This news took me completely off guard, not because it’s so improbable but because the timing feels so Johnny come lately. News broke today that famed SBS veteran PD Kim Kyu Tae, whose most recently directed dramas were It’s Okay, It’s Love and That Winter, the Wind Blows, has secured the rights to and is prepping the K-adaptation of the wildly popular Chinese period romance novel Bu Bu Jing Xin (Startling with Each Step). Those who follow my blog in the last few years may have never watched a second of a C-drama but must have an inkling of BBJX based on how much I write about it. The novel from writer Tong Hua started the time-traveling streak whereby the leading lady lands herself in some historical heaven/hell surrounded by endless hot royals while battling despairing fated odds of a happy ending. PD Kim is planning to start filming in late 2015, though the project may seep into early 2016 depending on the production schedule.

I still love BBJX to pieces, both the novel and the unexpectedly perfect C-drama adaptation starring Liu Shi Shi and Nicky Wu. It’s also notable for bringing the two together in real life, with the OTP not making it in the drama story but finding happily ever after in real life by getting married earlier this year. The best part of the drama wasn’t just leads Shi Shi and Nicky’s chemistry and incredibly on point acting, it also spawned a veritable treasure trove of amazing supporting male leads who played a bevy of Qing dynasty princes: Kevin Cheng, Yuan Hong, Lin Geng Xin, Ye Zhu Xin, and Han Dong. Every one of them have gone on to be leading men in subsequent dramas, not to mention making each prince utterly memorable even if not the main male lead. I have no clue how PD Kim will adapt the real life Qing dynasty princely struggle for the throne to Joseon era politics, which is what he’s planning, but I choose to remain optimistic he can make it work and cast the right actress and actors for the main cast.