Lee Joon, Kang Hanna, and Jang Hyuk scheme for power and survival in KBS’s Red Heart

by tccolb

As filming continues for KBS’s upcoming sageuk Red Heart, we’ve been treated to a steady stream of character stills featuring the lead cast: Lee Joon (Bulgasal: Immortal Souls), Kang Hanna (My Roommate Is a Gumiho), and Jang Hyuk (Tell Me What You Saw).

In a story set during the Joseon period, rife with political intrigue and complicated romances, Lee Joon plays the fictional King Lee Tae. Determined not to be a weak ruler like his father before him, Lee has his eyes fixed on instituting an absolute monarchy and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goal.

One of Lee’s obstacles, though, is Kang Hanna who plays the character Yoo Jung. In Lee’s younger and more innocent days, the two had been lovers. But now they stand on opposite sides of the political war for power, and in order to survive, Lee can no longer be by her side.

Free-spirited and open-minded, the shrewd Kang never dreamed of being trapped within the palace walls, nor does she abide by the Confucian doctrines that dictate the social rules of the upper class. But her circumstances place her in a forced situation, and in order to ensure her own survival, she’s determined to become Lee’s Queen.

Adding to the complications is Jang Hyuk, who takes on the role of Park Kye-won. As a high-ranking government official, he’s second to the prime minister, but Jang is the actual power holder behind the throne.

Having witnessed the cruel tyranny of a former king, Jang led a reformation against him and succeeded in deposing him. However, Jang is dedicated to being a faithful servant to the nation and maintaining a benevolent ruler — which means keeping close tabs on Lee Joon’s every step.

Written by Park Pil-joo (Cantabile Tomorrow) and directed by PD Yoo Young-eun, Red Heart is currently set to air following Crazy Love in KBS’s Monday-Tuesday slot.