The top rated Mon-Tues drama Punch wrapped up this week with a drama ratings high note, but the entertainment news coverage was split between that drama ending and the premiere of new KBS drama Blood. The K-netizen reactions towards the drama story line and the acting of the two leads Ahn Jae Hyun and Gu Hye Sun nicely sum up what any drama viewer with objective critique lenses would conclude after watching the first two episodes – this drama sucks, and not in a vampire sparkly romance sort of way. Blood is as much of a hot mess train wreck as the casting and previews indicated, perhaps even worse than even I expected despite dialing down my expectations. Ahn Jae Hyun is indeed underwhelming, like a supporting role given more screen time but not commanding the screen with any presence.
Gu Hye Sun is indescribably bad, she’s regressed way back to the Boys Before Flowers days and is a level of shiteous overacting that actually makes Ahn Jae Hyun look slightly better. Only Ji Jin Hee is shining except he sticks out like a sore thumb, like a theater pro suddenly acting in a high school production. The story steals so many Twilight vampire elements the production should pay Stephanie Meyer a royalty, not to mention the medical setting narrative is as hinted lifted straight from the dramatic medical malpractice Dr. Stranger playbook. The whole thing is a level of terrible as to boggle the mind, and this time I’m not prejudging and am in fact judging after watching 120 minutes of crap. The ratings validate the overwhelming criticism of Blood, episode 1 started with 5.2% and episode 2 dropped to 4.7%.
Ahn Jae Hyun’s acting in the first two episodes confirms he’s not leading man ready. He acts like he’s about to strut a runaway. Doesn’t help that he’s styled like an overly effete European model.
Ji Jin Hee is fantastic, sexy and dangerous and the only thing worth watching in this stinker. Makes me want to root for his bad guy to win in the end and rule the world, or whatever big baddie plans he has in store.
Gu Hye Sun is so awful it defies description, or shall I say the accurate descriptors to use would send her fans into fits of despair and conniptions, accusing one and all of being antis who hate her perfect soul and multi-talented beauty, whatever that means. Just watch for yourself and have a good laugh. She’s effectively erased all my goodwill from Angel Eyes. Bummer for her, she should have stuck with the twelve or however many so-called other “skills” she supposedly has and delete acting from her repertoire to retire on a high with Angel Eyes. On a superficial note, she sometimes looks very unattractive in this drama, the scrubs makes her look like a squat ahjumma with a thick neck. Not sure what’s going on because she was quite luminous and lovely in Angel Eyes.
The vampire origin backstory bits in episode 1 were not bad, basically because there was no Ahn Jae Hyun and Gu Hye Sun to stink up the joint and there was smexy Ryu Soo Young and lovely Park Joo Mi to grace the screens as the poor doomed vampy parents.
The medical aspects of this drama is lifted completely from Dr. Stranger in terms of dramatic execution – there are tense medical case conferences where so-called doctors argue and snipe at one another like they are on a high school debate game show, the actual surgery involves copious amounts of blood splatter and ineptitude, Ahn Jae Hyun is already pulling a Surgery Jesus entrance by episode 2 to rescue a surgery gone awry, and all the so-called doctors at the hospital rotate between running, bickering, posturing rather than treating medical cases like professionals.
I honestly think Blood is the combination of two bottom-of-the-barrel elements of drama making smushed together, thereby dragging the entire endeavor much further down the black hole of suck than each individual element would merit. The bad acting from the leads could be bearable if the story was less stupid, and the supremely stupid story would be watchable in the hands of better actors (say Lee Jong Seok, Kang Sora, Park Hae Jin doing their darndest in Dr. Stranger). Here it’s just the worst of both worlds colliding into the explosion of the nebulae triggering spontaneous outburts of “bloody what the hell am I watching?” and “please drama gods give me those two hours of my life back!” Peace out, Blood fans, feel free to drink up this sucker to your heart’s content but it’s certainly left me with an acrid taste in my mouth.
Click here to watch Blood and have a good laugh.
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Go Hye Sun here & Han Ji Min in Hyde & Jekyll are similar. Both disappointing.
This is such an unfair statement!!!! Please compare her with your favourite actress and let the rest judge if she is better or worst than Go Hye Sun.
Han Ji Min unfortunately is suffering through a poorly written role in HJM, which is exposing a lot of her weaknesses and overshadowing the good acclaim she has earned for her past work. She is one of those actresses that does better in Sageuks.
this post and the comments are HILARIOUS
thanks so much for the laughs
I have tears in my eyes from laughing so much. Now I need to check out the episodes just because they're so bad.
haha...miss koala..your review of the 1sst 2 episodes of 'Blood' is bloody brilliant, just love the way you infused the vampire-esque into it
Nobody is worse than Gu Hye Sun. She should give up acting period.
I don't know. I actually really liked the first episode. Maybe everything falls apart in ep 2, but I enjoyed the back story and set up. I also didn't see too much to criticize AJH for. Maybe I've gotten used to mediocre acting in K and T dramas, but I feel like we could cut him some slack and give him a chance before proclaiming him a failure.
But hey, I haven't seen episode 2, so what do I know...
Episode 1 was okay, a bit posturing but passably entertaining. If I wrote a review of just episode 1 it would have been "silly but watchable". Episode 2 took a nosedive into the crapper.
I would give AHJ some slack for acting if he had better screen presence to make up for it. He's got neither so it feels like this wispy spectre floating through the screen except he's the main lead.
Ockoska -
It's okay to give bad reviews but when you make fun of GHS other takents or what you personally lack is not okay . It coming across as a teenage girl giving condescending review of a person they hate. Having said that - how old are you under 16? An educated and well bred person wouldn't make comments like you
. Stick to her acting and don't bring up get personal attributes
How did I make fun of GHS's other talents? I merely said she should go explore such other talents because acting is not working for her. And it's so-called to me because I've never seen any examples of the talents other than what her fans claim she has so I can't in good faith say she actually HAS other talents like I know it for a fact. Hence "so-called talents" is not an insult but an accurate description of what I know about such subject matter.
@Koala - Thank you for replying to my comment! I can see where you're coming from on the "wispy" point, as what little we saw of him in the first episode did seem somewhat slight. And as I've yet to see the second episode, my previous point of not having the complete picture of his performance still stands. I'm not an AHJ fan by any means (heck, I'm way too old to "fan" over anyone), but as I love to see people defying expectations, I wanted AHJ to be able to do so with this. I'll give it a few more episodes before I make my final judgement on his acting abilities. Of course, there is a chance that this drama would be a train wreck with a more seasoned actor in the lead anyway. I personally think a bad script/poor directing can sink any performance, no matter how strong...
Expectations were already set the moment the show released its synopsis and securing its cast. Truth be told, neither AJH nor GHS worried me, in fact, it was the last thing that concerned me, and coming off from Angel Eyes, I had pretty much a copious amount of good will built up for GHS. Although admittedly, I have a very magnanimous heart to any actors out there to begin with, so I'm willing to cut any slack if it were to come down to the acting alone. AJH on the other hand, I kind of had a vague idea already how the show is going to hide him behind stylish and flashy scenes, which necessitated very little acting on his part, and with the show being billed as part rom-com, would hinge more on one of his few strengths (and I mean that in the loosest meaning of the word), which is comedy.
That said, my biggest concern was the script. Lo and behold, not only did the show shy away from what made Dr. Stranger so fantastically disastrous, it embraced it wholly. Early on we already have signs that the entire medical aspect of this show would merely be a preface for the otherworldy vampire showdown and hyper theatricals which only translates to silly surgery battles. The mere fact that the surgery team has already been divided into two, just speaks, no screams, Dr. Stranger all over again. Not good at all. And if there were to be romance on this joint, it will until we wade through the insufferable Yoo Ri Ta and the pretentious bickering formula that the show is trying to sell.
Speaking of which, I'm baffled at why would GHS even pick this project and play this particular role; it would either be that she is too eager to follow-up her recent small screen outing, or that she's got her hands forced into accepting it, or simply that she has no perception at all. This by far is the worst GHS portrayal--even extra grating than her Geum Jan Di days. It's infuriating and at the same time pitiful because I know that she can do better than this. Regressing is an understatement, it's as if she had to reinvent herself to ensure maximum irritability at the viewer's blood pressure's expense. If that is the intent and there is a concerted effort to come off as offensive, then yes, GHS, you're damn good of an actress solely on that criterium--being offensive that is. You've ensured to stink it up pretty good that I'm confident even the GHS fans themselves would find a hard time liking Yoo Ri Ta at all. There is a zilch of redeeming characteristic for this character at all, other than that she's supposed to be a love interest, it's as if her purpose is to just be irritating. Multiply that with GHS innate weakness (of overacting) and we've got the best concoction for the inevitable shitfest that would come her way.
In what universe does this production believe that GHS acting obnoxious is cute or in any way logical, adorable? Yes, I get the set-up and the intent. Bickering is the mother of all romantic k-drama formula, but there is a good deal of deterrent of attempting that knowing the limitations of your cast (GHS). It's as if they are enamored with the idea that ever since Cheong Seong Yi can be loud, in your face, and pestering, and people loved her banter and zaniness, that it's a winning formula. GHS is not JJH. GHS shouldn't be doing anything remotely resembling loud, in your face, and obnoxious. Because GHS overdoes it and she doesn't have the charm to pull it off and still be loveable. There is a lot of precedent (Boy's Over Flowers) and it's been well documented. So why on earth would they ask her to do that? And why would GHS ever accept such role (again)?
That being the case, I understand fully well why Koala wrote the things that she said. I agree with the sentiment, though the rhetoric seems a bit excessive. As a regular reader, I've seen Koala be extra snarky before and to me this kind of commentary is far from new. Though I would concede that the tone in this particular post seems a bit provoking. It's as if Koala just taunted the GHS fandom to come after her. Which some of them did. However, knowing how big the GHS fandom is, I think it's applaudable that a lot seem to have taken the high road and remained civil or silent. The GHS fandom being the size it is, could have easily inundiated this post. But apart from some scant posts it's been relatively silent. Good for you GHS fans. Stay classy, it's not a fight worth having.
Hi Ockoala,
I enjoy reading most of your review. I also understand this site, like every other site will always reflect your own personal taste. But can you be a little more objective. I get the negative review but the digs at the actors seem a little too personal or at least you choose to write in a manner that it comes across as personal even if you don't intend to do that. Not trying to offend, just a fact that I felt I needed to state out here.
Koala, I hope you never stop stating your opinion, exactly as you see it. I love every snarky comment, especially where so well deserved. There is so much fanservice, so much breathless, uncritical press and fan adoration, and in general so much ridiculous hyperbole surrounding these actors/actresses, it is a breath of fresh air when someone is willing to brave the fangirl rage (or at least polite disapprobation) and call it as she sees it.
@ me_so
You are right. I have not watched the episodes. Anyway if it's entertaining with lots of actions, why not. I don't think this drama is supposed to be loaded with powerful acting. So if AJH brings on the pretty, that's good enough. Who's the writer of this show - maybe it's the lack of strong scripting.
sigh....couldn't agree more.
Whatever! I still think that people are way to hard on Go Hye Sun! Han Ji Min is terrible in Hyde and Jekyll too but she is not getting a lot of hate for it.
I'm sorry but GHS is no where near the level of HJM. HJM doesn't have that wow factor a leading lady should have. However, she acts pretty well, especially in sageuks. GHS is just hopeless.
Han Ji Min's acting is totally overrated. She's very dull and boring actress. She's only lucky because she's always paired with popular actors and good actors.
Han Ji Min looks ordinary, but I wouldn't call her acting bad. It's just people that have watched her, for the first time, in Hyde Jekyll and Me are not giving her a chance. I do agree that her Ha Na is as dull as beans compared to Hyun Bin's Seo Jin & Robin, so hopefully her character will get better.But I thought Han Ji Min was awesome in Capital City and Yi San.
And for GHS, the only drama that I liked her in was Angel Eyes. Too bad she went back to her acting of her BOF's days. And it doesn't help that she is styled badly in this drama.
I really wonder who are the favourite actress(es) of HJM haters as it'll be interesting to know and then compare them fairly. Or probably they are just the fans of the actors who acted along with HJM before:)
@Audry I have watched almost all of Han Ji Min's drama because I had no choice,I like all her male partners, so I can say that she is a boring actress. All her roles have no uuumph and when she's trying to be feisty it is not believable. She is pretty to look at because of her looks but as far as acting is concerned, she mostly benefits from her co-stars.
she's still a far better actress than GHS. I'm sorry but can you really watch her dramas and think that she's a good actress? she was decent in Angel Eyes but nothing else that she's been in has impressed me.
@anon she was far better than Han Ji Min in The King and I and Pure 19 also Angel Eyes, at least she wasn't dull like trophy wife looking Han Ji Min.
@Liemkompi favorite or not, Go Hye Sun is getting bashed more than any actresses out there while the likes of Han Ji Min who's a bland actress get a lighter sentence for underperforming, that's my biggest issue.
I don't think there is any actress that get bashed more than Jin se yeon,shin se kyung and park shin hye(but she has redeemed herself after Pinocchio).but jin se yeon gets the most hate in kdramas.I've never seen anyone excited about her casting in a drama.Gu hye sun still have fans that defend her but not Jin se yeon or even shin se kyung.
@ dramakid
I saw Jin Se Yeon in bridal mask. I thought she was ok in it. Lee Yeon Hee, Go Ara etc. managed to pull it together after years of acting so I think there's always room for improvement.
These are K-actresses who always keep getting criticism for bad acting but still get leading role... ku hye sun, jin se yeon, shin se kyung, go sung hee, han ga in, jo yoon hee. K-netizens still think lee yeon Hee's acting is crappy too.
dude, did you not see Go hye sun's coughing fit scene in blood? cause that was really really bad... i don't even like han ji min but she is a tad better than go hye sun because she doesn't overact and make herself look ridiculous
She doesn't overact alright...she just looks like a robot.
Thay coughing scene makes me want to punch the screen.. Yikes.. Can she get any worse??
That's true. Sometimes viewers have too much expectations. Han Ji Min and Gu Hye Son probably lack a really strong female lead script. Or maybe they lack A++ charisma but how many have that? Jun ji hyun, ha ji won ... But how many roles can they take each year. So the industry still needs to groom the actresses...
Gosh this is so horrible,,,after hyde, jekyll, and me, then this crap!!!
Ahn jae hyun and goo hye sun are soooo bad in acting and the story just double meh, the medical thing is just big NO, at least the actors, except JSY in doctor stranger bring the viewers till the end of the drama.
lee jong suk please come back soon!!!
After watching ahn jae hyun kiddo, I can say lee jong suk is a god of model-actor, he has amazing acting skills, I miss him so much although pinocchio ended last month.
Please give me back my daily dose of jongsuk.
He looks gay
you know who is god model-actor? Cha Seung Won and Kang Dong Won. LJS has a long way to go before reaching that "god" level
There are so many models turned to be actors nowadays, but yes I just think only jongsuk who is known because of his acting skill. He even won best actor in grimae awards as the youngest actor ever. So proud of him.
Thank YOU j2hr. LJS still has a long way to go to get to God level. But you must not say that since everyone will say you are a hater.
He's good but not That good yet
I'm a fan but he is not there yet maybe a good actor not god actor you maybe mistyped it.
He looks gay
And you look so manly
And your point is....?
He can act.
And S/he is someone who just wrote above 'stick to her acting' while criticizing an actor! Tells you enough how double-faced the crazy fans can be.
Even JSY is better to watch than this show T_T
Lmao, after reading knetz, inetz comments and of course your review, it makes me want to watch the drama for a good laugh as you said, lol
from the first this mess idea is just ridiculous,,and we can see how bad the result is,,good job KBS, you totally succes making the entire world laugh with your shitty drama.
Dear Koala
It's fine if you don't like the drama but to comment on GHS other takents is below the belt. What takents do you have besides this unprofessional reviews ?Oh yeah- you can lick your own balls ( you are a unisex) if that's the case - you win!
Sorry GHS- Koaka can climb a tree and lick his or her own balls
apparently, proper grammar and spelling isn't a talent of yours....
Sir, you're hilarious.
Reading about the bad acting makes me want to watch it. Haha.
"Unisex"
Don't know bout Ms. Koala, or dramaburns, but you my friend are talented indeed. Just keep doing what you're doing! You're going to make it really far!
Who are you? Why are you spewing your crap? Disagree with Koala all you want but do it in a logical manner. Calling her names is stupid. What's dumber is your homophobic insult.
hmm, didnt Dr.S copy Good Doctors regarding dramatic medical execution?
Yeah, but at least GD had heartwarming children and Joo Won was not some "here I'm the best surgeon around, I'll fix whatever mess you make"
There's a surgery jesus drama I love. It's Doctor X. she's hot, doesn't date and like to eat. But Doctors from blood doesn't have in store enough to pull it off. GHS character is arrogant and sucks at surgery so understandably without her talented acting skills
Doctor X is my queen in heels. Love her.
Dr. X fans? Unite!
oh, I love that drama....is it complete already? I only watched up to episode 8 cause I couldnt find the next ones....the lead female is bad ass....
Base on the stills alone and a few snipets I found on youtube, I'm staying faaar away from this sucker. Actually...to be honest... I already took 2 steps back when Ahn Jaehyun was casted. Please shove the boy back into magazines. Also please put this drama out of it's misery. Second hand embarrassment to the maaaaaax.
So glad my baby Yoo Yeon Suk didn't accept this. But then again if he did I'd watch it lol. This drama would have be cracktastic if only we got better actors. >_____< I just don't understand why these people get lead roles. I just don't ;__;
OMG, I know right?! I am so glad Yoo Yeon-seok didn't take this. I had bad feelings about this sucky vampire drama that takes itself way too seriously, even before pre-production. And I don't really understand the hype around Gu Hye-sun. She is good in many artistic endeavors, but sadly, acting is NOT one of them.
Goo Hye Sun is only getting roles because of her looks.. I wish she tried harder to improve like Kim Tae Hee or Lee Yeon Hee...
Hahaha. Was a little sad that YYS turned this down Cause i really think it was high time for him to get lead drama material.
but when they casted AJH for the role i went thinking that there is something seriously wrong with the script that Jung Il woo and Yoo Yeon seok turned it down only to have AJH who is still lacking in leading man material and is totally underwhelming in his performance in YAB get the part. Those are big red flags to stay away from thia drama.
Just sad cause i super love the previous projects of both the writer and PD. And ji jin hee. Feel really bad for him. I wish they end this drama fast and get JJH to suffer from this drama less.
Then they add GHS who i have never really connected with, even in angel eyes which is probably one of her best acting projects. it felt like she was stil a rookie of an actress.
ĶBS is really in a slump in their primetime weekday dramas fo= years now.
I honestly cannot understand how GHS could have roles solely based on her looks. I mean, she is definitely not ugly or anything, but it's not like she's the pretties kdrama actress out there, either. There are soooo many much more beautiful actresses in kmovies and kdramas who do not get leading roles even if they can also act on top of being ridiculously gorgeous in look department. There must be something else here in play and I do not know what.
@Daisy, because of her look or because of YG? if people think LYH gets roles because of SM, how about GSH?
@J2hr who's GSH? Of course having YG to back her up helps but it is cause of her looks! She may not look that pretty to you or whatever but she was known for being a pretty natural Ulzzang! So yeah it's a bit of both good company & looks! But one thing is for sure its definitely not cause of her so called "acting" abilities.
Examples would be like the ones I named Kim Tae Hee, Lee Yeon Hee, Kim Hee Sun, Go Ara & the idol actress's now Suzy, Yoona, Seolhyun! They all got roles with help of their agency & mainly looks. Yes some can act better than others but you get the point. I'm not trying to start drama just making a point.
YYS would have been fine in this. The writing actually isn't the worst thing about the drama for once.