Arang and the Magistrate explained

Alt Name:Tale of A-rang
Creator:Kim Jin-man
Composer:Kim Hyeon-jong
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Num Episodes:20
Executive Producer:Kim Jin-man
Cinematography:Kim Jong-jin
Runtime:60 minutes
Company:MBC
Number Three Pictures
(as production proxy)
Channel:MBC
Korean name
Hangul:아랑사또전
Rr:Arangsattojeon
Mr:Arangsattochŏn

Arang and the Magistrate (; also known as Tale of A-rang) is a 2012 South Korean historical television drama (sageuk), starring Lee Joon-gi, Shin Min-a, and Yeon Woo-jin. The period horror-romance is based on the folklore of Arang, who died unjustly and returns as a ghost in order to reveal the circumstances surrounding her death.[1] [2] [3] It aired on MBC from August 15 to October 18, 2012 for 20 episodes.[4]

Synopsis

A nobleman named Kim Eun-oh (Lee Joon-gi) comes to town searching for his mother after hearing a rumor that she is staying at the village of Miryang. He has the special ability to hear, see and touch spirits, but pretends he doesn't because he gets annoyed when they pester him to help them.

Arang (Shin Min-ah) lost all her memories when she became a ghost and is unable to rest in peace until she finds out how she died. After appearing to three magistrates, none of them survive the fright of seeing her. Some local officials, desperate over the fact that no one wanted to take up the position for so long, coerce Eun-oh into becoming the new magistrate. When she finds out that Eun-oh is able to see her, and has been appointed as the new magistrate, she begs for his help.

At first, Eun-oh rejects her request. However, he changes his mind after seeing that Arang somehow has a distinctive hairpin that he gave his mother at their last meeting. He believes that if he helps her, Arang will regain her memories and give him information about his mother. He exasperatedly (then affectionately) nicknames her "Amnesia". As the town's newly installed magistrate, he teams up with her to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, which may involve the mysterious nobleman Joo-wal. Along the way, they must prevent Arang from being captured by Mu-young (Han Jung-soo), the leader of the local grim reapers. Eun-oh also uncovers a long history of corruption by a local nobleman and decides to use his new position as magistrate to bring justice and order.

Arang and Eun-oh's actions, meanwhile, are being tracked by the Jade Emperor and Yeom-ra themselves, who fear that events in Miryang are much more horrifying than they appear.

Cast

Main

Supporting

Background

The drama is based on famous folklore, as most ghost stories are: During the Joseon era in the city of Miryang, Arang was the pure, beautiful, goodhearted daughter of a magistrate. She grew up without a mother and was raised by a wicked caretaker who conspired to have her raped and ruined by a servant, Baekga. He attacked and she resisted, so he stabbed and killed her, and left her body to rot in the woods. Her father, the magistrate, just believed that she dishonorably eloped with a man and so resigned his position swathed in shame. Thus the legend goes that every time a new magistrate comes to Miryang to fill the position, Arang's vengeful ghost shows up to tell him her story and he flees in terror. But one day a new magistrate comes to town — a young man by the name of Lee Sang-sa. Arang appears to him like every other magistrate before him, but this man doesn't flee, and instead sympathizes with Arang, and promises to find her killer and avenge her death. Lee Sang-sa has Baekga seized and executed, and thereafter, Arang's spirit ceased to trouble the town.[19]

Production

It was Lee Joon-gi's comeback acting project after being discharged from military service in February 2012.[20] [21] This also marked the first historical drama for Shin Min-ah and return to television since My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox in 2010.[22] [23]

The series was filmed at MBC Dramia in Gyeonggi Province.[24] The first behind-the-scene photos were released on show of June 22, 2012, filming scenes shot on location in Namyangju on May 23.[25] This was followed by more teaser photos released on July 11, 2012, showing action scenes and an intimate scene of the two leads, Lee and Shin laying down together.[26]

Ahead of the series' premiere, MBC aired the special episode How to Enjoy Arang and the Magistrate 100 Times More on August 8, 2012. It included never-before-seen clips, special behind-the-scenes stories, and detailed the characters and their relationships. It was the first drama special produced by MBC in five years since The Legend in 2007.[27]

The drama's rights was sold to Japan for a record-breaking per episode, which amounts to for the 20-episode series,[28] the highest per episode for MBC, surpassing the previous record set by Moon Embracing the Sun.[29]

Original soundtrack

width=300pxAlbum !Track listing
Part 1
  • Released: August 15, 2012
Part 2
  • Released: August 22, 2012
Part 3
  • Released: August 29, 2012
Part 4
  • Released: September 5, 2012
Part 5
  • Released: September 13, 2012
Part 6
  • Released: September 19, 2012
Part 7
  • Released: September 26, 2012
Part 8
  • Released: October 3, 2012
Part 9
  • Released: October 10, 2012
Special Edition
  • Released: October 17, 2012
  • Artist: Various artists
  • Format: 2CD

Ratings

Original broadcast dateAverage audience share
Nielsen Korea[31] TNmS[32]
NationwideSeoulNationwideSeoul
SpecialAugust 8, 20124.9%8.0%5.1%5.4%
1August 15, 201213.3%15.1%14.4%16.8%
2August 16, 201213.2%14.4%14.3%16.5%
3August 22, 201213.2%14.2%16.0%19.3%
4August 23, 201214.4%16.2%
5August 29, 201212.4%13.7%12.1%
6August 30, 201213.0%14.4%14.0%16.3%
7September 5, 201211.7%12.8%13.1%14.6%
8September 6, 201214.2%
9September 12, 201214.1%15.3%19.5%
10September 13, 201215.1%
11September 19, 201213.8%14.9%15.3%17.2%
12September 20, 201213.1%14.0%14.9%16.0%
13September 26, 201211.7%12.9%13.9%15.9%
14September 27, 201212.5%13.0%14.3%16.0%
15October 3, 201213.3%14.5%15.0% 17.7%
16October 4, 201212.9%14.4%13.9% 16.2%
17October 10, 201212.6%13.8%13.0%15.2%
18October 11, 201211.4%12.1%13.5% 15.1%
19October 17, 201212.4%14.0%13.2%14.7%
20October 18, 201212.4%13.8%13.8%16.5%
Average

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result
201220th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Best Supporting Actor
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries
Best New Actor
Best Couple Award
2013 Excellent Korean Drama
Outstanding Korean Drama Actor

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shin Min-a returns to supernatural in 'Tale of Arang'. The Korea Herald. Oh. Jean. August 12, 2012. October 15, 2012.
  2. Web site: Lee Joon-gi, Shin Min-ah attend script reading session for upcoming fantasy melodrama. 10Asia. Suk. Monica. May 21, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203172125/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?a_id=2012052113250699640. February 3, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  3. Web site: Lee Joon-gi reveals teaser for new TV series, says "going more romantic in new show". 10Asia. Suk. Monica. June 18, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203172134/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012061814132551838. February 3, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  4. Web site: Fervent Viewers Solving the Mysteries. MBC Global Media. September 4, 2012. November 20, 2012.
  5. Web site: Kim. Yeon-ji. Actor fights for spotlight after Army. Korea JoongAng Daily. November 15, 2012. November 20, 2012. https://archive.today/20130126212739/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2962342. January 26, 2013. usurped. mdy-all.
  6. Web site: Park. Eun-jii. Actor Lee Joon-gi also a stuntman. Korea JoongAng Daily. August 7, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120810080453/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2957465. August 10, 2012. usurped. mdy-all.
  7. Web site: Kang. Hye-in. Arang and the Magistrate Lee Joon-gi "I hope this will become a standard". StarN News. August 11, 2012. October 15, 2012.
  8. Web site: Interview: Tale of Arang's Lee Jun-ki. MBC Global Media. September 5, 2012.
  9. Web site: Lee. Kyung-nam. What Role will Shin Min Ah's New Tattoo Play in 'Arang and the Magistrate'?. https://archive.today/20130129052151/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=8879. dead. January 29, 2013. enewsWorld. July 2, 2012. October 15, 2012. CJ E&M.
  10. Web site: Suk. Monica. Shin Mina talks Lee Joon-gi's 1st impression. 10Asia. June 20, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184808/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012062022404932094. October 29, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  11. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Yeon Woo Jin Dons Hanbok in 'Arang and the Magistrate' Previews. https://archive.today/20130129143621/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=8650. dead. January 29, 2013. enewsWorld. June 27, 2012. CJ E&M. November 20, 2012.
  12. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Yeon Woo Jin is a Cold 'Flower' Scholar in New Still Cuts. https://archive.today/20130128214724/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=11212. dead. January 28, 2013. enewsWorld. August 1, 2012. CJ E&M. November 20, 2012.
  13. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Character Still Cuts From Lee Joon Gi′s 'Arang and the Magistrate' Posted. https://archive.today/20130128224505/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=8814. dead. January 28, 2013. enewsWorld. June 29, 2012. October 15, 2012. CJ E&M.
  14. News: Sunwoo . Carla . Kwon Oh-joong to team up with Lee Joon-gi and Shin Min-a . https://archive.today/20130126232925/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2952878 . usurped . January 26, 2013 . October 15, 2012 . . May 16, 2012 .
  15. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Han Jung Su Hunts Ghost Shin Min Ah in 'Arang and the Magistrate'. https://archive.today/20130129010109/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=10244. dead. January 29, 2013. enewsWorld. July 19, 2012. October 15, 2012. CJ E&M.
  16. Web site: Suk. Monica. Yoo Seung-ho confirms cast in Lee Joon-gi's upcoming TV series. 10Asia. April 27, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212743/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?a_id=2012042715225218012. March 3, 2016. dead.
  17. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Yoo Seung Ho′s and Park Jun Gyu′s Stills for 'Arang and the Magistrate' Released. https://archive.today/20130128221517/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=10351. dead. January 28, 2013. enewsWorld. July 20, 2012. October 15, 2012. CJ E&M.
  18. Web site: Hong. Grace. Yoon Do Hyun Cameos for 'Arang and the Magistrate'. https://archive.today/20130129035440/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=12351. dead. January 29, 2013. enewsWorld. August 14, 2012. October 15, 2012. CJ E&M.
  19. Web site: Jokes replace goose bumps as TV audience no pushover. Korea JoongAng Daily. Lim. Ju-ri. August 27, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120922010411/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2958434. September 22, 2012. usurped. mdy-all.
  20. Web site: ko:이준기, '아랑사또전'으로 안방컴백…"열정 불태울 것". Lee Joon-gi to come back with Arang and the Magistrate. http://news.nate.com/view/20120224n03864?mid=e0101. Nate. February 20, 2012. June 6, 2012. Korean.
  21. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Lee Joon Gi's Character Still Cut for Arang and the Magistrate Revealed. https://archive.today/20130129040105/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=8102. dead. January 29, 2013. enewsWorld. June 18, 2012. October 15, 2012. CJ E&M.
  22. Web site: ko:신민아, 2년 만에 `아랑사또전`으로 드라마 복귀. Shin Min-ah to return with Arang and the Magistrate. http://news.nate.com/view/20120224n03864?mid=e0101. Nate. February 24, 2012. June 6, 2012. Korean.
  23. News: Lee. In-kyung. Lee Joon Gi Makes Shin Min Ah Uncomfortable?. https://archive.today/20130128221012/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=5778. dead. January 28, 2013. enewsWorld. April 22, 2012. October 15, 2012. CJ E&M.
  24. Web site: Dramas Shot in Dramia. MBC Dramia. January 12, 2014.
  25. Web site: Suk. Monica. Lee Joon-gi, Shin Mina reveal behind-scene footages for new TV series' 1st shooting. 10Asia. June 22, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203200255/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012062210385347167. February 3, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  26. Web site: Sunwoo. Carla. Lee Joon-gi and Shin Min-a in bed together for a teaser. Korea JoongAng Daily. July 13, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://archive.today/20130126214104/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2956060. January 26, 2013. usurped. mdy-all.
  27. News: Ho. Stewart. MBC Releases Drama Poster for 'Arang and the Magistrate'; Will Air Preview Special Tonight. https://archive.today/20130130015531/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=11874. dead. January 30, 2013. November 10, 2012. enewsWorld. August 8, 2012. CJ E&M.
  28. Web site: Suk. Monica. "Tale of Arang" most expensive TV series sold of all time on MBC. 10Asia. August 29, 2012. October 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053836/http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2012082913584173617. March 4, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  29. News: Sunwoo . Carla . Lee Joon-gi's drama breaks Japanese sales record . https://archive.today/20130127003652/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2958539 . usurped . January 27, 2013 . October 15, 2012 . . August 29, 2012 .
  30. News: Arang and the Magistrate Gets Double the Ratings for To the Beautiful You. enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Jeon. Su Mi. August 16, 2012. November 10, 2012. https://archive.today/20130103204415/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=12493. dead. January 3, 2013.
  31. Web site: AGB Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu. AGB Nielsen Media Research. ko. August 8, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131226133248/http://www.agbnielsen.co.kr/index.asp?ref=0. December 26, 2013. mdy.
  32. Web site: TNMS Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu. TNMS Ratings. ko. August 8, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131128032303/http://www.tnms.tv/rating/default.asp. November 28, 2013. mdy.

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