The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Mon, August 15, 2022 | 06:35
Food
Epic Dramas Continues to Boom This Year
Posted : 2008-01-01 16:52
Updated : 2008-01-01 16:52
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

Actor Kim Sang-kyung plays King Sejong in KBS new epic drama “The Great King Sejong.”
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

KBS starts the New Year with two new epic dramas, ``Hong Gil-dong, the Hero,'' a Korean Robin Hood story and ``The Great King Sejong,'' another drama portraying the king of Joseon.

Both dramas are set back in the time of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). ``Hong Gil-dong, the Hero'' is a comical remake of novel of the same name written by Heo Gyun under King Gwanghaegun's reign (1575-1641).

The rather young director Lee Jung-sub, 36, defines the soap opera as being a ``totally new epic drama.'' He prepared for this drama for about a year with writers Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran, also known as the ``Hong Sisters'' of ``Sassy Girl, Chun-hyang'' (2005) and ``Couple in Trouble'' (2006).

Scenes from the preview were rather shocking. The protagonist, Hong Gil-dong (played by actor Kang Ji-hwan) has curly hair and wears sunglasses while Heo I-nok (Sung Yu-ri), the heroine, looks like Chun-li, the tomboy character from the popular game ``Street Fighter.''

Lee Chang-hui (Jang Geun-seok), the known-to-be-dead crown prince who takes on a more serious character, balances out the drama by trying to take back the throne with flapping long hair and eyes of sorrow.

Gisaeng, or traditional Korean female entertainers, dance to techno music in modern versions of hanbok (traditional Korean dress), bringing to screen a kind of Joseon nightclub scene.


Jang Geun-seok, left, Sung Yu-ri, center, and Kang Ji-hwan are the main characters of “Hong Gil-dong, the Hero,” a Korean Robin Hood story.
Kang interprets Gil-dong as a character just out of a comic strip. For two days he looked in every nook and cranny of vintage shops to find the perfect props for his character. He now has five pairs of sunglasses in different shades to express the uniqueness of Gil-dong. ``I was just fascinated to the character of `Hong Gil-dong.' I set Stephen Chow as my role model and watched many of his movies,'' Kang said at a press conference last week.

A former member of girl group Fin.K.L., known for her sweet-face, Sung sees a change in both her looks and acting style. Sung could be described more as handsome than pretty. ``I-nok is just like a third-grader boy, very simple and plain. I-nok is entirely different from myself but it's easy to act like her. The only problem I have is that I can't imagine how I-nok cries.''

Jang shakes off his cuteness and is reborn as the unfortunate crown prince. ``Chang-hui's life was threatened by his own brother and he has been hiding since then, waiting for revenge. He is the only serious character in the drama but later changes when he meets Hong Gil-dong,'' Jang said.

Premiering Jan. 5, ``The Great King Sejong'' depicts the life of the fourth king of Joseon, King Sejong. Written by Yoon Sun-ju of ``Hwangjiny'' (2006) and directed by Kim Sung-keun of ``Thank You, My Life'' (2006), this drama will focus on how King Sejong acceded to the throne, stabilized the newly born country and gave rise to the blooming culture of Joseon.

Born as the third prince, Chungnyeong, or King Sejong, was far from ascending the throne. This drama shows the young Chungnyeong living in a private residence outside of the palace and experiencing the everyday life of commoners. Later he takes the throne and invents Hangeul, the Korean writing system.

Kim Sang-kyung, who plays this majestic king, expressed both confidence and anxiety at a press conference. ``I have to act out King Sejong in a way that meets people's expectations since he was such a well-known and great king. However, I have to bring out a new aspect of King Sejong at the same time,'' said Kim.

Known for his role as Gungye in ``King Taejo Wang Geon'' (2000), Kim Young-cheol plays King Taejong, the third king and father of Sejong, while Choi Myoung-gil, who already played the same role in another KBS epic drama ``Tears of the Dragon'' (1996), will play his wife, Queen Wongyeong.

Queen Soheon, the first spouse of Sejong, is played by Lee Yun-ji and concubine Kim will be played by Lee Jung-hyun. ``We will demonstrate different characters from traditional legitimate queen and concubine relationships. We will be good friends and supportive of each other even after I receive the Royal favor,'' said Lee Jung-hyun.

Genius scientist of the time, Jang Yeong-sil is played by model-turned-actor Lee Chun-hee.

``Hong Gil-dong, the Hero'' will start airing at 9:55 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays _ KBS2, and ``The Great King Sejong'' will start airing at 9:40 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays _ KBS1.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr
 
LG
  • Korean blockchain operators urged to enhance vigilance against accidents
  • City goes into festival mode during Seoul Festa
  • Yoon set to unveil 'audacious plan' for North Korea's denuclearization
  • Traveling on the Han River in the 19th Century: Part 2
  • Fears of lengthy COVID-19 resurgence loom large
  • More tourists opt to visit Jeju Island by ferry
  • Ex-USFK commander rejects China's claims over THAAD
  • Will Samsung heir be promoted to chairman?
  • Seoul E-Prix thrills racing fans in Korea
  • KOICA seeks support for Busan's bid to host World Expo
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Death of young webtoon artist sparks controversy over harsh working conditions Death of young webtoon artist sparks controversy over harsh working conditions
    • Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions
    • Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man
    • From P1Harmony to Zico, K-pop hotshots to perform in Abu Dhabi next month From P1Harmony to Zico, K-pop hotshots to perform in Abu Dhabi next month
    • [INTERVIEW] Actor Ko Kyoung-pyo explains why he doesn't obsess over lead roles [INTERVIEW] Actor Ko Kyoung-pyo explains why he doesn't obsess over lead roles
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group