Distressed Sailor Daikon
And then slowly entering a pit of despair due to the hopelessness of this drama. Let me tell you why.
This drama is typical, predictable, and drags on.
For the first time, I actually prefer the female antagonistic side character, Jo Ah Ra (Gil Eun Hye), over our main girl, Baek Ma Ri (Seol Hyun). Which says a lot for me because I cannot withstand bullying of any type. However, Baek Ma Ri is typical and artificial, making it hard for me to relate to her in any way.
The character Jung Jae Min is an arrogant asshole so I applaud Yeo Jin Goo for his acting. Jae min makes it obvious that he hates Vampires, to the extent that the story had to shift back to JOSEON period for him to be convinced that he and Baek Ma Ri belong together.
(if y'all have to switch time periods just to validate you're relationship then thats a red flag)
Han Shi Hoo (Lee Jung Hyun), cool and indifferent, is one of the characters that seemed to shine in this drama. In fact, Han Shi Hoo reveals early on how suppressed his species is. Even with VCS operating in the background, Jae Min and most humans are too scared/closed-minded to actually get to know the Vampires. Realistic, but it makes me even more disappointed considering Jae Min's relationship with his step-dad. And I think if Jae Min had put a little effort, he would have had a better relationship with his mother, less prejudiced to Vampires, and probably wouldn't have to go back in time.
The irony is that I ONLY completed Orange Marmalade STRICTLY because I wanted to see how the drama would wrap up. Having introduced the characters' ancestors and their stories. Joseon Baek Ma Ri is portrayed to be too perfect but with decent fighting skills. The leader of the "bad" Vampires was defeated too easily, even after the "100 night" ritual thing that she performed.
This drama only gained potential when they took their band seriously. The idea of bringing two species together with music is the only thing that is NEW in this drama. Like if the plot had focused on the band and how their music was slowly changing the public opinion of Vampires (along with the high school romance and drama in the beginning), perhaps, Jae Min would have come to terms with his mother's remarriage and perhaps fallen in love with Baek Ma Ri without their ANCESTORS' HELP.
Unless you can point out something huge I missed that can defend this drama's high rating, I ain't watching it again.
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Our main characters, Cho In Ha (Park Shin Hye) and Ki Ha Myung/ Choi Dal Po (Lee Jong Suk) find themselves in an overwhelming situation but overcome it in the end with love and perseverance. Their acting was amazing and they are on my favorite couple list.
I just adore their family! Yes, they are dysfunctional, but the minute you see them together, you forget about the norms and wish you had a grandfather like o' lovable, Choi Chong Pil (Byun Hee Bong).
Revenge is a huge theme for this drama. "How far are you willing to go to get revenge?" is a question explored with the character Ki Jae Myung (Yoon Gyun Sang) and I like how he becomes reflective and calmer as the drama progresses. He also looks very good with glasses.
Song Cha Ok (Jin Kyung), Cho In Ha's mother, really impressed me with her ability to hold her composure and icy-cold demeanour, especially after she and Cho In Ha are reunited. My gut also tells me is that 14 years of dealing with Park Ro Sa numbed her emotionally. I don't know if I am disappointed about finding out that she was more of a puppet to Park Ro Sa.
Which brings me to the main baddie. Nice and seemingly harmless, only to discover that she is a calculating and manipulative woman. However, the only thing constant about her is that she loves her son, Seo Bum Jo, and I feel that motherly love is best performed in the last episode.
Seo Bum Jo, our typical rich kid who got excited over convenience store kimpap. I adore the fact that he isn't your typical rich kid who has to get everything he wants. He handled rejection as a proper person should, and his character evolves into a supportive character that you can't help but love.
If I had to work for either MSC or YGN, It would be YGN! Firstly, all the superiors are so funny and chill guys. Hwang Gyo Dong is (Lee Pil Mo) didn't really step out of his usual "older role model, cool, collected character" (though he was a bit shameless) in this drama but I appreciate him here. The pairing hints between him and Yoon Yoo Rae( Lee Yu Bi) were uncalled for. It's like the production team had mixed feelings about it to.
Yoon Yoo Rae, our ambitious hard-worker and comic relief. I honestly dislike how they spent so much time on her believing that Ki Ha Myung had feelings for her. It dragged on. And then towards the end, hint on her with her Captain. The one scene that pissed me off was when the "Santa Clause" escaped, and her and Cho In Ha are in danger, our two main men only show concern for Cho In Ha. Having feelings for Cho In Ha is not an excuse for neither of them to be a decent human and ask if Yoon Yoo Rae is okay.
There were so many touching scenes that brought me on the verge of tears. Overall, superb acting and an awesome plot! I highly recommend this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
(This is my first review)At first I thought this drama was going to create a Korean version of Sherlock Holmes (has that been done?) but the direction switches and a much deeper and tragic plot emerges. The plot is fantastic and I think it is the strongest aspect for this drama. Although there are mostly dark themes evoked in this drama, I appreciated the light moments that are nicely timed and blended with it.
I love the fact that no over-blown romance happened between Cha Ji An (Jang Na Ra) and Lee Hyun (Seo In Guk). In the end, you understand that they care for each other and the pace of their relationship is realistic given Hyun's personalty.
I first saw Jang Na Ra in Baby-Faced Beauty so when I realized her role in this was a police officer, I had my doubts. She is so cute and petite. However, her acting was brilliant to the extent that all doubts were tossed aside.
This is the first drama I've seen with Seo In Guk and he is amazing in this. He never came out of character except when it seemed fit (during the last few episodes). Personally, I think because of his character's cold and unfriendly behavior 99% of the time, the moments when he cried were profound and heart-breaking. You remember that he is still human.
Choi Won Young plays the "bad guy", Lee Jun Ho, excellently. I think the beauty of his character is that the crime he committed is controversial and requires you to really think about what he has done. Which makes me appreciate Cha Ji An's inability to be swayed by Lee Jun Ho's view of himself not doing anything wrong.
Lastly, I feel the ending hinted on a season 2? That would be awesome.
The sound-track is absolutely fitting and lovely.
The moments when Hyun and Jung Seo Ho (Park Bo Gum) spend together as brothers are so adorable.
What I didn't like about this drama (minor things):
The poster. They make Cha Ji An look like a seductive vixen after Hyun's money. It is totally out of her character! Cha Ji An is smart, strong, messy, and clumsy as hell! Make her look that way!
I wish they had spent a little more time developing the closeness of the two cops, Eun Bok and Min Seung Joo. Yes, you get the idea that they are a tight knit team but when Eun Bok "gets in trouble", Min Seung Joo tosses out that he is like a "brother" to him. I felt that that was just thrown in there. I never really felt that those two characters where THAT close. I would have believe it more if he had called Eun Bok a best friend.
The team's outfits. The first time I saw the team I thought they were drop-outs from fashion school. These characters are POLICE OFFICERS and only once was I ever convinced they were dressed for the part. HOW CAN YOU RUN IN THOSE SHOES?
Overall, I recommend this drama.
P.S. It is really hard to not post spoilers but I respect that.
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