Sapir
Israel
This review may contain spoilers
…. A drama that portrays a love that is free of boundaries of age, gender and sex. This is about a pure love between souls. I've never seen this idea in my long record of drama watching, especially not in Saeguks. I will write about this more in this review.
There was a discussion at the past about this drama, as it won an award for being the first Korean drama that the "best couple" award was for two women.
I decided to write a review about this amazing and impactful drama. I am not proud of my past reviews, as I think my English lacks a lot and I think I can't convey everything I want, and I'll focus mainly on few characters and relationships over other ideas, but I'll try very hard on this one, as this drama holds a special meaning to me.
* This review contains spoilers. but I will try to make it as less as I can. *
* I won't write a summary of the plot as I guess people can read It, and because I think this review will get long anyway so please forgive me.
There are almost no bad points in this drama. I will go and explain each good point I saw important to mention.
Music- I can't say the OST was the best I've heard, but the music was beautifully fitted in the scenes and dialogs. There is a use of traditional Korean music instruments which fits the historical period. I can say I would love to hear the instrumental tracks again.
Characters and relationships:
The main and the strong point of this show is without a doubt, the characters and their relationships.
Shin Yoon Bok- Moon Geun Young is my favorite actress and that is for a reason. Her acting is flawless and virtuosic. Each of her characters is realistic and human. I like that she's never "black" or "white" but a human that lacks a lot, but also has a lot. In this drama, it's no different. SYB is a girl that dresses as a man to hide her true identity and live, so that her past won't be revealed, And MGY does this perfectly. I've never seen a gender-bender like this. She acts and behaves like a guy from the very beginning until the very end. She's not "a woman in a man's cloths", but actually behaves as one. This could have been because she was forced into this, but on the other hand, she always saw herself like one. I'm not sure if this is kind of a message of the writers for questioning gender and sexuality issues, but I do believe there's something in it. I like every moment she was on screen; I could feel her love and passion for painting. As a person that paints and loves art, I was truly mesmerized by the beautiful paintings. She was very devoted, but at the same time also selfish. She was brave and daring.
Kim Hong Do- KHD is a famous painter in Joseon who arrives to the capital to solve a problem that arises in the royal painters' academy. He meets SYB there and becomes her teacher and guider. As a painter, he manages to "catch" the feeling of what he draws. If it was an animal or the enjoyment of the people. I loved how his character was so charismatic, how he was silly and serious at the same time, how he managed to understand things as a painter and as a human. how much he loved SYB. Of course, Park Shin Yang did a great job portraying each and each trait of this amazing teacher, and he delivers emotions so well, I was sometimes surprised how this is only an acting.
Now I have to write about their amazing relationship. Without a doubt, KHD loved SYB so much from the beginning. As a pupil, he understood her potential and couldn’t give up on her. As they got to know each other, they became friends. They painted together, travelled the city, learned from each other. I've never seen such a deep relationship on screen as I saw as those two had. He cared so much for her, he sacrificed himself for her so many times Even if it was his own life or his hand (=his life). All that, without realizing she's actually a woman, and the women he was searching for his whole life. Even after he found out about her, there wasn't a "big dramatic realization" as in other dramas, but it was naturally ok. I loved so much how they showed their natural and realistic dialogs, their understanding without words. It was amazing. This is exactly why I said that this drama was about love between souls. Even though KHD thought she was a man and questioned himself with his sexual attraction and age issues, he loved her so dearly and did so much for her. He honestly loved her soul. I was also impressed by the camera work- the close ups of the eyes and hands- they deliver a poetic sexual tension between them, so you couldn’t miss how much they fell in love for each other romantically also.
Another character, Jeong Hyang- The beautiful Gisaeng that falls in love with SYB. They both were artists. SYB fell in love for her from the beginning. "even though" she was a woman. And I would also dare to say there was definitely erotism between them, especially when JH played the Gayageum and SYB painted. Their bond was a deep bond also. As they shared the love and professionalism for their art, they understood each other's souls with poetry.
SYB in my opinion, loved them both at the same time. But at the end, I think SYB was romantically in love with her teacher, Jeong Hyang was a very important existence for her. She was attracted to her beauty and art, but also attracted to her soul. Even after JH found out SYB was a girl, they still loved each other. I think SYB always saw JH as a mirror to what she could have been if she could be a "real women", And JH was her ultimate muse. That's why I thought she was confused until the end, but was also a very confused as a character. She was forced to act as a boy, so fell in love with a gisaeng (or was attracted to her but too innocent to realize the difference), and at the same time, we can’t deny her feelings toward her teacher, her savior, her "person", as he always sacrificed himself, she admired him and respected his drawings, he comforted her so many times. And you could feel and see their deep feelings for each other in the looks. She cared for him and bought things for him as she always though of him. Until the vey end though, she was doubting her identity, she stayed in a man's cloths, but drew a portrait of herself as a woman.
The beautify of this show, is that the Gisaeng and the teacher, both loved SYB as who she was, no matter of her gender or age, and she loved them for the same reason.
I can't put into words how exciting were the moments of her and KDH were, my heart was pounding each time they stared at each other and talked.
I loved how the message of the show was delivered- love is between two souls, and it doesn’t matter what form they take.
I wonder also if it was a message for a transgender character. But I won't dig too deep into it, as I didn't see anything that was said about it.
The other characters, as much loved or as much hated, I preferred not to talk about in this review, (They weren’t as layered as the others I mentioned)
As I said before, the cinematography was amazing. They really went down into details with the close ups to convey the feelings, the beautiful paintings; how they showed each line and line. Wonderfully done. The flashbacks of the past were entwined in the episodes, and not as the "prologue" as in most Saeguks. The moment SYB imagines her parents while listening to the Gayageum's playing…was so beautiful and poetic.
Apparently, all the paintings in this show and the people were real people, so I found it so interesting, original and amazing how the writers made up a story for each episode and how they related each of the painting to the other and the general plot. It was amazing. And another strong point of the drama.
I was always telling myself "wow, this is so anarchistic of the drama to draw a painting like this". but it seems it was in real life! It made me think, what if people in other counties were way ahead of their time but weren't recognized because they weren't from "the west"? I was surprised to know that the painter's painting of the Gisaeng and the lives of the common people, which in the modern art history of the west were only from the 19's century, were already from the 18's in Korea!
There were only few bad points that made me give this drama a 9 and not a 10, those are very little comparing to the profound good things of the drama.
+ I felt there were some flaws in the writing of the political background-I felt many things were "just there" instead of actually explaining them; in the palace, from the royal family, there were only the king and his grandmother. They didn't say anything about the queen or the crown prince. Where were they all the time?
+ The other characters were sometimes one dimensioned, it was ok, as this drama's focus was on the 2 main characters, their relationship and the art, but I thought that they could have explain a bit more. Many people said this drama was slow but I can't agree at all, as I felt everything was necessary. It was to show development in the relationships, to develop the political background or their artistry way. Everything was in the right pace and with a meaning.
+ The one thing I cannot agree with, and that’s the reason I can't get over this drama and get it out of my head (and heart), is the ending. After I saw it and thought about it a lot, I became able to understand YSB's choice and "why she did it". I understand, but I can't agree with it. Usually, I'm fine with open ending or not exactly good ones, but in this one. It makes me so sad that the writes didn’t put an additional scene to make it a "bitter-sweet" end. Instead they chose to end this drama in a sad ending. So, if you plan to watch this drama, be aware and prepared.
This drama definitely worth the watch though, and I definitely don't regret that I watched it and learned so much about Korea's history and artists. I will definitely recommend this drama even for people who don't like romantically sad endings, but I want you to be prepared to have this heartbreak at the end.
9/10
There was a discussion at the past about this drama, as it won an award for being the first Korean drama that the "best couple" award was for two women.
I decided to write a review about this amazing and impactful drama. I am not proud of my past reviews, as I think my English lacks a lot and I think I can't convey everything I want, and I'll focus mainly on few characters and relationships over other ideas, but I'll try very hard on this one, as this drama holds a special meaning to me.
* This review contains spoilers. but I will try to make it as less as I can. *
* I won't write a summary of the plot as I guess people can read It, and because I think this review will get long anyway so please forgive me.
There are almost no bad points in this drama. I will go and explain each good point I saw important to mention.
Music- I can't say the OST was the best I've heard, but the music was beautifully fitted in the scenes and dialogs. There is a use of traditional Korean music instruments which fits the historical period. I can say I would love to hear the instrumental tracks again.
Characters and relationships:
The main and the strong point of this show is without a doubt, the characters and their relationships.
Shin Yoon Bok- Moon Geun Young is my favorite actress and that is for a reason. Her acting is flawless and virtuosic. Each of her characters is realistic and human. I like that she's never "black" or "white" but a human that lacks a lot, but also has a lot. In this drama, it's no different. SYB is a girl that dresses as a man to hide her true identity and live, so that her past won't be revealed, And MGY does this perfectly. I've never seen a gender-bender like this. She acts and behaves like a guy from the very beginning until the very end. She's not "a woman in a man's cloths", but actually behaves as one. This could have been because she was forced into this, but on the other hand, she always saw herself like one. I'm not sure if this is kind of a message of the writers for questioning gender and sexuality issues, but I do believe there's something in it. I like every moment she was on screen; I could feel her love and passion for painting. As a person that paints and loves art, I was truly mesmerized by the beautiful paintings. She was very devoted, but at the same time also selfish. She was brave and daring.
Kim Hong Do- KHD is a famous painter in Joseon who arrives to the capital to solve a problem that arises in the royal painters' academy. He meets SYB there and becomes her teacher and guider. As a painter, he manages to "catch" the feeling of what he draws. If it was an animal or the enjoyment of the people. I loved how his character was so charismatic, how he was silly and serious at the same time, how he managed to understand things as a painter and as a human. how much he loved SYB. Of course, Park Shin Yang did a great job portraying each and each trait of this amazing teacher, and he delivers emotions so well, I was sometimes surprised how this is only an acting.
Now I have to write about their amazing relationship. Without a doubt, KHD loved SYB so much from the beginning. As a pupil, he understood her potential and couldn’t give up on her. As they got to know each other, they became friends. They painted together, travelled the city, learned from each other. I've never seen such a deep relationship on screen as I saw as those two had. He cared so much for her, he sacrificed himself for her so many times Even if it was his own life or his hand (=his life). All that, without realizing she's actually a woman, and the women he was searching for his whole life. Even after he found out about her, there wasn't a "big dramatic realization" as in other dramas, but it was naturally ok. I loved so much how they showed their natural and realistic dialogs, their understanding without words. It was amazing. This is exactly why I said that this drama was about love between souls. Even though KHD thought she was a man and questioned himself with his sexual attraction and age issues, he loved her so dearly and did so much for her. He honestly loved her soul. I was also impressed by the camera work- the close ups of the eyes and hands- they deliver a poetic sexual tension between them, so you couldn’t miss how much they fell in love for each other romantically also.
Another character, Jeong Hyang- The beautiful Gisaeng that falls in love with SYB. They both were artists. SYB fell in love for her from the beginning. "even though" she was a woman. And I would also dare to say there was definitely erotism between them, especially when JH played the Gayageum and SYB painted. Their bond was a deep bond also. As they shared the love and professionalism for their art, they understood each other's souls with poetry.
SYB in my opinion, loved them both at the same time. But at the end, I think SYB was romantically in love with her teacher, Jeong Hyang was a very important existence for her. She was attracted to her beauty and art, but also attracted to her soul. Even after JH found out SYB was a girl, they still loved each other. I think SYB always saw JH as a mirror to what she could have been if she could be a "real women", And JH was her ultimate muse. That's why I thought she was confused until the end, but was also a very confused as a character. She was forced to act as a boy, so fell in love with a gisaeng (or was attracted to her but too innocent to realize the difference), and at the same time, we can’t deny her feelings toward her teacher, her savior, her "person", as he always sacrificed himself, she admired him and respected his drawings, he comforted her so many times. And you could feel and see their deep feelings for each other in the looks. She cared for him and bought things for him as she always though of him. Until the vey end though, she was doubting her identity, she stayed in a man's cloths, but drew a portrait of herself as a woman.
The beautify of this show, is that the Gisaeng and the teacher, both loved SYB as who she was, no matter of her gender or age, and she loved them for the same reason.
I can't put into words how exciting were the moments of her and KDH were, my heart was pounding each time they stared at each other and talked.
I loved how the message of the show was delivered- love is between two souls, and it doesn’t matter what form they take.
I wonder also if it was a message for a transgender character. But I won't dig too deep into it, as I didn't see anything that was said about it.
The other characters, as much loved or as much hated, I preferred not to talk about in this review, (They weren’t as layered as the others I mentioned)
As I said before, the cinematography was amazing. They really went down into details with the close ups to convey the feelings, the beautiful paintings; how they showed each line and line. Wonderfully done. The flashbacks of the past were entwined in the episodes, and not as the "prologue" as in most Saeguks. The moment SYB imagines her parents while listening to the Gayageum's playing…was so beautiful and poetic.
Apparently, all the paintings in this show and the people were real people, so I found it so interesting, original and amazing how the writers made up a story for each episode and how they related each of the painting to the other and the general plot. It was amazing. And another strong point of the drama.
I was always telling myself "wow, this is so anarchistic of the drama to draw a painting like this". but it seems it was in real life! It made me think, what if people in other counties were way ahead of their time but weren't recognized because they weren't from "the west"? I was surprised to know that the painter's painting of the Gisaeng and the lives of the common people, which in the modern art history of the west were only from the 19's century, were already from the 18's in Korea!
There were only few bad points that made me give this drama a 9 and not a 10, those are very little comparing to the profound good things of the drama.
+ I felt there were some flaws in the writing of the political background-I felt many things were "just there" instead of actually explaining them; in the palace, from the royal family, there were only the king and his grandmother. They didn't say anything about the queen or the crown prince. Where were they all the time?
+ The other characters were sometimes one dimensioned, it was ok, as this drama's focus was on the 2 main characters, their relationship and the art, but I thought that they could have explain a bit more. Many people said this drama was slow but I can't agree at all, as I felt everything was necessary. It was to show development in the relationships, to develop the political background or their artistry way. Everything was in the right pace and with a meaning.
+ The one thing I cannot agree with, and that’s the reason I can't get over this drama and get it out of my head (and heart), is the ending. After I saw it and thought about it a lot, I became able to understand YSB's choice and "why she did it". I understand, but I can't agree with it. Usually, I'm fine with open ending or not exactly good ones, but in this one. It makes me so sad that the writes didn’t put an additional scene to make it a "bitter-sweet" end. Instead they chose to end this drama in a sad ending. So, if you plan to watch this drama, be aware and prepared.
This drama definitely worth the watch though, and I definitely don't regret that I watched it and learned so much about Korea's history and artists. I will definitely recommend this drama even for people who don't like romantically sad endings, but I want you to be prepared to have this heartbreak at the end.
9/10
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