Ha Ji-won returns to dramaland
by girlfriday
MBC has a new drama in the works, and it’s a good news/good news/bad news kind of situation. Mathwise, that works out favorably, no? First, in the good column: Ha Ji-won (The King 2 Hearts, Secret Garden) is headlining as the leading lady. Score one point for Show. The drama will be a Goryeo-era sageuk about Yuan Empress Ki, called Hwatu. As in the card game? What a weird thing to call your drama. I saw the title and thought this was going to be the Tazza remake, but apparently it has nothing to do with that. (While hwatu means “flower” and “fighting,” they’re using the name of the card game as their working title.)
The drama is planning for a fall broadcast, following Moon Geun-young’s Goddess of Fire Jung-yi. It’s not surprising, since MBC has it practically set in stone that its Monday-Tuesday programming will be a rotating wheel of sageuk. The drama will be written by the team behind Giant, History of the Salaryman, and Incarnation of Money, so Show gets another point. They’re a good team, and can range from hysterically funny to epically epic, and everything in between. And then the bad news… directing is the PD of Dr. Jin and Personal Taste. I know. That’s like minus 3000 points. Who keeps giving this guy dramas to direct??
Ha Ji-won stars as Empress Ki, born in Goryeo and taken to be a concubine of the Yuan emperor. She eventually becomes empress and is a key figure during the time of King Gongmin’s coup against the Mongol state. (It’s the same timeline as Faith, and she’s the sister of Ki Chul.) The drama will be about her turbulent life story, from being taken to a foreign country to becoming empress, as she attempts to protect her pride and identity as a person from Goryeo, eventually falls in love, and makes political waves.
I like the idea, but with this director, I’m pretty sure you could take a hundred A-list ingredients and he’d still find a way to turn it into drama hodgepodge. Silver lining, anyone? I’m fresh out.
Hwatu follows Goddess of Fire, which puts its premiere in mid-October.
Via My Daily
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Tags: Ha Ji-won
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51 jubilantia
May 13, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Yeesh, that guy must have made a deal with the devil, and then forgotten to bargain for actual talent.
I don't know if I can find any silver lining this time. Maybe he'll undergo a body switch with a good director. Maybe they'll fire and replace him 2 episodes in. They do that to writers, why not directors?
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52 Abbie
May 13, 2013 at 10:42 AM
I like Ha Ji-won okay, and was really impressed with her acting in K2H. I think she'll be really great here.
This drama sounds really interesting. I'm really interested in the Goryeo period thanks to Faith, so I'll definitely watch this if it's on Dramafever or I'll read the recaps, if Dramabeans decides to do them.
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53 Perrie
May 13, 2013 at 12:42 PM
As soon as I saw saeguk, I thought "skip"
then I saw this:
"The drama will be written by the team behind Giant, History of the Salaryman, and Incarnation of Money,"
And I knew I had to check it outl I loved HOS and IM. These dramas never let me down so hopefully, this saeguk won't and Ha Ji Won is lovely! I've been missing her :)
Good Luck!
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54 true2u
May 13, 2013 at 1:40 PM
I'm going against the waves here, but I'm fine with that.
For some reason I'm not a fan of Ha Ji-Won, I've tried Most of her works, but I've yet to be impressed by her (I've dropped all of her dramas, even the the popular "Secret Garden"). I did however saw the movie she did with Kim Myung-Min, "Closer to Heaven" and I must say, It's the only one I was able to finish without feeling bored. So I'm will to give this one a chance, I don't think it can get any worst than, "FAITH". Plus I think she can shine as a empress, As long as she don't get weak on me. And I agree, they must have Ki Chul as a guess on it. He was the best thing that came out of FAITH!!!
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55 Ennayra
May 13, 2013 at 4:09 PM
Um, am I the only one loving the Faith mention? That drama has a special place in my heart.
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linda
May 13, 2013 at 10:20 PM
Faith is special in my heart too. I miss Imja couple...
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56 Ladymoonstone143
May 13, 2013 at 8:55 PM
Ultimate girl crush and am so excited. But like the majority here, not too excited about the PD. Hopefully someone reading this from MBC, they might change their minds..lol
Who would look good with Ha Ji Won? Hyun bin of course! But I will take Jang Hyuk too...
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57 Rovi
May 13, 2013 at 10:44 PM
Ha Ji-won as Qi Empress...let's see if she matches Kim Hye-ri.
Now the only thing I'll be waiting and watching (not on who's gonna be Ukhaatu Khan/Togon Temür) is if Ha Ji-won would be speaking any Mongolian as Ölǰei Khutugh.
(Anyways, how was Park Se-yeong's Mongolian in "Faith"???)
..and also, if we're having another Gongmin and Noguk after just a year.
And also, if anyone would do the legend that she became Hongwu's concubine and mothered Yongle.
(FYI: Oh hey, "Frozen Flower" has Ukhaatu Khan/Togon Temur...but no Qi Empress. XP)
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58 george
May 14, 2013 at 1:43 AM
Yay for Ha Ji-won!!Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy for the director????!!!Dr.Jin ruined Song Seung-hun for me.As in like the biggest disappointment of my (dramaland) life.kekeke.Honestly.I hope that he will make it up to everyone on this drama then.Because if he is going to ruin another actor,i'll be damned.
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59 kfangurl
May 14, 2013 at 2:17 AM
"And then the bad news… directing is the PD of Dr. Jin and Personal Taste. I know. That’s like minus 3000 points. Who keeps giving this guy dramas to direct??"
BWAHAAHAA!! I laughed out loud at this! XD And yes, I found Personal Taste very underwhelming, unfortunately. This, in spite of a spiffy LMH and his hot kisses. If this PD can make me meh about a drama with THAT, what other superpowers does he have? :P
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60 Joy
May 14, 2013 at 4:56 PM
WooHoo! I love love this Amazing Yeoja! Ha Ji Won 'nough said. Am curious who will be her on screen partner?
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61 Anonymous
May 15, 2013 at 10:54 PM
I guess it's wishful thinking to ask for HB. How about JIS or SJK? I love HJW.Please have a good male lead or better yet a new PD.
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62 pete
May 18, 2013 at 1:02 AM
Bravo!....Cant think of anyone better than beautiful and multi talented Ha Ji Won for this gorgeous role, good choice by MBC (((((((((((((((((((((((((((
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63 lulu
June 9, 2013 at 3:19 AM
HJW is definitely Korea's pride. She is an excellent actress. I hope she'll be paired with someone who can match her acting skills not just a mediocre actor. Her new project must also feature an acting partner who is of her same age and skills and not just any actor who can act.
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64 Pete
June 19, 2013 at 3:28 AM
Wow! Beautiful Ha Ji Won as Empress Hwatu...best choice... Cheers!
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65 jurippe
July 7, 2013 at 4:59 PM
I'll watch any drama of Ha Ji Won regardless of the director's negative ratings from netizens. She'll be the STAR of the drama so what else can her ultimate fan asks for? ;)
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