Austin's Choice - Korean Drama : 4. The Snow Queen

The Korean drama 'The Snow Queen' was created by Lee Hyeong-min, a popular producer whose previous work includes 'Autumn in My Heart,' 'Winter Sonata,' 'Sangdoo, Let’s Go to School,' and I’m Sorry, I Love You.' The drama features popular stars such as Hyun Bin and Seong Yu-ri. With Hans Christian Andersen’s original work 'The Snow Queen' as the motif, the drama has received wide acclaim for its fantastic imagery and story line, and love bound up in a sad destiny. It is a pleasure just to watch Hyun Bin after his last appearance in 'My Lovely Samsoon,' and the singer-turned-actress Seong Yu-ri wearing some of the trendiest fashions.

▶ Drama Information Broadcast network: KBS Broadcasting Dates: November 13, 2006 ~ January 9, 2007 on Monday & Tuesday nights at 21:55 Producer: Lee, Hyeong-min Cast: Hyun Bin, Seong Yu-ri, Im Joo-hwan, Yoo In-yeong Website: http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/snowqueen (Korean)

▶ Synopsis After winning the grand prize at a high school Mathematics Olympiad, Han Tae-ung learns that his friend Kim Jeong-gyu, who had always lived under the media spotlight, killed himself after failing to clinch the Olympiad title. Immersed in the guilt that he caused his friend’s death, Tae-ung quits school and runs away from home. Eventually, he returns, but his single mother has already left. Tae-ung finds a new home in a shabby, third-rate boxing club, and lives under the name of Deuk-gu. Eight years pass and then, Deuk-gu meets Bo-ra, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. He prevents her from committing suicide, and from then on, their relationship grows closer. After landing a job as Bo-ra’s chauffeur, he learns that she was the little girl he had met years before. As facts from the past are revealed one after another, will Deuk-gu be able to overcome his past and live his life as Tae-ung once again?

▶ About the Characters

Han Tae-ung (Han Deuk-gu)_Hyun Bin Tae-ung is a genius who loves math. In high school, his friend Jeong-gyu kills himself, and Tae-ung, thinking he is to blame, is wracked with despair. He runs away, and when he returns home, he finds that his mother has left. For the next eight years, he lives by the name of Deuk-gu, who was Jeong-gyu’s favorite boxer. A high school dropout making a living as a sparring partner in a third-rate boxing club, Tae-ung is a 25-year old man with no hopes or dreams, other than to find his mother again. As he lives a life of desperation, which he believes is the only way to expunge the guilt over his friend Jeong-gyu, he meets Bo-ra and finds himself wanting to be happy again. His outstanding intelligence, kind heart, and perseverance trigger the maternal instinct in women who know him well. Kim Bo-ra _Seong Yu-ri Thanks to a wealthy father and great looks, Bo-ra seems to have everything. But since her mother died when she was six, she has always felt lonely. Her father is always away on business, and myasthenia gravis, which she contracted in childhood, limits her abilities. Still, she has managed to survive to the age of 22. Her illness and family environment have affected her personality, and she guards her feelings by maintaining a cold demeanor. Although she has a habit of behaving badly and disrespecting others, men follow her as if she were a queen. However, she is intrigued by Han Deuk-gu, as her tricks don’t work on him. She actually has a warm heart and is hurt easily, which is why she fears revealing her feelings. Seo Geon-woo_Im Ju-hwan As the youngest child of two doctors, Geon-woo also becomes a doctor. At age 29, he is a good-looking surgeon who works in a general hospital. He has rarely experienced any hardships in life, so he has a confident and friendly attitude. With his looks and good manners, he is popular with women, but not at all interested in marriage. One day, he meets Bo-ra for a blind date arranged by his parents, and falls in love with her at first sight. After that, he feels that becoming a doctor was his destiny, and he wants to protect and take care of her. Lee Seung-ri_Yoo In-young The 22-year-old daughter of Lee Dong-sul who owns and manages Seung-ri Boxing Club, Seung-ri works as a diet consultant and boxing trainer at the club. She is rather tomboyish with an easy-going character that is both affectionate and emotional. Since she was a child, she has liked Deuk-gu in more than just a brotherly way. Nonetheless, when she learns that he loves Bo-ra, she has the depth of character to wish both of them happiness.

● Film Locations Kangnam University Bo-ra is a student here, and it is also where Tae-ung meets an eccentric mathematics professor to study math. Numerous scenes were filmed here including: Tae-ung and Bo-ra on leisurely walks around the campus, the basketball scene at the basketball court, and the couple’s library scenes. The campus of Kangnam University in Yongin is beautiful all year round and is within easy reach from Seoul. It is also close to tourist sites like the Korean Folk Village and Everland. Address: Gugal-dong San 6-2, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do Website: http://www.kangnam.ac.kr/ (Korean, English) How to Get There: Take Subway Line 2 to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → At the bus stop next to the terminal, take bus 5600 → Get off in front of Yongin Kangnam University. Bobath Memorial Hospital The hospital is where Geon-woo works and Bo-ra goes for treatment. It is also where Bo-ra and Tae-ung meet for the first time as adults, when she attempts to commit suicide and Tae-ung stops her. The hospital, which actually opened in 2002 under the auspices of the Bobath Foundation in England, is where Geon-woo and Bo-ra drank tea together on the fifth-floor of the outdoor garden. Address: Geumgok-dong 310-8, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do How to Get There: Take to Subway (Bundang-seon Line) to Migeum Station → Go out of exit 7 and take a taxi. Yangjae’s Hi Brand This site is the luxury department store owned by Bo-ra’s father, and also where Tae-ung’s friend Chung-sik works as a salesman in the shoe department. In one scene, Tae-ung confronts Bo-ra at the store, reprimanding her for her disrespectful attitude, and consequently, Chung-sik is fired. The huge shopping center Hi Brand is located in Yangjae and it is where Bo-ra lavishly spends a lot of money shopping to lift up her spirits. With a total surface area of 50,000 pyeong, this fashion outlet carries many major domestic and international luxury brands as well as has an E-mart and food court in the basement. Tel: +82-2-2155-0001 Address: Yangjae-dong 215, Seocho-gu, Seoul Hours: 10:30~20:00 How to Get There: Take Subway Line 3 to Yangjae Station and go out of Exit 7 → Take local shuttle bus # 08 and get off in front of Hi Brand. Incheon International Airport The early scene in which Bo-ra and Tae-ung pretend to go to Lapland, running together across the tarmac against a clear blue sky, was filmed at Incheon International Airport, the gateway to Northeast Asia. Other scenes shot at this airport are when Bo-ra plans to go abroad and when her father leaves on an overseas business trip. With its numerous convenience facilities, the airport is frequently used in TV dramas or movies. → Go to Incheon International Airport Hyundai Sungwoo Resort Bo-ra, who had planned to go to the U.S. after breaking up with Tae-ung, comes back to him. People from his boxing club suggest they all take a trip. Tae-ung and Bo-ra decide to go skiing at Hyundai Sungwoo’s ski resort with members from the boxing club, who are eccentric but fun, and there, Tae-ung and Bo-ra share a sweet kiss. Their romantic destination is the Hyundai Sungwoo Resort in Gangwon-do. At the summit rest area, visitors will find the snow sculpture park that was created for the film. Gangnam Express Bus Terminal After Tae-ung decides to go back to school and date Bo-ra, his mother decides to leave Seoul to work in Daejeon. He sees his mother off at Gangnam Express Bus Terminal, a major bus station in Seoul and a transportation hub serving buses to and from the entire nation. Nearby are the Marriott Hotel, Shinsegae Grand Department Store, and a huge underground shopping arcade as well as numerous other attractions. Korea Travel Phone: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) Address: Banpo-dong 19-4, Seocho-gu, Seoul How to Get There: Take Subway Line 3 or 7 to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal → Take exit 1 or 2 in the direction of Yeongdong-seon. Dongdaemun’s Second-hand Book Store Young Bo-ra wants the out-of-print book “The Snow Queen,” and Tae-ung finds a dust-covered copy at a second-hand bookstore. He wants to give it to her on their second meeting, but unfortunately, they are not able to meet. Tae-ung finds the book at the second-hand bookstore district of Dongdaemun in Cheonggyecheon. From foreign magazines to English textbooks, literature and comic books, these second-hand bookstores offer all types of books at inexpensive prices. How to Get There: Take Subway Line 1 or 4 to Dongdaemun Station, and go out of Exit 8 → The bookstores are on the block across the street. * Photo Courtesy: KBS, Cine 21 Information & written by KTO