liddi
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Posts posted by liddi
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@plainenglish Thank you for the confirmation regarding the girl in the red dress. Fascinating analysis of the cinematography - very much appreciated. I do not know when S3 will materialise, with rumours of a prequel which has been refuted thus far by Netflix. These are trying times, and I hope that when the situation permits, we will see more of this universe once more, and a reunion of the main cast. Unfortunately, I don't have Ryu Seong Ryeong and Heo Joon-Ho's characters to look forward to, which is a shame because they were brilliant.
SpoilerI am thrilled to find Tree with Deep Roots among your synopses, as well as Signal and Misaeng. I marathoned Tree over 3 days and cried each time I revisit certain scenes. Signal is an all-time favourite, as is Misaeng which ironically I kept putting off watching initially because I wasn't inclined to watch a drama that reminds me so much of my own work life. Stopped drama watching for a while, but just started Flower of Evil. If you are looking for drama recommendations, please do try 2010 jdrama Mother, or kdramas Children of Nobody, Nine:Nine Times Travels, none of which are period dramas.
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@plainenglish Hi there! Yes I remember you very well. Thank you for sharing your spoiler-free synopsis. I particular enjoy the historical background and FAQs. Very informative indeed.
Back to your questions. I don't recall seeing the girl in the red dress prior to that. I may be mistaken but I don't think we are ever told who she is. For me, she probably represents a metaphor, similar to the girl in the red dress in Schindler's List, a representation of those who are suffering because of the injustices that are being meted out.
And yes, Seo Bi does understand Hanja, as evident from her medical manual in Ep6, which is all written in Hanja. Hence she would have been able to decipher what Yi Chang wrote with water after they were caught.
It would appear the last time gerrytan8063 was on Soompi was in May. Hopefully we will see him post on the forums again.
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Joo Ji Hoon Shares Secrets Behind Filming Action Scenes, His Opinion On Using Stunt Doubles, And More
Joo Ji Hoon shared his thoughts on acting in an interview with men’s lifestyle fashion magazine Esquire!
Joo Ji Hoon, who has left a strong impression on viewers with his role in the hit drama “Kingdom,” talked about his action scenes in the zombie sageuk (historical drama) series.
He mentioned that a scene from the second season, where he fought off zombies on a rooftop, was filmed in a special way. He said, “There was an assistant camera, and we released the version with cross-cutting. But when we filmed it, it was all in one take.”
SpoilerJoo Ji Hoon explained that there were about 30 different parts to put together for their action scene. He said, “When you film a difficult scene, you realize that it’s all the staff’s hard work. The martial arts director helps us out, and the actors put it all together.”
He revealed that filming the one-take action scene was exhausting. He said, “At the time, my finger broke. I lost all strength in my legs. While I was acting, I tumbled down and broke my finger. It’s more than just the feeling of ‘This is hard.”’
SpoilerHe continued, “When we watch ourselves on screen, we say that the intensity looks like it’s been decreased by 30 percent. For the one-take scene, I think it looks like it’s been decreased by 60 percent.”
“There’s a sense of weight that people can’t see on the screen,” he explained. “There’s also a kind of acceleration. Even if it looks like we’re lightly flying around on screen, it’s intense because we’re actually grabbing and throwing each other and rolling around.”
SpoilerSpoilerJoo Ji Hoon shared that it was difficult for him to perform such intense scenes, as he weighs over 80 kilograms (approximately 176 pounds). Laughing, he then said that he lost some weight for the photo shoot.
Joo Ji Hoon also gave an explanation about how actors create the best horse-riding scenes. “Let’s say that they’re filming the back of me as I ride a horse,” he said. “At this point, I’d recommend a body double because they can ride the horse better.”
“There are people who argue that the actors themselves must film even the scenes that show just their back or are shot from afar,” he said. “However, that is only possible when there are safety devices and a sufficient budget. If I fall from the horse, filming will be postponed for up to three months, and the expenses are tremendous.”
He concluded, “The idea is that I’m saving the project, not my body.”
SpoilerJoo Ji Hoon then revealed that actors don’t receive extra compensation for the risks involved in filming dangerous scenes, unlike other jobs.
He went on to compare projects that require actions scenes to projects of other genres, like melodramas. He said, “Action scenes involve physical labor, but there are a lot of instances where every detailed emotion can be laboring when acting for other genres.”
SpoilerHe continued, “What’s interesting is that I’ve been acting for about 16 years, and there hasn’t been a single project or scene that has been easy.”
Joo Ji Hoon’s full interview and pictorial will be available in the August issue of Esquire.
cr. Soompi
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Netflix Responds To Reports Of “Kingdom” Prequel Starring Jun Ji Hyun
Netflix’s “Kingdom” has responded to multiple reports of a potential prequel starring Jun Ji Hyun.
On July 20, Munhwa Ilbo reported that “Kingdom” was preparing to launch a new prequel starring Jun Ji Hyun, who made a surprise appearance at the end of season two. The report cited a source from “Kingdom” who claimed that the prequel would center around Jun Ji Hyun’s character Ah Shin and how she became a warrior, led by director Kim Sung Hoon.
The source stated, “It was difficult for the lead actors of the first two seasons of ‘Kingdom’ to immediately start filming for the third season due to scheduling conflicts, so the continuation of their story after season two will probably come in two or three years.” They added, “We will first be bringing the prequel story, where Jun Ji Hyun will be joined by a mostly-new cast of characters.”
A different report by Star News claimed that the prequel would be a 70-minute short film and they were in the final stages of discussions. They also reported that filming is set to begin in October for the prequel.
In response to these reports, a source from Netflix stated, “Nothing has been decided yet on future plans for ‘Kingdom’ There’s nothing we can confirm as of now, including the lead actors, screenwriter, or director. It hasn’t even been decided whether there will be a prequel or not.”
cr. Soompi
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Our girl featured in Vogue showcasing Chanel's Bijoux de Diamants jewelry series, together with Zhou Xun, Xin Zhilei and William Chan. Gorgeous as always!
cr. dramapotatoe Twitter
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Kingdom Feels Like a Nightmare of Now
Photo: Juhan Noh/Netflix/Picture a nation already gripped by political chaos that finds itself afflicted by a plague so new that no one understands its properties yet. Its ruler is a demented senior whose underlings use his decline as camouflage for their own agendas. As citizens turn against each other, medical experts operating on the scientific method study the pandemic and present their latest findings to officials at every layer of government. They are met with indifference, stupidity, naked self-interest, and craven pandering to higher-ups. Things keep getting worse. The body count rises. There’s no end in sight.
This is the world of Kingdom, an engrossing South Korean zombie series set in the 16th century. Watching its 12-episode, two-season run right now is an eerie experience, because although it was shot in 2017 and 2018 and debuted on Netflix last January, it seems to have predicted the future. On top of being a fast-paced horror epic in historical garb, Kingdom mirrors the disastrous mishandling of the 2020 pandemic (particularly in the United States) with such withering irony and pitch-black humor that it seems to be riffing on headlines you read five minutes ago.
Written by Kim Eun-hee and directed by Kim Seong-hun, Kingdom starts in the royal palace at night. An underling is commanded to slip a bowl of blood through the crack beneath the thick wooden door of the king’s sleeping quarters. We hear guttural grows and animalistic shuffling and scratching. Then the underling gets yanked through the feeding slot by the king, who has become a flesh-eating ghoul subsisting on servants and peasants. We soon learn that the king’s inner circle has been keeping his condition a secret and presenting their own schemes as the king’s wishes.The main focus of their treachery is Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon), the king’s son and anointed successor. The Queen Consort (Kim Hye-jun) is pregnant with the king’s child; if the prince gets whacked or imprisoned, her baby will assume the throne and allow her and the traitorous Chief State Councilor (Ryu Seung-ryong) run things on the infant’s behalf.
The prince and his bodyguard Mu-yeong (Kim Sang-ho) travel to a remote province to investigate reports of a strange disease that’s been spreading at the border, and meet two physicians, Seo-Bi (Bae Doona) and Yeong-Shin (Kim Sung-kyu), who have been researching a phenomenon that they identify as zombiism (although they don’t use that word). It’s here that Kingdom distinguishes itself as more than a rehash of the usual elements. This is a story about a pandemic that could be contained were it not for the selfishness and thickheadness of the people running the country. Its real villains are authority figures who fail the people they’re supposed to protect.
[snipped]
But what makes Kingdom stand apart is its spooky prescience. Like all zombie stories, it’s a moral tale about society imploding because of a “disease.” And it’s about the choices the uninfected make to ensure the survival of their loved ones and civilization as a whole (or protect their own interests). But because the standard ghoul-flick elements are framed by political satire and misanthropic humor, you come away thinking of it as the story of a plague made worse by officials’ corruption, incompetence, and refusal to listen to science. Despite the swords and horses and stovepipe hats, it feels a nightmare of now — or a premonition of where we’d be just one year after its U.S. debut. It’s as if George Romero had started making movies in the late 1950s, and debuted with a zombie film about an insular, reactionary, violence-driven society that commits to an endless, unwinnable land war in Asia.
In Kingdom, doctors study a new disease’s victims, separate fact from speculation and rumor, and come up with suggestions that they believe will slow the infection rate. Then they present what they’ve learned to functionaries and military people, who thwart, ignore, or undermine them. When the doctors figure out that flesh-cravers have to be locked up to prevent them from biting the living, they’re laughed at, which of course leads to a zombie attack. One of the same men who ignored their advice tries to blame them for the carnage and jail them. When the doctors figure out that the zombies hibernate during the day, they recommend reducing the zombie population by beheading and burning them in their sleep. They’re told that this is an impossible request because, according to faith, a dead person enters the afterlife with the same body they had when they passed on. After a long, increasingly desperate argument, the authorities offer a compromise: They’ll burn the bodies of the peasants, but bury the nobles.
These scenes are as agonizing as they are appallingly funny — not just because we know from watching zombie films that certain things just aren’t done, but because we’ve seen our heroes putting in hard work only to have it ignored by fools. Men and women of reason keep getting kneecapped by laypeople who are in thrall to “gut feelings,” or who cling to existing laws, customs, and rules because they can’t accept that the world they once knew is gone.
[snipped]
True to science, the heroes also learn that, like all diseases, this one mutates in response to human countermeasures, changes in climate and terrain, and other factors. Which means that what was true last week might change, necessitating a shift in tactics — and a new round of conversations with officials who belatedly accepted the last set of observations, and believe that a change in the pandemic’s narrative must mean that the doctors didn’t know what they were talking about the first time.
The application of basic science to nightmare imagery lets Kingdom continue into a second season after reaching a satisfying stopping point at the end of season one. Of course, like any second season of a TV show, this one only exists because the first was a success. But if you know anything about real-life plagues, it seems plausible that the ghoul disease would go dormant for a while and then return, because that’s what diseases do. Just ask polio.
A sustained critique of inequity binds the drama together. Disparities in social class and political influence let one group help itself to resources that were supposed to benefit everyone — as illustrated by a grotesquely funny scene where a band of peasants flees a zombie horde and runs to a dock in hopes of boarding an escape ship, only to discover that nobles have already set sail in it. Ignorance, self-interest, and moral cowardice keep eclipsing science and reason. Kingdom’s greatest horror is its belief that plagues may come and go, but you can’t cure human nature.
cr. vulture.com
Full article here
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@towrite I guess you interpret what is played out differently from me. I could go on in detail and explain why these are different, but that would mean spoiling the reveal and explanations at the end, which I prefer not to. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. I could go on and explain further, but honestly, it would make sense only if you finish the season. If you feel that what you are seeing on screen up to Ep3 is unacceptable, then by all means, drop the series. There is no obligation to continue a show that you dislike even if the majority feels that it is worth watching. I often drop wildly popular shows like hot potatoes as well because it just doesn't work for me.
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@towrite There is no inconsistency of script. If anything, scriptwriter KEH has proven herself to be totally in control of the rules of this universe, and any apparent plot hole is given a proper explanation by the end of the season. Please continue watching and you will understand why Cho Hak Ju did not transform at that point in time, as well as other questions you might have. Seo-bi herself explained in that same scene why she knows not everyone who is bitten is transformed - citing the young boy who was attacked by the king in the beginning of S1 - he did not transform as a result of the attack, but eventually did grow weak and die. As for why Ahn Hyeon's guard opted to die, and one of the soldiers who was attacked was then pushed into the river to drown - remember that their actions are based on their limited knowledge of the zombies at that time - which is, there is no hope the moment someone is attacked.
One more thing. The Crown Prince never ordered the execution of his royal guard. That was the command given by Cho Hak Ju to his nephew, since the royal guard is now useless, having been unmasked as a mole. The Crown Prince did find his guard just before he died, and that display of grief was not a hallucination, nor out of character, because the Crown Prince truly did treasure the bond between them, and vice versa.
In any case, if you do decide to continue watching, your frustrations over plot inconsistencies should be addressed. Hopefully you will choose to do so. I personally am thrilled by S2, which has exceeded my expectations, and reinforced my faith in KEH yet again.
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Fashion Editor Joseph Carle, Who Discovered Liu Wen, Dies at 65
Carle was credited with discovering Liu Wen when she was a fitting model and the launch of the Chinese editions of Marie Claire and Numéro.
By Tianwei Zhang on May 26, 2020Liu Wen and her mentor Joseph Carle, who discovered her when she was a fitting model at Marie Claire China.
Courtesy/ Liu Wen
Fashion editor and stylist Joseph Carle, who discovered Liu Wen and launched the Chinese editions of Marie Claire and Numéro, has died in France at age 65. The cause of death was cancer.Carle started his career in Paris in the late Eighties, polishing his credentials by working with Avenue Magazine, Madame Figaro and Vogue Hommes. He then worked for Elle France for almost a decade and stayed at DS Magazine briefly before moving to China in 2005 to spearhead the launch of Marie Claire China.
It was a time when fashion publications in the market began to look up to their international peers by adopting a more global point of view, as luxury spending soared in China.
Dan Cui, former fashion director of GQ China, who started his career under Carle at Marie Claire China, remembered how Carle raised the magazine’s standards.
“Joseph brought professionalism to China. Before he arrived, the sample room was the closet for cleaning tools, and there was no such thing as a fitting. He set the rules to have mandatory fittings three days before the shoot, and he taught me that being beautiful is not enough for an editorial, it needs to convey ideas,” Cui said.
Liu Wen’s first Marie Claire China cover, September issue 2007. Courtesy Photo
During his tenure at Marie Claire China as creative director, Carle also discovered the then-little-known model Liu Wen when she was a fitting model for the magazine.
“It was at the end of 2006, I was doing some prep work for our anniversary December issue, then Joseph walked into the studio and saw Liu Wen,” said Cui. “He got very excited and asked me, ‘Who is she?’ I said she is just a new girl, and he said: ‘No, she is a star. The light loves her. I felt the same way when I first saw Linda Evangelista. We are going to shoot the entire issue with her!'”
He later put her on the cover of the magazine repeatedly and it kick-started her international modeling career. Carle called up his contacts in Paris to make sure top designers were aware of Liu’s arrival.
“In 2006, I met my most important mentor in my life,” Liu wrote on Weibo. “When I can’t express myself in French, I can always feel what you are trying to express. It was you who kept encouraging me to be myself behind the camera, to learn more about the industry, and be confident. No matter how many years have passed and where you are, I will always remember your encouragement, your support, your mentor, and your smile. I will miss you forever Joseph Carle.”
Liu Wen on the cover of the launch issue of Numéro China. Courtesy
Carle later joined Modern Media in Shanghai in 2010 and launched the Chinese editions of Numéro and Numéro Homme. Liu also appeared on the cover of the launch issue.
Xiao Xue, former editor in chief of Elle China for 14 years, who used to work with Carle at Hachette Filipacchi, told WWD that he was one of the ex-pats who helped shape the modern Chinese fashion publication landscape.
“I was very impressed with his hard-working attitude and child-like characteristics. He nurtured a generation of fashion editors and creatives during his post at Hachette Filipacchi and Modern Media, and he discovered Liu Wen. He was a treasure to us all.”
cr. WWD
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@burgl I wish them both happiness in every avenue of their lives, but yes, I would be overjoyed if they do finally find it together.
Very saddened to know that her mentor Joseph Carle passed away of cancer 3 days ago... my deepest condolences to our girl and his loved ones.
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520 greetings on Weibo from both of them... was her photo taken at the airport? So good to see her looking happy... which appears to be supported by her message. Wonder who the flowers are from
最后一刻送大家一束520的花，有爱不会孤单！
Sending everyone a bouquet of 520 flowers, there is no loneliness where there is love!
--20 May 2020, 23:05
520快樂! 想你們 ♥️
Happy 520! Missing all of you
-- 20 May 2020, 21:11
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@larus While I'm sure KEH has an idea where Kingdom S3 will lead after that cliffhanger ending she left us with, it has not been greenlit yet so I am currently not as concerned. I have no idea whether she has writers helping her with the scripts. However, I know that in Signal, she walked around and did her own research for months, while in Infinity Challenge - Company Employees in Crisis (Eps 495-497), the script she delivered was very uniquely hers, replete with vivid descriptions, which the members commented was like reading a novel. Definitely, it does sound from previous interviews that she had already begun to map the plot out for Signal S2, and Mount Jiri is pretty much a confirmed production so hopefully both scripts can be ready in time for production in the latter half of this year. I did read reports though that Joo Ji Hoon may not be able to film this year due to his previously scheduled activities, so perhaps Mount Jiri would be pushed out, which gives KEH more of a breather to work on Signal S2 script? Whatever the case may be, please let it finally work out this time, with the same cast and crew. Perhaps KEH might find a way to revive Jang Hyun Sung in S2 too... after all it is Signal where everyone can come back to life, as evidenced by every single one of our trio
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@larus Please please please let this news be true after all the false hopes we've had over the past 4 years! But... I'm concerned how it's gonna work out since Mt. Jiri, KEH's next drama with Joo Jihoon and Jun Jihyun is rumoured to be released early 2021? Either way... please reunite us with our trio once more!
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See... even JJH thinks it's incomplete. S3 please, KEH writer-nim!
Joo Ji Hoon Talks About Being Impressed By “Kingdom” Zombie Actors + Playing A Crown Prince Again After “Goong”
Apr 6, 2020Joo Ji Hoon, the lead of hit Netflix’s original series “Kingdom” and SBS’s “Hyena recently commented, “I think these days have been a time of luck.”
The star is currently appearing in “Hyena” as lawyer Yoon Hee Jae and as crown prince Lee Chang in zombie sageuk “Kingdom.” As “Kingdom” has two seasons, Joo Ji Hoon compared the two series. He shared, “Even though it’s divided into season one and two, if you look at it like a Korean drama, it is still not finished yet. If you combine season one and two, you only get to around episode 10 or 11 of a mini-series.”
In 2006, Joo Ji Hoon starred in his breakout role as crown prince Lee Shin in “Goong.” When asked how the two princes in “Goong” and “Kingdom” compare, Joo Ji Hoon replied, “For ‘Goong,’ I was picked by director Hwang In Roe even though I had not yet learned anything. Lee Shin was a shy high school student under pressure, but in ‘Kingdom 2,’ I am more mature and have to solve problems on my own.”
Joo Ji Hoon also expressed his gratitude for the “Kingdom” zombie actors. He commented, “The zombie actors go through a lot. They all wear contact lenses so being unable to see must have been uncomfortable. I also wonder how hard it must have been to run without using their arms. We even had one-takes. It was so impressive. I really saw their passion.”
“Kingdom” has also received praise from Forbes Magazine for its realistic representation of how a virus spreads. Although the situation in the show has similarities with the current COVID-19 pandemic, Joo Ji Hoon reassured, “The plans for ‘Kingdom’ began a long time ago. We cannot afford to compare this project to the reality we are facing all over the world right now. I hope the coronavirus will soon subside. I pray every day that we will be able to overcome this difficult situation.”
Lastly, he once again addressed his hopes for a third season of “Kingdom.” He shared, “I laughed at a viewer’s comment that said to hand over season three. Nothing’s been confirmed yet. If the viewers encourage it, Netflix will act as well. I would like to return with season three.”
cr. Soompi
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It is obvious that during the 7 years after the showdown, BFFs Youngshin and Beom Pal have had plenty of time to go shopping for gat
The painstaking make-up process that goes into bringing the zombies to life
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Looks like S3 will be centered around the origins of the plague with resentment as a theme, which I guess is the reason the plague was deliberately spread to Joseon in the first place:
Screenwriter Kim Eun Hee Talks About The Potential For Jun Ji Hyun’s Lead Role In “Kingdom” Season 3
The screenwriter of “Kingdom” has dropped some hints regarding a potential third season!
On March 20, Kim Eun Hee, the screenwriter of “Kingdom,” took part in an interview about the show’s second season. Season two of this mystery thriller is a zombie sageuk taking place in the Joseon dynasty, where crown prince Lee Chang (Joo Ji Hoon) must help his people amidst the growing greed of his own family over the throne.
This season is especially garnering attention for its similarities to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Kim Eun Hee shared, “‘Kingdom’ is a project that has been in the works since 2011. I based the origin of the plague spreading from Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province off of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, because when you look at a map of Korea, it naturally creates a divide.”
She continued, “During this pandemic, there is no one who is taking it lightly. I hope this will quickly calm down. Although ‘Kingdom’ is open to interpretation, I hope by spring that this nightmare will be over and we will all be able to return to where we belong.”
Following the release of season two, “Kingdom” scored an average rating of 8.9 on the film database site IMDB, ranking higher than Academy Award winning film “Parasite” at 8.6 and season one of “Kingdom” at 8.3.
Kim Eun Hee also discussed the potential for a third season. She explained, “While working on season two, I wanted to portray a much larger universe. Those who have watched will know, but people like Lee Chang, Seo Bi, and Young Shin are all people who chase the plague, wishing it never arose. I’ve thought that having season three tell the story of chasing the origin of the plague would be good, so we’re thinking of doing that.”
She added, “Season one told the story of hunger and season two told the story of blood. If Netflix agrees, I want season three to tell the story of resentment. Season two brought attention to the concept of ‘temperature’ and I think if the story were to travel north, the different ecosystem in the North would act as a hint.”
Jun Ji Hyun, who appeared at the end of season two, is also a large possibility for season three. Kim Eun Hee explained, “I think Jun Ji Hyun will become a central role alongside the main characters from season one and two.”
The screenwriter concluded by saying, “I think we’ll have to have a good discussion with Netflix for season three. Since all our actors are good people, we will have to match well with their schedules. Since this is a series that I’ve wanted to do for so long, quickly creating season three is a personal wish of mine. I will work hard.”
cr. Soompi
JJH brings up a good point too about why he prefers Yi Chang's fate in S2, which in turn allows him to continue with the series. Love how emotional JJH is over S2, and the close friendships formed over the course of the two years of filming.
Joo Ji Hoon Shares Opinion On His “Kingdom” Character’s Fate, Concerns About COVID-19, And More
Joo Ji Hoon recently sat down to chat about his hit drama “Kingdom”!
In zombie sageuk “Kingdom,” Joo Ji Hoon plays crown prince Lee Chang, who stops at nothing to protect his citizens from the plague, even if it means going against his own family.
Season two of the series, which dropped on March 13, is already accumulating numerous positive reviews. Joo Ji Hoon commented, “Movies count moviegoers and dramas have viewership ratings, but it’s fun to look for the responses to ‘Kingdom’ firsthand. I’m currently looking at reviews through social media and I feel happy and thankful that viewers seem to be enjoying it.” He added, “I do my best regardless of what project I’m filming, but what would make an actor happier than hearing positive feedback?”
The global response to Lee Chang’s fate has seen quite the divide, but Joo Ji Hoon shared, “I like the ending as it is. If I didn’t make that choice, I think I would’ve had to leave the series. I didn’t want to do that.”
He also revealed that he read the script for season two on the plane to a conference in Singapore. While sitting beside and reading with co-star Ryu Seung Ryong, he shared that they both kept exclaiming, “Huh? What do we do next?” adding, “We were constantly shocked while reading.”
Joo Ji Hoon also spoke about the relationship he has with his other co-stars, including Bae Doona and Kim Sung Kyu. He commented, “If you combine it all, we’ve spent over two years together and we’ve consistently maintained positive relationships, frequently meeting up.”
He continued, “When season one ended, season two was not confirmed, but we were all looking forward to it as if it was. Recently, I watched all of season two by myself and I was so overwhelmed by emotions. I was so caught up in my late-night emotions that I texted all the actors. I regretted it the day after but I had told them that I was thankful. Although I don’t consider season two to be the end, it felt like our long two years together had concluded and I felt a void. It was a fascinating feeling.”
Regarding Jun Ji Hyun, who made a cameo appearance in the finale of season two, Joo Ji Hoon shared, “I’ve been a fan of Jun Ji Hyun since I was young.” He also explained that he heard the news of her appearance late, saying, “I heard of her addition way later. After hearing it, I said, ‘Jun Ji Hyun is making a cameo?’ I was so shocked. I was so excited to work with her but I wasn’t even able to meet her on set. I didn’t even get to hear her voice.”
“Kingdom” has also garnered a lot of attention for its similarities to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Joo Ji Hoon shared his concerns regarding the virus, saying, “It’s quite ironic. We completed this project in August of last year, but it really hurts my heart that this story sees parallels with our world, because this is our reality and not a drama.”
SpoilerThe actor continued, “My parents and family members are currently struggling to find masks. As an actor, I have my own car to ride, but most citizens have no choice but to take the bus or subway even when we should not be in packed areas. Situations like this are so regrettable. Since we’re adults, we can put up with it, but how can children contain their energy, especially when the weather is getting nicer? Looking at families around me with young children makes me wish that much more for this situation to settle down, so I’ve been praying every day.”
Regarding the potential for “Kingdom” season three, he shared, “I’m looking forward to it too. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, the entire cast including myself have expectations for a third season. From what I’ve heard, it’s going to be an even larger spectacle. Since season two had a lot of physical action, I hope season three has a lot of strategical action.” He added, “I wonder if I’ll be able to meet Jun Ji Hyun for season three. Since nothing’s been confirmed, our viewers need to encourage it so Netflix begins to take action. Please encourage it lots.”
cr. Soompi
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More news about a potential S3!
cr. BillyRocks_13 twitter translation of Naver article
And some regarding Beom Pal and Seo Bi's potential interaction and relationship. KEH thinks it is questionable whether Seo Bi can accept his feelings as she has a lot of work to do. I remember BDN herself said in an interview, having Beom Pal forever hiding behind her character is exhausting
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cr. BillyRocks_13 twitter translation of Daum article
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A very interesting perspective of S2 from the lens of a Korean viewer, who is able to identify the nuances that may be lost on non-Korean viewers like myself:
S2 cast with a challenge to answer questions pertaining to S1 correctly - those with wrong answers get attacked by zombies
I love how RSR snarls back at the zombie at the 2:26min mark
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@tenor889 Thank you for sharing the actual footage of the press conference. It is times like these that I wish I could understand the language. Guess the best I can hope for is that someone will sub it one day.
What I meant to say about the writing in water is that it is probably deliberate on the part of production to not show the rest of the words that were written apart from 安炫. So even if there are viewers who could read Hanja, the plot is not immediately revealed ahead of time, thus making the impact of Ahn Hyeon's reemergence later that much more powerful. Of course it meant nothing to those who could not read Hanja in the first place, and I remember watching several reaction videos where people were asking "What did he write? Why didn't they translate it?", hence the reason for my post in the first place.
The performances are all spot on across the board, veteran and younger actors alike, including the child actors, and sweeps me along with them through their individual journeys. Is there any indication how S2 is received domestically? Has the dissatisfaction towards BDN's diction and KHJ's acting changed this season? I cannot speak for BDN's diction but I love her understated portrayal of Seo Bi's level-headedness in the midst of the turmoil, and her desperation as she protects the infant, first from the hoard, then from the prince. I remember amidst the criticism leveled at KHJ's portrayal of the young Queen last season, RSR specifically asked people to wait and see her performance in S2. Sure enough, she absolutely nailed the terrifying, quiet menace of a queen whose cold, calculating plans outstrip even her own father's, and no one is safe from her, not even her own father who himself instills so much dread to those around him. Bravo to all.
My woeful lack of understanding for the language notwithstanding, these videos give me so much joy just watching them (subs please??) Had a good laugh in particular at their artistic impressions of each other - RSR's drawing of Seo-Bi is hilarious!
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Just stumbled across this Kim Eun Hee interview from a year ago...
KIM Eun-hee, screenwriter of KINGDOM
Mar 11, 2019- Writerby SONG Soon-jin
“I want to address politics through the zombies”Netflix Original Series Kingdom is now available on the VOD service. This is the first period piece, as well as the first zombie story, from screenwriter KIM Eun-hee who has made her name in genre TV series with Sign, Phantom, and Signal. The much-anticipated first season having been successfully released, KIM Eun-hee explained that the story was inspired by the Annals of King Sunjo which are part of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (an extended corpus of official records that were kept daily from 1413 to 1865). The premise is that people living under the oppression of the authorities with nothing but hunger are turning into zombies. KIM Eun-hee’s own vivid descriptions of real life and the social critique that comes with it shine again in Kingdom. We met her to learn more about the emergence of zombies in the Joseon Era.You must have heard various reactions to Kingdom.Netflix doesn’t disclose its viewing figures, so I have no idea when I should be happy and when I should feel ashamed. (laughs) Someone asked me, “Why are you nervous? You can determine the success of a Netflix Original series by whether or not it is getting renewed for a second season, and season 2 has already been greenlit”. For now, I’m simply thrilled just from the fact that we completed Kingdom.Associating zombies to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty is an original idea. How did you come up with it?I like zombie stories and tried to find plenty of shows and movies, but after watching them I would often find the sight of zombies moving in flocks somewhat sadder than at first glance. They are a form of life full of hunger, living beings that only have appetite! After that, as I was reading books on the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty and the great famines, I started wondering what would happen if we incorporated zombies to the most disastrous period, when the hunger was at its worst.I heard that Kingdom had long been a troubled project.I had nothing more than this interesting idea, but when I looked at the state of the Korean TV series industry, I thought it wouldn’t be easy to actually film it. The same could have been said in the film industry. It wasn’t really until TRAIN TO BUSAN (2016) that what we call “zombie films” became possible. Before that, there was a lot of pessimistic reactions. I tried several times to tell people in the industry that I had this project, but they were lukewarm. (laughs) So I just kept dreaming alone, but one day, after the end of TV series Signal, I was contacted by Netflix asking me if I was interested in working with them. It was only then that I felt like I could make the zombie series I had dreamed.
You personally brought KIM Seong-hun (films A Hard Day and Tunnel) on board to direct the first season. How was your collaboration?It was the first period drama for both of us so I figured we could help each other. As I wanted to show a lot of unique settings in Kingdom, having good communication and being on the same wavelength was more important than having experience in period dramas. Both of us are talkative. We also know well each other’s style. Generally, once a series starts, there is almost no time to communicate with the director. This time, though, the pre-production was perfect, so I had a lot of time to discuss with the director.You stressed a few times already that Kingdom is a story about hunger, but what is it you wanted to express with this motif?The first thing I wrote on the white board of the studio when we started was, “What is called politics?”. I wanted to show more than a few aspects of politics, not only irresponsibility and corruption among the ruling powers. What I mean is, in Dongnae we can see an incompetent and irresponsible ruling class, while in Sangju we see a ruling elite that has a sense of duty. There have been great leaders comparable to Crown Prince (JU Ji-hoon) and Lord Ahn Hyeon (HUH Joon-ho) in history too. I wanted to show several of such characters in all their diversity.
Whereas TRAIN TO BUSAN follows the characters from Seoul to Busan, the main characters in Kingdom travel from Dongnae, the former name of Busan region, to Hanyang, known today as Seoul.It is the story of a Crown Prince who left home and is now going back, but he has to face extreme odds on the way. That’s why I thought it would be better to send him to the location that is the furthest in distance, and strangely enough it’s Dongnae that came to my mind at that time. Having thus decided which path the characters would take, they would naturally have to cross the Baekdu-daegan and so we could have natural landscapes. Personally, I wanted Kingdom to have all the antiqueness of Korean traditional houses, and as it became the story of a journey to Hanyang along the Nakdong River, it allowed us to show beautiful vistas.How were the zombies of Kingdom conceived?The way some foreign series depict zombies as a virus was extremely impressive, and I like reading books on diseases like Ebola or on epidemiological investigation. So even though the zombies in Kingdom are made of several kinds of hungers, the characters in the story are put in a situation where they see it as a plague. What would have happened had there been an outbreak of disease like cholera or typhoid in Joseon? This was the fundamental idea.
Did you notice any difference between working on a Korean series and working on a Netflix series?With Netflix, I was given the recommendation not to make the episodes too long. While a Korean series would have required around 45 A4 pages, for Kingdom I was told that 27-28 pages per episode would be more appropriate. At first, adjusting to this constrain was difficult because it was a strong habit. For the second season, however, I’ve got quite used to it so the writing was much easier.Speaking of which, please tell us more about the plot of Season 2.The story of the second season will start in winter, and the characters will have to deal with greater emotional hardships and events. Personally, there are more stories I would like to tell about these characters. That’s why I would like to pen a third season.There are great expectations for your next project.I’ve started working on the script for Signal 2, but it’s still in an early stage. And after that, I would like to venture into science-fiction. What I would like to do is not just writing another story set in space, but a very Korean take on SF.cr. koreanfilm.or.kr
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Soundtrack composer has also changed for season 2.
Season 1 was helmed by 목영진 Mok Young Jin whose works are predominantly movie soundtracks - Tunnel, The Witness, A Hard Day etc.
The musical director for Season 2 is 달파란 Dalpalan who composed the scores for movies including The Wailing, Assassination and Secretly, Greatly.
Unfortunately, still no sign of any official soundtrack for either season, though someone did kindly post the ending theme from S1:
and the new opening theme for S2:
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@stella77 Some thoughts re points/questions you raised:
SpoilerThose two zombies in the cells were originally created back in Ep5 of S1, at the 31:38min mark when Cho Hak Ju deliberately fed one of them the flesh of the infected to confirm this is the method which through which the transformation occurs. The 2nd prisoner was then attacked, died and himself transformed. I love how the scene was not just random to show how Cho Hak Ju figured out the transformation process, but rather ties in with the next season to bring about the bloodbath in the palace in the end which effectively destroyed all that he had painstakingly worked so hard to achieve.
From what I see, infection due to bites from type 2 zombies do not cause transformation until the victims die. If so, this would explain why our heroes survived since they were plunged into the lake, which purged their bodies of the worms while they were still alive, thus clearing them of the infection.
In the case of the infant, it is notable that Seo bi only submerged his hands and feet in water. Perhaps a full body submersion like Cho Hak Ju's in the tub, and Yi Chang and the rest in the lake, is necessary to ensure all the worms were removed. And since his brain was not developed yet, the remaining worms laid dormant until such time when he has matured enough for the infection to take place. Still, seeing he was bitten by type 2 zombies, does this mean he will have to die before any infection takes effect? Or the fact that they were dormant in his body for 7 years means they have mutated to now be able to survive and infect a living host? Questions questions.
@Sejabin I think this is a very accurate reflection of history. In a society that places so much emphasis on the legitimacy of bloodlines, particularly the royal bloodline, there is a stigma in usurping the throne except for extenuating circumstances. More often than not, the throne is bolstered by immensely powerful clans whom the king would be loathe to cross, particularly if he owes his throne to their support, and realises that they can just as easily depose him if they so wish. These clans then consolidate and cement their power even more through marriage alliances with the royal family. This is true in the history of China throughout its many dynasties as well... weak or puppet kings controlled by ruling factions.
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In case anyone is wondering, the untranslated words Yi Chang wrote with water in his message to Seo Bi in Ep2, were 安炫 "Ahn Hyeon". Unfortunately, the rest of what he wrote are not really legible, which perhaps could have been deliberate, so as to keep viewers wondering what Yi Chang is trying to tell her with regards to Ahn Hyeon.
As an aside, I must applaud Yi Chang for being able to write Hanja upside down though - no mean feat!
Can I also just note how in awe I am that he manages to keep his nails so beautifully maintained through all the grueling, vicious battles? Joseon manicures are no joke!
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It is no exaggeration to say that I approached S2 with as much anticipation as trepidation - excited that the 14-month wait is finally over; terrified that it would not live up to the standard and hype of its predecessor. And yet I should have known better. After all, this is Kim Eun Hee whose brilliantly conceived finale in Signal allayed similar fears that I had leading up to it. And true to form, she once again showed me just how unwarranted my lack of faith was. Kingdom S2 is everything that I hoped for and more, with an amalgamation of stellar performances across the board, heart-stopping action and breathtaking cinematography, interwoven by an excellent script that delivered on all fronts - cerebral and emotional.
What a resounding testament to the intricacy and attention to detail in the script for both seasons, that having watched S2, we realise that answers to questions were actually already hinted at earlier, if we knew where to look. Case in point being all the way back in Ep3 of S1, circa 18:43min mark, and even later at the end of S2 Ep2, with the close-up to Ahn Hyeon's face. Those deliberately transformed in S1 as an experiment to see how the plague works, are revisited once more, and would play a decisive role in the carnage that ensues down the road. It is gratifying to note how carefully KEH has plotted out the rules of this universe, and there is no random event, and any apparent aberration is consciously and deliberately addressed down the road, either with a convincing explanation, or a reiteration of that same question, to be answered in future installments. Once again, KEH shows herself to be totally in control of the script, and it is this assurance that makes the incredibly wild ride even more unforgettable, knowing that narrative wise, we are in good hands. And do I even need to mention the twist after twist that gets thrown in our faces with each episode, and what I had assumed would be the fate or at least the longevity of certain characters end up totally blown apart, in true KEH fashion.
One of my greatest gripes about S1 had been my emotional detachment towards the characters. Not any more. This time, it swept me along an emotional tide that saw me with my heart in my mouth more often than not, aching, tearing up as character after character meets their brutal fates under KEH's ruthless pen. Main characters, side characters, even just those who appear for a brief few moments on screen - it matters not. Their desperation, desolation, courage and self-sacrifice all move me in varying degrees and I hurt as one after another must surely fall in the face of such terrible odds. This was what I have been looking for but eluded me in the previous season. This time round, S2 delivers emotional resonance with subtle finesse - the aching "Royal Father" called out to a parent who no longer knows him; a rabid glare from a beloved teacher who is himself no more; the shattered look of a man who had just taken the life of the innocent for the perceived sake of the greater good; a lonely wounded figure collapsed against the tree awaiting the man he pledged his loyalty to then betrayed; a little girl's cries as she looks for her father in vain in the streets; a dismayed gasp at the sight of bite marks on the infant she fought so hard to protect. The list goes on. And I remain just as emotionally invested, if not more with each rewatch.Yi Chang's final decision and fate is a controversial one, and has incurred criticism over how that part of the narrative is handled. It certainly took me by surprise, but I really appreciate how neatly the backstory and narrative over two seasons builds up to that inevitable conclusion, one that ticks all boxes - the only solution to the political situation, his acceptance of the inconsequence of bloodline, royal or otherwise, and ensuring ultimate security for the one he has determined to protect. It also lends itself to free Yi Chang in more ways than one - a salve to the guilt he carries for what he did to his own father, and empowering him to protect this land and its people in his own way - covert yet unrelenting to the last.
The finale is a perfect resolution to the arc and its incredible journey, tying up most of the loose ends, while raising further questions of its own. As with life, there is always an element of mystery and the unknown, and the final scene is like a teaser to what lies beyond the curtain - a mystery we may never solve if a next installment does not materialise. Nonetheless, as an avid fan of this universe, I can safely say that like Signal before this, S2 ends on the right note, leaving the doors open for a new season, but still serving as a highly convincing conclusion to a spectacular series. And to think that when I first heard about its premise several years ago, I could hardly wrap my mind around the idea of a zombie outbreak in the Joseon era, and was only on board solely on the strength of KEH's participation in this project. Now, I cannot imagine a time when this universe did not exist, how vividly it has come to life in the hands of the immensely talented cast and crew, all of whom deserve a standing ovation. Well done!
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![[鲜花]](https://img.t.sinajs.cn/t4/appstyle/expression/ext/normal/d4/2018new_xianhua_org.png "[鲜花]"){kind=small}
[Upcoming Drama 2019-2021] Kingdom, 킹덤 - Joo Ji Hoon, Bae Doo Na - Netflix - One-Episode-Special to premiere in 2021
in k-dramas & movies
Posted
@plainenglish The rock at the entrance says 壽望村 Sumang Village (ironically translated to "Hope of Longevity Village").
The 1st log is not very legible as part of the words are covered. What I can make out is:
地 land (or could also be part of the words 此地 "This place")
:
女 female?? (Not sure how that makes any sense though)
將軍 general
It looks similar to the pole behind the rock at the entrance of the village in S1E5, in which case, it probably says:
(地)下大將軍 which is a clumsy way of saying "Great general of this land"
but still it seems to be a stretch, because the word in S2E3 looks more like 女 (female) than 大 (great). I tried but can't see the word as saying 安 (Ahn) or 炫 (Hyeon) either.
I guess the one that makes most sense would probably be "Great general of this land", since the village was under Ahn Hyeon's jurisdiction.
As for the 2nd log, it says 壽望村 Sumang Village.
Based on this, I don't see any indication they were not a colony of lepers as originally stated.
I do find that sometimes the Hanja (I don't actually read Hanja, but I read traditional Chinese, which is very similar) is not consistent. Take for example Ahn Hyeon's name in Hanja. The Battle of Unpo Upland memorial has his name written as 安賢. However, in S2, when Yi Chang wrote the name in water, it was written as 安炫.