Midas (2011)

Balancing genius, intuition & healthy grounding in an elite jungle of an addictive financial world

How far can you go? The focus of these KDramas is greed for BIG money, which has long since lost any reasonable connection to life and people. It's about stock deals by the super-rich, insider trading, short selling, mergers and acquisitions.

Hiding behind the title "Midas" is the legendary story of the ancient King Midas. It is said that as a child, ants would put grains of wheat in his mouth while he was sleeping. He was later granted a wish by Dionysus, wishing that everything he touched would turn to gold. The consequences though were life-threatening, because actually everything he came into contact with turned to gold, including food and drinks... The story of the KDrama operates both with the dictum "to have a golden hand", which is inspired by this legend, and with the psychoanalytic concept "Midas complex", which has proven itself in connection with pathological greed.

The protagonists in "Midas" have an offensive urge, almost addictive, to make even more profit with daring investment strategies, sometimes risking to lose the ground under their feet and maneuver themself into existential situations. This KDrama is about the challenge of balancing genius, intuition and a healthy grounding within the elite jungle of an addictive financial world. Thrilling story, complex character studies and emotional rollercoaster are guaranteed. In this world where money, intelligence and high speed set the tone, the intuitive feeling for the right timing prevails. "Midas" broadens the horizon from the (rather usual) Jaebeol family intrigues and inheritance disputes, which also have their place here, to - without regard to losses - partly illegal machinations in the financial world.

"Midas" is sketching a world of high risk and high numbers - abstract, fast pace, fashionable, cold. Yet it is an emotionally intense in-depth study about temptation, including space and time for morals. However, a spot here and there, where the warm and tender wind blows, is given, too. Some call it love...

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This would have been a perfect 10 if the second half of the story had been shorter. The intrigue in the first half was unrelenting. The crosses and double crosses were great. You had to figure out who was siding with who in the family and the business.

The romance was just a small part of the story, but it was essential for the storyine. There was one smoking hot scene in the motel between Jan Hyuk and Lee Ming Jung that should not be missed.

The goofy scenes with the father and stepbrother should have been left out entirely. The comedy aspect totally detracted from the serious wheeling and dealing.

This is Jang Hyuk's best acting, in my opinion, and made me really respect him as an actor. Of course he is superb in everything he's been in. There's a little quirky part to his personality that he brings to his characters that is unique.

The acting was fantastic by all the characters, especially No Min Woo and Kim Hee Ae.

My husband hates Kdramas, but he watched this and loved it. A lot of drama viewers, like myself, veer towards the romantic themes and totally miss great serious dramas. This one should not be bypassed. The suspense will keep you in the game.

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