Post by Ken on Dec 14, 2005 10:47:33 GMT -5
Thanks, Mikey, for taking the time for such a well-thought out response - I guess we don't disagree much at all, even about Hejoo, the shows only genuine surprise. I don't think your enthusiasm for Precious Child was misplaced because for the first 90 episodes or so, it actually was far more intriguing than this one ever got to be. It's too bad the viewers bullied the network into ruining it, although even that was interesting in its own way. MPC was a dud, but it had some redeeming qualities: the Archfiend giving Jinsoo art lessons was amusing and sometimes even touching.
The dumb dad's reconciliation with Jinkook after the ESM ran off was actually genuinely moving. And his phone's ringtone was "Smoke on the Water". I miss Joanie getting excited every time Heesoo picked up the phone to call Jinkook. Yes, MPC derailed badly, worse than anything I've ever seen (that's saying a lot!), but even with the low expectations it set up, MSMD set a new low. I started watching K-dramas with EWG and there isn't even a word negative enough to describe
MSMD in comparison. If we hadn't seen All About Eve and Who's My Love, I think we'd have given up on the modern K-dramas altogether - even so, we're probably not going to watch the 6 o'clock exercises in masochism anymore. Joanie's "How bad could the next one be?" isn't too convincing.
The point I agree with you most about is that MSMD had almost no real character development, except for Mijung. In fact the ending was almost confusing because we weren't sure if the scene with IY and KJ at the end was a flashback or not because IY was smiling. Why was she smiling anyway?? That's very, very sloppy writing. (my theory about IY smiling is that she's a zombie contemplating KJ's brain) It was good that Sun-mi and Mr. Noh ended up together, but how? They have a couple good times, wear complementary superfero shirts and voila, they're a couple. That should have been explored, rather than beating the same tired IY/KJ horse week after week after week... sheesh!
MSMD did set a new standard though - it IS actually possible to write a series in which the dramatic events are more painful for the viewers than the drama's characters!
One good thing - this is a case where the message boards turned out to be a LOT better than the show - thanks, everyone!