nfabjoy
Somewhere in Africa
A Classic that has left an indelible mark on the genre.
I am very late to the Goong party . Goong is far from being my gateway drama like it is for others , in fact I come in watching Goong with more than 50 dramas under my belt and it has been A WHILE , since one has kindled the warmth and love within me as Goong has. It's not just claiming a spot in my top rankings but is actively dethroning other contenders. A word of advice: savor it with top-notch subtitles, a point I'll delve into later.
Now , lets get into the review.
Story- Goong, undeniably, crafts a compelling narrative. I go beyond calling it good; it's exceptionally well-woven. Rich in elements and diversity, it fearlessly ventures into risky territories, setting a benchmark for dramaland. As a seasoned drama aficionado, spotting nods to the Goong playbook in other dramas was also an added delight.
The story navigates light plot points and dramatic turns .The drama's turns can be so dramatic that it might lead to frustration, and I see why others even dropped . The story, at first glance is a bit hampered by a continual repetition of conflicts but the characters explain why because it really is a loop of an evil fate being displayed and our younger protagonists need to rise to the occasion of defeating the generational trauma . These are 19 years olds forced to play a role that is nothing of their choosing or hearts desires . The messy road becomes coherent when one realizes the extreme weight placed on the shoulders of these youngsters forced into roles against their will.
Another point on the story - many things happen off screen and are inferred by the characters on screen in a highly nuanced dialogue that if you are not paying full attention or don't have good subs- you will miss it and call the drama illogical and wonder "how did we get here? Why are we still here???" but the intricacy is intentional. Goong, with all its pomp, is ironically subtle and understated, drawing from Joseon-era conventions. Recognizing these nuances in hindsight enhances the viewing experience, turning seemingly ordinary moments into beautiful revelations.
( i.e- some "first" realisations shown on screen are not happening for the first time and perhaps some "first" moments are not actually happening for the first time too. A lot is inferred but the viewer is sneakily given easter eggs to see this.)
As for the characters - they are wonderfully developed, capturing the realism of their young age. Immature inclinations, stubbornness, warmth, and empathy are seamlessly woven into their personalities, a commendable feat for the writers. The adults truly were dolls trapped in the palace and truly did not know any better and the inference of that makes their actions understandable.
Now for the acting - Its crazy that this is the debut of Ju Ji Hoon and Yoon Eun Hye .They really owned and bodied their roles especially Yoon Eun Hye.She is such a breeze to watch and the unrefined edges of her acting added to the charm of Chaekyung wonderfully . She did great justice to her role . As for Ju Ji Hoon- very good and his portrayal is the gold standard for the cold , mean male lead with a lot bubbling under the surface. The chemistry between the pair was very easy , not forced and quite pleasant . Dare I say - it was their ease that helped the sad conflicts be less burdensome. The supporting cast exceptionally excels, leaving no room for complaints.
Music/ Costumes- ahhh CHEFS KISS. One of the best OSTs in dramaland , one of the best insertions of it too that emotionally heightened scenes . Perhaps Love is so amazing and crazy that all this was released almost 20 years ago . The costume choices, though campy, contribute to the drama's charm.
Rewatch - A definite yes. This drama brought me so much happiness and truly crept into my heart . I really went in with low expectations but was beautifully rewarded .It will be fun trying to pin point when Shin fell in love , what really happened off screen and look at the beautiful quotes they all say with the benefit of hindsight . Plus ,there are some iconic scenes that are worthy of a hundred rewatches.
Observations- While the length is justified given the character development and moral exploration, 24 episodes might be excessive. Trimming it down to 20 could have improved the pacing, but it doesn't detract significantly from the overall score. For that it misses getting a full 10 marks from me though its a 10 in my heart .
Overall- as evident , I really recommend . Goong has that THING that makes K Dramas especially special .It is so sweet, and quietly understated and has more than meets the eye. Ideal for those who relish slow-burn romances, appreciate moral dilemmas, and enjoy the dynamics of push-and-pull coupled with character growth.
I also encourage viewers interested in the historical legacy of K-Dramas to dive into Goong. It serves as a dramatic screen playbook from which subsequent works, including those of Hong Sisters and Kim Eun Sook and others, seem to have drawn inspiration. Avid K-Drama enthusiasts will likely find these connections intriguing and enriching.
It is a classic that has left an indelible mark on the genre.
If you have read this far - thank you so much .
Now , lets get into the review.
Story- Goong, undeniably, crafts a compelling narrative. I go beyond calling it good; it's exceptionally well-woven. Rich in elements and diversity, it fearlessly ventures into risky territories, setting a benchmark for dramaland. As a seasoned drama aficionado, spotting nods to the Goong playbook in other dramas was also an added delight.
The story navigates light plot points and dramatic turns .The drama's turns can be so dramatic that it might lead to frustration, and I see why others even dropped . The story, at first glance is a bit hampered by a continual repetition of conflicts but the characters explain why because it really is a loop of an evil fate being displayed and our younger protagonists need to rise to the occasion of defeating the generational trauma . These are 19 years olds forced to play a role that is nothing of their choosing or hearts desires . The messy road becomes coherent when one realizes the extreme weight placed on the shoulders of these youngsters forced into roles against their will.
Another point on the story - many things happen off screen and are inferred by the characters on screen in a highly nuanced dialogue that if you are not paying full attention or don't have good subs- you will miss it and call the drama illogical and wonder "how did we get here? Why are we still here???" but the intricacy is intentional. Goong, with all its pomp, is ironically subtle and understated, drawing from Joseon-era conventions. Recognizing these nuances in hindsight enhances the viewing experience, turning seemingly ordinary moments into beautiful revelations.
( i.e- some "first" realisations shown on screen are not happening for the first time and perhaps some "first" moments are not actually happening for the first time too. A lot is inferred but the viewer is sneakily given easter eggs to see this.)
As for the characters - they are wonderfully developed, capturing the realism of their young age. Immature inclinations, stubbornness, warmth, and empathy are seamlessly woven into their personalities, a commendable feat for the writers. The adults truly were dolls trapped in the palace and truly did not know any better and the inference of that makes their actions understandable.
Now for the acting - Its crazy that this is the debut of Ju Ji Hoon and Yoon Eun Hye .They really owned and bodied their roles especially Yoon Eun Hye.She is such a breeze to watch and the unrefined edges of her acting added to the charm of Chaekyung wonderfully . She did great justice to her role . As for Ju Ji Hoon- very good and his portrayal is the gold standard for the cold , mean male lead with a lot bubbling under the surface. The chemistry between the pair was very easy , not forced and quite pleasant . Dare I say - it was their ease that helped the sad conflicts be less burdensome. The supporting cast exceptionally excels, leaving no room for complaints.
Music/ Costumes- ahhh CHEFS KISS. One of the best OSTs in dramaland , one of the best insertions of it too that emotionally heightened scenes . Perhaps Love is so amazing and crazy that all this was released almost 20 years ago . The costume choices, though campy, contribute to the drama's charm.
Rewatch - A definite yes. This drama brought me so much happiness and truly crept into my heart . I really went in with low expectations but was beautifully rewarded .It will be fun trying to pin point when Shin fell in love , what really happened off screen and look at the beautiful quotes they all say with the benefit of hindsight . Plus ,there are some iconic scenes that are worthy of a hundred rewatches.
Observations- While the length is justified given the character development and moral exploration, 24 episodes might be excessive. Trimming it down to 20 could have improved the pacing, but it doesn't detract significantly from the overall score. For that it misses getting a full 10 marks from me though its a 10 in my heart .
Overall- as evident , I really recommend . Goong has that THING that makes K Dramas especially special .It is so sweet, and quietly understated and has more than meets the eye. Ideal for those who relish slow-burn romances, appreciate moral dilemmas, and enjoy the dynamics of push-and-pull coupled with character growth.
I also encourage viewers interested in the historical legacy of K-Dramas to dive into Goong. It serves as a dramatic screen playbook from which subsequent works, including those of Hong Sisters and Kim Eun Sook and others, seem to have drawn inspiration. Avid K-Drama enthusiasts will likely find these connections intriguing and enriching.
It is a classic that has left an indelible mark on the genre.
If you have read this far - thank you so much .
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