After weeks of speculation, casting has been confirmed for KBS’s upcoming romance sageuk Affection and the leading roles have been secured by actors Park Eun-bin (Do You Like Brahms) and Kim Ro-woon (Sunbae, Don’t Put on That Lipstick).
Adapted from a popular manga by the same title (created by Lee So-young), the drama is a fictional take on a period in Joseon history and imagines a secret king who was erased from history’s archives.
Taking on the central role is Park Eun-bin, who plays Crown Prince Lee Hwi and soon to be (secret) King of Joseon. At birth, she had been cast aside for being a girl while her twin brother was celebrated as the first son of the crown prince. But when her brother suddenly died, she was forced to take on his identity in order to conceal his death. Due to the dangers involved should the truth be revealed, she maintains an icy manner, always internalizing her true emotions, and guards herself from developing personal ties with anyone around her. As a result, she has little patience for anyone who tries to cross her boundaries or behaves in a manner outside of their station.
Kim Ro-woon plays the role of Jung Ji-woon, one of Park Eun-bin’s teachers. He’s a character who seems, in short, to be living the best life in Joseon. Tenacious, confident, and with plenty of optimism; he has a come-what-may attitude and takes his responsibilities in stride. Having been born into a family of government officials, he lives a carefree lifestyle and was privileged with good education. He passed the competitive state examinations at an early age and was rising in prominence. But something happens in his life and instead of taking the easier road of scholarly academics, he changes course and takes up healing and acupuncture instead.
Writing for the drama is Han Hee-jung (Clean With Passion for Now) and directing will be helmed by PD Song Hyun-wook (Another Oh Hae-young, Beauty Inside).
The production for KBS drama Affection is currently set to start filming and the drama is aiming to premiere towards the end of 2024.