The princess and the scholar will come to life in a live-action drama adaptation of Covet the Scholar, Princess.
As per OSEN, the historical manhwa Covet the Scholar, Princess will be reimagined into a drama adaptation with casting offers extended to Lee Se-young and Yoo Yeon-seok to play the lead roles of Princess Eunmyeong and the scholar Kim Seoyul. While both actors have not yet confirmed if they will portray these characters, the report indicates the two are reviewing the offers positively. Moon Hyun-sung is slated to direct the drama.
Created by Hosan and Seo Eun-su, Covet the Scholar, Princess was launched on Kakaopage on May 31, 2021 and concluded on April 19, 2019 with 102 episodes. The manhwa has enjoyed more than 9 million views on the platform and is described as a Joseon-era Romeo and Juliet love story.
The story follows Princess Eunmyeong who has only ever known solitude and loneliness within the palace. When she meets the scholar Kim Seoyul, who possesses a sharp mind, she instantly falls in love with him. However, he pushes her away. The two come from families who have had a long and painful history, leading to a story about romance and political intrigue.
Lee gained more domestic popularity after starring in the 2016 drama The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop, winning “Best New Actress” at the Baeksang Arts Award. Her role as Sung Deok-im in The Red Sleeve earned her several nominations including “Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries” at the 2022 APAN Star Awards, “Best Actress – Television” at the 2022 Baeksang Arts Awards. She won “Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries” at the 2021 MBC Drama Awards. Lee will portray Rashta Isqua in the drama adaptation of The Remarried Empress.
Yoo had his breakout role in Reply 1994 and played Kang Dong-joo in Dr. Romantic. He acted in another medical drama when he played Ahn Jeong-won in the critically acclaimed drama Hospital Playlist, directed by Shin Won-ho who also directed the Reply series. He later on starred as Paik Sa-eon in the 2024 drama When the Phone Rings and is currently starring as Shin Yi-rang in Phantom Lawyer. Yoo won “Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries” at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards for When the Phone Rings.
There is currently no English translation of the manhwa. Broadcasting details have not been revealed as of this article’s writing.
Source: OSEN
