Arang and the Magistrate - initial impressions

[dangermousie]

Short version - I like it. I am not obsessed about it the way I am about Faith (heroic fantasy is more my thing than dark fairy tales) but it's very very good and I want to watch more and I am already attached to the characters. It doesn't hurt that LJK and SMA have amazing chemistry. I can't wait to see how he will start to care for her (and for the world in general - seemingly his mother's loss made him shut off caring or deep feeling but her connection to his mother seems to snap him out of it). And visually, it is gorgeous. It really does remind me of a fairy tale (in both feel and set-up and situations - the identity-seeking ghost, magistrate for a night, curses of full moon etc. It feels like a very well developed world with its own mythology) - only darker, more haunting, more beautiful, more grown up - the way fairy tales feel when you are a child. Rememeber when I said Faith was like a wuxia/fantasy cdrama? Well, that's nothing in comparison with Arang. Arang is truly a fantasy cdrama, even if in Korean. I feel like I'll see Hu Ge and Ariel Lin at any moment.





















































































































Oh, and am I alone in thinking secondary guy and his secret full moon activities are responsible for the heroine's death?

Comments

[elanatothemax.livejournal.com]

I watched episode one and I am in loooooooooooooove. Humorous dark fairy tales are like my ambrosia, though. I wrote my thesis on the Brothers Grimm. So, yeah, helloooo crack drama!

And yes, the pretty! It burns my eyes! In a good way!

[elanatothemax.livejournal.com]

Just finished episode 2 and OH SWEET LORDY. I could not love this drama more if it were laced with chocolate covered strawberries injected with crack. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. That measuring scene? Hottest non-kiss scene EVER. What a creative excuse for skinship!

Also, I think full moon guy's a red herring. I don't think he'd be looking for her if he were involved with her death. I DO think he's got a darkness to him, though, and maybe he feels responsible for her disappearance.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I am off to watch ep 2. Can't wait!

[ladysaotome.livejournal.com]

I thought I was the only one! Everyone seems to think maybe she's the one he's looking for. And could be - but the way he was freaking out over the moon - I really think he's somehow involved in her death!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I wonder if he's some sort of vampire type. Or a werewolf? With this drama, anything is possible.

[bubblyshades.livejournal.com]

I already love love loooove Arang and Eun-Oh as individuals and together as a couple. She is just so endearingly persistent, and he can definitely be insensitive and apathetic, but I trust that his character arc will show him starting to care about others and wanting to help them outside of his own needs (at least that's what I'm hoping for anyway). I anticipate all the delicious angst that will befall the OTP. Oh my shippy heart, it is so happy.

It's odd. Prior to their premieres, I was looking forward more to Faith, and thought for sure Faith would have me hooked. But after catching the first two episodes of both shows, I find myself in the Arang camp. The cheap special effects in Faith just take me out of the moment, sorry to say. I'm liking Choi Young, and don't have much of a problem with Lee Min Ho's portrayal so far. I also feel that on paper I would like Yoo Eun Soo as well, but at the moment I'm having trouble connecting to her/Kim Hee Sun's portrayal of her. As much as I think Kim Hee Sun is very pretty, I wonder if just maybe, as an actress, she simply leaves me cold. Hopefully things will smooth out (and I'll warm up to Kim Hee Sun) as the drama goes on. I'm still following Faith, but Arang has become my priority.

[elanatothemax.livejournal.com]

Same here. I watched & enjoyed the first episode of Faith, but didn't feel the compulsive need to watch episode 2 (in fact, I haven't yet). With this, even though it's like three in the morning, I HAD to watch episode 2. Arang & Eun-Oh really make this show. Their chemistry is out of this world. Love love love.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this drama has potential for angst out of this world. I am waaaaiting!

[timescout.livejournal.com]

Arang was more or less love at first sight for me and I can't wait to know more about the chracters and the world they inhabit. I might even be moved to ship this OTP, LOL!

Faith on the other hand will probably turn out to be not my thing. I didn't like the 1st episode much and haven't had any compulsion to watch the 2nd. I'm waiting for next week's instalment and then watch all 4 back to back to make up my mind about continuing or... not, if that's the case.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Faith is much more my thing, but Arang is so lush and unexpected. I love it.

[(Anonymous)]

ATM! Like it soooo much more than Faith!! So pretty! And I like the setup and characters more.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I like Faith more but this is certainly both pretty and good.

[iviih.livejournal.com]

Loving Arang!

Loving Arang the character!

The OTP is just so cute <3

Plus I'm really excited to know her story.

Did anyone watched the preview ? I believe she was stabbed and then they throw her body in the river (that is why nobody found her body and she is ''missing'')
I don't know who asked to kill her, but I believe her fiancee wasn't the one, maybe he feels betrayed and angry that she ran away with a servant (but I think this servant kidnapped her and didn't come back to the city again, making rumors seem like they ran way together, when in fact he killed her)

So remember Eun-Oh's servant said they were building the house over the river? And how they had to dig in the river to build the house??
And Eun-Oh said that it was crazy? I believe while they are digging the river, they'll find Arang's dead body there... that is why it didn't root that much and
I don't think if it was the fiancee who murdered her he would let people dig into the river making them found Arang's dead body.


Oooooh I'm so excited!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen ep 2 yet so have no comments on the mystery, but yes, the OTP is adorable!

[sisterjune.livejournal.com]

I decided to check this out and omg its great! amazing chemistry between the leads, and alot of fun. I'll be very ;_; when Arang finally has to leave this world. Speaking of Shin Min Ah, I remember how gorgeous she is now. I mean there's plenty of beautiful korean actresses but Shin Min Ah I dont know what it is about her but she really is breath taking to me. When she was wet and taking off her top I was like OMG *___* all the lesbian feels hahaha. Lee Jun Ki is good looking but when I watch this I just look at Min Ah the whole time. so pretty, she reminds me of Aoi Yuu alot.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this drama is surprisingly goofy (in a good way).

I am not particularly invested in the characters yet (though I do like them) but am very curious where the story is going to go.