First Look at Kim Bum in Goddess of Fire as Cast Attends Prayer Ceremony

Is it surprising that a glimpse of Kim Bum in his version of the sageuk mane of glory could revive my flagging interest in Goddess of Fire Jeongi? I ought to feel a dash ashamed for the superficiality but who has time to waste on that when it’s smiling dimpled Kim Bum doing his own warrior interpretation! Pretty soon we’ll see how he stacks up against his two best industry buddies Jung Il Woo, who was darn good in Return of Iljimae, and Lee Min Ho, who was darn blegh in Faith. With Gu Family Book out of the way (shoo shoo, I would take this off Lee Seung Gi’s resume if I could), MBC readies GoF for its big premiere next Monday. The first teaser was duller than cooking beans and Moon Geun Young could not possibly look as bad as the wardrobe department made her look in that washed out ill-fitting peach hanbok. The one with the too wide stiff collar that made her look neckless with her face like a moon pie. MBC released pictures of the cast attending the prayer ceremony and Moon Geun Young showed up out of costume and I was happily reminded of how pretty she is. I can get over the making her look dowdy since she’s playing a tomboy with a love of pottery making, the bigger problem is how manly Lee Sang Yoon looks and together they strike a very incongruous vibe like an uncle with his niece. Whereas I can already see Moon Geun Young and Kim Bum looking fantastic together, much like she also really sparked visually and chemistry-wise with a still sane back then same-age Jang Geun Seok. I read the plot synopsis and the detailed character descriptions and had a good laugh because it gives away the entire drama narrative. Even the ending. LOL, epic fail MBC. Unless some magic script revision happens after the drama airs, the love triangle between Moon Geun Young, Lee Sang Yoon, and Kim Bum will have a clear pairing at the end with an odd man out. This is better than a “I choose myself” ending, right? Read on to check out more prayer ceremony stills and read the translated synopsis. If I have time I’ll translate all the character descriptions as well which provides even more details into the drama story.

Plot synopsis:

At the end of the 16th century, the Ceramic Department of the Royal Joseon court was melding art and technique to make the most exquisite pottery. A girl with the natural talent for ceramic making set a goal for herself to become the most exalted potter in all of Joseon – her name was Ryu Yoo Jeong (Moon Geun Young). Faced with the complicated backstabbing in Court and the competition to rise up the potter ranks, Yoo Jeong endures repeated attacks but in the end uses her own talent and hard work to grow and beat her nemesis Lee Yook Do (Park Gun Hyung). She rises to the top rank of the national potter but due to the political instability that befalls the tragic life of the 15th ruler of Joseon Gwanghaegun (Prince Gwanghae played by Lee Sang Yoon), their love does not have a happy ending. To end the unrest Yoo Jeong choses to sacrifice herself. With her childhood companion Kim Tae Do (Kim Bum), who has always quietly stayed by her side, Yoo Jeong leaves for the shores of Japan and ends up spreading Joseon ceramic arts there.