What Happened in Bali (2004)

I came across this drama because of So Ji Sub and Jo In Sung. They are my favorites, and when I found they did a drama together, I had to watch. Their acting in this was superb. I loved Jae Min's character despite he was your typical rich boy who ends up making all the worst choices and makes you yell at your screen because of how he acts. SJS's In Wook was also perfect. I rooted for him at the beginning. He was able to remain silent but express his emotions through his eyes and facial expressions. Their portrayal was great, as well as Ha Ji Won's. The only detail I didn't like about her, was that her character was SO indecisive and a cry baby. The acting was so convincing that you had to read through the lines to understand the feelings completely. And I loved guessing what was going on in the characters' minds.

The story was your usual drama story. People who end up caring for who they shouldn't, leading everyone to a twisted path. This drama was intricated from the start, and the writers put obstacles that I didn't find annoying most of the episodes. Rather, I got mad more than annoyed. This drama had me yelling at everyone who made a despicable thing as if they did it for real and this wasn't fiction, as if I was watching this right before my eyes in real life.

If you are looking for a drama that will make you smile and gush when your faves are having heart to heart conversations, this is not your drama. WHIB starts dark from the start, and gets more twisted along the way. There are no moments of relief, no jokes. It's a serious and tough drama and if you can bear with this, you should watch it because the acting is so so so worth more than the story itself.

The music was the only bad thing here. Few original pieces and a lot of songs from the period 2003/2004 were put in the background. Not enough and not a catchy OST.

Overall, I find this drama good but consuming. You must be in a good mood to bear with all the angst and rage of the characters or else you will be like me and yell at your screen (LOL). And without spoiling anything, you will need to be in an understanding mood to enjoy or either criticize the ending. I will say one thing about this. If you enjoy this drama and see the story and the characters in their complexion, the ending will make sense for you because at some point to me it seemed clear where all of this was headed. Anyway, don't be discouraged! Like I said, you should watch this drama mostly for the good acting.

Lire davantage

If it wasn't for the actors doing a good job of the material they were given, I would rate this a lot lower than I did.
WHIB isn't really that great. The characters seem to be making the same mistakes over and over again, they're obsessed with money, lust, power, greed and the cycle goes on and on.
By the end of the series I didn't feel an emotional impact probably because there wasn't much of a redeeming quality left for any of the main characters (maybe, just maybe Kang Wook) and because the story was dragged for far too long, with overdramatic flares.

The ending seemed fitting to be honest- i guess the "moral" of the story is that money truly can't buy you happiness and while you realize that, you still keep chasing it only to realize that again and still keep chasing it etc etc
There are tons of better dramas than this out there obviously, but if you ever feel the need to watch something overexaggerated and feel like truly killing time, then I guess that's the show to watch. I guess...

Lire davantage

"What happened in Bali" is a story that sticks with you for a long time after you finish watching it. It is highly gripping and haunting with some beautiful OST`s and a charismatic cast that performed their characters as if their lives depended on it. The first episode was kind of slow (still enjoyable) and the drama soon picked up from the second episode, every episode after that picked up the pace into different stages to reach one of the most shocking conclusions ever. Everything was leading up into a trainwreck becasue of all the decisions the maincharacters made in this drama.This is not a love-story per say, it is much darker than that. I could not look away.

Soo Jung is a orphan who tries to survive in a harsh world. She is the tour guide the other main-characers meets in Bali, and it changes everything. I loved how complex she was, how darn pitiful and how she made selfish decisions. It would have not worked out if it weren`t for how much heart the actresss portrayed into the character. She is streetsmart, knows when to take advantage and could be selfish when it came to her greed. But she was nice, grateful, strong. A bit lost sometimes, but she pulled it thorugh. That ending though...ah the ending.

Jae min was the real star in this drama. Omg, what a passionate, mad, and violent character. I totally loved him! Never a boring moment with him. The way he naturally fell in love with Soo Jung and wanted to do anything to keep her. He wanted her by his side. The way he would break down in front of her, begging for her affection. Just broke my heart. I love it when he does find the inner man inside of him, and wants nothing of life if it has not Soo jung in it. He slowly started to go insane after he lost her. Never realizing that she may have given him something she said she would never want to give him. That ending...oh lord.

Lire davantage

Wow. What an incredibly interesting find. I came to WHIB in a recent desire to see more of Jo In Sung and was pleasantly surprised overall. It will definitely show signs of age, but it didn't detract too much from the message. It was only occasionally that I cringed when a craptastic suit or hairstyle popped out.

This drama was an extremely emotional, elaborate, and lengthy train wreck - but in the BEST sense. You begin with characters in the midst of a somewhat complicated relationship, and each episode continually adds to a web of deceit, greed, jealousy, love, and obsession that binds the main characters together. Even though the love square was a big part of the plot, the drama really brings to light what people will or won't do to satisfy their greed and how that can affect their lives. I didn't love any one main character over another, and I think that that was intentional - they all made their share of poor choices. I really have to hand it to the actors of these characters. Well done.

WHIB was not without frustrations, though. A lot of the meaty parts of the plot center around corporate business. Jo In Sung, So Ji Sub, and several supporting characters all work (and scheme) there, and it becomes an easy vehicle for them to try to get revenge on each other. Some may find this interesting to watch. I don't. It got old quickly and made some of the later episodes a bit draggy.

I found the supporting cast to be a bitter but necessary thing. The main characters didn't just make their decisions for themselves - there often was a supporting cast member behind it all, which made me hate them a little (or a lot) for what they put the main characters through. I can't deny their importance, though.

I will not re-watch it fully (I may skim a bit to see the actors again), but I really don't need to. The message of the drama was powerful enough for me to be perfectly fine with one complete watch.

If you're looking for a drama that's heavy on darker themes, this would be a good one to start. The love square of the main characters and the corporate business are the biggest plot lines, but the real force of the drama is the greedy and selfish sides of being human.

Lire davantage

If you enjoy triangular love stories and specially the ones where the main leads get completely crazy about each others then you should definitely watch this drama !

When I watch new dramas I try to give it a fair chance - I watch around 5 episodes, and i was right to do it for this drama, as I didn't really like the first episodes... The music at the beginning was just horrible (no real main theme, some old stuff from 2003 radio etc.) but then it improved a lot! The story is quite typical, nothing exciting on this side, but it s this kind of good old script that we always enjoy.

I would say the most negative aspect of the drama was the main leads .... style. I don't know who was in charged of the clothes but they were quite awful (and it s not because it`s a relatively old show...I saw other dramas from 2003/2004 and they were better dressed...) Second thing was the music as I said before, even if they found later on a ''main theme'' that gets into your heart quite fast... and also the main leads cry, cry, cry....

But well, overall it's a good drama with good acting, attaching main leads (I was so sorry for the poor girl, it makes you cry with her). There are many touching scenes (almost no funny - make you smile scenes...) And well, the ending is unexpected as well.

Re-watch value is poor - but if you didn't yet see it, I would give it a try !

Lire davantage

GOD of acting Jo In Sung made pathetic weak not smart ML star of the show

This is really good drama, quite complex and amazing acting from greatest actor Jo In Sung, others were good too. many things are different from classic romance-melodramas, I mean it shows not fairy tale but reality and real characters.
though it should be shorter, I think 12-14 episodes would be good, because many situations are repetitive and even makes it boring in the middle - in the beginning story catches you, ending is bomb too, but most episodes are drugged, but you can't skip because there are many emotional scenes (though repetitive), so it would be much effective drama with interesting start, emotional development and bomb like (perfect) ending if it was shorter.

about Jo In Sung's character: this character would be absolutely unlikable if not acting of Jo In Sung - he wasn't bad guy we all like, wasn't good hero we all cheer, wasn't smart/badass/capable character we all admire, wasn't that kind dramaland classic CEO/rich guy who is attractive... he had nothing to like but Jo In Sung is real god of acting that made this pathetic weak not smart character star of the show....

SPOILERS about ending:
I like the tragic fact, it was perfect fit, Jo In Sung is amazing brilliant actor and I watched it because of him... BUT the whole drama build up natural chemistry between FL and SML, it was obvious that she loved him, though we could feel very sorry for ML (Jo In Sung) it was understandable why she fall in love for second guy. ML really loved her, had everything to give her... but somehow he was misfortunate and it's realistic when some people want to do right thing but their actions become opposite, so she fall for SML not ML...
Also ML's obsession and what he does in the end is understandable and great ending...
I just don't understand last dialogue between FL and SML... after everything she is in good place, with man she wanted, without problems, and all of a sudden she understands that she isn't happy with him and loves other guy? WTF? I can understand if she loved both, maybe more SML (it was obvious from her actions and expressions through all story) but in some way she fall for ML too, loving 2 men same time is rare in movies and maybe never was in kdramas but it's quite realistic and I would like if any drama has courage to show that... But even if she understood that loves/feels sorry for other guy too, it couldn't make her unhappy with the man she loved so long and wanting to leave him (and goo again in same repetitive, hard , impossible situation where she suffered so long) ...

p.s. she was ice cold to ML all the time he loved her like crazy and then says "I love you" when was killed by him in another man's bed? .....

Lire davantage

MOST TRAGIC MELO-KDRAMA

I gave an overall rating of 10/10 for this series because of its different but realistic storyline and great acting performance from the leads which are perfectly casted. This is one of the first Kdramas I watched when I was a kid (12 y/o) which is broadcasted here in the Philippines as Memories in Bali. I may not remember the scenes but the story and characters were still in my memory.

During this Covid 19 pandemic lockdown, I decided to rewatch some of the old KDramas incuding this classic masterpiece. This time, it brings so much pain and attachment especially to Jung Jae min which was played by Jo In Sung. I admired this drama before because of its plot but now I love this even more because of Jo In Sung. For the first time in my watching experience, I have never been this attached and almost cried while seeing the lead actor suffers and cries from his circumstances.

The OST is just so perfect. It blends well with the scenes especially with the heavy ones.

The acting was great from the leads to the supporting. Jo In Sung and Ha Ji Won deserves to win awards from the prestigious Baeksang Awards.

20 episodes doesn't feel like it is a long watch. I believe there was no boring scenes. Although this is a heavy drama, there are some funny moments especially when Jung Jae Min shows his clumsiness and somehow innocence about shallow happiness in life. I would watch this again maybe after a very long time so I can preserve this overwhelming feeling after I watch this.

And lastly, I must agree to one of the comments and reviews that this is the saddest KDrama because the leads were never genuinely happy. As an audience, I want them to be happy. The ending may be tragic and sad but it is realistic.

Lire davantage

Characterization

I was 13 years old when this drama aired on TV, and I was immediately drawn in by the title, "Bali." Being from Indonesia, the setting made me a bit biased.

At the time, I found the drama incredibly addictive, although I couldn't quite pinpoint why. Perhaps it was because In-sung's character looked so good in his outfits.

Now, 20 years later, I wonder how much I've changed and whether I've grown. I recently binged the series in one sitting.

From the start, the characters' backgrounds grounded the story. Each one has a distinct history that shapes their actions and decisions.

Jae-min is your typical rich brat, having everything handed to him. With his looks and influence, his character is somewhat predictable. However, the audience gets an omnipresent view of him; we can see how he trembles and wears a smug smile whenever Soo-jung interacts with him.

They also give us insight into his immaturity, shaped by his parents' parenting style.

We also understand why In-wook is drawn to Soo-jung—she reminds him of his mother and her struggles. Similarly, beneath Yeong-joo's cold, arrogant exterior, we see the vulnerabilities that shake her.

From an outsider's perspective, those not involved in their drama might label Soo-jung as a gold digger or Jae-min as a heartbreaker. They might even see In-wook as a scheming fraud. Yet, the audience understands how the words and actions of supporting characters influence the main characters' decisions.

I find this drama excels in characterization. I've encountered people like the four main characters in real life, but I've never had the chance to view their perspectives from such an omnipresent angle as the drama provides.

While other dramas may do a better job in certain aspects, "What Happened in Bali" holds a special place in my heart.

I wonder if In Wok and Jae Min would have a ship if they air this 20 years later? Their obsession to each other is unhealthy lol

Lire davantage

I’m very shocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What’s this ending?!!!!! Why ?!!!!! How!!!!!!!!

20 episodes I’ve been watched and I never expect this coming!!!!!!

Seriously I thought it’ll be sad end of the story but not like this!!!!!

Are you kidding me? From the beginning it was complicated Love triangle…

Then I wasn’t sure who loves whom!!! Why whyyyyy!!

! Drama like this I can tell it’s very much dramatic . . Full of beatiful love .


Story : 9.5/10 Because of unexpected ending .

Acting cast : 10/10

Music : 7/10

Rewatch : 7/10


I cried a lot while watching Jo In Sung’ tears ??? ?

At the end I’m not going to watch any drama more .

I need Couple days to heal my soul ?_?????

*Still Shocked *

Lire davantage

Paixão, Ambição e Corações em Jogo

What Happened in Bali (2004), da SBS, é um dorama que mistura romance, suspense e tragédia de forma intensa e cativante. A trama gira em torno de quatro personagens cujas vidas se entrelaçam em Bali, uma ilha paradisíaca que acaba se tornando o palco de suas lutas internas e externas. Na busca por amor, felicidade e realização, os personagens se envolvem em um triângulo amoroso repleto de traições, obsessões e ambições pessoais, levando a um desfecho chocante e inesquecível.

O grande mérito deste dorama está na sua habilidade de criar personagens moralmente ambíguos, cujas decisões impulsivas e falhas os tornam surpreendentemente humanos. O romance aqui é cru e realista, muitas vezes doloroso, refletindo o lado mais sombrio das emoções humanas. O cenário exótico de Bali serve como um contraste marcante com o turbilhão emocional que se desenrola, e a tensão cresce a cada episódio, culminando em um final que deixou uma marca profunda nos fãs.

What Happened in Bali é, sem dúvida, um dos doramas mais impactantes de 2004, e sua mistura de drama psicológico com romance devastador o tornou um marco na televisão coreana. Mesmo anos após sua exibição, é lembrado por sua abordagem ousada e não convencional, elevando-o ao status de clássico cult.

Lire davantage