’m unsure about Sulli & Minho’s acting and really hope SM doesn’t ruin the story…)
For “Haeundae Lovers” & “3rd Hospital”, I’m gonna watch it if the responses are good and if people recommend it.
Great poll! Almost all my choices won. I must be more sheepful than I thought!
I voted for Faith for ratings leader because I think LMH’s CH success will give him a slight edge over LJK’s comeback.
I think I will dwell painfully the most in Nice Guy – because of SJK and the ladies, but also because that writer has written past shows that tore up my heart and stomped on it, and I was there to the bitter bitter end.
LMH is definitely more recent in people’s minds but LJK’s has been popular longer than LJK and a lot of people have been waiting for his return. As much as I look forward to Faith, I voted Arang as the ratings winner.
I can’t wait for the heartache in Nice Guy. Lee Kyung Hee always makes my heart ache.
Woohoo….another poll.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder joonni.
I’m so desperately wanting to watch Arang and Magistrate and…I think everybody too, since this drama gets first in all.
Maybe because I wanna wach LJK and SMA in sageuk barb *grin*
As usual, I may try to watch 1 drama for each timeslot -twice dose a week is not enough
But, that’s all depends on my RL schedule since August till January is the busiest time ever *doh
Normally l dont watch drama with more than 30 episodes but l love JJH and leading cast of May Queen. We have big name like LMH, LJK and SMN and their drama get the most attention among all. But its all about writing. Of course the casts will be one major point of watching. But just take a look at QIHM. None has expected the drama to be so good, writing or directing or the OTP, all were awesome. They dont have big names yet it is so addictive. Some watch it again and again. l still be waiting for drama that could step over QIHM as the best drama so far this year.
l’ve seen Hana Kimi both Taiwan and Japan version. They’re good and hilarious. l’m looking forward for Korean version, hope its not disappoint me.
LEE JUNKI!!! I’m totally voting for Arang and the Magistrate although LMH looks totally hot in Faith.
i see that i’m not alone in the unsure but anticipating seat for the remake of hana kimi. it’s quite hard to beat the awesome japanese version but i sure hope it does.
This is the hardest poll ever!!
I’m anticipating both Faith and Arang… I ended up chose Faith, because of the PD and writer.
But Junki still wins the rating, its his comeback after all… people anticipating.
Its quite an interesting cast and couple up there. *desperately want to chose more than one* XD
I also ended up choosing Faith as my most anticipated but voted Arang as the ratings winner. I think it will appeal to a wider range of people than Faith.
I voted for “Nice Guy” because I like Moon Chae Won and Song Joong Ki pairing!
But I think, it’ll be “Arang and the Magistrate” that will reach the highest rating of all the dramas.
Anyway, I’m still looking forward for “Nice Guy”!
Woot woot~I’m so freaking anticipating Jun Ki and Min Ah’s collab ever since the news came out! Weee…Arang definitely gonna be a big hit drama of 2012!
Scattered Joonni 
I CAN JUST PICK ONE *sobs*
*cant
I Fail at this typing thing *smacks forhead*
😀 Got it the first time.
I am forever grateful you speak fangirl.Lol
I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sure at all about the last question. I suck at remembering the name so I picked the name that I know most: Lee Min Ho. I’m most attached to him so gotta pick him. Biased…..I know:D
😉
i am super biased too – for KIM JAE WON. May Queen sounds sort of dull, but i will be tuning in for my man!!
Ah, Kim Jae Won. I was such a huge fan when he first became big. The days of My Love Patzzi, Rival, and Romance. I know most people liked Kim Rae Won in My Love Patzzi but I rooted for Kim Jae Won just because he was Kim Jae Won.
lol me tooo!!! loved that drama i ended getting all my besties (EIGHT of them) to start watching it and from then on we were all huge kim Jae and Kim Rae fans, loved KJW in can you hear my heart, he was perfect
He was so beautifully perfect in Can You Hear My Heart.
I’m actually anticipating Faith and Arang equally. Too bad I could only pick one in the first question. As for the others, I’m gonna check out the Hana Kimi remake, with every finger and toe crossed that SM doesn’t ruin it, but I’m not interested in the others at the moment. That might change once they start airing and I see reactions and read a few recaps.
Crossing my fingers for the Hana Kimi one too. I loved the first Japanese adaption so I don’t want to see the story ruined.
I’m anticipating Arang and Haeundae Lovers. Love the plot of these two, fresh and promising.
Best chemistry should be Lee Jun Ki and Shin Min Ah. I love them.
Love Kim Kang Woo. But I can’t imagine him in comedic role 🙂
Me neither, I was surprised when I heard about the casting. I can’t wait to see his comedic chops.
I think Arang will make a big sweep of the collective ratings but there is City Boy to contend with so i’m not too sure. haha. I foresee that it’ll be a tug-of-war. All the pretty boys are out; Lee Jun Ki, Song Joongki, Joo Ji Hoon, Lee Min Ho, Jae Hee….ooo…ovarian-explosion.
The only drama that piqued my interest is Arang so i’m only looking forward to that.
I might give Five Fingers (whats up with the horrible title? Its a sitting duck for bar room jokes a chance coz i thought JJH was really good previously in Goong and The Devil.
Unless Yoo In Na or Uhm Force each decides to accept a new drama, then i’m automatically onboard for those 2. And i apologize for my lack of response on Big. Am currently on a business trip so i can only access the web via my puny handheld. T_T But thank you so much for the recaps. I’m really sorry that i couldnt leave a comment. Typing this comment took me bout an hour. Curses for pudgy fingers.
I think Arang will sweep the ratings too.
Maybe the five fingers is in reference to the piano theme?
Thanks for leaving comment despite pudgy fingers. 😉 😀
So many upcoming dramas… what to watch first? Or watch all of them? 😀
I was thrilled about Arang because I like Shin Min Ah… I didn’t want to watch Faith… but then I saw teaser with hot looking Lee Min Ho 😀 I definitely wanted to watch Nice guy because I adore both Moon Chae Won and Song Joong Ki… But I want to watch To the beautiful you too because I loved Taiwanese version… LOL! What I am going to do? 😀 😀
The same question plagues so many of us.
I’m anticipating “Arang and The Magistrate” & “Nice Guy” the most out of all these dramas.
Soooo looking forward to Shin Min Ah-Lee Jun Ki & Moon Chae Won-Song Joong Ki!
I don’t watch dramas which episodes more than 30 (’cause it’s way too long), so I’m gonna left out “Five Fingers” and “May Queen”.
hmm.. about “Faith”, I’ll give it try.
If I have time, I’ll see “To The Beautiful You” just for the sake of Lee Hyun Woo (’cause I’m unsure about Sulli & Minho’s acting and really hope SM doesn’t ruin the story…)
For “Haeundae Lovers” & “3rd Hospital”, I’m gonna watch it if the responses are good and if people recommend it.
I’m watching out for Lee Hyun Woo too. He was a good child actor so now I’m looking forward to a more adult role.
Great poll! Almost all my choices won. I must be more sheepful than I thought!
I voted for Faith for ratings leader because I think LMH’s CH success will give him a slight edge over LJK’s comeback.
I think I will dwell painfully the most in Nice Guy – because of SJK and the ladies, but also because that writer has written past shows that tore up my heart and stomped on it, and I was there to the bitter bitter end.
LMH is definitely more recent in people’s minds but LJK’s has been popular longer than LJK and a lot of people have been waiting for his return. As much as I look forward to Faith, I voted Arang as the ratings winner.
I can’t wait for the heartache in Nice Guy. Lee Kyung Hee always makes my heart ache.
Woohoo….another poll.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder joonni.
I’m so desperately wanting to watch Arang and Magistrate and…I think everybody too, since this drama gets first in all.
Maybe because I wanna wach LJK and SMA in sageuk barb *grin*
As usual, I may try to watch 1 drama for each timeslot -twice dose a week is not enough
But, that’s all depends on my RL schedule since August till January is the busiest time ever *doh
I think Arang will the biggest hit for August.
Normally l dont watch drama with more than 30 episodes but l love JJH and leading cast of May Queen. We have big name like LMH, LJK and SMN and their drama get the most attention among all. But its all about writing. Of course the casts will be one major point of watching. But just take a look at QIHM. None has expected the drama to be so good, writing or directing or the OTP, all were awesome. They dont have big names yet it is so addictive. Some watch it again and again. l still be waiting for drama that could step over QIHM as the best drama so far this year.
l’ve seen Hana Kimi both Taiwan and Japan version. They’re good and hilarious. l’m looking forward for Korean version, hope its not disappoint me.
There is some strong writing history up there so let’s see how everyone does this time.
LEE JUNKI!!! I’m totally voting for Arang and the Magistrate although LMH looks totally hot in Faith.
i see that i’m not alone in the unsure but anticipating seat for the remake of hana kimi. it’s quite hard to beat the awesome japanese version but i sure hope it does.
This is the hardest poll ever!!
I’m anticipating both Faith and Arang… I ended up chose Faith, because of the PD and writer.
But Junki still wins the rating, its his comeback after all… people anticipating.
Its quite an interesting cast and couple up there. *desperately want to chose more than one* XD
I also ended up choosing Faith as my most anticipated but voted Arang as the ratings winner. I think it will appeal to a wider range of people than Faith.
I voted for “Nice Guy” because I like Moon Chae Won and Song Joong Ki pairing!
But I think, it’ll be “Arang and the Magistrate” that will reach the highest rating of all the dramas.
Anyway, I’m still looking forward for “Nice Guy”!
I think most of us miss Lee Jun Ki~ Haha 😀
Woot woot~I’m so freaking anticipating Jun Ki and Min Ah’s collab ever since the news came out! Weee…Arang definitely gonna be a big hit drama of 2012!