Quartet of dramas revamps fall line-up

[theuncolored.livejournal.com]

The latest fall line-up adds fuel to this season's ratings race.

KBS' "IRIS" -- an espionage thriller of cinematic proportions -- stands out from the crowd. Backed by an all-star cast, three scriptwriters and two directors, the much-talked-about series promises to live up to its hype and nab top notch ratings when it starts it 20-episode run on Wednesday.

Starting tonight, SBS' much-hyped "Angel's Temptation" may relive the success of its scriptwriter's previous blockbuster "Cruel Temptation" a.k.a. "Temptation of Wife." A new timeslot -- it airs at 8:50 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. -- enables it to sidestep the formidable MBC Monday and Tuesday night series, "The Great Queen Seondeok."

This Saturday, both KBS and MBC revamped their weekend line-up with two new series. KBS' "Yeolhyeol Jangsaggun" charts the highly ambitious escapades of a car salesman. MBC's "Seeking Love" orchestrates an unlikely romance between a lawyer and a doctor.



Amongst the new kids on the block, "IRIS" is the one to watch out for.

A press conference last week -- "IRIS" actor Lee Byung-hun says it's their third -- unveiled a near 50-minute preview of a complex and multi-layered take on the world of espionage that incorporated three overseas filming locations (China, Hungary, Japan) and high stakes action.

Set up against the classic frame of tense relations between North and South Korea, two groups of agents -- one represents the South and the other the North -- get entangled into the warped politics of a secret organization called IRIS.

A talented South Korean agent, played by Lee Byung-hun, becomes a pawn in a greater game for power that involves his frenemy-and-fellow agent, the love of his life, a North Korean spy who defects for him and a ruthless assassin who is hot on his trail.

"Love Story in Harvard" sweetheart Kim Tae-hee plays his love interest. "Marrying the Mafia" star Jung Joon-ho plays the frenemy agent. "Sikgaek" actress Kim So-yeon channels "Swiri" as a North Korean spy who falls for someone from the other side. And K-pop icon Choi Seung-hyun a.k.a. T.O.P of boy band BIGBANG showcases his sniper skills as a skilled assassin.

At the press conference, "G.I. Joe" actor Lee revealed his take on his role as NSS agent Kim Hyun-jun: "In the drama, there are set circumstances. There are around two extreme situations. So, what kind of changes does my character undergo because of these situations?"

"There is a lot of practical action," Lee fielded a question about the type of action to expect from "IRIS." "I think you will be able to see a lot of action that is similar to that of a Bond series."

Espionage, drastic events and gritty action, however, does mean that "IRIS" should be pigeonholed as a dark and heavy piece. According to co-star Jung Joon-ho, the series is not entirely devoid of humor.

"We deliberately tried to go a bit light and fun," said Jung, who added that in the scenes where he and Lee are in training, they did a bit of comedic ad-libbing.

The bantering between co-stars Lee and Kim Tae-hee also merited a few laughs during the preview screening last week. A scene where Kim's character, NSS profiler Choi Seung-hee, outdrinks Lee's Kim Hyun-jun, in particular, elicited a positive reaction from the audience.

"I think the charm of my character is that even though she is an agent, she still pouts and gets into childish love fights," Kim Tae-hee said after revealing that during a close-up shot of Lee in the drinking scene, real soju was accidently imbibed.

While the blossoming romance between Kim's and Lee's characters promises to add some spice to the series, it is the interplay between agents and the covert operation orchestrated by IRIS that promises to be the centerpiece of the upcoming series.

Meanwhile, SBS' new Monday and Tuesday night series is bringing back some good old-fashioned revenge with "Angel's Temptation."

Oft-referred to as a male version of scriptwriter Kim Soon-ok's "Cruel Temptation," Kim's latest work incorporates a near fatal car accident as the impetus behind the hero's transformation from sweet loving husband (initially played by "My Too Perfect Sons" actor Han Sang-jin) into a vindictive Monte Cristo type (played by "Brilliant Legacy" heartthrob Bae Soo-bin).

The use of two actors to portray one hero -- "Cruel Temptation" had one actress play the pre- and post-accident heroine -- and a timeslot that enables it to avoid direct competition with "The Great Queen Seondeok" may be enough to ensure the series a steady run.

With the highly successful KBS series "My Too Perfect Sons" now over, MBC's latest weekend series "Seeking Love" can compete for the top weekend ratings spot. Headed by former girl group S.E.S member-turned-actress Eugene, "Seeking Love," which is based on a romance novel, aired its first episode on Saturday.

Playing a Korean immigrant living in Australia who announces that she wants to marry her Caucasian boyfriend, Eugene revealed that her character is consequently shuttled off to Korea at a press conference last week.

"Then she meets a Korean guy and tries to avoid having to marry him," Eugene added.

"Terroir" actor Ki Tae-young will be playing the doctor who is set up with Eugene's lawyer.

In a less romantic vein, KBS' new weekend series "Yeolhyeol Jangsaggun" charts a car dealership employee's struggle for success. "East of Eden" actor Park Hae-jin heads a cast that includes "Cain and Abel" actress Chae Jung-an and "My Wife is a Superwoman" actor Choi Cheol-ho.



"IRIS" airs on Wednesday night on KBS 2 TV at 9:55 p.m.

"Angel's Temptation" airs tonight on SBS at 8:50 p.m.

"Seeking Love" airs on Saturdays and Sundays on MBC at 7:55 p.m.

"Yeolhyeol Jangsaggun" airs on Saturdays at 10:15 p.m. and Sundays at 10:25 p.m. on KBS 2 TV.



Credits : Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)
source: koreahearald

Comments

[xshinebrighterx.livejournal.com]

the wednesday & thursday night time slot is the one of idols.

IRIS with Big Bang's TOP on KBS
You're beautiful with FTI's Hongki on SBS
Heading to the Ground with TVXQ's Yunho on MBC

ironically, the one with the biggest idol is the one doing worst with ratings.

[periwinklepig.livejournal.com]

ikr? idgwhy. are koreans that persnickety with one's acting skills?

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

For a long time, Koreans have been rejecting the idea of singers entering the acting industry. They have a mindset that singers can't act and should stay as singers. When Rain wanted to act (in 2003 for Sangdoo, Let's Go To School!), the people in his company were like, "Are you insane?" It's only in the recent years that more singers start to act... The firsts were Shinhwa's Eric and Rain.

[periwinklepig.livejournal.com]

ohh. but full house is a big hit? is that an exception to the unwritten rule? :)

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

I guess so. Eric, Rain and YEH were lucky that Phoenix, Full House and Goong were well-received, so Koreans are more able to accept them as actors. However, it hasn't changed the minds of most Koreans that singers should stay as singers. Many who didn't know about Hongki's child acting experience are biase against Hongki acting in You're Beautiful :/ Ironically, when actors become singers, they receive positive reaction :(

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

I guess you can say so. Eric, Rain and YEH were lucky that Phoenix, Full House and Goong were well-received, so Koreans seem to be more able to accept them as actors. (I think there are a few more singer-turned-actors...) Despite more singers entering the acting field, many are still biased against that idea. For example, Hongki received some negative reactions when he was announced to be part of the You're Beautiful main cast. Ironically, I think actors who enter the singing field receive better reactions :(

[theuncolored.livejournal.com]

IA.

The 3 actors/actresses you mentioned were lucky that they became successful.
Yoon Kye Sang as well, I think his performance was well-received too.

But Eugene had a hard time, and I think still?

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

God, YEH really got accepted as an actress. I think some people may even forget she was from Baby VOX.

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

I'm so loving You're Beautiful xD Shinwoo~

[xshinebrighterx.livejournal.com]

me too. it's my brand new obsession.

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

I watched episode 2 twice, lol. I'm so loving Yonghwa's character xD

[familiarplaces.livejournal.com]

omg me too, i need the next episode now ;__;

[shiawaseni.livejournal.com]

i am so hooked on you're beautiful omg

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

[turdferguson.livejournal.com]

omg, f me in the ass, if that isn't the cutest thing ive seen all day (well my day has only begun so)

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

You should watch the drama for more :D

[crystalheng.livejournal.com]

Hot Blood :D

http://community.livejournal.com/omonatheydidnt/1684429.html - He had a minor car accident after filming ended in Jeju Island. :( Thank goodness he wasn't hurt :D

[turdferguson.livejournal.com]

park haejin. sigh.

[iheartdarkblue.livejournal.com]

>:O WHEN IS HEAVENS POSTMAN/TELECINEMA PREMIERINGGG??

[iheartdarkblue.livejournal.com]

what I want to know is WHEN IS HEAVENS POSTMAN/TELECINEMA PREMIERINGG???

[aunts.livejournal.com]

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO COMMENT ON THIS GIRL. IA it's supposed come during the middle to the end of this month right? BITCHES DELAYED ME FOR A YEAR. XD Oh please don't become another Dating on Earth.

[iheartdarkblue.livejournal.com]

it was sposed to come out at the end of september. but it didnt cause they keep delaying it.

no they wont scrap it like dating on earth im sure. there are a lot of a-list actors and singers in this telecinema project. plus its going out in theaters and its a joint project between japan/korea so its too big a deal to just scrap like that.

[scherzi.livejournal.com]

IRIS. WANT.

And HaeJin!! Although the drama doesn't sound that interesting. Dang.

[vanilla-09.livejournal.com]

I wonder how long it will take for IRIS to be subbed