I thought 2006 was the year of the Dog, but it seems it'll be the year of Goguryeo after all, at least on Korean TV.
Goguryeo (37 BC–668) was part of the Korean Three Kingdoms, yet in the last decade few Dramas ever focused on this period, mostly covering the Joseon Dynasty. But in 2006, several TV Dramas will use Goguryeo as a background. We have MBC's 주몽 (Jumong) - formerly titled 삼한지 (The Three Kingdoms) - starring Song Il-Guk as King Jumong, who (allegedly) founded the Kingdom in 37 BC, after conquering Biryu, Haengin and Okjeo in less than a decade; SBS' 연개소문 (淵蓋蘇文, General Yon Gae Somun), which brings back Yoo Dong-Geun to Historical Dramas as the man who killed King Youngryu in 642. The event caused the beginning of the kingdom's demise, which at the time was embroiled in a war with the Tang Dynasty, allied with Goguryeo rivals Shilla; also in production are 대무신왕 (Daemu Shin Wang) and 고선지 (General Go Seon-Ji), but details are scarce. The most exciting of them all might just be MBC's 24 Episodes Fusion Drama 태왕사신기 (The Four Gods).
Telling the story of King Gwanggaeto the great, the most legendary ruler of the period, the Drama has a budget of almost 40 Billion Won, and everything about it says 'big'. First is the main character itself: thanks to Gwanggaeto's expansion plans, in less than two decades Goguryeo destroyed its foes, conquering thousands of villages and dozens of cities, decimating tribes who had the misfortune of crossing paths with them, and scared the other two Kingdoms Shilla and Baekje enough to severely hamper their development. Another huge point of interest is Kim Jong-Hak, producer of classics like 모래시계 (The Sandglass) and 여명의 눈동자 (Eyes of Dawn), who will return to the small screen working with his favorite writer, the great Song Ji-Na. The Drama is building a mammoth set in Jeju Island, and Kim Jong-Hak Productions expect to sell distribution rights to around 50 countries. WETA Design, currently involved in the making of Bong Joon-Ho's 괴물 (The Host), will be responsible for the visual effects and CGI, which will cost around 10 Billion Won.
I left the best bit for last on purpose: the cast. We reported back in August that Bae Yong-Joon and Choi Min-Soo were already cast, along with Jung Jin-Young of 왕의 남자 (The King and The Clown), but the leading heroine role was rumoured to go to Shim Eun-Ha. Producer Kim failed to convince Shim, who recently married and seems perfectly happy living outside of the entertainment circle. So they got someone else. A 'replacement'? Anything but, folks...
Moon So-Ri. Yep, one of the best, most respected actresses on the planet will make her debut on the small screen, in the Drama which starts shooting late next month. After theater, short films, art house and commercial fare, she finally completed the circle. It's inevitable expectations for the show will grow even more, as she's playing Yonsama's love interest. The Drama is slated to start airing around the end of 2006.
[Source: Naver News]