Ah, another final episode, another drama wrapped.

Let’s be honest: Strongest Chil Woo isn’t a great show. It’s probably not even a good one. But it has been often entertaining and despite its recent darker turns, I was holding out hope that the finale would see a return to lighter, goofier times. In that, I’m pretty satisfied. The resolution we’re given is hopeful without being too cartoony, and as far as last episodes go, it did the job.

But let’s get on with the show…

SONG OF THE DAY

Strongest Chil Woo OST - “내가 달려갈께” (I’ll run) by Lazybone [ Download ]

STRONGEST CHIL WOO Episode 20 (Final) >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 15 Comments →

If I had to rate the recent episodes, I’d say the previous several haven’t been very good — and that’s by Chil Woo standards, so we’re talking pretty low stuff. Not awful, just boring. But today’s picked up considerably, and even managed a shocker — which I guess is to be expected since we end tomorrow.

SONG OF THE DAY

Strongest Chil Woo OST - “언젠가” (Someday) by Hye Na [ Download ]

STRONGEST CHIL WOO Episode 19 >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 7 Comments →

There’s something about this image I really like. The set may look artificial and the background may be too fakely blue, but it’s a nice, homey family scene that carries added meaning as a happy moment of calm before the storm.

As for the drama’s audience, the pre-empting of Gourmet’s Episode 18 today probably accounts for the jump in Chil Woo’s ratings. The numbers have held steady in the 10%-11% range (AGB numbers; TNS is typically about 1% lower) for much of its run, and jumped suddenly today to 14.5%.

Things wrap up for Chil Woo next week, so we start to feel the story setting itself up for its grand finale.

SONG OF THE DAY

Star Love Fish - “지워진 날들” (erased days) [ Download ]

STRONGEST CHIL WOO Episode 18 >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 7 Comments →

They should create a spinoff with Orroz and Chul Seok, because these two are the only ones pulling their acting weight these days. Both are strong in today’s episode, in a way that transcends the cheese factor of the drama’s storytelling (the drama plot itself isn’t so cheesy these days, but it’s all in the execution). Although I’d accept some Kim Byul (Yeon Doo) thrown in for some comic relief, too.

Eric is actually not doing a BAD job, but in contrast, his performance isn’t able to break through that Barrier of Cheese. I’m not quite sure why, but when watching his more emotive moments, I keep getting the sense that it’s too bad since his acting might be effective in the hands of a competent director.

SONG OF THE DAY

Oriental Lucy - “Lorina Homestay” (Their song is listed as “Rorina Homestay” on various portal sites, but “Lorina Homestay” on their own.) [ Download ]

STRONGEST CHIL WOO Episode 17 >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 3 Comments →

A lot better than the previous episode, since all the stuff that was set up in Episode 15 starts to play out now.

(Still no Zorro, Orroz, or fancy horse tricks, though. I’m being patient — they’re probably winding up for the big finish, with four episodes remaining — but I’d better have me some action shenaniganery back in full swing soon!)

SONG OF THE DAY

Airbag - “선인장” (Cactus) [ Download ]

STRONGEST CHIL WOO Episode 16 >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 7 Comments →

This was an episode with a lot of maneuvering for future conflicts. That means that there are a lot of things going on, and we see lots of hints at what’s to come — but as an individual episode, it wasn’t as fun as I’ve come to expect of Chil Woo. It was necessary, yes, but not as goofy.

I enjoy the more complex conflicts that we’re starting to unravel, but I hope the happy-go-lucky fun spirit also returns, because I found myself missing the sight of Eric’s long, flowy glam-rock hair and silly mask and horseback antics.

SONG OF THE DAY

Seo Taiji - “T’ikT’ak.” I’ve mentioned Seo Taiji before; this track comes from his most recent single album. The title track is the song “Moai,” but I prefer this one — it’s more intricately layered and I find it more interesting than the other songs on the single, which strike me as a bit sanguine for what I expect from Seo Taiji. [ Download ]

STRONGEST CHIL WOO Episode 15 >>

Filed under: Drama Recaps by javabeans - 6 Comments →