Year 2007 had finally kicked in(errr…a month ago), and we get a new batch of dramas. There’s Hana Yori Dango 2, bringing the biggest wave among giggling females. And, yes I am among them-giggling-females. In this post, I’ll try and suppress my growing addiction for Hanadan; there’s more than enough frenzy going on about it in the world wide web. I don’t think any additional input from me will make a difference.
So instead, let’s look at the other side of the spectrum: Kdramas.
First Impression
I am currently following three kdramas, and only one of them is worth discussing about. It is a KBS drama, with actress Chae Rim (Oh Pil Seung) and Lee Min Ki (Really, Really Like You) starring as the two main leads. Don’t ask me about that guy in the left. I can never remember his name because I have never tried to. He was that dude in Attic Cat who had a thing for Jung Da Bin ( rest in peace, Da Bin ssi).
I highly recommend Oh Dal Ja’s Spring based on the six episodes I’ve seen. I’m not going to capture its premise in a few sentences. I could say, it’s about a 33-year old woman and her everyday battles in our society that concern aging single women. But nah, it’s much much much more than that. There’s romance, of course, and lots of hilarious scenarios.
This drama is a fresh of breath air in the kdrama world. It’s oozing with creativity and wit. Witness Dal Ja in numerous degrading moments. But when she picks herself up again and fights back, you can’t help but exclaim loudly, “you go, girl!”
My only worry is the length. I’m at episode 6, and so many things have already occurred. I wonder what else they could come up for the remaining 16 episodes. There’s our mysterious Tae-bong: Lee Min Ki. We haven’t had a thorough peek in Tae-bong’s life yet. I was surprised to find out that I am a year older than him. He is playing a 27 yr old character, 5 years younger than his real age. Chae-Rim, on the other hand gave me a serious fright. I’ve seen her in Oh Pil-Seung, We’re Dating now, and one of my fave kdramas, All About Eve. But I have never seen her face painted with so much crap. Who goes to bed in full-blast sparkling make-up? I had a hard time looking at her face for the first 2 episodes. It doesn’t suit her at all. I could understand the hair though. I’m hoping that they put it back to its natural straightness, but that won’t do because of the comic illustrations. And yet, it is still the same ol’ Chae Rim. Her acting is so soothingly familiar like a cup of warm coffee in your hands. She made an actual person out of the fictional character, Oh Dal Ja.
Moving on to the side characters, that woman in purple was the snobby bitch in Save The Last Dance For Me. Another unbelievable transformation. Oh, she’s still a bitch in this drama, but a lovable bitch, she is. From the moment she appeared in the drama, I haven’t had the urge to hate her. I love her. Unfortunately that ugly ajusshi is her leading man. I guess, that’s a big relief for those who’s just starting to watch this drama. Relax, Chae-rim is not gonna end up with him. Nonetheless, you can’t help but sympathize with this guy, no matter how sleazy he was in the beginning. Camaraderie, remember that word. I love this drama so far but please, please, please, don’t ruin this one for us!
Halfway Through
Episode 12 is just as strong as the previous episodes, if not stronger. Wow, I’m speechless. Can this drama get any better?
At this point on, I don’t think the length is a question anymore. It is a must!
I’m in love with all the characters. Yesh, including the big-head-small-shouldered guy- Representative Eom. He’s a terrific comic relief! He reads mahnwa’s (korean manga) for research on what women want. Meditation is his way of releasing stress and anger. Meditation by cleaning your bathtub. His character is not annoying even if he’s the alleged “other man” in Dal Ja’s menage a trois. You gotta love his psychotic ex wife too.
Seon Joo-ssi and Sae Do-ssi – Raise your hand if your heart started beating fast with the “hug” in episode 12.
“So what? Should I hold you tighter?”
Awww….I think I’m gonna cry. Their story could have been easily taken out of a Judith McNaught’s or Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ paperback novel. (hai, hai…I read those kind of books). Seon-Joo ssi is suave, mature and sophisticated. She makes this drama a must-watch for all WOMEN out there. Whoever wrote this drama knows how to hit the right strings in our gender. One perfect example is Seon-Joo’s speech about wearing the size you’re most comfortable in. But that’s just one of too many along with Dal Ja’s narrations. You’ll a notice a trend in her narrations, and don’t be annoyed if she keeps reminding you that she’s 33…there’s a reason for that. Like this one here…lol..this one is funny eh?
I’m not gonna say anything about the blooming development between our boy and DalJa…just see for yourself…heh heh heh
One last thing I should mention is the SOUNDTRACK. It’s not original, because the tunes they use are signature themes that links with a particular scene or movie(eg. the detective tune, ghost/horror movies tune). On second thought, the idea is original. This is the first time I saw a drama that uses a huge number of these tracks. The effect is spot on and makes it more hilarious than it is already.
10 more episodes left. Bring it on! I’m glad this is a KBS drama. I find that MBC dramas are the draggiest of the three major broadcasting companies. Although it’s ironic how they(MBC) also made Dae Jang Geum a 56-episode drama, a great watch from start to end. On the other hand, SBS has mostly the best melodramas.
Final Thoughts
“If it’s fate…maybe”
“If it’s fate…must be”
Aisshhh, give me a break!!! What is this? A rip off of the famous lines from the Japanese Drama “Pride“? If not for those lame lines, I would have forgiven the mellowness of the last two episodes. STILL…minus the last two episodes, it is an excellent korean drama. I would give it a 9.5. This drama had rekindled my lost love for korean dramas. One reason why I highly value this drama is the “roundness” of the characters. You’ll end up liking all of them. *big sigh* I still can’t get over episode 22. No…no…no…It’s a happy ending. I just wish, for once they’ve become extravagant. I guess that’s what we get for complaining about predictability. sighsighsigh.
Links
I just finished watching ep. 11 of this drama. So much has happened already! But it’s getting better and better. I’ve never enjoy a drama this much bfore. Chae Rim sure is like a cup of warm coffee, this is the first time I’ve seen her acting. also I love the “woman in purple”
The guy with her is not good looking at all but he is a lovely character! definitely cannot leave him out!
Sometimes I think the producers are risking a little bit in revealing the characters’ backgrounds and stuff, but it seems there are just soo many things happen. I’m impressed with how much stuff they can put in in a short time and not be so “dramatic” like other typical dramas. Things just flow in a charming way.
Never get bored of this, and just like you, crossing fingers and hope those producers do’nt ruin it
p/s: I couldnt stand chae rim’s make up at first but now im getting kinda used to it.
Hey, we’re on the same pace! Go see episode 12 NOW! Like you, I’m loving this drama to bits and pieces.
I hope we don’t jinx it though.
i’m following this drama via http://www.veoh.com ^^
it’s great…at ep15, can’t wait for the rest..hope the ending is good.
Just thinking they should make something like this (not exactly), in tw, with Barbie Hsu (aka Da S) as the main lead, about a woman at 30-ish, career woman looking (she should look stylish and beautiful like she looked in the drama Corner with Love) out for true love … and encountering different guys (rich, handsome, playful, cute, chidish..etc), and one of the guys, main guy is Vic Chou as a younger man. ^^ haha
Dreaming…
Oh thanks for the link! ^_^
(
Yup, I just saw episode 15 about 3 days ago. Now I’m panicking coz it’s getting closer and closer to the end, and I dont want it to finish yet!
Sorry, i can’t share your Barbie x Vic match-up, coz I personally don’t like Barbie (or twdramas).
Dal ja’s spring is a great drama because it leads us towards a orginal path and i feel so concern about it.
Im a woman, and it depicts a good image of womankind (new word from me,lol). Women are Supermen…it’s a motto from this drama…very nice TV Show and each minutes are very exciting, never one moment, i felt bored.
interesting characters
interesting storyline
interesting jokes
love all these
hope u’ll enjoy this drama like i do.
already watch all episode, i think this is a great korean drama after for such a long time there is no good korean drama that i’ve watched after 2 years this is the best…funny,hopefully, imaginary but realitally and full of friendship…
FYI – the actress who played Oh Dal Ja, she’s like Katie Holmes’ twin specially in Dating Now. hehe
i agree with you all, this Drama is great and will impart viewer a lesson. yup, chaerim is like a twin of Katie Holmes
hey can i get the soundtracks of this show pls? or can i get least get the names of them??
Does anyone know if this is based off a manga and if so what it is? I loved the images and would like to read it if it is.
Thanks
just finished the 7th episode and absolutely hooked!
whoa dear! I have been persisting against Dal Ja Spring because I thought you didn’t recommended it. I have read some of ur reviews about K Drama’s mostly I’m with you. Therefore, somehow but I don’t know how I has mistook that Dal Ja Spring is like another typical korean drama and I avoided is as much as i can no matter how popular it is. Until recently I read at dramabeans.com about how highly people praised it ( but i loved how they comments about all drama there, very different reviews with different opinions, i would say that Korean drama viewers has slightly matured already with skeptical, not biased and objective viewers) and i came here to read actually what you have written about it and I’m surprised. Erm,, i will check it out then. If you said it bring a fresh air in Kdramas. Thanks
seldom do i get hooked on a drama like this one. its awesomely witty, funny and real. haha i dont like her makeup too and as for her hair i loathed it from the first six episodes but I’ve grown to love it hehe..
loved it for its pacing, no episodes are wasted, its packed full, and you are right, the length is absolutely necessary..and its not as dragging as other k-dramas! you have great reviews.. keep it up!
I marathoned this drama these past three days. It’s sad how I ended up unable to stop watching until I noticed that it’s already 7am. It’s that addicting. I watched through the recommendation of my friend and it’s currently one of my major favorites. It’s definitely a gem among the many predictable mellow dramatic kdramas out there.
In agreement with everyone else, I also love the well rounded characters and the fact that there is no “ultimate villain” in this series even the crazy ex-wife. Everyone has a human side to them and even the good people have their flaws.
Overall,its a really lovely drama and I can’t get over the beautiful style and art throughout the series. I only wish the last two episodes gave us a little more depth. While the ending is decent, it feels a little short changed with Dal Ja and Tae Bong. Nevertheless wonderful drama. I’m kind of glad I didn’t know about this until after school ended or else I would have been in trouble! lol. From actors, to script, to design, it’s a must watch
Actually, I’m pretty sure Lee Min Ki is only 23 in real life – so he’s playing a character 4 years his senior. Or, rather, 5 years, considering this was done last year.
kip it up dalja!!!!
The last episode where a bit puzzling….it would have been better if the ring was given and she would have returned in less than year. remember her age at the moment was 33.
the momentum on their love was lost in the final episode, when in fact it should have been the grandest. it lost it’s uniqueness among other korean drama series.
But overall i love it. it’s realistic and funny.
before i’m not into korean dramas.. but when i saw dalja’s i started to appreciate them.. i love chae rim… hmm.. i think i can relate to this drama… hehehe…
I am late watching this drama. generally, agree with the previous comments, foremost was the last 2 episodes was a let down. Lame ending. The whole momentum of the drama was lost. The chemistry between Lee Min-ki and Chae Rim was good and this chemistry should have been exploited more to feed the audience’s expectations. How could the director made the hero stare at the heroine without reaction when she wanted to break up? No wonder she went off.