Sassy Girl Chun Hyang

Overview:
A combination of humor/comedy, action and of course, the full dose of love - no wonder I easily fell in love with this extraordinary Korean TV Drama.

Cast:
Han Chae-young as Sung Chun-hyang
Jae-hee as Lee Mong-ryong
Eom Tae-woong as Byun Hak-do
Park Si-eun as Hong Chae-rin
Lee In-hye as Han Da-ni
Moon Ji-yoon as Bang Ji-hyuk

Storyline:

"A man fulfills his fate by evading it"
Fate really has its ways to find two people meant for each other, no matter how far they are from one another, no matter what time of the day they meet each other, no matter when and no matter who you are and where you came from. Fate finds you?even in the most unexpected moments of your life. Take it from Chun-hyang and Mong-ryong.

Chun-hyang is a simple girl residing in Namwon. She is a pretty and intelligent student. She strives hard in school as well as in part-time jobs to provide money for her and her mom. Her mother is a singer in a cabaret. Being the school's top student, Chun-hyang keeps a conservative and reserved image. Nobody would dare mess with her. Together with her friends, Ji-hyuk and Da-ni (who are by the way, soon-to-be-hooked-together), Chun-hyang was living the normal life, working hard for her future and maybe, soon, living her dream. Until...

The rebel, Lee Mong-ryong, arrives in town. Mong-ryong is a problem child from Seoul who was forced to transfer to Namwon due to his father's work as chief of police. He is the kind of guy that has the bad boy image, but has the face to prove himself as the newest rebel heartthrob. Mong-ryong is quite unattached to his father because he was always pressured by him. Everything that he does only makes trouble-landing a beating from his father. But of course, he has his own strengths, from his overprotective mother to the love of his life, Hong Chae-rin...

Hong Chae-rin, Mong-ryong's best friend and first love. She was the reason why Mong-ryong didn't want to leave Seoul, the reason why he was hesitant to marry Chun-hyang and the reason why Chun-hyang's world fell apart. After Mong-ryong proposed to her, she was dumped by her boyfriend. She then realized that she wanted Mong-ryong badly. Sadly, Mong-ryong was hitched. She was convinced that Mong-ryong was the one for her. While working as a costume assistant in DODO Productions, the location was set in Namwon, she did her crazy schemes to get Mong-ryong's attention. There she worked with the head?

Byun Hak-do, the rich and arrogant CEO of DODO Productions is known to be tough. But when he meets Chun-hyang, his world turns upside down and realizes that he cannot resist her charm. But he was aware of Chun-hyang's feelings for Mong-ryong that he was determined to break them apart just to get what he wants-by hook or by crook.

Their worlds collided and made lots of ground-breaking events. Mong-ryong was forced to marry Chun-hyang to avoid greater scandal from what chaotically occurred between the two of them. They decided that they would keep the marriage until they step their feet to College. Mong-ryong's father liked Chun-hyang as her daughter-in-law because he believed that Chun-hyang could change her son. But Mong-ryong's mother thought otherwise. But all of them have to face the reality of life.

Chun-hyang lived with Mong-ryong's family. She then helped Mong-ryong with his studies, then eventually falling in love with him. Chun-hyang tried to ignore her feelings because she knew that Mong-ryong was in love with Chae-rin. Chun-hyang met Byun Hak-do. She helped him with his movie, but then Mr. Byun liked Chun-hyang more than just a friend. On the other hand, problem struck, Chun-hyang thought that she should be the one to pay for her College tuition because she didn't want to be a burden to Mong-ryong's parents. Unfortunately, Chun-hyang's mother tried to invest her money in some money scam and Chun-hyang's college tuition was lost.

Chun-hyang and Mong-ryong both got accepted to Hangkook University. But because Chun-hyang knew that Mong-ryong would go after Chae-rin, she decided to just end the relationship. Much to Mong-ryong's surprise, he was devastated when Chun-hyang decided to end their marriage. Before they parted, they shared a big hug and promised each other to meet in Seoul. Chun-hyang didn't tell Mong-ryong's family about her situation. Therefore, Chun-hyang went to Seoul by herself after the end of their marriage and asked for a scholarship. Byun Hak-do, a very powerful man, managed to know that Chun-hyang needed financial assistance. He gave a scholarship, but when he saw Chun-hyang with Mong-ryong he cancelled it. Now, Chun-hyang was broke. She cannot pay for her college, and she didn't have any more family to go. Mong-ryong finally knew what happened to Chun-hyang he decided to look for her all over Seoul. He didn't know why he was looking for her, but he was positive that Chun-hyang was somebody very important to him.

On the other hand, Chun-hyang and her mother resided in Seoul while she was busy running her own accessories business. Life was getting pretty normal for her, but soon Mong-ryong found her. The two of them got tangled again. Eventually their feelings for each other got stronger. Unfortunately, destructive schemes by Hak-do and Chae-rin were put into action, they tried to break the two of them up, and they succeeded?

Oops, not so fast. Mong-ryong decided to start over with Chun-hyang in Namwon, where they met. Hak-do tried to hide Mong-ryong's letter, but Chun-hyang found it. She went to the bus station, but the last trip to Namwon left. Chun-hyang was devastated, just then somebody pulled her and hugged her, it was Mong-ryong. The two of them started a new relationship. They thought that they would be happy forever and decided to plan their wedding. But Hak-do wasn't ready to give up; he planned to set Mong-ryong to put him in jail. If Chun-hyang would not live with him, Mong-ryong will suffer the consequences. Chun-hyang broke up with Mong-ryong without leaving an explanation. But she didn't leave Korea with Hak-do; instead she started her new life as a jewelry maker in Busan.

After a few years, Mang-ryong was now a District Attorney. Hak-do told the press that Chun-hyang was still in Japan. Da-ni and Ji-hyuk became popular celebrities, and then eventually got married. From that wedding, their lives crossed again. Mong-ryong was determined to know the real reason why Chun-hyang left him, he wasn't over her yet though he tried to pretend he was; the same as Chun-hyang's situation. When they finally met, Mong-ryong wasn't going to let her go now that Mong-ryong knew the reason why they have to be apart. Mong-ryong was working on a case regarding DODO Productions. After all the action that was done, Hak-do turned himself up and at last, gave up his agenda for Chun-hyang. Mong-ryong and Chun-hyang got married?in their past lives and also at present.

When the two worlds met, their lives gpt tangled into knots that cannot be untied. No matter how people try to break them up, they would always find the one for them.

Review:

Enjoying a TV drama is never easy. You just sit in front of the TV for like hours and as for me, reading the subtitles as fast as I could. But I never fret while watching this. I was laughing, screaming over Chae-rin's and Hak-do's sneaky schemes, even trying to convince myself to cry (it doesn't mean that the drama is so superficial that I can't cry, it's like I know the scene is tear-jerking, I just can't seem to put myself in tears! I am weird!). I am just amazed at how you can see and feel the transition of this drama. From the characters, plot, setting, even dialogues. At first, a viewer wouldn't notice the difference from one episode to another, but when the drama is finally coming to its last few episodes, it was really brilliant of the whole team of this drama to bring the whole old Namwon to the modern Seoul. I even enjoyed the historical spoofs of this drama.

Reactions:

Plot: Like I said, a transition in a drama is hard to pull. Every detail of the setting, character principles and even dialogues are not easy to change. But the drama was successful in doing so. While watching the last few episodes, whenever I sigh, I reminisced about the first episodes and realize what the couple had been through, it was pretty overwhelming. A viewer would think that the couple deserved to be together because they've been with each other through thick and thin?and I could feel that whenever I think of the past few episodes'they just give me Goosebumps!

The setting was fine. Locations were perfect. I especially like winter! Whenever I see smoke coming out from their mouths, I also feel cold! I believe that is a sign that the drama is reaching to their viewers.

Script. As for me, I am not a good writer but as a viewer, I know a good story. SGCH is new way of expressing feelings. For example, holding back the feelings at first, and then giving up because the feelings were much too strong to hold back. The script told it all.

Characters. A good mix of conservative meets rebel, meets city girl, meets executive and such. A balance between good and bad. Stinging your hearts with every tear-jerking scene and filling your hearts with love whenever you see characters starting over and sharing love again. Lovesick puppies?

Theme. I understand that this drama is a modern interpretation of a legend that is significant to the Koreans. I guess because I?m not familiar with the legend, I can say that the theme of the drama is connected to the people who are in love these days. Family, friendship and love relationships are quite difficult to tamper with, maybe this drama aims to entertain those who are in the midst of those life conflicts.

Special Effects. Oh well, what can I say?! A drama that has action is good in order to lessen crying moments and to lessen the 'sugary? scenes. The characters are good in doing such action scenes. I give my props to Jae-hee (Goodness, he can do martial arts! He is so good!). And the Father (the samurai scenes are so hilarious!).

Acting Review

Han Chae-young - WOW!!! When I first saw in the teaser of Chun-hyang here (Philippines) I thought that she kind of looked familiar! I just knew that she played the antagonist Shirley (her name in "Endless 1" in the Philippines)! I hated that character, but I so loved Chun-hyang.

She was very convincing. From her tough image to her 'breaking-down-in-tears' moments whenever Mong-ryong hurts her, they were all entertaining. The change from her high school character to the professional designer was very evident. I like the way she projects herself as the boss, but as the same old Chun-hyang whenever she sees Mong-ryong. The way she secretly smiles whenever Mong-ryong does something sweet was really good. When she speaks her mind is really cool, but one thing to rant about is whenever she pushes Mong-ryong away! (I know that's part of the story-but still! It was really heart- breaking!) Anyway, Han Chae-young was meant to play Chun-hyang. She was an effective lead actress and she really provided justice to her character. Although I?m not familiar with the real Chun-hyang, while watching her, it was as if I?m inside the story's flow! Take note: Her clothes were so cool!

Jae-hee - I am actually screaming! I love Jae-Hee! He is such a good actor! No wonder he won an award for acting, he was the bomb! I never thought a man could pull a character like this. From the bad boy in town who was always trying to hide his feelings all the way down to the attractive District Attorney who was still in search for his one true love. I wonder if this kind of man really exists?! Anyway, his facial expressions were perfect. The way his face twitches, then breaks into a smile?whenever he sees Byun Hak-do suddenly his face gets serious (which is really cute!) of course, who could resist that laugh? Wah! One thing to rant about is of course, the crying scenes. He knows how to cry, but I?d rather see him as the stronger lead actor than the emotional one. It is cute to see the lead actor crying, but for Jae-hee?! Nah, I don't think so! But what more can I say?! No any other actor can play the role of Lee Mong-ryong other than Jae-hee. I give him the props, he was perfect.

Eom Tae-woong - Grrr!!! He did a great job in playing Byun Hak-do. I never thought I could hate a guy antagonist! He was an effective actor. You really learn to hate him as the series goes along. The way he carries his composure under angry scenarios is so good. His rich and strong image made a great impact in the flow of story. He was a good actor'thumbs-up! But I really hate you! On the other hand, I learned to love his character because he realized his mistakes! Go!

Park Si-eun - Hmph! They say that to be an effective antagonist, people should hate you?I couldn't agree more! Chae-rin really pissed everybody to the nerves! Her devious plots are really going to make the viewers rock their television sets to kill Chae-rin! She was really good, I like the way she plays her character as somebody innocent at first then eventually plucking Chun-hyang's nerves. Good acting, she was wonderfully annoying!

Lee In-hye and Moon Ji-yoon - Saviours! Annoying friends, yep, savior of Chun-hyang's and Mong-ryong's relationship, the best friends ever! How I wish I could have friends like them! They both acted well. As the foil in the story, without them, maybe "Sassy Girl" wouldn't be as entertaining! The couple was cute?are they for real?! Because if they are?it's really cool!

Chun-hyang's Mother - Disguise! Her tricks and her foolish money matters, the mother that brought Chun-hyang's hardships and of course, happiness! If it weren't for her, no future for the two!

Mong-ryong's Father - The best! No words can explain, Mong-ryong's dad was the best. I never thought that such a father could protect his family in such a weird but heroic way! Best actor!

Mong-ryong's Mother - Fair. Poised as always but quite irritating because she wanted to split Mong-ryong and Chun-hyang, a mother knows what's best for her son. She's also a good mother?good acting!

Because Han Chae-young and Jae-hee have such wonderful chemistry, I would wish for this New Year that the two of them would team up again?like for a movie or another TV series just like Han Ji-hye and Lee Dong-gun! I mean, they were voted as the coolest couple, and I am aware that "Sassy Gil Chun-hyang" had a high rating; maybe it would be wonderful if the two of them would do a new project together. Trust me, they do look good together. Whenever I watch them, it's like I just want the two of them to hug each other for life! I am not sad because the drama has ended or something like that, but I am sad because they wouldn't have another project for like, I don't know, maybe never again. So, all I am wishing is that Han Chae-young and Jae-hee would have a movie and/or a TV series again?maybe the whole cast would do! I just love them, and I know a lot of people do as well!

Final Words:

I really enjoyed this drama. When this drama ended here in our country, I was really upset. I mean, I love staying up to like 22:00 just to watch the episodes (yes, it was aired at 22:00). The laughter, the tears and the action scenes were the things that could make a viewer hooked. I know, for somebody like me, even if I could not relate to the story? It just makes you feel how painful yet worth every suffering it is to love. It would be wonderful if everybody belongs to their rightful partners.

sources:
http://contents.kbs.co.kr