Jeon Woo-chi () is a 2012 South Korean fantasy period television series, starring Cha Tae-hyun as the titular Taoist wizard who becomes an unlikely hero to the people of Joseon. It is based on the same folktale as the , but has a different story. Also starring Uee, Lee Hee-joon, Baek Jin-hee, Kim Kap-soo and Sung Dong-il, it aired on KBS2 from November 21, 2012 to February 7, 2013 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 for 24 episodes.
Synopsis
In the fictional utopian nation of Yuldo, established by the righteous bandit hero Hong Gil-dong, Jeon Woo-chi is a dosa, a Taoist wizard, who gained his powers by swallowing a gumiho fox bead. A friend's betrayal causes him to lose his mentor, and sorcery turns the love of his life Hong Mu-yeon into an emotionless assassin. So in order to avenge them, he travels to Joseon, and is moved by the plight of the people and becomes a reluctant hero to them.
Cast and characters
- Cha Tae-hyun as Jeon Woo-chi / Lee Chi, a mischievous, confident wizard who's always chasing women. He doesn't seem like he amounts to much, but that's all an act; he just adopts that persona so that people will underestimate him. He lives a cover life as Lee Chi, a wimpy reporter for the local newspaper who runs away at the first sign of trouble. Though he only cares about his own revenge mission, Woo-chi keeps getting entangled in the citizens' problems. He finds it all annoying, but the more he helps, the more they start to see him as a hero. It's the last thing he wants, but perhaps a fate he can't avoid.
- Uee as Hong Mu-yeon, Hong Gil-dong's granddaughter, princess of Yuldo. She learned wizardry along with Woo-chi, and is brave and strong-willed, and doesn't flinch in the face of death. Ma Sook puts her under a spell that erases her memory and controls her mind, taking her away to use her as a weapon against the Joseon people. But once a month, the energy from the Moon weakens the spell, and she remembers and longs for Woo-chi.
- Lee Hee-joon as Ma Kang-rim, Woo-chi's nemesis. He grew up with both Mu-yeon and Woo-chi in Yuldo. Kang-rim loved Mu-yeon, but always ended up second best in everything, including winning her heart. He chooses to betray them, setting the story in motion.
- Baek Jin-hee as Lee Hye-ryung, who is searching for her brother Lee Chi. Lee Chi's been missing for some time, so when Woo-chi takes on his identity, Hye-ryung thinks she's found her long-lost oppa after all this time. Now he has to keep her fooled and thinking that he's her brother, when he's really not.
- Kim Kap-soo as Ma Sook, a powerful wizard and Kang-rim's uncle. He was once a follower of Hong Gil-dong and part of the group Hwalbindang, but has betrayed Yuldo and set his sights to loftier kingdoms: He wants to conquer Joseon.
- Sung Dong-il as Bong-goo, a slave of Saboksi who later becomes Jeon Woo-chi's loyal servant.
- Lee Byung-joon as Woon-bo, Lee Hye-ryung's servant/guardian, a quack guru/fortune teller.
- Ahn Yong-joon as Yi Geo, who ascended to the throne at a young age as the result of a coup to dethrone his half-brother the king. He once feigned utter indifference in politics as a mode of self-preservation, and even after becoming king he isn't quite able to command full authority and continues the pretending game: he has three facades he hides behindâÂÂweak, lax, and indecisive. In actuality, though, Yi Geo harbors "a grand vision for a new Joseon."
- Hong Jong-hyun as Seo Chan-hwi, a member of the royal guard. He is a humorless, rule-following man of honor, and keeps trying to catch Woo-chi because he's acting outside the law.
- Lee Joo-yeon as Eun-woo, a damo ("female officer") who's a skilled warrior and royal guard.
- Kim Byung-se as Oh Yong
- Lee Jae-yong as So-chil
- Shin Seung-hwan as Dung-gae
- Kim Seung-wook as Jang Sa-doo
- Kim Chi-gook as Noh Joon-ik
- Kim Roi-ha as Mak-gae, who is helping Hye-ryung search for her brother.
- Jang Won-young as Eo Joong-yi
- Park Jae-won/Shi Ho as Mong-sae
- Kim Kwang-kyu as Park Myung-gi
- Jo Jae-yoon as Cheol-gyeon
- Jung Soo-young as Eul-yi, the innkeeper of the inn Hyeryeong and Woon-bo stayed.
- Lee Dae-yeon as Policeman Moon
- Kim Byung-choon as Lee Chae-pal
- Choi Deok-moon as Gye-son
- Park Hae-joon as Dae-geun
- Jo Ha-rang as Gam-nae, a gisaeng who works both sides of the law as an informant.
- Jang Jung-hee as Maeb-ji
- Ko Joo-yeon as Kim sshi/Queen
- Park Joo-young as Oh Kyu, the son of a high-ranking minister who is Lee Chi's new editor.
- Kim Jae-man as Eok Chun
- Kim Sang-hoon as Eop Dong
- Park Gil-soo as Choi Sa-ryung
- Baekho as Jang-won, a warrior ordered to safely escort Kang-rim. (cameo, ep 17)
- Ren as Kang-sul, a messenger who delivered the news of a death in the palace. (cameo, ep 17)
- Jung Jin-young as Jeon Woo-chi's mentor. (cameo, ep 1)
Awards and nominations
International broadcast
References
External links