I've been a loyal k-drama watcher since 2010 I think. I started with japanese dramas, then moved into k-dramas when they aired BOF and Goong and all that good, crazy stuff. I completely agree with this article.
I think the last drama I was excited was Unexpected you, but it wasn't for the main leads either. I loved the premise and the FL and SML, lmao.
One reason why I think the romance/chemistry may be toned down is probably because k-dramas have suffered from pretty misogynistic, borderline abusive male leads, usually in position of absolute power over the female leads (either crazy rich, their boss, forced marriage/living situation, you name it). I mean let's face it, in many romance dramas the male lead is often cold, cruel and sometimes even pretty abusive towards the female lead, until they magically fall in love. This of course creates tension between characters that is then easier turn into chemistry. But these dramas have been recently heavily criticized, and for a good reason.
Toning down being an asshat doesn't mean you can't have chemistry. I think for me Healer is one the best examples of that. Recently I've been watching Just Between Lovers, and I find that I just absolutely love the male lead. I mean he has his issues, it's a story about trauma after all. But so far his issues have not made him act aggressively towards the female lead. (I'm not finished with this yet, so can't tell what's going to happen). Still, I feel their chemistry, it's created in a different kind of moments and I find myself really happy watching the main couple interact together, I hope we can keep their chemistry until the end.
To have a chemistry, in my opinion, you need some kind of conflict. It's called drama for a reason. If there is no drama and tension between the main leads (or for them to surpass together) no matter how cute they may seem, it feels lukewarm at best(pointing at you Unexpected you...). Facing conflicts and overcoming them is what makes the tension in the drama, not beautiful landscape shots (though k-dramas do pretty shots really well). I think k-dramas have lost the courage to do conflicts, hence everything feels pretty bland.
I can’t help comparing the mortal realm arc because it’s similar story wise in the two dramas. While I do…
There is lack of passion there, because in the original story there is not supposed to be any passion at the mortal realm. Dong Hua doesn't even know know Feng Jiu before Bai Qian's wedding. Only Feng Jiu has one sided crush, almost like a teenager crushing after her idol.
I think, it's because ppl keep comparing to TMOPB plot line, they are saying they can't feel passion or emotions so the directing/acting/etc is bad, not realizing that they are not supposed to feel that way.
I thought Feng Jiu's conflicted feelings about DH's love challenge were so on point, her heart break and her guilt for using QT eventually leading to QT's death were so well made, even if I felt the story lingered tad too long in the mortal realm.
I can never understand why a lot of people ship Baekyung and Dan Oh. It was clearly seen in the latest episode…
Don't ship them anymore, mainly for the issues you pointed out.
Even though he shows flashes that he has empathetic feelings from time to time, his belittling attitude towards others is truly a turn off.
I still have small place in my heart that he's not gonna end up villain, and like takes some more steps towards becoming proper human being but those hopes are very slim right now.
Someone needs to give Kyung the respect women juice both Haru and Do Hwa drinks asap because istg-
But I'm so happy that in this drama EVERYONE is pointing out how bad his behaviour is. It's rather revolutionary for a rom com to address these issues.
The last step would be that he would actually reflect on what other people tell him, and have some character growth.
I'm little worried how they will wrap it all up, but for the preview we know that the end is near. It's gonna be tragic I think. At least for Baek Kyung, he's not getting any happy ending. *Sigh* Well, I hope that at least Dan Oh would get her happy ending, she truly deserves one, if Haru really did kill her in the Flower manga.
On a sidenote, I think it's funny choice that they decided to bring squid fairy's girl back into the story. At least I think she's the one he liked in Flower manga. Will she have some part to play in the end? It's weird to get a new character at this point of the story, but so far the writing has been pretty solid, so I'm trusting this drama.
The setup is for a funny, light hearted teen drama, but the issues go deeper.
There's tragic back stories, one sided crushes, the issues about free will, loneliness, looming death, friendships and love. The motives for characters are not black-and-white and the show tackles them gracefully, while poking fun at the usual teen rom com tropes.
I'm so hooked and by far it seems truly the best show for 2019.
Also, who ever casted Lee Jae Wook deserves a bonus, he's absolutely killing it as Baek Kyung.
lets talk about Lee Jae Wook killing it shall we?????????
I wish so much that they give him redemption arc! He's going really on and off with his moods and actions. On one hand, he's sorry the way he must act on stage and he tried to apologize and be nicer towards Dan Oh in the shadows, on one hand he's really confused about Dan Oh not liking him in the shadows, being jealous of Haru and he has know clue on what is healthy way to deal with those emotions. Somebody, please help the poor guy before he gets completely out of control. :(
Does being nice and kind equals to "not have a personality"? Because I saw so many people comment that Haru doesn't…
I don't think it's because he's nice, but because in the Secret manga he was nameless extra, he didn't really have a personality traits. For example, he only started speaking after Dan Oh noticed him.
In the latest episodes it's clear he's getting more and more "real", while still being this really adorable person.
I think the last drama I was excited was Unexpected you, but it wasn't for the main leads either. I loved the premise and the FL and SML, lmao.
One reason why I think the romance/chemistry may be toned down is probably because k-dramas have suffered from pretty misogynistic, borderline abusive male leads, usually in position of absolute power over the female leads (either crazy rich, their boss, forced marriage/living situation, you name it). I mean let's face it, in many romance dramas the male lead is often cold, cruel and sometimes even pretty abusive towards the female lead, until they magically fall in love. This of course creates tension between characters that is then easier turn into chemistry. But these dramas have been recently heavily criticized, and for a good reason.
Toning down being an asshat doesn't mean you can't have chemistry. I think for me Healer is one the best examples of that. Recently I've been watching Just Between Lovers, and I find that I just absolutely love the male lead. I mean he has his issues, it's a story about trauma after all. But so far his issues have not made him act aggressively towards the female lead. (I'm not finished with this yet, so can't tell what's going to happen). Still, I feel their chemistry, it's created in a different kind of moments and I find myself really happy watching the main couple interact together, I hope we can keep their chemistry until the end.
To have a chemistry, in my opinion, you need some kind of conflict. It's called drama for a reason. If there is no drama and tension between the main leads (or for them to surpass together) no matter how cute they may seem, it feels lukewarm at best(pointing at you Unexpected you...). Facing conflicts and overcoming them is what makes the tension in the drama, not beautiful landscape shots (though k-dramas do pretty shots really well). I think k-dramas have lost the courage to do conflicts, hence everything feels pretty bland.
I think, it's because ppl keep comparing to TMOPB plot line, they are saying they can't feel passion or emotions so the directing/acting/etc is bad, not realizing that they are not supposed to feel that way.
I thought Feng Jiu's conflicted feelings about DH's love challenge were so on point, her heart break and her guilt for using QT eventually leading to QT's death were so well made, even if I felt the story lingered tad too long in the mortal realm.
That's why I have huge respect for playing out this character, cause he's truly acing it!
Even though he shows flashes that he has empathetic feelings from time to time, his belittling attitude towards others is truly a turn off.
I still have small place in my heart that he's not gonna end up villain, and like takes some more steps towards becoming proper human being but those hopes are very slim right now.
The last step would be that he would actually reflect on what other people tell him, and have some character growth.
I'm little worried how they will wrap it all up, but for the preview we know that the end is near. It's gonna be tragic I think. At least for Baek Kyung, he's not getting any happy ending. *Sigh* Well, I hope that at least Dan Oh would get her happy ending, she truly deserves one, if Haru really did kill her in the Flower manga.
On a sidenote, I think it's funny choice that they decided to bring squid fairy's girl back into the story. At least I think she's the one he liked in Flower manga. Will she have some part to play in the end? It's weird to get a new character at this point of the story, but so far the writing has been pretty solid, so I'm trusting this drama.
There's tragic back stories, one sided crushes, the issues about free will, loneliness, looming death, friendships and love. The motives for characters are not black-and-white and the show tackles them gracefully, while poking fun at the usual teen rom com tropes.
I'm so hooked and by far it seems truly the best show for 2019.
Also, who ever casted Lee Jae Wook deserves a bonus, he's absolutely killing it as Baek Kyung.
In the latest episodes it's clear he's getting more and more "real", while still being this really adorable person.
I hope this will air soon ❤️