Kathryn_51

I think the first scenes in the drama are near the end - perhaps near the end of Ep. 9 as everything appears to come crashing down. Ep. 10 will then show the fallout and final resolution??? Just a guess if I was writing this in term of pacing.

I think I might write out those first scenes and post it in the "topic" section so that we can refer to them later on.

The word "competition" is probably ill chosen w/r/t Jeong-won's possible acting career - but the director already said something like "she shouldn't be this good". I still think that she will be a rising star while Sang-ah stumbles. And perhaps I'm crazy, but I thought Jeong-won was mildly in love with BTS - certainly got a jealousy/envy (of Sang-ah) vibe in the early episodes. ["It's not like you would choose Sang-ah over me."}

Good catch on the "recent" kdrama - I was thinking of the recent "Eve" (that I never watched).

It's "film noir" on steroids and the outlook for everyone is pretty dark - or should I say, there are no apparent heroes or heroines in this drama. . However, great cast, great plotting, lots of twists and turns.

After re-watching, I have the following thoughts/questions:
1. Sang-ah was probably a drug addict – photos, emphasis on closed containers on her cosmetic table.
2. I’m guessing that Kwon Jong Uk is gay. The slightly flamboyant, but elegant, clothes; Yang-mi’s statement “You run wild every night at that secluded Yangpyeong villa. . . .getting filthy.”; Tae-seok’s gift of a rather garish piece of jewelry; no children.
3. Was Oh Kwang-je gay? Not one Harvey Weinstein type rumor or claim of him using his actresses for his own pleasure? None?! Just doesn’t compute.
4. Question? Does the same actor portray the twin brothers? I can’t find any info regarding the actor for the twin.
5. Jeong-won’s fascination with the main couple gives me major “All About Eve” vibes – the classic Hollywood movie, not the recent kdrama, lol. In the classic, the ambitious under-study eventually competes with the main star, becoming a big star herself.
6. Who was the 1st person to stab Oh Kwang-jae?? It wasn’t Park Jae-sang. Strong hints that it was Sang-ah (Tae-seok’s last comment that he married a murderer). But I’m hoping it was Yang-mi – her statements make it clear that she was involved with Kwang-jae and Sang-ah before his murder.
EDIT: 7. Tae-seok doesn't like alcohol - it makes him sick; he grimaces whenever forced to drink some.

Looking forward to Ep 5

Climax and Old Hollywood - compare/contrast

I’ve been putting together a Character Description for this drama and re-watching certain scenes to identify names/roles. I took a double take in one scene (Hwang Jeong Won’s studio apartment) when I saw the movie poster for the movie “Sunset Boulevard.”. And I have completely revised my original thoughts on where I thought this drama was headed.

“Sunset Boulevard” was an epic, highly acclaimed “film noir” movie in which the FL, a former silent-film star, is desperate to make a triumphant return to the screen. Spoiler – she is delusional and over time, she descends into utter madness, killing the ML who was using her for his own comeback as a screenwriter.

Then, THEN. . .I watched an earlier scene in Jeong-won’s apartment and the movie poster for “Vertigo” was on the wall and she and Tae-seok were discussing his infatuation with Sang-ah. If you have watched this Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, you know it involves a man’s obsessive fixation on an idealized image of a rather irredeemable woman, eventually leading to her death.

The writer is giving the in-the-know viewer some insight into this drama’s direction – obsession, disorientation, blurred reality, spiraling out of control and potential destruction.

I like the main couple, with all their warts, and was hoping for some sort of reconciliation, but at this point, the primary question is – will anyone be alive - and not sitting in jail - by the end of this drama.

More below

Sang-ah looks happy in this photo - but it seems it was all an act by a premier actress. 😢 I'm thinking there are no happy endings for a single character in this drama.

MDL ratings really don't matter that much. It's #1 on Disney+ Korea and doing very well for the ENA Mon-Tues time slot.

Sneak Peek Ep. 5.

Jung-uk tries to avoid a phone call from Tae-seop who learns that it is The Chairman's birthday. Tae-seop says he is headed there (not sure where from the auto translate) but says that he has been holding a "card" for the right time and it is "The Joker". Presumably the Chairman's connection to the assassination of Oh Kwang-jae, but I still think the real culprit was Yang-mi.

https://x.com/Kent_Updates/status/2037370785808236867

Who ever is was, hope they were banned.

@Tia wasn't fighting - she merely commented. This whole thread should be removed.

I just posted above video of recent interview with ML/FL. They said the drama is about "High-stakes survival story about Prosecutor Bang Tae Seop who dives into a powerful cartel to rise to the top in Korea and the people around him. "

So, I think the story is more about how much he is willing to sacrifice - including his wife - to "rise to the top". Does he make it? Is she destroyed in the process - or is he able to protect her? That's the story I see. But, could be wrong, of course. 😊

"There's only room for one at the top". Hmmmmmm - that's the theme that Viki chose for the drama.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHFsjMA3STk

Very cute/lively Q&A with Ju Ji-hoon and Ha Ji-won.

Q: what is it about? A: "High-stakes survival story about Prosecutor Bang Tae Seop who dives into a powerful cartel to rise to the top in Korea and the people around him. " In other words, it IS Bang Tae-seop's story. I hope the end is satisfactory - whether or not he gets to the top, he is at peace with the final outcome.

Q: "What scene is the "climax" moment"? A: (by both) - "The ending." Hmmmmmm. . . .hope it's satisfactory for both characters and, of course, that Yang-mi is NOT happy at the end. In fact, I hope she has a final end with the Doberman. 😊I mean, SOMEONE has to have a final conflict with that dog, right? Otherwise, why insert it into the drama. Just not the ML or FL, please.

I've been watching teasers/trailers and my current guess is that she betrays Sang-ah once she gets a chance at the spotlight. Wouldn't be surprised if she also tries to seduce Tae-seop. Of course, Yang-mi seems to be on that same course. Right now, TAe-seop is my favorite character - hope he comes out of this alive. 😊

People who love each other say hurtful things all of the time. As of Ep. 4, I think he has fallen in love with her. Or, fallen into some sort of obsessive love over her. One of the first lines in the drama was "I did everything I could to protect you, but maybe I chose the wrong way". He didn't plan on it, but this is where he is at. Thus far in the drama, I don't get the feeling that she has ever done anything to help him - but there may be more to come.

Which interview did they say the characters remain loyal to each other? I would really like to see that one. [The one I did watch they said that they both became "monsters". 😒😒😒]

I've never seen him before, but his character resonates deeply with me. He wanted to avenge his father's death (unjust prosecution) and found himself mired in the same corrupt cesspool that destroyed his father. Do I admire the character of Bang Tae Seop - heck no. But in this drama, there is not one single "admirable" character thus far and the actor is walking that very fine line between good (for his wife and his career) and the corrupt (the system).

@Tia - I don't believe I have watched either one in a drama (or film). The actress has been on hiatus for years - since before I began to watch kdramas.

Both are excellent - the entire cast is phenomenal. I'm not sure I'll be happy with the final end (seems to be headed on a "War of the Roses" train wreck), but very much enjoying every single performance, the cinematography, direction.

As for the main couple - I am far more intrigued by the ML than the FL. That's not misogynist - it's simply my perception of the script.

This went on my watchlist because of Cha Joo-young, but I hope that Lee Yang-Mi (aka Ghislaine Maxwell) is torn apart by that Doberman in the end.

I've been gone all day, so this is the first post I see tonight (my time). You see people praising JuJi-hoon and somehow feel the need to. . . . what? Compare him to Ha-Ji-won? Why? Two excellent actors portraying very, very different characters.

A simple post praising Ha Ji-won's performance and giving your reasons would be persuasive. Relying on Daesang awards from over 10 years ago is not persuasive. You want to boost your favorite? Go for it - but explain why. Which scenes really impacted you? What specifically makes her performance stand out for you? You are a fan? Go for it.

Cheers.

Re: the twin. Episode 1, Mark 34 (yes, I take notes when I watch a mystery), there is a narrative about the W family and the one and only mention of the twin. at some point (after Chairman's 2nd marriage?), the twin announced he wasn't interested in management and thus the rivalry between Jung-uk and Yang-mi began. Something like that.

I read this on the Viu web site: Ji-soo was “operating within the entertainment industry orbit that intersects with both Sang Ah’s fading career and Yang Mi’s sphere of control.” My impression is that while Sang Ha's career was doing well (perhaps because of the Chairman's sponsorship?), Ji-soo was never going to make it big with Oh Kwang-jae.

The disgraced mayor accused Yang-mi of pimping for the Chairman "just like your mother did." After OKJ was killed, Yang-mi married the Chairman. It's not clear (yet) how those got together but it may have been blackmail.

If Oh Kwang-jae was Jeffrey Epstein, then there's no doubt in my mind that Lee Yang Mi was his Ghislaine Maxwell. I hope that she meets her end at the mouth of that Doberman.