Toot

💀 Fantastic review!

And so the trolling begins again...
I have started to think that people are too busy looking at her beauty and just completely miss her expression, and then blame her for being expresionless.

My advice to enjoy Hong Su Zu's acting: Don't just look at her face because she's beautiful, WATCH her face! Her micro-expressions, the tone in her eyes, the movements of her neck. She is very subtle. Perfect for the role in which she has been cast, in Moon River.

I agree. It's definitely a problematic aspect of media, the world over. Ho Hum, here we are talking about it AGAIN with ANOTHER article on MDL, focussing on an actor - male or female - losing weight to represent some 'idea' of a character. And of course, that's the actor's interpretation, and it's understandable, but it is absolutely NOT the only way to represent a victim of DV.

I too find it troubling and my view unfortunately often comes down in a negative way towards both the actor and the director/producer - Actor bragging about weight loss...director/producer expecting weightloss, because they're not capable of interpreting and embodying the character in any other way.

Back for a rewatch...can't believe it was 2021! Still a pretty satisfying watch.

Ep 7, scene 1 gives me the weirdest feeling...a tepid, creeping awkwardness 🤔
If building romance is 'a slow burn' then building awkwardness is 'a slow moist' 😅

Wan Peng gives really insightful analysis of her character, and some interesting (though discrete) social commentary.
I had put this drama on hold, because I find the representations of classism, frankly, boring. But this article makes me want to pick it up again.
***An article actually worth reading! 👏 👏 👏

I don't find him comic either. But I do find him realistic - the comedy can also be viewed as weaponised incompetence. Selfish and covertly manipulative adult, who willingly parented children without thought. And considers those children to be someone else's responsibility, whilst their own entilted position in the world remains unaltered. And they are always first to put up their hand to take credit, when their child achieves anything.
Yep. I know far too many characters like this IRL

Sorry I went off on a rant 😅

I'm a fan of this particular portrayal. Agree, kdrama-land forgives all parents. But this show has been pretty straightforward in showing that the parenting is terrible, and that the bio-parents are not up to the job; without'explaining' away all of their crappy behaviour to manipulate us into forgiving them. It’s leaving it up to our own judgement, which is a refreshing change.

Massive ad campaign for laser tattoo removal clinic.

I appreciate the cast, BUT am I the only person on the planet who can't watch cooking shows?!?

Ep 1. That 'Cold Open' is absolutely...
... ... ...
The best description I can come up with is "Insane"!

Thanks for sharing the link.I'm pretty sure he's from the US, but honestly Hong Kong stunt directors are the GOAT 's
Hollywood productions would brag about using Hong Kong approaches and stunt directors. The influence of Hong Kong cinema on his work, along with the skills of the actors he is working with, IMO is why it's so good.

I agree, the comments are fascinating. And I'm not on-side with any conspiracy theories BUT I disagree with your suggestion that dramas have no influence.
TV and movies make a significant contribution to SOFT POWER. And more specifically relating to South Korea, K-entertainment makes up a significant portion of SKs GDP, so it's openly acknowledged, by SK governments, to be part of SK's Soft Power.

If TV weren't influential why would comedy shows in The USA be taken off air (for example)
Don't underate its influence just because its not direct.

Just a request as this show continues to air...
PLEASE use the SPOILER toggle 🙏
PLEASE keep your comments respectful. You can disagree with someone without embarrassing yourself by name-calling.

I keep finding myself thinking of Graham Greene whilst watching this...
Catholics. Spies. Revolutionaries. Statehood. Lost souls All the elements of his novels

My point is more about the fact that commenters will decry age-gap, cheating, hairstyles, all manner of stuff; but no-one seems to ever have anything to say about slavery in Korea, Including even any implicit statements about it, within the drama itself. It's just treated as insignificant. Which, even then, around the world, it was not.

Yes. Exactly. Your thinking/your logic is that she takes her 2025 SK morality with her to 1575, so therefore she SHOULD be living by that morality. Therefore her having a [not yet established]romantic relationship with a married man, is a moral problem. I disagree with your opinion. We can agree that we disagree.

I think you are inserting your own morality to this story and it doesn't fit. Obvs., that's my opinion and you have yours, but stating 'she's from 2025', doesn't change the fact that it's set in 1525. And even applying your logic, so what if she falls in love with a married man. The morality only applies, if you damage someone else's life. Meanwhile, she's his SLAVE now.

A king from the Joseon era...

Agree! I do feel she is better suited to comedy than drama tbh. But considering her growth, I'd still probably watch any new drama she signed on for.