The Legend of the Blue Sea
The Legend of the Blue Sea is a South Korean fantasy romance television series that aired on SBS from November 16, 2016, to January 25, 2017. The series, directed by Jin Hyeok and written by Park Ji-Eun, consists of 20 episodes and was broadcast in the Wednesday and Thursday 22:00 time slot.
Background and Development
The screenplay is inspired by a mermaid tale found in the Eou yadam, a collection of stories by the Joseon-era scholar Yu Mong-In. The original folklore centers on a county magistrate named Kim Dam-Ryung who releases captured mermaids back into the ocean. The drama adapts this premise by weaving a narrative that connects the past with the present.
Plot Synopsis
In 1598, the newly appointed governor Dam Ryung (played by Lee Min-Ho) stays at an inn managed by Mr. Yang (Sung Dong-Il). During his stay, Mr. Yang presents a captured mermaid named Sim Chung (Gianna Jun). Dam Ryung eventually releases her into the sea, and she reaches out to him before disappearing into the water.
In the modern day, Heo Joon-Jae (also played by Lee Min-Ho) is a skilled conman who works alongside his associates, Nam-Doo (Lee Hee-Jun) and Tae-O (Shin Won-Ho). While traveling abroad, Joon-Jae encounters Sim Chung, who has been washed ashore near his resort following a tidal wave.
Production
Production for the series involved multiple international locations. Filming commenced on August 19, 2016, in Goesan, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. The production team later moved to the island of Palau in late August 2016, followed by filming in Spain in September 2016. The first script reading took place on October 8, 2016, in Sangam, Seoul, covering the first four episodes.
The series marked the final acting role for Lee Min-Ho before his mandatory military service. It also served as the return to acting for Gianna Jun following the birth of her first child.
Broadcast Adjustments
The series experienced a scheduling change during its run. Episode 14, originally slated for December 29, 2016, was rescheduled to January 4, 2017. An abridged special covering episodes 1 through 13 was aired in its place on December 29.
Cast
- Gianna Jun as Sim Chung / Se-Hwa
- Lee Min-Ho as Heo Joon-Jae / Dam Ryung
- Lee Hee-Jun as Jo Nam-Doo
- Shin Won-Ho as Tae-O
- Shin Hae-Sun as Cha Si-A
- Sung Dong-Il as Ma Dae-Young / Mr. Yang
- Shin Rin-Ah as Yoo-Na
- Lee Ji-Hoon as Heo Chi-Hyun
- Na Young-Hee as Mo Yoo-Ran