[PREVIEW] MBC TV series "Dong Yi - Jewel in the Crown"

MBC TV series "Dong Yi - Jewel in the Crown"

Written by: Kim Yi-yeong
Produced by: Lee Byung-hoon
Starring: Han Hyo-joo (as Dong Yi), Ji Jin-hee (King Sukjong), Lee So-yeon ( ), Bae Soo-bin (Cha Chun-soo), Jung Jin-young (Suh Yong-ki) etc.
In one sentence: Dong Yi turns from a slave into a court lady, to consort Choi Sook-bin, to the mother of a king.
Premiere date: March 22, 2010. 9: 55 p.m.

Major broadcaster MBC president Kim Jae-chul who in person attended the press conference for TV series "Dong Yi - Jewel in the Crown" held at the public network's outdoor set in Yongin city of Gyeonggi Province, said he would like to "hold a screening in Japan if Lee Byung-hoon allows it." And remarks by actor Bae Soo-bin who "trusts in and goes with everything the producer wants because he sees everything from the big picture" and Choi Chul-ho who feels he "could just try to blend in as well as possible than trying too hard since the cast is already so great" -- revealed how firmly the cast believes in the drama. And because of such high expectations, Lee Byung-hoon probably feels "as burdened as Korean figure skater Kim Yuna may have felt ahead of competing in the Olympics," as actor Jung Jin-young said. That is just how much attention "Dong Yi" is receiving for being Lee's new drama on a grand scale involving up to 20 major characters.

That is why "Dong Yi" is about numerous desires. Within the drama, there are the desires various characters have including the dreams Dong Yi (played by Han Hyo-joo) has as the daughter of Choi Hyo-won (Chun Ho-jin) -- a person in the lowest class of society who is wrongly accused as a traitor -- until the day she becomes a queen. Externally, the show quite explicitly reveals its desire to post high viewership ratings as well as reignite the Hallyu, or the Korean wave. What should be fulfilled foremost and ultimately, however, are viewers' desire to watch an entertaining show. Lee Byung-hoon will be able to meet up to expectations surrounding this most traditional and blockbuster-like drama if he can deliver an enjoyment which matches up to its physical setting.

Anticipation Quotient
Lee Byung-hoon should change up his style since we now have historical dramas like "The Slave Hunters": 6
You're good if you can stay good at what you were originally were recognized for: 9

'The woman who achieves her highest dream from the lowest walk in life.' This statement written in the press release for "Dong Yi" clearly expressed what the drama itself will be about while explaining the motif that Lee is most well-known for in his historical dramas -- the story of one who overcomes his hardships and achieves a new goal in life. That is why as producer Lee himself admits, there are those who no longer believe in his style of drama where 'the main character goes through rough times yet later sees the problem resolved.' But as Hollywood scenarist Frank Daniel said, it is 'very difficult for someone trying so hard to make something happen to actually achieve something' as it is with trying to make viewers become immersed with a story. Both the motif to Lee Byung-hoon's historical dramas and "Dong Yi" are good enough to meet up to this. It will be interesting to see where "Dong Yi" will position itself.

Reporter : Wee Geun-woo eight@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Jang Kyung-Jin three@10asia.co.kr