It’s ironic that an article about the decrease in K-drama production and many established stars having a dearth of script offers is followed by news of a rookie landing a big project. Rising young actress Hong Hwa Yeon will be the female lead in SBS drama Treasure Island, with male lead Park Hyung Sik and veteran Heo Joon Ho. She landed the role after an extensive audition with 100:1 odds and has two dramas under her belt in small roles in True to Love and Mental Coach Jegal the last two years. The drama will be a 2025 project so let’s wait and see how she delivers on female lead presence onscreen.