Such a well-written review! In fact, your review is even more cohesive than Snowdrop's script...
I was expecting Snowdrop to be a more interesting and fleshed-out social commentary like Sky Castle. Admittedly, this particular historical period is quite difficult to handle. But if executed well, then it would have been very impactful and emotional like Youth of May. Especially when they already have this many fantastic veteran actors in the cast.
"Cyclical" is the perfect word to describe the whole storyline. While there are many plot twists that caught me by surprise, I don't like how they eventually reset to square one where they're still stuck in the hostage situation. We're just going around in circles for most of the drama and then it snaps to an abrupt end. I didn't expect the hostage arc to last for the whole drama. To be honest, it gives me a Squid Game feel with the survival and betrayal themes, except this is more of a slow-burn than a thriller.
Jung Hae In is definitely the saving grace of this drama. His character is charming yet mysterious and complex. Although not as adept, Jisoo's acting is pretty good for her debut role. I think it's just a bit unfair for her to be tossed this difficult role which doesn't offer much opportunity to develop, even an experienced actress would struggle to pull it off well given the script's limitations.
Personally, I find some of the side female characters quite frustrating. Boon Ok is almost like a punching bag for the script. She's repeatedly being the snitch and still got scot-free time and time again. And by the time her backstory comes out, she's morally beyond the point of redemption. And don't get me started on the battle of the officials' wives. I know they're there as a satire for the shifts in the husbands' power dynamics, but there's more screentime dedicated to the so-called "sacrifice of the 13 virgins" superstition than actual romantic development between the main leads.
But overall, Snowdrop still has very high production value with good cinematography and soundtracks. It's just that the script is a bit lacking. I don't regret watching it but some more plot and character development would be nice :)
I love that I saw your review because most of what I have seen are negative ones, and like you, I also enjoyed…
Awww thanks, I'm glad you like my review. I'm not a historical drama expert but from my years of binging experience, this drama is right up there in the sageuk hall of fame. It's a bit discouraging to see so many negative reviews, but hey, I've finally found a like-minded friend :)
That's interesting, I didn't realise how watching an airing drama might've impacted my enjoyment. Every week I tried to rewatch the previous ep to refresh my memory but that's still not the same as watching the whole series at once. I should've known better, being a binge-watcher myself, but I don't hahaha...
I can see what you mean. I do like Ji Woon and his chemistry with Lee Hwi, but I'm still Team Lee Hyun lol. I guess it's like Team Seo Jun of True Beauty all over again. We just never seem to escape the second lead syndrome T-T. The side female love interests do get more "interesting" later on, especially Ha Kyung near the end. I just feel like the script doesn't do those 2 female characters justice. I don't like how So Eun is dragged out as a love obstacle for the main couple whenever it's convenient. She was portrayed as a smart and politically aware girl at the beginning, so it's such a shame to barely see any development from her. And yep, we gotta love the funny side characters of this show.
You're spot on with the OSTs. This drama has one of the best soundtracks out there. They got me all emotional then giggling like a fool.
The politics here is not the most profound thing I've seen in historical dramas, but there are some nice lessons to take out of it. I quite like how they incorporated metaphors and literature into the script, especially the lotus flower ones. Those really add depth and eloquence to the characters.
....for me i think drama is like food (acquired taste),... sometime v get it...sometime v don. So most important…
Hahahaha I love your analogy cause the romance part is certainly an 'acquired taste'. I like fluffy stuffs but every now and then I'm also addicted to this kind of tormented love...
When FJM managed to survive the coup, my hope shot up. But they had to throw a curveball with the baby Prince's…
Hahahaha you're hilarious. Tbh I kind of don't want them to have any children because then the cruel Baixi cycle will just continue forever. I just want Haishi and Shifu to grow old together and get some well-deserved happy time...
When FJM managed to survive the coup, my hope shot up. But they had to throw a curveball with the baby Prince's…
Lol that would be scandalous. But yeah, I think the separation is mostly to keep up her resolve. It's like that time when FJM nearly got married or when she became Madam Pearl.
What kind are you interested in? I have so many CDramas on my list is is crazy. Where do you normally watch your…
Wow what a master! I really like Legend of Lu Zhen because the FL is really smart and cool. But the show is a little bit old (2013) so the graphic can feel out of date. Empress of China can be a bit controversial. I personally love the colourful settings and costumes but the story is not as good as Legend of Lu Zhen...
When FJM managed to survive the coup, my hope shot up. But they had to throw a curveball with the baby Prince's…
Maybe on the surface Haishi tells that Prince that she would rather not see his "Grand Mentor" but she might have been meeting up with FJM behind the scene. But yeah, after 5 years, she finally "officially" visits him...
OMG the last ep was playing with my heart like a ping pong ball 😭😭😭
When FJM managed to survive the coup, my hope shot up. But they had to throw a curveball with the baby Prince's premature birth complication and made FJM become his Baixi.
I was bawling so hard when FJM talks to Haishi about how it would've been if they've met earlier, when he was "in [his] best years". It's so tragically beautiful how he falls asleep in Haishi's lap and tells her to wake him up later.
And then 5 years later... we find out that he's still alive but has to keep away from Haishi to nurture the young Prince and be his Baixi. FJM in the mask just makes me feel like ep 1 all over again, back to square one, where he has to conceal the fact that he's still alive because they already announced him dead before.
I'm just gonna be optimistic here and assume that Lang Huan will somehow cure FJM again when the Prince comes of age and ascends the throne. Then FJM and Haishi will disappear and live their HE in seclusion. Maybe they'll have a reunion with Zhouying and Zheliu.
I was expecting Snowdrop to be a more interesting and fleshed-out social commentary like Sky Castle. Admittedly, this particular historical period is quite difficult to handle. But if executed well, then it would have been very impactful and emotional like Youth of May. Especially when they already have this many fantastic veteran actors in the cast.
"Cyclical" is the perfect word to describe the whole storyline. While there are many plot twists that caught me by surprise, I don't like how they eventually reset to square one where they're still stuck in the hostage situation. We're just going around in circles for most of the drama and then it snaps to an abrupt end. I didn't expect the hostage arc to last for the whole drama. To be honest, it gives me a Squid Game feel with the survival and betrayal themes, except this is more of a slow-burn than a thriller.
Jung Hae In is definitely the saving grace of this drama. His character is charming yet mysterious and complex. Although not as adept, Jisoo's acting is pretty good for her debut role. I think it's just a bit unfair for her to be tossed this difficult role which doesn't offer much opportunity to develop, even an experienced actress would struggle to pull it off well given the script's limitations.
Personally, I find some of the side female characters quite frustrating. Boon Ok is almost like a punching bag for the script. She's repeatedly being the snitch and still got scot-free time and time again. And by the time her backstory comes out, she's morally beyond the point of redemption. And don't get me started on the battle of the officials' wives. I know they're there as a satire for the shifts in the husbands' power dynamics, but there's more screentime dedicated to the so-called "sacrifice of the 13 virgins" superstition than actual romantic development between the main leads.
But overall, Snowdrop still has very high production value with good cinematography and soundtracks. It's just that the script is a bit lacking. I don't regret watching it but some more plot and character development would be nice :)
That's interesting, I didn't realise how watching an airing drama might've impacted my enjoyment. Every week I tried to rewatch the previous ep to refresh my memory but that's still not the same as watching the whole series at once. I should've known better, being a binge-watcher myself, but I don't hahaha...
I can see what you mean. I do like Ji Woon and his chemistry with Lee Hwi, but I'm still Team Lee Hyun lol. I guess it's like Team Seo Jun of True Beauty all over again. We just never seem to escape the second lead syndrome T-T. The side female love interests do get more "interesting" later on, especially Ha Kyung near the end. I just feel like the script doesn't do those 2 female characters justice. I don't like how So Eun is dragged out as a love obstacle for the main couple whenever it's convenient. She was portrayed as a smart and politically aware girl at the beginning, so it's such a shame to barely see any development from her. And yep, we gotta love the funny side characters of this show.
You're spot on with the OSTs. This drama has one of the best soundtracks out there. They got me all emotional then giggling like a fool.
The politics here is not the most profound thing I've seen in historical dramas, but there are some nice lessons to take out of it. I quite like how they incorporated metaphors and literature into the script, especially the lotus flower ones. Those really add depth and eloquence to the characters.
Haishi is in luv with Shifu but Shifu is too faithful to the Emperor...
I was bawling so hard when FJM talks to Haishi about how it would've been if they've met earlier, when he was "in [his] best years". It's so tragically beautiful how he falls asleep in Haishi's lap and tells her to wake him up later.
And then 5 years later... we find out that he's still alive but has to keep away from Haishi to nurture the young Prince and be his Baixi. FJM in the mask just makes me feel like ep 1 all over again, back to square one, where he has to conceal the fact that he's still alive because they already announced him dead before.
I'm just gonna be optimistic here and assume that Lang Huan will somehow cure FJM again when the Prince comes of age and ascends the throne. Then FJM and Haishi will disappear and live their HE in seclusion. Maybe they'll have a reunion with Zhouying and Zheliu.