The Red Sleeve (Korean: 옷소매 붉은 끝동) is a South Korean television series starring Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young, and Kang Hoon. It is a fictionalised account of the lives of King Jeongjo and Consort Ui. It aired on MBC TV from November 12, 2021, to January 1, 2022, every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 (KST).
Contents
Synopsis
Based on a novel of the same name, The Red Sleeve tells the story of a royal court romance between the king of Joseon who places his duty to his country above love, and a court lady who wants to protect the life she has chosen. The story is told from the viewpoint of the court lady.
Cast
Main
Lee Jun-ho as Yi San, later King Jeongjo
Lee Joo-won as young Yi San
The arrogant and perfectionist grandson of King Yeongjo. He constantly strives to become a benevolent king, but his father's death has left an emotional trauma in his heart.
Lee Se-young as Seong Deok-im, later First Senior Consort Ui
Lee Seol-ah as young Seong Deok-im
A court lady who wants to live the life of her choice, rather than just be one of the numerous court ladies called "the king's women".
Kang Hoon as Hong Deok-ro
Choi Jeong-hoo as young Deok-ro
Yi San's teacher who hides a cold personality beneath his warm-hearted appearance.
Supporting
Lee Deok-hwa as King Yeongjo
Yi San's grandfather.
Jang Hee-jin as Queen Kim
King Yeongjo's second legitimate wife.
Kang Mal-geum as Crown Princess Hye
Yi San's mother.
Kim I-on as Princess Cheongyeon
Yi San's first younger sister.
Jo Seung-hee as Princess Cheongseon
Yi San's second younger sister.
Go Ha as Second Junior Consort Moon
King Yeongjo's concubine.
Park Seo-kyung as Hong Dan, later First Senior Consort Won
Hong Deok-ro's younger sister who becomes Yi San's concubine.
Yi Seo as First Senior Consort Hwa
Yi San's concubine.
Kim Ja-young as Court Lady Kwon
Park Jung-eon as Consort Yeong's court lady
Jeon Yeo-jin as Queen Kim's court lady
Gil Sung-joo as Mi-yook, Consort Hwa's maid
Park Seung-ah as Yang-soon, Consort Hwa's maid
Park Ji-young as Head Court Lady Jo
Extended
Jo Chan-hyung as Yi San's guard
Kim Ja-young as Court Lady Kwon
Kim Byung-chun as Shim Hwi-won
Special appearances
Ha Seok-jin as a magistrate
Do Sang-woo as Crown Prince Sado
Yi San's father.
Nam Gi-ae as First Senior Consort Yeong
Yi San's biological grandmother and King Yeongjo's beloved concubine.
Lee Soon-jae as an elderly citizen
Production and release
The lead roles were initially offered to Kim Kyung-nam and Park Hye-su. The first script reading of the cast was held in May 2021.
The series was originally scheduled to premiere on November 5, 2021, but it was delayed by a week due to program adjustment for the broadcast of a professional baseball game.
On December 9, 2021, it was announced that the series would be extended by one episode due to its popularity and would end with 17 episodes. Due to the extension, episode 13 aired on December 24, while episodes 14 and 15 aired on December 25.
It was reported that filming started in May 2021 and continued for about seven months until December 21. It was mainly conducted at the Mungyeong Saejae Open Set, Jeonju Hanok Village, Gwanghallu Garden in Namwon, Naganeupseong Folk Village, Yeokrin Set in Damyang County, and Yeolhwajeong Pavilion in Boseong County.