I haven't been buying new shows anyway. Drought in my Kdrama life.
I have just watched the latest Kdrama in the market, "Night After Night" or "When It's at Night" or "Every Night".
Here's my review:
Story: 4.5/5
The story surrounds Korean national cultural and heritage pieces, the stolen, the protected and found. Kim Sun-Ah plays Heo Cho-hee, regulator of cultural treasures. She got herself into the job because of her father who was ironically a tomb-raider who had stolen those national treasures. In one of her assignments to Japan, she met Lee Dong-gun who plays Kim Beom-sang, ancient art expert on a mission to buy some national treasures. The whole show develops round the retrieval of the national treasures and how the relationship of the two developed. I like the plot as it has some suspense, romance and humour all in one. Of course the romance between Kim and Lee was convincing. I didn't think this pair would be able to go together. However, the show made it believable.
Kim Sun-Ah
Acting: 4.5/5
I love her acting in this show. She was convincing as a torn daughter of a tomb raider. She cried so easily in the show. Her acting was natural. She didn't need much lines to show her emotions. She is an actress. However, the director seemed to be caught in her Kim Sam Soon's shadow. At certain points, she was seen to replay her acts in My Lovely Samsoon in this particular new show. This is truly the part that I didn't like. Also, she has yet to shed her fats from the previous show which made me a little disappointed with her. However, the director's clever focus on her cleavages helped to ease the fact that she wasn't that slim.
I think the director was also careful in handling the relationship of Lee and Kim in this show. It was not overly mushy. Enough to make us feel that Lee truly loved Kim in this show. I will end here for Kim Sun-Ah because I can't wait to say what I want to say for Lee.
Lee Dong-gun
Acting: 4.7/5
Call me biased. I love Lee Dong-gun's acting in this show. He is the man that I want to be in love with. He started off as the world's biggest flirt in the show, from the disgusting patting of a co-host's butt to his pretentious nature. However, as the show progressed, he became the sweetest lover in the whole wide world. He was kind, protective and warm towards Kim's character in the show. His acting was natural and good. I can easily see him as his character in the show. He moved into his role with ease. I guess he was very much of this sort in My Little Bride, except for the flippant part of this new role.
I like his looks. He doesn't need a lot of make-up to look good. In fact, he didn't have those disgusting lipstick colours on his lips like some Korean actors. I could still see his dark rings, but who cared? He was still good looking here. However, I docked 0.3 from his score because I think he would soon need a botox treatment on his forehead. Other than that, acting, looks and charm wise, he is a perfect boyfriend. :)
Kim Jeong Hwa
Acting: 4/5
Kim Jeong Hwa plays Wang Joo-hyeon, a regulator of cultural treasures, in the show. I think the show will be boring without her. Her antics, her self-centredness, egoistic mindset made the show come alive. I would say her acting was a little exaggerated. However, I think her character called for such acting. She is pretty but at some point, she overdid her wide grin or smile. I think overall, she is a likable character in the show.
Lee Joo Hyeon
Acting: 3.5/5
Okay, I find him quite cute and handsome at times. However, his smiles were so stiff and unnatural. He plays Kang Si-wan, a cultural treasures delivery team leader. He is convincing in his role. I like the way he was always amused, stunned and tickled by Wang Joo Hyeon in the show. However, I didn't feel that his love for Kim Sun-Ah in the show was convincing. Hence, he deserves a 3.5 only.
Park Ki WoongActing: 3.5/5
Park acts as Heo Gyoon, Cho-hee's younger brother in the show. He was a little too act cute in the show. However, I could find reasons to forgive him in that. He really has a cute face and smiles. LOL! Biased again. I find that his acting was average. Perhaps he was still figuring things out. Whatever it is, he has great potential to go far as he has the looks.
Overall: 4/5
I think this show is worth watching. Perhaps it can be a little more explicit about Kim-Lee romance though there were a few kissing scenes. I am not a sucker for romance, but I really think it can be better. Watch it for the plot, watch it if you are Lee's fan or Kim's fan or simply watch it because it is a relatively well-done show. I think nothing will truly irritate anyone in this show. It is just another good Korean drama in the market.
