Lee Yi-kyung courted for new KBS sageuk drama

25 July 1, 2020April 29, 2023

by tineybeanie

Lee Yi-kyung (Welcome to Waikiki 2) may be coming back to dramaland soon. New Secret Royal Investigator has made an offer to him, and it’s been reported that he is reviewing the script positively. If he confirms, he’ll be playing a talkative, warmhearted man who is moved to tears easily.

New Secret Royal Investigator will delve into the world of the men and women who dedicated their lives to their king and country. Secret royal investigators were a special cadre of loyal men dedicated to the king’s safety and interests that existed during the Joseon dynasty. Think elite Joseon spy organization with arrest capabilities that worked directly for the king. The drama seeks to portray the heroism of these secret royal investigators.

Currently, offers are also out to L (Welcome) and Kwon Nara (Itaewon Class) to play a secret royal investigator and a damo (a female police officer equivalent) respectively.

To be honest, I haven’t seen either of the Welcome to Waikiki seasons, but Lee Yi-kyung has been absolutely hilarious and on-point in all the cameos and variety show segments I’ve seen of him. He was also fantastic playing a more serious role in the thriller Red Moon, Blue Sun. I’m hoping that New Secret Royal Investigator will be a good opportunity for him to play a meaty role that lets him stretch his dramatic and comedic acting chops.

Co-written by Park Sung-hoon and Kang Min-sun, and directed by Kim Jung-min (Selection: War Between Women), New Secret Royal Investigator is set to air sometime later this year.

Via Sports DongA, Hankook Ilbo

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1 Kafiyah Bello

July 1, 2020 at 10:23 AM

My only problem with this is he possibly isn't the lead.

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Miky

July 1, 2020 at 1:12 PM

Nope,Kim Myung Soo is courted for the lead role.

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raekaddict

July 3, 2020 at 4:43 AM

Nooo... I was more interested when I thght he was the lead😞😞 well now my expectations are reduced☹️

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dee

July 1, 2020 at 8:49 PM

Also wondering when will I see him as 1st lead in a drama

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callie

July 2, 2020 at 1:07 AM

Ugh, what a shame. L has definitely improved acting wise from what I've seen, but Lee Yi Kyung is such a scene stealer.

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2 Fly Colours

July 1, 2020 at 10:35 AM

Yay! Found him great in Waikiki. Hope my sageuk-slump comes to an end, with this and the other one Jung Ilwoo is in talks to

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bong-soo

July 1, 2020 at 12:21 PM

@flyingcolours,
Our friend @pakalanapikake recently clued me in on the upcoming NEW SECRET ROYAL INVESTIGATOR which I was pleased to hear.
Thanks for the great Jung Il-woo news. This is the first I have heard that JIW was considering a new sageuk. He was outstanding in HAECHI as Prince Yeoning. Somehow I missed this article in Soompi: https://www.soompi.com/article/1409773wpp/jung-il-woo-in-talks-to-lead-new-historical-drama

BOSSAM—STEALING FATE takes place during the reign of King Gwanghae-gun (1608-1623). Interestingly I recently finished THE KING’S FACE (2014/15) where Seo In-gook was terrific portraying Prince Gwanghae.
Unfortunately we may have to wait until 2021for NSRI.

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PakalanaPikake

July 1, 2020 at 3:14 PM

@marcusnyc20 bong-soo and @flyingcolours Fly Colours, cc: @kiara, @wishfultoki, @greenfields,
Thank you so much for the heads-up on Lee Yi-kyung getting an offer for a supporting role in NEW SECRET ROYAL INSPECTOR, and Jung Il-woo potentially headlining in sageuk BOSSAM—STEALING FATE. Great news indeed!

I think I first encountered Lee Yi-kyung in the fantasy sageuk MIRROR OF THE WITCH / SECRET HEALER with Yoon Si-yoon. He played a Taoist adept and warrior, and caught my eye in that role. I can't wait to see him in another sageuk.

As a Gwanghaegun fangirl, I'm tickled to bits at the prospect of another drama set during his reign. The icing on the cake is Jung Il-woo. He was terrific in HAECHI. If you haven't seen him in MOON RIVER / THE RETURN OF ILJIMAE, you're missing out. Kim Min-jong and Park Chul-min were memorable in their supporting roles. (I also loved his turn as Scheduler in 49 DAYS. Seo Ji-hye, currently in DINNER MATE, played the villainess. I didn't recognize her at all in CRASH LANDING ON YOU -- probably because I had been mesmerized by Scheduler, Jo Hyun-jae, and Bae Soo-bin.)

Aside: KING MAKER: THE CHANGE OF DESTINY continues to be an excellent drama. TV Chosun has picked another winner.

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bong-soo

July 1, 2020 at 5:45 PM

Clarification. MyDramaList is currently dating NEW SECRET ROYAL INSPECTOR for Dec. 2020 and BOSSAM—STEALING FATE for June, 2021.

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PakalanaPikake

July 1, 2020 at 8:33 PM

Thank you for the schedule information, @marcusnyc20 bong-soo.

Per DramaWiki, NEW SECRET ROYAL INVESTIGATOR will be airing on KBS. No broadcaster has been specified for BOSSAM as yet.
https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Upcoming_KDrama

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Fly Colours

July 1, 2020 at 10:35 PM

So, still 1 year to wait before Bossam, and 6 months for NSRI... I still have (too) many older sageuk in my to-watch list to bid time if I manage to get out of my slump

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3 halofan68

July 1, 2020 at 11:19 AM

Based upon their respective performances in Itaewon Class and brief character description here, I would have thought to case Kim Da-mi rather than Kwon Nara.

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K3n tu är här

July 1, 2020 at 4:14 PM

Exactly, especially because Da-mi fits the Joseon vibes better, looks wise. I love Kwon Nara but I don't think her looks fit that era

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4 Miky

July 1, 2020 at 1:14 PM

Kinda sad that he isin't the leadas i know he can totally deliver emotional and funny...

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5 kiara

July 1, 2020 at 1:48 PM

I'm freaking annoyed that Kwak Dong-yeon and lot of young actors who grew up in sageuks and can do it in their sleep are being over looked.

Who do I need to do a 100 ritual bows to in exchange for a sageuk lead role for these talented actors?

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PakalanaPikake

July 1, 2020 at 3:50 PM

Oops, didn't see this until after I tagged you above, @kiara. I'd join you in the 100 prostrations, but my knees are kaput. I'll have to immolate SubWeys instead. ;-)

At least we got to see Kwak Dong-yeon in IT'S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY. Which only reminded me of his wonderful turn as warrior Kim Byung-yeon in MOONLIGHT DRAWN BY CLOUDS.

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Kurama

July 2, 2020 at 4:44 AM

Kwak Dong Yeong will be in a musical :)

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PakalanaPikake

July 2, 2020 at 3:13 PM

@kurama,
That's great news, even if I won't be able to see it. I'm glad he's acting on stage, and continuing to do music.

One of my faves from DRAMA SPECIAL SERIES: ADOLESCENCE MEDLEY, which has more great music, including J Rabbit's exquisite "Somewhere The Wind Is Blowing" (bul-eooneun gos):
Kwak Dong-yeong: "What Is Forgotten" (ijhyeojineun geos)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C23qmffH7oo

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PakalanaPikake

July 2, 2020 at 5:13 PM

PS:
That's Kim Kwang-seok's gorgeous "Forgotten Things" from his 1991 second album.

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Kurama

July 2, 2020 at 9:08 PM

I love this song! And the scene under the rain and umbrella in the countryside.

Adolescent Medley is one of my favourite teen drama.

6 PakalanaPikake

July 1, 2020 at 3:38 PM

Thanks for this great casting news about Lee Yi-kyung, @tineybeanie. I've been hoping to see him in another sageuk since MIRROR OF THE WITCH.

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7 Yn00na

July 1, 2020 at 4:46 PM

Yey! Was really impressed with him in Red Moon. Only after half way through watching that I realised he is the lion mane guy in Go Back Couple 😄

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8 Edgar Pordwed

July 1, 2020 at 5:16 PM

Yayy for Lee Yi-kyung!

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9 dee

July 1, 2020 at 8:58 PM

Guess it's not only me who sad over him for not become 1st lead.
I even have thought this man is good enough to get the main role in a drama with Kim Tae Ri.