frommelbtoseoul
Melbourne
The World of the Married
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I wouldn’t be the first to say this, but what an epic rollercoaster. The twists and turns of The World of the Married has rightfully landed itself in one of the top viewed dramas of all time, and I am so glad I jumped on the bandwagon right before it completed airing.
There are a lot of elements that work seamlessly together to deliver the brilliance that is The World of the Married. The show nails plot progression, character development and acting performance. There really isn’t much to fault how this drama has played out, from start to end. The drama rides on an intense and fast pace, without ever wanting to stop. The whole time I was watching, it felt like my heart and mind was going to go into overdrive and I kept bracing for the sudden crash. Yet, the show just kept going along with the constant speed, compelling me to hold on for the ride as the characters blindly race through the events of the series. I’ve learnt that I like a drama that is quick to build tension and keep its viewers in suspense, never wanting to look away. I think what I liked best from having the drama be at such a quick pace is that we, as viewers, discovered secrets and lies at the same rate as the protagonist. It made the show feel real, or at least, made me feel like I was there with them as the story progressed. The drama also didn’t hesitate to reveal these secrets to other characters albeit the pain and damage it could create, and I was there for every moment of it because I didn’t want our heroine to have to struggle alone.
I’m aware that The World of the Married is an adaptation of the BBC series Doctor Foster so whilst the plot didn’t have to be created from scratch, the performance from the actors and actresses really helped the drama excel. It’s one thing to have great writing, it’s another to have great performance. The casts ability to display how complex humans are were a highlight to this drama. The characters are all immensely flawed, barely any of them have redeeming qualities and don’t seem to be redeemable, but that’s what makes this show so much better. In that, these characters are relatable. Kim Hee Ae is an absolute standout, living up to her reputation of being an incredible actress. She puts on an impressive act in portraying a woman, struggling to find a balance with her marriage, career and being a mother. I loved her character as our heroine because of how headstrong she is, her ability to go as far as she can to protect what really matters to her and her, somewhat frustrating, inability to take a loss. She’s constantly striving to win, which is something I feel like a lot of people want but never really have the guts to acknowledge or fight for. Park Hae Joon as Lee Tae Hee was also scarily impressive. There was so much wrong with his character and the display of ambition, justification and honestly, some really psycho acts, from him left quite an impression. His character arc, alongside the son, Lee Joon Young, were the most interesting. Whilst one character showed a sense of remorse and growth, the other, so consumed by his own failure and resentment, fails to realise how selfish and pathetic he is. If there was a character I didn’t really care for but played a major part in the drama, it was Han So Hee’s character Lee Da Kyung. Han So Hee played her role well but Lee Da Kyung was never likeable and I couldn’t sympathise or feel any pity for her, even at the end. There’s a lot she did that I couldn’t forgive even if it seemed like her character arc ended in a rather positive note. I mean good for her? Also, I was disappointed though of the lack of ending for my favourite character, Min Hyun Seo, played by Shim Eun Woo. Her role was to support Sun Woo, but then it felt like the drama forgot about her after she served her purpose. Hyun Seo deserved better!
In fact, what I loved the most from this drama using its plot and characters to ultimately deliver strong messages on themes of love and relationships, hate and revenge and being human. I find The World of the Married to be one of the more realistic dramas I’ve watched through its exploration and presentation of these ideas. Of course, the main focus is the break down of Sun Woo and Tae Oh’s relationship, as we discover his betrayal right from the beginning. However, whilst many dramas would have that the characters resent and disconnect from each other, in this drama there’s a rather scarily accurate of how much more complicated relationships between two people who feel strong emotions for each other are. Questions of love, hate, loyalty, betrayal and the act of grief for something that has ended abruptly are thrown in the air and I found myself constantly running these thoughts through my head. I also loved that the show used a number of relationships between different characters to draw distinctions between how emotions can dictate various behaviours, dependant on a person’s nature. How one relationship starts and ends is not always going to be the same for another, even if the circumstances are similar. As well as not all toxic relationships will look the same and doesn’t always necessarily involve physical abuse. The relationship between the characters, Go Ye Rim and Son Je Hyuk’s, is a great example of these points. I actually grew to love these two for what they represented, both together and individually. There’s a lot to learn from them about broken relationships, whether it’s worth repairing, especially if it means risking your own mental health and happiness.
I feel like the numbers really speak for itself when it comes to The World of the Married. Its popularity is well earned and well worth the ride. You would be signing up for a realistic and confronting representation of life and the frightening aspects that it contains. From start to end I was hooked, and whilst I can admit that I’m not a fan of how the drama ended, I do appreciate it for continuing to commit to the realistic representation of life. Strap yourself in tight and get ready to be enthralled.
Rating: 4.5/5
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Empress Ki is yet again another drama that I had started during the time it was airing but never followed through to the end. I think a large part of this is because it is a 50 episode drama and I found I couldn’t wait every week for 2 new episodes. My patience was being tested and, admittedly, I failed to pass the test. Now that all 50 episodes are available on Netflix, it made the viewing experience so much better. The fact that I finished watching the entire drama over 4 nights says a lot about how engrossing Empress Ki is - at least for the first 40 episodes.
True to any sageuk (Korean historical drama), Empress Ki is an epic rollercoaster ride, that depicts the ever struggling political landscape of the time period and the power conflicts that occur within the palace. To put a little more context to this drama, as I think it is important, and makes it the viewing experience a lot more understandable and interesting - Empress Ki lived during the Later Three Kingdoms period, having been born in Goryeo. At the time, Goryeo had already been invaded by Mongols and the custom introduced was to send Goryeo ladies to Yuan to serve as concubines to the Mongol emperor. The drama remains fairly accurate in regards to the era and political landscape depiction. However, the timeline and overall story offers viewers a much more dramatised retelling of Empress Ki’s life.
Disregarding historical accuracy and judging this as just a drama amongst other historical dramas, for me, Empress Ki was one of the better historical dramas I have seen. It has been awhile since I’ve watched a sageuk and one with more than 20 episodes, and it made me realise how much I missed watching something in this genre. There was everything I wanted to see from a sageuk. The background story behind Seungyang made me grow attached to her quickly and root for her to win. It’s hard not to like her as a hero with her badass attitude and ability to outsmart her oppositions. As soon as you start the drama you know that she becomes Empress Ki, but the desire to know how she rises from such a difficult childhood is what kept me watching through the first 10 episodes. From there, the remaining important characters also grew on me and I kept watching to see, not only whether Seungyang was bound for a happily ever after, but also what was to happen to them. The drama contains a number of conflicts and plot twists that kept me on my toes, and the fight between the good and the bad drew me in emotionally. It’s never easy to sit back and watch these kind of historical dramas because those who are bad, are really bad, that you want to watch to the end to see if justice is finally served for their evil deeds.
I basically flew through the first 40 episodes due to being so invested in Seungyang’s storyline and the conflicts within the palace. However, after episode 40, I found the drama started to drag on. I felt like we had reached the resolution required for the entire series and would have been content with the drama ending then. Instead, Empress Ki kept playing out the political and power struggles, specifically within the palace between the same people. I grew rather frustrated seeing the storyline go in circles, as it gave me an uneasy feeling about the future of Seungyang and the Emperor of Yuan - the two characters in the drama who I really cared about. Sometimes dramas want to do too much and it does become too much to endure. Still I did, skipping through some scenes, which honestly didn’t affect my understanding of the plot. Despite thinking the last 10 episodes weren’t totally necessary, I did really enjoy the last episode and the way the drama ended. It left me feeling somewhat fulfilled and was the only episode that made me cry. Maybe that’s why I felt satisfied upon completion.
I do think that Empress Ki was still worth the watch for the 40 episodes that I thoroughly enjoyed. A large part of this was how exceptionally well the actors played their characters. I loved the different sides of Empress Ki that Ha Ji Won portrayed, from a kick ass fighter to an intelligent and somewhat cunning concubine. She was an absolute vision when she became a concubine as well. I also grew to love Ji Chang Wook pretty quickly through this, maybe not so much for his character alone, but more so for his acting abilities.
If you are an avid sageuk fan and have not seem this yet, add it to your list. You’re bound to find yourself also rooting for Seungyang and appreciating her story as well as her growth. If you’re not huge on political plots and prefer romance based historical dramas, there is a strong romance focus but might not be enough to override the political aspect for your viewing.
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I have finally, after constant procrastination, finished the drama. Considering the time I put off between the first and second half of the drama, my memory might not be as fresh. However, the significant parts of the drama I have managed to retain.
The twist on the legendary myth made the plot of the drama much more interesting. If they had stuck to the original tale it would’ve been another Romeo & Juliet in a historical setting. A lot more than just romance comes out of the re-developed storyline. The drama explores the power tension between the neighbouring countries and the inner palace conflicts. The choice of survival and loyalty is threatened by emotions and morality and whilst watching, it was intriguing to see which characters chose what.
It is Ra Hee’s mother who stole the show. She was cunning and ambitious and I liked that she didn’t lose those qualities as the story progressed. Her character only had that one side pretty much but her strong and somewhat evil mind made her so much more exciting to watch. The other characters were actually great as well. Ja Myung was written in a way that digressed from the usual heroines. Usually heroines are backed by the heroes and they find their way towards a happy ending. Ja Myung stood on her own as a character. She didn’t need a hero as help and could easily live without one. Ho Dong was a great example of personal conflict. His choices were weighed by loyalty to his country and living by his heart. I enjoyed how Kyung Ho portrayed the character but my judgement doesn’t go without bias, considering how much I do like him as an actor.
The relationship between Ho Dong and his father’s second wife was most interesting to me. They both stood as obstacles in each other’s path, more so with Ho Dong being heir to the throne whilst she was only Queen by name. If not for the pressure from her father and her feeling of insecurity, I would guess that they’re relationship could have gone positively. Ho Dong was never against having a stepmother in the beginning and at the end the Queen did reveal a little of her regrets in not being the right mother for him.
The drama started out very strongly and I was hooked from the beginning. I think the political side of things did dry out the plot a little, after the emphasis on how the countries are neighbours but enemies as well was overused. I think I skipped a few of the council meetings and such only because they always ended up debating about how to gain power and what to give up yah yah. The setting, props and costumes were amazing. It’s set in the period for the Joseon Dynasty so the clothing is totally different. I would probably say it’s more fashionable and a little more extravagant but I enjoyed it. Especially what Ra Hee wore.
Ja Myung Go had so much potential and could’ve shown it if not for the cut. If it had the chance I think it would’ve made for an excellent drama. The ending was rushed and put together haphazardly so that whilst it did make sense, it also left me feeling empty. I did have fleeting moments of why I spent something like 39 episodes on a drama and had it finish the way it did. Yet, with the writers having to cram the cut episodes into the last couple of episodes, I think I do forgive them.
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Dragoste din Stele
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I didn’t think I would enjoy this as much as I actually did. It was a very easy and entertaining watch, but had a solid plot line so that I wasn’t left feeling unsatisfied.
Breaking away from typical modern-day dramas, You From Another Star ventures into a sci-fi area, by introducing the existence of aliens. It’s definitely not the first but, I think it is the first I’ve watched with said element. I’m surprised the drama was able to introduce and explain the supernatural aspect quite well. I wasn’t really left with any confusions, which is a plus because sometimes that can detract from watching the drama in general.
I’ve mentioned that the plot was solid. It was easy to follow through and fast paced enough to not get bored of. The cliffhangers were so epic for every single episode, which kept me hooked. Underlying the romance that was to occur, was actually a mystery that needed to be solved. That was probably the “main” plot following the two protagonists. Whilst I felt like it was very exaggerated – I mean the villain was evil to the point where it felt ridiculous – in a world where aliens exist, I guess it wasn’t too crazy. To be honest I wasn’t invested in that part of the drama until it threatened to break down both the protagonists, and that’s when it grabbed my entire attention.
Hands down, Cheon Song Yi is the best female heroine in drama land. She is sassy, flawed and (deep, very deep down inside) caring. I loved that she didn’t lose her personality as soon as Do Min Joon stepped into her life. Song Yi was strong-headed and hilariously stupid, but she had such a caring and loving personality you couldn’t hate her for it. I loved that she was confident and wasn’t afraid to show it. It was refreshing to see the female protagonist take the lead most of the time, and didn’t cave into the male’s will power. More than that though, she was genuinely a decent person and had everyone’s best interest at heart, even if she didn’t show it well enough. One of my favourite female characters ever.
I also loved Min Joon as well, but in the way that any viewer would admire the hero. He was every bit intelligent, strong and charismatic, very much a typical but desired character. I felt like the drama did a great job of representing that humanity is in everyone, no matter who or where you are, and that emotions can override almost anything. It was also a great exploration of how to define where the “home” is, and mind vs heart. Another plus was the casting of Kim Soo Hyun because he was easy on the eyes not only because he’s gorgeous, but because he’s such a talented actor as well.
The minor characters all had their silly quirks and it was hard not to pay them attention as well. Not a lot of them were irrelevant so it didn’t distract from the plot.
The chemistry between Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun was actually quite good. It was definitely steamy in some moments and I squealed so much. The progression of their relationship was very thought out and made sense. I could see why Song Yi would’ve fallen for Min Joon, and why Min Joon would go out of his way to see her happy/safe. It wasn’t insta-love like most times.
Overall, You From Another Star was a great watch that drove many emotions and thoughts. It wasn’t hard to get immersed and I liked that there were some sci-fi elements, because it added to the excitement. It’s not an amazing drama but it’s solid enough to be good. If you haven’t checked out then give it a go, you might like it. A minor issue was it’s predictable ending, but not one that was frustrating, so I overlooked that.
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Iubire la a Doua Vedere
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I did try to watch this during the time it was airing, but didn’t make it past episode 4 or 5. I’m not sure what made me want to give it a second go, but I guess it’s because I hadn’t seen anything from Kim Woo Bin in awhile and missed seeing his face (lol this reasoning). Regardless of why though, I am glad I gave this a second try because I genuinely liked it a lot more this time around.
A major reason why Uncontrollably Fond was a great watch came down to the actors/actresses and the portrayal of their characters. This was especially true for Kim Woo Bin as Shin Joon Young (the male lead of course), Jin Kyung as Joon Young’s mum and Yu Oh Seong as Prosecutor Choi. All three conveyed such depth and growth within their characters and I found that I enjoyed watching their scenes and what they brought to the drama. In fact, my favourite scenes were between Joon Young and his mum. There is so much emotion involved between the two and it was so difficult not to become emotionally invested in their relationship. I can still vividly remember the different moments between them and how much it tugged on my heart.
I’ve seen a number of praises for how Kim Woo Bin plays Joon Young and I wholeheartedly agree. The character is a break from his classic troubled high school/angsty teenager. Yes, he still has a number of angsty scenes in Uncontrollably Fond and he starts off as a troubled high schooler, but there’s actually layers to his character. He presents Joon Young as a public figure who apparently everyone knows about, but holds onto so many scars and secrets that cannot be shared with anyone, even the people he loves most. However, that doesn’t stop him from wearing his heart of his sleeve. He doesn’t shy away from expressing his feelings, especially when it came to who he wanted and didn’t want in his life. I found it was easy to grow attached to his character and just wanted the best for him. For lovers with Suzy, whilst I think she’s watchable, I do think the female lead could have been played by anyone and it would not have made a difference. Woo Bin really carried the show with his acting and the way that Suzy’s character is written, coupled with how she portrayed the character, doesn’t give her the chance to shine.
The storyline itself heads in one direction. It’s not hard to see what will happen at the end. There are a series of conflicts and drama that requires resolving, but those moments are predominately vehicles for character arc development and to emphasise the importance of the overall message the show has to offer. That’s not to say that those scenes were boring. They were simple, to the point and tied very well into the overall plot. I don’t think there was any episode that was useless per se, but do think that the first 3-4 episodes and last 2-3 episodes were most memorable and grabbed my attention. What I did like from the writing is the script, essentially what the characters say either to themselves or to each other, especially in the last few episodes. There were speeches that carried a lot of meaning and I oh, so very quotable.
Uncontrollably Fond is a very, very sad watching experience. There may be some scenes that can be a trigger for those who have experienced loss and grief, but ultimately, I think the show really delivered an accurate and meaningful representation of the appreciation of life and the importance of making sure you live your life to the fullest. The emphasis on reflecting on your actions and behaviours, the relationships you build and whether you have any regrets before your life comes to an end is something I found really memorable. There’s a lot to take away from this drama, which I really liked, beyond just the usual romance and resolution of the drama presented.
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The Hymn of Death
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I came across this after a quick glance at what Korean dramas Netflix now has to offer, feeling pretty surprised at the vast options available. The first thing that caught my eye with this drama was that the male lead is Lee Jong Suk. I couldn’t not add it to my Watch List. However, what I did next may have ruined my watching experience. I googled the title of the drama and was immediately spoiled.
The story between Yun Sim Deok and Kim Woo Jin is immensely well-known. If you already know about their story then it won’t be a spoiler, but as I had no clue who they even were or what would be involved, googling the premise of this drama straight away revealed what waited for the characters at the end. In saying that, knowing how the story ended didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed watching the actual show. I would’ve liked to have not known just to keep the element of surprise, but overall, I still enjoyed every moment that led up to the ending.
What I appreciated most from The Hymn of Death was how beautiful it was. It was so pleasing to the eyes, starting from the costumes to the camera directions and framing positions. Every single character was dressed so well, the men in well-fitted suits, and the women in fashionable and chic outfits. The drama is set during the Japanese occupation, so you see a different type of style that isn’t seen as often in Korean dramas. There is a lack of traditional clothing (hanbok) and they’re not at the stage for modern clothing yet. I especially love how pretty Shin Hye Sun appeared in the drama and the outfits that were chosen for her. The directing in this series was also something I was in awe in. I rarely pay attention to frame and camera positions, but I noticed how purposeful each frame and scene was positioned. It was so pleasing to the eye but also forced myself, as a viewer, to really understand that the director wanted to either contrast the characters, position us in between the characters to understand the tension or take in the entire scene from afar as though the characters were sharing a private moment only they could understand. Lee Jong Suk and Shin Hye Sun are also pleasing to the eye on their own but also as a couple. I cannot believe how beautiful Shin Hye Sun is, really.
Yun Sim Deok and Kim Woo Jin’s lives was fairly condensed in this 3 part series. There is a lot more that can be told about their story however, I didn’t mind that there was 3 parts. I found the drama was able to, surprisingly, showcase what was necessary to understand their story, but also in a way where I could really believe and see the emotions that each had for the other. It helped that Lee Jong Suk and Shin Hye Sun had chemistry and were great in portraying their characters. Both were great in portraying both the sad and happy emotions, especially as they began to face the challenges of deciding what was right. For just being 3 parts, The Hymn of Death wasn’t rushed and came across quite impactful.
Definitely give this a watch if you want to learn about two historical figures that played some part in Korea’s history. Not only do you get to learn about how Yun Sim Deok becomes a famous singer and Kim Woo Jin is known for his writing, you also get a glimpse of Korea during the time it is occupied by Japan. Also, I can’t stop playing one of the songs from the OST. It is so moving and well suited to the drama.
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The drama is amazing from the get go. It relies on a lot of flashbacks throughout the drama to explain the characters more but I actually like it that way because there’s no excessive introductions. The drama just starts and flows on, without ever stopping to explain what the viewers already know. Also, the flashbacks add to the element of surprise in which the drama executes remarkably well.
I love how they decided to go with a noir style filming instead of typical Korean crime dramas. It’s darker, more violent and doesn’t shy away from subjects that is normally hidden in the conservative world of Korea. There’s a prostitute neighbourhood that’s tainted by corruption but also creates bonds between people. There’s escorts, who have lavish rooms and wardrobes but seem so professional, it’s almost luring me into trying it out. Okay, not really. I just want the clothes. You watch the drama knowing that there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, only glimpses yet, it’s still satisfying.
The characters in Heartless City have actually been the best I have seen in quite a long while. There’s so much depth to each character that even attachments can be formed with the minor characters. In fact, I grew to love the minor characters much more than the mains. Except for Si Hyun because he will forever be number one. His two companions, Lee Jin Sook (Kim Yu Mi) and Kim Hyun Soo (Yoon Hyun Min) had me eating out of their palms.
What makes it so much better is how the actors portrayed their characters. I’m pretty sure everyone nailed who they were suppose to be. Kim Joong Go played Chairman Jo, a ruthless and insensitive killer. He deserves to be mentioned. Kim Yu Mi as Lee Jin Sook – honourable mention. Choi Moo Sung as Moon Deok Bae (Safari) – outsanding ovation. His character won me over and I’d have to say his acting was one of the best. For his first drama since release from the army, Jang Kyung Ho played his role excellently. It was a different role to other dramas he’s starred in but it shows how versatile he is. Yes, he is cold and intelligent in Princess Ja Myung Go but he was never as badass as he is playing Shi Hyun.
The relationships in the drama take you places. I think it made the drama so much more successful. It wasn’t just simple links between people but bonds made upon levels and levels of trust, loyalty, fear and love. For those who expect to have countless scenes with Shi Hyun and Soo Min building their relationship, you’ll be disappointed. The plot does involve a love story between the two but it’s not central, just a device used to develop the characters and add to the plot. Their cute though, I can say that. Also, watch out for Shi Hyun and Soo’s bromance. It is to die for.
The ending makes or breaks a drama for me. But with this, I think the ending was done well. It’s not everyones cup of tea but it worked for me. I wasn’t left feeling confused or angry at having wasted my time on the show. Instead, it just made my feelings for the drama stronger. It was realistic, the most accurate interpretation of real-life I’ve seen in a drama, but it wasn’t disappointing. There was an alternative ending but after reading it I felt like maybe the writer did the right thing by changing it.
The show wasn’t without it’s flaws but then again, what isn’t. However, the pace, characters, plot and even the music is enough to look past it. I can see myself re-watching (in fact, I have been when my dad watches it) and it’s probably risen to be in my top favourite dramas. Granted, sometimes the moments could be expected or stereotypical, even totally absurd but in drama land it’s okay.
I’m just telling you to watch it. That’s it. Go, now.
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This review first appeared on: https://frommelbtoseoul.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/review-the-memorist/(NOTE: there is a spoiler discussion at the very end of this review, but has been marked with a warning beforehand)
I am a complete sucker for crime-related dramas, seeking the thrills and shocks that come from solving a case. In comes The Memorist and the last 8 weeks has been a rollercoaster of emotions with me strapped in tight in the front seat.
What I loved most about The Memorist? The writing/plot layout and ability to explore notions of power, freedom of choice, and whether bad deeds are justifiable in the face of good intentions.
The series hooked me in quickly, choosing to start off with the crime-solving nature of the show and slowly letting us learn about the characters throughout the first few episodes. I liked that the pacing was fast from the get go, and kept it up for the majority of the drama. It meant that I was on the edge of my seat from the suspense and sudden twists that were included. In fact, what the drama did really well was build suspense in the last few minutes of every episode before leaving us on insane cliffhangers. I kept thinking my heart was going to explode from the intensity and thrill that was packed into 5 or so minutes. It also meant that I kept wanting more. It’s always hard, when you’re watching in real time along side a drama’s release schedule, to maintain interest between weekly episodes. Or at least for me anyways. If I find that week’s episode to be lacklustre or not heading in the direction I’m enjoying I will tend to not want to revisit the drama the following week. I guess maybe I’m just picky?
Another thing that I really liked, although have seen mixed reactions towards, was the inclusion of a number of plot twists. Usually, I would not advocate for numerous plot twists in a drama because I find that they can be distracting to the overall storyline and some dramas even lose the sense of direction. However, with The Memorist that didn’t happen at all. Instead, I found the plot twists created really successful shock value, which again, kept me engaged, but also served to add layers to the story. None of the plot twists, I found, were useless or absurd. I will note that for a drama that, despite being set in the real world with real life elements, has characters with somewhat abnormal or supernatural abilities, then anything becomes fair game. I wouldn’t nitpick a plot for “unrealistic” when it resolves around a character that can access memories. Bottom line, the shock factor to this drama was well delivered and really made my watching experience that much more enjoyable.
Lastly, I loved how smart the writing was in The Memorist. What I mean by this is that the complete reveal of the killer and the reason behind why the killings were happening was such an “ah-hah” moment to me. I don’t particularly care for the who the killer was, although I did notice that many weren’t sold on who it was once it was revealed. However, what I liked that the show did is use the character who was the perpetrator as a vehicle to deliver strong messages around choice and responsibility of action. I won’t say much more here, because I don’t want to spoil anything, but look further down if you want to see a quick discussion about what I mean! To me, the entire storyline was solid and made sense. I fully believe in why the perpetrator did what they did and how everything shown in the drama, character and events, were necessary to the completion of the story. Again, I experienced a lot of “ah-hah” or “ohhh” moments – moments of revelations really.
The Memorist was a solid drama. The crime-solving aspect kept me captivated and by focusing on just the one crime/criminal, it allowed for the drama to really flesh out the story and keep things distraction free. I wouldn’t watch this drama for the characters, in that I didn’t grow emotionally attached to any of them. I liked them enough but really only enjoyed the show for the story it offered. I do however, appreciate, that there was barely any romance in this. Not all scenarios in real life would result in a love story, especially when it comes to resolving a serial killer case, and if anything, liked that the bond built between the characters revolved around comradeship and loyalty between friends. So refreshing to see in a Korean drama! Give this show a watch because it is well worth your time!
SPOILER DISCUSSION:
This my warning that the next few sentences will be a spoiler filled discussion on what I really meant about how the drama utilised the killer, Eraser, as a vehicle to explore some thought-provoking ideas.
At first when Eraser was revealed as the timid maid in the evil lady’s house my reaction was “oh” until the drama explained why and how she became to be Eraser. For me, it was such an intentional move in trying to showcase the difference between individual’s choice and the consequences from that. The Eraser turns out to be Dong Baek’s sister and they both have the same ability. However, despite Dong Baek seeing all the terrible memories and actions that were committed, which caused harm to so many people including him, he never strayed from the belief of combatting evil through justice and law. On the other hand, his sister lost all faith in achieving justice through the legal system. Instead, she seeks to serve justice herself, and in that sense, starts to succumb to the terrible actions that she was trying to punish people for in the first place. Dong Baek makes a great point in that even though he could, he chooses instead to use his ability for good or to better himself. He would rather not see it as a tool anymore and instead reflect on what the ability delivers to him. This was honestly such a fascinating addition to the drama, in that it made me think on how we all have the ability to act, it’s just a matter of what we choose to do and the consequences that will come with it. Also, there is the classic question of whether bad deeds are justifiable in the face of good intentions. This is a much harder question to answer for me as not everything is black and white but props to The Memorist for really making me think instead of just consuming what is on screen.
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When the Weather Is Fine
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I’m surprised by how quickly I came to like When the Weather is Fine. There’s actually quite a number of reasons as to why, and strangely, these reasons aren’t usually why I like a certain drama.
I liked how simple this drama was.
Honestly, this would be the first time I’ve ever said that about a drama. I appreciated the simple storyline, the small, quiet town it was set in and the minimal casting. It made for a different viewing experience – one that didn’t feel overly cluttered and chaotic. I find that sometimes many dramas add plot twists and sudden surprises just because they feel like it’s the only way to maintain shock after and keeps viewers engaged. Whilst it may work, it can also be a huge distraction from the storyline it originally presented. This is why I say I appreciated how little frills When the Weather is Fine included, as it was able to convey the plot and overall message of the drama in a clear and impactful way.
The simplistic storyline does mean that When the Weather is Fine is slow paced. It takes its time in delivering its meaningful moments, the moments you’re waiting for as you watch the show. Yet, when I got to those moments, I found the shock much more impactful as, again, there weren’t distractions from minor plot twists or surprises, beforehand. Whilst some people have expressed not being fans of the slowness, personally, I found it made the drama that much more enjoyable. It became a night time ritual for me to settle into bed and watch When the Weather is Fine with the pacing really helping me wind down. There was a certain calmness when I watched the show, especially in the first 5 to 6 episodes. This also came down to the tone of the drama, which is my next point.
I liked the tone of the drama.
The tone that stood out to me the most was nostalgia. I felt the bittersweetness in Hae Won visiting her childhood town. She finds refuge in a place that is familiar but doesn’t necessarily carry joyful memories for her. A lot of her teenage years are explained through flashback that also carry that nostalgic feel. The overall colouring of the scenes also presents the sentimentality element, and was really easy on the eyes. There weren’t that many bright colourful scenes, especially as the drama is set during winter. If anything I found the scenes rather breathtaking and made me appreciate Korea’s winter more, having previously lived there and not being a fan of the cold, which made me really ignore what the landscape had to offer during this season.
I liked the themes explored.
When the Weather is Fine sets out to explore ideas of loyalty, family, healing, forgiveness and trauma and I can honestly say it delivers these messages exceptionally well. Beyond just watching to see what will happen to Hae Won and Eun Seop, I liked that I was able to gain some really meaningful lessons from this drama. It really made me think about what these themes meant to me and whether my definition of such things as forgiveness and loyalty was also everyone else’s. There’s such a large emphasis on things not being black and white, and that will always be a huge tick in my books when it comes to watching any series.
I liked the control of sound and music.
This is a strange one but really ties in with my love for the calmness When the Weather is Fine gave me and also enhanced the viewing experience. What I mean by this is that there were some scenes with absolutely no sound at all. Pure silence. It not only emphasised the emotions of the scene but also drew my attention to what was visually being presented. When there was music, it was light instrumental or rather moving soundtracks. I love myself a good OST to any Korean drama, and When the Weather is Fine is no exception.
Some other thoughts
The characters remain memorable, each one of them carrying the story and making an impression. It helps that the cast was small and had a somewhat, even amount of screen time. Besides Hae Won and Eun Seop, who I loved from the get go, Eun Seop’s sister – Im Hwi – is my pick for standout character and acting. She is a bundle of fun and brings amazing energy to the scenes. Both Seo Kang Joon and Park Min Young portrayed their characters well. I liked that Park Min Young’s character was straight froward. She didn’t shy away from questioning Eun Seop on a number of things and never left anything unsaid to create misunderstandings. Seo Kang Joon’s character, Eun Seop, on the other hand, was a lot more quiet and to be frank, probably didn’t bring as much to the table as Hae Won did. Still, see Kang Joon is absolutely gorgeous and the both of them make for a very visually appealing couple. I was also interested to see what their chemistry would be like as Park Min Young is 9 years older than Seo Kang Joon in real life but they play characters of the same age. It worked. It really did. The emotions between them were palpable on screen and I found myself rooting for them so much.
I’m fairly sure that there will be mixed reviews for this show, and I can understand why. Personally, for me, I found the entire watching experience to be really enjoyable, especially during a time like this. I appreciated that it slowed things down and each moment was intentional and meaningful. I liked the pairing between Seo Kang Joon and Park Min Young and think there now part of list of my favourite drama couples. There were so many touching moments, between a number of characters, and I was rather heavily emotionally involved.
When the Weather is Fine really gave me a lot to think about and ultimately, left a deep impression in me. It tugged at my heart and asked me to give it some attention, and I did, and could not be more thankful for it.
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