Title: 동백꽃 필 무렵 | Dongbaekkkot Pil Muryeop | When the Camellia Blooms
Genre: Drama | Romance | Comedy | Thriller
Episodes: 40
Broadcast Network: KBS2
Broadcast Period: September 18, 2019 to November 21, 2019
Synopsis:
Dong Baek was abandoned by her mother when she was just 7 years old. She has gone so much hardships in life but she got through it because of her son, Pil Goo, born out of wedlock. To survive she opened a bar, Camellia, at Ongsan and did relatively well even if majority of her neighbours didn’t really treat her well. She remains to be kind and compassionate even if the world was hard on her until she met Hwang Yong Shik, a cheerful yet determined detective who loves to catch criminals. It was love at first sight for Hwang Yong Shik and from then on, tried his hardest to fight for his love for her against all odds including a serial killer stalking Dong Baek. He was willing to wait for her until she, his Camellia’s Dong Baek blooms as a beautiful and confident woman that she really is but didn’t know herself.
Characters:
- Gong Hyo Jin as Dong Baek
- Kang Ha Neul as Hwang Yong Shik
- Kim Ji Suk as Kang Jong Ryool
- Ji Yi Soo as Jessica
- Oh Jung Se as No Kyu Tae
- Yum Hye Ran as Hong Ja Young
- Son Dam Bi as Hyang Mi
- Kim Kang Hoon as Pil Goo
- Go Doo Shim as Kwak Duk Soon
- Jun Bae Soo as Byun Bae Soo
- Kim Sun Young as Park Chan Sook
- Kim Dong Hyun as Song Jin Bae
- Kim Mi Hwa as Kim Jae Young
- Lee Sun Hee as Jung Gwi Ryun
- Han Ye Joo as Jo Ae Jung
- Lee Sang Yi as Yang Seung Yup
- Kim Mo Ah as Yang Seung Hee
- Baek Hyun Joo as Oh Ji Hyun
- Lee Joong Yul as Han Tae Hee
- Jin Yong Wook as Choi Jong Rok
- Lee Kyu Sung as Park Heung Shik
- Carson as Helena
- Lee Jae Woo as Kwon Oh Joon
- Park Yun Woo as Park Sung Min
- Hwang Young Hee as Lee Hwa Ja
- Jun Gook Hyang as Hong Eun Shil
- Yoo Yun as Reporter
- Lee Jung Eun as Jo Jung Sook
- Kim Ki Chun as Park Man Sup
My Review:
At first, I was hesitant to watch this k-drama because the story seems to be a drama and, currently, in my life, I already have too much drama to find entertainment similar to my realistic one. However, I can’t help but take a peak because 2 of my favorite actors are in it, Gong Hyo Jin and Kang Ha Neul. Once I started to check it out, I never looked back.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) It is not a surprise anymore that the characters of Dong Baek and Hwang Yong Shik came realistically into life that the audience can relate because of the amazing talents of Gong Hyo Jin and Kang Ha Neul, respectively.
(2) This k-drama’s genre is indeed a romantic drama but even if it deals with harsh realities of life, it truly warms your heart about relationships and lessons in life.
(3) I have cried my eyes out when the scenes deal with how much mothers love their children. Indeed, it is very real to me. I can relate as my mother even if she’s not the typical mother and not perfect but in the end, as a mom she loves me and always been there for me at the lowest times of my life even if no else is. Like Dong Baek, I can’t imagine losing her.
(4) I enjoyed the journey of Dong Baek’s life, from hardships to triumph, from being alone to being well-loved and from utter despair to unexpected miracle. Her story was plot out by the director at the proper pace of not making an audience sleep and a tone of hope and happiness after challenges and sadness. It is an inspiring story of life.
(5) The supporting casts were wonderful and didn’t have irritating and useless side stories. Each has its own relevance and message. It was well written for a drama.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
I am truly surprised that I love this k-drama considering that dramas are not usually my cup of tea. Maybe because I can relate and hope like Dong Baek to have a miracle in certain aspects of my current life. I have thoroughly enjoyed it even if there’s certain sadness on the story. It has a well blended mixture of drama, suspense, romance and comedy. How can I not enjoy it?
Oh, there’s one that could have been improved on this k-drama, the make-up done on the characters in the end. For some reason, make-up artists in South Korea are not very good in making the actors age. Maybe, probably, because Koreans age well.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? Yes
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. Foolish Love – John Park
02. Loser – O.When
03. You Are My Vitamin – Motte | Yongzoo
04. Good to be With You – Soyou
05. You Are As Pretty As a Flower – Im Han Byul
06. Like a Heroine in the Movie – Punch
07. At That Time – Kim Na Young
08. When Winter Comes – Kim Feel (김필)
09. Destiny Tells Me – Heize
10. I’ll Be With You – Ga Eun
11. My Heart – Kim Yun Ji
12. Wrong Ideology – Gaemi
13. OMG – Park Jung Hwan
14. Why Are You Looking At Me Like That? – Yoo Min Ho
15. Bloom – Lee Gun Young
16. Ong-San, Spring – Park Mi Sun
17. Tiki Tiki – Park Yoon Seo
18. Rash – Lee Sung Goo
19. Gustalas – Ra.L
20. Righteous Yong Shik – Yoo Min Ho
21. Smell Like Something Fishy – Park Jung Hwan
22. Sleepyhead – Lee Gun Young
23. Don’t Stop Me – Ra.L
24. I Mean, it’s Almost – Park Mi Sun
25. What’s Wrong With You Hyang Mi – Gaemi
26. Ja Young – Park Mi Sun
27. Good Old Days – Park Jung Hwan
28. Dong Baek & Yong Shik – Park Mi Sun
29. Divorse Lawyer – Yoo Min Ho
30. Camellia – Yoo Min Ho
31. Dazzling Lee – Gun Young
32. Mom, Our Mom – Gaemi
33. Shadow – Lee Sung Goo
34. Hillside – Lee Gun Young
35. Why Tiptoeing Around – Park Yoon Seo
36. Don’t Mess With Me – Park Yoon Seo
37. I Said, Don’t Mess With Me – Park Yoon Seo
38. Neighbor – Lee Sung Goo
39. When the Camellia Blooms – Gaemi