Casting Celebs as Book Leads || the way I used to be

Hey guys, welcome back to my blog! I've been quite the bookworm for the past 2–3 years. There's just something about getting lost in fictional worlds, living a thousand lives through stories, and feeling things you'd never expect from paper and ink. And just recently, thinking back about one of the most emotionally intense books I've ever picked up, I got this random but exciting idea about imagining some of the Korean stars as the leads of these books. It really is gonna be interesting to write. So anyway, let’s dive right into it!

The Way I Used to Be is a hauntingly emotional journey that revolves around a girl named Eden. Her world shatters when she’s SA-ed by her brother’s best friend—a betrayal so deep that it leaves her paralyzed with fear and unable to speak out. What follows is not just a story of trauma, but a deeply layered exploration of how a single moment can change everything. We watch Eden grow up into a young woman who is visibly different—broken in quiet, unspoken ways. Her life becomes a series of attempts to survive, to push through, to protect herself even from those who want to help. But beneath it all, there's still a spark of strength in her—a slow-burning desire for healing, for love, for reclaiming herself. Her journey of self-discovery, courage, vulnerability, and eventually finding her voice is both heartbreaking and empowering.

I’d cast Kim Go Eun as Eden without a second thought. Eden is a complex character—she carries deep sadness but masks it with silence, distance, and indifference. And Kim Go Eun just has that face. You know what I mean—those sad, expressive eyes that somehow still look soft and full of untold stories. There's a quietness in her acting, a sort of restrained emotion that feels so authentic. She could portray Eden's grief and rage, but also those small, fleeting moments of hope and warmth that make you ache. In my perspective, she wouldn’t just act as Eden—she would be Eden.

And then there's Josh. Josh is a boy in Eden’s school—someone who sees through her walls and starts to fall in love with her. He’s kind-hearted, genuine, and doesn’t push her for answers. He simply stays. Josh is lively, athletic, and full of that youthful charm, but over time, you see his character take on a quiet weight too. Loving Eden changes him. Her silence, her trauma, her world slowly seeps into his, and instead of walking away, he holds on tighter. For Josh, I imagine Nam Joo Hyuk. There's something so gentle and unassuming about him. He can be light-hearted and playful, but he also has this subtle emotional depth that would be perfect for a character like Josh. I can imagine him standing by Eden in complete silence, his eyes doing the talking, giving her space while still being there. He’s got that kind of comforting presence, the type that makes you feel like it’s okay to fall apart. Nam Joo Hyuk wouldn’t just act as Josh—he’d carry his soul with sincerity.

hey guys, that's all for this blog. I hope y'all enjoyed reading. Do lemme know your views and opinions through the comments. With that being said, see you in the next blog and peace out!

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