The Musical: Finally draws its curtain
THE MUSICAL recap has been put on hold long enough. So before any of the current series drown me completely, I better finish what I’ve started.
I gotta say, what I expected for this series didn’t happen. It went on a different direction. As any of the dramas out there, this series didn’t get away without flaws. But I really enjoyed watching Yoo Jin with Eun Bi and AD Jang became a memorable character thanks to Ra Kyung. That said, I can leave this series with great scenes to cherish.
A SUMMARY:
Jae Yi has put himself up as the sacrificial lamb as Gu Jak and his production finally comes to an end. There’s already so much trouble happening in each of the leads life and drama decided to put another log into the fire. I thought I was in for another possible OTP, that of Sung Ha and Jae Yi. But then again, Eun Bi just needed the right push for her to realize her love for Jae Yi. Yes, with regard to Eun Bi’s road towards her heart, she literally has to be sick to finally make up her mind.
Eun Bi and Jae Yi haven’t seen each other for such a long time. I guess distance made their hearts yearn for each other. As much as Jae Yi was being pampered by Sung Ha like a pretend wife, he can’t bring himself to like her since for him, there’s no one else but Eun Bi.
When it comes to the Count Monti versus Gumiho, the former has been advertised all over the city and was already prepared for its opening. Everyone was rehearsing, even Eun Bi as she decided to be Kang Hee’s double. But then the production of Gumiho was brought back. Kang Hee thought that she had Eun Bi on her side already. However she was surprised when Eun Bi auditioned together with the Gumiho team. Even though she tried to block the production, Yoo Jin managed to pull it back up, to Kang Hee’s disappointment. But this woman can’t stop at nothing, he used the Chairman for her Plan B.
Jin was in turn ousted in his office since his Grandfather decided to assign him to a different project. Good thing Jin is smart, so smart that he made sure the Gumiho production won’t be under his cousin’s nose. I love that bad guys don’t win here. Though his cousin sensed the break up of Jin and Ra Kyung, atleast he didn’t cause much damage than I expected of him.
The Gumiho production is a great way of toning down Kang Hee. I was actually a bit sad for her character since she ended up the weakest. She lost her vigor towards the end though it humbled her in a way. She didn’t gain back Jae Yi’s love and had to put her career on hold. It was a relief that she found out that it was Eun Bi who was giving her the milk all these time. Though, I didn’t expect her character would end this way. You know, she lost her voice, the very best thing in her life. I guess, she had to realize that her talent is not the be all and end all of her life. Atleast she can now focus on her husband, and appreciate him more.
Jin, IMO, is the lead guy here. Choi was a bit downplayed. *sigh* Anyhow, Yoo Jin and his mother is one of the best thing about this series. I love that he was able to spend time with his mother and that she remembered him before it was too late. It was really a touching moment. More of it later.
Choi is adorable and he made sure that every scene he is at, he’d just shine. But as a Musical Director, he didn’t come as strong a character for me. What I’ve come to realize about Jae Yi is that he’s the type who would do anything for Eun Bi. Sweet guy. But I didn’t fall for Jae Yi as much as I love Choi.
What happened to Eun Bi? She became the lead of Chungdamdong Gumiho. She was able to fulfill her dream starring in a Musical. It wasn’t an easy road for her but she managed to step out of Kang Hee’s shadows and bravely faced her own path. There’s not much to say about her, really. I enjoyed and loved Eun Bi’s relationship with her Grandmother, its pure love. It is one of her strongest points, the family aspect. When it comes to love though, its the weakest. How I wished this series has given more time for Eun Bi and Jae Yi. The ending was a bit mediocre for them. I prefer that the confession scene during Episode 13 be the ending for both.
THE PAIRINGS:
In the end, I still happened to love Jin and Eun Bi. They are like a hug, just warm and comfortable to have. This man will cancel anything just so he can see Eun Bi and spend time with her. Actually he can go as far as going to Dae Gu, the place he’s not allowed to go, just to meet her. I’m feeling giddy whenever Jin just smiles and instantly light up whenever he’s with Eun Bi. Jin is becoming more handsome as he becomes happy. Though he broke up with Ra Kyung and didn’t end up with Eun Bi, Jin has my heart. Besides, he was able to receive the love of his mother and will strive to live happily, I’m content with that somehow.
Jin and Eun Bi had amazing chemistry. The smile says a lot. Though his love was unrequited, atleast he finally learned how to love and that he can’t give it to Ra Kyung. Through Eun Bi he realized the happiness of what it is to love without thinking of obligations or reasons for it. You just do.
AD Jang and Ra Kyung is the real OTP for me. Their story was well developed and it made my heart flutter. I love that at the end, Ra Kyung ended up with a guy who gives her happiness. She’s a sad character but she was the happiest in the end. AD Jang loves unconditionally and he just gives without expectations that’s why he deserves the girl. It’s amazing how this two managed to pull everything perfectly. I’m happy that social standing wasn’t an issue between them. They are simply two people who realized that love exists and can exist amidst differences.
RANTS and RAVES:
This series isn’t a stand out during 2011. For me, it’s better in parts rather than the whole. It has great beats when it focuses on family issues, I feel the warmth of familial love. The musical aspect kinda went askew. And the ending could have been better, especially for the OTP.
What happened to Jae Yi and Eun Bi? As I look back, AD Jang and Ra Kyung had a better love story than any other pairings here. It was put together well enough that it made sense they had a happy ending. While the supposed real OTP, Eun bi and Jae Yi simply showed us that they are together, period. No more than that. I was kinda disappointed thinking about this. But I’m indirectly blaming them since this series was cut to 15 Episodes. And the time simply is not on their side. Choi and Hye Sun looks great together but its sad that it wasn’t developed the way it should be. I’m not even asking for too much though it could have been better. Really.
Just a side dish, I love love love the singing group at Gu Jak’s resto! We can’t get any act or scene in an actual play for quite some time, but we get to have little dosage of the boys singing wholeheartedly on stage. How I wish we were able to get more scenes from them since I really love this part very much. Music is an integral motif and yet it wasn’t used to its full potential.
Another thing that I love about this show, is the family. It warms my heart whenever Eun Bi just back hugs her Grandma, or talks with her. These are great beats I get from watching this. I love the scene when Jin’s mother woke up, then he immediately run to her, you can really feel how much they’ve missed each other. Jin’s character just seeks to be loved. Well, aren’t we all?
FAVORITE SCENES:
The Confession – “Have you ever thought that I missed you so much and got all the way here even though I don’t even understand why? We will bring everything back, one by one. “
In Jae Yi and Eun Bi’s case, distance really does make the heart grow fonder. The scene towards the end of Episode 13 sealed the deal that Eun Bi’s heart belonged to Jae Yi. That’s not a surprise since they are the OTP. The two of them had a rough patch, their love isn’t even well developed to justify it as love. There’s always been a layer of awkwardness, though they look good together. Like the confession, their relationship was more like a question with no solid answer. They just had to be together, period.
This scene was a favorite because I can feel how Hye Sun was trying to convey that moment, like Eun Bi knew she had lost Jae Yi somehow.. that kinda hurts her. But then here he is, telling her how much he missed her. Choi really was giving his all.. How I wished Hye Sun reciprocated that somehow.. *sigh*
Mother and Son – “You must be determined to be happy. And try to figure out how to become happy. What makes you happy. Just doing your best won’t make you happy. The life will get miserable if you just live it.”
Moments like this gets me every single time. Love doesn’t have to be grand. It can be seen in small moments like this, two people sharing a cup of coffee talking about life. It is in this simple scenes that makes this series heartwarming. This what made Jin memorable too.. He’s a stand out whenever he just feels hurts, frustrated..
Park Ki Woong was able to show different range all throughout the series. Kudos to him 
FINAL THOUGHTS:
What I have come to love about this series is actually Ra Kyung! Her character shows another meaning of love. I was feeling her more as Jin becomes happy with another woman. I know, it was a harsh world Ra Kyung lived in. She’s hurting for a love that has been her life. She has never met any man beside Jin for more than a decade. As a chaebol, they are destined to marry. Looking at their situation more, Ra Kyung won’t be walking on the aisle while Jin waits for her at the altar. It was a blurry pathway for both. Though she’s hurting so, AD Jang is being the sweetest guy in this series! He’s unconditional love is simply endearing. Thanks heavens, she ended up with him!
Ock Ju Hyun is amazing here. I won’t ever forget her voice! It’s so powerful that from Episode 1, it captivated me. I became a fan. I hope to see her perform even once in a Musical someday. I bet it would be amazing! She’s a rare talent, truly a gem.
The Musical is a series that has an interesting concept. Like I’ve said, I grew up watching plays and being part of a production so this is something close to my heart. Overall, I enjoyed that TMU managed to show us that happiness can be found in the simplest way. It’s by loving our family, making someone feel very special by writing a song or just by loving unconditionally. I prefer to remember The Musical this way.
See you around ♥
