I agree wholeheartedly. I was a little less harsh with my ratings, but what is left with me after watching this drama is exactly the same disappointment you described so well.
No, I atone: I am left with a vague memory of a very forgettable drama.
Brilliant article!
The only one I've seen in your list is "I hear your voice" and while I totally agree with you in general terms, I don't on this one. Because the whole point of that drama was how a monster is created, not how it is destroyed. Show us what the man used to be creates a contrast to what So Ha has become and strengthens the idea that evil is, after all, a choice and not some condition one is born with.
What pisses me off a lot more are the unnumbered abusive, rich parents in K-drama, always odering their children around, scheming to have them do what they want, shushing them or belittling them and by the end they are invariably pardoned, one way or another. Either because they are filthy rich or because they are parents.
Bad guy tops my list, but I could mention Innocent Man, Mary Stayed Out, the whole F4 saga all versions, Shining Inheritance and many others.
Perfect review. :)
My major complain is with the editing. Scenes are abruptly cut, so that the film feels like a patchwork of moments, a few of them uncomprehensible. I was confused by all the apartments and constantly asked myself how did they get there and why?
Basically, this was a long close-up shot of Nishijima - not that I complain about this. ;)
I truly loved this review, but I'm afraid I'll never have enough courage to watch the movie. There are issues I can read about, even talk over, but I simply can't watch them on a screen, all the more so because you say the acting is so powerful and natural.
Oh, you make this series sound very appealing Rita :o Sometimes it's nice to just let go of plot and let the characters…
Thank you, Reise. :)
If you decide to watch it, please let me know your opinion.
Yes, I would never have liked such a drama if it weren't for the portrayal of these characters. Usually, melodrama just makes me weary. :S
Wonderful review!! You worded perfectly exactly how I felt whilst watching this drama.
Thank you, my sunny friend. :D
I now see why you want to re-watch this. These two were a real pleasure to watch. The way he looked at her... ahh. I may re-watch the scene when he goes to her atelier to give back the painting. I think that was my favourite. :)
Oh my, this is the perfect example of a review that is 100 times more enjoyable than its object.
Thanks a lot for the laugh and the useful anti-recommendation, Danni. :D
Reading through some of these comments, I feel like I am the only one that really liked Han Ga In as Yeon Woo…
Very well said, Starlight. The adult Yeon Woo is a very complex character, who is living a fake life built around her but is unwillingly and suddenly thrown into a reality she has no recollection of. I believe her part was harder than any onther, and the actress played it very well so that the viewer sees constant, subtle changes in her. I've watched the drama twice in the space of a few weeks and it just reinforced my opinion.
I think people are focusing too much on outer look and forget what's the nature of the character.
LOL, I have been writing Sungetc. Scandal for an eternity, haha.
And who could resist Yeorim and his mannerism? Even my husband, who's definitely not interested in pretty boys, liked him the best. :D
I find this story [even in the Korean version] creepy. I mean they're 18 years old and already married?! Find…
I don't think Sambart's comment referred to how unlikely this story might be. Dramas are fictional, after all, so I suppose nobody is complaining about its not being realistic. What frightens me a little - and perhaps it's the same for Sambart - is how beloved this story is, and as a consequence, what kind of message it sends: pester a guy until he capitulates, annul yourself and your personality in order to attract a guy, dream of nothing except being by his side, marry as soon as possible and so on and so forth.
While I try to respect the taste of everyone, and I myself love some silly dramas for the entertaining value, I still find a little frightening that so many consider this romantic and swoon at this story.
I apologize if I'm offending someone, it sure isn't my intention, just a matter of debate. :).
"He has mad Wuxia skills..."
This.
Definitely watching this lmao.
LOL, I laughed out loud too at that. Wuxia is a little crazy per se, but having "mad" skills at flying around in battle must be a sight to behold.
Hahahaha
I wasn't bored, but I dropped it nonetheless, so I don't know if I qualify for letter B.
My motivations bend more towards irritation than boredom. I think Jo In Sung carries the whole show, while the rest is made of very annoying characters, who never instill any empathy in me. Watching an entire drama for the sake of 1 actor's skill is beyond me, I suppose. :)
Finally! An article about a director. I've always thought this aspect was sadly lacking here on MDL.
Thank you so much for sharing those recommendations, Reise, they all sound awesome. I haven't seen any, but I intend to fill the void very soon and come back to you with thoughts. :)
Love the idea! I would point out (because if a Brit Lit academic comes across this, they certainly will do so)…
I'm a brit lit graduate, and yes, movie adaptations must have had Miss Austen turn in her grave, although - who knows - she might have appreciated some Colin Firth frolicking in her garden pond too. ;);)
Great article! :)
I am among those who watched Colin Firth walking out of that lake so many times I could tell you the number of buttons on that infamous wet shirt of his!
Unlike you, I love Fitzwilliam Darcy and hate Jun Pyo (and don't get me started on lovely Elizabeth vs. tacky Jan Di), but the comparison is brilliantly argumented, so, more kudos to you. :D
I edit because I realized I forgot to answer your question. I did convert as much as 3 very diverse people to Asian dramas: my mother, my best friend and my husband. Truth be told, I've created three monsters, who now plague me incessantly for new things to watch - and for whom I must find Italian subs. Jokes apart, it's fantastic to have people in the flesh to share my love with.
The three started - in order - with: The King 2 Hearts, Secret Garden and Liar Game.
I entered the battle heavily armed. ;)
4 
No, I atone: I am left with a vague memory of a very forgettable drama.
The only one I've seen in your list is "I hear your voice" and while I totally agree with you in general terms, I don't on this one. Because the whole point of that drama was how a monster is created, not how it is destroyed. Show us what the man used to be creates a contrast to what So Ha has become and strengthens the idea that evil is, after all, a choice and not some condition one is born with.
What pisses me off a lot more are the unnumbered abusive, rich parents in K-drama, always odering their children around, scheming to have them do what they want, shushing them or belittling them and by the end they are invariably pardoned, one way or another. Either because they are filthy rich or because they are parents.
Bad guy tops my list, but I could mention Innocent Man, Mary Stayed Out, the whole F4 saga all versions, Shining Inheritance and many others.
My major complain is with the editing. Scenes are abruptly cut, so that the film feels like a patchwork of moments, a few of them uncomprehensible. I was confused by all the apartments and constantly asked myself how did they get there and why?
Basically, this was a long close-up shot of Nishijima - not that I complain about this. ;)
If you decide to watch it, please let me know your opinion.
Yes, I would never have liked such a drama if it weren't for the portrayal of these characters. Usually, melodrama just makes me weary. :S
I now see why you want to re-watch this. These two were a real pleasure to watch. The way he looked at her... ahh. I may re-watch the scene when he goes to her atelier to give back the painting. I think that was my favourite. :)
Thanks a lot for the laugh and the useful anti-recommendation, Danni. :D
I think people are focusing too much on outer look and forget what's the nature of the character.
And who could resist Yeorim and his mannerism? Even my husband, who's definitely not interested in pretty boys, liked him the best. :D
While I try to respect the taste of everyone, and I myself love some silly dramas for the entertaining value, I still find a little frightening that so many consider this romantic and swoon at this story.
I apologize if I'm offending someone, it sure isn't my intention, just a matter of debate. :).
Hahahaha
My motivations bend more towards irritation than boredom. I think Jo In Sung carries the whole show, while the rest is made of very annoying characters, who never instill any empathy in me. Watching an entire drama for the sake of 1 actor's skill is beyond me, I suppose. :)
Thank you so much for sharing those recommendations, Reise, they all sound awesome. I haven't seen any, but I intend to fill the void very soon and come back to you with thoughts. :)
And what about Lizzie and Darcy meeting on a field at dawn, BOTH in a state of unforgivable undress! lol :D
I am among those who watched Colin Firth walking out of that lake so many times I could tell you the number of buttons on that infamous wet shirt of his!
Unlike you, I love Fitzwilliam Darcy and hate Jun Pyo (and don't get me started on lovely Elizabeth vs. tacky Jan Di), but the comparison is brilliantly argumented, so, more kudos to you. :D
I edit because I realized I forgot to answer your question. I did convert as much as 3 very diverse people to Asian dramas: my mother, my best friend and my husband. Truth be told, I've created three monsters, who now plague me incessantly for new things to watch - and for whom I must find Italian subs. Jokes apart, it's fantastic to have people in the flesh to share my love with.
The three started - in order - with: The King 2 Hearts, Secret Garden and Liar Game.
I entered the battle heavily armed. ;)