The webtoon-based drama "Cheese in the Trap" finally has a leading lady. And it's an actress that previously turned down the role.
Kim Go Eun has agreed to play the role of Hong Seol, the cynical college student who falls for the perfect man. Kim turned down the role more than once but the director would not take no for an answer.
According to the Korean media outlet Joongang Daily, a representative for Kim's agency Jangin Entertainment, said that at least once it was a scheduling issue.
"Even though Go was offered the role, she could not accept it right away."
The director Lee Yoon Jung offered her the role several times and rescheduled the timing of the drama.
"Go made a last-minute decision to join the upcoming drama."
The director told the Korean media outlet Dispatch that he was excited about her acceptance.
"Kim Go Eun can make any character her own. I think combining the character and the actress' clean charm will end up being great," said Lee.
It will be Kim Go Eun's first drama role. Her acting career has focused primarily on films, with appearances in the movies "A Muse" and "Coin Locker Girl." She won two awards for her role in the last film, the Fantasia Award at the 19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and Star Asia Rising Star Award at the 12th New York Asian Film Festival.
The webtoon's fans are very enthusiastic and want to see their webtoon represented properly. Fans approved of Park Hae Jin playing the role of the deceptively perfect Yoo Jung. But the female lead was harder to find.
Miss A's Suzy Bae was previously in the running for the role but opted out. She received some negative comments from netizens saying that she was wrong for the part. So far, the comments about Kim Go Eun have been positive.
Mary commented on the Asian Wiki site for the drama.
"I've seen Kim Go Eun's works and she is a really good actress. I don't know how she'll fair doing in a drama, but she could be good. It's better than having Suzy."
Dija also commented on Asian Wiki.
"I hope they chose the right people to lead. I've seen Hae Jin act and I do believe he has the stuff to be sunbae (crosses fingers). I haven't seen Go Eun play but I heard she won various awards for her acting so I'm hoping for the best. I've seen them turn webtoons and manhwas into live actions and they can either go really good or really bad. Having read "Cheese in the Trap" my expectations are REALLY high because I adore it. Fighting to the cast and writers!"
The show is due to air in October.