KBS drama 'Jingbirok' offers lessons

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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KBS drama 'Jingbirok' offers lessons

Posted : 2015-02-09 18:29

Updated : 2015-02-10 15:35

"Jingbirok" creators and actors speak during a press conference in Seoul on Feb. 5. The drama is one of the special programs of the nation's largest broadcaster KBS marking the 70th anniversary of Korea's independence from Japan. / Yonhap

"A true leader knows how to take responsibility for his or her actions, how to reflect on past wrongdoings"

Im Dong-jin speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Feb. 5. The veteran actor is making a comeback from a 10-year hiatus to take on the role of Yoon Doo-soo, Yu Seong-ryong's political rival in "Jingbirok."

By Kwon Ji-youn

Actors to star in "Jingbirok" have called on the country's politicians to watch and learn from the state-run broadcaster KBS's period drama set to air on Feb. 14.

Kim Sang-joong, Kim Tae-woo, Im Dong-jin and Lee Jae-yong, at a press event on Feb. 5, stressed that "Jingbirok" contains messages that will help Korea reflect on its current crises.

"I ask our lawmakers to take a particular interest in our drama," Lee said. "We today are also living a war, a war without guns and bullets. ‘Jingbirok' has a lot to say to our country's leaders."

Kim Sang-joong agreed, but added that the drama holds lessons for everyone. "A true leader knows how to take responsibility for his or her actions, how to reflect on past wrongdoings," he said. "But ‘Jingbirok' will give everyone something to think about. I myself have been looking back on my life while researching the life of Yu Seong-ryong."

Kim will be acting the part of Yu (1542-1607), who served as prime minister of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) during the seven-year Imjin War (1592-1598). "Jingbirok" (book of correction) is the name of Yu's memoir, which looks back on the Japanese invasion under the leadership of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

"I chose to appear in ‘Jingbirok' not because I thought it would post record viewership," he said. "KBS's period dramas require responsibility and a sense of duty on the actor's part, and this is what drew me to the production."

Kim Tae-woo, who will feature as King Seonjo, and producer Kim Sang-hui asked audiences to watch the drama with an open mind.

"There have been a host of dramas that focus on the Joseon Kingdom but most have focused on admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598)," Kim Tae-woo said. "Very few have told Yu's story, or keyed on why King Seonjo ran away.

"I have noticed that a lot of books shed new light on King Seonjo and what many consider his incompetent leadership," he continued.

"Yes, the fact is that he abandoned the country, but I've come to think he would have had his reasons."

Producer Kim Sang-hui added that the drama will bring to life episodes and happenings that have not as eagerly been covered in popular culture.

"Many worry that the drama will distort history in its search for fun, but I assure you, the writer would not allow this," he said. "Without twisting the facts, we will examine the nuts and bolts of the diplomatic issues that swept the war, as well as the relatively lesser known facts about it. For instance, there were attempts to halt the war in Japan."

Jingbirok made headlines with its casting of veteran actor Im, who has returned from his 10-year hiatus to take on the role of Yoon Doo-soo, Yu's political rival.

"When the producers asked me to take on Yoon, I worried because Yoon has always been a negatively received character," Im said. "But in ‘Jingbirok' Yoon admits to having been bribed. Likewise, KBS period dramas always have something important to say. We learn about the present as we learn about the past, about what was wrongly done and how to put them right."

Im said that he is thrilled to be back "home" in front of the cameras, and that while his passion for acting hasn't changed, the atmosphere and technology has.

"I feel like a rookie," he said. "The equipment and techniques have changed in the 10 years I was away. I'm still warming up, so to speak. I ask viewers to show me, show us their support."

Follow Kwon Ji-youn on Twitter @jennajykwon

jykwon@koreatimes.co.kr