Lee Na-jeong (Korean이나정; born 1978) is a South Korean film, television director and producer. Lee is best known for her work as director of KBS television series Fight for My Way (2017), Netflix original series Love Alarm (2019) and tvN mystery thriller Mine (2021),[1] as well as her critically acclaim film Snowy Road (2017).

Lee Na-jeong
Born1978 (age 45–46)
Alma materSogang University
OccupationTelevision director
Years active2006 - present
Employers
AgentBrillstein Entertainment Partners
Korean name
Hangul
이나정
Hanja
李娜靜
Revised RomanizationI Na-jeong
McCune–ReischauerI Nachŏng

Lee started her career in KBS Drama Department as an assistant director. In 2018, Lee resigned from KBS and moved to Studio Dragon Drama Department.[2] Lee signed a deal with Brillstein Entertainment Partners in 2021. She became the first Korean female television director to have joined a U.S. management agency.[3]

Early life and education edit

Lee Na-jeong was born in 1978. She graduated from Journalism Department of Sogang University. In 2005, Lee applied for the 31st Public Recruitment at KBS.[4] Lee started her career in KBS Drama Department as an assistant director.[5]

Career edit

Lee Na-jeong started as an assistant director for the drama It's Only You in 2011. In 2012, she served as an assistant director to Kim Jin-won for the drama The Innocent Man.[6] Her breakthrough came when she took on the role of the main director for the KBS Drama Special - Yeonwoo's Summer in 2013.[7]

In early 2014, Lee Na-jeong started planned Snowy Road with the Writer Yoo Bo-ra.[8] Set in 1944 at the end of the Japanese colonial period, Snow Road is a work depicting the reality that Jongbun (Kim Hyang-gi) and Young-ae (Kim Sae-ron) had to face as comfort women. The actual filming period for Snowy Road lasted only 17 days.[9][10] It was first premiered as a two-part television drama special on KBS1 in 2015, and then was re-edited for theatrical screening.[11][12]

However KBS planned it as a film from the beginning. Broadcast content is difficult to show in Japan, but for film, it is easier to go to film festivals or screen them. It could at least be screened at human rights film festivals. So, from the beginning, they formed a broadcasting staff and a film staff together, and the scenario was also written in collaboration with the film staff. It all started with the hope that more people would watch the movie and learn more about this issue.[8][13] The theatrical cut was first showcased at the 16th Jeonju International Film Festival.[11][12] The film version was finally released in theater nationwide on March 1, 2017,[8][13] also known as the Independence Movement Day in South Korea, which commemorates the 1919 March 1st Movement.[14] In 2016, Snowy Road won the Prix Italia Award in the TV Drama/TV Movie category at the 67th Prix Italia Award Awards.[15]

Lee left KBS and moved to Studio Dragon. Her debut work in the new place was Love Alarm, which was based on the Daum webtoon of the same name by Chon Kye-young, it centered on the life of a high school girl in a society greatly influenced by a mobile app capable of notifying romantic feelings. Staring Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, and Song Kang, it was the first Korean drama series confirmed to be streamed on Netflix.[a] The first season of the series was streamed on Netflix on August 22, 2019. It was ranked as one of Netflix's top releases and was renewed for a second season in October 2019. Deason 2 was released on March 12, 2021, with different director.[16] In 2021, the series managed to rank in Netflix as the 6th most watched K-dramas worldwide.[17] In 2022, it was the ninth most searched Korean drama worldwide.[18]

Director Lee Na-jeong said, "I wanted to portray the love and growth of three men and women who face the most ecstatic and exciting moments as well as the most painful and terrible moments while embodying the wonderfully well-crafted world of the original work. I want to share the deep emotion of the original work with more people."[19]

In 2021, Lee Na-jeong collaborated with Writer Baek Mi-kyung on a drama centered around the theme of motherhood. Initially titled "Blue Diamond," Lee suggested changing the title to Mine, which Baek Mi-kyung gladly accepted. It explores the lives of wealthy family members and their servants, delving into the complexities of their relationships. Each women character defy societal prejudices to find their "truly mine."[20][21] Mine made history as the first Korean drama to feature a lesbian character in a leading role, further expanding representation in the industry.[22][23][24]

We put a lot of effort into expressing the luxury of the real upper class on screen. Because it is set in the top 1%, I thought there should be plenty to see, but the visuals should not be boring or distracting. I wanted to create a drama that would appeal to viewers’ eyes and ears. We created a visual pre-production team (prior to filming) and prepared the concept for about 4 months, researching what kind of buildings the upper class likes in 2021 and what they use, wear, and eat. Based on this, we clearly communicated the image and direction we wanted to create to the staff, including the cinematographer and art director, and completed the work together. I also wanted to present a new standard for luxury. I tried to convey the feelings of real rich people by clearly choosing emptiness and filling.

— Lee Na-jeong, Women Donga's Interview.[24]

The series, starring Lee Bo-young, Kim Seo-hyung, Lee Hyun-wook, and Ok Ja-yeon,[25] premiered on tvN on May 8, 2021. It aired every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST) until June 27, 2021.[26] Netflix acquired the exclusive rights for international distribution.[27][28][29] The drama garnered substantial ratings throughout its run. With an average nationwide viewership of 8.208% and 9.078% in the metropolitan area, Mine attracted an average of 1.826 million viewers per episode. The drama's final episode recorded an average of 10.5% and 11.2% ratings for households nationwide and in the metropolitan area, respectively. These numbers surpassed its own previous highest ratings in both segments.[30]

In 2021, Fine Cut, an overseas film distribution company, announced the news that Lee signed a deal with Brillstein Entertainment Partners in 2021, which has a number of production studios and Hollywood stars under its wing. She became the first Korean female TV director to have joined a U.S. management agency. Missy Malkin from Brillstain decided to signed Lee after watching tvN mystery thriller Mine (2021).[31]

Studio Trii, Imaginus edit

In March 2024, Ryu Hyung-jin, the vice president of the production house Imaginus, introduced Imaginus's labels in an exclusive interview with Cine21. He mentioned Trii Studio (트리 스튜디오), as label under Imaginus, and stated that Lee Na-jeong is leading the label alongside fellow female creators, directors Lee Yoon-jung and producer Kim Jin-yi.[32][33] Imaginus is a production house established by Choi Jin-hee, former CEO of Studio Dragon. Trii Studio upcoming work is Hong sisters' OTT drama Can Love Be Translated set to be directed by Yoo Young-eun.[34][35]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Feature film credits[36]
Year Title Credited as Scriptwriter Notes Ref.
English Korean Assistant director Director Producer
2017 Snowy Road 눈길 Yes Yoo Bo-ra Re-leased and re-edited version [36]

Television series edit

Television drama credits[36]
Year Title Ep. Network Scriptwriter Credited as Ref.
English Korean Assistant director Director Producer
2006 Take Care, Weapon 무기여 잘 있거라 2 KBS2 Chae Su-bong Yes [37]
2008 Strongest Chil Woo 최강칠우 20 Baek Un-cheol [1]
2009 Ode to Youth 청춘예찬 75 KBS1 Choi Min-ki [38]
2009 Hot Blood 열혈 장사꾼 20 KBS2
  • Hong Seung-hyun
  • Yoo Byung-woo
  • Kim Kyung-hoe
[1]
2011 The Princess' Man 공주의 남자 24
  • Jo Jung-ju
  • Kim Wook
2011–2012 Only You 당신뿐이야 128 KBS1 Choi Min-ki Co-director[b]
2012 The Innocent Man 세상 어디에도 없는 착한남자 20 KBS2 Lee Kyung-hee Co-director[c]
2013 KBS Drama Special - Yeonwoo's Summer KBS 드라마 스페셜 - 연우의 여름 1 Yoo Bo-ra Yes [36]
2014 Beyond the Clouds 태양은 가득히 16 Heo Sung-hye Yes [39]
2015 Snowy Road 눈길 2 KBS1 Yoo Bo-ra Yes [36]
2015 Hello Monster 너를 기억해 16 KBS2 Kwon Ki-young [40]
2015–2016 Oh My Venus 오 마이 비너스 16 Kim Eun-ji Co-director[d] [41]
2016 Becky's Back 백희가 돌아왔다 4 Lim Sang-choon Yes [42]
2016–2017 My Fair Lady 오 마이 금비 16 Jeon Ho-sung [43]
2017 Fight for My Way 쌈 마이웨이 16 Lim Sang-choon Co-director[e] [44][45]
2021 Mine 마인 16 tvN Baek Mi-kyung Yes [46]
2023 See You in My 19th Life 이번 생도 잘 부탁해 12
  • Choi Young-rim
  • Min Ye-ji
[47]

Web drama edit

Web drama credits
Year Title OTT Credited as Ref.
English Korean Scriptwriter Director Executive Producer Planner
2019 Love Alarm Season 1 좋아하면 울리는 Netflix
  • Lee Ah-yeon
  • Seo Bo-ra
Yes Kim Jin-yi Studio Dragon [48]
TBA Can This Love Be Translated? 이 사랑 통역 되나요? TBA Hong sisters Yoo Young-eun Yes[f] Imaginus [49][35]

Accolades edit

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2016 28th Korea Producer Awards Best Picture in the TV Drama Snowy Road Won [50]
24th Golden Rooster Awards Best Foreign Film Won [50]
Prix Italia Best TV Drama-TV Movie category Won [51]
2017 Brand of the Year Awards Drama of the Year Fight for My Way Won [52]
1st The Seoul Awards Best Drama Nominated [53]
2018 30th Korea Producer Awards Best Drama Won [15]
54th Baeksang Arts Awards Nominated [54]
13th Seoul International Drama Awards Excellence Award for Korean Drama Won [55]
Best Comedy Nominated
2022 58th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Director Mine Nominated [56][57]

Note edit

  1. ^ Although Love Alarm was confirmed first, Kingdom was streamed on the service before Love Alarm.
  2. ^ Co-directed with PD Jin Hyung-wook
  3. ^ Co-directed with PD Kim Jin-won
  4. ^ Co-directed with PD Kim Hyung-seok
  5. ^ Co-directed with PD Kim Dong-hwi
  6. ^ Lee Na-jeong, Lee Yoon-jung, and Kim Jin-yi as Executive Producer from Label Trii Studio (트리 스튜디오)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "LEE Na-jeong". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  2. ^ Boram, Kim (2022-03-16). "S. Korean TV directors set to tap into Hollywood". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  3. ^ "Director Lee Na-jeong signs with U.S. production company Brillstein Entertainment". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  4. ^ ""KBS 다닌다는 말 안해... 현장에서는 로고도 가린다"". OhmyNews (in Korean). 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  5. ^ Yoon, Yeo-soo (2017-02-18). "드라마 PD 겸 영화감독, '투잡' 뛰는 연출자들" [Drama PD and film director, directors who work 'Two Jobs']. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  6. ^ "'착한남자' 水夜 안방극장 잡았다… 시청률 20% 고지 '눈 앞'". 아시아경제 (in Korean). 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  7. ^ 기자, 글렌다박 (2023-08-23). "[글렌다박&] '이번 생도 잘 부탁해' 이나정 감독 "탁월한 하윤경, 박소이에 감탄"". 서울와이어 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  8. ^ a b c "그렇게 삶은 계속된다" [That's how life goes on]. Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  9. ^ "[인터뷰] 이나정 감독·김새론 "마음 아프지만, 누군가는 해야할 이야기"". 언론사 뷰. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  10. ^ "[people] 이나정 감독" [[people] Director Na-jung]. Cine21 (in Korean). 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  11. ^ a b "전주국제영화제". www.jiff.or.kr. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Another 'comfort women' film to hit theaters". The Korea Times. 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  13. ^ a b "[인터뷰] 이나정 감독 "'눈길'...약자들이 함께 나아가는 연대 영화"" [[Interview] Director Lee Na-jung "'Snow Road'... A solidarity film where the weak go together"]. 싱글리스트 (in Korean). 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  14. ^ "Young girls live through horror together : 'Snowy Road' highlights the agony felt in the daily lives of teenage 'comfort women'-INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  15. ^ a b [한국PD대상] 올해의PD상 총파업참여 PD들..눈물과 촌철살인 소감 [종합] [[Korea PD Awards] PDs participating in this year's PD award general strike.. The impression of tears and rustic murder [Comprehensive]]. OSEN (in Korean). 15 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Netflix Sets Release Date For 'Love Alarm' Season 2". News18. February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  17. ^ "Here Are the 10 Most-Viewed Korean Series on Netflix in 2021". Forbes.
  18. ^ "'Squid Game' rules the list of most searched Korean dramas in 2022".
  19. ^ 이, 현진. "'좋아하면 울리는' 이나정 감독 "원작이 주는 깊은 감동을 공유하고파"". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  20. ^ "이나정 PD, "'여성스러움'이란 단어를 재정의하고 싶었다"" [PD Ina Jung, "I wanted to redefine the word 'femininity'"]. Cine21 (in Korean). 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  21. ^ "임수연 기자의 '마인' 리뷰, "연대가 여성을 자유롭게 하리라"" [Reporter Lim Soo-yeon's 'Mine' review, "The Solidarity Will Free Women"]. Cine21 (in Korean). 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  22. ^ Park, Soo-in (June 28, 2021). "'마인' 김서형 "성소수자 멜로 원했다‥한국판 '캐롤'도 만났으면"[EN:인터뷰]" ['Mine' Kim Seo-hyung: "I wanted an LGBT melodrama..I also wanted the Korean version of 'Carol'" [EN: Interview]]. Naver (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  23. ^ Nitura, Jam; Caoile, Jhanine (Jun 30, 2021). "Kim Seo Hyung Reveals She Chose "Mine" for the K-Drama's LGBT Love Story". Preview. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  24. ^ a b "재벌가 여성에 대한 고정관념 깬 '마인' 이나정 PD" ['Mine' Na-jung PD who broke the stereotypes about women in chaebols]. 여성동아 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  25. ^ Park Yoon-jin (December 29, 2020). "tvN 측 "이보영·김서형·옥자연, '마인' 긍정 검토 중…고소영은 출연 NO" [공식]" [tvN side "Lee Bo-young, Kim Seo-hyung, Okja-yeon,'Mine' affirmative review... Go So-young appears NO" [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  26. ^ Shin Young-eun (April 21, 2021). "이보영X김서형 '마인' 5월 8일 첫방송 확정 [공식]" [Lee Bo-young x Kim Seo-hyung'Mine' first broadcast confirmed on May 8th [Official]]. Daily Economy Star (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  27. ^ Robinson, Jacob (April 26, 2021). "Netflix K-Drama 'Mine' Season 1: Plot, Cast, Trailer & Episode Release Schedule". What's on Netflix. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  28. ^ Laure (Jun 15, 2021). "K-Drama "Mine" Currently Ranked 9th Most Popular TV Show On Netflix Worldwide". Kpopmap. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  29. ^ "Mine (Netflix)". The Futon Critic. May 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  30. ^ Seong Yu-min (June 28, 2021). "'마인' 최종회, 그 신부님 어머나 웬일...모델 겸 배우 아키라" [The final episode of 'Main', the priest's mother, for some reason... Model and actress Akira]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  31. ^ Petski, Denise (2021-07-30). "Director Lee Na-Jeong Signs With Brillstein Entertainment Partners". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  32. ^ "[특집] 화제의 콘텐츠 이곳에서 탄생했다, 제작사 KT스튜디오지니 스튜디오 엑스플러스유 이매지너스 하이그라운드를 만나다" [[Feature] The hot topic content was born here, meet the production company KT Studio Geni Studio X Plus You Imaginus High Ground]. Cine21 (in Korean). 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  33. ^ "[인터뷰] 이제는 어떤 방식으로 협업하느냐가 훨씬 중요하다, 류형진 이매지너스 부대표" [[Interview] Now how to collaborate is much more important, Deputy President Ryu Hyung-jin Imaginus]. Cine21 (in Korean). 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  34. ^ 박, 진영 (2023-09-21). "고윤정, 김선호 만날까..."'이 사랑 통역 되나요?' 검토 중"(공식)" [Shall we meet Go Yoon-jung and Kim Seon-ho..."'Can this love be translated?' Under review"(official)]. 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  35. ^ a b Ko, Jin-young (2024-02-29). "[Film Making]이매지너스 '이 사랑 통역 되나요'…6월 촬영 돌입" [[Film Making]Imaginus 'Can this love be translated'... Filming started in June]. 더벨뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  36. ^ a b c d e "KMDb - Lee Na-jeong". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  37. ^ "Take Care My Weapon". Korean Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-11-10.
  38. ^ "KBS1 아침드라마 'TV소설' 봄편성 폐지" [KBS1 morning drama 'TV novel' spring reorganisation abolished]. PD저널 (in Korean). 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  39. ^ "태양은 가득히" [Beyond the Clouds]. Korean Broadcasting System (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  40. ^ "너를 기억해" [Hello Monster]. Korean Broadcasting System (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  41. ^ "오 마이 비너스" [Oh My Venus web]. Korean Broadcasting System (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  42. ^ "'조들호' 후속, 4부작 '백희가 돌아왔다' 편성 확정" [The follow-up to 'Jodeulho', the four-part 'Baek-hee is back' is confirmed]. 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  43. ^ "오 마이 금비" [My Fair Lady web]. Korean Broadcasting System (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  44. ^ "[단독인터뷰] '쌈,마이웨이' 임상춘 작가 "착한 사람들의 소소한 갈등 끌려"" [[Exclusive Interview] 'Ssam, My Way' writer Im Sang-chun "I'm attracted to the small conflicts of good people"]. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  45. ^ Sun, Mi-kyung. "[공식입장] 박서준·김지원, '쌈 마이웨이' 출연 확정..대세 조합" [[Official position] Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won confirmed to appear in 'Ssam My Way'.. Trend combination]. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  46. ^ Kim Hyun-rok (October 17, 2020). "이보영X고소영, 백미경 작가 '마인'으로 뭉치나 "여성파워 조합"[종합]" [Lee Bo-young x Ko So-young, Baek Mi-kyung, the artist 'Mine', "Woman Power Combination" [Comprehensive]]. Spotvnews (in Korean). Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  47. ^ Yoon Hyo-jeong (May 10, 2023). "신혜선·안보현, 인생 19회차 환생 로맨스…'이번 생도 잘 부탁해'" (in Korean). News1 Korea. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023 – via Naver.
  48. ^ "Netflix to bring romance series Love Alarm". Netflix Media Centre. September 4, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  49. ^ 박, 진영 (2023-09-21). "고윤정, 김선호 만날까..."'이 사랑 통역 되나요?' 검토 중"(공식)" [Go Yoon-jung, shall we meet Kim Seon-ho..."' Can this love be translated?' Under review" (official)]. 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  50. ^ a b "Korean Film 'Snowy Road' Wins Best Picture, Best Actress at Chinese Film Festival". KBS World Radio. 2015-09-19.
  51. ^ Koo, Bo-ra (2016-03-22). ""위안부 문제 끝나지 않은 우리의 일" [한국PD대상 수상자 인터뷰 ②] 드라마 작품상 KBS '눈길' 이나정 PD" ["Our work that does not end the comfort women problem" [Korea PD Grand Prize Winner Interview 2] Drama Award KBS 'Snowy Road' PD Lee Na-jung]. PD Journals (in Korean).
  52. ^ Park, Yu-ji (4 September 2017). ‘효리네민박’·‘프듀2’, 올해의 예능 브랜드 대상 확정 [공식] ['Hyo-ri's Minbak'·'Produce two', this year's entertainment brand grand prize confirmed [Official]]. TV Report (in Korean).
  53. ^ ‘[더서울어워즈] '비밀의 숲'·'박열', 대상 수상…반박 불가 ★들의 잔치(종합) 본문듣기 설정 ['[The Seoul Awards] 'Secret Forest'·'Park Yeol', Grand Prize Winner... Unsubjectible ★'s Feast (Comprehensive) Text Listening Settings] (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  54. ^ 제54회 백상예술대상, TV·영화 각 부문별 수상 후보자 공개 [The 54th Baeksang Arts Awards, Revealing the nominations for each category of TV and film]. JTBC (in Korean). April 6, 2018.
  55. ^ ‘SDA 2018’ 박서준X손예진 남녀 연기자상 ‘바빌론 베를린’ 대상(종합) ['SDA 2018' Park Seo-joon X Son Ye-jin Male and Female Actor Award 'Babylon Berlin' Grand Prize (Comprehensive)]. Newsen (in Korean). September 3, 2018.
  56. ^ "제 58회 백상예술대상" [58 Nominees · Works]. Baeksang Arts Awards (in Korean). April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  57. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (April 11, 2022). "58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은?" [58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 11, 2022.

External links edit