The Scholar Who Walks the Night

The Scholar Who Walks the Night
Genre
Based onScholar Who Walks the Night
by Jo Joo-hee and Han Seung-hee
Written byJang Hyun-joo
Directed byLee Sung-joon
Starring
ComposerOh Joon Sung (오준성)
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes20
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companyContent K
Original release
NetworkMunhwa Broadcasting Corporation
ReleaseJuly 8 (2015-07-08) –
September 10, 2015 (2015-09-10)

The Scholar Who Walks the Night[1][2] (Korean: 밤을 걷는 선비; RR: Bameul Geotneun Seonbi) is a 2015 South Korean television series based on the manhwa of the same name written by Jo Joo-hee and illustrated by Han Seung-hee.[3][4][5] Starring Lee Joon-gi, Lee Yu-bi, Shim Chang-min, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Kim So-eun, it aired on MBC from July 8 to September 10, 2015 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes.[6][7][8][9][10][11]

The drama reunited Lee Joon-gi and Kim So-eun who both starred in the 2006 film, Fly, Daddy, Fly.[12]

Synopsis

Set in an alternate Joseon dynasty, Jo Yang-sun (Lee Yu-bi) is the daughter of a nobleman whose family loses everything when her father is framed for treason. To make ends meet, Yang-sun begins cross-dressing as a male bookseller and meets the handsome and mysterious scholar Kim Sung-yeol (Lee Joon-gi), who works at the Hongmungwan. Kim Sung-yeol has spent 120 years as a guardian vampire who is responsible for getting rid of any vampire who disobeys the rules. As a guardian vampire, he is able to go out in sunlight as long as he wears his special black robe. Sung-yeol continues to be haunted by the long-ago death of his first love, Lee Myung-hee (Kim So-eun), who sacrificed herself for him 120 years ago. Sung-yeol decides to pay Yang-sun a high price if she is able to find the memorandum of his best friend, the late Crown Prince Jonghyun, which contains the secret to killing Gwi (Lee Soo-hyuk) and avenge the death of his family and lover. After the second meeting with Yang-sun, Sung-yeol finds out that Yang-sun is a girl. However, he decides to keep it as a secret to avoid awkwardness with Yang-sun. Yang-sun tries very hard to find the memorandum as she promised since she also needs money to cure her sister's leg.

On a trip to find the old book seller from Yuan with Yang-sun, Sung-yeol meets Choi Hye-ryung, Myung-hee's present-day doppelgänger who is an aloof nobleman's daughter. Hye-ryung's father is a Right Minister of the king. He has the highest authority in the king's court compared to other ministers. He has also been loyally serving Gwi for a long time. In order to prove his loyalty, he even sacrificed Hye-ryung when she was 10 years old to become Gwi's food toy. However, due to her loyalty and gentle treatment towards Gwi, he has unconsciously fallen in love with Hye-ryung and secretly plans to change her into a vampire, even though he already has 100% control of the royal court. Gwi resides in the underground royal palace and uses his powers and political machinations to prevent Crown Prince Lee Yoon (Shim Chang-min) from ascending to the throne, as he knows that Crown Prince Lee Yoon is secretly planning to get rid of him like his late ancestor, Crown Prince Jonghyun.

Gwi is also aware of Sung-yeol's plan to kill him. He becomes furious when he learns that Sung-yeol has gotten close to finding the secret to killing him. Gwi tries to harm Yang-sun several times, but Sung-yeol was able to save Yang-sun since Sung-yeol also has the ability to sense Gwi's presence. Gwi becomes anxious after he smells Yang-sun's blood and decides to get rid of Yang-sun as a precaution. After a while, Sung-yeol secretly falls in love with Yang-sun after he discovers that Hye-ryung is one of Gwi's followers.

Jo Seung, Yang-sun's adopted father, is the secret keeper of the Crown Prince Jonghyun's memorandum. Jo Seung is a former servant of Yang-sun's biological father, Lord Seo Jung Do, who served the Crown Prince Lee Yoon's late father, Crown Prince Sadong, as his Right Minister. Jo Seung was changed into vampire by Gwi as a punishment and tries to harm Yang-sun. Unbeknownst to Sung-yeol, Yang-sun was saved by him 10 years ago and Sung-yeol killed Yang-sun's father in order to save her. Although she has been bitten by her father, Yang-sun/Seo-jin did not change into a vampire because she has the blood of Gwi. Yang-sun's biological mother is the direct descendant of Gwi from her mother's side. Her biological mother had raised her as a boy in order to protect her because she knows that her daughter needs to be sacrificed as a weapon to kill Gwi.

What is the secret plan in the Crown Prince Jonghyun's memorandum? How can Sung-yeol save Yang-sun from being sacrificed? Will Lee Yoon become a puppet king controlled by Gwi like his ancestor? Will Sang-yeol and Yang-sun be able to live happily ever after?

Cast

Main

A loyal and courageous scholar who is a close friend of Crown Prince Jonghyun. He turns into a vengeful vampire following the deaths of his family and friend.
A cheerful and kind bookseller, who goes around dressed as a man in order to earn money for her family. She is the direct descendant of Gwi from her mother's side.
The son of Crown Prince Sadong. He seeks to take revenge on Gwi, who was responsible for the death of his father.
A bloodthirsty and evil vampire who wishes to rule over humans, who likes Choi Hye-ryung.
  • Kim So-eun as Lee Myung-hee/Choi Hye-ryung (another character after 120 yrs)
Sung-yeol's first love and fiancée.She was deeply in love with Sung-yeol and she gave her life to save Sung-yeol.
Choi Hye-ryung daughter of the prime minister, resemble Lee Myung who serves Gwi. She secretly falls in love with Prince Lee Yoon as she striving to become Joseon's Queen as revenge for her father.

Supporting

People around Sung-yeol

The head of Hwayang-gak and one of Sung-yeol's confidant. She has a one-sided love for him since he was her savior.
Sung-yeol's confidant and head of the household.

People around Lee Yoon

A Sungkyunkwan scholar and close friend of Lee Yoon.
Lee Yoon's martial arts teacher and personal guard. He is also a best friend of Crown Prince Sadong.
Lee Yoon's grandfather
Lee Yoon's father. He was killed by Gwi when he attempted to find the secret to kill Gwi to stop the Gwi's puppet king monarchy

People around Yang-sun

  • Jung Gyu-soo as Jo-saeng
Yang-sun's foster father. He is sick and unable to work to support his family. He is the keeper of Crown Prince Jonghyun's memorandum.
Yang-sun's foster mother
  • Park So-young as Dam-yi
Yang Sun's sister. She is unable to walk.

Court officials

  • Son Jong-hak as Choi Chul-joong
The prime minister who is the main opposer to the King and Crown Prince. He is the father of Hye-ryung.
The chief left minister who supports the King and is one of his close confidants. He is the grandfather of Hak-yong.
  • Kim Jong-goo
The defense minister who is the prime minister's associate.

Special appearances

The original "Lustful Student", who wanted to get rid of Gwi, but was killed in the process.
The Guardian Gwi.
  • Han Ji-woo as Royal Concubine Kim (cameo, episode 1)
  • Park Ji-il as Kim Sung-yeol's father (cameo, episode 1)
  • Kim Ye-ryeong as Kim Sung-yeol's mother (cameo, episode 1)
  • Lee Ho-jae as King Moonjo, Crown Prince Jonghyun's father. (cameo, episode 1)

Production

An accident while filming on set (simply described by producers as "a fall") on June 10, 2015 caused both Lee Joon-gi and Lee Yu-bi to be hospitalized, for a nasal fracture and a herniated lumbar disc, respectively.[13][14]

Original soundtrack

The Scholar who walks the night OST
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Recorded2015
GenreSoundtrack
Language
LabelVitamin Entertainment
Music Store Company

Part 1

Released on July 16, 2015 (2015-07-16)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Secret Paradise" (비밀낙원)Jang Jae-in3:10
2."Secret Paradise" (Inst.) 3:10
Total length:6:20

Part 2

Released on July 23, 2015 (2015-07-23)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Sad Wind" (슬픈 바람)Eun Ga Eun4:12
2."Sad Wind" (Inst.) 4:12
Total length:8:24

Part 3

Released on July 30, 2015 (2015-07-30)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Loving you again" (또사랑아고만다)Yook Sung-jae (BTOB)3:40
2."Loving you again" (Inst.) 3:40
Total length:8:20

Part 4

Released on August 20, 2015 (2015-08-20)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Don't Cry" (울지마라)G.NA4:16
2."Don't Cry" (Inst.) 4:16
Total length:8:32

Part 5

Released on August 27, 2015 (2015-08-27)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Without you" (너없이)Beast3:47
2."Without you" (Inst.) 3:47
Total length:8:44

Part 6

Released on September 9, 2015 (2015-09-09)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Addiction" (중독)KimBo4:02
2."Addiction" (Inst.) 4:02
Total length:8:04
Disc 2:
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Endless Run" (Opening Title)Oh Joon Sung2:31
2."Awaken Vampire"Oh Joon Sung2:49
3."Broken Door"Oh Joon Sung2:06
4."Brave Hand"Oh Joon Sung2:25
5."Black cloud"Oh Joon Sung2:22
6."Flying Hero"Oh Joon Sung2:11
7."Hidden Heart"Oh Joon Sung2:29
8."Hot Tension"Oh Joon Sung2:10
9."I am a Prince"Oh Joon Sung2:02
10."In the forest"Oh Joon Sung1:58
11."Inside Fighter"Oh Joon Sung1:58
12."Keep the Faith"Oh Joon Sung2:18
13."Morning Dew"Oh Joon Sung3:02
14."Night World"Oh Joon Sung2:30
15."Old Rival"Oh Joon Sung2:18
16."Sadness of Vampire"Oh Joon Sung2:45
17."Trans-Vampire"Oh Joon Sung2:12
18."Too Fast"Oh Joon Sung2:28
19."The Dark Palace"Oh Joon Sung2:04
20."Tears of the flower"Oh Joon Sung2:34
21."Unbroken"Oh Joon Sung2:21
22."Wait for you"Oh Joon Sung1:59
23."Walk a Night"Oh Joon Sung1:34
24."Where are you going?"Oh Joon Sung2:29
25."Waltz of Memory"Oh Joon Sung2:37

Ratings

Episode Broadcast date TNmS ratings[15] AGB Nielsen ratings[16]
Nationwide Seoul Capital Area Nationwide Seoul Capital Area
1 July 8, 2015 7.4% 9.1% 7.7% 8.1%
2 July 9, 2015 6.8% 8.9% 6.8% 7.3%
3 July 15, 2015 7.2% 9.1% 7.7% 7.8%
4 July 16, 2015 7.1% 8.2% 7.7% 8.5%
5 July 22, 2015 7.3% 9.0% 7.8% 8.9%
6 July 23, 2015 6.4% 7.5% 7.9% 8.7%
7 July 29, 2015 6.9% 8.0% 7.9% 8.3%
8 July 30, 2015 7.3% 7.9% 7.4% 7.8%
9 August 5, 2015 7.4% 8.7% 8.5% 8.6%
10 August 6, 2015 6.5% 7.5% 7.4% 7.4%
11 August 12, 2015 6.5% 7.7% 6.9% 6.8%
12 August 13, 2015 6.3% 7.1% 7.4% 7.1%
13 August 19, 2015 7.3% 7.9% 7.6% 7.3%
14 August 20, 2015 6.6% 7.2% 7.0% 7.5%
15 August 26, 2015 6.5% 7.1% 6.5% 6.5%
16 August 27, 2015 5.9% 6.6% 6.8% 6.9%
17 September 2, 2015 7.2% 7.9% 8.0% 7.8%
18 September 3, 2015 7.1% 7.8% 7.9% 8.0%
19 September 9, 2015 7.3% 8.3% 6.2% 9.3%
20 September 10, 2015 7.2% 8.0% 7.7% 7.9%
Average 6.9% 8.0% 7.4% 7.8%
Key
  • Blue-lowest rating episode
  • Red-highest rating episode
  • N/A-(Information) Not Available

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2015
MBC Drama Awards
 Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Lee Joon-gi Nominated
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Lee Yu-bi Nominated
Best New Actor in a Miniseries Lee Soo-hyuk Won
Best New Actress in a Miniseries Lee Yu-bi Won
Top 10 Stars Award Lee Joon-gi Won
2016
4th Annual DramaFever Awards
 Best Historical Drama The Scholar Who Walks the Night Won

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Scholar Who Walks the Night". MBC Global Media. MCB. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  2. ^ "The Scholar Who Walks the Night". MBC America. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  3. ^ 밤을 걷는 선비 [Scholar Who Walks the Night]. Webtoon Daum (in Korean). Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  4. ^ Choi, He-suk (May 6, 2015). "MBC confirms new Joseon vampire drama". K-pop Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  5. ^ Yoon, Sarah (May 18, 2015). "Scholar Who Walks the Night gears up with first script reading". K-pop Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  6. ^ Shin, Ji-hye (March 25, 2015). "Changmin to star in Scholar Who Walks the Night". K-pop Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  7. ^ Hong, Hye-jin (April 2, 2015). "Lee Joon-gi lands role in new drama". K-pop Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  8. ^ Ghim, Sora (May 11, 2015). "Lee Soo Hyuk And Kim So Eun Cast In Scholar Who Walks the Night". BNTNews. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  9. ^ "Lee Yoo Bi Transforms into a Boy for Scholar Who Walks the Night". Soompi. May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  10. ^ Yoon, Sarah (May 26, 2015). "Lee Joon-gi features in Elle, talks about Scholar Who Walks the Night". K-pop Herald. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  11. ^ Doo, Rumy (July 7, 2015). "Lee Joon-gi, TVXQ Changmin turn vampire, prince in new TV drama". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  12. ^ Julie Jones (June 26, 2015). "Kim So Eun Can Now Call Lee Jun Ki 'Oppa'". KDrama Stars. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  13. ^ Yoon, Sarah (June 10, 2015). "Lee Joon-gi fractures nose while shooting new drama". K-pop Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  14. ^ Yoon, Sarah (June 11, 2015). "Lee Yu-bi, Lee Joon-gi admitted to hospital for injuries while shooting TV drama". K-pop Herald. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  15. ^ TNmS Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu in Korean
  16. ^ AGB Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu in Korean