49일 (a.k.a. 49 Days) Review Part 2 of 3: Episodes 7-16

49 Days Review Part 2

(Episodes 7-16)

4 more episodes!!

So, strong start, a little slow around episode 6-10, but then it REALLY picked up these past few episodes! I’m satisfied with the acting overall; very well done. A few characters have plateaued some, but Jung Ilwoo’s acting makes up for all of it! What a performance in episode 16! WOW! Nam Gyuri’s performance is improving as well, although I can’t really say if it’s just that her character is growing so she has a better opportunity to show us her skills. Lee Yowon is also such an amazing and talented actress. I find myself forgetting that this is really just one person performing as two people. It’s so believable that she is inhabited by two different souls! She is such a heartwrenching cryer, but then her happy scenes are so cute! 

I love the whole you-know-that-I-know-but-we’re-all-pretending-we-don’t-know-anything thing that is going on with Kang and Yikyung/Jihyun. The scenes itself are just so adorable and heartwarming, but then deeper meaning once you calculate that they knew each other’s knowledge of the situation is just so ironic, funny, and CUTE!!

The storyline is getting really intense! They finally started revealing a lot of answers to some seemingly insignificant questions (and items) from earlier on, which was a total OHHHHH moment (or several moments, for that matter). I love how what seemed to be set rules and boundaries are getting broken and pushed... it’s so confusing, but refreshing because it’s unexpected. I love how the in limbo world is able to interact with the real world people all of a sudden. I wonder, does this happen with other 49 day souls, or is it just these people because of all their intertwining connections....

I love Jung Ilwoo and Jo Hyunjae’s songs for the soundtrack. The lyrics are very fitting for the drama, and I love when the main actors sing for the soundtrack, especially since they both have beautiful voices. Jung Ilwoo’s voice is more on the melancholy side, which fits since they revealed our Scheduler’s rather tragic past. Jo Hyunjae’s is full of love and longing.

I really wonder who will give Jihyun her last two tears. I don’t think it will be Seowoo, even more so because she found out that the guy she likes (Han Kang) is in love with Jihyun, so now she has the whole bitter love taken away thing going on. But also because it seems too simple, too obvious of a plot line. 49 Days is far from simple, so I don’t see why they would make that part simple. I almost feel like Kang Minho will end up crying for Jihyun, which would be in fact the most ironic of all. And perhaps the other person would be Yikyung, the borrowed body. I suspected that may happen earlier, but now that we know Yikyung can hear (and see?!!) Jihyun, I feel it’s almost certain. 

Then again, I wonder how likely it is that the writers will kill off Jihyun... Say Jihyun gets all three tears, comes back to life, marries Kang. Say Kang helps her find Yikyung and they become friends (which, by the way, raises another questions... all the people who figured out the 49 days deal, will they forget like Jihyun after it’s all over?), what is Yikyung going to do? Yisoo is dead, and there’s no way around that. I don’t particularly fancy Yikyung marrying the doctor, though we know his wife died a few years ago, so he is available. I guess the writers could leave her love life open ended, though that doesn’t appeal to me much either. Yikyung is such a lonely character, I feel like she needs someone (besides a friend, potentially Kang and Jihyun) to be with her. I almost want to pair her up with Kang, but then that seems rather disrespectful to Jihyun if she dies and somewhere down the road Kang starts dating Yikyung. Of course, I hate when the main character (male or female) is killed off, so let’s try not to think about that. 

On a more comical note, the Scheduler’s wardrobe is seriously more complex than many of the female characters’ wardrobes! He easily has at least three or four different outfits per episode. But perhaps we notice the constant change of eccentric colors and dangling accessories because of Jihyun’s lacking wardrobe. Besides getting tired of her same dress, I feel rather bad for the actress. There may be signs of spring in Korea with all the flowers abloom, but it definitely is still too cold for that dress!! But still, the Scheduler’s colorful variety of arrangements are a good balance to Jihyun’s constant pink. 

I wonder what happened to the “S love K” rings... wouldn’t the people who cleaned up the accident have picked those up? Why weren’t they given to Yikyung? I wonder if it’s because he’s an orphan and legally they aren’t siblings or even married, so they refused to hand over his belongings... usually the cops in dramas aren’t all too finicky about whose who’s guardian and proof and such... I hope they touch on that... If Yikyung had known about the rings, would she have been more or less depressed? I wonder what is her real reason for living like that for the past five years? I know it has to do with Yisoo, the way they separated, and his death and all that, but what is the real motive... Does she think he was cheating on her? Does she feel regretful that she didn’t trust him and they separated and he died still loving her even though she doubted him? Did she get the rings, so that’s how she knew of his intentions? Oh, and another question.. When Dr. Noh said he felt responsible for Yisoo’s death, what did he mean? Was Yikyung going to the psychiatrist before Yisoo died, showed him the pictures of Yisoo with another girl, and Dr. Noh said Yisoo was definitely cheating on her? (By the way, that accident scene..... That has to be on my top 5 list of most heartwrenching scenes to make me cry ever!)

I love when the antagonists get what they deserve!!!!! I could have use a little more hair tearing when Seowoo started beating up Injung! And when Kang started punching Minho for Jihyun.... beautiful! Not only because Jo Hyunjae looked awesome all angry and punching someone... but also I love when a guy beats up another guy for a girl... hehe. But probably the most satisfying is the fact that Jihyun does to Minho the same thing he did to her... she kind of lead him to believe she was interested him, which she did only for her own gain, and then he finds out that he fell for her but she is indifferent. And then he finds out it was Jihyun all along?!?! Serves him right! But truth be told, Minho kind of scares me.. He’s willing to go to any lengths, use whatever means necessary in order to complete his plans... In a way he has nothing to lose.. Those are the scariest people, because you never know what they will do.

I can’t wait until the finale of 49 Days. I’m quite a bit sad at the idea that it’s coming to an end (no more Scheduler, bipolar Lee Yowon, softy Jo Hyunjae....), but alas, all good things must come to an end. But that’s what DVDs are for... Right?

Until next time.

49일 (a.k.a. 49 Days) Review Part 1 of 3: Episodes 1-6

49 Days

49일

SBS

Main Cast:

Nam Gyuri 남규리 as Shin Jihyun 신지현 (the soul in limbo, 49 days traveller)

Lee Yowon 이요원 as Song Yikyung 송이경(body taken over by Jihyun)

Bae Soobin 배수빈 as Kang Minho 간민호 (Jihyun’s backstabbing fiance)

Jo Hyunjae 조현재 as Han Kang 한강 (Jihyun’s old high school friend)

Jung Ilwoo 정일우 as the Scheduler 스케줄러 a.k.a. Song Yisoo 송이수 (modern day Grim Reaper, Yikyung’s [past?] lover)

Seo Jihye 서지혜 as Shin Injung 신인정 (one of Jihyun’s “best” friends)

Synopsis:

        A few days before her wedding, Jihyun was looking forward to her future with her seemingly perfect fiancé, Minho. In contrast, Yikyung was unhappy with her life and resolved to end it by walking into a busy street. Their two worlds collide as Jihyun gets into an accident and falls into a coma as a result of Yikyung's actions. However, Jihyun is given a second chance at life by a reaper. He tells her that if she collects three genuine tears from people that aren't her blood relatives in the 49 days allotted to her, she can live again. In order to maneuver the world of the living, she's given use of Yikyung's body, but she cannot use it past midnight and must keep her true identity a secret, including everyone she knew as Jihyun.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49_Days

Episodes 1-6 Review

        Nam Gyuri as the lead? I was very unfamiliar with her, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard some negative reviews, but she’s growing on me slowly. Nam Gyuri plays Shin Ji Hyun, the (other?) lead female. This is only her second? drama, and before that she was in a girl band called SeeYa. I can’t really say I was all that impressed by her acting or if I did not like her acting, or even why I did not like it. We’ll see as the drama carries out. Right now, her character is very naive and a bit oblivious, which may be the reason I’m not impressed. She gave a small sample of her singing, it sounded a bit generic, but not all that bad. But there is absolutely so much room for Jihyun to grow, and likely the writers will take advantage of that to the fullest.

        I was initially disappointed that Bae Soobin was playing such an antagonistic role. I was looking forward to seeing him in this role (after watching Dong Yi and Shining Inheritance) but I guess at the same time it is a nice change. I was actually getting tired of him not getting the girl (the same girl, I might add) for two dramas in a row. There’s speculation that he may not get this girl either, which implies that he wants the girl. At first, that seemed very doubtful, especially after the whole engagement party scene. But after episode 5, I can see how that could happen. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how this will all play out.

        I thought I recognized the lead, Lee Yowon, when I saw her. Her simplistic but beautiful face triggered my memory, someone I’d seen before, but different. 6 years really changes a person’s facial features. So, since it kept irking me, I went to Wikipedia, the place to go for answers. She played the lead female role in Fashion 70’s (2005). Her more recent role was Queen Seondeok. Anyways, I found her acting to be quite fascinating since she is essentially portraying two different souls, if you will. As Song Yikyung, she is a very depressed person with some sort of dark past, involving a doctor and the death of a loved one (mother? sister?). She is very quiet, always neutral faced, always seeming exhausted. Emotionless, blank. As if she wants to be invisible. On the other hand, when she is Shin Jihyun, she is full of life, energetic, determined, tearful. She wears her emotions on her sleeve and is always running everywhere. The contrast is so much that I find it easy to forget that this is in fact the same woman. 

        Jo Hyunjae... Well first of all, I’d like to welcome him back from military duty. I’ve only seen his work Only You with Han Chae Young and have not had a chance to see much else. I definitely enjoy his work and look forward to watching past and future shows. As for his character, I really hope he gets the girl. Well, not that I see how else this would turn out. The only conflict is that he finds himself attracted to Yikyung, even though he was in love with Jihyun. Then again, he is in love with her personality, and the previews are hinting that he will figure out what’s going on. We’ll have to see how that plays out. I’m really anticipating it. His portrayal of Han Kang is very well done. Many actors come out of the military with a more mature image and in a way, the ability to add depth to a character, and Jo Hyunjae’s case is no different.

        Seo Jihye was in Over the Rainbow, a drama I rather enjoyed. The storyline was acceptable, cute. The acting, for the most part was pretty decent. The singing? Mostly good. The dancing was definitely the strong point in my opinion. But, since this is not a review of Over the Rainbow.... Seo Jihye’s character in Over the Rainbow was kind of a simpleton, a country girl in a way. Pretty happy for the most part, moody when it came to boys. Her character is very different as Shin Injung. Injung is very... dark, mysterious, manipulative. She doesn’t ever seem to smile. Then again, she is deceiving her best friends and her company’s president aka her friend’s father. Who could be happy doing that? And the man she loves was supposed to marry her best friend in order to complete the plot to ruin the company... My question is why? Is money the only motive? I’m very curious as to how this will play out, what will she do?

        The special effects used weren’t so obvious that it was unbelievable. I loved how they showed Jihyun’s soul going in and out of Yikyung’s body. The necklace effects (the tears and red warnings) again, were believable. Of course, great acting definitely had a huge part! Same goes for Jihyun not being able to touch anything. The elevator could have gone oddly awry, but I liked the way it turned out. All the special effects were backed up by solid acting by the cast, which is why it was so believable, especially the elevator scenes with the Scheduler (he just can do no wrong).

        I’ve not had a chance to see Jung Il woo in The Return of Iljimae. I heard he put a lot of effort into that drama (not that anyone ever does otherwise). Have no fear, it is on my to watch list (along with some 50 others). So as my first time watching his performance, I must say I’m not disappointed, though I will admit, I’m not a huge fan of that perm he’s got going on.... Maybe it will grow on me. Anyways, I’ve been hearing positive reactions to his work, but at the same time it was not super overhyped, so I was not easily disappointed. His character as the Scheduler is quite amusing. I find myself laughing at some of the things he says. At the same time, when he gets upset, he’s rather intimidating! I wonder how his role in the story and his character will play out. I can’t wait to see the upcoming episodes! 

        I loved the sets and locations used for 49 Days. I think it’s safe to assume most indoor scenes were shot using sets. The two sets I saw via behind the scenes were Yikyung’s studio and Jihyun’s hospital room. It was quite fascinating how real they looked! Of course, that’s the point, but still, wow! Editing is a powerful tool indeed; all the outside shots of Yikyung’s house and neighborhood seem to be on location. I would love to work on a tv show set to learn how everything works. Maybe in another lifetime? The outdoor locations really showed off the beauty of Korea. All the blossoms everywhere! I would love to go to Korea just to see all the flowers! But I really did feel bad for Nam Gyuri for having to film outside in that short pink dress in the chilly early spring weather. The two building exteriors I really liked were Jihyun’s house and Heaven! I loved the Heaven restaurant building! It was very artsy and modern. And Jihyun’s house was just huge and awesome with a nice yard. My dream house? The coffee shop, Seowoo’s bakery, and the different parks were obviously shot on site. I wonder how much that disrupted business? Although that was definitely a good advertising opportunity, even if it was under a different name (Purple Coffee anyone?). I really love how beautiful those parks were. I wonder if they’re really that nice in real life. A lot films make the place look so much better, but when you go it’s rather... anticlimactic (example: the Orange Circle in Clockstoppers). 

        General storyline, I’m really really dying to know what will happen. By episode 6, this drama has really caught my attention. I feel like its pretty obvious who two of the three people are who will cry genuine tears for her (Han Kang and Seowoo), but who’s the third? Her fiance, Minho? That would definitely be a twist. At the same time, he seems very defensive of her character, which is strange since he’s only using her. But then, he thought he was talking to a stranger, so to keep up the charade of loving fiance, it’s a given that he would do so. 

So many questions, so little answers..