From the set of Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang
by javabeans
Here’s an on-set look at KBS’s Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang, which has taken up a small corner of the Monday-Tuesday prime-time lineup. While Queen Seon-deok rakes in the big numbers (although they did drop precipitously by over 10% after the exit of one big character who shall remain nameless for spoiler purposes), and while Angel’s Temptation is encountering smooth sailing as it goes uncontested in the previous hour, Pyeong-gang is quietly doing its thing. It is generally recognized for its cheery narrative even if it’s not commanding the big numbers.
I found the first two episodes to be light and humorous, even if it’s only hovering in the 5%-6% ratings range. The drama showcases Nam Sang-mi and Ji Hyun-woo in a bickering relationship, and since it’s based on the old folktale of the Princess Pyeong-gang and the Fool On-dal, those dynamics remain intact in this modern reworking. It takes a twist on the tale, and comic sageuk segments also bookend each episode. So perhaps you could even say it’s a twist on the twist. I thought it had some flaws but also a very cute charm.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this drama is going to make much of a stir, which is too bad since it’s populated by some pretty good actors of its mid-to-late-twentysomething generation. You have Ji Hyun-woo as the troublemaking rich son On-dal, who is wasting his potential with laziness; Nam Sang-mi as the modern reincarnation of Pyeong-gang, doing her bubbly, upbeat best to make him into a worthy man; elegant Cha Ye-ryun as rising model who challenges the upstart Pyeong-gang for On-dal’s affections; broody and ambitious Kim Heung-soo, determined to unseat the undeserving On-dal from his throne of privilege and claim the model’s heart; and Seo Do-young as a handsome, Swedish-raised adoptee who swoops in to challenge On-dal’s growing relationship with Pyeong-gang.
These golf course shots were filmed last week in Gangwon Province, where the drama is set. (The eastern province is a short distance away from Seoul, and the characters speak with a thick Saturi accent.)
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Tags: Cha Ye-ryun, Invincible Lee Pyeong-gang, Ji Hyun-woo, Kim Heung-soo, Nam Sang-mi, Seo Do-young
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1 shubi
December 2, 2009 at 8:37 PM
I love ji hyun-woo..He is always adorable
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2 zappnickel
December 2, 2009 at 8:51 PM
i want to see this show really bad. i just caught the first episode but the others haven't been subbed yet. Sigh.
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3 sonam
December 2, 2009 at 8:53 PM
There's something so lovely about NSM.
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4 pabo ceo reom
December 2, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Aw...I guess I'm in the minority since I'm avidly following this series. You're right...it's definitely not stirring or even new...but I kinda like my dramas a bit familiar and fun.
Plus, Ji Hyun-woo and Nam Sang-mi are both talented actors looking for that big breakthrough I think. I enjoy watching them together :)
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5 S
December 2, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Viikii doesn't seem to work for this one. Where do you'all watch it? :P
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6 Bobo
December 2, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Hmmm, I might give this one a try. Thanks for the suggestion Javabeans!
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7 karened
December 2, 2009 at 10:51 PM
I wasn't really going too watch the whole series, and the first few eps didn't exactly work its charm. But as the story progressed, I found myself looking forward to watching every episode!
In the last few eps, we got to see a different side of On Dal, the side we caught a glimpse of back in ep 1. I think you described him as an anti-hero in your previous recap...But this anti-hero isn't really an anti-hero once we get to know him more. He maintains the laziness, the simple-minded thinking and the spoilt brat quality in him, even after he set his mind to win the tournament. And we see how these qualities led him into embarrassing situations one after another. But we just can't hate him when he occasionally reveals his sense of inferiority despite the arrogance he displays.
For the model girlfriend...I really don't see how she's pretty. I've heard that the camera makes one look fatter than in real life. But she looked stick-thin on tv! Does that mean she's even thinner in real life?! If those are the standards for a model... She's too thin and malnutritioned looking to be pretty in my opinion.
As for that love rival of On Dal. He is just plain evil. A flat character with no fashion sense (what's with all the scarfs that have their ends secured with a belt?!). Even his mother has greater character depth than he does. =X
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8 lola
December 2, 2009 at 10:56 PM
only caught the fisrt episode on dramacrazy dot net and am really waiting for the next with subs! anyone know where I can find them?
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9 Sparrow
December 2, 2009 at 11:24 PM
I am following the series even though my korean is very lacking and i am not doing so well with the saturi or the sageuk segments. The leads are great, the story is light and funny and the little girl with the little dog so adorable...
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10 kerik
December 2, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Dal-yi is so full of exaggerration that it's hella funny.
The 1st ep is so fun ^_^
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11 deeta
December 3, 2009 at 3:06 AM
I'm actually enjoying this. It does warrant some fast forwarding once in a while, but I'm loving the general chemistry from everyone.
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12 chocomilk
December 3, 2009 at 5:05 AM
the guy in the second picture got caught in a bad pose... he looks like it's his first time playing golf! hahaha
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13 Chuck
December 3, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Re: #12 chocomilk
I think that was an intentional humorous pose. The golf clubs they are using there are clearly not intended for adult sized people. They must be children's golf clubs.
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14 ellen
December 3, 2009 at 6:50 AM
I enjoyed the recap of Ep 1 & 2. Thank you. I've been waiting & looking forward for more recaps of this enjoyable series. I like the lead actors too.
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15 samsooki
December 3, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Smoldering. Nam Sang Mi.
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16 Hannah
December 3, 2009 at 8:48 AM
I started watching this because I've loved Nam SangMi in everything I've seen her in, and she hadn't disappointed yet. This drama isn't the best, but it's great for some lighthearted fun. And as this semester draws to a close and I get more and more stressed out, lighthearted fun is exactly what I need so I'm really enjoying this drama. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that I think Seo DoYoung is drop dead gorgeous in his role as Edward. I have no idea what it is that makes him so attractive in this drama because I didn't like him in Spring Waltz, but he commands the screen every time he comes up and I swoon like a fangirl all over again. :P
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17 oi
December 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
eeeek...... how come the adoptee is kissing the model-girlfriend in the last pic?!
I thought he liked Nam Sang Mi's character LPK?!
Funny, I like SDY in Spring Waltz. In this one....I don't know what to think of him yet.
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18 layla
December 9, 2009 at 7:35 PM
I love this drama. Please let me know where I can watch it subed. Thanks!
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19
January 16, 2010 at 8:09 PM
you can watch this movie with subed in http://www.dramastyle.com
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