The Duo

This article is about the 2011 South Korean TV series. For other uses, see Duo.
The Duo
Promotional poster for The Duo
Also known as Mate
Genre
Written by Kim Woon-kyung
Directed by Im Tae-woo
Starring
Composer Bang Joon Seok (방준석)
Country of origin South Korea
Original language Korean
No. of episodes 32
Production
Executive producer Choi Yi-sup MBC
Producer Moon Jung Soo
Production company Pan Entertainment
Original release
Network Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Release February 7 –
May 24, 2011
Korean name
Hangul
짝패
Revised Romanization Jjakpae
McCune–Reischauer Tchakpae

The Duo (Korean: 짝패; RR: Jjakpae) is a 2011 South Korean historical drama series, starring Chun Jung-myung, Lee Sang-yoon, Han Ji-hye and Seo Hyun-jin. It aired on MBC from February 7 to May 24, 2011, on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 32 episodes.

Filmed at MBC Dramia in Gyeonggi Province, the series examines how class determines fate during the Joseon era through two men who swap lives. Switched at birth, Chun-doong and Gwi-dong grow up living each other's lives. Nobleman's son Chun-doong endures great hardships in the lowest caste of society, and becomes a vigilante who steals from the rich. Beggar's son Gwi-dong grows up in a wealthy noble family, and becomes a police chief. Living on opposite sides of the law, their paths cross again when they both fall for the same woman; played by Chun, Lee and Han respectively.

Plot

Around the time of late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) when hierarchy between nobles and slaves started to fall apart and riots were common among peasants, two men were born on the same day and at the same time. Chun Dung who grew up in a beggar's quarters (although born as a noble) with no knowledge of his parents, dreams of "making this world a better place" by taking part in the peasants’ riot while Gwi Dong who was raised in a noble life (though he was born as a beggar), serves as a police official, fights against corruption within the government and speaks for the weak. Although both give their hearts to the same woman, they become the greatest duo ever in order to reform the problematic world.

The background of the drama is not set in a grand palace but an everyday market and talks not of the success of a great hero but the agony of common people. The Duo portrays the everyday lives and loves of the commoners and outcasts during 19th century Korea: Slaves, beggars, leather shoemakers, thieves, street bums and butchers, people who were poor yet good at heart. It is centered on the humanism and sentiments of those whose life stories have often been neglected in the typical "royal family centered" dramas.

Cast

Main characters

He was born as a noble but lives Gwi-dong's life as a beggar and later becomes a heroic outlaw.
He was born as a beggar but lives his life as a noble and later becomes a police chief.
The daughter of a village school teacher, she is learned and clever.
Ever since she was a kid, she has always loved Gwi-dong who was from a class different and more importantly, higher than hers.

Supporting characters

Ratings

The Duo received solid ratings, averaging 13.0 percent on Total National Multimedia Statistics' (TNmS) chart and 16.7 percent on AGB Nielsen Media Research's (AGB) poll, coming in first in its primetime slot several times during its run.

International broadcast

  • It aired in Vietnam on Style TV, beginning August 16, 2014.