Jo Bo-ah Returns to Screen with Historical Romance 'Tangeum' on Netflix

Actress Jo Bo-ah makes her comeback with the historical romance drama 'Tangeum' following her marriage. The series, featuring a unique storyline of siblings and lovers, aims to captivate a global audience.

On the 13th, a press conference for the Netflix series 'Tangeum' was held at the Ramada Hotel in Sindorim, Seoul. The event was attended by director Kim Hong-sun and actors Lee Jae-wook, Jo Bo-ah, Jung Ga-ram, Uhm Ji-won, and Park Byung-eun.

'Tangeum' is a mystery melodrama set in the Joseon era, where Hong-rang (played by Lee Jae-wook), the son of the largest merchant group, returns after 12 years with no memory. His half-sister Jae-i (played by Jo Bo-ah) is the only one who doubts his identity, leading to an inexplicable emotional connection between them.

Director Kim Hong-sun, known for his work on Netflix's 'Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area' and the occult drama 'The Guest', teams up with writer Kim Jin-a of Apple TV+'s sci-fi thriller 'Dr. Brain'.

Director Kim shared, "I was drawn to the powerful story where none of the characters follow their fate. The theme of longing is central to our work, which can turn into resentment, hatred, or love. 'Tangeum' is filled with such complex emotions, and we aimed to balance mystery, historical drama, and action without harming these emotions."

Lee Jae-wook plays Hong-rang, who returns with secrets after losing his memory. He hinted, "Whether Hong-rang is real or not will be a key point in the early episodes. The action sequences were stylish and challenging, requiring a lot of practice."

Jo Bo-ah portrays Jae-i, who suspects Hong-rang's identity but gradually falls for him. She described Jae-i as "a character filled with longing for her only family, Hong-rang, who disappeared. She experiences new emotions while discerning Hong-rang's true identity after 12 years."

Jo Bo-ah added, "I wanted to express the sister's longing for her brother while reading 'Tangeum'. It was challenging to separate the emotions of a loving family member and an inexplicable attraction, but I tried."

This project marks Jo Bo-ah's return to acting after her marriage in October last year. She expressed, "The filming and post-production took a long time, and I'm both excited and nervous about its release."

Jung Ga-ram plays Moo-jin, who becomes the adopted son of the merchant group in place of the missing Hong-rang. He shared, "As an actor, I always wanted to try a historical drama, and it was an honor to work with such a great team. The detailed props and grand settings left a lasting impression."

Uhm Ji-won plays Min Yeon-ui, the matriarch determined to find her lost son. She described her character as "beautiful yet terrifying and ruthless," and praised the director's powerful direction and the film's beautiful mise-en-scène.

Park Byung-eun takes on the role of Shim Yeol-guk, the father of Hong-rang and Jae-i, and the head of the merchant group. He explained, "Unlike other characters who express ambition and emotions intensely, Shim Yeol-guk appears calm on the surface, focusing on subtle expressions and breathing."

Director Kim concluded, "As 'Tangeum' will be released worldwide on Netflix, we aimed to showcase the beauty of our culture. We focused on authenticity, avoiding overly fashionable elements, and paid attention to textures and materials."

'Tangeum' will be available on Netflix starting November 16th.

Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr