ibisfeather
a two-layered script and the powerful acting skills of Park Ji Hoon
Excellent, intelligent and interesting. I am surprised at the vehemence of the comments...the show was not elegant, but powerful. It has a theatrical style that people dont like in dramas? I did semi-binge it -- maybe that was better than actually waiting week by week?
A choice made to go with a two-layered script and the powerful acting skills of Park Ji Hoon, foregoing the pomp and set pieces of a fantasy sageuk, was a success. The psychological layer is sound -- an *alter* robs a person of energy and volition, altho it provides a way of not facing a losing battle with terrible abuse and trauma.The therapy for reintegrating a poisonous *alter* is long and painful and not always completely successful even then. Park Ji Hoon, uniquely capable of expressing strength through vulnerability in his roles, is also good at creating trust and vulnerability in onscreen relationships with other actors as well, so the story frame was perfect for him.
The second layer of the script avoids anachronism deftly; shamans (2 of different genders in 1 body! How cool is that!), folk-beliefs in possession, and seriously vile and violent fratricidal palace politics create a workable fantasy plot. The court was much more despotic (OMG the usurper Sajo Seung!!!) than the usual SK historical so some of the arch and delicate stylistics were done away with. The supporting cast was too strong to mention individually here but they were vividly wonderful and wonderfully manipulative. On a psychological level they so gaslit the ML that he had no idea which way was up until his true love came to rescue him by falling through the roof of his in-town design studio.
The beautiful but simple *mind-room* stage for the interaction of the 2 parts of the ML has an Alchemy of Souls feel, water and architecture. The 2 -in-1 MLs compete for the FL against each other -- a unique love triangle which is astonishingly successful dramatically. Both men (same actor) engage your heart, and the chemistry between each and the FL is visceral, emotional and touchingly tender.
You may find the last 2 episodes difficult -- the true drama is internal as Sajo Hyeon battles to take control of a fully integrated self-- this is crucial to the story.
Do watch and enjoy!!
ps. I cheered when the alter bullied the usual crop of corrupt aged court ministers!
pps. psychological melodrama is redeemed here tastefully by a careful fidelity to just enough of the stylistics and rules of kdrama to keep a balance to the weeping and pain that everyone goes through. Dramatic indeed but still fun
ppps, Why wasnt the ML given credit for designing the white outfits at the end?
first posted on viki july 10th 2024
A choice made to go with a two-layered script and the powerful acting skills of Park Ji Hoon, foregoing the pomp and set pieces of a fantasy sageuk, was a success. The psychological layer is sound -- an *alter* robs a person of energy and volition, altho it provides a way of not facing a losing battle with terrible abuse and trauma.The therapy for reintegrating a poisonous *alter* is long and painful and not always completely successful even then. Park Ji Hoon, uniquely capable of expressing strength through vulnerability in his roles, is also good at creating trust and vulnerability in onscreen relationships with other actors as well, so the story frame was perfect for him.
The second layer of the script avoids anachronism deftly; shamans (2 of different genders in 1 body! How cool is that!), folk-beliefs in possession, and seriously vile and violent fratricidal palace politics create a workable fantasy plot. The court was much more despotic (OMG the usurper Sajo Seung!!!) than the usual SK historical so some of the arch and delicate stylistics were done away with. The supporting cast was too strong to mention individually here but they were vividly wonderful and wonderfully manipulative. On a psychological level they so gaslit the ML that he had no idea which way was up until his true love came to rescue him by falling through the roof of his in-town design studio.
The beautiful but simple *mind-room* stage for the interaction of the 2 parts of the ML has an Alchemy of Souls feel, water and architecture. The 2 -in-1 MLs compete for the FL against each other -- a unique love triangle which is astonishingly successful dramatically. Both men (same actor) engage your heart, and the chemistry between each and the FL is visceral, emotional and touchingly tender.
You may find the last 2 episodes difficult -- the true drama is internal as Sajo Hyeon battles to take control of a fully integrated self-- this is crucial to the story.
Do watch and enjoy!!
ps. I cheered when the alter bullied the usual crop of corrupt aged court ministers!
pps. psychological melodrama is redeemed here tastefully by a careful fidelity to just enough of the stylistics and rules of kdrama to keep a balance to the weeping and pain that everyone goes through. Dramatic indeed but still fun
ppps, Why wasnt the ML given credit for designing the white outfits at the end?
first posted on viki july 10th 2024
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