Lee Hanee Steps Into the Ring as the “Grande Dame of Boxing”… a True Story of a 7080 Champion Who Was “a Promoter”

A feisty woman who dominated the square ring in the 1980s—A weighty return based on a true story

Actress Lee Hanee makes a bold acting transformation into “the Grande Dame of Boxing”, a character who led the golden era of Korean boxing in the 1970s and 1980s.

Episode Company, an intellectual property (IP) distribution company, on the 22nd officially announced the production of the sports drama “The Promoter” based on a true story, and shared the news that Lee Hanee has been cast as the lead. The work breaks from the cookie-cutter formula of sports melodramas and closely spotlights the remarkable life of Shim Young-ja, a real figure who evolved from a top star into a prominent female promoter.

The drama follows “Promoter Shim Young-ja” as she discovers the legendary boxer “Jang Jung-goo (Jjang-gu Jang Jung-goo)” and elevates him to the top of the world. It depicts the fierce battle of wits outside the blood-and-thunder square ring, along with a moving growth story. The narrative of the feisty woman who fought head-on against the prejudices of the era is expected to deliver a powerful catharsis to living-room viewers.

Lee Hanee, who anchors the center of the drama, has been selected for the role to match her with the genius boxer Jjang-gu. The part of Jjang-gu—played by “Park Yoon-ho”, a rookie who proved his solid acting skills through the dramas “Study Group” and “Unknown Seoul”—was confirmed in a casting coup. In addition, “Ryoo Kyung-sun Writer” of the film “Long Live the King” will write the script, and “Director Lee Jong-seok” of the film “Negotiation” will hold the megaphone, signaling the birth of a well-made tentpole project.

The plan is led by Studio Dragon, with Monster Company and Episode Company taking part in co-production. This large-scale project, set to vividly recreate the hidden side of the Korean boxing scene in the 1980s, is scheduled to be aired through tvN, and the exact airing date is currently being coordinated.