Currently Watching: Golden Rainbow

I’ve been watching this drama since it began and I’ll be honest: I only started watching it because I LOVE Jung Il Woo. This is the first time I have attempted to watch a 50 episode series so wish me luck! :D


Synopsis:
Essentially the storyline is about (in my opinion) how past events can affect the future and has themes of revenge, love (in all its forms), and family bonds, especially those not of blood relation.

Kang Jung Shim hates her daughter-in-law Yoon Young Hye as she believes she killed her son. So she takes Young Hye’s daughter to bring her up as heir to the Golden Fishery. However, a few years later Jang Ha-Bin is kidnapped by Seo Jin Ki, the son-in-law of Kang Jung Shim as he wants to take over Golden Fishery himself (amongst other things). However, Jang Ha Bin is found through a series of events by Kim Man Won (a child too at this point), and he adopts her as his younger sister. They are adopted by Kim Han Joon, who happens to be the Oppa of Young Hye, and Hyung to Seo Jin Ki, as they were all orphans together……. And he has no idea as Ha Bin has forgotten her past.



Main Characters (up until the time jump):




A really lovely main character who is very genuine and hardworking. She tries hard to look after her adoptive siblings. I think they perfectly cast this role, as each actress plays the part fantastically. I have enjoyed watching all three actresses play this role, particularly Kim Yoo Jung.

Seo Do Young (Oh Jae Moo)


Love this character! He’s really sweet and cares about Baek Won. I ship it already. He has an extremely tough home life, and every episode leaves me hoping that the next will make his story at least a little happier. I particularly love how he acts around Baek Won and Young Won. I was also extremely glad when he punched his step brother! 

Kim Man Won (Seo Young Joo)



Brave older brother who cares deeply for Baek Won. He found her after she was kidnapped and has taken care of her ever since.  His character is particularly interesting as he has gone from being just Baek Won’s big brother to having 6 siblings, and now how wonderfully awkward he is around her, the girl he likes.

Kim Chun Won (Song Yoo Jung)


The newest addition to the Won family. She is VERY awkward around the others and very smart. She seems to have an instant connection to Young Hye and sees her as a mother. She also has met Seo Tae Young before, and they definitely didn’t get along before.


Seo Tae Young (Lee Seung Ho)


An absolutely horrible character whom I know I will continue to despise. He’s a bully to his step brother Do Young and acts nice to everyone else that he wants to keep on his good side. He is set to inherit Golden Fishery.

Seo Jin Ki (Jo Min Ki)
Lots of conspiring between these two.

Seems to be the guy I will always hate in this drama. He is father to Seo Do Young and adoptive brother to Yoon Young Hye and Kim Han Joon. Due to his desire to take over Golden Fishery, he married into the family, bringing along his son who he regularly allows to be beaten and insulted by his step-son, and be belittled by the grandmother. He was also the one who had Ha Bin/Baek Won kidnapped. In short, he does an excellent job of making me hate him.

Kim Han Joon (Kim Sang Joong)

Father of the family. He has had a lot of troubles in his life, especially due to his feelings for Young Hye. He has been in prison before for trying to bring Ha Bin/Baek won back to her mother, and he is a genuinely good person with a very strong set of values. I think he is particularly excellent in this drama as at first I only remembered him as the HORRIBLE uncle from City Hunter, but he has won me over with his acting. Superb!


Is it worth watching?

I think so - even though I was waiting impatiently for the episodes with Jung Il Woo in them - as it’s got a well-developed plot so far. At times, the storyline can drag or move very quickly, but overall so far, I’m really enjoying it! I definitely found learning all the character names difficult, so I recommend either making a little list or making a list like the one I have above handy! The first few episodes can be overwhelming with the sheer amount of storyline that is thrown at you, but it stabilizes out very well - even to the point where some storylines, like Ok Jo’s annoyed me as I found them dull. I found Kang Jung Shim to be a really great character that is easy to dislike - I really empathized with Young Hye, even if I felt their continued run-ins to be a bit much.

The actors are doing a great job, especially Kim Yoo Jung and Kim Sang Joong, and it’s definitely got an intriguing storyline. 

I’m particularly enjoying the dynamics between several of the characters; Baek Won and Do Young - OTP already. I also find it very interesting that her older brother (Man Won) is keeping his knowledge of how he found her from her - and what seems to be his one-sided crush. 

I enjoy the moments between Young Hye and Baek Won - especially because of how they don’t know that they are actually mother and daughter. I’m looking forward to the resolution of this story. The time jump gives a great kick to the storyline as they are a good bit older, and allows a much more interesting dynamic between the characters.




Meanwhile… these two are so adorable in the story! :3

Are you intrigued yet?