MBC’s preparing another big-budget special production sageuk drama, titled God of War, to occupy weekends starting next month, and recently released a full set of promotional posters.

The drama is set in the Goryeo (Koryo) era, which preceded the Joseon Dynasty (Goryeo spanned 918–1392) and stars Kim Joo-hyuk as a man named Kim Joon who was born to the slave class and rose to power. He’s based on a real historical figure, and in several of the posters below his tagline reads, “I’ll break the chains of fate. From slave to the height of power!”

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Read the rest of MBC’s upcoming weekend sageuk God of War (321 words)

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Post tags: Jung Bo-seok, Kim Gyu-ri, Kim Joo-hyuk

Oh, MBC. I can always count on you for some awards-time whatthefuckery. Three years ago it was split Daesangs (daesang = Grand Prize), giving the same award to Kim Myung-min and Song Seung-heon and doubling awards in every category. Two years ago, there were more split awards, and last year we had the bizarre “Character Daesangs” (“Crude Language Award,” “Hot Temper Award,” and so forth).

This year, no actors were forced to share the Daesang…because it basically went to a drama instead. What the what? (Last year, Drama of the Year was a viewers’ pick award. This year it took the place of the Daesang, even if it wasn’t officially called one.)

Part of what makes MBC such a weird award in my opinion is that they never seem to know what they’re doing. If you’re going to make weird categories a thing, then stick with it — but if you’ll compare past years with each other, you’ll see that they keep changing things around. It makes them seem desperate, scrambling to appease everyone. Add to that the fact that in recent years, MBC has typically had the weakest drama performances of the three broadcast stations (remember when MBC was the Drama Kingdom?). So with weak competition, you get awards being doled out to some middling dramas, while others are overlooked entirely.

It must be noted that these awards are hardly ever based strictly on merit. They’re given out by the broadcaster, so they’re more a measure of which dramas and stars they want to thank/bribe/flatter. It’s partially a popularity contest, and partially politicking; it’s a given that the big ratings hits will rake in a lion’s share of awards. I still reserve the right to gripe about their choices.

You’ll see that this year, the broadcaster has once again introduced new categories and done away with others. They’ve gotten a lot of flak in past years for splitting awards, so this year they haven’t split many… because instead, they split award categories, which essentially achieves the same thing. Oh, MBC, always trying to please everyone and therefore pleasing no one. Maybe you’ll get a decent hit in 2012.

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Read the rest of 2011 MBC Drama Awards (1,593 words)

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Post tags: awards, Cha Seung-won, Gong Hyo-jin, Honey Lee, Hwang Jung-eum, Ji Hyun-woo, Jo Yoon-hee, Jung Bo-seok, Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Jae-won, Kim Jung-tae, Lee Bo-young, Micky Yoochun, Nam Goong-min, Park Yoo-hwan, Shin Aera, Yoon Tae-young

It’s too bad that Hyun Bin was missing from the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards, since he and his drama picked up a bunch of awards. (Alas, there’s that whole mandatory military thing.)

Not only did he grab a Daesang in the TV portion (film Daesang went to Lee Byung-heon for his thriller I Saw the Devil), both his projects won awards as well: Tang Wei for film Late Autumn, who’s pictured above with Ha Ji-won, his co-star in Secret Garden, which won top honors for the drama category. Looks like he’s on a roll, even in absentia. Do the Marines allow celebratory Baeksang parties for their celeb enlistees? Surely he earned a drink or two, at least.

The awards were held on the evening of May 26 in Seoul, and hosted by actors Ryu Shi-won (Style) and Kim Ah-joong (Sign).

WINNERS LIST

FILM SECTION

Daesang: Lee Byung-heon (I Saw the Devil)
Best Picture: Ajusshi (The Man From Nowhere)
Director: Lee Chang-dong (Poetry)
Top Excellence, Actor: Ha Jung-woo (The Yellow Sea)
Top Excellence, Actress: Tang Wei (Late Autumn)
New Actor: Choi Seung-hyun (TOP) (Into the Fire)
New Actress: Shin Hyun-bin (He’s On Duty)
New Director: Kim Young-taek (Hello Ghost)
Screenplay: Yook Sang-hyo (He’s On Duty)
Popularity Award, Actor: Choi Seung-hyun (TOP) (Into the Fire)
Popularity Award, Actress: Park Shin-hye (Cyrano Dating Agency)

TV SECTION (...)
Read the rest of 47th Baeksang Arts Awards (1,697 words)

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Post tags: awards, Cha Tae-hyun, Go Hyun-jung, Ha Ji-won, Ha Jung-woo, Han Hyo-joo, Hong Su-ah, Hwang Jung-eum, Hyun Bin, Ji Chang-wook, Jo Ahn, Jo Hyun-jae, Jo Yeo-jung, Jung Bo-seok, Jung Il-woo, Jung Yong-hwa, JYP, Kim Ah-joong, Kim Nam-joo, Kim Sae-ron, Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Byung-heon, Lee Min-jung, Lee Shi-young, Lee Su-geun, Micky Yoochun, Min Hyo-rin, Moon Geun-young, Nam Gyuri, Park Ha-sun, Park Min-young, Park Shin-hye, Ryu Shi-won, Seo Young-hee, Shin Hyun-bin, Song Joong-ki, Suzy, Taecyeon, TOP, Yoo Inna, Yoon Shi-yoon

I have not followed the drama Stormy Lovers, but I admit my interest is piqued by the latest news that the MBC drama is being cancelled, cut short by more than half its run due to low ratings.

Stormy Lovers is a daily drama, which means it airs Monday Through Friday (in the 8 pm hour). In my wholly unscientific recollection of past daily dramas, because of the steady dinnertime audience, it’s not unusual for dailies to pull in 30%+ ratings, and sometimes even 40%+. (Examples: You’re My Destiny, Everybody Cha Cha Cha, Smile Donghae.) So it’s disappointing that Stormy Lovers has been resting in the 5% to 8% range. Even if I recall reading quite a bit of criticism about the bad acting of lead actress Choi Eun-seo (of Personal Taste, in her first leading role).

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Read the rest of MBC cuts another drama short, angers people (318 words)

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Post tags: Cha Soo-yeon, Choi Eun-seo, Choi Myung-gil, drama ratings, Hwanhee, Jung Bo-seok, Jung Chan, Lee Jae-yoon

There are lots of awards handed out, for sure, but at least SBS has some strong shows this year, with great performances all around in the competition. Go Hyun-jung stacks up another Daesang for her turn as the first Korean female president in Daemul, which if I’m to go based on all the parodies, involved lots of shouting in the rain. There’s a performance by Noh Min-woo, a THREE-way tie for Best Couple, and of course, some red carpet hits and misses.

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Read the rest of 2010 SBS Drama Awards (1,983 words)

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Post tags: awards, Choi Jin-hyuk, Go Hyun-jung, Ha Ji-won, Ham Eun-jung, Han Chae-ah, Han Hye-jin, Hong Ji-min, Hwang Jung-eum, Hyun Bin, Joo Sang-wook, Jung Bo-seok, Jung Seok-won, Kang Sung, Kim Jung-eun, Kim So-yeon, Kim Soo-hyun, Kwon Sang-woo, Lee Beom-soo, Lee Hee-jin, Lee Jong-seok, Lee Seung-gi, Lee Soo-kyung, Min Hyo-rin, Moon Chae-won, Park Jin-hee, Philip Lee, Shin Mina, Shin Sung-rok, Yoo Min

Here we are, Part 5!

As girlfriday said in her review, I’d also like to thank guest bloggers Dahee Fanel and thunderbolt for participating in this year’s year-in-review roundup. A particular thank-you goes out to GF herself for being so game to jump into this whole world of crazy with me, and I think you’ll all agree when I say that Dramabeans is better for her addition to it. I never fail to get a huge kick out of her wicked humor, or for Dahee’s frank and bold insights, or thundie’s thoughtful eloquence. We don’t always agree, but that’s exactly why I love hearing the differing points of views.

Most of all, thanks to the DB readership — that means you! — who have been so supportive, vibrant, and often laugh-out-loud funny. We don’t take you guys for granted, rest assured, and are honored by the community you’ve built here. It’s like a second home, which sounds like a metaphor but actually isn’t because with all the hours I spend here, it really IS one.

So here’s the last of the reviews! With that, we bid adieu to the past year and look forward to lots more laughs, craziness, and yes, head-pounding-WTF-ery in the new year. Bring it on, 2011.

SONG OF THE DAY

Standing Egg – “First Christmas.” The song’s a day or two late, but no matter: Hope your Christmas (or other seasonal holiday) was merry! [ Download ]

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Read the rest of 2010 Editors’ Picks [Year In Review, Part 5] (5,374 words)

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Post tags: Baker King Kim Tak-gu, Cinderella's Sister, Coffee House, Eom Ji-won, featured, Giant, Jang Hyuk, Jejoongwon, Joseon X-Files, Jung Bo-seok, Kim Gab-soo, Kim Hyun-joong, Lee Mi-sook, Micky Yoochun, Moon Geun-young, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, Personal Taste, Rain, Runaway, Shin Mina, Sohn Ye-jin, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry, year in review, Yoo Ah-in

I wasn’t excited to hear about the upcoming Season 2 of family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick, which would cast an entirely new crop of actors (the only exception being veteran Lee Soon-jae, the grandpa of the original series, who will be in the second season as well).

But I may have to rethink it now that the rest of its cast has been announced, and among them are Thank You‘s precocious and adorable Seo Shin-ae, The World They Live In‘s endearing screw-up Daniel Choi, and up-and-comer Shin Se-kyung (most recently of Queen Seon-deok and Ogamdo).

The story has 19-year-old Shin Se-kyung and 10-year-old Seo Shin-ae playing sisters who, on account of their debt-ridden father, come to Seoul on the run. The two sisters enter Lee Soon-jae’s household as maids, while Daniel Choi plays Lee Soon-jae’s son.

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Read the rest of High Kick 2 fills out its new cast (212 words)

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Post tags: Daniel Choi, High Kick Through the Roof, Jung Bo-seok, Lee Soon-jae, Oh Hyun-kyung, Seo Shin-ae, sequels, Shin Se-kyung, Unstoppable High Kick

Hmm….. When it was announced that the popular family sitcom Unstoppable High Kick was thinking of another season, I was skeptical that it would actually happen, if only because a great part of its charm was its hot young cast of new faces, and they’ve all gone on to bigger things. They include: Jung Il-woo (Return of Iljimae), Kim Bum (Boys Before Flowers), Kim Hye-sung (Boy Meets Boy), and Park Min-young (Ja Myung Go).

And yet, production is indeed under way for a second season, and will bring back gruff grandpa Lee Soon-jae — but switch the rest of the actors. Among them are Jung Bo-seok (La Dolce Vita, Dae Jo Young) in the dad’s role (acted in the original by comedian Jung Jun–ha) and Oh Hyun-kyung (First Wives Club) in the mom’s role (originally acted by musical actress Park Hae-mi). Grandma Na Mun-hee will not return, and the season will start fresh with new storylines. The series is currently auditioning for its new set of fresh faces.

Season 2 is not yet on MBC’s official fall schedule, but it looks like a promising follow-up to the currently airing sitcom Tae-hee, Hye-gyo, Ji-hyun.

I don’t know about this. I have a lot of affection for Unstoppable High Kick, but without any of my favorite characters returning, it seems like just a weak excuse to slap a successful name onto a new sitcom, doesn’t it?

Jung Bo-seok, Oh Hyun-kyung

Via JK News, OSEN

RELATED POSTS

• Jung Il-woo talks about acting, fame, and the future
• Unstoppable High Kick ponders Season 2
• High Kick movie
• Unstoppable High Kick

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2009. | Permalink | 22 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Jung Bo-seok, Lee Soon-jae, Oh Hyun-kyung, sequels, sitcoms, Unstoppable High Kick