The Drama Queen posted: " Presentation Korean Title: 너는 나의 봄 Aired in: 2021 (16 episodes) Channel: tvN Grade: 8/10Actors: Kim Dong Wook and Seo Hyun Jin For more... Kim Dong Wook: - Find Me in Your Memory- Special Labor Inspector Mr. Jo- Th"
Kang Da Jeong is a hotel manager, who had a traumatic experience as a child. She lives in the same building as psychiatrist Ju Young Do. One day, a murder takes place in that same building. While the investigation is on-going, Young Do and Da Jeong get to know each other.
My Opinion (No Spoiler)
In overall, I am rather satisfied with this drama. You're My Spring has a lot of qualities such as the star line-up and their great performance, the subtle mix of genres and a definite chemistry between the main leads. Yet, it just lacked this little something that got me hooked and wanting to see more. Don't get me wrong the drama is great, but I was just missing that spark that I sometimes find in dramas.
Anyway, the drama was well-written, the plot, though dark and sometimes sad, remains well-knitted and the last episodes do a great job at explaining all the holes from the beginning! If you love Seo Hyun Jin, Kim Dong Wook and my personal favorite Yoon Park, this drama could be a nice finding!
Analysis (Spoiler Alert)
Characters: Kang Da Jeong (Seo Hyun Jin) is a young woman, working as a hotel manager. She has a bright personality and is a positive person, but she has been scarred her entire life by past relationships and a difficult childhood. Because of that, she has decided not to trust men that easily, in order to avoid getting hurt again. Unfortunately, she meets Choi Jeong Min (Yoon Park), who is later said to be a murderer. This revelation is a lot for Da Jeong, who develops a certain anxiety.
One day, she meets her downstairs neighbor, a psychiatrist Ju Young Do (Kim Dong Wook). He has a talent for analyzing people, finding out their anxieties, fears and deciphering patterns in their behavior. Upon their first encounter, he immediately sees through Da Jeong, which breaks an invisible wall between them.
Yet despite the fact that he is accurate in his analysis, Young Do can't seem to go beyond the analysis, when it comes to personal relationships. He is rather clueless and innocent, clingy and cute. He is also protective, maybe too much sometimes and is very bad at properly expressing his feelings. This is part of his charm, as much as a weakness. As for Da Jeong, she is determined, very sassy and strong-headed, she knows was she wants and goes all in for her love. A common point between these two would be their ability to bring warmth and comfort, to others, but essentially to each other. In the drama, we witness a beautiful and slow transformation for both characters, who little by little overcome their problems and lean on each other.
A similar positive shift is visible for Ian Chase (Yoon Park). Even if he doesn't end up happy and in a relationship, he still frees himself from his past. He confesses his bad deeds, takes responsibility and accepts his punishment. He understands his mistakes and grows from them. But before that, Ian Chase appears to be a tormented, tortured person, standing at the edge of the cliff every single day and suffering. He is also surrounded by mystery and question marks, that are answered at the end. I would say that just for his complexity, he is my favorite character of the drama.
Ambiance: Although I was a bit confused at first, I really appreciated the fact that the drama was not all thriller nor all romance. Indeed, when I first read the plot, I knew that a murder was occurring right from the start, but I never imagined there would be such an unsettling vibe throughout the episodes (especially the first ones). Despite the fact that this was unexpected, I have to say that I was rapidly convinced and taken by that subtle combination of genres. The drama did an excellent job at conveying uneasiness, discomfort and fear for someone or of something, while lightheartedly picturing a blooming romance. Honestly, I have to say that mixing thriller and romantic comedy is quite rare usually (it's often more dark comedy), still in that case the balance was just perfect: not too uncomfortable, not too cheesy.
Plus, I have to admit that actors' performance really adds to this atmosphere. Yoon Park's acting is amazing, portraying twins with very distinct personalities and hiding a dark past. As for Kim Dong Wook's innocence, Nam Gyu Ri's eccentricity and Seo Hyun Jin's sassy behavior, they are just right on point. Add to that the comic of situations, funny cues and surprising turns of events and you'll understand what I am talking about.
Direction: Okay, now I have to mention that amazing director named Jung Ji Hyun. Not only is he the mastermind behind some famous dramas' directions like The King: The Eternal Monarch,Search WWW and Mr. Sunshine, but his touch is really what makes the drama so fascinating. The numerous bold shots are perfectly delivering the story's message, and simply captivate. You're My Spring, just like his previous dramas, benefit from his sensitive eye and all turned into masterpieces in terms of aesthetics and visuals. I can't recall the number of times I actually said out loud that the shot was pure genius or that the direction was beautiful. Either it'd be mystery, apprehension, warmth or love, the message is well received thanks to this amazing work.
Moreover, there is a real symbiosis between the direction (for example the size of the screen is different for the past and present timelines) and thewriting. Lee Mi Na, who provided us with the drama Bubble Gum back in 2015, really cares about detailsthat bond characters together (the lollipop, the black cat, the clementine, Dr. Hollow...). Each one holds a specific (and quite personal meaning) for characters, which adds depth to their story. The importance of these details is amplified by the direction, making them even more relevant to the story.
The best example would be that of the comforting lollipop that is put next to the flower on the floor, both elements being surrounded by pebbles. The lollipop represents Ju Young Do and his ability to bring warmth to others, while the flower and the pebbles are Kang Da Jeong's symbol. As kids, both characters had actually already met without them knowing. By the end of the drama, they realize their past connection by reproducing the exact same set up. This construction had been seen several times during the drama and emphasized by the direction, proving that visuals greatly support words.
What are the themes tackled?
Hotel Management: Well, although this is absolutely not one of the main themes here, Kang Da Jeong's work enables us to have a glimpse in the hotel management world. As a manager, viewers can often see her taking care of different events happening in the hotel such as the filming of a movie (Ahn Ga Yeong's for instance), hearing clients' complaints and solving their constant problems, making sure that everything runs smoothly for everyone. A nice overview of the job!
Ju Young Do's treatments: As part of his job as a psychiatrist, Ju Young Do is very often confronted with overwhelmed patients, who need help. His will to reach out and help them get back on their feet is what makes Ju Young Do great at his job, as he manages to rescue quite a few people. Among them, there is naturally his ex-wife Ahn Ga Yeong (Nam Gyu Ri) and his assistant nurse Oh Mi Kyung (Baek Hyun Joo).
Ga Yeong suffered in the past from depressioncoupled with suicidal thoughts. She didn't want to live anymore, even though her life as a famous actress seemed to go without a scratch. She still ended up meeting Ju Young Do, who immediately understood that something was wrong. To save her and protect her from herself, he decided to marry her. That way, he could keep a constant eye on her, communicate when need be and treat her at the same time. Their marriage ended when Ga Yeong got better, but she remained a close friend, repaying her debt by being supportive in Young Do's new relationship with Da Jeong.
The second close-to-home patient for Ju Young Do is his assistant nurse. Years ago, she lost her husband and entered a deep depression. She was also grieving, but couldn't find the strength to get better. Until, Ju Young Do called. When she answered the phone, the doctor asked the right question at the right time and let her discharge herself from her burden.
Even Da Jeong's friend Park Eun Ha (Kim Ye Won) at some point had a one-on-one with Ju Young Do. After ten years of relationship, her ew-boyfriend left and let her bear all the blame. She resented him and suffered a lot. To move on, she vented out at Young Do at his clinic, which lifted a great burden off of her shoulders.
I really loved the fact that Ju Young Do had a sort of holistic approach of his patients' problems. He carefully listens to all of them, finding the holes in the stories, making them think about their behavior and thoughts and just reaches out to them. Of course, the drama emphasizes at the end the fact that some doctors are just not a match for you sometimes, but it doesn't mean you have to give up. Indeed, you have to keep looking for the right doctor to help you in the way you need it. An appreciable message to hear!
Favoritism between kids: Park Eun Ha and Park Cheol Do (Han Min) are twins (yes another set in the drama). Even if they seem to get along quite well, and their childhood appears quite joyful, there is still a shadow in the picture. Indeed, in the last episodes the twins' father makes an appearance and things get quite tense with his daughter. In one of Eun Ha's monologue, she criticizes her father for his past favoritism, telling him that he never equally loved his kids, that Cheol Do was always important to him, and that she never seemed to interest her father as much as her brother. As part of her plea, she points out his absence at her graduation ceremony, not caring about it at all, when he was the first one present at his son's. Since then, she kind of gave up on her father and accepted the underlying favoritism. The fact that Eun Ha manages to openly express her resentment towards her father and that her brother tries to make her understand that their father will never change, is a first step towards reconciliation in my opinion. There is still a long way to go, yet Eun Ha seems to be able to heal a bit from this past scar.
Relationships with an age gap: Ahn Ga Yeong and Patrick's (Park Sang Nam) seem to be straight out of a romantic comedy! The age gap, the celebrity world and the numerous hurdles along the way are really typical for the genre! Fortunately, and that is probably the most interesting part, that stereotyped relationship was not that of the main leads' but the second ones. I really loved seeing the two of them bicker, argue, reconcile and fall in love over again. Their story really brought a breeze of fresh air in the drama and sure was funny to watch.
Still, many elements are important to mention, as they are actual issues sometimes in relationships: Patrick is about 10 years younger than Ahn Ga Yeong; she has gone through a lot and remains quite unstable, that and her peculiar extraverted personality; Patrick is currently building up his career and could suffer from rumors and criticisms, putting his career on halt. Despite all that, Patrick holds on to Ahn Ga Yeong and is willing to risk it all. A gesture that convinces her even more of his love.
Also, can we please talk about Ahn Ga Yeong's drama The Princess of Forever!? Isn't it just a perfect mis en abyme of her own relationship, except that they have altered her status and the problems that go with it (from an actress to a princess).
Eun Ha and Kang Da Jeong's younger brother Kang Tae Jeong (Kang Hoon) also fit in the box. In both situations, women are older, but who cares! And that is for the better.
Also, I don't know if it is just me, but all men in love in this drama are just so cute and clingy: Ju Young Do, Patrick, Kang Ha Neul (Ji Seung Hyun) and Kang Tae Jeong. Once again, this certainly brings about laughter and comfort.
Domestic violence and abuse: The past timeline is pretty clear regarding the events Kang Da Jeong's family went through. Her father was a drunk, who often came home only to beat up his wife. Aware of all that, Kang Da Jeong did her best to protect her younger brother by telling him made-up stories in their room. Meanwhile, she dreamed of her neighbor's life, in which the loving father brings their kids some clementines in the cold harsh winter.
At the beginning of the drama, Kang Da Jeong's mother Moon Mi Ran (Oh Hyun Kyung) is seen running away with her kids, after having hurt herself with a knife. From that point on, the mystery related to a potential murder grows and is kept unsolved.
The three of them move to Gangneung and both children grow up. Yet, none of the members of the family has actually moved on from the past, nor overcome its wounds. Until they receive a letter stating that their father is dead and leaves them inheritance. This enables viewers to solve the mystery (the mother didn't kill the father), but it also allows the three of them to have a serious conversation. Indeed, the mother kept the domestic abuse a secret from her children (or so she thought), whileDa Jeong did the same toward her younger brother. They eventually find out that everybody knew about it, even Kang Tae Jeong, and that keeping it a taboo is just not necessary anymore, as they are now adults. This alleviates their own burden and helps them moving on from their past. This childhood story in the drama shows how long a traumatic event can last in someone's life, and how it can negatively impactit. Indeed, because of that event, Kang Da Jeong ended up in numerous bad relationships for her, with either a gambler, a cheater or a violent man. She desperately tried to find a way to help them out of their condition, but was the one hurt in the end. That is until she recognized her own worth and accepted that she deserved to be treated well by her lover, namely Ju Young Do, who couldn't be a better choice by the way.
Forced to donate: Talking about Ju Young Do, I have to say that he wasn't spared either, when it comes to difficult childhood and traumatic events. When he was younger, he actually had a younger brother. Unfortunately, he was very sick and in order to treat him, his parents decided to use Young Do as a provider, meaning they would take his blood, bone marrow, and everything necessary to transfuse it into his brother's body and keep him alive. This cruel treatment weakened him and made him resent his mother, who only seemed to care about his brother. She was certainly desperate, but had no regard whatsoever for her other son. Only his father decided to act, when organ donation from one kid to another was on the table. To protect his son, he took him away, brought him to an orphanage, and hid him there.
Of course, because of that the younger brother died, but Young Do was finally delivered from this inflicted burden. Even at the end of the drama, he manages to reconcile (at least in his heart) with his mother, who has passed away since them.
Heart transplant: As if his life was not cruel enough, Ju Young Do also suffers from heart problems, which resulted in him receiving a transplant. After the surgery, he was told to stay healthy and not overwork himself, what he didn't really do. Thus, he was sent to the hospital, after collapsing. This precipitated his relationship with Da Jeong towards a break-up. Considering that his life would be shortened because of this condition, he wanted to protect her from the pain of loosing him in a potential future. Of course, they solved that problem as well by the end of the drama, but Ju Young Do's health issues remain quite truthful.
Child trafficking and abandonment: You thought these two stories were sad, wait until you hear the worst one: that of the twins Choi Jeong Min and Ian Chase. As kids, it seems like onlyone of them received a name, or rather they shared the samename. They were abandoned at the orphanage, which was involved in illegal child trafficking, that is to say they would sell them. Although I have to say that the backstory was rather confusing to me (there was a lot of back and forth between past and present timelines, making it hard to keep up with the story), twins were separated. One, Ian Chase, was sent away in a family to the US and resented the orphanage for it, as well as his brother for staying in South Korea. His brother, Choi Jeong Min, was raised in the orphanage by the two monsters, but received bad treatments, was belittled and humiliated constantly. As teenagers, both twins reunited. Ian wanted to see how his brother was doing, but realized his life was actually worse than his. One day, he stumbled upon a book at the library about a true murder. So, he decided to meet the author and offered him money to kill the ones who run the orphanage. That's what he did, but Ian Chase left for the US and Choi Jeong Min was mistaken for him by the killer. That same killer used him as an accomplice, and killed anyone who would get close to finding out his identity. Among them was a police officer, turning the case into a real manhunt.
When Choi Jeong Min wanted out, he started to see Kang Da Jeong, he happened to have met at the orphanage as a kid. Yet, the killer threatened to kill her, if he didn't commit suicide. In the end, that's what he did, while confessing to the murders. That's also how the drama starts and ends, providing viewers with a certain closure. No more mystery!
The only thing remaining is a bitter feeling that the twins could've let a good life, had they not ended up in the orphanage.
Meeting at the orphanage: We previously established Da Jeong and Young Do's connection at the memorial, but they were also present at the orphanage at the same time as the twins. That's actually the reason why Choi Jeong Min looks for Da Jeong after. Because he knows her since his early childhood. In a way, fate reunited them years later, probably for the best!
WordPress.com
No comments:
Post a Comment