I recommend this drama. It’s surprisingly fun to watch. When I expected the characters to zig, they zagged, and vice versa. There’s no telling where they’re going to end up zigzagging.
My first impressions:
1. It’s not a detective story, but a caper story.
Lol. I was misled by the pre-drama blurbs. Eun Sunwoo the hero is a chaebol but he doesn’t really moonlight as a detective.
His primary goal is to find his mother’s murderer. Although the crime took place 20 years ago and is never solved, the cold case is reactivated when the diamond necklace “Queen’s Tears” stolen from his mother resurfaces at a public auction. But instead of going through the proper authorities, he personally investigates the listing of the diamond necklace.
That’s what makes this drama a caper story.
I don’t know the film industry’s definition of a caper story but to me, a caper story entails the lead characters getting into outrageous schemes to con, steal, hijack, abduct, and out-hustle the real villains of the story. Sunwoo and his sidekick, Yang JinMo (JM), aren’t real detectives; they’re only acting like sleuths to catch the real killer.
Additionally, a caper story demands wit and audacity. As we watch Sunwoo and JM’s improbable escapades, we’re rooting for them to pull it off. There’s a lot of humor in their antics. And so far, it’s the kind of humor that doesn’t gross me out (e.g., the potty humor in “Welcome Waikiki”) or give me diabetes (e.g., the aegyo in “Hometown Cha Cha Cha).
2. Sunwoo’s version of a Bat Cave is where the fun begins.
Instead of the multiple Batman suits, Sunwoo has different outfits for different disguises in his Bat cave…or should I say, his Chaebol cave? In these first two episodes, he has pretended to be an old man, a shady gambler, and a cool bar-hopper. I think the story will make much of Sunwoo’s masquerades, and I look forward to his future get-ups.
Interestingly, no matter what his costume is, he always reverts to being an arrogant chaebol as soon as his disguise is discovered. It’s as if he’s saying that he only deigns to go through such rigmarole because he thinks it’s the most efficient way to get what he wants. His dignity isn’t priceless, but his goal is. He wants his mother’s killer found and brought to justice.
3. His sidekick is a hoot.
Thanks to JM’s foresight and elaborate planning, Sunwoo always has a Plan B which he screws up anyway. Thanks to JM’s mad skills, they can hack into any computer system and have the best tech equipment. Thanks to JM’s acting, Sunwoo can have a diversion. The scene when JM was fighting with the pillar (36:00) had me in stitches. You should watch it.
And thanks to JM’s legal training, Sunwoo has an attorney to defend him and to look after his best interest.
But I say his sidekick is more like Alfred than Robin.
Note: I’ve seen this actor Eun Moon Suk in “Hello, Me!” He was entertaining there, too.
4. Don Sera is likable.
The actress, Kwon Yuri, is one of my two favorite actresses from the girl group, Girls’ Generation. The other one is Yoona. They pick their characters suitable for their age and persona, unlike their other member, SeoHyun.
SeoHyun can’t seem to transition well from her maknae days to the ahjumma that she looks right now. Soon, that baby fat under her eyes (called “aegyo sal”) will turn to sagging eyebags without treatment.
NOT cute, but creepy.
source: dramabeans
Anyway, there’s plenty to like about Don Sera.
a. Take for instance, her super-vision. She has an extraordinary power, but her power seems to have a time limit. I thought this weakness makes her more relatable and more human. At the same time, however, her weakness paves the way for the hero to be more protective of her and her gift because of its unknown impact on her long-term health.
b. I also like that she doesn’t bicker (side-eyeing Naksu in “Alchemy of Souls”). I can only bear to watch one bickering couple at a time.
c. Then, there’s her fondness for pink. I thought the stylist in this drama cleverly set up the character.
There’s girly pink.
And then there’s hot pink.
With the change in the pink , we the viewers are being told – visually — three things about her character.
One, Sera shouldn’t be underestimated. She can be the girl-next-door, but she can also be a siren. She can be a compliant girl one moment, and a fighting machine the next. When they expect her to be a follower, she becomes a scene-stealer.
Two, she’s the wild card in the game. Sunwoo can play with disguises because he knows his limits. Sera, on the other hand, cannot play with disguises because she doesn’t yet know her limits. She breaks out of character and gives away the game.
Three, she’s a match for Sunwoo. Both of them are gifted, and both of them sizzle.
That’s why I’m enjoying this project. As much as I like “Bossam,” the actors couldn’t show their close rapport. Their roles required them to be restrained in their display of affection in keeping with the social norms of that era. But in this drama, the actors play modern-day characters. I expect to see more of this vaunted chemistry of theirs in a natural setting….
that is, if the cinematographer would focus the camera correctly and get some good shots in the frame!
Awkward shots.
Whoever thought of using this “goosebumps” wall as background should have his eyes checked.
Great @pkml3! I’m glad you like this drama. I just decided to watch it today (I fell asleep the first time I tried two days ago) and found it entertaining enough.
I, too, was reminded of the Bat Cave. I love how he gets to his office by car and then just walks through his office (changing into his disguise as he goes) and ends up at his attorney’s office, in what looks like another part of town.
It’s true, these 2 leads do sizzle together. I like that she is able to contribute towards catching the bad guys, and match him with her own brand of abilities and sense of justice.
@packmule3, Love your analysis. The first episode was a perfect set up
I haven’t watched the second yet. But am now looking forward to it.
As a sometime shallow islander I have to say that chaebol Jung IL Woo never looked better. He was never a flower boy(thank goodness) but also wasn’t classically handsome. I’m this role in his chaebol garb be is drop dead gorgeous. Take that Lee Minho (his friend). He almost has that James Bond look.
And I love the FL. She is also an every woman but also is s intelligent. And of course, in contrast to our chaebol, she is a part timer.I am looking be forward to their romantic sparks. And she is also beautiful-they do make her a natural chameleon.
This is a drama I need right now. It is a great escape. Fingers crossed I hope it stays that way.
So that’s my small addition
I’ve watched episode 1 and look forward to 2. I was LOL on the treadmill when he was on the pink scooter and his sidekick thought he was on that sleek motorcycle. I kept thinking the character was a mashup of Batman/pink panther/ and Ethan Hunt from Mission Impossible.
I’m curious about the orphan story and hope it isn’t too saccharine. I also like how she’s the one with the connection to the police. They’ll have a nice combined network.
Off to watch episode 2, I hope you all continue to share your thoughts.
Also when watching I kept thinking about the actor’s mom. Am I remembering correctly that she’s a history professor? I feel like she must have a good sense of humor that he inherited from her and that’s why he was drawn to this.
@birdie007.
Ahhh. The pink scooter as opposed to the black sportsbike. I was laughing too when he tried to accelerate on the scooter. He probably could’ve have gone faster on his own two legs.
Yes, I read about the actor’s mom. She’s a professor on textile, IIRC. She visited the Smithsonian to give a lecture. In “Bossam” and “Night Watchman’s Journal,” his hanbok were fancy.
That’s also why I’m not surprised that the actor is typecast in this kind of elegant, erudite hero rebelling against his privileged life. Compared to other actors who entered showbiz with nothing, and are the primary breadwinners of their family, he comes from wealth.
Same here, @OAL,
I’m liking Jung Il Woo here. I’ve always liked him because he exudes class. I know that he isn’t going to do boorish and tasteless jokes or slapstick — because his mother would be appalled. Hahaha.
Kidding aside, when he showed up for work in his suit and silver tie (it was silver, right?), I was nodding my head in approval. He looked good then. And I like the styling on the lapel of his suit. There were little wing tips going upwards, instead of a regular notch. Nice detail.
Hopefully, it will stay light and funny.
@GB,
Same. I don’t know how he got from his office all the way to his attorney’s office. That’s quite a long subterranean tunnel. But oh well.
This show reminded me of that magician show, “Showtime!” probably because both men had to put on a show to catch the bad guys.
#packmule3, Jung IL Woo is an interesting guy His father was an anchorman. Il Woo is a practicing Roman Catholic who is active in VC atholig by social welfare He enlisted and served in the military in spite of having had a cerebral aneurysm.He was a lead in both Chinese and Thai Dramas and he challenges himself in roles even though he has had short term memory in problems. Although the son of privilege, he certainly doesn’t comport himself that way
Kalispera Ladies!
Thank you @Packmule3for the thread! I watched the first two episodes back to back. I really enjoyed their banter and their common scenes are a stealer!
I like that it is light and has some fun moments. Together will be the bomb!
Late to the party. I just started this. Loving it. I like this pair. Binged Bossam after it had finished airing. Loved them there. And I was wondering if they would be able to pull of a modern work when they did so well in the period piece. And they have. I love this actress. She has classically beautiful features that make me want to gaze at her face and never tire of it. I agree about the bat cave. Bruce Wayne was filthy rich too. And he lost his parents as a boy (although it looks like SW lost his mom).
SeRa’s Oppa has a different surname to her? Are they both originally from an orphanage? And she’s trying to get another girl out of an orphanage? Something about a deposit? That’s why she was working so many different jobs? I wasn’t watching that closely.
@nrllee, I really like this twosome too. I have not watched Bossam, but I like the two of them together. Immediately everything becomes more interesting when they are both on screen.
Yes, I wonder if Se Ra’s brother and the girl she considers her sister, are blood related or considered family because they came from the same orphanage. I believe that at a certain age (16?) the kids in the orphanage will have to leave it. Se Ra wanted to get money to rent a bigger place so that her sister could live with her.
Hello there 🙂
This time i will enjoy your insights practically on prime time – yay
As for me i am not reminded of the Bat cave – superheroes never made it to my world – but i am reminded of Lupin as presented by Netflix. The original Lupin was even more enjoyable..
Anyway this drama looks like fun.
Hope you are doing well or as good as possible
@GB re orphans that come of age, I think it depends on the country. When hubby and I volunteered to help in an Orphanage in China there was a policy that they were “adults” when they turned 18 and had to move out (or move to another facility for adults – this was very sad for those who were mentally/physically unable to go back into society – it meant they were transferred to an Aged Facility with old folks 😢. Broke our hearts but there were no options if nobody “adopted” them). Most of the teenagers who were able bodied went to school outside the orphanage and functioned normally except they went back to the orphanage to sleep (and there was a curfew). So I guess it would be similar here with SoHee (?) the girl who is about to be “of age”. SeRa was trying save enough for a deposit (?) to perhaps rent a place for SoHee to live in when she was old enough to leave the orphanage. I only figured this out after I watched Ep3/4.
@nellee, Aging out as they call it here is a big problem.Somw teens go to college but have no homes to go to on school breaks. Thisw that don’t have to grow up fast and lack the preparation to do so.Onwvwould think that it would be figured out but it’s not. Some agencies here do fundraisers for these kids but it’s never enough.Aftercare should be well thought out in given the time these kids are in the system but it is always about funding. And the funding just stops. Scary stuff for these kids to be abandoned all over again.
@OAL yes it’s very sad. They are left to fend for themselves. And have to grow up very fast.