[Discussion] New Tales of Gisaeng

http://www.mydramalist.com//front/dramalist-ajax.php?dramaid=457

Synopsis: New Tales of Gisaeng depicts the love, sadness and pain of people surrounding a gisaeng house, where only VIPs can enter. Dan Sa Ran majored in classical dance while attending college. Her mother died when she was still young and her father remarried, bringing with him a new stepsister and a materialistic stepmother whom she has trouble warming up to. Sa Ran comes from a poor family, but she maintains her dignity around friends who come from rich families. Either fate or coincidence brings her together with Da Mo, to whom she feels an instant attraction, but her awareness of her poor background restrains her from voicing it. A head gisaeng at Buyongkak observes Sa Ran's natural beauty and grace as well as dancing talent, and recommends her to become a gisaeng. Ah Da Mo takes business administration training at his father's company. He does not get along with his father, who is indifferent towards his family and only shows affection towards their pet dog. Da Mo is cocky and tends to look down on women, but begins to question his attitude when he meets Sa Ran by chance. He finds himself involuntarily drawn to her, and their relationship begins.

A friend told me yesterday that it is poorly acted and has the feel of a Mexican telenovela - nothing against Mexico, of course, but does not sound appealing to me.
If the trailer is anything to go by, the music is beautiful though... :P

Oh, and I really hate the stepmother. If you watch the show you'll understand why.

gladiskisselbur wrote: Is anyone watching this one? I was tempted, but since I have the attention span of a goldfish, 50 episodes just seemed way too much for me to follow at the moment. Is this drama a go or a no?

I am the same - I really have to enjoy the plot description to try anything over 11 episodes. I've only ever watched 3 over 20 episodes - and I had to watch other shorter dramas and movies in between episodes to get through them. Problem is, if I start a drama, I have to finish it, no matter how tiresome it gets.

Ok, so I know no one else is watching this, but in order to get my thoughts straight I need to post something about the episode I just saw and some things that have been going on. Sorry about the anticipated long post guys!

*warning: spoilers*

1. I know that Sohn Ja and Gong Joo are cute together, but I don't see the chemistry between those two characters as anything more than noona-dongsaeng. I knew from the beginning that they were going to go this route, but I wish they had put more effort into writing their characters with more romantic chemistry. With only a few more episodes left I don't know if they'll be able to build enough momentum to satisfy me in the end.

2. I love the new development between Kyle and RaRa. At the beginning of the series I completely misjudged RaRa's character. But now she has been through so much, being pulled here and there by the adults in the family, and then the whole ordeal with her failed engagement. I wish she could be happy, and I foresee her being happy with Kyle. I hope they speed up their relationship so I can see some lovey-dovey between them before the series ends. They have good chemistry together too I think.

3. Sa Ran's adopted father and stepmom. Man how I dislike these characters. One thing I never understood about the father, even though Sa Ran wasn't his own daughter, he still raised her for 25 years. In those 25 years he never let her feel like she wasn't his real daughter. (which is why she was so shocked btw). Even if she wasn't his own daughter, someone you have raised for 25 years like your own offspring, how can you so calmly let them become a gisaeng. And on top of that get her hair raised. Did he not realize his daughter was hurting on the inside, even so I don't remember a single scene where he tried to persuade her otherwise. And the stepmom....don't even get me started. I hope she gets her retribution in the end. I really do.

4. Da Mo's father as well. I know how they've portrayed his character, but the way he treats his wife is despicable. I don't know how she's lasted this long. She is also a character who I wish happiness for. I hope Da Mo's father gets payback in the end as well. On the other hand, the way Sa Ran, Da Mo, and Da Mo's mother are all toying with Da Mo's father luring him over to their side....it's hilarious to watch. He doesn't even realize what's going on. The funniest is during meals, when he eyes the other two people's meals with jealously. Take that.

5.Finally Sa Ran's adopted father told her about the house. And I like the fact that Sa Ran didn't try to hide it from Da Mo. Most times in dramas the characters will keep their sadnesses to themselves, even when they're happily together. I like the fact that they're this open with each other. Their relationship is meant to be a foundation, one on which they can lean on. Although in general, her sudden change in mood from before the hair raising and after her marriage to Da Mo, was a little unexpected. Somehow she doesn't seem like the same person, but she does at the same time. I don't know how to express that thought well.

6. The Buyongak cook and Dan Se, we all know they're going to end up together, I wish they would develop that faster though.

7. I wish I knew what the lady whispered in Sa Ran's ear at the hospital/clinic.

8. Last but most important to this episode....where the **** did the ghost come from. Freaked me out the first time it appeared, and its appearance was so sudden. Then going around watching everyone, like seriously? I wish they had made some indications beforehand, so the audience wouldn't be so shocked, well me at least. I've never seen the ghost's face before so I don't know who she is. Plus, possessing Da Mo's father's body??? Seriously, I have no idea where the writers are going with this.

Aigoo....what a post. Can't wait for new episodes next week. I hope the long lost daughter is reunited with her parents finally. Only a few more episodes to go.

@msrules92: n yes...i hate the step mother...she's creepy as hell..i hate the father too for being the spineless piece of s*** that he is..ah da mo's father is pretty irritatin too

A few weeks ago I read about it somewhere. I tried updating the NToG page on MDL, but it hasn't gone through yet. I'm glad they did but I have a few disappointments in general.

*spoiler warning*
Like Da Mo's father being possessed. Although it's funny, it's a little over the top and too much for me. Maybe it's cause I don't believe in that sort of stuff, but I'd really like to know the entire purpose for it. At least they've explained what they lady at the oriental clinic whispered in Sa Ran's ear. And lastly, please oh please let Sa Ran meet her parents at the BEGINNING of the next episode. I was sure they would have had the meeting by the early 40's (episode wise). Who knew that by episode 50 they still haven't met. And RaRa? What? Pregnant? Even if she is pregnant, I wish she would just get married already. It's not like she doesn't want to, and it's still early in her pregnancy...I'm sure she's allowed to travel by plane. Either way, I'm glad she's happy. She deserves it. And I think she looks good with Kyle. And what about Gong Joo? Seriously, how could she live like that with Sohn Ja, she shouldn't have gotten married to him in the first place. Poor guy is young and glad he gets to marry his crush, not realizing that living a life just pretending to be a married couple....how frustrating would that be. Either way, just a couple more episode and I can't wait to see how they wrap it all up.

i will b starting ep 40 tonight...although week nights i can only manage to finish one ep so it's kinda sad...(i gotta wake up early morning for work u see :() bt i saw a sneak preview of ep 40 at the end of ep 39 last night...saw Dan Sa Ran's real father walkin her down the aisle..what twisted fate leads to that??...i can't wait to watch...although i'm a bit sad it's ended..n oh i hate Da Mo's father...he looks like a monster n acts like one...n the mother is spineless who sleeps with so much make up plastered all over her face...:D