Secret Garden (South Korean TV series)

Secret Garden (Korean시크릿 가든; MRSikeurit Gadeun) is a 2010 South Korean television drama starring Ha Ji-won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Kim Sa-rang. It aired on SBS from November 13, 2010 to January 16, 2011, on Saturdays and Sundays at 22:00 (KST) for 20 episodes.[1][2][3][4]

Secret Garden
Promotional poster
GenreRomance
Comedy
Fantasy
Written byKim Eun-sook
Directed byShin Woo-chul
Kwon Hyuk-chan
StarringHa Ji-won
Hyun Bin
Yoon Sang-hyun
Kim Sa-rang
Music byChoi Seung-wook
Opening themeSecret Garden
Ending themeAppear by Kim Bum-soo
That Woman by Baek Ji-young
That Man by Hyun Bin
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producerOh Se-kang
ProducerYoon Hye-rim
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time80 minutes
Production companyHwa&Dam Pictures
Original release
NetworkSBS TV
Release13 November 2010 (2010-11-13) –
16 January 2011 (2011-01-16)

Synopsis

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A rationalizing Cinderella story between Gil Ra-im (Ha Ji-won), a stuntwoman, and Kim Joo-won (Hyun Bin), a high-end department store CEO.

While trying to resolve a scandal involving Joo-won's cousin, Oska (Yoon Sang-hyun), (a famous singer), Ra-im and Joo-won meet and he finds himself stunned by her coolness. Joo-won does not understand why Ra-im is constantly on his mind, and decides to pursue her. Though she initially is repelled by him, Ra-im gradually starts reciprocating his feelings.

As two different worlds collide, Ra-im and Joo-won gradually learn about each other's worlds. Joo-won's mother does not want them to love each other. Despite his mother's objections, they get married.

Meanwhile, Oska reunites with his first love, Yoon Seul (Kim Sa-rang), who has made a successful directing career for herself. However, Yoon Seul wants nothing to do with Oska, and instead has her eyes set on Joo-won. The story gets even more complicated and when Ra-im and Joo-won magically start switching bodies.

Cast

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Main

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Tough but secretly lonely, Gil Ra-im works as a stunt woman for an action school that is run by director Im Jong-soo. Due to her father's death when she was in high school, she works hard and doesn't like relying on other people. Her one obsession is Oska, a famous Hallyu star. She meets the arrogant CEO, Kim Joo-won and although she initially dislikes him, their body swap brings about confusing feelings.
The CEO of a high-end departmental store, he is good-looking but arrogant. A childhood trauma caused him to have a defective memory and claustrophobia, causing him to be unable to take lifts. As a rational person, he always seeks answers and solutions to explain things that happen to him. When he meets the spunky Gil Ra-im, he is left confused as he does not understand why she is constantly on his mind. He also finds it hard to accept that she does not seem to care about him or what he is going through because of her.
A famous Hallyu star who is slowly losing his popularity. He is Joo-won's cousin, as well as the first love of Yoon Seul. Frivolous and free-spirited, Oska used to rely on his charming looks and money, but seeing Seul again and discovering new talent in a young man named Tae-sun triggers something inside him, causing him to change.
Oska's first love. She is a music video director. Unable to forgive Oska, she is bent on making him hurt as much as possible. However nearing the end of the series, they decided to give each other a chance to make dreams happen.

Supporting

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The director of an action school. Having studied abroad, Im Jong-soo speaks English fluently and is well connected with Hollywood. Despite his gruff and rough exterior, he cares about his stunt actors deeply and looks out for them. He holds a soft spot for Ra-im, who is oblivious to his feelings.
A young genius musician discovered by Oska in Jeju Island. Prickly and cold, he initially rebuffs Oska's attempts to recruit him. It is later revealed that he is gay and Oska becomes his muse.
Ra-im's best friend who shares a loft with her. She works at the department store Joo-won owns.
Joo-won's long-suffering assistant who has a crush on Im Ah-young.
Joo-won's mother.
  • Kim Ji-sook as Moon Yeon-hong
Oska's mother.
Joo-won's sister who has a crush on Jong-soo.
  • Kim Sang-kyum as Moon Chang-soo
Joo-won's grandfather. Chairman of Loel Department Store.
Joo-won's subordinate as well as great grand uncle. He aims to overthrow Joo-won as president and take over his position.
  • Sung Byung-sook as Park Bong-hee
Moon Chang-soo's fourth wife, Park Bong-ho's sister.
  • Yoon Ki-won as Choi Dong-kyu
Oska's long-suffering manager.
  • Kim Gun as Yoo Jong-hun
Oska's assistant.
  • Yoo Seo-jin as Park Ji-hyun
Joo-won's psychiatrist and long-term friend.
  • Jang Seo-won as Hwang Jung-hwan
Ra-im's senior (sunbae) at the action school.
Park Bong-ho's assistant.
  • Moon Woong-ki as Sang-min
Member of action school.

Special appearances

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Original soundtrack

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Secret Garden
OST
Soundtrack album by
Various Artists
Released2010 (2010)
Genre
Language
LabelSony Group
Achieve Group DN
Disc 1
No.TitleArtistLength
1."That Woman"Baek Ji-young4:34
2."You Are My Spring"Sung Si-kyung4:29
3."Reason"4men4:02
4."Here I Am"4men3:55
5."Appear"Kim Bum-soo4:04
6."A Woman"BEN4:21
7."I Can't"MIIII4:27
8."Scar"BOIS4:11
9."Appear (Ballad ver.)"Yoari4:03
10."You Are My Everything"Jung Ha-yoon3:36
11."Here I Am (Piano ver.)"MIIII3:55
Disc 2
No.TitleArtistLength
1."That Man"Hyun Bin4:33
2."Tears Stain"Yoon Sang-hyun4:17
3."Liar"Yoon Sang-hyun3:33
4."Fairytale"Yiruma4:07
5."Watching"Yoon Sang-hyun4:30
6."Here I Am (Piano Ver.)"Yoon Sang-hyun2:13
7."Main Title"Various Artists1:46
8."Lovely Oscar"Various Artists1:24
9."Guardian Angel"Various Artists2:09
10."Mysterious Garden"Various Artists2:22
11."Love Potion"Various Artists1:21
12."My Darling Lime"Various Artists1:31
13."Secret Garden"Various Artists2:44
14."Confusion"Various Artists1:26
15."My Daddy"Various Artists1:52
16."Virgin Love"Various Artists1:20

Reception

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The drama received positive response from critics and audience for its story, comedy, performance of cast especially of leads Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun and Ha Ji-won and production values. Secret Garden was a huge ratings success, with an estimation of more than 20 billion won worth of economic effect. Hyun Bin's portrayal as Kim Joo-won created a "Hyun Bin Syndrome" as his name and face were plastered everywhere, from newspapers to television and the internet.[5][6] It won a number of awards at both the 2010 SBS Drama Awards and the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards, including "Grand Prize (Daesang)" for Hyun Bin.[7][8]

Ratings

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Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
Nielsen Korea[9] TNmS[10]
Nationwide Seoul Nationwide Seoul
1 November 13, 2010 17.2% 18.3% 16.1% 16.5%
2 November 14, 2010 14.8% 16.0% 15.0% 15.6%
3 November 20, 2010 18.2% 19.8% 17.9% 18.9%
4 November 21, 2010 21.5% 24.1% 20.0% 20.8%
5 November 27, 2010 23.6% 25.5% 25.4% 26.3%
6 November 28, 2010 20.9% 22.9% 25.2% 25.6%
7 December 4, 2010 22.2% 24.1% 24.1% 24.7%
8 December 5, 2010 22.3% 24.3% 24.6% 24.8%
9 December 11, 2010 24.7% 27.0% 27.0% 27.8%
10 December 12, 2010 25.1% 27.5% 28.0% 28.7%
11 December 18, 2010 23.7% 25.3% 27.0% 28.2%
12 December 19, 2010 24.7% 27.3% 28.2% 29.2%
13 December 25, 2010 22.1% 23.3% 24.4% 25.0%
14 December 26, 2010 24.1% 26.1% 26.5% 27.1%
15 January 1, 2011 26.6% 29.5% 23.0% 29.3%
16 January 2, 2011 26.9% 29.9% 23.9% 29.9%
17 January 8, 2011 28.1% 30.5% 23.8% 30.0%
18 January 9, 2011 30.6% 33.0% 27.4% 34.1%
19 January 15, 2011 33.0% 35.3% 29.1% 35.0%
20 January 16, 2011 35.2% 37.9% 31.4% 38.6%
Average 24.3% 26.4% 24.4% 26.8%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
Ratings in the Philippines

It aired on GMA Network from May 2 to July 29, 2011, on weeknights at 22:00 PST.[11] Each episode runs 45 minutes including commercial breaks. The entire series was dubbed in Filipino.

Ratings in the Indonesia

It aired on B-Channel from March 17 to June 24, 2012, on weeknights at 21:00.

Kantar Media National TV Ratings
Pilot Episode Final Episode Peak Average Ref.
13.7%
14.5%
18.5%
[12]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient Result
2010 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special Hyun Bin Won
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special Ha Ji-won Won
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Special Kim Sa-rang Nominated
Netizen Popularity Award - Drama Secret Garden Won
Netizen Popularity Award - Actor Hyun Bin Won
Netizen Popularity Award - Actress Ha Ji-won Won
Top 10 Stars Hyun Bin Won
Ha Ji-won Won
Best Couple Award Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won Won
2011 Grand Prize Hyun Bin Won
Best Drama Secret Garden Won
Best Director Shin Woo-chul Nominated
Best Actor Hyun Bin Nominated
Best Actress Ha Ji-won Nominated
Best New Actor Kim Sung-oh Nominated
Best New Actress Yoo In-na Won
Best Screenplay Kim Eun-sook Won
6th Seoul International Drama Awards[14] Outstanding Korean Director Shin Woo-chul Won
Outstanding Korean Actor Hyun Bin Nominated
Outstanding Korean Actress Ha Ji-won Nominated
Outstanding Korean Screenwriter Kim Eun-sook Won
Outstanding Korean Drama OST "That Woman" - Baek Ji-young Won
Grand Prize (Daesang) Secret Garden Won
Best Director Shin Woo-chul Nominated
Best Actress Ha Ji-won Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Kim Sung-oh Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Park Joon-geum Nominated
Yoo In-na Nominated
Best Writer Kim Eun-sook Won
Best OST "That Woman" - Baek Ji-young Won
24th Grimae Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) Heo Dae-sun, Lee Seung-chun
(camera directors)
Won
Best Actress Ha Ji-won Won
Best Lighting Director Park Man-chang Won
Korea Content Awards
Prime Minister's Award in the Field of Broadcasting Kim Eun-sook Won

Remake

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Big Bang made a parody based on this drama with the title Secret Big Bang, starring G-Dragon as Ji Ra-im and T.O.P as Kim Joo-tap.[15]

In China, a film remake with the same title was released in 2012 starring Wallace Chung, Tan Weiwei and Korean singer Kangta.

In Thailand, a remake with the title Secret Garden Thailand was released in 2016 starring Ananda Everingham and Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Choi, Ji-eun (9 December 2010). "Secret Garden Hyun Bin, Ha Ji-won speak on switching bodies - Part 1". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  2. ^ Choi, Ji-eun (9 December 2010). "Secret Garden Hyun Bin, Ha Ji-won speak on switching bodies - Part 2". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  3. ^ Kang, Hye-ran (27 January 2011). "Ha reflects on the success of Secret Garden". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ Kwon, Mee-yoo (9 January 2011). "Secret Garden soundtrack live in concert". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  5. ^ Kwon, Mee-yoo (26 January 2011). "Secret Garden leaves fairytale love story". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  6. ^ "Success of Secret Garden Continues to Grow". The Chosun Ilbo. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  7. ^ a b Ko, Kyoung-seok (3 January 2011). "Ko Hyun-jung wins grand prize at SBS Drama Awards". 10Asia. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  8. ^ a b Hong, Lucia (27 May 2011). "Hyun Bin, Lee Byung-hun win top prizes at Paeksang". 10Asia. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
  9. ^ "AGB Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu". AGB Nielsen Media Research (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  10. ^ "TNMS Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu". TNMS Ratings (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 28, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  11. ^ "Secret Garden On GMA".
  12. ^ "Kantar Media-TNS National Household Ratings (July 29-Aug. 1): Kapamilya shows dominate primetime".
  13. ^ Park, Min-young (29 May 2011). "Hyun Bin, Lee Byung-hun win Paeksang awards". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  14. ^ Hong, Lucia (1 September 2011) "Chinese series Three Kingdoms wins grand prize at Seoul Drama Awards". 10Asia. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
  15. ^ "'더빅뱅쇼' 빅뱅, 2년 3개월만에 공중파 첫 선··'강렬+파격'". Asiae (in Korean). February 28, 2011.
  16. ^ "ล้างตารอ!! อนันดา เปิดตัว ใบเฟิร์น ประกบคู่ลงซีรี่ส์ Secret Garden Thailand". dara.truelife (in Thai). 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
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