What happens when an anti-hero becomes a hero? Well, for me, it completely amazes and devastates me all at once, and my experience with Gaksital (or Bridal Mask) was an exact replica of these two emotions all the way through. Gaksital, for me, took every single emotion and twisted them in just the right ways. Laughter, tears, empathy were all made complex by this show.
I cannot say enough about Gaksital's storyline; it is simply brillant. Yes, it is a revenge drama; yes, there is romance, but underlying these simple constructions is a toying with who we should like/dislike, who we should care for or about, and what we should think of particular situations. What I mean is, of course, that although the story clearly establishes a side, it gives us the choice of several different reactions to that side, all of which are thrilling and compelling.
Certainly, the acting in Gaksital furthered the story's sentiments very well. Both Joo Won and Park Ki Woong portray their roles well, particularly in emotional scenes. I also loved Han Chae Ah in this. Jin Se Yeon was a weaker actress, but I still liked her.
The OST brought out all the stops, from the big band to the epic opretic pieces placed at just the right moment. I loved the music so much that I would dream of it often.
Overall, Gaksital gives everything in its search to tell the story of a hero, the story of a villain, and the story of life in the middle of an occupation. It was heartrending and wrenching, terrible and wonderful at the same time. I can't wait to watch it again!
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