#WonderfulWorld

 #WonderfulWorld signing off

A professor-writer’s world turns upside down after losing her son to an accident. She is sentenced to prison for 7 years and her life gets entangled afterwards with a young man who is suffering from a similar pain.

Much has been said about #ChaEunWoo and his acting and how people are often divided on their opinions regarding this. Some say he doesn’t have to act; his handsome face and presence are enough. Some say his acting is repetitive, he shows no emotions, and his delivery of dialogue is dry. Actually, most of his roles require him to be cold and distant and handsome. So, what’s the fuss all about? Why are you complaining? Hahaha 😂

Another issue is he is too beautiful, and we need to pair him with equally stunning leading ladies, if not prettier. I think this also holds true with Rowoon and other ultra handsome idols turned actors.  So what seems to be the problem here, go and get prettier female leads, hello producers and directors! Hahaha 😂

And then we notice that he has been experimenting a lot lately – on roles, looks, style. Here in WW, he’s into grunge (?), maybe stylists are trying to distract viewers away from his good looks, that’s why they’re adding edgy or dark or gloomy thingies to his character like wearing baggy pants, baggy button-down shirts, a few metallic accessories, unkempt hair, a little bit of grease or dirt here and there. A few smirks and smug expressions. Rough and tough demeanor. Some muscles. And some slurping of Jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) and gobbling up of Gyeran-mari (rolled omelette) and a mouthful of samgyeop-sal-gui (pork belly). And we swoon anyway. 🥰

Although I have only watched him in Decibel, True Beauty, Gangnam Beauty, Island, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, and A Good Day To Be A Dog (which I didn't finish because I couldn't stand his kissing scenes) prior to WW, I can say that this is his best drama so far. The test was if I would be annoyed at Kwon Seon Yool (the way I was with Lee Jun Young in Impossible Heir). And I was, how I was. So I was thinking of how effective his acting was to me when I started to really hate him. Yet, when we really deep dive into his character, all his life he felt pain and loss, a lost soul living within the dying. We saw him cry, get hurt, get mad, get strong, get even, get hurt again and yes, make things right. And I am glad that he was not too consumed with his anger and revenge plots as not to feel the kindness and warmth of Eun Soo Hyun (Kim Nam-Joo of Misty). He deserved to be okay, and to live his life the right way.

It’s my first time to watch Kim Nam-Joo and I think I will watch more. Her character, you can’t help but sympathize with her. And how she is too kind-hearted to everyone that it’s how people would always remember her. Especially in the end. How the people supported her reflected how she treated everyone all her life with her goodness and good ways. Good karma. As mentioned in my #ImpossibleHeir mini review, I liked that they did not depict prison life where the leads would get hurt by inmates or riots. Here, she found a friend in Jang Hyung-Ja played by Kang Ae-Shim, who was serving sentence for arson.

Others:

1. The twists that never end. Two thumbs up. Just when you thought you know everything, you don’t know anything.

2. That they didn’t insist on Soo Hyun getting back with her husband Kang Soo-ho (played by Kim Kang-woo #TheChilde). Of course, cheating is unforgiveable, especially because it happened with Han Yoori (played by Im Se-mi #WorstofEvil) whom she treated as a real sister. But I guess it’s all right that she was able to forgive them years after. For her own peace.

3. Support system of leads. Wouldn’t be fair if there’s no one with them as they go through pain and struggles. Two friends for Seon Yul and mom for Soo Hyun.

4. Speaking of, it’s a bit bittersweet that her mom Oh Go-eun (played by Won Mi-kyung) suffered from dementia, especially because I found her so sharp and smart, reading body languages, nuances and subtle hints. In the end, Soo Hun said that maybe her mom did not get sick, she just chose to go back to a time when she was happier.

5. Character dev – this is my favorite element in every k-drama. Her mother-in-law, for one who was b*tchy. Her dialogue in the end though. “I want to do better this time”, referring to how she would treat her 2nd son’s girlfriend. And Kim Joon’s enabler secretary (Lee Ji-Yeon). 

6. And it won’t be complete without a corrupt and evil politician congressman Kim Joon, played by Park Hyuk-kwon (his roles vary from good to not-so-good). What a powerful way to end his Blue House ambition. Still, he won’t show remorse. “Just because you got rid of me doesn’t mean the world will change.” Grrrrr 

7. Seon Yul’s words: But this world…there are good people out there. It’ll get better.

Naubos ang luha ko, mga mhie. That protest scene where everyone joined them. Waaahhhhh 😭😭😭

To everyone who’s having the hardest of times:

Seon Yul: "I hope people who were hurt and are in pain will gain the strength to rise back up."

Soo Hyun: “One day, the pain will lessen. I hope all those grieving find comfort. I hope the world will be more friendly to those in pain. I hope a beautiful world will come while you overcome your pain.” 

Fighting! 💪

Bonus: OST Never Again (Lim Ji Soo) and Cuz You (Park Hak-gi)

Catch Wonderful World in Disney+ PH 

#BuhayKPam