[Photo & News] Yoo Ah-in as a high school brawler in Wan Deuk-yi.

[Photo & News] Yoo Ah-in as a high school brawler in Wan Deuk-yi.
Cr. - javabeans

Here’s a look at Yoo Ah-in‘s (Sungkyunkwan Scandal) next project, where he stars as the titular Wan-deuk-yi in a coming-of-age tale based on a manhwa of the same name. (The character’s name is Wan-deuk, and “yi” is what you’d add at the end of it if you’re the same age or older, like Kang-ah.)

It’ll be his first starring role in a film, much-deserved since he’s been the scene-stealer and fan favorite for many of his projects in the last few years. Though Sungkyunkwan broke him out into the limelight, he seems to be interested in taking on challenging roles, even if to change up expectations.



He’ll be starring alongside film and drama heavyweight Kim Yoon-seok (The Chaser, Jeon Woo Chi, also starring in the upcoming heist film The Professionals, aka Thieves, starring Lee Jung-jae). Kim is someone you maybe don’t go to the movies to see, but ends up carrying the whole drama and the action.

Yoo Ah-in’s character Wan-deuk-yi is a high school student who comes from a rough background, and uses his fists to solve all problems. It becomes a way of life for him, until one teacher, played by Kim, takes an interest in him and gets him to take his fighting fists out of the street and into the ring.



The film also stars Kang Byul (Kim Suro) as Wan-deuk-yi’s girlfriend, below, and Park Hyo-joo (Dangerous Meeting). Directing is Lee Han (My Love, Almost Love, Garden of Heaven).

I love a good underdog story, and the teacher-as-surrogate-father relationship is bound to be heartwarming. This looks to be one to keep an eye on, if even for the performances of the two leads alone.

Wan-deuk-yi plans to release later this year.