It looks like TV Chosun’s new historical melodrama Grand Prince is on its way to finalizing its three main leads, with an offer currently out to Yoon Shi-yoon (The Best Hit) to join Jin Se-yeon (Flower in Prison) and Joo Sang-wook (Fantastic) in the high-stakes court drama about two royal brothers who fall in love with the same woman and end up in a bloody battle over her.
Every time I read descriptions for this drama, I’m convinced it’s trying to recreate the magic of Seven Day Queen, and my heart rebels, screaming, But it’s too soon! There can’t be another Seven Day Queen! Even the casting seems to support this, with Joo Sang-wook set to play a power-hungry Joseon grand prince who dreams of absolute control over his kingdom and is willing to trade his brother’s life to win his love.
If Yoon Shi-yoon signs on, he’d play a prince, but not the title character—that’s Joo Sang-wook—though I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the romantic hero, given that Joo Sang-wook’s grand prince doesn’t sound all that cuddly and lovable. Also, casting Yoon Shi-yoon as the second romantic lead in a drama would only cause everyone pain. And you wouldn’t do that to us, would you?
Jin Se-yeon will play the daughter of a powerful official, who is righteous and compassionate and famous for her beauty. She’s a character who tries to keep the world at a distance, but ends up embroiled in a complex royal battle, not only between the men, but also the women of the court who are vying to become queen.
I’m not sure I want Yoon Shi-yoon to sign on, even though I would love to see him in another historical drama (or yunno, any drama), because TV Chosun productions often fly under the radar and have never made big waves in the ratings. On the upside, the series comes from a very solid production team: PD Kim Jung-min of Princess’s Man and Joseon Gunman and writer Jo Hyun-jung of Maids, so maybe they’ll pull out something beautiful and we’ll be happy to give them all our tears.
Grand Prince is being planned for a January 2018 broadcast.