SliceofOrange9
This review may contain spoilers
Aspired to be Goblin, Missed by a Mile
No doubt most of us were reeled in by Lee Dong Wook's stellar performance in Goblin. The man can act but this drama is proof that it takes so much more to recreate the magic of Goblin.
Lee Rang is easily the best part of this drama. I loved how they set him to be this ruthless villain early on only to peel back layers to reveal a sweet, scared, mistreated kid. He worshipped his half brother but turned dark when he thought Yeon abandoned him too. Kim Bum Soo was perfected casted for his innocent looks but strong acting skills. Seriously, i went from loathing his evil smirk in episode 2 to aww-ing at his adorable smile and childlike "hyung!" in episode 16. His character as the attention seeking younger brother was beautifully explored through scenes with Dong Wook's Yeon, which shed light beyond his Mr Romantic side - the aloof older brother who really adored Rang too.
Which is why I absolutely despise Rang's ending.
Dong Wook's acting as Yeon was good but that was to be expected. Yeon is entirely different from Goblin's Grim Reaper. True to his foxy nature, he's not smart, he's CUNNING. This was showed many, many times in the drama when he used his brains beond just brawns to save Nam Ji Ah. But what really stuck with me were the nuanced touches Dong Wook added to Yeon's interactions with Ji Ah. He remained snarky and sarcastic, but very considerate and attentive in small, subtle ways. Pushing the branch out out of Jiah's way, soft hair carresses. Very tender, not because she is fragile - she is too precious to him.
Her happiness list, he promised to do them all and indeed he did (sneakers, cooked rice, a wedding dress) and even though of Plan B in case he didn't make it. It so all was so endearing.
I have 3 big issues with this drama - Ji AH, Imoogi and Chemistry.
The plot is not coherant, especially in the middle around ep 7 to 14. This is where they jumbled up Ji Ah's and Imoogi's characters.
Ji Ah whom I adored early on for being perceptive, alert and semi-cunning at sussing people, succumbed to being a quintessential K-drama damsel in disstress the second Yeon became the knight in shining armour mid way.
And Imoogi, didn't have a strong character motivation. Did he want to reign chaos or did he want the girl? And what's that line about wanting Ji Ah because he wanted to be loved, trying to make him sympathetic like Rang? But then wait, 2 Imoogi's with different wants?? I'm throwing up my hands.
Yeon made a remark to Imoogi, something like the gods make creatures like him that don't receive love (a Ying Yang balance thing I asssume). If done right, it could have made Imoogi a complex, fascinating villain. Especially since they casted the boyishly handsome Lee Tae Ri who did not inspire much terror. Sad.
As others have mentioned, Chemistry was off for our main leads. Dong Wook did his best but sparks just weren't flying with Jo Bo Ah. Heck, even our secondary ML and FL had more chemistry, but nothing can top our half brothers.
I hope the Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 (2022) is better. But after this disappointment - I'm moving on.
Lee Rang is easily the best part of this drama. I loved how they set him to be this ruthless villain early on only to peel back layers to reveal a sweet, scared, mistreated kid. He worshipped his half brother but turned dark when he thought Yeon abandoned him too. Kim Bum Soo was perfected casted for his innocent looks but strong acting skills. Seriously, i went from loathing his evil smirk in episode 2 to aww-ing at his adorable smile and childlike "hyung!" in episode 16. His character as the attention seeking younger brother was beautifully explored through scenes with Dong Wook's Yeon, which shed light beyond his Mr Romantic side - the aloof older brother who really adored Rang too.
Which is why I absolutely despise Rang's ending.
Dong Wook's acting as Yeon was good but that was to be expected. Yeon is entirely different from Goblin's Grim Reaper. True to his foxy nature, he's not smart, he's CUNNING. This was showed many, many times in the drama when he used his brains beond just brawns to save Nam Ji Ah. But what really stuck with me were the nuanced touches Dong Wook added to Yeon's interactions with Ji Ah. He remained snarky and sarcastic, but very considerate and attentive in small, subtle ways. Pushing the branch out out of Jiah's way, soft hair carresses. Very tender, not because she is fragile - she is too precious to him.
Her happiness list, he promised to do them all and indeed he did (sneakers, cooked rice, a wedding dress) and even though of Plan B in case he didn't make it. It so all was so endearing.
I have 3 big issues with this drama - Ji AH, Imoogi and Chemistry.
The plot is not coherant, especially in the middle around ep 7 to 14. This is where they jumbled up Ji Ah's and Imoogi's characters.
Ji Ah whom I adored early on for being perceptive, alert and semi-cunning at sussing people, succumbed to being a quintessential K-drama damsel in disstress the second Yeon became the knight in shining armour mid way.
And Imoogi, didn't have a strong character motivation. Did he want to reign chaos or did he want the girl? And what's that line about wanting Ji Ah because he wanted to be loved, trying to make him sympathetic like Rang? But then wait, 2 Imoogi's with different wants?? I'm throwing up my hands.
Yeon made a remark to Imoogi, something like the gods make creatures like him that don't receive love (a Ying Yang balance thing I asssume). If done right, it could have made Imoogi a complex, fascinating villain. Especially since they casted the boyishly handsome Lee Tae Ri who did not inspire much terror. Sad.
As others have mentioned, Chemistry was off for our main leads. Dong Wook did his best but sparks just weren't flying with Jo Bo Ah. Heck, even our secondary ML and FL had more chemistry, but nothing can top our half brothers.
I hope the Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 (2022) is better. But after this disappointment - I'm moving on.
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