The best romance you are not watching

[dangermousie]

Perfect mirrors:




I think Daemul is a perfect lesson in how your drama expectations can often be wrong. When it was first announced in 2008, I was a giddily excited fangirl. The drama (finally out in 2010) turned out nothing, nothing like I expected, and yet I love it madly, obsessively, ridiculously.

In my defense, when it was first announced, all I knew was that the manhwa this was to be based on was about the first female President of Korea and the gigolo her political enemies hired to bring her down (he was interested because of some revenge-related issues). Any plot/vibe similarity between that story and the story of a rising and idealistic female politician and her incorruptible prosecutor BFF/potential OTP - i.e. what the drama turned out to be about - is pretty marginal, one has to agree. (Yes, kdramas are known for their crazy plot twists and Daemul is scheduled for 26 eps, and may possibly get an extension if its insane ratings continue, but to imagine Do Ya becoming a gigolo, especially a gigolo dedicated to wrecking Hye Rim, requires more imagination than I currently possess).

So yes, entirely different beast, but I love it so very much. Its functional OTP in the middle of all the dirty politics, really makes it shine.

You know, there are no words for how much I love the OTP of Daemul. It would be so easy, with poorer writing, with poorer acting, to turn them into almost propaganda cliches - she is an idealistic politician fighting for the rights of her fellow citizens. And he is the hard-charging prosecutor, fighting corruption whenever he finds it.

And the thing is, the above is true, but that is nowhere near the sum total of it. No, they are nuanced flesh-and-blood people - she is often afraid, angry, at the end of her rope, and she pays for everything with flesh and bone. And he is boyish, eccentric, a whackjob, really and with so much open warmth and vulnerability I just want to bask.

And they are perfect for each other. I mentioned some time ago that the two main romantic modes in a kdrama are "they bicker/fight/hate then fall in love" and "he worships the ground she walks on." The latter is by far my favorite (which explains why romcoms are my least favorite genre - they tend to overwhelmingly prefer the first mode). And Daemul is such a great example - I love the way he loves her. It's just so total - he is always there to support her but there are no big dramatic gestures (not even when events themselves are dramatic - as when he gets stabbed in front of her). No, he is just there for whatever she needs, without making romantic demands because he knows she may still be grieving for her husband. And the thing is, she is worthy of such devotion - she is an amazing person but she also cares back for him, fiercely.



Even still in the hospital with the stab wound, he is cranky about her running for office - he is completely correct it's an insane idea with very slim chances of success. But she is nothing if not idealistic and optimistic (and hey, in his job he is the same - what sane prosecutor takes on the head of the biggest political machine out there?)



God, how are they so adorable? I love that in the sea of insanity around them, the two are so blessedly normal. And GHJ and KSW have such a lovely, natural chemistry.









I can't say I like Tae San but I find him fascinating. And I ship him fiercely with the hostess girl (whose name escapes me). They are sort of like a dark mirror to the idealists that are Hye Rim and Do Ya. (Also, how happy am I that for now it seems love quadrangle in its typical form is not present). Did I mention that I think Cha In Pyo and Lee Soo Kyung both radiate sexiness in this drama? Or how happy I am that here at last is a drama where all the protagonists and antagonists are adults - act like adults, think like adults, dress like adults?



















I want a sexy prosecutor to protect me from a mob and then clear my name via legal documents. I honestly do not even see why the crowd got so egged on about their supposed relationship, except for the provocateurs - even if Hye Rim and Do Ya were dating - so what? She's a widow, he's single, they are in the same age bracket (he's only a few years younger) and he's a prosecutor. It's not as if she's a married lady who picked up a 19-yr-old boy hooker. But of course there are provocateurs AND rumors that they were hooking up even back when her husband was alive.



















Hey, Do Ya, if you want to dispel the whole 'they are dating' rumors, perhaps you shouldn't be holding her face so tenderly in public, you know? Just saying.





And guess who is there to rescue her when she gets kidnapped by a crazy psycho (long story as to who he is, I am skipping it for now).















And who is there to always support her through thick and thin.











I just love the two of them together.





This whole quiet conversation was wonderful in every way, but my favorite part was when she said she feels apologetic towards his father because of those dating rumors and he asked "not to me?" and she replied that no, not to him - why should she, she is beautiful. You go, lady! And then she asked him "am I beautiful" and he looked at her and paused for the longest time, and then said very quietly "you are beautiful." And then she started to tease him for blushing.















You creepsters just totally fucked over my Do Ya, but I still ship you. I am hopeless.



GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH the last scene of ep 8 turned me into an incoherent, giddy, sniffy, ridiculous mess. Because he's always been there for her whenever needed but she's totally repaid it in kind - when she heard what happened, how investigation got wrecked and his career is close to over, she didn't even hesitate for a second, instead of doing what the political machine wanted her to, she just rushed over to where he was, so this time she could be the one comforting him.

























Daemul, you are officially amazing.

Comments

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

::sigh::

And you are officially the most amazing spokesperson for HyeRim and DoYa.

I want to marry this post, and live here forever, but I'm about to drop dead so I'll just say this very quickly and come back later with more comments.

I think you've shown remarkable restraint in limiting yourself to the big moments in our OTP's relationship for this post, rather than get distracted by the many, many, many little things btw HyeRim and DoYa that make them so functional, so loving, and so perfect for each other. Had I been in your place, I think the temptation for me would have been too great, but I'm truly impressed you were able to put that aside and focus on the big picture. That's what makes this/you a great advocate for this couple and this drama.

[enagwolo.livejournal.com]

lol... I knew I'd find you here. You're the biggest DoYa/HyeRim shipper on soompi and maybe even the world :D

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

I don't know about the biggest, but they certainly have a following.

A news article just came out breaking down the ratings for last week's eps., and it shows every time HyeRim and DoYa were on screen, the ratings peaked. Ep. 7 took a dip from the election eps. (25.4% on average), but when DoYa showed up in Seoul and he and HyeRim were taking a stroll and he leaned to her? Ratings jumped to 29.04%. Every time HyeRim and DoYa were together or on their own was when the ratings were highest or at least above average. (Eg. DoYa bringing HyeRim a late-night snack saw a 1.1% increase; DoYa's interrogation of the party leader logged the highest ratings per min., 31.19%.)

By contrast, TaeSan's and SeJin's scenes tended to perform below average (falling by 0.39-0.71% in SeJin's case), and their last scene in ep. 8 (when she leans into him) fell by 1.21%.

[enagwolo.livejournal.com]

It's not surprising at all since they are the main reason I am watching this show. I don't really care that much about the politics, to be honest.

By the way, I love how much you love them because it's great to read your posts plus you're so kind in sharing your love with the rest of us so thank so much!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

*blushes at the praise*

You have no idea how many caps I took - 600+. Wading through them was insane.

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

Oh you must have hated 'throwing away' the light-hearted scenes. I can relate. I want to unleash picspams, but there's such a thing as going overboard and spoiling everything. It's happy dilemma, which I hope will continue forever and ever.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I always have this problem. I overcap like mad.

part 1

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

I think Daemul is a perfect lesson in how your drama expectations can often be wrong.

It's one of those occasions where I'm thrilled to eat crow. Who'd have thought Prosecutor Ha DoYa would become one of the best characters to emerge in 2010... I actually had a feeling KSW and GHJ would have chemistry (which the teaser confirmed), but I've never been happier to have been proven wrong on so many other counts.


It would be so easy, with poorer writing, with poorer acting, to turn them into almost propaganda cliches ... No, they are nuanced flesh-and-blood people

They feel very REAL, and down-to-earth, which I think makes it easy for viewers to empathize. The audience may or may not agree with the way they go about achieving their goals (idealism vs realism), but I think TPTB did a great job in establishing the characters in such a way that the viewers are willing to follow them on their journey.


she is often afraid, angry, at the end of her rope, and she pays for everything with flesh and bone. And he is boyish, eccentric, a whackjob, really and with so much open warmth and vulnerability I just want to bask.

I think that's what made it so difficult to watch the end of ep. 8 when everything blew up in his face, how vulnerable he was as he absorbed what was happening and then broke down. It just became suddenly so clear to me he's just as much an idealist as HyeRim is, and he could be shattered too when his dreams of a just world are taken away from him. On top of everything else (that she rushed to his side etc.), it just made so much sense she should be the one to comfort him, because they're really one and the same, they share the same dreams and ideals, and no one could have understood it better than she did why he was sobbing his heart out.


I love the way he loves her. It's just so total - he is always there to support her but there are no big dramatic gestures (not even when events themselves are dramatic - as when he gets stabbed in front of her). No, he is just there for whatever she needs, without making romantic demands because he knows she may still be grieving for her husband.

I think by now, it's just second nature to him, being there for her, whether she's aware of it or not (eg. that wonderful scene at the end of ep. 8 in lieu of a preview, which is a deleted scene from ep. 3 and shows DoYa wiping off a stain HyeRim couldn't get out like a fairy godfather), reciprocates his feelings or not. And he HATES it when he can't. The look on his face when she told him to get out of the campaign and that she didn't want his help with the scandal... his hurt, his anger that she wouldn't let him... I loved that scene a little too much.


And the thing is, she is worthy of such devotion - she is an amazing person but she also cares back for him, fiercely.

I thank the k-d gods it's GHJ in the role. I look at her and I have zero problem understanding how HyeRim could inspire such devotion in DoYa or owned his heart and soul from the moment he saw her.


GHJ and KSW have such a lovely, natural chemistry.

They're just such a perfect fit. I see stars whenever they share a scene.


I can't say I like Tae San but I find him fascinating.

I find him incredibly compelling, and though I suspected Cha InPyo would be a good fit for this ambitious, icy character, he's really exceeded my expectations. He's been playing the character with such restraint of late that TaeSan's ruthlessness feels even more fearsome than what's on paper. I really enjoyed a recent description of DoYa vs TaeSan as the two extremes in the drama (hot vs cold), and can't wait to see what changes DoYa will have to undergo to be able to beat TaeSan. (Ditto with HyeRim vs TaeSan.)


how happy I am that here at last is a drama where all the protagonists and antagonists are adults - act like adults, think like adults, dress like adults?

Maturity's so sexy. Ok, DoYa may act like a kid at times, but everyone knows he's dead serious inside.

Re: part 1

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

It's one of those occasions where I'm thrilled to eat crow. Who'd have thought Prosecutor Ha DoYa would become one of the best characters to emerge in 2010... I actually had a feeling KSW and GHJ would have chemistry (which the teaser confirmed), but I've never been happier to have been proven wrong on so many other counts.


I remember being SO disappointed when I read they swapped the storyline. I was thiiiis close to not watching it at all. I am so glad I did - each ep really makes my day.

It just became suddenly so clear to me he's just as much an idealist as HyeRim is, and he could be shattered too when his dreams of a just world are taken away from him.

Oh yes. He hides it behind his manner (as opposed to HR who is so open about it) but he is just as driven by ideals - otherwise why risk his life and take on the machine? That is why the spoilers of him quitting make me so upset - this job is such a perfect fit for him, I can't imagine a better.

I thank the k-d gods it's GHJ in the role. I look at her and I have zero problem understanding how HyeRim could inspire such devotion in DoYa or owned his heart and soul from the moment he saw her.


I keep being impressed by her range - from steel-cold evil that was Mishil to this immense kindness and warmth here...

I find him incredibly compelling, and though I suspected Cha InPyo would be a good fit for this ambitious, icy character, he's really exceeded my expectations.

I think a drama centered around TS would have been fascinating (and with a vibe probably more in keeping with what the manhwa seemed like). I love that unlike, e.g. his father-in-law or machine chief, he does have his humanity somewhat, still, but oh, he is soo very scary. The scene where he lost it - I wanted to hide behind my cushions and I wasn't forgetting this was only on the screen.

part 2

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

But of course there are provocateurs AND rumors that they were hooking up even back when her husband was alive.

It's the rumors, and people taking pervert pleasure in pointing fingers. And sexist attitudes, esp. in rural areas. They're already not taking kindly to the idea of a woman running for election, but if she does, they'll try to hold her to impossible standards, eg. she has to be virtuous, she shall not tempt an eligible, younger bachelor like DoYa. (DoYa's father's attitude that it'd be wrong for her to marry someone like his son is unfortunately the normal reaction you'd expect in this situation. DoYa would be marrying 'down.')


And guess who is there to rescue her when she gets kidnapped by a crazy psycho

Another scene I enjoyed a little too much, DoYa kicking the h*ll out of the kidnapper.


This whole quiet conversation was wonderful in every way

The last five minutes of Ep. 6 were just sheer bliss, perfection in every way. There was such pure joy and pleasure on HyeRim's face when she found DoYa waiting for her, which no longer surprises her any more and in fact gives her the greatest comfort... And his smile... after all they'd been through, his anger with her decision to run... now he understands why she did it, regardless of the results, and he can smile and say she did a great job... And that revisit of their first bike ride in Ep. 1... I wanted to cry. And then he took her to this most amazing, intimate place on earth for an amazing heart-to-heart and the closest he came to revealing how much he loves her... When he said, 'You are. You're beautiful, ajumma,' DCgall just exploded and according to some posters, so did their households. They could have stopped there and I'd have died a happy woman, but instead, TPTB gave us that wonderful dramatic upset and DoYa and HyeRim's wonder and jubilation made me want to cry again. (Per DCgall, some households broke into applause.) We know she becomes President, but this is her first win, a hard-won win, and she'll always remember where she was that day and who she was with. It just would not have been the same if the upset and celebration had taken place back at her campaign HQs or even her home. What a memory to cherish in their hearts...


when she heard what happened, how investigation got wrecked and his career is close to over, she didn't even hesitate for a second, instead of doing what the political machine wanted her to, she just rushed over to where he was, so this time she could be the one comforting him.

The look on her face as she reeled in the news... you could tell her only thought was, 'DoYa, DoYa, DoYa...' Didn't matter if she lost her post, they expelled her, she had to drive hours to reach him... she had to go to him, she had to see him. I don't think she was even thinking, 'I have to be there b/c he's always been there for me,' she just had to go to him, period.

Re: part 2

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

They're already not taking kindly to the idea of a woman running for election, but if she does, they'll try to hold her to impossible standards, eg. she has to be virtuous, she shall not tempt an eligible, younger bachelor like DoYa

Thanks for the explanation. eeeeek. Ugh.

I enjoyed the kidnapper bit too. He's always rather hot-blooded but he really lost it there and I loved every last bit.

Re: comfort scene in 8. Oh yes, the thing I loved the most was how automatic it was. That saying about one soul in two bodies, indeed.

[timescout.livejournal.com]

I've been holding out on this and collecting the subs. I think I'll start when I've got full 10 in the bag. :) I'm more or less cought up with all my currently airing dramas and now that SKKS is almost over I think I can add another one.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[ejekyll.livejournal.com]

i now see the epic Daemul post... toddles off to read it. I hope I love it by the time I finish, cause I really need something to take my mind off the Playful Kiss and SKKS obsession...

[ejekyll.livejournal.com]

....... I'm not sure if I have the faith in Kwon Sang Woo to carry this off. I've only ever seen him in Dating Now. I think like timescout, I'm gonna wait and see on this one.

[ejekyll.livejournal.com]

ps. so do you want me to upload Outsiders? or have you found links?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Found the links, thanks :)

And KSW does an awesome job in this, honest.

[enagwolo.livejournal.com]

Kwon Sang Woo is doing a good job, IMO. His storyline with the older lady in Dating Now was the only thing worth watching in that drama, to be honest. I haven't seen him in any other dramas but so far, so good.

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

Hope this doesn't seem like I'm piling up, but just wanted to add you have absolutely nothing to worry about re: KSW in Daemul. There might be a 0.01% chance you end up not liking him anyway, but the unanimous consensus (among critics and viewers alike) is that this is his best performance and role in a long while, perhaps the best in his career. If you consider how many of them were skeptical or unwilling to give him a chance, it's an incredible turnaround, but that's how good he is as Ha DoYa.

[(Anonymous)]

I totally agreed. KSW played awesome job in Daemul.HDY character is hard to portrait because he has all type of characteristics (Wild,Macho, gigilo, outgoing, hardworking, smart, lovable, boyish like, manly....teary...ahh! you name it all.) He can perform well all of them. I am very impressed with his performance. Hope to see more of him with SHR.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, to everything you said.