Jeon Ji-hyun, Joo Ji-hoon
In a slew of casting news over the last few days for upcoming drama Jirisan, lead roles have been confirmed for actors Jeon Ji-hyun (Legend of the Blue Sea), Joo Ji-hoon (Kingdom 2), Sung Dong-il (Somehow Family), and Oh Jung-se (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay).
Set in the titular Jiri Mountain, the drama is centered around the park rangers who work in Jirisan National Park and involves a mystery surrounding the mountain’s many visitors.
Jeon Ji-hyun plays one of the park’s top rangers, Seo Yi-kang. In many ways, she has become one with nature and navigating through the mountainside is almost instinctive. Her experience has also made her very knowledgeable and even a single leaf is enough of a clue to help track down a lost hiker.
Joo Ji-hoon plays a new ranger named Kang Hyun-jo, who becomes partnered with Jeon Ji-hyun when he joins the Jirisan team. He used to work in the army and rose to the rank of captain, but he carries a secret from his past.
Sung Dong-il’s character is Jo Dae-jin. He is the head of the branch office at Jirisan National Park and spent most of his life working as park ranger. He has a strong sense of duty for his job and responsibility for his staff, and is honest to a fault.
Oh Jung-se takes on the role of ranger Jung Gu-young. Being extremely realistic, he lives by the motto, “I have to take care of myself in order to take care of others.” As such, he clocks in and out of work sharply on time, makes sure to take all of his vacation days, and disappears as soon as someone says “You’re dismissed.”
Supporting cast for the drama includes team leader Jo Han-chul (Old School Intern), police officer Jeon Suk-ho (365: Defying the Year), park volunteer Lee Ga-seop (Forest of Secrets 2), and rookie ranger Go Min-shi (Secret Boutique) among others. And a notable mention for my favorite veteran actor Kim Young-ok (The King: Eternal Monarch), who plays Jeon Ji-hyun’s grandmother and restaurant owner in the Jirisan village.
There’s been a lot of fanfare for the drama’s production team as well, which will be headed by writer Kim Eun-hee (Kingdom, Signal) and PD Lee Eung-bok (Mister Sunshine, The Lonely Shining Goblin).
A network has not yet been confirmed, but the drama is being planned to air sometime next year and filming is set to commence in mid-September. The production team has also reported that they are prioritizing the health and safety of both cast and crew, and will be taking measures to practice caution and protect against the current pandemic circumstances with COVID-19.
Sung Dong-il, Oh Jung-se
Top row, L-R, Jo Han-chul, Jeon Suk-ho, Lee Ga-seop
Bottom row, L-R, Go Min-shi, Joo Mi-kyung, Kim Young-ok