|
Post by mikey on Aug 18, 2013 22:38:17 GMT -5
The Queen's Classroom (MBC, Wed/Thurs drama)
This is one of those drama shows that I never thought I'd like: a story about the children in a Korean sixth-grade classroom, and their teacher, Ms. Ma. What makes it work is actress (Ko Hyun-jung) who plays the teacher. Though she has the ability to charm the parents, "Ms. Ma" is cold, manipulative, and even cruel to the students. Sure, she gets results ... but at what cost? We all remember Ko Hyun-jung as "Mishil" in QSD, and (honest to goodness) it's practically like watching Mishil all over again. I didn't care so much for QSD overall, but I loved the portrayal of Mishil, and she's right on the money here, with the same subtle facial expressions that made Mishil so memorable. The only times this show bogs down is when the storyline switches over to concentrate on the students. Although the child actors and actresses are actually pretty good, their individual stories aren't nearly as interesting as the story surrounding the mysterious Ms. Ma. This show got poor ratings (about 8%) when it ran in Korea. It was up against the SBS drama "I Hear Your Voice," which was pulling 16% ratings, but that show struck me as just another everyday Korean romantic drama. Maybe "I Hear Your Voice" featured a Korean heartthrob that pulled in the viewership - I don't know. But, I think "Queen's Classroom" honestly deserved much better. I'm only half-way through, so maybe it will disappoint me in the end, but so far I'm really loving it. There aren't many shows these days that qualify as "unique," but this one is really something different. It's well worth a check-out if it comes to Chicago.
|
|
|
Post by sageuk on Aug 19, 2013 0:26:46 GMT -5
Japan had a drama with the same title and I saw only an episode of it. Koreans remaking Jdramas is a thing now huh.
|
|
|
Post by wonhwa on Aug 19, 2013 8:21:03 GMT -5
This is a lovely show, with splendid acting all around, and a particularly strong cast of young performers. Definitely worth checking out.
|
|
|
Post by ajk on Aug 19, 2013 12:16:43 GMT -5
This one may very well start here in Chicago on 24.5 next week. In Korea it was preceded on MBC by a series called "When a Man Falls in Love," and I see on this week's 24.5 schedule that they're airing the last episode of that series this week. So you have to think "Classroom" will take its slot.
Unfortunately it's not a great slot: Wednesday and Thursday at 10:25 p.m., with repeats on Thursday and Friday at 5:40 p.m. But it could be worse....
Thanks for the heads-up, mikey; will check back as soon as next week's schedule is posted.
|
|
|
Post by MTR on Aug 20, 2013 20:23:53 GMT -5
There is a great Korean doc on Netflix titled Actresses with Ko Hyun Jung and Choi Ji Woo , basically 6 actresses ,2 young ,2 middle aged being Ko and Choi and 2 older actresses are called on a fashion shoot . Of course its staged despite the use of real names ,but Choi and Ko get into a verbal catfight that is hilarious ,Choi points out that Ko's husband left her because of her drinking ,Ko retaliates by telling Choi she was only big in Japan for a while and so forth . Anyway its clever ,funny
|
|
|
Post by ajk on Aug 24, 2013 11:51:30 GMT -5
MBC Chicago's weekly schedule says this series will begin airing here this coming Wednesday. Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:25 p.m. I'm not sure about the repeat. The schedule still lists the previous series, When a Man Falls in Love, in the repeat timeslot of 5:40 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. But I think that's just an oversight. I'll try to remember to check what's airing at that time.
|
|
|
Post by mikey on Sept 2, 2013 19:19:02 GMT -5
Well now, did anyone give this one a shot last week? I'm almost finished (two episodes to go) and although it had a few minor rough spots along the way, I'm still really positive about it. I read some reviews, comparing this Korean re-make to the original Japanese drama (which I haven't seen) and it was interesting how the Japanese "Ms. Ma" was supposedly machine-like; almost robotic. One reviewer (having not actually seen the Korean version) remarked about how Ko Hyun-jung was always smiling in the publicity photos. It had to be pointed out to her that Ko Hyun-jung is actually scariest when she's smiling. So, let me know if anything unclear: I'll explain things without spoiling anything for you.
|
|
|
Post by ajk on Sept 2, 2013 21:11:46 GMT -5
I did watch one episode last week, and had pretty much the same reaction you did. She's very good in this, especially when she was manipulating the parents. Has the same sort of creepy intimidating presence she had in QSD. The kids, yeah they seem to be good young actors, but that part of it just wasn't as engaging.
They also did some interesting production stuff. Using split-screens to show multiple reactions, for instance, and there was a sequence of the students getting text messages from their parents that was cleverly put together. Some good ideas there.
It made me think that they should cast her as a college prof and put her in a drama about a college. Let her really go to town on the students and other profs.
Between the awkward scheduling here in Chicago and my watching two shows already, I doubt I can keep up with this one...but I'll try to catch more episodes when I can.
Yikes, having Mishil for your teacher...brrrrr....
|
|
|
Post by sageuk on Sept 2, 2013 22:05:22 GMT -5
I read some reviews, comparing this Korean re-make to the original Japanese drama (which I haven't seen) and it was interesting how the Japanese "Ms. Ma" was supposedly machine-like; almost robotic. One reviewer (having not actually seen the Korean version) remarked about how Ko Hyun-jung was always smiling in the publicity photos. It had to be pointed out to her that Ko Hyun-jung is actually scariest when she's smiling. I haven't seen this one yet. The Japanese version of the teacher was cold and stoic if I remember correctly. Almost Vulcan like. Fun fact. Maya Akutsu was the original name of the teacher. Aku means "evil". "Ma" can mean demon.
|
|
|
Post by TheBo on Sept 5, 2013 16:42:44 GMT -5
MTK said: "There is a great Korean doc on Netflix titled Actresses with Ko Hyun Jung and Choi Ji Woo...."
Bo says: Thanks for the tip! I'm going to try to get that. Sound fab. So happy. Thanks again. LOL...I think I need to get out of here, I'm becoming light-headed...
|
|
|
Post by sageuk on Sept 10, 2013 17:51:31 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TheBo on Sept 11, 2013 12:05:25 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to reading that post, sageuk. It looks very informative, even beyond the dramas themselves. Thanks so much.
|
|
|
Post by mikey on Sept 11, 2013 12:50:01 GMT -5
Thank you, sageuk, for linking us to that terrific comparison review. And, although I haven't seen the Japanese version of "Queen's Classroom," the reviewer's comments regarding the Korean version pretty much chimes with my own impressions.
I just saw the final episode over the weekend, and I don't want to give anything away (for anyone who might be watching) so I'll just drop a few general comments.
It's interesting that the teacher in the Japanese version - though cold and robotic - was apparently well-liked by her students. That was something we don't see from the Korean "Ms. Ma," who seems to take all too much delight in her cruelty towards the children.
That's not to take anything away from Ko Hyun-jung, who is remarkable in her role (nobody can play a cruel, smiling woman quite like KHJ) but it sure did help muddy the theme of the original Japanese plotline. And I've got to give a thumbs-up to the child actors and actresses (especially to the actress who played the innocent but kindhearted "Hana") who only got better as the show progressed.
The reviewer noted that the original Japanese show was only 11 episodes, and that the Koreans just couldn't resist padding the drama, and expanding it to 16 episodes. And yes, the Korean drama suffered, as the padding not only added nothing to the show overall, but it took away from the fascinating "Ms. Ma" storyline.
And really, that was my biggest issue with the Korean "Queen's Classroom." What was the story behind the mysterious Ms. Ma? What caused her to become so ruthlessly authoritarian? We get clues (some of them shocking) along the way, but by show's end, Ms. Ma's story is mostly brushed aside.
I'm not trying to be a bummer about "Queen's Classroom;" it's worth watching just to see KHJ at her best. But, the last two episodes really let me down. I can give KHJ an "A" for her performance, but the best I can give the show overall is a "B".
|
|
|
Post by sageuk on Sept 11, 2013 20:03:57 GMT -5
So I started witht the first episode........the first few minutes weird me out......
|
|
|
Post by mikey on Sept 12, 2013 22:17:43 GMT -5
I have to admit that Episode #1 is, well, a little peculiar. The first 10 minutes of Episode #1 show Hana conversing with a boy she likes, only for her to discover that he's moving to Canada. And that's it. Huh?
Actually, the boy returns late in the series, so it does make sense in the long-term ... but at the time, I also couldn't figure this part out.
And, following that, we watch as all the kids come together for their first day of class. And, as all this is going on, a tall, mysterious looking woman (dressed, head to toe, in black) seems to be everywhere at once, watching things unfold. There's something awfully creepy about this woman. And, she turns out to be the school's new teacher.
The kids quickly nickname her "The Witch," and they're only half-joking. It almost seems as if she really has supernatural powers.
Yes, the first episode was strange, but it really helps set the stage for Ms. Ma's dominating classroom presence.
|
|