Have a bit of 2nd lead regret. Hye-Won is such a great character and I sometimes find myself wishing she was the lead. It is not that I don't like Soo In, but some times I find her lack of common sense and life skills annoying. I just wish that Yoon Kang was in love with someone who would be an actual asset in his quest for the truth, rather than a cute but bumbling girl who hurts his situation more often than helps it. I truly hope to see Jeon Hye Bin have larger roles in future projects since she is doing such a great job.
The same can't really be said about the 2nd male lead. Kim Ho-Kyung is just so plain vanilla in a drama full of colorful and dynamic characters. I can see how the writers initially set up his character to be interesting and dynamic but somewhere he has been whitewashed in the execution. He is the illegitimate son of the 2nd in command of the traditionalist party. He is pretty much giving his father the bird as he becomes one of the leaders of the progressive movements. Ho Kyung should be that perfect mix of defiant son/bad boy that we viewers love to love. But instead Soo In's maid leaves more of an impression on my mind (wow she is annoying) than Ho Kyung does. I am crossing my fingers that we get more character development for him in the 2nd half of the drama since I know that the actor is better than this. He was one of the few things I enjoyed about King's Family, but is just falling to the wayside in this drama.
I find the Choi's family and their political dynamic fascinating. Yes, Choi Won Shin is on the side of the conflict that we consider the "bad guys". He is a killer for hire and trains men as highly efficient mercenaries yet we see that he does have a heart when it comes to his daughter Hye-Won. A daughter who was a slave and saved by Won Shin and elevated to her current position. It is obvious that she is his weak spot and might be his downfall in the future. It is very enjoyable that Won Shin is a perfect nemesis for Yoon Kang. Both men are surviving the best that they can and deathly capable in combat as well as fighting with their wits. They are so evenly matched that you never know who is ahead in the game they are playing and that keeps the story interesting and moving forward.
-Random Thoughts-
Was surprised at the flashback where Yoon Kang was having a rough
time in Japan. For some reason I had just assumed that he was taken in
and raised up from the moment he was fished from the sea. 
I am really enjoying the king and the political aspects of this drama. My only complaint is that we get too little politics (sorry I am a total junky for historical/political maneuverings) and too much creepy old ahjussi ringing his hands and plotting in his sinister whiny voice.
His secret identity is kind of a poorly kept secret. Everyone knows (except for our two leading ladies) and is acting accordingly with that knowledge. Evil merchant Choi is out to expose him while still keeping his trade agreement with the Japanese, bestie Jung Hoon is suddenly taking an interest in his job and helping Yoon Kang with all his schemes, and sister is just being dragged all about with a constant upset look on her face and no deeper thoughts. (I am kind of remembering why I was not fan of that child actress. Definitely has the one upset look down pat and does not deviate). It will be interesting to see how he gets out of being tried for treason when his identity is so well know. If I had a wish I would love to see him hook up politically with the king to make change happen.
Kmuse
No comments:
Post a Comment
We love comments! Just please remember to keep it clean and keep it nice or you won't survive the moderation round.