Kyeong Seong Scandal
Encyclopedia
Kyeong Seong Scandal is a mini-series drama that aired in Korea
on KBS. The series is also commonly known as "Capital Scandal." "Kyeong Seong" was the name of Seoul
in the 1930s, when Korea was colonized by the Japanese army. The historical drama depicts many sides of Seoul at that time. It was not only a battle field between independence movement activists and pro-Japanese people, but also a place where different cultural values between traditional and modern ways of life are co-existed.
This drama is called "a historical fusion drama" in Korea. "Fusion" in this context means that the drama has both sides of old and modern period. Its historical background is based on the period of Japanese occupation and characters' lives seem to be the same as the Korean people during colonial period. But viewers will feel very close to the characters in many ways because they have the similar thoughts and behaviors with modern viewers.
One of the unique features of this drama is that it takes a different step from other typical historical dramas. The concept of Korea's dark days in the 30's is re-interpreted in the drama with a comical and romantic touch. When Korean historical dramas are related to the period of Japanese rule, a large portion of them were doomed to be sad. But in this drama, viewers will experience a different point of view on the darkest era of Korea. Viewers will be surprised at the fact that this drama is a romantic comedy even though there are some elements of tragedy.
) is the one of the most notorious womanizers who alleges that he can seduce any woman within 10 minutes. The handsome, fashionable and rich boy doesn't have worries about the fate of his native country. He gambles with his colleagues on his ability to seduce Na Yeo-kyeong (Han Ji-min
) whose nickname is Jomaja (the last woman of Joseon Dynasty
). She is recognized as a woman who doesn't care about her appearance and is not interested in dating a guy at all. She runs a small bookstore while she works as a volunteer teacher for poor children. She is a very determined woman and has a strong faith that her country will be liberated from Japan in the near future. Dating a guy for marriage is something that she can do only after the independence of her native land.
As plots develop, there are struggles and conflicts among characters. Seonwoo Wan doesn't take his bet seriously in the first place and never means to fall in love with her. But he comes to be in love with Yeo-kyeong and becomes an independent movement activist himself against Japan. Finally, Wan realizes that falling in love with Yeo-kyeong requires him to be changed into a whole different person from what he was and that is the first step for him to find the reason why he should keep leading his life in a gloomy and miserable period. Wan says "Love is the strongest and most effective strategy for independence and revolution."
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
on KBS. The series is also commonly known as "Capital Scandal." "Kyeong Seong" was the name of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
in the 1930s, when Korea was colonized by the Japanese army. The historical drama depicts many sides of Seoul at that time. It was not only a battle field between independence movement activists and pro-Japanese people, but also a place where different cultural values between traditional and modern ways of life are co-existed.
This drama is called "a historical fusion drama" in Korea. "Fusion" in this context means that the drama has both sides of old and modern period. Its historical background is based on the period of Japanese occupation and characters' lives seem to be the same as the Korean people during colonial period. But viewers will feel very close to the characters in many ways because they have the similar thoughts and behaviors with modern viewers.
One of the unique features of this drama is that it takes a different step from other typical historical dramas. The concept of Korea's dark days in the 30's is re-interpreted in the drama with a comical and romantic touch. When Korean historical dramas are related to the period of Japanese rule, a large portion of them were doomed to be sad. But in this drama, viewers will experience a different point of view on the darkest era of Korea. Viewers will be surprised at the fact that this drama is a romantic comedy even though there are some elements of tragedy.
Synopsis
Seonwoo Wan (Kang Ji-hwanKang Ji-hwan
Kang Ji-hwan is a South Korean actor.- Career :Kang made his debut in the entertainment industry through popular musical productions The Rocky Horror Show and Grease...
) is the one of the most notorious womanizers who alleges that he can seduce any woman within 10 minutes. The handsome, fashionable and rich boy doesn't have worries about the fate of his native country. He gambles with his colleagues on his ability to seduce Na Yeo-kyeong (Han Ji-min
Han Ji-min
Han Ji-min is a South Korean actress.- Career :Han Ji-min started her career in show business while still a high school student. She did various commercial films and music videos before gaining wider attention in 2003, when she appeared in hit Korean television dramas All In and Dae Jang Geum...
) whose nickname is Jomaja (the last woman of Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
). She is recognized as a woman who doesn't care about her appearance and is not interested in dating a guy at all. She runs a small bookstore while she works as a volunteer teacher for poor children. She is a very determined woman and has a strong faith that her country will be liberated from Japan in the near future. Dating a guy for marriage is something that she can do only after the independence of her native land.
As plots develop, there are struggles and conflicts among characters. Seonwoo Wan doesn't take his bet seriously in the first place and never means to fall in love with her. But he comes to be in love with Yeo-kyeong and becomes an independent movement activist himself against Japan. Finally, Wan realizes that falling in love with Yeo-kyeong requires him to be changed into a whole different person from what he was and that is the first step for him to find the reason why he should keep leading his life in a gloomy and miserable period. Wan says "Love is the strongest and most effective strategy for independence and revolution."
Cast
- Seonwoo Wan played by Kang Ji-hwanKang Ji-hwanKang Ji-hwan is a South Korean actor.- Career :Kang made his debut in the entertainment industry through popular musical productions The Rocky Horror Show and Grease...
- Na Yeo-keong played by Han Ji-minHan Ji-minHan Ji-min is a South Korean actress.- Career :Han Ji-min started her career in show business while still a high school student. She did various commercial films and music videos before gaining wider attention in 2003, when she appeared in hit Korean television dramas All In and Dae Jang Geum...
- Lee Su-yeon played by Ryu JinRyu JinRyu Jin is a South Korean actor.-Profile:*Name: 류진 / Ryu Jin*Birth Name: Im Yu Jin*Date of Birth: November 16, 1972*Height: 185 cm*Weight: 75 kg*Marital Status: Married to airline worker Lee Hye Sun- TV dramas :...
- Cha Song-ju played by Han Go-eun
- Kim Tak-gu played by Kang Nam-gil
- Shin Se-gi played by Heo Jeong-min
- Wang Gol played by Ko Myeong-whan
- Kang In-ho played by An Yong-jun
- Lee Gang-gu played by An Gi-won
- Ueda Momoru played by An Seok-whan
- Yamashita Kouji played by Choi Phillip
- Ueda Sachiko played by Kim Hae-ok
- So Young-lang played by Park Ha-seon
- Chu Geun-deok played by Jang Tae-seong
- Choi Hak-hee played by Lee Kyeong-jin
- Seonwoo Kwan played by Yoon Ju-sang
- Heo Young-wha played by Yoon Yae-hee
Awards
- 2007 KBS Drama Award : Best Actor (Kang Ji-hwanKang Ji-hwanKang Ji-hwan is a South Korean actor.- Career :Kang made his debut in the entertainment industry through popular musical productions The Rocky Horror Show and Grease...
) - 2007 KBS Drama Award : Best Actress (Han Ji-minHan Ji-minHan Ji-min is a South Korean actress.- Career :Han Ji-min started her career in show business while still a high school student. She did various commercial films and music videos before gaining wider attention in 2003, when she appeared in hit Korean television dramas All In and Dae Jang Geum...
) - 2007 KBS Drama Award : Netizen Award (Han Ji-min)
- 2007 KBS Drama Award : Best Couple Award (Kang Ji-hwan & Han Ji-min)
- 2007 KBS Drama Award : Best Supporting Actress (Han Go-eun & Kim Hae-ok)
- 2007 KBS Drama Award : Best Child Actor (Choi Woo-hyeok)
- 2008 Banff World Television Festival Award
DVD releases
- DVD name : Kyeong Seong scandal
- Date of release : November, 2007
- Episodes : 16 (8 discs)
- Special features included
Original Sound Track
- 1. Kyeong Seong Scandle - Eru
- 2. Because of you - Jeon Soyoung
- 3. Elegy
- 4. Dance with me
- 5. You who believe this is the end - Jay
- 6. No Life Without You (Feat. Soseol)
- 7. Winds of Kyeong Seong
- 8. Kyeong Seong Scandle (Inst.)
- 9. Sweet Song - Noh Jinyoung
- 10. Kyeong Seong BLUES
- 11. Mong(dream)
- 12. Waltz of Destiny
- 13. Elegy Tango
- 14. You who believe this is the end (Inst.)
- 15. One Summer
- 16. Because of you (Inst.)
- 17. In a Mood