New Weekend Drama ‘Ojakgyo Family’ Opens This Weekend

The new KBS2 weekend drama about a farm family with four brothers will begin on August 6. “Ojakgyo Family” is directed by Kim Min-su, whose works include the 2006 hit drama “Goodbye Solo,” and written by Lee Jeong-sun, the writer of “Surgeon Bong Dal-hee” and “Be Strong, Geum-soon.”

The show deals with the life of a family running Ojakgyo Farm that is filled with both joy and trouble like that of any other family. A production event was held at a hotel in Seoul on August 2, with the cast and crew attending including the director, veteran actors Baek Il-seop and Kim Ja-ok, Jung Woong-in, Jeon Mi-sun, Ryu Soo-young, Choi Jung-yoon, Ju Won, Uee and Yeon Woo-jin.

Ko Young-tak, the chief of the drama division at KBS, said that he is confident that KBS weekend dramas will be like an oasis that refreshes viewers from tiring everyday life. He said, “I believe the new show will enable viewers to be not only entertained but also reinvigorated in this sweltering summer.”

Director Ki Min-su said, “It is a family drama that will look at how people from different backgrounds fall in love and how the mother is the source of energy in a family as she comforts and feeds family members struggling in life. I expect perfect harmony between veteran and young actors. Since it is a long weekend series, characters are bound to experience change and growth. I hope this serves as an opportunity for cast members themselves to learn and grow.”

Baek Il-seop, who plays Hwang Chang-sik, the trouble-making nominal owner of Ojakgyo Farm, expressed high expectations for the show, saying, “We will garner more than 25 percent ratings from the first episode.” Kim Ja-ok, who plays Chang-sik’s wife Park Bok-ja, said that the show will stress the importance of family. She added, “Many say that it’s hard to survive in this competitive world today. I hope our drama can provide comfort and encouragement for them.”

Uee, a member of the girl group After School, also appears as one of the main characters. She said that it is a great honor for her -- with little experience in acting -- to work with such experienced actors and be able to learn from them. She said, “We are all like a real family, so it is fun to be part of it. I’m doing and will do my best.”

Ju Won, who rose to stardom with the 2010 mega hit “Love, Bread and Dreams,” said his new role is quite different from the previous one he took up in “Love, Bread and Dreams.” He added, “So I am very excited to play the role.”

Jung Woong-in and Ryu Soo-young play a couple with Jeon Mi-sun and Choi Jung-yoon, respectively. Rookie actor Yeon Woo-jin plays the youngest son of the farm family. Other cast members include Kim Yong-rim, Kim Yong-gun and Park Jun-keum.

“Ojakgyo Family” airs on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:55 p.m. on KBS2.