I’m trying really hard not to get my hopes up, but how is that even possible when Park Bo-gum (Moonlight Drawn By Clouds) might be coming back in a new drama? Eeeeeee! He’s currently entertaining an offer to star in the Hong sisters’ new fantasy romance Hwayugi, which is headed to tvN later this year and already courting Cha Seung-won (Hwajeong) to co-star.
The fantasy drama is a reimagining of the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West, called Seoyugi in Korean, but modernized for a contemporary setting. In the original tale, a monk goes on a journey with four companions who need to atone for their sins. Among them, Sun Wukong the Monkey King is the most mischievous and troublesome, a minor god who is powerful and quick-witted but also quick to anger, and has a great deal to overcome and atone for. Sun Wukong is the character Park Bo-gum is up to play, and he’s considering the script but nothing has been decided.
In the modernized drama retelling, the heroine will be the monk character, and the drama is about her and Sun Wukong “finding the light in a dark world overrun with evil spirits.” The monk is described as snobby and materialistic, while Sun Wukong is corrupt. He was extremely powerful, but because of his pride, his powers were sealed up and he was exiled to the human world, where he became a bystander who does nothing but idly watch people fall to ruin. One day he discovers that the monk can unseal his powers, and they end up bickering their way to love.
Cha Seung-won is considering the role of Woo Hwi-chul, based on the Bull Demon King who is Sun Wukong’s sworn brother. In the drama, Woo Hwi-chul is described as a gentleman and a successful businessman. I expect some sort of impish twist on this character too, given the kinds of personalities we’re in for. The drama is said to be a mix of horror, thriller, comedy, and romance, not to mention that it’ll be adapting some of the fantasy mythology of Journey to the West; I hope the Hong sisters are well-rested and bringin’ their A-game on this one! I’m hopeful because they’re reuniting with PD Park Hong-kyun of Best Love and Queen Seon-deok, but let’s cross all fingers and toes just in case. If you make me mad at Park Bo-gum the Monkey God, I will never forgive you!
Hwayugi is slated to air on Saturdays and Sundays on tvN beginning in December.