Dramaintherain
Somewhere trapped in the Alhambra.
Medical doctors shift between past and future to become better people.
"Live Up To Your Name" is a concoction of genres by the fine alchemists at TVn, proposing to you the following scenario: what if a historical figure of traditional Korean medicine - Heo Im - managed to time travel to 21st Century South Korea? What would he do? Since scholars in Joseon kept no record of other prominent time travellers ("Queen in Hyun's Man" and "Faith"), we as viewers are once again regaled with the nowadays uncommon drama story of a proficient figure trying to work out what a television is, or why carriages somehow go extremely fast without any horses pulling them.
Uniting both humour, time travel, and romance aspects of the story is the medical theme: "Live Up To Your Name" presents a sensationalist clash between hard boiled rational medical science against traditional Korean medicine in form of acupuncture. To a certain extent it conforms to contemporary tendencies of displaying distrust towards medical science for various reasons (in most cases unsubstantiated) and looking to alternative medicine as a solution. This becomes the focus point in the starting rivalry between the lead characters, Dr. Heo Im and Choi Yeon Kyung, as they act as representatives of both worlds. This rivalry slowly but steadily progresses into a dynamic relationship with complicated feelings getting entangled and their personal growth taking turns at improving. While some episodes act as filler and may stall the main plot, I can't say I felt this was an annoying impediment as pacing quickly jumped back into action. Perhaps more disappointing is the ending itself not because of how it ends but rather the time that is dedicated to it -- not enough in my opinion.
On the acting department Kim Nam Gil and Kim Ah Joong are remarkable in their performance as the leading actors, as well as the remaining main cast and support roles. Special shout out to Choi Chun Sool for playing a loveable yet extraordinarily grumpy grandfather. The lead actors clearly put a lot of effort into their characters, and there is an undeniable chemistry with a few spicy scenes that may result in a feverish state that may require medical assistance or acupuncture.
The weakest part of "Live Up To Your Name" is its soundtrack as it offers nothing out of the ordinary and it's mostly unnoticeable. I personally found the intro song out of touch with the story itself and rather rough on the ear but I am sure other viewers will appreciate the rough rock intro.
Does it have re-watch value? With 16 episodes, each 60 minutes long, I would say it depends heavily on the viewer and how good their memory is. "Live Up to Your Name" is a peculiar blend of genres set on entertaining you with the old world versus the new world of medicine in mind and while the leading characters cement this story and provide you with several hours of entertainment, once you are done with Heo Im and Choi Yeon Kyung a return trip won't be happening any time soon.
Uniting both humour, time travel, and romance aspects of the story is the medical theme: "Live Up To Your Name" presents a sensationalist clash between hard boiled rational medical science against traditional Korean medicine in form of acupuncture. To a certain extent it conforms to contemporary tendencies of displaying distrust towards medical science for various reasons (in most cases unsubstantiated) and looking to alternative medicine as a solution. This becomes the focus point in the starting rivalry between the lead characters, Dr. Heo Im and Choi Yeon Kyung, as they act as representatives of both worlds. This rivalry slowly but steadily progresses into a dynamic relationship with complicated feelings getting entangled and their personal growth taking turns at improving. While some episodes act as filler and may stall the main plot, I can't say I felt this was an annoying impediment as pacing quickly jumped back into action. Perhaps more disappointing is the ending itself not because of how it ends but rather the time that is dedicated to it -- not enough in my opinion.
On the acting department Kim Nam Gil and Kim Ah Joong are remarkable in their performance as the leading actors, as well as the remaining main cast and support roles. Special shout out to Choi Chun Sool for playing a loveable yet extraordinarily grumpy grandfather. The lead actors clearly put a lot of effort into their characters, and there is an undeniable chemistry with a few spicy scenes that may result in a feverish state that may require medical assistance or acupuncture.
The weakest part of "Live Up To Your Name" is its soundtrack as it offers nothing out of the ordinary and it's mostly unnoticeable. I personally found the intro song out of touch with the story itself and rather rough on the ear but I am sure other viewers will appreciate the rough rock intro.
Does it have re-watch value? With 16 episodes, each 60 minutes long, I would say it depends heavily on the viewer and how good their memory is. "Live Up to Your Name" is a peculiar blend of genres set on entertaining you with the old world versus the new world of medicine in mind and while the leading characters cement this story and provide you with several hours of entertainment, once you are done with Heo Im and Choi Yeon Kyung a return trip won't be happening any time soon.
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