hankyoreh

A television drama jointly produced by South Korea's Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and North Korea's Korean Central Television will hit the airwaves August 1.

Titled ‘‘Sayuksin,’’ the 70-minute, 24-segment drama becomes the first ever to be produced by a North Korean broadcaster on order from a South Korean one and is the result of discussions that began five years ago during the 2002 Daegu Universiade, when North and South Korea signed a broadcasting exchange cooperation agreement. The program was to begin running during the second half of last year, but was postponed because of the cooling in North-South relations resulting from the North Korean nuclear situation.

‘‘Sayuksin’’ was directed by North Korea’s Chang Yong Bok, known for his ‘‘Rimkkokchong,’’ a story about a Robin Hood-like righteous bandit from the 16th century. The script was written by Pak In So and Kim Il Jung, famous in North Korea for their work in television dramas and feature films, while South Korean script writers Lee Seung-hui and Park Cheol participated in the revision process. Filming began in 2005, with additional filming done in March of this year, with total production costs coming close to 20 billion won (US$22 million). Production funding was provided by KBS, with two thirds of the funds given in the form of equipment, including power trucks, lighting trucks and editing equipment.

‘‘Sayuksin’’ is originally a historical term that refers to six high-ranking officials in King Danjong’s court during the 15th century who plotted to restore Danjong to the throne after he was, in their view, wrongly removed from power. Their plot was discovered, however, and though they were given an opportunity to repent, they refused, insisting that a ‘‘faithful retainer serves but one king,’’ and were executed. Often referred to in English historiographies on Korea as the ‘‘six martyred ministers,’’ the group and others, including male relatives executed for guilt by association, were later revered for setting examples of loyalty to the very end.

‘‘While it differs in feel and scale compared to South Korean historical dramas, the overall quality meets with expectations,’’ said Na Sang-yeop, who, as part of KBS’ drama planning section, has seen all 24 segments. ‘‘I expect South Korean viewers will be pleased.’’

The program is scheduled to be shown in North Korea at a later date.

KBS will retain the copyright to the program while the rights to televise are to be held by the North Korean broadcaster, according to Kim Gi-chang of KBS’ North-South cooperation department, who added that sales to other Korean and foreign companies will be considered ‘‘after the program’s first showing.’’

Industry observers and culture critics alike will be watching to see how ‘‘Sayuksin,’’ which reflects North Korea’s popular imagination and view of the six martyrs, is received by the South Korean viewing audience, and whether it will mark the beginning of a deeper relationship between broadcasters in the two Koreas.

‘‘This is the first bridge for North-South joint productions,’’ said Na. ‘‘We expect there will be more active co-production in the future as this first work leads to an accumulation of mutual confidence.’’

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