Lee Ki-won (이기원)

Now showing on evening TV: provocative, racy themes

Source | 2009/11/16 | 0 comments | Permalink |

What do you get when you combine a broken family and betrayal, throw in some adultery and revenge and top it all off with a dash of violence? A daytime soap opera.

Provocative, exaggerated and often unbelievable story lines have defined daytime soap operas almost as long as they've been in existence. The formula is a no-brainer: The more dramatic, the better. Sprinkle in a few scenes where a mean mother-in-law slaps her son's wife on the cheek or a guilt-free man lashes out at a woman with chauvinistic, insulting remarks and chances are the ratings will soar.

While this is nothing new in the world of daytime soap operas, these racy and controversial elements are quickly creeping into prime-time dramas as well, when children are more likely to see them. They're also getting even more provocative - and therefore controversial - as shows go all-out to gain more viewers.

The trend has even given birth to the word makjang, which literally means "blind-end", implying that things hav...| More

"Become used to an anguish", said the writer of 'White Tower'

Source | 2009/07/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Lee Ki-won, screenwriter of 'White Tower' of MBC, offered advice and personal experiences to aspiring writers. 'Inside the White Tower' that made him famous was based on a Japanese novel.

"When I first read the original work, I was shocked and there was something about it", said screenwriter Lee Ki-won. "I had conflicts because my first work could be an adaptation not creation of an original work. However, I decided to adapt the original novel, considering that there would not be many opportunities to work on well-made original works", Lee explained. "Now it is acclaimed that the drama opened a new chapter as a medical drama. However, there were many who thought that the drama would fail in early days of its airing, considering that it excluded the love story. 'Inside the White Tower' is about continuous challenges to satisfy human desires and the process of overcoming difficulties. That' why so many people found Dr. Jang Joon Hyeok attractive and supported him", he added.
Lee prac...| More

Drama 'Iljimae' has tough act to follow

Source | 2008/05/20 | 0 comments | 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

'Spotlight' Shows Lives of Reporters

Source | 2008/05/13 | 0 comments | 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

Reporters get the spotlight

Source | 2008/05/12 | 0 comments | 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