Kong Hyo-jin (공효진)

A scene from MBC TV series "Pasta" [MBC]

"Pasta" - Episode 8, MBC TV (Mon/Tue, 10 PM)
Although "Pasta" is a story about romance in the kitchen, it tries to do more than just cook up romance. There are many, various conflicts surrounding the restaurant, characters Choi Hyun-wook (played by Lee Seoun-gyoon) and Oh Se-young (played by Lee Honey) and Korea-educated versus Italy-educated cooks. Choi Hyun-wook runs when Oh Se-young enters the kitchen and the Korean clan is determined to beat the Italian clan. And it is throughout such series of events that each character in the kitchen, those who were not noticeable before, start to become more visible to the viewer. While "Pasta" might not be an eye-catching masterpiece, it has plenty of stories surrounding its two main characters Choi Hyun-wook -- who is a combination of dictator and tyrant with a black sense of humor -- and Seo Yu-kyung (played by Kong Hyo-jin) -- who is both depressing enough and sensible enough compared to the typical cheerful and spirited heroines in romantic dramas -- while offering solid visuals and music as well....More

On Monday and Tuesday nights from May 25 to Dec. 22 last year, the Korean TV drama world was dominated by a queen.

During its seven-month run, the MBC hit drama "Queen Seon-deok" topped ratings lists, recording an audience share of 44 percent at its peak.

Now, three new TV series on three different networks are poised to compete for the position that was so well guarded by "Queen Seon-deok" last year. The three series, all of which kicked off on Monday and are broadcast in the same Monday-Tuesday time slot at 10 p.m. both nights, are "Jejoongwon" on SBS, "Master of Study" on KBS, and "Pasta" on MBC.

The battle between the three could all come down to style and subject matter.

Among the offerings are a period drama and two contemporary tales, and the three dramas are set within the fields of medicine, education and culinary arts, respectively.

"Jejoongwon"...More

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Korean dramas may be famous for their catchy storylines and handsome characters, but there is no doubt that heroines also play a big part in terms of popularity and content.

This year's drama lineup boasts various female characters, following last year's femme fatale Mi-shil from "Queen Seon-deok" and secret agent Choi Seung-hee from "IRIS".

Lee Da-hae stars in the new drama "The Slave Hunters" as the captive Eon-nyeun who receives a new name, Kim Hye-won, upon rising in social status to the high-rank of "yangban".

She falls for fellow yangban-turned-slave-hunter Dae-gil, played by actor Jang Hyeok, but things take a turn when she befriends Song Tae-ha, played by Oh Ji-ho, the slave Dae-gil is pursuing.

The 25-year-old actress, along with the cast and producers, has a lot of weight on her shoulders, as the new drama follows the trail of the successful "IRIS".

" I do hope that we will be able to continue the popularity and interest `Iris' enjoyed", Lee said during a press conference last year.

Lee has been in a numbe...More

From left, MBC TV series main cast Lee Seon-gyoon and Kong Hyo-jin pose during a press conference at the Marvelous convention hall in Seoul, South Korean on December 28, 2009. [MBC]

Briefly put, MBC TV series "Pasta" which premieres January 4, is about 'dating in the kitchen'. The romance between a boss who is divinely talented yet uses vulgar language while being disdainful to everyone and an employee who does not succumb to her boss' abusive treatment but rather bears with it to later succeed in both love and work, has been portrayed more than several times in various films and dramas. But the bar is raised higher when that story is depicted by actor Lee Seon-gyoon, famous for playing mild-natured characters and actress Kong Hyo-jin who usually plays unique characters. A press conference was held on Monday attended by Lee who broke free from his past image by revealing his own style of acting in film "Paju" this year and Kong who has been expanding on her realm of acting through films such as "Blush and Crush' and "Sisters on the Road".

Q: You've played a lot of characters with gentle personalities up till now. Weren't you pressured by having to change your image 180 degrees in "Pasta"?
Lee Seon-gyoon (Lee): I actually hadn't been pressured about having to change my image but I started thinking that maybe I should try something different because so many people started saying the same thing. The role Choi Hyun-wook that I played had a character different from the roles I had taken on in the past so I can't say that I wasn't worried or pressured but I believe that an actor expands on his realm of acting by taking on roles he is not used to, so it feels as if I'm taking on a good challenge. That's why I'm always screaming with happiness on set these days. (laugh)...More

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

This year's lineup of dramas proved to be interesting. There were young, handsome characters attracting female fans ("Boys over Flowers", KBS), smart housewives took over households and offices ("My Wife is a Superwoman", MBC) and ancient royalty ("Queen Seon-deok", MBC) and intelligence agents ("IRIS", KBS) fought for their lives on the small screen.

For 2010, networks are preparing another year of compelling dramas based on history, catchy storylines and even war.

Back to the Past

Three networks are traveling back in time, mostly to the Joseon era (1392-1910) for their 2010 lineups.

SBS will air "Jejoongwon", a stylish drama about the nation's first "modern" hospital during the Joseon Kingdom period. It will star Yeon Jeong-heon, husband of actress Han Ga-in, as the rich and smart doctor Baek Do-yang, and movie star Park Yong-woo will appear as Joseon's first surgeon, Hwang Jung. Actress Han Hye-jin will star as Joseon's first female doctor. Historic records show that doctors at Jejungwon looked after many sick people, regardless of their economic status in the hierarchical Joseon society. "Jejoongwon" will begin airing Jan. 4 at 10 p.m. on SBS.

KBS will present three different dramas based on the theme of noblesse oblige and present famous historical figures that spent their lives performing various services. The first of the three is "The Reputable Family" (Myungga), which presents the history of the Choi family, a famous household of 300 years ago based in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. "...More