Korean Drama Spotlight: Itaewon Class

It has been a while since I completed a Korean drama. I fell into a slump after watching Doctor Slump (pure coincidence). I am not exactly sure why. It is not that I didn’t start any new ones. I did, but I never completed them. I was probably missing the crackling chemistry I witnessed in the first few Korean dramas, or it was K-romance fatigue. I’m unsure. However, finally, that dry spell has been broken.

I had been holding back on watching Itaewon Class because I wasn’t sure if it would be my cup of tea. I’m happy to report I enjoyed it. The good reviews are justified.

What’s It About?

An ambitious ex-convict starts a new pub in the busy streets of Itaewon with the main motive of seeking revenge. The series focuses on how he and his loyal staff work together to fulfill the seemingly impossible dream of beating the best pub in town.

Thoughts

I am convinced Park Seo Joon is the best Korean actor out there. I am yet to feel underwhelmed seeing his performance. He not only handles the nuances of his characters perfectly, but his understated charisma has the power to keep you hooked. Itaewon Class is no different.

However, the main star for me in Itaewon Class was Kim Da-mi. Her character is beautifully sketched, a total badass woman who doesn’t resort to the stereotypes of the “modern woman” we see on the big screen. Usually, in new-age cinema, a woman of today is depicted as someone promiscuous and flippant. But in Itaewon Class, the female characters have different shades, they aren’t black or white, they are all sorts of grey. Kim Da-mi plays someone who is, in her own words, a “social psychopath,” yet she feels deeply for her boss and his painful past.

Soo-ah, played by Kwon Nara, is ambitious and a go-getter who does not believe in making sacrifices, such as leaving her cushy job to maintain relationships. She has a “my way or the highway” aura about her, yet she’s soft. Ambitious women are often portrayed in a villainous way, but kudos to the writer for showing how a woman can follow her dreams and still be vulnerable, and that it’s okay if she wants more.

It was interesting to watch such multilayered female characters in a series because it’s not something I often come across in Indian cinema.

Itaewon Class is streaming on Netflix. It has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting over an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Doctor Slump

We are a generation obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder. We want to make a lot of money and afford the best things money can buy. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Ambition is an admirable quality that many people aspire to possess. It takes you places. We all wish to do well in our respective careers and live the high life. But, it often comes at the expense of our health.

Enduring long periods of work-related stress may keep our bank balance happy, but when it’s time to relax, our entire being goes into a state of confusion. We have never been taught how to unwind. Since childhood, we’ve been taught to persevere and avoid rest. However, when we do take some time to catch a breather, restlessness uncannily creeps in. Before we know it, we find ourselves caught up in another stressful endeavor. Eventually, there comes a burnout point when our body and mind scream for a break, and our entire system goes into hibernation mode.

Doctor Slump is a k-drama that focuses on this particular phase in our life trajectory.

What’s It About?

Two doctors who were school rivals meet each other again at a turning point in their careers. They find comfort in each other, helping one another manage their mental exhaustion and insecurities in life.

Thoughts

The highlight, or rather highlights, of Doctor Slump are the characters. Park Hyung Sik is back to his quirky avatar, which he portrayed convincingly before with much fanfare in k-dramas like Strong Girl Bong Soon and The Heirs. It is difficult not to like him. His comedy timing is impeccable, and you end up feeling a sense of comfort watching him on-screen. Park Shin Hye aces her role as well. The moment she and Park Hyung Sik break down in tears while sitting on a bench is one for the books. I have not seen a scene like that in a web series or movie. The beautiful words in the background add to the overall vibe of the scene. Their chemistry will make you smile.

The downside of the series is, unfortunately, the story. Although Doctor Slump starts strong, it loses momentum after the 6th or 7th episode. You find yourself losing interest. However, you stick on because you love the characters.

If you are looking for some comic relief and an empathetic take on mental health, I would recommend Doctor Slump. It’s great to see a series promoting work-life balance amidst hustle culture.

All episodes of Doctor Slump are now streaming on Netflix. It has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Gangnam Beauty

One thing is sure, Gangnam Beauty made me rethink my perspective on those opting for plastic surgery. I was of the opinion that people should learn to embrace their natural selves. But what to do when you get bullied and ridiculed for your looks? It’s easy to say, “Ignore and move on.” Let’s face it, we are a world obsessed with superficial beauty. We say beauty is skin deep, but our actions prove otherwise. There is indeed a pretty privilege. As a woman who was not considered conventionally beautiful as a youngster, I can empathize with the feelings of those who never got positive validation for their appearance. It’s a brutal world out there, and that’s what Gangnam Beauty tries to address. It nudges us to be more kind instead of judgmental.

Disclaimer: This post shouldn’t be treated as a review because I am far from qualified to give an objective and professional take on dramas. It should be treated as a subjective viewpoint of a cinephile who loves to watch movies and dramas purely for entertainment. I have only one criterion – I shouldn’t get bored. The drama will be judged on that factor alone.

What’s It About?

Gangnam Beauty starts with a young girl anxiously standing at the door of a surgery room, tightly grasping her mother’s hands, frightened yet hopeful of a brighter future. She wants acceptance, and her physical transformation could just prove to be the key. How Mi-rae’s story unfolds post-surgery once she enters college forms the crux of the story. Does life get simpler? Or will there be other unpleasant obstacles?

Thoughts

I liked how the story showed the “other side” of plastic surgery. We often mock and ridicule people who end up doing too many cosmetic surgeries. But Gangnam Beauty shifts your perspective by showing how “natural beauties” don’t always fare better.

The drama cleverly avoids revealing Mi-rae’s appearance before her surgery. This decision highlights the subjectivity of beauty. While Kyung-seok, the main character, and Mi-rae’s father considered her cute before the surgery, disclosing her former appearance would imply conforming to societal beauty standards.

Jo Woo-ri’s portrayal of Sua stood out as my favorite performance. Sua embodies natural beauty and a charming personality, effortlessly winning people over. Yet, beneath her exterior lies a complex character with hidden depths. Jo Woo-ri masterfully brings this multifaceted persona to life, a rarity to witness on-screen.

Though Gangnam Beauty has its imperfections, I would say it’s worth a watch, simply because it has a social message I feel everyone should be aware of.

Gangnam Beauty is available on Netflix. It has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Our Beloved Summer

I finally decided to watch this series because I was missing Choi Woo-shik. It marked the first time I consciously focused on his screen presence and savored his performance. Although he played a significant role in Parasite, my level of interest in K-entertainment was not as profound back then, leading me to immerse solely in the storyline, rather than appreciating the actors.

What’s It About?

Our Beloved Summer chronicles the story of two childhood sweethearts whose first encounter occurs during a school assembly. As she walks determinedly towards the podium, a nostalgic Choi Woo-shik from the future whimsically describes the moment, saying, “I noticed her because she looked as if she was going to fight a war.”

They are eventually chosen for a documentary exploring the behavioral patterns of the top student (the girl) and the lowest-performing student (the boy). The narrative delves into their evolving love story, navigating the complexities of first love, eventual separation, and their paths crossing again years later as dedicated professionals.

Thoughts

I loved Choi Woo-shik’s performance. You know he is a top-notch actor when the character he portrays on-screen is nothing like what he is in real life. Choi Woo-shik is a goofball who makes the most bizarre, sarcastic jokes in reality shows. He’s a laugh riot. On the other hand, this character (Woong) in Our Beloved Summer is aloof, serious, rarely smiles, and has an air of melancholy about him.

Personally, I found the story to be predictable and a bit dragging. The side characters appealed more to me than the main leads’ chemistry. It gave me a strong sense of second male/female lead syndrome. Woong’s manager and Yeon-soo’s friend injected much-needed humor into the otherwise “gray” storyline, providing a relieving touch to the narrative. They were outstanding.

Overall, the series did not feel like a light, breezy watch for the most part, as it focuses on the complexities of lost love. So, if you are looking for a meet-cute story where the characters gradually fall in love, Our Beloved Summer may probably not be for you. I recommend giving it a go if you are missing Choi Woo-shik, like me.

Our Beloved Summer is available on Netflix. It has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting almost an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: The Second Husband

I stumbled upon “The Second Husband” by chance. The show was being aired on an Indian television channel called “Atrangi” and was dubbed in Hindi. It was then that I realized that Korean dramas have truly made their mark in India.

Disclaimer: This post shouldn’t be treated as a review because I am far from qualified to give an objective and professional take on cinema. It should be treated as a subjective viewpoint of a cinephile who loves to watch movies and dramas purely for entertainment. I have only one criterion – I shouldn’t get bored. The film will be judged on that factor alone.

What’s It About?

A committed woman finds herself entangled in a web of lies and deceit. Her fiancé cheats on her with a wealthy, money-hungry businesswoman. An apt companion for the man, who himself is blinded by greed. They are ready to forsake everything for money – their integrity, conscience, and love.

Thoughts

The Second Husband is a story that focuses on power-hungry people and their never-ending thirst for wealth. Everyone holds a secret that the others should not know.

I recommend the series to people who like dramatic, frustrating, Indian-serial-type stories. It has the bad guys winning more than 90% of the time. Not pleasant to watch. However, it keeps your interest and is quite engaging. You will keep moving to the next episode, even after the mental turmoil.

All the actors gave a superlative performance. The main lead, Cha Seo Won, is adorable, charming, and playful. I am sure whoever watches the drama will fall for his charisma. Hopefully, after his military stint is over, we will get to see him in more dramas.

The villain, enacted by Oh Seung Ah, is top-notch. She’s as evil as evil can get, and brilliantly depicts the character’s anxiety and eccentricity without appearing caricaturish.

The drama is 150 episodes long, each lasting around 20-30 minutes.

Give it a go if you are in the mood for Indian-styled kdramas.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Happiness

After a long stint with romantic Korean dramas, I watched two horror series back-to-back – one being The Revenant and the other one, Happiness. To be honest, I selected the latter because I had read wonderful things about the chemistry between the lead pair. I was not left disappointed!

What’s It About?

Happiness is not a typical horror or zombie series, as the trailer might make you believe. It’s about a medical drug gone wrong, causing severe side effects, leading the infected to develop zombie-like symptoms.

Thoughts

“Happiness” is anything but happy. It is frightening, frustrating, and emotional. Either the makers were playing games with us by choosing that title or maybe there is a deeper meaning to it (“Be happy today, because tomorrow you might turn into a zombie”). Or, maybe, for them, zombies equate to happiness (who am I to judge?). The meaning is left to the viewer’s discretion.

Supernatural stories often feel artificial, but when the horror elements are scientific, you can’t help but sit back and ponder its possibility.

The series takes inspiration from the recent pandemic, especially the human psyche. I almost wanted to pull my hair out because of the irrational behavior of the residents who wanted to venture out when they were given explicit instructions not to. No one followed the rules. Sounds familiar?

When I set aside my annoyance, I realized this is precisely how people behaved during the pandemic. Many flaunted rules by avoiding masks and ventured out even if lockdowns were imposed in the country out of sheer frustration, ego, loneliness, and desperation. You saw people quick to call out, ostracize, and shame others infected with the virus but were notoriously silent when it concerned their own family members. You see glimpses of these traits (and more) in Happiness, and you can’t help but applaud the reality of it all.

The quiet romance between the leads is not the main plot, but it still makes a mark. Park Hyung Sik and Han Hyo Joo have fantastic chemistry, and I wish they act in a full-on romantic story in the future. The way they have their moments, with that beautiful melody playing in the background, makes it a wholesome treat overall.

I would definitely recommend the series. Streaming on Netflix.