Screenwriters Introduction: The Hong Sisters

If we could represent dramas in the form of a human body, then its looks, outer skin and shape would be the actors; the muscles and other internal organs would be the directors, producers, set designers and other staff; and the spine and the bones that hold everything together, would probably be the screenwriters.

Story is essential to building a good drama. If the story is weak, then nothing can make that drama shine.  

That‘s why screenwriters and stories that are conceived in their minds are the foundations of our drama world.

So let’s get to know them, the stories they tell and the dramas that are created from their screenplays!

The first screenwriters I’m going to introduce you to are two sisters: Hong Mi Ran (1974/right) and Hong Jung Eun (1977/left). They always write together and should not be confused with the other screenwriting sisters-duo Hong Jin Ah and Hong Ja Ram (King2Hearts,  Beethoven Virus,Over the Rainbow).

Among the online community of K-drama addicts, the Hong sisters are the best-known screenwriters.

They even received an award from the Korean minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on 19th November 2012.

Jung Eun and Mi Ran are a screenwriting duo that wrote their first script, Delightful Girl, Choon Hyang, at the start of 2005. By the end of its airing, the drama was a hit with 24.3% nationwide rating, their best so far. It was followed later that year by My Girl.                                                                   

Their most popular drama is You’re Beautiful, but strangely, even though its popularity isn’t diminishing, judging by the remakes (JapaneseIkemen Desu Ne, and upcoming Taiwanese versionFabulous Boys) and the increasing number of fans, average ratings for this show at the time of airing were about 10%, which before Big was their lowest rated work.

Let’s look at their dramas and try to find the essence of the Hong sisters' success along with the good (+) and bad(-) points in each of their stories.

(Modern version of theLegend of Choon Hyang.)

+ This drama wasn’t conventional in some aspects. Most notable is that the main male lead (Lee Mong Ryong) isn’t super rich and talented. On the other hand, the second male lead is much more capable, and is very wealthy. I think this type of character and its second male lead ‘reincarnations’ can be seen later on in lots of the Hong sisters' dramas.

- Some episodes weren't needed as they didn't add anything to the plot.There are also some minor plot holes at the end.

At first impression it may seem like just another sad heroine story but as the first episode comes to conclusion, Yoo Rin becomes more interesting.

+ The heart of this drama is in Yoo Rin’s lies. Her character comes alive through Lee Da Hae’s acting. Her lies are like spices, they add a distinct flavor to this story.

- Korean dramas have a set number of episodes and it isn’t easy to lay the story so that there aren’t any boring moments. The same applies for My Girl. There is some plot dragging in the ending episodes and not much time was left for the conclusion.  

**Fun fact: In the last episode, last scene, Han Chae Young and Jae Hee have guest appearances as their characters from Delightful Girl Choon Hyang (Chun Hyang and Mong Ryong).

(Couple or Trouble, or Fantasy Couple, is a Korean drama version of the 1987 movie Overboard starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.)

+ Best part of this drama is Anna’s personality. Whether you love her or hate her, you have to admit that she is very different from the usual Korean drama heroine.

- It’s not that popular and it makes you wonder why? My guess is that it's because it doesn’t have a strong culmination of events. Many plot-twists are solved quickly with very little anticipation and suspense but they also are without frustrations. Which could make this fault into an advantage because it’s perfect when you want to take a break after watching heavy dramas.

(Based on a fictional book called Tale of Hong Gil Dong written by the Heo Gyun (known as the writer of the first Korean novel) in the late 16th or early 17th century. )

Unlike other dramas written by the Hong sisters, Hong Gil Dong isn’t just a rom-com. It has other elements besides romantic comedy. You'll notice as the story develops, it becomes darker, much more serious, and complex.

+ The characters are more developed and complex. Even the mad king has a sense of humanity in his heart and reason within his mind. He even has someone he doesn’t want to lose. In the end, you can't bring yourself to hate any of them.

- Instead explaining the disadvantage for this drama as I would get yelled at for it being a major spoiler, I’ll just warn you that you shouldn’t trust the first scene. Don’t let it lull you into a false sense of security.

**Fun fact: The name Hong Gil Dong is a common placeholder name like John Doe is in English.

(Probably the most well-known of the Hong sisters' dramas.)

+ “You were almost there… just one more step and you would’ve found me.” Unfortunately, the best date I’ve seen so far in any drama ended with this thought by Kang Shin Woo (Jung YongHwa). I bet that even if you were rooting for Hwang Tae Kyung (Jang Geun Suk) you still wanted Go Mi Nyeo (Park Shin Hye) to turn around and see him. That is probably the reason the Hong sisters' dramas are so loved. They show romance in a very creative way, making even the smallest things very important.

- Like all dramas, this one also has a bad side. Go Mi Nyeo (Park Shin Hye) is too weak as a lead and doesn’t even try to act as a boy.

**Fun Fact: There are no interesting guest appearances but Jang Geun Suk was promoted from his position of second lead (Hong Gil Dong) to first male lead for this drama.

(The Hong sisters' 6th drama is a Fantasy, based on the famous Asian mythological creature, the Nine-tailed fox.)

+ The story is very entertaining and funny in the Hong sisters' modern version of this tale. It pulls you in as the plot develops.

- Unfortunately, the end is a bit forced (in a certain direction). There are some plot holes and a couple loose ends. Many things are left unexplained.

** Fun Fact: Park Shin Hye (as Go MiNyeo), Lee Hong Ki (as Jeremy), and Uee have guest appearances in this drama.

+ Along with his relationship with Ding Dong, Dokko Jin’s character is the highlight of this drama. With his presence, he dominates every part of the story.

- He could actually be the reason why Gu Ae Jung seems like a very passive female lead. She isn’t weak but her passiveness could be interpreted as a flaw in this drama.

** Fun Facts:Lee Seung Gi appears as himself in episode 9.

The Hong sisters won Writer of The Year MBC Drama Award for this drama. The Greatest Love also received many other awards including Best Drama Award, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Couple Award.

 (Loosely based on the movie Big from 1988 starring Tom Hanks)

Not as big failure as I thought it would be (based on reviews) though if you decide to watch this drama keep your expectations low that way you won’t be disappointed.

+ This drama strength is in pandas, rock, and sunflowers… small things that make romance very interesting and cute.

- Confusing ending and the few last episodes are this drama’s biggest fault.

** Fun Fact:Lee Hee Jin (Jenny in The Greatest Love) had a cameo appearance.

(Can you see the pattern? )

After watching all the dramas the Hong sisters have made I started looking and noticed certain similarities.

I already mentioned that second male leads seemed like ‘reincarnations’ of Byun Hak Do (Uhm Tae Woong) from Delightful Girl, Choon Hyang. They all have a dark and tragic aura about them. Sometimes they even act against the heroine or stand in her way on the road to happiness with first male lead, but in the end, they are pitiful and heartbroken. At the same time though, they have their own distinctive personalities, which is one of the Hong sisters’ strengths.

Over the years, the Hong sisters created many diverse, quirky, and interesting characters. And it’s very easy to start caring for the side characters and stories Jung Eun and Mi Ran made.

Of course, there are also weaknesses in their characterization: They tend to make the main female lead weak (either mentally, physically or emotionally, at times even in all these aspects - Go Mi Nyeo), but even though these leads are lacking in some areas they usually compensate it with their other qualities. There are also exceptions where the females are physically strong (My Girlfriend is a Gumiho) or smart (Couple or Trouble). Nevertheless, most of these main girls are adorable and make you care about them.  

On the other hand, second female leads occasionally can be annoying with their sweetness (Oh Yoo Kyung in Coupleor Trouble, Park Si Yeon in My Girl). They can be quite tenacious and desperateand those two traits apply to all Hong’s second female leads. Still at the end, writers do try to redeem them and make them better. However, not all second female leads in Hong dramas are annoying. There are few that are interesting; Seo Eun Hye (Kim Ri Na in Hong Gil Dong), Kang Se Ri (Yoo In Na in The Greatest Love) and Jang Ma Ri (Bae Suzy in Big). These exceptions are different from usual second female lead mold. They are still there to create trouble for the heroine and hero but their personalities and motives don’t make them into monsters that we love to hate.

Like other writers they like to connect their characters especially leads through something in the past, even past life. Time skipping is an usual occurrence and not just at the end. Movies, books, and legends seem to be the Hong sisters main inspiration. Kisses are rare in their dramas and for some reason the few that they have are all chaste or with open eyes. I know that’s probably not because of scriptwriters but it’s the same in all their dramas and it makes me wonder.

Endings are known to be the Hong sisters’ weakness. There is always very little time left for the conclusion and in most of their dramas there is no epilogue. Some plot lines aren’t always resolved in the most logical way, there are some minor inconsistencies with the story, and there are things that are left unexplained or unmentioned altogether.

Choi Ranand Ahn Suk Hwan appear to be Hong sisters’ favorite actors for supporting characters. There are several dramas where they act together. Some of them, they are even a couple. And as you’ve probably noticed, they really like to cast characters from their previous dramas as guests. Can you guess who will have a cameo appearance in their next drama?

I am almost to the end of this article, but one question still remains; why are their dramas so popular?

Simple, they write romantic comedies and the most important part of this genre is romance between the main leads. When it comes to the art of making their characters fall in love they are very creative, making us believe even with a weaker cast that those two people share the same emotions through all the small things they made them do.

So let’s sum it all up and see what are pros and cons in their stories:

- Weak female leads, dragging out in some parts for the sake of prolonging the plot, endings.

+ Good story pacing, pulls you in, hilarious at times, romance is refreshing, quirky and interesting characters (leads and supporting).

The Hong sisters will be back in 2013with new drama called One Step (한걸음). Although I’ve heard, the drama is still in pre-production. So while you're waiting in anticipation, why not check out their dramas that you haven't seen yet?