Title: 상속자 들 | Sangsogjadeul | The Heirs
Genre: Romance | Comedy | School | Drama
Episodes: 20 + Special Christmas
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: October 9, 2013 – December 12, 2013
Synopsis:
Cha Eun Sang lives in financial difficulty with her mother, who works as a housekeeper in a rich family. Her Mom is mute and works really hard to sustain the education of her other daughter who is studying in the US. Cha Eun Sang envies her sister for being able to reach out for her dreams or so she thought. Cha Eun Sang did a lot of part time jobs to save money and plan to escape to the US like her sister. So, when her sister told their mother she’s getting married, Cha Eun Sang took the chance and went to the US against the wishes of her mother. She intended to stay there for good until she discovered the real truth about her sister when she got to California. Bereft and didn’t know where to go, she accidentally met Kim Tan. Kim Tan is a rich guy who was forced to live in the US by his half-brother who didn’t want him in Korea. He lived a carefree life in California and ready to do his duty and marry another rich girl chosen by his family, Yoo Rachel until he met Cha Eun Sang. It was love at first sight for him. They spent memorable days in California that changed both their lives. Kim Tan who finally found the courage to stand for who he is in his family and to do what he really wants in his life. While, for Cha Eun Sang, to reach for her dreams and surpass the challenges of loving a man who is way out of her league in social standing.
Characters:
- Lee Min Ho as Kim Tan
- Jung Chan Woo as Younger Kim Tan
- Jun Jin Seo as Child Kim Tan
- Park Shin Hye as Cha Eun Sang
- Kim Woo Bin as Choi Young Do
- Yang Hyun Mo as Younger Young Do
- Krystal Jung as Lee Bo Na
- Kim Ji Won as Yoo Rachel | Yoo Ra Hel
- Kang Min Hyuk as Yoon Chan Young
- Kang Ha Neul as Lee Hyo Shin
- Park Hyung Shik as Jo Myung Soo
- Jun Soo Jin as Kang Ye Sol
- Jo Yoon Woo as Moon Joon Young
- Tae Hwan as Lee Sang Woo
- Yang Seung Pil as Hyo Joon
- Hwang Bo Mi as Kang Ha Na
- Choi Jin Hyuk as Kim Won
- Kim Sung Ryung as Han Ki Ae
- Jung Dong Hwan as Kim Nam Yoon
- Kim Mi Kyung as Park Hee Nam
- Choi Won Young as Yoon Jae Ho
- Park Joon Geum as Jung Ji Sook
- Kim Seung Wook as Jung Ji Hoon
- Baek Seung Hyun as Secretary Jung
- Seo Jin Wook as Senior Managing Director Park
- Yoon Son Ha as Lee Esther
- Choi Jin Ho as Choi Dong Wook
- Im Joo Eun as Jun Hyun Joo
- Seo Yi Sook as Hyo Shin’s Mother
- Ra Mi Ran as Myung Soo’s Mother
- Choi Eun Kyung as Ye Sol’s Mother
- Choi Ji Na as Yoo Kyung Ran
- Jung Won Joong as Lee Chan Hyuk
- Lee Yun Kyung as Bo Na’s Mother
- Yoon Jin Seo as Cha Eun Suk
- 2EYES as Themselves
- VIXX as Themselves
- BTOB as Themselves
- Kim Hee Chul as Music Program MC
- Kang Kyung Hun as Dong Wook’s Lover
- Jung Joo Hee as announcer
- Wang Ji Won as Yang Da Kyung
- Lee Hyun Jin as Bo-Na’s Older Brother
- Park Young Ji as Da Kyung’s Father
- Park Woo Chun as Kim Tan’s Cousin
My Review:
I’m not a total fan of Lee Min Ho but I must admit he really has the “it” factor and the charm to suck you in to become one while you watch him on the screen. He has this kind of magnetism that is undeniable. Thus, even if I am not a total fan per se I still love watching him in K-dramas and films. I have watched The Heirs immediately after it ended its run on TV in 2013 and this is the second time I’m doing it again to do a review and like City Hunter, I still enjoy watching it, in fact, I actually enjoyed it better.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) I love how the character Kim Tan shows his passionate interest with Cha Eun Sang unequivocally. Lee Min Ho has successfully put into life Kim Tan’s love to Eun Sang and it thoroughly gave me this delightful queasy feeling inside. I think this is one of the reasons why The Heirs and DOTS are successful because the dialogue, the actions and the chemistry between the main leads especially how the men showed their feelings to their love interest were irresistibly enjoyable to watch.
(2) I’ve always believed that people with money have worst problems than those who don’t. Why? Because their problems are more difficult to solve as they arose from the creation on their head and felt by their hearts. Of course, for those who have real struggles in life will probably scoff their nonsensical issues but they are issues which one can only be fully understood by those in their social standing. Thus, the depiction of probably for some shallow concerns will still resonate to those who are young and have been in their state. Indeed most of the characters are flush with money but truly at what cost for them? If you go beyond their superficial angsts, you will find where the strength of the story lies and engagingly executed for me. The squabbles of the old generation shows the stark contrast of what the younger ones will need to face later in life and more harshly on what they are currently dealing now. So, their stories enhances the main focus of the story rather than drags it down.
(3) Of all the Lee Min Ho’s K-Drama, he excelled here and, honestly, I cried on Episode 18. His scene with his brother is so emotional as he expresses what he was truly feeling inside. The feeling was raw and heartfelt and for the first time, I did appreciate the talent of Lee Min Ho.
(4) Kim Woo Bin is someone I don’t swoon as an actor but here I can’t help but admire him for the way he portrayed his character as Choi Young Do. You will really both love and hate him at the same time in this K-drama. He’s quite a force to reckon here, thus, not surprise he earned his popularity because of this k-drama. And, the bromance between Kim Woo Bin’s and Lee Min Ho’s characters are engaging to watch which other k-dramas sometimes fail to achieve and just look like side story to prolong the main one.
(5) This k-drama has a good story even if it’s quite typical for k-dramas but it was put into life by the stellar performances of all the actors, thus, there’s really no dull moment in every episode and it draws you in to care about what’s happening. It reminds me of the Gossip Girls TV series in the US.
(6) I love the OST of this k-drama. It is very apt.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
It is funny that my recollection of what I felt about this k-drama got better the second time around I watched it. Honestly, it has entertained me so much that its flaws didn’t change my love for its entertainment value. Maybe, there is probably just one…they rarely get wet when it’s raining even without an umbrella, lol!!!
Would I recommend this K-Drama? YES
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. Crying Again Moon Myung Jin
Play Me:
02. Biting My Lower Lips – Esna
Play Me:
03. Moment – Lee Chang Min
Play Me:
04. Serendipity – 2Young
Play Me:
05. Only With My Heart – Lena Park
Play Me:
06. Growing Pains 2 – Cold Cherry
Play Me:
07. I’m Saying – Lee Hong Ki of F.T. Island
08. Love Is… – Park Jang Hyun & Park Hyun Gyu of Bromance
09. In the Name of Love – Ken of VIXX
10. Two People – Park Jang Hyun of Bromance
11. Don’t Look Back – Choi Jin Hyuk
12. I Will See You – Trans Fixion
13. Painful Love – Lee Min Ho
14. Story – Park Shin Hye
15. Here for You – Big Baby Driver
16. What We Used to Be – Big Baby Driver
17. Some Other Day – Big Baby Driver
18. In the Name of Love (English Version) – Ken of VIXX
19. Dream Catcher – Various Artists
20. Logical Love – Various Artists
21. Weight of the Crown – Various Artists
22. Aim at the Crown – Various Artists
23. Heritor – Various Artists
24. Portents of War – Various Artists
25. Dream of One Summer Night – Various Artists
26. I’m Saying (Piano Version) – Various Artists
27. I’m Saying (Instrumental) – Lee Hong Ki
28. Moment (Instrumental) – Lee Chang Min
29. Love Is… (Instrumental) – Park Jang Hyun & Park Hyun Gyu of Bromance
30. Love Is… (Acoustic Version) – Park Hyun Gyu of Bromance
31. Love Is… (Comic Version) – Various Artists
For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE