Inspiring Generation

Summary: Inspiring Generation (Age of Feeling) is a 24 episode period drama produced for the network KBS2. This action heavy melodrama is set during the mid-1930s and follows the rise of a no-name youth, Shin Jung Tae (Kim Hyun Joong), as he struggles to survive and protect the people he loves. At every turn, he's unexpectedly thrust into the middle of ever larger political conflicts until he finds himself in Shanghai. As external forces seek to manipulate him, Shin Jung Tae must carefully choose for which cause he'll use his quick wit and iron fists. This comic book adaptation also stars Jin Se Yeon and Lim Soo Hyang.

-2 hearts for...well...read the review

Recommendation:  Inspiring Generation is just alright. It will not be a 2014 favorite and it certainly won't make my "Best Ever" top 10 list. The series, from what I've read, had issues behind the scenes that seem to have translated into issues on screen. There was the pacing issue. The first third and the last third of the series are gripping. The middle third of it put me to sleep. The fight scenes were nicely choreographed but so numerous that it often became distracting and lost its "wow" factor. On top of that, everything relating to the awkward love triangle between Shin Jung Tae, Kim Ok Ryeon (Jin Se Yeon), and Teguchi Gaya (Lim Soo Hyang) fell flat. The real success story of this k-drama is the depiction of the political conflict in the region and the different factions vying for territory and power. And, in my opinion, it was the bromances that stole the show. The combined forces of Shin Jung Tae, Mo Il Hwa (Song Jae Rim), and Jung Jae Hwa (Kim Sung Oh) added the spark of excitement that this series needed.

Other Thoughts (And Possible Spoilers):  Let's start by talking about Kim Hyun Joong. He's probably most famous for his role as Yun Ji Hu in Boys Over Flowers and the role of Baek Seung Jo in Mischievous Kiss. Needless to say, he made quite the transformation for the role of Shin Jung Tae. It's amazing what a few years, a hair cut, and several pounds of chiseled muscle can do to change one's appearance. He looks like an entirely different person. That being said, I really applaud him for taking a risk and stepping out of the flower-boy-with-dreamy-eyes type of role that he's had so much success with in the past. He proved that, as an actor, he has the ability to take on more physically and emotionally demanding roles

And, the 2014 Chameleon of the Year Award goes to...

As far as this k-drama is concerned, I liked it but I didn't love it. I have already pointed out the majority of its flaws in my recommendation. The script writer changed mid-way through the drama and actors left and/or changed prior to and during filming, which seem like logical explanations for some of the problems. I also feel there weren't enough episodes to adequately address every plot point that was thrown out there. Given the size of the cast and the number of locations they bounce between, I am surprised this wasn't a 40-50 episode k-drama.

Despite all this, there were some bright spots to the series. These were primarily Song Jae Rim and Kim Sung Oh. Everything became more exciting when Shin Jung Tae, Mo Il Hwa, and Jung Jae Hwa finally formed a united front to take down the bad guys.

The series did a nice job casting the "teen" versions of the main characters. It's been a trend of late for there to be younger and older versions of the same characters written into the script and not every drama has managed it as successfully as this one. Someone should pat the casting director on the back.

This k-drama is worth a watch if for no other reason than the underlying history (albeit fictionalized) is interesting. Plus, there's always a shirtless Kim Hyun Joong to admire.