Coffee Prince (2007 TV series)

Coffee Prince[1] (Korean: 커피프린스 1호점; RR: Keopipeurinseu 1 Hojeom; lit. The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince) is a 2007 South Korean television series starring Yoon Eun-hye, Gong Yoo, Lee Sun-kyun, and Chae Jung-an. Based on the novel of the same name written by Lee Sun-mi, it was aired on MBC's Mondays and Tuesdays at the 21:55 (KST) time slot from July 2 and August 28, 2007 consisting of 17 episodes.[2]

For the Philippine remake of the same title, see Coffee Prince (2012 TV series).

Coffee Prince
Promotional poster
Genre
Based onThe 1st Shop of Coffee Prince
by Lee Sun-mi
Written by
  • Lee Jung-ah
  • Jang Hyun-joo
Directed byLee Yoon-jung
Starring
Opening theme"Lalala, It's Love!" by The Melody
Ending theme"Go Go Chan!!" by Tearliner feat. Yozoh
ComposerTearliner
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes17
Production
ProducerLee Eun-kyu
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time60 minutes
Release
Original networkMunhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Picture formatHDTV
Audio formatSurround sound
Original releaseJuly 2 (2007-07-02) –
August 28, 2007 (2007-08-28)
Chronology
Related shows
  • Coffee Prince (Thailand)
  • Coffee Prince (Philippines)
  • My Coffee Prince (Malaysia)
  • Prince Coffee Lab (China)
External links
Website

The drama portrays the story of an unlikely romance between a tomboyish woman, who dresses like a man in order to get work, and a young food empire mogul. It contains homoerotic elements, as the man does not initially know of the tomboy's true sex.[3] Hailed as a hit for its high ratings, the drama received positive reviews from critics and won multiple awards.

Synopsis
The exterior of filming set in Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul in 2012

Choi Han-kyul (Gong Yoo) is the grandson of chairwoman Bang (Kim Young-ok) of Dong-in Foods, a company that has a thriving coffee business. He has never had a job and does not care for responsibility. Han-kyul is hung up on his first love, Han Yoo-joo (Chae Jung-an), who only sees him as a friend. Go Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye) is a 24-year-old tomboy who is often mistaken for a guy. Her father died when she was 16 years old and since then she has taken over as the breadwinner in her family. When Han-kyul and Eun-chan meet, he, not knowing that she is a girl, decides to hire her to pretend to be his gay lover so that he can escape the blind dates arranged by his grandmother.

After getting an ultimatum from his grandmother, Han-kyul takes over a rundown old coffee shop, later renamed "Coffee Prince," to prove that he's capable, both to his grandmother and to Yoo-joo. In order to attract female customers, he only hires good-looking male employees. Eun-chan, desperate for money, continues to hide her gender to get a job at Coffee Prince.

Soon, feelings start to develop between Eun-chan and Han-kyul. As Han-kyul is unaware that Eun-chan is a woman, he starts to question his sexuality and is thrown into turmoil. When Han-kyul finds out that Eun-chan is a woman, he gets angry. But soon, they make amends with each other and the two fall in love again. Eun-chan eventually leaves for Italy to study and Han-kyul supports her.

Cast

Main
A cheerful, friendly girl with a large appetite, she works multiple jobs to support her family. With her short haircut, baggy clothes and flat chest, Eun-chan resembles a boy and is often mistaken for one.
The grandson of chairwoman Bang of Dongin Foods, a company that has a thriving coffee business. He is an intelligent man but is fiercely independent and abhors the thought of being tied down by one career in his life.
A talented music producer and cousin of Han-kyul. Despite being in a complicated romantic relationship with Yoo-joo, he develops feelings for Eun-chan as well.
Han-kyul's first love, and Han-sung's ex-girlfriend. She is a talented professional artist who left Han-sung to go to New York with another man, but complicates his life by returning to Korea.

Supporting
Coffee Prince waiter. Strong and sweet-natured but not very smart, he is slavishly devoted to Eun-sae, who treats him with disdain, and is the first to discover Eun-chan's true gender.
Coffee Prince waiter. Outgoing and hot-tempered, he is fond of Eun-chan.
Coffee Prince chef. A taciturn half-Japanese heartthrob, he is recruited to make his popular waffles at the cafe.
Coffee Prince co-manager. His cafe is failing before Han-kyul is ordered in to clean it up and relaunch it.
A stern and powerful woman, she is the head of the family and threatens to withdraw her financial support of Han-kyul unless he proves he can run a business and be responsible.
Eun-chan's younger sister. Eun-sae has dreams of becoming a rich and famous music star.
  • Park Won-sook as Eun-chan's mother
  • Lee Han-wi as Mr. Ku, a butcher who is infatuated with Eun-chan's mother
  • Kim Jung-min as DK, Yoo-joo's ex-boyfriend
  • Ban Hye-ra as Yoo-joo's mother
  • Choi Eun-seo as Ha Da Young, the girl who wants to learn to make waffles
  • Nam Myung-ryul as Myung Jae, Han-kyul's real father
  • Han Da-min as Han Byul
  • Yoon Seung-ah as girl playing cards with Han-kyul on the plane (bit part, ep 1)

Production

Filming locations
The interior of the filming set featuring the wall flowers painting
The service counter
Window art

Many of the scenes filmed on location in Seoul are as follows:[7]

  • The "Coffee Prince" was an old coffee shop in Hongdae area, which was remodeled for the filming. The eponymous cafe was reopened after filming concluded with the wall flowers painting by Han Yoo-joo and other props from the drama on display.
  • Seoul Animation Center at the foot of Namsan in Yejang-dong, Jung-gu: The roof top was used as the exterior terrace of Choi Han-kyul's house. You can see this rooftop garden thoroughly from this scene Coffee Prince, 17회, Sweet Scene
  • Yeonhui Matgil (or Yeonhee Street of Flavors), Yeomni-dong in Mapo-gu: the location of the Chinese restaurant where Han-kyul and Eun-chan ate.
  • The jogging course at Palgakjeong on the Bugak Skyway, Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu: Where Han-kyul goes jogging; and where he met Yoo-joo and Eun-chan who brought competing packed meals for him.
  • The interior and exterior of the Gwanghwamun branch of Kyobo Book Centre: Where Han-kyul buys books on coffee to encourage Eun-chan to become a barista.
  • Hongdae Playground (or Hongik Children's Park) in Hongdae area: Where Han-kyul bought Yoo-joo a hat from a street vendor (along Wausan-ro between the playground and Hongik University).
  • Stone wall road between Duksung Girls High School and Pungmoon Girls High School, across the road from the start of Insa-dong Street that runs from Insa-dong to Samcheong-dong in Jongno-gu: Where Han-kyul helped Eun-chan in the rain, when she encounters a bully on her way home while carrying bags of dolls for sewing work.

In 2011, the Hongdae area and the coffee shop were featured in a National Geographic Channel-produced documentary on the Korean Wave titled Seoul's Got Soul.[8]

Original soundtrack
AlbumTrack listing
Coffee Prince OST
Track listing
  1. Lalala, It's Love! - The Melody
  2. White Love Story - As One
  3. How About a Cup of Coffee? - Humming Urban Stereo feat. Yozoh
  4. Go Go Chan!! - Tearliner feat. Yozoh
  5. How About a Cup of Coffee? (Guitar Inst.)
  6. For a While - MNI Min-jae
  7. Mocha - Casker
  8. Ocean Voyage (Choi Han-sung ver.) - Lee Sun-kyun
  9. 햇살 한 조각 (Inst.)
  10. Polly - The Melody
  11. 알콩달콩 (Inst.)
  12. Ocean Voyage - Tearliner
  13. Double Shot - Casker
  14. 좋은 기억 (Inst.)
  15. 바람에 살며시 앉다 (Ocean Voyage Piano ver.) - Oh Soo-kyung
  16. Go Go Chan!! (On-Air ver.) - Tearliner feat. Yozoh
Soundtrack from Coffee Prince
  • Released: September 14, 2007
  • Artist: Various artists
  • Music compiled and selected by Tearliner
  • Format: 2CD
  • Label: Pastel Music
Track listing
CD1
  1. Love Is Weaken When It Comes Out of Mouth - Low-end Project
  2. "A Reunion and a Bagel" - Yoo-joo & Han-sung's Dialogue
  3. Good Bye - The Melody
  4. May - Belle Epoque
  5. Again (Acoustic Ver.) - Cloud Cuckoo Land
  6. A Desired Confession - Casker
  7. Gazer Razer (Studio Live Ver.) - Tearliner
  8. "Making Up" - Eun-chan & Han-kyul's Dialogue
  9. Make up - Adult Child
  10. I'll Be a Virgin, I'll Be a Mountain - Maximilian Hecker
  11. November - Fanny Fink
  12. "Eun-chan Cries Out Loud" - Eun-chan's Dialogue
  13. Rain Coat - Tearliner
  14. To the Top - Misty Blue
  15. Yoo-joo & Han-sung's Dialogue
  16. Alien - Arco
CD2
  1. "Han-kyul's Confession" - Han-kyul's Dialogue
  2. Sad Thing - Adult Child
  3. "Brotherhood" - Eun-chan & Han-kyul's Dialogue
  4. I Messed Up The Relationship - Low-end Project
  5. Oh My Gosh! - Kim Chang-wan
  6. Coffee is - Cloud Cuckoo Land
  7. Running - Donawhale
  8. "A Maturing Love" - Eun-chan & Han-kyul's Dialogue
  9. A Good Person - Fanny Fink
  10. Wishy-Washy Boy - Tearliner
  11. Last Arpeggios - Bluedawn
  12. "The Discovery of Love" - Eun-chan & Han-kyul's Dialogue
  13. Balloons & Champagne - Ephemera
  14. Novaless - Tearliner
  15. "Eun-chan, Come Quickly! Eun-chan, I Miss You!" - Han-kyul's Dialogue
  16. Perfect World (Restraint) - Arco
  17. Space Island (Moon Version) - Tearliner

Ratings
Date Episode Nationwide Seoul
2007-07-02114.4% (7th)15.5% (7th)
2007-07-03215.3% (7th)16.2% (7th)
2007-07-09318.1% (6th)18.6% (5th)
2007-07-10419.0% (4th)19.8% (4th)
2007-07-16519.3% (3rd)20.1% (2nd)
2007-07-17623.2% (2nd)23.9% (2nd)
2007-07-23725.2% (2nd)25.3% (2nd)
2007-07-24826.8% (2nd)28.1% (2nd)
2007-07-30925.2% (2nd)26.2% (2nd)
2007-07-311025.9% (2nd)27.3% (2nd)
2007-08-061128.4% (2nd)30.8% (1st)
2007-08-071229.9% (2nd)31.4% (2nd)
2007-08-131329.3% (2nd)32.1% (2nd)
2007-08-141428.1% (2nd)30.5% (2nd)
2007-08-201527.1% (2nd)29.0% (2nd)
2007-08-211628.5% (2nd)30.8% (1st)
2007-08-271727.7% (2nd)29.5% (2nd)
Average 24.2% 25.6%

Source: TNS Media Korea

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2007
1st Korea Drama Awards
 Most Popular ActorKim Dong-wookWon
Kim Jae-wookWon
Lee EonWon
Lee Han-wiWon
MBC Drama Awards
 Top Excellence Award, ActressYoon Eun-hyeWon
Excellence Award, ActorGong YooWon
Lee Sun-kyunNominated
Excellence Award, ActressChae Jung-anNominated
Best New ActorLee EonNominated
PD AwardKim Chang-wanWon
Viewer's Favorite Drama of the YearCoffee PrinceNominated
Popularity Award, ActorGong YooNominated
Popularity Award, ActressYoon Eun-hyeNominated
Best Couple AwardYoon Eun-hye and Gong YooNominated
Chae Jung-an and Lee Sun-kyunNominated
2008
44th Baeksang Arts Awards
 Best DramaCoffee PrinceNominated
Best Actress (TV)Yoon Eun-hyeWon
Best New Director (TV)Lee Yoon-jungWon
Best Screenplay (TV)Lee Jung-ah, Jang Hyun-jooNominated
20th Korea PD Awards
Best DramaCoffee PrinceWon
3rd Seoul International Drama Awards
 Best Actress[9]Yoon Eun-hyeNominated

International broadcast

It aired in Japan on Fuji TV beginning August 11, 2010 as part of the network's "Hallyu Alpha Summer Festival."[10]

It aired in the Philippines on GMA Network from January 1 to March 19, 2008, and received high ratings during its run.[11] The series was re-aired with English subtitles on Animax Asia in 2010, and on GMA News TV from September 19 to October 14, 2016 at 11:00pm.

It aired in Thailand on Channel 7 beginning April 19, 2008.[12]

The series aired in Malaysia in 2010 on Animax Asia with Malay Dub and English subtitles.[13]

It aired in the Middle East on MBC 4 beginning December 8, 2013, dubbed as Makha al amir.

It was dubbed in Tamil and aired in India on Puthuyugam TV beginning October 2014.

It aired in Chile on ETC (Chilean TV channel) beginning September 2016.

Remake
Main article: Coffee Prince (2012 TV series)

In 2012, the TV series was remade in Thailand,[14] and the Philippines.[15]

In 2016, a Chinese remake of the series titled Prince Coffee Lab was announced, directed by Kang Shin-hyo of The Heirs.[16]

In 2017, the Malaysian remake of Coffee Prince directed by Michael Ang began airing on Astro Ria starting November 28.[17]

References
  1. "Coffee Prince". MBC Global Media. MBC&iMBC. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  2. Lee, Hyo-won (August 29, 2007). "Drama Offers Hot Trends, Aromatic Tale". The Korea Times. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  3. Lee, Sooin; Nahm, Sooyeon (September 13, 2010). "Drama reveals changing attitudes about homosexuality". Korea Joongang Daily. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  4. "I Try My Best to Be Eun-chan". The Dong-a Ilbo. July 26, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  5. "Interview with Yoon Eun-hye (June 27, 2007), who played Koh Eun-chan in Coffee Prince". MBC Global Media. February 19, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  6. "Yoon Eun-hye Goes From Girl Group to Boy Actor". The Chosun Ilbo. August 8, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  7. "The First Shop Of Coffee Prince". Korea Tourism Organization. Korean TV Drama. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  8. "Seoul's Got Soul Coming to A Country Near You". The Chosun Ilbo. June 21, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  9. "윤은혜, 일본 톱스타 나카마 유키에와 여우주연상 경합". dong-a.
  10. Hong, Lucia (August 20, 2010). "Gong Yoo to promote Coffee Prince in Japan". 10Asia. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  11. Santiago, Erwin (January 25, 2008). "TV Ratings (Jan. 22-24): Coffee Prince and Lastikman moving up". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  12. "TV Ratings (Jan. 22-24): Coffee Prince and Lastikman moving up". Sanook.com. August 18, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2013. Thai: ภาษาไทย
  13. "Animax Asia".
  14. "Brewing up a rich drama". Bangkok Post. June 22, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  15. "Kris Bernal and Aljur Abrenica's Coffee Prince becomes trending topic on Twitter". Philippine Entertainment Portal. October 9, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  16. https://www.dramafever.com/news/coffee-prince-set-for-chinese-remake-with-the-director-of-heirs/
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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