This review may contain spoilers
It has been a couple months since I watched this drama, and it has truly stayed with me - for my first drama review, it's fitting that I should write about I Hear Your Voice, the last drama that really struck me, no?
For anyone who wants to read a long review ;)
So, in general, what interests me most in a drama is the romance. But for that romance to touch me, I need the characters to be well-developed - this drama fills the bill by far. The characters and the actors that impersonate them were endearing and alive (this being said without being a fan of any of the actors before watching it). For once, I found the love triangle to be rather interesting and justified. Neither of the two men she had to choose from was without flaws, and after all, strategically speaking, her final choice may not have been the safest/most profitable one. In other words, none of the three main characters were stereotypes, they were all very human and relatable. Jang-Hye Sung is funny, although at the beginning she may seem irritating. Eventually, she comes to be both brave and sensitive/feminine, mature and childish, which makes her a female lead one can easily understand and like. Park Soo Ha, as well, was an amazing character - the drama shows how he matures intellectually. From the start, he is a character one gets attached to - and the drama plays on that. Being both a kind/intelligent young man and a moody teen with nothing to loose, there is a tension all along on whether he will throw his life away for revenge or not that is truly gripping. The parallel made with the villain at the end was well-done as well - I don't think it's spoiling to say that the drama shows how easy it is to become monstrous when you are attached to no-one, that no-one is naturally a monster and anyone can become one, which is really a strong message when a drama portrays characters that are so likeable.
I couldn't give the story full marks though, because there definitely were some loopholes - the whole courtroom plot part was sometimes irrational, too obvious or just plain stupid - I'm certainly not a law expert, and am usually terrible at figuring out mystery plots, but (to avoid spoilers) the solution to the most dramatic problem Jang Hye-sung had to solve as a lawyer was so evident even I had seen it from the start.
But the courtroom scenes are not that terrible either, and the rest of the story flows pretty well. As it often happens with me, I personally preferred all the moments "outside" and useless to the plot - and this drama is great for that, with all its domestic scenes that are both heart-warming and funny. The relationship between Park Soo Ha and Jang Hye-Sung is so warm and casual from the start, and seeing them doing various chores together just makes them feel so true...
In terms of tragedy and comedy, this drama has its fair balance of both. There were times it was so funny I had to pause the video and laugh for a few minutes before starting again - which is pretty rare for me. I also appreciate when a movie/drama tries melodrama, since it's such a tricky genre - here the tragedy worked pretty well, and I actually liked the whole "fate" aspect around the main couple. In fact, somehow it erased the weirdness of the age gap, and it suddenly felt extremely romantic that a boy, no matter his age or circumstances, would love and desire to protect the same woman unconditionally. In the end, there's a nice feel to the main couple - like they can be the victims of any kind of tragedy the world throws to them as long as they're together to support and protect each-other. What is nice, also, is that despite the horror around them, there aren't too many tears - on the contrary, a lot of smiles and laughter that make the tears all the more touching.
As for the music: well, in general in dramas I either don't notice it or it gets on my nerves. Except at this moment, I still remember the strange futuristic bleep bleep song which annoyed so many people - I actually liked it. It had this mysterious feel to it, and it fit perfectly well with the image of the aquarium, which, even though its appearance was brief, was striking, as it fit so well with the general feel of the drama - weird, both subtle and a little supernatural, dreamy...
On the other hand, I never rewatch dramas - and in this case, since the drama is based on a mystery plot, I guess the surprise factor would disappear. On the other hand, i still do rewatch certain scenes occasionally.
And to finish: this is a very unusual drama, I had never really seen anything like it... And, despite some flaws, i think it's fair to give a drama that honestly tries to be new (not just re-using themes/stereotypes that are usually appreciated) a chance, no?
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