It isn’t until the setting sun makes the shadows grow long on the set of “Hwang Jin-I,” the KBS 2 historical drama that took a staggering 20 percent of the viewing rate at its debut, that Ha Ji-won can settle down for a moment’s rest. “This is the first time that I have felt jealous during acting,” she says. “The charisma of a world-class beauty, the intellect to keep her on a par with the scholars in a poetry contest: there was nowhere she was lacking. More than anything else, she didn’t give in to the pressure of her class or of the era in which she was born. She took the life she was given and lived it in an admirable way.”

The actress Ha Ji-won came close to despair while practicing the wide range of skills needed for her role as “Hwang Jin-I,” a famous Chosun-era gisaeng or female entertainer, in a new KBS mini-series. Her head endured the leaden weight of a big decorative wig or gachae. Ha confessed to the suffering, saying, “The gachae is too heavy. My neck is already stiff, although I’ve only filmed three episodes. It’s too painful to sleep.” Her fingers are blistered and bruised due to hours of practicing the gayageum, a 12-stringed Korean harp, and geomungo, the six-stringed zither at which the Chosun-era entertainers excelled. Ha is even practicing even tightrope-walking.

Actress Ha Ji Won has finalized her decision to act in the KBS 2TV’s new drama ‘Hwang Jin-I’. The drama will be filmed under the direction of the producer Kim Cheol-gyu of the drama ‘Bravo Mom’, and the script will be written by Yoon Seon Joo of ‘Lee Soon Shin’. The leading role for Hwang Jin-I, Joseon’s most celebrated gisaeng, has created much speculation.

The drama ‘Hwang Jin-I’ will focus on Hwang Jin-I the well-rounded artist, emphasizing her talents in dance, sijo (Korean verse), music, and art, rather than her life as a gisaeng. Therefore, the role of Hwang Jin-I requires the actress to exhibit a countenance of an accomplished artist, and possess unprecedented beauty.

Ha Ji-won will be taking on the title role in the upcoming KBS miniseries “Hwang Jin-I”, about a famous Chosun-era gisaeng or female entertainer. The first episode will be shown on Oct. 11.

"After looking at a lot of top stars for the role, we recently signed a contract with Ha Ji-won," the producers said Friday. The actress goes head-to-head with Song Hae-gyo, who also plays Hwang Jin-I in a movie of the same title that starts filming at the end of the month. Ha reportedly thought about turning down the part, citing the lack of time to practice the geomungo or six-stringed Korean zither and other skills of the accomplished all-round entertainer.