Kim Min-jae: the next best actor!
Kim Min-jae is a mixture of humour, innocence, versatility, wonderment, and sex appeal. As a matter of fact he is oozing with extraordinary charm, sexy voice and cute dimple. There is nothing at all about him that is unlikable. Producers and directors should pay more attention to this actor. He really did a good job in this series. I am excited to see him in the role of a CEO with very strong personality. In ‘Do You Like Brahms?’, although he was talented, his family background made him an underdog. This drama series marked his versatility as an actor. But having said that, his kissing skill is not ‘first rate’ yet. How about pairing him with Kim Yoo-jung in a CEO role?Was this review helpful to you?
The Pretty Mess and False Advertisement
**there are plenty of reviews that say nice things about this drama. i even agree with some of it. this is not that review. **Of all the things Dali and the Cocky Prince tries and fails to be about (which is a lot ) it fails the hardest at being about art. This is about Art the way any office drama is about the industry it takes place in. If I'm being honest I've seen office dramas do better in that regard. Any time one of the characters has to talk about art in a way that does not apply directly to their job they sound like 12 year olds being asked why art is important to them- in front of their art teacher. For a show that takes place largely in an art gallery there is very little attention paid to the art. This would not be a problem except the show sort of sold itself as being very much about art. if this was the biggest problem they may have been able to over come it but this is just the beginning.
Both the show and Dali were advertised and quirky and upbeat. For most of the show Dali is a wet rag of a person sullenly trudging through her problems, dragging the viewer along with her as we wait to see which male character is going to solve the thing for her this time. That's not fun. it's not quirky. it is NOT up beat. it's dull, repetitive and disappointing.
The plot is cluttered and groaning under the weight of so many characters it might even give a daily drama writer pause. the central conflict isnt really central, being itself about too many things and offering a patch work of villains. Because there are so many of none of these villains get enough development so their motivations stay shallow and often don't match the vitriol of their actions. A similar problem plagues some of our good guys too. Won Tak for example exists solely for plot convenience. his development is thin and his relationship with Dali is incredibly inconsistent with the development that they do have.
given these other issues weird editing might seem like a nit pick but i assure you it's not. there is at least one, often more, distractingly bad editing choice in every episode. We've got pointless and poorly executed spit screens, we've got flash backs the reek of ret con, we've got really weird effects and pacing that is constantly being wrecked by waaay too long close ups of the aforementioned sullen Dali. like, i get it, she's sad, her life sucks. but i got that three episodes and fifteen lingering close ups ago. stop. PLEASE. And for the love of all things holy step away from the photo shop painting texture brush or whatever that abomination is. If this show wasnt supposed to be about art it might not bother me as bad but simply applying that texture over scenes completely misses the point and the beauty of highly textured brush strokes.
the chemistry is good though...and the over all production design is spectacular. if only they had put as much effort into the substance as they did into the looks.
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When art and gamjatang go hand in hand
One is a cultured and idealistic museum curator of fine and modern arts, the other an unrefined but street-smart nouveau riche CEO of a gamjatang empire. What happens when these two meet? You get Dali and the Cocky Prince, and the rest is history. What initially appears as an absolute clash between principled altruism and avaricious pragmatism slowly but surely blossoms into one of the most oddly curious yet boldly amorous pairings in K-drama rom-coms.Helmed by the director of Healer and Angel’s Last Mission, Lee Jung Sub while the screenplay is written by Son Eun Hye and Park Se Eun, both of whom co-wrote A Witch’s Love. The Cheongsong Museum of Art featured in the drama is actually the main museum of The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA). In addition, the initial setting of Amsterdam during the first two episodes actually belongs to various unique locations across South Korea, as pointed out and painstakingly researched by @Vya van Velaris (shoutout to my Dutch friend!). Choi In Hee (Unasked Family, Red Shoes) serves as composer for the production. I was somewhat surprised that this drama is based on an original script rather than an adaptation of a novel or webtoon because of the extensive world-building.
Dali and the Cocky Prince is a hit-or-miss kind of romcom which doesn’t work for everyone. You either love it or hate it, which is apparent from the rather polarised viewer responses here on MDL and even among my own circle of friends. Personally for me, I belong to the “enjoyed it” camp but the drama is certainly not without its flaws.
What I Generally Loved
The art premise. The focus isn’t so much on art pieces per se but rather on the process of running an art gallery. In the context of the show, it is depicted as part artistic appreciation and philanthropy initiative that are based on a somewhat haphazard and risky business model. This aspect is explored with a degree of realism despite the lighthearted nature of the storytelling.
The humour and the romance. For the most part, I’ve enjoyed the comedic elements that incorporate slight slapstick undertones but generously OTT portrayals, particularly by certain cast members. This aspect is perhaps the main deal breaker for most viewers on whether to continue or to drop. I like the balance of the humor and emotions, while the chemistry between the leads helps immensely in making their interactions as well as the romantic development more endearing.
The story about opposites attract is as old as time itself. Despite not being groundbreaking or innovative, it does incorporate a number of themes to keep things interesting. In addition to the romance and the art, we have a love triangle and family makjang that play out amidst the burgeoning gamjatang restaurant business and shady realpolitik of chaebols and politicians.
For a KBS drama, the production quality is quite decent. As far as the visuals are concerned, the post-production editing of visual arts into B-reels or filler shots as well as scene transitions of the main footage is very creative and beautifully executed. This presentation fits with the overall artistic vibes of the production. The costumes, especially the FL’s dresses, are fashionably unique albeit unconventional. This includes her 1920s’ Gatsby-inspired hair styling which I thought matches her somewhat peculiar sensibilities.
The main cast comprising the leads Park Gyu Young and Kim Min Jae as Kim Da Li and Jin Moo Hak respectively. It’s hard to envision other actors in these roles because those two have successfully made the characterizations very much their own. This is my third time seeing Park Gyu Young this year. I thought her performance was intriguing in Sweet Home but I wasn’t impressed with the character design in The Devil Judge. Here as the titular Dali, she showcases a distinctive persona where she manages to infuse the perfect amount of quirkiness that brings out the eccentricity of her character. Meanwhile, Kim Min Jae deserves credit for his immersion into the character of Jin Moo Hak. At first glance, he comes across as cold-hearted and lowbrow but his gradual transformation from the opportunistic businessman to a warm teddy bear filled with rainbows and sunshine is quite remarkable because beneath all that bravado, deep voice and tsundere facade, there is a heart of gold after all.
Over the years, I have seen Kwon Yool expertly portraying a variety of villains and it is no different here with his understated depiction of the devious antagonist, Jang Tae Jin who possesses an extremely unhealthy fixation with the FL. Woo Hee Jin is fun to watch as art curator and Da Li’s confidant, Song Sa Bong. Her banter (and ideological debates) with Jin Moo Hak are one of the comedic highlights of the show. Hwang Bo Ra is a chameleon - her versatility in portraying a multitude of supporting roles extends to her utterly ludicrous depiction of the resident comic relief, Yeo Mi Ri.
As usual, no drama would be complete without the infusion of compatible BGMs and OSTs to elevate the key moments and heighten the overall feels. There are a total of 10 tracks for this show, some of which are collaborative pieces. My personal favourite is Kim Ye-ji’s Moon Crater for the quieter contemplative moments, while the playful That’s Ordinary Love by Seoho reflects the more adorable scenes between the leads. Full listing as follows:
I Want You By My Side 내 옆에는 너만 있었으면 해 by Ham Yeon-ji 함연지
That's Ordinary Love by Seoho 서호
Go Straight by DinDin
It's Strange (With You) 이상하죠 by Ha Hyun-sang 하현상
사랑할 순 없는지 Can't You Love Me by Fromm 프롬
U Hoo Hoo by Klang 클랑
Moon Crater 달 크레이터 by Kim Ye-ji 김예지
Gift by CHAI
The Kiss 연인 (키스) by Hodge
One Day It Will Be by Ian Hug, Seo Ho 서호
In addition, various iterations of the aria L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera) from the French composer Georges Bizet's 1875 opéra comique Carmen feature prominently as part of the BGM.
Unexpected Takeaways
This drama surprised me in many ways, not necessarily negatively but they were completely unexpected. For a premise based upon the appreciation of fine arts, one would expect a certain level of refinement and sophistication in the characterization that complements the narrative. Not so. This drama utterly excels in manifesting the incredible depths of hitting rock bottom, as far as the FL is concerned, and the extraordinary levels of the cast’s vocal registers through impassioned yelling.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lead character in any drama repeatedly hitting the never-ending depths of despair as frequently as Kim Da Li. Some of it is caused by factors beyond her control but there is a fair amount that can be considered self-inflicted. As much as her character eventually develops as the plot unfolds, she will stumble many more times before she either gets rescued or picks herself up.
As for the intense shouting, NEARLY EVERYONE does it. It gets louder by the episode and at the end of it all, my ears are still ringing. I suppose it is part of the OTT portrayals and not necessarily for the comedy but also for the raw emotional outbursts which are aplenty. I honestly think there is more screaming in this drama than any dark crime thrillers that I have watched this year alone.
Final Thoughts
Not everyone will be enamored of Dali and the Cocky Prince. To be fair, it is one of those dramas that needs to be experienced first hand in order to make sense of whether or not to start it. I actually found entertainment value in its idiosyncrasies and witnessed a somewhat different side to the cast along the way. The story wrapped up neatly in a HEA ending at the end of the leads’ journey which perhaps makes this story a worthwhile and rather enjoyable viewing experience after all.
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Can a smart, composed and elegant woman, and an arrogant and loud man find a common ground?
I think that there is nothing extraordinary with the drama's premise. It's actually quite similar with the classic kdramas I've watched from my childhood. But what makes it different is the fact that it veered away from the usual kdrama tropes and plot devices. Also, it'll let you experience a variety of emotions in every single episode: one moment you're laughing like there is no tomorrow (I swear it is indeed top-notch comedy), and then you'll feel annoyed and angry, and later on, you'll find your tears falling from your eyes.However, I believe that the selling point of this drama is the chemistry between the leads. Park Gyu Young and Kim Min Jae are both flawless in the way they portrayed Dali and Moo Hak, respectively. One can tell that they really embodied the characters that they are portraying. I can't remember the last time I felt this much butterflies watching the sweet and cute moments between the leads. It was a thrill ride witnessing how these two complete strangers with contrasting personalities slowly developed a relationship that is so special. As the story progressed, I kept on realizing how perfect they really are for each other despite their differences.
As for the music, I think that all of them were beautifully written, but my personal favorite would be GIFT by CHAI (OST Part 8). Aside from the fact that I love soft music, the lyrics of this song, I believe, sums up the leads' story.
Finally, I want to share my favorite dialogue in the drama.
"When things get hard, people say 'This too shall pass'. Pain, sadness ... they'll go away in time. But if you think about it the other way, that's a sad saying. It means that the happiness and love you had will all disappear eventually." ~ Kim Dali
I hope you'll give this drama a try :)
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A hidden jem that you die laughing and crying from a definite "10".
You really have to watch this drama i just Binge-watch 8 episodes and want more.There are some serious issues at hand, but at the same you cant take it too seriously. The ML is hysterical as said he's good with money, but not with language and his one liner. The FL is book smart but not street smart in anyway I'm enjoying the chemistry between her & ML especially when they start with a contagious laught you just gotta giggle. I really dispies the cousin Si hyung everything about him yells "Dirtbag" and never appreciated what his uncle did for him. Then we have the obnoxious fraud Na gong joo who is an intern(working with Si hyung) and Lied about her work back round and always degrades the FL of what she owns and wears. I like Ahn kil kang who plays the ML dad and has a stepmother & step brother just like cinderella lol. His SB convinced him to loan 2 million dollars to an art gallery like an investment. Now back to a new storyline at least for me. Its about small food store that grew to be conglomerates and an art gallery owner who meet at the airport (Netherlands). After spending a day together and weird/funny things happened they realized that he is the wrong Mr. Jin. They cant find the Art expert so he stays with her next day finds out the other guy went to the pig farm gala and had a ball so all was good. He suppose to meet her, but forgot where and see her crying and tried to catch up. He returns home and thinks hes crazy to see her everywhere. He learn the owner of the gallery died so he goes to collect his money and finds her there. The story continues of him spending more time/money to help her keep the gallery open, but there are people trying to make her sell it. TBC
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Elegance vs Street Smarts
So firstly, what a fantastic drama. Hats of to the entire team for coming up with such a great drama. The plot is absolutely beautiful. Key points for me1) Love Love Love Kim Min Jae acting out his role as Jin Moo Hak who came from rags to riches. There was a certain ruggedness and cockiness to the way he carried himself. and the same could be seen in his dialogue delivery. The role was absorbed by him a 100% and left me thoroughly entertained and in love with his character. I think it's his first time as the first lead if I am not wrong and I look forward to more drama with him as the first lead. He was truly and wholesomely, a cocky prince!
2) The elegance that Park Gyu Young showed in this drama was absolutely beautiful. She carried herself with elegance even when she lost everything and in spite of the world pushing her down time and time again.
3) The chemistry between the characters was great and given the right amount of time to nurture in this drama, which as a romance drama. enthusiast, thoroughly entertained me.
So don't miss this one!
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I love opposite attracts and this drama really bring the best out of them!
Dali, who runs her family's art museum in Korea, was in Amsterdam as a visiting art curator. She met a successful businessman Moo Hak by accident, and he falls head over heels her at first sight. The two part ways, but he intends to meet her again. Shortly after, Dali needs to go back to Korea because of her family emergency, while he’s looking for her all over Amsterdam. When fates finally bring these two together again, they ended up as as a creditor and debtor over the art museum.“Dali and the Cocky Prince” is an art-inspired rom-com. Normally I’m not immediately sold on romcom, but this was a surprisingly heart-fluttering watch! I love how this drama really highlights our lead couple’s personality and quirks. Their journey as a couple so sweet, from them being open to each other, trusting, to them relying on each other. At times when Moo Hak doesn’t reply Dali in sensible ways, she’s not belittling him, but she smiles and it’s so heartwarming. It’s comfortable watching their progression and was satisfied with many romantic moments. Episode 14 is my favorite, where there was a super dreamy and beautiful scene of them, and also a bit spicy, I love everything about them! Kudos to our leads’ perfect chemistry and acting. Kim Min Jae is genuinely cute as the silly undignified Moo Hak, Park Gyu Young is so charming, genius and beautiful.
There was a conflict which was not my favorite part, but it didn’t take a dramatic soapy turn and the romance kept its’ fun and airiness and beauty throughout the episodes so it was super satisfying and memorable! Later, I found out that the director was Lee Jung Sub. He was also the director of Healer, btw, one of my favorites of all time! This is probably why I love the romance so much!
-Feb 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
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One of the best of 2021
I absolutely loooooooved #DaliAndTheCockyPrince #DaliAndGamjatang!!!!!! It's one of my favorites this year for sure. #ParkGyuYoung who plays Kim Da Li did such an amazing job. Her character Dali was the sweetest most beautiful person as well as completely stunning! #KimMinJae who plays Jin Moo Hak, the ML, was hilarious. Actually I wasn't sure about him at first because he was loud and obnoxious but he definitely grew on me. Those two together were pure magic, cutest couple ever and talk about funny, I couldn't get enough. The support characters were great as well, you seriously can't stand all of the villian characters and the funny support characters were great. Ahn Chak Hee (#Yeonwoo) was an excellent third wheel character that you actually like. I also loved the brotherly character of Joo Won Tak played by Hwang Hee, he was totally cracking me up. The story was fantastic and the ML was always thinking about Dali's best interests and never kept anything from her, a total straight shooter. If you are looking for a completely adorable romcom you can't get much better than this, I totally recommend!Was this review helpful to you?
A ROMCOM WITH A LITTLE MYSTERY TO IT
A ROMCOM WITH A LITTLE MYSTERY TO ITtbh, i actually watched this without any expectations at all but i actually really liked it! i really enjoyed it from start to finish, just the right amount of everything with extra fluff which i really liked. it's been a while since i've laughed and smiled a lot because of a drama and dali and the cocky prince did that. It's a drama that will make you cry because of laughing too much but at the same time there's a lot to learn, the way they speak things will really impact you. i was also kinda surprised but at the same time not with the twist! i found it surprising but not really surprising at the same time lmao idk how i should explain this without spoiling but ig you'll know what i mean once you've finish the drama.
the chemistry between the leads is off the charts! it feels so natural whenever you see them together!
Moo hak may be the most "uncultured" male lead ever but i find it a charm of his lol i thought he was a jerk at first but he's honestly one of the best ml i've come to know, there's also so much to learn from him, i also love how he's always there for dali whenever she needs someone to lean on, he's the type of person who knows how and when to take care of someone but knows when to step back and let them take care of everything on their own and i really love that of him.
Dali on the other hand is also just as good! she is the sweetest ever, a very soft, elegant and cute female character! she knows how to take care of herself and always stand up for what she think is right! she knows what to handle and how to handle things out, i really love her! she's been through a lot and deserves nothing but every good thing in this world (ofc moohak too)
the main characters including the supporting character are all so lovely and are very fun to watch except for the villains lmao.
one of the things i really loved too was the honesty of the leads, no stupid misunderstandings at all, if there was even one then ig i didn't really consider it as stupid and it was easily resolved with a simple conversation.
this drama is so underrated, i wish it would get the attention it truly deserves. It was really lovely and was such a mood booster. If you’re into light hearted and laugh with less angst then i highly recommend this drama!
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A pearl of a Mona Lisa (and some other bright spots) among some swine
First impressions are critical. Or at least the conventional wisdom is that they are. It certainly seems to fit in the world of casting. Some actors are put in the group that gets lead roles and others, despite the quality of their work, seem destined to toil in supporting and guest roles for the duration of their career. Until “Dali and the Cocky Prince”, Park Gyu Young was an actor that appeared to be a member in solid standing of the latter group. Conventional wisdom isn’t always a hard and fast rule though.As an actor who can move from one role to the next and completely remake themselves as an entirely new character with each iteration, Park Gyu Young has few peers. From ditzy and spoiled new office hire to beleaguered nurse with an unrequited love to musician turned monster fighter, she has played roles covering a vast spectrum of personalities and occupations and in different genres with almost unnoticeable overlap from one character to the next. Kim Da Li is not only unlike these previous characters played by Park Gyu Young, but there are scant comparisons with any characters. She’s quiet and curious and bright and mischievous and damaged and fierce and naive and, as the list up to this point suggests, complex. This actor and this role is an absurdly natural combination. Indeed, it’s difficult to imagine that anyone else could play Kiim Da Li and were anyone to attempt it, the production would likely come out very differently. From the standpoint of creating such a richly detailed character, the performance by Park Gyu Young is a massively successful achievement.
As for the story around her, Kim Da Li, after a chance encounter with Kim Min Jae’s Jin Moo Hak, she returns from abroad to Seoul to take control of the art museum formerly directed by her now suddenly deceased father. Her personal and professional lives get entwined with Jin Moo Hak. Meanwhile, a consortium is out to get the art museum and land around it for greedy, dark purposes and a former fiancee, Kwon Yool’s chaebol heir Jang Tae Jin, reappears with intentions to make amends. There’s plenty of plot and a somewhat large cast of characters that’s certainly adequate to fill out the standard sixteen episode length.
Somewhat tragically, a decision was made that these elements weren’t enough and that the show needed to be a romantic comedy with an emphasis on comedy. It’s a problematic strategy. The character of Kim Da Li acts very much as a central anchoring point which everything else revolves around. Park Gyu Young’s performance is consistent and outstanding throughout, but Kim Da Li, while many things, is not a comic character. That leaves the other players around her to fill in the humor and they are not up to the task. Whether it is Kim Min Jae, his secretary played by Hwang Bo Ra, his family or the museum staff, the comedy rarely works. Kim Min Jae tends to simply start bellowing and flailing his limbs during these painful sequences. The supporting cast tends to mug and pratfall and exaggerate and the sum of all it is a consistent misfire. Hwang Bo Ra, given the proper material, has proven that she has comedy skills. Some of the lesser known supporting cast (particularly the kitchen crew at Dondon), seem more than capable as well. But the script gives the actors precious little material leaving them flailing like fish out of water. It’s unfortunate as there’s some fine actors here. Not all of them are fine though and that exacerbates the script deficiencies. The performance by Lee Je Yeon as Jin Moo Hak’s scheming but incompetent stepbrother chiefly stands out for being unbearably poor.
When not trying to be a comedy that it is clearly not meant to be, however, “Dali and the Cocky Prince” is vastly more entertaining. When the macho, loud boasting and convulsive movements are turned off, Kim Min Jae is a marvelous partner for Park Gyu Young. And there are times when the Moo Hak takes a confrontational scene at a more subdued tone and it is terrific. These moments, the show gets serious traction. The story isn’t chock full of jaw-dropping reveals, but there’s enough intrigue and mystery to provide ample material for each episode. That Jang Tae Jin is who he is (despite a bizarrely bad hairstyle and some of the most poorly fitting business suits ever) also raises the enjoyment bar by a couple notches.
Further helping things by pitching in on the visuals, outside of Jang Tae Jin, the style team really nails it. Kim Da Li is iconic as a fashionable and powerful female.
Some of the other background work in the production misfires though. Some transitions are oddly timed. There’s some chase sequences that are pure filler. There’s never a point where a possible, credible alternative to the real not-yet-revealed villain is introduced to inject a bit of needed intrigue. And there’s a subplot setup around a museum intern that shows intriguing potential, but after a decent amount of screentime laying out the backstory, it’s hardly mentioned again.
As the show progresses, there’s just not a lot of mystery about where everything is headed. At one point a character actually exclaims, “How could the answer be so easy?” If that line pops up in a script and it seems like an accurate assessment, it should be a clarion call for some serious revisions. Despite the absence of any shred of uncertainty about who’s good or bad or really, really bad, it’s still a very good and entertaining show when Park Gyu Young is on screen (which is much of the time) and the comedy switch has been flipped to an “off” position. It is, however, an erratic enjoyment.
Recommended because Park Gyu Young turns in one of the finest performances of the year. With the strong ratings and the quality of the work here, she richly deserves more high profile roles.
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WATCH THIS SHOW, NOW!
Dali and the Cocky Prince was an absolute treat from start to finish. I don’t give 10’s easily, but this show grabbed me almost from the first moment and took me along on a journey that was special and, frankly, just almost more fun than I could stand. I found myself smiling through most of this, but there was also enough mystery and drama to balance it out. Overall, it’s a light, bubbly, sunshine-y show, juxtaposed with the seedy underbelly of greed and corruption. I’m not going to retell what the show is about, you can read the synopsis for that. I can’t say that the story is completely original, but the way it was handled was very original. The storyline was always interesting, with no lag, and the writers/director were clever in the way that they used flashbacks to reveal missing scenes that tied everything together.ACTING: Everyone was excellent. The woman playing Moo Hak’s stepmom was very over-the-top, but I believe that’s the way she was supposed to be portrayed. She brought a lot of humor to her character. I won’t bore you with my thoughts on the whole cast, but I would like to address three of the actors/characters.
Park Gyu Young as Kim Da Li – she was wonderful. First, she had an ethereal kind of beauty, and her character was very, umm, “contained” for lack of a better word. Her voice was quiet and well-modulated. She didn’t often show a lot of emotion, but you could tell that she was honestly a nice person. A retro flapper-like haircut, with pin curls surrounding her face, was something you don’t see in Asian dramas and was a brilliant call. Her beauty, along with her demeaner could lead you to believe that she was a pushover, but that belief was eradicated right away. She was no one’s fool. Her character, at the beginning, had so much, but she was such a lovely person you couldn’t be jealous of her, then when things started to go bad for her, it was heartbreaking to watch.
Kim Min Jae as Jin Moo Hak - I’ve seen him in some other dramas and have always enjoyed him, but the character he portrays in this show was so special! First, Moo Hak doesn’t appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. He knows business, but completely messes up phrases and is always saying the wrong things. He starts out being ONLY about money, and he’s not apologetic at all about that fact. He’s loud, tacky and uncouth. As time goes along, we get to see his priorities change. His facial expressions were spot-on here, from cold businessman, to wonder when he first sees Da Li, to love, to happiness. He has dimples that you could literally land a plane in, so when he smiles, you’ve got that treat to enjoy.
Hwang Bo Ra as Moo Hak’s secretary – This character was fabulous. Men usually have male secretaries in Asian dramas, so it was a treat to see a woman in this role. They put her in boxy, oversized suits with dress shirts and ties and her hair was short and slicked back, almost as if to make her androgenous. Bo Ra, in the other shows I’ve seen her in, tends to play a wacky character, with exaggerated facial expressions (think Lucille Ball), playing strictly for laughs. She did provide a lot of comedic relief here, as well, but there were times that she just faded into the background of the story, not taking us away from the main storyline. I loved the respect that Moo Hak had for his secretary and their working relationship.
CHEMISTRY: I’d like to address the powerful chemistry between Gyu Young and Min Jae. They played so well off of one another throughout the whole show. Min Jae’s character fell before Gyu Young did, and that was wonderful to watch. There were times when he was looking at her that his gaze was so intense, I felt kind of like a voyeur. The first kiss was, unfortunately, very awkward, but we were treated to many more opportunities for skinship that were way up there on the hotness scale. The relationship between the characters was so lovely. There was sweetness, protection, as well as a good amount of playfulness, which, unfortunately, doesn’t normally get included in dramas. They spent time laughing together, and I loved that they didn’t continue to call one another by their last names throughout the whole show. We actually got to be with them as they got to know one another, and I could totally understand why they started liking one another.
I also loved the chemistry between Moo Hak, Da Li, and her cop friend, Won Tak. I was watching a behind-the-scenes about this show and Min Jae came up with the idea to call him “Our Won Tak”, so we got to see Moo Hak be jealous every time Da Li called him Our Won Tak. But Moo Hak even called him that! I loved the direction the writers took with the character of Won Tak and the fact that they didn’t try to make him be competition for Moo Hak.
MUSIC: Oh, my goodness, the music was exceptional. There was a song that sounded like something you would dance the Charleston to, it was fun, peppy and upbeat. There were multiple other songs that I enjoyed as well. My favorite, however, was them weaving classical music into the soundtrack. Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major/Memories was used, and Carmen’s Habanera, especially when it was used during tense scenes, with no instruments, only using whistling, was so clever. The music fit in so well with the feeling of the museum and the world of art.
CINEMATOGRAPHY/COSTUMING/SET DESIGN: Exemplary. Buildings painted in bright colors, with Da Li riding her bike. The beautiful artwork in the museum. The clothing everyone wore. There were a few instances where I especially appreciated the camera work: 1) Side-by-side shots of Moo Hak and Da Li when they were sitting across from one another at a table. In one instance, they were both wearing white and I loved being able to see the interplay of their emotions happening “in real time” as opposed to cutting back and forth. There was also a scene in the museum where both Moo Hak and Da Li were in their own worlds, walking through fog and laser lights, lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling, and when they got close to each light bulb, there was a scene from earlier in the show, reviewing all of their interactions with one another. The scene at the museum at the end with artwork full of color and movement. This show was definitely a treat for the senses.
RE-WATCH VALUE: Absolutely! It’s one of those shows that, now that I know what is going to happen, I want to go back and re-visit, watching for clues and nuances that I missed the first time around.
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