The King and I (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The King and I is a South Korean historical drama series that aired on SBS in 2007-2008. It began airing on August 27, 2007, and was moderately successful, having its ratings peak at 20%. Due to competition from MBC
drama Yi San
, its 50-episode order was extended to 66 episodes.
. A servant of various Korean Kings, he becomes the servant of King Seong Jong in order to protect childhood friend So Hwa, who has since become the King's second concubine. Although Cheo Seon is in love with So Hwa, he is unable to do anything about it due to her status as a "King's Woman".
Although So Hwa becomes the Queen, due to political strife, she is cast out of the palace in disgrace. Kim Cheo Seon attempts to help his childhood friend, but he is eventually forced to poison So Hwa to death. After her death, he looks after her son, Yeon San Gun.
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...
drama Yi San
Yi San
Yi San was a South Korean historical drama that aired on MBC, Monday and Tuesdays at 9:55 P.M. Yi San had much success and ended up in MBC's Acting Awards with "Top Excellence Acting Award" for Lee Seo Jin and "Best Actress" for Han Ji-min. It was also nominated for MBC Best Drama but lost to Legend...
, its 50-episode order was extended to 66 episodes.
Plot
The King and I revolves around the life of Kim Cheo Seon, a eunuch who lived during the Joseon DynastyJoseon 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...
. A servant of various Korean Kings, he becomes the servant of King Seong Jong in order to protect childhood friend So Hwa, who has since become the King's second concubine. Although Cheo Seon is in love with So Hwa, he is unable to do anything about it due to her status as a "King's Woman".
Although So Hwa becomes the Queen, due to political strife, she is cast out of the palace in disgrace. Kim Cheo Seon attempts to help his childhood friend, but he is eventually forced to poison So Hwa to death. After her death, he looks after her son, Yeon San Gun.
Cast
- Oh Man Suk as Kim Cheo-seon
- Koo Hye SunKoo Hye SunKu Hye Sun is a South Korean actress. An admirer of Leonardo Da Vinci, Ku also dabbles in directing, writing, illustrating, singing and composing. She is best known for her role as Geum Jan Di in the hit TV show Boys Over Flowers.-Career:...
as Queen Jeheon - Yoo Seung Ho as King SeongjongSeongjong of JoseonSeongjong of Joseon was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.-Reign:...
- Lee JinLee JinLee Jin is a South Korean actress. First a member of the Korean pop group Fin.K.L, along with Lee Hyori, Ock Joo Hyun, and Sung Yuri, she is currently acting in dramas and movies.-Career:...
as Queen Jeonghyeon - Jun Kwang RyulJun Kwang RyulJun Kwang Ryul is South Korean actor who best known for his roles as Heo Jun and Jumong as King Wu Hwa. Jun also played fathers of main protagonists include Shallow the Sun and Kim Tae-goo :Baker King he married with one son-Tv Dramas:*Warrior Baek Dong-soo - Kim Kwang-Taek*Sign - Lee...
as Jo Chi Gyeom, the head of the eunuchs - Jun In Hwa as Queen Sohye (Insu), Seongjong's mother
- Yang Mi Kyung as Queen Jeonghui, Seongjong's grandmother
- Jun Hye Bin as Seol Young, Chi Gyeom's adoptive sister
- Ahn Jae Mo as Jeong Han-su, a eunuch
- Jung Tae WooJung Tae WooJung Tae Woo is a South Korean actor. Much of his work has been in the genre of Korean historical dramas such as Taejo Wang Geon, Dae Jo Yeong, and The King and I .- Career :...
as Yeonsangun, King Seongjong and Queen Jeheon's son
Episode Ratings
The King and I performed moderately well, getting ratings in the 20%-25% range and ranking in the top 10. However, in late January, ratings fell to the mid-tens, barely cracking the Top 20 in Korea.Trivia
- Park Sang Min was the original actor who was supposed to portray as the King Sengjong but had to back of out of this. So actor Ko Joo Won was his replacement, happily doing it.
- Actress Yeo Woon KyeYeo Woon KyeYeo Woon-kay was a South Korean film actress and television personality. She was best known for Korean films such as Money’s Warfare, Bad Family and My Name is Kim Sam Soon....
who was supposed to portray Soginopa had to quit in middle due to her health reasons even she already filmed a few episodes. Her replacement was Kim Soo Mi.
Awards
- 2007 SBS Acting Awards: Top Excellence in Acting 최우수상 (Jun Kwang Ryul)
- 2007 SBS Acting Awards: Soap Opera Best Acting 연속극부문 연기상 (Oh Man Suk)
- 2007 SBS Acting Awards: 10s Star Award 10대 스타상 (Jun Kwang RyulJun Kwang RyulJun Kwang Ryul is South Korean actor who best known for his roles as Heo Jun and Jumong as King Wu Hwa. Jun also played fathers of main protagonists include Shallow the Sun and Kim Tae-goo :Baker King he married with one son-Tv Dramas:*Warrior Baek Dong-soo - Kim Kwang-Taek*Sign - Lee...
) - 2007 SBS Acting Awards: Best Teen Actor Award 아역상 (Ryu Seung Ho)
- 2007 SBS Acting Awards: Best Teen Actor Award 아역상 (Joo Min Soo)
- 2007 SBS Acting Awards: Best Teen Actor Award 아역상 (Park Bo Yeong)
- 2007 SBS Acting Awards: Best Service Award 공로상 (Shin Ku)
- 2007 SBS Acting Awards: New Star Award (or Rookies of this Year) 뉴스타상 (Koo Hye SunKoo Hye SunKu Hye Sun is a South Korean actress. An admirer of Leonardo Da Vinci, Ku also dabbles in directing, writing, illustrating, singing and composing. She is best known for her role as Geum Jan Di in the hit TV show Boys Over Flowers.-Career:...
)