Lee Young-ae and Yoo Ji-tae are reuniting for the first time in 25 years through the drama “Jae-e’s Young-in” (translated title).

The news was confirmed on 23 March by the production company, IWill Media, saying that the drama will revolve around two people with similar pain who learn how to live together again.

Expectations are high as this marks the reunion of Lee Young-ae and Yoo Ji-tae 25 years after their last collaboration, the 2001 movie, “One Fine Spring Day”.

In the upcoming drama, Lee plays Joo Young-in, an art teacher and painter grieving the loss of her son. She is a character who endures life by painting murals during sleepless dawns.

Her co-star, Yoo Ji-tae, plays Shin Jae-yi, the CEO of an architectural firm who possesses both a pure, boyish charm and a free spirit. Despite his bright personality, he lives with a massive void caused by dissociative amnesia, experiencing confusion and internal rifts as the truth gradually unfolds.

It will be helmed by Oh Ki-hwan of “The Art of Seduction”.

The production team expressed their anticipation, stating, “We will present a distinctive and stylish mystery melodrama with intricate emotional arcs and unpredictable plot developments.”

Meanwhile, the drama team is currently in scheduling discussions with major broadcasters.

(Photo Source: Vogue Korea)

Lee Young-ae recently decided to walk down memory lane, as she visited the location of her hit 2000s drama, “Jewel in the Palace”.

On 16 March, the actress posted several photos of herself in Jeju, specifically in locations where the drama was shot, where her face was plastered on a billboard and her costume as a cardboard cutout.

The location is an important filming set for the pivotal moment in Jang Geum’s life, mainly her exile to Jeju Island and her rigorous training in medicine.

The actress captioned, “Jang Geum!!! It’s been so long. I’m so happy to see you, I almost cried… I am so touched…”

The drama, also known as “Dae Jang Geum” achieved record-breaking ratings when it aired in 2004 and was beloved throughout Asia. Produced for USD 15 million, it was later exported to 91 countries and has earned USUSD 103.4 million worldwide.

It was also known as one of the primary proponents of the Korean Wave, especially in tourism, introducing Korean royal cuisine, traditional medicine, and making places like Jeju a tourist attraction.

(Photo Source: Lee Young-ae IG)

Famed Korean screenwriter Kim Young-hyun has denied reports that the upcoming historical drama, “Female Physician Dae Jang-geum” is a sequel to her previously penned series, “Dae Jang-geum” (aka “Jewel in the Palace”).

As reported on JoongAng Daily, the writer, who released a statement via her agency, KPJ, stated that the new series is neither a spinoff nor a sequel to the 2003 drama series and it has nothing to do with the said drama.

“The 2003 MBC drama ‘Dae Jang Geum’ is an original content created by writer Kim Young-hyun, who holds the rights to all the characters, story and episodes of the work,” KPJ added, stating that Kim only found out about the project through media reports.

The original series, which stars Lee Young-ae, was a huge hit both in Korea and overseas, enabling Lee to win various accolades and become one of the most sought-after actresses at the time.

Last week, it was reported that Lee has already agreed to star in the new series, which will be produced by Fantagio. The company also stated that they have signed a screenwriter last June and will begin shooting in October.

(Photo Source: Soompi, Lee Young-ae IG)

Good news for Jang-geum fans everywhere!

Korean actress Lee Young-ae is set to reprise the biggest role of her career in a sequel to her hit TV series, “Jewel in the Palace” (also known as “Dae Jang-geum”).

The news was announced by production company, Fantagio on 30 January, saying that they are preparing for a new Dae Jang-geum project and has already cast Lee to reprise her role.

“Following the casting of Lee Young-ae, the lead actress of the drama in June of last year, we recently signed a contract with the drama’s writer. We are planning to start filming for the first time in October and aim to air it early next year,” the company stated.

The new project will tell the story of Jang-geum as a female physician following the story of the 2003 historical series based on the true story of Jang-geum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty.

No news as to whether Ji Jin-hee, who played Jang-geum’s love interest and scholar Min Jeong-ho in the series will return as well.

This year marks the show’s 20th anniversary.

(Photo Source: Korea Times)

It was reported that Lee Young-Ae is currently in talks to star in a new series titled, “Good Day with Eun-Su” (translated).

As reported on Star News, on 14 August, the actress’ representative confirmed this, saying that she has been offered to star in the aforementioned drama and is “reviewing it positively.”

The upcoming series reportedly will be a thriller about a woman in her 40s with a sick husband, who accidentally picks up drugs left on the street.

The series will be helmed by Park Hyun-Seok of “Uncontrollably Fond” fame.

On the other hand, Lee herself is currently in the midst of filming tvN’s new drama, “Maestra”, which will be released in December.

(Photo Source: Lee Young-Ae IG)

Korean actress Lee Young-Ae recently offered to lend a helping hand to the family of one 25-year-old foreign victim of the recent Itaewon tragedy.

On 3 November, the actress, through the Korea Welfare Foundation for Persons with Disabilities, revealed that she would like to support Yuliana Park’s family, whose daughter was one of the four Russian victims in the crowd rush that occurred on 29 October. Yuliana was an ethnic Korean whose family has been residing in Russia.

Earlier, Yuliana’s family shared with the media that they weren’t able to repatriate her body back to Russia in time for her funeral – where her mother desperately wants to see her for the last time – due to the hefty cost.

It is noted that around US$5,000 is needed to bring their daughter home.

The Park family plans to hold the funeral service in Yuliana’s hometown of Primorsky Krai in Vladivostok, and that the ferry that departs from Korea’s Donghae port for Vladivostok that will transport the body only comes in once every Friday.

They will have to wait another week if they miss the ferry on 4 November.

It is noted that the “Jewel in the Palace” actress is currently head of the Advisory Committee on Culture and the Arts for the foundation.

There were 26 foreign victims from 14 different countries in the tragedy that killed 156 people, but only seven bodies have been successfully repatriated to their home countries as of 3 November.

(Photo Source: Korea JoongAng Daily, All Kpop)