Ooh, more goodness abounds!

I’m actually sad this drama’s ending next week. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a series on so many levels — for the acting, writing, directing, music, suspense, and perhaps most importantly, for the pure fun factor.

(I know there are lots of criteria for judging a drama or movie, but for me, a series has three major breakdowns: acting, directing, writing. Most dramas do one of those things competently, and many dramas pull off two. But it’s not often you get all three. And then you have the true oddity with something like Boys Before Flowers — I readily admit its appeal but have to concede that it accomplished none of the three criteria well. At least not consistently.)

SONG OF THE DAY

Ibadi – “Love Letter” [ Download ]

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STORY OF A MAN Episode 16 >>

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(He’s staring at an overhead heat lamp in a greenhouse.)

This was an exciting episode because Do-woo’s grip on his ice-cold composure continues to slip. The thing about Shin is that he hasn’t all of a sudden stumbled onto a magical solution for unnerving Do-woo, and it isn’t that he’s turned into an overnight mastermind. It’s more that he’s been chipping away at Do-woo from all angles — damn is he persistent — looking for the perfect moment to launch his sling (hence “The Slingshot” of the English title) to knock down his Goliath.

Oh yeah, and we finally figure out what Kyung-ah’s deal is.

SONG OF THE DAY

EZ Hyoung – “I Need Your Love.” I love songs that sneak up on you like this, starting out mellow and pretty but building up to an intense crescendo. To think, when I first picked this song, it didn’t even occur to me how well it meshes with the theme of this episode. (The song starts, “Don’t leave me, you can’t do this” while the bridge/chorus goes, “I need your love… I’m waiting for you, come back to me.”)
[ Download ]

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STORY OF A MAN Episode 15 >>

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How does this drama keep getting better? Episode 14 was even better than Episode 13, and each scene kept me excited. Every time the music kicked in and the camera shifted just a bit in a meaningful way, signaling an Important Upcoming Moment, I’d sit up a little straighter, eager to find out what the next bend in the twisty road would reveal.

I can’t believe it took me so long to put it together, but it finally occurred to me that the vague feeling of familiarity I’d been getting from Story of a Man is that it’s the kdrama that makes me most think of Veronica Mars. You have the convoluted criminal(s), the sly undercover mini-missions, the camaraderie, the twisted family issues, the damaged boyfriends, the dark revenge. Fun, clever, and angsty. Yup. Totally Veronica Mars. (In Season 1 when the show was still good, that is.)

SONG OF THE DAY

Jisun – “Universe” [ Download ]

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STORY OF A MAN Episode 14 >>

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This episode was so good I was sorry I didn’t have the time to get to it sooner.

Some of the stuff I saw coming, but it was so well set-up that that doesn’t bother me. Also, what this drama does well is mixing in its intense moments with humor — you wouldn’t think a drama like this would be funny, but it quite often has me smiling or outright laughing. Then, in the next moment, it’ll have me tear up at a poignant beat.

And also, there’s a pretty badass fight scene.

SONG OF THE DAY

Noblesse – “내 삶은 너였다고” (My Life Was You) [ Download ]

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STORY OF A MAN Episode 13 >>

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Sorry, I know I’m running a bit behind with Story of a Man recaps. I’m hoping to catch up asap, once the workload eases up.

As for this episode, we get more of the same, which in this case is a good thing: more cute, more fun, and more creepy Do-woo.

SONG OF THE DAY

Casker – “만약에, 혹시” (Perhaps, Maybe) [ Download ]

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STORY OF A MAN Episode 12 >>

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