[News Update] "Dong Yi" hopes to brighten up your 2010

"Dong Yi" hopes to brighten up your 2010
2010.02.08 - 10:15:43
Cr.MBC AMERICA / Original : http://twssg.blogspot.com/

** First broadcast: Mid-March

Entire cast consisting of +60 members came together; including Han Hyoju, Ji Jinhee, Jeong Jinyoung, Bae Subin, Lee Soyeon, Kim Yuseok, Jeong Donghwan, Lee Gyein, Choi Ran, etc.

- Director Lee Byeonghun - "I hope people feel happier in 2010 due to Dong-yi."
- Scriptwriter Kim Yiyoung - "I will try to write characters that everyone will be glad to portray."

This is the saga of Royal consort Choi, who despite her lowly birth becomes the concubine of King Sukjong and mother of King Youngjo, the 21st king of Joseon. The first script writing for [Dong-yi] was held on the evening of the 4th.

Taking place on the 10th floor of the MBC station in Yeoido, the cast and crew for [Dong-yi] showed their passion for the drama by staying past midnight to finish the reading. Particularly Han Hyoju and Ji Jinhee stayed the entire time studying the script though they don’t come out in the first couple of episodes.

Director: Lee Byung Hoon

Director Lee Byeong-hun addressed the cast and crew that would be a family for the next 7 to 8 months. “Thank you to everyone who attended this first gathering. Some of you have worked with me before while for others this is the first time. I look forward to working with you all. […] Regardless of success, I hope that people will be able to feel happier in 2010 due to [Dong-yi]. […] I speak for myself and on behalf of the crew when I saw that we will not become frustrated or angered even if filming continues late into the night. Ji Sangyeol once forced 60 takes of one scene, but even then I didn’t get angry. The only time I got angry was when we were shooting a day scene and the sun was setting and the actors kept messing up. If I do get angry, send me a text message and I’ll immediately repent and apologize.”

Screenwriter: Kim Yi Young

Scriptwriter Kim Yiyoung said, “I will try my hardest to give you characters that you will be glad to portray. I’m afraid and I fear I’m lacking, but I’ll try my best.”

Following were the role introductions. Han Hyoju as the titular role Dong-yi; Ji Jinhee as King Sukjong; Jang Jinyoung as Seo Yongi, a character reminiscent of Javert in Les Miserables; Bae Subin as Cha Cheonsu, the man who loves Dong-yi; Lee Soyeon as Jang Huibin, un unforgettable woman of these times; etc.

It took nearly an hour to introduce all the cast members as well as the crew. Following was the script reading.

Early scenes include the capturing of slaves, to which Director Lee gave the explanation, “The royal forces took care of capturing slaves until 1795. The slave hunters of currently airing ‘Chuno’ didn’t come about until the 1800s.”

Early scenes also include the child actors Kim Yujeong (Dong-yi) and Choi Suhan (as Dong-yi’s friend Gae-dweo-ra). Director Lee gave them detailed acting tips as well as tips on voice projection, telling them to act as they would in a modern series. For another scene that required a lot of child actors, he made them all yell “Wow” aloud and lightened the mood. At times he would praise them, other times he would scold them as to why they were not doing as well as their audition.

The most realistic and exciting acting came from Cheon Hojin who takes on the role of Choi Hyowon, the boss of a powerful group and Dong-yi’s father, and Jeong Donghwan who plays Oh Taeseok, Dong-yi’s enemy for life, a man that uses his men to get rid of opposing political forces.

Cheon Hojin takes on the role of Choi Hyowon as a special appearance. When speaking to his daughter Dong-yi he is the gentlest father, but when he is the boss of his gang of fighters he oozes charisma. His acting was praised by everyone.

Director Lee gave the highest praise to Cheon Hojin, saying, “It was like Choi Hyowon was brought back to life.”

[Heo-jun] brought you medical practices, [Sang-do] business practices, [Dae-jang-geum] culinary arts and [Yi-san] art. Director Lee Byeong-hun’s latest series in 2010[Dong-yi] will introduce Joseon’s extravagant and elegant music.

Furthermore, [Dong-yi] will be the first to deal with the subject of geom-gye (first organization formed by the lower class in order to protect their rights and interests).

[Dong-yi] will begin filming at locations across the nation on February 8th.