Arang and the Magistrate
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''Arang and the Magistrate'' (; also known as ''Tale of A-rang'') is a 2012
South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...
n historical television drama (''
sageuk (Hangul: 사극, Hanja: 史劇; ) in Korean denotes historical dramas, including traditional drama plays, films or television series. In English language literature usually refers to historical films and television series (of South Korea). In ...
''), starring
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 ...
,
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 ...
, and
Yeon Woo-jin Yeon or less commonly Youn (연) is a Korean surname. The name may correspond to the Chinese surnames Yan (燕, 延) or Lian (連). The hanja 延 is much more common than 燕 and 連. Yeon may also refer to the extinct surname (淵). Origin ...
. 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. It aired on MBC from August 15 to October 18, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.


Synopsis

A nobleman named Kim Eun-oh (
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 ...
) comes to town searching for his mother after hearing a rumor that she is staying at the village of
Miryang Miryang (perhaps pronounced as Milbeol using Idu script), formerly also spelled as 推火郡 (probably pronounced as Milbeol or Miribeol using Idu script), Milbeol (密伐) and Milseong (密城), is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Ko ...
. 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. A-rang (
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 ...
) 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 that he 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 A-rang 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, 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

*
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 ...
as Kim Eun-oh *
Shin Min-a Shin Min-a (; born 5 April 1984) is a South Korean model and actress best known for starring in television dramas ''A Love to Kill'' (2005), ''My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox'' (2010), '' Arang and the Magistrate'' (2012), ''Oh My Venus'' ...
as A-rang/Lee Seo-rim *
Yeon Woo-jin Yeon or less commonly Youn (연) is a Korean surname. The name may correspond to the Chinese surnames Yan (燕, 延) or Lian (連). The hanja 延 is much more common than 燕 and 連. Yeon may also refer to the extinct surname (淵). Origin ...
as Joo-wal *
Hwang Bo-ra Hwang Bo-ra (born October 2, 1983) is a South Korean actress. Hwang made her acting debut in 2003 and became popular after she played a quirky-looking "cup noodle girl" in a ramyeon commercial. In 2007, Hwang played the daughter/narrator in bla ...
as Bang-wool, shaman *
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 Dol-swe, Eun-oh's manservant *
Han Jung-soo Han Jung-soo (born November 20, 1973) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television series ''The Slave Hunters'' and ''Prosecutor Princess''. Filmography Television series Film Television show Theater Referen ...
as Mu-young, head ghost reaper *Kang Moon-young as Lady Seo, Eun-oh's mother *
Kim Yong-gun Kim Yong-gun (; born May 8, 1946) is a South Korean actor. His sons Ha Jung-woo Kim Sung-hoon (born March 11, 1978), better known as Ha Jung-woo (), is a South Korean actor, film director, screenwriter and film producer. One of the highest gr ...
as Lord Choi *
Yoo Seung-ho Yoo Seung-ho (; born August 17, 1993) is a South Korean actor who rose to fame as a child actor in the film '' The Way Home'' (2002). Since then, he has starred in many television series and movie films as a child and teenager. After his two-yea ...
as Jade Emperor, King of Heaven *
Park Jun-gyu Park Jun-gyu (born June 27, 1964) is a South Korean actor. The son of acclaimed veteran actor Park No-sik, Park is best known for playing the role of Ssangkal in '' Rustic Period''. Filmography Film *''Quit Your Life'' (1971) *''Zip Up'' (1972 ...
as
Yama Yama (Devanagari: यम) or Yamarāja (यमराज), is a deity of death, dharma, the south direction, and the underworld who predominantly features in Hindu and Buddhist religion, belonging to an early stratum of Rigvedic Hindu deities. ...
, King of the Underworld *
Kim Kwang-kyu Kim Kwang-kyu (born January 7, 1941) is a South Korean poet and translator."김광규 " biographical PDF available at: http://klti.or.kr/ke_04_03_011.do# Life Kim was born in Seoul and studied German language and literature at Seoul Nationa ...
as Lee Bang *Lee Sang-hoon as Hyung Bang *Min Sung-wook as Ye Bang *Kim Min-jae as Geo Deol *Song Jae-ryong as Kim Seo-bang *Noh Hee-ji as heavenly fairy *Lee Yong-yi as Lee Seo-rim's housekeeper *
Lim Ju-eun Lim Ju-eun (born January 7, 1988) is a South Korean actress. Career Lim Ju-eun is best known her roles in the horror thriller ''Soul'' (also known as ''Hon''), the campus musical drama '' What's Up'', and the quirky rom-com '' Wild Romance''. I ...
as Mu-yeon *
Yoon Joo-sang Yoon Joo-sang (born June 25, 1949) is a South Korean actor. In 2009, he won the Best Supporting Actor award during the 2009 KBS Drama Awards for his role in '' Iris''.'' Filmography Film *''Cane (Hoichori)'' (2011) *'' Miss Gold Digger'' (2007) ...
as Lord Kim, Eun-oh's father *
Yoon Do-hyun Yoon Do-hyun (born February 3, 1972) is a South Korean hard rock/folk rock singer, musician, and songwriter. He is the founder and lead vocalist of the Yoon Do-hyun Band (YB) since 1996. Yoon is also an MC on TV variety programs (notably ''Yoo ...
as former magistrate of Miryang (cameo, ep 1) *
Jung Soo-young Jung Soo-young is a South Korean actress and model. She is best known for her role in drama '' Second to Last Love'' as Go Sang-hee. Personal life Jung is married to Shim Jae-rim who is also an actor. Filmography Television series Film The ...
as Bang-wool's client (cameo, ep 1) *
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 ghost (cameo, ep 2) *
Jeong Bo-seok Jeong Bo-seok (; born 1961) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Television series Film Television show Theater Awards and nominations References External linksJung Bo-seok Fan Cafeat Daum * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Jeon ...
as teacher (cameo, ep 14) * Lee Sung-min as gatekeeper (cameo, ep 20) *
Song Won-seok Song Won-seok (; born 16 December, 1988), is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in television series ''Lovers of the Red Sky'' (2021), ''One the Woman'' (2021), and ''Business Proposal ''Business Proposal'' () is a South K ...
as Seok a Chugi (Angels of Death)


Background

The drama is based on famous folklore, as most ghost stories are: 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 ...
in the city of
Miryang Miryang (perhaps pronounced as Milbeol using Idu script), formerly also spelled as 推火郡 (probably pronounced as Milbeol or Miribeol using Idu script), Milbeol (密伐) and Milseong (密城), is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Ko ...
, 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 In mythology and folklore, a vengeful ghost or vengeful spirit is said to be the spirit of a dead person who returns from the afterlife to seek revenge for a cruel, unnatural or unjust death. In certain cultures where funeral and burial or crem ...
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.


Production

It was
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 ...
's comeback acting project after being discharged from
military service Military service is service by an individual or group in an army or other militia, air forces, and naval forces, whether as a chosen job ( volunteer) or as a result of an involuntary draft (conscription). Some nations (e.g., Mexico) require ...
in February 2012. This also marked the first historical drama for
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 ...
and return to television since ''
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 ...
'' in 2010. The series was 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 ...
in
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 first behind-the-scene photos were released on show of June 22, 2012, filming scenes shot on location in
Namyangju Namyangju () is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. To the east is Gapyeong County, to the west is Guri City, and to the north is Pocheon City. Namyangju-si was originally a southern part of Yangju-gun, but was separated into Namyangju-gu ...
on May 23. 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. 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. The drama's rights was sold to Japan for a record-breaking per episode, which amounts to for the 20-episode series, the highest per episode for MBC, surpassing the previous record set by ''
Moon Embracing the Sun ''Moon Embracing the Sun'' (, also known as ''The Moon that Embraces the Sun'' or ''The Sun and the Moon'') is a 2012 South Korean television drama series, starring Kim Soo-hyun, Han Ga-in, Jung Il-woo, and Kim Min-seo. It aired on MBC from Jan ...
''.


Original soundtrack


Ratings

*In the table below, represent the lowest ratings and represent the highest ratings. *According to AGB Nielsen Media Research, the premiere episode achieved a nationwide rating of 13.3 percent in viewership, almost doubled rival ''
To the Beautiful You ''To the Beautiful You'' () is a 2012 South Korean television drama series starring Sulli, Choi Min-ho, and Lee Hyun-woo. It aired on SBS from 15 August to 4 October 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 ( KST) for 16 episodes. It is base ...
'' on SBS with 7.4 percent for its premiere episode but behind ''
Bridal Mask ''Bridal Mask'' () is a 2012 KBS2 period drama based on the popular Korean manhwa by Huh Young-man. Set in Seoul, Korea, during the 1930s Japanese colonial era, the story follows a man named Lee Kang-to, a Korean police officer commissioned by ...
'' on KBS with 19.4 percent. It was also 4.2 percent higher than the last episode of its predecessor '' I Do, I Do''.


Awards and nominations


International broadcast

* It aired in the Philippines on
GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...
from January 20 to March 14, 2014 under the title ''Tale of Arang: A Love Without End''. Re-aired this 2019 on GMA News TV, coming soon. * It aired in Japan on cable channel DATV. * It aired in Vietnam on VTC9 - Let's Viet channel beginning June 18, 2014 under the title Arang sử đạo truyện. * It aired in Thailand on Workpoint TV beginning January 5, 2015 under the title ''อารัง ภูติสาวรักนิรันดร์'' (''Arang Phuth Saw Rak Niran'', literally; ''Arang: ghost girl love eternal''). * It aired in
Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
on cable channel NTV7.


References


External links


''Arang and the Magistrate'' official MBC website


at MBC Global Media * * {{IMDb title, 2216600 MBC TV television dramas South Korean historical television series 2012 South Korean television series debuts 2012 South Korean television series endings Television series set in the Joseon dynasty Korean-language television shows South Korean fantasy television series Ghosts in television