Tonight signals the end of a "High Kick Through the Roof" era and the start of a new MBC sitcom, "Bolsurok Aegyo Manjeom."

It also heralds the start of "Jewel in the Palace" and "Yi San" director Lee Byung-hoon's latest project, MBC's "Dongyi."

While "Dongyi" looks set to repeat the success of its blockbuster predecessors, it is SBS' new Monday and Tuesday night series "Oh! My Lady" that promises to be a sleeper hit.

Featuring "Dalja's Spring" actress Chae Rim and boy band Super Junior member Choi Si-won, the lighthearted rom-com looks set to reel in audiences with the bickering and sparring that arises when a spunky heroine goes head-to-head with a "bad boy" celebrity.

Gratuitous displays of Choi's abs -- the result of a chicken breast heavy-diet and exercise -- coupled with Chae Rim's knack for being adorable and feisty make for eye candy-laden comedy. Add to that Choi's ability to pull off the role of a star who is a party-loving, abysmal actor, and it seems like this series will have a strong run.

"My character gets matured, manufactured and changed," the 23-year old K-pop star said at a press conference last week.

Actress Chae Rim's character, obviously, will be giving Choi's character his makeover as his unlikely manager. Though this is Choi's first stint as the lead in a 16-episode TV series, co-star Chae Rim revealed that Choi "has a strong passion for acting."



What really clenches the charm of "Oh! My Lady," however, is the fact that "Cat on the Roof" scriptwriter Gu Sun-kyung is on board. Gu, who co-wrote "Cat on the Roof" with Min Hyo-jung, showcased an ability to whip out cute and romantic repartee in the hit MBC series in 2003. Now Gu is ready to repeat history once again.

If SBS' "Oh! My Lady" promises to win audiences over with its upbeat comedy, then MBC's "Dongyi" promises to grab viewers with its melodramatic court romance.

Based on the life of the mother of Joseon's 21st monarch, "Dongyi" charts the heroine's rise from her position as a maid to that of the royal concubine of King Sukjong (played by "Jewel in the Palace" actor Ji Jin-hee) and then as King Youngjo's mother.

"Brilliant Legacy" actress Han Hyo-ju will be playing the lead, a task she admitted she found daunting.

"At first I hesitated a bit," Han said in an interview from an MBC press release. "I felt that taking on a historical drama would not be easy and I questioned my ability to play someone from their teens into their 50s. But I grew ambitious and felt that I should not miss out on the opportunity to play such a broad role."

Though a child actress will be playing the young heroine Dongyi, Han faces the challenge of portraying Dongyi's long journey from teenager to woman to mother. Co-star Ji Jin-hee, however, thinks that actress Han is a perfect fit.

"When I first saw Han Hyo-ju I really thought she was just right for the role," actor Ji said in an interview from an MBC press release. "Dongyi is a character who goes through a lot of ups and downs in her life. It is rare to find an actress who can play both a low-class servant and a royal concubine."

For his character, Ji revealed that he wanted to show a monarch who had "weak spots that show through his charismatic exterior."

"Rather than being a dignified king, he is an outgoing and adventurous character," said the 38-year old actor.

No drama is complete without a love triangle. "Brilliant Legacy" actor Bae Soo-bin is set to reprise his role as a devoted suitor to Han Hyo-ju's heroine. Actress Lee So-yeon who starred opposite Bae Soo-bin in SBS' "Angel's Temptation" is playing yet another villainess in the upcoming series.

MBC is also revamping its Monday night line-up with the new sitcom "Bolsurok Aegyo Manjeom." Following on the heels of the highly successful "High Kick Through the Roof," this family-friendly series will chart the lives of a single mother, her three daughters and the men in their lives.

"Old Miss Diary" actress Ye Ji-won will be playing the eldest daughter of the family. "Full House" actor Kim Sung-su will be playing her love interest. "Tamra, the Island" actor Lee Seon-ho will also be starring in the upcoming series as a doctor.

"Oh! My Lady" starts tonight at 8:50 p.m. on SBS.

"Dongyi" starts tonight at 9:55 p.m. on MBC.

"Bolsurok Aegyo Manjeom" starts tonight at 7:45 p.m. on MBC and airs from Mondays to Fridays.


SOURCE: Korean Herald