What if you could only win at life by cheating and cheating was something you did not believe in? That's the premise in the manga known as "Liar Game," which will soon be adapted as a k-drama. The manga, written and illustrated by Shinobu Kaitani, was first serialized in a magazine in 2005. Now it will be a 10-episode k-drama, starring Shin Sung Rok, Kim So Eun and Lee Sang Yoon.
The manga has been adapted for television before. In 2007, it was a TV series in Japan. A sequel followed in 2009. And Fuji TV did a spinoff in 2012, called "Alice in Liar Game." And there were two live action Japanese films based on the same manga in 2010 and 2012.
It's an appealing story because it concerns an honest young college student who is forced to play a game and is told she has to cheat to survive. Nam Da Jung, played by Kim So Eun, receives a package with one million dollars and the notification that she is a contestant in the Liar Game Tournament. There is no escape. Losing to get out of the game is no option because however much players lose in the game, they will owe that much again as a fine.
But Nam Da Jung finds a way not only to get out of the game but to also destroy the game so that no one else is hurt. It's not easy.
At first Nam Da Jung is just too honest and she has her money stolen by her former teacher. When she decides to fight back she enlists con man Cha Woo Jin, played by Lee Sang Yoon, to help her. Although she is naïve, she's also a pretty good judge of character. Together they beat her opponent and advance through the tournament. But they are not playing for personal gain. They want to win so they can take down the Liar Game organization from within.
Shin Sung Rok plays Kang Do Young, the emcee and planner of the Liar Game. He will be their enemy. Shin Sung Rok was last seen as a good guy in the comedy "Trot Lovers" and as a villain in the drama "You Who Came From The Stars."
Kim So Eun last appeared in the films "Mourning Grave" and "Vertigo." Her last dramas were "After School: Lucky or Not" and "Horse Doctor."
Lee Sang Yoon was last seen in the dramas "My Daughter Seo Young," "Goddess of Fire: Jeonji" and "Angel Eyes."
"Liar Game" will be shown on Mondays and Tuesdays following "My Secret Hotel."
