Hello pretty EEL's
“3, 2, 1… I’m in love”.
How overused do you think this little phrase is going to be in the coming weeks? But it’s so fitting! This drama totally came out of left field for me. As you may recall from my earlier posts on Love Rain, this was the drama I anticipated least. To be honest, I completely dismissed it. The teasers did absolutely nothing for me with their ultra cheesiness and lack of any dialog whatsoever. But then I marathoned the first six episodes and what can I say? I’m in love.
I’m going to keep this spoiler-free.
Love Rain is, without a doubt, not for everyone. That is not to say that only fans of Jang Geun Suk or Yoona will enjoy it. But it takes a certain appreciation for period pieces, epic love stories, and slower pacing to be able to get through the first 3.5 episodes. The funny thing is, while I’ve enjoyed a lot of the shows Jang Geun Suk has been in, the actors weren’t the reason I chose to check this drama out to begin with.
What drew me in was the cinematography. That was the one standout element for me; it piqued my interest and had me wondering if the story could be anywhere as inspiring as the setting? I’m happy to report that it is, but more on that later. Every once in a while, a drama comes along with impeccable cinematography. There was Kimchi Family, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Flower Boy Band, and the earlier episodes of MoonSun. But I think this one tops them all. The framing of every scene is simply spectacular and if I had the time, I’d want to screencap every last second of it. To describe the filming as breathtakingly beautiful wouldn’t do this show justice. It’s the attention to detail, in everything from environment to props and hair styling, that really transports the viewers to this whole other world. I was blown away by how true to the 70′s the production team stayed. While many complained that the first few episodes were too slow and boring to get through, I’d argue that they fit right in with the setting. Let’s face it: those days had a slower pace of life. People weren’t constantly on the go. People didn’t have cellphones. People weren’t wired 24/7. It’s natural to have them actually physically hanging out with another, enjoying a drink at their campus cafe/bar – their equivalent of Central Perk or the Peach Pit – and talking. That’s what’s so refreshing about this whole “era” that we’re in. That it relies less on flash and circumstance, but on substance. And the actors have to deliver all the more too!
To be honest, Yoona was disappointing in the earlier episodes. Not because I don’t think she can act (because her 180° turn in modern times proves she has skill), but because her character was perhaps the most poorly and blandly written. Keep in mind that ladies probably had to be a lot more demure in those days, but good grief. This was taking her primness just a little too far. No one is that considerate all the time! But aside from that, the other actors really delivered. I think it’s a lot harder to have to embody a character from an era you weren’t even born in. Understanding the nuances of said character needs to go one step further into understanding the times. Having said that, they really turned this group of friends into people we come to care about. I’d venture so far as to say that these characters are perhaps the ones we’re most capable of relating to. You know what else surprised me? Son Eun Seo. She did an outstanding job! So much so that saying goodbye to the 70′s became a lot tougher than I thought it would be. In fact, I almost wanted the whole drama to stay in the 70′s and just be a period piece instead.
The story accelerates somewhat in modern times but probably not enough to some people’s liking. I wonder why people are rushing things though seeing as how they need time to set the new story up, re-establish old characters and introduce us to the new ones. It’s not going to happen in one scene considering just how different everyone is in the 21st century. Actually, that’s the one thing that made me very happy. I’m very pleased that the director chose to change everything. Any preconceived notions the viewer may have had of the story simply picking up where we left off are immediately thrown out the window. Even though Jang Geun Suk and Yoona remain as the leads, their characters are such a departure from In Ha and Yoon Hee (and their ill-fated love) that everything feels fresh again and not just a continuation of their parents story. (Minus a few of the same corny lines from the 70′s but hey, we can forgive that.)
We’ve got Joon, the bristly, hot, player photographer and the playful, charming, quirky, gardening student (yes, gardening) Ha Na. You’ll instantly be drawn into them as their chemistry in modern times is amplified by about a bajillion volts. Might have something to do with the fact that they’re not saccharine sweet or corny anymore. (Plus, Jang Geun Suk totally sells his interest in “Ha Na” in that one hot springs scene. Dude is a pro at acting; his eyes and facial expressions say it all.) And at the center of it all is a lost cellphone. Who would have thought that a cellphone would be the catalyst for love? I guess we really are in the 21st century now. Basically, Joon discovers that he has Ha Na’s cellphone after they literally bumped into each other at the train station. The next few scenes is about the two playing telephone tag in Ha Na’s desperate efforts to reclaim her prized phone. Why is it so prized? Why couldn’t she just write it off and get a new one? Well… because she’s expecting a very important phone call from her mother’s first love. And there we have it: the link to the 70′s – and why we spent 3-4 episodes in that era – has been explained. That and we’re going to see a lot more of them as adults in the coming episodes it seems.
The central theme of Love Rain is clearly first love. I never thought I’d say this (considering how I’m in the camp that can never quite understand why drama characters never get over their first loves) but its this precise theme that turns Love Rain into a beautiful, and dare I say epic, love story. The fact that first love transcends time in this drama isn’t cheesy anymore, but interesting. How are our modern-day characters defined by and influenced by their parents experiences? It’s interesting that Joon and Ha Na have such different responses to and perception of “first love” based on their upbringing. And again I say it’s a huge departure from their “love means never having to say you’re sorry” parents. While Ha Na’s mother held on to the sweet memories of her first love and imparted this kind of optimism on to her daughter, Joon’s skepticism stems from somehow pitying his mother for never getting the love he felt she deserved since his father remained hung up on his first love. While Joon may not be the umbrella-gentleman his father once was, I cannot wait to see how Ha Na will change him, to open his eyes to the possibility of finding and feeling what true love is. And I wonder if the yellow umbrella will somehow make a comeback? It’s just a shame that we won’t get to see a modern version of the young Chang Mo, Hye Jung, and company. Or will we?
One last little thing. Along with the cinematography, what really sets the mood is the fantastic soundtrack. I’m not even talking about the official OST (because Tiffany and JGS somehow leave a lot to be desired), but the songs the gang sings or listen to back in the 70s – the stand out being the boys radio show performance and singing that banned song at the cafe – and the inclusion of Alicia Keys in modern times really adds a certain dimension to our viewing experience.
On the whole, if you haven’t yet checked it out I’d highly recommend you do. It’s well worth it and much better than Fashion King, as much as it pains me to say so! If not for the love story, then at least for the beautiful scenery. But I am fairly certain you’ll be taken by the characters.
“3, 2, 1… I’m in love”.
How overused do you think this little phrase is going to be in the coming weeks? But it’s so fitting! This drama totally came out of left field for me. As you may recall from my earlier posts on Love Rain, this was the drama I anticipated least. To be honest, I completely dismissed it. The teasers did absolutely nothing for me with their ultra cheesiness and lack of any dialog whatsoever. But then I marathoned the first six episodes and what can I say? I’m in love.
I’m going to keep this spoiler-free.
Love Rain is, without a doubt, not for everyone. That is not to say that only fans of Jang Geun Suk or Yoona will enjoy it. But it takes a certain appreciation for period pieces, epic love stories, and slower pacing to be able to get through the first 3.5 episodes. The funny thing is, while I’ve enjoyed a lot of the shows Jang Geun Suk has been in, the actors weren’t the reason I chose to check this drama out to begin with.
What drew me in was the cinematography. That was the one standout element for me; it piqued my interest and had me wondering if the story could be anywhere as inspiring as the setting? I’m happy to report that it is, but more on that later. Every once in a while, a drama comes along with impeccable cinematography. There was Kimchi Family, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Flower Boy Band, and the earlier episodes of MoonSun. But I think this one tops them all. The framing of every scene is simply spectacular and if I had the time, I’d want to screencap every last second of it. To describe the filming as breathtakingly beautiful wouldn’t do this show justice. It’s the attention to detail, in everything from environment to props and hair styling, that really transports the viewers to this whole other world. I was blown away by how true to the 70′s the production team stayed. While many complained that the first few episodes were too slow and boring to get through, I’d argue that they fit right in with the setting. Let’s face it: those days had a slower pace of life. People weren’t constantly on the go. People didn’t have cellphones. People weren’t wired 24/7. It’s natural to have them actually physically hanging out with another, enjoying a drink at their campus cafe/bar – their equivalent of Central Perk or the Peach Pit – and talking. That’s what’s so refreshing about this whole “era” that we’re in. That it relies less on flash and circumstance, but on substance. And the actors have to deliver all the more too!
To be honest, Yoona was disappointing in the earlier episodes. Not because I don’t think she can act (because her 180° turn in modern times proves she has skill), but because her character was perhaps the most poorly and blandly written. Keep in mind that ladies probably had to be a lot more demure in those days, but good grief. This was taking her primness just a little too far. No one is that considerate all the time! But aside from that, the other actors really delivered. I think it’s a lot harder to have to embody a character from an era you weren’t even born in. Understanding the nuances of said character needs to go one step further into understanding the times. Having said that, they really turned this group of friends into people we come to care about. I’d venture so far as to say that these characters are perhaps the ones we’re most capable of relating to. You know what else surprised me? Son Eun Seo. She did an outstanding job! So much so that saying goodbye to the 70′s became a lot tougher than I thought it would be. In fact, I almost wanted the whole drama to stay in the 70′s and just be a period piece instead.
The story accelerates somewhat in modern times but probably not enough to some people’s liking. I wonder why people are rushing things though seeing as how they need time to set the new story up, re-establish old characters and introduce us to the new ones. It’s not going to happen in one scene considering just how different everyone is in the 21st century. Actually, that’s the one thing that made me very happy. I’m very pleased that the director chose to change everything. Any preconceived notions the viewer may have had of the story simply picking up where we left off are immediately thrown out the window. Even though Jang Geun Suk and Yoona remain as the leads, their characters are such a departure from In Ha and Yoon Hee (and their ill-fated love) that everything feels fresh again and not just a continuation of their parents story. (Minus a few of the same corny lines from the 70′s but hey, we can forgive that.)
We’ve got Joon, the bristly, hot, player photographer and the playful, charming, quirky, gardening student (yes, gardening) Ha Na. You’ll instantly be drawn into them as their chemistry in modern times is amplified by about a bajillion volts. Might have something to do with the fact that they’re not saccharine sweet or corny anymore. (Plus, Jang Geun Suk totally sells his interest in “Ha Na” in that one hot springs scene. Dude is a pro at acting; his eyes and facial expressions say it all.) And at the center of it all is a lost cellphone. Who would have thought that a cellphone would be the catalyst for love? I guess we really are in the 21st century now. Basically, Joon discovers that he has Ha Na’s cellphone after they literally bumped into each other at the train station. The next few scenes is about the two playing telephone tag in Ha Na’s desperate efforts to reclaim her prized phone. Why is it so prized? Why couldn’t she just write it off and get a new one? Well… because she’s expecting a very important phone call from her mother’s first love. And there we have it: the link to the 70′s – and why we spent 3-4 episodes in that era – has been explained. That and we’re going to see a lot more of them as adults in the coming episodes it seems.
The central theme of Love Rain is clearly first love. I never thought I’d say this (considering how I’m in the camp that can never quite understand why drama characters never get over their first loves) but its this precise theme that turns Love Rain into a beautiful, and dare I say epic, love story. The fact that first love transcends time in this drama isn’t cheesy anymore, but interesting. How are our modern-day characters defined by and influenced by their parents experiences? It’s interesting that Joon and Ha Na have such different responses to and perception of “first love” based on their upbringing. And again I say it’s a huge departure from their “love means never having to say you’re sorry” parents. While Ha Na’s mother held on to the sweet memories of her first love and imparted this kind of optimism on to her daughter, Joon’s skepticism stems from somehow pitying his mother for never getting the love he felt she deserved since his father remained hung up on his first love. While Joon may not be the umbrella-gentleman his father once was, I cannot wait to see how Ha Na will change him, to open his eyes to the possibility of finding and feeling what true love is. And I wonder if the yellow umbrella will somehow make a comeback? It’s just a shame that we won’t get to see a modern version of the young Chang Mo, Hye Jung, and company. Or will we?
One last little thing. Along with the cinematography, what really sets the mood is the fantastic soundtrack. I’m not even talking about the official OST (because Tiffany and JGS somehow leave a lot to be desired), but the songs the gang sings or listen to back in the 70s – the stand out being the boys radio show performance and singing that banned song at the cafe – and the inclusion of Alicia Keys in modern times really adds a certain dimension to our viewing experience.
On the whole, if you haven’t yet checked it out I’d highly recommend you do. It’s well worth it and much better than Fashion King, as much as it pains me to say so! If not for the love story, then at least for the beautiful scenery. But I am fairly certain you’ll be taken by the characters.
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