Red Swan

Stellar acting compensates for plot gaps

Generally, plot holes of the size and frequency of the ones in this series have me dropping a show like it's a hot rock, but the depth of the characters and the outstanding cast kept me binging Red Swan. There are a lot of gaps in the story and deux ex machina has to be called in when reality and the space/time continuum threaten to get in the way of script absurdities, but I still enjoyed the series.

The entire cast is great, without exception, and they make the show addictively watchable despite its boatload of flaws. I ended up sympathetic to characters I thought I'd hate and hating characters for whom I started out sympathetic.

Kim Ha Neul plays O Wan Su, a self-made rags-to-riches success story. She's a woman determined that other children be spared the fear, uncertainty, and deprivation of her own childhood. Putting herself in a position to realize that goal cost the lives of her loved ones, and puts her own life at risk.

Rain is Seo Do Yun, a former police officer on a mission to solve the murder of his brother cop. His investigation entangles him with O Wan Su when it appears the same killer is gunning for her. Don't ask how we know that, just roll with it.

The two leads hooked me from the get-go. A near foxhole type lust moment between O Wan Su and Seo Do Yun after the sniper incident was smoking, and I loved their restrained intensity and moments of tenderness throughout the series.

Despite how well Rain and Kim Ha-Neul worked as the lead couple, comments on the ML/FL dynamic follow the standard MDL pattern: ML is a perfect swoon worthy hunk whom the inferior-in-every-way FL doesn't deserve or measure up to. That comment pattern is so predictable it ought to be baked into the MDL plot synopses just to save time.

My advice: ignore that drivel.

Some commenters are bothered that Kim Ha-Neul's characterization of O Wan Su wasn't more demonstrative. She's presented with the vulnerable stoicism of a woman who has faced unbearable loss and has no choice but to persevere.

Perhaps Kim Ha-Neul could have played O Wan Su as a weeping damsel, swooning with the vapors, back of her hand pressed melodramatically against her forehead, but O Wan Su has to be strong and relentless to survive, and a strong, relentless woman doesn't have the luxury to wail, flutter, fall apart, or swoon.

One more place I'll diverge from the pack: I thought the ending was perfect.

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Intensed , main leads chemistry is incridibly strong

I am perplexed by the low ratings for this drama ,given its promising start in the first 2 episodes. I wish they drop the whole 10 series , I could watch it overnight! The bodyguard- boss romance plot is captivating. The chemistry between the leads is intensed and evident. I love the fast paced flow of the story and yet it doesn't leave out any important details. We have a strong female lead in this drama which I liked. She isn't easily shaken by those difficult people around her--- evil MIL,unfaithful husband and friends betrayal. Kim Haneul is a veteran actress , i might not like some of her dramas and the way she portrayed some of it but this drama here is really made for her--- cold and mostly unexpressive particularly to her in law and husband but given what the story required from the character she portrayed the role perfectly to me.
Rain ,as a bodyguard ,the male protagonist in this drama ,this role definitely suited him since he is into in action role , he will be her protector and can see in later episodes will be her confidant and thats how probably the'll develop feelings towards each other, but how they will pass the hurdle, since they both know it is a forbidden love ,making this romance- action drama engaging and so captivating!!!

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racist since ep 1

Oh god not korea jumping on the racist propaganda associating muslims, arabs and/or arabic speakers to terrorism lol
As if it wasn't enough for korean dramas to hype up the zionist colonial state at every occasion
Too late 2024 made it clear who the real terrorists are, and they will actually be brought up to the icc and icj for supporting the genocide in Gaza.
Also is korea really that bothered by human trafficking or the age of consent? I know of some korean public figures who are known predators and can still walk under the sun there, some of them get featured in kdramas too.

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Trop de robes de gala, pas assez de frissons...

Je suis un peu frustrée... J’étais en mode “let’s gooo” en lançant "Red Swan", on part sur un spitch de vengeance, une héroïne stylée, un garde du corps mystérieux, des secrets de famille qui puent la trahison… Bref, ça sentait le drama 'makjang" élégant à souhait 🖤💄

Mais en fait… bah ça tourne un peu à vide... 😬
La mise en scène est soignée, les tenues de la FL sont incroyables 🤌🏻, le casting fait le taf, mais j’ai trouvé que ça manquait cruellement de mordant... Je voulais une guerre froide, mais j’ai eu un ballet au ralenti… 😩🦢

L’héroïne, elle a du potentiel. Elle cache ses émotions derrière son regard de glace 👌🏻, elle est classe, forte, blessée… mais j’ai jamais réussi à VRAIMENT me connecter à elle... Trop peu d’émotions visibles ? Trop figée ? Je sais pas 🤷🏼‍♀️. En tout cas, j’avais besoin d’un peu plus de faille, de feu, de panique… quelque chose qui la rende plus humaine 🔥🥹

Le garde du corps, il a un bon, charisme OK, il joue bien… mais leur relation est tiède 😶 Je sentais qu’on essayait de me vendre une tension entre eux, mais la sauce a jamais pris de mon côté... C’était joli à regarder, mais sans plus. Sur un drama comme ça, j’ai BESOIN d’un baiser 💋 qui fait trembler le sol, de regard qui en disent long… et là, j’ai eu un échange de politesses au ralenti 😅

Côté intrigue, ça se veut plein de secrets, de révélations, de magouilles… mais c’est souvent prévisible. Et surtout... LENT ! À tel point que parfois, j’oubliais ce que je venais de regarder dans l’épisode précédent 😭 (bon j'avais aussi peut-être un manque d'investissement à la longue 😅)

Par contre, je vais pas mentir, il y a des moments où j’ai quand même kiffé les confrontations, les petites trahisons sucrées-salées, et la vibe "drama chic" à la sauce luxueuse ✨💼 Mais ça suffit pas à rattraper un scénario qui a manqué d’impact et de rythme tout du long... ✌🏻


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En résumé : Red Swan, c’est beau, c’est propre, mais c’est trop sage. J’aurais voulu plus de passion, plus de chaos, plus de frissons… Là, j’ai eu une danse contrôlée, mais pas assez de feu sous la robe 🩰🔥
Je termine avec une petite grimace, pas de haine, mais une sensation de “tout ça pour ça ?” 😮‍💨

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