Princess Hours

2006 South Korean TV series
the Korean television series

Princess Hours (; lit. Palace) is a 2006 South Korean television series, starring Yoon Eun hye, Ju Ji hoon, Kim Jeong hoon and Song Ji hyo. It is based on Korean manhwa Goong by Park So hee. It aired on MBC from January 11 to March 30, 2006, on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 24 episodes. The show was the tenth most popular drama of 2006, with a peak rating of 28.3%. It also became a hit across Asia, contributing to the Korean Wave. Due to its success, a spin off series, Prince Hours, was broadcast in 2007.

The show is set in an alternate, 21st century Korea which has retained its monarchy and imperial family since 1945. The series focuses on the lives of Crown Prince Lee Shin of Korea, and his new bride, Chae kyeong. The series starts off with the news that Shin's father, Emperor Lee Hyeon of Korea, is seriously ill. There is a grim outlook on the Emperor's health, driving the imperial family to find Shin a suitable consort that will allow him to ascend to the throne if the situation requires. Despite being in love with the ambitious and talented ballerina Hyo rin (whom he initially proposed to and was rejected), Prince Shin eventually marries a commoner to whom he was betrothed by his grandfather, the late Emperor Seongjo, in an agreement with the girl's grandfather. His new wife is the headstrong yet lovable Chae kyeong, and despite initially feeling nothing for each other, love eventually blossoms between the couple. Matters are further complicated with the return of Lee Yul and his mother, Lady Hwa young, who was once Crown Princess before the death of her husband, the late Crown Prince Lee Soo, and older brother of the reigning Emperor. Yul and his mother were driven out of the palace some time after the death of his father, and it is revealed that this was because the Emperor discovered an affair between Lady Hwa young and the current Emperor, who is his father's younger brother. Lady Hwa young has returned to restore her son's place in the line of succession to the throne, which she believes remains rightfully his. A series of events befalls the palace with the schemes Yul's mother carries out, and these are further intensified by the various scandals involving the imperial family. Shin maintains an extramarital affair with his old flame, Hyo rin, while Yul himself developing feelings for Chae kyeong. Things get out of hand and the imperial family takes matters into their own hands.

The US DVD release by YA Entertainment uses the title Palace.

A spin off series, Goong S or Prince Hours, revolves around a young worker at a Chinese restaurant who suddenly discovers that he is a member of the imperial family and subsequently enters the palace. Hwang mentioned that he would be looking for Shin Chae kyeong's male counterpart, of sorts. This spinoff has no relation to the first season, and had a new cast and plot. In October 2006, Korean pop star Se7en was chosen to play the leading role in the spinoff. He will play the character of "Yi Hoo". The rest of the main cast are Huh E jae (who plays the female protagonist Yang Soon ae), Kang Doo (who plays Yi Joon), and Park Shin hye (who plays Shin Sae ryung). Many of the supporting cast, who played minor characters, reprised their roles. Filming started in November 2006. The name for the spin off changed from Goong 2 to Prince Hours – (궁 S) due to copyright infringement problems. Filming continued despite Group 8 facing lawsuits due to the unlawful use of Goong in the title. However, MBC has looked into this issue with Eight Peaks and have stated that the channel station and original production company both own the rights of the name. Goong S will still be used for this season, with the subtitle of "Prince Who". Goong S was broadcast from January 10 to March 15, 2007, to moderate success.

This drama was later adapted into a musical titled Goong: The Musical (Hangul: 뮤지컬 궁). Producer Song Byung joon, CEO of production company Group Eight, collaborated with the drama's screenwriter In Eun ah for the stage rendition, and also brought in theater director Kim Jae sung. The creative team constructed flamboyant stage sets, which were visualized through digital devices to show off the dramatic effects and fantasies on stage. A variety of music genres from traditional court music, classics, hip hop and jazz was used, along with varying dance styles such as ballet, court dances and b boy. When the musical debuted at the Yong Theater at the National Museum of Korea in September 2010, the lead role of Crown Prince Lee Shin was played by U Know Yunho of TVXQ. Kim Kyu jong of SS501 played Shin during the musical's run at the Minami za Kabuki Theater in Kyoto, Japan in June–July 2011, and Kangin of Super Junior alternated with Sungmo of Supernova to take over the role at the Gotanda U Port Hall in Tokyo, Japan in September 2012. In 2014, Shinee's Taemin, ZE:A's Kim Dongjun, U KISS Soohyun and Hoon alternately played the part of Prince Lee Shin in the Japan run of Goong held from May 10 to 24 (25 stages) in Akasaka ACT Theater, Tokyo, Japan.

In 2017, Princess Hours Thailand (Thai title: รักวุ่นๆ เจ้าหญิงจอมจุ้น) is broadcast on True4U. The starring is Ungsumalynn Sirapatsakmetha as Khaning and Sattaphong Phiangphor as Crown Prince Inn. On March 5, 2021, Group 8 has been announced that the drama will have its second Korean adaptation.