Stellar performances and great storytelling
I must say: What a cast! All the main actors are delivering stellar performances. Combined with the great cinematography, fitting music, and a solid script, this is a quality production resulting in very good storytelling. It evokes emotions, builds bonds with the characters, makes you curious about the historical background events …
The only think I struggle a little bit with is the jumping between decades - especially in the first few episodes when I hadn’t refreshed my memory good enough about the different characters.
Having read the book some years ago, I do have some recollections about events, so I am really hoping for at least one more season. I am not sure I would have enjoyed this as much as I do if I hadn’t read the book, though.
It is a bit slow, so it might not be for everyone, but for me the overall quality throughout everything outweighs this.
As for the cast:
Youn Yuh Jung as old Sunja is blowing my mind; the depth of her portrayal for this petite, rather frail looking old woman is so strong.
Kim Min Ha as adult Sunja delivers a consistent convincing performance. There’s just a few instances where she looks a bit too young, but that’s not down to her acting skills.
As for Lee Min Ho as Koh Hansu - I think this must be the best role I have seen him in. I have not been a superfan of his before (more like «he’s OK»), but here his acting skills really comes to light. Hansu is a complex, interesting character, and Lee Min Ho nails the portrayal.
The only think I struggle a little bit with is the jumping between decades - especially in the first few episodes when I hadn’t refreshed my memory good enough about the different characters.
Having read the book some years ago, I do have some recollections about events, so I am really hoping for at least one more season. I am not sure I would have enjoyed this as much as I do if I hadn’t read the book, though.
It is a bit slow, so it might not be for everyone, but for me the overall quality throughout everything outweighs this.
As for the cast:
Youn Yuh Jung as old Sunja is blowing my mind; the depth of her portrayal for this petite, rather frail looking old woman is so strong.
Kim Min Ha as adult Sunja delivers a consistent convincing performance. There’s just a few instances where she looks a bit too young, but that’s not down to her acting skills.
As for Lee Min Ho as Koh Hansu - I think this must be the best role I have seen him in. I have not been a superfan of his before (more like «he’s OK»), but here his acting skills really comes to light. Hansu is a complex, interesting character, and Lee Min Ho nails the portrayal.
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