Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, which means that it’s time to buy cute conversation hearts, binge on Netflix rom-coms, splurge on chocolates and heart-shaped candy, or read some good ol’ romance poetry (or haiku, if that suits your fancy). It’s nice to have another “holiday” to use as an excuse to justify American consumerism and materialism and I’m certainly engaging in the practice wholeheartedly.
February 14 is the day where (red) roses and bouquets sell like hotcakes, our surroundings become a blur of red and pink, and, of course, the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business issues its admission decisions to all applicants (good luck, my Cal family members!). For me, Valentine’s day is just like any other day of routine life: eat, sleep, study, and repeat. The only difference is that there are more flowers and red shades involved in my vision throughout the day.
But what Valentine’s Day should represent is an active endeavor to spread love and goodness to all those around us, especially those less privileged and blessed than we are. Why bother? Because happier people are usually more productive, more positive, and thus, more contagious and our entire world and modern generation needs goodness and wellbeing now more than it has in a long while. So what better way to spend your Cupid Day than grabbing those half-priced on-sale candies on the 15th, getting your entire girl gang together with you, and watching a binge-worthy Korean drama to celebrate these fun-filled hours in an entertaining way?
There are so many pleasing K-dramas out there worth watching simply due to the number of accolades and attention they’ve garnered in their respective local audience hubs but I’ve done the painstaking (though rewarding) work of hand-selecting the ones that I would recommend in a heartbeat to any and all viewers interested in K-dramas.
You’re welcome, ladies.
I curated my selection on the basis of the cast’s praiseworthy acting skills, the direction and storytelling, the quality of scriptwriting, the cinematography of scenes, the plot, the setting, the musical scores used (Original Sound Tracks or OSTs), and the overall execution of the entire drama from the pilot to the ending episode. Of course, my own personal preference also tied into my show choices.
During the last fortnight, I brought you two amazing shows: My ID is Gangnam Beauty (a K-drama featuring toxic friendships and major societal issues regarding beauty and physical appearance), and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? (a more drama-focused show).
This week, I introduce you to an innovative show that features two newbie actors with the cutest acting skills, dance moves, and facial expressions ever, called Rich Man, Poor Woman.
Let’s find out more!
Rich Man (2018)
Keywords: Fresh Plot Adaptation, Fun Acting and Cinematography, A Short and Sweet Romantic Comedy
Sometimes there are shows that sweep you beyond your feet and contain acting that pushes beyond your wildest expectations.
I don’t watch a lot of those shows. Why?
Because I’m so entirely captivated by this one – all my free time goes towards it, whenever possible.
Better known as Rich Man, Poor Woman, this 2018 South Korean adaptation of the 2012 Japanese television series Rich Man, Poor Woman has two captivating lead characters and an interesting storyline with a diseased protagonist who faces some refreshingly new challenges that differ greatly from the ones movies like The Fault in Our Stars or Irreplaceable You touted these past few years. Viewers consider the original Japanese version that this show stems from as a classic, but agree that this show has its own pros as well. While the title of this romantic comedy drama seems quite sexist and offensive in nature, the content does nothing to espouse any negative ratings: the storyline is enjoyable and the buildup of the rapport of the two main leads as well as the other side characters is a pleasant experience.
The lead male, “Rich Man” Lee Yoo Chan, regards the world in a series of 0s and 1s, in a highly binary fashion, and has a certain condition (I’ll leave it to you to find out) that makes socializing with others difficult. The two leads, Kim Bo Ra, and Lee Yoo Chan, are both relatively inexperienced actors but witnessing their acting skills improve over the course of the show is extremely fulfilling. It’s not often that we get to observe the chemistry of two newbies acting on-screen and experience the suspense sizzling our very impatient souls.
Fans are ecstatic for this show for one more reason: the character of Yoo Chan is played by the actor Kim Jun-myeon, who is more lovingly known by his stage name, Suho, in real life. Suho is a 27-year-old South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, and model from Seoul, South Korea. He’s a member and leader of the South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo and its sub-unit Exo-K, which warrants his identity as Suho EXO. Diligent viewers of the show have cited how the role of “rich man” perfectly suits Suho; it’s like he’s “not even acting” albeit the progression from acting ‘attempts’ to nuanced facial expressions and inflections is clearly evident over time. And it’s exciting to watch!
One more detail worth noting: Suho always pouts. And he has highly kissable lips. So, he exudes charisma on a virtually 24/7 basis, and in the show, since his character plays a genius CEO, he’s in constant charisma mode. So beware, collegiettes.
Here’s the transcript for the official trailer of the show:
0 or 1.
Either you don’t have anything or you have everything.
You, what side are you? One person, one dream, a day’s time.
With just one, you can change the world. The dream you all dream will change the world. At Next In, with me, we are looking for someone who will change the world. Someone who dreams, and that is… You.
Sign up now: Next In. NET
Talk about an active entrance!
Here are some quotes from the show to spark your curiosity:
Kim Bo Ra: If kneeling solves the problem, then I was going to do that! Why?
Lee Yoo Chan: I am the one who lied. You only did what I told you to do. It’s my fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. So why would you ask for forgiveness you idiot!
Kim Bo Ra: What?
Kim Bo Ra: Compliments do make a difference. Don’t you know that even a whale can dance when it receives a compliment (a Korean idiom)
Lee Yoo Chan: Have you ever seen a whale dance?
Kim Bo Ra: (flustered) I have seen it! Do you want me to show you? Try and give me any compliment!
Lee Yoo Chan: You are foolishly nice.
Kim Bo Ra: (performs lovely said whale dance)
Lee Yoo Chan: Now you know what kind of a person I am. Do you still like me?
Kim Bo Ra: Yes.
Lee Yoo Chan: Why?
Kim Bo Ra: Bunhong once mentioned that you like the colour of red. Why do you like it?
Lee Yoo Chan: Because it is red.
Kim Bo Ra: Same as me. Because you’re Lee Yoo Chan.
Third Wheel Character: I’m sure that you fell in love with me at that time.
Lee Yoo Chan: So what do you want me to do about it?
Third Wheel: Let’s date.
Lee Yoo Chan: Can’t I just pay for the food?
Third Wheel: Are you joking with me?
Lee Yoo Chan: But I’m really not joking.
Lee Yoo Chan: We did a great job today.
Kim Bo Ra: Did you come here just to say that?
Lee Yoo Chan: I suddenly remembered your scary grandmother’s face when she said “You need to treat our Bo Ra well” (proceeds to impersonate said grandmother, which amuses both leads)
So, whether you’re looking for another new show to distract yourself from your singleton status, searching for a well-structured K-drama to enjoy mid-February, or interested to see how the mystery of facial identity unfolds within the show described above, tune in to watch Rich Man, Poor Woman to experience entertainment in the best of ways this Valentine’s Day!