HomeActor/ActressKang Seong-yeon
Kang Seong-yeon
강성연
SBS puts money on 'Tazza' drama
In the hopes of carrying a trilogy of dramas based on the works of cartoonist Hur Young-man to a successful end, SBS starts airing the final installment tonight. The broadcasting channel kicked off a trio of Hur's dramas in April with "I Love You," followed up with the hit series "Sikgaek" in June and will now complete the set with "Tazza (The War of Flowers)." Like "Sikgaek," the original comic series was already made into a blockbuster movie in 2006. The film wowed audiences with its ruthless plotline, superbly executed by actor Cho Seung-woo and actress Kim Hye-soo, becoming the second-biggest film of the year. The small screen version plans on repeating that kind of success. The drama's formula to success lies in a revamped storyline, an infusion of humor and a brand new character. Planning to capitalize on the riveting tale of a skilled cardsharp -- or "tazza" in Korean -- named Goni, the bare bones of the plot remains intact, with favorite characters Madame Jung and Ah Gwi still in the script. Cardsharp Young-min, played by actor Kim Min-jun, will stir things up, radically changing the structure of the story. "This character is not in the original version," said the 32-year old actor at the press conference held last week, who likened Young-min to villain Anakin Skywalker a.k.a. Darth Vader from "Star Wars." Kim, who won women over in SBS' "Lovers in Praha" (2005), takes on the complex role of a high school dropout and close friend of Goni. Attempting to raise money to pay for his grandmother's surgery, he ends up losing at a round of "hwatu" -- an Asian card game -- and crosses over to the dark side, learning the tricks of the trade from top cardsharp Ah Gwi. Actor Jang Hyuk will be joining in on the game as Goni. Having showcased his mastery of the art of mixing comedy with action as a wannabe thug in the flick "Jungle Juice" (2002), the 31-year old actor promises to draw laughs. "I created my own new character," said Jang at the press conference. Unlike Cho Seung-woo's artful portrayal of Goni in the movie, which was serious, dark and sharp, Jang's hero is bright, outgoing and downright funny, relying on street smarts and talent rather than a suave demeanor to get him out of trouble. Even the way Jang runs is very Chaplin-esque, making him perfect for a TV version, which needs to keep things rated PG. "I received gambling lessons," said Jang, who admits that in real life he would make a terrible cardsharp. "My teacher told me I did not have a money-making face. A tazza's face needs to be ordinary, unnoticeable." Though Jang may not have the face of a pro, he is excited to prove to audiences that he can take on the role. And so is actress Kang Sung-yeon. Well aware that she has some big shoes to fill as femme fatale Madame Jung, Kang remained confident that her interpretation of the character would be radically different. "Actress Kim Hye-soo left such a strong impression as Madame Jung in the movie, but the drama is different," said the 32-year old actress. "I will be showing her human side, making her someone that people can relate to." Another actress will be trying her luck at gambling in the drama version as Goni's childhood sweetheart, Young Min's first love and Madame Jung's apprentice. Han Ye-seul, who rose to fame in the hit drama "Fantastic Couple" (2006), is taking on the crucial role. Veteran actor Kim Ghab-soo will be playing the ruthless cardsharp Ah Gwi, while actor Son Hyun-joo will be bringing in the laughs as Goni's sidekick, Go Gwang-ryul. "Tazza" airs its first episode tonight on SBS at 9:55 p.m.
Movie-Based Dramas to Fill TV Screens
Amid the ongoing search for catchy, stylish, attractive ideas for local dramas, many drama-makers have turned to themes that have already been seen to be popular. Movie-based dramas are no longer new, but the race for the best-made remake is expected to get more competitive with ``IRIS,'' ``Tazza'' (working title), ``Friends: The Unfinished Tale'' (working title) and ``Beat.'' The 1999 movie ``Swiri'' was a steppingstone for Korean cinema, being considered the first blockbuster movie that captivated local movie fans with its distinctive plot and action scenes. Now the hit movie that depicted the lives of secret agents is coming back to television screens as ``IRIS.'' In order to bring movie-like elements onto the smaller screen, the drama will be written and produced by Taewon Entertainment and Kang Je-kyu Film, both famous movie agencies here, and will boast a budget of 20 billion won. Korean heartthrob Lee Byung-hun (``All-in,'' 2003) will appear as the mysterious secret agent, his first drama in five years, along with pop group Big Bang's T.O.P as an assassin. It will be directed by director Kang Je-kyu and produced by Lee Hyeong-min (``Sorry, I Love You,'' 2004). ``IRIS'' will be aired next year. Another movie-based drama, ``Tazza'' is expected to be released this coming August. The movie ``Tazza: The High Rollers'' was a big hit back in 2006, with the attractive Kim Hye-soo as the seductive Madam Jeong and actor Cho Seung-woo as a gambler. Actor Jang Hyuk (``Windstruck,'' 2004) and Kim Min-jun (``Doctor Bong,'' 2007) will play the ambitious gamblers, while actress Han Ye-seul will appear as the heroine Gwang-sook. This will be Han's first show in two years after her hit drama ``Fantastic Couple'' (2006). The role of Madam Jeong is still vacant with candidates such as Sung Hyun-ah and Kang Sung-yeon on the list. While the movie depicts the thrilling lives of professional gamblers, the drama ``Tazza'' will portray the competitive gambling race between two talented and ambitious young gamblers. The sad yet stylish story of four best friends living in Busan is also coming to television audiences next year. During a press conference of his new movie ``Eye for an Eye,'' director Kwak Kyung-taek mentioned that he is planning to re-create the popular movie into a 16-series drama. According to Zininsa Film, the drama's production company, the drama will be filmed in Busan and will be entirely pre-produced before actual airing, which is slated for early next year. Actors Hyun Bin (``My Lovely Samsoon,'' 2005) and Kim Min-jun will star as the main characters, which were played by Jang Dong-kun and Yoo Oh-seong in the movie version. Fans of Jung Woo-sung (``A Moment to Remember,'' 2004) and Ko So-young (``Apartment,'' 2006) will be thrilled to find that the movie which opened the door to the two actors' stardom will be made into a drama. ``Beat'' was one of the first Korean movies to deal with the lives of teenagers back in 1997. With stylish scenes, memorable lines and fresh faces, the movie instantly became a hit and even now is considered to be unsurpassed in Korean teenage movies. Film company Kim Jong-hak Production recently announced plans to remake the film, but with a slight twist. The drama will be based on teenagers living during the 90s, with some modern elements added. The drama is expected to greet fans next year.
[TV Review] Being a 'trouble and strife' looks daunting
![[TV Review] Being a 'trouble and strife' looks daunting](/kmovie_news/thumbnail/070613_new definition_thumb.jpg)
"New Definition of Wise Mother and Good Wife"airs Mondays and Tuesdays on MBC. There is a New York photograph that I hold dear, and it's not the one of the Samsung signboard high above Times Square. My keepsake features an average couple strolling through a museum. The couple, in their 60s or 70s, were modestly dressed and they held hands as they listened carefully to what each other had to say about Edvard Munch. After my voyeuristic encounter with this charming couple, I realized how important it is to have someone by my side, particularly after the scary age of 45. I mean, the world is often a dreadful place and we all need someone to take the edge away. Ok, I know. I must admit that I have been an advocate of the single life for years while writing this column. And it's not that I am repulsed by the idea of tying the knot. I am just a fragile creature who is afraid of the fickle nature of relationships, and I have huge respect for couples with relationships or marriages that have lasted for several decades. I suppose it would be a great thing to have a family, watching the children grow and going to a museum with a silver-haired husband. Still, this positive thought about marriage was ruined last Sunday afternoon when I was dutifully watching reruns of the new MBC-TV drama "Sinhyeonmoyangcheo", whose title is best translated as"New Definition of a Wise Mother and Good Wife". This drama reminded me of the grim reality of marriage in this country, where, for centuries, it has been thought of as a "union of two families", not just the binding of a couple. Talk about pressure. Marriage has frequently been turned from a life-affirming pleasure into a huge responsibility, especially for women ― hence the old saying "hyeonmoyangcheo", which implies that a woman should be both a "wise mother and a good wife". No wonder so many housewives get depressed and forget they have any identity apart from being a mother and a wife. MBC's new drama, airing at 10 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, tries to recognize that we may now need a new definition of a "wise mother and a good wife". Well, I sometimes think that I need a good wife, and I am not confident about fulfilling the duties of either wife or mother. The drama juxtaposes a traditional housewife, to whom a husband and her two children are everything, and a single woman to whom life means a career and having fun. Things get complicated when the single woman has an affair with the husband. The husband decides to leave the traditional wife, saying that he is bored with his marriage and wants a new kind of woman who can be a partner in fun and laughter. "I don't want to be the one who takes all the responsibility for bringing home the bacon", he says. So a woman has to be a wise mother, good wife and a fun-filled partner to make her husband's life enjoyable? God forbid. The 50-minute episode had more to offer, as the housewife tries to save her marriage (although it was her husband who committed the transgression) by begging him to stay. There is even a mother-in-law character who said that marriage means having to be patient with many things, including "short flings" by the husband. Dumfounded, I could do nothing but think "Hello! Isn't this the 21st century when women are supposed to have suffrage and equality in relationships?" This drama leaves a bitter aftertaste for single viewers like me, who think that marriage is quite a demanding job anyway, aside from burdensome definitions of the "wise mother and good wife". No wonder the drama has had a low audience rating of under 10 percent since its debut last month, but MBC has no one to blame but itself. The show is nothing but a grim reminder that marriage can be unrewarding drudgery. As a tax paying citizen of Korea, I ask the government to do something to stop this TV series, if they don't want to see single women grow ever more horrified by the idea of saying "I do" at the altar. In the end, getting to the point of imagining life with a husband who will keep me happy until my advanced years still seems to be a lofty ambition. By Chun Su jin
