Controversial Casting: "The Prime Minister And I"

The casting is now set for the KBS romantic comedy "Prime Minister and I" but due to the age difference between its stars, the choice of actors continues to provoke comments.

In the drama, Lee Bum So, 43, will play the love interest for Girls Generation's Yoona, 23, and some netizens have commented it's too big an age difference for the chemistry to work.

The story is an update of the film "The Sound of Music." In that film Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer were supposed to be 15 to 20 years apart but in real life they were close in age. In "The Prime Minister and I," the characters are meant to be about 15 years apart.

With netizens making statements about the age gap, KBS decided to issue a statement.

"Even though they have a twenty-year age gap, we're expecting a different sort of chemistry," said a KBS representative.

Lee Bum Soo plays a prime minister who needs a housekeeper and Yoona plays a young woman who needs a job. When she shows up at his home the house is a mess and the kids require mothering. Since she has a background in music, she teaches them how to sing. If it's really a "Sound of Music" remake, then it makes sense that the producers would cast an actress who can both act and sing. Although Yoona is best known for being a member of the girl group "Girls Generation," she has appeared in the dramas "Love Rain," "You Are My Destiny" and "Cinderella Man."

In this role, her agency says her acting is going to make an even better impression.

"Yoona's acting transformation will be something to look forward to," said a KBS representative

As the young housekeeper Yoona's enthusiasm will first win over the children's affections and then charm the heart of the prime minister.

Lee Bum Soo stars in the film "God's Trick," and is known for his work in the dramas "Iris 2," "Dr. Jin," "History of a Salaryman" and "Giant."

Filming begins at the end of October. It will air after "Future's Choice." The drama is produced by  a subsidiary of Yoona's agency, SM C&C. Yoon Eun Jyung, who wrote "Take Care of the Young Lady" and Kim Eun Hee, who wrote "Phantom" have co-written the screenplay.

Other than the age controversy, the comedy sounds like a good contender for holiday season entertainment. What do you think about the age difference? Let us know.