Adventure, revenge, and secrets in Flower in Prison
by javabeans
Time to check back in with MBC’s upcoming “adventure sageuk” drama Flower in Prison, for which we now have a handful of teasers. It’s not the kind of drama that usually captures my interest, in that it’s 50 episodes and on the weekends (weekend sageuks have a different flavor from the flashier, more fusion-styled ones that air during the week), but I like the premise of the story, which follows a woman born in prison who grows up to be an advocate for the common people. And I do love Go Soo, who plays a bandit-turned-fellow-legal-advocate. I mean, those are great trajectories, aren’t they?
I’m just iffy on our actual Flower in Prison (the name of heroine Ok-nyeo means prison woman), played by Jin Se-yeon, since she’ll have to be the heart of the show. She’s not terrible, but she just hasn’t had that emotional connection to her roles that make them feel genuine and relatable yet. I suppose I should just look on the bright side of things and go into this with a lot of hope, and maybe one blind eye.
The first clip below isn’t actually a teaser; it’s a super-short opening sequence, and it gives the most basic setup, telling us: “The lowest, darkest place in the world, prison. Unfolding from that place is a genius girl’s dream. The flower that blooms in prison is revealed to the world.”
The teaser below that starts by highlighting the credits of the drama’s PD, hitmaker and sageuk king Lee Byung-hoon, as well as its star writer, Choi Wan-kyu: PD Lee’s credits include titles such as Dong Yi, Yi San, Dae Jang Geum, Sangdo and Heo Jun, while writer Choi has Gu-am Heo Jun, Light and Shadow, IRIS, Jumong, and All In on his résume. Not really my type of shows, but my dad sure loves ’em.
The next couple of teasers get more into the story, featuring moments between the two leads, with solid child actress Jung Da-bin portraying the young heroine. She declares her intent to become a prison damo (a woman servant who could be employed to work in government offices) so she can find her mother, while Go Soo says he knows how dangerous it is for a man like himself to seek revenge. (Which doesn’t answer the question of whether he does it anyway.)
We also get a glimpse of some rivals and complications, with Jung Jun-ho swinging a sword and then meeting with the queen, while Jeon Gwang-ryul is nearly unrecognizable as the scraggly man being held in an underground prison. The queen is played by Kim Mi-sook, and it looks like she’s got secrets to bury; she warns that no matter what happens, the events of the past must be kept from resurfacing.
Flower in Prison follows Marriage Contract on MBC and premieres on April 30.
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Tags: Flower in Prison, Go Soo, Jin Se-yeon
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1 wapz
April 21, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Is that Jung Da Bin in the last picture? Correct me if i am wrong, There is Jung Da Bin as younger Jin Se yeon and shaved Go Soo as younger Go Soo....?
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Cafe
April 21, 2016 at 10:47 AM
GS is older in real life (I don't know if this is the same in the drama) but, if it's like that, it woukld be accurate.
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Bellamafia
April 21, 2016 at 3:33 PM
@wapz, Yes, I think you're right. It's JDB, and no-stache for younger version of GS..lol.
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2 Cafe
April 21, 2016 at 10:40 AM
I like the premise and the actors, I'll be watching this drama for sure. Just one more week!
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3 Kayla
April 21, 2016 at 10:45 AM
I'll never touch anything with JSY's name attached to it. *shudders
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sunnyl
April 21, 2016 at 10:52 AM
I just hope she is not downside of the show - You never know since I read Lee PD gave her some acting lessons.
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Sarah
April 21, 2016 at 12:35 PM
same! I'll never understand how she's still getting all these roles when she only displays two emotions in her wooden acting :/
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Sour Grapes
April 22, 2016 at 4:39 AM
One word: sponsor. There is just no other way to explain it. Her acting sucks, none of her dramas were exceptionally successful and she is not known for her beauty like let's say Suzy or Kim Tae Hee. Yet she keeps getting ll those lead roles.
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4 sunnyl
April 21, 2016 at 10:50 AM
I am watching this for sure. My all time favorite drama is still 'Heo Jun' and my first girl crush was Park Ju-mi (from HJ) Problem is - how am I going to fit this into already busy drama watching schedule. Seems like there are new dramas popping up every day.
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5 Trinity 🍆
April 21, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Not my type of show but hopefully it will be good for those who are looking forward to this.
I do like the idea of focusing more on a woman in Joseon rather then a man (which is 95% of historical kdramas).
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mindy
April 21, 2016 at 11:36 AM
95% of almost anything historical, sadly. Even when it's a show set in the past but with fictional characters (or many creative liberties taken with the figures) women get pushed aside/relegated to secondary roles...
That's why shows like this and Dae Jang Geum are so exciting. I'm hoping this one's good.
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Kiara
April 21, 2016 at 12:43 PM
Anything historical was dominated by men. Very little was written about women. Dae Jang Geum was mentioned in the annals in relation to the king and that was it. All 54 eps were mostly fictional.
Creative liberties allows the writers to do more with the female characters.
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Trinity 🍆
April 21, 2016 at 2:18 PM
You are sadly very right.
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6 Iris
April 21, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Lets hope that Jin Se-yeon is better under the guidance from director Lee Byung-Hoon (Dae Jang Geum, Dong Yi, Horse Doctor, and more). I love just about everything I see about this production. This drama has lots going for it.
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7 obsessedfan
April 21, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Not my type of show too. The only 50 epi historical i ever saw was Empress ki (talking of female centric sageuks....) But this one has Go Soo! Need to weigh priorities now.
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Moi
April 25, 2016 at 2:22 AM
Watch Queen Seon Deuk..much better than Empress Ki....
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8 mary
April 21, 2016 at 2:35 PM
I seem drawn to the teasers..... is it the overhead camera? (By camera, I mean Go-soo smiling and w/ sageuk hair.)
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9 Hikari
April 21, 2016 at 2:47 PM
Nothing about this show calls my attention. In addition, she causes me allergy. Her lack of talent to express emotions is huge. The only thing I'm hoping is that this drama will be her grave as an actress so she can't again get a starring role in her life anymore.
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10 Gwinna
April 21, 2016 at 2:59 PM
So excited for this show! And it's following Marriage Contract, so it looks like I'll be continuing on the same channel in the same time slot for the time being.
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11 Lol
April 21, 2016 at 3:56 PM
Sigh. I find it sad how just because the Internet gives you a sense of anonymity, some people would leave hateful comments towards an actor/actress because they have nothing else to do. Doing this doesn't make you sound cool. It just shows how insecure you are to want to put down others so much. Please be more mature.
If you don't like an actor/actress, why would you bother to leave comments like 'I hope it will be her grave as an actress' on the page? If you really have something to say, there is something called constructive criticism (commenting in an objective, rational manner without revealing any bias)
Anyway, I love sageuks so I definitely will be watching this drama!
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cookiedoll
August 7, 2016 at 10:45 AM
*clap clap*
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12 Pearl~ai88
April 21, 2016 at 4:17 PM
I do hope this role is the one that finally gets JSY to "click" . It's a leading role and it's long running so she has a big opportunity to grow here. I would really appreciate being able to like her as an actress since she gets cast in a lot of things.
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13 Jazz
April 21, 2016 at 8:29 PM
Jin Seyeon? Bye GS babeh....till next project. I'd love to give JSY some constructive criticisms but then I'll be repeating those I've left for her in the past. I just don't know what else to say...maybe go to drama school or something part time...
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14 ⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
April 21, 2016 at 8:45 PM
My initial prediction will be : Jung Da Bin gonna rock her character as a young Jin Se yeon. Crossing my fingers to see if Jin Se yeon can pull of her character.
For the sake of Go Soo oppa, I hope this turn out to be good.
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15 Beng
April 21, 2016 at 10:37 PM
Gosh! GoSoo can still pass as a teener!!! where is Justice?! i suddenly feel so old, :(. Even though i spend lots of money for beauty products, i still look my age, huhuhu!
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16 Nathan
April 21, 2016 at 10:42 PM
50episodes of sageuk with Jin Se Yeon as lead... Really reminds me of Lee Yeon Hee in Hwajung. I ditched that drama half-way. I wonder if I can finish this one.
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
April 21, 2016 at 11:52 PM
I left after Cha Seung Won (King Gwanghae) has been dethroned. He was the only reason why I watched Hwajung. That drama actually had the potentials, but for some reason like the wooden acting by the leads like LYH and SKJ, i just cannot bring myself to watch it until end.,
For this one, i will try to watch for the sake of Go Soo.
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17 honeyJ
April 22, 2016 at 12:30 AM
What? This drama got Jung Dabin?
I'll definitely watch for her. I hope, the younger part will be longer. How about 6 to 8 episodes?
My thirst for Jung Dabin's acting is real.
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18 Solarmoonmoo
April 24, 2016 at 4:31 PM
That first promo has music from How to Train Your Dragon so immediately I got excited. I'll try it out. I'm not watching any weekend shows right now. I just don't know if my brain will be able to handle 3 sageuks at a time though.
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19 Moi
April 25, 2016 at 2:27 AM
Seriously??????this girl again??everytime she lead a drama role,every episode seems so boring..she really has this total poker face..Goodness,my Oppa Go So might be ruined..just like Doctor Stranger the story goes awry...this is bad,I really want to watch Go Soo in historical drama but if this girl is the lead until the end,I think I am going to pass..Sorry Oppa!!..Is it possible that her role is going to die ??maybe,I will watch..biane....
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well
November 13, 2016 at 12:22 AM
Actually her acting improved with this drama, you will not regret watching :) cause i think this drama is more on the story rather than the actors
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20 sigh
April 25, 2016 at 10:08 PM
well, i hate the trailer. the worst ever trailer i have watch. sigh. if you can't even make a good trailer.... then what should i expect with the drama?
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well
November 13, 2016 at 12:20 AM
actually most drama/movies with awesome trailers are the ones who are most disappointing.
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21 Dal
May 1, 2016 at 12:14 AM
I do love Jin Se Yeon, no matter how stiff she can sometimes be in her roles. LOL. I love her as a person, and I just want her to do go on this one. I'm sure she'll show us more, considering that she's working with a great director and writer.
Also, guys, please, let's not talk ill about Jin Se Yeon. She's human, too. Let's be tactful in our comments, not like some gangster punk wishing ill on someone we don't even know personally.
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22 velvetstuff
May 15, 2016 at 6:41 PM
I just binge watched 5 eps and I love it! Jin Se Yeon improved a lot surprisingly.
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23 velvetstuff
May 15, 2016 at 6:41 PM
Just binge watched the first 5 episodes and it's amazing! By the end of ep 5 I'm convinced that JSY improved tremendously. I'm sold! Give her a try.
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24 tita
June 18, 2016 at 9:56 PM
whatever you critics or haters says ...i will always love jin se yeon ..i have watched all her dramas..she has that sweetness and innocent acting skills that make her lovely and pretty to watch...go seyeon ...GBU always...
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25 kimac
July 12, 2016 at 8:40 PM
Guess those negative remarks on JSY are the anti-fans and biased. I have been following JSY acting since her 1st major role in My Daughter the Flower at tender age of 17+. Not only has she grown into a beautifuly young lady, her acting skill has improved tremendously. I love it when she get serious roles and fight her way out, just like The Flower in Prison. Just can't wait to see what the PD has in store for her from Episode 21 onwards. Wish for more fighting scene. She is really good in this.
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26 Shinubi Wang
September 4, 2016 at 4:47 PM
I am really enjoying this drama, more so than Moon Lovers which after three episodes, I may not continue to watch. In this one, I can hardly wait for the next instalment.
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27 DWornock
October 3, 2016 at 2:15 PM
Does anyone know the genetic relationship between the King and Ok-nyeo. That is, uncle/niece or half brother/half sister (25% related), half uncle/half niece or first cousin (12.5% related), or something else. I would like to know so I can determine if it would be acceptable to me for Ok-nyeo to be the king's concubine or wife.
The genetic risk of first cousin (based on numerous studies) and half uncle/half niece marriages are 2% higher (5% vs 3%) than if not related. Therefore, laws against those marriages are foolish and not based on science.
There are not enough examples to know the genetic risk of half siblings or uncle/niece marriages. However, based on the genetic risks of first cousin marriages the risks are interpolated (estimated) to be 5% to 8% greater than for non related marriages. In my opinion, that is valid justification for laws against uncle/niece, half siblings, and closer genetic relationships such as full siblings.
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28 Ryu
November 13, 2016 at 12:17 AM
Im in the midst of watching this drama, and so far so good, its not too bad like what others are saying , its actually good, for me. you will laugh, cry, cringe and so on. its has same feels like dong yi although Dong yi is better.
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29 Anje
May 31, 2017 at 9:10 PM
Ilove so much
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