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'The Golden Spirit': Kim Minju returns with K-drama, fans say: 'Welcome back'

'The Golden Spirit' is a historical rom-com that also stars Kim Young-dae of 'Sh**ting Stars' fame and 'Extracurricular's Park Ju-hyun

While most of the former IZ*ONE members have now made their solo debuts or are part of new girl groups like IVE and Le Sserafim, fans wondered about Kim Minju. She had already kicked off her acting career with the cameo in the hit K-drama ‘Tempted’ where she played Moon Ga-young’s younger version. However, after IZ*ONE disbanded, we’ve only seen her as the MC of a music show. Fans wondered if she would be making her solo debut soon or returning to acting. 

In late 2021, Kim Minju’s label Urban Works had shared that they had also signed her on as an actress which had fans excited. The idol actress’ last acting project had been a film called 'Eyes On Me: The Movie’ where she had played the lead role. And now, on June 8, it has been reported that she has bagged the lead role for the upcoming K-drama ‘The Golden Spirit’ under MBC. The drama is based on the popular webtoon ‘The Forbidden Marriage’ aka ‘Joseon’s Ban of Marriage'.

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What is ‘The Golden Spirit’ all about?

‘The Golden Spirit’ had already turned heads in December 2021 as the cast also includes Park Ju-hyun, Kwon Hyun-bin, and Kim Young-dae. After Young-dae’s stint on dramas like ‘Extraordinary You’ and ‘Penthouse’, he is currently starring as the male lead in the rom-com ‘Sh**ting Stars’. He has been roped in to play the male lead King Lee Heon who bans marriage after he loses his queen in ‘The Golden Spirit'. Park Ju-hyun of ‘Extracurricular’ fame is also at the moment the talk of the town with her role in the sports drama ‘Love All Play’. She will be playing the role of Ye So-rang, a marriage scammer who declares that she can possess the spirit of Lee Heon’s late queen.

Fans of the comics believe that Minju might be playing Hwayun, the friend of So-rang, and the love interest of the second male lead played by Kwon Hyun-bin. He is set to play Shinwon, the king’s trusted guard whose fiancee ran away and so doesn’t believe in love anymore. However, according to a snippet of the casting sheet, Minju might play the late queen Ahn Ja-bin.

‘Waiting for actress Kim Minju for so long’

Nevertheless, fans are excited about Minju’s return as one wrote, “As a result of our confirmation, "Golden Spirit" has recently been confirmed to be organized by MBC. The production company said, "We are coordinating the timing of the program with the goal of broadcasting within this year" WITHIN THIS YEAR?! WELCOME BACK ACTRESS KIM MINJU.”

Another said, “My mood is 1000% heard Kim Minju Drama actress is finally back.” One fan posted, “Remember when Minju was awarded the Special New Actor of the Year 2020 for her debut film.” Another commented, “I'm not fond of kdrama except there's something that really attracted me to watch it but i think I'll watch it for minju we've been waiting for actress kim minju for so long.”