Lee Ki-won (이기원)

Drama 'Iljimae' has tough act to follow

2008/05/20 | Source | Permalink |

New historical drama "Iljimae", airing tonight on SBS, will be hard pressed to live up to its predecessor, "On Air".

"On Air", featuring Kim Ha-neul and Park Yong-ha, topped viewer ratings charts last Thursday, when its final episode was broadcast. A strong script and four top notch actors carried this miniseries to success.

The new drama also must compete with MBC's "Spotlight". With big stars Son Ye-jin and Ji Jin-hee playing reporters and talented screenwriter Lee Ki-won at the helm, "Spotlight" may nab viewer ratings for the Wednesday and Thursday night slot, leaving "Iljimae" out in the cold.

But the verdict isn't out yet.

Based on an ancient Korean hero of the same name, the historical drama "Iljimae" revolves around the good deeds of a Korean Robin Hood. However unlike Hong Gil-dong, a Korean hero who also stole from the rich and gave to the poor, Iljimae is primarily motivated by revenge.

Hallyu star Lee Joon-ki will be taking on the complex role of this hero. An...| More

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Wishing Lee Joon-ki, cast and crew lots of luck... I look forward to seeing this drama when it is available to the US with Eng Subs. HGD will be hard to beat. Kimberly Sarreal 2008-05-20 19:47:44

'Spotlight' Shows Lives of Reporters

2008/05/13 | Source | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

With MBC's new drama "Spotlight", viewers will get a glimpse into the lives of broadcast news reporters covering the city beat.

"Spotlight" depicts the journey toward success of a passionate city desk reporter Seo Woo-jin, played by top actress Son Ye-jin. Ji Jin-hee from the hit drama "Jewel in the Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum") will star as her strict, yet caring mentor, Oh Tae-seok. The drama will follow Seo's drudge through the grind to eventually become an anchorwoman.

At the press conference held last week in southern Seoul, reporters and camera crews swarmed the room for a shot of Son.

"Spotlight" is the first drama in two years for Son, 26, who has starred in movies like "The Classic" (2003) and "The Art of Seduction" (2005).

"I read the synopsis and had a strong impression. I especially liked the fact that (Seo) continues to strive to achieve her dreams. I was captivated by her passion and energy", Son said.

A short clip of the dr...| More

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Reporters get the spotlight

2008/05/12 | Source | Permalink |

MBC's upcoming drama "Spotlight", which airs this Wednesday night, promises to bring back a bit of excitement to the small screen.

Following on the heels of its more-than-lackluster predecessor "Who Are You - Drama", "Spotlight" focuses on the gritty and enterprising lives of city desk broadcast news reporters. The drama tracks one woman's rise to fame, from her struggles at the city desk to her eventual success as an anchorwoman.

With a plot like that, the success of "Spotlight" rides on the strength of its heroine and on its scripting.

And the script promises to be solid. The drama's writer Lee Ki-won possesses a finesse for drawing out the dark political power struggles that go on in the workplace. And his intense and cutthroat writing will play out well in the newsroom. Lee also wrote last year's hit medical drama "White Tower".

"I focused on the inner struggles that reporters face as humans", Lee said at a press conference held last week. "While there is romance, more ...| More

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Ji Jin-hee, making his comeback to TV screen in 3 years

2008/01/24 | Source | Permalink |

Ji Jin-hee is making his comeback to TV screen with MBC drama "Spotlight" (Directed by Kim Do-hoon/ Script by Lee Ki-won) which will be televise on end of April. He had a long gap after his last drama, SBS "Spring Days" which he appeared with Jo In-seong.

"Spotlight" is based on the world of news reporters and their passion to make truthful reports of the society. Ji Jin-hee is acting a single-minded chief reporter, "Oh Tae-seok" who has strong professionalism and refuses make compromises to injustice of the society.

The Drama producer, MBC Story Herb said, "The single-minded Oh Tae-seok who works toward to report the truths of society resembles Ji Jin-hee's actual personality of finding enjoyments in trying new things and making challenges. Please take notice on his charisma which will captivate the TV screen this year".

Oh Tae-seok is a harsh teacher to his juniors but when he found talents in 'Seo Yoo-jin', the female main character, he becomes her mentor. He will be ...| More

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Fresh Japanese Wave Threatens Korean Pop Culture

2007/03/26 | Source | Permalink |

What the film "200 pounds beauty", which drew 6.6 million viewers late last year, and MBC's recent hit drama "White Tower" have in common is that they were remakes of Japanese originals. The success of these and other Japanese works in Korea is raising concerns that Japanese pop culture could once again dominate Korea.

◆ Dependence on Japanese stories

Another drama based on a Japanese original is scheduled to air on SBS from March 30. "Lover - drama" stars Yoo Oh-seong and Yoon Son-ha and is the remake of the 1995 Japanese series written by Hisashi Nozawa. Nozawa is also the author of the novel that was the basis of last year's SBS drama "Alone in Love", which was very popular among viewers in their 20s and 30s.

Korean drama production companies are competing to secure the rights to Japanese novels and mangas. KimJongHak Production and JS Pictures each have already bought the rights of three Japanese works to turn them into dramas here. "We have taken a serious interest ...| More

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Korea is so conscious about its popularity in the Music Community... janiijaun 2007-03-29 04:50:44