Lee Seung-gi, Shin Min-ah to play couple in new TV series

Korean singer and actor Lee Seung-gi will be romancing actress Shin Min-ah in a new SBS TV series tentatively titled "My Girlfriend is Gumiho," according to the show's PR firm IM Company on Wednesday.

IM announced in a press release that Lee and Shin have been cast as the male and female lead for the upcoming drama, where Lee will play an unlucky guy named Cha Dae-woong who falls in love with a nine-tailed fox, or 'Gumiho,' to be played by Shin.

Lee and Shin garnered much attention after photos of the two taken on set surfaced on the Internet.

"They seem to create a lively atmosphere on the set even with their [Lee and Shin] busy schedules," explained a staff member on the show, adding that the two spend their free time going over their lines and asking the crew for advice.

"Gumiho," written by sisters Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran who previously wrote hit dramas "Minamishineyo" (SBS, 2009) and "Hong Gil-dong" (KBS, 2008), is a fantasy love story between Cha Dae-woong and Gumiho, who was unleashed by Cha after being imprisoned for 500 years.

Meanwhile, girl band T-ara member Jiyeon will be making her acting debut in the series with a supporting role.

Lee, 23, made his debut as a singer after being discovered and trained by one of Korea's top female vocalists Lee Sun-hee. He rose to stardom with his first single "Because You're My Girl," which created a huge older female fan base.

The ballad singer crossed over into acting in 2005 with a role in MBC's sitcom "Nonstop 5" and "Famous Princesses" (KBS, 2006). He solidified himself as an actor with his role as Hwan Sun-woo in the hit series "Shining Inheritance" (SBS, 2009).

Shin, 27, has appeared in numerous movies and television dramas since her debut in 2001. Her most notable works include KBS' drama "A Love To Kill" (KBS, 2005) with Korean entertainer Rain and movie "A Bittersweet Life" (2005) and "The Naked Kitchen" (2009).

"Gumiho" will premiere on August 11 after "Bad Boy" finishes its run.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@