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dangermousieI have finally checked out the first ep of The Moon That Embraces the Sun. Hmmmmm. There have been a lot of instances of my eating crow over thinking something will be awful and then loving it, but I don't think this will be yet another case.
I didn't hate it (which, considering my appalled dread prior to its release, is an achievement in and of itself) but I can't say I loved it or was drawn to watch more. The only time I've ever been OK with childhood sections is when those sections have a large role for complex fascinating adults (for example, I did not mind Ja Myung Go's tremendously long childhood section because I found the prior generation even more fascinating than the mains. On a more pulpy level, that is also true with Warrior Baek Dong Soo). But the adults here are barely-drawn cyphers, nor is there some narrative hook to reel me (I tolerate childhood sections a lot better when we either meet the adults versions first and then flashback, a la Tree with Deep Roots, or are given a framing story of some other sort, as in Legend). First episode was basically some really basic plotting, some cute children being cute, and very little happening. I was neither emotionally nor plotwise involved.
Granted, this is one episode. But this is not an 80-episode sageuk a la Jumong. I expect things to move for me a little faster. More importantly, I accept not yet loving or even knowing very well the characters after one ep. But I have to have a hook - I should want to know them and hope to love them. I don't feel anything here at all. It's kinda like the first half of the first episode of Athena. Why do I care for all these people if they get killed off in that very first half without me knowing or caring much about them? And the second half - sure, the kids are cute. They are kids. The end. They are not particularly fascinating or dealing with adversity or anything. This is very decorative and very bland. It's a sweet enough fairytale, but I am a little too old for those.
I'll give it a second look when the adults show up, but I don't hold out much hope. Kim Su Hyun is one of the very few kdrama actors whose appeal I just don't get. I think of him being a lead and kinda go "ugh." It's no secret I dumped Dream High when it became KSH show.
I didn't hate it (which, considering my appalled dread prior to its release, is an achievement in and of itself) but I can't say I loved it or was drawn to watch more. The only time I've ever been OK with childhood sections is when those sections have a large role for complex fascinating adults (for example, I did not mind Ja Myung Go's tremendously long childhood section because I found the prior generation even more fascinating than the mains. On a more pulpy level, that is also true with Warrior Baek Dong Soo). But the adults here are barely-drawn cyphers, nor is there some narrative hook to reel me (I tolerate childhood sections a lot better when we either meet the adults versions first and then flashback, a la Tree with Deep Roots, or are given a framing story of some other sort, as in Legend). First episode was basically some really basic plotting, some cute children being cute, and very little happening. I was neither emotionally nor plotwise involved.
Granted, this is one episode. But this is not an 80-episode sageuk a la Jumong. I expect things to move for me a little faster. More importantly, I accept not yet loving or even knowing very well the characters after one ep. But I have to have a hook - I should want to know them and hope to love them. I don't feel anything here at all. It's kinda like the first half of the first episode of Athena. Why do I care for all these people if they get killed off in that very first half without me knowing or caring much about them? And the second half - sure, the kids are cute. They are kids. The end. They are not particularly fascinating or dealing with adversity or anything. This is very decorative and very bland. It's a sweet enough fairytale, but I am a little too old for those.
I'll give it a second look when the adults show up, but I don't hold out much hope. Kim Su Hyun is one of the very few kdrama actors whose appeal I just don't get. I think of him being a lead and kinda go "ugh." It's no secret I dumped Dream High when it became KSH show.
