Arty
Each Chapter, a Bedtime Story
This show is slow paced. It moves so slowly that its pace is an integral part of what makes When the Weather Is Fine itself. It's very serene, and beautiful. Please don't come here, complain that nothing happens, and say it's boring. It's like looking for fresh salad in the canned goods section; you're looking for the wrong thing in the wrong place.Now we've realigned your expectations, let's get into what makes When the Weather is Fine so charming.
I'm sure many have heard of the term slice-of-life, but as it's less of a common genre in dramas I'll brush over it. As the name implies, the genre explores the everyday lives our characters experience. These shows are often quiet, relaxing, and nostalgic. They treasure the mundane moments that make us smile, and focus more on developing characters than plots (although that isn't to say there never is one). This is what makes them so slow, because unlike other genres, which cut the fluff to move on to the next exciting thing, here, the fluff is the story. Now, before you think "well that sounds naff, I'm out of here" please don't think that you get nothing in exchange for the usual mix of tension and excitement. The time you spend getting to know characters intimately in their quiet and average moments, allows them to burrow deep into your heart before you realise it. There is a great sense of sincerity to be found in good slice-of-life. When the Weather is Fine is just that.
For those of you who watch other foreign media, this show may remind you of independent European films in its approach, the long silences that allow you to breathe. It's as cathartic as listening to waves on the shore, and just as relaxing. I fully invite you to fall asleep to this show after a long day. You'll have peaceful dreams, I'm sure.
However there is an intriguing story in here too, so if you do take up that offer, be sure to re-watch the parts you missed. Rather than a story, perhaps I should say a series of events, that unwinds and unravels the past to allow the characters to move on in the present, and gradually builds as the series progresses. (You've probably heard of that apparently disposable thing called character development, even if you don't see it as often as you might. Well, now you have a village's worth of it.) It gives the show a great sense of healing, and this is also where that catharsis really comes in.
Aside from the changes in the characters lives, spanning the course of the series, each episode is named after a short story, or poem, initially told to us by the good night book club. What makes this special, is how the characters receive these stories, use them to reflect on their own situation, and return them to us with a personal meaning. It makes you consider the different feelings they might bring to different people, but at the same time it's as though you are receiving a precious secret, a part of their heart, and then again like you are part of the book club, sharing snacks and jokes. It makes you care for the characters differently when things happen to them, because they feel like real people you've spent time with.
If you're looking for something to put you on the edge of your seat, this is not it. But if you're looking for something to wind down with, something to heal your soul or warm your heart, then this is quality content. Cosy up with your hot chocolate and blankets, and to all dear readers, I wish you a very, very good night.
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The presentation of this story was brilliant. The props and wardrobe were outstanding; the cinematography was simply everything it could have been and needed to be; the set/locations were wonderful. Although sometimes the Korean accents were a bit strong, the script was thoughtfully divided between Japanese and Korean, truly recreating the sense of Japan-occupied Korea. Everything was 100% believable, and due to this the film had an integrity that allowed me to fall straight into this shadowy world of lies and desire.
MUSIC
The music absolutely blew me away too, the icing on the cake, it was a vital and definitive part to creating a solid atmosphere throughout, and I searched for the OST pretty much as soon as the credits started. Especially towards the second half there were several scenes where the music captured perfectly the characters - in terms of style I'm strongly reminded of the OST from The Imitation Game, or perhaps Black Beauty.
ACTING
Down to the youngest child and the briefest role nothing was lost here. The Handmaiden is blessed with astounding performances from both Kim Min Hee and Kim Tae Ri - with the way it was filmed there was no room for error to go unnoticed, as the vitality of each character seems to scratch the screen, itching for their very breaths to be felt. I was shocked to discover this to be Kim Tae Ri's first ever full length film, and was nominated for and won 8 awards for her perfomance - I will definitely be watching her future works after the sincerity with which Sook Hee was given.
PLOT & CHARACTERS
Although I can't say too much without revealing it's contents, the plot was enigmatic, cunningly told, and built up in unexpected ways. The main characters are well structured and dynamic, and although I'd say this film is a kind of romance there's nothing sappy about it. In a word I think one could describe this story as being ironic, but I'll leave you to find out for yourself. And you really should go and find out.
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The main plot twist was unexpected, but I didn't find it particularly interesting or meaningful, and it had little to no bearing on the story in all honesty, I feel like it was only there to shock the audience, but I found it to be anti-climatic.
The CGI was pretty much perfect for this. It's obviously computer generated, but as most of the film takes place in a computer generated environment within the story, it's used to help define what's real and what isn't.
I think for me personally this film lacked vitality - it tries to keep you hooked on every unanswered question and plot hole, but I can only say I was curious. Even so, although I think this film could have been better, I did enjoy it, and I thought the acting was alright too.
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Certain aspects of the series are decent, respectable, even good, but others genuinely made me laugh at their poor execution. From poorly acted seizures, unabashed evidence of wires, to massive and unexplained gaps in side character plots, and sheer inexplicable stupidity in characters' actions in order to create a story, this show had a lot of shortcomings. But then it also has a pretty great soundtrack, and seriously well acted villains. Inexplicable stupidity aside, the characters were generally really well written, being interesting individuals who were all simply on their own side, rather than being divided into factions, and with the kind of inner conflict that makes you think 'I hate this guy, but okay, I get why they're like this'. The development of relationships progressed naturally, (although perhaps a bit fast for some) without being forced, or having to fight the drama - and in some ways those that were not explicitly defined stood out to me the most. Of course, that could only be pulled off with the skills of the actors and the rest of the practical crew, but I give the writers some points back for giving it that integrity.
Overall, a mixed review. Would I recommend it? Sure, for a light watch, if you can accept it being a bit all over the place. I think it's a show you can enjoy if you leave your expectations and critical mind at the door ^^ If you're looking for some intense, gripping, moving masterpiece however, then I'm sure you've already gotten the message to move along to the next thing and have a nice day.
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So far this show has been very slow paced - it feels like the episodes up until episode 8 or 10 were just the set up; but for this same reason the characters are richly developed, and by the time the present day story kicks off we have well and truly fallen for the characters.
At first we see some clips of the present, but is mostly the backstory, in a slight chronological disarray. Aside from understanding the events that shape the characters lives, we get to know the characters well, even before anything has happened, and later on, (thanks the impressive synchrony of the actors, who not only resemble each other to a great degree physically, but in the mannerisms and expressions of their characters, creating the most uncanny portrayal of characters played by multiple actors I have ever seen) we see how they are effected by their lives, and also those parts of them that have stayed the same. Because of the slow pacing the introduction is very immersive, taking the time to explore details in the environment. There is actually quite a dense amount of information in the show, rather than having episodes full of fluff, but the show is quite thorough, and the character building is a major time consuming factor. Character building is important obviously, and is the key point of this drama, but it doesn't advance the plot much, which is why some may find it slow, especially in airing. I imagine in binging this however you wouldn't even notice the time going by, because as I said before, it's incredibly immersive, so you'll probably be completely absorbed in the flow.
Because the characters act so dependably like themselves in any given moment (rather than being directed by the story, and acting around the next plot point) the things we love about them are reinforced over and over again, and it creates a greater sympathy between the characters and the viewers, because, although in some ways some might say as people they are "too good to be true", with his righteousness and her optimism, they feel so much more real than many characters are written to be. As we know the characters so well, any changes or uncharacteristic actions are extremely apparent, and I look forward to any character development in this show.
A great deal of the credit for these incredible characters must go to the writers, who ensured their steady and reliable nature, but equally this result would not be possible without the collaboration of all four lead actors who work so well together (on that note can we give a hand to the casting dept.)
The story (so far) is relatively simple, unfortunate, and uncommon but believable. It's not revolutionary (boy meets girl, tragedy strikes, a decade later how are they dealing with the consequences when they meet again?), but it's not worn out either (I'm sorry for liking you back, the old man's a _psychopath_, and he might kill you / that's okay, I'll make it big on tv so call me / living life as a badass detective / famous now, but I'm traumatized, also you never called) - but even if it were, the important part is that it's well written enough to be irrelevant. We have the cliche of boy meets girl, but it's a romance, so I'm going to discount that one, as it's kind of like bolognese without tomatoes otherwise; aside from that, the characters are genuinely interesting and likable people from unique families leading everyday lives, and events are largely, if not entirely caused by other people in those lives - there is nothing cliche enough in this to make it predictable, honestly, it's hard to even say how the romance will work out, or if this is destined to end like some kind of greek tragedy. I think more than anything, so far this drama has been about two people living their very hardest, in spite of anything and everything that happens to and around them, and from here will be about how they will struggle to overcome the conflict of their unforgettable past and their unending feelings. There is a crime, and a degree of mystery and suspense, but while people get injured (as of yet) there's nothing particularly graphic.
The soundtrack is good, although the tracks are already recognisable; it reminds me of films like Black Beauty, A Place Among the Pines or A Series of Unfortunate Events. As for the rewatch value, I can't wait until next week to see our beloved Na Moo and Nak Won again, so I'm about to rewatch what's presently released again right now! (Look, just watch it already, 10/10 you won't regret it, and there's nothing else quite like it.)
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