Jang Hee Bin (MBC 1971)

[𝔰𝔢𝔞𝔫𝔪𝔞𝔠𝔩𝔞𝔦𝔯]

Episodes: 154

Broadcast Date: July 18th, 1971 - January 29th, 1972

Broadcast Time: Sunday to Thursday at 8:00 PM.

Adapted from: "Jang Hee Bin" by Yun Seung Han

Screenwriter: Lee Seo Gu (wrote the first Jang Hee Bin movies)

Director: Yu Heung Ryeol

Assistant Director: Lee Byeong Hun (dir. 500 Years of Joseon, Heo Jun, Sangdo, Jewel in the Palace, Seo Dong Yo, Yi San, Dong Yi, Horse Doctor, Flower in Prison)

Cast:

• Yun Yeo Jeong as Jang Hee Bin
  
• Park Geun Hyeong as King Sukjong
  
• Kim Min Jeong as Queen Inhyeon
  
• Baek Il Seop as Jang Hee Jae
• Kim Young Ok as Jang Hee Bin's nanny
• Yang Jeong Hwa as Choi Suk Bin
  
• Han In Su as background policeman
• Kim Yong Rim, Jeong Gyu Taek, Kim Geum Ji, Lee Jae Jeong, roles unknown for now
  

One of MBC's first historical dailies, and the first TV adaptation of Jang Hee Bin's life, this show ran from Sunday to Thursday for 154 episodes. Adapted from Yun Seung Han's history novel of the same name, this show attracted much popularity and backlash for its portrayal of the main characters. Unfortunately the tape for this show was reused for other dramas, and no kinescopes remain. However, MBC featured pictures of the show in its 1986 Special Program "From Women of the Sun to Winter Flower," which covered MBC's history from its foundation. Yun Yeo Jeong, the main lead, featured on the program as well as talked about her experiences during filming. One of her memories includes being fired from an orange juice ad because her "evil" role as Jang Hee Bin did not fit the company's image. Her mother often worried that she wouldn't get married because of the role.

Yun Yeo Jeong is not the only one with a story to tell behind the scenes. In 2018, Kim Min Jeong spoke about the number of ad offers she received because of her role as Queen Inhyeon, and even mentioned how she was cast on a stairwell by one of the writers. (The video features more pictures of the show.)

Here, Kim mentions that the writer asked her some personal information on the stairwell and what "talent generation" she was in (networks cast new talents every year). After that, he went to the director and said, "I found a Queen Min for Jang Hee Bin."

Getting a lead for the show was no easy task. In 1971, many actresses were already engaged in other projects, and so MBC started a competition with a money reward for whoever auditioned. The finalists were Kim Ji Mi, Yun Yeo Jeong and Yun Jeong Hee. Below are more screenshots from the show.

And one more:

As for the theme song, MBC played Kim Buja's "Jang Hee Bin" on the TV Special:

But viewers who remember the show insist they remember hearing Hwang Geum Shim's "Jang Hee Bin", a completely different song that was used in the 60s movies. I've put both so you can listen.

[sageuk]

It is baffling to me at how much media exposure Jang Heebin received over the years compared to some other historical figures.

Also, the poor woman who played the lead role, all for just playing a part.

[𝔰𝔢𝔞𝔫𝔪𝔞𝔠𝔩𝔞𝔦𝔯]

Jul 8, 2021 16:01:35 GMT -5 sageuk said:

It is baffling to me at how much media exposure Jang Heebin received over the years compared to some other historical figures.

Also, the poor woman who played the lead role, all for just playing a part.

Other accounts (not from her) say she was given a hot bowl of water on set once in an attempt to sabotage filming, and that when Queen Inhyeon was thrown out, many viewers called MBC to complain and to bring her back. MBC ended up bringing her back after 3-4 years of deposal instead of 6, although that could also be a difference in source material references.

Also I forgot to mention this is Yun Yeo Jeong's first drama as lead, before she even took up the movie Insect Woman, so I imagine it must be even more difficult as a total rookie to experience this kind of reaction for one's first drama.

[ajk]

Good stuff; thanks for translating it and posting. The only other reference I had found for this one said 54 episodes, apparently a typo. So I'm glad to be able to correct that.

[𝔰𝔢𝔞𝔫𝔪𝔞𝔠𝔩𝔞𝔦𝔯]

Another photo I found from the show. Yun Yeo Jeong is in the middle, most likely the actors for Jang Hee Jae and Ok Jeong's mom are to her left and right.

[𝔰𝔢𝔞𝔫𝔪𝔞𝔠𝔩𝔞𝔦𝔯]

dcnewsj.joins.com/article/24043668 this article says Yun Yeo Jeong once got chased by a group of men soon after leaving the MBC building. They were screaming "Catch her!" because of her role as Jang Hee Bin. Luckily, Park Geun Hyeong was there to hold them back until security came. People also stuck holes where her eyes were printed in posters.

[ajk]

That must have been awful for her. Goofballs manipulated into mob action by stuff they see on TV. Thank goodness that doesn't happen these days.