''The Duo'' () is a 2011 South Korean historical drama series, starring

Chun Jung-myung Chun Jung-myung (, born November 29, 1980) is a South Korean actor. Chun made his break into the entertainment industry in the KBS teen drama ''School 2'' (1999). He is best known for his leading roles in TV dramas such as '' Fashion 70's'' (200 ...

Lee Sang-yoon Lee Sang-yoon (; born August 15, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his starring roles in '' My Daughter Seo-young'' (2012), '' Angel Eyes'' (2014), ''Liar Game'' (2014), '' On the Way to the Airport'' (2016), '' Whisper'' (2017 ...

Han Ji-hye Han Ji-hye (born Lee Ji-hye on June 29, 1984) is a South Korean actress. Background Born Lee Ji-hye, she used the stage name "Han Ji-hye" upon learning that her real name would cause confusion among fans since an older actress, Lena Lee, also ...

and

Seo Hyun-jin Seo Hyun-jin (born February 27, 1985) is a South Korean actress and singer. Seo debuted as the main vocalist of South Korean girl group M.I.L.K. in 2001 and continued until the group disbanded in 2003. She contributed songs as a solo artist af ...

. It aired on MBC from February 7 to May 24, 2011 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 32 episodes. Filmed at

MBC Dramia Yongin Daejanggeum Park (; ), previously known as MBC Dramia (), is an outdoor film set owned by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation in the city of Yongin in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. Background Built in 2005, the site comprises a total area o ...

Gyeonggi Province Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...

, the series examines how class determines fate during the

Joseon era 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 ...

through two men who swap lives. Switched at birth, Chun-doong and Gwi-dong grow up living each other's lives. Nobleman's son Chun-doong endures great hardships in the lowest caste of society, and becomes a vigilante who steals from the rich. Beggar's son Gwi-dong grows up in a wealthy noble family, and becomes a police chief. Living on opposite sides of the law, their paths cross again when they both fall for the same woman; played by Chun, Lee and Han respectively.

Plot

Around the time of late

Joseon Dynasty 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 ...

(1392-1910) when hierarchy between nobles and slaves started to fall apart and riots were common among peasants, two men were born on the same day and at the same time. Chun Dung who grew up in a beggar's quarters (although born as a noble) with no knowledge of his parents, dreams of "making this world a better place" by taking part in the peasants’ riot while Gwi Dong who was raised in a noble life (though he was born as a beggar), serves as a police official, fights against corruption within the government and speaks for the weak. Although both give their hearts to the same woman, they become the greatest duo ever in order to reform the problematic world. The background of the drama is not set in a grand palace but an everyday market and talks not of the success of a great hero but the agony of common people. ''The Duo'' portrays the everyday lives and loves of the commoners and outcasts during 19th century Korea: Slaves, beggars, leather shoemakers, thieves, street bums and butchers, people who were poor yet good at heart. It is centered on the humanism and sentiments of those whose life stories have often been neglected in the typical "royal family centered" dramas.

Cast

Main characters

as Chun-doong **

Noh Young-hak Noh Young-Hak (born April 1, 1993) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Television series Films Awards and nominations References External links * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Noh, Young-hak 1993 births Living people Male actors f ...

as young Chun-doong : He was born as a noble but lives Gwi-dong's life as a beggar and later becomes a heroic outlaw. *

as Gwi-dong **

Choi Woo-shik Choi Woo-shik (; born March 26, 1990) is an South Korean-Canadian actor based in South Korea. He first gained widespread recognition for his leading role in the film '' Set Me Free'' (2014). He then co-starred in the films ''Train to Busan'' (201 ...

as young Gwi-dong : He was born as a beggar but lives his life as a noble and later becomes a police chief. *

as Dong-nyeo **

Jin Se-yeon Jin Se-yeon (born Kim Yoon-jung on February 15, 1994) is a South Korean actress. Some of her notable television dramas are ''Bridal Mask'' (2012), ''Doctor Stranger'' (2014), ''Flowers of the Prison'' (2016), ''Grand Prince'' (2018) among othe ...

as young Dong-nyeo : The daughter of a village school teacher, she is learned and clever. *

as Dal-yi **Lee Sun-young as young Dal-yi : Ever since she was a kid, she has always loved Gwi-dong who was from a class different and more importantly, higher than hers.

Supporting characters

Lee Moon-sik Lee Moon-sik (born November 13, 1967) is a South Korean actor. Lee Moon-sik debuted in Jang Jin films of the late 1990s after an illustrious career in Daehak-ro (considered the "Korean Broadway"), where he learned great comic timing, ad-lib pr ...

as Jang Kkok-ji *

Jung In-gi Jung In-gi (born September 12, 1966) is a South Korean actor. Jung made his acting debut in 1990, and has remained active in mainstream and independent film as well as television, notably in ''Jury'' (2013), '' The Five'' (2013) and ''Gap-dong ...

as Soe-dol *

Yoon Yoo-sun Yoon Yoo-sun (born January 17, 1969) is a famous South Korean actress. She began her career as a child actress in 1975, and continues to be active in film and television, notably in ''The Story of Two Women'' (1994), ''Even If the Wind Blows'' ( ...

as Mak-soon *

Kwon Oh-joong Kwon Oh-joong (born November 24, 1971) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for starring in ''Gourmet'' (2008), as well as the television series ''The Secret Lovers'' (2005), '' Freedom Fighter, Lee Hoe-young'' (2010), and ''Miss Ajumma'' (2 ...

as Kang Po-soo *

Seo Yi-sook Seo Yi-sook (; born 6 December 1966) is a South Korean theatre, television and movie actress. As supporting actress, Seo is known for her supporting role in drama ''Empress Ki'' (2013–2014), '' The Rebel'' (2017), ''Hotel del Luna'' (2019), '' ...

as Keun-nyeo * Ahn Yeon-hong as Ja Geun-nyeon * Jung Kyung-ho as Kkul-tteok * Cha Do-jin as Jin-deuk ** Park Dae-won as young Jin-deuk * Lee Shin-sung as Do-gap ** Choi Woo-hyuk as young Do-gap *

Kim Ki-bang Kim Ki-bang (born May 31, 1981) is a South Korean actor. Since his acting debut in 2005, Kim has played supporting roles in television dramas such as ''Boys Over Flowers'' (2009), '' Golden Time'' (2012), ''Gu Family Book'' (2013), ''Medical To ...

as Gom-chi * Jo Chang-geun as Poong-gae * Kim Kyung-jin as Mal-son *

Choi Jong-hwan Choi Jong-hwan (; born September 24, 1964) is a South Korean actor. Choi won Producer's Award for his role in ''Gyebaek'' and '' The Duo'' at the MBC Drama Awards The MBC Drama Awards () is an awards ceremony presented by Munhwa Broadcasti ...

as Dr. Kim Jae-ik * Im Chae-won as Lady Kwon * Lee Seol-ah as Geum-ok **

Kim So-hyun Kim So-hyun (; born June 4, 1999) is a South Korean actress who began her career as a child in 2006, initially gaining public attention for playing pivotal roles in ''Moon Embracing the Sun'' (2012) and '' Missing You'' (2013). She took on he ...

as young Geum-ok * Kim Myung-soo as Hyun-gam * Jung Han-hun as Mr. Park *

Ra Mi-ran Ra Mi-ran (born March 6, 1975) is a South Korean actress and television personality. Career Before making her film debut in ''Lady Vengeance'' (2005), Ra Mi-ran spent years acting in theatre. Afterwards, she appeared in more than 40 films but di ...

as Eob Deuk-ne * Lee Ji-soo as Sam-wol *

Kang Shin-il Kang Shin-il (born November 26, 1960) is a South Korean actor. Kang graduated from Kyung Hee University with a degree in electronic engineering, but he soon put aside his studies and spent most of his time in Daehangno, Seoul's theater district, ...

as Sung Cho-shi * Baek Jong-hak as Yoo Sun-dal *

Im Hyun-sik Im Hyun-sik (born December 31, 1945) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading role in the family drama ''Three Families Under One Roof'' (1986-1993), and supporting roles in the period epics '' Hur Jun'' (1999) and ''Dae Jang G ...

as old man Hwang * Yoon Yong-hyun as Choon-bo *

Gong Hyung-jin Gong Hyung-jin (born April 10, 1969) is a South Korean actor. While best known as a supporting actor notably in '' Taegukgi'', ''Liar'', ''Marrying the Mafia II'' and '' Alone in Love'', Gong has also played leading roles in ''North Korean Guys ...

as Gong Po-gyo *

Jung Chan Jung Chan (born February 23, 1971) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Film * ''The Young Man'' (1994) * ''Extras'' (1998) * '' Over the Rainbow'' (2002) * ''Road Movie A road movie is a film genre in which the main characters leave ho ...

as Jo Sun-dal * Jang Yong-hee as Pan-sool ** Chi Woo as young Pan-sool * Im Dae-ho as Beot-deul's father *

Yang Mi-kyung Yang Mi-kyung (born July 25, 1961) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for playing the role of palace lady-in-waiting Han Baek-young in the popular period drama series '' Dae Jang Geum'' (2003). Other activities Yang was also a visiti ...

as Chun-doong's mother *Yoon Hong-bin as young Won-chil *Baek Sung-heum as young Beot-deul *Kim Woo-suk as young Se-gap

Ratings

''The Duo'' received solid ratings, averaging 13.0 percent on Total National Multimedia Statistics' (TNmS) chart and 16.7 percent on AGB Nielsen Media Research's (AGB) poll, coming in first in its primetime slot several times during its run.

International broadcast

* It aired in Vietnam on Style TV, beginning August 16, 2014.

References

External links

''The Duo'' official MBC website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Duo, The MBC TV television dramas Korean-language television shows 2011 South Korean television series debuts 2011 South Korean television series endings Television series set in the Joseon dynasty South Korean historical television series South Korean action television series Television series by Pan Entertainment