Idol-turned-actor Krystal (Bride of the Water God 2017) is apparently going to be the newest idol muse to inspire director Shin Won-ho, who earned accolades with his heartfelt and thoughtful Answer Me series. She’s been named as a possible choice to be the female lead in PD Shin’s new tvN drama, Smart Prison Living, which has already cast Jung Kyung-ho (Missing 9) to headline in the story that takes a darkly funny look at the lives of prison inmates. Stage and supporting actor Park Hae-soo (Legend of the Blue Sea, Six Flying Dragons) is also confirmed.
The role out to Krystal is not quite a leading role, given that the drama will be heavily focused around the male leads, but a rep with the drama department described it as the largest female role in the cast. Her casting isn’t yet confirmed (although I’m thinking it seems likely): After the news broke, there was a wave of reports from tvN stating that it wasn’t concrete, and the director’s side stated that official decisions would be announced later.
I can’t say I’m thrilled about the idea of Krystal being cast, because she is currently dragging me down in Bride of the Water God 2017, which is showcasing just how terrible she is at line delivery—she’s making Nam Joo-hyuk look like a genius in comparison. The bitchface is character-based so no problems there, but she has no sense of how to deliver dialogue! I gave her a lot of slack after she played sassy characters in Heirs and High Kick 3, but then came She’s So Lovable and now Bride, and let’s just say she’s redefining rock-bottom for me.
I do know PD Shin can work wonders with inexperienced casts, as he did in all of the Answer Me series, so maybe there’s no cause for concern. And when you’re really in it for the male bonding and small stories of getting by in prison, maybe that’s all we really need.
Smart Prison Living will air on tvN later this year.