Iron Empress/Empress Cheon Chu

[Nene]

EVERYONE,

New KBS History Drama to Target Both Genders

[ 2009-01-12 ]



The new KBS 2TV period drama series "Empress Cheon Chu" starring Chae Si-ra is off to a smooth start.

Ratings pollster TNS Media Korea said the drama, centered around a Goryeo-era female warrior, posted 20% in viewer ratings in its first show on Jan. 3 and rose to 24.3% for the second installment.

Cheon Chu is the first of a number of historical series starring heroines planned by Korean broadcasters.

Cheon Chu's action saga combined with the main character's story as a lover and mother is expected to appeal to both male and female viewers.

Another ratings agency, AGB Nielsen Media Research, said the drama's first two shows were most watched by men and women in their 40s, with each group representing a 12.3% rating.

The demographic of middle-aged men is believed to have been impressed by an animal action scene featuring bears, shown in the first series, which is a first in Korean drama-making history.

The cast including Chae trained in martial arts and horseback riding for months at action schools.

Particularly noteworthy is the reaction of female viewers to a heroine series. War stories have been mostly enjoyed by men, but as this drama centers around an empress this time, this trend may change.

The love story with Kim Chi-yang (played by Kim Seok-hun) and Gangjo (Choi Jae-seong) may also stir women's hearts.

Producer Sin Chang-seok said, "The material is new to the audience but it's off to a good start. Men love the war scenes and women will cry over the heartrending love story as the main story line unravels."

The Iron Empress/Empress Cheon Chu

Chae Shi Ra and Kim Suk Hoon (채시라, 김석훈) will lead the large-scale
historical drama "Empress Chunchoo (천추태후, 千秋太后)" scheduled to be aired by KBS2 on 1/3/2009.

Empress Chunchoo


This drama focuses on Empress Chunchoo who is a politician having strong male personality. The background of the storylines is in Koryu Era (고려시대). Chunchoo, General Suh Hee (서희, 徐熙), and General Kang Gam Chan (강감찬, 姜邯赞) together achieve the dream of recovering the lost land of Kogooryu (고구려).

Actor Lee Duk Hwa plays General Kang Gam Chan, and actor Choi Jae Sung (최재성) plays the role Kang Jo (강조).

Kim Suh Hoon plays the role Kim Chi Yang (김치양, 金致陽) who is a descendant of the royal family of Silla and has the goal of reviving Silla. Kim Chi Yang and Chunchoo fall in love with each other. This is KSH's second historical drama. His first historical drama was “Hong Gil Dong” aired in 1998.

Actress Shin Ae (신애) plays the role Hwang Bo Sul (황보설) who is also called Princess Hun Jung (헌정왕후), the younger sister of Chunchoo. Princess Hun Jung is beautiful, kind, and innocent.

Actor Kim Ho Jin (김호진) plays the role Wang Kwon (왕권) who is the 8th-generation grandson of Emperor Wang Gun. Wang Kwon and Princess Hun Jung develop love relationship.

Actress Hong In Young (홍인영) plays the role Chun Hyang Bi (천향비), and actress Lee Chae Young (이채영) plays the role Sa Il La (사일라). Actor Kim Hyung Min (김형민) plays the role Sa Ga Moon (사가문). Young actress Kim So Eun (김소은) plays teenager Chunchoo.

Chae Si-ra

Kim Suk Hoon

Choi Jae Sung

Hong In Young

Kim Ho Jin

Kim Hyung Min

Lee Duk Hwa

Moon Jung Hee

Shin Ae

Lee Young Ah

Park Yi-bin,  Choi Woo Hyuk,  Lee Chae Young

Official site : www.kbs.co.kr/drama/taehoo/
Official English site : kbsworld.kbs.co.kr/programs/program...tro.html?no=292
Episodic preview : www.kbs.co.kr/drama/taehoo/view/preview/index.html
Making-of VOD : mms://vodt.kbs.co.kr/event/2tv/dra_cheonchu/making/making01_h.wmv
Other KVS VOD : www.kbs.co.kr/drama/taehoo/making/h.../history01.html & www.kbs.co.kr/drama/taehoo/view/clip/index.html
Rewatch VODs at : www.kbs.co.kr/drama/taehoo/view/vod/index.html Special was aired on 1 Jan 2009 at 21:55 hours Seoul time.
(CindyW88, huangsy)

Details

* Title: 천추태후 (千秋太后) / Cheon Chu Taehu

* Also known as: The Iron Empress / Empress Chun Choo
* Genre: Historical
* Episodes: 60+
* Broadcast network: KBS2
* Broadcast period: 2009-Jan-03 to 2009
* Air time: Saturday & Sunday 21:30

Synopsis

The stereotypical view of womanhood on screen is changing.
Different from the past which used to show the passive and modest nature of female, recent dramas illustrate women with grand authority and active spirit. However, most of the historical dramas are still presenting the submissive images of female; woman as a subordinate who gives birth to children to carry on the family lineage, or a political tactician who takes part in conspiracies and causes internal wars in the palace.

Now we are talking about the empress who is incompatible from the previously known images of female in history. ‘The Iron Empress’ is the granddaughter of Wang Gun, the first emperor of Goryeo. She has inherited her grandfather´s vision as well as his Great Spirit. The empress fights against the enemies trying to collapse Goryeo, and called as ‘The Iron Empress’ who gets rid of her brother, son, and even her lover, for the good of the empire. During the Goryeo period, women had the firm statue and their power was high as that of men. Introducing the legendary heroine, ‘The Iron Empress’ would bring hopes and dreams to the women living in this era.(kbs)

Cast

* Chae Si Ra as Empress Chun Chu
o Kim So Eun as young Chun Chu
* Kim Suk Hoon as Kim Chi Yang
* Choi Jae Sung as Kang Jo
* Lee Duk Hwa as General Kang Kam Chan
Extended Cast:
* Kim Ho Jin as Wang Wook
* Shin Ae as Hwang Bo Seol / Princess Hun Jung (the empress's younger sister)
o Park Eun Bin as young Hwang Bo Seol
* Ban Hyo Jung as Queen mother, Shin Jung Hwang (Taejo Wang Geon's 4th wife)
* Kim Myung Soo as Seong Jong / Wang Chi (The 6th King and the empress's older brother)
o Choi Woo Hyuk as young Seong Jong
* Choi Chul Ho as Gyeong Jong / Wang Yu (The 5th King)
* Moon Jung Hee as Lady Kim (Seong Jong's 2nd wife)
o Kim Min Ji as young Lady Kim
* ?? as Lady Yu (Seong Jong's 1st wife)
* Im Hyuk as Seo Hee (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
* Jun Moo Song as Lee Ji Baek
* Won Suk Yun (원석연) as Lee Kyeom Ui
* Kim Jong Kyul (김종결) as Choi Ryang
* Lee Ki Yeol as Choi Seom
* Park Ji Il (박지일) as Kim Shim Eon
* Kim Byung Ki (김병기) as Kim Won Soong
* Oh Wook Chul (오욱철) as Jo Haeng Soo
* Jo Byung Gon (조병곤) as Lee Yang
* Lee Joon Woo (이준우) as Seol Shin Yoo
* Jun Seung Hwan (전승환) as Choi Ji Mong
* Maeng Ho Rim (맹호림) as Park Yang Yoo
* Im Byung Ki (임병기) as Han Yeon Gong
* Kim Young Sun (김영선) as Han In Kyung
* Park Chul Ho as Kim Hoon
* Choi Wang Soon (최왕순) as Choi Jil
* Choi Dong Joon (최동준) as Dae Do Soo
* Lee Won Bal (이원발) as Yoo Bang
* Choi Joon Yong as Lee Hyun Woon
* as So Tae Hoo
* Oh Gun Woo (오건우) as ??
* Ji Dae Han (지대한) as So Son Nyeong
* as So Bae Ab
* Kim Myung Gook (김명국)
* Kim Sung Hyun (김성현)
* Lee Han Sol (이한솔)
* Hong In Young as Cheon Hyang Bi
o Kim Hye Won (김혜원) as young Cheon Hyang Bi
* Lee Chae Young as Sa Il Ra
* Kim Hyung Min as Sa Ga Moon
* Kim Byung Choon (김병춘) as Lee Joo Jeong
* Jung Jin (정진) as Go Hyeon
* Ahn Hae Sook as Court lady Yoon
* Ki Jong Woon (기종운) as Court lady Jo
* Yang Geum Suk

Production Credits

* Director: Shin Chang Suk (신창석), Hwang In Hyuk (황인혁)
* Screenwriter: Son Young Mok (손영목), Lee Sang Min (이상민), Kang Young Ran (강영란)
* Chief Producer: Kim Won Yong
* Producer: Jin Hyung Wook (진형욱)
(wiki.d-addicts.com)

Photo Gallery

(credits: as labeled)

Renewed Attention on the Goryeo Dynasty

People are beginning to pay more attention to the Goryeo Dynasty with the rising popularity of film “A Frozen Flower” and TV drama “The Iron Empress,” both based on noted figures from the Goryeo period. The popularity of these two works has sparked interest in Goryeo, a relatively overlooked era in TV and movies.
Released on December 30, “A Frozen Flower,” starring sizzling hot Jo In-sung and Ju Jin-mo, drew one million moviegoers in just four days. As of Sunday, nearly 1.6 million people have seen the movie. This figure far exceeds other top-grossing films – the 2003 film “Friend” took six days to top the 1-million mark and last year’s most noted movie “The Chaser” eight days.
“The Iron Empress” aired its first episode last Saturday and posted a 20% rating, which was much higher than the rating on the last episode of its predecessor “King Sejong.” The new drama is about a granddaughter of Wang Geon, the founder of Goryeo, who fought off Qidan invasions and political foes in the early Goryeo era.
(KBS)

Read more discussions here.

deiner.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=other&action=print&thread=7647

deiner.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=other&action=display&thread=7647

Watch Empress Cheon Chu here.

v.youku.com/v_playlist/f2841594o1p0.htm

[Nene]

EVERYONE,

I like Chae Si-ra. She's an awesome actress. I found her pictures and news
to share with all K-drama lovers.

Warrior empress rules over TV ratings with an iron fist

January 14, 2009


Chai Si-ra plays a legendary general
in the history drama “The Iron Empress.” [JoongAng Ilbo]

Elegant actresses rarely get the chance to play aggressive characters in a drama - for instance, as a war leader - so Chai Si-ra makes the most of her titular role in KBS 2TV’s history drama, “The Iron Empress.”

Chai plays Empress Cheon Chu, a general who fights against the Georan tribe of Manchuria to fulfill her dreams of reclaiming the lost land of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), and her heroics have translated into a ratings bonanza.

Last Sunday, the drama, which started on Jan. 3, attracted 22.6 percent of viewers, according to TNS Media. But it hasn’t been easy. Playing a battle-hardened military commander is hard work. “I bet that of all the actors playing warriors [like Empress Cheon] I’ve probably spent the most time on horseback, sword in hand and shooting a bow and arrow,” Chai said at the drama’s outdoor set in Danyang, North Chungcheong.


“The Iron Empress” [JoongAng Ilbo]

Despite the challenging role, there wasn’t a glimpse of fatigue.

Chai’s choice of such a manly and aggressive role might surprise her fans. After all, she is a mother of two - she had her second child only last year - and playing the rough general warrior is exhausting.

But once she had the script in her hand, she knew the role was right for her. “There are not that many Korean dramas that portray women as progressive like Empress Cheon Chu, a female war leader,” she said, admitting that the idea of wielding a sword and firing arrows was also part of the allure.

For authenticity’s sake, Chai underwent special training in combat and horseback riding to ensure that she looked the part when she went charging into a fray. Despite every caution, though, accidents still happen. Last July, Chai fell off her horse and injured her hip bone. It took her eight weeks to recover. “For the first time in my life, I experienced a blackout when I fell off the horse,” said Chai, recalling the incident.

Luckily for viewers, Chai is stout of heart and a hip fracture wasn’t going to keep her off the field of battle, even if she had to wear armor weighing 10 kilograms (22 pounds).

In the drama, Empress Cheon is portrayed as an unfortunate character destined to live an extraordinary life and responsible for protecting her people. “Her personal sacrifices helped build a stronger country, and it’s true that the Empress was a successful leader, but as a mother and wife, she was ill-fated,” Chai said.

Shin Chang-seok, the drama’s producer, said the drama’s unique selling point was the role of the main character. “The first two episodes of the drama may seem no different to other stereotyped history dramas picturing macho men as leaders, but the episodes of The Iron Empress don’t go down that same path,” Shin said.

The drama is not all blood and thunder, though. The Empress has a romance with Kim Chi-yang (Kim Seok-hun), a descendant of the Silla royal family, who seduces the Empress for the sake of territorial gain but then goes and falls in love with her.

The love/hate relationship ends only in catastrophe. The Empress also dallies with Kangjo (Choi Jae-sung), her bodyguard who follows her around like a shadow.

Chai and Choi have worked together before. They starred in the legendary drama “Eyes of Dawn” in 1992. Viewers who are over 30 will no doubt relish watching the sparks fly once more between these two performers.

Chai’s role is also reminiscent of Lady Jami, a noblewoman from the Silla Dynasty 1,500 years ago, from the 2005 epic TV drama “The Emperor of the Sea.” Lady Jami, another female warrior, takes on Jangbogo, the King of Sea.

The difference between the two lies in the cause they fight for.“While Lady Jami is obsessed with gaining wealth and honor, Empress Cheon Chu is focused more as a public figure who lives solely for her empire,” Chai said.

By Lee Hyun-taek JoongAng Ilbo [[e-mail]]

Chae Si-ra

Biography

Chae Si-ra, the chameleon-like actress at home in everything from present-day dramas to historical sagas, is lately playing Lady Jam-mi in "God of the Sea", a fusion historical drama set during the reign of the Maritime Trade Emperor, Chang Po-go.

The character of Lady Jam-mi, who dominated during the Shilla Dynasty, and the immensity of the historical show, has got Chae going over her lines every chance she gets.

Chae debuted at 16 in a commercial, achieving star status in the wildly popular 1992 television drama, "Burning Dawn". Though it was 12 years ago, some fans still remember the actress first as the innocent, tragic-stricken heroine of "Burning Dawn".

In more recent years, she married singer Kim Tae-wook and had a baby. She calls her husband and four-year-old daughter, Cha-ni, her main sources of pride and strength.

In 2004, she played a middle-aged divorcee suffering endless heartache in the television drama, "Terms of Endearment". Women across Korea shed tears as Chae successfully acted the painful role.

The actress told Showbiz Extra that such heartfelt performances have become easier with the experiences that came with crossing into her thirties.

Her latest work in "God of the Sea" has got her working with award-winning actor Choi Soo-jong and newcomer starlet, Soo-ae. The drama is number one in its time slot.
(hancinema.net)

Profile

* Name: 채시라 / Chae Si Ra (Chae See Ra)
* Profession: Actress
* Birthdate: 1968-Jun-25
* Birthplace: South Korea
* Height: 168cm
* Weight: 49kg
* Star sign: Cancer
* Family: Husband Kim Tae Wook and one daughter

TV Series

* Empress Chun Chu (KBS2, 2009)
* The Invisible Man (KBS, 2006)
* Emperor of the Sea (KBS, 2004)
* Terms of Endearment (KBS, 2004)
* Cheers for the Women (SBS, 2000)
* Sons and Daughters (1994)
* Seoul's Moon (1992)
* Eyes of the Dawn (1991)

Movies

* Returned To Hero Hong Kil-Dong (Stone Flower Company, 1995)
* Mommy, Star and Sea Anemone (Gyeong Juk Films, 1995)
* Sunset Into The Neon Lights as Sang Min (Woo Rim Young Sang and Eureka Film Production, 1995
(wiki.d-addicts.com)

Photo Gallery

credits: as labeled

Related News

Wonder women, eye candy herald TV's New Year

State-run broadcaster KBS is greeting the New Year with not one but two dramas: a remake of the iconic classic "Boys over Flowers" and the epic "The Iron Empress".

Historical romance "The Iron Empress" hatches its 80-episode-long tale tomorrow night, spicing up the Goryeo Dynasty with the bloody escapades of a warrior woman played by veteran actress Chae Si-ra.

Chae, the feline beauty who enchanted and frightened audiences in KBS' "Emperor of The Sea" (2004), reprises her role as a ruthless Amazon in the upcoming drama.

"Men have been playing the lead in historical romances", said Chae, 40, at a press conference held on Dec. 19. "Now, I think it is time for women to do so. This drama will show people that there was an awesome and brave female leader during the Goryeo Dynasty".

Fearsome would be a more accurate description of the heroine, who is aptly called the Iron Empress. The fourth wife of Goryeo Dynasty founder Taejo Wanggeon, the empress ruled as the regent for her son Mokjong, the dynasty's seventh ruler.

Determined to realize her ambitious goals for the kingdom of Goryeo, she dons armor, battles against foreign invaders, and tramples her lover, her son and brother in her rise to power. The audience is invited to watch her transform into a cold-hearted warrior.

"Every year we do a big scale drama", said Senior Producer/Director of KBS Drama Team 2 Choi Ji-yeong, 39. "It represents KBS. Last year we did 'The Great King Sejong'. Usually we cover the Joseon Dynasty, but this one looks into the Goryeo Dynasty".

Highlighting the gory reign of an empress, endowing her with a warrior's skills and the brain of a brilliant politician, KBS' big scale drama sets the tone for 2009.

The conniving queen no longer serves as the villainess of the period piece, but takes center stage. Hamlet is relegated to the corner and Gertrude gets the limelight.

The maneuver compels female audiences to tune into a hitherto male-dominated genre.Read more here.

www.hancinema.net/korean_Chae_Si-ra.php#news17502

Chae Si-Ra Injury Delays Sageuk 천추태후 (Empress Cheonchu)
Jul 28, 2008

(twitchfilm.net)

Can’t possibly call this good news, but the actors’ safety is always paramount, so it’s not so bad either. Recently, on the set of the upcoming KBS sageuk 천추태후 (Empress Cheonchu), veteran Chae Si-Ra injured herself falling from a horse during practice. Despite the injury Chae joined the script rehearsal session at the KBS headquarters in crutches, not to delay proceedings any further. But the injury would get the better of her on her way home, and tests revealed the fracture is more serious than they expected, forcing the star of 해신 (Emperor of the Sea) to eight weeks of complete rest. This puts the drama in a tricky position. Usually weekend historical dramas on KBS tend to take a good 4 months of headstart, to always find themselves shooting at least a month ahead of broadcast—the reason you tend to see exciting and elaborate battles almost only from that format is because it takes a very long time to shoot them, obviously. Most weekly dramas don’t have the luxury, with scripts often coming out a week before the shoot. But with two months of forced rest, it’s very likely the drama will have to be postponed.

The most likely scenario now is 대왕세종 (Sejong the Great) being extended a dozen episodes, perhaps until the end of the year. This wouldn’t be so bad, because the drama starring Kim Sang-Kyung spent way too long on its introductory phase, and will need to rush during the last twenty episodes, if it really wants to portray King Sejong’s reign effectively. Another option could be throwing a 16 episode miniseries in between, but there’s really no available substitute at the moment, unless KBS wants to break the “blood-line” that saw historical dramas on weekends become a tradition ever since the early 80s, albeit they changed station from KBS1 to KBS2 and even showed a dubbed Chinese sageuk in the middle. Still, PD Shin Chang-Seok says he will wait for Chae, so we’ll have just to wait and see as well. Empress Cheonchu is the long awaited return of the Goryeo series on KBS. It tells the story of Cheonchu, consort of King Gyeongjong; the political schemes that engulfed the Goryeo throne at the time, and the war with the Khitan led by legendary general Gang Gam-Chan. Produced by Shin Chang-Seok of 명성황후 (The Last Empress) and 무인시대 (The Age of Warriors), it’s written by Son Young-Mok of the forgotten (not by me!) gem 천둥소리 (Roll of Thunder), and is filled to the brim with sageuk veterans. Other than Chae, cast includes Choi Jae-Sung, Lee Deok-Hwa, Kim Suk-Hoon, Jung Jin, Shin Ae, Kim Myung-Soo, Im Hyeok, Kim Ho-Jin and more.

SOURCES
[Daum News], [Daum News]

Chae Si-ra vs. Jeong Ryeo-won vs. Ko Hyeon-jeong

(hancinema.net)

Only the strong survive in the historical fiction dramas.



2009 has all these female stars as main characters in the historical dramas.

KBS' new historical drama "The Iron Empress" casted Chae Si-ra as the main character, SBS' "Jamyungko" casted Jeong Ryeo-won, and "Great Queen Seondeok" casted Lee Yo-won and Ko Hyeon-jeong.

Historical fiction dramas have been focused on male characters many times, and females were either wise and submissive or full of jealousy and poisonous words. In 2009, a new historical fiction era has begun.

The new dramas are bringing women with strong characters. Queen Cheon-choo will...| More

Only the strong survive in the historical fiction dramas.

2009 has all these female stars as main characters in the historical dramas.

KBS' new historical drama "The Iron Empress" casted Chae Si-ra as the main character, SBS' "Jamyungko" casted Jeong Ryeo-won, and "Great Queen Seondeok" casted Lee Yo-won and Ko Hyeon-jeong.

Historical fiction dramas have been focused on male characters many times, and females were either wise and submissive or full of jealousy and poisonous words. In 2009, a new historical fiction era has begun.

The new dramas are bringing women with strong characters. Queen Cheon-choo will be aired on January 3rd. It is about a queen who is ambitious and dreams of success of ner nation while many foreigners attack her lands. This drama also casts Chae Si-ra, Kim Seok-hoon, Lee Deok-hwa, Choi Jae-seong, Kim Ho-jin, Sin-ae, Hong In-yeong, Lee Chae-yeong, and Moon Jeong-hee. It is full of great actors with improved action scenes and camera techniques.

SBS "Jamyeongko" which will be aired on February is about Hodong prince and Nakrang princess. It is a Korean legend as well as myth which is about a love triangle between the main characters while a nation is trying to rebuild. Nakrang princess chooses her love for her country rather than for her prince. She is a warrior princess who fights for her nation as well as going undercover as a spy. Jeong Ryeo-won is the princess and the rest of the cast are Park Min-yeong, Jeong Kyeong-ho, Moon Seong-geun, and Seong Hyeon-ah.

MBC's "Great Queen Seon-deok" is about the first queen of ancient Sinra who was known as Deokman Princess and went through many trials to become a reknown Queen. Seondeok Queen is Lee Yo-won and the rival character Misil is Ko Hyeon-jeong.

These female stars will take over cold winter nights with their fierce and passionate acting!

Source : cynews.cyworld.com/Se... ( Korean )

[choban]

Hello-
I am a non-korean viewer and I've been watching the 'Iron Empress" - I am really dying on this program. I can't locate them anywhere in channel 41. What happen??? I don't have a cable.. can someone please help me.. how am I going to watch this drama korean movie?

Sincerely yours,
Choban

[ajk]

Hi, choban--Keep checking the IE board. We're not sure what's going to happen when WOCH gets their signal back. They may skip episodes or they may restart with #64. You and everybody else who watches 41 may never get to see episodes 64 or 65; I don't know. But one way or another I'll get them summarized by next Monday so you can at least read the summaries.

[MTR]

Really great post ,its such a shame IE never lived up to the hype .
It also had a massive ratings crash around ep 31 and never picked up again .

[JP Paulus]

i jumped in around episode 60 or so, was was quickly drawn in...much of it due to actors i knew well, as well as where the story was going...