Scandal (2013)

Literally beginning with a bang, Scandal opens wide with several fantastic episodes. Emotional investment soars in the portion before the time skip; viewers will be unable to look away as tragedies build upon themselves.

Once the adults age and the children grow, however, the pacing adopts an uneven groove which alternates between satisfying speed and sleepy doddering. Some plot points evolve merely as long chains of people finding out secrets (or not). Several subplots, related to the main story in passing, are explored over time; these often fizzle quickly without much impact, but the characters introduced in them tend to stick around after the fact. Because of the intense focus on the kidnapping and its fallout, these become frustrating due to lack of development. The "romance" between the main couple suffers from this issue as well; their interactions are numerous, but feel hollow and unnecessary. Each secondary couple, some of which are surprising and strangely built, have twice the chemistry and a fourth of the airtime.

However, punch remains to be found. When something big happens, despite being padded down by the aforementioned fodder, it's like an explosion. Crisp cinematography works together beautifully with the wild turnarounds and shifts in dynamic. This drama knows how to swing emotional weight in spades. There are just too many episodes, with too little oomph to distribute over its course.

Of the numerous actors and actresses featured in Scandal, Jo Jae Hyeon offers the most laudable performance. Whatever the role of Ha Myeon Geun called for, he delivered without question. What struck me most was the veracity of emotion and striking normalcy this character exuded. Because of this powerful performance, my sympathies wrapped around this character in spite of his crime. Ki Tae Young also has a fantastic go as second lead, the "other" Eun Joong. His feelings were openly displayed in his eyes and face without exaggeration, a true mark of talent. As for the "primary" Eun Joong, my first experience with Kim Jae Won was a good one. Despite landing a slightly boring character, he elevates the part with good choices and natural charisma.

Park Sang Min confused me, as I have often heard him described as a talent. As Jang Tae Ha, despite an instance or two of strength, he overacted noticeably. Add to this misfortune the desperate attempts to make him look old enough for the role (stuffing him into "grandpa" clothes, dying his hair a new shade every episode). There are also several wasted characters, such as the one performed by Jo Yoon He. Her Wu Ami starts somewhat irritating, steadily improves, then drops in importance as a character separate from the loveline.

Scandal may count its atmospheric and masterfully utilized soundtrack among its strengths. Silences are strewn throughout scenes, allowing for the instrumentals (sometimes moving, others haunting), to shine when played. All of the vocals are memorable as well, with the best offered by Masyta Band ("I Am"), Kim Jin Seon ("Stay") and The Position ("Last Love of My Life").

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Birth secrets (that really don't stay secret long), kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, redemption, etc. are in this drama. I do think it is a little slow and they could have done this in fewer episodes, but it is written well. I have seen my share of melodramas, but I don't think I have seen one that has taken the direction that this one did. It has the typical aspects of Korean melodramas, but from a different perspective. I even liked the ending. If you are looking for typical romance, then you won't find much here. It is very low key, but there are some deep feelings. It has it's funny parts too.

Kim Jae Won is one of my favorite actors and he doesn't disappoint. He is very charming as Eun Joong. He has a subtle way of eliciting emotions from the viewer for his character. Ki Tae Young was also really good as the other Eun Joong. His characters emotions are written all over his face which to me is a sign of a good actor. Jo Jae Hyeon as Ha Myung Geun and Park Sang Min as Jang Tae Ha were just excellent. Kim Hye Ri as Go Joo Ran/Jang Jo Ha's mom is too funny at times. Her interactions with the other actors are usually comedic even when she is trying to be manipulative and serious. The other actors are good also.

There is some decent music in this drama. The Position's "Last Love of My Life" really fit well with the drama theme.

I probably won't rewatch this.

If you like melodrama, then this is a good one...just a little slow.

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I really enjoyed this drama. The main two men were really dynamic in their acting and I always loved watching them go against each other. Also the whole deciding if blood or circumstances makes you who you are was very interesting. Not a huge fan of the evil dad's casting. He just was way to young for the role (even though he is a good actor) and their attempts of making him look older were always distracting. It dragged a but around episode 29 to 33 but for the whole it was a really solid melodrama that was enjoyable to watch from start to end. And I really liked the ending as well for all the characters involved.

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This drama is exceptionally good! The story is remarkable. There are two sons, two fathers and two mothers. The relationships between the characters are so complicated! The revolutionary idea of this drama is that love is stronger than blood ties.
The acting is incredibly good. Everyone gives a very good performance, maybe with the exception of sister and widow. Anyway, Jo Yoon Hee (Woo A Mi, the widow, supposed main lead) have no chemistry with Kim Jae Won (detective Ha) at all and she was left aside by the director and plays a really minor role. And it was a brilliant decision.
While noona (Jang Joo Ha played by Kim Gyu Ri) has a great chemistry with everyone.

This is a classic Korean drama, in the sense that it is a story of revenge, guilt and redemption and the fight against destiny, with a bit of humor. The end is very good. Filming, direction, cinematography and music are excellent.

Drama has a serious meaning, plot twists don't leave the viewer indifferent, you just need to know what will happen next and who will be the son.

Drama is for everyone who likes a good script, real, intelligent characters, serious questions and mature music – who tastes just a good drama. Then, just watch it!

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Story: The Story sounded very dramatic and I love melodramas. Almost every Episode of this drama is amazing and has suspense. This drama is not the typical 'Revenge' Drama like many others. It is about a detective who investigates a murder case which leads him to the discovering of his past. He discovers the real identity of his father and has to realize whose real son he is. Over the top he has a woman he loves but he can't show his feelings. Even though there are some Aspects I don't understand, the story is really well written. I mean, why don't remember both of the Eunjoongs, who they were as children? Amnesia? It seems to be a mystery.

Acting: I have to say, that this is one of the dramas, where I liked 99% of the Acting. It is one of the few dramas, where I changed my Mind about almost all of the characters. I want to start with the two Men, who have the same name.

Firstly, Kim Jaewon, who played Ha Eunjoong. HEJ is the detective who finds aut about is real family and the past of his 'father'. He is silent person who lovess his job. He knows who are his enemys. He loves his father and his younger sister. Kim Jaewon showed us a excellent performance. I felt with him and with his character and I loved him, but hated him, too. I think this performance was his best, even though I didn't watched all of his dramas.

Secondly, Ki Taeyoung, who played Jang Eunjoong. JEJ is the one who grew up as the Son, wo was abducted. KTY plays this character excellent. His Life is a rollercoaster. He followed his mother and became an Attorney who loves his mother dearly. Until he discovers the Truth. The sad Aspect is, that I wanted to hate him so much...but I pitied his character from the beginning til the end. I couldn't hate him. He was innocent. I mean he lived as another person, loved his family so much...and suddenly his life collapses... Yes, I think he was the saddest person in this drama. KTY did an amazing job.

The next amazing Acting comes from Shin Eunkyung. She was perfect in her Role as the mother who lost her beloved child and as the result she did something unforgivable. In my Opinion, it was a good deed, but her reason was selfish. She missed her real son every second of her Life. But she loved her 'fake' son very much. Like she used to say, she had two sons. When her real son was kidnapped, she gained another son. SEK is an excellent Actress. Her performance was extraordinary and her chemistry with her two sons was very good, too.

Jo Yoonhee as Woo Ahmi was okay. I liked her character more than the Acting. I am not a big fan of Jo Yoonhee, but she isn't on my Blacklist. Her Acting is not too bad...It's just okay.

Jo Jaehyun acted as the Man who abducted the son of his enemy. I know he did something you shouldn't forgive, but compared to the things Jang Taeha did, Ha Myunggeuns Sin was very small.

Park Sangmin acted as Jang Taeha, the enemy of almost all of the other Characters. He did a great job, too. His character was the only one I hated from the beginning til the end.

The supporting Actors like Han Groo or Kim Gyuri were great, too.

Music: The OST is one of the saddest and best I've ever listened to.
In Conclusion, the drama is one of the best melodrama I have ever seen.

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real life story and very tangled interests

I love life stories. And this one is (another) good life story where you learn well the reality of human intentions, interests and their moves and relationships according to their perceptions and feelings. This drama depicts how much a person can fight to preserve his money, power but also a son, even if he never raised him. As soon as money or blood calls the feeling of possession is suddenly present, not without action, regardless of the hurt ones. Crossing interests can lead to serious conflicts between humans, even calling to serious crimes such as abduction and murder. The story is the same, but presented from more than one perspective the conflicts come out in the broad light, naturally. I like how dramas like this one give us an accurate vision on human selfishness. It always starts with selfishness, the desire to be better regardless of what it incurs to others, and then battles follow. Also beyond the realism of the storyline, the act was great, and the shooting too, for the coordinated work pictures great moments of realism that allows the watcher to grasp the emotions of the character and understand its perspective well. Let's remember that a good understanding is the basis to a good analysis and thus to a proper learning.

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A criminal with Cop badge

ML is a criminal just like his biological father but got a cop badge
Male lead is arrogant and consider himself above law just like his biological criminal father
He like to bully weak woman and enjoy others pain
Don't know how people rated this show this high
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Nothing more to say about this long boring show

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