Edited by Hong Hyun Jung
Translated Cho EK
The broadcasting networks are resuming their competitions, which they had put on hold during the Olympics season. Starting with Lovers of the Red Sky and Hometown Cha Cha Cha at the end of August, networks will begin their fierce viewership battles. For instance, the four most anticipated dramas will begin airing their new episodes on September 17th.
Lost (9/4)
JTBC Lost is the drama series that marks the comeback of Jeon Do Yeon and Ryu Jun Yeol to the small screen. It is the first TV series by director Hur Jin Ho of One Fine Spring Day (2001) and The Last Princess (2016). The drama tells the story of ordinary people who suddenly come to realize that they haven’t achieved anything significant in life. Jeon Do Yeon will play Bu Jeong, a ghostwriter who wanted to become a famous novelist, and Ryu Jun Yeol will be Kang Jae, a service operator who wants to become someone rich. It is a romance series between a woman and a man who have done their best but lost their way in life.
High Class (9/6)
Following Sky Castle, The Penthouse: War in Life, and Mine, another drama that explores the hypocritical life of the upper class is coming. It is tvN High Class, starring Cho Yeo Jeong. It deals with the mystery that takes place at a luxurious international school located on a paradise-like island. Jo Yeo Jeong plays Song Yeo Ul, a former lawyer who loses everything in one day because of an accusation of murdering her husband. Soon, she settles on an island for her son to attend the international school. I wonder how luxuriously the secret mystery will unfold, stemming from the lies and hypocrisy behind the impeccable lives of upper-class women.
The Veil (9/17)
It is a spy action series ambitiously presented by MBC, a network experiencing an all-time low in viewership ratings for several years. The series is geared up with a $12.76 million budget and a go-to actor, Namkoong Min, as its lead. Han Ji Hyuk, played by Namkoong Min, is a man who survived the accident that killed all of his teammates during an operation. The drama tells the story of a top field agent of the National Intelligence Service, who disappeared a year ago, finding his way back into the organization, and searching for the whistleblower who dragged him into the abyss. Will MBC be able to restore its reputation with this upcoming series?
One the Woman (9/17)
SBS, which enjoyed the rating success of The Penthouse: War in Life, presents a comedy body swap series, One the Woman. Lee Hanee, who showed a bubbly charm in The Fiery Priest, takes the challenge of playing two roles.
Her first role, Jo Yeon Joo, is the only daughter of a mob boss. Although she graduated from a prestigious university and passed the bar exam with excellent grades, she is only interested in taking care of number one no matter what it takes. On the other hand, her second role is Kang Mi Na, the youngest daughter of the Yumin Group family and daughter-in-law of Hanju Group. Both of her family disapproves of her as a member of their community due to her being out of wedlock. The drama will begin as Jo Yeon Joo loses her memory in a sudden accident and find herself in a conglomerate family as Kang Mi Na, who looks just like her.
Yumi’s Cells (9/17)
Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, Yumi’s Cells �depicts the story of an ordinary woman Yumi from the perspective of her body cells. It will be produced in seasons and will combine live-action and 3D animation to personify Yumi’s cells. Kim Go Eun will play the main character, Yumi, and will portray an ordinary life of an office worker who wants a bit of spice in her life. Ahn Bo Hyun will play Goo Woong, a game developer with a simple yet charming personality, and Jinyoung will be Bobby, the most popular guy in her company.
Squid Game (9/17)
Netflix comes up with a new Korean original series every month. This time, they will release Squid Game starring Lee Jung Jae and Park Hae Soo in September. Miss Granny (2013) director Hwang Dong Hyuk is said to have long envisioned the project since 2008. The series will tell the story of people who risk their lives to become the ultimate winner in a mysterious survival game with huge prize money. Lee Jung Jae will play Ki Hoon, a man who is suffering the lowest moment of his life after losing his job. Park Hae Soo will be taking the role of Sang Woo, a man who found himself in trouble after using his company’s funds for his own good. A life-threatening game played by these people in desperate need will provide tight tension.
Hometown (9/22)
Night in Paradise actor Uhm Tae Goo and Minari star Han Ye Ri met in a drama of a new genre. Set in 1999, tvN’s Hometown is a mystery thriller that follows a detective chasing a murder case and a woman searching for her kidnapped nephew. Together, they face the worst criminal holding the ultimate dirty little secrets.
Yoo Jae Myung will take on the role of Choi Hyung In, a homicide detective who lost her spouse in a terrorist attack ten years ago. Han Ye Ri will play Jo Jung Hyeon, who lives under the social stigma of being a member of a terrorist’s family. Uhm Tae Goo will transform into Jo Kyung Ho, the culprit of the terrorist attack ten years ago, who is also Jung Hyun’s older brother. He will be standing against the two characters above. As it was originally scheduled to be aired on OCN, the drama has the typical traits of the OCN series. However, it will be a welcomed work for fans who love to watch the crime series.
Dali and Cocky Prince (9/22)
Dali and Cocky Prince is the first runner-up of KBS’s Wednesday-Thursday drama that resumed production after three months. It is a romantic comedy series between a rich yet uneducated man and a woman from a prestigious family who is trying to save her rundown art museum. Although they previously had feelings for each other, without knowing their backgrounds, they get to meet again in a debtor and creditor relationship.
Kim Min Jae plays an unsophisticated yet business-savvy man who is also the second son of a food company, Jin Mu Hak. With this role, he will present a completely different comical character from his previous work, Do You Like Brahms?. Park Gyu Young takes on the role of Dalri, a researcher at an art museum who was born in a prestigious family. She is excellent at her job and has a good personality, but she lacks the sense of money. With a typical rom-com series setting, I wonder how the two actors will lead out the series.
Edited Hong Hyun Jung: I am a K-content guide who publishes various articles for people to enjoy Korean movies and dramas deeper and richer. I’ll introduce you to the works that you can laugh, cry and sympathize with.
Translator Cho EK: I’m a big fan of Korean dramas and movies.
