King of Dramas- Mini Review

Name: King of Dramas
Year: 2013
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Studio: SBS
Episodes: 18 at 1 hour each
Starring:
Kim Myung Min as Anthony Kim
Jung Ryeo Won as Lee Go Eun
Choi Si Won as Kang Hyun Min
Oh Ji Eun as Sung Min Ah

Minimal Spoilers Ahead

They have been written in white, so in order to view, highlight the blank space between {}.

The acting was decent from all, Kim Myung Min was very convincing as the seemingly heartless man, only out to get greater ratings, but Si Won was really funny, and in a lot of ways he stole the show. I don't have a Si Won bias or anything but I think he was really good playing this strange character.
As I'm at the end I can think of two things that I did not like:
1. The first half of the show, basically the same plot. In each episode a new roadblock prevented them from making/airing the show. It became a bit ridiculous after the fourth week. Fortunately that ended and they got down to business of actually filming the show in episode 10. 
2. I was totally engrossed, until episode 16 when Anthony Kim got the{ eye disease news}. I felt like it was really unnecessary to give him another stumbling block and make us feel the angst. It felt as though it was only included because the show was extended from 16 to 18 episodes. I wish they would stop waiting so late into the production to tell the staff, because the change in direction is always so noticeable. Episode 17 and 18 really were like filler from an anime, unnecessary and tedious. But all's well that ends well, I suppose.

The Things I Did Like:
1. The romance between Anthony Kim and the Go Eun was believable, and they had good chemistry, but not really very touching, since it sort of took a back seat in the show to the actual story. Although I love romance, it's nice that this show was really about making their show come to life through false-steps, hard work, and struggle.
*In those filler episodes they did delve deeper into the feelings they had for each other, but as I said, I wasn't really into those episodes.*
2. The fashion really fit each character. Anthony was almost always in a fur lined coat/suit jacket because even though he was down, he had a standard that he like to live up to.

Go Eun was always a bit disheveled and wearing bulky clothes, being a writer takes up too much time for fashion or layering on make-up.

Hyun Min, when he wasn't acting for the on-screen production, always had on sweats, tee-shirts and funny props because he spent his off time playing video games and lounging around his house.

Min Ah was perfectly coiffed and dressed in expensive clothes. In the later half of the show, she took over the plush fur look from Anthony.

3. The internal struggles that the characters faced. Each person had troubles that they had to face and hopefully come out better, and I think the writer did a good job making those struggles believable and interesting.
4. The fact that the secondary couple didn't come together to console each other after losing out on the main leads, and that their relationship was built up really well from the first time that they met. Also, they provided most of the comedic relief.

I enjoyed this show, and would recommend this to new Asian drama watchers, but especially viewers that have more shows under the belt, because this show was refreshing and for the most part a light and fun viewing experience.
I would give this drama 8 Hearts but I'm knocking it down to 7 for the last two episodes.


Some GIFs for the road:

c. audrezzzzzzzz.tumblr.com/

c. ohhmygoshh.tumblr.com

c. lary-asianlover.tumblr.com/

King of Dramas Info and First Impressions

Picture Source: King of Dramas Official Page on SBS website

Starring: Kim Myung Min as Anthony Kim the Producer
                  Jung Ryeo Won as Lee Go Eun the Writer
                  Choi Si Won as Kang Hyun Min to Actor

Studio: SBS
Writer: Jang Hang Jun (also wrote 2009 show 'Harvest Villa')

Episodes: 18

Premise: A drama that follows an idealistic writer, a hardened producer and a hot actor as they navigate to world of drama production.

Spoilers Ahead.

The drama opens with a writer who is being pressured to write a scene in a revenge drama that includes the main character drinking orange juice before killing himself. She thinks the request made by the producer, Anthony Kim, is ridiculous , (who drinks  orange juice before commiting suicide?!) and refuses to write the scene. Her assistant, Go Eun, is then tricked into writing the missing product placement scene while working alongside Anthony, who only cares for the outcome in ratings, not the quality of the show, or the people surrounding it.

When their plan ends in tragedy, and 30% ratings, Anthony is put in a situation that even his fast talking won’t easily solve.

I am King!

I have to say bravo for creating a  scandal, not only in the first episode, but also one that makes sense. If, for example, we heard that Steven Speilberg paid a worker to transport his film over a three hour distance in only one hour, then when the worker was in an accident, Mr. Speilberg called an ambulance, but left the worker on the side of the road to his death, I seriously doubt people would just over look it.  I know if I heard of it, I wouldn’t just be like ‘Oh well, at least the movie was good’.

Gotta Go Dude!

So, I’m saying that finally, in a drama about making dramas, the writers put in an appropriate scandal to upset the public and possibly ruin Anthony's career, not just another secret romance scandal that, seriously, no one cares about as long as both people are of age and consent.

From the dialogue, music and camera angles, this may be a little bit makjang, but I’m not complaining so far. There were some moments that even though this is the first episode, I was nervous for the characters.

Anthony is mostly all a-hole from what you see in the first episode and from the ending of the episode, I think I’ll be happy to see him fall on his behind, so that he can grow up to be a human being.

*Side note Kim Myung Min's voice is pretty deep and it surprised me when I first heard it, off the top of my head I think I can only name two other KDrama actors with deep voices. It’s so rare.*

I’m loving the early stages of Go Eun's personality. She’s nice, and courteous for the most part, but cross the line and watch out! This is a character that I can relate to, not everyone is all sweetness or all spice, some of us are a bit of both.

Orange Juice just for you!!!

I have no idea, if this show will keep going with the positive elements that it’s presented, but I’m willing to continue watching to find out.

NOTE:  All photos besides the poster picture, are screen caps from the first episode of King of Dramas.