Actress Becomes First Korean to Portray a Female Conductor in New tvN Series

Courtesy of tvN

Renowned actress Lee Young-ae is set to make history by portraying the character Cha Se-eum, a female conductor, in the upcoming TV series "Maestra: Strings of Truth." In a career spanning three decades, Lee has been drawn to this unique role, citing it as the first instance of a Korean actress taking on the character of a maestra.

The series, based on the French TV show "Philharmonia," revolves around Se-eum, a violinist-turned-world-renowned conductor. After 20 years abroad, she returns to Korea to lead The Hankang Philharmonic orchestra. The narrative unfolds as Se-eum grapples with a former lover (Lee Moo-saeng), a husband (Kim Young-jae) struggling with inferiority, and investigates a tragedy within the ensemble while confronting personal demons. 

▲ Courtesy of tvNIn preparation for the role, Lee began learning the violin and conducting from professional musicians in November of the previous year. Describing the practice as "fierce," she emphasized the strong teamwork and excellent production that compensated for any challenges.

Director Kim Jung-kwon took special care in casting ensemble roles, prioritizing actors who could play classical music instruments. Lee's passionate portrayal of her character's gaze and movements while conducting is highlighted by Kim.

While there have been rare instances of TV series featuring classical music conductors, particularly the 2008 MBC show "Beethoven Virus" starring Kim Myung-min, portrayals of female conductors, or maestras, are even rarer.

Lee expressed confidence in "Maestra: Strings of Truth," praising the cast's passion and the director's leadership. She highlighted the series' strong plot, allowing her to immerse herself naturally in the character, emphasizing the profound impact of music and conducting.

The 12-part series is scheduled to premiere on tvN this Saturday and will be available for streaming on Tving and Disney+ in select regions.

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