On why Mischievous Kiss only sort-of works for me

[dangermousie]

Following ockoala's awesome blog, which has turned into a MK-central zone of sorts, I started thinking why MK is not having me frothing at the mouth.

Even though MK ends this week at 16 eps, I have not yet watched any eps past 9. I enjoy the show whenever I watch it, but in-between the episodes I forget all about it. And so when I find myself with free time, I find myself devouring SKKS and Giant raws or Daemul and Gloria subs.

I keep trying to articulate why MK is my equivalent of 'pleasant but forgettable.' Let me try to put it into words.

I think, more than anything, it is because there are no stakes in MK. Nobody will die or get their life ruined or their child taken away or end up homeless or in psychiatric care or anything else of any magnitude in even the wildest worst-case scenario. What is the worst that can happen? Hani and Seung Jo don't get together. But it's pretty clear Hani, once outside of SJ's orbit, will move on. And SJ will continue his functional and placid if emotionally dull existence.

There is no edge of your seat here at all.

"But wait, Mousie," points out a reader. "Most of romcoms don't have life-or-death stakes and aren't some of your favorite dramas slice-of-life ones?"

Correct, my hypothetical strawman, correct. I love slice-of-life dramas like Aishiteiru to Itte Kure and Brand to bits, and my favorite drama of all time is, in fact, a slice-of-life one - Worlds Within. And it's true that in most romcoms the worst that can happen is that the couple won't end up together - there is no threat of a lunatic assassinating Chae Gyung from Goong, and Gong Chan from My Girl is unlikely to die of a terminal illness whether he gets to live happily ever after or not.

And now we come to a second but. A successful romcom (or a romantic slice-of-life) works by convincing me that even though the worst thing that can happen is the OTP not being together, their love is so profound and life-changing and strong, that this would be a horrible tragedy (and by extension, a general slice-of-life also shows you that whatever bad mundane outcome can happen is devastating - by making you care so much for the characters' success). I bawled my way through the last three episodes of Aishiteiru to Itte kure, screamed at my screen with Worlds Within. But I do not get that feeling of emotional urgency with MK at all. MK, with all its charm, fails to sell me on the protagonists' relationship being profound, life-breaking, the most amazing thing that could happen. MK's very realism is against it there - unlike the other dramas I mentioned, which all deal with adults and complex and fascinating ones too, MK's protagonists are realistic everyday teenagers. That leads not just to my finding them less interesting or relatable (if MK has any overarching theme, it's growing up, but it's not something that is often interesting to me outside of some extra stressors thrown into the mix) but their love doesn't come across as soul-searing or stronger-than-death either. This is not helped by the chemistry between the leads - it's sweet and friendly but hardly toe-curling, the way it was in the Taiwanese version. Acting abilities factor in as well, of course. For example, Coffee House is a mellow romantic slice-of-life about little things but its star is the amazing Kang Ji Hwan who owns me with every look.

MK is enjoyable and well-drawn but it fails to obsess me because - how shall I put it - I can live without it because the characters can live without each other too.

Comments

[ockoala.livejournal.com]

Feel better, Mousie!

How dare you not love Mischievous Kiss!?!?! *SHAKES FIST AT YOU!*

Kidding!! Hahaha, you are 100% correct, which is why this drama is either love it or meh. I don't think anyone hates it like some folks hate YAB, BOF, or other dramas that induce stronger emotions either way.

I love it, but it's so in the moment. Once its over, it's like over, and I happily move along, content to have watched it, but losing no sleepness nights over it.

You should check out the kiss and the wedding night scenes, just for the heck of it. :-D

[ejekyll.livejournal.com]

I hated YAB but loved BOF, if that makes any sense at all? Love SKKS, but have found myself mostly resistant to Giant (except when you spazz about Minwoo-Miju. then I'm so there!). Each drama has their own set of fans, and MK is no different.

But with MK, I think that the majority of my enjoyment is derived from Ockoala's blog. It's nice to participate in the discussion and draw out meaning, intended or not, from the drama. Plus it's rare that we can gather so much goodwill towards such a seemingly unpopular drama.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I am pretty sure I'll finish it at some point (I finished even genuinely meh stuff like Oh My lady and MK I actually like). I don't know - I was rewatching bits of ISWAK the other day and for some reason ArJoe it works for me strongly when MK doesn't - I still remember being in the middle of a move while devouring ISWAK and sitting among boxes, nothing unpacked but tv hooked up so I could continue with the ISWAK drug.

[enagwolo.livejournal.com]

I just find the drama boring. I stopped at episode 10. For this kind of uneventful story, we really need to see some great chemistry and hurt because the characters can't be together. I don't feel that way about this drama so I had to let it go.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes yes Yes. I feel that lack too.

[lightsjustright.livejournal.com]

My opinion as to why it didn't work as well as it really could have:
1. Acting. Hyun Joong can't do angst. He can do cute pretty well, but not angst.
2. There is no sexual tension between the leads, like in the twdrama. The chemistry, like you said, is sweet but without any emotional urgency.
3. The production, while being very pretty, has really weird editing.

Sadly, all these factors coalesced in the rain kiss which should have been its saving grace.

Having said that, I still think it is a lovely little fluff drama; sugary sweet with little substance, but you don't really notice with how quickly it goes down. When it decides to be cute, it's pretty damn adorable.

Also I really wonder at its supposed unpopularity - how can there be so much internet buzz with such low ratings? Confusing.

[hanjae.livejournal.com]

Also I really wonder at its supposed unpopularity - how can there be so much internet buzz with such low ratings?

I think what was mentioned on the SKKS thread also applies to this; a Korean fan noted on Dramabeans and Soompi that the popularity on SKKS is explosive on the internet; if you talk to Koreans, most of them would be like, "Ah, SKKS!" and babble on.

It's not reflected in the ratings, however, because only 4-member households are counted - which pretty much wipes out most of the 20-30's crowd who've moved out and live alone or with a partner, and those are the age group who would be most likely to watch SKKS. The teens who're at home have to battle their parents for the remote control :P So what ends up happening is that a good deal of young Koreans watch their dramas either via downloads or streaming, on their computer and phones... which again doesn't count in the ratings.

I assume this is the same thing happening with PK, and probably why a lot of youth dramas these days can't seem to get ratings.

[lightsjustright.livejournal.com]

Well, that would certainly explain it although now I'm curious as to why only 4-member households are counted - why would the others not be targeted? Not that I'm an knowledgeable in this area but I always thought marketing is marketing and all.

But yeah, the internet has definitely as of late become the new TV. Can't remember the last time I watched something on TV that wasn't rented.

[hanjae.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure, but that's what that Korean fan said, and while I usually take things with a grain of salt, it would certainly explain why so many youth dramas have failed recently. I suppose 4-member household = typical family size, and is a good standard to use? I wonder whether it could also include 4-member and up families.

Same here, I barely watch anything on TV anymore. Even if it airs on TV, making sure I'm downstairs and waiting for something to air is becoming a chore. If I know it's going to get uploaded online, I usually prefer just downloading it afterwards.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

4 person households? That seems really weird as it would only be a tiny sliver of population - it's not like Koreans have huge families any more. Hmmm.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

All those three hit it right on the head, imo.

[ambergold.livejournal.com]

I am eating MK up with a spoon but then low-key romances are some of my favorites. That being said, I don't love it with a deep passion and I agree that it's too slight for real obsession. I"m just finding it a great light watch. (oh and the 2nd half is way more satisfactory than the 1st)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, maybe I should catch up :)

[ambergold.livejournal.com]

I definitely recommend the middle section - there's adorableness galore and some delicious physical stuff and jealousy and angst etc etc - but I will admit that the last 2 episodes are really dumb. As were the first few. The middle part is the only really successful part of this drama.

[puion.livejournal.com]

You know, I really never gave MK any chance...I just didn't like the casting! But oh well, as we are near the end, and Ep 13 has the best scene (confession in the rain)...I thought, hey, let's give this scene a try. Nothing can ruin such moment...

Or so I thought...

But as I watched that moment...I just DON'T feel it. There is NO chemistry at all. And I thought KHJ didn't truly portray Naoki's feelings well, in fact, he barely show any emotion. Wooden. sigh

Though MAIN problem still comes down to 0 chemistry. Or maybe Joe & Ariel are just way too amazing --> my icon ISWAK ftw

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes. Joe and Ariel really made ISWAK work for me.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

I just don't like that even after he confesses, he still isn't romantic with her, doesn't open doors for her...ect.. he definitely doesn't get the least bit nervous around her. He holds all the power in the relationship, he may be a bit vulnerable but I think when someone falls in love hard that's when they are the most vulnerable and he doesn't show that..... he is so arrogant in the relationship- like I kissed you and I know you like it, sort of thing, no insecurity, she is the one who is insecure- errrrrr

Feel bad for girl because she picked him and he will definitely not make an attentive or romantic husband, I couldn't see him worrying about her like crazy- (compared to SJ from SKKS, the main guy here is just a disgrace, lol) seriously she seems like she needs someone who will treat her really well- this is what all women deserve.

This hero pales in comparison to pretty much every other kdrama hero I've seen- I'm glad I didn't watch the whole series fully through, I mostly just looked at recaps and watched a few episodes, MK has no tension between OTP at all- I wished she could have been with the other guy, he would have treated her so much better, o well guess you can't help who you love

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

YES.

I've liked plenty of cold-to-heroine-at-first heroes before, but they have to change. E.g. in Goong by the end all Shin can do is confess how much he loves her, needs her, etc etc. He's clearly obsessed. Or in Taiwanese version of ISWAK, not only do the leads have great chemistry, but he does all these awesome things after he finally allows himself to feel (there is a scene where she is kneeling in front of a director - long story - and when he can't get her to get up, he basically kneels with her and says he will stay there as long as she will and he is just supporting her and has her put her head on his shoulder so she can slee etc etc).

It's just BSJ never struck me as so in love with her he couldn't live without her. Contrast this with the Taiwanese version:

http://dangermousie.livejournal.com/1501330.html#cutid1

That scene makes my bones melt.

[enagwolo.livejournal.com]

In ISWAK, even before the confession, he was always doing things for her like when he came home to spend Xmas eve with her. And you mentioned Coffee House and even though he was a dummy and tried to hide his feelings, he almost had a nervous breakdown when he couldn't get a hold of her. From the episodes I've seen, PK failed to show us how his life would suck without her. And in a romance, we kinda need that.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

I know! BSJ could definitely live without her, unlike other heroes who pine like carzy, are totally out of it and a complete mess when the heroine isn't around (Ex; SJ in SKKS- episode 15, and MW in Giant- man I love these men and their complete love obsession with heroine- these guys would sacrifice it all without hesitation - BSG would definitely hesitate) Women want to see the crazy in love hero, so I don't get why MK did that, their target audience is definitely women so I can see why the ratings are low (this is not the only reason why they are though IMO) I agree that ISWAK is better but the heroine there was made to be incredibly dumb and annoying- if only they could have made her smarter like the korean heroine (I'm talking street smarts)- both heroines are doormats though, with very little pride, shutter- I hate this,

Even though I don't like the hero's character, I think the actor is really to blame, he didn't make me feel like he really loved her, he could have played some scenes more vulnerably and the things he didn't do romantically he could have acted embarrassed and that's why he didn't do them- the actor doesn't have charisma IMO, he has all the personality of a cardboard box

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I think Hani is a more realistic teen than Xiang Qin was but...this is a drama where chemistry matters so much and Ariel and Joe burned up the screen insanely in twversion. I like KHJ - he's awfully pretty - but a passionate actor he is not and in a drama where all the passion comes from acting (there aren't grand romantic moments which are huge no mattr who acts them) it shows.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

Mousie, wanted to add that after seeing your recaps of TKS, I now have to watch it! I admit that one of my favorite themes is the ice cold hero falling in love but it must be done right (it pretty much ties with hero obsessively worshippy in love with heroine and if cold hero falls into this category it is even better!), I think Goong, fullhouse and CP did it right... I am constantly on the search for others

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

TKA is lovely because it's the guys' turn to be the jealous one. Be warned though - it's pretty slow - could have cut the running time in half tbh.

Oh, and I can't recommend Mars enough if you love crazy in love guys. It is so good. If you don't mind MVs, have this one.

[gurlygirl10.livejournal.com]

thanks mousie!

[jennyhime.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on several points.
Even though this version has a bigger budget and all but where they TW drama showed that Kotoko and Irie could never be the same without each other this drama is like they would both move on.
And the lack of chemistry is disturbing, they have chemistry it's just more like good friends then real sparks like Joe and Ariel had.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes. Ariel and Joe really made the story in twdrama.