3
3
The only arrow that wounds you is the one you shoot yourself.
This drama has more to it than I expected and explores the themes of self-perception, connection and communication.
It brought to mind Hwasa’s (화사) video for her song LMM. (https://youtu.be/pkjEpDeDLOg?si=YAVEQARXTsiYHT70) The only arrow that actually wounds Hwasa, is the one that she shoots herself and this drama explores the misconceptions and perceptions that we have of who we are, and the necessary results that follow these so-called truths which often blight the world in which we live and trap us there with seemingly no way out.
The story follows a number of characters for whom change of self perception is the first step to connection with others and the help they must take to reach a better, more fulfilling life. The way others see us is often very different from how we think, and here these differences are explored to the full. We are shown everyone’s history and join them on their journey of self-enlightenment. In fact it’s almost an overload as everyone has a backstory to tell and resolve. In the end I felt this skewed the balance of focus somewhat, for instance, virtually the whole of Ep 10 was dedicated to one secondary character.
The swapping bodies trope is given a slightly different twist here, in that it is identical twins who swap lives. This is really just a mechanism for the sisters to reflect on themselves and the relationships around them. It brings with it some incredulous scenarios that one has to swallow whole, such as surviving in a job for which you have no skills. But if you focus on the theme rather than the mechanism to deliver it, then there is plenty of insight to be had.
The script explores the changes and personal realities in an obvious, up-front way. Sometimes the lines feel a little like you are in a session with a psychologist who is giving life skills advice. But the advantage of this style is that the message is very clear for the viewer, who can easily follow the internal workings of the character. With so many characters on the road to Damascus, this is helpful.
I enjoyed the directing in this drama. Often the melo is just too full on for me, but here I felt it struck a good balance of revealing distress without too much hand-wringing and wailing. There is plenty of time to focus on reaction shots and all the cast members step up to the plate and deliver a satisfying performance. Park Bo Young successfully manages to show the different characters of the twins, such that even without reference to the haircuts, it is obvious who is who. Kim Sun Young plays my favourite character with conviction, especially in the scene with her son in Ep 11. Only Ryu Kung Su as Han Se Jin fails to convince. I feel he was a little too vague and soft to have the necessary ruthlessness for his former profession.
There are some beautiful songs in the soundtrack, Elaine Kim singing 나의 시간 어딘가 in particular caught my ear with her husky vulnerability.
Overall this optimistic and ultimately upbeat drama is very enjoyable. It is well presented and structured with thought provoking characters, some of whom triggered some self reflection on my own part. My favourite line is “The promise of a tomorrow is not born from hope, but from resolve.” This one I totally understand.
It brought to mind Hwasa’s (화사) video for her song LMM. (https://youtu.be/pkjEpDeDLOg?si=YAVEQARXTsiYHT70) The only arrow that actually wounds Hwasa, is the one that she shoots herself and this drama explores the misconceptions and perceptions that we have of who we are, and the necessary results that follow these so-called truths which often blight the world in which we live and trap us there with seemingly no way out.
The story follows a number of characters for whom change of self perception is the first step to connection with others and the help they must take to reach a better, more fulfilling life. The way others see us is often very different from how we think, and here these differences are explored to the full. We are shown everyone’s history and join them on their journey of self-enlightenment. In fact it’s almost an overload as everyone has a backstory to tell and resolve. In the end I felt this skewed the balance of focus somewhat, for instance, virtually the whole of Ep 10 was dedicated to one secondary character.
The swapping bodies trope is given a slightly different twist here, in that it is identical twins who swap lives. This is really just a mechanism for the sisters to reflect on themselves and the relationships around them. It brings with it some incredulous scenarios that one has to swallow whole, such as surviving in a job for which you have no skills. But if you focus on the theme rather than the mechanism to deliver it, then there is plenty of insight to be had.
The script explores the changes and personal realities in an obvious, up-front way. Sometimes the lines feel a little like you are in a session with a psychologist who is giving life skills advice. But the advantage of this style is that the message is very clear for the viewer, who can easily follow the internal workings of the character. With so many characters on the road to Damascus, this is helpful.
I enjoyed the directing in this drama. Often the melo is just too full on for me, but here I felt it struck a good balance of revealing distress without too much hand-wringing and wailing. There is plenty of time to focus on reaction shots and all the cast members step up to the plate and deliver a satisfying performance. Park Bo Young successfully manages to show the different characters of the twins, such that even without reference to the haircuts, it is obvious who is who. Kim Sun Young plays my favourite character with conviction, especially in the scene with her son in Ep 11. Only Ryu Kung Su as Han Se Jin fails to convince. I feel he was a little too vague and soft to have the necessary ruthlessness for his former profession.
There are some beautiful songs in the soundtrack, Elaine Kim singing 나의 시간 어딘가 in particular caught my ear with her husky vulnerability.
Overall this optimistic and ultimately upbeat drama is very enjoyable. It is well presented and structured with thought provoking characters, some of whom triggered some self reflection on my own part. My favourite line is “The promise of a tomorrow is not born from hope, but from resolve.” This one I totally understand.
Was this review helpful to you?
