How my love-hate relationship for this show went.
I usually watch dramas based on my favorite writers or actors. This show definitely falls on the second category since I am not really a fan of Kim Eun-sook (I watched Heirs because of the abundance of pretty). I am a Song Joong Ki fan ever since his Innocent Man days and I really do anticipate for this show because this is his come back drama after getting discharged. And so, off I go and watch this drama.
The Story
Story-wise, I believe that Descendants did a good job on maximizing all the angles of the setting it was on. There is definitely enough suspense, thrill and action when your hero is a soldier, specifically in a special unit for that matter. I believe that the highlight of the drama was really when they were in Urk. Because that is where the story developed and got deeper. After their return to South Korea, I am always wondering what will happen and that there is not much material left to work on. So the writer need to do THAT by the last week of the drama. I think the last episode is all fan service and nothing much is really happening any more. Well, as compared to the writer's other projects (I only watched Secret Garden and Heirs), I like this better.
The Cast
I can watch this forever because of Joong Ki and I think I need not say much about him. I adore him! I read some reactions saying that it feels that Song Hye Kyo lacks emotions in her acting. In my opinion, Song Hye Kyo did well with her role delivering intense longing, conflicting, and even sometimes funny emotions on her scenes.
But really, the gem for me here is Kim Ji Won and Jin Goo. I actually loved their love line than the main couple. I watched Kim Ji Won in Heirs only and have not watched her since so I am not sure how she did on others but her performance here is really improved compared to that in Heirs. I haven't watched any of Jin Goo's shows but I know that he is in the industry for quite a while now and finally, he gets his recognition. I am really happy that their careers are both enjoying the popularity of this show.
Every one was awesome but then I cringe every now and then when there's a cheesy line. My goodness, I can't believe that they were able to deliver those cheesy lines!
The Soundtrack
I think we all had fair share of Last Song Syndrome because of this show's soundtrack.
Also, I want to acknowledge that the drama really has good editing. I think the fact that it was pre-produced gave the production more time to smooth the flow of the scenes. Somehow I also felt that their location is already so pretty, it required less effort. Ha ha. The scenes really delivered a lot of feels.
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