New Tales of the Gisaeng

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Drama: New Tales of the Gisaeng
Revised romanization: Singisaendyun
Hangul: 신기생뎐
Director: Son Moon-Kwon, Lee Young-Hee
Writer: Im Sung-Han
Network: SBS
Episodes: 52
Release Date: January 23 - July 17, 2011
Runtime: Saturdays & Sundays 22:00
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

"New Tales of the Gisaeng" covers the love, sadness and pain of people around a gisaeng house, where only VIPs can enter.

Dan Sa-Ran majored in dance while attending college. She is beautiful. Her mother died when Sa-Ran was still young and her father remarried. Dan Sa-Ran comes from a poor family, but she keeps her dignity around friends who come from rich families. By chance, she meets Da-Mo and likes him, but doesn't tell him because of her poor background. A head gisaeng at Buyongkak recommended to her to become a gisaeng.

Ah Da-Mo (Sung Hoon) takes business administration training at his father's company. He does not get along with his father. Da-Mo's father shows affection only towards their pet dog. Da-Mo is cocky and tends to look down on woman. By chance he meets Dan Sa-Ran and their relationship begins.

Notes

"New Tales of the Gisaeng" takes over the SBS Saturdays & Sundays 22:00 time slot previously occupied by "Secret Garden" and followed by "Scent of a Woman" on July 16.

Cast



Lim Soo-Hyang	Sung Hoon	Han Hye-Rin
Dan Sa-Ran	Ah Da-Mo	Geum Ra-Ra



Kim Bo-Yeon	Kim Hye-Sun	Lee Mae-Ri	Baek Ok-Dam	Kim Joo-Young
Oh Hwa-Ran	Han Soon-Duk	Lee Do-Hwa	Dan Gong-Joo	Dan Chul-Soo



Lee Sook	Han Jin-Hee	Lee Jong-Nam	Lee Dong-Joon	Lee Sang-Mi
Ji Hwa-Ja	Geum Eo-San	Jang Joo-Hee	Geum Kang-San	Shin Hyo-Ri



Lim Hyuk	Kim Hye-Jung	Park Jun-Myun	Seo Dong-Soo	Song Dae-Kwan
Ah Soo-Ra	Cha Ra-Ri	No Eun-Ja	Ma Dan-Se	Seo Sang-Kang



Jun Ji-Hoo	Seo Woo-Rim	Lee Dae-Ro	Choi Sun-Ja	Ahn Young-Joo
Son-Ja	Lee Hong-Ah	Geum Si-Jo	Hwa-Ran's mom	Park Ae-Ja

Oh Ki-Chan

Oh Bong-Yi

Additional Cast Members:

Min Joon-Hyun - manager
Kang Cho-Hee - Han Song-Yi
Park Yoon-Jae - Oh Jin-Am
Kang Seo-Joon - Doo-Suk
Michael Blunck - Kyle
Ha Na-Kyung - Ms.
Kim Yeol - Baek Soo-Jung
Lee Sun-Ah - Lee Ji-Hyang
Jin Ye-Sol - Jin Joo-A
Jung Han-Bi - Han Soon-Duk (young)
Sung Chan-Ho - CEO
Kang Pil-Sun - waiter
Lee Se-Rang
Jung Mo-Rye

Trailer

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Episode Ratings

Date	Episode	Nationwide	Seoul
2011-01-23	1	8.9 (20th)	10.9 (17th)
2011-01-23	2	8.9 (20th)	10.9 (17th)
2011-01-29	3	9.2 (15th)	10.7 (15th)
2011-01-30	4	NR	NR
2011-02-05	5	9.0 (16th)	11.3 (15th)
2011-02-06	6	8.9 (20th)	10.5 (18th)
2011-02-12	7	9.7 (13th)	12.1 (10th)
2011-02-13	8	9.0 (17th)	10.8 (16th)
2011-02-19	9	10.4 (9th)	12.1 (9th)
2011-02-20	10	9.0 (14th)	10.3 (16th)
2011-02-26	11	10.1 (10th)	11.4 (11th)
2011-02-27	12	10.1 (17th)	12.1 (14th)
2011-03-05	13	11.2 (10th)	13.0 (10th)
2011-03-06	14	10.5 (13th)	12.3 (11th)
2011-03-12	15	10.7 (11th)	12.8 (9th)
2011-03-13	16	11.5 (9th)	13.7 (10th)
2011-03-19	17	11.4 (10th)	14.0 (7th)
2011-03-20	18	11.0 (14th)	13.1 (10th)
2011-03-26	19	11.3 (8th)	13.1 (7th)
2011-03-27	20	10.8 (12th)	13.3 (9th)
2011-04-02	21	13.7 (3rd)	15.9 (4th)
2011-04-03	22	15.6 (3rd)	18.2 (3rd)
2011-04-09	23	16.0 (2nd)	18.7 (2nd)
2011-04-10	24	14.8 (4th)	17.9 (4th)
2011-04-16	25	14.9 (2nd)	16.9 (3rd)
2011-04-17	26	15.7 (3rd)	18.5 (4th)
2011-04-23	27	14.6 (2nd)	17.2 (4th)
2011-04-24	28	15.1 (5th)	17.5 (5th)
2011-05-01	29	12.9 (5th)	14.5 (5th)
2011-05-01	30	12.9 (5th)	14.5 (5th)
2011-05-07	31	13.0 (5th)	14.3 (6th)
2011-05-08	32	14.8 (4th)	16.9 (4th)
2011-05-14	33	15.2 (3rd)	18.5 (3rd)
2011-05-15	34	16.4 (4th)	19.6 (3rd)
2011-05-21	35	15.0 (3rd)	17.3 (5th)
2011-05-22	36	16.5 (3rd)	18.9 (3rd)
2011-05-28	37	15.9 (3rd)	18.7 (4th)
2011-05-29	38	16.3 (4th)	19.1 (4th)
2011-06-04	39	15.6 (3rd)	19.1 (2nd)
2011-06-05	40	15.9 (4th)	17.0 (4th)
2011-06-11	41	18.1 (2nd)	21.0 (1st)
2011-06-12	42	19.3 (2nd)	22.8 (2nd)
2011-06-18	43	19.1 (2nd)	20.9 (3rd)
2011-06-19	44	19.6 (2nd)	23.5 (2nd)
2011-06-25	45	19.5 (3rd)	22.2 (3rd)
2011-06-26	46	20.3 (2nd)	22.2 (2nd)
2011-07-02	47	20.4 (2nd)	23.3 (2nd)
2011-07-03	48	20.9 (2nd)	24.6 (3rd)
2011-07-09	49	20.1 (3rd)	20.8 (3rd)
2011-07-10	50	21.1 (2nd)	22.3 (3rd)
2011-07-16	51	23.2 (2nd)	25.1 (2nd)
2011-07-17	52	24.0 (2nd)	25.1 (2nd)

Source: TNS Media Korea

Comments

Park Min Nov 10 2023 8:35 pm Starting from Ep17 it got progressively worse. The last 15 episodes had little to no progress at all. For a drama this long it feels empty, you can easily skip 5 eps without noticing any change. It needed more couples/mini stories. There were about 3 couples with the main couples taking 95% of the attention. Writing wise, there were some very questionable plot shifts here and there that felt out of place. Some characters can disappear for 10+ eps without any mention. The group of friends is never seen in the second half, only FL and Ra Ra.

There were also two driving elements to the story that were done poorly. The unjustified stubbornness of ML father, he is terrified of what people would think of him if his son married FL. And the unfathomable greed of FL step-mother, she sold her soul for materialism. There were a few things to like too. The main couple long journey was satisfying to see flourishing. Some characters got nice development, although it was strange how FL tolerated Ra Ra for this long.

Anyway, it was an interesting watch about Gisaeng. Proceed with caution 4.5/10.

waikaru Apr 29 2022 10:52 am So boring especially, the lead female Lim Soo-Hyang her face is always sad and crying all the time

Anh Minh Jun 20 2021 8:06 pm I dont care any criticism of the script, howerver this is the very excellent drama I have ever watched, from the cast to the script and the acting, all of them are extremely good. Also I really like the chemistry of Sung hoon and Soo hyang too. They are beautiful together

saranghae Jun 30 2020 5:46 am epi 44 it was very good until about epi 40 but since all the mysteries started getting solved this drama lost its luster and become empty i guess until new mysteries start to appear the last 4 or 5 epi i skipped almost all of it adding to the insult that i skipped all of the leads story from the start there is one last thing to be solved and that is if the lead female will find her bio parents i think she will but how?? my ratings so far 5/10

saranghae Jun 18 2020 12:54 pm epi 25 wow so far the plot is great so good that i did epi in a row 5 or 6 the plot is so interesting with lots of twists that i didnt expect this writer is good at making things unpredictable and the dialogues are so meaningful and passionate the downside is that im skipping all of the leads story for some reason im totally disinterested in them but all other stories are great especially grandpa and grandma the doctor and his crippled fiance looking forward for the 2nd half my ratings so far 8/10

saranghae Jun 13 2020 3:13 am epi 9 wow wow what a great epi this was now i think this drama is very well defined and it seems this epi will be the peak of the drama where the grandparents and there doctor son will be searching for the long lost precious grand child but until they find her there will be a lot of intersting plot twisting i guess so im looking forward to that i know more or less who the grand child is but still its very intriguing and interesting how this is gonna happen and i give lots of credits to the writer well done

saranghae Jun 04 2020 2:25 pm just started finished epi 2 i always hesitated watching this cz judging by the title i thought it was a historical drama i never watch those genres but by accident the synopsis got into my screen so i found out that it wasnt so decided to give it a try and i like the plot from the start something very weird and funny happened when the doctor asked his son the name of his friend and he replied his name is da mo and the doctor knew his family name was ah so he said out loud ah da mo? and started laughing probably cz he was referring to a very popular french romantic singer of the 60s salvatore adamo which maybe was also popular in s korea at that time me and the doctor are about the same age so i knew exactly what he was talking about and started LOL but didnt have ways to confirm this joke until a few scenes later when da mo was driving his car there was a song coming out from the stereo which i recognized it immediately and it just cracked me up cz the song was tombe la neige written and sung by salvatore adamo in the 60s yes who else? everything fell into places now the joke was confirmed and it made me think that the writer was also about my age and was very fond of adamo so much that he wanted to use him in his drama and iam sorry for the younger viewers cz probably they didnt understand the joke i got so lifted cz it reminisces of the good old times long gone by

Roosmitha Wira Dewi Dec 13 2018 11:24 pm my daddy and me watched this drama in 2011...sung hoon oppa love youuuuuuuuuuuu

Rosie Oct 24 2018 2:36 pm What an amazing drama! Except for a few unnecessary scenes it was absolutely wonderful and I enjoyed it very much!

Really?!?!?! Sep 16 2017 12:43 am

- - Spoiler Alert***

This was a great show for the first 3/4+ of the episodes. I was so excited as I got down to the last 10 episodes or so. But then it's like they started writing a totally different series! I'm watching to the end in the hope that they bring it back on track before it's over. Seriously what the heck? In episode 42 (42 out of 52!) they decide to introduce a ghost?!? Why? It started as a really good romance/family drama and then it becomes a supernatural comedy? Such a waste of some incredible acting. Oh well. I love kdrama, but sometimes they really struggle with ending a series well. But I guess all TV shows have that problem.

a_fan Jun 04 2017 11:43 pm This one drama that I hope will be remade. Keep the main cast, remove the supernatural elements and some comedic distractions. Love love love Sung Hoon in this drama and his chemistry with Lim Soo Hyang is way over anything I've seen.

Tessie May 16 2017 6:58 am This drama is one of my favorites Sung Hoon was Amazing his role was outstanding as the male lead the whole cast did such a great job that I had watched this drama twice and I still enjoy it until this day.

Malditang Bugay Nov 18 2016 1:36 am I really enjoyed this drama that I marathoned it. The main couple were great and I actually enjoyed the supporting cast as well. But what put the icing on the cake were the beautiful hanboks. They were stunning and gorgeous.

Its a must watch.

julie Oct 05 2016 8:35 am makjang as hell from our crazy writer but for some weird reasons i'm really entertained

Vitana Jul 21 2016 6:03 am Definately deserve to watch! Thank you to all creators and actors of this drama!

Jhosie Mar 02 2016 6:39 pm Loved this show! from beginning to the end there was no boring sections. The story was paced very well. Casting was perfect! Sung Hoon and Lim Soo Hyang's chemistry is so spot on! You would not think that this was both their debut! a 50+ episode drama carried very well by the the rookies as the main leads..

Superb script.. Great pacing.. beautiful soundtrack.. perfect casting.. wonderful story..

jan Nov 20 2015 9:14 pm I usually only watch period dramas and not too fussed on the modern ones...but im really enjoying this drama. good cast and an interesting window into Korean life

milkyas Sep 11 2015 3:53 am wow what great drrama I love so much but guys do you think this kind of exist in real life but me I doubt special at ep 33 I cry so much anyways wht lovely drama

Nidya Jul 25 2014 4:45 am Luv n enjoy this drama,,trully drama. I watched it with all my heart..but i tribute to New Gisaengs writer. I really like her plot. All dialogue in this drama is so meaningful. I (even) memorized the dialogue..hehehe..All of player is best.:)

rskdrama Jun 14 2014 2:22 pm Entertaining drama. 1. I would have wanted to see more of the Gisaeng house. How they teach n train their girls, and stuff, even managing would have been good. 2. this drama was over by episode 45.. this story about spirits is a little too ..... To acting: Dr. Geum's first wife lacked everything. I felt La Ra character was lacking, script could have been better. Kyle character was typical american, butting into everything and not knowing his place, and acting know-all... fun.

Joon Moon May 25 2014 12:26 pm This show has a potential. But i just can't stand that as ran. Her gesture is so FAKE. Always pretend to be someone she is not. I just can't stand that. The stepmom is so kind to her, she pretends like she didn't see it. And she is treating her rich friends better. And this is supposed to be a traditional drama? I can't see how it had a good rating. I'll see about it.

aznative Apr 19 2014 7:19 pm @MinSong I've been watching this for the past month and I really enjoy it. I've watched through episode 42 and I think I would probably watch it again in the future. I tend not to be overly critical on certain points of a drama and base it's value on whether or not I enjoy myself as I watch. I'm glad I stayed with the show through this many episodes and look forward to the last ten episodes. I hope you enjoy it too.

MinSong Mar 12 2014 11:57 am Is this an interesting drama?Is it worth being watched?? pleas answer because the episodes are a lot!

Wendy ONG Nov 20 2013 10:08 am Love this drama and have watched it over & over again. Even know which episode to zero in for any specific part that I'd like to watch. Love the concept of reconciliation in the end, just like life. Keep up the good work and hope to see more of Sung Hoon :))

simo Jul 27 2012 2:45 pm what is the name of the song in the trailer ?

Gisaeng Feb 05 2012 5:54 am Good show.

Gisaeng Feb 05 2012 5:53 am I love this drama. It presented mixtures of different kind of loves, comedy, friendship, kindness, sadness, pain of losing, understanding, morale and many many more. But of course only those people with HEART would be able to understand all the hidden meaning in this drama.

suelee lee Feb 01 2012 11:31 pm anyone know what is the name of song in the scene where the main guy and actress were kissing in the pool?

norly Jan 31 2012 2:50 am Hai, I am a relatively new viewer in Korean drama. I love the NTOG. Usually Korean dramas are lots of words and not much action. NTOG has everything words, dances singing, swimming, horse riding, baseball culture, superstitions and food. This is the best drama I have seen other than Giant and Secret Garden. For this drama you can turn off the sound and still understand the story and it is internationally acceptable. I am a Malaysian ajumma who love all the actors and actresses. They are fresh faces who interpret the story beautifully. First time too, I looked up at who the Korean writer and the director because the story was sooo entertaining. First time too I ate Korean food due to the culinary interest. I also watched the videos 55 times because this drama is great. Horray for the newbies, I love them!!!

seon-yul Dec 14 2011 1:57 am I for one enjoyed this drama, I don't believe ' kim ' should be making such harsh judgments, and I don't believe he/she should be trying to speak everyone. Everyone has their own point of view. I would like to you direct such a drama. Its okay to give your opinion but its not right to be so narrow minded and criticize other people's hard work. Would it kill you to say something positive? Although I agree some parts were cheesy and the story seemed to be somewhat lacking considering the fact that the leads were 'newbies' , I think it turned out pretty well. I didn't expect a drama with such leads would be top notch but Over all it wasn't bad, they had a good idea if you sum it up and eliminate the irrelevant stuff ( I.e: the ghost ) I believe the story its self was good. Its a nice romance and although the leads aren't as experienced I believe they did a good job.

Blankguy Aug 17 2011 2:44 pm I tend to agree with Kim on this one, this series isn't as great as everybody makes it out to be. The ghost part was really cheesy, I wonder why they put that in there, maybe the writers run out of ideas on how to drive the plot forward? The ending was kind of rushed and the resolution at the end wasn't that convincing. I don't think it is as bad as Kim makes it out to be but it is a bit overrated. However I wouldn't blame it all on the actors maybe the plot wasn't that great to begin with the writers should get some of the blame. The lead actors seem to be relative newcomers since they haven't acted in many series or movies. To sum it up the plot at end wasn't convincing. The series is eyecandy due to the pretty actresses.

Mak Nonya Aug 11 2011 11:46 am Its a good drama, and agreed the ghosts part and the exaggerated fathers-in-law towards the end should have been tapered or left out. However Da Mo's father does have a fearful features which can scare the life out of you....

Maudl Aug 04 2011 1:25 am Kim, you are entitled to voice your own opinions, but don't attribute them to your whole country or to all the viewers of this drama! Don't you realize how ridiculous such a claim is? This drama had good ratings and all other comments beside yours are positive.

kim Jul 30 2011 9:32 pm This drama is perhaps one of the worst examples of K-drama 'makjang' I've seen in recent years. With the kind of plot it had, it should have had maybe 30 episodes at most. Sub-par acting by its leads does not help things, and the sheer absurdity of some parts of the drama -- for one, the ghosts -- left me (and the rest of Korea) baffled.

It was truly god-awful, universally panned by viewers, and continuously ridiculed.

Please don't waste your time.

S May 04 2011 10:29 pm This is a great drama...about how a beautiful, talented in dancing, innocent loving girl (main girl -- Saran) who is poor...meets her soulmate Da Mo. But however her life is very tragic and this drama is filled with a million birth secrets, which are all tied to Rara's family...

Thus Rara is one of the main three characters. The main person involved in the story is Saran, the other two main characters sometimes you might not see them as much...

Saran eventually (as you guessed it) becomes a gisaeng much later in the show...which is like an ancient Korean prostitute everyone frowns upon. This is makjjang!

Anyways BIRTH SECRETS FOR THE WIN!!! But sometimes because this drama is 50 episodes long, some episodes are a bit draggy, and it takes the drama like 20 episodes to reveal the truth after the audience guessed it. And it's a bit too long that's why the plot is getting longer too and some things are just getting wayyy too messy.....................

For people wondering if they should watch this or not, you should, it is a great drama and Im Soo Hyang and Sung Hoon (he looks very ugly in the photo) are very much candy to the eyes.

SoFF-OnE Jan 10 2011 7:24 am looking at the trailer in the last secret garden episode..it'll probably about gisaeng in new era,i.e. present time..maybe something about famous gisaeng lineage or place..dunno..have to find more

Mia Nov 25 2010 8:53 pm Will this be a saeguk (historical/period) drama? The episode length (50) and the title (Gisaeng) suggested it. I guess the title "New Story" is more appropriate than "New Tales", because "New Tales" sounds like anthology and many characters story, while I think the drama will focus on the main character (will be played by Go Na Eun).

External Links

Official Website

New Tales of the Gisaeng

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Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

Notes

Cast

Trailer

Episode Ratings

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