Lee Jae-wook and Kim Jae-wook in the same drama? Consider me sold! Script reading stills are out for Netflix’s upcoming historical fiction Tangeum, and as a fan of both Jae-wooks with a soft spot for Jo Boa, I’m already counting down the days to its release.
Lee Jae-wook (Alchemy of Souls) stars as Hong-rang, the son of a renowned merchant guild owner. Though Hong-rang was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and all the luxuries money could buy, all of it was for naught when he disappeared abruptly at a young age. Ever since then, his half-sister Jae-yi — played by Jo Boa (Destined With You) — has been searching for her missing sibling.
As an illegitimate child, Jae-yi has to contend with her father’s neglect and stepmother’s abuse, and the only person in her corner had been Hong-rang. Adrift and abandoned, Jae-yi has been devoting her all to tracking down any leads that may point back to her brother. Until one day, Hong-rang finally returns to the guild after twelve long years — but he comes bearing secrets.
All this time, though, Jae-yi hasn’t been truly alone. She still has her adoptive brother Mu-jin, played by Jung Ga-ram (The Interest of Love), who had been taken in after his noble family’s fall from grace. Despite being treated as Hong-rang’s replacement, Mu-jin is willing to accept his fate of playing second-fiddle if it allows him to stay by Jae-yi’s side.
At the head of this complicated family, we have Park Byung-eun (Moving) as the merchant father Shim Yeol-guk. Opportunistic and calculative, he has no qualms about using any means necessary to satisfy his ambitions. Right next to him, we have Eom Ji-won (Cold-Blooded Intern) as his shrewd wife Min Yeon-ee. Birds of a feather flock together, and she’s relentless in her search for her lost son.
Last but most definitely not least, we have the casting I’m the most excited for — Kim Jae-wook (Crazy Love) as Prince Hanpyeong. The sole sibling of the current king, Hanpyeong’s interest in the palace and its political machinations is just about nonexistent. Instead, his heart lies with the arts and academia. More often than not, he can be found poring over a scholarly scroll or appreciating an exquisite painting.
Helmed by PD Kim Hong-seon (The Guest, Bait) with scripts written by Kim Jin-ah (Dr. Brain), Tangeum will be released exclusively on Netflix.