Actress Ko Hyun-jung

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Actress Ko Hyun-jung will return playing the role of a female president in a new drama to be aired on SBS in July.

Ko will take the leading role of Seo Hye-lim in ``Daemul'' (Queen-maker), a drama based on the comic book of the same name by Park In-gwon.

The drama revolves around a female prosecutor who fights against social injustice and tenders her resignation after arresting a mogul who masterminds organized crime in political circles. Then, after working as a lawyer who advocates human rights, she earns a reputation as caring for people, she then runs for, and is elected, president.

An official of the drama production company said that the drama will focus on the making of a female president. ``The script writer says `daemul' means the `great person' in the drama,'' he said.

The drama will also co-star Kwon Sang-woo, who will take the role of Ko's counterpart. .

The soap opera consisting of 20-24 episodes is expected to cost 10 billion won to produce.

The production team has already shot the scenes for the presidential inauguration ceremony on Feb. 25 when President Lee Myung-bak was inaugurated. The production team will go on a location in Japan in April.

A former 1989 Miss Korea runner up, Ko made a successful comeback to the entertainment industry with the 2005 TV series ``Bomnal'' (Spring Day) after her divorce. She starred in ``Yeouya Mohani'' (Hello Fox),'' a mini-series in 2006.

She enjoyed stardom after starring in the 1995 TV series ``Moraesigye 9Hourglass). She announced her retirement that year upon marrying Chung Yong-jin, a nephew of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee and vice president of Shinsegae Department Store. The marriage ended in 2003. Ko also acted in the film, ``Woman on the Beach'' in 2006.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr