"Secret Garden" (Korean: 시크릿 가든) is a 2010 South Korean TV show. It features actors Ha Ji-won, Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Kim Sa-rang. The show aired on SBS from November 13, 2010, to January 16, 2011. It was broadcast every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 PM (Korean Standard Time) for 20 episodes.
Synopsis
This story follows a reimagined version of Cinderella, focusing on Gil Ra-im (played by Ha Ji-won), a stunt performer, and Kim Joo-won (played by Hyun Bin), a manager of a high-end department store. While working to fix a scandal involving Joo-won's cousin, Oska (played by Yoon Sang-hyun), a famous singer, Ra-im and Joo-won meet. Joo-won is surprised by Ra-im's calm and confident nature. He becomes curious about her and decides to get to know her better. At first, Ra-im is not interested in him, but over time, she begins to feel the same way.
As their lives begin to overlap, Ra-im and Joo-won learn more about each other's lives. Joo-won's mother disapproves of their relationship. Despite her objections, the two decide to marry.
Meanwhile, Oska reconnects with Yoon Seul (played by Kim Sa-rang), his former love interest, who has become a successful film director. However, Yoon Seul is not interested in Oska and instead becomes focused on Joo-won. The situation becomes more complicated when Ra-im and Joo-won begin to magically switch bodies.
Cast
- Ha Ji-won as Gil Ra-im
- Hyun Bin as Kim Joo-won
- Yoon Sang-hyun as Choi Woo-young (Oska)
- Kim Sa-rang as Yoon Seul
- Lee Phillip as Lim Jong-soo
- Lee Jong-suk as Han Tae-sun
- Yoo In-na as Im Ah-young
- Kim Sung-oh as Secretary Kim
- Park Joon-geum as Moon Boon-hong
- Kim Ji-sook as Moon Yeon-hong
- Choi Yoon-so as Kim Hee-won
- Kim Sang-kyum as Moon Chang-soo
- Lee Byung-joon as Park Bong-ho
- Sung Byung-sook as Park Bong-hee
- Yoon Ki-won as Choi Dong-kyu
- Kim Gun as Yoo Jong-hun
- Yoo Seo-jin as Park Ji-hyun
- Jang Seo-won as Hwang Jung-hwan
- Choi Dae-sung as Department Head Choi
- Moon Woong-ki as Sang-min
- Jung In-gi as Ra-im's father
- Baek Seung-hee as Park Chae-rin, an actress connected to Oska
- Ryu Sung-hoon as Gangster
- Jo Jae-yoon as Photographer (ep. 3)
- Kim Mi-kyung as Owner of Restaurant in Mountain
- Hwang Seok-jeong as Korean dry sauna owner
- Lee Joon-hyuk as Joon-hyuk, Oska's friend and rival who has feelings for Yoon Seul
- Yum Dong-hun as pervert in department store
- Heo Tae-hee as rude party guest
- Baek Ji-young as herself
- Kim Ye-won as actress in Oska's music video
- Son Ye-jin as herself
- Song Yoon-ah as Top star in giveaway event
- Song Jae-rim as singer
Reception
The drama was praised by critics and viewers for its story, humor, cast performances—especially by Hyun Bin, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Ha Ji-won—and its production quality. Secret Garden was very popular, with an estimated economic impact of over 20 billion won. Hyun Bin’s role as Kim Joo-won led to widespread attention, as his name and image appeared in many places, including newspapers, television, and the internet. The drama won several awards at the 2010 SBS Drama Awards and the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards, including the "Grand Prize (Daesang)" for Hyun Bin.
Remakes
In 2011, BigBang created a parody version of the original drama. The parody, called Secret Big Bang, featured G-Dragon as Gil Ra-im and T.O.P as Kim Joo-tap.
In 2012, a film remake with the same title was released in China. The film starred Wallace Chung, Tan Weiwei, and Korean singer Kangta.
In 2016, Thailand released a remake titled Secret Garden Thailand. The remake starred Ananda Everingham and Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul.