Song Seung-heon considers Saimdang opposite Lee Young-ae
by girlfriday
So… the last time Song Seung-heon did sageuk, it was Dr. Jin… yeeeaaaaaah. On the upside, SBS’s large-scale biopic drama Saimdang, the Herstory is most definitely NOT going to be Dr. Jin. And on the double-upside, Lee Young-ae (Dae Jang Geum) is headlining in her 12-year drama comeback. The pairing honestly throws me a little, because Song Seung-heon, while very pretty, isn’t a very strong dramatic actor, and I was expecting some acting heavyweights in this. Maybe Lee Young-ae is all you need?
Saimdang is a biographical historical drama about Shin Saimdang, an artist, writer, and calligrapher who lived in 16th-century Joseon. She was the mother to Confucian scholar Yulgok and known as Wise Mother, and her face is pictured on the 50,000 won bill. The drama stars Lee Young-ae in two roles, a present-day historian who uncovers a mystery in Saimdang’s life, and then as Saimdang herself in the past.
It’ll tell the story of her unordinary life as an educated woman who is posthumously regarded as a paragon of Confucian ideals. Her epic love story will be a large part of the drama, for which they’ve created a fictional love interest. (The part was initially offered to Kam Woo-sung (My Spring Days), who ended up passing on it.) The character is described as a carefree spirit who’s confined by his strict life, ruled by a stern grandaunt and surrounded by solemn servants. He feels suffocated like he’s living in a prison without bars, when one day a young woman hops over his wall and changes his life.
Directing is PD Yoon Sang-ho (Bride of the Century) and writing is Park Eun-ryung (Women Next Door). The drama plans to shoot entirely in advance, and has already sold to China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. All hail the power of Dae Jang Geum.
Saimdang plans to air in 2016.
Via IS Plus
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1 Kiara
July 24, 2015 at 9:03 AM
Wut? Are you kidding me? Who..what the ..... ?????
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2 mary
July 24, 2015 at 9:04 AM
I....... I am confused.
Song Seung Heon is okay, I guess. But, can't they get Ji Jin Hee instead?
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bbstl
July 24, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Triple YEAH to that. Sounds like the role was written for JJH.
it's always good to see SSH but Lee Young Ae is at the highest level.
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Kiara
July 24, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Why didn't they offer JJH the role instead of Kam Woo-sung if the role was written for him?
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bbstl
July 24, 2015 at 3:58 PM
IKR? So silly of them, not consulting Mary and me in the first place ?
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mary
July 24, 2015 at 6:39 PM
I didn't mean to say that JJH was the best actor more than KWS. :(
Just that JJH has more sageuk experience than SSH. And, I think in terms of possible buzz and investor attraction, JJH reuniting with LYA would be more profitable than SSH. (I mean, SSH probably has a bigger fanbase but for this particular project, it would be great if they can get JJH.)
Even JJH used to joke that if they're making a Jang Geum 2, they should call him.
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Kiara
July 24, 2015 at 9:43 PM
I know I know sowwy :).
mary
July 25, 2015 at 4:54 AM
It's ok :3
Nox
July 24, 2015 at 11:10 PM
JJH :( :(
But JJH is for SBS' upcoming weekend drama, I Have A Lover.
Will be aired after TTWWWWWWILY
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3 syntaxerror
July 24, 2015 at 9:19 AM
Pity Kam Woo-sung passed on it, great actor who would have done well opposite Lee Young-ae
Not confident about Song Seung-heon's ability in sageuks but to be honest this production will focus on Lee Young-ae so I guess they can afford to cast weak.
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Kiara
July 24, 2015 at 11:43 AM
Maybe he didn't like the script because it sounds more like a support lead role if that makes any sense. The focus will be on Lee Young-ae's character and he will be just another Officer Min like JJH in Dae Jang Geum.
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4 heyitschristina
July 24, 2015 at 9:21 AM
Well if he takes this role there will definitely be a brooding wooden bathtub scene
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mary
July 24, 2015 at 9:47 AM
LOL!
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PinkSushi
July 24, 2015 at 10:02 AM
HAHAHA!
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Waiting
July 24, 2015 at 6:19 PM
+1 :)
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jusash
July 24, 2015 at 7:05 PM
Hhahaha!
That's ok ... I still remember that orange juice?, with the sun shining beyond and of course the SSH abs and eyebrows. Errr what was that drama?
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PilTa
July 24, 2015 at 7:10 PM
and shirtless shower (erm...riverside?) scenes?
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5 pohonphee
July 24, 2015 at 9:26 AM
My 1st reaction: Whoot?? I love SSH. I do, with all my heart, for all his beauty, but....
Oh never mind, I'll watch for the beauty of SSH and LYE!
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6 kororo
July 24, 2015 at 9:38 AM
He definitely is a really beautiful man, but ...
Oh well we might be surprised !
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7 Selendrile
July 24, 2015 at 9:39 AM
is SSH bad acting skill a well known fact ? I'm new at this Kdrama and not familiar with him , but base on the comments seem like everybody like the way he look ( and what a looker ) but not the way he act .
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mary
July 24, 2015 at 9:50 AM
Yep. Even he is aware of it. He comments about it on interviews.
He can be okay in romcom (My Princess). He's just not really good in heavy or more nuanced stuff. And putting him in a sageuk together with Lee Young Ae is... it's weird. She's gonna outshine him like how Song Jae Rim outshines all Oppars in the world. :|
But who knows? Maybe SSH will surprise us? (kekeke I must've said that a thousand times already in dramaland)
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Kiara
July 24, 2015 at 10:19 AM
"She’s gonna outshine him like how Song Jae Rim outshines all Oppars in the world."
Haha love this.
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fantasy
July 24, 2015 at 11:55 PM
I am sorry bit can you explain the comment about SJR please ?? :) I like SJR but did not get the comment
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mary, self-appointed high priestess of the cult of rim
July 25, 2015 at 4:57 AM
Oppar has shown me the light of deluluness.
There is no going back.
(Sorry for off-topic, it's just a running joke. My obsession with Rim.)
mary, high priestess of the cult of rim
July 25, 2015 at 11:44 AM
Sorry it's just a running joke how I'm a delulu Rim fan.
Kiara
July 26, 2015 at 10:12 AM
It's well known here that Jae Rim is Mary's oppa. Even when I read articles about him somewhere else I automatically think about Mary fan-girling over him on the comment section lol.
bd5
July 24, 2015 at 11:39 PM
But even romcoms have emotional/dramatic scenes/moments - but in MP, KTH had to do the heavy lifting in that dept. (she was also the comedic role w/ SSH basically playing the charming, straight man).
Anyhow, SSH's star has been rising in China - so wouldn't be surprised if that played a part in him landing this role (even if not the 1st choice).
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8 alienshore
July 24, 2015 at 9:42 AM
Uh....hrmmmm. What a waste. He's hot as all get out, but unless he is doing rom com he sucks as an actor. He is going to drag this whole thing down.
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9 Tess
July 24, 2015 at 9:55 AM
WHAT.
I wonder if there will be enough negative feedback on this casting news to put him off the role (like Suzy with Cheese in the Trap recently or Yoona with Nodame Cantabile). I mean, i have a soft spot and real liking for him since My Princess but...he's just...so...terrible in everything else :(
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j2hr
July 24, 2015 at 11:12 AM
no, it will not. Knetz always treat male celeb better than their counter part.
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10 table122000
July 24, 2015 at 10:06 AM
I was kind of hoping Ji Sung might take it, but oh well.
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11 sparks121
July 24, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Nooo..... I just.. sigh. Well, I hope the supporting cast is strong. Wish there was someone more of Lee young ae's acting level.
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12 Tara
July 24, 2015 at 10:18 AM
I wholeheartedly agree that he is pretty to look at and I also expected an actor's actor to star opposite Lee Young-ae. Kam Woo-sung would've been awesome...now that's a heavyweight who can emote with his whole body naturally, not just his eyes. Dr. Jin has set the bar for cringeworthy bad sageuks for me, so I'm really hoping they'll offer to someone else who is on par with LYA.
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13 Mandy
July 24, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Well... It has been a while since SSH was in dramaaland and I was expecting him to pop up with a project soon. This though, is totally unexpected.
Obviously he's gonna get majorly out-shined. But then again, I kind of see the logic in casting him. Popular, good looking, etc. Its all a female centric Sageuk so I'm not too concerned.
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14 Hather
July 24, 2015 at 10:26 AM
I don't know why people hate him a lot. In my opinion, he is not that bad. And Guys! We already got Queen LYA. Right? What can I ask for more than this? Can't wait for comeback of LYA.
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15 sofia
July 24, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Gosh…..After 12 years absence, can't they cast someone who can be the same level as Lee Young Ae in terms of acting department? There are so many choose like Cha Seung Won, Cha Tae Hyun, Ji Jin Hee, Lee Seo Jin, Jung Woo Sung. And if they really need someone younger they can cast Jo In Sung or Ju Jun Moo. Headache..headache…headache...
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Iris
July 24, 2015 at 2:35 PM
OMG. I would have loved to see Cha Seung-Won take this role! Or Joo Jin-Mo! Either one would have been terrific opposite LYA. And I agree - she deserves a male lead of her caliber.
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kanz
July 24, 2015 at 5:12 PM
Cha Seung Won has just acted in long sageuk, I doubt he will return to sageuk..
Another actor I wanna watch is Kim Myung Min! He'll be awesome with LYA, for sure...
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Iris
July 25, 2015 at 12:31 AM
I would have loved Kim Myung Min as well, but he is cast in Six Flying Dragons.
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16 lemondoodle
July 24, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Please, no. I was really looking forward to her return.
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17 bugdocmom
July 24, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Nothing against SSH ... But: Ji Jin Hee! Ji Jin Hee! Please dramagods.. pretty please?!?
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18 pigsnout
July 24, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Noooooo why?! Not him with Lee Young Ae!
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19 j2hr
July 24, 2015 at 11:09 AM
i was hoping for Go Soo :(
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20 pogo
July 24, 2015 at 11:24 AM
seriously, did every other actor in dramaland drop dead or something?
I mean, THIS is the best you can get to match with Lee Young-ae?! And in a sageuk at that......can Song Seong-heon just stick to doing cfs and photoshoots, because he is just not much of an actor at all.
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21 lordseungri
July 24, 2015 at 11:49 AM
Okay I love SSH I really do....I've seen all of his dramas including the crap fests of Dr.Jin and When a man loves
But please no
He should comeback with a rom com
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22 Mirai
July 24, 2015 at 11:56 AM
This is a joke, right?
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23 Ananta
July 24, 2015 at 12:32 PM
I don't care about SSH but Lee Young Ae in a sageuk. <33333333 So excited!
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24 exquisitemelody
July 24, 2015 at 1:34 PM
*dies at the pretty*
Oh wait, what did you say? I was distracted. You said he's going to be in another sageuk drama? You're kidding right?
Honestly, I like his older stuff (autumn, my princess), but he really isn't the best actor, and sageuks are already hard to pull off as is. Wish they could've gotten someone stronger.
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25 jam
July 24, 2015 at 3:22 PM
nooooo......
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26 dramamama5
July 24, 2015 at 4:46 PM
Ok. Have to weigh in here and say that SSH was absolutely fabulous and nuanced in A Better Tomorrow. He absolutely can. CAN. Act. Maybe it takes a good director to make it shine, but for sure he is no drama schoolie.
DR Jin's largest failing was its writer and second was its insane schedule that sent it on a hamster wheel IMHO. All the actors looked like crappy actors in Jin, and it was loaded with my favorites.
Anyhoooooo.....this series I will Definitely watch!! (Lord willing and the creeks don't rise :-) ).
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kalel
July 25, 2015 at 10:52 AM
I had no idea whatsoever of who SSH was when I first watched A Better Tomorrow. I thought he was one of the most talented Asian actors I've ever seen. What happened after that it's a cosmic mystery to me! How can a fine actor actually be "not so fine"?
I need to watch SSH again in something like that; I do agree, however, with you on how a sageuk might not be the right project for his coming back into dramaland.
As a side note, I can't believe Jin's writer is the same one who gave us the epic TBDW! What's wrong with talent in SK? It comes and goes at will(?) or by accident...How bizarre!
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27 kanz
July 24, 2015 at 5:10 PM
Unless SSH improves his acting leaps and bounds, it's gonna be uncomfortable watching him onscreen. Seriously who ever thought pairing him with Lee Young Ae will bring the best result? He will outshined by her for sure..
Or is that because no actors want to be play supporting male lead to LYA's character?
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28 sweetgirl17
July 24, 2015 at 6:21 PM
meh... dont like saeguk anyway
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29 Xilen
July 24, 2015 at 6:51 PM
whatz?? lee young ae with this wood guy? please cast cha seung won or the guy in three with deep root instead..
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30 Yoori
July 24, 2015 at 9:05 PM
I can't help but noticed his pants are THISCLOSE to ripping off. Mmm mmmm! He is aging quite well.
When it comes to acting, I find him and KTH very smiliar; easy of the eyes but questionable on the acting, especially heavy roles. But together, they did well in My Princess as romcom.
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bd5
July 24, 2015 at 11:43 PM
I'm going to differ on KTH in MP.
In the role as the Princess - KTH had to be able to do the dramatic/emotional scenes and the comedic scenes (her character was the comedic one whereas SSH's character played it straight) w/ aplomb (not many actresses are good at doing both) - and she did both w/ flying colors.
I'd even say that was one of the top performances in a K-romcom (which is actually hard to do well) by an actress.
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31 whitewire
July 24, 2015 at 9:12 PM
I love Song Seung-heon's body... His My Princess, Autumn in My Heart, and etc.
But to take a dramatic role... Opposite Lee Young-ae no less. My goth how is it going to happen? And the franchise is sold already? Oh my goth that is really pure gold I am not even kidding. Dae Jang Geum is a true gem that even time cannot age it even a day.
Yes and YEEEES to pre-shooting entirely. I love dramas which are entirely pre-shot. The writers and editors can mend plotholes in the early episodes. Now THAT is budget. I am not only looking forward to this-- I will definitely promote this everywhere. There is not enough premise. But Lee Young-ae + Pre-shot... Quality drama.
(On the other hand, why oh why Kam Woo-sung did you let this slip out of yerrr hands?)
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32 Kalyasiri Tan
July 24, 2015 at 9:25 PM
Why not leejunki ... I know ljk is a little bit too young for youngae ... but make up will help him looks older. Junki shi is master of. Facial expressions ... and excellent choice for sageuk ....
.
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33 Z
July 24, 2015 at 10:46 PM
But, guys, he's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo PRETTY...
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34 Lotus_Blossom
July 25, 2015 at 3:12 AM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I was a casual fan because of Autumn Tale, but his performance in Dr. Jin has scarred me for life.
Crap, I was so excited about this drama.
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35 fabdrama
July 25, 2015 at 4:17 AM
Are you SURE he's up for the LEAD role?? So they went from Kam, to HIM?! *raises eyebrow*
There are literally tons of actors that qualify for such a heavy drama,...... YGHUUIJIUGUHIOJI.
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36 amyonn
July 25, 2015 at 8:13 AM
His look is perfect no doubt but acting wise... aish!
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37 RLD
July 25, 2015 at 10:53 PM
i can't believe how nasty so many of you are being about this man being cast in this role. I've watched several of his pieces and have seen him dig in for the trauma/drama stuff when required. He can be "serious" as well as very funny, he is pretty versatile.
Some of you actually want him fired? Give the guy a chance before you place the wood around the stake and light the match.
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38 mei
July 26, 2015 at 7:58 PM
Nah! Kim Nam Gil would be a good choice. Just hope the character he'd play won't be dying at the end though. Lol!
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39 angie
July 26, 2015 at 10:01 PM
I am an SSH fan, and I mean a hardcore one.... and I feel bad whenever he's swarmed with negative comments about his acting. I just have to say that he wouldn't be where he is now if he was only considered plain "pretty"... and if some think this role is not for him then SBS thinks otherwise :) Oh well, different strokes for different folks :) Anyway, thanks for writing about the plot :) I'll be watching this drama only for him :)
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