And so it ends, as our ragtag team of dreamers try to deliver the king’s secret will to the last person they can trust, in a finale filled with blood, guts, glory, tears, and hope. That last thing most of all.

Looking back, I’m still floored by how awe-inspiring this drama was from start to finish, that it had something to say and said it well, and that it used history not just as a starting point but as a painstakingly-detailed canvas on which to paint its characters and conflicts in fine, layered brush strokes.

It’s been a fun ride going back in time to discover this gem. Thanks for going along with me.

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 8 (Final) (4,225 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

I don’t think I’ve ever been so confused by a show before, though that’s not at all as bad as it sounds. Conspiracy in the Court makes me want to give multiple episodes multiple viewings, because little hints here and there end up informing and changing so much of what we’ve already seen. There are plenty of shows that don’t hold up under close scrutiny, yet here we have a show that all but demands it. It’s fun as a viewer, don’t get me wrong – but it’s also quite taxing, since this isn’t your go-to drama to unwind with after a day’s work. It’s more than that.

And that’s why it’s one of the greats.

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 7 (3,848 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

This is mystery done right, romance done well, characterization handled with aplomb. It still surprises me that each episode can yield so much information about the characters we already know, sometimes reinforcing the traits we’ve associated with them, sometimes turning our perceptions upside down. It makes for an engaging watch, because while we may think we know who is who and who they might work for, we DON’T know just about everything else. We’re definitely leaving a lot of room for some well-placed reveals, and in that sense I’m excited as we head toward the final two episodes. I just wish it didn’t have to end so soon.

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 6 (3,915 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

So. Good. SO GOOD.

This episode is a journey into the heart of darkness as far as our hero is concerned, as we watch him struggle to accept that he now has no one to trust and no way to win. His is a dilemma that’s really puzzling because there really aren’t any good solutions for him, and any way out is bound to cause harm to everyone. Considering how he doesn’t want to hurt anyone, what’s a hero to do?

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 5 (3,727 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

Imagine trying to achieve something while all your friends secretly block your every move. Then imagine that none of those people are your friends. Then imagine that your goal is saving a country, and those frenemies are a bunch of old fogeys with nothing better to do than make you miserable. Now you’re the king, and suddenly the political conflict holds reason and weight, enough to contend with the twisted triangle of a love story that’s just so much fun to watch.

Sigh. Where has this show been all my life?

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 4 (3,418 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

The political storyline takes an upturn as our characters hone in on the king, though the conflict reaches much farther than just the palace gates. Our hero is nearly beaten to death with the Rules of Reality this episode, and it’ll be a wonder if the pure and good side of him will survive all the cold hard truth the world is trying to shove down his throat.

Then again, maybe getting showered by someone’s throat blood is as good a time as any to reevaluate one’s priorities. Sang-gyu, fighting!

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 3 (3,782 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

Annnnnd we’re back!

Character motivations this round are explained with stark, gritty, terrifying backstories which prove that excessive pain can serve a narrative purpose, even when it causes us to shy away from the screen in horror. This episode isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you can get past some of the more traumatizing scenes, there’s just as much awe-inducing attention to detail as there was in the first episode. And now, with the introduction of our core and very complicated love line, the story’s just kicked it up a huge notch. (Along with that whole possible-plot-to-kill-the-king-thing.)

This is a world that really feels alive, where the streets live and breathe and the class divide feels all the more apparent and heartrending. It’s no surprise that I’m still loving this show despite the recap hiatus, but this episode made me glad to be back.

Note: I’m working off the director’s cut for the recaps, so for those only familiar with the broadcast version, there might be some unfamiliar scenes. (And if there are, let me know! I’m interested to see what exactly was cut for broadcast.)

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 2 (3,979 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

Having endured an incredibly long wait on my Must Watch list, eight-episode fusion sageuk thriller Conspiracy in the Court (also known as Seoul’s Sad Song) premiered in 2007 to lukewarm (read: low) ratings. But, much like fellow short-format ratings disappointment White Christmas, it developed a mania following and garnered plenty of critical acclaim. After only one episode, it isn’t hard to see why.

This was the first full directorial outing for PD Kwak Jung-hwan, who you may know now from a little drama called Chuno. Having obviously loved Chuno to itty-bitty pieces (and all right, Fugitive: Plan B wasn’t the worst thing that ever happened), going back in time through Kwak Jung-hwan’s career is shaping up to be a pretty rewarding experience. Especially here where we have fusion sageuk at its finest, in what can only be described as a flawless first outing. Let the conspiracy begin.

[Note: I'll be covering this as an ongoing recap series once a week, so if you're one of the cool kids who's seen this drama in its entirety already, please refrain from posting spoilers.]

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Read the rest of Conspiracy in the Court: Episode 1 (3,988 words)

© HeadsNo2 for Dramabeans, 2012. | Permalink | 57 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Conspiracy in the Court, featured, first episodes, Jin Yi-han, Kim Ha-eun, Lee Chun-hee

KBS just may have the longest winners list at the end-of-the-year award ceremony, but they do have the most programming. Not surprisingly, some of the big winners were expected names, like Baker King Kim Tak-gu, Cinderella’s Sister, and Chuno.

The Grand Prize of the night went to Jang Hyuk, who beat out Choi Su-jong’s president (of the nation), Jeon Gwang-ryul’s president (of a baking company), Kim Gab-soo’s president (of a makgulli factory), Lee Mi-sook’s scheming wife, and Moon Geun-young’s damaged daughter characters.

Red-carpet-wise, KBS’s event was much more interesting than MBC’s lackluster event the night before, and perhaps a step up from the slightly better SBS awards, although there was a curious abundance of white. Everyone wearing it looked great, but I had to wonder whether, if you put ‘em all together, they’d look like models at a bridal convention.

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Read the rest of 2010 KBS Drama Awards (2,272 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2010. | Permalink | 288 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: awards, Eugene, Jang Geun-seok, Jang Hyuk, Jeon Gwang-ryul, Kim Gab-soo, Kim Ha-eun, Kim So-eun, Kim Sung-eun, Lee Da-hae, Lee In-hye, Lee Min-ho, Lee Seon-kyun, Lee Shi-young, Lee Young-ah, Micky Yoochun, Moon Geun-young, Oh Ji-ho, Park Min-young, Song Joong-ki, Yoo Ah-in, Yoon Shi-yoon

Another great cliffhanger – Kwak Jung Hwan sure knows how to keep us on the edge of our seats!

The last episode ended with Dae-gil, realizing he’d been tricked by Tae-ha, racing back to the inn. Tae-ha puts his ear to the ground and hears Dae-gil’s horse approaching. The chase continues…

SONG OF THE DAY

Rob Dougan – “Furious Angel” (This is the song that played in the Chuno trailers, and it sure did get me pumped up for the drama.) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Chuno: Episode 6 (2,005 words)

© hjkomo for Dramabeans, 2010. | Permalink | 61 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Chuno, Danny Ahn, Han Jung-soo, Jang Hyuk, Kim Ha-eun, Kim Ji-suk, Lee Da-hae, Lee Jong-hyuk, Oh Ji-ho