KBS’s current Monday-Tuesday show, Princess Has Returned [공주가 돌아왔다], has been pretty unremarkable (in ratings and in response) and ends on a similarly quiet note this week. On the other hand, I’m looking at the show to take over its slot next week with some interest — Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang [천하무적 이평강] seems to have come together rather under the radar, but now it’s got me perked up in interest.

The drama blends together sageuk elements with the contemporary in its reimagining of the classic folktale of Princess Pyeong-gang and the Fool On-dal. The fusion drama stars Nam Sang-mi (Time of Dog and Wolf) and Ji Hyun-woo (My Sweet Seoul).

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Read the rest of Nam Sang-mi is the Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang (707 words)

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Post tags: Cha Ye-ryun, Choi Myung-gil, fusion dramas, Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang, Ji Hyun-woo, Kim Heung-soo, Nam Sang-mi, Park Ki-woong, Seo Do-young, Yeon Mi-joo

Park Ki-woong (Story of a Man) is the latest to join the cast of KBS’s drama Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang [천하무적 이평강], which has already cast Nam Sang-mi (Gourmet), Ji Hyun-woo (My Sweet Seoul), Cha Ye-ryun (A Star’s Lover), and Seo Do-young (Friend, Our Legend).

Pretty decent cast, actually. Not so sold on the story…

The drama is the modern-day reimagining of the tale of the Fool On-dal and Princess Pyeong-gang, which somehow takes on the topic of golf (er?); Nam Sang-mi and Ji Hyun-woo fill the lead roles. Nam’s character is Pyeong-gang, the resourceful daughter of a golf course planner, while Ji plays On-dal, the son of a rich family. They strike up a romance despite their class differences and a lot of bickering. (I’m not sure how this is related to the original tale of On-dal and Pyeong-gang, unless it’s a reversal.)

Meanwhile, Park Ki-woong may finally be moving away from his prior image as a guy who was famous for not a whole lot (he admits to not understanding how to work on his acting until his recent noteworthy turn as an adorable autistic financial genius in Story of a Man). Previously known more for his cute and quirky appearance than anything, I’m going to guess he owes SOAM at least a little for this latest character, who is also autistic and speaks with a stutter due to a traumatic memory of losing his parents at a young age in a landslide. He finds comfort in music and rap. (Park is currently busy studying his character and practicing his rap/dance moves.) The character later falls in love with divorcee Yeon Mi-ju (bleh), but the family opposes the match because of their age difference.

Are you wondering how the story fits together? So am I. I’m not so sure about the writer-director combo, since Park Kye-ok wrote the frustrating Cain & Abel and Lee Jung-seob directed Hong Gil Dong, which was written and acted better than it was directed.

Unbeatable Lee Pyeong-gang began filming on October 1 and will premiere on KBS Mondays and Tuesdays following Princess Has Returned on November 9. Good luck going up against Queen Seon-deok!

Via Joy News, Newsen

RELATED POSTS

• Park Ki-woong scores a timely hit
• Park Ki-woong moved to tears at acting praise
• Story of a Man: Episodes 1 & 2
• Gourmet (SBS)

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Post tags: Cha Ye-ryun, Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang, Ji Hyun-woo, Nam Sang-mi, Park Ki-woong

Another interview with a Story of a Man cast member! Like his castmate Kim Kang-woo, I’ve previously featured an interview with Park Ki-woong, but these 10 Asia features are such great reading. (I don’t get why there aren’t similarly in-depth interviews with the drama’s actual star, Park Yong-ha! I’ve seen some really basic pieces floating around, but nothing really meaty.)

(Note: This interview was published back in April, as Story of a Man was just hitting its early stride.)

SONG OF THE DAY

Story of a Man OST – “Dear” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Park Ki-woong scores a timely hit (1,818 words)

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Post tags: interviews, Park Ki-woong, Story of a Man

Ohhhhh, what a freaking great way to go out!

I was afraid the ending wouldn’t live up to the series, especially with all the snippets of spoilers floating around… but I loved it. I can see why some might have wanted something different, but I thought it was quite fitting.

SONG OF THE DAY

8eight – “자유” (Freedom). I had a beautiful sad song picked out for the finale, but then I saw the episode and it didn’t seem to fit. [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Story of a Man: Episode 20 (Final) (6,066 words)

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Post tags: episode recaps, Han Yeo-woon, Kim Kang-woo, Park Ki-woong, Park Shi-yeon, Park Yong-ha, Philip Lee, Story of a Man

It was hard picking a good screencap today because all of them are such huge spoilers to the plot. (Seriously? OMG WUT THE HELL, EPISODE 19?? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I’d been spoiled as to one huge thing (well, several), but not one in particular, so this episode still managed to pull out a big surprise. Some really strong acting, too.)

Even though I used this image kinda by default, I rather like it now, even though it pits one of the ladies I like with one for whom I barely have any patience. One guess who’s who. Still, two strong and admirable ladies in a drama versus one unsympathetic and annoying one is a pretty decent ratio.

SONG OF THE DAY

Wheesung – “나락” (Hell) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Story of a Man: Episode 19 (4,131 words)

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Post tags: episode recaps, Kim Kang-woo, Park Ki-woong, Park Shi-yeon, Park Yong-ha, Philip Lee, Story of a Man

I don’t think the above image is meant to be unsettling, and it wasn’t necessarily so in the context of the scene… but when sorting through all the screencaps for this episode, it jumped out at me as being eerie and meaningful: Do-woo and Eun-soo about to join hands in front of their as-yet-unbuilt future city.

(Btw, I’ve read lots of snippets of comments about the drama’s ending, but I’d rather go into the finale blind. It keeps things interesting. I don’t even like knowing if it’s a “good” or “disappointing” ending — “good” suggests a happy resolution, while “disappointing” points to a less-than-sunny wrap-up. I’ve already accidentally been spoiled as to a huuuge plot point in the immediate future and I am NOT HAPPY about it. It killed my excitement in the series just when it should be hitting its crescendo, and that sucks.)

On the other hand, things are getting really intense. Woo~! I love this drama.

SONG OF THE DAY

Toy featuring Younha – “오늘 서울은 하루종일 맑음” (Seoul is Clear All Day Today)
[ Download ]

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Read the rest of Story of a Man: Episode 18 (4,513 words)

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Post tags: episode recaps, Kim Kang-woo, Park Ki-woong, Park Shi-yeon, Park Yong-ha, Philip Lee, Story of a Man

AIIIIEEEEE SO GOOD.

It’s not often a drama will make me gasp in horror/surprise, but I totally did in this episode.

SONG OF THE DAY

Beautiful Days – “약국” (Pharmacy) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Story of a Man: Episode 17 (4,657 words)

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Post tags: episode recaps, Kim Kang-woo, Park Ki-woong, Park Shi-yeon, Park Yong-ha, Philip Lee, Story of a Man