Star Re-shining
Lee Young-ae will be returning to the TV soon. After her marriage and childbirth she took a 10-year hiatus. But her fans couldn’t forget her, and still miss her role as the main character in “Daejanggeum,” which was also known as “Jewel in the Palace.” Exported to over 90 countries, the epic smash hit drama raised the Korean Wave around the globe. Lee spread Korean taste and flavor like a tsunami, surpassing geographic borders and ethnic boundaries.
Yesterday a South Korean drama production announced her appearance in its new project. What induced her elegant choice for a comeback is the life story of genius female artist Shin Saimdang who lived in the 16th century Joseon Dytnasy. The producer explained that Lee’s highbrow, refined image exactly matches Saimdang enough to guide viewers to rediscover the life of one of the most respected women in Korean history. Viewers are already anticipating her authentic performance and her role as a civilian ambassador who will introduce the excellence of Korean culture to the whole world.
Lee will play a double role in “Saimdang, the Herstory,” which will tell us a story-within-a-story starring a university lecturer of Korean art history who finds a secret diary of the poet, artist, and mother who raised Lee Yul-gok, the greatest scholar of the time. Moving between the past and present, her interactive narration is going to arrest viewers with the full breadth of a free spirit who never failed her dream as a woman, artist, wife, and mother, even in a rigid Confucian society with notorious gender discrimination.
After confirming Lee’s starring role, the production agency said that it will begin filming the new TV series in June after months of pre-production, and from the first half of next year it will start to air. Being aware of her name value and successful career in the cultural content industry, oversees studios are highly attentive to her return. One Chinese production is considering simultaneous releases both in China and Korea.
Depicting the highly-gifted artist Saimdang's passion for art and immortal love for her family, Herstory reinterprets an ancient Korean woman who was an all-around success in every part of life into the contemporary meaning of art, education, and family. She will portray a full and varied life delivering unchanging value to all lives. We as the audience will enjoy her acting, one of Korea’s greatest living actresses portraying one of Korea's living national treasures, and expect another rise of Hallyu.