2NE1's Sandara Park's has been cast in a new drama that is set in the future, but was timed to coordinate with a real-life event.
The KBS romantic comedy "Missing Korea" is set in the year 2020. At this future date North and South Korea are actively working toward reunification. One of the first tentative steps is a joint North-South Miss Korea pageant to decide which woman is the most beautiful in the future unified country.
Sandara Park, 32, will play the contestant from North Korea and she has reportedly been practicing the North Korean dialect for her part.
The drama will be scheduled to coincide with a real-life gesture of reunion.
Although reunification is still only a dream for many Koreans, an event planned for October 20 to 26 will reunite some families from the North and South. According to UPI, North and South Korean Red Cross officials have exchanged lists of family members that have been separated since the Korean War. According to the KBS production team, "Missing Korea" hopes to promote similar events.
"In the month that the drama is set to be aired, family reunions between two Koreas' separated families will also be held. We hope the upcoming drama can be a help in conveying the possibility of carrying out culture exchanges between the two Koreas," said the production crew.
Sandara Park has been focusing on her acting career lately. Although she is best known in Korea as a member of the girl group 2NE1, she was an actress in the Philippines, appearing in both films and dramas, before returning to Korea. Her recent acting credits include cameo appearances and leading roles in web dramas. She played a celebrity in both "You Who Came From The Stars" and "Producer." She also had roles in the web dramas "Dr. Mo's Clinic" and "We Broke Up."
Kim Jung Hoon will play the male lead in the drama. His character is the organizer of the pageant. Kim, former member of the duo UN, played the Joo Ji Hoon's rival in "Princess Hours." He recently appeared in the drama "Her Legend" and can be seen this year in the film "Emperor's Holiday."
While the drama will have political implications, it will be primarily a romantic comedy.
