Dae Jang Geum 2 in the works again (really, they swear)

65 October 18, 2013October 18, 2013

Dae Jang Geum 2 in the works again (really, they swear)

by javabeans

“Dae Jang Geum is back for a sequel” — we’re back to this old chestnut, are we? I’m pretty sure we’ve written about this rumor for yeaaaaars (yup, for at least four), and yet MBC keeps insisting that they’re going to do a Dae Jang Geum 2. Honestly. Definitely. Uh huh.

To refresh our memories about the sequel rumor history: Producers had wanted the sequel almost as soon as the mega-hit sageuk about Joseon’s first female doctor left airwaves in 2004, and had announced hopes to get it going in 2009. Then it was pushed to 2010, and then it was Fall 2012, and then it was 2013, fingers crossed.

Now MBC’s president has announced that they will be moving forward on the sequel, taking a full year to plan before launching in early 2015. He credits the original series for building much of early Hallyu’s popularity abroad, and stirring global interest in Korean culture, history, society, and trends. That’s certainly true — the drama was exported to ninety-one countries — and nobody’s debating its importance as a key member of the old guard. But Hallyu today isn’t restricted to the Full Houses and Winter Sonatas and Dae Jang Geums of yore, so it seems a little out of touch to pin such huge hopes on a ten-year-old show. Nobody’s doing 50% ratings these days anymore, Lee Young-ae or no Lee Young-ae.

Welp. We’ll see. Maybe this time next year we’ll have another update post with another planned broadcast date?

Via Sports Chosun

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1 Bellamafia

October 18, 2013 at 1:11 PM

Ahh...Dae Jang Geum,.. I remember when I fell head over heels in love with Ji Jin Hee.

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korfan

October 18, 2013 at 11:25 PM

Ji Jin-hee! Always great!

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whitewire

October 20, 2013 at 6:23 AM

Ji Jin-hee as Min Jung-ho. Total infatuation! Hottest moments of my life! And the chemistry of Lee Young-ae with Im-ho (King) oh my goodness. It killed my heart millions of times. Watched this drama countless times, no dull moment! Ah!

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Jo

October 20, 2013 at 11:32 AM

Ahh, same here. I was a youngun but I was sooo in love.

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2 thesandwitch04

October 18, 2013 at 1:13 PM

No. Please NO. God knows I love this drama but a sequel *shudders* I honestly think they said all that could be said in the first one. It even had a happy ending--what more do they want?

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latteholic

October 18, 2013 at 1:16 PM

Ratings..

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thesandwitch04

October 18, 2013 at 1:19 PM

10 years after the first one came out. That's gonna be hard.

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Mystisith

October 18, 2013 at 1:23 PM

Do they think that ratings are predictable or repeatable? I wish it was but those who think that way are fools.
"You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you." - Heraclitus

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thesandwitch04

October 18, 2013 at 1:24 PM

Preach!

October 21, 2013 at 7:48 AM

Well said. I never watched the first one but they should leave it alone!!!

Kiara

October 18, 2013 at 1:39 PM

They tried with Heo Joon ,the original's rating was 67% and the remake went back and forth between single digits and low teens. It's highest was 13.1%.

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thesandwitch04

October 18, 2013 at 1:56 PM

I watched Hur Jun too (the first one) and didn't like the second one. Basically, I think Dae Jang-Geum-like dramas have been done and in sageuk too: Dong Yi, Hur Jun, Horse Doctor...then plot should be tired by now.

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Morrie

October 18, 2013 at 2:14 PM

If Horse Doctor is an indication of what they plan to do, then No, a big NOOOOOO. Horse Doctor and the pottery one that is airing are like sleep medicines, so boring, Zzzzzzz

Kiara

October 18, 2013 at 2:41 PM

The original Heo Joon was way better of course. Horse Doctor was boring to the max, writing, acting, directing etc. I think that was a sign for Lee Byung Hoon that its time to retire?

This is a generation of fusion and fantasy sageuks. Most of us have A.D.D so we want it shorter, less about history and all about the mane of glory :p.

Rel

October 19, 2013 at 6:27 AM

Guys... The "original" Heo Joon that several have mentioned is in fact not the original, unless we're talking about the actual original from the 60's or 70's...

The one from around 1999-2000 was the 4th remake (the one with the high ratings), and the recently aired one was the 5th remake.

Just to clear it up ;)

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Kiara

October 19, 2013 at 9:24 AM

We weren't even born yet and thats not even listed in the ratings lol. Going with Heo Joon 2000.

Rel

October 19, 2013 at 12:34 PM

Lols, of course it's not listed in the ratings. It was hard enough finding decent info about the drama in Korean considering it was from 40 years ago.

I just wanted to point out that the Heo Joon everyone remembers and was extremely successful was a remake as well. As in, not all remakes are bad. If the project they have in mind this time is a remake of Dae Jang Geum (I mean, I know it said sequel, but.......) then mayyyybe it won't be bad. Unlikely, but just mayyyybe...

Kiara

October 19, 2013 at 3:03 PM

Sageuks were more successful in the late 1900s and early 2000s. Now we can watch them on the internet anytime on pc, ipad, phone etc. Productions were much better back then too. Now its really hard to find a decent sageuk to watch.
The last successful 50+ eps sageuk to hit the national drama status was QSD and that was 4yrs ago.

I read an interview with Kim Young Hyun who wrote Dae Jang Geum and she said MBC never contact her about the sequel nor ask her for permission since she holds all the rights to it. So unless Kim is on board, this is just the same crap we've heard for the last 10yrs.

Jo

October 20, 2013 at 11:35 AM

Recently they put out a documentary going back to the countries where it was aired, and it's still one of the most popular Korean dramas (and even nationally aired dramas) in some countries. I can see why they are bringing it back. However, I do think, although Dae Jang Geum introduced something new to the sageuk world, it's style has been antiquated over new, tighter sageuks like Princess' Man and Tree with Deep Roots. I hope that if they do make a Dae Jang Geum, they do less meandering (like in Horse Doctor, urgh) and more tight character developments, plot developments etc. (Basically, good writing, high quality cameras. Come on, if MBC wants to recreate an epic drama, they better be willing to go epic on the production)

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3 Quiet Thought

October 18, 2013 at 1:21 PM

I dunno, which member of SNSD will be playing the young female doctor who falls in love with the young male doctor played by a male idol star?

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biankoy

October 18, 2013 at 3:10 PM

HAHAHAHAHA! but just, NOOOOOOOO! please. Dae Jang Geum deserves so much more than that.

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jam

October 18, 2013 at 3:46 PM

hahahhaa seriously right? i really hope that's not the case.

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Annie

October 18, 2013 at 4:14 PM

Good one :-)

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Cynthia

October 18, 2013 at 5:21 PM

Well obviously it will be Yoona coupled with Yunho. And Dr. Jin will make a guest appearance.
[snerk]
:-)

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KDR

October 18, 2013 at 7:43 PM

Oh god! Nooooo! My eyes are twitching just thinking of this!

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peacegee

October 18, 2013 at 11:56 PM

LOL... this is really cracking me up.. nice one..

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thelady

October 18, 2013 at 7:59 PM

this combo would bring the Korean tv industry to its knees

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XiaXiaXia

October 19, 2013 at 6:31 AM

LOL I want this to happen just to see how Korean netizens will react
On a serious note, tho... no no no, not in a million years

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4 Kiara

October 18, 2013 at 1:22 PM

No no and no. I hope Kim Young Hyun wont give them permission to go through with it. She wrote it and she has all the rights to it. MBC you suck.

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5 Mandy

October 18, 2013 at 2:06 PM

This has been in talks since forever. And by a sequel, do they mean a continuation, or more like a remake with a different cast? Because I don't think has Lee Young-ae worked in a project since 2006-2007 (does anyone know why?).

This is prob MBC trying to create some hype for their channel. It's a pretty dismal year for them - other than hundred year inheritance and Gu Family, they've had no other ratings success whatsoever (atleast as far as I remember)

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Kiara

October 18, 2013 at 2:58 PM

She went back to school, got a doctorate degree, got married and she is now a mother of twins.

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Kddi

October 18, 2013 at 3:17 PM

not really MBC all killed primetime weekend drama this year...i summon you gold did better than gu family, scandal also did really well
their daily drama Princess Aurora is really popular currently...

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Mandy

October 18, 2013 at 3:47 PM

You're right about I summon you gold doing well. I forgot about that train wreck! But u can't compare the ratings of a weekend drama to that of a weekday. Gu family aired Monday Tuesday whereas ISYG had a weekend slot. GFB by far is the only decent miniseries they had with ratings just under 20. SBS and KBS had tons (Yawang, IHYV, MS, GD, KF, YTBLSS, etc). Not only in weekday but weekends as well.

As for scandal- a weekend drama that doesn't break 20 isn't considered particularly successful.

@Kiara - oh wow. She did a lot then. Haven't heard much about her so thanks for letting me know! :)

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Kddi

October 18, 2013 at 7:02 PM

lol...what SBS weekend drama break 20% this year? they have none...MBC has many and more successful dramas
while KBS weekend will always get high rating...
this year not a dismall year from MBC beside own weekend dramas and daily drama they also own variety show...Runningman is now a flop compared to Realman and Appa odiga

I summon you gold aired in 9PM timeslot it's timeslot who hardly even to get 15% let alone 20% because they up against KBS1 News 9 (highest rated news program in Korea) and also JTBC weekend drama, and KBS gag concert it's a big success even compare to weekday drama success...

are you really think all that weekend drama break 20% easily you wrong its just same 15-18% is still consider success for primetime slot 9-10
it was only for KBS weekend drama that was YTBLLS timeslot that always get 20% easily because they don't have any competitor...

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6 kanz

October 18, 2013 at 2:49 PM

As long as I can remember, Dae Jang Geum was the first sageuk for me so it holds special place in my heart. However this year MBC sageuks failed and sucks in terms of ratings, plots, only GFB had good ratings. But i really wish could forget the ending.. So i don't have high hope if it in MBC

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7 anotherfan

October 18, 2013 at 3:20 PM

Lol

This can only be a bad idea. Don't they ever learn? Come up with a fresh new idea and let that new idea ride the wave. Wel if they cast an idol in it; especially a SM idol then I suppose they can always sell it to japan right?

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8 JenJen

October 18, 2013 at 4:03 PM

I've noticed that these Dae Jang Geum rumors always seem to mostly precede Lee ByungHoon PD's next sageuk. Unfortunately I've noticed a declining trend in script quality with each of his sageuks (though, of his recent sageuks, Horse Doctor was a significant plunge compared to Dong Yi). Hopefully this next sageuk will be at least decent, if not good.

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9 chickenwing

October 18, 2013 at 4:56 PM

I watched it back then and found it meh.

Maybe I was still a kid back then, didn't find Lee Young Ae (in the series) hot, didn't like sageuk, didn't like backstabbing machinations (already the gold standard storyline in every Asian drama since the dawn of time) and didn't like the Mandarin dub.

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yuka sato

October 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM

me watched for the pretty food ^^ and my mom watched it for the kingdom's politics. both of us love it, and BTW, this series is re-airing in my country RIGHT NOW. on prime time, at 16.00, lmao then this news come out..what a timing..

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Kiara

October 20, 2013 at 9:33 AM

Lol every episodes made me hungry.

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10 aX

October 18, 2013 at 7:20 PM

A sequel? What? NO WAY!!!

It went downhill after her teacher died. This was the first time I dreaded the love story. I hated it!

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Rovi

October 19, 2013 at 9:15 AM

Oh yeah. Well, I read Lady Han (Yang Mi-gyeong) was supposed to die early, but then fans protested, and writer relented, instead being caught up on the Jo Gwang-jo & the leaf thing ("Jo Will Become King") conspiracy. XP

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11 KDR

October 18, 2013 at 7:42 PM

This was my FIRST ever show that started my love of kdramas back in 2004-5!! I definitely will be praying that this happens!

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KDR

October 18, 2013 at 7:44 PM

Now that I read the comments. Maybe it's NOT a good idea after all! =.="

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12 wag-a-muffin

October 18, 2013 at 7:54 PM

My first Kdrama. (And no. Please. I don't want to see Grandma Jang Geum-a have "TROUBLE! BIG TROUBLE!" until she dies.)

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Rovi

October 19, 2013 at 9:18 AM

Actually, when "Heo Joon" aired in 2000, its premise was 50 years after Jang-geum's death.

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13 Emily

October 18, 2013 at 8:05 PM

More than wanting to see a Dae Jang Geum 2, I want to see Lee Young Ae's return!

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readlead

October 18, 2013 at 10:05 PM

That is what I wish the most actually...

But somehow, I wanna to see more about her life journey because dae jang geum have inspirited me..

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14 Viki

October 18, 2013 at 8:40 PM

Ahhh...sequels...if done right, then yes...if not...please no.

If they are doing it, I hope they are including the old cast again! Lee Young Ae and Ji Jin Hee...and my fave, Han Ji Min!

I don't really like the original but it is my 1st K-drama...I was to young to remember what I watched.

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15 Strawberry Milkshake

October 18, 2013 at 9:36 PM

I have watched Dae Jang Geum at around 14 times in my life (because it's ALWAYS being shown on Japanese TV sometime or another) and from my understanding of this show I feel like a sequel is just not right. The show wrapped up quite nicely, it did have loose ends but compared to the recent dramas, the wrap up for Jang Geum was good. There is NOTHING to elaborate on, continue on etc. on this show honestly. So, why... WHY DO YOU EVEN BOTHER TO COME UP WITH THIS MURDEROUS THOUGHT? I will crash my laptop if they try to taint the name of an already-established-golden-period-drama like Dae Jang Geum with a second season.

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16 Strawberry Milkshake

October 18, 2013 at 9:37 PM

** around 14 times oops

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17 readlead

October 18, 2013 at 10:02 PM

this drama is my favorite korean drama all time, tough there has been so many great and addicted drama, dae jang geum is still rank first in my book alongside with winter sonata.

I am really adore Lee Young Ae, she is one of real beautiful actress, cant wait to see her come back, and really, I cant see another actor than ji jin he as lead male actor...

Dae Jang Geum team production, FIGHTING!!!

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18 sososo

October 18, 2013 at 10:35 PM

Lee Yeon Hee will be the lead, because her fans said she is the best actress in the world, SM will fund the series, Allkpop loves her too, same with all directors and writers in Korea.

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XiaXiaXia

October 19, 2013 at 6:34 AM

Lee Yeon Hee has... fans?

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Jo

October 20, 2013 at 11:41 AM

you insult the Korean audience. lol. We're smart enough to not give a sheeeeeeeit about Lee Yeon Hee's acting.

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19 Pilta

October 19, 2013 at 12:48 AM

As much as I love watching sageuks, remaking something as great as Dae Jang Geum is a BAD idea. Why ruin something that is already PERFECT?

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20 Tita

October 19, 2013 at 1:59 AM

I LOVE Dae Jang Geum it's the drama that sold me to K-dramas..... and the remake could either be plain or epic either way I'm all in.

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21 Lizzie

October 19, 2013 at 2:33 AM

Dae Jang Guem is my top favorite sageuk drama...and to hear that there will be a sequel? Uh...I don't know whether to be happy or worried. Maybe it's both b/c the original/1st was really good by itself, including the ending. It wrapped up nicely. I also love the cast and the plot. But I do miss this type of sageuk drama-the traditional type. So if they are gonna make it similar somehow, I may be able to tolerate the sequel.

If it's gonna have a sequel, everything, such as the cast (original cast is best), the plot, the costumes, and so forth, better be good, if not better than the original, but I have a lot of doubts about that... so I'll see, but hopefully it's for real this time...i've heard about this rumor many times already.

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22 sant

October 19, 2013 at 8:51 AM

already perfect, what more do you expected in the sequel? most of the sequels end up so bad...or maybe they don't have any idea to make good drama nowadays, cause it is quite hard to find good korean drama..the storyline quite the same, ending very predictable....

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23 mjfan

October 20, 2013 at 12:23 PM

dae jang geum and winter sonata are the best dramas I have ever watched and I can watch them no matter how many years have passed , they really changed a lot of my character , oldies are besties ....

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24 Abbie

October 20, 2013 at 4:18 PM

Hallyu came to me in the form of a Super Junior music video, so..... I credit my interest in Korea and all its aspects to them. I've heard of this drama and plan on watching it.....at some point. But I'm in no hurry to. On Dramafever it's called Jewel in the Palace.