1
SunOh
Hell came on the day the rain of lies fell.
Underdog story as an old-fashioned melodrama in the cutthroat world of fashion.
The main characters are pathetic—that you need to know first. If you're drawn to easily likable characters you can root for, this might not be the right choice. The lack of communication didn't annoy me as much as I expected, and overall, the drama was pretty easy to handle. Personally, I had a lot of fun with it, but your experience may vary.
From the start, it was obvious this was a melodrama—mixing picaresque, noir, comedy, dark humor, makjang, and romance (not your typical love square). The drama carries a sly, cunning flow that won’t appeal to everyone. While some may find it frustrating, I found it purely entertaining. Then some people say it's a mess, but I also found its chaotic nature made it fun.
The beginning is straightforward, setting the tone perfectly. The story may drag at times, but if you're invested or ready to fully grasp its depth, you'll see why. Character development is key in this drama. At times, looking back, I found myself impressed—especially by the end.
Hands down, one of the best OSTs: a mix of old-school techno, classical music with a Spanish swing, and great songs.
The cinematography is surprisingly thoughtful. At first, the saturated colors sharply contrast the bright, beautiful world of the rich. However, as the narrative unfolds, the colors gradually soften, mirroring the drama's evolving tone.
All in all, loved the overall vibe—both fitting for its time and uniquely distinct. It remained firm and snob.
Shin Se Kyung is well-praised in Korea, though she has her share of critics here. Personally, I find her acting natural and sophisticated. While you don’t have to love her or her roles/dramas, she’s admired for her personality, intelligence, beauty, and subtle delivery. Her tone, nuanced expressions, and command of the Korean language are often deemed perfect. In fact, she’s even considered a Sageuk queen due to her voice and expertise in the genre. She's my second favorite actress, and I really appreciate how she sensibly portrays her characters in such a genuine way.
Kwon Yuri, as an idol making her acting debut, did a commendable job as the classy Choi Anna. I respect idols who venture into acting, and while her role may not have been the most challenging, she performed well. Some criticize her for a monotone, repetitive demeanor, but I found it fitting for the character she portrayed.
Unsurprisingly, Yoo Ah In and Lee Je Hoon faced no criticism. I think the casting was perfect for this drama. About the fashion, I also really appreciated how each of them were dressed, following closely the narrative once again.
If you can’t handle ambiguity, I wouldn’t recommend it. Some people here prefer to criticize the female lead (as usual) because they don't get it. She doesn’t deserve the hate. As long as you understand the story and characters, you’ll be fine. What I can tell you is that, for the most part, it's primarily a struggle among the men.
In the end, Fashion King presents an unconventional story about humanity and society, ultimately conveying the hopelessness of class conflict and what capitalism can do to a person.
Reality, as we all know, can be even stranger and more wicked—more unfair—than the cruel and ugly scenarios depicted in the drama. Clearly, the fashion industry isn't an exception where everything has to be pretty. It’s difficult to discuss the story without giving too much away, but while it may seem unfair, it remains complex, meaningful, and true to itself. The sense of unfairness touches both the characters and the audience. The conflict builds like a crescendo, intensifying until it reaches a boiling point.
To add further detail, the meaning behind the title is surprisingly significant, with some genius artistic and cultural references and hints.
Be sure to check out my comment under the review, where I dive into the ending—but only if you've finished watching!
Version of the opening that was not where I watched it : https://youtu.be/5GDVpO1bWoM - I also uploaded the one from Viki.
Teaser : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtNDnfaM8TA (If you're looking for a teaser with actual content from the drama, MDL has a high-quality one, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere else in the same quality.)
Thank you for reading !
From the start, it was obvious this was a melodrama—mixing picaresque, noir, comedy, dark humor, makjang, and romance (not your typical love square). The drama carries a sly, cunning flow that won’t appeal to everyone. While some may find it frustrating, I found it purely entertaining. Then some people say it's a mess, but I also found its chaotic nature made it fun.
The beginning is straightforward, setting the tone perfectly. The story may drag at times, but if you're invested or ready to fully grasp its depth, you'll see why. Character development is key in this drama. At times, looking back, I found myself impressed—especially by the end.
Hands down, one of the best OSTs: a mix of old-school techno, classical music with a Spanish swing, and great songs.
The cinematography is surprisingly thoughtful. At first, the saturated colors sharply contrast the bright, beautiful world of the rich. However, as the narrative unfolds, the colors gradually soften, mirroring the drama's evolving tone.
All in all, loved the overall vibe—both fitting for its time and uniquely distinct. It remained firm and snob.
Shin Se Kyung is well-praised in Korea, though she has her share of critics here. Personally, I find her acting natural and sophisticated. While you don’t have to love her or her roles/dramas, she’s admired for her personality, intelligence, beauty, and subtle delivery. Her tone, nuanced expressions, and command of the Korean language are often deemed perfect. In fact, she’s even considered a Sageuk queen due to her voice and expertise in the genre. She's my second favorite actress, and I really appreciate how she sensibly portrays her characters in such a genuine way.
Kwon Yuri, as an idol making her acting debut, did a commendable job as the classy Choi Anna. I respect idols who venture into acting, and while her role may not have been the most challenging, she performed well. Some criticize her for a monotone, repetitive demeanor, but I found it fitting for the character she portrayed.
Unsurprisingly, Yoo Ah In and Lee Je Hoon faced no criticism. I think the casting was perfect for this drama. About the fashion, I also really appreciated how each of them were dressed, following closely the narrative once again.
If you can’t handle ambiguity, I wouldn’t recommend it. Some people here prefer to criticize the female lead (as usual) because they don't get it. She doesn’t deserve the hate. As long as you understand the story and characters, you’ll be fine. What I can tell you is that, for the most part, it's primarily a struggle among the men.
In the end, Fashion King presents an unconventional story about humanity and society, ultimately conveying the hopelessness of class conflict and what capitalism can do to a person.
Reality, as we all know, can be even stranger and more wicked—more unfair—than the cruel and ugly scenarios depicted in the drama. Clearly, the fashion industry isn't an exception where everything has to be pretty. It’s difficult to discuss the story without giving too much away, but while it may seem unfair, it remains complex, meaningful, and true to itself. The sense of unfairness touches both the characters and the audience. The conflict builds like a crescendo, intensifying until it reaches a boiling point.
To add further detail, the meaning behind the title is surprisingly significant, with some genius artistic and cultural references and hints.
Be sure to check out my comment under the review, where I dive into the ending—but only if you've finished watching!
Version of the opening that was not where I watched it : https://youtu.be/5GDVpO1bWoM - I also uploaded the one from Viki.
Teaser : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtNDnfaM8TA (If you're looking for a teaser with actual content from the drama, MDL has a high-quality one, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere else in the same quality.)
Thank you for reading !
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
