City Hunter: The Climax We Loved

Unexpectedly, for a short while, I got a life. Therefore, updates, posts, and reviews took a backseat. Happily, the flipside of getting a life is that it enables you to gather loads of fodder for future posts. Many life-altering incidents happened – an impromptu trip to Paris, culmination of City Hunter, discovering another gem by Murakami, switch from French to Korean classes, and some other such brilliance. However, we shall start with the end, and talk about City Hunter today.

After a long time, I have watched a drama that left me satisfied. The K-hunger has been substantially satiated after my heart almost stopped beating for a few minutes in the last episode, and also in the second last. It is not only because of the ever-cute Lee Min Ho, (who by the way is now officially dating the lead actress from City Hunter, Park Min Young, fondly known as Nana Bear, thanks to Javanbeans) but also because of sleekness of the show. The music, the shots, and the story’s twists were pretty suave.

The first episode had left my mind fully blown, and though I thought that third episode took a dip, it quickly picked up my interest again. For one, the show struck impeccable balance between the drama, romance, and anticipation. The characters are few, but mostly strongly etched. Almost always, every scene had a purpose, and yet, it was hard to predict what happened next.

The best part about the show was that there was no “Eight Years Later” in the last 20 minutes of the final episode. Also, no one fled to a foreign land to nurse their broken heart; two of my biggest pet peeves in K-dramas.

Maybe I am blinded by the hotness, but Lee Min Ho seems to mature as an actor with every passing drama, and I found myself looking forward to solo scenes of Park Min Young too, so she is pretty engaging as an actor. Also, Lee Jun Hyuk as the second lead (?) and the third angle of the romantic triangle was like a breeze. He had character and principles; he wasn’t just another guy to begin with. Also, the way they wrapped up his story was magnificent. Although, we do not like deaths, but when shown so convincingly, it was almost glorious.

Of course, Kim Sang Jung is the real gray character of the series, with shades of evilness, ruthlessness, and yet, inspiring sympathy once in a while. Gratefully, no one was wicked just for the sake of it; either they hungered for power, or for money, but they all had a clear motive behind their acts. Of course, all this makes for a strong plot.

I also liked the way they subtly wrapped up the Cheon Ho Jin’s angle. No dramatic scenes of hugging the son whose existence you were unaware of until ten minutes back, no weeping and wailing over the long-lost true love. Thumbs up for that.

All in all, a great show. Maybe even my most favorite so far.

Remaking Shitī Hantā

For the first time ever, I have started following a Korean television show as it is being aired. What this means is that I cannot OD on it, while it stays with me all week. Gosh, it is almost cruel.

I have been hearing of City Hunter for a while now; it was probably one of the most anticipated dramas of this year. Besides the fact that it stars insanely hot Lee Min Ho, it being based on the popular Japanese manga by the same name also added to the eagerness of the fan community.

I picked up the first episode to kill time, with no plans to go through the complete show until it was completed. However, the fast pace, crisp storytelling and mind-blowing cinematography melted my resolve and I jumped on the City Hunter wagon!

The first episode opens in 1983 Burma and sets the premise of the show calling for a cold blooded revenge, lots of action, and of course, suspense. The guy swearing the revenge is hardcore invincible special agent, but he gives way the next generation, who is equally devoted to the cause, but has compassion, vulnerability, and curiosity. What caught my interest (besides the suave Lee Min Ho) was extreme characterization of the main characters, and pacing of the drama.

Despite being addicted to Korean television, I have always found the dramas extremely slow. Not, City Hunter. The story is captivating, cast well-chosen, and filming gorgeous. Be it the shots of the wild Golden Triangle (shot in Thailand), or Seoul, the director Jin Hyeok ensures slickness.

The tone changes substantially with the second episode, but it matches the expectations set by the first. Second episode is frothier, but the script ensures that it does not degrade into a soppy romance.

Actor Kim Sang-Jung performs his bitter and ruthless character well and convinces us to see him as a gray character. You cannot love or hate him, but you always know where he is coming from.

Lee Min Ho does a fantastic job in the first episode as a carefree and emotional 17-year old who transforms into a polished twenty-something with a hidden identity and secret agenda by the end of the episode.

Park Min-Young is a like a breath of fresh air, bubbly, smooth, and yet, emotive. I am a little tired of seeing haphazard cluelessness in the leading girls of the dramas. It is either that or innocent pride and haughtiness. Park Min-Young is refreshing, and I am seriously hoping she stays that way.

Besides these three, the other actors too do their job well. At least for the first two episodes, I cannot complain of any clichéd dialogues and boring characters or clumsy actors.

With the plot thickening in the second episode, I am really looking forward to unravel how the Big Five come down. While this revenge drama may not turn out to be a Kill Bill, my appetite for a well-directed, zippy revenge can never be satiated.