Midas premiered today on SBS (replacing Athena, which went out with a whimper yesterday with a 13.3% viewership rating), and here are a bunch of promo shots and drama stills to kick off the series’ run.
I’ve read a few mixed reports of the premiere episode, some of which which describe it as taut and compelling, while others call it difficult to connect with. Not having seen it yet, I can’t weigh in, though I admit to not being all that hooked by the premise.
Jang Hyuk plays a fund manager who passes the bar and becomes a lawyer (and a “genius” one at that) who chooses to work at a small law office rather than a huge firm. He starts out in a sweet romance with fiancee Lee Min-jung, who starts out as an ER nurse who moves up a rung in the job ladder by transferring to the VIP ward. But there’s trouble on the horizon as both of them are faced with their burgeoning career ambitions, which change them and most likely endanger their love. Plus, after he meets businesswoman Kim Hee-ae, he starts to pursue money and greater ambition.
So…I see where the series is building its conflicts and it touts itself as a “blockbuster drama” in the vein of All In, replete with strong characters, lots of clashes, and loaded with dramatic suspense. Not really my style, though there have been a number of successes in this genre, such as the aforementioned All In and its not-really-a-sequel Swallow the Sun. Business machinations don’t appeal to me…but I do admit that Story of a Man did make the stock market game fun, exciting, and dare I even say, sexy. Then again, few dramas are as awesome as that one.
Midas airs on Mondays and Tuesdays on SBS.
Via Asia Today
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RECENTLY RECAPPED
I think I was in a very good mood on Sunday (or it was Saturday?) because i wanted to watch Midas. Yesterday, my enthusiasm dropped. But i dont lose
anything, if i find time, I´ll give the first episodes a try. Its not my type of drama neither, but lets try something new.
I am going to reply here b/c I’d really like to know who is subbing this drama and where I would be able to download it. Thank you. The cast all looks amazing and I’d really like to watch.
I liked episode 1. Quite a lot actually.
It’s not flashy or bombastic, which I thought it would be. It’s got a grounded execution that is fluid without feeling slick. While I loved Bad Guy’s mood and vibe, that drama did end up feeling more style over substance.
Hyuk is immediately in character, which so far seems like a normal guy (reminds me of his Tazza character before he got screwed over and went hellbent on revenge).
Lee Min Jung was the surprise for me. She’s doing a very controlled performance, tempering her tendency to go cutesy or overly spirited. She has good chemistry with Hyuk (I expect her chemistry with No Min Woo to be off the charts, actually).
Kim Hee Ae is incredible, she’s excellent in every scene.
I’m not sure emotionally I’ve connected with this drama (probably haven’t), but it’s much better than I expected. Dramatic in a realistic way.
Word! My thoughts exactly.
)
I totally went in with zero expectations but to sit back and mock it, but I kind of ended up liking it overall. Not sure if I’ll stick around and watch the entire thing but I’ve got to watch the next episode for Lee Deok-hwa and Kim Seong-oh.
I’m just very cautious with what I’ve seen from this writer, if it’s not style over substance, it will start off kind of decent and promising and then it descends into chaos — of EoE proportions. If his Into the Storm is any indication.
But then I’ll always have a soft spot for his All In, if nothing else at least for the very young Han Ji-min and Jin-goo (wub!). <3
I’d like to give this one a try when the subs come out. The stills look good. However, I would be freaking out if a squirrel went head first into MY coat pocket. Also, I had to do a double take on that jacket and a half number! Jang Hyuk is looking GOOD!
I dunno. Jang Hyuk in a suit kind of leaves me feeling…blank? For some reason, I always expect him to be rugged and dirty, no matter what he does
I’m excited about this drama. Can’t wait until subs are out so I can see if it’ll live up to what I can only hope. I love both leads ALOT…but sometimes that can’t save the show. So here’s to hope!
Lee Min-jung! I missed you!
I’ll give this a go just for her.
I’m not sure I want to waste my time on something that could be a potential disappointment. I’ll wait for a couple of episodes to air and seek the trusted opinion on a couple of my friends.
I’d take fluffy romance any day over this.
is it just me or does his suit look funny??
No, I think he got dressed in the dark
Are u talking about the third pic, first row? If so yes, I’m trying to understand it myself…
it confused me too. oh my such power suit that made us think
He buttoned his vest to his jacket on accident.
~ deconstructive fashion ~
massive case of wardrobe malfunction
overzealous photoshoppers
fanservice gone wrong (but coming soon: complete strip for dramatic shower scene)
new official lawyers attire……. don’t ask
Plus in the photo where Jang Hyuk is smiling he looks like Hyun Bin.
Just a comment on the hairstyle of male korean actors nowadays; most of them have similar if not the same hair style. First it was Cha Seung-won, then Hyun Bin, Song Seung-heon and now Jang Hyuk. Do they all go to the same hairstylist?
I agree… and honestly while I loved the look on Hyun Bin, I’m not feeling it on Jang Hyuk. He looks better with either short hair (Thank You) or the Locks of Daegil.
I miss Daegil!!! he should have kept the hair…
Not liking Jang Hyuk hairstyle, and suits. He can look hotter than that !
I agree. I can list at least 10 actors or singers that have the same haircut.
yeah, dramaland males need to spice it up. How ’bout some half-shaved, dyed hair? with dreadlocks. or clip-in extensions.
yeah I mean I love this short-bob-mushroom-crop-with-thick-asymmetrical-fringe style, but its getting weird if everyone has them. Jang Hyuk’s bang is similar with Cha Seung-won’s (love him to death in City Hall btw), Binnie’s and Mr Hand Towel’s is more asymmetrical which works better for me. I’ll check this drama for Noh Min-woo.
Honestly! do they have the same hairstylist? why do they have the same hairstyle =(. I feel so OC when i see assymetrical cut hair!!!
Corporate geniuses need not be short haired with clean cut. But maybe, he is a lawyer here that’s why he need to be clean cut. Too bad, Jang Hyuk rocks with long hair and dishevelled look =).
Aw no stills of No Min Woo?
this reminds me of the movie ” The Firm” w Tom Cruise.
But not as a lawyer.
Jang Hyuk and Lee Min Jung are two extremely attractive people.
But for some reason they’re not attractive together. [Is this just me?] Although I still haven’t seen the first episode, so I guess I’ll have to reserve judgement.
I’m ALL IN only because of Noh Min Woo..
ME TOO!
yes yes
weird suit, all i can say…
Oh yeah, I forgot about Midas airing this week. Hmm, still not really feeling the plot, but it’s Lee Min-jung so I’ll check it out.
For some reason i always want to stare at Jang Hyuk mouth. Its like he flexes it all the time or something?
I’ve had dreams about Jang Hyuk’s mouth.
that pout is the sexies part of him
gotta say seeing jang hyuk out of his chuno da-gil character is a bit weird, he just left such a lasting impression playing that rogue slave hunter
No pictures of No Min Woo?
So nice to see a clean cut and suave looking Jang Hyuk. It feels like I’ve been stuck with his Chuno getup for eons.
Lee Min Jung looks so pretty in the dress! ^^
Yes, I agree with you.LMJ so beautiful and cute in the dress
The VIP ward is a step up from the ER? No way. The ER requires more skilled nursing than any ward does. (So do the ICUs.) In the VIP ward, the work is easier but the patients are more annoying. No nurse would consider the VIP ward a step up from the ER, unless they’re looking to coast.
exactly!!! unless she’s new and mostly assisting the true ER nurses.
I watched the first ep, and the VIP ward is SUPER posh (seriously, they’re like hotel suites rather than hospital rooms) and she gets a pretty massive pay increase, so it can be counted as a step up for her.
Geez, my two favorite actors on screen together. And as a couple to boot (well, at first).
Gonna try to see the first episode, and see if I’m hooked or not. But even if I’m not, there’s still Jang Hyuk to watch.
Rating 1st episode from TNS :
Seoul: 9.5% (14th)
National: 8.4% (19th)
Bit low, yes, but of course with Dream High reaching climax and the suspense of waiting for adult characters in The Duo. Could pick up in the next 2 weeks after DH ends, depends on how good Crime Squad and how well the performance of The Duo adult stars.
With the hair and clothes, I can see him in the Joo won role, but it wouldn’t have been as great. He definantly could have pulled it off with the attitude just based on Chuno, but Hyun Bin owned it.
this was the guy from Chuno, right? love him there. so awesome. i’ll be watching this series solely because of him.
I might give this a try, I actually like this type of dramas, the dramatic suspense.. totally puts me on edge and wanting to watch more.. I haven’t seen episode 1 yet but Jang Hyuk and Lee Min Jung as a couple? Kinda interesting choice to put together, but there money involved so there probably will be lots of twists and turns.
I just hope that it doesn’t disappoint me..I just keep thinking that all this hype is just mostly talk and really in the end result isnt that great.
Anyways.. Thanks for the post. Regardless of whether you recap or not, I’ll find ways to watch it with subs (not a korean speaker)
I haven’t watched it yet.
Can’t say that the pictures excite me though.
It looks like another one of those cliche lawyer and his ambition for sex and money type dramas.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely going to watch it and see how it turns out.
Im having a good vibe watching the 1st ep, everyone is fit to the character, the screenplay is subtle and crisp but not that fond of the background sound they use everytime theres this emergency situation in the hospital, plus i
never thought that Janghyuk and Lee Minjung could be this great together<3
Am I the only person who thinks that Jang Hyuk has kept his pimpin’ pimpin’ smirk all these years.
No matter what role I see him in he has this smirk that I just want to strangle him for. It’s irritating and adorable at the same time which is just weird. In a good way.
I dunno. I feel that way with SSH; I feel like he always has a cocky gleam in his eyes. It’s like that fine line between confidence and arrogance.
With Jang Hyuk, he just looks like a gangster to me, always. No matter what he’s doing. In Thank you, he was a gangster doctor. In Tazza, he was a pimpin’ gangster. In Chuno, he was a saguek gangster. It’s inevitable. Some people just have the look.
Yeah.. I agree! He has that gangster look! Gave me an impression that he is LOUD. But boy o’ boy… I’m very much surprised of his personality when I watched Family Outing.. Sof-spoken gangster with heart and soul!!
He has tons of personality
hahaha. The third paragraph cracked me up. DB, you are so right. Why is it that every drama has someone who is a ‘genius’ at what they do. Why can’t he be a normal lawyer? No, he has to be a ‘genius’ lawyer.
SKorea has many geniuses….. with cancer….. with a birth secret ….. what else?
chaebol…
and geniuses usually wil endup with a stupid,inocent girl ..(MY fav Theme;who care it doesn’t work in reality?!It’s drama land..)
I havent watched it yet but am going to because of the cast. And also I want to see how far they can go with a story based on finance and biz.
im just watching coz of lee min jung i love her, no mi woo he is just a piece of cake, and duh jang hyuk loved him in chuno!!
That suit is totally weird. How can he wear it without cracking up?
Can’t see them as a couple. He looks too old for her.
I like them both individually not necessarily together, so I will see Midas although it doesn’t sound that interesting.
I’m waiting until it has Eng sub.
Yes,We waiting for Eng sub ^_^ Thank you in advance.
Awe.. I just watch the first episode… Didn’t saw No Min Woo =( hope we see him ep 2..
NO photos of him..Ahhh..
Your so right about A Man’s Story.. I liked that drama A Lot.. (R.I.P) =( was really fun to watch..
strange how in these pictures jang hyuk resembles himself 10 years ago…
Um..I think he is wearing Kim Joo Won’s clothes and hairstyle.
No additional pics of NMW? Egg fu young!
Ooo~ LMJ is so purdy.
onni min jung so beautiful and good actress in Midas drama. LEE MIN JUNG FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!
Javabeans you’ve got to recap this!
Midas or 49 days? duh…’ll pick 49 days ofcourse.
i think i’ll watch both.
why?
one, i need more drama to replace my princess, athena and dream high) to brighten up my days.
two, both dramas offer different genre.
i have yet to see a drama like this before and i think it’s quite refreshing. i’m already hooked :”)
this drama has high potential!!
give this drama a chance guys~
I love Jank Hyuk because he was in the 1st Asian drama (Into the sunlight) i ever watched and i fell in love with his acting!!
I’m in the middle of watching episode 6 and am getting so annoyed that I was inspired to post this:
Jang Hyuk’s acting in this is terrible and it’s really getting in the way. He is under a rather lame misunderstanding that appearing to be made out of cardboard conveys … jeez I don’t even know what his working theory might be. But it sucks.