It has been five years since Moon Geun Young appeared in a historical drama and the last time her efforts as the painter Shin Yun Bok in "Painter of the Wind" earned the series several awards.
The series won the Asian TV Series Special Award at the Shanghai Film Festival, a silver award at the Houston International Film Festival, while the actress won an SBS drama award a Baeksang Award and a Grimae award for her role.
How does her new character, Yoo Jeong, a 16th century ceramic artist, compare with Shin Yun Bok, the 18th century painter? There are similarities and differences.
"Yun Bok of 'Painter of the Wind' and Jeongi of 'Goddess of Fire' share common factors," said Moon Geun Young at a recent press conference. "They were both born with talent but find it difficult to realize their dreams because of the situation they are set in and their status in society."
Yun Bok was a woman who had to disguise herself as a man to be able to paint. Yoo Jeong is appointed as a royal ceramic artist even though she is a woman. She falls in love with the crown prince, played by Lee Sang Yoon, and is recognized as being the first woman porcelain artist.
But despite the fact that both women were artists and were compelled to create in a time when women had few options, they approached things differently.
"Yun Bok tries to hide everything and works hard alone but Jeongi is more candid and bold," said Moon Geun Young. "She becomes even bolder the more she learns. She is more positive and energetic."
To make the drama more realistic, Moon Geun Young and others in the cast learned how to make porcelain. She practiced for two hours a day three times a week for more than two months. Much like her character she was driven to perfect her craft.
"I worked hard so that it would not look like I was merely imitating the work," she said. "I wanted it to look like my own work."
One similarity between the two series is their potential to inspire an appreciation of the art they focus on.
"After 'Painter of the Wind,' more people started to show an interest in traditional paintings and it inspired related events to take place," said Moon Geun Young. "I was proud of the part I played in that. People don't pay that much attention to traditional porcelain creations. I hope the drama will inspire more interest."
