By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The Christmas period has many seasonal expectations, one of them being snow. Following the anticipation, both for the television screen and winter, SBS will start airing its new drama ``Will It Snow for Christmas?'' Dec. 2.
The storyline of the new soap is the usual boy-meets-girl scenario, but boasts a lovely couple and some of the best makers of dramas in the business.
The handsome Cha Kang-jin, played by actor Ko Soo, leads a tough life, knowing that the only way for him to escape the dark shadows of his childhood is to become the best at everything he does, from fighting to studying. The quiet Kang-jin meets Han Ji-wan, played by Han Ye-seul, and discovers that the world is actually a warm, caring place. When Ji-wan leaves her hometown and Kang-jin after her brother's death from an accident, the heartbroken Kang-jin realizes how much he loved her and embarks on a lonely journey to win her back.
A few years pass, and the two characters meet by chance, only to find themselves already leading new lives without each other.
Ko has made the headlines, as it is the first time in four years and since serving in the military that the star has returned to the small screen.
``I felt both nervous and excited during the first shoot. I watched the episodes and I realized that something was different. I have lost weight, for starters, but there was something different about my presence. I hope the viewers will feel that throughout the drama,'' Ko said during a press conference in southern Seoul last week.
Ko's return will have his fans watching the show, but another reason for the anticipation is the makers: writer Lee Kyung-hee and producer Choi Mun-seok.
Lee has garnered fans with her work in a number of hit dramas, including ``Sang-doo, Let's Go to School,'' ``I'm Sorry, I Love You'' and ``Thank You.'' Choi became famous for his work on ``Something Happened in Bali,'' inventing his own style in portraying young and reckless, passionate, love.
``I always wanted to work with Lee and I've tried to persuade her to work together for a long time. We didn't have a specific storyline or character, but we had one idea in common. We wanted to work on a love story, and we wanted to focus on the people,'' Choi said.
According to the production company iHQ, the soap was sold to Japanese DVD firm Tsutaya before the first airing.
The bubbly Han will be playing the happy and headstrong character Ji-wan, who she said was not too different from her own personality.
``She is such a lovable character. I'm actually benefiting from her because she's so lively. It makes me feel happy too,'' Han said.
Han has been portraying various roles since her debut, from the helpless girl who lost her memory in ``Couple or Trouble'' (2006, MBC), the cute and attractive character in ``Miss Gold Digger'' (2007) to the aggressive gambler in the drama ``Tazza'' (2008, SBS), and thanks to the challenge, she has matured into a versatile actress.
``Will it Snow for Christmas'' has stiff competition as the most popular series in the Wednesday and Thursday slot is ``Iris'' on KBS. When asked if she felt any pressure, Han smiled and shrugged.
``I would be lying if I said we are not at all concerned, but our show is in a totally different genre, so we decided to just continue making high quality drama. That's what counts in the end, right?'' she said.
When asked if he really thought it would snow this Christmas, Ko smiled and nodded his head.
``Our drama is warm enough to melt all your worries and take the chills away. And personally, yes, I think it's going to snow,'' he said.
``Will It Snow for Christmas'' starts Dec. 2 and will run every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:55 p.m. on SBS. Japanese fans can watch the drama in Japan next April through KNTV.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
