Will Chuno have a Season 2?

43 March 28, 2010March 28, 2010

by javabeans

While I wouldn’t get too excited yet, there is a lot of talk and speculation over the possibility of a Chuno Season 2, given the intense popularity of the drama, which ended this past week.

A representative from Chuno‘s production company, Chorokbaem Media, gave interviews to the press on the 26th saying that they have discussed the possibility of airing a Season 2, although nothing has been confirmed yet. A different representative from the broadcasting side confirmed that they are looking favorably at the matter, but that nothing had been decided.

The day before, PD Kwak Jung-hwan was asked by a reporter at the finale event, which took place at KBS’s Yeouido building, about the chance of a Season 2 being produced. He gave a roundabout answer, saying that writer Chun Sung-il would have to write it, but that every day he feels differently. Kwak added that he’d like to do a contemporary drama, and would like to choose something with a strong genre flavor, as genre dramas haven’t really been done much in Korean television.

On the other hand, in contrast with PD Kwak’s vague answers, another source with the production spoke more affirmatively, saying that a Chuno 2 would take the form of a prequel, “centered around the story of the two men” (Jang Hyuk and Oh Ji-ho). It would be set against the backdrop of the Manchu war, when Song Tae-ha (Oh) was still a military officer protecting his country. It would show how Injo and Prince So-hyun came to their tragic ends, as well as portraying the lives of the commoners who suffered through the harsh wartime.

However, there are still some hurdles to overcome, such as the fact that KBS and Chorokbaem Media had each invested half into a limited liability company that produced the first season. That LLC holds the sequel rights, so even if KBS wants a sequel, both sides must be onboard.

Furthermore, writer Chun is CEO of the film company Harimao Pictures (whose first feature was the hit spy-action romantic comedy Level 7 Civil Servant, which Chun also wrote). As such, he is busy with Harimao’s next project, a film called All Quiet on the Western Front [서부전선 이상없다] whose production had previously been delayed. Chun also expressed interest in doing a modern drama first.

Still, many are optimistic about a Chuno Season 2. In addition to high viewership ratings at home, it has attracted substantial overseas buzz, and if it can achieve status as a Hallyu drama, like Jewel In the Palace did overseas, the possibility for a sequel would improve.

One insider who requested anonymity said that as a result of Chuno‘s success, there are a lot of people with ambitious thoughts, spurred by the smell of money. Therefore, “If everyone works together to not allow greed to ruin the project, plans [for the sequel] will come out by the end of the year.”

Via Newsen, Star News

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Tags: Chuno, drama production, sequels

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1 hpn88

March 28, 2010 at 5:02 PM

I like the idea of Pre-quel. i would be interesting to see everyone before "chuno" happened!
i think a BIG thing that might be a stumbling block for the pre or sequel is the cast. the cast made chuno work. not just JH (who got ROBBED at the awards), OJH and LDH but infact it was other members of the cast - Sul hwa, Eop-bok, CHO-BOK, the people who played the other slaves, the guy that was always after them, the innkeepers etc...
it was one of the dramas where I didn't feel like fast forwarding their parts because they were so good.
they would need to bring some of them back!

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2 Hanjanman

March 28, 2010 at 5:14 PM

I've only seen a couple of episodes of Chuno so far. Sadly, I still know very little Korean to cope with sageuks without subs. I will definitely do a marathon once the subs are all out. I couldn't get into Viikii these days for some reason.

@ Langdon

I could remember a few OT's earlier about you asking me what I thought of Han Jung Soo and it left me completely baffled. Since you confess to your undying love for Lee Min Ki, I thought you go for the lanky skinny types. Han Jung Soo is big! He's a goliath to Lee Min Ki's david. Did that shower scene at the very episode done something that defies logic to your head again?

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3 cathy

March 28, 2010 at 5:32 PM

As i mentioned earlier , Chuno is likely having Chuno 2 and 3 , by saying this bc
Chuno is the first K historical drama storyline different than others . Usually K
historical dramas relating to royal families , all the plots around power hunger
nobles , royal family members and Kings , nothing relating to how K commoners and especially slaves
lived at that time . Honestly i did not know K having slavery system until i watch
Chuno . storyline , acting , directing are amazing , realistic .
QSD is not realistic historical drama , who was Misil , she was smart she should
be the King , King and royals at that time was so dump , incapable to figure out
Misil ' repeated , similar plots for years . Besides Misil evil actions , plots , expressions are so similar in all chinese historical movies.
I read some chinese historical books , people at that time
were not so dump , they were smart too , especially Scholars , Shilla people were smart and wise , for me QSD is so soap like not realistic .
Exellent dramas having storyline about people are Jewel in the palace , Immortal
Admiral YI , Chuno , Damo , my opinion , thanks .

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4 cathy

March 28, 2010 at 5:38 PM

PS , Chuno ending is sad but meaningful , as human beings we are capable to change to the best , nobody wants to do the bad thing all the time , we all have good heart but sometime it is covered by our greed , anger , ignorance .

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5 cingdoc

March 28, 2010 at 5:40 PM

Wow,I'm surprised that I,who have yet to watch a single episode of Chuno,is here before @langdon813,@ockoala,@samsooki,@hjkomo....but then,I'm still struggling w/ the internet ,trying to watch SMM!

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6 samsooki

March 28, 2010 at 5:46 PM

@2 hanjanman -

Dude. What's with the bizarre and random rudeness? Who cares whether she likes Han Jung Soo and LMK? And why would that defy logic, that a person can be attracted to different qualities in different people? And why would her personal preferences need to be called out by you on a thread that she didn't even make a comment on?

And I'm quite sure you aren't so familiar with langdon813 that you could crack a joke at her expense and have there be chortles all around. Maybe you thought you would be funny, but your comment isn't funny at all.

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7 Hanjanman

March 28, 2010 at 5:57 PM

@ samsooki

I honest to goodness did not mean to be rude! I admit, I was trying to be funny. But, I guess, it come out the wrong way. I apologize profusely, Langdon813, if I've offended you.

See, this is exactly why I was avoiding leaving comments here lately. Guess, I should just go back to lurk-mode.

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8 samsooki

March 28, 2010 at 6:00 PM

As for a Chuno 2, I think it is a good idea to do the pre-quel.

All the most interesting characters (other than the main characters of Tae Ha and Dae Gil) of Chuno will obviously be there:

1. The origins of the infamous Jac-Gwi and the real story of how DG cut off his ear.

2. The magnificient and malevolent Chun Ji Ho, and how he turned a wimpy DG into the best hand-to-hand fighter in Korea and the most feared Chuno of them all..

3. The notorious monk who isn't a real monk, and how he became a monk. amd he lost to DG in an epic brawl that people still talk about.

4. The story of UN's big brother, and how he went from being a runaway slave to being a nobleman.

5. Baek-Ho, and how he hooked up with UN's big brother, and how he fell in love with UN.

6. Commander Hwang and his jealousy of TH.

7. Prince So-Hyeon and his story, how he was betrayed and murdered by his own father.

8. Emissary Yong's complicated relationship with Prince So Hyeon, King Injo, the Qing Emperor, and with TH.

9. Artist Bang and his many many many pictures of UN through the years.

10. Maeui, probably, back when he was a hale and randy fellow.

11. Han Seom and Gwang-Jae and everyone else who followed TH loyally.

12. Maybe we get to see Pil-Mo and what she was like before Jeju Island...

And of course, you still have DG, TH and UN... with them meeting in the past and how their lives were entwined from the start.

If it happens, and if it is written well, it could be a fantastic drama series, probably better than the first.

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9 Javabeans

March 28, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Please don't be too offended, all! I read the comment as light-hearted. I think it's just a case of crossed wires in reading tone. Curses, internet!

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10 meixin

March 28, 2010 at 6:10 PM

OMG this is the best news i've heard all day! i just finished chuno and i LOVED it and i'd be soooooo happy if they made season 2 because i already miss it so much... i feel empty now that i don't have any more chuno episodes to look forward to...

also, does anyone know if there's any (non/online) resources (besides the DVD box set... they're probably expensive!) where i can find chuno with traditional chinese subtitles? i really want to show this series to my parents! i know tudou and youku sometimes have series with simplified subtitles, but my parents and i have a hard time reading them.

all quiet on the western front? i read that novel, it's very good! is this going to be a korean movie based on the book, with korean actors?... because the novel was about WWI written from a german soldier's perspective...

thank you for bringing this news to us!!! :DDD

@samsooki: that is one great list!!!

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11 samsooki

March 28, 2010 at 6:13 PM

Oh, right, and more characters:

13. The noble Minister Im, who was the predecessor to the evil Minister Lee, who knew what happened to Prince So Hyeon, and his battle with Minister Lee.

14. The story of Scholar Jo, and how he was tight with Prince So Hyeon from the beginning. And his battle against King Injo.

15. More of the beginnings of the Dae-Gil slave hunting group of DG / General Choi / Wang Son.

16. The rebel slave leader cum betrayer who was actually the feared military police man of Minister Lee, and how he was turned into a soul-less killing machine with zero compassion for anyone. Just like how Commander Hwang was turned into a soul-less killing machine for Minister Lee.

17. How Eop Bok the famed hunter was turned into a slave.

In fact, that's pretty much every single big character in Chuno, except for Seol Hwa, big and little jumo, magistrate oh, the vice-minister to Minister Lee, and a few of the other slaves.

Nice thing about a pre-quel... everybody can come back.

I would think that Seol-Hwa's character would be completely out tho, unless it turns out that Gi-Saeng Chan is Seol-Hwa's mom... or another gi-saeng who then sacrificed her life so that Seol-Hwa could live...

It is unlikely though, that every actor who was in Chuno would be able to and agree to do the pre-quel. If they don't get the same people, I am inclined to hope that they won't bring in someone new to play an already established character. Like, if someone other than Ahn Gil Kang were to play Jac-Gwi, that would REALLY bother me....

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12 Firewife5

March 28, 2010 at 6:14 PM

@ 8 samsooki

You list some really compelling reasons for a prequel. If Chuno 2 incorporates those stories I would definitely watch it. Although, since I still choke up when I think of the ending, I have to admit that my first reaction was that knowing the end of the story might dampen my enjoyment of a prequel.

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13 cingdoc

March 28, 2010 at 6:18 PM

@JB
I know you are my favorite OT Goddess for a reason- so kind and fair :)
Internet-I'm %$&*^() it right now....darn,darn,darn,still freezing up . Maybe if I say pretty please....

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14 mimi

March 28, 2010 at 6:47 PM

While I appreciated the drama showing the historical aspect of the slavery system (who knew it was such a harsh environment?), my opinion is that the love story involving the 3 'main' characters didn't really add to the drama. The posters and the publicity before Chuno began really had us anticipating the love story. But the triangle love story, or as I will refer to it --"mess", turned out to be a dud.
DaeGil and UnNyun must have said 5 sentences to each other after meeting for the 1st time. Without giving too much of the ending away, I will add that I didn't buy UnNyun's loyalty.
I think a love story within the larger historical storyline was a good idea but it just didn't take off in Chuno. From reading a lot of viewer comments here and at other sites, it seems many, many viewers were just driven to frustration by the triangular "mess".

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15 ripgal

March 28, 2010 at 6:50 PM

Best news so far for me too. I have the final episode of Chuno to go. But I'm kind of hesitant to finish it because I know I will miss looking forward to it every week. I know I will miss Dae Gil and the rest of the ppl in the drama dearly. Esp Dae Gil, I'm still not over him right now. Sighz.

It's interesting that they're considering a prequel. But I doubt all the cast would agree to come back. Hmmm...

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16 Firewife5

March 28, 2010 at 7:20 PM

The cast member I would be the most surprised to see return would be LDH as UN/HW. She took a beating in the press and I'm not sure she'd want to put herself through that again, unless she's the " I'll show you guys!" type of girl.

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17 bd2

March 28, 2010 at 7:22 PM

A Chuno prequel has the potential to be better.

The best parts of Chuno are the palace intrigue/machinations, the slave plot, the Manchu interference, etc.

The absolutely worst parts of the Chuno are the romance parts, esp. that of LDH's character w/ the 2 lead males.

Sure, some of it has to do/ w/ the time in history (where romancing couples can't banter and argue amusingly like in "Coffee Prince"), but the montages of LDH's and JH's characters remembering their past love and the "stoic" romance btwn LDH's and OJH's character are forced and painful to watch (which is why I forward past those parts).

A prequel solves that problem since neither lead male will likely have any contact/relationship w/ LDH's character.

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18 pixie

March 28, 2010 at 7:45 PM

this is a good news indeed if it happens. i just watched the ending and not what i expected, so i'm hoping for a prequel to help understand how the characters became the way they are.

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19 Ladymoonstone143

March 28, 2010 at 7:55 PM

Best news ever Javabeans. I tortured myself over and over again, crying , watching the finale episode. And athought this is not yet 100% sure but a little bit of hope would be good. I agree that a prequel would be good. I need to see more DG and LHD .....and STH. Each of the characters have a special place in my heart...

And I also want to think that the innkeeper and Gen Choi would end up with each other..lol

Thanks for this article Javabeans...

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20 salt

March 28, 2010 at 9:19 PM

i think it's kinda of a trend nowadays to do a prequel instead of a sequel even in hollywood ( i think it started off with star wars...)
well, either way....i'll take the guys in whatever time period i can...sequel, prequel, time jumps, modern-age incarnation; i'm not choosy...;)

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21 Michelle

March 28, 2010 at 10:40 PM

Don't like to watch when the main character is already dead, not excitng or fun to watch anymore.

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22 hjkomo

March 28, 2010 at 11:14 PM

Chuno is and has always been DG's story. While I would love to see the background of what happened to all of these wonderful characters, and a prequel has the potential to be bloody fantastic, there are aspects of it that would greatly concern me -

a) Chun Sung Il would be writing it, and
b) the prequel “'centered around the story of the two men' (Jang Hyuk and Oh Ji-ho)" giving equal narrative importance to DG and TH.

But a Kwak Jung Hwan genre drama?
MANSE!!!! :D

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23 Lemonade

March 28, 2010 at 11:18 PM

Hmmm...I prefer some Chuno Bloopers......that would be fun......and viewers would have some relaxing time with those characters again....so they won't feel so sad. THere would be plenty of footages ....and we will have some good time....again ...ja..

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24 snow

March 29, 2010 at 1:58 AM

i'm a bit iffy on the possibility of a chuno 2. the writing was uneven throughout the series, the focus went from one thing to another, characterisation for unnyun didn't get stronger until 2/3 into the series... i share hjkomo's concerns that a prequel would detract from this being daegil's story (and even this got the short shrift later on in the series).

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25 Cindy

March 29, 2010 at 2:03 AM

Just a thought , Lee Dae Gil's right side of his head was seriously injured, his eye vision blurred and his hands tremble because of injuries, and lots of cuts on his body, so just let us remember him in CHUNO, an ordinary courageous man, a warrior, a hero and at peace with his soul.

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26 glencorajane

March 29, 2010 at 2:51 AM

Yes a prequel will be great! Then they can show how DG slowly baked from snowwhite skin to Chocolate abs!!

Hahahaha. But I have never know a sequel/prequel to get back everyone on board,either due to scheduling/scripting or ultimately the $$$ issue.

But it is always a fun idea to toy with.

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27 Ucaaaa

March 29, 2010 at 2:52 AM

truthfully i interested to this drama. but.......................

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28 kls5

March 29, 2010 at 9:34 AM

I think a prequel would be the only way to go. And it would be great, if written well and the same cast were all involved. All the questions that Samsooki noted, I'd like answers too. I just don't want them to ruin the drama with a sequel that kills the first story. Sometimes leaving well enough alone would be the best thing to do. But if they do it - PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU NO GOONG S.

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29 doozy

March 29, 2010 at 11:04 AM

@ cingdoc
word. JB, we love you!

K-drama experts... what's a "genre drama"?

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30 hyewon

March 29, 2010 at 11:06 AM

What is a genre drama?

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31 daehae shi

March 29, 2010 at 11:31 AM

chuno 2 is a good idea but not in a sageuk form but rather modern contemporay
romantic storyline and have the same lead stars.

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32 Lemonade

March 29, 2010 at 11:49 AM

I'm voting for a Chuno video game ! That must have a lot of actions kinda game. hehe

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33 chasen8888

March 29, 2010 at 2:53 PM

I am all for Chuno the prequel but I am also for Chuno the sequel - 'Dae Gil's and Eop Bok's legacy'. Though very satisfied with the ending, to me Chuno was about Dae Gil and Eop Bok (the slave hunter and the slave), I keep wondering what happens after. Did Tae Ha and Hye Won started after making a renewal vow did and what happened to the prince - was he raised to be honourable and brave later not becoming a hidden king? What would now be their story?, Wangson and Gen Choi what happened to them after going to Inchon? Hwang Chul Woong (though he clearly deserved death) did he redeem himself and if so, how? Chak dae's crew, before watching episode 24, I always thought of them going to reside on the land that Dae Gil bought thereby creating a new community one without classes and slaves, would like to know what happened as well? What happened to Cho Bok - my imagination has her pregnant with a future rebel leader telling her child about what his/her father did and that child in turn following through.

I have so many questions and there are many variations one can play with this story. In essence Chuno was a wonderful story with some depth, I will definitely be rewatching it in the future. I am also for a Chuno video game, though I dont usually play much, thats one I'll consider.

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34 ohemgee

March 29, 2010 at 9:31 PM

@ samsooki-

GREAT IDEAS!! (and so many too!!!)

have you thought about changing careers at all? ;)

i think kdramas could use your talent for kdrama storytelling!!

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35 samsooki

March 30, 2010 at 12:16 PM

@34 ohemgee -

Thank you, but those aren't my ideas! those are ideas that are already built-into the story line. I was just listing the open-ended questions that could be answered by a Chuno 2...

And yes, i thought about changing careers, but i would need to be a billionnaire so that i could run my own production company and be CEO, chair of the board of directors, and majority shareholder, so that nobody could fire me or order me around.

Then I would hire whoever I wanted, then i would come onto dramabeans and listen to the shrill cries of people protesting why i chose this person over this person, how come I'm favoring this person so much, where do I get the nerve to ignore the fan support for that person.... etc.

That's my dream, but i need to win the lottery for that to happen, then invest wisely to grow the money into billions, and then I would make the most awesome k-dramas ever.

they would be so awesome, that half of the k-drama fans would just faint, and the other half would be so thrilled, that dramabeans.com would crash like 20 times a day from all the postings.

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36 Sakura

March 31, 2010 at 6:58 AM

@35 samsooki,

very funny !! hope you make it !

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37 OppaOppa

April 30, 2010 at 7:09 PM

Of what use would be a season 2 if all the best loved characters are dead?
Even if it were a prequel, knowing that they never end up together and that most of them end up dead or dying as it would seem at the end? Knowing their miserable fate would just spoil any prequel, and if the same actors were not in it then it could not possibly be Chuno no matter what you call it....

One has to wonder why writers and directors so often reward their loyal viewers with miserable and tragic endings when it doesnt always have to be this way?

For example, Dae Gil lives and decides that he is truly in love with Sul Hwa.
Eu Nyun stays with Song Tae and decides that she loves him, after all she didnt really convey any love for or of Dae Gil after she found out he was alive, they barely even talked to each other until the end.

They could have won the battle de-throned the king, abolished slavery. vanquished the ching empire and all lived happy lives. Then imagine the possibilities for a season 2!

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38 Yoyo!

May 13, 2010 at 1:27 PM

Don't know about the prequel. Never seems to care too much for it.
However, I would like to see the continuation of the story, where Song Tae Ha actually manage create a better world (possibly with help from his former supports and commoners). It's disappointing to see the story just leave you hanging like that....so what's the point to all of this.

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39 ticklishmusic

January 22, 2012 at 11:28 PM

Daegil needs some screentime with Un nyun. Poor guy got no love- looks for girl for ten years, then dies for her so she can be with some other guy with the emotional capacity of a teaspoon.

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40 Kserieswatcher

March 21, 2013 at 2:56 AM

Man I really want to watch a continuation. So pretending Daegil fought off all those soldiers in the end and goes back to meet up with Gen. Choi and wangson. Then song tae and ennyoen stays where they are but Song tae gets taken away while Ennyeon fends for her life, so Daegil finds out about it and seeks her again knowing shes still waiting. It just bugs the living crap out of me to see a sad ending with the two main characters just only speaking 5 words to each other and then Daegil dies!!! Shit im bummed. That dude was looking for her for 10 years!! Atleast give the story some excitement and throw in more time for Daegil and Ennyeon. Of course this is a movie, but still dont keep our hopes up sooooooo high and in the end it gets killed! Just pisses alot of people off in the end. Lol thank you! I hope season 2 comes out.

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41 Badr

July 7, 2013 at 12:17 AM

First i would like to thank every body worked hard to do this amazing,fantastic show"chuno"
so,with all do respect i hope that you can present the
second season as soon as possible....
yours fan"Badr"