This was right after DOTS, I was still hooked onto Song Joongki so I looked for more of his dramas. The title got to me. There are many shows where it’s a usual to see female being potrayed the good and innocent (especially in korean dramas). However, a man being showcased as innocent and the victim of destiny (and the women) was the attracting point.
Seo Eungi (left), Kang Maru (Centre), Han Jae-hee (right)
So the story starts off at a tragic note. It is a melodrama. There is so much sadness from the beginning so it makes it kinda hard to go on because tragedies usually strike in the middle, right? So I try my best to watch it. I kinda linger on for like first few episodes it takes an effort to watch and I almost stopped as well since it was dragging a lot. I liked the synopsis when I read, it was deep which persuaded me to watch it. It was also different from the cuteness kdramas are known for. But just when I felt like the story was getting somewhere a confusion and irritation would again cloud up. It was around 10-13th episode I became hooked and watched on. There were some happy moments but quickly spoiled by the overall tragedy of the plot. However the end has still left me puzzle. Spoiler alert! First the girl (Seo Eungi) loses memory then she tries to pick herself and then again loses memory and then gains it back. In the end, the guy loses memory and comes back to her years after and proposes with the same rings he bought earlier. Did he gain his memory back or not? I am really confused. I get he sort of prayed for a new life and finding ordinary love with the girl which he got through the memory loss but did he gain his memory back? Why propose with the same rings? Both don’t say anything they just smile and it ends. Did he get his memory back?? I want to know. He did so much for others, why did bad stuff happen to him? Will they live together with all the memories or not? Urrghhhhhh I am left with a lot of questions. The ending could have been better and clearer.
There’s some good acting. There is certain chemistry between the guy and the girl. The opening theme is also good. However, unnecessarily certain twists have been added to the plot which could have been easily sorted out had any of the leads come clean or said some truth. Instead of being made to a 20 episode, the story could have ended in 16 as well.
Image Credit: Pinterest
Another good factor of this drama is that no character amongst the three leads (The guy, the lady and the girl) is pure and goody-good. Each comes with their own shortcomings which have been put out in the open. Each of three character’s behvaiour is projection of their past. The guy (Kang Maru) is crazy in love to choose his lover over his sister because she has been with him since childhood. His lover (Han Jae-hee) is selfish enough to save herself, wanting power and a lavish lifestyle because she had a abusive and difficult past. The girl (Seo Eungi) is depicted being heartless because of her mother leaving her at a young age and having a father who is never happy by whatever she does. All the characters go all out to protect what they want. Initially the guy protects his lady love and then the girl. The lady protects her power and position. The girls tries to protect her father’s business empire.
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The drama potrays how the innocent young guy whose only crime was to love deeply goes at lengths to protect his love for the lady only to realise she loved power and wealth more then anyone. Calling his love for her young and foolish would be wrong. If you watch the show you will realise it ran deep into his childhood. However, he soon realises the reality that you can grow out of your love for someone and that you don’t have to only have one love for life. Love can strike you a second time as well.
Kwang Soo’s character was a good friend, his acting seemed real. I guess his real life love for Joongki showed up (Both are best friends in real life). The love Maru’s sister and his best friend have for him, Han Jehi’s child and his affection for Eungi as a sister are the purest things you will find on this drama.
Don’t expect a lot of emotions from Song Joongki’s character as he has tried to turn himself to stone and has lost meaning in life. However his portrayal as someone who is suffering from life threatening illness is commendable. The lady’s behaviour gets on your nerves but also garners some understanding and reasoning from viewers. Turns out Jae-hee is not all bad, she manages to garner some sympathy for her actions. Moon Chae-Won’s portrayal as fierce Eungi and as meek Eungi with no memory is so stark in the same story and frame. It’s deserving of audience’s attention.
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In the end, everyone is able to move from their past somehow. One thing I noticed in both Song Joongki’s dramas is presence of strong female lead. (Is that a thing? Let me know in the comments!)
Image Credit: Asian Wiki
Honestly, it was a bit of work for me (Maybe tradegies aren’t my thing), it did not have many scenes that made me hold my breath. I wouldn’t recommend this as first Kdrama for anyone. Maybe when you have experienced atleast 4-5 dramas, understood a bit of their style and portrayal, it would make more sense. I would choose Song Joongki as Captain Yoo over Song Joongki as Kang Maru anyday.
Why watch it?
- If you are a Song Joongki fan and can’t get enough of him
- To witness the friendship of Lee Kwang Soo and Song Joongki in reel life
- If tradegy/crime/thrillers/revenge plot are your thing
- If you want something different from the ‘cuteness overload’ of Kdramas
Find out more about the drama here
Comment down below if this review was helpful and your views on the drama. Also suggest dramas that I should view and review next.
Disclaimer
This post is intended solely for information and entertainment purposes. It is in no way an attempt to disregard the cast and crew or their efforts. This post is projection of personal views and in no way aims to distorts thoughts of any reader. Reader discretion is advised.
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