Heirs: Maybe Not



Sorry, show. You can't make me love you.

Each week I watch this show with my metaphorical fingers crossed. Wanting to like it. Wishing for something new. And always leaving with a sigh. Because something’s still missing. Eleven episodes in and I’m still waiting for someone to make a touchdown. Something that will make me throw my hands in the air and cheer. I do think the last episode improved, so maybe we’re headed in the right direction. Meanwhile, here are some things to work on at half-time: 

Greasy Directing

The PD must be a fan of cheese, ‘cause he heaps it on like he was getting kickbacks from Velveeta. Whether it’s the 80s guitar riffs that play whenever Tan and Young Do go at it or the “Love is the momeeeeeeeent” that pops up ad-nauseum, the soundtrack is anything but subtle and the same can be said for the directing. It feels obvious and manipulative. I find it a little insulting as the viewer. He doesn’t trust me to recognize the importance of the scene unless he shows it to me from six different angles. Close-up of the hero. Close-up of the heroine. Camera pans in from a distance. Camera swooping in from the top. Two-shot. Wide-shot. Has anyone else noticed how long it takes to get from the final scene to the credits? It’s ridiculous.

Why so stingy with the side characters?

There are hints of awesome hidden in each episode. We’ve got a bazillion side characters, so let’s see more of them and less of Tan brooding in the wine cellar for the umpteenth time. I vote for more Hyo Shin. This guy watches from on high like a sarcastic narrator, never fully a part of the action, yet giving the impression he knows more than he’s telling. We can see he lives in mortal terror of his family, but around his peers he does as he pleases. Everyone else cringes when Young Do walks in the room, but Hyo Shin feels perfectly comfortable throwing up in his toilet without so much as a by-your-leave. And that forehead kiss with teacher. Ahhhhh. I’ll take one of those over every romantic interaction the main OTP couple has had so far.

Speaking of the OTP 

Did anyone else play with Ken and Barbie as a kid? You’d dress them up in their polyester finery, maneuver them through an imaginary party, and then culminate by smooshing their plastic lips together. That’s kind of what I feel watching Park Shin-hye and Lee Min-ho’s love scenes. I want to care, but I just can’t… work…up…the…energy. *Yawn*

What happened to the spunk? 

Remember the girl in the first episode who whipped out her phone to call the police the minute the pervy ahjussis wouldn’t leave her alone. Yeah . . . what happened to her? I liked feisty Eun Sang who was ready to put up her dukes at a moment’s notice. Now she gets passed back and forth between Tan and Young Do like an old, worn-out basketball. Just once, when Young Do grabs her, why doesn’t she kick him in the shins? Don’t get me wrong. Young Do’s semi-psychotic attempts at wooing crack me up. The whole “Don’t-get-hurt-and-get-out-of-my-way” speech from the last episode was great. But I’d like to see her do more than threaten to kill him, then take it back a few scenes later.

More Stupid Teenagers, Please 

I know puberty is full of angst and all, but I don’t remember it being this bad. Maybe I should count myself lucky I wasn’t born rich, because these kids could all use some major therapy. That’s why a scene like Tan blocking Eun Sang in the radio room, and her opening the door from the other way is such a welcome relief. “This is why you’re in 100th place.” Hahahahaha. Please give us more of this. Teenagers thinking their clever and being so wrong.

I found myself more engaged in the last episode, so there's still hope. We’re halfway through the show so I might as well keep watching. I guess. If I feel like it. Maybe I should write myself a reminder in case I . . . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

7 Days, 6 Nights in Dramaland: Where do I sign up?

I saw the movie Austenland this week (hilarious, by the way). A Mr. Darcy obsessed American woman blows her life savings on a dream vacation at a Regency-themed English resort, complete with corsets, carriages, and actors in tight breeches pretending to fall in love with her. This got me thinking. What if there actually was a Dramaland where K-addicts could indulge their every Hallyu-tinted fantasy? And what would it look like? I imagine their brochure might read something like this:

Door-to-Door Service

The moment you arrive, your feet should never touch the ground. Choose from an assortment of comfy, cartoon-shaped slippers. A bellboy doppelganger of your favorite Hallyu Hero will then princess carry or piggyback you up to your room. Some of our most popular choices include:

The Song Seung Heon Peek-a-boo Carry

The Kim Hyun Joong Yee-haw Hold

The Hyun Binnie You-can-vomit-if-you-feel-like-it Variation

Complimentary Yellow Binoculars

Each room comes equipped with a pair of binoculars and a large, picture window. A seaside room includes unobstructed views of Lee Min Ho surfing and showering from 9 to 5. And even the cheaper, obstructed views promise a handsome, flower boy neighbor that you can innocently peep at to your heart’s content.

All-you-can-eat Ramyun

The resort’s mouth watering menu offers everything from Doughnuts to Ddeokbokki. Cider to Soju. But the specialty of the house is, of course, Ramyun. You can enjoy the delicious, noodly treat in the grandeur of our five star restaurant, a cozy pojangmacha on the front lawn, or have room service delivered personally by the chef (who just happens to resemble the charming curmudgeon from Pasta).

Sageuk Soiree

Step back in time each evening at our Sageuk Soiree. If you’re the studious type, you can explore the library with Kim Boong Do and Sungkyunkwan’s own, Lee Seon-Joon. Wander the iridescent blue gardens with Kang Chi. Or, if you prefer to be treated like a princess, sit in comfort on your royal throne while Kim Soo-hyun fakes a performance on the gayageum. (Gats and Hanbok rentals included in the price of the room, but there is an extra charge for ornamental headdresses.)

A Memorable Anyung

Must you say goodbye? We’ll grab on to your wrist and beg you not to leave us, but release you in the end because that’s what true love does. Just don’t expect us to be happy about it. As your limo winds down the drive, a line-up of Prince Lee Shin, Master Joongwon, and A.N.JELL Hwang Tae-kyung will fall to their knees shouting “Kajimaaaaaaaa!”

Please call 1-1-1-1 for more information on our Dramaland packages. We want to make your stay Daebak, so please leave any suggestions for improvement in the comment section below.

Heirs: A Definite Maybe

Is Heirs the hot mess some were expecting? Nope. A copy of Boys Over Flowers? Not in the slightest. Is it a winner? Ehhhhh . . . it’s too early to tell. The story holds your interest (although I did find myself checking the time). The actors play their parts creditably. And some of the side couples may steal the show. But I wouldn’t call it a crack drama. At least, not right out of the gate. But I’m willing to give it a few episodes to hit its stride. In the meantime, here are a few points in its favor:

I like the heroine. 

This girl is no goody-two-shoes. She works hard, but resents it. Feels embarrassment over her mother’s speaking impairment. And finally decides to chuck it all and go sponge off her sister in America. But despite all of this, I like her. You understand her inner turmoil, and can see that she will do the right thing, even though she feels the injustice. And she’s no pushover. I love how we first meet her when she calmly fends off a couple of pervy ahjussis with one quick call to the police. She may have her crybaby moments in the premier (although I think they’re well-deserved), but she always sucks it up in the end and moves on.

Can we take Airhead American back to Korea with us? 

This guy. Hahahahahaha. Jay just makes me laugh. At first I was cringing from the bad acting, a situation that happens all too often with the English speaking day players. Then I found myself looking forward to his scenes. He was so over-the-top, and that whole bit with him snorting the bean powder and having an allergic reaction. Just . . . I mean . . . what do I say? I’ve never seen anything like that before, and that’s a rare quality in a K-drama.

Fauxcest for the win 

I kinda get the whole Korean situation of a step-brother and sister being legal siblings because of family registers, thanks to the drama Love Rain. And even in the States, a relationship wouldn’t be against the law, but it’s still a little icky. That being said, this is one of my favorite storylines in the whole show. “My sister is just my type.” Oh my word! Who says things like that?

Another set of scene stealers 

Bo Na and Chan Young are too cute. (And two of the only cast members that actually look like high schoolers.) She’s jealous, overbearing, and shallow. He’s laid back, thoughtful, and friendly. These two could really make it. Even though I can see her getting annoying after five or six episodes, maybe we’ll get more depth in the future. And I really like that his poverty seems to be a non-issue with her. She loves him, and no pretty, best friend from childhood better get in their way. The whole deal with him mussing her hair when they walked out the door was a great blink-and-you-miss-it moment.

Hero meets Heroine 

What an interesting way for the guy to get his first glimpse of the girl. The whole scene with Eun Sang’s sister rifling through her suitcase and running off with the cash. Gah. So wrong! And you could see the empathy on Tan’s face. If there’s one thing he understands, it’s family issues. Their relationship begins not with romantic attraction, but mutual suffering. There was something so poignant about the whole setup.

I don’t get much of a toe-curling, sexy vibe with our OTP. But I do care about their characters. I’ll stick around for now, and see where the show goes once we get back to high school.

Let the List Making Commence!

Annyeonghaseyo, y’all.

How did a Southern Irish-Italian girl end up hooked on Korean Dramas? Probably the same as you:

1.      My friend recommended some story about a princess.

2.      I put it off for a long time.

3.      Wasted time searching. (How many princess dramas does Netflix have, anyway!)

4.      Begrudgingly checked it out.

5.      Wanted more, More, MORE before the story even ended.

Fast forward one year later. My family gives me strange looks when I refuse to watch anything in English, and I can gush for hours on Oppas, Birth Secrets, and Back Hugs. It’s been one wild, piggyback ride. But it’s not over, yet! So to celebrate the anniversary of my Sarang Affair with K-dramas, this blog was born.

A legion of others (like the fabulous girls at Dramabeans) provide witty, fun recaps for our Kimchi flavored addiction, and I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. I’m a list-maker at heart, so I thought I’d give you a Top 5 for whatever subject happens to strike my fancy. Some possible future topics are:

1.      The Top 5 Korean versions of Mr. Darcy (You can bet that guy in the sparkly tracksuit will show up.)

2.      Why I’ve seen City Hunter, Boys Over Flowers, and parts of Personal Taste and still don’t get Lee Min Ho’s appeal (Ducks for cover as outrage fills the comments section.)

3.      Best K-drama kisses that made my toes curl in my socks (Who knew a refrigerator could be so sexy!)

4.      Why Kim Hyun Joong’s acting in Playful Kiss doesn’t get enough credit (I’m not saying give him an Oscar, but there are some moments where I really believed him.)

5.      The reasons I cried at the end of the YongSeo relationship in We Got Married (I know. The story is scripted. The room is full of cameras. It's pathetic. I admit it.)

If you too like orderly rows of numbers and you love the squeeworthy romance of Korean Dramas, then drop me a line and maybe we can make a list of how to improve my blog.