So I took some folk’s suggestion and jumped back into Gu Family Book starting with episode 13. Don’t lie and argue that I needed to go back and fill in the last 8 episodes, ain’t nothing happened that needed to be watched and couldn’t be deduced swiftly upon diving into 13. If I want some Lee Seung Gi half man-beast angsting from earlier episodes, I’m sure a best-of MV compilation would hit the spot. Back to episode 13, it wasn’t nearly as annoying narratively as I remembered, but that was mostly because it felt like a filler episode to set up the return of now-100%-evil demon daddy Wol Ryung. I thought the OTP finally had a narrative presence around their friendship and understanding of each other, though is it my imagination or has Suzy actually gotten worse than when she first popped up. She literally sounds like a robot reading cue cards, like a SNL skit where the worst actress on the planet attempts Lady Macbeth while surrounded by people who can act. Lee Yoo Bi, on the other hand, wow I did not know she had it in her but she’s rocking and rolling here. Seung Gi seems to be doing fine, but there isn’t the same fire and passion I glimpsed in his performance from The King 2 Hearts, and I’m not talking about the character portrayal inasmuch as I could see underneath the surface as he played the role that he connected viscerally with the character of Lee Jae Ha. That doesn’t seem to be evidenced here, though he is too cute for words and I could pack him up and take him home. I confess the story is still pretty dull for me and I actually yawned quite a few times, but episode 14 was a lot more interesting so that’s an upward trajectory. It’s good to know its stabilized and appears to have grounded down to a confident narrative cadence even if it is overly simplistic. I think Yeol Wool and Kang Chi are just too cute and sweet together and that makes it very easy for this drama to sustain its audience. The main cast attended a mid-point drama press conference this week that further confirmed Seung Gi and Suzy look absolutely marvelous together so check out the cute pics.
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I don't have time to attempt to pick this one up again, since I opted to pick up AAMR again. But Suzy looks great here and as always fabulous with any co-star. She can pull off those bold solid colors so well.
I am SO glad Wol-ryung is back its not even funny, he's practically the only character I'm interested in. Although (spoiler) Seo-hwa's return...not so excited. I still want to slap her for her idiocy.
Honestly I'm even more disappointed by Seunggi's performance than Suzy. I wasn't expecting much from Suzy, but after Seunggi's fantastic turn in K2H, this is just, well, a pretty huge letdown.
Who can be unhappy with the HOT DADDY coming back! I really hope he kills Seo Hwa and is able to turn back into the hottest and sweet gumiho and have a nice relationship with Kang Chi!! Damn! those two totally bright my day!!!! I pretty much don´t care for anyone else...
I would guess that watching Good Wol Ryung and Kang Chi together is like watching a pair of puppies tumble around. Silly but absolutely enchanting.
Suzy looks great as usual, but am i the only one who thinks the dress doesn't look good on her...? The triangles cut out from the sides look awkward.
Yeah I agree with you. She looks really pretty but the dress doesn't quite fit her it's kinda loose it would've been better if there were no cut outs because it made her look thinner. :)
I believe that in order to feel with a drama or a novel, one should go through all the episodes/portions without skipping anything.......even when certain parts look boring..
So it's obvious that one feels detached with the characters if they jump onto random portions....and cannot enjoy the show....
Well..thats my opinion...
Lee seung gi and suzy look so cute....love her look here...
I agree with you wholeheartedly!
yeappp...correct! one can't really judge the book by its cover or parts of the pages..hehe..I think Cheong Jo is freaking amazing (bcoz her character allows her to express all of the emotions)...but..I also love Suzy in here, for me, her eyes when she looked at Kang chi, it shows love, pure, and feels sincere...Apart from suzy, Yeo Wol's character is so lovable : very brave, straight forward, optimistic and so supportive all the times. For me, I love GFB because of the characters! From Cheong Jo's dad who was very righteous & wise, to General Lee soon shin, Cheong Jo (a very strong willed girl), master bamboo who is sooo funny, I even love the Head Gisaeng, so classy and not to mention the smexyyyy demon daddy...This is much much better than Arang the magistrate
I've watched every episode carefully, because I have been getting a lot of hate for my opinions about Suzy's acting and the overall lame writing in this show and I want to make sure I am not missing some golden moment. Well, I totally agree with Koala, and am rather sorry I've spent so much time on this drama when Suzy continues to be mediocre, the plot holes are still there, and I am tired, tired, tired of the cute.
What keeps me hanging on is the Chung Jo story arc, which I really like, and seeing one of my favorite actresses, Jung Hye Young. I also think that LSG is doing an OK job, but K2H had so much more depth this show can't help but be a little disappointing, because there isn't the possibility for him to display the same range. I know lots of people love the slapstick comedy and the little cute moments, but after having seen how well he does with heavy stuff and complicated relationships, I just miss his gravitas from K2H - so good, partly because it was so unexpected.
I sgree with your post 100%. LSG isn't as good as he was, Suzy is still very mediocre.
Agreed. I actually jump into substitute princess somewhere at 16ep or so. I couldn't for the life of me feel anything for Terry..hehe
@ rainbow,
I watched all of GFB now and I still stand by my assessment. It's a decent outing for LSG but nothing to write home about. He's kept what he's learned in TK2H but he's not being asked to nor has he used the depth and nuance that he is capable of.
Seunggi was amazing in episode 12 due too his heartbreaking scenes (though prepare for some hair pulling moments with our local illogical writer), and did I mention he was totally delicious in his gumiho form as well. Episode 13 was more of a filler and cute moments for the OTP and thus didn't require the intensity he had in K2H.
Totally agree here! I personally find Seung Gi more awesome as the episodes went along. Especially his emotional breakdowns and subtle understanding of his powers. Also when he realizes he has someone who would love him even as a beast; his eyes express himself too too well.
I think some of the K2H comparison is not valid because Kang Chi and Jae Ha are polar opposites as characters. KC is overly expressive, childish and a little dense. He's simple minded, a free bird, and at times immature. When intensity isn't needed, LSG nails the comedy. He switches from being a child to being a man in love in seconds. I think he's amazing here. I never once felt his acting regressed because this is a whole new show and a whole new character.
For me a great actor creates a new character and makes me completely forget his older one. I felt LSG managed that perfectly. As for Suzy, I still think she really lacks in the facial expressions even more than the dialogue delivery. But her character is so loveable I could forgive just about anything. Yeo Wool is awesome; easily one of the best sageuk female leads I've seen. I'm a little tired of the typical lady-like or scheming characters. Here we have a rough and tough female lead who has a soft heart. LYB - she is all sorts of epic, especially today when she threatened to stake her rapist. I am looking out for her future projects, without a doubt.
What you said. Kangchi is a 20 year old punk kid. LJH was a 30 year old king. You just can't compare. Both make me feel for them. And seriously can anyone deny that Seunggi has great chemistry with everyone and the scenes he's in everyone just shines more so than when other characters interact? From TS, to CJ to even the gang leader. It can't just be that I'm biased. Or maybe it is.
Suzy does lack expression both in her face and eyes. See the end of ep. 14. She's supposedly so terrified she of all people is calling out for help for Kangchi, but all I see is blank stare at hot gumiho daddy.
But I do seriously love YW. Suzy is lacking, but given a good character she's hard not to root for.
Ditto, ditto.
Ms. Koala, I'm sorry if I make the same comment all over again, but both roles are just different, it can't help that TK2H's writing is clearly more consistent and provide better layer than GFB.
Btw, I remember that you fall for seung gi in tk2h after episode 7 when Jae Kang passed away, so I'd like to recommend episode 12 GFB for you. (And to be honest, I wouldn't recommend GFB back to you without episode 12)
@mel I don't think YW's reaction at the end ep was wrong. It's more surprise and confusion. She does't know yet WR is the monster or not, though she feel scared, she is not type of the girl who show her fear to the enemy.
@mel : well, Yeo Wol is a character who has experienced lots of danger in her life. She can fight fiercely and she even saw the transformation of Kang Chi, from human to Gumiho and still, she back him up fearlessly. And don't forget, Wol Ryung did not appear himself in front of her as a Gumiho, but as a human. So Yeo Wol was -confused, thinking what to do next, and a lil bit fear because she doesn't "know" her opponent- That's it. I really love the scene here when WR appeared and looked at her with his tall lean figure + demonic eyes LOL
Well this is not just the fangirl speaking but as a viewer I think that Seunggi's acting is still good in GFB. While Jae Ha is a 30 year old king who has high IQ and world politics on his mind, Kang Chi is a much younger lad who has simple thoughts like being loyal to his benefactor and remaining faithful to the people he loves. Seunggi portrays the innocence and
steadfastness very well. The characters call for different portrayals and hence I don't see any regression in his acting. In fact, he totally makes me heart Kang Chi!
@ AY
I'm not sure we're watching the same dramas here. Lee Jae Ha in TK2H? Had world politics on his mind? Are you kidding me. He started off even more immature and loserish than Kang Chi. He just thought about enjoying life, Jae Kang forced him to join the WOC training, each step of the way he was goofing off, being a whiny idiot, and causing trouble.
In all ways Kang Chi's arc is like Jae Ha. When Jae Kang died in TK2H episode 7 is comparable to when Kang Chi's surrogate dad died in episode 7 of GFB. It's the same type of transformative loss that spurs the main character to rise beyond his own uselss past and become the "hero" so to speak.
Age is but a number, JH started off 30 with the EQ of a horny teenager. Plus in sageuk times 20 is an adult, just look at Tae Soo. JH and KC have different temperaments but the narrative catharsis is very similar for them.
Seung Gi's performance is not. His heart, soul, and ever ounce of effort was poured into Jae Ha. It came across onscreen, and was confirmed in BTS and interviews. That character spoke to him, he connected with the growth. I don't see the same level of connection here with Kang Chi. He's acting and not sucking, but it's not transformative of his talents or what he's capable of.
I think you're only right in only one thing - that both KC and JH started off as immature brats. But that's where the similarities ends. JH had the burden of a nation and had to grow up in order to fulfil his duties as king. K2H in general, is a very serious show that focuses on politics and very delicate issues of today's world.
GFB is a little more lighthearted - amidst all the killings. KC lost the only father he has known, yet he hasn't grown up. That is his character; he is till dense. He still does immature things, and is a 20 year old who is carefree and childish. He isn't like TS because he didn't grow up to be a noble man who had the responsibility of an large inn. He didn't grow up to be 'well-mannered', and Lord Park's death isn't the trigger to push his maturity buttons. KC is still a child, and his playfulness is evident in his heated tussles with Gon and his friendship with YW. He can't grow up like JH because that's not how KC is written.
I'm not a LSG fangirl. In fact, I'm not anyone's fangirl. I see what shows up in front of me rather than have a predetermined opinions. K2H had its own themes, and JH had his own growth. KC is pushed but not yet shoved. He is still a child trying to find his way in the world. When he tries to save the people he loves, he does them with so much intensity and fierceness; but he reverts back to being dense the moment there's no danger. Maybe to understand him one needs to actually see the show rather than just watch episodes from the middle, as someone mentioned above. There's a character arc that needs to be understood. Not a lot of people are going to feel the connection if they skip half the show, then judge the actor based on his previous performance after seeing a couple of episodes here and there.
But then each to their own. Everyone has opinions, and I totally respect yours; just writing out mine.
I agree with you to a certain extent. I think in all honesty not even the best actors and actresses can claim that they connect to each role that they play in the same degree. For LSG, his connection to Jae Ha was so heartfelt and obvious, that LSG was Lee Jae Ha. As Kang Chi, the connection is weaker.
But I don't think LSG has regressed in acting per se, he is brilliant in the emotional scenes in GFB. Go watch the scenes where KC was devastaed as Lord Park dies in his arms and then the look of hatred he shot at JGW, or the scene where he was cryong his heart out when alone with Admiral Lee.
As for Suzy, she's just ok. Was actually disappointed with her in the earlier episodes but I do feel she had stepped up bit by bit. It's overly harsh to say she is robotic or flat.
This is why my favorite role of seung gi is of Jae Ha.
This was a once in a lifetime role, and one in which he truly shined. Also one that turned the switch on my meh feelings about seung gi. Before that project, i thought the boy was cute, but he skyrocketed to some of my favorite actors not because of his boyish nation's son image but because of how he portrayed Jae Ha and made us truly feel. A type of character like Jae Ha is rather difficult to portray. The transformation of truly immature child to a full grown mature man in just 20 episodes. Someone so different from us and yet we felt the empathy and we felt the connection. Seung gi was perfect for the role, and i cannot imagine anyone else filling Jae Ha's shoes.
*Sigh all the feels. My favorite k-drama, will forever be my favorite drama. It was not perfect, but it had a mesh of every genre, so there was always a bit of something for everyone.
I doubt any show in the future could recreate the same feel as K2H, but i'm leaving room for any show to come knock it off of my number 1 favorite spot.
Hi Koala, I think I didn't word my point properly. Perhaps a better way to say it is Jae Ha had to 'deal' with politics between countries after becoming a king. Part of his character growth was to become a worthy king of his country. This grand scale does not apply to kang chi at the moment.
I agree with you on the age issue and the character arc but Kang Chi is portrayed to be much more simple minded compared to Jae Ha. This is actually the main difference I see in these 2 characters and I'm glad there is a difference in the portrayals. In addition, although the narrative catharsis can be the same, the events which unfolded after the transformative lost in the 2 shows are not.
I won't say Seunggi's acting is without lacking but I don't think his performance is disappointing. I love Jae Ha but I'm appreciating Kang Chi as a wholly different character on his own.
"I won’t say Seunggi’s acting is without lacking but I don’t think his performance is disappointing. I love Jae Ha but I’m appreciating Kang Chi as a wholly different character on his own."
I'm pasting it here, and second it.
Choi Jin Hyuk's presence just lights the screen on flames. Evil Wol Ryung just turned that sexy dial over the limit.
Agreed! Oh my goodness. Evil Daddy is surely winning the hearts of fangirls.
Daddy Gumiho does not do a thing for me . Hot? Sexy ? Seriously don't get it coz but never mind, to each his own.
Oh, and does anyone know of any good mv compilations for GFB to recommend to Ms Koala? I know sometimes they can be great to entice others to watch the show (at least for me). :p
I jumped straight to ep 12 been following recaps.I don't intend to backtrack.
Suzy in photos and CFs is gorgeous.Suzy in sageuk... Jeepers her speech is so jarring compared to Cheong Ja and Ron and everyone else.
They rock it. I can take or leave the main couple. I could literally see Kang Chi try to emote and YW saying the lines. But sigh...no emotions.
But brother Daddy Gumiho being broody looking... HOT.
Still will watch for the ending I guess just to see what happens. But it did not turn out as exciting or emotionally gripping like I anticipated. I was dying for this drama. Because I genuinely was excited for the casting for the leads.
Yes... Suzy's delivery is very flat indeed. Sageuk speech just makes matters even worse. I can't even.
Sometimes I wonder if it's partially the director's fault?
Correct her when she's bad, dude! Or else she'll never improve.
But I have to admit - as characters, YW and KC are simply adorable together. ^^
And with Evil Daddy Gumiho back... Just can't take my eyes away.