Can We Love?

Summary: Can We Love? is a 2014 South Korean drama that follows the lives of three women as they approach their 40th birthdays. Yoon Jung Wan (Eugene) is a divorced mother of one looking to reignite her career as a script writer. Kim Sun Mi (Kim Yu Mi) is a successful interior designer that has sacrificed romance to build her career. And, Kwon Ji Hyun (Choi Jung Yoon) is the wife of a wealthy businessman with a dark secret in her past and a mother-in-law that abuses her because of her poor background. Their friendship is tested as each woman struggles with personal dilemmas and they come to terms with their changing lives.

Recommendation: This drama had a cast of superstars that, when put together, should have produced a great television experience. But the sum of its parts didn't add up to anything special. There are some shining moments but, overall, I didn't care for this drama. The treatment of the female characters, particularly their interactions with one another, left me feeling disappointed. The male cast makes this drama salvageable but only just barely. You should only consider watching this if you have absolutely nothing better to do.

Hundred Years' Inheritance

Plot: There are about 4-5 different plot lines throughout this 50 episode drama. This drama is centered predominantly around the Uhm family and their 100 year old noodle company. The audience follows the journey of various family members as they work through professional crises, money issues, romance, marriage problems, divorce, sickness and other hardships. The primary focus is on the character Min Chae Won (Eugene), her divorce from Kim Chul Kyu (Choi Won Young), and her subsequent marriage to Lee Se Yoon (Lee Jung Jin).

Too Long. Too predictable.

Recommendation: Honestly, I'm really torn on how to recommend this one. If you are a die hard k-drama addict, you will probably enjoy it. Everyone else might be better off investing their time elsewhere. The truth is that I fast forwarded through most of the family plot line and only focused on the parts involving Min Chae Won (Eugene) and Lee Se Yoon (Lee Jung Jin). I loved the chemistry between the leads but everything else was just noise and didn't add any particular value to the story.  By episode 35, I found the constant obstacles to the main characters' marriage to be repetitive, boring, and unoriginal. The audience knows exactly how this drama will end by the third episode. That means the focus is on the the journey and, IMO, the trip should have been cut in half.

My what big teeth you have....

Other Thoughts: There are really two things that stuck out for me while watching this drama.

The first is Chae Won's crazy ex-mother-in-law, Bang Young Ja, played by Park Won Suk. She is a phenomenal actress that has a list of credentials that started before I was even born. I've seen her in several other dramas and she is currently playing the grandmother in the series, Golden Rainbow. For Hundred Years' Inheritance, she really channeled some serious Crazy. And, I mean CRAZY! It was a little over the top. I think my illustration captures the expression she wore for about 90% the show.

The other thing that caught my attention was the styling. One reason that I love watching Korean dramas is because the fashion is so interesting. The stylists are really thinking outside the box and producing looks that are innovative and creative. But, in the case of Kim Chul Kyu, there should have been some editing and a little WWTGD (What Would Tim Gunn Do). There are only so many ugly sweaters and clashing patterns that my eyes can handle. A few examples are on display below but they are not by any stretch of the imagination the worst offenders.

Make it stop. Please.