Script reading stills for tvN’s Pandora

6 January 20, 2023March 4, 2023

Script reading stills for tvN’s Pandora

by solstices

Upcoming revenge drama Pandora has released its script reading stills, and from the drama’s description, it looks like we’re in for a high-stakes conflict.

Lee Jia (Penthouse 3) stars as Hong Tae-ra, the protagonist who seems like she has it all. Wealth, recognition, a faithful husband, and a lovable daughter. What more could she possibly ask for? Except there’s one little crack in her perfect facade — she doesn’t remember a single thing about her past. When those memories finally return, it’s as if Pandora’s box has been opened. The desire for revenge begins to unfurl within Tae-ra, spurring her to punish those who once manipulated her.

Lee Sang-yoon (One the Woman) plays Tae-ra’s loving husband Pyo Jae-hyun, a genius developer who climbed the ranks with his benevolent leadership and discerning insight. Respected by the masses, he’s been receiving political offers left and right, eventually becoming a candidate for the next presidential election.

That’s good news for Tae-ra — what better way to protect herself than by becoming the untouchable First Lady of Korea? However, her path of vengeance won’t be an easy one, not when she isn’t the only one who carries wounds from the past. Another such person is star anchorwoman Go Hae-soo, played by Jang Hee-jin (The Red Sleeve Cuff) — and she’s determined to uncover the long-concealed truth.

Of course, as is par for the course with revenge tales, our leads’ lives are more intertwined than they imagine. Hae-soo is married to chaebol Jang Do-jin, played by Park Ki-woong (The King’s Affection), who is best friends with Jae-hyun. Together with the hacker Gu Sung-chan, played by Bong Tae-gyu (Shooting Stars), the three men have been best buddies since their university days, going on to found an IT company together.

The question is, when push comes to shove, will these characters remain loyal, or will their selfish motivations win out? Notably, Kim Sun-ok, the writer of Penthouse, has had a hand in the creative process for Pandora — which makes me part curious and part wary of how makjang Tae-ra’s revenge plan may be.

Directed by Choi Young-hoon (One the Woman) and written by Hyun Ji-min, Pandora will premiere in the first half of this year.

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1 Emperor

January 21, 2023 at 1:25 AM

The new title makes me chuckle a bit, for a second i thought this was a spin off to that James Cameron movie. IMO the old title suit this one better "First Lady".

Also, after The Glory, anchorwoman seems like the profession not to be this year.

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sooyi

January 21, 2023 at 3:29 AM

There is also a disaster movie in South Korea with the same title, so yeah the name itself gives sci-fi and action feelings. The new Korean title adds to the confusion because it literally says "Pandora: a Fabricated Paradise", and I get that it alludes to the theme of the illusion of domestic bliss, but it also implies utopia?

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2 sooyi

January 21, 2023 at 3:21 AM

So is Lee Jia the heroine of a modern Female Gothic scenario, or an amnesiac former government agent? Learning it has makjang roots, I'm leaning toward the former.

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3 kellie

January 21, 2023 at 3:36 AM

The PD isn't good news. One the Woman was a lifeless fail.

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4 jerrykuvira

January 21, 2023 at 3:39 AM

I'm wary about the writing (I like the makjang that was Penthouse until season 3) but confident about who's helming the direction.

But I can't ignore this cast nor the story.

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5 Ahjumma

January 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Finally, a tall, dark, and reasonably handsome character in this new drama. The problem with Penthouse was that it was miserable to watch. No eye candies for the ladies, not a single stud in sight. Even Kim So Yeon, the antagonist, wasn't magnetic enough. She kept lowering her voice to sound more evil but it just sounded weird. That's not her normal voice at all. In real life she's a bright and friendly person, completely opposite of the role she played. Thus, she was not able to fully express the role. It required someone more "evil".