Secret Door casts Wang Bit-na as legendary gisaeng

15 July 12, 2014July 29, 2014

by awcoconuts

Secret Door continues its round of awesome casting, assigning Wang Bit-na (Can Love Become Money, Kim Suro) the role of famed Joseon-era gisaeng, Woon Shim. The 24-episode sageuk will focus on the 18th-century conflict between father King Yeongjo, who wielded immense power during his reign, and son, Crown Prince Sado, who advocated the abolishment of classes and an egalitarian society.

What appears, in written words, to be a simple difference of opinion is actually at the epicenter of one of Korea’s greatest mysteries — King Yeongjo sentenced his own son to death at age 27, and historical records indicate the King’s hand was forced, as Crown Prince Sado had displayed signs of mental illness and had committed acts of violence. While no one knows for certain what happened, it will be interesting to watch Secret Door‘s take on the historical event, which is oft recreated on both big and small screens.

Wang Bit-na’s character, Woon Shim, rose from the lowly gisaeng class to be acknowledged as a talented dancer. She specialized in a sword dance, which she performed across the country, and later became recognized as a tenacious and uncommon leader. Dubbed Joseon’s Loyal Lady, she’s described as a woman overflowing with charisma, and although she can appear tough and cold at times, she’s a person with objective judgment and common sense, who would never turn her back on someone in danger.

It sounds like a great role for an actress who seems an innate fit for the part. Wang’s worked with the writer Yoon Sun-joo (in Hwang Jini) before, and she joins an already stellar cast: Han Seok-kyu has signed on to play King Yeongjo, Kim Min-jong an assassin, and Park Eun-bin and Lee Je-hoon have been offered parts as Princess Hyegyeong and Prince Sado, respectively –- now if we could just get the remaining confirmations in!

Secret Door will air after Temptation on SBS in the fall.

Via JoyNews

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Tags: Secret Door, Wang Bit-na

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1 Peridot

July 12, 2014 at 9:08 AM

This drama is becoming more and more appealing! I'm looking forward to it :).

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2 Kiara

July 12, 2014 at 9:39 AM

Love every casting news on this drama. I remember her from her early gisaeng days in Hwang Jin-Yi. Pretty sure she do the sword dance well.

"..she’s a person with objective judgment and common sense.."

Common sense is good enough for me lol.

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Rachel

July 13, 2014 at 3:59 AM

Common sense - definitely something severely lacking in Korean dramas.

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3 risa

July 12, 2014 at 12:01 PM

Oh good~ I really like her. Loved how badass she was in The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry, and I can totally see her as a tough but caring gisaeng, but I'd really like to see her do more comedy. She was adorable in Merry Mary.

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soprection

July 14, 2014 at 9:06 AM

Oh man, I loooooooooooooooooooooved her character in The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry so much. The other day I was considering rewatching the show just to soak in all of the truth she dropped on the other women again.

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4 Lexurite

July 12, 2014 at 12:30 PM

If Secret Door is written by the same pen as Hwang Jin Yi, I'm in! Really, Hwang Jin Yi was such a beautiful drama. I usually dislike kdramas' ending but Hwang Jin Yi's was one of the best. I cried a lot because it was such a powerful, beautiful and meaningful ending. The characters were all well written and fleshed out, Hwang Jin Yi was complex and brilliant. The rivalry between Myung Wol (Hwang Jin Yi) and Wang Bit Na's character was really well thought and well-developped. The only thing lacking in Hwang Jin Yi would be the romance but honestly, I was here for the storyline and the theme (traditional dance) more than anything. Besides, it was refreshing to not see a romance-centered drama.

I hope this drama will be as beautiful as Hwang Jin Yi. I recommend to anyone who love dancing and/or sageuk to watch it. The eye-candy is great btw!

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jae

July 12, 2014 at 5:11 PM

exactly my thoughts!
The drama Hwang Jin Yi is one of the very few well written, well thought and meaningful drama with beautiful dialogues. I like how it isn't focused on the love development, but on Hwang Jin Yi's search for the true meaning of art and a peaceful mind after all the tragedies that happened on her. All main characters are so well written that only actresses with exceptional good acting can hold the roles. I especially love Hwang Jin Yi's scenes with Byuk Kye-soo, Mae-Hyang and Baek-mu. Definitely the best Ha Ji Won drama.

I might check this new drama out just for the writer.

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5 Angélina Eang

July 12, 2014 at 12:46 PM

I just finished Tree with Deep Roots and Han Sun Kyu was freakin' amazing as King Sejong so of course I am going to watch it.
Plus, I read some articles about the execution of Prince Sado and it's really interesting so I can't wait.

P.S. From what I heard, Nodame Cantabile will be in the same timeslot ? Gosh', it's going to be really messy lol.

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Tha

July 12, 2014 at 1:13 PM

TRWD was an outstanding drama. And with HSK as king Sejong, I was enthralled by his portrayal.

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6 jomo143

July 12, 2014 at 4:03 PM

Ooooh! I like her cold intense beauty.

She will be awesome in this role.

Meanwhile. LJH is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
Ready to wipe away all memories of FK, or What the Hell Did I Just Watch?

I should go watch The Frontline again again to see him naked and everything will be fine.

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D's handphone

July 13, 2014 at 5:22 AM

Her kind of cold intense beauty is the type that makes me root for her.. ala Kim Min Seo in SKKS.. whereas Wang Ji Hye in HK, i couldnt give a care at all..