The Bridal Mask (2012)

I have started this drama just two days ago while waiting for Faith, Arang and To the Beautiful You's episodes to come out. I only watched this to kill time. But guess what, this drama is sooo good that I find the previous dramas I mentioned dull compared to the intensity of this drama. I have watched 19 episodes in 2 days, sleeping at 3am in the morning. My drowsiness was set aside because of my desire to know on what will happen next.

Here are the hings that I like:
1. Joo won's superb acting
- Joo Won perfectly portrays Lee Kang To's character. He's able to convey every emotion to the audience. Whenever he cries - I cry too, whenever he triumphs-my heart jumps out of joy for him. His acting can be compared to veteran actors out there. Considering this is only his third drama. I applaud you, Joo won!

2. Story Line and Plot
- Some dramas are only interesting on early episodes - definitely not this drama. Every episode will add fuel for you to watch the next one. There are no dull moments, every scene is interesting. Some are heartbreaking, some are funny, and some are action-filled. I even find myself holding my breath whenever the hero is fighting the villains -afraid that he might get discovered or caught. :) This is one of those dramas that the audience will feel really connected.

Things that I don't Like:
1. I can't think of any yet. :p


My words cannot truly describe on how excellent this drama is. You guys simply have to watch the 1st episode and experience all mixed feelings yourselves. I'm sure majority of you will be hooked like me.

To the actors and makers of the Bridal Mask, Bravo!

10/10!

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I like Joo Won as an actor and yes he did a very good job here. But still, in this drama, Joo Won was under the shadow. Under the shadow of a man called PARK KI WOONG!! Absolutely magnificent, no words to describe how good he portrayed his character. Just no words. He really deserves a main role after this but sadly, I heard that he'll join the army in the autumn. Fangirls, don't hate me for saying this but as much as I like Joo Won, Park Ki Woong had him in his pocket. And comparing Ki Woong to the other actors/actresses, he made them look like ragbag even though all the cast pulled of a good performance. The weak link in this drama was sadly Jin Se Yun, I just think that it was too early for her to get a main role with actors like Joo Won and Park Ki Woong. Apart from that, I still think that she made a good job, but not more than that. PKW and Jo Won are the ones who made this drama GREAT...

The story was great too but I felt it dragged a bit in the second half because the writer only foucsed on one thing which took a long time for Kang To to solve(revenge) the problem. But otherwise it was great, solid, interesting that kept my ass stuck on the sit.

The music was great and even made the touching scenes sadder. Exellent!

Overall this was an outstanding drama with a really interesting plot that will keep you on the edge of your sit every time and will hook you from episode one and holds your attention into the last one. So, for me, this a must watch. It has great story with great combination between a touching storyline and a revenge one. Watch it if you haven't. Highly recommend it!

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This has almost nothing to do with Korean history or politics at all. It is honestly a melodrama set in an important historical background to sucker anyone looking for something intellectual to watch. However, the plot ultimately revolves around the female lead for no reason other than the two male leads stereotypically loving her. Does she possess any amazing qualities? None whatsoever, she has a faux strength about her in the beginning but spends most of the drama being captured and rescued. She then unsurprisingly falls for Joo Won's character because he is the male lead and such is the way of the Korean drama. There are numerous stupid plot holes like the mindless gun usage. Bullets never hit anyone unless it's convenient. Furthermore, people actually engage in hand to hand command despite having guns. However, ultimately this plot dies at about episode 8 for me when it becomes a matter of gritting my teeth through the repetitive plot and fast forwarding. Japanese imperialism is so down played it is shocking. It starts out political to some extent but then politics simply becomes wall paper. This is most definitely not the drama to learn anything about Japanese Imperialism which is what suckered me to watch this melodrama disguised as a political drama.

Seriously, this is a melodrama. Let's not sugarcoat it. It's a melodrama.

What makes me rage is IT HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL. I had these same feelings when I watched Warrior Baek Dong Soo where as I participated through discussions every week after episodes, it became rants about how to fix the drama verses me actually watching. To the point people started joking I should do a remake because it would be better.

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Joo Won and Park Ki Woong prove in this drama that they should be part of the actors' elite. Their chemistry and their portrayal of their characters are what make "Gaksital" so great. No other actors could have played these roles and gotten the same result.

The storyline is intriguing and controversial and I feel the script tells the story in a manner that allows us to sympathize and understand what the people of Joseon went through under Imperial rule.

I'd recommend it and I'd definitely watch it over again. I think I'm spoiled now and will expect all actors and dramas to live up to the caliber of "Gaksital"

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This drama drew me in from the very beginning. Though it's only the second drama I've completed so far, it's really different from anything I would have expected of an Asian drama.

For once, romance is not the focal point of the plot--and that is actually really refreshing. The writers did an excellent job of keeping the story moving throughout all 28 episodes and kept me interested the entire time.

The acting is superb. And I'm not exaggerating in the slightest. Even the characters that I didn't like that much/didn't think were as well acted as compared to the rest of the characters still gave unbelievable performances.

I'm not a person that is easily moved to tears, but I cried my heart out throughout a number of the episodes leading to the conclusion and almost died of emotion during the last episode.

The music wasn't as distracting as it usually is in dramas--which is nice. The songs were good and subtle, and the ones sung by the characters in the actual drama were well done.

My only small, itsy bitsy complaint is that occasionally the chemistry between the two romantic leads seemed a bit flat sometimes. But, only sometimes. And my disappointment in that aspect was overshadowed by every other detail within the drama.

I only have one thing to say to those of you sitting on the fence about this drama: watch it. I highly doubt you will regret it. It is a masterpiece of acting, script-writing, and cinematography and I can't think of any better way I would have spent the 30+ hours I spent watching Bridal Mask.

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I love Bridal Mask so much!!! The acting was superb, and even though the action scenes were quite stylized, I loved it anyway. Bridal mask has such an epic vibe to it. Joo Won and Park Ki Woong really showed how great they are at acting. As a result, they are two of my favourite Korean actors at the moment. The storyline was also very complex and juicy. I think Kang To and Shunji had one of the best bromances in the history of bromances that I've ever seen! :D
I especially loved the first 6 episodes, for reasons that I won't spoil.
I also LOVED the music so much!!! Goodbye Day and Judgement Day are now one of my favourite Korean drama soundtracks. For me, the music in a drama is very important. Usually, it turns out that if a drama has a great OST, I tend to like the drama itself as well. But sometimes it’s just a coincidence.
I also love the complex character relationships. The characters (or at least the important ones) are interesting, understandable, They are also very easy to sympathize with, even when they are doing less than desirable deeds. Gaksital a.k.a. Bridal Mask really highlights how a character can change.

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For those that haven't seen this drama needs to check it out because you won't regret it. This drama has the best ending I have ever seen. I cry while watching this drama and I laugh while watching it, but overall I learned something from it. I learn that you will fight for your freedom and never back down. You will do whatever you needs to get what you want. You will not back down. I am such a sucker for bromance and this drama has the best one I have seen for a while. Joo Won and Park Ki Woong bromance was just amazing! The first few episodes I was going to give up, but I am glad I didn't because then I would miss out on this fantastic drama. You need to watch it to know what I mean though. I have to say it was the best drama of 2012.

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Gaksital has made me cry so many times throughout the show. Not only that, just when you think what's going to happen next, the writers pull something out of the bag to surprise you.

The more outstanding characters include Rie (La La), played by Han Chae Ah, and Shunji, played by Park Ki Woong, mostly for the inner struggles they face throughout the show between love and loyalty. They are villains in the show, but the writing keeps pulling us back from completely demonizing them by reminding us of their humanity.

I do wish Mok Dan were written as a more dynamic character. Also, since the actress is a relative newbie, she might be forgiven for a less compelling portrayal of a not-so-compelling character.

Joo Won does such an excellent job with a character that is well written, but could have easily been very one-dimensional if portrayed by a less committed actor.

The noir genre and the dressing of the period lends some benefits, in the form of those snazzy suits and cool fedoras Joo Won and Park Ki Woong get to wear every episode.

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