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The ladies of Jang Ok-jung get into character

We’ve got our first promo shots from the new fusion reinterpretation sageuk Jang Ok-jung, Live By Love, starring Kim Tae-hee as the titular Jang Ok-jung, better known as the royal concubine Jang heebin, one of the most infamous femme fatales in Joseon history. Here she’s the heroine though, in a drama that takes a different (and far more factually-liberal) approach to telling her side of the story.

Jang heebin is famous for having Queen Inhyun deposed and becoming the queen consort herself, and was believed to be behind her death (by poison), and later sentenced to the same fate. In this version of the tale, her romance with King Sukjong (played by Yoo Ah-in) is described as a sincere love story. So at least at the outset, the re-imagining takes the approach that she isn’t an evil person at all, but someone who’s been misrepresented in the history books. Sounds fun, yunno, in a historically inaccurate, what-if way. And hey, if they go all conspiracy-theory about how the warring political factions were behind the rewriting of history, I could get onboard with giving her the benefit of the doubt.

Hong Soo-hyun plays Queen Inhyun, who in this version is the second lead. It would kind of be awesome if she turned out to be evil, just because she’s historically known as the victim in this story. I don’t know if they’ll stretch it that far, but her character will suffer from jealousy and begrudge Jang heebin’s relationship with the king.

Idol star Han Seung-yeon will play YET ANOTHER love interest (Dude, king, ever consider how maybe you’re the bad guy here?) sookbin Choi-sshi, another of his royal concubines. She goes from being Queen Inhyun’s water maid to royal consort, and bears a son and future king. So… these ladies sure look friendly now, but things are gonna get ugly in the drama, methinks. Is the concept of the photo shoot Last Smile Before War?

The 24-episode drama will replace Yawang and premieres April 8 on SBS.

Via Chosun

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Thanks. hope this is good for Kim Tae Hee with inspiration fr BF Rain...

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Seems the Hanbok doesn't suit everyone. Tae Hee looks older in this, actually they all look rather odd. Maybe, it's the picture though.

I like Sageuks, but this is looking too close to The Moon Embracing the Sun, with Han Ga In and Kim Soo Hyun pairing, which was not a pairing I was happy with.

Yoon An In, is pulling a Cuba Gooding Jr., squandering the positive acclaim he has earned by starring in one crappy role after another. After the Fashion King disaster, he really should be careful with his role selection.

I mean look at Song Joong Ki today, he has pushed ahead of the pack. Heck even Park Yoochun who started as an idol is now on the solid, young actor roster. As a fan of both Jang Guek Suek and Yoon An In, 2 young actors I feel are under-performing under the weight of bad scripts, I hope they get new agents or fix whatever is misleading them.

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I agree. I hope for YAI's sake that this turns out ok. Don't dare even hope for the best....

Just don't tank drama!!

If it goes way south, maybe they will re-imagine and have Hong Soo-hyun carry the show?

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The reason they look 'old' here is because their faces are plastered with thick powdery make-up, giving them that hard, stiff look, as opposed to luminous and radiant young skin should be. The make-up artist should be sacked, pronto, before the drama's first shoot.

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Not only that, but it's the hairstyle (which really flattens the hair against the head).

KTH actually comes out better than most actresses w/ this harsh hairstyle.

As for Yoo Ah-in - while I like what I have seen him in, I'm thinking he's a bit young for this role compared to a couple of his love interests (maybe I just have too much of Ji Jin-hee on my mind as King Sukjong).

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Because historically fact, King Sukjong is six years younger than Jang hee-bin. Same age gap between YAI and KTH.

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I think it's the same for me, I know Sukjong is supposed to be younger but Ji Jin-Hee really left me a huge impression with his role. ^^

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It's Jang Geun Suk and Yoo Ah In. Not Yoon An In and Jang Guek Suek.

Anyways, Yoo Ah In is good in movies. Wandeugi (Punch) is one of best examples of his work besides some others.

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Jang Geun Suk mans his own agency, so I think lately he's just become too eccentric for his own good...and I think this reflects what he has done so far..he's following to the beat of his own drum, and this means choosing effeminate and weird roles. Not to mention doing weird house music. Sigh. It's a shame cause he's really so talented.

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Jang Geun Suk is too busy releasing an album in japan.. He is becoming a little too koOky...

I wish well for YAI. He needs a good project. Hopefully this doesn't tank too much.

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Or maybe... hanboks reveal the age, lol. Hong SooHyun still looks like the mean lady in the pictures to me ><. And Kim TaeHee looks like the good protagonist...

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Maybe cus their features are sharp rather than the gentle faces we're used to seeing in history books?

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Han Seung-yeon, pretty as always!

Also. First!

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Beaten by a minute :(

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I still can't imagine how a man can love 3 women at the same time...

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sometimes it just means he doesn't/can't really love any of them. just sayin'

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Me neither. It's just ridiculous. *hates cheaters and indecisive guys*

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Ancient kings and all. I'm thinking there's love and then there's sexual pleasure and then there's intelligent wit and then there's the one who dotes on him and tells him he's all that. Gotta say that of all the Korean kings I've met in sajeuks (and I still haven't seen all the kings) Gongmin stays with me because he was so faithful and besotted with his wife. Maybe he went after little boys after because he didn't want to be unfaithful to her, who knows? But he certainly puts the kings of the many concubines to shame.

I'm kinda hoping Inhyun isn't a villain. Jealous yet, but jealous is such an excruciating pain and I can see that being used by Jang Heebin. I just don't want the easy way of making the second lead other woman a villain or of making someone who is historically good a bad person. I think the only time I ever saw that working was in a comedic version of the Chunhyang story, where Chunhyang was vain, selfish, and entitled. It worked but as a comedy.

If you ever get to see the musical movie Chunhyang, check it out. Lovely lovely! I first saw it ten or so years ago, which was way before I was into k-dramas. I keep wondering if I would recognize any of the players now. A little Jung Il Woo or Lee Min Ho or who knows?

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Chunhyang reworked with the maid in the lead in Legend of Hyang Dan with Seo Ji Hye and Choi Si Won as Mong Ryung-recapped by JB way back in 2007---my how time really flies...

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He's not just any man tho, he's a KING. That's pretty typical during those days. This day and age tho, he's a total douche if he leads 3 women on at the same, shaking my head and judging if those 3 women know about it and still willing to share him.

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I have known several muslim men who did just that....loves ALL his four wives all at the same time, equally or otherwise.

And kings and emperors of olden days have at least 300 'active' concubines and 2000 stand-bys. So 3 women at the same time is absolutely no sweat :)

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Yep - Chinese Emperors, Sultans and the Kings of Biblical times would have many wives and thousands of concubines (hence the need for eunuchs).

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Marriage in that era were rarely for love but for power/ politics. That is why we have so many dramas of that era. Sukjong himself didnt pick his own wife/queen until Ok-jung came along. Inspite of oppositions from his mother and faction none could argue the need for an heir to the throne. Queen 1 (died at 19), Queen 2 (Inhyun) and Queen 3 Inwon couldn't produce an heir so yea I get why Ok-jung became too powerful later for her own good.
Well, this is Ok-jung's drama and I hope the writers will do something different with her character because I'm pretty much tired of her as a bloody villain. Give In-hyun a backbone for once.

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Thanks for enlighten me. Now if they will give Inhyun a different perspective, I'm in.

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And yet, parents manage to love three (or more!) children at the same time. The heart has an amazing capacity for love.

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i think definition of love is kinda different. back then love means you loyal, respet and nice to your partner but now monogamous is love. plus back then its important to maintain royal bloodline.

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I've seen these photos before and I can't shake this out of my system: KTH looks old on them. Her face, her hands. I had to check. According to my datas, she's going to be 33 this month. What happened? Aging, bad PS or lightning.
Not like I will watch this sageuk anyway but compared to what she looked like in IRIS: Cruel reality check for me. :(

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I wonder if the stress of starring in her first sageuk is taking its toll... she must be patently aware that the general public thinks she can't act to save her life. But hey, you can only bank on your beauty for so long until it betrays you at the end.

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I noticed it too,she does look liked she aged (suddenly?).But the lady is 33,so all those years of heavy make-up,harsh studio lights and stress got's to affect her skin (i could see wrinkles in the close up shots).
But i still think she's beautiful,and if she ages gracefully the better.

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It's the make-up.

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Funny that's what I can't get out my system too. I kept starring at these pics in disbelief because she just looks so old. Maybe its the makeup or she just doesn't suit the joseon look.

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Bad makeup and worse lighting, imo.

The sageuk hairstyle can look lovely on some women (Moon Chae-won, Shin Mina, hell even Hong Soo-hyun herself in TPM, not to mention Han Ga-in and Kim Min-seo in Moon/Sun) but it's too severe on KTH's rounder face, just makes it appear even rounder and lacking in definition (and I say this as a moonfaced girl myself)

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Oh boy! After that petition by whatever govt body that asked IU's character's name to be changed, I'd be careful if I were these guys...messing with history, not good!

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I agree. But I think these fusion sageuks already know their way around. Looking forward to how they can remake Jang Heebin's life. ^^

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"Jang Ok Jung Lives in Love" is actually based on Korea's best selling novel. So that means people there already knew about the story and they even accepted it, hence bestseller and got into a drama.

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Every historical drama ever produced messed with history to some degree. One obvious eg is Bidam's character in QSD. Historically he was Queen Seon Deok's rival but he became her love interest in the drama and no one gave a shit because the viewers loved him lol.

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Despite sharing a bit of those skeptical opinions around, I still save a place for this drama. I just like the idea of roles' reversal here, antagonist turn hero, and vice versa. I'm curious if they still keep count of the historic facts (ie JOJ's death and others) Either way I'm all for little originality, just not overdone.

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The only person we are missing from this is Queen Number One. I demand pictures of Queen Number One.

Also - a video of all four ladies slapping the hell out of horny king.

(So from sexy young King Yoo Ah-in to sexy older hunk Ji Jin Hee - I can see that.)

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The story sounds interesting. Hope it will turn out well. If it is not too melo but lighthearted like My Princess, I think Kim Tae Hee will do much better =)

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Hong Soo Hyun, beautiful and poised as always :)

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Loved her in the "The Princess' Man". She was one of the strongest points of that drama,and i feel she played her role to perfection.
I actually think she's a better actress than kim tae hee. Nways hope to see good stuff in this drama too

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I agree! I also loved her in the "The Princess' Man"!! She was amazing in it~

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She is MUCH better actress than Kim Tae Hee! Kim Tae Hee and Han Ga In are pretty much the worst actresses in the industry! I don`t know how Koreans have nerve to criticize idol actors but they put these two on pedestal! I know idol actors are pretty mediocre but Tae Hee and Ga In are level below all of them!

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you shouldn't say stuff you don't know. Koreans always always critique Han Ga In and Kim Tae Hee and Song Hye Kyo for their acting. They praise their looks but people are always critiquing them etc.
ugh. I really dislike it when people make appraisals about how Korean society is supposedly like. Do you read Korean articles or Korean forums? Do you talk to Korean people?
Sorry, but I truly dislike these ignorant generalized comments. In Korea, the people who are giving idols the time of their day are ELEMENTARY STUDENTS and other little kids. They are the trolling netizens online, they are the voters of music shows, etc.
end rant.

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Kpop fans seem to be upset that people criticize idols going into acting. They have taken to bashing actors or popular well liked stars like Won Bin in their forums. The idol fanatics in Korea are children, I don't know what the excuse for international fans is for them to continue to behave the way theydo, some of them well advance in age and should know better.

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''and Song Hye Kyo for their acting.''

No. They don't. They say ''I'm so happy for having someone like and Song Hye Kyo that can act unlike Kim Tae Hee.''

They say this. They think Song Hye Kyo is a good actress (imo not so much but she isn't as bad as KTH or HGI)

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Oh so that`s why Han Ga In gets Best Actress Awards at MBC drama awards, because Koreans hate her acting that much ?

Get off your high horse and don`t replay to me next time, i know very well what i`m talking about!

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Who are these great idol actors/actresses? I can't think of any off the top of my head.

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Yes, they criticize Song Hye Kyo's acting before especially when she almost always take roles that required for her to have a disease and die but when SHK starred in Worlds Within, some Koreans' perceptions changed esp. now with TWTWB, SHK's acting turned into complete 180 degree. A lot of critiques are praising her. So I think she's above the level of KTH and HGI.

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This is a place we come to "rave or rant." We can be as opinionated as we wish. And we can counter other's opinionated opinions with our equally-opinionated own.

But criticizing others for being opinionated, never mind what about, what is up with that?

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This is a place for people "rave or rant" and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but there are some opinions that are less substantiated by evidence than others. I don't see anything nothing wrong with calling out an ignorant opinion. She's not criticizing the poster for being opinionated, but criticizing her opinion/generalization. For example, some people don't believe in global warming. They can be as opinionated as they want, but is there anything wrong with saying that they are ignorant of the facts and that their opinions might be wrong?

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Eh, since when have KTH and HGI have ever been praised for their acting (quite the opposite)?

As for Hong Soo-hyun, who I like, while her performance in TPM (among others) may have been good, her performance in LTM - not so much.

And while KTH's performances have generally been pretty weak, she actually did a good job in "My Princess' - so let's reserve judgment until we actually get to see them in action.

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--> Sounds fun, yunno, in a historically inaccurate, what-if way. <--

Oh my gosh!! I laughed out loud at that one.

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I watched Dong Yi, and I loooooooved it, so I'm looking forward to this spin on the story ^.^

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Same here. It's going to be hard to turn my mind towards hating Queen Inhyun and Dong Yi and accepting Lady Jang as the "victim".

It's crazy how I didn't hate Sukjong in Dong Yi even though he had a wife, a mistress, and another mistress. He never loved In Hyun, she was an arranged match. He did love Jang Heebin, but she was so evil that she killed his love. And he adored Dong Yi (Sookbin), she was the love of his life. Well, at least in that version of the story.

See, I'm going to struggle changing my thinking with this one.

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That was the norm for Royalty and just wealthy men in general at the time.

Heck, having relations with 3 women is "small time" compared to some Emperors, Sultans, Kings, etc.

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wow....so many ladies !!

looking forward to this show only because of yoo ah in and jae hee.....

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Am I the only one that thinks this kinda sounds like a disaster in the making with these actors? I liked Hong Soo-Hyun in everything I have seen her in so far, but even though I like Kim Tae-Hee, she is not the most brilliant actress out there...... Then again one should always keep an open mind. The story also sounds fishy with three ladies fighting over one guy. Like girlfriday said, how about the King being the bad guy for a change?

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IKR. I don't really like watching b-tchy fights where women are evil towards each other and bla. I loved Hong Soo-hyun in Princess's Man...but idk about this plot.
I mean, Kim Tae Hee is a joseon era FASHION DESIGNER? urgh...

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Well, in the other drama about this story, the one that is supposed to be historically accurate, Queen Inhyun and Consort Choi (Sookbin) are friends and allies. Consort Jang (Heebin) is the rival. So while there is likely to be catfighting between the two sides, I don't think all three will be after eachother.

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I think you mean "more historically accurate." I saw Dong yi and the writers took some liberties with that series too. For instance, Choi Sook bin was never a na-in in the palace according to historical records, although Dong yi was a investigation department na-in for a while in the series. A na-in is a woman of middle class who lives in the palace, her life devoted to the king only. Whereas Choi Sook bin was a mu-soo-ri, a water maid and a commoner. A mu-soo-ri was basically a servant, drawing water from the wells, doing laundry and other menial tasks like that. Totally not the same thing as a na-in.

But you are right in that Queen Inhyun and Choi sook bin were allies in a political sense. The story goes that Choi sook bin had felt deeply obliged to Queen inhyun for being kind to her in the past. So when Queen inhyun was deposed, Choi sook bin has been praying for her health and return when Sukjong saw her and fell in love with her, making her a hoo-goong (consort). And it's said that Choi sook bin played a role in aiding Queen Inhyun's return. Which is why historical adaptations always have the two women as allies. I can't wait to see Hong soo hyun's interpretation of Queen Inhyun. I'm sure she'll nail the subtleties of the character as she's proved sageuk is where she really shines. I'm just sad Kim Tae hee is the lead, because she's in the "mediocre to serviceable" category in my opinion. Hong soo hyun just needs to headline her own kdrama :)

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Dong Yi was far from historically accurate but we bought it and who doesn't like a Cinderella story.

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I'm not a fan of Dong Yi and I am not at all well-versed in Korean history SO I would like to: When was Dong Yi "far from historically accurate?"

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I honestly have a bad feeling about this... It's a sageuk so it will have good ratings in SK but if we are talking quality, I won't put my money on it.

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I absolutely adore Hong Soo-hyun. I think she is hitting her height in her acting career. She is so beautiful, is absolutely gracious in sageuks and I just want her to be lead already!!
She came a long way from her yellow hankerchief days (she was in that right? I feel like she was..lol)

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the KBS daily drama Hong Soo-hyun was in was titled "My Lovely Family/My Precious Child". Nam Goong Min was her co-star.

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Anyone know where i can get/watch this drama “My Lovely Family/My Precious Child”. I've wanted to watch it for a while now but couldn't find it.

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I love all the different versions of the same historical story.

I have read a bunch of romances that have Richard the Lionheart as a hetero, notso hetero, bad boy, faithful romantic guy, etc, and everything I haven't thought of.

The time in history just gives the writers the ability to put their story in pretty and old-fashioned costumes, and at the same time deprives them of cell phone overuse.

I am rooting for you YAI! KTH, too!

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I'll be wait-and-see on the two leading ladies, but I will definitely check out the beautiful royal mistress played by the singer/actress who got her schoolin' in Tenafly, New Joisey!

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I dunno. This just seems like it'll be one big cat fight over Yoo Ah-in. Can I join?

But I do like the hanboks. They seem a bit modern for the era, but this is a fusion saeguk.

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The writing will have to be stellar to carry this story.

That said, I always withhold judgment on if the actresses/actors will be a good fit or not. After the turn around by Sung Yuri, I always say, "You don't know."

Sometimes the genre isn't right, the writing is hiding brilliant acting, the director doesn't have the right kismet... the chemistry is off.

Kim Tae Hee keeps trying to conquer makjang. And clearly that's not her genre.

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I've always been interested in seeing Hong SooHyun and Kim TaeHee in a drama together only because I used to think they looked so similar that they could be siblings.... the picture does not compute.

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Portraying Jang Ok-jung as a good, loving woman - not going to work for me. Conniving B*tch - yes. There is only so much that you can stretch history. I am going to pass on this one.

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As many have said, I think KTH looks old in these photos. And HSH is only a year younger than her but still looks quite young!

I don't know if it's bad lighting or what...but maybe it could be on purpose? I mean Jang Hee Bin IS older than the King so maybe they are trying to portray her as a sensible and kind hearted woman then the Queen as the immature and jealous wife hah. I only hope KTH does well....

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hmmm. are they really gonna do a different perspective and depiction of jang heebin being the good one and queen inhyun & choi sookbin the bad ones?

I'm not sure but arent koreans strict when it comes to historical accuracy?

I'm not sure if the netizens(especially) are gonna like this.

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"Jang Ok Jung Lives in Love" is actually based on Korea's best selling novel. So that means people there already knew about the story beforehand, and they even accepted this version. Hence, bestseller and get into a drama/small screen.

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Is Seung Yeon's role the same as Dong Yi????

oooh love love love Hong Soo Hyun, she was awesome in The Princess' Man ^^

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Basiclly, YES.

As much as Park Ye-jin was Choi sook-bin in 2003.

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Not digging the costumes in these pictures I expected fabulous hanboks but these are too simple. But the idea of the drama intrigues me especially since I love saguek but fusion sagueks have never really gotten my attention (absolutely hated Moon Embraces Sun)

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Why do I already like Hong Soo-hyun's character! She's such a good actress! I doubt Kim Tae Hee will be able to keep up! =/

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Oh god, I just saw the picture of Kim Tae-hee and below that is Kang Ji-hwan in drag LOL

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Am I the only who thinks Hong Soo-hyun had a "Foundation Day"?? I mean, her face is much too skin-toned than normal...

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I love concubines with beautiful face : J-look (small and smaller face)

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Don't know...I read their history and Dong Yi seems more historical accurately yes dong hi was never in the investigation team and that team did not existed in the palace but hang ok Jung drama had even more made up staff
e.j. Jang ok Jung was never designer or the daughter of slave(actually her mother was from a family that gave queens to the country, so she was quite respetable) she was never treat the way she was treated in the drama actually she enter as concubine in 1686 and king's mother died in 1683. Her son was 13 when she died not 3 and she even attacked him before being executed, I think thats why she won the reputation of evil. And it was the king himself who ordered her dead, to the point of killing 1700 person that opposed to her execution she was never buried with sukjong, her resting place was in a myo tomb but was moved in 1969 to her actual tomb in the same cemetery where sukjong was with inhyeon and Inwon.

I doubt the drama portrayed choi suk bin fairly while they justified and victimized jang ok Jung (with made up script) they dehumanized choi suk bin, made her evil with no evidence or whatsoever there is historical evidence jang ok Jung did terrible things but not such with choi suk bin... She actually did lots of good things for the poor (like subsiding one of the most beautiful buddist temples of Korea that also served as shelter to the poorest in a society ruled by division of classes system.

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i agree, they didnot potrayed choi sukbin fairly. i would agree if they protayed her as low musuri, uneducated (i.e cannot read and thing), doent understad politic thing(just blindly support the queen because she used to work with her) and maybe undirectly make sukjong think, how nice is his deposed queen.

why would they make, hee-bin his only love, since he got two princess from ingyeong, well they died at birth and sukbin son as his next succesor. if he didnot touch any of her female except hee-bin.
well, i agree if donyi, isnt accurate but JOj is wayyyyy to inaccurate.

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Jang hee bin was really wicked nd jealous unlike consort choi suk bin.jang hee bin acted ha path really well.queen inhyun is a very gud actress especially in princess man

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