Gale
Philippines
Gripping plot with a biting kind of romance
I wasn't supposed to watch this one because I already guessed it would be tragic based on the trailer. But, I got curious and binge-watched this last night and it was worth it! So here are some things I want to point out:
- No, the drama didn't distort their history (I read up on Korean history for context). There was no glorification at all. In fact, it gives you the impression that authorities--whether they're from South or North--are just driven by their own ambitions and have no care for its people. In the end, ordinary people only got each other because those in power only see us as a tool for their gain.
- It would be a bit hard to understand at first. The drama requires the viewers to at least know what was happening in South Korea in 1987 to know how the tension and political unrest came about. The drama opened with protests so it helps to read up on the history leading up to that year to get the context.
- Think of CLOY but more gripping, intense, complex, and heartbreaking. It will keep you on the edge of your seat in every episode and frustrate you to no end.
- Jisoo and Hae In's chemistry is on another level despite this drama having little romantic moments between the two main characters. It helps that their characters have more complexities that make their love story more gripping and heartbreaking that all you could do is root for these two's happiness. There's just so much tension whenever these two are on the same frame.
- Speaking of Jisoo, I got to commend her acting. I'm a bit reluctant to watch idol-actors because most of them get to be the main leads without knowing how to act. It's not like jisoo's acting is stellar but even in her first lead role, she's definitely better than other idol actors who have been acting for years. She really makes use of her face to act out every emotion and is not afraid of looking ugly (although she's still pretty) in the process. Some idols are too determined to look pretty onscreen that their facial expressions don't change no matter what the situation is in the scene.
- I also got to commend the OST. It adds to the emotional pull of every scene.
To wrap it all up, there's a lot to unpack in this drama so I recommend watching this during your free time so you could think over what just happened in every twist and turn.
- No, the drama didn't distort their history (I read up on Korean history for context). There was no glorification at all. In fact, it gives you the impression that authorities--whether they're from South or North--are just driven by their own ambitions and have no care for its people. In the end, ordinary people only got each other because those in power only see us as a tool for their gain.
- It would be a bit hard to understand at first. The drama requires the viewers to at least know what was happening in South Korea in 1987 to know how the tension and political unrest came about. The drama opened with protests so it helps to read up on the history leading up to that year to get the context.
- Think of CLOY but more gripping, intense, complex, and heartbreaking. It will keep you on the edge of your seat in every episode and frustrate you to no end.
- Jisoo and Hae In's chemistry is on another level despite this drama having little romantic moments between the two main characters. It helps that their characters have more complexities that make their love story more gripping and heartbreaking that all you could do is root for these two's happiness. There's just so much tension whenever these two are on the same frame.
- Speaking of Jisoo, I got to commend her acting. I'm a bit reluctant to watch idol-actors because most of them get to be the main leads without knowing how to act. It's not like jisoo's acting is stellar but even in her first lead role, she's definitely better than other idol actors who have been acting for years. She really makes use of her face to act out every emotion and is not afraid of looking ugly (although she's still pretty) in the process. Some idols are too determined to look pretty onscreen that their facial expressions don't change no matter what the situation is in the scene.
- I also got to commend the OST. It adds to the emotional pull of every scene.
To wrap it all up, there's a lot to unpack in this drama so I recommend watching this during your free time so you could think over what just happened in every twist and turn.
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