Korean Band of Brothers in the Making

jackie-chan
Contributor
Korean Band of Brothers in the Making
...and just hearing who's helming it, I can't help but smile.

Those even only remotely acquainted with the K-drama cosmos might have heard of a project called 로드 넘버 원 (Road Number One) in the last few years, a Korean war blockbuster which would have allegedly spent 1.5 billion won per episode -- against your usual 300 million, when it's a big budget production, although the upcoming spy-action potboiler 아이리스 (Iris) will easily top every record, with the possible exception of Korean TV's own 디워 (D-War), Kim Jong-Hak's disastrous fantasy sageuk 태왕사신기 (The Legend). Now, the "Road Number One" of the title was the primary connecting route between Pyeongyang and Seoul which was used during the Korean War, suggesting the theme. But... no, it's not what you think. Whereas Iris is throwing huge stars (Lee Byung-Heon, Kim Tae-Hee, Kim So-Yeon, Kim Seung-Woo, Jung Joon-Ho, and a younger, Asian version of Spock from Star Trek, except they call him T.O.P.) and huge money at the wall hoping people will forget it's written by Choi Wan-Gyu (the laziest, most complacent writer in the entire peninsula), Road Number One will be a much more serious project, in line with HBO's Band of Brothers, focusing on an almost documentary-like prose, accurate research and, as the producer mentions in a recent interview with Drama webzine 10 Asia, "some dignity." Which is exactly what's been sorely missing from Korean Tv the last two years.

It all sounds like the pretty promises of many a blockbuster on TV (promises which very rarely are fulfilled), but knowing who's directing this... I think we're in the best possible hands: Kim Jin-Min of 신돈 (Shin Don), 개와 늑대의 시간 (Time Between Dog & Wolf) and last year's best drama 달콤한 인생 (La Dolce Vita) will in fact produce the show, which is aiming for a Summer 2010 broadcast. There were rumors the production went belly up altogether for lack of funding, but Kim and the writer combo (same as Time Between Dog & Wolf) are already location hunting and doing research, so the main cast will be announced shortly. Previous reports indicated Kwon Sang-Woo would take the lead, but considering how many production setbacks this went through, I'm not completely sure he's still in. I guess we'll find out soon. What's for sure is... with Kwak Jung-Hwan's 추노 (Slave Hunters) and Kim Jin-Min's Road Number One, 2010 already looks like quite the year.

[10 Asia]
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