And now the boys of Jang Ok-jung

51 March 18, 2013

by girlfriday

Time for the boys! Here’s our first peek at the men of upcoming fusion sageuk Jang Ok-jung (they’ve dropped the ‘Live by Love’ part of the title), and by peek I really do mean little glimpses. We’ve got Yoo Ah-in donning his kingly robes, and not that I’m surprised, but he cleans up rather nicely. Still miss his Sungkyunkwan mane, but I guess royal topknot will have to do. I guess.

He plays King Sukjong, who is married to Queen Inhyun (Hong Soo-hyun) and takes Jang Ok-jung, aka Jang heebin (Kim Tae-hee) as his royal concubine. Historically Jang heebin is the femme fatale who gets Inhyun ousted to be the queen herself, but in this retelling she’ll be the heroine. She’ll also be a fashion designer for some inexplicable reason… yeah, I have no explanation for that one.

At least second lead Jae Hee gets to rock some unruly hair. He plays Jang Ok-jung’s first love, and I can see their story tugging at the heartstrings — they’re young and in love, but torn apart when she enters the palace as a court lady. He grows up and amasses considerable wealth and power, and will continue to secretly love her and be her Daddy Long Legs even after she becomes the king’s concubine. Dude. That might explain why you’re hogtied and drowning in the stills. Just sayin’…

Lee Sang-yub (Nice Guy) plays yet another rival for Jang heebin’s affections, who falls in love with her from afar not knowing that she’s the king’s consort. And then Sung Dong-il (Jeon Woo-chi) plays Jang Ok-jung’s cousin and evil puppetmaster, who sets his sights on making her queen. Interesting. His character will be ruthlessly ambitious and very shrewd, so completely different from his usual comical roles.

The idea may be to put the onus of backstabbing on her family (and by extension, political faction), to make her out to be more of a political pawn than the infamous femme fatale. I do think the history in itself is interesting enough that I wish the drama wouldn’t try to do both the historical re-imagining AND the fusion fashion angle, but I guess we’ll see how they mesh (…or not?) soon enough.

Jang Ok-jung follows Yawang and premieres April 8.

Via SBS E!, Xports News

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Tags: Jae Hee, Sung Dong-il, Yoo Ah-in

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1 Jill

March 18, 2013 at 3:24 PM

Looking forward to this!

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mariolawpanda

March 19, 2013 at 8:05 AM

Can't wait! Ajusshi! He's the best.

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2 kakashi

March 18, 2013 at 3:34 PM

ohhhhhhh ... might this be the end of my current drama slump?

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3 jandoe

March 18, 2013 at 3:39 PM

Gahhhh can't help but feel excited now!

Pleasedon'tsuckpleasedon'tsuckpleasedon'tsuck (repeat)

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4 Trina

March 18, 2013 at 4:03 PM

The first teaser are out in Koala unni blog of both teaser

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daeneris

March 18, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Seeing the teaser, confirms that whoever did the styling for the stills need to be fired. Kim Tae Hee looked radiant in the teaser, now I am looking forward to the drama again.

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5 Shaista

March 18, 2013 at 4:04 PM

Hope the "reimagining" characters and story won't turn out bad

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6 marid

March 18, 2013 at 4:07 PM

I'm going to miss Yoo ah-in's mane of glory.. Still a handsome guy but I loved his charecter in SScabdal..
Is the other guy the lead in Delightful girl???

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Lisa Purba

March 19, 2013 at 5:14 AM

Correct. He's Jae Hee.

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7 missy

March 18, 2013 at 4:08 PM

Yawang is ending..thanks Drama Gods for small mercies..!! Yunho, i love you but ....well...you know...:(

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8 blokkoms

March 18, 2013 at 4:12 PM

Ooh - I'm actually most excited for Sung Dong-il! Haha, I'm just that curious about how he'll be in such a serious role. But otherwise I'm not so fussed about this: seriously, a fashion designer?! Okies.

And here's the first teaser, courtesy of ockoala:

http://youtu.be/XrVOHFCbX94

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Kiara

March 18, 2013 at 4:22 PM

Thats it? Kim Tae-hee looks gorgeous but we know that already lol.

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Fidelity

March 18, 2013 at 6:45 PM

I'm excited about Song Dong-il too! He has been quite active these days, and I found his actual personality to be quite hilarious on .

Kim Tae Hee looks good -

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Fidelity

March 18, 2013 at 6:47 PM

on *Dad, where are you going* ... huh, I didn't know inclosing strings it in brackets removes it on WP comments. ?

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Tulipsaki

March 19, 2013 at 6:49 AM

Me too. He's very funny. And kinda evil. But funny.

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9 Christy

March 18, 2013 at 4:17 PM

Love Yoo Ah-in, but I really wish Jae Hee could make it firmly out of second lead territory - he clearly has the charisma and acting chops for that! Sick of seeing him end up as a poor lovelorn sap in all his recent roles. Ok, maybe it was just in May Queen, but still... :(

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dongsaeng killer

March 18, 2013 at 4:34 PM

i know!!! it's a little ridiculous. and it's not like the characters are that fascinating so he's picking them to expand his range. who is his agent and how can i fire this person?

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Annie

March 18, 2013 at 4:54 PM

He never really hit it big before he went to the army so he's getting stuck with the second lead roles now that he's back.

I would take Jae Hee as Sukjong over Yoo Ah In... not that the latter is awful or anything but I'd really like to see Jae Hee in a smoldering, intense role that doesn't suck. Of course, there are no guarantees here.

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Katie

March 18, 2013 at 5:20 PM

This is driving me crazy! why is he always second lead? He was male lead prior to enlisting int he army in some dramas...and he's definitely well known. GAH. I want him to get the girl for once. Don't even get me started on Color of a Woman or May Queen. Couldn't sit through an episode.

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eny

March 18, 2013 at 6:19 PM

I think the one who get the lead is actor who is popular, it happen many time. Good actor who has good acting but not popular seldom get the lead n actor who is popular enen his acting doesn't really good have better chance to get lead role.
Lately the lead actor not as good as the second lead. Second lead now get harder role than the first lead (is it trend??? i don't know). If yo u watch may queen you will see that jae hee is the lead not KJW but it's OK if secong lead, sometimes second leads get more attention, like baker king

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Addylovesbwood

March 18, 2013 at 7:02 PM

your right about may queen. Jae Hee was definitely the lead but KJW got the attention.

I haven't seen jae hee's previous projects but I know he's lead material and it pains me to see him get stomped over like this because he isnt popular.

He won me over in May Queen btw...not a huge fan of KJW either.

10 dongsaeng killer

March 18, 2013 at 4:38 PM

Im going to need clearer pics of Lee Sangyub. For erm, science and erm, posterity.

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11 Annie

March 18, 2013 at 4:51 PM

Wait, wait... I thought Sukjong and Jang Hee-bin were supposed to have a childhood love in this one?

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Katie

March 18, 2013 at 5:21 PM

Hm...I thought so too. Maybe she had 2 childhood loves...I mean look at both of them. *DROOL* haha

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12 CaroleMcDonnell

March 18, 2013 at 4:59 PM

Imagining reimagining regal hanboks. Looking forward to the royal fashion shows.

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13 Jess

March 18, 2013 at 5:08 PM

Ahjusshi!

It's really really sad that the only thing that is getting my excited so far is SDI.

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14 Katie

March 18, 2013 at 5:23 PM

I saw the trailer...as much as I like Jae Hee and Kim Tae Hee...I'm not 100% sold yet. But I do love Sung Dong Il...he just gets me every single time! I just watched Get Karl Oh Soo Jung and I was reminded of how much I love him (and in Answer Me 1997)...love him. I will check this drama out if Gu Family Book doesn't cut it.

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15 ajj

March 18, 2013 at 5:54 PM

Wasnt quite thrilled for this drama but the first pic with Yoo Ah In made me squeal..yes I am gonna watch this drama.

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16 jomo143

March 18, 2013 at 6:15 PM

I would like to be hog tied and drowning in the boys of JOJ.
Whoops! Did I say that out loud?

What is Lee Sang-yeob doing in both of these, and NOT a lead in either?
Gu Family Book (MBC, 2013)
Jang Ok Jung, Living in Love (SBS, 2013)
Is 2014 going to be his break-out year in a lead role? Say yes, please.

I always think of poor Anne Boleyn when I read about families who for profit pushed their young female relatives into the beds of kings. It is sickening how common this is in history.

God, I hope this doesn't suck. I will be heartbroken with all that pretty wasted.

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danna

March 18, 2013 at 6:37 PM

Wait he's in both of these shows? I knew he was in JOJ but not GFB...damn how is he going to do this? they have the same timeslot too

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anon

March 18, 2013 at 7:54 PM

Lee Sang-yeob is not in Gu Family Book, it's just a rumor.

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Owl

March 19, 2013 at 8:22 AM

I loved The Other Boleyn

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17 Waiting

March 18, 2013 at 6:42 PM

I am looking forward to this one as well! Fashion designer? Well, I guess someone did have that role way back when, too.

Am I the only one who wants to know who the broad-shouldered guy in the gray sweater is in the poolside picture...it is the 7th pic down from the top. :D

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Lisa Purba

March 18, 2013 at 8:57 PM

I think he's PD Seong-cheol? Heeeee :D

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18 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

March 18, 2013 at 7:24 PM

Completely OT but I LOVE the outfit on the makeup lady doing Yoo Ah-in's face in the second-to-last pic.

Also, yay for getting to see Lee Sang-yub again!

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19 JenJen

March 18, 2013 at 7:34 PM

I keep seeing Sung DongIl as ShiWon's appa from Answer Me 1997. I think Answer Me 1997 has ruined any chances of seeing him as anything but the adorable, shouty father.

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20 a_diva

March 18, 2013 at 7:51 PM

i didn't realize jae hee was in this drama but it's such a pleasant surprise! can't wait to see him!

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21 snow_white

March 18, 2013 at 8:53 PM

I like all of them....:)

but of course my favorite is Jae Hee!!

excited for this drama....

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22 Lisa Purba

March 18, 2013 at 9:00 PM

Maybe it's weird but I'm more excited with Sung Dong Il being in this drama!!

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23 jennie

March 18, 2013 at 10:00 PM

yay! super excited!!!
more photos!
i wanna see the poster and character charts now!

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24 Tha

March 18, 2013 at 10:43 PM

Jae Hee should be the lead every time!

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25 Tweetie

March 19, 2013 at 12:09 AM

Waaa...JaeHee in a sageuk drama...this will be interesting. :)
I wonder when JaeHee will star in a romantic comedy drama like My Sassy Girl Chun Hyang again. Hopefully soon...it's so sad to watch him always plays an emo/tragic character in the drama.

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26 senna999

March 19, 2013 at 3:02 AM

im going crazy waiting this drama to airiing.....im more excited.....!!!!April comes faster,Please..........^^

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27 rayya

March 19, 2013 at 3:07 AM

this drama be a new one, an other story about hae bin.....its very awesome........look forward to it........very excited to watch this drama....................!!!!!!!

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28 Lilian

March 19, 2013 at 8:05 AM

Ooh...hope it will be interesting with some funny thrown in! Have not seen Kim Tae Hee in anything since My Princess. And Yoo Ah In's previous drama was meh.....

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29 Tarits

March 19, 2013 at 1:09 PM

I will definitely watch this drama!!!

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30 Tulipsaki

March 19, 2013 at 5:48 PM

Will watch for Sung Dong Il.

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31 Kale

March 19, 2013 at 7:06 PM

Can't wait for drama!

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32 Kale

March 19, 2013 at 7:07 PM

I want to see the king is more mature. Can't wait for drama.

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33 naturalwoman

March 24, 2013 at 1:38 AM

I ca't wait to see Jae Hee!

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34 SamJane

March 31, 2013 at 1:58 AM

I'm so excited to see Yoo Ah In again! I miss my crazyhorse of Sungkyunkwan! I can't get enough of my Geol Oh until now! But still, can't wait to see him transform into a King! I love YAI!

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