The Bride of Habaek explained

Alt Name:Bride of the Water God
Native Name:
Hangul:하백의 신부
Rr:Habaegui Sinbu 2017
Lk:Bride of Habaek 2017
Developer:Studio Dragon
Director:Kim Byung-soo
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Num Episodes:16
Camera:Single-camera
Company:Number Three Pictures
Network:tvN

The Bride of Habaek[1] is a South Korean television drama spin-off of the 2006 sunjung manhwa Bride of the Water God by Yoon Mi-kyung. The series stars Shin Se-kyung in the title role alongside Nam Joo-hyuk, Lim Ju-hwan, Krystal Jung and Gong Myung. The series aired on cable channel tvN every Monday and Tuesday at 22:55 (KST) from July 3, 2017 to August 22, 2017.[2] [3]

Synopsis

When the god of the Land of Water, Lord Ha-baek (Nam Joo-hyuk) visits earth to retrieve the sacred stones needed for him to claim the throne of the Divine Realm. He seeks out the help of neuropsychiatrist So-ah (Shin Se-Kyung), the only remaining descendant from a middle-class family fated to serve him for generations. Because she doesn't believe he's a god and mistakes him for suffering from a mental illness, she initially resists him. However, after she meets the god of the Land of the Sky, Bi-ryeom, (Gong Myung), the goddess of the Land of Water, Mu-ra (Krystal), and the demigod Hu-ye (Lim Ju-hwan), she decides to aid him in his quest. .[4] [5]

Cast

Main

A neuropsychiatrist with her own practice, who is currently struggling and swamped with debt. She is an only child with a tormented past, due to her belief that she was abandoned by her father as a teenager, resulting in her attempt to commit suicide by jumping into the Han River. Although she was saved from drowning, she ends up developing hydrophobia, especially for cold water. She meets Ha-baek upon his arrival to earth and, while helping him adjust to the human world and retrieve the sacred stones, falls in love with him. Unknowingly to them both, she is destined to be his bride.

The god of the Land of Water and the rightful heir to the throne of the Realm of the Gods. He comes to earth, specifically modern-day Seoul, with the aim of obtaining the sacred stones. At the request of the high priest and upon temporarily losing his powers, he seeks out So-ah's help as the last remaining descendant of the family destined to serve him. During their quest he finds himself falling for her but struggles with his feelings due to his impending return to the Water Kingdom. His love for So-ah is criticized by those from the Divine Realm since he's been in love previously with a human woman but their relationship ended tragically because of her betrayal.

A demi-god disguised as the CEO of a resort and Ha-baek's main rival. His birth parents are relatively unknown, apart from his mother being a human woman and his father a god from the Divine Realm. Because of his nature, he was abandoned as a child and is seen as a disgrace to the Realm of the Gods. His curse is subjection to an endless, mortal life on earth and deathly powers. Although they start off on the wrong foot, he eventually forms a friendship with So-ah and falls in love with her.

The goddess of the Land of Water who has lived among humans for hundreds of years as a well-known actress. She initially has an unrequited love for Ha-baek and despises So-ah because of their relationship, but eventually develops feelings for Bi-ryeom.

The god of the Land of the Sky and a familiar face from So-ah's past. He hates Hu-ye unbeknownst to those from the Divine Realm, including Ha-baek and Mu-ra, because he was responsible for the murder of a close friend when he was a child. He initially has an unrequited love for Mu-ra, but it is reciprocated by her as the series progresses and they spend more time together.

Supporting

Divine Realm

Human world

Extended

Special appearances

Production

Development

First announced in 2015, the live action version of the manhwa was written by Jung Yoon-jung, writer of the dramas Arang and the Magistrate (2012), Monstar (2013) and Misaeng (2014). The series relocates the characters and story to modern-day Seoul.[9] The first script reading took place on March 16, 2017 in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea,[10] with principal photography beginning the same month.

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Ratings

In this table, the represent the lowest ratings and the represent the highest ratings.

Original broadcast dateAverage audience share
AGB Nielsen[11] TNmS[12]
NationwideSeoulNationwide
1July 3, 20173.2%
2July 4, 20173.259%3.875%3.1%
3July 10, 20172.923%3.173%3.2%
4July 11, 20173.467%3.617%3.3%
5July 17, 20173.106%3.902%3.1%
6July 18, 20173.637%4.047%
7July 24, 20172.860%3.574%2.8%
8July 25, 20173.474%3.848%3.1%
9July 31, 20173.091%3.146%2.8%
10August 1, 20173.235%3.584%3.1%
11August 7, 20172.682%2.761%2.6%
12August 8, 20173.501%3.722%2.8%
13August 14, 20172.635%2.816%2.8%
14August 15, 20172.896%3.170%2.8%
15August 21, 2017
16August 22, 20173.158%3.888%3.1%
Average

Notes and References

  1. The bride of habaek 하백의신부 2017 비쥬얼 신(神), 남주혁에 빠져드는 심쿵 티저! 170703 EP.1. tvN Drama via Youtube . 2017-06-02. 2017-05-04.
  2. Web site: [단독] 공명 '하백의 신부' 합류…남주혁X신세경X크리스탈 만난다]. February 20, 2017. TV Report. ko.
  3. Web site: [단독] 남주혁X신세경 '하백의 신부', '써클' 후속 7月 편성]. May 15, 2017. TV Report. ko.
  4. News: 'Bride of the Water God' to hit small screen in July. May 15, 2017. 2017-05-16. Kpop Herald.
  5. News: '하백의 신부 2017' 대본리딩 현장 공개, 남주혁X신세경X크리스탈X공명 '꿈의 조합'. 2017-05-24. ko.
  6. Web site: '하백의 신부' 측 "남주혁·신세경·크리스탈·공명 출연확정" [공식입장]]. February 23, 2017. Sports Donga. zh.
  7. Web site: Lim Ju-hwan to star in 'Bride of the Water God'. March 16, 2017. Kpop Herald.
  8. News: '하백의 신부 2017' 전소민, 카메오 출연…신세경과 밀당 호흡 예고. 2017-07-08. ko.
  9. Web site: '미생' 정윤정 작가 차기작 '하백의 신부'..2017년 tvN 방영. 윤 . 상근 . June 28, 2016. Star News. 2017-02-21.
  10. News: "이 조합 설렌다"…'하백의 신부 2017' 신세경-남주혁, 첫 대본리딩. 2017-05-24. ko.
  11. Web site: Nielsen Korea. ko. July 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160601140426/http://www.nielsenkorea.co.kr/tv_terrestrial_day.asp?menu=Tit_1&sub_menu=3_1&area=00. June 1, 2016. dead.
  12. Web site: TNMS 홈페이지에 오신 것을 환영합니다.. www.tnms.tv. https://web.archive.org/web/20160411000428/http://www.tnms.tv/rating/default.asp?menu=Cable_Daily. 2016-04-11. dead. 2017-05-15.