K-popped! Passionate about Korean pop culture: Bad Love

Monday, 17 March 2008

Bad Love ratings, rants and behind-the-scenes

Most of us know that the previously much anticipated KBS drama Bad Love received less than encouraging ratings when it was screened in South Korea earlier this year. It was Kwon Sang-woo's return to the small screen after a 2-year hiatus and many were expecting a good watch, but most were disappointed. They left the drama high and dry without so much as a backward glance.

I bet Kwon Sang-woo (KSW) was hoping that it will generate a lot of (good) hype in his homeland and this drama would be a vehicle to further secure his #1 spot as Korea's most wanted actor. Alas, that did not happen. In fact, KSW has dropped from the #1 spot on HanCinema's most wanted top 10 actors list to #5 (at the time i am writing this entry).

Even the much publicized sauna scene in episode 4 where Kwon Sang-woo and all his six-pack glory was revealed could not save the drama from its low ratings. Although we do not underestimate the power of those 6-packs as episode 4 had the highest ratings in all the 20 episodes.

Bad Love's much talked about
sauna scene in episode 4

But it was not all bad for actor Kwon Sang-woo as he reportedly pocketed a cool KRW100 million (USD100,265) per episode for Bad Love. This makes him the second highest paid actor in a Korean drama after Bae Yong-joon in The Legend.

Personally, i think Kwon Sang-woo gave a powerful performance in this drama. From episode 1 right up to the end, he became the rejected and passionate lover Kang Yong-gi. It was everything else surrounding him that dragged the drama down.

A lifeless leading lady - i mean Lee Yo-won could have added more energy to her portrayal of the woman caught in the middle of a love triangle. She could have made the character more likable and less irritating. Her acting got so bad at one point, that i was wondering if it was partly the director's fault.

Another major setback for this drama is that it had an inexperienced director and writer. Bad Love was directed by Kwon Gye-hong (pictured left) who is rather new and has only directed minor dramas since 2004. This is her first time directing a drama of this scale.

Writer Lee Yu-jin lacked the skill to come up with a plot that's believable as well as moving. She has written dramas and films since 2001 but most of her work has been horror dramas and movies. Hmmm...maybe that's why lead actress Na In-jung acts like a zombie most of the time. ;-)

Without a great team behind the scenes, it would be hard to pull off a successful drama.

But enough of what i think about Bad Love, what did K-popped! readers think? We conducted a poll on this blog and here are the results. A total of 208 votes were received.

27% of our readers thought that the drama was bearable only because of leading man Kwon Sang-woo's presense. Personally, i voted for this too and would have stopped watching long ago if it wasn't for Kwon's engaging performance. It was obvious the man gave his all to the character.

26% of K-popped!'s readers claimed that watching the 20-episode Korean drama was like a rollercoaster ride. It has its ups and downs. There are episodes where you would be very satisfied, and there are those episodes that which you'd want to wring the lead actress' neck.

21% of readers really love the drama and said that it was one satisfying watch and it is one excellent drama. Some might even be waiting for the DVD box set to be released so they could purchase it and watch this drama again at their leisure. Yes? :-)

15% totally dissed the drama saying that watching it is a waste of time, and 9% of our readers have not heard of it before.

Here i leave you with Bad Love out-takes and behind-the-scene photos.

The set of Bad Love where most of the in-door scenes were filmed

Tall and handsome KSW reviewing the scenes with director and crew

All friends: Everyone is chummy behind-the-scenes

KSW's aide and wardrobe assistant follows him around.
Ahh...i wouldn't mind that job.

It was freezing cold when they filmed the drama in winter

Lee Yo-won and KSW filming a scene and oppa's
nose gets runny because it's so cold

Bad Love cast and crew met up for a post
filming party on Feb 12, 2008

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Bad Love – Final episode

Orchid had to attend to something urgent last night so she was unable to watch the final episode of Bad Love. Thus Liz is ~~stuck with~~ given the honours to bring you Episode 20 of Bad Love…so let’s get on with the recap of this flashback-filled episode!

In the previous episode, the less zombified Na In-jung (Lee Yo-won) and sizzling hot Kang Yong-gi (Kwon Sang-woo) parted ways as promised – right after Yong-gi’s birthday in Spring.

Episode 20 starts off with two children playing on the see-saw, which reminds In-jung of Yong-gi because he lovingly hand-crafted a see-saw-inspired bench for her.

Kids playing on the see-saw

In-jung thinks of Yong-gi when she sees the
see-saw and goes: Yong-gi ah, how are you doing?

She thinks about her ex-boyfriend, how good looking he is and what a great catch he would have been…and viewers are soon informed that ONE YEAR has passed since they broke up.

The Korean words read: 1 Year Later

In-jung has undergone an operation to allow her to play the cello once again and she teaches children how to play the instrument.

In-jung and her kids talk about love...seriously! They asked her
whether she has a boyfriend and when she answered yes,
they asked why they have not seen him before.

Yong-gi on the other hand is at the airport, as he has just returned to Korea after gaining much success as a pop artist in the US.

Kang Yong-gi the pop artist! The picture on the right is
his most popular piece

He’s going to hold an exhibition in his motherland. While walking out of the airport, he speaks English with a Mat Salleh (white guy), but I couldn’t understand BOTH of them.

They speak English here, hence the Korean subtitles, but
I couldn't understand a word! Note to self: Must brush
up on Korean.

Yong-gi is picked up at the airport by his former driver, who claims to be a famous singer now.

Former driver and comic relief comes to pick Yong-gi (left) up.
He asks Yong-gi if he misses In-jung. Du-uh.

Yong-gi makes a stop at the Daehan Constuction headquarters to meet his good friend Christian and they talk about how well the new CEO is doing.

'Yo buddy, new CEO handlin' things alright? Great!
I'm off to Samcheok then. Ta!'

Yes, Yong-gi has washed his hands off the company and is pursuing his pop artist aspirations, with very promising results.

As fate would have it, both In-jung and Yong-gi decide to make a trip to Samcheok, their former love nest, on the same day. The former to “visit” her father’s watery grave (his ashes were strewn into the ocean), while the latter to…I dunno…for old time’s sake?

While driving, Yong-gi sings Queen's I Wanna Break Free and
recalls the last time he sang the song with In-jung in the car

In-jung takes the bus to Samcheok

While on their journey there – she on a public bus, while he in his expensive Beemer – their paths cross but they never actually meet. It happened so many times, it was funny.

They missed each other while on the road - Yong-gi's in
his car while In-jung's in the bus

They missed each other at the rest stop too

But finally meet, phew!

They finally meet at the dock, a poignant moment as this was the very spot where they first met. After going out on the boat, the pair then make their way to pay homage to Kim Joann’s tree. Miraculously, the tree survived after being burned by Yong-gi.

Yong-gi looks at the tree he planted as a tribute to Kim Joanne,
his ex who killed herself

In-jung tells Yong-gi that the tree played a part in bringing them together despite it being a reminder to Yong-gi of his turbulent relationship with the suicidal Joann.

Yong-gi and In-jung leave separately, but not before In-jung informs Yong-gi that Chansuk and Samchun are getting married!

Meanwhile, Kang Joo-ran (Kim Ga-yeon) and her daughter Miso visit Suhwan’s columbarium to wish him farewell. Both mother and child are migrating...one of the reasons is Miso's crush on a boy named Boram.

Joo-ran (right) and Miso say bye-bye to Suhwan

Yong-gi returns home for dinner with the family – his stepmother, Joo-ran and Miso.

Yongi-gi is happy to be home with the family.
He secretly asks Miso if her Mom still
drinks...Miso says, "Not a drop!"

All is forgiven in the Kang clan as Stepmother has accepted Yong-gi and promises to cook his fav fish dish for him anytime he wants. He promises to go golfing with her. They will have to keep each other company since Joo-ran and Miso will be migrating soon.

All is well, Stepmother accepts Yong-gi as her own son now

Yong-gi develops high fever while he sleeps and Miso, who goes to check on her hawt Uncle, quickly alerts Mom. While Stepmom goes to get the Doctor, Joo-ran stays behind and hears Yong-gi murmuring In-jung’s name while in delirium.

Yong-gi goes: 'In-jung ah, In-jung ah, In-jung ah'

Poor Joo-ran, her late husband called out In-jung’s name as well when he was sick…and now Yong-gi? As a consequence of that, she calls In-jung for one last meeting.

No, we won't be meeting up for the Chuseok holidays either

Joo-ran tells In-jung: “I hate you so much. I can’t live under the same sky with you. That’s why I’m leaving. It would be better for the both of you.” That’s as close as a blessing In-jung will ever get from Joo-ran to be with Yong-gi.

Joo-ran then walks away into the night, never to be seen again by In-jung...I think. I guess there won’t be a Seollal gathering for the Kang family.

Next, we see Yong-gi sending Joo-ran and Miso off at the airport. Before leaving for good, Joo-ran says to Yong-gi: “This is your life, you should live it the way you want to.”

Bye-bye Miso and Joo-ran

What? Another indirect blessing from Joo-ran for Yong-gi to hook up with In-jung? Well, zip-a-dee-doo-dah!

After seeing Miso and Joo-ran off at the airport, Yong-gi attends Samchun and Chansuk’s wedding.

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Yong-gi stops in his tracks when he spots In-jung and both of them stare at each other, thinking that this should be their b100dy wedding instead!

Man, this should be OUR wedding

In-jung performs as part of the string musicians and later, Yong-gi informs her that she plays beautifully.

Chansuk throws her bouquet and Yong-gi catches it and hands it over to In-jung.

Take this, it's destiny. We're getting married next.

In-jung says she has to leave. Sheesh.

While cooped up in the backroom, In-jung ponders longingly about Yong-gi (flashback sequence!).

In-jung leaves to go grab her purse in the backroom...and
reminisce about the good times with Yong-gi.

Shrugging off her thoughts as wishful thinking, In-jung opens the door of the backroom and lo and behold, Prince Charming is standing there! He pulls her into his arms for a warm embrace.

Omigosh, handsome Oppa is waiting at the other
side of the door!

Hugs...eh, why no kiss?

The on again/ off again couple finally decide to “never let each other go” no matter how difficult things get. They now have the freedom to love one another, what with Suhwan six feet underground, Joo-ran and Miso thousands of miles away and Stepmom being all putty in the palm of Yong-gi’s hands.

Finally, they take a stroll together and actually
enjoy the activity & company

The lovebirds then visit Yong-gi’s house at Samcheok again, walking along the streets hand-in-hand.

As the road winds its way to the house, the bench Yongi-gi crafted for In-jung comes into view and the lovebirds leisurely make their way to it…and sits down.

The lovebirds approach the symbolic bench

And takes a much-needed "rest" on it

They have gone through much (too much) and their love, which has been refined by the harshest of tests, is finally allowed to bloom and grow…unhindered.

THE END

Wednesday, 5 March 2008

Bad Love - Episode 19

A nervous and worried Kang Joo-ran (Kim Ga-yeon) waits for her ex-husband Lee Su-hwan (Kim Sung-su) to come out of surgery. Her half brother Kang Yong-gi (Kwon Sang-woo) offers support and tries to comfort her. This part is quite funny because as soon as Yong-gi reassures her that the operation is going fine, a medical attendant rushes out of the operating theater and Joo-ran begins to panic.

Don't worry Joo-ran, medical attendants always run out
of operating theaters when they have to
go to the bathroom. Su-hwan will be all right.

Na In-jung (Lee Yo-won) waits at home during this ordeal and Yong-gi calls her to update her on Su-hwan's condition.

Su-hwan comes out of surgery and everyone
waits for him to gain consciousness

At this point, i am wondering exactly what kind of illness Su-hwan has. What kind of brain operation did he go for? How come he does not need to shave his head? Some details would be nice. They are pretty vague about Su-hwan's illness.

The operation went fine and Su-hwan wakes up to find Joo-ran sitting virgil at his bedside. He grabs hold of her hand and smiles. After many years of being in a loveless marriage, they finally act civilized towards one another.

Joo-ran stays by Su-hwan's side

Spring is approaching, Yong-gi and In-jung prepare for their imminent separation.

Lee Sin-yeong (Cha Yae-ryeon) still pines for her employer Yong-gi. In-jung is aware of this and advices Yong-gi to be gentle but firmly let her know that he does not return her feelings. President Yeong (Jo-ann's mother) calls Su-hwan and asks about Sin-yeong. Why doesn't Sin-yeong answer any of her calls? Su-hwan is at the hospital recovering from surgery and is unable to take care of this matter so he calls Yong-gi and the latter decides to take this opportunity to settle Sin-yeong once and for all.

Lee Sin-yeong dolls herself up thinking that she will be
going on a date with Yong-gi when in actual fact
he brings her to see Jo-ann's mother

Yong-gi brings Sin-yeong to see Jo-ann's mother and exposes the scam Su-hwan and Sin-yeong planned earlier on. Yong-gi reveals that Sin-yeong was brought into the picture as an attempt to remind him of Jo-ann so that he could fall in love with her.

Jo-ann's mother is disgusted with this revelation. How could anyone tarnish the memory of her late daughter like this? She is furious with Sin-yeong and not altogether happy with Yong-gi either. Sin-yeong is embarassed and complains that she is getting all the blame for the plan Su-hwan helped devise. Yong-gi tells Sin-yeong to take what she came for (which is money) and leave.

Yong-gi spills the beans to Jo-ann's mother,
embarrassing Sin-yeong

Poor Sin-yeong... she did get the short end of the stick
in the ploy both Su-hwan and herself cooked up

Later, the loan sharks come to harass Sin-yeong again and Yong-gi gets them off her back by paying off her debts.

Yong-gi and In-jung have a nice dinner with Samchun and Chansuk

After dinner, Sin-yeong calls Yong-gi on his mobile while he is walking In-jung home. Sin-yeong then threatens to commit suicide to gain Yong-gi's love.

Will I only be in your memories if I slit my wrist?
Like that girl Jo-ann?

Upon In-jung's urging, Yong-gi goes to Sin-yeong's apartment to comfort her. He appears calm and collected as he approaches a hysterical Sin-yeong. Yong-gi jolts Sin-yeong back to reality by telling her not to waste her time on him.

Yong-gi: You do not love me...you only want me

What an emotionally draining day for Yong-gi. He calls it a day by going out for drinks with his girlfriend In-jung.

The next day, Sin-yeong moves out of her current apartment. Now clear of her debts she goes off somewhere to start her life afresh.

Su-hwan is discharged from the hospital and goes home to stay with Stepmother and Joo-ran. They look like a family again and little Miso is delighted that her father is back home.

Su-hwan has dinner with his family

Su-hwan spends precious time with Joo-ran and Miso. The clock is ticking for Su-hwan as the operation will not cure him (again, we are not given any details of his illness) but will only buy him some time. Everyone wants to make Su-hwan's last days on earth comfortable.

Spending precious time together...

One day, Su-hwan talks to Joo-ran and asks for a favour. He urges her to let go of past hurts and allow Yong-gi and In-jung to be together.

Joo-ran: What is it Su-hwan?
Ask and i will do whatever you tell me to do.

After tying all those loose ends, Su-hwan finally dies peacefully

Yong-gi celebrates his birthday in spring. However, Yong-gi wishes that he was born in winter as this spring, he would be saying good-bye to his precious In-jung.

In-jung: Happy Birthday Yong-gi.
Yong-gi: My heart hurts...at the thought of you leaving...

In-jung prepares a private party for him. She brings a cake and decorate their secret spot with balloons and streamers. As she sings him the birthday song, she cannot help but shed tears. Yong-gi cannot bear it any longer and grabs In-jung close to him and kisses her passionately on the lips [err...actually i made that last bit up].

In-jung sings the saddest birthday song ever...

Good bye...

Yong-gi and In-jung walk to the bus stop where they would separate each night - but this time their separation would be for good. In-jung, who has been suffering from stomach pains tells Yong-gi that she will go for surgery soon. He tells her not to worry and that she will be fine. They exchange parting words and In-jung gets on a bus.

As promised, Yong-gi and In-jung separate in spring.
Will they get back together? Will Joo-ran allow them...?
Will they sit on the see-saw bench Yong-gi made again?