I liked how deep this story became as the episodes moved along. There are nuanced and complex relationships that flesh themselves out completely and are not left hanging. While not every character gets a picture perfect conclusion, you do get the satisfaction of ends tied up nicely. There is a lot of fun, smart and snappy dialog in this drama that I don't feel was lost in the translation of the subs. The love story between the two leads was very sweet. I liked their antagonistic start, middle and end. They had a kind of old Hollywood Hepburn/Tracy feel to them.
The cinematography, color palette, clothing and music were all added delights of enhancing the feel of the time period. The Concubine Cha Song Joo had so many costume changes my head was spinning; but it was wonderful!
It struck me as I was watching Capital Scandal that even as it must have completely stretched the truth of the Japanese occupation of Joseon, (it was much worse, of course) if not over westernizing the time period; this drama speaks to the sense of pride Koreans have of their long, ancient history as a people. They deserve to feel that pride. When I think about all the ancient civilizations that remain intact, I hazard to say that Asian cultures seemed to have remembered if not kept their traditions better than most. As an American mutt, I envy the purity of that tradition and the ability to go back thousands of years tracing your family and owning your people's history. After I watched this drama I dug a little and found out just how close Korea came to being lost by that occupation. God Love Ya Japan...but I'm so glad you lost that war.
Capital Scandal is not perfect but it is a fun show. Lots of intrigue, funny situations, intense drama and a lovely little romance wrapped up in Kang Ji Hwan's special brand of bad boy comedy.
Give it a try!
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I think it had the potential to be one of the best Korean dramas if not the best one. Alas, inconsistencies killed so many other dramas before and this one isn't an exception either. A killer cast and three-dimensional characters should have done done wonders to this drama but the writing simply left it somewhere in between. I am giving it an overall 8 solely for the incredible actors and the catchy OST.
The drama started off really well, then got lost somewhere in between around episodes 8-10 and then from then on it became something else entirely. I think the second half and first half are like separate dramas squeezed into one. Things happened too repetitively or too suddenly. Every thing in this drama was redundant and boring later on- the romance, the independence struggle and even the humor. Still, I think it was a good drama and is definitely an underrated one.
The thing I loved most about it was how the second leads were so great that they simply overshadowed the main couple. Soo Hyun & Song Joo are magnificently deep and likable. They never got boring and also had the best plot and scenes. I can't believe it, but I'll have to say they were the ones who kept this drama alive. Sure, Han Ji Min and Kang Ji Hwan are good actors but when even good actors get boring roles to play, some one else has to save the drama.
Its ending was weird and rushed. It was a bittersweet one and one couple gets to stay happy while the other gets their share of tragedy
(which I hate). I think this drama served okay as a one-time watch. I will probably never watch it again. Overall a good one but not a great one.
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A Fun Romantic Take on a Dark Era
This show was a mixture of (I write this in order) romance, comedy, and patriotism spirit. The promotional posters might mislead people about the overall feel it'll give you. It wasn't that serious (don't expect serious show with full packed action here), but it wasn't that light either. For me, the combination was just perfect.The chemistry between both couples were really lovely, the acting were solid from main cast to supporting ones (Han Ji Min acting was the weakest tho). Even the supporting roles added much value to the show. The jazzy swing music really captured the emotion of the scenes and the setting (1930s)'s atmosphere. Very nice! Not to mention the colorful wardrobe. You will either love or hate Wan's exceptional liking in bright-colored clothes, but I guess a woman couldn't possibly hate Cha Song Ju's sense of fashion.
Perhaps its only drawback for me was the slapstick comedy they used here and there, and some cliche story elements.
And I think it's important to note this was my first drama of Kang Ji Hwan. I loved him for his role here, but his later roles felt so so after I watched this. I guess he is kinda trapped to Wan alike roles..
Give it a go~ ;)
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Visually and aurally, the show evokes vintage Hollywood, complete with swing tunes, flashing neon, and heightened acting that occasionally slips a bit too far towards the cartoonish. The Japanese characters are mostly broadly drawn, grating caricatures, more inane than sinister. The real conflicts in the show are between the Koreans, as they weigh the options of collaboration or resistance, betrayal or heroism, survival or sacrifice. To its credit, the show makes these struggles complicated, rarely drawing clear cut lines between “good” and “bad” as it examines the varied ways people endure a time of terror. While some plot elements require significant suspension of disbelief, particularly a final episode more grounded in wish fulfillment than reality, the show isn’t afraid to venture into darker territory, both psychologically and dramatically. It also features strong female characters who equal and often exceed the men in smarts, courage and conviction.
Most shows choose primary colors or shades of grey. Capital Scandal celebrates both, letting its surface flair complement rather than overwhelm its deeper themes. It thrives on contradiction, throwing its moments of joy into stark relief against a background of injustice, pain, and loss.
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I will warn you though: this is a romantic comedy more than anything else. If you're looking for action, this isn't really it. While there is alot on the last 2 episodes, everything before that is mainly Romantic Comedy. Also, the end is a bit bittersweet and sad which was a surprise for me.
P.S., Cha song joo was awesome in this! I loved her so much that I don't even hate her character in Me Too Flower anymore!(those who have seen will understand ;) )
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Overall Rating=10: Reading about the plot, I did think it looked interesting. Handsome playboy type character falls for a spitfire freedom fighter in 1930's Japanese occupied Josoen. Well, the story is so much more than that. Because of a bet, our handsome playboy is forced to try and woo Miss Prim and Proper Freedom Fighter, and in the process, finds out a lot about himself. The side story about his ex best friend and current courtesan best friend is just as important as the main story, weaving itself flawlessly within the other. Everything is linked and everything fits, from the slapstick comedy moments to the cute romance to the intense emotional drama that starts to unfold.
The story does start off with a rather light hearted and comedic feel. As the drama progresses and the characters become more embroiled with the events, it takes a more serious turn, though such a transition occurs subtly and again, flawlessly. The pacing is everything here, and the whole drama is paced perfectly, even down to the numerous cliffhanger episode endings that leave you eagerly impatient to see what happens next. This is especially true in the last few episodes.
In the end, I highly, highly recommend this drama to anyone who is looking for a drama to watch because really, it has everything most people look for. Romance, comedy, action, drama, mystery and suspense. It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat throughout, as well as had me laughing out loud and crying for real with the characters. Both funny and touching, it truly is a masterpiece.
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What might put you off: it's not high budget.
What would suck you in: It's set in Japanese-Occupation Era Korea, which has lots of levels of society that are typically ignored but get their moment in Capital Scandal. Opposites Attract couple: he's a flashy rich boy who is just floating with the tide and she's a relic of a bygone era who is willing to go the distance for her country. We have a Bet Trope to start off their journey, but that's a tiny part of their overall development. There's essentially four leads, each with their own wants and goals. We have angst from past betrayal (not romantic), unrequited love, genuine friendship between men and women, amazing comedy, pining, full character arcs for everybody, badass women, the ManChild to Man trope, and the end, which was a real nail biter for me.
I cried. I laughed. It was amazing.
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A parody/satire
I love the story of "Capital Scandal", but it is disappointing when they made a parody/satire out of liberation movement story. Personally, I would prefer if they made "Capital Scandal" in a drama story telling. I must say, all the actors and actresses perform well and interpret the characters cleverly. I especially like the character Seo Woo Wan (portrayed by Kang Ji Hwang) probably because Actor Kang Ji Hwang can interpret the character so well and makes Seo Woo Wan so gullible and lovable. He makes the story keep going. Also Actress Han Go Eun is fun too watch and entertaining, she is convincing portraying an underground liberation fighter, Cha Song Joo, with nothing to lose attitude. The original sound tracks are excellent and go well with the parody/satire mini series.Was this review helpful to you?
cast and acting skills: OMG like OMG what can I say the two main leads done their job just more than prefect kang Ji hwan ohh I am in love with this actor the way he acted the role of a play boy at the 1930s was supreme. I don't know how he done it that way the way he was dressed was too cute , fashionable and interesting for me I mean wearing a suit with grey and pink colors and a Hat ( cutii :D )and still appear extremely attractive .The emotional scenes done by ji hwan are beautifully awesome I could feel his pain and anger easily and actually kang ji hwan and jang min had such a good chemistry on screen so cute together
story : was done in such an interesting era 1930s same as (bridal mask drama ) you hardly skip anything in the drama cause things happen after each other there were loads of extremely funny scenes that made me just laugh a lot (like my girl drama ) I think the cast were also laughing while filming it :D :D :D
location : the place were drama was filmed in was such a brilliant place that make you really able to imagine how was life back then at the 1930s how the cafes was what people used to do at their daily life at that era how was their dates , houses , streets it is like the town you always imagine when you hear a fairytale
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