Lawyers of Korea

December is coming again and if I’m going to write one of those year-end Drama roundups (not that I will, but hypothetically saying if I do write one), Lawyers of Korea would earn a few spots in my list. Missing it is a BIG mistake.

One of my friends who I supply dramas with asked if I have this on disc because she can’t find it at aznv.tv;  I answered, “Oh don’t bother, it’s probably a repetition of that draggy MBC drama, Lawyers. I’d rather re-watch the Jdrama Hero than go through another series about Korean lawyers who can’t even fix their own lives.”

(And if you know the story of life, I am always wrong. Well at least, I’m not afraid to admit it when I am.)

Fortunately, my greedy nature wants to download everything so I ended up downloading the whole series anyway.  Imagine my surprise when I found out not a sappy, draggy show, but instead a nice and fluffy romantic story following the unbreakable love-rectangle template for Korean dramas.

Are you sure you're a millionaire?

Title: Dae~ Han Min Gook (insert *clap* *clapclap* *clap*)

The title is actually a play on the words of the popular Korean cheer: Dae~ Han Min Gook! Say it out loud a couple of times and it’ll sound more and more familiar.  Some scenes from 9 End 2 Outs might even start popping in your head.  So what’s the connection?  Dae Han Min Gook translates to Republic of Korea.  One of the main characters in the story is named Han Min Gook.  During his first appearance, a point where you’re still probably trying to map out the characters’ names, you’ll see Han Min Gook (the “old” looking ajusshi) passing by a bunch of people watching a soccer game in the street.  He stops for a while and joins in with the cheering.  Now, before you start assuming what a nationalistic/sporty citizen this man is, think again.

Now, do you get it?  For some reason, I’m reminded of Chiaki-sempai and his fondness of using “oresama” to refer to himself.

Story & Script :  “Ask at least three times…”

To sum up the story in one short paragraph makes this drama “just another typical romantic comedy.”  It’s got the love rectangle, cohabitation, the millionaire, the actress, and as always, the poor and average -looking Cinderella.  But to actually invest your 16 hours in watching this drama, you’ll find out that when you think you almost have it figured out, the scene turns into a different path at the very last second.  When you expect the main actress to break down and cry a la Lee Dae Hee, she lights up into a smile instead.  End of story.  Problem solved, right?  Writer Suh Suk Hyang is a sensible lady indeed.  Unlike the other writers, she didn’t drag things out.  The characters she created made use of what you call communication.  I can’t even remember a lot of angst between our two main leads.  If she ever writes a romance novel, I would definitely buy it (provided it’s in a language I could read).  Most of the lines that were intended to be romantic ACTUALLY turned out effectively romantic, unlike, *cough* East of Eden *cough*.  The latter writer is adding “trashy” into the list of adjectives I am planning to use in my next entry for East of Eden.  I am not saying that Lawyers of Korea has a one of a kind plot.  It’s actually pretty stupid if you sit back and take in the big picture.  But the script makes it work.

Another thing I like is the placement of the flashbacks.  They don’t lump them in a six-episode package.  Instead, the plot jumps right into the present, and little by little they uncover each of the character’s history in these short trips to memory lane.

The Characters: I want another Han Min Gook!

Remember my last entry entitled, “I want another Hyung Tae!” ?  Now,  it’s officially changed into “I want another Han Min Gook!”  Three months left in 2008, but I am definitely sure that he’ll take my No.1 favorite Korean male lead this year.  Actually, you can even cross out Korean.  Han Min Gook (Lee Jung Jae) is my favorite male character this year.  He may not be a “love at first sight”.  My sis and friend were in favor of Ryu Soo Young and thought that he was the male lead after finishing the first episode.  I kept my mouth shut and waited a few more days.  When I spoke to them again, they couldn’t stop gushing about Han Min Gook.  See?  I told you so.  This man is incredible.  He’s wholesome!  He’s charismatic!  Dae~ Han Min Gook! Darn straight, yo.

Dattemone?

I also love Lee Soo Kyung in here.  She did it again.  First, it was Soulmate, and now this one.  Both of her dramas I have finished within a span of a week and pulled me back into the world of Kdramas.  She did great in romancing both Mr. Han Min Gook and Lawyer Byun Hyuk.  The set up was cleverly done that I couldn’t even figure out during the first two episodes which is the genuine duo.

Ryu Soo Young

Ryu Soo Young: Man, when you did you become so pretty?   I’ve seen a few dramas of his but I was never drawn into his characters until I met Lawyer Byun. The twist of his leaving(the cellphone message) pulled back this drama into mediocrity – that and Han Eun Jung (Full House).  Han Eun Jung, you are the weakest link in this drama.  Goodbye!  Let’s skip her.

Pacing

I marathoned the first six episodes, and after that, because I have work, I went down to two to three episodes per day.  Still, I finished it in one week, and for me that’s a great achievement.  The first two episodes introduce the characters and could be confusing at times.  As I’ve mentioned before, this drama doesn’t have that love at first sight effect.  Other viewers – judgemental kiddie viewers – will probably drop this after learning that Mr. Han Min Gook doesn’t have any boyband features.  Your loss, not mine.  The last few episodes slowed down a bit and focused more into Han Min Gook’s business.  Happy Ending?  Yep.

Favorite Scenes:

Don't close your eyes in front of me...

Ajummah!  Agasshi?  Ajummah!

Yes-u.

Ending of Episode 12

And a few more…enough reason for me to re-watch this drama in the future.