Dramas -- Part I

Due to the overwhelming response to my last post (okay, two people said something to me about it, but hey, still), and partly because I just want to, I've decided to make a directory of the dramas I've seen. Just so, you know, if you want to watch one you can get addicted, too. ;) This first post will be about the dramas that I absolutely adored, for whatever reason, be it the quality of the drama or its addictive~ness. (If you click on the Korean names of the dramas, you'll be taken to a site where you can watch it with English subtitles.) So, without further ado, I present *drum roll* --

The Dramas I LOVED

꽃보다 남자 (Boys Over Flowers/Boys Before Flowers)

Kim Joon as Won-bin, Kim Beom as Yi-jung, Lee Min-ho as Gu Jun-pyo, Gu Hye-sun as Geum Jan-di, and Kim Hyun-joong as Ji-hoo

I already wrote about this drama in my last post, so I won't say much more about it here. I will say, however, that the reason I love it is because it holds a special place in my heart as my very first kdrama -- not because it's a technically wonderful drama. If you dislike crazy, plot hole-filled, inconsistently characterizatized, angst-ridden plots, don't watch this. But beware: if you start it, there's a 95% chance you won't be able to stop. Lee Min-ho as Jun-pyo really carries this drama, and even if you hate his curly hair, you'll have to admit that he does an excellent job nuancing what could be a very one-dimensional, arrogant, rich, selfish playboy character.

Quality score: 5

Enjoyment score: 9

돌아온 일지매 (Return of Iljimae)

Kim Min-jung as Officer Gu, Jung Hye-young as Baek-me, Yoon Jin-seo as Wol-hee, and Jung Il-woo as Iljimae

Despite airing at the same time as Boys Over Flowers, there couldn't be two more different dramas. Iljimae is everything Boys isn't -- well-acted, well-directed, well-edited, absolutely gorgeous visually, standout soundtrack, tightly plotted, nuanced, thoughtful and thought-provoking, and set during the Joseon era of Korean history. Return of Iljimae is the story of a hero, but not in a way you've ever seen before -- Iljimae (the name of the main character, the character on the far right in the above picture) is far more "human" and relatable than many heros, while at the same time being still larger-than-life.

Born of the rape of his slave mother by his aristocratic father, he is left to die after being forcibly taken from his mother. He is saved by a wandering monk (not a Christian one -- a Buddhist one; this is long before the advent of Christianity in Korea) and a cheerful beggar, and ends up the adopted son of a generous upper-class Chinese family. He eventually learns his true parentage and makes his way back to Korea (called Joseon at this point) to find them, only to be rejected out of hand by his father. What follows after is the story of Iljimae's growth and maturation as both a man and a hero. The drama deals with themes of duty to your people and country vs. your duty to your family and loved ones, explores the concept of justice and social equality, and beautifully portrays the struggles of Iljimae to make the right choices in a world that is awash in shades of grey. But I would hate for you to get the idea this was just a pensive, slow drama -- nope, there are lots of excellent and exciting fight scenes, a very well-constructed love story, and lots of humor and comedy. If you love stories that make you ache with both joy and sadness, this is the drama for you. 

Quality score: 10

Enjoyment score: 10

커피 프린스 1호점 (Coffee Prince)

Yoon Eun-hye as Go Eun-chan and Gong Yoo as Choi Han-kyul

Ah, Coffee Prince! Probably the biggest hit of 2007, this drama has a loyal and rabid fanbase among foreigners who watch kdramas. Coffee Prince is a drama that manages to be both light and heavy at the same time. It doesn't skate over either the happy aspects of life or the sad ones; instead, it balances both well to form an engaging, fun drama that definitely makes you think.

The drama centers around the relationship of Go Eun-chan and Choi Han-kyul, but it does so in a way that's not quite what you'd expect, because while Eun-chan is very much a girl, Han-kyul thinks she's a boy. It's a misconception Eun-chan doesn't correct, because Han-kyul offers Eun-chan a job as his "gay lover" to keep away the girls his grandmother is continually forcing on him in an attempt to marry him off, and eventually ends up hiring her to be one of the "princes" at his new coffee shop -- Coffee Prince. Eun-chan doesn't want to lie, but she has to take care of her mother and sister and her mom's just lost a friend's very expensive diamond ring. And meanwhile, Han-kyul is facing a very real, very disturbing attraction to Eun-chan...

This drama has some really wonderful acting on the parts of Yoon Eun-hye and Gong Yoo. Yoon Eun-hye turns in a pretty darn convincing performance as a girl who's been to busy taking care of her family to worry about her femininity (despite being an absolutely stunning woman). Gong Yoo could have taken the easy way out, since he knew his costar was a girl, but he does an excellent job portraying Han-kyul's growing attraction to an Eun-chan he thinks is a boy and the resulting doubt and confusion. I think my favorite part of this drama is the very real-feeling relationships between the characters. The drama isn't really realistic, per se, but it feels very real, if that distinction makes any sense. If you like a good mix of comedy and fun and stuff that makes you think, or if you just want a great introduction to kdramas, this is the drama for you. (I still go back and watch this drama all the time, it's that good.)

Quality score: 8.75

Enjoyment score: 9.5

 
미남이시네요 (You're Beautiful)

Jang Geun-seok as Hwang Tae-kyung, Pak Shin-hye as Go Mi-nam/Go Mi-nyeo, Lee Hong-ki as Jeremy, and Jung Yong-hwa as Kang Shin-woo

You're Beautiful didn't have high ratings while it was airing, but it inspired a very, very loyal "mania" fanbase both in Korea and abroad and shot its four leads to almost overnight success. Go Mi-nyeo (her name means "beautiful woman") is an orphan who's been raised at a Catholic orphanage her entire life, and is about to become a full-fledged nun...when her twin brother's manager shows up unexpectedly and begs her to take Mi-nam's (his name means "beautiful man") place as the new member in the premier boy-band in the country. What follows are some crazy hijinks as a female almost-nun pretends to be a male pop idol and tries to negotiate a world utterly foreign to her. Jang Geun-seok delights as the band's prickly leader, Hwang Tae-kyung, and perfects a nasty sneer that'll make you crack up. If you want a drama that will show you a good time, make you laugh hysterically, and give you lots of eye-candy, this is the drama for you. Don't pass over it, though, because you think it's just a light bit of fluff; the writing is generally tight, and the writers do a pretty good job of circumventing or subverting traditional tropes.

Quality score: 8
Enjoyment score: 9.25