Tree with Deep Roots - eps 3 and 4

[dangermousie]

Just finished ep 3 of TwDR and I am mesmerized. Who knew a drama where people discuss the applicability of Confusian ideals to politics could be this compelling. I am going to miss Song Joong Ki, who gave a true tour-de-force performance as young Sejong - the scene below will probably go into my Top 10 scenes of the year:






However, the older Sejong is also fascinating and you can see the glimpses of younger self in him. I can also believe both in his fierce intelligence and strong will.



And even though I am going to miss SJK, the end of 'prologue' means that we finally get to see Jang Hyuk as the protagonist.



As always, Jang Hyuk is in top form. He has a unique brand of intensity and angry vitality, I never see from other kdrama actors. And a strong masculine physicality (I almost want to say 'machismo' but that is a very narrow and loaded word which doesn't fully fit) which is every bit as powerful as his on-screen presence. If there was a man suited to sageuks, which tend to overwhelm some actors, it would be him.

And I cannot wait to see the odd, loaded relationship between him and Sejong (whom he longs to kill) play out.

Comments

[timescout.livejournal.com]

For a talkative, polical drama TwDR has been a joy to follow. Who'd have guessed that a story about the birth of hangul culd be this riveting....

Jang Hyuk is truly marvellous but coming from 20 episodes I'd say Han Suk Kyu's Sejong is the true center of this whole thing. I've never seen HSK in anything before but oh my, he's mesmerising. I love it how Chae Yoon and Sejong sort of complete each other. Each one 'get's' the other in a way no-one else does. That's an odd couple if there ever was one. :)

Well, the ensamble cast is so good all around. Even most of the bit parts are really well manned. I love it when just about everyone delivers.

I'm going to rewatch the last two episodes as it was already very late when I watched those and I was sort of cross eyed at that point. I didn't mean to tackle those too but then the subs came out and I just could not let them be. Serves me right. You can't be hasty with this drama.

Keep an eye open for Prince Gwangpyeong.... remember the actor? *g*

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

I love it how Chae Yoon and Sejong sort of complete each other.

In the opening credits for TwDR, they give us a clue about how Sejong, Chae-Yoon and Soyi are meant to complement each other. Next to the actors' names, written in red, are the codes for each:

Han Seok-Kyu = heaven, Jang Hyuk = earth, Shin Se-Kyung = person

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, that is interesting. Thank you.

[angelic-junk.livejournal.com]

And such are the main components of Hangeul~

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

Yup. And they actually pull it off with the characterization for each.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Who is the actor? *now is curious*

But yes, this is a uniformly strong cast.

[timescout.livejournal.com]

Heh, Suh Joon Young... let's see if you recognise him. He hasn't changed all that much from the role you should (perhaps) remember him from, even if it wasn't a big one. ;P Well, his role here isn't that big either but he manages to make it memorable. At least I thought so but I might be a bit biased. I like the kid. :)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Mawang!!! Heeeeee.

[timescout.livejournal.com]

Right-o :) Boy's got potential and he's so damn endearing... hence my Just You obsession. LOL!

[clairiere.livejournal.com]

As thrilled as I am you're enjoying TwDR, I have to confess I don't know how you manage to handle so many emotionally loaded dramas at once. I think that's the reason I'm reluctant to try PP at this point-- the last time I watched a drama from the same writer (More Beautiful Than A Flower), it took me days to put it behind. Not ready to take the plunge yet.

re: ep. 3: I am going to miss Song Joong Ki, who gave a true tour-de-force performance as young Sejong - the scene below will probably go into my Top 10 scenes of the year

I don't know what I loved more, that his father was no fool, or the chilling look on Sejong's face as he turned the tables on him. If anybody ever argues you cannot portray a complex relationship in just a handful of eps. and somehow draw it to a close (that single tear on Sejong's face by the bridge where his father used to fish... perfect), I'll have to point to this one.

However, the older Sejong is also fascinating and you can see the glimpses of younger self in him.

Casting, transition, characterization, writing... somehow, they managed to get everything right.

And even though I am going to miss SJK, the end of 'prologue' means that we finally get to see Jang Hyuk as the protagonist.

Sejong & Taejong were riveting (and SJK's Sejong will always remain my first love), but I wasn't as taken with the child actors so it was a relief to see Jang Hyuk (and Shin Se-Kyung) take over.

And I cannot wait to see the odd, loaded relationship between him and Sejong (whom he longs to kill) play out.

You're not going to be disappointed, I think.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

PP really is wonderful but I can tell it's going to be an emotional roller-coaster. I can handle it and Tree at the same time because, oddly, I can compartmentalize if one is a period drama and one a contemporary one. I can't do it if they were two of the same. (The rest I am watching are not really heavy-hitters).

I love that courtyard scene and how it turned from Sejong seeming subjugation to his having the upper hand. His relationship with Tejong was so fascinating, I wish I could have watched a whole drama about it.

I didn't mind child actors (though Ddolbok's actor could have been better, I have yet to find a truly annoying kdrama child actor) but the main reason I checked out this drama was Jang Hyuk and so I was not disappointed. He is, as always, riveting.