Princess Hours
Based on a comic book series, "Princess Hours" has been the topic of a major media hype since its production started. Not only was the comic book series uncompleted, but many of those who admired the comic book watched eagerly to see how well the TV production would live up to the fame of the original book. It was also the first acting role for Yoon Eun-hye, previously a member of the music group Baby Vox, in her role as the lead character, and this generated much concern over her acting ability. All concerns aside, the TV drama was a huge success, with news of a possible second season following the finale. Fans can¡¯t seem to get enough of it, as scandals between the leading characters Lee Shin and Chae-gyeong continue to make headlines on the media front pages.
Based on an interesting premise that Korea is still ruled by a royal family, the drama portrays a romance between two people of different social standings and backgrounds. Starting with the classical setting of an encounter between the upper and the common classes, Princess Hours has created a unique couple: a 19th century prince and a 21st century commoner. Their relationship starts as part of an arranged marriage but they soon find that they love each other. The drama also depicts how the crown prince overcomes hardships, finds true love, and becomes a respected emperor.
The use of code words to communicate as well as having subtitles, which is unusual in Korean dramas, are production tricks that have appealed to today¡¯s younger generation. Another interesting fact is the 1.5 billion-won studio set was built especially for the production. Famed Korean designers were consulted in the creation of traditional costumes, props, and interior design. Currently at the frontline of neo-Orientalism, Princess Hours¡¯ interior design is becoming the hottest design item in Korea.
Title: 궁 / Goong (Gung)
Also known as: Palace (lit. translation) / Princess Hours (MBC Global Media) / Imperial Household
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episodes: 24
Broadcast network: MBC
Director: Hwang In-Roi
Writer: In Eun-Ah
Main Cast:-
Joo Ji-hoon
Yoon Eun-hae
Kim Jeong-hoon
Song Ji-hyo
About the show:In the 14th year of Inhwa dynasty when the Hyun emperor¡¯s illness gets worse than ever, the empress commands the Crown Prince, still in high school, to marry the bride who has been arranged for him beforehand. However Prince Shin, proposes to his secret lover, Hyo-rin Min, an ambitious ballet student who takes his proposal as a joke and turns him down saying that her success as a ballerina is of her primary concern. Meanwhile, the family of Chae-kyeong, an ordinary high school student, is in deep financial trouble for standing security for the wrong person, and is overwhelmed with joy when they receive the marriage proposal from the Royal Family. The last words of their dying grandfather wasn¡¯t a bluff after all! Prince Shin agrees to marry the all-too-ordinary prearranged bride provided the Chang-Duk Palace be granted independence and the IkWiSa be reduced. However, Chae-kyeong, who had happened to witness Prince Shin¡¯s proposal to Hyo-rin, is outraged by the arranged marriage, and claims it is nullified. Right at that moment, the creditors march in to Chae-kyeong¡¯s house and put red cards on all of the furniture.
Characters
¢¾ Shin Chae-gyung / Played by Yoon Eun-hye
Chae-gyeong is a student at an art high school. She wears training pants under her school uniform and uses slang on a daily basis. Despite her family¡¯s difficult financial situation, she is lively and cheerful, and has creative talent. She hates Prince Lee Shin who attends the same school, saying that he has a prince syndrome. Because of her family¡¯s situation, however, she is forced to consent to an arranged marriage with him. As she gets to know him better, she discovers his loneliness and begins to feel compassion.
While struggling to adapt to palace life, Yul makes his appearance. He is kind to her and this attracts her, but she can¡¯t help thinking about Lee Shin. Chae-gyeong is an optimistic character who manages to deal graciously with the veiled attempts to take the throne. She brings a cheerful and genuine presence to the stony atmosphere of the palace and gradually changes other members of the royal family. See how this ordinary high -school girl turns into a respected princess.
¢¾ Lee Shin / Played by Ju Ji-hun
Prince Lee Shin has won the heart of every girl in the country, but is fed up with fans that follow him wherever he goes. Born to a clever emperor and a beautiful empress, this arrogant prince has both intelligence and great looks. However, strict palace rules and heavy royal responsibilities do not allow him any private life or dreams of his own. He is so disillusioned that he no longer believes in family, love, or friendship. Living in his own sheltered world, his only pleasure is watching movies. He had a covert relationship with Hyo-rin, who is a ballet student at the same school.
Because of plans for an arranged marriage many years before, he is forced to marry a spunky, ordinary girl but finds himself gradually falling in love with her. He is at the heart of a love triangle as his ex-girlfriend Hyo-rin intervenes after the marriage. The situation worsens as the second-in-line Prince Yul wishes to reclaim the throne.
¢¾ Min Hyo-rin / Played by Song Ji-hyo
Hyo-rin is a pretty, clever ballet student who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. She is the first love and secret girlfriend of Lee Shin. He had proposed to her, trying to avoid an arranged marriage, but she declined, believing that her dream to be a ballerina was more important. After winning a competition, she realizes her true feelings for him. She befriends Chae-gyeong in the hope of winning Lee Shin back, just as Camilla did with Prince Charles.
One day, Hyejeonggung, the mother of Yul, who has plans to reclaim the throne, approaches her. With Hyejeonggung and Lee Shin¡¯s friends, Hyo-rin manages to put Chae-gyeong in a perilous situation. Everybody thinks Hyo-rin is perfect, but she carries her own untold secret
¢¾ Lee Yul / Played by Kim Jeong-hoon
Yul is second in line to the throne. He was still a child when his father died in an accident, leaving the title to Lee Shin¡¯s father. He and his mother left the palace and since then lived abroad. He has lived a carefree life with no royal obligations, so his outlook and actions are no different from those of other ordinary high-school kids. Gentle, attentive, and intelligent, he likes gardening and reading. His character is the reverse of the haughty prince, Lee Shin, and he always takes good care of Chae-gyeong.
He was originally troubled by his mother¡¯s ambition for the lost throne, but soon finds himself wanting to reclaim his title as he falls for Chae-gyeong.
