Cable channel tvN begins to air the highest budgeted and largest scale drama, "Nine: 9 Times Travel" starring Lee Jin Wook and Cho Yoon Hee.  This time-slip drama is known to be in production with a budget in the multimillions, estimated at $5.3MM USD.   Given its scale and plot, the drama was in the planning stages for over three years.  Drama production is spearheaded by the same team as "Queen and I" (a.k.a. Queen InHyeon's Man), which almost guarantees success given the breakthrough success of 'Queen and I" in 2012.

During the press conference held in Seoul, writer Song Jae Jung shared that "Nine" concept was suggested before 'Queen and I' but took three years to make in order to do thorough research, to build a more solid storyline and structure.

Also, for another feat for this drama, "Nine" is the first Korean cable drama to be shot on location.  The drama was shot in Nepal as this is integral to the plot.  For Lee Jin Wook's character Seon Woo, Nepal is where he receives mysterious incense sticks which will make him achieve the time-slip to travel back into the past.  To make it as realistic as possible in order to maximize the fantasy of "Nine", over 100 Korean and foreign staff were on the ground in Nepal to put in the needed effort to execute the details for the drama.   From the premiere episode, marvelous scenery featuring the Himalayas, exotic and historic architectures, and Nepal's natural treasures.

Apart from being on location, the film also deployed unique camera techniques, which even further requires the high-budget that was allocated.  The chief producer, Kim Young Gu, believes that this drama is a masterpiece set to upgrade Korean cable drama. 

"Nine: 9 Time Travel" airs in Korea Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning March 11th.  

Source: CJ E&M