Ahn Nae-sang goes royal for My Princess
by javabeans
Ahn Nae-sang is a familiar face in dramas — you’ve probably seen him at one point or twenty in dramas like Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Three Brothers, Story of a Man, Cain & Abel, Tazza, First Wives Club, and so on — and now he dons royal vestments for MBC’s My Princess, where he plays Kim Tae-hee’s great-grandfather.
Before you crinkle your brow and wonder, “Er, WHAT?” (as I did, since he’s 46 and she’s 30), his role will likely only be seen in photos and perhaps flashbacks; he portrays Joseon’s last emperor, Sunjong.
Historical note: I know there’s a difference between emperors and kings — and monarchies and empires — but in this case (as with Goong), things get a little muddled, not least because in these dramas we’re already stretching reality with the whole “monarchy revived!” theme. But it’s also because Korea was ruled by a monarchical system for much of its history (I’m condensing), until the 20th century when it briefly operated under an imperial system under the Korean Empire years of 1897 to 1910 (which were the last years of Emperor Gojong’s reign). After that came the Japanese occupation, the war, and then the separation of the two Koreas. So dramas that take liberties with the system are reimagining that the imperial years have been revived, even though the title of this drama is My Princess and not My Empress.
This news answers another of my lingering questions, because that makes Kim Tae-hee’s character the last remaining heir to the old monarchy. Er, empire. For the purposes of this drama, Sunjong had an unknown (but legitimate!) son, and she is descended from that lineage.
But because this is a kdrama, Fate must reinforce the bond of love between our leads with a healthy dose of coincidence; there’s a “special bond” between Emperor Sunjong and chaebol businessman Park Dong-jae (played by familiar grumpy gramps Lee Soon-jae)… who is the grandfather to Song Seung-heon’s diplomat character. Grandpa CEO Park uses some of his clout to reinstate the monarchy and goes out of his way to locate the lost granddaughter.
ONE MORE WEEK.
Via Hankyung
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Tags: Ahn Nae-sang, My Princess
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1 XDT_TXD
December 30, 2010 at 12:37 PM
i can't wait!
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2 annie
December 30, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Someone is excited! :)
Actually I am too, despite myself.
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Sammi
December 30, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Same here. I wanted to completely ignore this drama but with Ahn Nae-sang, it might have potential. Awaiting episode 1!
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3 tisyamey
December 30, 2010 at 12:42 PM
I'm afraid to give in to my hopes with regards to this drama... oh what the heck am I saying? I'll be watching this one regardless of any, or lack thereof, expectations. SSH, see you in a week!
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4 icechocolate
December 30, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Maybe I'm crazy. I don't like Song Seung Hun, and Kim Tae Hee either. But I'm definitely waiting for this drama.
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blue
December 30, 2010 at 1:04 PM
you're crazy? then im crazy too. lol ^^
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kooriyuki
January 1, 2011 at 3:38 AM
3rd that!
Javabeans simply made me anticipating this drama despite not loving the lead couple at all.
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5 Kender
December 30, 2010 at 12:45 PM
How can he have an unknown-yet-still-legitimate son?
I'm confused. Obviously I'll have to watch this in order to find out. :P
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danna
December 30, 2010 at 1:17 PM
i'm guessing there's going to be plotline involving an heir that's going to be hidden for his own safety or something like that....hope that makes sense...but this is just a guess
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6 La Plume
December 30, 2010 at 12:45 PM
ONE MORE WEEK.
...
Before your first disappointment of the year (yeah I'm a kill joy, so what?)
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Javabeans
December 30, 2010 at 12:48 PM
NOPE. Dream High premieres TWO DAYS EARLIER!
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annie
December 30, 2010 at 12:50 PM
LOL
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danna
December 30, 2010 at 1:18 PM
hahahaha!...is GF going to come down to defend DH?
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girlfriday
December 30, 2010 at 1:41 PM
Yes, that's TWO DAYS of AWESOME before Princess even starts!
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Javabeans
December 30, 2010 at 1:46 PM
You forgot the "....ly bad" at the end of your AWESOME there.
james94131
December 30, 2010 at 1:38 PM
When nothing else is going right, I can always count on JB or GF to give me a big laugh. Thank you ladies for your wit and intelligence.
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Bluefyre
December 31, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Ditto. ^^
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7 blue
December 30, 2010 at 1:02 PM
wow, its professor jung!! i was like lol with the outfit, not that it looks bad on him, but its because i saw that same outfit in goong like a lot of times. haha. i dont know but im kinda looking forward to this drama ^^
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Rovi
January 14, 2011 at 5:48 PM
The outfit is similar since this outfit (sometimes worn by Gojong, mostly worn by Sunjong) was worn when the Empire of Korea was proclaimed in 1897.
That's why the imperial outfit existed in Goong the drama, was because (I have no connections with the story, but merely speculating) the Korean Empire had been reestablished, hence the Imperial Titles.
(it's a bit different with Goong the manhwa, wherein the MONARCHY was still in effect...so if you read the manhwa, Shin Chae-gyeong the hwangtaejabi in the drama, becomes the wangsejabin in the manhwa...both titles w/c still pertains to the wife of the heir to the throne...)
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8 Daniela
December 30, 2010 at 1:08 PM
i dont know why suddenly after reading this i want to see my princess, because i watched the trailer and i dont like it (Maybe because i dont understand it XD). Hehehe, anyway,
i think im going to give it a chance.
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9 hoo
December 30, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Honestly whatever, no one expects the KTH-is-a-princess-but-doesn't-know-it plot to make any sense so they can come up with the most over the top or stupid contrivances and I'll buy it.
Much more interested in her princess training and (hopefully) chemistry with SSH
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10 viola
December 30, 2010 at 1:13 PM
I am cautiously optimistic. :)
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11 Emi
December 30, 2010 at 1:18 PM
I'm totally looking forward to this drama. It has just the perfect cheesy fun Harlequin Romance novel type of plot that I like :) (The books I read all had silly titles like 'The Secret Princess,' 'The Billionaire's Secret Mistress,' 'Runaway Princess,' or 'A Royal Engagement' etc ^_^)
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12 danna
December 30, 2010 at 1:20 PM
oh man....I have a huge ahjushi crush on this guy since CitC and SKKS.....now i may have to watch the first few eps of this drama
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marissa
December 30, 2010 at 3:08 PM
I know, me too. Ahn Nae-sang and Jung Ho-bin are my two ahjussi crushes. The young 'uns are so overrated. The Ahjussis rock :-)
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Bluefyre
December 31, 2010 at 10:26 AM
*raises hand* I concur! :)
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13 ar_arguably romantic
December 30, 2010 at 1:27 PM
"Grandpa CEO Park uses some of his clout to reinstate the monarchy and goes out of his way to locate the lost granddaughter." ---> i'm really curious to see how the public in the dramaworld will respond to having the monarchy revived. I know the first thing on my mind would be "I hope my taxes aren't going to support your princess wardrobe and palace!!". Aren't some people already arguing to end the British monarchy?
sort of wish they just made her the long lost granddaughter of some super rich chaebol instead of a princess.
"But because this is a kdrama, Fate must reinforce the bond of love between our leads with a healthy dose of coincidence" ---> spit-take!
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blahblahblah
December 30, 2010 at 1:32 PM
yeah i agree. I'd rather see her as some chaebol than a princess cuz i honestly don't like her in those Disney Princess wannabe gowns xD
anyway i'm excited for this! i hope to gawd that this is just gonna be a sweet and fun drama. KTH seems really funny with the trailer so she's giving me hope.
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14 okie dokie
December 30, 2010 at 1:34 PM
I'm kinda excited for this. I'm not putting too much into it, but I think it'll be fun to watch. Well, we'll see...
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15 Jo
December 30, 2010 at 1:48 PM
It looks fricken beautiful.
I love Ahn Nae-Sang. He works so hard. And he looks so spiffy!!
:))
im glad they didnt take this too modern..as in a European style Royal Family with a European style palace. Some Korean flair is nice.
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16 momosan
December 30, 2010 at 2:06 PM
Oh darn. Ahn Nae Sang. Now I must at least try this, even if it's giving me Goong S vibes.
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17 jen
December 30, 2010 at 2:15 PM
i'm so scared of raising my hopes for this drama. the 2 leads are pretty but not that known for their great acting.....but i'll keep an eyes out for this drama since it seems cute. i just hope it delivers
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18 girlatsea
December 30, 2010 at 2:45 PM
I'm getting increasingly excited for both! YAY, new dramas!!!
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19 gingganggolli
December 30, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Well a typical plot in Kdrama and getting clear how they intertwined to each other. I hope it’s worth the wait. Coz if the story doesn’t suck I hope the acting (?) and directing will save the show. Oh another expectation! geee need to work on that resolution.
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20 reese
December 30, 2010 at 3:52 PM
From research I've done in the past, even if it were an Imperial system, she would still be a Princess. She'd only be an Empress if she were actually the ruler or the wife of the Emperor.
If she's in line for the throne (or married to the Crown Prince) it would "Crown Princess", but if not then it's just "Princess" or "Imperial Princess", which is what I'm assuming the deal is here.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to this drama. <---actually can't believe that. This isn't my normal type of drama at all. I couldn't even finish Goong. Though I am quite guilty of loving those historical romance novels that toss women together with exiled prince's or British nobility. Not that much of a change...
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Rovi
December 31, 2010 at 5:49 AM
Well, I think they based this on the current issue on who should retain the title: one approved by the Lee royal household (forgot his name) or Empress Haewon, both claimants...
Sorry I'm not making myself clear, but do search on this...
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21 pretreb
December 30, 2010 at 4:00 PM
AWESOME!
i loved him in sungkyunkwan scandal lol (:
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22 dramaperson
December 30, 2010 at 4:13 PM
i really like the screen color and quality of this drama so far... the pictures and teasers are killing me!
but bad guy & dr.champ still hold 1st place together for best picture (:
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23 doozy
December 30, 2010 at 5:04 PM
It's Professor Jung! Okay, I'm on this train fo sho.
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24 d_ahjumma
December 30, 2010 at 5:45 PM
I'm looking forward to this drama too. More so than I was for MSOAN. Although the story sounds cliched, if it's done well then I'm all for it. Whereas I was never excited about MSOAN's set up even before it started.
I'll just have to wait and see...
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25 AcrobaticUrchin
December 30, 2010 at 7:54 PM
I am sooo looking forward to this and Dream High - I really need some possibly nonsensical fluff to kick off my next semester. Even if they're 'bad', I'm good.
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26 misskania
December 30, 2010 at 8:17 PM
is this drama based on manhwa or something else?
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27 parsifal
December 31, 2010 at 3:37 AM
i thought this would suck when i first heard KTH-SSH -or Mr. Hand Towel - pairing...then some stills started to come, and i realized this drama would be coming from the same writer with the awesomeness called 'Secret Garden' so i started to think this one might not be THAT bad after all...but now i am tired of all the promotion, and i am afraid this will will be neither a good nor a bad show, just boring one-which is the worst-
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28 Rovi
December 31, 2010 at 5:45 AM
Jeong Yak-yeong becomes Sunjong...OMG...
Ahn Nae-sang really is suited to perform for sageuk dramas...
BTW, did they do some research on Sunjong? Because some of my concerns were:
-the resemblance between ANS's Sunjong & the historical Sunjong (who, BTW, has existing (yet black-and-white) photographs)
-his descendants ("Sunjong had an unknown (but legitimate!) son"): Sunjong had been impotent due to the Coffee Poisoning Plot (or whatever; forgot the name, but there was a plot nonetheless), and in fact, had no issue with his empress (his 2nd & last wife, Empress Sunjeong, died in the 1960's with Rhee Syngman denying her request when she was alive to even step into Gyeongbokgung)
If anyone is even concerned, the one who suceeded Sunjong (in terms of the household) was one of his paternal cousins, I think...
So there...historians and history fanatics alike (like moi) will abuzz with chit-chatter when they basically come to the conclusions as same as mine...
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Rovi
January 14, 2011 at 6:08 PM
Been rereading my sources...
I've got tons of info...
-the real Sunjong (imperial name Yunghui) had been rendered infertile/impotent (and was also said to be mentally disabled) by poisoning in the September 1898 Coffee Poisoning Plot (instigated by the Japanese, since both Sunjong & his father Gojong became quite a fan of coffee).
-Empress Sunjeong (Sunjong's 2nd wife; his first wife, who died before he was enthroned, was a relative of his mother Empress Myeongseong) stayed in Changdeokgung as long as she could in the face of advancing forces from North Korea. During the Korean war, the soldiers of North Korea invaded the palace but she reproved them and drove them all out.
-Rhee Syng-man was jealous of the popularity of the Imperial House, so she prevented Empress Sunjeong from entering the Changdeokgung (sorry about that error). She was kept imprisoned in Suin Hall, a narrow and unsuitable cottage in Jeongneung, Seoul. She did return to Changdeokgung, only in 1961, when Rhee Syng-man died, with 3 of her dutiful ladies-in-waiting and 5 other staff.
-the current issue among the Korean Imperial Household is between Yi Won (the Hereditary Prince Imperial, hwangsason) & Yi Haewon (the Empress of Korea, yeohwang), who are both claimants to be the Head of the Household ever since Yi Gu (Imperial Prince Hwoe-un hwangtaeson) died in 2005.
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29 Bluefyre
December 31, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Oh my. The plot thickens. LOL. Yep. ONE MORE WEEK. Hope beyond hope it's good. ^^
I love Ahn Nae-sang though. He is awesome!
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30 paros
January 5, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Just finish the 1st episode of My Princess. It is very interesting, exciting & lovely!
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31 soojin08
January 13, 2011 at 4:37 PM
Funny how the table have turned. The emperor here was merely Professor Jung in Sungkyunkwan Scandal while the one kneeling here was once Sungkyunkwan Scandal's King.
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