KBS - The Kingdom of the Winds

Like grandfather like grandson. Song as Prince Muhyul - Jumong's grandson.

Song Il Kook is making a comeback to historical drama following his portrayal as Prince Jumong in MBC's production some two years back. This follows after his last drama in SBS' Lobbyist. In KBS' - The Kingdom of the Winds, Song will play the role of Jumong's grandson, Prince Muhyul, the third king of Goguryeo. The Kingdom of the Winds is a remake of a comic by Kim Jin. Song expressed that reprising a character so closely related to his previous role in Jumong has given him added pressure to perform. However, we at HelloHallyu think KBS has got the right guy. Who's better to portray Jumong's grandon than Jumong himself.

Jumong, I mean, Song Il Kook, is getting married

The ever so sauve Song Il Kook (Prince Jumong) will wed his love in Mar 2008.

(Source: Edaily SPN)

According to the chinese.chosun.com, Song Il Kook will be getting married in Mar 2008. Song met his bride late last year. Due to his busy schedule, which included the filming of Jumong, Song was only able to 'romance' his love via the handphone through SMS (texting). It was only after the end of filming that he was able to go all out to capture the heart of his fiancee.

Doesn't this sound like a K-drama script. Talk about art imitating life.

Top 10 Korean Dramas of 2007

A post by "kdramafanasia" in the soompi forums listed the Top 10 Dramas of 2007 based on results compiled by TNS Media Research for average viewership rating.

The top 10 dramas for the year are:

1. Jumong (MBC) - 47.3%

2. Pure 19 (KBS1) - 39.7%

3. War Of Money (SBS) - 31.0%

4. As Much As Heaven And Earth (KBS1) - 29.0%

5. Story Of First King's Four Gods/Legend (MBC) - 28.8%

6. I Hate You But It's Fine (KBS1) - 28.8%

7. Dae Jo Young (KBS1) - 26.3%

8. Blissful Woman (KBS2) - 25.2%

9. My Man's Woman (SBS) - 24.5%

10. First Shop Of Coffee Prince (MBC) - 24.2%

Perhaps in a weird coincidence, I only managed to watch Jumong, which is currently running on the telly, and First Shop of Coffee Prince, which happen to be rated 1st and 10th respectively in the chart.

Although I did not take part in the polling, I am not surprised that Jumong topped the list of dramas despite the highly competitive environment for drama series in Korea. With its fast paced action, tight storyline, great acting and beautiful sets, it is easy to imagine Koreans being glued to the tv, which is in fact happening to me now, when the drama is screening.

Can't say much for the dramas rated as 2nd to 9th on the chart since I did not manage to catch any of them.

Being a fan of both Yoon Eun Hye and Gong Yoo, I am glad that Coffee Prince managed to squeeze itself into the top 10, which in itself is already a feat. It would be a great disservice to the Korean entertainment scene if this drama did not make it to the list. Tell me honestly, apart from the classic Friends, which other drama had the influence to convince girls to lop off their locks for a Go Eun Chan hairdo?

Korean dramas and historical fact

The fight between Jumong and Chinese imperialism in the drama Jumong is now fought in the academia as Korean historians assert that a region currently controlled by China actually belongs to Korea.

Using historical maps, Korean historians showed that the disputed region of Gando belonged to Korea. More interestingly, the Koreans believe that the Chinese are apparently trying to claim that the ancient Korean state of Goguryo was a Chinese kingdom.

K-drama fans will recognise Goguryo as the kingdom founded by Jumong.

So, who says one cannot learn anything from watching K-dramas.

Disclaimer - Hello Hallyu is in no way encouraging reader to chuck away their history texts. :)