Lee Young-ae eyes comeback with sageuk drama (not Dae Jang Geum 2)
by javabeans
Lee Young-ae may finally be making her comeback to dramaland—and to acting in general—and as this news has no relation whatsoever to MBC’s ill-fated Dae Jang Geum 2 project, I’m actually inclined to believe it might happen.
Reports are out that Lee Young-ae is in talks to star in a new drama titled Shin Saimdang, which would be a biographical show chronicling the life and career of the famed Joseon-era artist and calligrapher who lived in the early 16th century and was known by the nickname Wise Mother. It’s confirmed that she was sent the synopsis and script by the writer three months back (perhaps accounting for her withdrawal from the Dae Jang Geum 2 proceedings—although truth be told, she didn’t need an excuse to walk away from that one), and is currently talking it over with the director and producers. Although, as with so many of these casting stories, nothing is yet decided.
The drama would mark Lee Young-ae’s first acting project in nine years (and first drama in over a decade), as her last role was in the 2005 Park Chan-wook film Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. She has since married and become mother to a set of twins, and has lived quietly with her family. But she has stated that she considers her acting career important as well, and is thankful for those awaiting her return to that role.
Shin Saimdang has yet to secure a timeslot or a broadcaster, so there’s a bit of a chicken-egg issue at play; Lee Young-ae’s involvement would most certainly fast-track a project to gaining both of those things, but it’s also understandable that Lee would hesitate to commit her comeback to a project that has neither. But it sounds like a meaty role that’s right up her alley, and who better to play a gracious, intelligent, and respected historical figure than her? True, the role does seem a little pat for her, but obvious castings needn’t always be bad things.
The drama is aiming to broadcast early next year, though that is, of course, contingent upon the broadcaster’s schedule.
Via Osen
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1 mary
August 20, 2014 at 4:15 AM
Huihuihui
I bet MBC is gonna throw a tantrum about this...
(Also, LYA was busy gaining a PhD during this time, right? *looks at her in awe*)
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Rachel
August 20, 2014 at 7:54 AM
I've never heard about her doing a PhD. Amazing stuff!
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mary
August 20, 2014 at 8:19 AM
I tried to look for that news, turns out I read it here in dramabeans years ago! :D
http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/05/lee-young-ae-goes-for-her-doctorate/
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2 Jadis
August 20, 2014 at 4:31 AM
So excited!! It's always nice to see a talent returning.
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maeclark
August 20, 2014 at 12:51 PM
Indeed. As someone who has been starved of good sageuks, I am looking forward to the return of conventional sagueks, not the fantasy, fusion mess that is currently in vogue.
I miss the old days when you had long, but not too draggy sageuks that made sense. Not one filled with eye candy, meaningless plots and no attempt to be historically accurate. Still shudder at JOJ: the Joseon Coco Channel. And the awful adult segment of The Moon Embracing the Sun.
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Rovi
August 21, 2014 at 6:49 AM
You shoudl've tried "Jeong Do-jeon" when it was still airing in KBS World. It's a good sageuk reminiscent of the golden age 10-20 years ago (it's like it was the succesor of 1997-1998 "Tears of the Dragon", also in KBS; nonwithstanding the fact that 3 of the cast members were both in said dramas)
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3 fab
August 20, 2014 at 4:38 AM
That's great news in more than one way. Glad she has put DJG2 behind her, I was afraid we'll never see her comeback due to MBC's greed. Yaay!
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4 Stelle
August 20, 2014 at 4:47 AM
I'm still so pressed that Unprecedented got cancelled just to make some place to Dae Jang Geum 2 and all that for nothing. I like Lee Young Ae but I wish she would've said no to DJG 2 earlier. Sigh. Now Unprecedented will probably never see the light of the day :(
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Panda
August 20, 2014 at 5:57 AM
Wasn't Unprecedented the one with Cha Seung-Won?
I want that guy in a sageuk
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Stelle
August 20, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Yeah, he was considering the drama. Cha Seung-Won + historical costume = all-kill. I'm so sad when I think about how epic this blockbuster sageuk would have been :(
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panda
August 20, 2014 at 10:01 AM
It would have been epic indeed
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captaincrunch
August 20, 2014 at 6:44 AM
I feel the same, Unprecedented sounded so interesting. Still, MBC like their sageuks (they practically guaranteed a ratings hit) so I think they might resurrect it next year.
I think it's MBC's presistance rather than LYA who is to blame here.
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Abbie
August 20, 2014 at 7:11 AM
What are some really good MBC sageuks, if you don't mind my asking? I need to watch more of those, instead of so many rom-coms and melos.
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Stelle
August 20, 2014 at 8:55 AM
Empress Ki, Queen Seon Duk, Yi San, Damo, Ja Myung Go are all good and from MBC. I believe both MBC and KBS produce good sageuks but these days, MBC is better.
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kanz
August 20, 2014 at 2:59 PM
Arang and The Magistrate too. Personally I prefer if MBC just make mon-tue timeslot for sageuk drama and I'll watch them. It's ratings maker for them and almost all MBC sageuks have good ratings. Even when the story is not so good.
panda
August 20, 2014 at 8:57 AM
I reakky REALLY like Dong Yi also.
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Stelle
August 20, 2014 at 9:01 AM
Dong Yi was a good MBC sageuk as well. I forgot it was from MBC, my bad.
Kiara
August 20, 2014 at 9:59 AM
Good sageuks doesn't come from one network. Lately I prefer cable sageuks. Cruel Palace, Queen Inhyun's Man, Queen Insoo and currently watching The 3 Musketeers.
If I have to recommend some to a friend I would start with "Legend of Hyang Dan" (only 2 eps), "Conspiracy in the Court" (8 eps), The Princess' Man, Tree With Deep Root, Chuno, etc etc.
I prefer conventional/traditional sageuks but it's not everyone's cup of tea.
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kanz
August 20, 2014 at 2:56 PM
I prefer traditional sageuk too, but nowadays it's all fusion/fantasy although that's necessarily bad thing...
I love Painter of The Wind, Empress Ki (with historical innacuracies here and there), QSD, TWDR.
Stelle
August 20, 2014 at 8:57 AM
I resent MBC's decision to push Unprecedented forever but they were wooing Lee Young Ae for like a decade and she always stayed quiet about it. I wish she could've said no before MBC get confident and create a timeslot solely for this remake. She eventually said no and they let her go. But unfortunately for Unprecedented, her finale decision was too late to save it.
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Rovi
August 21, 2014 at 6:51 AM
For "Unprecented", another reason why it got pulled back indefinitely was KBS's "Jeong Do-jeon" (same timeline plot-wise), and also its unprecented success in ratings.
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5 nokcha
August 20, 2014 at 4:53 AM
Shin Saimdang is on the 50 won bill, and her artwork is lovely. This should be interesting!
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PL
August 20, 2014 at 5:55 AM
I second Nokcha's comment. My only issue is: will and must romance, as more often than not, take the spotlight? I would rather the drama focus on her artistic endeavours and how she raised her children. In my opinion, too many shows have been ruined by forcibly thrusting romantic plots into the center stage. And, no, no wrist-grabbing of such a well-respected and graceful woman, thank you.
Other than that, I wish Lee Young-ae and Shin Saimdang the best.
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thesandwitch04
August 20, 2014 at 8:27 AM
LOL! No wrist-grabbing pa-a...
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PL
August 20, 2014 at 9:20 AM
Wrist-grabbing of trolls is always welcome.
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paulab253
August 20, 2014 at 8:16 AM
50,000 won ^^
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C
August 20, 2014 at 8:14 PM
Yeah, I was just thinking, wouldn't a 50-won bill be very, very small?
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6 Kiara
August 20, 2014 at 6:03 AM
Another project that she has been considering for 3 months now? I have a feeling that she is not going to take it. Sounds like it's going to be a long conventional sageuk.
I wonder who these nameless PD, writers and producers are.
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7 Sageuk Lover
August 20, 2014 at 8:24 AM
Will we be seeing the usual support actors in Sageuk as well? For example, Ji Jin Hee and Kim So Yi among others.
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fab
August 20, 2014 at 8:44 AM
That would be the best reunion everrr -Lee Young-ae & Ji Jin-hee~~~
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8 putihlilac
August 20, 2014 at 9:43 AM
she's so preetyy!
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9 Ananta
August 22, 2014 at 12:26 PM
I love Lee Young Ae, I hope she will accept. The story line sounds interesting, too. :)
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