Aspired to be Goblin, Missed by a Mile

No doubt most of us were reeled in by Lee Dong Wook's stellar performance in Goblin. The man can act but this drama is proof that it takes so much more to recreate the magic of Goblin.

Lee Rang is easily the best part of this drama. I loved how they set him to be this ruthless villain early on only to peel back layers to reveal a sweet, scared, mistreated kid. He worshipped his half brother but turned dark when he thought Yeon abandoned him too. Kim Bum Soo was perfected casted for his innocent looks but strong acting skills. Seriously, i went from loathing his evil smirk in episode 2 to aww-ing at his adorable smile and childlike "hyung!" in episode 16. His character as the attention seeking younger brother was beautifully explored through scenes with Dong Wook's Yeon, which shed light beyond his Mr Romantic side - the aloof older brother who really adored Rang too.

Which is why I absolutely despise Rang's ending.

Dong Wook's acting as Yeon was good but that was to be expected. Yeon is entirely different from Goblin's Grim Reaper. True to his foxy nature, he's not smart, he's CUNNING. This was showed many, many times in the drama when he used his brains beond just brawns to save Nam Ji Ah. But what really stuck with me were the nuanced touches Dong Wook added to Yeon's interactions with Ji Ah. He remained snarky and sarcastic, but very considerate and attentive in small, subtle ways. Pushing the branch out out of Jiah's way, soft hair carresses. Very tender, not because she is fragile - she is too precious to him.

Her happiness list, he promised to do them all and indeed he did (sneakers, cooked rice, a wedding dress) and even though of Plan B in case he didn't make it. It so all was so endearing.

I have 3 big issues with this drama - Ji AH, Imoogi and Chemistry.
The plot is not coherant, especially in the middle around ep 7 to 14. This is where they jumbled up Ji Ah's and Imoogi's characters.

Ji Ah whom I adored early on for being perceptive, alert and semi-cunning at sussing people, succumbed to being a quintessential K-drama damsel in disstress the second Yeon became the knight in shining armour mid way.

And Imoogi, didn't have a strong character motivation. Did he want to reign chaos or did he want the girl? And what's that line about wanting Ji Ah because he wanted to be loved, trying to make him sympathetic like Rang? But then wait, 2 Imoogi's with different wants?? I'm throwing up my hands.

Yeon made a remark to Imoogi, something like the gods make creatures like him that don't receive love (a Ying Yang balance thing I asssume). If done right, it could have made Imoogi a complex, fascinating villain. Especially since they casted the boyishly handsome Lee Tae Ri who did not inspire much terror. Sad.

As others have mentioned, Chemistry was off for our main leads. Dong Wook did his best but sparks just weren't flying with Jo Bo Ah. Heck, even our secondary ML and FL had more chemistry, but nothing can top our half brothers.

I hope the Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 (2022) is better. But after this disappointment - I'm moving on.

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Yoo Teo is a Swoon-fest and I'm Here For It

Is this drama a feminist fantasy? Yes.

Does it go overboard into try-hard girlboss territory? Heck no, and that's why I love it.

I loved the FL's spunk while still being earnest, capable and humble. She's not really a gangster, so much as she is unapologetically herself in her convinctions and choices, who also happens to kick literal ass for justice. Kim Ok Bin made her likeable, bold, but still down to earth which made her buckets of fun to watch. A line from her goes, "I'm tough to the bullies but soft to the weak."

And boy does our ML go weak for her. At first he come across as haughty but just beneath the surface is a sweet, vulnerable, affectionate, cinnamon roll. Make no mistake, ML is absolutely a boyish hunk which is usually not my style because of how immature they are usually played, but Yoo Teo has changed my mind. Especially when he goes ,"I RESPECT YOU" (greatest declaration of love right here folks).

Also the skinship in this drama is goddamn swoonworthy. Yes the chemistry is off the charts but also the expressions play such as huge role. Yoo Teo shows so much vulnerability that you can literally read the ML's expression like an open book in every scene and know that he is 1000% truly and deeply in love with the FL. He wants her to know by affirmation, praise, touch, hug and kisses that she means the world to him. Yoo Teo's puppy like face worked sooo well in this because the director and screenwriter did not make him overdo it, and it paid off beautifully.

The dynamic between the main leads may show FL as the more dominant one but you soon realise it's a relationship of give and take. ML may seem submissive but he shows his maturity when he communicates openly and clearly to the FL. And what girl wouldn't go soft for this? As our FL falls in love, she softens, showing a playful, girlish side that interestingly does not make her any less likeable. The relationship is healthy, as both leads who initially resented the opposite sex based on stereotypes, learn to cherish and respect each other exactly as they are. Literal fanfic levels of swoon I tell you.

In terms of story, 10 episodes is the perfect length, though I do wish the conflict came in 1 or 2 episodes earlier to flesh it out. But in true rom-com fashion, the conflict came and went in a gust of wind so if you don't want prolonged ansgst, you're in for a treat. I especially appreciate that the ex boyfriend is sorta redeemed in a deserved way which is a refreshing take on the quintessential cheater stereotype. And the final scene of the last episode captures the spirit of how this drama sees modern relationships in a post Me Too world.

Overall, I highly recommend this for a short, modern, swoon-fest.

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