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Successful Story Telling, Just Not the Story I Wanted Told
I watched this after Moving because it was set in a shared universe. The connection was not apparent to me until the last minute or so of the drama. Whereas, Moving had warmth amidst violence, Light Shop offered despair amidst darkness. Moving had loving relationships; Light Shop had people afflicted with despair, prejudice, guilt, and loss. Moving had its moments of humor; Light Shop was unremittingly bleak—it was always night, and it was often raining.
The more than half-dozen stories began about a third of the way through, with the background supplied in alternating flashbacks. It was confusing, but viewers and characters alike were bewildered, so it worked in a fashion. The writer trusted his audience to grasp the situation, and he filled in the important issues later. This may have caused some viewers to quit early, but the payoff started in about the fourth episode and built steadily from there.
The drama started as a horror, macabre and eerie. Horror isn't my cup of tea, but as the drama progressed, the pieces came together, and, as it began to make sense and progress, terror turned to understanding.
The Good:
• Park Bo Young's character was the one calm, reassuring touchstone in the drama. I inevitably enjoy her acting.
• The dog was a good boy.
• The drama managed to take all the dark, broken pieces and fit them together in a pleasing way. There was a rhythm and pattern to the stories that was satisfying.
The Bad:
• Moving had buckets of blood; Light Shop was adrift in tears. If there was a character with any screen time who didn't cry, I'm unaware of it.
• There were many unanswered questions which made me wonder if the story was to be continued in a sequel or if it would be shuttled into the second season of Moving.
Not recommended for the depressed. Recommended for those who appreciate seeing bits of a smashed vase being spun into a whirlwind and miraculously made whole, more or less.
My rating reflects my appreciation for a convergence of stories melded together successfully and less on my enjoyment of the drama. The characters were memorable, and the cast did an admirable job. I can recognize the drama is a dark gem without particularly liking it. I will say that, although I rarely rewatch a drama, this easily could be rewatched, because there are so many aspects potentially missed in the first viewing.
The more than half-dozen stories began about a third of the way through, with the background supplied in alternating flashbacks. It was confusing, but viewers and characters alike were bewildered, so it worked in a fashion. The writer trusted his audience to grasp the situation, and he filled in the important issues later. This may have caused some viewers to quit early, but the payoff started in about the fourth episode and built steadily from there.
The drama started as a horror, macabre and eerie. Horror isn't my cup of tea, but as the drama progressed, the pieces came together, and, as it began to make sense and progress, terror turned to understanding.
The Good:
• Park Bo Young's character was the one calm, reassuring touchstone in the drama. I inevitably enjoy her acting.
• The dog was a good boy.
• The drama managed to take all the dark, broken pieces and fit them together in a pleasing way. There was a rhythm and pattern to the stories that was satisfying.
The Bad:
• Moving had buckets of blood; Light Shop was adrift in tears. If there was a character with any screen time who didn't cry, I'm unaware of it.
• There were many unanswered questions which made me wonder if the story was to be continued in a sequel or if it would be shuttled into the second season of Moving.
Not recommended for the depressed. Recommended for those who appreciate seeing bits of a smashed vase being spun into a whirlwind and miraculously made whole, more or less.
My rating reflects my appreciation for a convergence of stories melded together successfully and less on my enjoyment of the drama. The characters were memorable, and the cast did an admirable job. I can recognize the drama is a dark gem without particularly liking it. I will say that, although I rarely rewatch a drama, this easily could be rewatched, because there are so many aspects potentially missed in the first viewing.
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