Currently Watching: Pride and Prejudice

Currently Watching

Pride and Prejudice

The title alone is tempting enough for me. Despite having no actual relationship to the events and characters of Jane Austen's novel, the drama tackles the same conflicts; in the most beautiful way. How Pride, and Prejudice, rule our world, and how we watch ourselves get ruled with a smile –well, not everyone.- Elizabeth there and our heroes here.

When the drama started promoting, I already had a lot on my plate, but I decided to watch it for three reasons; 1 - the title, 2 - Choi Min Soo and Choi Jin Hyuk. 3 - Well, more for Choi Min Soo actually. If you have never watched Choi Min Soo before, I am not sure you would fall for him here the way I fell for him watching Sandglass, Road Number One and Warrior Baek Dong Soo. He's absolutely one of the most awe-inspiring genius actors out there. I bow in respect. Choi Jin Hyuk; on the other hand, is probably the reason why many people have started the drama. Can't blame any. Though when I watched him first in It's Ok Daddy's Girl and Panda and Hedgehog, I couldn’t like him one bit. He was stunningly good looking but something about him didn't get to me. So I was annoyed as I started The Heirs and found him there, but my heart melted and I fell ''slightly'' in love. The complete fall happened when I watched Gu Family Book and he officially became one of my favourite actors. Anyhow let me stop my biography and start talking about the story.

The drama takes place in the prosecution branch of Incheon. Don't freak out hearing it's legal. Well I did, honestly, before I started this. I've had enough of dramas that stuff you with specialized terms and information, you know nothing about and not interested in. But here that's not the case. They do discuss many legal things; they do prosecute. The drama is well-written but in a simple, clear and to-the-point manner; even if you know nothing about prosecution –like me-. If you have never watched a legal drama, this would be a great start.

So the drama traces the prosecution team's battles with criminals, suspects, society's prejudice, and (more disappointingly painful) with their superiors and the higher powers. The cases the drama presents are all related to the main case in the story in a beautifully well-written way that never loses focus or gets you lost. As the events get entangled, more and more gets revealed, you find out that everyone is related to everyone and the main case. But not in what-the-heck-did-you-get-that-connection-from way but in a way that would leave you open-mouthed, wondering how you didn't figure it out yet.

Let's get to know our heroes and more about the story.

This type of male lead rarely appears in Korean dramas –that are not tvN's- and I am so grateful for him. Koo Dong Chi (Choi Jin Hyuk) is a prosecutor in his early thirties. He's blunt in expressing what he believes right. He's honest and upright and he talks back to power. He's fearless when it comes to his own safety but caring and protective of his team members. He's never intimated or threatened. 

What differentiates his character the most from OTHER male leads is his romantic self. He never pressures the girl he loves, scares her, hurts her or gives her a hard time. He's always there for her, yes. But he never asks her to be there for him. His sense of humour is so adorable. His spontaneous actions which leave her and us speechless, cannot but make her like him. But he never demands an answer. He gives her all the time and space she'd need, and patiently watch over her. Absolutely one of the best male leads out there. 

His bromance with Kang Soo (Lee Tae Hwan) is another lovely thing. We'll talk about it when we talk about Kang Soo more.

The daily heated arguments between him and his chief Moon Hee Man (Choi Min Soo) are worth watching on their own. I would watch them verbally fighting all day I swear.

Our female lead is Han Yeol Moo (Baek Jin Hee). First of all, please don't judge her early in the drama. Her life story is so terrible that even if she bitches around and gives Dong Chi a hard time, don't blame her. Give her more time guys.

So Han Yeol Moo is a trainee prosecutor who took the exam to find out the secrets behind her younger brother's death fifteen years ago. She has been blaming herself for all what happened to her family for all those years. She doesn't know how to live, smile or feel happy. She carries her family as her cross and walks around not knowing how to manage it or let it fall. She aims for the truth no matter what the price or the consequences are. She's a bit childish and impatient. She passes judgments quickly and acts upon her first impressions –well that improves with time. To get to the bottom of the truth, there's nothing she won't do.

Moon Hee Man (Choi Min Soo) is the character you never figure out. He's the chief prosecutor in Incheon branch. He's bossy, demanding, stubborn and mysterious. Under the pressure of his superiors and their power game, the pressure of his team members and their drive, ambition and expectations, and the pressure of his own conscience and ambition; he always finds himself on a rocky road. He carries many secrets, and a deep scar of the past keeps bleeding and never heals. Between his old self that he wants to forget which Koo Dong Chi keeps reminding him of, and the conflicted present self; Chief Moon lives in pressure. You can never label him or predict his actions. He's the most interesting character in the story. The way he talks is so adorable –though it might get on some people's nerves. Koo Dong Chi and Ju Gwang Mi (we'll come to her) imitating him is the funniest part in the drama.

Now to the eye candy. Take a breath guys. Kang Soo (Lee Tae Hwan) is a new detective and Dong Chi's partner. He's his close dongsaeng and they live in the same boarding house. He had a bad experience as a child which changed his entire life. He's caring and honest but a bit shy and hesitant. His attachment to Koo Song Chi never lessens even with the love triangle.

Watching his intensive acting, his crying scenes AND his shower scenes are worth watching the whole drama for. He's just so beautiful to look at and he is talented. You might have watched the actor in High School King of Savvy. Well, it was a good introduction; more sweet than good to be precise. But here he's actually acting; admirably. For such a young person and with not much experience, he's doing great. I believe it was a brave decision to place him in such an important role and I believe it's paying off.

Now comes the fun couple; Lee Jang Won (Choi Woo Shik) and Ju Gwang Mi (Jeong Hye Seong). Lee Jang Won is a talented but careless prosecutor. The only thing that occupies his mind is leaving early to meet girls. His superiors give him a hard time because of that, but he always has new methods up his sleeve. If you have watched him in Rooftop Prince or Fated to Love You and fell for his spirit –like I did- then his role here would satisfy your appetite. His partner; Gwang Mi is a woman of few words. She sticks to the rules and doesn't approve of his behaviours. If you watched her in Glorious Day and hated her guts, give her some time here before you ''prosecute'' her; she'd prove adorable.

All the characters are important, oh my god!! I'm going to briefly mention the rest.

Jeong Chang Gi (Song Chang Min) is a character you have to unfold yourself. If I tell you anything about him, I'll ruin it for you. He's so unexpected he'll never be dull. Just don't judge the guy - I'm warning you again; this is what the drama is all about anyway.

Prosecutor Yoo Dae Gi (Jang Hang Sun) is a veteran prosecutor. I can't figure him out as well. In some moments I feel like he's the best person out there, but sometimes he lets out suspicious stares and moves that confuse me.

Baek Geum Ok (Baek Su Ryeon) is the grandmother who takes care of the boarding house and almost everyone in the story. I completely love her.

Chan (Kim Kang Hoon); the kid with the painful story; is the reason behind my tears so far.

Pride and Prejudice has everything that a perfect drama should have. It never strays from the main story but at the same time never pressures you with it. The romance is always in the air, but in a way that makes you feel that that's how it's supposed to be. The acting is so real; I don't know how they resume their lives afterwards. The issues, crimes, scars, memories and traumas are so painful but so personal that they knock on the wall of your heart begging you to share their misery. It's just one of the best.