Title: 신데렐라맨 | Sindye Rella Maen | Cinderella Man
Genre: Melodrama
Episodes:16
Broadcast Network: MBC
Broadcast Period: April 15, 2009 – June 4, 2009
Synopsis:
It is a story about twins who got separated from birth. One was taken by the rich and powerful mother of the father of the twins and the other one who was left behind to the mother. The mother of Oh Dae San and Lee Joon Hee, unfortunately, died on the same year of the birth of the twins and Oh Dae San who got left behind, grew up in the orphanage. Lee Joon Hee who was taken by his rich and powerful grandmother, who owned a Sophia Apparel, grew up bitter and resenting being an outsider of the real family of his father. He became a chef but wasn’t able to do anything else because he suffers from a heart disease. All of them didn’t know that there were 2 sons born that fateful night, so, when the twin brothers meet unexpectedly and Leen Joon Hee wanted to hire Oh Dae San to pretend as him while he gets his heart by-pass abroad, no one from the characters can guess that by twist of another series of events that Oh Dae San will become permanently be Lee Joon Hee. Oh Dae San went through with it because he thought Seo Yoo Jin, the woman he loves, will love him back being rich and powerful, yet, it turned out differently. Now, Oh Dae San has to decide what do when he finally got to have his dream of money and success yet he may lose the woman he loves.
Characters:
- Kwon Sang Woo as Oh Dae San / Lee Joon Hee
- Im Yoon Ah as Seo Yoo Jin
- Han Eun Jung as Jang Se Eun
- Song Chang Eui as Lee Jae Min
- Kim Min Hee as Lee Hyun Jung
- Jung Hye Sun as Kang Joo Ok
- Lee Kyung Jin as Yoon Eun Hee
- Yoo Hye Ri as Oh Sun Young
- Jung Kyu Soo as Shin Ki Chul
- Ryu Sang Wook as Park Seung Jae
- Lee Yeon Doo as Kang Yoon Jung
- Kang Dong Yup as Kim Dong Hyun
- Jang Jung Hee as Lee Keut Soon
- Ra Mi Ran as Velvet Lee
- Kwon Tae Won as Company President Park
- Ahn Suk Hwan as butler
- Jung Woo as Ma Yi San
- Lee Byung Joon as Elegance Choi
- Hwang Eun Jung (황은정) as Shin Hye Young
- Kim Min Jwa as Ae Ran
- Shin Na Ri
My Review:
I am bias when it comes to Kwon Sang Woo but only to him and not to the movies and dramas he had done. Some fans may discard him because of the woman he has chosen to marry, which frankly speaking, I have no idea what business is it ours, his fans, to judge his choices in life. Even if I am a die hard fan I don’t really care who he marries as long as he is happy. I will never be able to marry him anyway, so, who cares whom he wants to spend the rest of his life with. All I care about are the projects he will choose to make, so, I can appreciate his beauty on my screen and savor the fantasy while watching him. Unfortunately, even in some of the projects he did after getting married fell short of him choosing well especially the most recent one, “Temptation”. That was a disaster, in my humble but painful to say opinion. Thank God, this K-Drama isn’t. This was done during the decline of his popularity after he got married. According to the ratings, this K-Drama had been dismally low. But, as I’ve said I don’t have much belief in the professional critics who get into the nitty gritty of things and sometimes forget that the audience, like me, just wants a film or a drama that’s entertaining without treating us like idiots in the delivery of the story as a whole. I think the ratings is a backlash of the fans being mad at him for getting married to that “girl”. Seriously!?! Why take it out on him when this K-Drama may not be that great but it wasn’t that bad to get low ratings? Maybe that’s probably the reason why he now have no choice on projects and just want to work, so, he accepts crappy ones like Temptation just to earn a living. What kind of a fan who will do that to their idol? That’s quite a nasty thing to do to Kwon Sang Woo if you ask me. I wish he will at least have another project that can be of the same level as the K-Drama of the likes of Misaeng, Full House, Secret Garden, My Name is Kim Sam Soong, etc. Or, something within the caliber of what he did in Stairway to Heaven.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) Of course, what’s the better reason to like this drama than the presence of Kwon Sang Woo. Seriously, though, I prefer his other character, Oh Dae San. He brings comic relief in an otherwise typical K-Drama. Also, I like the inspiration brought by the character because he is full of positive attitude and energy even during worst situations. His manner of acting his character, Oh Dae San, reminds me of the old times when Kwon Sang Woo can make me laugh in My Tutor Friend and Love So Divine.
(2) Although, the story begins with the twins being separated since birth, it is really a family K-drama. It is about forgiveness and expressing love while you can to the members of your family.
(3) Even if there are moments you feel bored, the entire story from beginning to end is not truly that bad.
(4) There are some scenes that are heartwarming and make you appreciate the delivery of the actors in playing their roles.
(5)The OST is nice especially the main theme I Thought You Were Mine. It is not intrusive and increase the level of emotions portrayed by the actors.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
(1) I know Koreans in general is very conservative and Kwon Sang Woo is already married when he did this K-Drama, but, c’mon, the ending’s interaction of the 2 lead characters is so ridiculous. These are adult characters and a pretentious kiss on the lips totally ruined it for me. As I’ve said I don’t look much on the technical as long as the delivery don’t make me feel stupid.
(2) Some of the characters don’t have consistency. I feel that it is more important that the K-Drama will end happily rather than logically.
(3) I don’t feel any connection with the lead actress, Im Yoon Ah. She’s really acting rather than feeling her character. And, what’s with the supposedly great designs of hers. Hello!!! Seriously!!! Thus, as I’ve said I would have been bored on certain parts if not for Kwon Sang Woo and Han Eun Jung.
(4) Not much development on the plot to make it more exciting. It is all about who will have the power and the driving force to do despicable things. The only character that you can sympathized as to why is Song Chang Eui’s character as Lee Jae Min. The story was kinda lacking of depth and very common on theme to a lot of K-Drama melodrama. There’s not much uniqueness on this K-Drama.
(5)Over and over again, my frequent complaint with the capacity of the actors to learn at least simple phrases of English or this time French. How can you talk to foreigners who can’t understand a word of Korean and expect them to understand you even more so enjoy the tour. You’ll know what I am talking about, once you watch this K-Drama.
Would I recommend this K-Drama?Yes, especially if you are a Kwon Sang Woo fan. But, don’t expect so much, just enjoy the ride.
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 3/5 Stars
OST:
01. I Thought You Were Mine (Nae Saramin Geot Gataseo | 내 사람인 것 같아서; )) – Shin Seung Hun
Play Me:
02. Can’t Bear to Say I Love You (Saranghandan Malmotae | 사랑한단 말못해) – Ock Ju Hyun
03. Good Person (Joheun Saram Ver. 1 | 좋은 사람) – T-ara
04. Lover – Lee Jung Min
05. I Like You (Na Neo Johahae | 나 너 좋아해) – Black Pearl
06. Good Person (Joheun Saram Ver.2 | 좋은 사람) – Black Pearl
07. I Thought You Were Mine (Nae Saramin Geot Gataseo (Inst.) | 내 사람인 것 같아서) – Shin Seung Hun
08. Can’t Bear to Say I Love You (Saranghandan Malmotae (Inst.) | 사랑한단 말못해) – Ock Ju Hyun