Jin Yi-han and Jung Woong-in join sageuk epic Hwatu
by javabeans
So many interesting actors, so little interest in this drama. Aie! I hate when this happens.
Jin Yi-han is the latest addition to MBC’s upcoming 50-episode sageuk drama Hwatu, which will star Ha Ji-won as a Goryeo-born woman who becomes Empress Ki of the Yuan dynasty, and Joo Jin-mo as Goryeo’s King Chunghye, who wants his nation to find its independence from Yuan interference.
Jin Yi-han’s character is a serious intellectual, a scholar who from an early age respects and follows the uncle who was like a father to him. However, he falls for Empress Ki’s tricks and betrays that uncle to then become prime minister. He plays a large role in the advancement of Yuan, apparently displaying a firmness of character and flashes of greatness along the way. (But… the betrayal… she said naively.)
I love Jin Yi-han, who has admittedly acted in a bunch of mediocre stuff but has, at least, done a great job in them. An abridged list: Dr. Jin, Hooray for Love, You’re Here You’re Here You’re Really Here, A Good Day for the Wind to Blow, All My Love, Who Are You. Most recently he cameo’d in Episode 1 of Master’s Sun. He was good in that. He should get more leading roles. In good dramas. Where he sings a lot. (He’s a former musical actor with a nice set of pipes and also friends with another former musical actor, Kang Ji-hwan. They should do stuff together. Playing besties. You know, since I’m just listing stuff I want now.)
Jung Woong-in is another new addition to the cast, who is currently enjoying a wave of unexpected popularity after playing the creepy murderer on a revenge mission in I Hear Your Voice. It’s certainly not the only hit drama he’s been a part of, but it came at a great time and provided him with a nice boost, so much so that his oft-growled phrase “I’m gonna kill you!” became something of a catchphrase. I… don’t know whether that’s amusing or unnerving.
Perhaps thanks to Voice, Jung Woong-in will be playing another villain’s role in Hwatu. His character is born a Goryeo man, but his ambition to advance his status compels him to work for the oppressors instead, carrying out evil deeds and defying both King Chunghye and Empress Ki. Go forth and hench, man.
(It’s not a bad idea to strike while the iron’s hot, although I have to admit it’s a bit weird for me to see Jung Woong-in going all crazed and creepy after watching him play so many bumbling fools, with the occasional nice guy thrown in the mix. He’s so good at being the dork!)
Hwatu will follow Goddess of Fire Jung-yi as a Monday-Tuesday drama and will premiere in October.
RELATED POSTS
- Master’s Sun: Episode 1
- Joo Jin-mo joins Hwatu to romance Ha Ji-won
- I Hear Your Voice: Episode 1
- Ha Ji-won returns to dramaland
- Dr. Jin: Episode 1
- Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 1
- Ojakkyo Brothers: Series Wrap-up
- More cable disappointments: You’re Here gets the ax
- You’re Here, You’re Here, You’re Really Here: An introduction
- Coffee House: Page 1
Tags: Empress Ki, Ha Ji-won, Jin Yi-han, Joo Jin-mo, Jung Woong-in
Interview with Kim Yoo-jung
Hello Dramabeans series
![[2022 Year in Review] The Bean Count](https://www.dramabeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/beancount_2022.png)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 ilikemangos
August 13, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Min Joon Gook, i will see you soon.
Required fields are marked *
pogo
August 13, 2013 at 12:15 PM
yeah, before that it was First Oppa but now he's Min Joon-gook to me forever.
Required fields are marked *
alua
August 13, 2013 at 12:43 PM
Oska is still Oska though.
Required fields are marked *
fangirl98
August 13, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Right?! He will always be Oska to me.
I'm so glad someone else feels this way! LOL :-D
Required fields are marked *
hawaiianseoul
August 13, 2013 at 2:44 PM
Hahaha If db has a like button, I'd probably upvote your comment a billion times.
Required fields are marked *
VV
August 14, 2013 at 5:48 AM
I miss Jung Woong-in as nice guy like he played Hwang Tae Sik in Ojakgyo.
But love to see him as villain again.
I'd love to hate him again.
Required fields are marked *
2 watercolors
August 13, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Seems like an interesting enough drama, but I just can't handle ones that are longer than, say, 30 episodes.
Required fields are marked *
canxi
August 13, 2013 at 9:42 AM
I can never sit through a saeguk. I dunno why. I can sit through 2 hrs if it's a movie and enjoy it, but more than that I just tune out, lol.
Required fields are marked *
pearl3101
August 13, 2013 at 10:18 PM
I have the same problem... I have never finished a single saguek. My highest record is TMTETS ( uptill episode 14) Even tree with deep roots could'nt get me to finish!! :(
Required fields are marked *
Sabrina Lim
August 15, 2013 at 3:16 AM
same here....for some reasons, saeguk juz switches me off..maybe it's the dialogue.
Required fields are marked *
3 okitokki
August 13, 2013 at 9:40 AM
that picture with the green costumes, though.
wat.
Required fields are marked *
4 canxi
August 13, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Awww Jin Yi Han. I remember him as that kind of jerky boyfriend?/talent scout? dude in What's Up and he was good there. And I think I've seen him in other things--small roles--but the dramas he actually has a role in I don't even feel like watching, LOL. Sad days. I hope this drama does well and he should get leading roles or at least a role in awesome things--I feel like he would carry. It'd be sad if he was another Nam Goong Min D': Why, Dramaland, Why????
Required fields are marked *
5 HeadsNo2
August 13, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Jin Yi-han! I hope this drama does well, just because he needs a good breakout role. He's too talented to be so underrated.
Required fields are marked *
pauper
August 13, 2013 at 11:02 AM
I concur wholeheartedly! I got to know him through a daily drama and even then, he was amazing. There was a scene in it which he snapped at his baby mama, I was so impressed that I still remember it to this day.
Required fields are marked *
6 snow__white
August 13, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Wow....I really liked Jin Yi han's performance in the cameo role in Master's Sun...
And Jung Woong in has always done a great job in variety of roles....Last scandal, Coffee House and IHYV....
But this drama is a sageuk with 50 episodes....have to skip this one.
Required fields are marked *
pearl3101
August 13, 2013 at 10:20 PM
My personal fav is his role in OB.. Well I haven't watched IHYV yet..!!
Required fields are marked *
7 tanya
August 13, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Min Joon Gook! Not a big fan of saeguk but I will definitely try this one out.
Required fields are marked *
8 simplevi
August 13, 2013 at 10:35 AM
"Most recently he cameo’d in Episode 1 of Master’s Sun. He was good in that. He should get more leading roles. In good dramas."
aaaa....agreed with you on that.
Required fields are marked *
9 amberscube
August 13, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Min Joon Gook... Escaped from prison and time travelled to Goryeo era for another killing spree!
Required fields are marked *
10 redfox
August 13, 2013 at 10:45 AM
oh, shikes. can´t say I exaclt MISSED Min Joon Gook. I don´t think anyone ever again calls the actor by his real name.
Required fields are marked *
11 chickenwing
August 13, 2013 at 11:02 AM
This reminds me of Faith. Will the villain have a skinny pointy moustache too?
Required fields are marked *
redfox
August 13, 2013 at 11:43 AM
oy, no villain can ever be as chilling as Ki Chul. quite literally. (aaand every time he is mentioned I just crack up. too funny!)
Required fields are marked *
12 kellie
August 13, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Back to sageuk for JWI? I always think of him as Misaeng from QSD. So many children he didn't know what to do. His scenes with sister Mishil are among my favorite scenes in all sageuk. Villains with a sense of humor are so hard to come by in K-drama. I don't suppose this new one will be one of those.
Required fields are marked *
13 shiva
August 13, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Have you seen the trailer for the Special Drama with Jung Woong-in and So Hee? I thought it was soooo weird to have them paired up together. But it looks cute.
Required fields are marked *
14 jyl
August 13, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Gah, I love Jin Yihan. More leading roles, pretty please!
And LOL @ the frog costumes.
Required fields are marked *
15 Ceecile
August 13, 2013 at 12:36 PM
I actually like Sageuks but for 50 episodes? I can't see it being enjoyable.
Required fields are marked *
16 news
August 13, 2013 at 1:00 PM
I love Jung Woong-In. I've seen him play all sorts of characters and he's always been good - charismatic 2nd lead in Last Scandal and cowardly villain brother in QSD immediately comes to mind.
I'm glad he's getting the attention he deserves.
Required fields are marked *
17 Kiara
August 13, 2013 at 1:27 PM
'So many interesting actors, so little interest in this drama'
Exactly
Required fields are marked *
Milly
August 13, 2013 at 4:24 PM
But why little interest in the drama? Because it is 50+ episodes? or is it because that period in Korean history not interesting enough?
just really curious....
Required fields are marked *
ravens_nest
August 13, 2013 at 5:29 PM
I adore sageuks and Ha Ji Won...and Ha Ji Won in sageuks, plus I don't mind 50+ eps or whatever, but I'm also a little trepidatious about this drama. The main lead character is a king who's well known as a sociopath who kidnapped, raped, and murdered women a ridiculous amount (though once would certainly be enough to make me vomit).
I just...how are they gonna spin this guy in a good light such that I'd want him to be with my Ji Won? Make it seem like he was wrongfully maligned and nothing in the Goryeosa is true? Aight, homies. :/
Required fields are marked *
Kiara
August 13, 2013 at 6:25 PM
I don't mind the 50+ eps either because I'm a sageuk junkie but they just had to pick the worse king in Goryeo's history and make him a saint then pair him up with the power hungry empress who didn't give a shit about her country so what's the point? It may have been ok for a side story but for 50 eps? No not for me.
I've seen Shin Don and that's the best sageuk out there based on the later Goryeo period.
Required fields are marked *
windsun33
August 13, 2013 at 7:27 PM
I don't like Saeguk dramas, but aside from that I can think of several reasons.
(1) First off, you will have about 15 episodes worth of various conspirators wearing funny hats sitting around a big table in a whorehouse, all lying to each other.
(2) You will have about 5 episodes of a bunch of people with big swords doing all kinds of impossible stunts.
(3) There will be at least 2 episodes worth of flashbacks.
Have not even gotten to all the makjang common in these long episodes, and already you have used up 22 episodes worth of time :D
Required fields are marked *
pearl3101
August 13, 2013 at 10:27 PM
You crack me up!! ^_^ But seriously, I have the same problems when it comes to sagueks...!!
Required fields are marked *
Mar
August 14, 2013 at 9:30 PM
@Windsun33-You listed really important reasons why I also cannot generally stomach sageuks! I'd also add creeper facial hair as a big turn off for me.
And let's not forget the marvel of how the heck did they have all those perfectly wrinkle free clothing before the days of steam pressing and hey, let's be real, Wrinkle Releaser. I spend a lot of time thinking about that and get distracted (read bored with the conspiracy in the court and my mind goes places) when I am supposed to be paying attention to the conspiracy machinations.
Even in Queen Inhyun's Man. I gave up after Boong-do started sporting the hoodies and beanies, I totally gave up only watched the modern times scenes. I mean really, did I miss anything?
And how many lice would be in one of the women's wigs back in the day, ya know? That is what happens when I watch sageuks. :)
Required fields are marked *
18 Cam
August 13, 2013 at 2:02 PM
Owowoohhoo! Look so so so *sizzle sizzle* Babababadada....KKKAAAA CHOW~!!!
Required fields are marked *
19 Altari
August 13, 2013 at 4:02 PM
Yay! Love Jin Yi-han.
I heard rumors that they were having a hard time casting the male lead because he would have to sport the shaven head/pig tail. lol
Required fields are marked *
20 eny
August 13, 2013 at 4:57 PM
jung wong in act in many interesting drama that i watch : Queen Seundeok, Coffee House, Ojakgyo Brother, I Hear Your Voice etc
I love the cast so far but 50 episode is tooo long
Required fields are marked *
21 djeedjes
August 13, 2013 at 6:36 PM
I found new admiration to Jung Woong-in after IHYV.
I liked him before, but sorta took him for granted? I mean he mostly played as third lead or something, and mostly also as dorky nice guy...but he was convincingly creepy as Min Jongkook, that's...awesome.
I agree with you, jb, so many interesting casts ( Joo!Jin!Moo! I love him ), but I don't really into saeguk ( and moreover 50 eps of it )... :(
Required fields are marked *
22 whilethemusiclasts
August 13, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Now if only this weren't a 50-episode sageuk...
Required fields are marked *
23 zsa
August 13, 2013 at 8:14 PM
Min Joon Gook is a great actor...if he doesn't win any award this year, we'll have words, SBS!!
Required fields are marked *
24 Trina
August 13, 2013 at 9:43 PM
I adore Jin Yi-Han but I want him as the male lead in a drama not this drama. However, it will be a reunion with the Pdnim with that Dr. Whatmallcallit. As for Jung Woong In, I love him in Queen Seon Deok as in Mishil little brother. He was really funny and great.
Required fields are marked *
25 Aleena
August 13, 2013 at 11:37 PM
Omo. It's Min Joon Gook. o.o
Required fields are marked *
26 maymay
August 14, 2013 at 12:35 AM
He was irritating and evil in QSD ...his character I mean...so actually my impression of him is also almost always a baddie...but he's good at what he does so all is swell.
Required fields are marked *
27 Valleydale
August 14, 2013 at 7:31 AM
I love Ha Ji Won, but really have a hard time getting into sagueks. And 50 episodes?! Windsun's post had me weak with laughter, it sounded so spot on. Plus, what about that other sageuk, the action one with all the comedic elements Ha Ji Won was supposed to be featured in? In it she is supposedly the leader of a squad of kick-ass women, if I recall correctly. Any word about that one? I was actually kind of looking forward to it.
Required fields are marked *
28 Mar
August 14, 2013 at 9:12 PM
"He was good in that. He should get more leading roles. In good dramas. Where he sings a lot. (He’s a former musical actor with a nice set of pipes and also friends with another former musical actor, Kang Ji-hwan. They should do stuff together. Playing besties. You know, since I’m just listing stuff I want now.)"
This. I am totally onboard for this idea. Drama gods, are you paying attention to Javabeans here? Because, you know, hey, this thing she wants, good idea.
Required fields are marked *
29 Lilian
August 15, 2013 at 8:47 AM
Just discovered Jin Yi Han. After watching episode 1 of Master's Sun I went to google the name of the actor! Based on that episode, it seems like he is underrated, he should really get larger roles. Any chance he will appear again on Master's Sun?
Required fields are marked *
30 QueenHJW
August 19, 2013 at 11:31 PM
even though sageuks are such a bore,i'm still going to watch this one! WHY? some of you people might wonder.. BECAUSE IT'S A FREAKING HA JI WON DRAMA! that's a 100 % guarantee that this sageuk is going to be awesome! hwang ji yi was perfection but empress ki( hwatu is not the title anymore people) is going to surpass it's success! the anticipation is killing me already! ha ji won is going to win awards for this one! you go girl!
Required fields are marked *