Greatest Love
Encyclopedia
The Greatest Love is a 2011 South Korean romantic comedy
series broadcasted by MBC
.
about true love in the fake world of entertainment.
Gu Ae-jung (Gong Hyo-jin) was the most popular member of girl group Kukbo Sonyeo, literally meaning "National Treasure Girls," some 10 years ago, but fell from grace after becoming embroiled in scandals. She makes appearances on television programs to eke out a living for her troublemaker father and brother. On the other hand Dokko Jin (Cha Seung-won) is the most beloved star in the nation, topping all kinds of popularity polls and appearing in many commercials, but has several character flaws. Ae-jung discovers a secret about Jin by chance and reveals it on a talk show, incurring his fury. However, their ill-fated relationship unfolds in an unexpected way as Jin falls for Ae-jung and tries to win her heart.
Yoo In-na
plays the role of another star Kang Se-ri, who used to be in Kukbo Sonyeo with Ae-jung. But whereas Ae-jung was more famous in her heyday and Se-ri was a nobody, now every girl wants to be just like Kang Se-ri. She dated Dokko Jin for a short time, but despite their breakup, they keep up the pretense that they’re still dating to avoid negative publicity. Se-ri is also the host of popular TV dating show Couple Making Season 3.
Yoon Kye-sang
portrays Yoon Pil-joo, a well-mannered, thoughtful and caring doctor of Oriental medicine. He has no interest in celebrities and their outrageous lives. Under pressure from his mother, he agrees to appear on a TV dating show, but after finding out that Ae-jung will also be appearing on the same show, he becomes very eager to meet her. Fictional dating show Couple Making Season 3 is based on MBC
’s real variety program We Got Married
, where they throw celebrities into fake relationships for the cameras. The concept is a competition-based mat-seon program, essentially setting up people on blind dates for the purposes of finding a marriage partner. The major difference is that in Couple Making, celebrity ladies compete over a non-celebrity eligible bachelor who gives them roses to prevent their elimination (a la The Bachelor), which is how Yoon Pil-joo ends up as a contestant on the show.
The mix of the main characters’ mismatched personalities with the necessity to maintain (or recoup in Ae-jung’s case) public sentiment makes for great hijinks and drama, not to mention an interesting meta
social commentary on the entertainment industry and the star-making and -breaking power of image.
(2006), Hong Gil Dong
(2008), You’re Beautiful
(2009) and My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho
(2010). According to Director Park Hong-kyun (who previously helmed Queen Seondeok
), the Hong Sisters' adeptness at character comedy is how The Greatest Love hopes to differentiate itself from other trendy dramas airing on Korean television in Spring 2011. Though the drama draws from gossip people hear about celebrities, Cha said during the drama's press conference that he also wants to show a bright, healthy side of the entertainment scene in Korea. He admitted that entertainers do hide behind their image due to their job. "However, this drama will show they are just genuine people off-camera," Cha said. Yoon added that, "The script is very realistic, giving a fun sneak peek into what is going on behind the scenes."
Cha has described his comedic acting as technical while his co-star Gong's is more naturalistic and reactive. They believe they struck a good balance between their two acting styles, which benefited the drama greatly.
Cameos
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
series broadcasted by MBC
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television...
.
Plot
From the famed Hong Sisters comes this hit romantic comedyRomantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
about true love in the fake world of entertainment.
Gu Ae-jung (Gong Hyo-jin) was the most popular member of girl group Kukbo Sonyeo, literally meaning "National Treasure Girls," some 10 years ago, but fell from grace after becoming embroiled in scandals. She makes appearances on television programs to eke out a living for her troublemaker father and brother. On the other hand Dokko Jin (Cha Seung-won) is the most beloved star in the nation, topping all kinds of popularity polls and appearing in many commercials, but has several character flaws. Ae-jung discovers a secret about Jin by chance and reveals it on a talk show, incurring his fury. However, their ill-fated relationship unfolds in an unexpected way as Jin falls for Ae-jung and tries to win her heart.
Yoo In-na
Yoo In-na
Yoo In Na is a South Korean actress under YG Entertainment, and winner of the Best New Actress award for her role in Secret Garden, at the 47th Paeksang Arts Awards in 2011.-Career:...
plays the role of another star Kang Se-ri, who used to be in Kukbo Sonyeo with Ae-jung. But whereas Ae-jung was more famous in her heyday and Se-ri was a nobody, now every girl wants to be just like Kang Se-ri. She dated Dokko Jin for a short time, but despite their breakup, they keep up the pretense that they’re still dating to avoid negative publicity. Se-ri is also the host of popular TV dating show Couple Making Season 3.
Yoon Kye-sang
Yoon Kye-sang
Yoon Kye-sang is a South Korean actor and former singer in boyband g.o.d..-Beginnings:Yoon began his rise to fame as a member of South Korean pop music group g.o.d. which enjoyed huge popularity for over half a decade. However, he turned to acting in 2004, making his film debut in Flying Boys,...
portrays Yoon Pil-joo, a well-mannered, thoughtful and caring doctor of Oriental medicine. He has no interest in celebrities and their outrageous lives. Under pressure from his mother, he agrees to appear on a TV dating show, but after finding out that Ae-jung will also be appearing on the same show, he becomes very eager to meet her. Fictional dating show Couple Making Season 3 is based on MBC
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC (Hangul : 문화방송주식회사, Munhwa Bangsong Jushikoesa) is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television...
’s real variety program We Got Married
We Got Married
We Got Married is a popular reality South Korean variety show, one segment of the Sunday Sunday Night program. First broadcast in 2008, the show pairs up Korean celebrities to show what life would be like if they were married...
, where they throw celebrities into fake relationships for the cameras. The concept is a competition-based mat-seon program, essentially setting up people on blind dates for the purposes of finding a marriage partner. The major difference is that in Couple Making, celebrity ladies compete over a non-celebrity eligible bachelor who gives them roses to prevent their elimination (a la The Bachelor), which is how Yoon Pil-joo ends up as a contestant on the show.
The mix of the main characters’ mismatched personalities with the necessity to maintain (or recoup in Ae-jung’s case) public sentiment makes for great hijinks and drama, not to mention an interesting meta
Meta
Meta- , is a prefix used in English to indicate a concept which is an abstraction from another concept, used to complete or add to the latter....
social commentary on the entertainment industry and the star-making and -breaking power of image.
Production
Writers Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, aka the "Hong Sisters," are known for their witty lines in dramas such as Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang (2005), My Girl (2005), Fantasy CoupleCouple or Trouble
Couple or Trouble is a South Korean TV drama which starred Oh Ji Ho and Han Ye Seul . The original meaning of the title is Fantasy Couple. The drama was aired in Korea from October 14 to December 3, 2006 through MBC network. It was Oh Ji Ho and Han Ye Seul first leading roles in a TV drama...
(2006), Hong Gil Dong
Hong Gil Dong (TV series)
Hong Gil Dong is a South Korean drama airing on KBS2, starting from January 2, 2008, every Wednesday and Thursday. It is set in historical times with much modern influences and comedic tones.-Plot:...
(2008), You’re Beautiful
You're Beautiful (TV series)
He's Beautiful is a South Korean drama about a fictional boy band A.N.Jell and the relationship between its members when a female, posing as her twin brother, joins the group...
(2009) and My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho
My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox
My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox is a South Korean romantic comedy series. Broadcast by SBS from 2010-Aug-11 to 2010-Sep-30. It stars Lee Seung Gi and Shin Min Ah....
(2010). According to Director Park Hong-kyun (who previously helmed Queen Seondeok
Queen Seondeok (TV series)
Queen Seondeok is a South Korean historical drama aired on MBC. It chronicles the life of Queen Seondeok of Silla.-MBC official synopsis:...
), the Hong Sisters' adeptness at character comedy is how The Greatest Love hopes to differentiate itself from other trendy dramas airing on Korean television in Spring 2011. Though the drama draws from gossip people hear about celebrities, Cha said during the drama's press conference that he also wants to show a bright, healthy side of the entertainment scene in Korea. He admitted that entertainers do hide behind their image due to their job. "However, this drama will show they are just genuine people off-camera," Cha said. Yoon added that, "The script is very realistic, giving a fun sneak peek into what is going on behind the scenes."
Cha has described his comedic acting as technical while his co-star Gong's is more naturalistic and reactive. They believe they struck a good balance between their two acting styles, which benefited the drama greatly.
Ratings
The Greatest Love posted an average viewership rating of 16.6 percent on Total National Multimedia Statistics’ (TNmS) chart and 19.5 percent on AGB Nielsen Media Research’s (AGB) poll, with its final episode, in particular, marking 21 percent on AGB's survey to surpass the 20 percent mark for the first time. It topped the Wednesdays and Thursdays primetime TV chart for five consecutive weeks.Cast
- Cha Seung-won as Dokko Jin
- Gong Hyo-jin as Gu Ae-jung
- Yoon Kye-sangYoon Kye-sangYoon Kye-sang is a South Korean actor and former singer in boyband g.o.d..-Beginnings:Yoon began his rise to fame as a member of South Korean pop music group g.o.d. which enjoyed huge popularity for over half a decade. However, he turned to acting in 2004, making his film debut in Flying Boys,...
as Yoon Pil-joo - Yoo In-naYoo In-naYoo In Na is a South Korean actress under YG Entertainment, and winner of the Best New Actress award for her role in Secret Garden, at the 47th Paeksang Arts Awards in 2011.-Career:...
as Kang Se-ri - Yang Han-yeol as Gu Hyung-kyu (Ae-jung's nephew)
- Jung Joon-haJeong Jun-haJeong Jun-ha is a South Korean comedian and entertainer. His well-known motto is " gives love or not, always gives love, Jeong Jun-ha" .-History:...
as Gu Ae-hwan (Ae-jung's brother/manager) - Lee Hee-jinLee Hee-Jin- Profile :*Education - DongAh Broadcasting College*Family - Parents and an older brother*Religion - Buddhist*Nickname - ChamSae Heejin had been assigned the 'sophisticated' role in the group...
as Jenny - Im Ji-kyu as Kim Jae-seok (Jin's manager)
- Choi Hwa-jung as Representative Moon (president of Jin's agency)
- Bae Seul-gi as Han Mi-na
- Jung Man-shik as Manager Jang
- Choi Sung-min as Kim Eun-ho (Couple Making PD)
- Kim Mi-jin as Han Myung-jung (Couple Making writer)
- Park Won-sook as Pil-joo's mother
- Han Jin-hee as Gu Ja-chul (Ae-jung's father)
- Jeong Gyu-soo as Cardiac surgeon
- Hyoyoung5dolls5dolls is a 5-member sub-group comprising the female members of the South Korean dance-pop group Co-Ed School. They debuted with two single tracks "Lip Stains" and "I Mean You" .-History:...
as Harumi
Cameos
- Episode 1
- Jang Hang-joon
- Jung Doo-hong
- Horan
- Episodes 1-2 (Quiz to Change the World)
- Kim Gu-raKim Gu-raKim Gu-ra is a Korean MC, comedian and radio host.He first appeared on television in the 1990s in comedy shows and comedy skits. Kim was blasted by the Korean public for harshly criticizing famous rock band H.O.T...
- Lee Hwi-jae
- Park Mi-sun
- Jo Hye-ryun
- Lee Byung-jin
- Lee Kyung-shil
- Jo Hyung-gi
- Kim Ji-sunKim Ji-sunKim Ji-sun is a South Korean curler.Kim was a member of the silver medal winning Korean team that won a silver medal at the 2007 Pacific Junior Curling Championships. She was the team's alternate and played two matches. She was also the alternate for the Korean team at the 2009 Mount Titlis World...
- Ji Sang-ryulJi Sang RyulJi Sang-ryeol is a South Korean actor, comedian, musician, composer, and host. Who has made numerous appearances in dramas and TV Shows. He is well known for his blunt yet humorous personality in TV Shows such as X-Man and being of the main MCs of top Korean variety show 1 Night 2 Days until a...
- Kim Hyun-chul
- Park Kyung-rim
- Kim Shin-young
- Kim Gu-ra
- Episodes 3-4
- Park Si-yeon
- Episode 9
- Lee Seung-giLee Seung GiLee Seung Gi is a South Korean singer, actor and MC.-Career:Scouted by singer Lee Sun Hee, Lee Seung Gi trained for 2 years before debuting on June 5, 2004 at the age of 17...
- Lee Seung-gi
- Episode 10
- Brian JooBrian JooBrian Joo , better known as simply Brian, is a Korean-American R&B, K-pop singer where he is known as a member of R&B duo Fly to the Sky. His solo album, The Brian was released in December 2006. His 2nd solo album, Manifold was released in December 2009.He had two birth names as Brian Gintaek Joo...
- Brian Joo
- Episode 14 (Section TV)
- Kim Yong-man
- Gu Eun-young
- Park Seul-gi
- Lee Sung-bae
- Seo Hyo-myung
- Hwang Je-seong
- Jung Hwan-gyu
- Episode 15-16 (Ideal Type World Cup)
- Kim Gu-raKim Gu-raKim Gu-ra is a Korean MC, comedian and radio host.He first appeared on television in the 1990s in comedy shows and comedy skits. Kim was blasted by the Korean public for harshly criticizing famous rock band H.O.T...
- Kim Gu-ra
External links
- http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/greatestlove/
- The Greatest Love at HanCinema
- Episode recaps at Dramabeans