Lee Da-hae

Lee Da-hae, or Lee Da-hey (born Byun Da-hae on April 19, 1984) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her roles in Korean dramas such as My Girl (2005), Green Rose (2005), The Slave Hunters (2010), Miss Ripley (2011), and Hotel King (2014), as well as the Chinese dramas Love Actually (2012) and Best Couple (2016).

Lee Da-hae is well known for being fluent in Korean, English and especially Chinese, which earned her a huge popularity in China. She is the first Korean actress to speak her lines in Mandarin in the Chinese version of Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace), Love Actually with popular Taiwanese actor Joe Cheng. Lee can also speak Japanese.

Early life

Byun Da-hae was born in Seoul, South Korea. When she was in grade 5 at primary school, she and her family moved to Sydney, Australia. Throughout her adolescence, she performed traditional Korean dance many times in front of small audiences in Australia. After she graduated from Burwood Girls High School, she returned to Korea in 2001 to pursue an acting career. She now lives with her mother in Seoul while her father and brother still reside in Sydney.

The Slave Hunters

The Slave Hunters (Hangul: 추노; RR: Chuno) is a 2010 South Korean action historical drama set in the Joseon Dynasty about a slave hunter (played by Jang Hyuk) who is tracking down a general-turned-runaway slave (Oh Ji-ho) as well as searching for the woman he loves (Lee Da-hae). It aired on KBS2 from January 6 to March 25, 2010 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes.

An adequate display of muscular brawn, intricate yet gritty fight scenes, bawdy humor and eloquent moments of pathos and humanity made the series both visually and intellectually appealing to audiences. Critics gave special mention to director Kwak Jung-hwan's lush cinematography, the use of a Red One camera giving each shot its theater-worthy luster. The hit series topped the ratings chart for 7 consecutive weeks, averaging 31.7% and reaching a peak of 35.9%.

In 2010, the series was honored at the Seoul International Drama Awards, and the KBS Drama Awards (notably the highest prize Daesang for lead actor Jang Hyuk). Jang also received a best actor nomination from the 2011 International Emmy Awards for his performance.

Jang Hyuk

Jang Hyuk (born Jung Yong-joon on December 20, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the films Volcano High (2001) and Windstruck (2004), and the television dramas Successful Story of a Bright Girl (2002), The Slave Hunters (2010), Deep Rooted Tree (2011), and Fated to Love You (2014).

Career

Jung Yong-joon spent most of his childhood and adolescence in his birthplace Busan, before making his acting debut in 1997 in the television drama Model under the stage name Jang Hyuk. Besides the teen series School and a minor role in the little-seen film Zzang (The Best), Jang appeared in the music video To My Mother, the 1999 debut single of popular boyband g.o.d. He also acted in several music videos from his rap album, released in 2000 under the name TJ Project. His career first began to take off in 2001 when he was cast in the lead role of the special-effects extravaganza Volcano High together with actress Shin Min-ah. His acting in the eccentric role drew praise from fans and critics.

Oh Ji-ho

Oh Ji-ho (born April 14, 1976) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for the television dramas Couple or Trouble (2006), The Slave Hunters (2010) and Queen of the Office (2013).

Career

Oh Ji-ho was born and raised in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. He dropped out of his e-Business Management course at Anyang Industrial Technical School and at the age of 17, moved to Seoul on his own to pursue a career in acting. He first found work as a commercial model, then made his acting debut in 1998 with a minor role in the film Kka (Naked Being).

Despite starring in a few movies (notably the erotic two-hander La Belle in 2000), Oh would become better known for his work in television. He soon earned heartthrob status among fans for his handsome face and well-defined muscles, but critics initially dismissed him as just another model-turned-actor with attractive looks but little talent. In 2004, Oh established his acting credentials in A Second Proposal, about a divorcee getting another chance at love; he won Best Supporting Actor at the KBS Drama Awards. He next starred in Couple or Trouble (2006), a Hong Sisters-penned romantic comedy series inspired by Overboard about a handyman who gets his petty revenge on an amnesiac heiress by lying to her that she's his live-in girlfriend so that she'll help take care of his three nephews. Couple or Trouble received high ratings and praise for its stars' acting, and Oh took home two popularity prizes at the MBC Drama Awards.