Jung So Min and Lee Jae Wook Tease a Fantastical Broody Ancient World in First Look at tvN Drama Return From the Hong Sisters
The first teasers are out for upcoming tvN fantasy period drama Return, which I’ve also seen called Soul Marriage, and it looks beautiful and broody beyond belief. Starring Jung So Min and Lee Jae Wook, this drama made headlines first for being the Hong Sisters first drama since their 2019 hit Hotel Del Luna and then later for essentially firing relative rookie actress Park Hye Eun from the female lead and then scrambling but finding the probably more suitable Jung So Min to take over. This drama now has a confirmed time slot of June 18th and the teasers evoke a more xianxia vibe than the traditional Korean sageuk. It’s set in a fictional country of Daeho and definitely combines supernatural and fantasy but likely with strong Korean sageuk plotting. All I know is that I always check out a Hong Sisters drama and more often than not stick with it the whole way through even with misgivings.
Return teasers:
This one has my interest bc of JSM and LJW. Hong sisters dramas are usually a miss and hit for me. I’m also watching Sound of Magic atm so I’m imagining JCW would have been a good ML opposite So Min in a serious sageuk. Lol. I’m getting weird vibes from the hybrid musical k-drama combo. The opening singing sequence just threw me off a bit. It doesn’t seem to be able to settle on a definite tone. On to the 2nd episode tonite. Currently enjoying comedy sageuk Secret Royal Inspector & Joy which unexpectedly landed on Netflix. Watched with no expectations whatsoever. Didn’t read any reviews. Thoroughly entertained by comedic parts and cried my eyes out in the serious part where Jo Yi had to part from her mother again after many years of separation.
Liked it and I always find So Min to be beautiful. That ending gaze 😍.
Gonna check this out for the leads, love both of them. N finally, a genuinely talented actor from the 90s to watch on screen. Lee Jae Wook has been gone quite a few months, wonder if he was just really busy filming this cos he doesnt seem to have any other projects in the pipeline
Bai Quan, is that you?
JSM’s character with gauze over her eyes, I bet ppl will mention this at one point or later
love both leads I hope the world building is as tight at HDL otherwise it would be a miss.
Yup, same feels. With the costumes, blindfold, trees….. Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms feels
Bai Qian, is that you?
JSM’s character with gauze over her eyes, I bet ppl will mention this at one point or later
love both leads I hope the world building is as tight at HDL otherwise it would be a miss.
I don’t like the male lead.
I like Jung So-Min but I’m not sure it was a good choice when they chose a young and rookie actress in the first place. The story was about young adults. They will be a big difference of age between both leads. Lee Jae-Wook looks older than his age and proved he can do it with Lee Da-hee and Go Ara, but for once, it would have been nice to see him paired with a younger actress.
For the story, Hong sisters can do good and bad…
So excited of this drama of #JungSoMin. She is the best choice for the role as she is a very versatile actress. I love both leads.
Somin is so pretty here; her acting is also excellent. I hope this drama performs well.
This is giving me massive Cdrama vibes… lol
it doesn’t feel sageuk at all. it’s like a combination of Japanese ancient era + xianxia. but since it’s set in a fictional era, so it’s quite understandable. but if they can avoid any resemblance with cdramas, it will be more better. i like the teaser which implies a strong female protagonist.
Kdrama getting into the Xianxia train ?
Excited for this even though the casting change did leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I’m glad this kdrama is venturing out of the usual joseon sageuk and exploring ancient worlds. Like there is a lot to be mined fictionally and nonfictionally from before the 14th century AD. The fun fantasy costume drama from vague historical dynasty needs to be a thing in korea. I wouldn’t like it to go full xianxia, like Love and Redemption or Ashes of Love, but something like Romance of Tiger and Rose would be fun
So excited of this drama of #JungSoMin. She is the best choice for the role as she is a very versatile actress. I love both leads.
The clothes style is definitely C-drama. I hate it when leads poses with a sword & let all the cgi do all the work. Cheap tactics. Where’s all the proper martial arts experts.
I’ve been waiting for this. Love Jung So Min and her acting.