The female lead was amazing. She was so calm and dignified and yet, there is a subtle change occurring within her throughout, simmering beneath the diplomatic surface. It never explodes or exposes itself completely. You cannot hold that change to one single moment. You can't point at one moment and say "there she is finally!" But you can feel the change constantly, scene after scene. Until it has become a part of her completely.
I love her character. It is so deep and yet we can all relate to it somewhere. The rest of the cast is equally amazing. Nana's character was brilliant. She was so unique in her style and I loved her screen-time, especially with Hye Kyung. I didn't know much about Nana before I started this show (except that she wins the title of "most beautiful face" a lot). But I really look forward to seeing her in more roles (and different ones). I didn't know much about Jun Do Yeon either (except that she was paid A LOT for this drama). But I she was so good here, I ended up checking out a couple of her movies (and loving them!).
The guys were awesome. Jung Won was sooo sexayyy. Like MY GOD. He's like a bad boy who grew up like some really fine wine. I'll be crushing on him for a while. The romance was unexpectedly awesome. The drama is full of sexual tension and I am not complaining.
Tae Joon was another complex character who was a delight to watch. The whole time you are wondering WHO THE HELL IS HE? WHAT IS HE THINKING? This guy had me really confused with his sometimes-bad-sometimes-good character. But then I realized the catch. This is how he is supposed to be. This is how we all are. There is no black or white. There are good sides to us and there are dark sides. And that is exactly how he was. He was a scary man but he was a gentle father. He was trying to do something right using wrong methods. He loved his wife but he succumbed to temptation. A lot. He was human.
The music was perfect for the drama and this drama can definitely be watched again for the complexities and the surprisingly swoon-worthy romance that takes it's own sweet time to build.
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Traditionally a romantic comedy junkie, I have switched course recently after finishing the incredible drama, Misty, last month that simply blew me away. I have been yearning for another mature romance drama with intrigue that could even come close to the Misty (that I have not already seen). After finding this drama under the Misty recommendations, I decided to give it a shot despite not being a fan of legal or political shows and I am really glad that I did. (THANK YOU whoever added this to the recommendations... not all heroes wear capes)
First of all, this cast is amazing! I honestly wish that I saw many of them in more dramas because their acting was on another level. (The only one that I feel that I get to see a lot Yoo Ji Tae… although he is phenomenal) In addition, I loved the premise of the show and how it has such an incredibly strong, determined female lead. Also, the storyline was unique and honestly, when I started the show, the ending and what ended up of these characters was definitely something I would never have guessed. And with so many shows having an almost formulaic take on their stories and endings, this was a true breath of fresh air.
I enjoyed this show so much I even ended up writing a “5 Reasons to Watch” article on it. But as of the time of this review it has not been published yet. Although this show is great, it was not without fault. I enjoyed its way storytelling, similar to that of Misty and Signal, that has a blend of individual cases/stories mixed into a much larger ongoing story. However, I found some of the cases in the middle episodes a bit lacking. And I found that in the end there was still some loose ends and parts that were added to the show that in retrospect did not seem to fit. This may be because it was an adaption from a show that had many more seasons, and a lot more episodes per season and they may have been trying to squeeze too much in. Having no experience with original American Show, I am not certain, but it seems that way.
In the end, this drama is well worth the watch, even if it’s not the genres you usually are drawn toward. This drama has something for everyone and the cast and writing make this a drama that is not only memorable, but one that will make you think about it even when the episode is over. It was exceptional. Highly Recommend.
Happy Drama Watching! :)
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With regards to plots, K-TGW is a serious stickler to the original in ways that should thrill any Good Wife purist. It's abundantly clear the writers/producers *themselves* are highkey stans for TGW in light of the attention to detail in every reproduction of the original's greatest courtroom hits.
K-TGW also deserves praise for being a masterclass in pacing. For those unaware, the drama spans *three seasons* of the original within 16 episodes. 16 EPISODES. Yet, by some level 10 sorcery, all major character/relationship arcs are completely cohesive.* Particularly, the transformation of Hyekyung (Alicia Florrick's counterpart) is absolutely seamless.
(*The one glaring exception is the last act of the finale, which is weirdly ambiguous in a way that seems rushed rather than purposeful.)
Maybe most importantly, the drama also stays faithful to the bisexuality of Nana's character, which was my #1 priority when I heard news of the remake.
Where Korean TGW diverges from American TGW is in being a lot less cynical. This isn't a value judgment. I for one like my TV cynical, and I was honestly delighted by the corrosion of Alicia Florrick in the original's later seasons. Others hated it. Many read The Good Wife as a story of female empowerment and were not here for their heroine becoming a bad person and ending up alone. But I don't need female protags to be role models who can """represent""" every woman. I just need them to have fully realised journeys.
In that sense, the Korean version takes the story back to its roots. Whereas American TGW built Alicia up and then tore her down, K-TGW portrays the rise of Hyekyung and makes that a self-contained story. The drama also fleshes out a proper redemptive arc to Joongwon that would make his blithely amoral American counterpart Will Gardner roll over in his jewel-encrusted coffin. Speaking of which: Alicia/Will was a tragedy of epic Greek proportions; Hyekyung/Joongwon is not. (Naturally, I was much more ruinously attached to the former. YMMV.)
Meanwhile, Yoo Jitae's character is both more villainous and more appealing than Peter Florrick has ever been. Let it be known there was never any Peter stan-base to speak of. Yoo Jitae, OTOH, probably deserves one.
I wouldn't necessarily call these changes an improvement per se. A happier story doesn't always equal a better one (just as a more grimdark story =/= more mature). The strength of storytelling is what really matters.
What K-TGW does, though, it does very well. Whether you're familiar with the source material or not, this is one of the best dramas of 2016.
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In any case, I couldn't drop this drama because of quiet a few reasons. First of all, as most know I always focus on characters and acting, and this is a forte in this drama. As for acting it varied from appropriate to awesome, and the awesome ones had a great chance at exploring complicated, and unpredictable characters.
My 2 favourite characters are Lee Tae Joon and Seo Myung Hee. He's completely badass, unpredictable and scary, no one can mess with him. She's just an awesome boss.
Kim Hye gyung was interesting for the most part, but I know in real life, I wouldn't want to be friends with her. Her bangs and bitchy cold look rubs me the wrong way. I was jealous of her wardrobe though, and honestly I liked that she's pragmatic about all. I love her relationship with her son. That moment when he wished her to win was so heartfelt.
Age wise, I'd argue Yoon Kye Sang to be completely miscast. In the role of Seo Jung Won he was awesome, but it's too obvious he's younger than those he's involved with. He's not that much younger but he looks it. I enjoyed the most his relationship with his sister. I can totally relate to the older sister/younger brother. A younger sibling is always a younger siblings, no matter how much he gets older :P
I have to mention music was AWESOME! The camera work felt like watching a movie.
Plot wise is where I had some trouble. The cases were interesting, but I didn't like how they go about solving them. Kim Dan was too convenient as a character. Basically if you needed any character that is good in any sort of thing, she would be it. She felt like a plot device used to get the story go, and a lazy one at it.
In any case I'm glad I got to watch this drama, even though I had to push myself to watch at times :P
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In any other dramas, you can guess how's the ending since 3/4 episodes. But in The Good Wife you have to keep watching til the end
I also love how they dont just make the focus on the main acts. Sometimes, without realizing it you're in awe with those who has small roles like Kim Dan.
Music wise.... im not sure because theres no OST from this drama which caught my attention.
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The drama finds it foothold on its ensemble cast. The characters and storyline already has easy backing from its predecessors, as there already is the Western version. I haven't watched that one to compare, however, I like this one.
The story follows and develops well, the characters, the acting is believeable. Yoon Kye Sang has so much charisma and is able to inject his cute charm into his role which is works well in constrast with his character's unemotional exterior. And Jeon Do Yeon is always in her element when her character requires both vulnerability and strength. Kim Seo Hyung is queen, in real life as well probably, and her presence cements the tough elegance of being the CEO, but also the tenderness of being a sister to Yoon Kye Sang, and the dynamic works. You see this immense character growth within the confused Seo Jung Won, as he begins to question himself and what it means to be vulnerable to someone he loves. All in all, their acting is what I'll give applause to. The side characters are great actors/actresses as well and this level of consistency means you won't be disappointed.
There are high stakes in this drama, and the music, direction, editing etc is great, it works well together and executes the complex story well. The actors/actresses have the charisma they need to portray the complex relationships they have - there is a romance, however the story isn't over-embellished over it. The -ahem- tension, in all sense of the word, through its romance, its court cases, the over arching political scandal is well thought out and makes sense. The pacing is well done, the tone is consistent, and the development makes sense. Overall, a well-done directing of this drama and I can't wait for Season 2!
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The Good Wife?
Well what really surprised me was the role Nana played. I was watching this show looking to see whatYoo Ji Tae was up to. I couldn't figure him out. For me Nana stole the show. The storyline with all the info leaks going everywhere from prosecution to lawyers and vice-versa. Everybody had a hidden agenda. I found it wanting yet I had to view till the end to see what happened. Sometimes I don't know if in the process of translation you lose some of the meaning of the story. The courtroom layout here was lame. it lacked drama. Some of the characters were comical, ridiculous and annoying. Somebody was always backstabbing someone. Choi Byung Mo did an excellent judge. The lawyers drove him crazy.
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No doubt, the drama has a pretty American feel to it, but with a distinctly Korean feel to it, with prosecutorial corruption, corrupt businessmen and bribery all round. For a legal drama it isn’t exactly super realistic, but then again since when have we had a realistic legal drama on TV.
The writing of the ‘good wife’ character is really compelling. She is pulled in a thousand different directions, when all she is trying her best to do is stay true to herself.
The show has assembled an amazing cast, especially in Jeon Do Yeon and Yoo Ji Tae, who almost never appear on TV. Jeon Do Yeon immediately wins you over with her portrayal of the dutiful wife thrust into the spotlight, just trying to get through her day prove herself as a good lawyer, and make sure her kids are protected. Yoo Ji Tae, what more can I can say, even as the resident baddie, I find myself cheering for him. He absolutely smoulders whenever he is on screen.
Yoon Kye Sang, despite being a much less experienced actor, is so great in this show as well.
The OST for this show is simple, like a number of quality tvN dramas, I don’t have much to say. But I love the BGM which really lends a movie-like quality to the show, and elevates it beyond your average TV show.
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This is the re-make of the famous american tv series The Good Wife ( You must watch it) . So, I never expected such a re-make in Korea. They nailed it. tVn has a great cinematography team, Th aesthetics and the shots are so beautifully captured. The plots were so good.
Acting 10/10
Jeon Do-Yeon the good wife, Brilliant acting and her chemistry between Yoon Kye-Sang was so amazing. God, They look so good together. I wished there was more scene of them in love and all.....Kim Seo-Hyung plays the role of diane. Ahh God !!! I felt the difference here but who cares. Amazing acting. Nana was good. She is hot af. Lee Won-Geun ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh There is now ords for him , I loved his acting in Sasy go , Mystery Queen... Just loved him. Yoo Ji-Tae the bad husband was not that bad in acting ah ha Love him also.
Music 8/10
The Background score was something that will keep clinging in your ears. Don't forget to listen to OST 1 AND 2 .
Re-watch Value 9/10
i WATCHED THE AMERICAN DRAMA ALSO. I am a big fan of this drama. I literally don't watch any american drama's for now but only Asian drama's . This drama made me cry and feel lot fo things. I will definitely watch and i wish there is a season 2 for this.
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This review may contain spoilers
Completed it due to the storyline between the husband and wife. I have never watched the western version, but the synopsis for this gave me a pull.What I liked.
Characterization.
The quiet, confident nature of the wife.
The lady boss in her law firm, I saw her first in the oldie but goodie Cruel Temptation, and she didn't disappoint in this one either.
What I didn't like. Spoilers alert.
The legal cases shown here were boring to the max and not uncommon, unlike the typical korean legal dramas. I may be biased as I watch too many legal k-dramas.
Didn't like that until the end, there was no definite truth/honesty by the husband and reasonings behind the husband's affairs. Also, didn't like that the wife succumbed to having an affair as well, separation is not a divorce, so it is still an affair which makes her look like she stooped down to her husband's level. Also did not like that she looked like she forgave Dan in the end whom the husband had an affair with, and still worked with her. That's not cool at all.
She could be a good wife, although a cheating wife. Probably a good mother, although a good mother makes the decision to sacrifice her needs, wants, identity, feelings and emotions for her children's sake the moment she decides to be a mother. A good woman to herself, probably, as a woman who loves herself is loyal to her feelings and is selfish enough to act despite of others, and chooses her own actions.
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