"Melodrama Queen" Hwang Jung Eum Considering "Endless Love"

Hwang Jung Eum riveted audiences last year with her dramatic performance as the sacrificing downtrodden heroine in the melodrama "Secrets." And now it looks like she is in the final stages of negotiation for her next drama role.

She is considering the leading role in the weekend drama "Endless Love." Last year she co-starred with Ji Sung, the newlywed husband of popular actress Lee Bo Young. This year's drama will again offer her a chance to co-star with the husband of another popular k-drama actress. It looks as if she will be romantically paired with Han Ga In's husband and  "Vampire Prosecutor" star Yun Jung Hoon. Yeon Jung Hoon is also a car enthusiast and host of "Top Gear Korea."

According to Story TV, the production company for the drama, both actors are favored candidates for the lead and their agencies are currently in discussion with the production company. Representatives from both stars' agencies confirmed that discussions were underway.

"Endless Love" will be a historic drama, set in the 1980s. The characters' love story will play out against a background of the politics and the economic circumstances of the time period.

Little is known about the plot but it is likely to be a melodrama rather than a comedy. Hwang Jung Eum has been called the "queen of ratings" and the "melodrama queen" for a reason. When she looks troubled or tortured, it is hard to look away. No one expected last year's "Secrets" to be the hit that it was but a lot of the show's popularity was due to the performances that she and Ji Sung delivered. Watching her act in a melodrama, viewers might never suspect she was once a member of the k-pop girl group Sugar or that Hwang Jung Eum was once known for playing perky upbeat comic roles.

Na Yeon Sook, who wrote "East of Eden," is the writer for "Endless Love." If Yun Jung Hoon takes the role it will be his second opportunity to work with this writer as he also appeared in "East of Eden." That role is remembered as one of the actor's best. His mst recent performance was in a Hong Kong microfilm "Time To Love."

Lee Hyun Jik, who directed "Warrior Baek Dong Soo" and "The Lobbyist," will direct the weekend drama.

It begins in April, following "Angel Eyes," which stars Gu Hye Sun and Lee Sang Yoon.