A KDRAMA

RECOMMENDATION

 

The most expensive thing in

the world is...

TRUST.

It can take years to earn

and just a matter of seconds to shatter.

 

It's been quite a while since I've done a book recommendation, so here we go. Except this time, I'm going to be recommeding something different (and if you're smart--which I know all of my readers are--you'll have noticed I'm recommending a kdrama this time instead of a book). For those not familiar with the terminology, kdrama stands for Korean drama. I don't generally recommend kdramas to many people because I know, for the most part, they are an acquired taste (they generally range from cheesy romances to extra super cheesy romances). But somehow they still manage to suck you in and you end up loving the cheese. 

 

As I've mentioned in the past, I used a lot of kdramas to help me start learning Korean. I've seen quite a few, so if you ever want a recommendation, let me know what kind of shows you like, and I may be able to find a kdrama to fit your preferences. Anyway, back to the recommendation. As I was saying, I don't normally recommend kdramas, but this one was just absolutely amazing! There's actually not a lot of romantic cheese to this one, actually I can only think of one small instance in the series that has an overtly "Oh, these characters are totes going to end up together" vibe. The name of the drama (I know you've been in utter suspense waiting for it) is Liar Game. Here's the promotional poster.

 

 

I'll try to give you a brief description of the drama without giving too much away. The main character of this drama is a girl named Nam Da-Jung who is extremely trusting and loyal. She is selected to participate in a TV show called Liar Game. The premise behind the show is that a number of contestants will compete in various challenges to win 10 billion won (the equivalent of roughly $10 million). Each challenge is essentially a battle of wits, and all the players are trying to decieve each other so they will end up with more money by the end of the round. The last man standing gets the 10 billion in prize money.

 

There are three very key players in this drama. The first is the afore mentioned Nam Da-Jung played by Kim So-Eun:

 

 

The second is who you might call her partner in crime, Cha Woo-Jin played by Lee Sang-Yoon:

 

And the third is the mysterious creator and host of the game itself, Kang Do-Young played by Shin Sung-Rok:

 

 

The reason I love this drama so much is because it doesn't focus entirely on the romantic side of things (like I mentioned before, it barely touches on it), and it focuses more on the psychological aspects. I'm also in love with the undertones of trust/distrust between not only close friends and family but of complete strangers. It delves into the multiple questions dealing with human behavior in regards to trust. Twists and turns are incorporated into every new challenge. Things almost never came out the way I expected them to. This drama did a very good job of throwing in the unexpected and leaving the viewer almost completely unaware of what might happen next. And then of course they throw in the characters' pasts and suddenly you have a whole new mess to try and figure out on top of the game. But that is what is so attractive about it. It's a puzzle you're trying to solve and when you think you've started to figure it out, something new is revealed and you find yourself no closer to solving the mystery than at the beginning of the show. I would venture to say it is the Korean equivalent of Sherlock in its complexity (especially since most kdramas don't pay attention as much to the minute details as this one does). It also leaves you agonizing for the next season (for those unaquainted with kdramas, very few of them have second seasons). So that's why you'll understand why I was both extremely frustrated that I was left with somewhat of a cliff hanger and also elated to find out that meant they HAD to have a second season. I'm more than thrilled to watch another season as long as the promise of a similar intensity level is satisfied in the second season. Dare I even hope for a third season?

 

*For anyone who wants to watch it, there are a few sites with English subtitles available. The best ones I've come across so far are dramafever.com and dramafire.com. Enjoy!!!

 

P.S. I would love to hear feedback from anyone who watches the drama or who has already seen it. I'd like to know your thoughts, theories, and also feel free to throw out other recommendations. I'm always on the lookout for new series :)