Yuri and Shin Dong Wook’s drama “Dae Jang Geum Is Watching” finalizes cast and adds air date

Yuri and Shin Dong Wook’s new drama “Dae Jang Geum Is Watching” has gone on a casting spree this week. All of the major roles have been filled, and some of the smaller ones. Additionally, a starting air date has been set for October 4 on MBC. Since everything is progressing so smoothly, we can expect filming to begin this month.

“Dae Jang Geum is Watching” is the brain child of PD Sun Hye Yoon, one of the PD’s behind the hilarious reality tv show “We Got Married.” She got the idea for the drama after looking at a poster for the popular historical drama “Jewel in the Palace.” Seeing it caused her to wonder what the descendants of Dae Jang Geum (the first female physician to the king) were doing today.

Set in modern times, the drama tells the story of three siblings descended from the “Jewel in the Palace” heroine.

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The Siblings (and Yuri):

Eldest:

Her first descendant is Han San He(Shin Dong Wook), a salesman and foodie who can’t help getting involved with company new recruit Bok Seung Ah(Yuri). Reports promise a sweet and subtle romance between them.

Middle:

Playing the second sibling is Lee Yeol Eum; who you may remember from earlier this year as the lead in “Longing Heart”. She will be taking the role of sister Han Jin Mi, a woman with an all-knowing sense of smell.

Youngest:

Lastly, cast as the youngest sibling is Kim Hyun Joon, the sharp-jawed hunk from “Wok of Love.” He will be playing Han Jung Sik, a model and vlogger with excellent cooking skills.

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Secondary Characters:

Some familiar faces are in the supporting cast as well. Rising star Ki Do Hoon(Should We Kiss First?) will take on the role of a mysterious man who comes by the convenience store every day for lunch at precisely noon and eats his food as Han Jin Mi suggests. (I love the reports which say that “he’s got the pretty boy aspect (of the drama) covered” Hehe.) Lastly, comedian Jung Yi Rang(Borg Mom) will play a food researcher.

In fact, every report about the drama puts a strong emphasis on the cathartic food element, especially that the drama is about people who “live to eat.” All three of the siblings and Bok Seung Ah have a strong attraction to food, Jung Yi Rang researches food, and Ki Do Hoon’s entire character description rests on the fact that he eats lunch. They really couldn’t drive the eating aspect home any harder.

Thoughts:

Originally, I was really excited by the premise of this drama. Resetting a historical story for a sequel in modern times is very common in Chinese dramas, but not so in Korean. So I was hopeful that this drama might open the door to future projects. (Am I selfishly still hoping for that Scarlet Heart sequel? Yes, yes I am.)

But now I’m just confused by the heavy emphasis on food. Where did that element come from? Shouldn’t we be focusing on medicine instead? Sadly, I’m beginning to wonder how much of the original story of Dae Jang Geum will even be mentioned.

But the cast still has me interested. Yuri may not have always received acclaim for her roles, but I’ve enjoyed her more recent works. And it is just so great to have Shin Dong Wook back. Plus, with comedian Jung Yi Rang and the PD from “We Got Married” on board, I am expecting this drama to be hilarious.

So will you be watching “Dae Jang Geum is Watching?” Which other historical dramas would you like to see reimagined as modern dramas (or visa versa?)

Breaking News: Yuri and Shin Dong Wook cast in new drama “Dae Jang Geum is Watching”

[Sources: Sport Today, Korea Daily, SeDaily, Allkpop]

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