Films I would Recommend in a Heartbeat (Part II)
Almost a year ago, I wrote an article about a korean remake of the "Breakfast Club" movie. People were pretty enthusiastic about it and since then, I've seen other articles tackling the same theme. This time I would like to imagine a remake of the popular Shameless tv show. Please keep in mind that I will think about the casting while taking in account all the seasons of the U.S. version of the show. I would think of it as being a 'family drama'. Of course we all know how different this genre is portrayed in Asia and U.S.A. but I would like for it to keep some of the rawness of the american version.
The series depicts the dysfunctional Gallagher family composed of a single father raising six children. He spends his days drunk or in search of misadventures, and his children learn to take care of themselves. The family is very poor, surviving day to day. The show tackles different issues from social classes, lack of education, sexual orientation and more.
Criteria for casting:
- I chose actors whom I've found to be quite versatile in the roles they've played in the past.
- The ages of the actors were to be similar with the first 3-4 seasons from the american version
Main Characters:
Choi Min Sik as Frank Gallagher
(Choi Min Sik was actually the actor that made me think of putting together a korean remade cast for this show. A character we love to hate, that pisses you off but the next minute he makes you feel bad for him and his decisions.)
Francis "Frank" Gallagher is the father of the six smart, spirited, independent Gallagher kids who'd probably be better off without him. A hopeless alcoholic and troublemaker, he is described as careless, selfish and completely narcissistic as he hasn't done anything in his life but collect disability checks and get intoxicated. Despite all this, he is quite intelligent, always managing to get out of difficult situations. He is also charismatic and a charmer, many women falling for him despite his poor background. Frank is a master manipulator, possibly because he studied psychology in college. Despite his faults, he truly loves his children and comes to their help when in need (even if he sometimes makes the situation worse).
Lee Som as Fiona Gallagher
(I wanted an actress that can emanate natural beauty and sensuality. Also I really think that Lee Som can express Fiona's rough, straightforward and vulnerable personality and look).
Fiona Gallagher is in the difficult position of being the oldest Gallagher child. Since she was 16 years old and her mother walked out, Fiona has taken care of her siblings and dysfunctional, alcoholic father, Frank. Despite how stressful and chaotic her life is, Fiona meets every challenge head on. Now in her middle to late 20s, she is a hard worker, willing to take on even the worst jobs to support the family. She is a 'mother figure' for her younger siblings as they always come to her when in trouble. Despite being a responsible older sister, when it comes to her own life she makes poor decisions especially in the love department. Fiona's tumultuous childhood left her with self-esteem and abandonment issues, leading her to make impulsive choices and fall for men who are bad news. She's short-tempered due to stress, often so tired and overworked that she neglects to brush her hair or get adequate sleep. She hides her more sensitive side underneath her tough, confident exterior; it's difficult for her to ask for help.
Ji Soo as Lip Gallagher
(I consider Lip to be a character that is a bit rough around the edges. Not considered attractive only for his looks but more of the vibe he has - a laidback kind of look that makes you more and more curious about him).
Phillip Ronan Gallagher, known as Lip, aged 23, is the second Gallagher child and is the most academically minded. He is a straight-A student with above average intelligence and excellent mechanical skills. He uses his intelligence to make money for his family, such as taking the SATs for other students or avoiding the cops when selling beer and drugs. Despite his apparent genius, he has terrible judgement and is frequently shown smoking cigarettes and weed, having unprotected sex with multiple women, and drinking copious amounts of alcohol. He is afraid of becoming his father and is the one that hates him the most but ironically has the most similar personality traits with Frank. Lip has a cynical personality and is unrestrained in his criticism, which often gets him into trouble. He often gets in fights for the sake of it. He is a loner without friends and has a pessimistic view on life. Despite all his arrogance and bravado, Lip is a deeply sensitive person who has trouble being vulnerable, and his issues with women point to fragile self-esteem.
Nam Joo Hyuk as Ian Gallagher
(One of the most sensible and sweet characters in the show, I wanted an actor who could be read like an open book and had kind of a soft image compared to the others.)
Ian Clayton Gallagher is often the most strong-hearted, persistent, and goofy -yet currently reckless- third oldest child in the Gallagher family. Ian has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder because of which his behaviour has been erratic and out of control, worrying his family. He refuses taking his medication quite often because they make him feel dizzy and sleepy. Ian is not as intelligent as Lip, but he is more physically fit and has an excellent work ethic in nearly everything he does. He is often uncertain of what he wants to do in his life, but once he makes a goal for himself he goes after it 100 percent. Ian is gay and closeted. He has quite a shy personality and doesn't like conflicts, in the beginning he was quite a pushover. He is one of the most romantic characters in the lot, believing in true love and always searching for it.
Ji Woo as Debbie Gallagher
(Debbie is a character that grew up in the shadow of her older sister, which makes her shy and naive in the beginning. I wanted an actress that is like a white canvas somehow, which looks innocent which make her tantrums seem out of character.)
Deborah Gallagher is a teenager who at first is plain and reserved yet keen to impress. Debbie will cover for others but is not brash or reckless like her older brothers. She forgives her father's neglect and irresponsibility as well as her mother's absence. She is very mature in some ways and therefore has trouble making friends with people her age. She takes care of the youngest family member the most, bringing him to school with her, feeding him and playing with him. She often compares herself to Fiona and feels inferior to her. Debbie is a sweet, spirited, smart, kind-hearted girl but at the same time is naive and confused when it comes to relationships - because the one she has seen were always dysfunctional in one way or another.
Seo Young Joo as Carl Gallagher
(Young Joo is one of the most talented young actors these days in my opinion. Apart from this, I choose him because I wanted someone who screamed danger and a devil-may-care attitude and I think he fits perfectly.)
Carl Francis Gallagher is one year younger than Debbie. Carl is often in trouble at school for attacking other students. In his early years, he displays several psychopatic tendencies such as mutilating his toys and killing stray animals, although this behavior seems to be less prevalent as he ages. He is seen as a trouble maker, facing expulsion many times. When he was little he was often left to fend for himself which makes him very independent. He has a devil-may-care attitude and an unpredictable temper. He is very charismatic though and has the most friends outside his family, being quite popular within his age-group. Later he changes his ways and becomes the most stable and responsible person in his family. He is a very organised person who takes after his father when it comes to manipulating others.
Choi Ro Woon as Liam Gallagher
(When it comes to child actors Ro Woon is one that I always mention. He knows how to show different emotions clearly and isn't just 'cute or sweet'.)
Liam Gallagher is the youngest of the Gallagher children. As Liam gets older, he becomes more attached to Frank because he is more of a father figure to Liam than he was to any of the other Gallagher kids. He is a sweet kid, with a strong sense of justice and kind personality. He is very resourceful and knows how to make himself liked by others. He is also an intelligent child, ranking among the first in his class.
Secondary characters:
Kim Jae Kyung as Veronica Fisher
(V is a character full of sex-appeal, joy and confidence. In my case I really like some of Jae Kyung's roles so far and also the image she presents on variety shows, which is why I think she would be a great fit for this role.)
Veronica "V" Fisher is the wife of Kevin. They are the Gallaghers' closest neighbors and V is Fiona's best friend. She often gives Fiona advice concerning relationships, caring for her siblings, and caring for herself. Sharp and sexy, Veronica is usually willing to lend a hand, go dancing with best friend Fiona or helping her with her siblings. She has intelligence to match her beauty and is very knowledgeable when it comes to medical issues. She had potential to become a nurse, however was fired from her nursing home for stealing supplies. She is very confident and has high self-esteem. She isn't afraid to say her opinion and often is the dominant one in her relationship with Kevin. Also hers and Kevins' is the most healthy relationship on the show, always supporting one another and trusting each other.
Sung Hoon as Kevin Ball
(Kev is the bigget sweetheart out there, so it's Sung Hoon, so this is a no brainer. I wanted an actor with a manly and tough look but who can also play comedic characters. )
Kevin "Kev" Ball is V's husband. He works as a bartender in Frank's favorite bar. Kev is dyslexic and grew up in foster care. Kev is a good man and can usually be persuaded to give Frank drinks on credit or cash his disability checks for him. He loves his wife very much and is very affectionate towards her. He has a close relationship with the Gallaghers' but especially with Lip, who sees him as a big brother. Kev always tries to help him with his addiction problem and relationships. He is a big softie with a golden heart, but is also quite naive and trusts almost everyone.
Lee Min Ki as Steve/Jimmy
(When I thought which love interest to choose for Fiona, cause she had many, I ended up with Steve because I think most of her distrust in men is due to this relationship. Lee Min Ki is an actor who can play both sweet and cruel roles, so I think he is the best fit for Steve.)
Steve Wilton (later named Jimmy Lishman) is Fionas' first real love interest in the show. He is a handsome, well-bred guy with a lot of moxie, a lot of money, and a rap sheet a mile long. When he won Fiona's heart, he has moved in with the Gallaghers and he and Fiona are trying to make a go of it. At first he appears as a father figure for the other siblings but later the family discovers that he steals cars for a living and has a dual identity.
Yeo Jin Goo as Mickey Milkovich
(If there is a character that is universally loved in Shameless, it has to be Mickey. [ Ask any Shameless fan!] Also when it comes to Ian's love interest there is no doubt that Mickey was the best. Also because of this I choose Jin Goo to play the part because I think he could really portray the tough but quite romantic and selfless character.)
Mickey Milkovich is known as one of the most aggressive neighborhood thugs; having stolen several items from stores, being sent to juvie at an early age, and being raised around copious amounts of weapons in his household. He grew up in an abusive household and wasn't given love or support. At first he seems to despise Ian but later they develop a hate-love relationship. Mickey was gay and closeted. At the start, it seems that Ian is the boy most affected by their relationship. Eventually, there were signs that he cared more about Ian than he was willing to let on. He is violent, but never without reason, even if those justifications range from acceptable to tenuous. His behavior is equally erratic. He is fairly self-aware. However, he displays a severe inability to express himself. He loves Ian very much and is tender with him most of the time, always trying to protect him.
So this was a long one! Here it is guys. For those of you who are fans of the show I hope you find my choices acceptable or at least interesting. On the other hand, for the people who don't know the show, I truly recommend it to you!
Hope you enjoyed and please leave your comments below!
