Hong Jung-eun (born 1974) and Hong Mi-ran (born 1977), collectively known as the Hong sisters (), are

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

n television

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

s currently managed by

Studio Dragon Studio Dragon Corporation () is a South Korean drama production, marketing and distribution company under CJ ENM's E&M division. It was established on May 3, 2016, as a spin-off from E&M Media Content. The company joined the KOSDAQ index of Ko ...

. Together, they have written popular romantic-comedies, notably '' My Girl'' (2005), ''

You're Beautiful "You're Beautiful" is a song by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. It was written by Blunt, Sacha Skarbek and Amanda Ghost for Blunt's debut album, ''Back to Bedlam'' (2004). It was released as the third single of the album in 2005. In t ...

'' (2009), ''

My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox ''My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho'' (; also known as ''My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox'') is a 2010 South Korean romantic comedy television series starring Lee Seung-gi and Shin Min-a. It aired on SBS from August 11 to September 30, 2010 on Wednesda ...

'' (2010), '' The Greatest Love'' (2011), ''

Master's Sun ''Master's Sun'' () is a 2013 South Korean television series starring So Ji-sub and Gong Hyo-jin. The romantic comedy is written by the Hong sisters and aired for 17 episodes on SBS TV every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:55 ( KST) from August 7 ...

'' (2013), ''

A Korean Odyssey ''A Korean Odyssey'' () is a South Korean fantasy television series starring Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yeon-seo, Lee Hong-gi, and Jang Gwang. Written by the Hong sisters, the drama is a modern spin-off of the Chinese classic 16th-century n ...

'' (2017–2018), ''

Hotel del Luna ''Hotel del Luna'' () is a 2019 South Korean television series, starring Lee Ji-eun and Yeo Jin-goo as the owner and manager, respectively, of the eponymous hotel that caters only to ghosts. Produced by GT:st, written by the Hong sisters and d ...

'' (2019), ''

Alchemy of Souls ''Alchemy of Souls'' () is a South Korean television series starring Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Go Yoon-jung, and Hwang Min-hyun. Written by the Hong sisters, it depicts the stories of young mages dealing with heaven and earth. It premiered on ...

'' (2022) and its second part ''Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow'' (2022–2023).

Career

Works

Sisters Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran were originally writers on a variety show. They made their

TV drama In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-ge ...

writing debut in 2005 with ''

Sassy Girl Chun-hyang ''Sassy Girl Chun-hyang'' (; lit. Delightful Girl C''hun-hyang'') is a 2005 South Korean television series starring Han Chae-young, Jae Hee, Uhm Tae-woong and Park Si-eun. It aired on KBS2 from January 3 to March 1, 2005 on Mondays and Tuesdays ...

'', a modern retelling of the famous Korean folktale ''

Chunhyangjeon ''Chunhyangjeon'' (춘향전; 春香傳; lit. ''The Story of Chunhyang or'' ''The Tale of Chunhyang'') is one of the best known love stories and folk tales of Korea. It is based on the pansori ''Chunhyangga'', the most famous of the five surviving ...

'' in which Chun-hyang is no passive heroine, but a headstrong sassy girl. It became a huge hit not only in Korea, but throughout Asia. Their follow-up '' My Girl'' (2005), about a cheeky con artist who pretends to be the long-lost granddaughter of a rich man, was equally successful. The two dramas effectively made its young actors --

Han Chae-young Kim Ji-young (born September 13, 1980), professionally known by the stage name Han Chae-young, is a South Korean actress. She first gained recognition as the antagonist in the television series ''Autumn in My Heart'' (2000) before gaining wider ...

and

Jae Hee Jae Hee (in korean: 재희; born Lee Hyun-kyun on May 25, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the 2004 arthouse film '' 3-Iron'' and the 2005 television series ''Sassy Girl Chun-hyang''. Career Jae Hee bega ...

, and

Lee Da-hae Lee Da-hae, or Lee Da-hey (born Byun Da-hye on April 19, 1984) is a Korean Australian actress. She is best known for her roles in Korean dramas such as ''Heaven's Fate'' (2004), '' My Girl'' (2005), ''Green Rose'' (2005), ''The Slave Hunters'' ...

Lee Joon-gi Lee Joon-gi (born 17 April 1982) is a South Korean actor, singer, dancer, and model. He rose to fame on his first leading role playing a clown in the critically acclaimed film ''The King and the Clown'' (2005) and gained further recognition in ...

, and

Lee Dong-wook Lee Dong-wook (; born November 6, 1981 ) is a South Korean actor, host, model and entertainer. He is best known for his leading roles in the Korean drama, television dramas ''My Girl (2005 TV series), My Girl'' (2005), ''Scent of a Woman (TV ser ...

-- into household names and Korean Wave stars. The Hongs' winning streak continued with ''

Couple or Trouble ''Couple or Trouble'' (; lit. ''Fantasy Couple'') is a 2006 South Korean television series loosely based on the 1987 Hollywood film '' Overboard''. Starring Han Ye-seul and Oh Ji-ho, it aired on MBC from October 14 to December 3, 2006 on Saturd ...

'' (also known as ''Fantasy Couple'', 2006), a

remake A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same ...

of the 1987 Hollywood film '' Overboard''. It starred

Han Ye-seul Han Ye-seul (Hangul: 한예슬; born Leslie Kim on September 18, 1981) is an American-born South Korean actress. She made her acting debut in the sitcom '' Nonstop 4'' (2003), and has since played leading roles in television dramas such as '' ...

as a snooty heiress with

amnesia Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage or disease,Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R., & Mangun, G. (2009) Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. but it can also be caused temporarily by the use ...

who falls for a handyman played by

Oh Ji-ho Oh Ji-ho (born April 14, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for the television dramas '' Couple or Trouble'' (2006), '' The Slave Hunters'' (2010), ''Queen of the Office'' (2013) and ''My Fair Lady'' (2016). Career Oh was born and r ...

. For '' Hong Gil-dong'' (2008), the Hongs based their protagonist on the fictional folk hero Hong Gil-dong, a

Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

-era

Robin Hood Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and subsequently featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is depic ...

who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. But the fusion period comedy-drama starring

Kang Ji-hwan Kang Ji-hwan (born Jo Tae-gyu; March 20, 1977) is a South Korean actor. He began his career in musical theatre, and has since starred in television dramas such as ''Be Strong, Geum-soon!'' (2005), ''Capital Scandal'' (2007), '' Hong Gil-dong ...

and

Sung Yu-ri Sung Yu-ri (born March 3, 1981) is a South Korean actress and singer. She made her entertainment debut in 1998 as a member of the now-defunct K-pop group Fin.K.L. Sung turned to acting in 2002, starring in television dramas such as ''Thousand ...

combined royal plotting and romance with over-the-top stunts, gaudy costumes, toilet humor and anachronistic modern music. The series was popular online, but received average ratings. It also won Best Miniseries at the 2008 Roma Fiction Fest. ''

'' (2009) starred

Jang Keun-suk Jang Keun-suk () is a South Korean actor and singer. He is best known for starring in the Korean television dramas ''Beethoven Virus'' (2008), '' You're Beautiful'' (2009), ''Mary Stayed Out All Night'' (2010), '' Love Rain'' (2012), ''Pretty M ...

and

Park Shin-hye Park Shin-hye (, born February 18, 1990) is a South Korean actress and singer. She gained recognition as a child on TV shows such as ''Stairway to Heaven'' (2003), and ''Tree of Heaven'' (2006). Later on, she would achieve further success when ...

, in which a naive nun

cross-dresses Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothes usually worn by a different gender. From as early as pre-modern history, cross-dressing has been practiced in order to disguise, comfort, entertain, and self-express oneself. Cross-dressing has play ...

as a male idol singer in a

boy band A boy band is loosely defined as a vocal group consisting of young male singers, usually in their teenage years or in their twenties at the time of formation. Generally, boy bands perform Love song, love songs marketed towards girls and young ...

. Unlike the Hongs' early work, the drama did not get high ratings, but it did create a

cult following A cult following refers to a group of fans who are highly dedicated to some person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some medium. The lattermost is often called a cult classic. ...

(or "mania" fan base) online and among international viewers. Such was its pan-Asian popularity that

s were produced in Japan (''

Ikemen desu ne is a 2011 Japanese television series and a remake of the 2009 South Korean series ''You're Beautiful''. Plot Miko is a 20-year-old girl. She is pure but prone to make mistakes. Since her father, who was a composer, died, grew up at an orphanage ...

'', 2011) and Taiwan (''

Fabulous Boys ''Fabulous Boys'' ( Chinese: 原來是美男) is a 2013 Taiwanese drama starring Lyan Cheng, Jiro Wang, Hwang In Deok, and Evan Yo. It is a remake of the South Korean drama '' You're Beautiful'', which first aired in 2009. It is also known as ' ...

'', 2013). The Hongs played with Korean mythology for their next hit drama in 2010. In ''

'', the

gumiho A kumiho or gumiho (, literally " nine-tailed fox") is a creature that appears in the folktales on East Asia and legends of Korea. It is similar to the Chinese and the Japanese . It can freely transform, among other things, into a beautiful woma ...

(or nine-tailed fox) isn't the terrifying

femme fatale A ''femme fatale'' ( or ; ), sometimes called a maneater or vamp, is a stock character of a mysterious, beautiful, and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising, deadly traps. She is an archetype of ...

of legend who feeds on human livers. Instead, she's a cute and clueless girl (played by

Shin Min-ah Shin may refer to: Biology * The front part of the human leg below the knee * Shinbone, the tibia, the larger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates Names * Shin (given name) (Katakana: シン, Hiragana: しん), a Japanese ...

) who loves to eat

beef Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus''). In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantity ...

, while an aspiring stuntman (

Lee Seung-gi Lee Seung-gi (; born January 13, 1987) is a South Korean singer, actor, host, and entertainer. He has numerous hit songs as a singer such as "Because You're My Woman", "Will You Marry Me", "Return" and "The Ordinary Man". He has garnered furt ...

) accompanies her in her quest to become human. Their next drama, 2011's '' The Greatest Love'' was again set amidst the gossipy and image-conscious world of entertainment, starring

Cha Seung-won Cha Seung-won (born June 7, 1970) is a South Korean actor, who began his career as an in-demand fashion model in the 1990s. Cha achieved stardom through the hit comedy films ''Kick the Moon'' (2001), ''Jail Breakers'' (2002), '' My Teacher, Mr. ...

as the most beloved star in the nation who falls for a has-been pop singer (

Gong Hyo-jin Gong Hyo-jin (born April 4, 1980) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her leading role in the film '' Crush and Blush'' (2008), as well as for her popular television series '' Sang Doo! Let's Go to School'' (2003), ''Thank You'' (20 ...

). The drama topped its timeslot during its run, and not only did it sweep the 2011

MBC Drama Awards The MBC Drama Awards () is an awards ceremony presented by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) for outstanding achievements in Korean dramas aired on its network. It is held annually in December. Unlike its counterparts in KBS and SBS, MBC ...

(including the Writer of the Year award for the Hong sisters), Gong also won Best Actress at the

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...

Baeksang Arts Awards The Baeksang Arts Awards (), also known as the Paeksang Arts Awards, are awards for excellence in film, television and theatre in South Korea. The awards were first introduced in 1965 by Chang Key-young, the founder of the Hankook Ilbo newspap ...

. ''

Big Big or BIG may refer to: * Big, of great size or degree Film and television * ''Big'' (film), a 1988 fantasy-comedy film starring Tom Hanks * ''Big!'', a Discovery Channel television show * ''Richard Hammond's Big'', a television show present ...

'' (2012), in which an 18-year-old and a 30-year-old swap bodies, starred

Gong Yoo Gong Ji-cheol (; born July 10, 1979), better known by his stage name Gong Yoo (), is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television dramas '' Coffee Prince'' (2007), '' Guardian: The Lonely and Great God'' (2016–2017), ...

and

Lee Min-jung Lee Min-jung (; born February 16, 1982) is a South Korean actress. She began her career in Jang Jin's stage plays, and for a few years appeared in supporting roles on film and television. She became known after her appearance in ''Boys Over Flow ...

. The drama is arguably the Hongs' least successful work thus far, lacking both in ratings and buzz. The Hongs reunited with

in ''

'' (2013), a horror romantic comedy with

So Ji-sub So Ji-sub (born November 4, 1977) is a South Korean actor. After making his entertainment debut as a jeans model, he became known for his leading roles in the television series '' What Happened in Bali'' (2004), ''I'm Sorry, I Love You'' (2004), ...

about a woman who sees ghosts. In 2015, they cast

Yoo Yeon-seok Yoo Yeon-seok (born Ahn Yeon-seok on April 11, 1984) is a South Korean actor. After making his acting debut in 2003 with a small role in '' Oldboy'', he resumed his acting career in 2008. His notable works include the films '' Re-encounter'' (2 ...

and

Kang So-ra Kang So-ra (born February 18, 1990) is a South Korean actress. Career Kang made her acting debut in the 2009 thriller movie ''4th Period Mystery'', but rose to fame when she starred in the 2011 blockbuster '' Sunny'', a coming-of-age film abo ...

in ''

Warm and Cozy ''Warm and Cozy'' () is a 2015 South Korean television series starring Kang So-ra and Yoo Yeon-seok. Written by the Hong sisters as a twist on the fable of ''The Ant and the Grasshopper'', it aired on MBC from May 13 to July 2, 2015 on Wednesday ...

'', set in a restaurant on Jeju Island. The title is the English translation of the

Jeju dialect Jeju (Jeju: , ; ko, 제주어, or , ), often called Jejueo or Jejuan in English-language scholarship, is a Koreanic language traditionally spoken on Jeju Island, South Korea. While often classified as a divergent Jeju dialect ( ko, 제주방� ...

phrase "Mendorong Ttottot."

Reinventing acting careers

The Hong sisters are credited with reinventing the careers of several of their leading ladies.

was a sexy "

Barbie Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration. ...

doll" known for her figure more than her acting when her role in ''

'' turned her sultry image on its head and transformed her into a plucky, optimistic, hard-working model student.

had a somewhat melancholy image from ''Heaven's Fate'', and surprised viewers with her versatility by going cute in '' My Girl''.

and

were dogged early in their careers by criticisms for their poor acting, until Han's privileged, rude character won viewers over with her notable catchphrases in ''

'', and the Hongs were so impressed with Sung in '' Hong Gil-dong'' that they posted up strong praise and defense of her acting on the drama's website.

had become better known in recent years for being a stylish advertisement model rather than an actress, but ''

'' gave her her most memorable character yet. Similarly, with his role of Dokko Jin,

returned to his comedic roots after years of serious roles, resulting in massive media attention.

Critical assessment

The Hong sisters have become known for mixing broad, somewhat juvenile comedy with elements of romance, then transitioning to heartbreak in the drama's second half. They've created a trademark style with their fast, fun narratives, hilarious situations, love of

pun A pun, also known as paronomasia, is a form of word play that exploits multiple meanings of a term, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use of homophoni ...

s and

meta Meta (from the Greek μετά, '' meta'', meaning "after" or "beyond") is a prefix meaning "more comprehensive" or "transcending". In modern nomenclature, ''meta''- can also serve as a prefix meaning self-referential, as a field of study or ende ...

references, and memorable and quirky characters, and their name has become a recognizable brand in the Korean drama industry.

Filmography

Awards

* 2011 MBC Drama Awards: Writer of the Year ('' The Greatest Love'')

References

External links

* * * * {{Hong sisters Living people South Korean screenwriters South Korean television writers Sister duos Women television writers 1974 births 1977 births