Jo Jae Hyun To Play Jeong Do Jeon In New Historical Drama

There are several types of historical dramas. There's the straight out retelling of a story, that's as faithful as it can be, given that it's the winners that usually write history. But even if a story attempts to faithfully portray history, a drama often adds thrilling elements to make it more appealing. For example, a murder that probably never really happened during the childhood of Queen Seonduk of Silla kept the plot moving along in the saeguk "Queen Seonduk.

Then there are the fantasy saeguks, which enliven historical settings with an element of the paranormal or the complicating twist of time travel. Given the winners of the recent Seoul Drama Awards, those are very popular.

Then you have the revisionist historical dramas, such as the recent "Jang Ok Jung," which starred Kim Tae Hee. That drama re-examined the story of the courtesan turned royal consort Jang Ok Jung.

Now a new drama will attempt to tell the story of important historical figures from a fresh perspective. The drama "Jeong Do Jeon" will tell the story of Jeong Do Jeon, a scholar and advisor to Taejo, the first Joseon king. Because Jeong advised the king on everything from taxes to educational policy, his actions influenced the country for centuries. But Jeong Do Jeon was not without enemies and that's what will make this story a political thriller. While Jeong Do Jeon believed in a more modern political system, his enemies were prepared to kill to uphold the power of the monarchy.

Actor Jo Jae Hyun, who appears in the film "Moebius" and the drama "Scandal," will play Jeong Do Jeon.

Although little has been made public about the drama's perspective, the actor was excited about the script.

"I was enthusiastic about the new approach to the character that arouses curiosity unlike the typical historic dramas," said Jo.

It's the actor's first leading drama role in over a decade and his first historical role in 20 years.

 "The reason I haven't done many dramas is because nothing really drew my interest," said Jo. "However, this manuscript attracted me like no other. I only meant to read a third of it but I finished all of it."

How will today's viewers relate to this drama when they are obviously so fond of saeguks with fantasy elements? Jo is sure there is an audience.

"I do feel pressured by the viewers who are more used to fusion historical dramas, but I hope that there are people out there who want to watch a drama like this,"

The drama will employ the talents of writers Kim Young Hyun and Park Sang Yeon who worked on "Queen Seonduk" and "Tree With Deep Roots." Director Park Hong Kyun, who directed "Greatest Love, will direct "Jeong Do Jeon." The drama will air in 2014.