[Drama 2020] Memorial / Into the Ring, 출사표

[0ly40]

KBS Drama

Memorial (aka Into the Ring, The Ballot) 

 

Network: KBS2

Genre: Romance, comedy, political

Episodes: 32 (2 back-to-back episodes 35 minutes)

Airdate: July 1st - August 20th, 2020

Airtime: Weds. & Thurs. 22:00

Director: Hwang Seung-Ki

Writer: Moon Hyun-Kyeong

Official site:

http://program.kbs.co.kr/2tv/drama/intothering/pc/detail.html?smenu=c8e571

 

Story:

 

It is a comedy about a poor young woman who decides to try her hand at civil service when she hears that a district representative position has an annual salary of 50 million won (approximately $42,082).

 

Cast:

Nana as Koo Se Ra (29 years old)

She gets involved, files complaints, comes up with solutions, and finds love at her local borough office. She has no money, no experience, and essentially no hope, until she hears that a position of district representative only works 90 days out of the year and yet still makes a hefty salary. She then tries out as a contractual district representative to try her hand at civil service.

 

 

Park Sung Hoon as Seo Kong Myung (29 years old)

He is a civil servant who always plays by the rules. He is handsome and efficient at his job, but has a personality that is hard to get along with as he’s always pointing out what he thinks are other people’s mistakes. Because of this, he’s moved around quite often at work as no one really wants to work with him. Life gets interesting for him when Goo Se Ra comes into the picture.

 

Yoo Da In as Yoon Hee Soo (33 years old)

 She is a beautiful lawyer who graduated from an elite university and law school. She’s an ambitious perfectionist who has achieved success through hard work, and she aims for a seat in the National Assembly through her network of connections.

 

Han Joon Woo as Kim Min Jae

Ahn Nae Sang as Jo Maeng Duk

 

Supporting Cast:

 

Se Ra’s family

Ahn Kil Kang as Goo Duk Man (Se Ra’s father)

Jang Hye Jin as Kim Sam Sook (Se Ra’s mother)

 

Se Ra’s friends

Kim Mi Soo as Kwon Woo Young

Shin Do Hyun as Jang Han Bi

Choi Ko as Kim Ja Ryong

 

Mawon-gu council members

Lee Seo Hwan as Heo Duk Koo
Seo Jin Won as Shim Jang Yang
Han Dong Kyu as Jang Ha Woon
Lee Chang Jik as Shi Dan Kyoo
Yoon Joo Sang as Bong Choo San
Oh Dong Min as Ko Dong Chan
Yoo Jung Joo as Yang Nae Sung

Mawon-gu public officials

Bae Hae Sun as Won So Jung
Park Sung Geun as Lee Dae Chul
Kim Hyun Mok as Jung Yong Kyoo

Election candidates

Shin Joo Hyup as Oh Byung Min
Park Mi Hyun  as Yeo Woo Hee

 

Character Chart:

 

Other posters:

 

Teasers:

 

Spoiler

 

PRESS CONFERENCE

OST

 

Spoiler

 

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[Helena]

OSEN | 2020. 04. 27

Nana goes alongside Park Sung Hoon in new drama "The Ballot"

 

 

Actors Park Sung Hoon and Nana have confirmed to join the new work "The Ballot".

Expectedly premiered in July, the new Wed-Thu drama "The Ballot" (KBS2; scriptwriter: Moon Hyun Kyung; directors: Hwang Seung Gi, Choi Yeon Soo) is a rom-com drama revolving around the office life of "queen of complaints" Goo Se Ra (nickname: Night Butterfly) who intervenes, appeals, resolves, and dates all inside the District People's Committee building. The combination of the novel characters and refreshing plot promises to create a drama that makes small-screen viewers truly laugh.

In the drama, Nana plays Goo Se Ra, a woman in a poor family who has no wealth and experience but is more mischievous and boastful than anyone else. She has tried numerous jobs like intern, contract worker, dispatching worker, office assistant, and part-time employee. Thus, she is nicknamed "Nigh Butterfly" - the queen of complaints. Once attracted by something, she is no different from a night butterfly who constantly sends complaints to the civil department. With a character as always determined as her name, Nana promises to lead the story centered on the competitive will to the end.

Nana has accumulated acting experience through a variety of works, such as dramas "The Good Wife", "Kill It" and the movie "The Swindlers". After that, she successfully conquered the audience when exuding a strong presence as an actress through the drama "Justice". Nana - who has grown up as an actress whose next work makes the audience curious about - promises to have a new makeover in "The Ballot". Accordingly, the public has high expectations for Nana's active performance when she takes on a role with a generous and light-minded personality, different from her previous works.

Besides, Park Sung Hoon will play Seo Gong Myung, a level 5 administrative official who follows the principlism. Possessing a good-looking appearance and superfluous working skills, but Seo Gong Myung is actually a "great evil" who owns an unlovable personality and likes to criticize others. Eventually, due to frequent transfers to all departments, this character even got the nickname "continuous demotion". Seo Gong Myung's life became "tangled up" after getting to know Goo Se Ra - the ''queen of complaints" who was nicknamed "Night Butterfly".

Park Sung Hoon is an actor who is showcasing his excellent role-playing skills regardless of genres when often switching between small screen, big screen and theater. He has shown his amazing acting chops through various roles, from a "handsome" and tender doctor to a psychopath that gives viewers goosebumps with only his gaze. Park Sung Hoon - the actor who offers so many images that it is hard to believe they are all of one character - is arousing viewers' expectations when signaling unexpectedly romantic and comedic acting in "The Ballot".

Nana and Park Sung Hoon - two young actors with fresh charms - have teamed up in "The Ballot". As a genre that both have never tried before, this rom-com work stimulates more curiosities and eagerness than ever. Therefore, this collaboration is expected to bring laughter, thrilling and fluttering feelings to the audience.

The new Wed-Thu drama "The Ballot" (KBS2) will broadcast its first episode in July.

 

 

OSEN = Reporter Jang Woo Young /elnino8919@osen.co.kr
Everything Idol, Everyday Exclusive 
https://vtoday.vlive.tv/home

[imnanastyle]

Finally a romcom for them! Can't wait for this, they look good together and chemistry seems unexpectedly on point. 

 

 

[0ly40]

Yoo Da In, Oh Dong Min, Bae Hae Sun, And Kim Hyun Mok Confirmed To Join Nana And Park Sung Hoon’s Office Romantic Comedy

TV/FILM

May 21, 2020

by S. Park

 

More actors have been confirmed for KBS 2TV’s “The Ballot” (literal title)!

The upcoming office romantic comedy follows the story of Goo Se Ra (played by Nana) who gets involved, files complaints, comes up with solutions, and finds love at her local borough office. Nana and Park Sung Hoon were previously announced as leads.

According to agency Prain TPC, Yoo Da In has been cast as Yoon Hee Soo, a beautiful lawyer who graduated from an elite university and law school. She’s an ambitious perfectionist who has achieved success through hard work, and she aims for a seat in the National Assembly through her network of connections.

Oh Dong Min appears as Go Dong Chan, a privileged councilman who has succeeded his father’s position. He’s someone who follows trends and practical interests and has a crush on Yoon Hee Soo.

Bae Hae Sun has joined the cast as Won So Jung, who successfully went from Seoul spokeswoman to chief administrator, Assistant Minister for Planning and Coordination, deputy mayor, and finally the mayor after passing the civil service exam. She’s an ambitious character who tries to take over the Mawon Province with her political party. Despite being known as the queen of communication in public, Won So Jung is a cold-blooded character who lets nothing stand in the way of her ambitions.

Kim Hyun Mok appears as Jung Yong Kyu, the borough office’s youngest employee. He’s not only talkative but also full of complaints, and he observes and gathers information to draw up political strategies.

“The Ballot” is scheduled to air in July.

[0ly40]

Nana And Park Sung Hoon’s New Office Rom-Com Drama Holds First Script Reading

DRAMA PREVIEW

May 26, 2020

by C. Hong

 

KBS’s upcoming drama “The Ballot” (literal translation) has shared photos from its first script reading with the cast!

“The Ballot” is an office rom-com about a woman named Goo Se Ra, who gets involved in people’s problems, files complaints, comes up with solutions, and finds love at her local borough office.

Present at the script reading were screenwriter Moon Hyun Kyung, director Hwang Seung Gi, and actors Nana, Park Sung Hoon, Yoo Da In, Ahn Nae Sang, Ahn Gil Kang, Bae Hae Sun, Han Jun Woo, and Jang Hye Jin.

Nana plays Goo Se Ra, whose nickname is ‘the tiger moth’ and is known as the queen of civil complaints. Although she has almost nothing to her name, she is the type of person who always says what she needs to say. Nana perfectly synchronized with her character’s honest and dynamic personality and made everyone at the reading crack up with her line delivery.

Park Sung Hoon plays Seo Gong Myung, a civil servant who always plays by the rules. He is always pointing out other people’s mistakes and can be hard to get along with, but he has a clumsy side that will appeal to viewers’ hearts.

Some key points to look forward to in the drama include the chemistry between Nana and Park Sung Hoon, as their characters begin by bickering and develop into something more. Both actors have a bright and refreshing energy that will make viewers both laugh and cry. Another point to look forward to is the strong supporting cast, who bring their strong comedy chops to flesh out the drama and support the main cast.

[0ly40]

[0ly40]

first teaser

 

[Guest]

Think this will be fun . 2nd teaser ! 
 

 

 

[Guest]

I can feel good chemistry btwn the leads . Second time working together. 
 

Script reading 

Stills 

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

Spoiler

 

BTS

Spoiler

 

 

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/06/398_291119.html
TV networks attempt to bring prime time forward by 30 min

 

By Park Ji-won | 2020-06-12

Poster for KBS's upcoming series "Memorials" Courtesy of KBS

 

The country's TV networks are adjusting the airtime of their prime time drama series to around 9:30 p.m., which is about 30 minutes earlier than traditional prime time, amid a declining number of viewers following the emergence of online video streaming platforms.

According to sources, KBS will air its upcoming series "Memorials" and "Men are Men" at 9:30 p.m. ahead of the previous prime time slot of 10 p.m. "Memorials" is a romantic comedy starring Nana and Park Sung-hoon which will air every Wednesday and Thursday from July 1. "Men are Men" is also a romantic comedy starring Hwang Jung-eum, Yoon Hyun-min and Seo Ji-hoon which will air from July 6 to Aug. 25.

 

The station's decision came after other TV networks rescheduled the airtimes of their dramas. MBC is also planning to air its prime time drama "She Knows Everything," which will be broadcast every Wednesday and Thursday from July 1, at 9:30 p.m. The network began seeking a change in the airtimes of its weekday dramas in May last year, moving them to 8:55 p.m. 

 

SBS also has been airing its Monday and Tuesday dramas from 9:40 p.m., moving it up by about 20 minutes, since the beginning of the year.

 

The moves were likely made to allow networks to compete with cable channels which have been emerging as powerful drama houses in recent years. Cable channel hits include JTBC's "The World of the Married" and tvN's "Hotel Del Luna." The emergence of online streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube, allowing viewers to watch whenever they want, has also posed a threat to traditional broadcasters.

The final episode of "The World of the Married" posted a viewership rating of 28.4 percent, surpassing the record of 23.8 percent of another JTBC sensation, "SKY Castle" (2019). The viewership rating of the final episode of "Hotel Del Luna" was 12 percent. Meanwhile, TV networks' weekday prime time drama series, which air twice a week, have been losing viewers. Even the final episode of KBS's "Welcome," which aired from April to May, only gained a 0.9 percent viewership rating ― the first time for a TV networks' drama to score less than 1 percent.

 

The number of paid members of Netflix in Korea is reportedly 2.7 million as of April. Considering that one account can be shared with up to four people, the number of people watching Netflix is likely considerably higher. Also, even though Korean streaming services Watcha and wavve did not disclose the exact number of users, they are certainly gaining paid members as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to market insiders. As some TV drama series also can be seen using the streaming services, more people are choosing to consume video content when they wish, instead of being restricted by television airtimes.

 

Experts pointed out that the networks are experimenting, struggling to hold onto viewers despite the increasing number of online platforms.

 

"TV networks are making experimental moves to seize customers amid diversified platforms where viewers don't show any specific patterns in watching (content). In the past, there were only two adjustments in the program scheduling in one year ― one in spring and one in fall. But now the networks are changing them frequently… I cannot say it is bad, but what matters the most is whether they can provide quality content," Gong Hee-jeong, a drama critic told Yonhap News. 

 

Insiders also point out that the networks' experiments should not be carried out without certain strategies.

"MBC took the exceptional move to move up the airtimes of dramas to around 9 p.m. last year. But it canceled it without any responsible explanation… If the exception becomes the normal, it only means to seek instability," MBC's union wrote in its latest publication released May 21.

 

———————

 

https://zapzee.net/2020/06/11/hwang-jung-eum-kim-yoo-jung-nana-who-will-be-the-summer-romantic-comedy-queen/

Hwang Jung Eum, Kim Yoo Jung & Nana – Who Will Be the Summer “Romantic Comedy Queen”?

 

by krishkim

 

 

Comedy goddesses are coming to give the small screen a big laugh. Hwang Jung Eum, Kim Yoo Jung, and Nana will present three distinctive romance dramas equipped with comedy.

 

Hwang Jung Eum is definitely the one who catches the eye. This is because she always succeeded when it comes to romantic comedies. In KBS2’s Men Are Men, which will premiere on July 6, she will once again showcase her unique comedy blended romance performances.

 

Men Are Men is a romantic comedy that takes place when two men with opposite charms hit on a woman who is enjoying her singledom. Hwang Jung Eum will appear as Seo Hyun Joo, who chooses to remain single, and work with Yoon Hyun Min and Seo Ji Hoon. As a veteran of a romantic comedy genre, Hwang Jung Eum is also responsible for leading her fellow actors. Yoon Hyun Min said, “I realized why Hwang Jung Eum is called the ‘queen of romantic comedy’ after working together. Every moment, I can feel her energy.”

 

Kim Yoo Jung also heralded a transformation. She challenges an unpredictable, eccentric character through Backstreet Rookie, which will premiere on June 19. The drama depicts the unpredictable comic romance created by a free spirit part-timer and a bit off convenience store manager against the backdrop of a 24-hour convenience store. Ji Chang Wook will work with Kim Yoo Jung.

 

The fact that Backstreet Rookie is the new work of producer Lee Myung Woo, who made a huge hit last year with The Fiery Priest, is drawing much attention. Kim Yoo Jung has played leading roles a few times, but she never got to show her comedy acting. So expectations are high on what kinds of synergy she will create with producer with producer Lee Myung Woo. Lee Myung Woo said, “I will tell the love story of the most general and most ordinary young people.”

 

Nana’s new challenge is also worth paying attention to. She will star in KBS2’s The Ballot, which will premiere on July 1. She will break away from her fancy images and put on a familiar character, heralding a comical transformation. Goo Se Ra, played by Nana, worked all kinds of part-time jobs, is full of vitality, and manages to show off her bluffing skills anywhere without a care in the world.

 

In The Ballot, Nana, who showed solid performances in the drama The Good Wifeand the film The Swindlers, will lead the story of growth and love as she encounters the world.

 

Source (1)

[0ly40]

Nana Is A Desperate Job Seeker Wandering The Streets In Upcoming Drama “Memorials”

DRAMA PREVIEW

Jun 13, 2020

by L. Kim

 

KBS 2TV’s upcoming drama “Memorials” (previously known as “The Ballot”) has released more stills of Nana!

“Memorials” is an office rom-com about a woman named Goo Se Ra (played by Nana) who gets involved in other people’s problems, files complaints, comes up with solutions, and finds love at her local district office. Park Sung Hoon will play Seo Gong Myung, a civil servant who always plays by the rules.

The newly released stills reveal a glimpse of Nana’s shocking transformation into someone you might be able to meet in your everyday life. Her new character, Goo Se Ra, is an ordinary woman looking for a job. Although she has almost nothing to her name, she is the type of person who always speaks her mind.

In the photos, Goo Se Ra is wandering the neighborhood in a comfortable outfit during the daytime, when everyone else is at work. Her untamed locks emphasize the fact that she doesn’t care what others think of her appearance, and she seems to be drinking her frustration away. In contrast to Nana’s “cold city girl” image, Goo Se Ra is a carefree “jobless oddball.”

The production team of “Memorials” commented, “Nana really does her best, without holding back, to become Goo Se Ra in ‘Memorials.’ Thanks to Nana’s efforts, every scene is filled with endless laughter. Please look forward to seeing Nana as a familiar, relatable job seeker whom you want to root for, instead of the chic beauty we know.”

[Guest]

Lol! Another fun teaser 

New poster 

 

[Helena]

https://zapzee.net/2020/06/16/time-to-get-ready-for-the-new-transformation-of-nana-through-memorials/

Time to Get Ready for the New Transformation of Nana Through ‘Memorials’

 

by krishkim 

 

Nana expressed her extraordinary feelings after heralding a new transformation through Memorials.

 

Memorials, which will premiere on July 1, is the story of young people, who have chosen candidacy instead of getting jobs, and politicians. At the center of the play, there’s Koo Se Ra, a 29-year-old job hunter who threw her hat into the ring for the district council. Nana, who successfully broke away from her images as an idol through dramas The Good Wife, Justice, and film The Swindlers, has heralded a new transformation into a completely different character than before.

 

Nana, who made her comeback to the small screen after about 10 months, frankly told her why she decided to appear on the drama and her character.

 

“It’s both realistic and warm,” Nana said of the reason for choosing Memorials. “I felt both fun and touched by the small stories. The script made me feel like I would like to help someone through this work.”

 

She also added, “Director Hwang Seung Ki, who I have worked with before in Justice, directed the drama, so I had trust in him. The time I spent with the director before remained a good memory, and I wanted to work with him once again in a different genre.”

 

Credit: KBS

 

Regarding her role Koo Se Ra, Nana answered, “She is an honest and reckless person who can’t stand the injustice and has to say what’s on her mind. So there are many things to gain, but also many things to lose. She is a passionate person when it comes to her family, so I felt satisfaction and good influence while reading the script.”

 

When asked about her transformation, Nana said, “I tried to stick to the script. Se Ra’s bright and cheerful charms were well explained in the script, and I tried to express them honestly without forcing anything.” She added, “Fortunately, many people liked it, so I gained confidence and strength. I hope you like both Se Ra and Nana,” adding that she is doing her best to become a cheerful and bubbly Koo Se Ra.

 

Nana’s unrelenting passion has been praised by the production team. Attention is focusing on whether Nana’s transformation can be a reliever for the KBS mini-series, which has been mired in a slump.

 

Source (1)

[0ly40]

 

Watch: Nana Runs For Office And Park Sung Hoon Is A Lonely Employee In Teasers For New Drama “Memorials”

DRAMA PREVIEW

Jun 17, 2020

by C. Lee

 

KBS 2TV’s upcoming drama “Memorials” has released a new teaser!

“Memorials” will be an office rom-com about a woman named Goo Se Ra (Nana) who gets involved in people’s problems, files complaints, comes up with solutions, and finds love at her local district office. Park Sung Hoon plays Seo Gong Myung, a civil servant who always plays by the rules.

The teaser starts with Goo Se Ra lying on her bed. In a voice-over, she mutters to herself repeatedly, “A lottery for 50 million won (approximately $41,150).”

As an unemployed 29-year-old, Goo Se Ra can’t stop thinking about becoming a district representative. Ideas like, “District representative,” “Average annual income: 43.1 million won (approximately $35,500),” “Working 90 days a year,” and “A blessed job, if I’m elected,” float above her head.

Later, she calculates the amount of money needed to run as a candidate and convinces her friends, who look at her in disbelief. Goo Se Ra then runs for office, startling Seo Gong Myung, who watches her.

Seeing other campaigners around her, Goo Se Ra begins to campaign for herself. She shouts, “You can do it, Goo Se Ra!”

Seo Gong Myung still can’t believe Goo Se Ra and asks her, “You’re not running for office for the 50 million won income, right?” Without missing a beat, Goo Se Ra replies, “I am.” Seo Gong Myung stares at Goo Se Ra with confusion. In a voice-over, he asks, “What on earth is this person doing?” Meanwhile, Goo Se Ra smiles brightly at him.

 

[Guest]

New character posters 

This teaser is too cute

 

[Guest]

Another teaser . 

 

[0ly40]

 

Nana And Park Sung Hoon Glare Daggers At Each Other In Upcoming Rom-Com “Into The Ring”

DRAMA PREVIEW

Jun 30, 2020

by S. Nam

 

KBS 2TV’s upcoming Wednesday-Thursday drama “Into the Ring” released new stills of Nana and Park Sung Hoon!

“Into the Ring” will be an office rom-com about a woman named Goo Se Ra (Nana) who gets involved in people’s problems, files complaints, comes up with solutions, and finds love at her local district office. Park Sung Hoon plays Seo Gong Myung, a civil servant who always plays by the rules.

The newly released stills depict Goo Se Ra and Seo Gong Myung having a tense confrontation on an overpass. Seo Gong Myung has something in his hand as he says something to Goo Se Ra, who responds with an angry glare. Between the two, an announcement poster reads, “Notice of candidacy for the eighth Mawon District assembly by-election.”

Sparks fly between the two as they glare at each other, drawing curiosity as to how they’ve come to meet and what the two could be discussing. Viewers are excited to see the characters’ contrasting chemistry through the upcoming drama.

The production team shared, “In the first episode of ‘Into the Ring,’ which premieres tomorrow, the two main characters Nana and Park Sung Hoon will begin their bickering chemistry.” They continued to emphasize the importance of their relentless back-and-forth to the drama and asked viewers to look forward to their great chemistry.

[0ly40]

I love their chemistry

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[celebrianna]

I didn’t experience a dull moment in the first episode. Goo Sera would definitely drive me nuts just like she drives Seo Gong Myung nuts with her numerous complaints about issues in the neighborhood.  However, precisely because she’s observant about public safety and serving her neighborhood and town, it would be interesting to see her run for district representative. I find this gal likable even with her flaws and all which people definitely can find annoying.
 

Our male lead Seo Gong Myung is kind of odd. I can’t believe he actually wouldn’t serve a customer because it was a minute before his lunch break was up.  My question is why sit visibly in the customer service area if he didn’t want to serve anyone before his lunch break is up. I’m looking forward to knowing more about who he is as a person but so far I’m also entertained by him. 
 

I usually don’t watch shows about politics but so far I liked episode 1. 

[Helena]

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200702000788

Nana throws hat ‘Into the Ring’

Producer says controversial political drama “a workplace rom-com”

 

By Choi Ji-won | July 2, 2020
 

Nana (left) and Park Sung-hoon speak during "Into the Ring" press conference held on Wednesday. (KBS)

 

Singer-turned-actor takes on her first lead role in a romantic comedy with new KBS drama “Into the Ring.”

Im Jin-ah, who goes by the stage name Nana, plays the role of Sera, who decides to give up on looking for a job and finds herself a spot on the local assembly.

Park Sung-hoon plays Nana’s counterpart, Seo Gong-myung, an elite public servant at a local district office who goes on to team up with Sera and punish the corrupt politicians around them.

The two actors and the TV series’ producer Hwang Seung-gi attended a livestreamed promotional event Wednesday afternoon. 

“The drama is about regional politics, revolving around the local assembly and the district office,” producer Hwang said.

“People these days are mostly distrustful of politics and politicians, but they’re actually a very close part of our lives. I hope that the drama becomes a chance for us to realize how important the local lawmakers are to our daily lives.”

Having launched her show career as part of the K-pop girl group After School, Nana is currently part of the group’s unit act Orange Caramel. She started acting in 2014, taking up small roles in TV dramas and films, and made herself known as an actor in tvN’s 2016 drama “Good Wife.” Since then she has starred in leading roles on OCN action-drama series “Kill it” and KBS2 crime-thriller “Justice,” both of which aired in 2019.

“I’ve mostly taken up cold and somewhat heavy characters until now, and, with this ordinary and perky character, I expect I’ll be able to show a brighter aspect of myself,” Nana said during the event.

Park, 35, previously appeared in KBS2’s “My Only One” (2018) and tvN’s “Psychopath Diary” (2019-2020). He and Nana are teaming up for the second time on TV with “Into the Ring,” following their first partnership in “Justice,” in which Hwang also took part as a co-producer.

“I’ve played an anti-social character in both of my recent shows, so I really enjoyed doing a rom-com this time. I hope the viewers can also have fun with us,” Park said.

 

Producer Hwang Seung-gu (very left) of "Into the Ring" and lead cast Nana and Park Sung-hoon attend the show's press conference held on Wednesday. (KBS)

 

Ahead of the TV drama’s launch Wednesday, “Into the Ring” was embroiled in controversy over alleged political bias portrayed through the characters. According to the character descriptions revealed on the KBS website, the characters of the conservative party are mostly depicted negatively.

During the press conference, Hwang explained there was a misunderstanding resulting from the two contrasting names of the parties. 

“We usually divide politics into liberals and conservatives in real life, and we used those terms to make a clear distinction between the characters,” Hwang said, adding, “We had no political intention in writing the script, and anyone who has a sensible political mind will be able to sympathize with the story.”

Hwang added, “The romantic-comedy will the take the limelight, with the politics merely assisting.”

The 16-episode set kicked off Wednesday night and will air every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:30 p.m. on KBS2. 



By Choi Ji-won(jwc@heraldcorp.com)