Han Hyo-joo (한효주)

Entire cast consisting of +60 members came together; including Han Hyo-joo, Ji Jin-hee, Jeong Jin-yeong, Bae Soo-bin, Lee So-yeon, Kim Yoo-seok, Jeong Dong-hwan, Lee Kye-in, Choi Ran, etc.

- Director Lee Byeong-hoon - "I hope people feel happier in 2010 due to 'Dong Yi'".
- Scriptwriter Kim I-yeong - "I will try to write characters that everyone will be glad to portray".

This is the saga of Royal consort Choi, who despite her lowly birth becomes the concubine of King Sukjong and mother of King Youngjo, the 21st king of Joseon. The first script writing for "Dong-yi" was held on the evening of the 4th.

Taking place on the 10th floor of the MBC station in Yeoido, the cast and crew for "Dong Yi" showed their passion for the drama by staying past midnight to finish the reading. Particularly Han Hyo-joo and Ji Jin-hee stayed the entire time studying the script though they don't come out in the first couple of episodes....More

"Brilliant Legacy" ("Shining Inheritance"), is sentimental love story, stars Lee Seung-gi as a wealthy socialite and Han Hyo-joo as the commoner girl whom he comes to adore.

The Korean Wave has already washed over large swaths of Asia, but one local state-sponsored non-profit company has adopted a new approach to keep the waters rising.

The Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange announced it has acquired a limited international license for "Brilliant Legacy" ("Shining Inheritance") a television drama that gained ratings of over 40 percent when it aired

on SBS here, and will give away broadcasting rights for free in 81 overseas countries as a way of boosting Korean popular culture.

The drama, a sentimental love story, stars Lee Seung-gi as a wealthy socialite and Han Hyo-ju as the commoner girl whom he comes to ador...More

Actor Bae Soo-bin [SBS]

Actor Bae Soo-bin has decided to join the cast of a historial drama by famed producer Lee Byeong-hoon of hit TV series "Dae Jang Geum" and "Yi San", according to Bae's agency BH Entertainment on Tuesday.

BH explained that Bae, 33, will play the role of a swordsman who dedicates his life to protecting his love Dong Yi, played by actress Han Hyo-joo, in the TV series also tentatively titled "Dong Yi" in English....More

Korean actress Jang Seo-hee at SBS Drama Awards [SBS]

Korean actress Jang Seo-hee won the grand prize at the SBS Drama Awards, held at SBS' Open Hall on December 31.

Jang was awarded the top honor for her role in "Temptation of Wife", which was one of the most-watched and most controversial dramas of the year for its sensational storyline.

"I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be cool about receiving [the award]".. said Jang in her acceptance speech. "I thought I wouldn't be able to win this because of the genre. I would like to thank writer Kim Soon-ok... I was in a slump for three years but she helped me make a comeback"....More

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

There were no big surprises at the Drama Awards held by the three major networks ― KBS, SBS and MBC ― last year.

The Grand Prizes each went to Lee Byeong-Heon for his work in "IRIS" (KBS), Jang Seo-hee for "Temptation of Wife" (SBS) and Ko Hyeon-jeong for "Queen Seon-deok" (MBC).

Year-end drama awards have been criticized for being too generous when giving out awards and also not meeting the public's consensus. Last year's events were indeed generous, yet there were no decisions that caused anyone to shake their heads. However, there were distinctive trends that made the three events different from the past.

'30s Reigning the Small Screen

Unlike the pop industry where young idol bands are main stream, the older crowd is on top in the drama scene.

Lee, Jang and Ko are all in their '30s, beating their younger colleagues with their charisma, experience and impeccable acting skills.

Top prizes, including the Best Acting Awards, also went to actors and actresses in their thirties, including Chae Si-ra ("...More