Kim Won-seok () is a South Korean
television director
A television director is in charge of the activities involved in making a television program or section of a program. They are generally responsible for decisions about the editorial content and creative style of a program, and ensuring the prod ...
. He directed ''
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
''Sungkyunkwan Scandal'' () is a South Korean historical drama starring Park Yoo-chun, Park Min-young, Song Joong-ki, and Yoo Ah-in. Directed by Kim Won-seok and written by Kim Tae-hee, it is based on Jung Eun-gwol's bestselling 2007 novel '' T ...
'' (2010), ''
Monstar'' (2013), ''
Misaeng'' (2014), ''
Signal
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
'' (2016), ''
My Mister
''My Mister'' () is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Lee Sun-kyun and Lee Ji-eun. The series was directed by Kim Won-seok, written by Park Hae-young and produced by Chorokbaem Media. It aired on tvN from March 21 to May 17, 201 ...
'' (2018) and ''
Arthdal Chronicles
''Arthdal Chronicles'' () is a 2019 South Korean television series written by Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon and directed by Kim Won-seok, under the production banner of Studio Dragon and KPJ, starring Jang Dong-gun, Song Joong-ki, Kim J ...
'' (2019).
Career
Kim Won-seok began his television career in 2001 as an
assistant director
The role of an assistant director on a film includes tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, and maintaining order on the set. They also have to tak ...
for the
Korean Broadcasting System
The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters.
KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...
(KBS) network. He was promoted to
second unit
Second unit is a discrete team of filmmakers tasked with filming shots or sequences of a production, separate from the main or "first" unit. The second unit will often shoot simultaneously with the other unit or units, allowing the filming stag ...
director in 2005, and honed his skills on series of diverse genres. He also directed two episodes for the single-episode anthology ''
Drama City
Drama City (''Deurama Siti'', 드라마 시티) is the KBS to broadcast via KBS2TV in a collection of usually single episode short dramas, shown weekly. Each episode is a different story, and the cast changes every week.
1984's "Drama Game" ...
'' in 2007, ''GOD'' (which he co-wrote) and ''The Dual Accounts Murder''.
Kim's first
television drama series
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-gen ...
as the head
production director
Production may refer to:
Economics and business
* Production (economics)
* Production, the act of manufacturing goods
* Production, in the outline of industrial organization, the act of making products (goods and services)
* Production as a stati ...
was "fusion"
historical drama
A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romance film, romances, adventure f ...
''
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
''Sungkyunkwan Scandal'' () is a South Korean historical drama starring Park Yoo-chun, Park Min-young, Song Joong-ki, and Yoo Ah-in. Directed by Kim Won-seok and written by Kim Tae-hee, it is based on Jung Eun-gwol's bestselling 2007 novel '' T ...
'' in 2010. Based on
Jung Eun-gwol
Jung Eun-gwol () is a South Korean novelist. Three of her bestselling books have been adapted into television dramas – ''Sungkyunkwan Scandal'' (KBS2, 2010) and ''Moon Embracing the Sun'' ( MBC, 2012) and ''Lovers of the Red Sky
''Lovers o ...
's bestselling 2007 novel ''The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars'', it depicted the friendship and love that develops between four classmates (including a girl disguised as a boy) attending
Sungkyunkwan
Sungkyunkwan was the foremost educational institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. Today, it sits in its original location, at the south end of the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus of Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul ...
,
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 ...
's highest educational institute where no women were allowed. Despite solid but unspectacular viewership ratings in the mid-teens, ''Sungkyunkwan Scandal'' became a
cult hit
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. ...
among younger viewers, resulting in increased popularity for its cast
Park Min-young
Park Min-young (; born March 4, 1986) is a South Korean actress. She rose to fame in the historical coming-of-age drama ''Sungkyunkwan Scandal '' (2010) and has since starred in television series ''City Hunter'' (2011), ''Glory Jane'' (2011), ...
,
Park Yoo-chun
Park Yoo-chun (born June 4, 1986), formerly known as Micky Yoochun and better known by the mononym Yoochun, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor. He is a former member of the South Korean boy bands JYJ and TVXQ. He has starred in drama ...
,
Yoo Ah-in Yoo may refer to:
* Yoo (Korean surname), also spelled Ryu or Yu, a Korean family name
* YOO, the IATA code for Oshawa Airport
See also
*You
In Modern English, ''you'' is the second-person pronoun. It is grammatically plural, and was histor ...
and
Song Joong-ki
Song Joong-ki (; born September 19, 1985) is a South Korean actor. He rose to fame in the historical coming-of-age drama '' Sungkyunkwan Scandal'' (2010) and the variety show '' Running Man'' (2010–2011) as one of the original cast members. ...
, and several trophies at the
2010 KBS Drama Awards. Kim won Best New Television Director at the
47th 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 ...
, and Best Production Director at the
4th Korea Drama Awards
The Korea Drama Awards () is an awards ceremony for excellence in television in South Korea. It was established in 2007, and is held annually in October in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province as the official main event of the annual Korea Drama Fe ...
.
Kim left KBS and in August 2011, he signed with media conglomerate
CJ E&M
CJ E&M (Hangul: 씨제이이앤엠, an initialism for CJ Entertainment & Media) is a South Korean entertainment and mass media company created by CJ Group in 2011. As of July 2018, CJ E&M is a division of CJ ENM.
History
CJ E&M was established a ...
, which owns cable channels
Mnet
M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...
and
tvN TVN may refer to:
* TVN (Australian TV channel), a former horse racing channel
* Televisión Nacional de Chile, a public broadcaster
* TVN (Indonesia), a former television station; predecessor of Rajawali Televisi
* TVN (Norway), or TVNorge, a comm ...
. His first project post-move was a 30-minute music video for ''
Superstar K3
''Superstar K3'' () is the third season of the South Korean television talent show series ''Superstar K'', broadcast by M.net. The theme song for this season, "Fly" is written by producer Park Keun-tae and sung by Super Junior-K.R.Y. It was rele ...
'' starring the
reality show
Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...
's remaining contestants, titled ''Superstar K3: The Beginning''. Then inspired by the American show ''
Glee
Glee means delight, a form of happiness.
Glee may also refer to:
* Glee (music), a type of English choral music
* ''Glee'' (TV series), an American musical comedy-drama TV series, and related media created by Ryan Murphy
* ''Glee'' (Bran Van 30 ...
'', Kim directed Mnet's first-ever musical drama, ''
Monstar'' in 2013. It was Kim's third time to collaborate with screenwriter Kim Tae-hee (after ''The Dual Accounts Murder'' and ''Sungkyunkwan Scandal''). Auditions were held, and Kim cast rookie actress
Ha Yeon-soo
Ha Yeon-soo (born Yoo Yeon-soo on October 10, 1990) is a South Korean actress.
Personal life
On May 10, 2022, Ha's contract with the former agency has expired. and she traveled to Japan to study.
Filmography
Television series
Film
Varie ...
,
K-pop
K-pop (), short for Korean popular music, is a form of popular music originating in South Korea as part of South Korean culture. It includes styles and genres from around the world, such as pop, hip hop, R&B, experimental, rock, jazz, gos ...
singer
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...
Yong Jun-hyung
Yong Jun-hyung (Hangul: 용준형; born Yong Jae-soon on December 19, 1989), commonly known as Junhyung, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. Junhyung rose to fame as a member of South Korean boy band Highli ...
and stage actor
Kang Ha-neul
Kang Ha-neul (born Kim Ha-neul on February 21, 1990) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in television dramas ''The Heirs'' (2013), ''Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)'', ''Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo'' (2016), ''When the ...
in the lead roles.
When tvN announced that Kim would next adapt
Yoon Tae-ho Yoon may refer to:
* Yoon (Korean name), the ninth most common Korean family name
*Yoon, stage name of Shim Ja-yoon, member of K-Pop group STAYC
* Yōon, a feature of the Japanese language
* Prabda Yoon (born 1973), a Thai novelist
See also
*Yun ( ...
's
webtoon
Webtoons (), are a type of digital comic that originated in South Korea usually meant to be read on smartphones.
While webtoons were mostly unknown outside of Korea during their inception, there has been a surge in popularity internationally ...
''
Misaeng'' (lit. "Incomplete Life") about a former
baduk player who becomes an office
temp worker at a trading company, it became one of the most anticipated Korean TV series of 2014. The workplace dramedy ''
Misaeng'' had no A-list stars (its cast was led by
Yim Si-wan
Yim Si-wan (; born on December 1, 1988), known mononymously as Siwan, is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the South Korean boyband ZE:A and its sub-group ZE:A Five. As an actor, he is best known for starring in the film ''The A ...
and
Lee Sung-min), but it struck a chord among viewers and critics, unexpectedly becoming a huge ratings hit for cable and a pop culture phenomenon. Kim said, "As cartoonist Yoon said he had rejected every offer from major broadcasters who wanted to dramatize his cartoon because they wanted to insert a love-hate relationship as dramatic devices for TV version. But I told him we wouldn't do that. We, instead, focused more on life of ordinary people like the original cartoon to give glimpse at office life.
..I wanted to make a realistic drama about ordinary people." ''Misaeng'' won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 9th Cable TV Broadcasting Awards, while Kim won Best Television Director at the
51st Baeksang Arts Awards
The 51st Baeksang Arts Awards () ceremony was held at Kyung Hee University's Grand Peace Hall in Seoul on May 26, 2015. It was aired live on JTBC and was hosted by Shin Dong-yup, Kim Ah-joong and Joo Won. Organised by '' Ilgan Sports'', it is S ...
, beating nominees from terrestrial channels.
Kim next cast
Lee Je-hoon
Lee Je-hoon (born July 4, 1984) is a South Korean actor. He started his career in indie films, then went on to appear in commercial films like '' The Front Line'' (2011), ''Architecture 101'' (2012) and '' My Paparotti'' (2013), and television ...
,
Kim Hye-soo
Kim Hye-soo (; born September 5, 1970) is a South Korean actress. Kim was one of the most popular teen stars in the 1980s and 1990s. She is known for her headstrong independence and regularly playing strong-willed, sophisticated women.
Kim bega ...
and
Cho Jin-woong
Cho Jin-woong (born Jo Won-jun; March 3, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles as Sejong's loyal bodyguard in ''Deep Rooted Tree'' (2011), a mobster in '' Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time'' (2012), and a mysterious vil ...
in ''
Signal
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
'', based on the
real-life unsolved serial rape-murders of ten women in the city of
Hwaseong between 1986 and 1991 (the case also inspired ''
Memories of Murder
''Memories of Murder'' () is a 2003 South Korean crime thriller film co-written and directed by Bong Joon-ho. It is loosely based on the true story of Korea's first confirmed serial murders, which took place between 1986 and 1991 in Hwaseong, ...
'' and ''
Gap-dong
''Gap-dong'' () is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Yoon Sang-hyun, Sung Dong-il, Kim Min-jung, Kim Ji-won and Lee Joon. It aired on cable channel tvN from April 11 to June 14, 2014 on Fridays and Saturdays at 20:40 ( KST) time sl ...
''). In ''
Signal
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
'', detectives from the present and the past communicate across time and space through a
two-way radio
A two-way radio is a radio that can both transmit and receive radio waves (a transceiver), unlike a broadcast receiver which only receives content. It is an audio (sound) transceiver, a transmitter and receiver in one unit, used for bidirecti ...
to solve the crimes. The series was a critical and commercial success, and is currently the second highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history. ''Signal'' won several awards from award-giving bodies including Best Drama at the
52nd Baeksang Arts Awards
The 52nd Baeksang Arts Awards () ceremony was held on June 3, 2016, at Grand Peace Hall, Kyung Hee University in Seoul. It was broadcast live on JTBC and was hosted by Shin Dong-yup and Bae Suzy. Organised by ''Ilgan Sports'' and JTBC Plus, it ...
.
From 2016 to 2019, Kim was under
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 K ...
, the production company spun off from CJ E&M. In December 2019, he resigned from the company due to personal reasons.
In January 2020, ''
The JoongAng Ilbo'' published an exclusive report that stated Kim has joined
Kakao M
Kakao M (; formerly Seoul Records, YBM Seoul Records and LOEN Entertainment) was a South Korean entertainment company established by Min Yeong-bin in 1978. It is currently one of the largest co-publisher companies in South Korea. The company op ...
's soon-to-be-launched new drama production subsidiary to be led by former Studio Dragon and CJ E&M executive Park Ho-sik.
[ ] Seven months later, the company, Baram Pictures, was officially launched.
Filmography
As assistant director
*''School 4'' (
KBS2
The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters.
KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...
, 2001–2002)
*''
Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin
''Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin'' (; lit. "The Immortal Yi Sun-sin") is a South Korean television series based on the life of Yi Sun-sin, starring Kim Myung-min in the title role. It aired on KBS1 on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:45 from September 4 ...
'' (
KBS1
The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters.
KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...
, 2004–2005)
*''
18 vs. 29'' (KBS2, 2005)
As second unit director
*''Hometown Station'' (KBS1, 2005–2006)
*''As the River Flows'' (KBS1, 2006)
*''
King Sejong the Great
Sejong of Joseon (15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450), personal name Yi Do (Korean: 이도; Hanja: 李祹), widely known as Sejong the Great (Korean: 세종대왕; Hanja: 世宗大王), was the fourth ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. Initial ...
'' (KBS1, 2008)
*''Partner'' (KBS2, 2009)
*''
Cinderella's Sister
''Cinderella's Stepsister'' () is a 2010 South Korean television series starring Moon Geun-young, Chun Jung-myung, Seo Woo, and Ok Taecyeon. Applying a modern twist to the classic fairy tale, the story follows the contentious relationship betwe ...
'' (KBS2, 2010)
As director
*''
Drama City
Drama City (''Deurama Siti'', 드라마 시티) is the KBS to broadcast via KBS2TV in a collection of usually single episode short dramas, shown weekly. Each episode is a different story, and the cast changes every week.
1984's "Drama Game" ...
'' "GOD" (KBS2, 2007) (also credited as
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.
...
)
*''
Drama City
Drama City (''Deurama Siti'', 드라마 시티) is the KBS to broadcast via KBS2TV in a collection of usually single episode short dramas, shown weekly. Each episode is a different story, and the cast changes every week.
1984's "Drama Game" ...
'' "The Dual Accounts Murder" (KBS2, 2007)
*''
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
''Sungkyunkwan Scandal'' () is a South Korean historical drama starring Park Yoo-chun, Park Min-young, Song Joong-ki, and Yoo Ah-in. Directed by Kim Won-seok and written by Kim Tae-hee, it is based on Jung Eun-gwol's bestselling 2007 novel '' T ...
'' (KBS2, 2010)
*''
Monstar'' (
Mnet
M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...
, 2013)
*''
Misaeng'' (
tvN TVN may refer to:
* TVN (Australian TV channel), a former horse racing channel
* Televisión Nacional de Chile, a public broadcaster
* TVN (Indonesia), a former television station; predecessor of Rajawali Televisi
* TVN (Norway), or TVNorge, a comm ...
, 2014)
*''Culture Day, Zipcon'' (
Naver TV Cast, 2015)
*''
Signal
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The ''IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing'' ...
'' (tvN, 2016)
*''
My Mister
''My Mister'' () is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Lee Sun-kyun and Lee Ji-eun. The series was directed by Kim Won-seok, written by Park Hae-young and produced by Chorokbaem Media. It aired on tvN from March 21 to May 17, 201 ...
'' (tvN, 2018)
*''
Arthdal Chronicles
''Arthdal Chronicles'' () is a 2019 South Korean television series written by Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon and directed by Kim Won-seok, under the production banner of Studio Dragon and KPJ, starring Jang Dong-gun, Song Joong-ki, Kim J ...
'' (tvN, 2019)
Awards and nominations
Notes
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Won-seok
Living people
1966 births
South Korean television directors