It is expected to commence production in October, and will then grace screens at some point in 2025.
Following Korean production company Fantagio’s announcement that it had secured a writer for the project, the company of Kim Young-hyun, the original writer of Jewel in the Palace, issued a statement explaining that she is not involved in any way, and that furthermore she owns the intellectual property rights to the original series.
While Dae Jang-geum is based on a real character, it is not clear what this means for the new series. There could be legal issues going forward – or perhaps the project will wind up being a stand-alone series with no official connection to Jewel in the Palace.
2. Hello Singles
Jung Ryeo-won (Diary of a Prosecutor) has received an offer to lead the coming drama Hello Singles.
While neither the plot details nor the production company of the new series have been revealed, reports suggest that Jung is already shuffling her schedule to participate in the project.
3. Restaurant Heo
Xiumin of the K-pop group EXO and WJSN member Exy, as well as Lee Sae-on and Lee Soo-min, have been confirmed to headline the drama Restaurant Heo.
Based on the web novel of the same name, the series is a fantasy romantic comedy that follows Heo Gyun, a character based on an actual figure from the era of Joseon dynasty rule of the Korean peninsula, who unintentionally travels 400 years into the future and ends up running a restaurant in modern-day Korea.
Heo Gyun, who will be played by Xiumin, is a brilliant youth with an inquisitive mind who is aware of his genius and finds himself in exile after crossing the wrong people.
When he learns that his friends have been accused of treason, he returns from exile to help them. But, after being confronted by assassins, he magically winds up in the present.
K-drama casting latest: Song Joong-ki in talks to lead My Youth
K-drama casting latest: Song Joong-ki in talks to lead My Youth
Exy will portray Eun Sil, the daughter of a family running a struggling restaurant who is not afraid to speak her mind. Eun Sil then meets Heo Gyun, looking like a vagrant, outside her restaurant.
Restaurant Heo will soon begin production and should air within the year.
4. Friendly Competition
Lee Hye-ri (aka Hyeri) of the K-pop outfit Girl’s Day is in talks to take the lead role in the show Friendly Competition, a new original series from the Korean streaming service TVING.
Adapted from a webtoon of the same name, the show tells the story of Seul-gi, a teenager who transfers to a top all-girls high school following the sudden death of her father.
Lee has been offered the part of Jae-yi, the top student at the school and the envy of everyone around her. Jae-yi befriends Seul-gi, who experienced bullying at her last school. As they get closer, Seul-gi begins to learn about Jae-yi’s dark side.
The series will delve into the secret world of teenagers. Because it will tackle subjects such as drugs, self-harm and sexuality, the show is expected to garner a restricted rating.