Lee Young-ae Plays Wise Mother, Wife In 'Saimdang, Light's Diary'

Coming back to TV show following 14 years, Lee Young-ae said she needs to portray an energetic, modern rendition of a historical figure in her most recent part. "Saimdang, Light's Diary," which launches Thursday at 10 p.m. on SBS, alternates between the present and the Joseon time.

Lee plays both Seo Ji-yoon, an art history student living in modern day Seoul, and Shin Saimdang, a really popular poet, artist and scholar of the Joseon period. "I thought it would intrigue in the event that I could demonstrate the dynamic and energetic parts of (Shin)," she told columnists at a question and answer session highlighting the show's thrown Tuesday at Lotte Hotel Seoul.

Over 10 years has gone since Lee showed up in the hit historical series "Daejangeum"? beforehand known as "Jewel in the Palace" - in which she played an illustrious cook who ascends in the court and further prepares to be a doctor.

"I have since turned into a mother," said Lee. "It has been quite a while since I stood in front of the camera. I am also a working mother now. I feel my acting has more expression and depth compared with when I was single." Yonhap cited

In Korea, the artist Shin is an image of the great, wise mother and spouse, even portrayed on the Korean 50,000-won bill. As per Koreatimes"Saimdang, Light's Diary" highlights a totally fictional character, Lee Kyeom, played by Song Seung-heon, who stays committed to Shin for the duration of her life even after her marriage to another man.

"('Saimdang') is not a historical documentary," said the show's writer Park. "It doesn't strive to stick entirely to historical facts. I read many records, however, where the pieces were missing, I filled them in with my creative ability.

I hope watchers will remember that." "Saimdang," produced by Yoon Sang-ho and co-created by Group Eight and Emperor Entertainment Group Korea, air Wednesdays and Thursdays on SBS. The show is accessible to viewers outside of Korea on streaming sites DramaFever and Viki.