Press conference day for Chuno

60 December 21, 2009December 21, 2009

by javabeans

The wait is almost over — KBS’s upcoming fusion sageuk thriller Chuno (aka Slave Hunters) is two weeks from its premiere, and held its production press conference on December 21.

All the actors from the main cast were present, led by the drama’s three main stars Jang Hyuk, Lee Da-hae, and Oh Ji-ho. The series will take over for IRIS‘s Wednesday-Thursday timeslot in the new year, and Jang Hyuk said regarding that: “There are a lot of advantages that IRIS ended with high ratings. Also, because we have a completely different topic than IRIS, viewers will be able to feel a fresh, different appeal.”

Jang Hyuk has been in a sageuk before (2002’s Daemang) and said of Chuno, “There are advantages to being a sageuk. The characters are three-dimensional, and the plot is fresh. The subject matter is different from other sageuks — previous court dramas, biographies, or hero tales express one type of style. However, Chuno is able to show a diversity of colors.” That’s why he decided to take the drama, saying, “I found its mix of melodrama and action very appealing.”

Lee Da-hae said, “I feel excited each time, but since this is a large-scale drama, I felt even more nervous.” She plays a young woman who was born a slave, but is raised in a noble family after fleeing her owner’s household and hides her low birth. She initially is in love with Jang Hyuk’s character, but as the drama unfolds, she becomes more and more conflicted between him and Oh Ji-ho. She doesn’t appear in the drama’s first two episodes, which focus more on Jang and Oh, and shows up soon afterward.

Asked about the love triangle, Lee answered, “I’m happy to receive the love of both men.” Supporting actor Gong Hyung-jin chimed in jokingly, “Watching Lee Da-hae filming, it really looks like she enjoys the love triangle.” As this is her first sageuk, she expressed some concerns about getting down the dialogue and tone (sageuk dramas require a more deliberate, serious tone of dialogue delivery that often trips up the less experienced), “but I’m not uncomfortable at all now and am able to act comfortably.”

Chuno premieres on January 6.

Lee Da-hae always looks wonderful, but here she looks particularly stunning:

Jang Hyuk and Oh Ji-ho are the chaser and the chased; it’s a little odd seeing them with that hair in modern dress (it looks much better, imo, in the show’s stills):

I’m anticipating that Lee Jong-hyuk‘s villain’s role will be portrayed with his usual charisma:

The supporting cast is rounded out by Kim Ji-suk, Gong Hyung-jin, and Han Jung-soo:

Via My Daily, Asiae

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51 pat

December 21, 2009 at 10:17 PM

OJH is rather vanilla, like ice cream. Yum. Personally I could just stare at him all day. He doesn't have to move let alone act. But do take off those pants.........

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52 mimim

December 21, 2009 at 10:41 PM

i Pray For da hae!!..

" Good Luck Onnie!! "

i am so sad with "East of Eden" has done to her..
at least today she have a chance to play with experienced actor .
unlike with last mediocre actors and actress like SSH + LYH..

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53 Javabeans

December 21, 2009 at 10:50 PM

Here's my prediction: If Chuno is good, Lee Da-hae will reap the benefits and the East of Eden kerfuffle will be quickly forgotten, never to mar her name again. If Chuno is bad, the EOE specter will continue to hang over her until her next chance to prove her detractors wrong.

Fortunately for her, I suspect Chuno will do well, and she will probably be great in it. (And already, the EOE thing is pretty much dead.)

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54 mucho

December 21, 2009 at 11:58 PM

ya, just forget EOE, nothing to remember there except SSH and LYH plus their fans still cheering their idols glory. However, I feel sorry for other actors/actresses in that drama-most of the credits are only given to those two names. Anyway, now people know already what SM and MNet roles in Kentertaiment industries-they know how to push their stars to the top-either by good or bad channel, doesn't matter, they can buy directors, writers or judges.

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55 vkkkim

December 22, 2009 at 12:37 AM

Jang Hyuk + Lee Da Hae !! + Oh Chi Ho + Lee Jong Hyuk !!! I am already feeling faint . . . . . :D

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56 randomfan

December 22, 2009 at 4:26 AM

can we just drop her East of Eden stint? I'm a fan and I always have an imaginary world that she never did it. lol. just stop talking about it, stop dissing the actors, and let's all move on.

she's in Chuno now and she'll kick ass.

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57 ellen

December 22, 2009 at 4:46 AM

Lee Da hae is always beautiful. Captivated me in My Girl. I admire her & enjoyed the dramas she was in except East of Eden. I felt cheated when her role was like a bone thrown at me instead of the juicy steak that was promised. The promo for the series was not honest. I don't blame her for leaving it.

I'm looking forward to Chuno. The lead actors are good looking & superb actors. The support actors are some of the best I've seen too.

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58 Haru

December 22, 2009 at 9:41 AM

Da Hae sure looks pretty!! i haven't seen any of her dramas since watcing My girl.

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59 Sharon

December 23, 2009 at 7:37 PM

just seeing the cast and the storyline, it seems that this drama worths watching!

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60 e sonne

December 24, 2009 at 11:08 AM

nothing against LDH, but love triangle is just too common.. and the whole story is just focused on revenge.. and its almost wrapped up with the trailer. i'll try to watch the last 5 episodes to know she'll ended up with who & how the revenge ended.