Yeo Jin Goo, Lee Se Young, And More Gather For First Script Reading Of Upcoming Historical Drama

The cast of upcoming tvN drama “Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King” (tentative title) recently held their first script reading!

Adapted from the 2012 film “Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King” that starred famous actors like Lee Byung Hun, Ryu Seung Ryong, and Han Hyo Joo, the drama revolves around Lee Heon and Ha Seon. Ha Seon is a clown who lost both his parents at a young age and was recruited as an entertainer before he starved to death on the streets with his younger sister. Meanwhile, Lee Heon is a king who lives every day in fear of assassination or betrayal inside the palace until he meets his doppelgänger and his life turns upside down.

The newly released photos show the drama’s cast attending their first script reading, which took place in the Sangam neighborhood of Seoul on October 8. The director Kim Hee Won and writers Kim Seon Duk and Shin Ha Eun were present as well as actors Yeo Jin Goo, Lee Se Young, Kim Sang Kyung, Kwon Hae Hyo, Jang Gwang, Jung Hye Young, Jang Young Nam, and more.

Kim Hee Won said, “”I have worked hard on casting for a long time, and I feel rewarded because I am able to work with the actors I desperately wanted. I am so grateful and happy. This is a moment I’ve been waiting for. It’s a long-awaited work, so I don’t want anything more. I’ll do my best.”

Once the script reading started, all actors were completely immersed in their roles. In particular, Yeo Jin Goo, who plays two characters, drew attention with a 180-degree twist. While saying the lines of the king, he showed his charisma with a low, authoritative voice, but while acting as the clown, he made everyone laugh with his sly and cute acting.

Lee Se Young will be playing Yoo So Yoon, the girl with whom both the clown and the prince are in love. During the script reading process, she took control of the scene with her calm charms and benevolent tone. Also, Yeo Jin Goo and Lee Se Young fantastically portrayed the romantic spirit between their characters, making the cast and crew smile with satisfaction.

Kim Sang Kyung, who plays chief royal secretary Lee Gyu, greeted everyone saying, “I will do my best tomorrow as well,” and showed great chemistry with Yeo Jin Goo. On the other hand, Kwon Hae Hyo, who takes the role of Shin Chi Soo, a menace to both Lee Heon and Ha Seon, said, “It’s my first time playing a villain.  As you know, the villainous market is too much of a Red Ocean. I hope we get along.” Although his greeting was light and playful, his voice changed to a cold and harsh one once the reading script starting.

Jang Gwang had actually appeared in the original movie as the chief eunuch, and he will be playing the same role in this drama. The director had described him as, “Jang Gwang who returned alive from the original film.” The actor showed off a soft charisma and displayed fresh chemistry with Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Sang Kyung.

Jung Hye Young, who plays the role of gisaeng Woon Shim that is tied to Lee Gyu, stunned everyone with her delicate acting while Jang Young Nam overwhelmed the scene with her cold acting as Lee Heon’s enemy. In addition, the other supporting actors poured out ad-libs that added fun to the scenes and filled the room with laughter.

The production crew stated, “After more than two years of planning, the best group of actors have been created. It was a script reading where the actors, including Yeo Jin Goo, Lee Se Young, Kim Sang Kyung, Kwon Hae Hyo, Jang Kwang Young and Jang Young Nam, stood out as if they were meant to play these roles. We ask for a lot of hope and attention for ‘Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King’ that will be filled with these explosive synergies.”

The historical drama will be airing sometime early next year.

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