I was hooked to watch this drama when I watched a very well-made fanmade video in youtube. And Song Seung Hoon & Shin Se Kyung’s chemistry blends finely so I thought of giving this drama a shot once it finished airing (I usually pick up Kdramas based on the leads’ chemistry and next; the storyline). Despite the comments & reviews of how bad the drama is, I was already determined to put When A Man Loves on my PTW list.
I’m not sure whether WAML features a stereotype storyline or not since I had never yet to watch any Korean melodrama (I did watch a few episode of Nice Guy, but it has been on hold, until now.), thus when I watch WAML, I see the storyline as something new and fresh. Honestly, I couldn’t really expect what would happen next and that somehow kept me going.
About the characters, most of them are all messed up, but it was kind of interesting and I see that as some kind of characters experiment done by the director and scriptwriters. Because it is the first time I’m having a love-hate relationship with characters of a drama. I really liked Han Tae Sang character at the first few episodes, he has that manly look and tough personality yet is very naïve in love, it is sort of cute. So I thought I could like him until the very last episode but sadly, I couldn’t. It reaches a point where his love for Seo Mi Do doesn’t feel innocent anymore, all I could I see was him trying to keep her by her side without even trying to understand her real feelings and dreams. And that just turns me off.
I’m sure lots of audience couldn’t stand with Seo Mi Do character. Me too. But, I somehow could easily put myself into her shoes of why she is being like that. Her character is surprisingly more realistic compared to other Korean dramas’ female leads. If I were in her place, I would not know too of whom to choose.
This story focuses not only on the main characters but also the supporting ones, so it is basically one of this drama’s good points. The acting is generally good. Song Seung Hoon is already a pro; obviously, he did a good job here. Shin Se Kyung, yes, she needs to vary her expression more. And that Chang Hee guy (Han Tae Sang’s right hand), it’s now the time for directors out there to give him a main character- he is one of those actors who knows to convey his emotions perfectly through eyes!
Overall, it is a good drama for me. The only problem is the main characters- they aren’t that likable. Still, it’s a good thing, since they don’t stick to cliché drama characters’ traits.
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