Lee Jun Ki fans have a drama to look forward to this summer and it's one that takes the actor back to the Joseon Dynasty. The actor, who last played a small-time thug in the present-day thriller "Two Weeks," will star in "The Joseon Shooter," also known as "The Joseon Gunman."
The drama is set in the 19th century, toward the end of the Joseon dynasty (1392 to 1897). Lee Jun Ki will play Park Yoon Kang, the son of the best swordfighter in the land.
When his father and sister are killed, Park Yoon Kang forsakes the sword and seeks his revenge with a gun. According to KBS, Park Yoon Kang is a Joseon-era man who struggles to adapt to Western values after the tragic death of his family.
According to Namoo Actors, Lee Jun Ki's agency, some of the actor's fans prefer that he star in period pieces rather than trying more modern roles. Some of his biggest hits have been historical dramas.
"Although he has tried different characters through recent years, viewers love to see him in historical dramas," said a representative from Namoo Actors.
Lee Jun Ki first became famous for his role as the beautiful clown who tempted a king in the 2005 film "The King and The Clown." It was the third most watched film in the history of the Korean cinema and the role made him a star.
After that he revisited the Joseon era twice, playing Iljimae in "Iljimae" and Kim Eun Oh in "Arang and the Magistrate."
"The Joseon Shooter" will reunite Lee Jun Ki with his "Time Between Wolf and Dog" co-star actress Nam Sang Mi. She will play Jung Soo In, a woman who has led a sheltered life but is also curious about the world. Jung Soo In is the woman Park Yoon Kang loves.
Jeon Hye Bin will play Choi Hye Won, the beautiful leader of a gang. The "Queen of the Office" star describes her character as a woman who desires all the riches in the world but who comes to realize that love cannot be earned with riches. Her love for Park Yoon Kang puts her in danger.
Han Joo Wan of the weekend drama "Wang Family" plays the second lead Kim Ho Kyung, the illegitimate son of the prime minister.
Otani Ryohei, who appeared in "Gu Family Book," plays a mysterious Japanese warrior.
Yoo Oh Sung, who appeared in "Faith," plays the drama's villain.
Kim Jung Min, who directed "The Princess' Man," will direct.
The KBS drama airs in June after "Golden Cross."
