The Innocent Man (South Korean TV series) explained

Native Name:
Hangul:세상 어디에도 없는 착한 남자
Alt Name:Nice Guy[1] [2]
Genre:Melodrama
Romance
Director:Kim Jin-won
Lee Na-jeong
Starring:Song Joong-ki
Moon Chae-won
Park Si-yeon
Endtheme:"Love Is Like a Snowflake" by Junsu
Composer:Choi Seong-kwon
Country:South Korea
Num Episodes:20
Executive Producer:Beak Kyung Soo
Producer:Ham Young-hoon
Location:Seoul, South Korea
Hirosaki, Japan
Cinematography:Baek Hong-jong
Lee Yoon-jeong
Camera:Multiple-camera setup
Runtime:60 minutes
Company:iHQ
Channel:Korean Broadcasting System
Creator:Jeong Seong-hyo (KBS Drama)

The Innocent Man is a 2012 South Korean television series starring Song Joong-ki, Moon Chae-won, and Park Si-yeon. It is known on Netflix as Nice Guy.[3]

It is a dark melodrama involving betrayal and romance.[4] [5] [6] [7] It aired on KBS2 for 20 episodes from September 12 to November 15, 2012.

Synopsis

Smart and promising medical student[8] [9] Kang Ma-ru (Song Joong-ki) is deeply in love with his slightly older neighbor Han Jae-hee (Park Si-yeon), a television reporter.[10] [11] But when her situation takes a turn for the worse and Jae-hee becomes desperate to escape poverty,[12] she meets a man who changes everything—a rich CEO who introduces her to a life of comfort. So she turns her back on Ma-ru, choosing money over love.[13]

The brutal betrayal leaves Ma-ru fractured—not just angry, but a completely changed man. A few years later, Ma-ru is now 30 years old and works as a bartender and gigolo, no longer a "nice guy."[14] He then meets Seo Eun-gi (Moon Chae-won), a young chaebol heiress who's being groomed to take over her father's conglomerate.[15] [16] Eun-gi is cold and calculating, business-savvy, and raised by her father to never show emotion to anyone.[17] [18]

Ma-ru decides to take revenge on his ex Jae-hee and bring her down from her position after his sister, Kang Cho-co (Lee Yu-bi) is rushed to the hospital because of Jae-hee. Ma-ru, though initially had no plans as such, uses Eun-gi to take revenge on Jae-hee[19] [20] Just when Ma-ru is beginning to love Eun-gi, she finds out the real reason why he approached her and they break up. But a car accident causes Eun-gi to lose her memory, and she enters Ma-ru's life again.[21]

Cast

Main

A smart but poor medical student who has to look after his little sister without any parents. He was in love Jae-hee but she left him for a rich CEO as she always dreamt of being rich, but she always loved Ma-ru and still harbours feelings for him. Six years after Jae-hee left he became arrogant and a playboy who works as a bartender. He approached Eun-gi as part of his revenge plan against Jae-hee but he started to care for her and eventually fell in love.[22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29]

A rich and arrogant girl but also has a kind-hearted side who does everything to protect her mother's memories who has a troubled relationship with her father and step-mother as she blames them for her mother leaving and her death. She falls for Ma-ru without knowing the real reason he approached her and she suffers a memory loss after landing in a car accident. After her memory loss, she is a much nicer person who searches for clues in order to get her memory returned.[30] [31] [32]

Although she is stone-hearted and loves Ma-ru, she loved money more than Ma-Ru and she left Ma-ru and became the mistress of a CEO and had his son. She and Eun-gi don’t get along and she also doesn't care for her and tries to hurt her in many ways. She plans to take over Taesan Company after killing her husband.[33]

Supporting

Ma-ru's best friend and Choco's lover.[34]

Ma-ru's younger sister and Jae-gil's lover.[35] [36] [37]

Eun-gi's secretary and helper who loved and respected her.[38]

The secretary of the CEO who likes Jae-hee.

Jae-hee's older brother who was abusive towards her.

Eun-gi and Eun-seok's father, who found Jae-hee and took her as his mistress. Although good hearted, he sides with Jae-hee rather than his daughter as Eun-gi is stubborn and acts childish at times. He dies later in the season and gives his property and estate to Eun-gi but before she could be in charge, she lands in a car accident and suffers a memory loss.

Eun-gi's assistant. After the car accident which caused Eun-gi’s memory loss, she took her away and cared for her for a year where nobody could find her.

Jae-hee and Jung-gyu's son, Eun-gi's 4 year old half-brother. He loves his step-sister despite her rudeness and hatred toward him but after her memory loss, she is unable to remember her hatred for him and instead grows closer to him.

Production

The series is written by Lee Kyung-hee, who previously wrote Will It Snow for Christmas?, Thank You, A Love to Kill, I'm Sorry, I Love You, and Sang Doo! Let's Go to School.[41] [42] [43]

Kim Jin-won was the director of Drama Special episodes Just an Ordinary Love Story, Crossing the Young-do Bridge, Guardian Angel Kim Yeong-goo, Snail Gosiwon, and The Last Flashman.

The series features real-life friends and former Running Man co-stars Song Joong-ki and Lee Kwang-soo for the first time since Song left the variety show.[44] [45] [46] [47]

Soundtrack

Part 1

  1. 사랑은 눈꽃처럼 (Love Is Like a Snowflake) - Junsu[48] [49]
  2. 착한 여자 (Nice Girl) - Lee Soo-young[50]
  3. 좋은 사람입니다 (No One Is Better Than You) - Cho Eun
  4. Lonely
  5. Jae-hee and Ma-ru (with Empty Heart & Change)
  6. Bueno Hombre
  7. Waltz in Sorrow
  8. Eun-gi and Ma-ru (with Late Autumn)
  9. Melancholy
  10. Blue Moon
  11. Eun-gi (with Magnolia)
  12. Late Autumn
  13. Empty Heart
  14. Broken Heart
  15. Water Lily
  16. Magnolia

Part 2

  1. 정말 (Really) - Song Joong-ki[51]
  2. 너만을 원했다 (I Only Wanted You) - Son Hoyoung (narration by Song Joong-ki)[52]
  3. 사랑해요 (I Love You) - Yoon Bitnara
  4. Change
  5. Here to Stay
  6. 차칸남자 (Complicación)
  7. Waltz in Sorrow (Guitar)
  8. Beautiful Love
  9. Nobody Sees Me
  10. Despedida
  11. Laberinto
  12. Lonely Street
  13. Collision De Frente
  14. Before Winter Comes

Ratings

Beginning episode 5, the series ranked number one in its timeslot for eight consecutive weeks until its finale.[53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60]

Original broadcast dateAverage audience share
AGB Nielsen[61] TNmS[62]
width=90Nationwidewidth=90Seoulwidth=90Nationwidewidth=90Seoul
1September 12, 201210.5%11.5%10.7% 10.9%
2September 13, 20129.9%11.3%11.4%11.6%
3September 19, 201213.8%14.5%13.9%14.6%
4September 20, 201213.3%14.2%13.8%15.4%
5September 26, 201214.0% 15.7% 14.5% 14.8%
6September 27, 201216.0% 18.1% 16.0% 17.8%
7October 3, 201217.3% 18.6% 17.9% 18.6%
8October 4, 201215.1% 16.6% 15.0% 14.4%
9October 10, 201215.3% 17.3% 15.8% 17.3%
10October 11, 201214.9%15.7% 16.2% 17.3%
11October 17, 201214.3%15.3% 15.0% 16.5%
12October 18, 201215.1% 15.7% 16.4% 17.0%
13October 24, 201217.1% 18.8% 18.2% 18.7%
14October 25, 201216.7% 18.4% 18.5% 19.6%
15October 31, 201218.3%20.6%17.1% 17.6%
16November 1, 201217.1% 18.8% 18.8% 19.8%
17November 7, 2012 16.2% 16.4% 18.2% 19.6%
18November 8, 2012 18.2% 19.7% 16.8% 18.1%
19November 14, 201217.9%19.3%18.5%19.9%
20November 15, 201218.0%19.4%18.6%20.2%
Average

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef.
201220th Korean Culture and Entertainment AwardsTop Excellence Award, ActorSong Joong-ki[63]
Top Excellence Award, ActorSong Joong-ki[64]
Excellence Award, ActressMoon Chae-won
Best Couple AwardSong Joong-ki and Moon Chae-won[65]
Netizens' AwardSong Joong-ki
Moon Chae-won
Best New ActressLee Yu-bi
Best Supporting ActorLee Kwang-soo
Lee Sang-yeob
Best Supporting ActressJin Kyung
Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length DramaSong Joong-ki
Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length DramaMoon Chae-won
Park Si-yeon
Top Excellence Award, ActorSong Joong-ki
Top Excellence Award, ActressMoon Chae-won
2013Best New Actress (TV)Lee Yu-bi[66]
20's Booming Star - FemaleLee Yu-bi
8th Seoul International Drama AwardsOutstanding Korean Drama OST"Love Is Like a Snowflake" - Junsu
"Really" - Song Joong-ki
Outstanding Korean ActorSong Joong-ki
Outstanding Korean ActressMoon Chae-won
Outstanding Korean DramaThe Innocent Man

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hong. Grace Danbi. Nice Guy Releases Official Drama Posters. https://archive.today/20130129004505/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=14069. dead. 29 January 2013. enewsWorld. 2012-11-19. 4 September 2012.
  2. Web site: Kang. Hye-in. Innocent Man Song Joong Ki says, "I was overjoyed to hear the drama title". StarN News. 2012-11-19. 6 September 2012.
  3. Netflix Nice Guy
  4. Web site: Cast Members Offers Pray for Good Luck and Success. https://archive.today/20130218204016/http://english.kbs.co.kr/TVRadio/BehindtheDrama/view.html?No=1565. dead. 18 February 2013. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 27 August 2012.
  5. Web site: Lee. Tae-ho. Main casts of The Innocent Man attend press conference. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 5 September 2012.
  6. Web site: Jeon. Ji-young. Four Innocent Men's Different Ways of Love. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 31 October 2012.
  7. Web site: Reasons Why We Cannot But To Love the Innocent Man. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 7 November 2012.
  8. Web site: Jeon. Ji-young. Song Joong-ki Transforms into Med School Student for New KBS Drama. https://archive.today/20130219041357/http://english.kbs.co.kr/TVRadio/BehindtheDrama/view.html?No=1533. dead. 19 February 2013. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 1 August 2012.
  9. Web site: Hong. Lucia. Song Joong-ki's Good Man reveals photos from 1st shooting. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 27 July 2012.
  10. Web site: Hong. Grace Danbi. Park Si Yeon Transforms into a Cold and Serious Reporter. https://archive.today/20130129054056/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=12365. dead. 29 January 2013. enewsWorld. 2012-11-19. 14 August 2012.
  11. Web site: Park Shi-yeon Transforms Into Hot Blooded Reporter in New KBS Drama Nice Guy. https://archive.today/20130219031453/http://english.kbs.co.kr/TVRadio/BehindtheDrama/view.html?No=1552. dead. 19 February 2013. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 17 August 2012.
  12. Web site: Kim. Sung-hee. Song Joong Ki and Park Si Yeon share a teary kiss on a TV series. Star News. 2012-11-19. 12 September 2012.
  13. Web site: Park Shi-yeon's Intense Portrayal of Character in Different Stages of Life Gathers Praise. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 4 September 2012.
  14. Web site: Kang Maru, a True Bad Boy. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 31 August 2012.
  15. Web site: Mun Chae-won captivates viewers with her charismatic rider fashion. https://archive.today/20130218193157/http://english.kbs.co.kr/TVRadio/BehindtheDrama/view.html?No=1547. dead. 18 February 2013. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 13 August 2012.
  16. Web site: Hong. Grace Danbi. Song Joong Ki and Moon Chae Won Have a Dangerous and Dirty Encounter for Nice Guy. enewsWorld. 2012-11-19. 20 August 2012.
  17. Web site: Jeon. Ji-young. Actress Moon Chae-won Transforms into an Icy Lady. https://archive.today/20130221000227/http://english.kbs.co.kr/TVRadio/BehindtheDrama/view.html?No=1536. dead. 21 February 2013. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 3 August 2012.
  18. Web site: Actress Moon Chae-won is a Different Type of Rich Girl in new drama.. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 12 September 2012.
  19. Web site: Hong. Grace Danbi. Song Joong Ki Goes on a Sweet Date with Moon Chae Won. enewsWorld. 2012-11-19. 27 August 2012.
  20. Web site: Park. Jae-hwan. Sweet Date Between Nice Guy and Gentle Girl. KBS Global. 29 August 2012. 2012-10-30.
  21. Web site: Sneaking Up on Eungi and Maru's Date Among Reeds. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 22 October 2012.
  22. Web site: Lee. Gyeong-ho. Song Joong Ki doesn't care if he plays a leading role. Star News. 2012-11-19. 5 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194049/http://star.mt.co.kr/stviewEng.php?type=3&no=2012090515340875252. 29 October 2013. dead.
  23. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. Song Joong-ki "I'd be happy to go through growing pains as an actor". 10Asia. 5 September 2012. 2012-10-30.
  24. Web site: Sunwoo. Carla. Song Joong-ki aims to change it up. https://archive.today/20130127043527/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2959040. usurped. January 27, 2013. Korea JoongAng Daily. 7 September 2012. 2012-10-30.
  25. Web site: Lee. Gyeong-ho. The crew of Innocent Man opens a surprise birthday party for Song Joong Ki. Star News. 2012-11-19. 22 September 2012.
  26. Web site: Yoon. Hee-seong. INTERVIEW: The Innocent Man Song Joong-ki - Part. 2. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 2 November 2012.
  27. Web site: Song Jung-Gi, finished filming Innocent Man. "It was a happy time". Innolife. 2012-11-24. 15 November 2012.
  28. Web site: Mun. Wan-sik. Song Joong Ki says, "I wouldn't take my girlfriend's guilt upon myself". Star News. 2012-11-19. 16 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192328/http://star.mt.co.kr/stviewEng.php?type=3&no=2012111613453479598. 29 October 2013. dead.
  29. Web site: Yang. Seo-hee. Werewolf Boy gets real: Actor Song Joong-ki talks about his phenomenal year. Korea JoongAng Daily. 2012-11-22. 22 November 2012. usurped. https://archive.today/20130103202948/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2962710. 3 January 2013.
  30. Web site: Kang. Hye-in. Innocent Man Moon Chae Won pledges to reveal her horse dance. 6 September 2012. StarN News. 2012-10-30.
  31. Web site: Jeon. Ji-young. Seo Eun-gi Conquers Both Work and Love. KBS Global. 4 October 2012. 2012-10-30.
  32. Web site: Innocent Man Mun Chae-Won "I sincerely loved Eun-Gi". Innolife. 2012-11-24. 17 November 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20130218200635/http://www.innolife.co.kr/list.php?ac_id=4&ai_id=3713. 18 February 2013.
  33. Web site: Park Si-yeon Exudes Charm as Femme Fatale on TV Soap. The Chosun Ilbo. 18 October 2012. 2012-10-30.
  34. Web site: Lee Kwang-soo Shows Off Ridiculous Confidence of a Player in New Role. KBS Global. 5 September 2012. 2012-10-30.
  35. Web site: Hong. Grace Danbi. Nice Guy Presents the Song Joong Ki-Lee Yu Bi Siblings. enewsWorld. 13 August 2012. 2012-10-30.
  36. Web site: Lee Yoobi Shows Off Fresh and Innocent Charm. KBS Global. 2012-11-19. 24 October 2012.
  37. Web site: Mom's Shoes May Not Be Too Big to Fill for Actress Lee Yu-bi. The Chosun Ilbo. 2012-11-19. 16 November 2012.
  38. Web site: Jeon. Ji-young. Park Joon-ha's Ardent Love Wins Over the Ladies!. KBS Global. 10 October 2012. 2012-10-30.
  39. Web site: Actress Kim Ye-won Appears as Lee Kwang-soo's Girlfriend. https://archive.today/20130218215546/http://english.kbs.co.kr/TVRadio/BehindtheDrama/view.html?No=1586. dead. 18 February 2013. KBS Global. 12 September 2012. 2012-10-30.
  40. News: New Drama: The Innocent Man: Danny Ahn Appears as Cameo.
  41. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. Song Joong-ki, Moon Chae-won attend 1st script reading. 10Asia. 5 July 2012. 2012-10-30.
  42. Web site: Hong. Grace Danbi. Song Joong Ki, Moon Chae Won and Park Si Yeon Gather for Nice Guy Script Reading. enewsWorld. 5 July 2012. 2012-10-30.
  43. Web site: Jeon. Ji-young. KBS2TV's New Drama featuring Song Joong-ki and Moon Chae-won Boasts Team Unity. https://archive.today/20130221062006/http://english.kbs.co.kr/TVRadio/BehindtheDrama/view.html?No=1500. dead. 21 February 2013. KBS Global. 6 July 2012. 2012-10-30.
  44. News: Choi. Eun-hwa. Lee Kwang Soo to Act Alongside Song Joong Ki in Nice Guy. https://archive.today/20130103212357/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=7944. dead. 3 January 2013. enewsWorld. 14 June 2012. 2012-10-30.
  45. Web site: Hong. Lucia. Lee Kwang-soo to play Song Joong-gi's best friend in KBS TV series. 10Asia. 14 June 2012. 2012-10-30.
  46. Web site: Kang. Hye-in. Lee Gwang Soo makes a disclosure about Song Joong Ki. StarN News. 6 September 2012. 2012-10-30.
  47. Web site: Choi. Eun-hwa. Interview: Lee Kwang Soo Says He's Happy He′s Asked More about Song Joong Ki. enewsWorld. 2012-12-12. 9 December 2012.
  48. News: Park. Young-woong. JYJ's Kim Jun Su ranks first with his original soundtrack for a TV series. 2012-10-30. Star News. 26 October 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235551/http://star.mt.co.kr/stviewEng.php?type=3&no=2012092615102064424. 30 December 2013.
  49. News: Hong. Grace Danbi. JYJ's Kim Junsu Releases Love is Like a Snowflake for Nice Guy OST. https://archive.today/20130111065000/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=16102. dead. 11 January 2013. 2012-12-20. enewsWorld. 26 September 2012.
  50. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Lee Soo Young Sings Nice Girl for Nice Guy OST. https://archive.today/20130129030330/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=17348. dead. 29 January 2013. enewsWorld. 2012-11-19. 11 October 2012.
  51. Web site: Jeon. Su-mi. Song Joong Ki Releases Photos of Himself Singing for Nice Guy. https://archive.today/20130104092614/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=20422. dead. 4 January 2013. enewsWorld. 2012-11-19. 9 November 2012.
  52. Web site: Ho. Stewart. Son Ho Young Sings for Nice Guy OST on Song Joong Ki-Narrated Track. https://archive.today/20130128231129/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=20059. dead. 28 January 2013. enewsWorld. 2012-11-19. 6 November 2012.
  53. Web site: Lee. Tae-ho. The Innocent Man Beats off Tale of Arang. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 28 September 2012.
  54. Web site: Lee. Tae-ho. The Innocent Man Remains No. 1, For You Ends with Lower-than-expected Numbers. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 5 October 2012.
  55. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. The Innocent Man Puts On 3rd Crown, New SBS Series Fails to Grab Attention. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 12 October 2012.
  56. Web site: Lee. Tae-ho. The Innocent Man Keeps Lock on No. 1, Tale of Arang Closes Curtains. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 19 October 2012.
  57. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. The Innocent Man Stands Strong atop Wed-Thur Ratings Chart. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 26 October 2012.
  58. Web site: Lee. Tae-ho. The Innocent Man Gives KBS Another Ratings Win. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 2 November 2012.
  59. Web site: Lee. Hye-ji. The Innocent Man Unstoppable on Wed-Thur Ratings Chart. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 9 November 2012.
  60. Web site: Lee. Tae-ho. The Innocent Man Comes to Happy Ending. 10Asia. 2012-11-19. 16 November 2012.
  61. Web site: AGB Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu. AGB Nielsen Media Research. 2012-09-12. ko.
  62. Web site: TNMS Daily Ratings: this links to current day-select the date from drop down menu. TNMS Ratings. 2012-09-12. ko.
  63. Web site: ko:송중기 ‘수트도 멋스럽게 소화’. http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201212062012462710. Newsen. ko. 2012-12-09. 6 December 2012. Lee . Han-hyung.
  64. News: 'K드라마어워즈' 송중기, 최우수남자연기상...함성 커지자 "오빠 얘기하잖니". TV Report. ko. 2012-12-09. 8 December 2012. Shim . Na-ra.
  65. News: Jun. Ji-young. 2012 KBS Drama Awards. https://archive.today/20130221033807/http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/EntertainmentNews/view.html?No=8450. dead. 21 February 2013. 2013-01-07. KBS Global. 2 January 2013.
  66. Web site: 49th Paeksang Arts Awards - TV Nominations. https://archive.today/20130629135914/http://isplus.live.joinsmsn.com/award/bs/2013/tyear/t_nominate.asp?aw_part=1&R=49&pr_idx=1685. usurped. 2013-06-29. IS Plus. ko. 2013-04-20.

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