In the upcoming drama, "Empire of Gold," whoever gets the most gold will imagine they won, but becoming wealthy is not always worth the price.
The 30-episode saga spans 20 years, starting in the 1990s, and focuses on one wealthy family's battle to control a conglomerate. The drama takes place in a time of economic upheaval in Korea. It's a time when most families just want to make ends meet but one family wants to have it all.
For fans of actor Go Soo, this drama is already golden before it starts. His fans are pleased he has been cast since it has been two years since Go last appeared in a drama.
In "Empire of Gold," Go Soo will play the drama's hero, Jang Tae Joo, a man who starts out with nothing and will do whatever it takes to get to the top. He will ruthlessly battle Sohn Hyun Joo, the son of a chaebol conglomerate and then unfortunately fall in love with his enemy's younger sister.
It will be the actor's first appearance on the small screen since starring as Cha Kang Jin in the melodrama, "Will It Snow For Christmas?" He is also known for his roles in "Piano" and "Green Rose" as well as his films, "Some," "White Night," "Haunters," "The Front Line" and "Love 911."
Actress Lee Yo Won is considering the role of the chaebol's younger sister. Lee is best known for playing Song Yi Kyong in the fantasy melodrama "49 Days" and for playing Queen Seon Duk in the saeguk "Queen Seon Duk." She also appears in the film, "Fists of Legend."
Considering both actors' past performances in melodramas, this one is expected to elicit plenty of tears and require more than one box of tissues.
Other actors whose casting has been confirmed are Son Hyun Joo, Park Geun Hyung and Ryu Seung Soo.
Jo Nam Guk will direct the series and Park Kyung Soo will write the screenplay. The director and writer worked together on the hit 2012 SBS drama series "The Chaser," and some netizens have already commented that the plot for "Empire of Gold" sounds like the back story for "The Chaser." But considering how successful that series was, no one is complaining.
Guk also directed the dramas "Definitely Neighbors" and "City of Glass."
"Empire of Gold" is set to air in July and follow "Jang Ok Jung."
