Title: 보통의 연애 | Botongui Yeonae | Ordinary Love | Just An Ordinary Love
Genre: Romance | Drama
Episodes: 4
Broadcast Network: KBS2
Broadcast Period: February 29, 2012 — March 8, 2012
Synopsis:
For the past 7 years Kim Yoon-Hye, a pretty and unassuming lady along with her grandmother have lived in shame as being the daughter of an accused murderer. Both she and her grandmother have to lived with the judgement and accusatory talk and gossips in their town. They bore all the pain as they wait and look for Kim Joo-Pyung, her father, who escaped from the authorities. All these years, Kim Yoon-Hye believed her father’s innocence. She worked diligently at a Tour agency as a tour guide. This is where she met Han Jae-Gwang, a photographer and wanderlust for several years. He sought for Kim Yoon-Hye to find the truth about the death of his brother. In the end, not only he found the truth but found love as well in the most unexpected way.
Characters:
- You Da-In as Kim Yoon-Hye
- Yeon Woo-Jin as Han Jae-Gwang
- Lee Joo-Sil as Yoon-Hye’s Grandma
- Lee Sung-Min as Kim Joo-Pyung
- Choi Min as Kwon Dae-Woong
- Kim Mi-Kyung as Jae-Gwang’s Mom
- Song Min-Ji as Joo Sang-Ah
- Shin Dong-Mi as Gyung-Ja
- Kim Young-Jae as Carpenter Kang
- Kwon Se-In as Han Jae-Min
- Jo Yoon-Woo as Han Jae-Gwang
My Review:
It is the first time I’ve watched a short K-Drama. And, I must say I didn’t regret one bit of starting with this one to try it. This K-Drama is poignant as well as very touching. The situation that Kim Yoon-Hye and Han Jae-Gwang found themselves into is truly difficult. I, myself, do not know if I can accept the fact that my son or daughter to be in a relationship with someone who is the son or daughter of someone suspected killing my child. If can indeed stop myself from being a proverbial obstacle of two people who probably truly love each other. It is an impossible place to be in. Or, even if I have it in me the capacity to be in love with someone whose father may probably killed my brother. Because logic truly has nothing to do with this kind of situations. I know that the person is not the one who actually did the deed and shouldn’t be blamed for it, but, it is simply just hard to overlook. Thus, this K-Drama has delivered those philosophical questions in my head in a short but sweet manner. It maybe a “Just An Ordinary Love” story but this K-Drama is anything but ordinary.
So, What do I Like About this K-Drama?
(1) I know I’m not into reviewing the technical details of productions and, most of the time, I hate critics who have nothing better to do but nit-pick every little thing that is wrong with the technical yet forgetting to review if the film or the drama is worthy of the audience’s time to watch. However, on this case, I will make an exception to my rule and must salute the cinematography. The scenery just give another layer of depth to the story. It was simply beautiful.
(2) I like the simplistic way the story was delivered. It doesn’t have unnecessary scenes that you can do without. Probably, it is because it only has 4 episodes which I believe an advantage for both the maker of the drama and its audience. For the makers, there’s really not much time to waste to present the story, and, for the audience, not much time wasted if it sucks.
(3) The leading actor and actress do indeed deserve the award they got from this gem of a K-Drama. I must say I am most specially impress with You Da-In. Her delivery of her character was spot on. Although, her character maybe remorseful of what her father probably did, but, at the same manner, she effectively portrayed someone with quiet pride on who she is. She brilliantly gave her character complexity between her staunch belief on her father’s innocence and for standing for what is right no matter how difficult it maybe. I can feel her thoughts and doubts even without her uttering a word. And, that, indeed quite impressive to watch.
(4) Though the theme is quite heavy on emotions, this K-Drama never went to the dark side. It has dealt with the conflict as something time can really just answer. I also love the light moments especially when Kim Yoon-Hye directly but innocently asked Han Jae-Gwang if he wants to sleep with her and. Han Jae-Gwang response while he is driving is to hit the curb, which expectedly a typical response for a guy who has hots for you. I truly laugh out loud on that part. It was delivered in such perfect timing. Kudos!
(5) I love the premise of the story because it is indeed a humongous conflict for the characters to hurdle. There’s really no simple way on how the characters can overcome such level of difficulty. Thus, while the ending may not be wrapped in a perfect big red bow, but, really, how can it be? With the tone of sadness in the story as it truly depicts real life, I am amazed that it ended with a message of hope. Life maybe tragic but we have choice not to live that way.
What I do Not Like About this K-Drama?
There’s really nothing I didn’t like and if ever I did find something I dislike, this K-Drama is just too short to waste my time grumping about it. Having said that, for those who may like a lot of things going on in their K-Drama that they watch, then, this K-Drama may not be for you. This not done for pure entertainment but a thought-provoking one. It is subdued and renders the story as is in life, and, even I, who likes to be entertained majority of the time and rates K-dramas and films based on entertainment, begrudgingly loved this K-Drama special. That, my dear readers, speaks volume of the quality of this K-Drama special.
Would I recommend this K-Drama? A Definite Yes for me.
My Rating to this Drama
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
The OST on this K-Drama Special are mostly instrumental and as subdued as the K-Drama itself, but, nonetheless added to the feel of the K-Drama.
For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE