Series Alert: Nodame Cantabile

I happened to stumble across this by pure accident. But it looks like Joo Won's next project is confirmed to be a remake of the 2006 Japanese drama Nodame Cantabile. This is another manga-turned-live-action drama about a group of aspiring, and somewhat quirky, musicians attending a music academy.

The Japanese episodes are available for viewing on YouTube, with English subtitles, for those that are interested in what we might be seeing come October, which is when the remake is scheduled to broadcast. Search for "Nodame Cantabile episodes" and it should be at the top of the results.

I am pretty excited about this drama for a few reasons. First, it bears some striking similarities to Beethoven's Virus, which is in my top 10 BEST EVER k-dramas. But it is different enough to feel fresh. Second, Joo Won (Good Doctor, Bridal Mask) is a versatile and talented actor that I feel confident can fill the role of Chiaki Shinichi without losing anything in translation. Third, the drama brings classical music to life in an era where it doesn't garner much attention. The j-drama devotes significant time just to the performances (I've had goosebumps a couple times) and I hope the k-drama remake will do the same.

There are some internet rumors that Yoona (Prime Minister & I, Love Rain) is being considered for the female lead, Nodame, and I am a bit on the fence with that casting choice. She's an okay actress with a musical background. The latter may trump the former for this project. But I have only seen her in roles where she's required to be cute and I wonder if she can channel the necessary awkwardness needed to capture the essence of Nodame. Just my opinion.

As I learn more, I'll update this post!

Love Rain

Plot: Love Rain is a 2012 melodrama that follows the path of an ill fated love in the 1970s. Seo In Ha (Jang Geun Suk) falls in love with Kim Yoon Hee (Yoona) in just three seconds but circumstances work against them and just as they confess their feelings they are forced to part ways. The show fast forwards to 2012 where we discover that the young lovers never reunited but fate has brought their children together. Seo Joon (also played by Jang Geun Suk) and Jung Ha Na (also played by Yoona) meet by chance in Japan and kick off an unexpected romance. Will history repeat itself or will this couple overcome their parents' troubled pasts?

-1/2 heart for the ugly trench coats

Recommendation: This is a solid k-drama that starts off slow but builds a lot of momentum with every episode. I definitely recommend it - especially for fans of Jang Geun Suk. I've seen Jang Geun Suk in four other dramas and I think that his portrayal of Seo In Ha is one of the strongest. But we only get to enjoy it for 4 episodes. Then, he slips right back into his most familiar role as Seo Joon - emotionally troubled and arrogant but still charming with an eye for the ladies. It's a an early glimpse of many future roles including what we see in the drama Pretty Man. Yoona holds up well as Jang Guen Suk's female counterpart and love interest. I didn't always feel she was emotionally invested in some of the more dramatic moments but she did bring her A game with the on-screen chemistry and the kissing scenes felt natural, not awkward.

Did Seo Joon raid his mother's closet for that jacket?

Other Thoughts: I've mentioned before that one of the things I love most about k-dramas is the fashion. When the stylists/costume designers get it right, they contribute to the overall feel of the drama in a big way and leave lasting positive impressions - just think about the sequined track suit in Secret Garden. But when they get it wrong? It's a massive train wreck. In Love Rain, there were more than a few massive train wrecks. Jang Geun Suk seems like a pretty fashion conscious guy. So, I am shocked that he agreed to the hot pink trench coat and in a later episode the high (higher than normal) heeled boots - all of which made him look like a drag queen in training. The trench coat trend continued throughout the series in a variety of patterns and colors and nearly all of them were as equally unflattering. He looks best in simple attire (white t-shirt & jeans) as seen in Beethoven's Virus or tailored suits (with tie) like we saw in Pretty Man.

I was also disappointed with the way that Seo In Guk was incorporated into the show when it transitioned to 2012. He played Kim Chang Mo in the 1970s, one of Seo In Ha's closest friends. But he's brought back in 2012 as Kim Chang Mo's nephew - whose name I have forgotten. This character doesn't make his first appearance until fairly late in the series and then it isn't quite clear why that character is even introduced. He doesn't serve a very clear purpose, the show doesn't invest much time in him, and there isn't anything that he says or does that couldn't have been disclosed by someone else. It seemed like a waste of Seo In Guk's talents.

On a more positive note, the music throughout the series was great and showed off the musical talents of much of the cast - particularly Jang Geun Suk and Seo In Guk. I heard a little Carpenters and some Simon and Garfunkel, too. Loved it.

Prime Minister & I

4 out 5 - Shall We Dance?

Plot: Nam Da Jung (Yoona) is leading a decent life as an entertainment (read: paparazzi) journalist in order to support her sick father. But when she finds herself caught on film in a seemingly compromising position with the nominee for prime minister of South Korea (Lee Beom Soo), Nam Da Jung's world is turned upside down. In order to save her reputation and his political career, they agree to announce they are dating to the media. One thing leads to another and soon they end up married. Everything starts to unravel when this unlikely couple realizes that they just might be in love.

Recommendation: It's too early to tell if this will make my "must watch" list of 2014. But I really enjoyed the pairing of Lee Beom Soo and Yoona in this drama and the plot was nicely paced. I even liked the ending. If romantic comedies with a touch of drama are your thing, I'd say it is worth the 17 hour investment of time.

Other Thoughts: One of the really nice things about the DramaFever app is that viewers can post reviews and rate dramas. Periodically, I scan the reviews for shows that I'm watching just to get a sense of public opinion. The Prime Minister & I  had several hundred reviews and there were three common themes. The first is that many reviewers felt the age disparity between Kwon Yool (Lee Beom Soo) and Nam Da Jung (Yoona) was too great. Second, there was a lot of Yoona hating - for no specific reason that I could see. And, finally, Kang In Ho (Yoon Si Yoon) is "cute."

I think the reviewers got 2 out of 3... wrong! Kwon Yool and Nam Da Jung were never supposed to make sense as a couple but they found something in one another that, for lack of a better phrase, made them complete. Age, background, life experience, etc... It was all of their differences that made them work well together. Yoona brought a refreshing youthfulness and optimism to Nam Da Jung. Lee Beom Soo brought a necessary levity and maturity to the prime minister, Kwon Yool. It was a good match of talent. My only complaint is that while I felt they were connected emotionally it was never expressed physically. It would have been nice to see some hand holding, hugs, and even a few more kisses. They never kissed after confessing their feelings!

And, yes, Yoon Si Yoon is, indeed, cute. Oddly enough, I didn't immediately recognize him as Enrique from Flower Boy Next Store (one of my top 10 dramas). Maybe it was the change in hair color?

The children in this series also deserve some accolades. Where do all these amazing child actors keep coming from? I've seen a string of dramas recently where children play huge roles in the series and they have all been exceptionally talented. This includes: The Suspicious Housekeeper; Wonderful Mama; You're the Best, Lee Soon Shin; and Golden Rainbow. How adorable was Kwon Man Se?!