"Scarlet Heart: Ryeo" actress Lee Ji-Eun, better known by her stage name IU, is having fun working with her co-stars Lee Joon-Gi, Kang Ha-Neul, EXO's Baekhyun, Hong Jong-Hyun, Ji Soo and Nam Joo-Hyuk. On Aug. 27, Saturday, the historical drama aired an hour-long special episode, which features behind-the-scene clips and interviews with the cast.
During IU's interview, the singer-turned-actress shared her honest thoughts about working with such a good-looking cast. The "Dream High" star said that she was only aware of the fact that she was surrounded by "flower boy princes" at the beginning and forgot about it later on.
"I got used to their good looks pretty quickly," said IU. "Because we suffered and went through a lot together... It only insinuates that even handsome men have their down days."
IU takes on the role of a 21st-century woman, Go Ha-Jin, who slips back into the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). There, she awakens in the body of a 16-year-old, Hae Soo, and becomes entangled with King Taejo's (Jo Min-Gi) sons, who were fighting for the crown and her love.
"Through Hae Soo, viewers will be able to experience what it is like for a 21st-century person to enter the Goryeo period," a representative from the drama said in a statement obtained by Soompi. "They can enjoy watching her learn to adapt and grow."
The 20-episode historical drama has been getting attention for both its A-list cast and program director Kim Kyu-Tae's previous hit dramas, which include 2013's "That Winter, The Wind Blows" and 2009's "IRIS." It is based on Tong Hua's 2005 novel "Startling by Each Step" (Bu Bu Jing Xin).
On Aug. 25, Thursday, the drama's production company, The Wind that Carries Wishes, revealed that "Scarlet Heart: Ryeo" has been sold to China's Youku Tudou at $400,000 per episode, The Kpop Herald reported. A total of $8 million for the full series.
Speaking before a group of local reporters, the production company said that the cost per episode would have been more if not for the rising political tension between Korea and China over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). "Scarlet Heart: Ryeo" will air its first two-episode on Aug. 29, 10:00 PM (KST).
It will broadcast simultaneously on Japan's KNTV, Mango TV and Youku in China and ONE TV Asia in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Check out the trailer below: