Austin's Choice - Korean Drama : 8. Worlds Within

“Worlds Within” was produced by a Korean drama dream team. One of Korea’s best drama writers, Hee-kyung Noh, teamed up with director Min-soo Pyo and two of Korea’s favorite stars, Song Hye-gyo and Hyun Bin, to produce a first-class drama series. It’s the story of a drama production team and their everyday lives and relationships, and the story unfolds in an understated yet heart-touching manner. The drama focuses on the beautiful love story between Junyoung and Jio (played by Song Hye-gyo and Hyun Bin), and their realistic yet powerful emotions struck a chord with many viewers.

Drama Information Director: Min-soo Pyo Script: Hee-kyung Noh　 Starring: Hyun Bin, Song Hye-gyo Broadcasting Company: KBS Airing Period:October 27, 2008 through December 16, 2008 Website: Click Here (KOR)

Synopsis When Junyoung, a director, joins the drama division of a broadcasting station, she finds herself working with Jio, a senior director and her former boyfriend. When Junyoung breaks up with her current boyfriend, Jio confesses his true feelings for her, and they get back together. Meanwhile, Gyuho Song, an established director in the broadcasting world, begins a risky romance with Haejin, a young yet fearless actress. As well as these love stories, the drama paints a compelling picture of the professional lives of directors, scriptwriters and actors. Cast Ju Jun-young performed by Song Hye-gyo　 She joins the broadcasting station to fulfill her professional ambition of making a drama. Her passion for work gains her recognition from her colleagues and seniors. At work she appears quite confident and is undaunted by her mainly male colleagues. Although on the outside she is frank and direct, Jun-young is actually quite sensitive and gets hurt easily. At work, her meticulous nature sometimes hurts the feelings of her colleagues, and she is still naive when it comes to relationships, often, unwittingly, hurting her boyfriend's feelings. However, she has a sweet and warm-hearted personality. Jung Jio performed by Hyun Bin　 Jio is a gifted director who makes good productions that get high ratings. He is passionate and serious about his work, as well as being warm hearted and considerate of others, which has made him an idol among the junior directors in the company. He enjoys other people’s company and is always surrounded by people. Although his ambition was to become a film director, he gave up his dream due to his family’s financial situation. Instead he joined a broadcasting company and finds fulfillment through making dramas with heart-warming stories. At times he still pines for first love, Yeonhui. Song Gyu-ho performed by Eom Gi-jun　 Smart and stylish, Gyu-ho is one of the broadcasting company’s star directors. However, he is the selfish, ambitious type who would do anything to get a higher rating and is often given the cold shoulder by his colleagues. He has a cold and proud personality, and he doesn’t bother making friends. Although Gyu-ho often finds himself always at odds with Jio, he actually likes him. Gyu-ho’s character changes during the drama, influenced by his romance with the young, sweet actress, Haejin. Main Locations Jingwansa Temple Before breaking-up due to pressure from Gyu-ho’s father, Gyu-ho and Haejin take one last trip together. The scene where the two lovers share their pain and tears was filmed at Jingwansa temple. This was also the filming location for one of Hyun Bin’s previous dramas, the very popular <My Lovely Samsoon>.  Jingwansa temple is famous for its small yet beautiful temple, the stonewalls that line the mountain trails, and the dark green foliage that surrounds the temple garden. Visitors can follow the path past the temple to enjoy trekking on Bukhansan mountain. Jingwansa temple is home to female Buddhist monks, and it also runs a temple stay program for visitors. Wondang Horse Farm This is the place where an accident involving one of Jio’s camera crew was filmed. Jio’s ambitious drive leads him to film in this location, despite his unclear eyesight, and the head cameraman ends up getting injured. Despite this unfortunate event, this location is in fact an incredibly beautiful spot. Beautiful slender white poplar trees line the road that leads to Jingwansa temple. Some 40 dramas and commercials have been filmed in this area, these include <The First Shop of Coffee Prince> and <One Fine Spring Day>. The farm is spread out across rolling fields and visitors can watch the horses leisurely grazing in the meadows. Since the farm is only 30 minutes distance from Jingwansa temple and both are on the outskirts of Seoul, they make for a good day trip. Walking Slowly (Neurige Geotgi) The first scene of this drama takes place in front of a café called Walking Slowly in the Cheongdam-dong area of Seoul. In the scene, Jio is filming for a drama with his fast-moving camera crew. Walking Slowly café is a popular spot for filming due to its serene design and the scenic ginko trees that line the road in front of the café. This café serves “slow food” and caters to food lovers and the health conscious. Wine and tea are also served.   Information & written by KTO

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

Austin's Choice - Korean Drama : 1. Secret Garden

'Secret Garden' may seem like a typical Cinderella story of love between a wealthy, intelligent and charming mogul, Kim Ju-won (played by Hyun Bin), and a poor stunt woman, Gil Ra-im (played by Ha Ji-won). However, a twist, the accidental switching of souls between the main characters, and unexpected episodes subsequently save the drama from slipping into banality. In fact, the viewers may feel content to learn the reversed psychology of men and women vicariously through the drama. The drama's success, as evident in the highest viewership of the hour and the number of fans of all ages, is attributed to the perfect combination of witty lines, distinctive characters, and outstanding acting by Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won. Moreover, thanks to the drama's success, several film locations like Maiim Vision Village (Kim Ju-won's house in the drama), Seaes Hotel & Resort, and Resom Spa Castle have been transforming into popular tourist sites.

Drama Information

Producer: Oh Se-kang Directors: Shin Woo-chul, Kwon Hyeok-chan Screenplay: Kim Eun-sook Airing period: Nov. 13, 2010 - Jan. 16, 2011 Production company: Hwa & Dam Pictures Actors: Hyun Bin, Ha Ji-won, Yoon Sang-hyun,            Kim Sa-rang

Synopsis

Kim Ju-won (Hyun Bin) initially comes across Gil Ra-im (Ha Ji-won) while trying to resolve a scandal caused by his cousin, Oska (Yoon Sang-hyun). The accidental encounter lingers in Ju-won's head, and eventually urges him to approach Ra-im by auditioning at her action school. Frequenting Ra-im's work and home, Ju-won continuously shows his affection for her. Then, one day in Jeju-do Island, Ju-won and Ra-im end up at a bed & breakfast where they are each offered a bottle of liquor by the owner. They drink their liquor at the same hour, and wake up the next day to find that their souls have been switched! Ju-won is now Ra-im and Ra-im Ju-won. Although discombobulated at first, they gain deeper understanding of each other as time passes, and Ra-im gradually opens up to Ju-won.

Characters

Gil Ra-im played by Ha Ji-won Ra-im is a high-spirited and dignified stunt woman. Her dream of becoming a top stunt woman does not stop her from performing the stunts that leave bruises all over her body. She is the type of woman who prefers leather jackets to dresses, drinking soju (Korean liquor) to sipping on wine, and eating grilled pork to fine-dining. However, Ra-im's life takes a new turn when she meets Ju-won.

Kim Ju-won played by Hyun Bin Ju-won is a top graduate of a prestigious university in the U.S. and the head of the industry-leading LOEL Department Store. On top of that, he has good looks and sound judgement. As perfect as he may be, Ju-won cannot stop thinking about Ra-im, who is far from his ideal type, after their first accidental encounter. Soon, his sound judgement collapses as he succumbs to her charm.

Oska played by Yoon Sang-hyun Oska is a popular Hallyu star in China and Japan. One day, his one true love, Seul, shows up as Ju-won's potential bride after being gone for a long time. Feeling betrayed, Oska conspires a cowardly revenge against Seul and Ju-won by deliberately approaching Ju-won's love interest, Ra-im.

Yoon Seul played by Kim Sa-rang Seul is a CF director with intelligence and beauty. While working with Ju-won on a commercial production, she runs into Oska, her first love and heart breaker. As their past haunts her, Seul plans to get back at him.

Filming Locations

Maiim Vision Village

The background setting for the homes of Ju-won and Oska is the expansive garden found in Maiim Vision Village, which is the training institute of a comestics and health food products company, Maiim Group. The homes of Ju-won's mother and grandfather were also filmed at this location. The sophisticated interior with large windows, the elegant pond and the well-maintained flower garden are bound to catch the attention of the drama viewers. Located in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do and spanning 330,000 square meters, the village includes an accommodation facility, a community area and sporting facilities. There used to be a youth hostel, but it has been turned into a training center when Maiim Group bought the land 10 years ago. Other Korean dramas like 'Winter Sonata' and 'Star's Lover' were also filmed here. (Photo courtesy: SBS)

Resom Forest

Scenes from the action school winter workshop, where Ra-im and Ju-won exchange an exhilarating eye contact, are filmed at Resom Forest in Jecheon. Resom Forest is home to pine trees over 150 years old, as well as many other types of trees, shrubs and wild flowers. Surrounding the forest are several hiking trails named Sosori Baramgil, Poreureu Solaegil and Gajaegineun Goljjakgil. Facilities at the forest include 406 rooms, Resom Spa Center, Hanbang (Chinese medicine) Wellus Center and an outdoor meditation center. In addition, cultural programs are offered all year round at the Cultural Arts Center, which houses a ceramics workshop, a gallery, an observatory, a museum, an event house and a cave wine cellar. Finally, at night, stars can be seen from the forest, which is located 450-600m above sea level. (Photo courtesy: Resom Forest)

Resom Spa Castle

Resom Spa Castle is the setting for the scenes of Ju-won's mother and Seul at the spa. Resom Spa Castle is located in Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, about 1.5 hours from Seoul and 30 minutes from many cultural tourist sites, including the surrounding mountains and the West Sea. The first membership spa resort in Korea, Resom Spa Castle has 400 rooms, a banquet hall, seminar rooms, a cultural and arts plaza, a garden and walking trails. The resort uses water from the Deoksan hot springs, which boast over 600 years of history, in al of its facilities. With many different facilities and programs, Resom Spa Castle is a one-stop place for leisure, health, business, culture and arts.

Seoul Action School

Seoul Action School Seoul Action School is located in Heyri Artvalley in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do. In the drama, this is where Ra-im, the stunt woman, works, and also where numerous incidents involving Ra-im and Ju-won take place. In reality, Seoul Action School a training center that aims to showcase higher standard realistic actions. Over time, the school has gained a good reputation for providing the most systematic and efficient training in stunt performance. Today, it continues to produce skilled stuntmen for Korean movies and dramas, while training actors and actresses.

The Seaes Hotel & Resort

The 'bench kiss' episode, which occurs after the souls of Ju-won and Ra-im switch for the first time, was filmed at the Seaes Hotel & Resort. The hotel stands between Jeju Convention Center to the right and Jungmun Beach and Hyatt Hotel to the left. The guest rooms are separated into different building units, each with a view of the ocean and Munseom Island. The 8th walking path of the famous Jeju Olle trail also passes through the resort, while Aldere Square and another walking path lined with palm trees are located on the right side of the hotel. Other popular Korean dramas, including 'Boys Over Flowers,' 'Princess Hours' and 'I'm Sorry, I Love You,' were filmed here.

Petite France

Petite France is where Ju-won meets Ra-im for the first time in the drama. It is here that Ju-won's love for Ra-im develops. Petite France is a French cultural community area located in Goseong-ri in Cheongpyeong, Gapyeong-gun. Spanning 117,000 square meters, Petite France has a youth training facility (Goseong Youth Training Center) and 16 French-style buildings for acommodation and various cultural experiences. There are 34 rooms with maximum capacities ranging from four to ten people. In addition, there are a gallery that showcases sculptures and paintings of a cock, which is a symbol of France, a shop that plays music from a 200-year-old music box, an herb and aroma shop, as well as a souvenir shop. Petite France has been drawing many tourists on weekdays, too, since it was used as the filming location for Korean dramas 'Beethoven Virus' and 'Personal Taste.'                                                                               Information & written by KTO                                                                               Contact us : Send E-mail