More than two decades after Damo became one of the most recognisable historical dramas in Korean television, two of its leading stars are revisiting the characters that brought them together. Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won are set to return as Hwangbo Yoon and Chae Ok, bringing back a memorable moment that longtime viewers will instantly recognise.

Their reunion on SBS is not just about recreating an old scene. The upcoming episode of Whatever You Want Me to Do – Secretaries (My Grumpy Secretary) will also revisit the demanding filming conditions, previously unseen memories from the production, and the lasting connection both actors have with the 2003 MBC drama.

Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won Recreate ‘Damo’s Famous “Are You Hurt?” Scene

One of the biggest highlights of the November 6 episode will be Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won stepping back into the roles they played in Damo.

The actors will recreate the famous exchange between Left Police Bureau officer Hwangbo Yoon and damo Chae Ok:

“아프냐? 나도 아프다” (“Are you hurt? I’m hurt too.”)

The line remains closely associated with the original drama and the relationship between the two characters. MBC’s official archive continues to preserve the original scene, identifying it as Hwangbo Yoon expressing concern for an injured Chae Ok.

According to preview reports, the actors quickly returned to the expressions and mannerisms associated with their characters while filming the reenactment for SBS.

The scene is scheduled to air on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11:10 p.m. KST. Its return is particularly meaningful because Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won had not appeared together in the same television frame since Damo, making their reunion a first in 23 years.

Rather than simply bringing the former co-stars together for a conversation, the programme is revisiting the drama that first connected them on screen.

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Why Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won’s 23-Year Reunion Is Special

The reunion actually began before the November 6 episode.

During an October 24 iMBC Entertainment report previewing their appearance, Lee Seo Jin explained that working together on television after Damo was happening for the first time. Ha Ji Won also shared her feelings about filming alongside him again, describing the experience as something that felt almost like a dream.

Their reunion was subsequently shown during the October 30 episode of My Grumpy Secretary, which featured Ha Ji Won as its special guest.

The programme followed Lee Seo Jin, Kim Kwang Kyu and Ha Ji Won during an overseas trip to Singapore. The journey also included an opportunity for Ha Ji Won to pursue something she had wanted for a long time: meeting her favourite Formula 1 drivers.

The actress had previously asked Lee Seo Jin to help arrange a meeting with the drivers she followed. During the Singapore trip, the cast eventually secured access to the F1 paddock and a pit-lane tour.

SBS reported that the group also met with a representative of the Singapore Tourism Board while trying to arrange the driver meeting.

One particularly exciting moment came when Ha Ji Won’s favourite driver, Max Verstappen, was running near the front during the race. A sudden rain shower affected the race and helped Verstappen move into first place, according to SBS.

Ha Ji Won’s paddock access lasted approximately 15 minutes before she and Lee Seo Jin watched the race from their seats.

While the October 30 episode introduced viewers to the pair’s first television reunion in 23 years, the November 6 broadcast takes things further by returning to their shared history in Damo.

What Was ‘Damo’? Revisiting the 2003 MBC Historical Drama

First broadcast in 2003, Damo was a 14-episode historical action drama directed by Lee Jae Gyu and written by Jung Hyung Soo.

Its principal cast included Ha Ji Won, Lee Seo Jin and Kim Min Joon. MBC’s official description identifies the series as a historical action drama exploring the turbulent life and love of a female damo during the Joseon period.

Ha Ji Won portrayed Chae Ok, a 23-year-old damo attached to the Left Police Bureau. According to MBC’s official character information, she was a trusted subordinate of Police Officer Hwangbo Yoon.

Chae Ok had trained in swordsmanship and martial arts from an early age. Her particular skills included fighting with two short swords and using throwing weapons, making her an important part of the drama’s action-driven storyline.

Lee Seo Jin played Hwangbo Yoon, a 31-year-old officer of the Left Police Bureau. MBC describes him as a cautious, quiet and principled man from the illegitimate branch of a distinguished family.

Although trusted by his superior, Hwangbo Yoon’s rapid rise through the ranks created resentment. That resentment eventually contributed to him being framed and removed from office.

The third major character was Jang Seong Baek, played by Kim Min Joon. Described by MBC as a highly skilled swordsman, he served as the practical leader of a rebel force. His background and complicated connections with Chae Ok and Hwangbo Yoon formed another important part of the drama’s central conflict.

The title Damo refers to women who performed duties connected to government offices during the Joseon period. These responsibilities could include investigations involving women, information gathering, surveillance and searches of female suspects.

The series used this historical role as the foundation for its fictional narrative, combining investigation, action, relationships and political conflict.

Why the “Are You Hurt? I’m Hurt Too” Line Became So Iconic

Among the many moments in Damo, the exchange between Hwangbo Yoon and Chae Ok became one of the drama’s most recognisable scenes.

The phrase “Are you hurt? I’m hurt too” captured the emotional connection between the characters and became closely associated with the series.

MBC’s own archive preserves the original exchange under the description of Hwangbo Yoon worrying about an injured Chae Ok. This confirms that the moment comes directly from the 2003 drama and is not a line created specifically for the new SBS programme.

The drama also developed a particularly devoted following, with fans commonly described as “Damo addicts” (Damo pyein).

The expression has continued to appear in coverage discussing the show’s reception and its place in Korean television history.

That lasting association helps explain why SBS selected this particular scene for the reunion. Recreating it allows the programme to revisit one of the moments most closely connected with the original series rather than simply bringing the actors together for a general conversation.

Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won Reveal the Difficult Side of ‘Damo’ Filming

The November 6 episode will also explore what it took to bring Damo to television.

According to preview material released on November 5, Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won will look through footage from the original production and discuss some of the challenging sequences they filmed.

One particularly memorable production story involves a rain sequence that required three water trucks. The actors will also revisit a distinctive qi-treatment scene from the drama.

Their memories provide a glimpse into the physical demands of filming the historical action series.

During coverage of the October 30 broadcast, Lee Seo Jin recalled that the cast regularly filmed throughout the night. The action sequences also involved extensive wire work, which he described as exhausting.

Ha Ji Won reportedly had a different experience with the wire scenes, finding them enjoyable.

These recollections add another dimension to the reunion. The actors are not only revisiting their characters but also remembering the demanding conditions and experiences behind the scenes.

Lee Seo Jin Jokes About His Old ‘Damo’ Appearance

The archival footage also gives Lee Seo Jin an opportunity to see how he and Ha Ji Won looked during the original production.

In the November 5 preview, Lee Seo Jin watches footage featuring Ha Ji Won’s earlier appearance before noticing his own beard makeup.

His reaction is particularly amusing:

“I suddenly look like a traitor.”

The comment provides a lighter moment during the retrospective, as the actors look back at their younger appearances and the visual details of the drama.

Lee Seo Jin also makes another remark about his former co-star, saying:

“I nearly went deaf because of Ha Ji Won.”

However, the November 5 reports do not reveal the complete incident behind this comment. The programme is expected to explain the circumstances during the broadcast, so its meaning should not be assumed before the full episode airs.

Ha Ji Won Describes ‘Damo’ as the Time She Has Lived

While the archival footage and production stories bring humour and nostalgia to the episode, Ha Ji Won’s reflections offer a more personal perspective.

During the discussion, she describes the drama with a statement that captures its importance in her life:

“Damo is the time I have lived.”

Her words, included in the programme preview, suggest how deeply the production remains connected to her memories and personal journey.

The preview also indicates that Ha Ji Won will share stories she has not previously discussed publicly in this context.

For an actress who portrayed Chae Ok at the centre of the drama’s action-driven narrative, returning to the series more than two decades later provides an opportunity to revisit an important chapter of her career.

When Will Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won’s ‘Damo’ Reunion Air?

The upcoming episode of Whatever You Want Me to Do – Secretaries (My Grumpy Secretary) will bring together the scene recreation, original footage and personal memories from the actors.

Here are the confirmed broadcast details:

Detail	Information
Programme	Whatever You Want Me to Do – Secretaries (My Grumpy Secretary)
Network	SBS
Broadcast date	Friday, November 6, 2026
Broadcast time	11:10 p.m. KST
Featured actors	Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won
Original drama	Damo (MBC, 2003)
Lee Seo Jin’s character	Hwangbo Yoon
Ha Ji Won’s character	Chae Ok
Featured reenactment	“Are you hurt? I’m hurt too”

The episode is expected to include the famous scene recreation, archival footage, stories about the original production and reflections from both actors.

Viewers can also expect discussions about the rain sequence involving three water trucks, the qi-treatment scene, Lee Seo Jin’s reaction to his old beard makeup and his comment about nearly losing his hearing during filming.

Ha Ji Won’s description of Damo as “the time I have lived” is another major moment highlighted in the preview material.

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Conclusion: A Nostalgic Return to One of Their Most Memorable Dramas

Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won’s reunion is more than a nostalgic television appearance. Their first on-screen reunion in 23 years has created an opportunity to revisit Damo, the 2003 historical action drama that remains closely associated with both actors’ careers.

From recreating the iconic “Are you hurt? I’m hurt too” exchange to sharing memories of exhausting overnight shoots, wire sequences and demanding production scenes, the November 6 episode brings together the characters and experiences that made the series memorable.

With archival footage, personal reflections and a return to Hwangbo Yoon and Chae Ok, SBS is giving viewers another opportunity to revisit a defining chapter of Korean television history.

Source Disclaimer: This article has been prepared through research of the official programme material, MBC’s Damo archives and the news reports listed below. All information reflects the details available in those sources and the published preview material at the time of writing. The November 6 episode’s full contents may differ from the details described in advance promotional reports.

Sources

• SBS official ‘My Grumpy Secretary’ content
• SBS report on Lee Seo Jin and Ha Ji Won’s Singapore reunion
• MBC official ‘Damo’ information
• MBC archive of the “Are you hurt? I’m hurt too” scene
• iMBC Entertainment’s November 5 preview
• iMBC Entertainment’s October 24 reunion preview
• MoneyToday’s November 5 report
• Maeil Business Newspaper’s November 5 report
• iNews24’s November 5 report
• The Chosun Daily report on the October 30 broadcast and filming recollections

Featured Image Credit: SBS / YouTube video capture