Ko Hyun-jung playing role of femme fatale in history drama

"The Sandglass" (1995) heroine Ko Hyun-jung is seeking to revive her glory through a big-scale history drama, which started airing on TV on May 25.

Ko, 38, is starring in MBC-TV`s "The Great Queen Seondeok," a 50-episode epic drama featuring the power struggle within the royal court during the Silla Kingdom (57~935).

News reports said Ko is drawing TV audiences with her stunning acting in the role of "Misil," a royal concubine who exercises an enormous influence on the king and his minions.

Misil is an ambitious woman thirsting for authority and power, who desperately attempts to prevent Princess Seondeok from being enthroned. Ko demonstrates Misil`s alluring beauty fantastically blended with cruelty and cunning.

Starring in an epic drama is brand new ground for the 38-year-old veteran actress. Speaking at a news conference, she said she wanted the role of Misil, not Queen Seondeok. "Misil`s definite and strong color is better for me," she said.

TV commentators said chances are that the history drama may become a blockbuster, citing the drama`s relatively high viewer ratings.

The dramatic tension and plot development in the drama`s second episode gained nationwide ratings of 16.6 percent, according to a survey conducted by TNS Media Korea. The drama ranked first among TV programs in terms of viewer ratings.

"The Sandglass," a mega hit drama which aired in 1995, helped Ko secure top star status. After the drama ended, she also surprised the nation by marrying Jung Yong-jin, the grandson of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chull, in 1995. But after eight years of marriage, Ko separated from Jung and returned to the screen. She started her entertainment career after becoming the first runner-up in the 1989 Miss Korea beauty pageant.

By Hyun Ji-hyang (jenellehyun@gmail.com)