Good news for fans waiting for Nam Joo Hyuk's return to television after his successful portrayal of swimmer Joon Hyung in "Weightlifting Fairy Fairy Kim Bok Joo". The actor has been confirmed for the lead role in tvN's fantasy drama "Bride of the Water God 2017."
According to a report by Soompi, Nam Joo Hyuk will play the titular role of Ha Baek, the Water God. Shin Se Kyung will play the role of his bride Soah. Also confirmed to join the cast is Gong Myung who will play the role of Biryeom the wind god. Krystal will play Hera, a character known as Mura in the manhwa in which the drama is based.
It was earlier reported by Drama Beans that Moon Chae Won of "Goodbye, Mr. Black" was originally offered the role of Soah but there was no news on why the deal did not push through. It has also been confirmed that the writer of "Misaeng" and "Arang and the Magistrate" Jung Yoon-jung will be on board the project which will be helmed by "Queen In-hyun's Man" and "Nine" director Kim Byung-soo.
The manhwa story takes place in a historical setting wherein villagers are experiencing heavy drought. In order to end the drought, the villagers must sacrifice a woman to become the water god's bride. Soah will at first be reluctant make the sacrifice but she will be surprised that Ha Baek will not be what she expects him to be.
While the original material takes place in a period setting, the fantasy drama will be adopted as a spinoff. The role of Soah will reportedly be a neuropsychiatrist mired in debt because her father prioritizes helping others than focusing on his child and their livelihood. It is yet unsure how the role of the water god and wind god will be adopted to a modern day setting but table reading is expected to happen soon. The series is expected to begin filming soon for an airing date in late 2017.
