I’ll believe this latest drama casting news when the actual dramas airs and not a moment before that. With that said, all the news portals are reporting this casting as confirmed so let’s go with that for the time being. Original Hallyu superstar actress Lee Young Ae, she of the titular saeguk drama Dae Jang Geum which remains the most watched K-drama of all time by miles and miles and miles, will be making her acting comeback after ten years away from the industry.
Lee Young Ae will be returning to the small screen in early 2016 with the sageuk drama Saimdang: The Herstory, chronicling the life and times of Joseon era artist and calligrapher Shim Saimdang who was given the posthumous moniker Wise Mother. Lee Young Ae was offered this project back in the summer of 2014, with the drama reportedly being written and produced specifically with her in mind. That’s not a stretch based on her star power and track record, having gone on acting hiatus on a high ten years ago with both television’s Dae Jang Geum followed by the hit movie Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.
Lee Young Ae is grace and class personified, both as an actress and reportedly in her real life great reputation within the industry. She is also enviably one of those lovely ladies who only gets prettier with age, just like Kim Hee Ae and Kim Hee Sun. Saimdang will be produced by Group Eight and the story a rendering of the real life Joseon era genius artist with a fictional epic romance thrown in. Plus Lee Young Ae will be playing two characters, the historical Shim Saimdang and her modern day descendant who is a college art history professor. Saimdang will be penned by the old-school scriptwriter from Second Proposal, Saving Mrs. Go Bong Shil, and Thank You My Life. The drama will complete casting shortly and start filming this June, planning to be completely pre-produced. Group Eight is already in talks with China for this drama to air on Chinese television or web portals simultaneously with the Korean airing in early 2016.
Dear Ms Koala,
I believe your hand need a massage now.
hahahahah yes. Thanks Ms Koala for all the casting news today.
This beautiful lady is back.. so happy to he moon!
Will watch this for sure 😀 😀
Yeaaay! more pre-produced drama please 😀 😀
LOL XD
I’m not gonna lie, I had a heart attack when I first heard about this. I want this so badly and so much. I seriously thought she was done with acting forever. I’m so happy!
Omg so many dramas and so many great casting. This one is the most high profile and awaited if confirmed – by a long long shot. I love her and I’ll be thrilled if this were really true. But I wont believe a word of it unless official confirmation comes from her.
And while we’re at it, I’d really really want Kim Ha Neul to come back to dramas! She’s great in whatever she does. And if she reunites with Jang Hyuk in a sageuk/meo/rom-com/anything, I’ll die happy lol.
She’s a beauty. My only concern is that I am not a fan of Group Eight.
Ms koala you must be busy to read,read again and then write all the casting news. However I’m glad that the news is up today. I can’t imagine if its come tomorrow when you’re recapping the last two ep of HJM.
omagod..!!!!!true goddess of dramaland is back..
She’s the most beautiful korean actress from 1st generation, 2nd, 3rd…and so on… Not to mention her actings is great too. Her little daughter also so pretty like her.
You took the words out of my mouth………grace and class personified…….
I loved Jewel in Palace…..my introduction to Sageuk solely due to her. In her age group she is the best Korean actress for me . Am so looking forward to this drama now,…..next year is too far away…
Oh my..she is so pretty! It’s gonna be awesome if they cast Ji Jin Hee as well.
The premise sounds intriguing. My only hope is that the writer treats the real historical figures respectfully and doesn’t make a soap opera out of what seemed to be a beautiful, if short, life.
I would love to see LYA back on the small screen again. I love female heroines and I hope this will become a classis too.
I would love to see LYA back on the small screen again. I love female heroines and I hope this will become a classic too.
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