Now that Han Ji-min has officially passed on the offer, upcoming fantasy rom-com Two Cops is looking for a leading lady to join Jo Jung-seok (Jealousy Incarnate), who has accepted the lead role, and has found a potential candidate in Hyeri (Entertainer). Also up to join the cast is Choi Woo-shik (Fight My Way) in an unspecified role.
Two Cops will tell the story of a single-minded, dedicated violent crimes detective who finds himself cohabiting his own body with the soul of a sleazy con artist. Hah, I can easily picture Jo Jung-seok pulling off both “personalities” to great comedic effect, especially after watching him in his most recent film Hyung. Hyeri is up to play his love interest, a reporter who got to where she is now through sheer determination and with no connections to help her. She’s the type to go into a rage if she witnesses an injustice, but is also quick to shamelessly back down when she knows the situation is not in her favor.
I’m not sure whether she’ll end up in a wacky love triangle with the detective and the trespassing con artist’s soul, but judging by the character descriptions, it sounds like the romance will have a healthy dose of bickering, which is always a plus in my book. Also, it’s unclear whether the role Choi Woo-shik’s been offered is the con artist, but I almost don’t want him to be even though he’d be great at it, ‘cause that might mean less screen time for the actor and that would be criminal. He hasn’t had a lead role in a full-length drama since 2015 (his part in Fight My Way was more of a extended special appearance), and I’m eager to see him back on my screen.
I’m taking this casting in a “good news” and “bad news but hoping it’s not really as bad as I think it will be” kind of way. I adore Choi Woo-shik, but my reaction to Hyeri being considered after Han Ji-min backed out has been mixed. I enjoyed her performance in Answer Me 1988 as the bubbly, loud, and unaffected Deok-sun; so much so that I think it might be hilarious to see her as a reporter who studied her way to her position. But on the other hand, I haven’t heard many good things about her acting in her follow-up project Entertainer, so I’m a little wary to see her potentially pairing up with Jo Jung-seok. I’m going to keep an open mind, though, since she did manage to surprise me with an endearing portrayal in Answer Me 1988.
Two Cops is slated to follow 20th Century Boy and Girl in MBC’s Monday-Tuesday slot, which would put its premiere in November.