I wasn't particularly interested when I read that it was a Korean version of Bridget Jone's Diary. It sounded to me to be lacking in creativity.
I am thrilled now that I have not let that remark to stop me from checking out what it is like. Within just one week, I have watched this 16 episode (1 hour each) twice.
Different from all three other Korean dramas that I have watched so far (Coffee House, My Girl and Full House), this one is a breath of fresh air. The heroine, though not embraced with a plastic surgery perfect face (or body, for she is plumb), is a strong lady that knows what she wants in life and will not let anything to get in her way. When she realises that she has fallen in love with the man of not her type, she chooses to tell him and later on, questions him if that feeling of hers is reciprocal. When she is asked by his soon-to-be-former girlfriend to give him up, she tells her (despite her plead and a 35% of chance to survive her illness) that it is up to him to make the decision whom he would like to be with, and that for her part, she is never going to give up just for her sake. When she thinks that she is being fooled (again) by her boyfriend, she goes out with another man to seek happiness rather than moaning on the loss of a true love... At the end of the film, we also learn that the mum of her boyfriend objects to their relationship but that they are still seeing each other and that despite the occasional worry if they will fall out, she is not going to let this concern to bother her too much and that she is getting on with her life as her heart is taking her to.
In short, different from those 'angelic' figures (usually in their late teens or early twenties with a perfect face and modern figure) who is willing to sacrifice their true love for the sake of his family or his career, this Sam-soon of no particular beauty or wealth, stands up for herself and fights for what she deserves. And where no physical relationship seems to be involved in those dramas focusing on first love, this one features a man (though with a perfect face and body but not a perfect character) who constantly desires the physical contact with his beloved and is sent out late at night to find 'it' by his girlfriend only to find her fast asleep when he returns.
It is not just the characters though that has made this drama stand out from the rest of the comic romance. The incredible performance, especially that from Kim Sun-ah, the leading lady; the comic scenes (Hyun Bin is getting better in later episodes), the romantic scenes (especially the 20 minutes sequence where Sam-soon sings a love tune when her then boss playing the piano), and the music, etc, also work extraordinarily well and magically to give it an exceptional quality that outshines its competitors. This is a drama of a real woman in the street with a scriptwriter that understands how it feels to be a 'plain looking' woman over her 'sell-by' date in Korea and knows a secret or two of how to lead a happy life ('Love, as if you have never been hurt; Sing, as if no-one is in the audience; Dance, as if you are on your own...'); and the words of wisdom from her father in the dream sequence when she meets him for the final time - to live happily everyday and not let any concerns to get in the way). All these make it little wonder for its huge success with its native audience (a 50% viewing rate for its finale) and the international ones.
If you have time for only one Korean drama, this is certainly one you cannot afford to miss.
April 18, 2011
April 12, 2011
Full house
It is official: I am addicted.
For the third Korean drama that I watched, I was so compelled to find out what happens next that I paused only for a few hours of sleep and a small breakfast. Not only my eyes felt sored, my stomach revolted as well.
So was the power of a gripping Full House, starring Korea's 'most beautiful woman' Song Hye-kyo and the then a new comer Rain, whose success in the drama would make him an international icon.
In order not to repeat what I did with My Girl, I returned the DVD straightaway so that I won't skip swimming for another viewing. When I revealed how I had enjoyed the drama, and felt a little bit childish for my behaviour, the owner of the DVD told me, to my relief, that she had watched it for no less than ten times.
Yeah, now I understand how come some Americans could watch Sound of Music for 66 times. It is an addiction.
For the third Korean drama that I watched, I was so compelled to find out what happens next that I paused only for a few hours of sleep and a small breakfast. Not only my eyes felt sored, my stomach revolted as well.
So was the power of a gripping Full House, starring Korea's 'most beautiful woman' Song Hye-kyo and the then a new comer Rain, whose success in the drama would make him an international icon.
In order not to repeat what I did with My Girl, I returned the DVD straightaway so that I won't skip swimming for another viewing. When I revealed how I had enjoyed the drama, and felt a little bit childish for my behaviour, the owner of the DVD told me, to my relief, that she had watched it for no less than ten times.
Yeah, now I understand how come some Americans could watch Sound of Music for 66 times. It is an addiction.
April 04, 2011
My girl
Television drama can be addictive. Even when they are silly, nonsensical, and when you struggle to suspend your disbelief. Back in the early 1990s, the whole population in China became hooked by Desire, the first soap opera in China...
Then there is Grey's Anatomy... which I never seem to have enough of.
I made a point not to follow television drama in the 1990s. Life is too short to spend hours on end to follow the multi-episode dramas, or to reschedule one's everyday routine to stay tuned. I much prefer listening to music or radio, activities that allow you to walk about and multi-task.
So this is new to me: after some mixed experience with Korean dramas barely a week ago, I found myself watching My Girl - for the third time in a row, well into the wee hours. Indeed like one of the reviews has it: it was well-written with good performance from all involved. A classic rom-com!
The heroine lies as freely as she breathes, and combined with frequent close up shots and monologues from her relating explicitly her inner thoughts (as if we cannot follow the plots without them), it was a total put-off for me at the beginning. But I was curious enough to persist - in the hope to work out how come such silly nonsense had been churned out at all, and I ended up watching the whole series with a fast-farward remote control in hand.
The last two episodes though changed my mind, and when I watched it a second time - this time, in normal play mode, I realised that once you could get over the initial shock (which takes about two episodes), it wasn't difficult to laugh all the way through with the heroine, while admiring the multi-talents of its actress - Lee Da-hea, who is capable of changing her facial expressions within the split of a second and seems to specialise in girlish charms of all kinds. And as if to reward those who, like myself, find the leading man a bit bland, Lee Dung-wook's character is transformed, in the last two episodes, into another man: one that knows exactly what he wants for himself and goes all his ways to get it. Despite his lack of athletics appearance, he looks manly in the last two episodes, and well deserves what he is after in the end.
My Girl relies heavily on stock of stereotyping in plots and characters; a dying grandfather whose wish rules the household; a gambling father who brings but debts to his daughter; a jealous girlfriend who cannot tolerate the sight of another pretty girl. Yet there are many elements which I find fascinating. Besides Lee Da-hea's versatility in appearing sweet, innocent, charming, yet mischievous and naughty almost all at the same time, Korean fashion, the way it projects its hero's image, use of western music throughout, hilarious references to popular Hollywood films/television dramas (such as 007 and X-file) , the status of woman in the modern society... are all subjects that can be looked into.
But perhaps the best thing is that there are only 16 episodes. Despite all the laughs that come with it, it is tiring to have to give up one's routine for too long. My Girl knows when to stop.
Then there is Grey's Anatomy... which I never seem to have enough of.
I made a point not to follow television drama in the 1990s. Life is too short to spend hours on end to follow the multi-episode dramas, or to reschedule one's everyday routine to stay tuned. I much prefer listening to music or radio, activities that allow you to walk about and multi-task.
So this is new to me: after some mixed experience with Korean dramas barely a week ago, I found myself watching My Girl - for the third time in a row, well into the wee hours. Indeed like one of the reviews has it: it was well-written with good performance from all involved. A classic rom-com!
The heroine lies as freely as she breathes, and combined with frequent close up shots and monologues from her relating explicitly her inner thoughts (as if we cannot follow the plots without them), it was a total put-off for me at the beginning. But I was curious enough to persist - in the hope to work out how come such silly nonsense had been churned out at all, and I ended up watching the whole series with a fast-farward remote control in hand.
The last two episodes though changed my mind, and when I watched it a second time - this time, in normal play mode, I realised that once you could get over the initial shock (which takes about two episodes), it wasn't difficult to laugh all the way through with the heroine, while admiring the multi-talents of its actress - Lee Da-hea, who is capable of changing her facial expressions within the split of a second and seems to specialise in girlish charms of all kinds. And as if to reward those who, like myself, find the leading man a bit bland, Lee Dung-wook's character is transformed, in the last two episodes, into another man: one that knows exactly what he wants for himself and goes all his ways to get it. Despite his lack of athletics appearance, he looks manly in the last two episodes, and well deserves what he is after in the end.
My Girl relies heavily on stock of stereotyping in plots and characters; a dying grandfather whose wish rules the household; a gambling father who brings but debts to his daughter; a jealous girlfriend who cannot tolerate the sight of another pretty girl. Yet there are many elements which I find fascinating. Besides Lee Da-hea's versatility in appearing sweet, innocent, charming, yet mischievous and naughty almost all at the same time, Korean fashion, the way it projects its hero's image, use of western music throughout, hilarious references to popular Hollywood films/television dramas (such as 007 and X-file) , the status of woman in the modern society... are all subjects that can be looked into.
But perhaps the best thing is that there are only 16 episodes. Despite all the laughs that come with it, it is tiring to have to give up one's routine for too long. My Girl knows when to stop.
March 29, 2011
The woman in the dunes
Although the title is The Woman in the Dunes, it is about an man who falls victim to a vicious trap set by a remote village council, becomes a virtual prisoner in an derelict isolated place, and strikes to reclaim his freedom with all means.
The surprising turn is, in the end, he chooses not to take up the route for freedom. And in a 'civilised' world he once occupied, he is reported as'lost'.
A visual treat of a kind, especially when the camera lingers on forms and shapes of the dunes - it reminds us of many a sensual pictures taken of sand, dunes, and deserts by the world's most talented photographers - the film is an allegory of the works of our minds and how even the most incidental event can disarm our innate desire and will to live to our fullest. A realistic film as well: it traces the minute struggles of an ordinary life - from an idealist to a realist, and how we eventually settle for the simplest pleasure available.
In The Woman in the Dunes, the dunes appear boundless, sensual, appealing and full of lives to an inquisitive visitor with an eye for exotic desert insects, which he keeps in a jar before displaying them in a glass front case. Soon however, it turns out to a silent accomplice of the vicious village council with a hidden agenda. In the end though, it loses the importance in the protagonist's search for freedom when it appears that it is the mind that determines one's fate.
The derelict house, that appears fascinating and welcoming for a tired traveler, has also changed its role many a times in the story. Soon after the man is fed, it first becomes a prison, then a battlefield for its occupiers, and eventually, a place the imprisoned man settles in at his own free will.
The use of space (the vast outdoors and the confined indoors) and the sparse dialogues, all reminds me, strangely, of Chen Kaige's Yellow Earth, made some 20 years afterwards in China. The difference is while in The Woman in the Dunes, it is the trapped woman and the discovery of water in the desert win the battle and get the man to leave civilisation behind, in Yellow Earth, it is an enlightened teenage girl who is devoured by the currents of the Yellow River in her desperate escape from an arranged marriage, is celebrated by everybody on the yellow earth.
The surprising turn is, in the end, he chooses not to take up the route for freedom. And in a 'civilised' world he once occupied, he is reported as'lost'.
A visual treat of a kind, especially when the camera lingers on forms and shapes of the dunes - it reminds us of many a sensual pictures taken of sand, dunes, and deserts by the world's most talented photographers - the film is an allegory of the works of our minds and how even the most incidental event can disarm our innate desire and will to live to our fullest. A realistic film as well: it traces the minute struggles of an ordinary life - from an idealist to a realist, and how we eventually settle for the simplest pleasure available.
In The Woman in the Dunes, the dunes appear boundless, sensual, appealing and full of lives to an inquisitive visitor with an eye for exotic desert insects, which he keeps in a jar before displaying them in a glass front case. Soon however, it turns out to a silent accomplice of the vicious village council with a hidden agenda. In the end though, it loses the importance in the protagonist's search for freedom when it appears that it is the mind that determines one's fate.
The derelict house, that appears fascinating and welcoming for a tired traveler, has also changed its role many a times in the story. Soon after the man is fed, it first becomes a prison, then a battlefield for its occupiers, and eventually, a place the imprisoned man settles in at his own free will.
The use of space (the vast outdoors and the confined indoors) and the sparse dialogues, all reminds me, strangely, of Chen Kaige's Yellow Earth, made some 20 years afterwards in China. The difference is while in The Woman in the Dunes, it is the trapped woman and the discovery of water in the desert win the battle and get the man to leave civilisation behind, in Yellow Earth, it is an enlightened teenage girl who is devoured by the currents of the Yellow River in her desperate escape from an arranged marriage, is celebrated by everybody on the yellow earth.
March 25, 2011
Korean dramas, first impression
Been lent three Korean television dramas by a neighbour. The first one I watched, Coffee House, felt like reading a the Taiwanese pop novelist Qiong Yao's romance - while none of the stories make sense, they grip you nevertheless and to your surprise, you suppress your disbelief and laughing along with it to the end.
I am still quite puzzled at the fact I was able to finish all eighteen 50 minute episodes within three days. The protagonist is a natural born sadist. Although he accepts to help out a total stranger, he lacks interest in carrying it through in a reasonable manner and marvels at thousands of tricks to 'torture' the poor secretary - who, despite her mature age of 25 and a degree in chemistry, is inexperienced and clueless to her surrounding world. Despite being an obvious laughing stock to her 'boss', she remains obedient, resilient, and accepts all the jokes played on her without queries. She appears dumb in front of a man in power.
I like the protagonist much. Though his given profession is a novelist, he behaves more like a spoilt superstar, lacking in depth and ingenuity, and after a little while, his facial expression become rather predicable.
But the story must have its charm - because not only I stayed till 2am to follow the story of romance, it is also the only one among the three dramas I was given that I felt inclined to watch.
I spent the following two nights trying to work out if I should respect my neighbour's wish and watch the other two, but I found them both far too slow in pace and the frequent use of close-repelling. Not only the stories did not seem to stand, the camera dwells on the face for far too long and it depends a lot on the exaggerating performance from all. If the two one hour per episode drama are to go by, Korea appears to a far cry from what might be called a modern society where fast-pace is the buzz word. And I am not sure if I like being the weaker sex there.
I am still quite puzzled at the fact I was able to finish all eighteen 50 minute episodes within three days. The protagonist is a natural born sadist. Although he accepts to help out a total stranger, he lacks interest in carrying it through in a reasonable manner and marvels at thousands of tricks to 'torture' the poor secretary - who, despite her mature age of 25 and a degree in chemistry, is inexperienced and clueless to her surrounding world. Despite being an obvious laughing stock to her 'boss', she remains obedient, resilient, and accepts all the jokes played on her without queries. She appears dumb in front of a man in power.
I like the protagonist much. Though his given profession is a novelist, he behaves more like a spoilt superstar, lacking in depth and ingenuity, and after a little while, his facial expression become rather predicable.
But the story must have its charm - because not only I stayed till 2am to follow the story of romance, it is also the only one among the three dramas I was given that I felt inclined to watch.
I spent the following two nights trying to work out if I should respect my neighbour's wish and watch the other two, but I found them both far too slow in pace and the frequent use of close-repelling. Not only the stories did not seem to stand, the camera dwells on the face for far too long and it depends a lot on the exaggerating performance from all. If the two one hour per episode drama are to go by, Korea appears to a far cry from what might be called a modern society where fast-pace is the buzz word. And I am not sure if I like being the weaker sex there.
March 21, 2011
Life is good
There are moments in life when the thought 'gosh, life is good' creeps into mind.
I had encountered such moments over the weekend - at Joanna Newsom's concert, then at Aphex Twin's.
Musically, and in stage persona, they can't be more different. They were both sublime.
I had encountered such moments over the weekend - at Joanna Newsom's concert, then at Aphex Twin's.
Musically, and in stage persona, they can't be more different. They were both sublime.
March 07, 2011
Possible loves
Judging from Possible Loves (Amores Possiveis), Murilo Benicio is capable of everything: a hopeless yet absolutely adorable mother's boy who refused to grow up and had his mum to run his life; a man who was confused of his sexual orientation after a hot dance with his ex-wife; and a successful yet rigid lawyer who became guilt-striken after initiating an affair with a girl who stood him up 15 years ago.
OK, when we really look deep into all three characters, there might be a lack of depth in characterisation in that they are all more about a particular moment in life, but the performance is of such sublime quality from all involved (the chemistry between mum and son being the most best), Possible Loves outshines most of its competitors in this genre from around the world. I got a sense as well - which was not dispelled even after second viewing, Possible Loves is a possible sequel to... In the Mood of Love from HK. While the latter dealt with love that was strictly bounded by morals, the former beg the question of what if... and comes up with three different answers. Though there was a romantic ending to one of the stories in Possible Loves, the overall mood is sadness, as in In the Mood of Love.
Murilo Benicio is, I know I am biased, probably one of the best of actors. It was a sad surprise to realise that he stars also in Woman on Top, a film that completely failed to impress me, possibly due to its annoyingly sexist and silly poor scripts. I am expecting more from him.
PS: I borrowed Orfeu in my next visit to the library and put it on the first chance that I had. Murilo Bencio played a gangster in a baggy jacket and a tight hat. But probably because he was playing the third fiddle to the pop idol and his Indian beauty queen girlfriend, he seemed eclipsed in it.
OK, when we really look deep into all three characters, there might be a lack of depth in characterisation in that they are all more about a particular moment in life, but the performance is of such sublime quality from all involved (the chemistry between mum and son being the most best), Possible Loves outshines most of its competitors in this genre from around the world. I got a sense as well - which was not dispelled even after second viewing, Possible Loves is a possible sequel to... In the Mood of Love from HK. While the latter dealt with love that was strictly bounded by morals, the former beg the question of what if... and comes up with three different answers. Though there was a romantic ending to one of the stories in Possible Loves, the overall mood is sadness, as in In the Mood of Love.
Murilo Benicio is, I know I am biased, probably one of the best of actors. It was a sad surprise to realise that he stars also in Woman on Top, a film that completely failed to impress me, possibly due to its annoyingly sexist and silly poor scripts. I am expecting more from him.
PS: I borrowed Orfeu in my next visit to the library and put it on the first chance that I had. Murilo Bencio played a gangster in a baggy jacket and a tight hat. But probably because he was playing the third fiddle to the pop idol and his Indian beauty queen girlfriend, he seemed eclipsed in it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)