Since Lilet (a colleague) and Janice De Belen (no less) re-introduced me to Kdramas in February this year, it seemed I haven’t stopped using it as a filler to the highly-toxic, backstabbing environment of western-based serials. Actually it all started on Netflix, I started with a Japanese (2014 Mischievous Kiss) rom-com and US romantic plots starring teenagers then Netflix (bless), kept on suggesting this and that Korean dramas and I reckoned, would I allow myself to be swallowed by this vortex yet again? It would be like going to the point of no return, once you’re trapped, you’re trapped. I began with a few web series, and now I reckon the theme was mostly about chaebols and arranged marriages.
Then Janice posted something about The Heirs starring Le Min Ho (Janice fan girls on Lee Min Ho) I had no idea who Park Shin-Hye was in the grand scheme of existence. So I watched the Heirs and it was easy, comfort viewing. The female lead of The Heirs then became my celebrity bias.
As for the bias, I followed Judy Ann Santos career for more than two decades and her dropping the late Alfie Lorenzo as manager didn’t bode well with me. I know that celebrities change management for a better career path or out of whim. But I think of loyalty as sacrosanct in this case. So I don't fan-girl as much.
But back to Park Shin-Hye, her detractors or what’s the millennial term, trolls or bashers think that she performed voodoo on her fans across the world for the unconditional support (based on comments at Drama Fever) There’s no such thing as voodoo in entertainment fanfare. There’s a reason why some celebrities are more popular than others. It’s what you call charisma. The powers-that-be could mix and match opportunities (ex C. Sotto) but if the audience don’t like you, you would just be, for lack of depth on words, not popular. I like Park Shin-Hye. I have been enjoying her dramas. She has a lone antagonist role in her career but most of the time she's the good girl with the tears on cue.
The Hallyu fans are mostly girls so they drool over guys like Lee Min Ho, Lee Joon Gi, Lee Soo Hyuk, Kim Soo-hyun and Kpop groups such as Super Junior, Big Bang, BTS. My sympathies meanwhile are with female stars. I had never followed a boy band in my life. Or fall for a schleb dude.
So let's decipher the list of Park Shin-Hye's (PSH) Dramas, based on the order of when I've seen them:
The Heirs or He Who Wishes to Wear the Crown Endures its Weight (2013)-- is the ultimate feel-good soap. Set in rich people high school, Cha Eun Sang PSH) is the maid's daughter, pursued and driven to exile by the son of the owner of the mansion Kim Tan played by Lee Min Ho. Kim Tan's friend turned enemy, Choi Yong Do (Kim Woo Bin), another heir to empire is also interested in her (but his bullying in the beginning is way too scary). Cha Eun Sang being impoverished and Kim Tan being illegitimate (although not on paper) provide material for all the conflicts.
Heartstrings or I've Fallen for You (2011) - the first six episodes I don't really re-watch but the next nine episodes is worth viewing again and again. It's a love worth pursuing for the talented OTP (I've come to grips with all the new terms). Jung Yong-Hwa is the most good-looking of all PSH leading men, so far and what is there not to swoon with leads who both sing and play instruments? I, too wish, I could learn to play gayageum or guitar or piano.
Pinocchio (2014-15) -- this is the best- written of all her dramas. Media could push a person's mental health to the limit. That's the premise of life. Now, with social media taking over the lives of the young and generation X, it's time for detox. The leads romantic entanglement plays only second fiddle to fake news.
Doctors (2016)--PSH plays a neuro-surgeon, Yoo Hye-Jong, I like all the brain surgery scenes and her high-kicks, martial-arts moves to prove her point. What I don't like is a doctor being clueless on the laws of statute of limitations of her country. But PSH being a kick-ass surgeon? That's way too cool.
You're Beautiful (2009) -- As trainee nun, Go Mi-nyeo is masquerading as her twin brother Go Mi-nam, the newest member of a boy band. It's very much obvious that she's a girl. But while two of the guys including the leader played by Jang Keun-Suk is aware that she's a girl, Jeremy, the drummer (vocalist of FT Island Lee Hong-gi) is oblivious. I love this drama as all members of the main cast can sing. Together and individually, they're superb performers. It's a cute love- square. I'm such into second lead syndrome on this one (and it's not because I've seen Heartstrings first). Because, really, what's your glitch Hwang Tae-kyung (Jang Geun-suk)?
Flower Boys Next Door (2012) -- it's a study on the life of an introvert. There are no parents in this drama. That in itself is a breath of fresh air. PSH plays Go Dok Mi, a highly-reclusive copy editor and she spouts words of wisdom about life, not on Twitter but through the voice-overs. It's very profound (not a whole lot of nothing as one reviewer noted). This drama proves my point that some men like their women quiet and conservative.
Hayate, the Combat Butler (2013) - PSH's is dubbed in Mandarin as it is a Taiwanese production. How do you say your lines in Hangul while the rest of the cast speak Mandarin? She has an unflattering hairstyle but PSH has the kind of beauty that the more you stare her, the more beautiful she becomes on screen. The first few episodes are kind of annoying but the chemistry with George Hu is heartfelt. I mean, ship!
Little Cabin in the Woods, Little House in the Forest (2018) -- it's not a drama but I always enjoy documentaries. It shows PSH and So Ji Sub cooking and doing experiments about happiness and solitude in the middle of nowhere. I'm so impressed with PSH ability not only with cooking but doing crafts, making objects, chopping firewood -- her fruit hammock, bird's house, shoe rack, the flower-painting of the main window of the cabin are all good.
But I guess her best drama (gut-feeling) is the one with Lee Wan, Tree of Heaven, filmed when she was 16. I'm still too squeamish to see it in its entirety. I shouldn't be reading plots and spoilers. It's love in its loveliest and purest form. It's in the same league as Stairway to Heaven (they're sister dramas). How sweet ...
