Jang Geun Suk and IU at “Beautiful Man” Script Reading and Ritual Ceremony

Upcoming drama “Beautiful Man,” the follow-up drama to KBS’s Wednesday-Thursday drama “Secret”, has released new stills from a script reading session.

“Beautiful Man” held a script reading session on October 24, and the two leads, Jang Geun Suk (who plays Dokko Ma Te) and IU (who plays Bo Tong, which means average or ordinary) found themselves working together better than expected. Bo Tong is his mother’s friend’s daughter, but not the stereotypical “mother’s friend’s daughter” who every mother wants their son to meet. She struggles to defend Ma Te’s heart from the hordes of women who are after him, while Dokko Ma Te has maintained his lack of interest in her from the beginning.

IU, who is anything but average, revealed her cute charm, leaving Jang Geun Suk unable to hide his smile. IU and Jang Geun Suk have been given the nickname “Ajang Couple,” after the first character of each of their names.

The drama also held a ritual at a Gangnam café on October 28 before officially commencing filming. The crew of approximately 80 people, including KBS CP Lee Jae Sang, Group 8 CEO Song Byung Joon, director Jung Jung Hwa and writer Yoo Young Ah, and cast, Jang Geun Suk, IU, Lee Jang Woo, Han Chae Young, Kim Young Jae, all participated in the ritual ceremony, praying for a successful drama. Writer Yoo Young Ah expressed that, “Instead of bowing to the pig’s head, (we) should all bow deeply to the ever-suffering staff.” She received a big round of applause for her sincerity.

“Most unbalanced” couple, Dokko Ma Te (Jang Geun Suk) and Kim Bo Tong (IU) took a cute proof shot with the pig’s head, showing off their special chemistry.  Jang Geun Suk stated, “I can feel that this work will be really worthwhile, after waiting for eight months. Fighting till the end,” while IU revealed her overflowing determination, “Just like Bo Tong, I won’t be sparing myself. I will work hard.”

The drama is a white paper book on the process in which Dokko Ma Te, with a face suitable of being designated a national treasure, becomes a true “beautiful man,” using the knowledge gleaned from stealing the hearts of ten of Korea’s top 1% successful women. “Beautiful Man” will premiere on November 20.