Bride of the Water God 2017 Korean Drama - Nam Joo Hyuk

We finally have some casting news on the upcoming tvN drama Bride of the Water God 2017. The lead role has been offered to Nam Joo Hyuk (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo). The manhwa Bride of the Water God tells the fantasy story of a village suffering from drought who offers young women as sacrifices to a water god. One of the sacrifices eventually becomes his bride.

The drama version will not be a remake but more of a spinoff. It will move the setting into modern day Seoul while keeping the original characters from the story. The writer penned Misaeng and Arang and the Magistrate while the PD did Nine: Nine Time Travels and Queen In Hyun’s Man. So we have very solid production team already in place for the drama.

I haven’t read the manhwa, but I must say I am still disappointed that the drama will not be a historical. The artwork for the manhwa is so gorgeous, and I could already picture the beautiful costumes and sets. But doing it as a historical would have been very costly. I’m assuming this is a big factor in deciding to do it as a modern drama.

Nam Joo Hyuk has been offered the role of the water god. I’m really enjoying Nam Joo Hyuk in his current drama Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. I also really enjoyed him in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Goryeo.

This does sound like a pretty heavy role though. So I don’t really know what to expect. I had long been crossing my fingers that someone like Lee Joon Gi could fill a role like this even in the modern setting (but wouldn’t it have been amazing if he could play the water god in a historical version?!). But I am very on board with this drama, and I’ll be anxiously awaiting official confirmation news.

Bride of the Water God 2017 is looking to air on tvN sometime in 2017.

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6 responses to “Nam Joo Hyuk Offered Lead Role in Korean Drama Bride of the Water God 2017”

  1. martha (@comix) Avatar

    He would be a good Water God I think. I have most of the manhwa, it is one of my favorites. But I wonder what they are going to do if they are not following the story. There are many side characters in the books most of whom are gods and goddesses so I guess they could use one of their stories. It won’t really be Bride of the Water God if it’s set in modern day so I guess they are really just making a new story using the manhwa name. Hmmm not sure how I feel about that.

    1. Kay Avatar

      Yeah, I really wish it was going to be a historical. They’ve said the characters are supposed be the same. So I don’t know if we will just be making the gods and goddesses rich chaebols or what. I think it would make more sense if they at least set it in like a country village or something rather than Seoul. I’m sure it will turn out as a nice drama, but only time will tell how much it will actually resemble the manhwa.

  2. Noël Avatar

    I share your thoughts! I guess I can understand the finance factor, but I was really disappointed since the potential it had a historical piece was limitless. I think turning it modern is going to be an awkward adjustment tbh. Also a bit baffled by the choice of Nam Joo Hyuk. I really love him, especially in Moon Lovers, but this role seems a bit out of his league in my opinion. I think he’s more suited to lighthearted dramas like WFKBJ. Obviously if I had my choice I also would have wanted LJK, but I still have a whole list of other people who I think would be far more suited for the role than NJH. Oh well, I’ll still be tuning in! It’ll be interesting to see if he takes the role, and who they chose for the leading lady.

    1. Kay Avatar

      Yes, it was definitely a disappointment. Probably best to just think of it as loosely based on the manhwa. I know what you mean about Nam Joo Hyuk doing well with lighter roles. I’ve never seen him in a heavier roll though, so I will try to be open. Would still love to see Lee Joon Gi though! But no matter who ends up with role, the production and writing side is pretty solid and tvN and been doing some great things in general, but especially with fantasy dramas. So I’m definitely looking forward to this one 🙂

  3. raistlin0903 Avatar

    I think this one, especially when I read the premise for it, would indeed be better when it would be set in a historical setting. The story lends itself better for that. Still, as the story is very interesting, it might still be an interesting piece to watch. Cautiously optimistic for this one 😀

    1. Kay Avatar

      Same here. And the costumes and setting would have been gorgeous as a historical! But tvN is doing well with modern fantasy dramas these days *cough, Goblin, cough*. And the story is very interesting, so I’m anxious to see how it all comes together 🙂

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