May 23, 2006

MBC's Stellar 주몽 (Jumong) Already a Big Hit

(Posted In Action Drama TV )

We sort of predicted it last week, saying MBC's new Historical Drama 주몽 (Jumong) would be the new Drama most likely to hit 20% ratings, an increasingly difficult task for TV Dramas nowadays, with Cable and other platforms (VOD, Satellite, DMB) stealing viewers from the Main 4 stations. But I bet few expected to see such a growth in just two weeks. Yes, Master Choi Wan-Gyu's latest work not only went past the 20%, but it's setting the Korean press on fire.

Fire fits pretty well with this show, which started with a huge bang two weeks ago: production values in line with the latest Chungmuro Historical Dramas, Art Direction of a level you rarely see, Dramas OR film -- but then again, anyone familiar with MBC's Art Direction team and their work shouldn't be surprised -- fantastic acting from veterans like Jeon Gwang-Ryeol, Oh Yeon-Soo (more radiant than ever. Does she EVER age?) and of course Hur Joon-Ho, oozing charisma like few actors could do. But the most important thing of course is the writing, which so far is in line with Choi's best work. This show reminds of the Historical Dramas MBC and KBS were making during the Golden Age, with a super-tight storyline grabbing you by the collar from Minute One and never letting go.

There have been a few controversial issues in terms of historical distortion, such as the show's apparent lack of historical research in a period when data is very rare anyway, or suspicious costumes (closer to later Dynasties, but incredibly pretty), but if you've seen Sageuk before, you know the armchair historians always come out to bitch after a few episodes. What counts is this show is on fire, and even the ratings are showing that: yesterday night's (Korean time) Episode, the 4th, hit an impressive 25.3%, beating 연애시대 (Alone in Love)'s last episode with 17.4% and the new KBS2 Drama 미스터 굿바이 (Mr. Goodbye) with 9.6%. We'll continue to follow 주몽 (Jumong) in the coming weeks, perhaps even with a few 'in between' Episode reviews if you want, because 50 Episodes is a long time, and this baby's too good to wait 7 months. Just hope, hell, pray this will make it to DVD. It makes 대장금 (Dae Jang Geum) look like a Kwak Jae-Yong film when it comes to intensity.

You can check Daily Ratings and TV Drama news in the new K-Drama Hub, updated every day.

[Star News]

» Posted by X at May 23, 2006 07:12 PM
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Reader Comments

I Love the movie it the bomb. The best movie I ever saw.

» Posted by Va Thao at December 23, 2006 11:10 PM

hi, i'm an avid fan of this drama.... hope you can give an update about the actors in the said drama... by the way i'm from philippines.

» Posted by shalaine limpahung at January 20, 2007 10:19 PM

shit dis movie waaaaaaaaaaaaa jumong is not handsome but me^^

» Posted by adik at January 28, 2007 04:42 AM

JUMONG!!!!!!!!! hehehehe villamor adik^_^

» Posted by JonG2x at January 29, 2007 03:03 AM

super ganda ng Jumong,,,,
sana wLa ng ktapusan....

» Posted by rhayzha at February 1, 2007 03:35 AM

my jumong moment

» Posted by janeth gutierrez at February 3, 2007 12:30 AM

grabe ang ganda ganda ng jumong!!! wuaahh!!!!ganda tlga! =)

» Posted by fujiko at February 6, 2007 12:03 AM

hindi si so seo no ang mapapangasawa ni jumong!!!!!
wahaha...i guess that'll spoil th fun...
pero don't worry...second wife naman xa..hehe

ayun...tsaka lagi na lang silang magsasalbahan ng buhay ni jumong...nung macapture sya ng isang grupo e ni-risk talga ni so seo no ang buhay niya...syempre tuwa naman sa kanya si lady yuhwa...apuz may part pa na ipapapatay si so seo no!...syempre ililigtas sya ni jumong at iyak naman si so seo no sa kanya...

yaw niyo maniwala?...

manood keo...

» Posted by mr. aven at February 6, 2007 01:08 AM

Ang ganda nga talaga pala ng Jumong, even the kontrabidas esp. Prince

» Posted by Meeyagee at February 7, 2007 08:01 AM

The movie is really undescribable...mixed with action, love and drama...Kaya laging completo ang Gabi ko...

» Posted by maybelle at February 8, 2007 03:22 AM

grabe ang ganda talaga nito...............
mahal ko na si JUMONG

» Posted by monica springael at February 9, 2007 04:45 AM

buetiful no.01 to philiphines on gma7 kapuso

» Posted by jhilay at February 10, 2007 02:47 AM

hey aussssss 222222222 love ko c so seo no!

» Posted by dembo at February 11, 2007 03:40 AM

Jumong (Korean: 주몽, Hanja: 朱蒙) is a historical drama currently airing on South Korea's MBC television network as a 45th Anniversary Special Drama. Originally set to be 60, MBC has decided to extend it to 80 episodes due to its popularity. It portrays the life of Jumong (later King Dongmyeongseong, founder of the Goguryeo Kingdom). Because few details are found in the historical records on Jumong, much artistic license is taken.

» Posted by rllqph at February 11, 2007 12:37 PM

this is the best korean movie i've ever seen... next to jewel in the palace.. but this is more better than jewel in the palace... every scene... its a WOW!... Jumong YOU ROCK!!!

» Posted by cyberdude at February 19, 2007 11:47 AM

nag ganda ng jumong!!!! syang nga lang nde c soe so no ang nakatuluyan nya..gosh bakit nman c oo tae pa napili nya..tsk! d bale 2nd wife nman xa ni jumong eheheh..i can't wait to see the ending ehehe..;)

» Posted by netskie at February 22, 2007 01:56 AM

im from the philippines:
jumong iiihhh,nakakakilig xa...(^_^)
sobrang ganda yung story,,,

» Posted by carla at February 23, 2007 12:50 AM

Well for me napakaganda ng story ng jumong, kahit nga gabing gabi na siya ipalabas d ko yun pinapalampas. Grabe na to!

» Posted by Rochelle at February 23, 2007 04:02 AM

Jumong! I like this historical drama, its very nice. I try the DVD on sale but its only episode 60 :( .... i still need 20 episode to finish this drama.... :(

» Posted by gem2006 at February 23, 2007 06:13 AM

ey thre jumong!I love you so much and I love your movies!

» Posted by Pakou at February 24, 2007 12:48 AM

I really really love this Korean Series! It rocks and completes my night! Even if I won't watch our local TV shows, at least this Jumong and Song Il-Gook can make my night! Awwww!

Unlike Princess Hours, Jumong is completely packaged that can make you feel spunky, cry, inspired, fall in love, frightened, learn and absolutely ASTIG----Just like the worldwide phenomenon DAE JANG GEUM! Even if there are some spoilers, at least this drama is logically made. No wonder, it really hit big in Korea for 2006.

I also like Song Il-Gook. Hahaha! This part is very funny but of all Korean actors, it is him whom I am falling for! I am really head over feet in craze and obssession on him.What I like in him is his exceptional acting and his achievements. He also looks cute too! He maybe turning 36 but able to retain his cuteness. Whatever personality he portrays...whatever thing he stuff himself...doesn't look awkward.

» Posted by RoxyBathory at February 24, 2007 07:30 AM

i really really love jumong i will be crazy if i can't watch it

» Posted by jenny at February 26, 2007 04:29 AM

I hope some actors on the drama jumong will come to the philippines. Especially the lead actors!

» Posted by rhoda at February 27, 2007 04:52 AM

Jumong for me is the greatest drama i have ever watch! Song il gook and Han hye jin are so good together! I hope that they will do more dramas that they are the loveteam!

» Posted by rhoda at February 27, 2007 04:56 AM

super ganda ng jomung!!! este jumong...hahaha,

GMA is really the best when it comes to asian novelas...

i am looking forward to more shows like this,,,

i hope i will not be disappointed...

****for sure****

» Posted by cute at February 27, 2007 05:18 AM

ang ganda talaga nakaka kilig sya sana e repeat nila simula sa umpisa. ako po asy isa sa mga fans ninyo na nais kayung makita dito sa philippinas

» Posted by Princess Charis at March 1, 2007 09:35 AM

super drama and action koreanobela..kaya lang hindi siya magiging Crown Price...huhuhu!!! pero pogi niya i like him...

» Posted by joy at March 2, 2007 04:13 AM

go for it Jumong!!! ikaw pa ren ang idol ko

» Posted by jaycee at March 4, 2007 10:12 PM

kainggit nman kau! dnako naka2nood ng jumong ilang araw na. Feeling ko naputulan n me ng kamay!

» Posted by empee at March 5, 2007 12:55 AM

tangina mo jumong..

» Posted by poy at March 5, 2007 08:30 AM

putah k jumong muka kang gaggo..tangiina mo tlga..

» Posted by poy at March 5, 2007 08:32 AM

This movie is very amazing and great. Thank you very much for GMA networks, more power on you.

» Posted by Genlor Obdianela at March 7, 2007 11:58 PM

SANA MY MOVIE ULIT SI ZAOXINU!! ganda ganda nya!!!

» Posted by rocky feller at March 12, 2007 07:52 PM

I like this move is very will made i like get davd the hole 80 episodes on dvd with english sub tittale can some boy help with that.

» Posted by tom at March 22, 2007 02:41 AM

im for philippines...nakakkainis naman second wife lng c so seo no..pro khit ganun..xa pa rin ba ung mahal ni jumong sa huli?..ung anak ni jumong cno nanay?/..answer me..

» Posted by tin at March 29, 2007 07:54 AM

mahal ko n yta c jumong e! sna bumisita xa d2 s pilipinas noh? ILOVEU JUMONG............................................

» Posted by annadel caguimbal at April 14, 2007 10:07 PM

sana kami ni dainalyn rin!!!!

» Posted by anthony at April 14, 2007 11:42 PM

Jumong is d best!!!

» Posted by Xianzy at April 19, 2007 08:45 AM

Ang ganda ng PRINCESS HOURS sna ultin nila

tang ina mo jumong san ka na ba ????

iyak ng iyak syota mO....

si janelle

pati si jessie nag aalala na!!!

» Posted by john smith at April 26, 2007 01:37 AM

isa lang masasabi ko

we love you KAPAMILYA

sna tuloy tuloy ang pag papalabas nio ng mga koreanovela

kc nakakabagot sa cha.7

puro iyakan

bwahahaha

mamatay na keong lahat

» Posted by totoy MOLA at April 26, 2007 01:40 AM

ANU BA YAN JUMUNG MARUNUNG KA BANG MAG VISAYA
PURO KA TAGALOG EH
PANU NAMAN KAMING MGA VISAYA
AMBOT SA IMO JUMUNG

WE HIT U SO MUCH

MAHAL KO KAU

GAGO KA JUMUNG PUSA KA PALA

ULOL

» Posted by boy taga at April 26, 2007 01:44 AM

Wow ganda talaga ng jumong. inlove ako sa kanya talaga. di complete ang gabi ko pag di ko nakapanoond ng jumong. grabe to death.........

» Posted by rosalie o. igay at May 18, 2007 04:16 AM

Sana di na matapos ang jumong...ayokong matapos ito kasi parang kulang na mga gabi pag wala si jumong. ok lang wala husband basta nanjan si jumong... ang cute nya talaga. ang story kakaiba.... si yongpo click sa akin sobra ang sama nya at tanga naman.... seoseono super cute din....

» Posted by rosalie o. igay at May 18, 2007 04:24 AM

Jumung is outstanding epic equivalent to great Greek story like Trojan Horse, Iliad. Please, invite Han Hye Jun and Song Il Gook to come to the Philippines. I love the TV series. How about making Jumung a full blown movie?

» Posted by Enrique Pacardo at May 21, 2007 03:21 AM

wow

» Posted by Rey Yanson Blancia at June 1, 2007 11:17 PM

I HAVE WATCHED JUMUNG 4 SLEEPLESS NIGHTS 10PM - 7AM AND WORK AT 10AM -9PM. THAT'S THE WAY JUMUNG REALLY TOUCHES MY HEART, His sincerety to help slaves and his determination was incredible, JUMUNG MORE POWER. I WILL BE THE NEXT JUMUNG IN ACTION!!!! YAAAAAAAHHH!

» Posted by Rey Yanson Blancia at June 1, 2007 11:22 PM

Hi! I really loved jumong after watching the volume 1's 1-14 episodes. It really rocks. I just got the complete episode from episode 1 to 80 on DVD. Even my parents were hooked on the television every afternoon and evening watching it. Its really nice! Congratulations. Its a great story!

» Posted by Ceed at June 4, 2007 01:33 AM

i'll just say na mgnda tlga cxa..
as all of u guys sayin......

add me up guys friendster
jamtrix_15@yahoo.com

» Posted by Elimar at June 24, 2007 11:02 AM

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