'Flower in Prison' set to be next hit drama

Poster of new MBC drama "The Flower in Prison" / Courtesy of MBC

By Park Jin-hai

"The Flower in Prison," a new MBC drama from "Jewel in the Palace" director Lee Byung-hoon, is poised to be the next hit epic drama both at home and abroad.

Starring actor Go Soo and actress Jin Se-yeon as lead roles, "Flower" is an adventure historic series centering on prison maid Ock-nyeo, who was born and raised in a prison and later helps people of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

Premiered on April 30, the first two episodes of the 50-part TV series have clinched nearly 20 percent viewership ratings, taking the top spot in the prime time slot, according to Nielsen Korea.

Although the number slipped a little following the long holiday last weekend, the flying start signals "Flower" could be the next "Hur Jun" (1999), a historical drama directed by Lee and penned by Choi Wan-kyu, which enjoyed an all-time high record of over 60 percent viewer ratings.

The collaboration of the legendary duo of Lee and Choi in 16 years in the "Flower" itself has invited expectations that it might be a turning point in the boom of stale Korean epic dramas lacking novelty.

Director Lee's works include the hallyu blockbuster hit "Jewel in the Palace" (2003) and "Dong Yi" (2010), while Choi also wrote many hit historic dramas including "Jumong" (2006) and "All In" (2003), which was set in contemporary times.

"Flower" faithfully follows the success story pattern typically found in Lee's dramas, in which real historical figures in diverse occupations such as doctor, court maid, royal cook and businessman overcome hardships and become the great. Still, the development of story has become speedier and more spectacular, doubling the thrill for the viewers.

Screenwriter Choi places Ock-nyeo in various difficult situations and makes her solve the problem by using her wits in the plot similar to adventure game quests and Lee adds up his directorial skills, making the mise-en-scene more like a movie than a drama. The chase scene and the bamboo forest fight scene in the first episode created dynamism and thrill, attracting the viewers.

"Choi and I discussed a lot about making this drama full of adventures, like ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,'" Lee said, referring to the 1876 novel by Mark Twain, during a press conference for the drama in MBC's Media Center in Seoul, on April 27.

The tales of Joseon-era prison and criminal court are featured as the main theme in a drama for the first time in "Flower" and the subject itself is interesting enough to pique the viewers' curiosity.

"We tried to bring up various aspects of characters to tell that delight and happiness that can exist even in a secluded space like prison," Lee said.

Unlike Lee's previous heroines, which had been based on the actual historical figures, the two lead characters Ock-nyeo and mysterious Yoon Tae-won are fictional ones, preventing the viewers from easily guessing the conclusion of the drama. Some of the characters come from real people in history such as Jeong Nan-jeong, sister-in-law of Queen Munjeong, the wife of King Jungjong; the Korean Rohin Hood Im Kkeok-jeong; and Hwang Jin-i, one of the most famous "gisaeng," or female entertainers of Joseon, adding a sense of reality to the drama.

Actor Go Soo challenges the historic drama for the first time in "Flower," but his natural acting style goes well with the drama. Many seasoned supporting actors and actresses, including Jun Kwang-ryul (playing former spy Park Tae-su) and Kim Mi-sook (playing Queen Munjeong), pepper the drama with expertise.

The drama airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10 p.m.