Lee Sung-kyung Returns to MBC After 10 Years with 'Your Glorious Season'

Actress Lee Sung-kyung, who gained immense popularity for her chemistry with Nam Joo-hyuk in 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo', returns to MBC as a lead after a decade. Last year, MBC struggled to produce a standout hit, but this year, they successfully turned the tide with Ji Sung's 'Judge Lee Han-young'. Now, they are set to release their second major project. With Lee Sung-kyung's comeback and as the follow-up to 'Judge Lee Han-young', there is significant interest in whether this momentum will continue.

On the 19th, a press conference for MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Your Glorious Season' was held at the MBC headquarters in Sangam, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Director Jung Sang-hee, along with actors Lee Sung-kyung, Chae Jong-hyeop, Lee Mi-sook, Kang Seok-woo, Han Ji-hyun, and Oh Ye-joo, attended the event.

'Your Glorious Season' is a romance that follows the story of 'Chan', a man who lives every day like summer vacation, and 'Ran', a woman trapped in winter, as they meet by fate and set time in motion again.

Lee Sung-kyung plays Song Ha-ran, the chief designer at the top high-end fashion house 'Nana Atelier'. Her character is someone who remains in pain after losing loved ones. Lee explained, "This isn't a typical romance where everything is expected to fall into place. It has a detailed narrative. The unfolding stories of the families will intrigue and resonate with viewers. The character's charm is vividly alive, which is why I chose this project."

Returning to MBC drama after about 10 years since 'Kim Bok-joo', Lee expressed, "Even during 'Kim Bok-joo', the competition was tough. It was my first lead role, and my feelings remain unchanged. I leave the results to the viewers. I'm committed to creating something I'm not ashamed of."

She added, "There are deep and weighty scenes, but also many everyday moments. The actors bring these scenes to life in unique and entertaining ways. When on set, short stories transform into unimaginable scenes, making me think, 'Our drama won't have a dull moment.' 'Your Glorious Season' feels like a puzzle coming together. I hope viewers enjoy the journey of the numerous narratives and characters finding their place."

Chae Jong-hyeop portrays Sun Woo-chan, an animator at Can Animation Studio. He is a character with a bright and positive energy but harbors inner wounds. As he reunites with Song Ha-ran after seven years, he encounters unexpected secrets and reaches a turning point in his life. Returning to the small screen after about two years since tvN's 'Is It a Coincidence?' in 2024, he shared, "It's been quite a while since I've acted in Korea. I feel like I'm debuting again." He continued, "I'm trying not to miss any small details on set. I've approached filming with determination."

Chae stated, "I didn't see it as a romance but as a growth story. I viewed Sun Woo-chan as someone trapped in winter, not because he fell in love, but because he remembered the time he spent in spring with someone's help. I wanted Song Ha-ran to experience that process too. It wasn't love from the start, but because I've been through such times, I wanted to share and help her experience it again."

He added, "Everyone carries wounds, and if we express those wounds and pains as winter, everyone has at least one. I believe wounds aren't completely healed but are covered and endured. Sun Woo-chan is such a character. Though portrayed as a man like summer vacation, he is continually influenced by Song Ha-ran."

'Your Glorious Season' is penned by Jo Sung-hee, known for 'Thirty But Seventeen' and 'She Was Pretty', and directed by Jung Sang-hee, who worked on 'Wonderful World' and 'Please Send Me a Fan Letter'. Director Jung stated, "We aimed to fully express the brilliance and seasonal feel. We paid special attention to locations and art to make the visuals stand out." He added, "We filmed in rain and snow to visually convey the characters' inner winters to the audience."

'Your Glorious Season' premieres on the 20th at 9:50 PM.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr