The Royal Family - episode 1

[dangermousie]

And I have my kdrama addiction for the spring season - it's the dark Royal Family, with its poisonous family and the central relationship between Ji Sung's star prosecutor and a woman who helped him once when he was an unwanted teenager and now it's his turn to help her.



I just finished the first ep and I love love love love it to bits. It's twisty and dark and keeps me on my toes and Ji Sung is amazing in it - by turns scary and vulnerable and even goofy, but always so intensely magnetic it almost makes me want to look away.

It's all the more interesting because I don't find myself interested much in the probably-coming romance between him and the heroine. The 11-yr difference doesn't bother me (though, due to the plot, the heroine looks very faded, much older than she's supposed to be) but the vibe I am getting so far is not romantic - just caring and loving like a family - younger brother-older sister perhaps. If the romance happens, I am sure I'll buy it when it does, but if not, I don't mind either.

I do love the interactions between all the characters and their connections. Just like Thorn Birds, this is somewhat of a melodrama, but it's a more cynical, harder-around-the-edges one.

Comments

[att123.livejournal.com]

Just like Thorn Birds, this is somewhat of a melodrama, but it's a more cynical, harder-around-the-edges one.
You put it perfectly! Both shows have some classic Kdrama elements that give it an older feel;however, the shows just feel so much more raw and intense.

due to the plot, the heroine looks very faded, much older than she's supposed to be
Poor lady. That family is one of the worst bunch of people I've seen in a drama in a long time. They treat her like nothing. She doesn't even have a name to those people. She's just "K". I can't wait to watch all of them suffer.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yup, I hope they are all going down.

[millie10468.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I'll love it as much you do when I do get around to watching it. I'm trying to let Thorn Birds, New Tales of the Gisaeng and the upcoming 49 Days get some more episodes behind them before I start with them. I'm not so good with waiting for stuff. Instant gratification rules!!!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I wish I had patience to wait.

[happahaole.livejournal.com]

looks interesting....i might check it out

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yay!!!

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

Interesting. Looks so pretty and kind of messed up. Haven't started it yet becasue of the lack of proper subs. Can I ask where you got yours? Last I checked on Darksmurf the first episode was only like 50% human translated.

As for me, I've started Midas and I'm actually enjoying it a lot. More than Crime Squad in fact, which surprised me. The crappy synopsis doesn't do it justice. And, gosh, Fox Hunter from Gumiho is so very pretty. Is he even real? I'm already shipping him like mad with the heroine. They have chemistry and he's so very bad boy in it. I don't think it's going to end well given the character description I've read about him but I can't stop myself from watching.

And I've also started the Duo and I'm here to give my report. Well, it's good. Better than I expected. The "childhood" episodes aren't a chore to watch at all. It helps that they jump to being older teenagers right at the beginning of episode 2 (I was relieved because I almost gave up after episode one which was kind of crappy). In a way, they're not even childhood episodes. But, and there's a big but...The lady I'm rooting for is not the main girl. Woe is me. I can't really stand the main girl (although I think her character was created that way on purpose and she'll have some way to go yet) and I'm already on board the good ship Secondary girl/ slave boy-turned noble guy. Which isn't good since both guys will be in love with main girl and secondary girl will probably suffer for the whole drama. I'll give myself four more episodes to try to start rooting for the main girl. If I can't, I'll stop watching, in spite of how good the drama is. It'll be a shame but I'm not in the mood for that kind of doomed shipping.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, The Duo looks good, thanks :)

[puion.livejournal.com]

Have you seen "Save the Last Dance For Me"? Because JS is pretty hot in there! How I shipped him & Eugene back then lol!

Hope you are recovering well =)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I love STLD to bits!

[hanjae.livejournal.com]

I've heard something that interests me A LOT more than the original synopsis of "woman oppressed by her rich in-laws." Apparently In Sook is someone who has the face of an angel (and everyone starts off thinking she's the victim) but then you find out she has a serious dark side that the supposedly bitchy mother-in-law had sensed and was actually trying to suppress for years. So basically Ji Hoon comes along thinking he wants to help In Sook and sets free her inner ebil.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

This could be pretty interesting but so far I cannot see how that would fit/work out. We'll see.