Could It Rival The Glory and Goblin? Netflix Unveils the $70 Million Korean Drama Set to Shake Things Up

Song Hye-kyo, fresh off the success of The Glory and Dark Nuns, is reuniting with renowned screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung for their third collaboration.

The new Netflix drama, Slowly and Intensely (working title), boasts a star-studded cast, including Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo, Cha Seung-won, Lee Ha-nee, and Kim Seol-hyun, and has been labeled a massive production with a reported budget exceeding 70 billion won (approximately $70 million).

Set against the backdrop of Korea’s entertainment scene in the 1960s-1980s, the drama portrays the journey of individuals with nothing to their names as they chase success in a brutal era. It dives into the struggles, ambition, and chaos of those who risk everything for a shot at stardom in the evolving music industry.

Penned by Noh Hee-kyung, the acclaimed writer behind Our Blues, Dear My Friends, It’s Okay, That’s Love, and That Winter, the Wind Blows, the script is expected to deliver profound storytelling and emotional depth. The drama is directed by Lee Yoon-jung, known for her distinct style in Coffee Prince, Heart to Heart, and Cheese in the Trap, raising anticipation for its visual storytelling.

Song Hye-kyo leads the series as Min-ja, a woman who has endured a difficult life and developed an unbreakable spirit. With dreams of making it big in the music industry, Min-ja becomes a symbol of resilience. This marks her third collaboration with Noh Hee-kyung, following That Winter, the Wind Blows and Worlds Within.

Gong Yoo plays Dong-gu, Min-ja’s longtime friend and partner in navigating the cutthroat music world. Known for his roles in Goblin, Coffee Prince, Squid Game 2, and Trunk, Gong Yoo’s character is free-spirited and unpredictable but deeply loyal to Min-ja. His reunion with director Lee Yoon-jung, after Coffee Prince, adds further excitement.

Kim Seol-hyun joins the cast as Min-hee, a character intricately linked to Min-ja. She will showcase a layered performance, shifting from innocence to rebellion. Cha Seung-won portrays Gil-yeo, a top composer of the era whose involvement guarantees success for any artist he works with. Cha reunites with Noh Hee-kyung after their collaboration in Our Blues.

Lee Ha-nee takes on the role of Yang-ja, Min-hee’s mother, who dreams of becoming a singer despite her challenging financial situation. Known for her powerful presence in The Fiery Priest and Night-Blooming Flowers, Lee Ha-nee is expected to deliver another standout performance.

With a total of 22 episodes, Slowly and Intensely is set to be released on Netflix, sparking anticipation among fans and industry insiders.

Online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans saying, “Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo together? This is insane,” “No reason not to watch this—Seol-hyun was amazing in Light Shop, and I’m sure she’ll kill it here too,” and “Noh Hee-kyung’s scripts are always unforgettable. I’m all in.”