It’s starting to sound like a broken record that I keep saying Pretty Boy (Bel Ami) is really not bad at all. Since the drama is ending tomorrow in a swish of happy rainbows judging from the just released kissing stills of leads Jang Geun Seok and IU, humor me one last time as I bid farewell to an inoffensive and surprisingly sincere little oddity of a drama. I’ve made no bones about being disappointed with Jang Geun Seok’s acting and musical career direction for the last two year plus his real life personality really is a little too far out for me. I’ve liked talented actors and actresses who don’t necessarily seem like people I care to hang out with so Jang Geun Seok really was one good role shy of winning my affection back. I’m all caught up on PB and I can safely say he did it. The early episodes were anchored by IU who was the heart of this drama and her performance impressively winning. It took awhile for me to really see the Jang Geuk Seok spark shine through since he came across as too forced and posing in the early episodes, but by midway point he was thrumming along and now we’re at the end he’s positively firing on all cylinders. This story turned out much funnier and sweeter than its synopsis. The overly constructed extremes of the characters and their so-called quest always peeled away to reveal a core nugget of humanity and a nice takeaway at the end. It’s a shame the central love story wasn’t the focus for so long because Jang Geun Seok and IU were precious together both visually and chemistry-wise. PB felt like reading a kid’s book you picked up to flip through while waiting at the dentist’s office to be called in and discovering an engrossing story that is neither childish nor pointless. I saw personality growth and emotional maturity from the two leads happen before my eyes and a believable romance blossom devoid of flashy tricks but built on learning to love. The cast looked happy in the wrap pictures and I wanted to give a thanks to the production for sticking with a drama so dismally rated and telling the story the way it was intended. I enjoyed this ride very much.
Pretty Boy MV:
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Surprisingly, i enjoyed this drama too…Although it was corny from the start, but midway and towards the end, it turned out fairly decent.
same for me. from ep 6 onwards, it was good for me. the story was nice =)
I really liked it too, despite it being cheesy! It was fluffy and fun, sometimes that's all you want!
I liked this drama but I didn't love it. IU was the only reason I kept watching in the beginning but you're right, JGS did bring it in the end (that was nice because when he's on, he's on--and it's soooo good). There was a lot of character growth, I'll give it that. This is something a lot of shows lack with the writing (and it's *so* basic!).
That being said, the overall plot was just kind of bleh and stupid to me (there were sooooo many side characters I didn't care about and I didn't even care about the parental drama storyline, but I did like the story of them building up their own business). The only thing I really watched for was the main characters, but I never felt a connection between the two leads other than puppy love/friends/love you like a sister type of thing. Maybe this last episode will change my mine, though, you never know, lol.
Also, I'll admit I was a second lead shipper throughout. Not gonna lie. :)
Still, I liked it enough to stick with it. It wasn't a bad show. It was breezy and easy to watch and there some really positive things in some of the acting and, like you said, character growth. But it also isn't super memorable for me either. (Well really, who can compete with Prime Minister and I and You From Another Star?)
if i removed the actors name from your post... i would have thought you're giving your opinion to the drama Heirs...plot was bleeh, soooo many side characters, don't care for parental drama storyline, second lead shipper, two leads friend/puppy love/sister type of thing...HAHAHAHA
To be honest, I felt the same way about Heirs too....lol
The reason why Bo Tong and Ma Te did not have much couple time for half the show is because the story itself lends itself to such. Ma Te is on a quest to discover the "Password" which he had to go through a process of learning something from each women as dictated. Because he is actually a decent guy with a pure heart, he kept Bo Tong at arms length even to the extent discouraging her while he went on his task. He could have two timed her with those many women for she was already crazy in love with him but he did not. He didn't "sell" himself to any of the women either except for the first one whom he had a relationship and before he started on his quest. Ma Te accepted Bo Tong only when he found his own values and direction in life and when he is truly available to love her.
It's an evolution of a young man who went from using his looks trying to seek an easier life for his mom and himself to one who is visionary, diligent, strong, responsible and capable of protecting all of the people who are dependent and loving of him.
Earlier synopsis of the drama is misleading in the sense that it made the audience think that the story is all about the tricks of pursuing 10 women for the purposes of acquiring wealth. The drama is so totally not like that at all. The success which Ma Te achieved eventually is gained through his personal growth, intelligence and apt application of the knowledge that he has learnt.
It is a funny, cheerful, heartwarming and sincere story. The three main characters, Ma Te, Bo Tong and David are adorable. Ma Te is of course the most lovable of all! :)
Going to miss it when the drama ends. :(
I'm totally with you, ockoala! I was not going to watch this drama because of the plot synopsis, my meh feelings towards IU and my extreme disappointment in JGS in general (an amazing actor who chooses bad projects and comports himself in a really tasteless manner). But for some reason I was bored one day and wanted a romcom so there I was. And I was pleasantly surprised. I loved IU's character even though clingy obsessed girls are normally abhorrent to me but somehow Bo Tong is totally not. Her obsession is endearing and quirky and made even more so by IU's darling performance. The whole drama has been funny and quirky and just endearing despite some of its story oddities. It really is pleasant and I can't recommend it enough if you are just looking for something light and sweet and a little bit different. I'm really sad that it hasn't gotten the ratings it deserves, but then neither have many of the dramas I've loved. If Prime Minister and I were getting the ratings it deserved it would be pushing 30% by now and conversely, if Good Doctor had gotten the ratings it deserved they would have looked like Pretty Boy's do. I just don't understand Korean viewers. I really don't.
I'm so glad there are others who liked this one. I loved it. I thought the story was sweet and well acted. I was afraid that JGS wasn't going to pull it off. Silly me. And IU? She nailed it. I will be sad after tonight's episode to see this end... I'm also hoping for a good resolution for David. He was too adorable.
I really enjoyed this drama. It was cute, quirky and fun. IU was wonderful in her role. I am not a huge fan of JGS. I tried watching some of his past dramas, but got bored after two episodes. But I liked him in Pretty Boy. Too bad the ratings were terrible.
A good drama indeed.I liked it from the first episode till the end.
These days in French-speaking areas you'd never hear anyone describe a pretty boy as a "Bel Ami", which litterally means "Handsome Friend". In fact this expression sounds rather old Regime. It first and foremost refers to French author Guy de Maupassant's second novel, yet with a totally different history and settings from this k-drama. *sigh*
I watched & enjoyed this too. PM was very mellow and easy to watch. I'll especially be watching for the second male lead in other projects. He's adorable!!