Two more promo crumbs from buzz sageuk Saimdang, Light’s Diary
by javabeans
Pre-produced dramas are enjoying a nice push these days, and this is one of the many anticipated series that’ll be launching in the back half of this year: Saimdang, Light’s Diary, which has thankfully stepped away from the awkward “The Herstory” that used to be part of the title. Everything from this production so far has looked luminous and lush, as befits the return of original Hallyu queen Lee Young-ae (Dae Jang Geum) to dramas after over a decade away. I just wish there were more of it. Dramaland fans are a greedy lot, yunno! This two-pictures-at-a-time business is hooey, I say.
So I suppose it’s a good thing these two character posters are so pretty, since they’ll probably have to tide us over for a while, as we still have some time to wait before its fall premiere. (I have to say that while I’m in favor of pre-productions on the whole, I do miss the concentrated burst of promos and buzz leading up to a drama’s premiere; when things are announced so far in advance and filmed quietly for months, I barely have time to perk up in excitement before the project fades out of the spotlight, until its next two stills are released. MONTHS LATER.)
Saimdang, Light’s Diary features Lee Young-ae in a dual role: first as the real-life artist and writer Shin Saimdang, and then also as the modern-day university art lecturer who stumbles upon Saimdang’s diary. In the process of her trying to find the secret that’s tied to a mysterious portrait of a beautiful woman, the plot traverses between the past and the present.
Song Seung-heon (When a Man Loves a Woman), like Lee, is pictured in his promo poster looking refined and genteel, and plays a man who had a fateful first encounter with Saimdang in his youth and has carried her in his heart his whole life. Described as a “Joseon Gatsby,” he’s an upright man whose refusal to compromise his beliefs leads him to live a passionate life. Song has less sageuk experience than Lee, though he’s not a complete newbie to the genre with Dr. Jin on his resume. Does that count? Maybe it shouldn’t count. In any case, I really figure this is a one-woman show, so most of the attention will be fixed on Lee Young-ae’s return — will it be triumphant? Or… less than triumphant? Should we not jinx it?
Saimdang, Light’s Diary will premiere in October on SBS.
Via Star News
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1 Bùi Quốc Khánh
July 28, 2016 at 3:28 AM
I'm curious about this: Second To Last Love will end in September 18th, why first ep of saimdang will air in October 1st?
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Dakchigo
July 28, 2016 at 5:11 AM
I'm sure STLL will be preempted at some point because SBS airs the Olympics. Accounting for at least one week's delay makes Saimdang premiere in October.
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Kdramafanatic
July 28, 2016 at 5:19 AM
I think it's probably because second to last will air a week later than scheduled so it would be would end a week after September 18th
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Bùi Quốc Khánh
July 28, 2016 at 5:56 AM
No, it will star this week and end in Sep 18th.
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amie
July 29, 2016 at 12:38 AM
Classic Korean beauty. Dae Jae Geum is the only drama that held my attention for 70 episodes. Can't do that anymore, am only good for 16 eps nowadays. 24 is real stretch. Priorities happen.
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2 elvira
July 28, 2016 at 3:30 AM
Ethereal beauty Lee Young Ae is
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3 Bùi Quốc Khánh
July 28, 2016 at 3:38 AM
They will hold another press conference, right? The first press conference too quiet.
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4 wackycashew
July 28, 2016 at 4:02 AM
Will watch for these two!! I hope it will be good since it's LYA's comeback drama and she totally rocks sageuk!
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5 sparks121
July 28, 2016 at 4:16 AM
Not gonna lie, I wasn't anticipating the drama at all when it was first announced despite being a fan, but the preview looks so nice! Can't wait to see her acting again.
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6 Goo Ma Ri
July 28, 2016 at 4:39 AM
So, am I the only one who loved " The Herstory 3 part ? xD
looking forward to this ..
I'm not a fan of both leading actors, but I wanna give it a chance <3
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h2ogirl
July 28, 2016 at 7:10 AM
Nope, I really liked the "Herstory" part too.
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Ananya
November 1, 2016 at 10:49 PM
Actually I like the herstory name better than light's diary.
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7 yunn
July 28, 2016 at 5:58 AM
after Doctor end's,I will watch sbs only for a while.have no interesting to watch kbs,so disappointed,with the channel.hope they drama will get the lowest rating,they deserve it.
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8 anabear
July 28, 2016 at 5:59 AM
I've already given up on sageuks, even the ones with best plots, because there's this guilty feeling whenever I learn a lot about other country's history than my own. however, there seems to be something universal and timeless about Dae Jang Geum that its nostalgia is enough to cajole me into watching this next project. moreover, if this show will attempt to question and challenge the inherent sexism of women in the past and present, then it's something I should welcome.
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anabear
July 28, 2016 at 6:05 AM
*even the ones with the best plots and the best eyeliners
*inherent sexism in the past and in the present
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mindy
July 28, 2016 at 6:24 AM
I'm sorry that you feel guilty for learning of other country's histories. I think that's unfortunate, because learning about the history and culture of other countries helps people to feel a connection to people that aren't like themselves, and each country and civilization's history is so rich and captivating.
Of course it's great to be well-versed in your own country's history, but limiting yourself to just your country seems unnecessarily nationalistic and could limit your world view. Also, in many world conflicts today, the history of the respective countries plays a large part, so it's important to be knowledgeable of a country's history to fully understand their modern-day conflicts.
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irmar
July 28, 2016 at 9:20 AM
Mindy wrote:
"Of course it’s great to be well-versed in your own country’s history, but limiting yourself to just your country seems unnecessarily nationalistic"
Ha ha, Mindy, I think you're putting much more meaning into it than it had. Who said she's well-versed in her own country's history?
She's probably a high school student, too lazy to do homework, who skips learning about her own history at school in order to watch kdramas. That's why she feels guilty when she knows more about Korea's history than her own!
Of course this is just a guess, but I have a strong feeling I'm right!
Now I'm not young anymore, but I clearly remember myself in my teens reading passionately all Alexandre Dumas. The result was that I knew all about French history, the details of Louis XV's lovers etc.., surely much better than the history of my own country waiting in my unopened schoolbooks.
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Sancheezy
July 28, 2016 at 1:09 PM
I am sorry to said this but I don't think you need to feel guilty
Most Saeguk doesn't really true to history, they may get the name and the title right but for the actual event, it wasn't a reliable source, you don't need to feel so bad.
except for taiga drama (japanese historical accurary weekend drama) which more accuracy but it is obviously a history lesson on tv played by actor, so the drama part is less than a usual drama should be.
so we do learn more about perspective but that also happen in many asian country ruling and the time line for each drama doesn't really corroborate with each other, not to mention the character portrayal such as Lady Jang in Dongyi and Jang Ok Jung can be different.
For me, Saeguk is telling a story from old Korean's life perceived by it's writer, take it as fiction with historical background.
but this is just my perspective
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9 mindy
July 28, 2016 at 6:19 AM
I actually loved "The Herstory" part, it emphasized that this is a woman's story, and the stories of female historical figures don't get told often enough or well enough.
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rabarella
July 28, 2016 at 6:24 AM
Me too. I thought that 'The Herstory' seems like a more fitting title. What does 'Light's Diary' mean though?
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Ananya
November 1, 2016 at 10:54 PM
They should change it back to herstory.
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Bùi Quốc Khánh
July 28, 2016 at 7:16 PM
Me too. What is "Light's Diary"? It's mean full with light?
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10 rabarella
July 28, 2016 at 6:27 AM
For Lee Young Ae's sake, I hope that this drama would do well. Wouldn't want her to go into another 10 years hiatus. She does give that sageuk feel, unlike Song Seung Heon.
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11 momoisluv
July 28, 2016 at 8:52 AM
I don't know if I'll care if its a fail or success. Im still watching it. I mean, this is Jang Geum were talking about here.
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12 blobber
July 28, 2016 at 10:45 AM
Hehehe I'm quite excited that after getting my dose of Ji Jin-hee on Second to Last Love, it's followed up by Lee Young-ae! Some kinda mini Dae Jang Geum reunion (in my own head).
Cheap thrills, I know, but just let me be... afterall it was DJG that first piqued my interest in kdramas slightly over a decade ago!
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13 Chin
July 28, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Nice, Song Seung Heon. I hope his role doesn't call for much acting.
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14 delldup
July 28, 2016 at 12:55 PM
I loved her in Dae Jang Geum! I'm so excited! My parents would be just as excited seeing her again on their TV :)
I hope Song Seung Heon can prove that he's pretty decent in a sageuk.
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15 Shannie
July 28, 2016 at 2:02 PM
I didn't watch Dae Jang Geum until last year. I was late to the party, but I made it. Dae Jang Geum was a fantastic Kdrama. It had it's fair share of Kdrama moments that made me a little insane, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Also, it felt very authentic...I really felt like I was in Joseon. I am really looking forward to Lee Young Ae's comeback. I loved her in the drama.
I've heard some terrible things about Song Seung Hun's acting, but hopefully he'll deliver.
The posters are so beautiful. I cannot wait for fall. I think the best dramas of the year will be airing then. I'm looking forward to this and Jun Ji-Hyun's drama. JJH holds a special place in my heart because "MLFTS" is my absolute favorite K-drama and Cheon Song-yi is my favorite K-drama heroine.
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16 The other Kiara
July 28, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Shin Saimdang is quite fortunate to be portrayed by a lovely and capable actress.
Haven't seen a single drama by this writer. I have no idea what to expect.
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17 Elif Kaya
July 29, 2016 at 1:49 AM
Song SH may not be the most talented but he is certainly easy on the eyes and if the drama is going to be anything like DJG, then the male love interest may not be as important. The villain will need to have the talent to match Lee YA.
They both look great in the photos btw.
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