Better late than never (at least relatively in time for Lunar New Year??) - here's a mess of thoughts on a smattering of dramas that I enjoyed and kept me company through some of my hardest times in 2014. (Just to clarify, I'm only talking about dramas that I haven't covered in other posts. So, other dramas that would've made the cut are Healer, Misaeng, and I'm So Smart.)
I NEED ROMANCE 3
I've never seen INR1 or INR2, but from what I've heard, this is the best. In the sense that it doesn't belittle women in relationships, making them ultimately forgive and accept cheating, no-good husbands back into their lives. Anyway, I love this drama because it has such a strong, real, flawed woman dealing with life in the modern world as its main character. Kim So-yeon played Joo-yeon to the hilt, and I will probably bemoan her playing anyone else in the future. I think it speaks volumes about the psyche of modern working women - how we tend to throw ourselves into our work partially because we may love what we do, but also unfortunately because we're desperately trying to distract ourselves. I don't mean to say that this is unique to women, but now that it's also hugely prevalent among women. I think we all need someone like Joo-wan, whether he comes in the form of a boyfriend or just a really good friend, who brings you back to life and makes you confront your worst fears. I think it was fitting for the season it aired in - winter/early spring - a great time during our hibernation months to introspect and figure out what exactly we're doing with our lives.
This conversation sums up what I find so great about this drama:
Joo Yeon: My sincerity?
Wan: When you think objectively, you miss the detail. Because you don’t hurt in the right way, you let your sincerity be forgotten, and you move on. You cried without knowing what was in your heart, then you just wiped your tears and forced yourself to cheer up. And then you ate and ran uselessly in vain. You think that your life would progress without a problem if you live like that, right? However, if you continue to live like that, you’ll never realize why you’re hurt, why you’re sad, what you like, whom you love…You’ll live your life without knowing your true self.
Joo Yeon: Then what am I supposed to do? Are you saying that I should cry and drown in my emotions?
Wan: It’s okay if you do that. While you struggle not to drown, you’ll see the bottom; and at the bottom, you’ll find the truth.
IN A GOOD WAY
This is the first Taiwanese/Chinese drama that I've been excited about in a long time. So I was disappointed but not surprised when it petered out mid-way through and ended on very lack-luster notes. I still have to talk about it though because the beginning was that good. The drama is very simple - it's about being young, falling in love for the first time, figuring out what it means to be a true friend, and finding your way in life in world of convenience and corruption. I love that the supporting characters brought depth to the story and there was great rapport among the group of friends. They were definitely just as enjoyable to watch in groups as in singles or pairs. I loved the supporting characters so much that I must admit, my favorite character from the entire show is not either of the main characters but the supporting character BAI XUE, played by Smile Weng. I was never one of those people who found her annoying, because I think she was such a realistic character. She is that perfect senior in school who's always so put-together, is kind to everyone, aces all her classes, and radiates an elegant confidence always seeming to know what she wants not just from life but from her day-to-day activities. Yet, her weakness is that she wants the one person who has never looked at her romantically. It made me feel so much for her, and I wouldn't have minded one bit if the drama had casted her as the main character.
I think the moment I fell in love with her character was when she confessed to Liu-chuan, the male lead. I didn't find it cringe-worthy or annoying, but rather, I was floored with admiration for her bravery. We've all been there - liking someone so much despite a sinking feeling in your gut that he probably won't return your feelings. Yet in spite of that, you have to confess, because only then, only when you've heard the rejection do you feel like it's possible to move on. But confessing with imminent rejection is one of the most difficult things to do. It's a thousand parts vulnerable, a thousand parts honest, almost guaranteed to leave your heart bleeding, and thus entirely irrational. So when someone actually comes through with it and does it with verve, I can't help but admire them. Because Bai-xue's confession is so genuine - she never intends to use her confession to ruin anyone's relationship - because she hurts not out of jealousy but out of her true feelings for Liu-chuan, and because she ultimately maintains good friends with everyone involved, she's more than perfect in my book. She is who I want to be. In my weakest and most vulnerable moments. I think that's major props - to be emulated not just when you're at your best, but in your most embarrassing, vulnerable moments of your life.
MISS KOREA
Another sleeper hit. I think this drama finally showcased the acting chops of Lee Yeon-hee. I never thought she was a bad actor, per se, but just that up until this point, never played an interesting, 3-dimensional character. This show was all about Oh Ji-young, Lee's character, who is struggling to find herself when she very well knows she's got nothing to sell the world - she's not smart, she works in an occupation that's dying out (elevator girls). Her tenacity and struggle not just in finding a career for her but in fighting for her love is truly heartwarming and captivating to watch.
MARRIAGE, NOT DATING
Romantic comedy at its best. It takes all the tropes - contract relationships, two people who hate each other's guts at the get-go, wounded pasts, plucky heroines - and some how makes them fresh on the screen. The writing is great, but thank God for well-matched actors (Yoon Woo-Jin and Han Groo) for bringing their characters alive and elevating them to the next level. They not only threw their hearts into their roles, but also their bodies into the comedy, and without them, this drama wouldn't have been the same. A delightful, riveting but light watch.
PINOCCHIO
I wanted to love this drama so much, and in some ways, I did, but ultimately, it won't come down in my drama-watching history as one of the more memorable ones. Coming from the same writer-director combo of I Hear Your Voice, it's not surprising that it's a spin on the lies vs. truth and right vs. wrong themes. I do think that Pinocchio is a little more cerebral than IHYV. At the end of the day, I find Pinocchio a good dose of inspiration for finding direction and meaning in one's career, but it didn't really deliver on the emotional and relationship fronts for me.
And that's it!
End of a rather great year. Here's to hoping 2015 will be even better.
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