The Bridal Mask (2012)

Do you know that moment when you expect something amazing because the premise sounds good, the historical period is rarely touched, there's a pressumed amazing cast, amazing costumes, a story pretty much Asian Zorro/Robin Hood themed and then, when you start it and as further and futher in you go, you just realize everything is crumbling right before your eyes? That is exactly what I feel about this drama.

Storywise, it started off intriguing, no use denying it. In the adverse setting of the Korean Annexation to Japan, there's a Korean man working for the Japanese police force, against all odds, a Japanese man that wished to be a teacher for the Koreans, a Korean woman that tried to do everything in her powers to make a difference and, finally, Bridal Mask, the supposed-central image of the rebellion. I was excited, I was pumped up for what there was to come...then episodes 3-5 came, which quickly managed to shatter the show's own originality and any type of logical sense and consistency of the characters with it. The plot turned sloppy, full of plot holes, full of plot conveniences, only for two main reasons: fanservice and melodrama. Characters kept being forced to turn conveniently stupid and conveniently "intelligent" (sometimes there was no way for a character to connect one event with another, they just randomly did) to keep the plot dragging or moving depending of the situation; some other characters had no point whatsoever and were there just for the sole purpose of pretending the plot was more complex than what it really is (or just be decoration to distract us fangirls... Yes, I'm looking at you, Katsuyama), only so these so-said characters to either get completely forgotten or ignored, in the end, when it was more convenient, or just simply remain decoration. Main characters even forgot things they were supposed to know only for the "omg, I'm so shocked" moments later on, where I seriously started questioning if they were being serious or came to hope that I was wrong and remembered things wrong...Well, nope. Unfortunately, I wasn't wrong. The plot also likes to go in circle a lot, all revolved around the capturing and releasing of ONE single character and that goes on for the first 10 or so episodes continously or them just pretending to do something, going back and forth different locations, when in the end it rarely even matters. Also, the characters are rarely careful, even Bridal Mask himself; I still question how the rebellion managed to go on through 28 episodes without being destroyed by their superficiality (going in and out of a secret camp without any control, bringing inside the camp whoever without any control, Bridal Mask revealing his identity to people without thinking if that person can by any chance turn into a traitor etc.). The lack of details is horrible as well and the sense of time and space felt simply broken. I feel justified to say that Bridal Mask's plot has turned into a running gag by the end.

Talking about the main characters, I remotely liked them for the first few episodes, then their personalities started to get twisted and contorted for some reasons that I did not see. Usually, when there's a plot twist, a character takes a certain decision or reacts in a certain way, the questions that I first ask myself while watching are: who? why? how?. In Bridal Mask, I barely managed to answer one of those questions to make all three have some type of cohesive logic, unless I was either generally biased and ignored the parts that didn't fit or assumed things that I had no reason to believe. Starting with Kang To's detective skills going up and down and his general insensitivity to the death of two people that the drama wanted to make us believe he was close with, continuing with Shunji presumably "confused" (to me he was simply one of the worst written characters I have ever seen in a media), Mok Dan's conversion to damsel in distress with the sole main purpose of writing 100 Ways On How To Get Captured guide for future damsels in distress (forgive my sarcasm, but try to understand) and ending with the rest of the side characters which were completely one-dimensional (safe from maybe Rara, but she has as many issues as Kang To and Mok Dan have combined, even though she's more likeable than Mok Dan). The number of characters, that besides being one-dimensional were at least consistent,even though also conveniently stupid/ignorant/cheesy/decoration, can be counted on the fingers of one hand: Abe, Goiso, Katsuyama, Konno, and they had almost to none development, but maybe that was good, I'm scared that if they had any, Goiso would have ended up turning into a monk and Abe into a serial killer.

The show also had romance, something inbetween a love triangle and a love square, but I'm not really certain that I can consider it as such. I was hyped up by what was supposed to be the main pairing, but then that died and got burried when I realized that it was all false. Mok Dan only loved Bridal Mask because he was Bridal Mask, stubbornly clinging to the ideal of "prince charming on white horse that would bring justice";, combined with the fantasms of her own past. Something was definitely missing. Genuinity. Not Mok Dan and none of the people involved in the romance had genuine feelings, but just loved an image from their past that they remembered, or an ideal, or both, but not what they saw in the present. It was too much fanservice. They ignored the present and avoided at all costs to make questions, as well as refused to develop. As for the side romances, most of them had as little essence as the main romance, but I give credits to Katsuyama and Rara's relationship, as the only one that I cared for in the end.

Acting wise, you might have noted how I didn't give it a high rating either. This is not me hating on everything related to this drama, it's the truth that I only remotely liked Joo Won (Kang To), Han Chae Ah (Rara) and Shin Hyun Joon's (Kang San) acting. As for the rest of the cast, they were completely forgettable, even though I recognize Park Ki Woong (Shunji) and Jin Se Yeon (Mok Dan) for some moments of brillance. It might not have even been their fault, their characters were just bad and they had to somehow make it look legit, but it was impossible even for them. Nice try though. I have to also condemn some of the acting and scenography/make-up work when it came to the torture scenes and after effects. They were cringily bad: the whip looked broken (clothes didn't rip, whipping wounds appeared in places they weren't even hit on,only to change position when the scene changed again), they generally still looked way too pretty and clean for having been tortured the way the drama suggests (unless they were unimportant characters that didn't have to look pretty and surprisingly, those made it look actually more realistic in reactions too), wounds randomly disappeared ( ex. Mok Dan's naked back was flawless despite her clothes being full of blood), the nail cage looked as light as a feather and the burning iron only left out steam and nothing else. Bombing, stabbing, blood and shooting effects were also cringely bad, almost looked done by an amateur. Another thing I have to give credit for, though, is that Kinpei and Katsuyama actually had some very good martial and swordmanship skills, they almost looked professional.

The OST gets the highest rating for me. There's more diversity than what I heard in any Korean drama I have watched and all tracks are fairly beautiful; if it's one thing I'll remember of Bridal Mask, it will be the Bridal mask theme. Definitely.

Overall, Bridal Mask is inbetween a Horrible and Very Bad Show, but not really categorizing in any of the two grades. So that's why 2,5. I realize how my opinion won't be in the least popular considering Bridal Mask's positive ratings, but I can just theorize that the show simply managed to trick most number of people into believing that it's something more than just a mess, or you probably just liked to assume what it could have been, while the drama plays heavily ambiguous and doesn't give you a "yes" and neither a "no". I am aware of what Bridal mask was supposed to be, I can assume it as well as anybody else, but as I said above, I, personally, have not enough of a reason or proof to reach that assumed conclusion, unless I covered my eyes and pretended that everything that I really saw was a lie. And that's impossible, since I just continued it in order to see what level of bad it could have reached and it was entertaining to point out the sins till the last 6 or so episodes when I started to hope it would just finally END.

Lire davantage

What can i say about this wonderful drama that hasn't already been said, i usually only write reviews about a drama that stays in my heart and are meaningful that's why i decided to write a review about this drama.

This story of this drama really got to me and i was surprised at how beautiful this drama is, the story was so real and so raw that i felt the whole thing is real. The writers are genius the directer is amazing how they put the whole thing together is just wonderful how can story so tragic be so beautiful?

The acting of this drama blew me away although i knew joo wan from other dramas, and i did have high hopes from him i knew he would be good, but i didn't think he would be this good i was amazed by his acting skills. although all the actors did well, joo wan was one of the best his emotions and talent is irreplaceable.i also give of credit to Chae Ah i loved her acting and she expressed so much emotion and depth to the character, i was amazed by her wonderful acting as well. as well as all the actors that made this drama possible although i wasn't to fawned of the main actress, as her character developed her acting didn't change and i think that's what made her my least favorite of the main characters.


To sum it up this drama was vary intense and i usually go for dramas like this, but not a lot of dramas/actors can pull of such beautiful yet sad story like this one. its a drama that i will remember for a long time because it is a drama that has a special place in my heart.
i hope that everyone can appreciate this drama like i did. if you haven't seen it you are truly missing out on a beautiful drama.

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Like a favorite book this is one of those stories that stays with you long after it's finished. Its a story so vivid, you forget that these are fictional characters. It's a story you start miss as soon as it is over and keep looking for information, analysis, recaps or anything else that keeps you connected to it and it's character a little bit longer.

This show is greater that the sum of it's individual parts. Despite it's many flaws in logic and writing at times, once you diluted it you were left with story gold. This was an intense, well told/acted/directed/staged, etc. story. It was well worth the time spent watching it.

I learned so much in the form of Korean/Japanese history that I did not expect to learn when I first started this show. I feel grateful for the introduction into these tough and certainly painful parts of world history. Learning about comfort women and their plight has been quite eye opening.

This show left me with a better educated and thoroughly entertained mind.

If you happen to read this review while wondering whether to watch this story or not, I would say: DO IT!, but be aware of it's intensity, complexities and context. It does not pull punches and it really takes you through the ringer, but it will most certainly earn, deserve and be worth your time.

Lire davantage

I have nothing to say. I am overwhelmed by this drama. The ending made cry. THIS is the best thing I have ever watched. The concept,the acting, the nail-bitting suspence, over the top action sequence,the rivalry,  the emotion, the chemistry between the three main characters, the devilish acting of the villain, the cinematography, the fictional story, the..........................................I can go all day, all night saying about this drama but it may not be enough. This should be the best drama ever created. I have watched many drama including asian and netflix series. No drama touched my heart this much. The torture  scene were acted like the victims are really being tortured. The acting of each character was beyond oscar worthy. And the main characters : Sato Hiroshi and Kimora: the chemistry between them, the rivalry, the bromance turned revenge was the main attraction of the show. I know this is one of the most popular Korean drama but I think its still underrated.
Lastly, IF U HAVEN'T WATCHED THIS DRAMA SHAME ON U, GO WATCH THIS U DONT KNOW WHAT UR MISSING.

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Bridal Mask/Gaksital...the only way I can describe this drama is that its a complete package. It has everything in it to make you want to watch it and never stop watching. You'll be waiting for the end to see how it goes but you will never want it to end. It is absolutely breathtaking in its storyline, acting, music, characters, set design, direction and every other aspect of film making that you would expect from a truly brilliant drama. It is mainly a action hero drama but has a bit of romance too mixed with friendship, betrayal, patriotism,etc.

I have felt so many emotions while watching this 28 episode drama that i cant even begin to explain. Hate, anger, frustration, happiness, sympathy are just a few of the feelings that went through me. I was so into the drama that most of the time I was yelling at the screen.

The actors are absolutely brilliant in the roles they portray. Every actor however minor the role may be has succeeded in acting it out in an absolutely realistic manner. What i love about the characters is that they aren't black or white. Nearly all the characters are shades of grey. You will either love them or absolutely hate them, even the main lead is not the ideal hero. The story is amazing but i guess most of the credit goes to the manhwa writer Huh Young-Man for creating such amazing characters and story.

I highly recommend this drama to everyone even if you'll aren't fans of action drama because this drama is truly worth your time.

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I watched Bridal Mask in three days and now I totally understand why everyone told me: Watch Bridal Mask!^^

Story
+ The story is really good and I loved the realtionships between the characters and the development of the story
+ Although I don't really like the ending, I admit it's one of the best endings I've ever seen (also there will be no problems with understanding what happened in the end^^)
- I sat in front of my computer for hours crying T__T (so if you cry easily prepare some tissues)

Acting/Cast
+ Amazing acting skills. I liked watching every single person in this drama, since everyone's acting was really good (didn't matter who it was)
- The chemistry between the main leads was good...not amazing, since sometimes it was actually quite off, but that's not the fault of the acting but of the script (sorry writers)

Music
The music is really touching and also really likable...why it is only 9 points? Because I actually only remember one song...(and I watched the drama a week ago)

Rewatch:
Definitely not until the end of this year! The Bridal Mask is like a rollercoaster for my feelings and I doubt it will change even if I know what will happen...

OVERALL
I always wondered if Bridal Mask was really that good to get #3 at MDL. Well, it is definitely good and I think it's definitely worth a try (to watch it)^^

Note: If you have problems between differentiating some actors/ actresses you should leave Bridal Mask for later :) (In the beginning I had problems because of this T__T)

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This drama has exceptionally enacted the oppressive nature of those colonizers and how one lone hero could give hope to those oppressed people (maybe like Zoro? kidding... ^_^)

Bridal Mask is a beautiful depiction of the time during the colonization period. This drama is a compelling story of love, brotherhood, patriotism and vengeance filled with action, suspense and drama. It has intense emotions of love, hate, anger and revenge. The plot has a lot of twist and turns so a lot of surprises are in stored in it. It has a wonderful transition of characters from good to evil otherwise from evil to good. It also has strong and enthralling characters with excellent and believable acting skills. One can actually feel the anger, fear, sadness, hatred and bitterness they are trying to portray. Though I feel that there is a little bit lack of chemistry between the main leads, lee kangto and oh mok dan, because of some awkward moments but it was compensated by the dialogue and interactions between the two male leads which were superbly done. My favourite part in this drama was when Lee Kangto was singing (he has surprisingly good voice and looked hot ^_^ ) and the mind games between Lee Kangto and Kimura Shunji. The battle of the wits between these two characters is what makes this drama so exciting and keeps you at the edge of your seat. The fighting scenes were also good and well directed. A lot of lessons can be learned from this drama. Overall, the drama is one of the most memorable drama I’ve ever watched.

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I went into this with high hopes. The summary, ratings and reviews all seemed to indicate that this would be a most epic drama experience... It. Was. Not. Don't be fooled by the hype like I was.

Let's start with the good:

The concept of the story was really good. There aren't that many dramas that deal with this fairly recent period of Korean history so I was interested to see how the material would be handled. Plus, everyone loves a hero with a cause.

Joo Won in a suit, preferably when he was walking away. Why? Because I'm a perv and he wore the heck out of those suits, that's why.

The first 10 or so episodes of the series laid the groundwork for a truly epic story. I couldn't stop watching those and finished them pretty quickly.

The rest:

Setting and plot:

If you're thinking about watching this drama to experience how Koreans lived and coped with the Japanese occupation, don't waste your time on this drama. The period/setting of is a backdrop to an overdone and poorly developed and relatively flat love "triangle" or square, depending on how you look at it. Very little is actually dedicated to what the occupation was really like for the average Korean but interestingly, you got a pretty clear idea what the rich got from selling their country.

The imbalance in the presentation actually detracted from the overall story since much of the story's conflict and resolution revolves around liberation from Japanese oppression. Don't get me wrong, the issues of comfort women, taxes, introduction of Shinto temples, name changes, etc. are introduced but few of them are really explored in a way that would make anyone really understand why the liberators absolutely had to fight to get their country and culture back.

Writing:

The writing overall was really sub-par. In addition to the glazing over of critical story points, a *great* portion of the drama is spent on the recurrence of a single conflict. If you thought the poisonings in Faith were bad, ladies and gents, you don't want to know who Oh Mok Dan is. In the interest of not posting spoilers, that's all I'll write. Don't say you weren't warned though.

Acting:

I've read quite a few reviews and comments that the acting is exceptional. Maybe it is and the actors were just working within the constraints of poorly-developed characters. I'll concede to that premise. However, the result for the viewer is still bad acting. I lost track of the screams of frustration, smirks and the scrunched up faces with no tears or one tear from one eye instead of real crying.

Overall:

I really wanted to love this show. However, there were just too many things about it that I really hated and the longer I watched, the more I hated it. I was so unsettled by my hatred of it that I waited a day or two before I wrote this review. Thinking about how bad it was is making me angry again that I wasted my time on it. The writers had 28 episodes to fully develop all the characters, conflicts and goals and the first part of the show set them up well to do that but they chose not to. Instead, they hyper-focused on a single conflict and left too many points underdeveloped or unexplored. It was irritating to say the least.

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