[Hey peeps, let’s give a big welcome back for jomo, who spent all of summer 2014 writing lovely heartfelt recaps for My Spring Days, and is back with a first impressions take on cable drama Ex-Girlfriend Club. I hope her schedule looks good this summer so she can share more of her insightful caring drama analysis with us. xoxo Koala.]
TvN‘s Ex-Girlfriend Club is my standout favorite drama this season. It hurts my heart that it has been shortened to only 12 episodes. Mostly I just want to post adorable photos of Byun Yo-han (Misaeng) as cartoonist, Bang Myung-soo, playing around with a glowing Song Ji-hyo (Emergency Couple, A Frozen Flower) as film producer, Kim Soo-jin. They just seem to be having so much fun all the time.
Not a lot happens in EGC. Directed by Kwon Suk-jang, (Miss Korea, Pasta) he chose a pace that’s more a meander through a quiet neighborhood than a race to the OTP finish line. The writer is a newcomer, Lee Jin-mae. I like the balance of the introspective scenes with the slap-stick. It is lovely spending time with the characters as they discover things about each other and realize even more about themselves.
What compels the audience to keep watching is curiosity about the past as we see the pair negotiate a possible future together. Who are these folks? How did they get here?
At times it is uproariously funny – elbows, sneakers and curses flying in every direction – exactly what you would assume happens when ex-girlfriends meet and unite against a common enemy. The quieter more intense moments are in contrast to the chaotic noisy ones. In some ways, this romance feels like Office Girls. So close, and yet so far. She’s afraid of being played or hurt. He just loves her sooo much.
Byun Yo-han excels here. You can read each thought as it passes across his face.
The story revolves around the excitement and set-backs in getting our hero’s popular webtoon – one that chronicles his past loves – made into a feature length film.
She has to persuade the three ladies Myung-soo dated to allow the film to be made. In chronological order, the Cat, Na ji-ah played by Jang Ji-eun (Tree With Deep Roots) drips with money and status. Her wardrobe in one episode is worth more than one year’s of Myung Soo’s flannel and jeans. His first love, sophisticated, sleek, always wearing an enigmatic and dangerous smile.
The Lion, Jang Hwa-young is played by a no holds barred, Lee Yoon-ji (King 2 Hearts.) She is fierce, stubborn, snobby and has the most to lose if her connection to the webtoon writer is revealed. Mostly because she wants to hide her own bat-shit crazy obsessive behavior from her chaebol fiancé who definitely would not approve.
My favorite is the slightly youngest, the Fox, Ra Ra, played by Ryu Hwa-young. The gorgeous, voluptuous “actress” with a few risqué films on her resume, is ambitious in spite of her lack of talent. Her fans cannot know she had any sort of relationship that wasn’t one sided and innocent. I have a huge girl crush on this Park Shin-hye look-a-like who has a comedic talent that has had me guffawfing the second she appeared on screen.
It turns out our film producer counts herself as one of his ex’s as well, though feels slightly intimidated by their glamor compared to her own relaxed style. An award winning producer in her own right, she is talented and driven, witty and intelligent, she has no business feeling that way!
The rest of the ensemble cast is as fabulous. Each actor stands out in his/her role – there is no blurring of the characters. Each one gets room enough to make a strong impression. And do they ever.
Soo-jin’s loyal coworker, Song Eun-Hye is played by Kang Soo Jin. I love her out-spokeness. Go Hyun plays Myung-soo’s roomie and fellow cartoonist Lee Jin-bae, resident thorn-in-side, and putty in Ra-ra’s hands.
Shin Dong Mi plays Soo-jin’s bossy big sister and wife to doting father played by Jo Jung-chi.
There are main two saviors and supporters of Soo-jin’s film, famous director, Jo Gun, played with prickly abandon by Do Sang-woo (Legendary Witch) and his good friend, investor and future husband to Hwa-young, played by ever so naively by Kim Sa-kwon (Can We Love?)
Ironically, the webtoon’s appeal, its sincerity, is what the Ex-Girlfriends want to hide from the world. Appropriately any attempt to obscure the truth or block uri OTP results in disaster, usually cringeworthy, that mortifies them more than if they had been honest in the first place.
Our genius director threatens consistently to reveal the truth; his presence irritates everyone, especially Myung-soo, as they both are interested in wooing Soo Jin.
So how does this jeans and sneakers guy have any past at all with these sleek high maintenance ladies? His easy smiles hint at his social position with these stunning women. Men who appear unapproachable, think Darcy types, have more apparent status. The proud, unattainable man is the one all the women are programmed to want. Smiley guys just aren’t worth as much.
Ji-ah Noonah and Hwa-young ended up with the boardroom types who can provide all the material gains they need. Beautiful sexy Ra-ra also treated him like a stepping stone. Her goal to be an actress didn’t include a young, unemployed man, albeit an adorable one. Sure he is nice to look at, attentive, generous, sweet, but they considered him boyfriend material not husband.
The writers chose not to reveal Myung-soo and Soo-jin’s s history all at once. We get a peek or two each episode to some of their past interactions. His wistfulness about their time together tells us there is a lot more to the story than SHE is aware of.
There were quite a few surprises, deftly handled, that had me “Ah-hah!”-ing, too. Our hope is Soo-jin will NOT make the same mistake the Ex’s made, and hold on to this unique, sensitive man. The main theme is that telling the truth, as difficult as that can be, is the key to happiness in relationships. The refrain of the drama’s fun and catchy theme song reminds us: “I want to give you what you want, so tell me the truth.”
All the music is sensational. Whether we are hearing the OST, or Vaya Con Dios, a Belgian blues singer, or The Night Chicago Died by Paper Lace or a 1950’s Trot song, the selection always sets the mood and highlights the emotions perfectly. (If there is a list somewhere I would love to download all of it.)
Cinematography and set design are also first rate. We get beautiful shots like this,
and this:
One of my favorite touches is the crayon drawings on the wall in Soo-jin’s living room. I smile each time I see the rainbows and other art her nephews scribbled and that the parents allowed to stay.
I look forward to the rest of this drama, though it disappoints me we have less time, we get less breathless moments between our hesitant OTP. I want MORE LOL’ing with the Ladies Three. Who else is watching? What do you all think of the show and the reduction?
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I feel much like you, really funny at times and strong,warm characters. Not much plot but down to earth story,characters are worth it. I like the way their past was told little by little over the time. How MS have more depth of feelings than you expected. I like the theme of telling the truth, the way the OTP are friends first and talk through everything.
It sucks to that it is cut down because its fun,breezy drama that i would rather watch than generic by the numbers rom com that usually have better rating.
im still devastated about the cutting news. excuse me while i cry in a corner. Great mid-review/recap, btw. Thanks.
Also, youre right. I love the music choices they use in the drama.
I love it too. Sad to say even though I'm a big fan of the Hong Sisters, I'm enjoying this more than Warm & Cozy even if I like that too. All the characters seem so much 'more' even if the minor ones can only be seen a few minutes per episode. I mean who else doesn't love the love-to-hate Director Jo than the boring Ji-won in W&C?
The revelations being doled out made me squee, Soo-jin and Myung-soo's interactions are awesome, Ra-ra's my new girl crush, and I really love the catchy BGM/OST. I'm sad that it got shortened, but 12 episodes is actually better storywise so the angst won't get dragged out unnecessarily. I'm just gonna watch Emergency Couple again after this ends.
I love Song Ji-hyo and don't understand the hate she gets because of her 'acting' in this drama. Anyway, lovely post jomo. I enjoyed it and glad some people are enjoying this too despite the lukewarm reception from SK & tvN.
I feel like I have been writing long treatises about this show because I really do love it so much, and I feel like not enough people are watching and/or appreciate these women as annoying as they all are, but they all have depth unlike most second female leads. I want to give a shout out to Lee Yoon-ji who is playing the heck out of this crazy character. When she comes back to drama land after her baby is born; she should only do physical comedy because she is so funny--she is letting it all out with no reservations. I can see why the writer had her in mind for this role. I also agree on the supporting cast and the writing for them. It proves that you can have small supporting roles that are clearly drawn without being stereotypical. This cut is just going to make me relish what is left even more. I also wonder if more dramas will (or should) start out with 10 or 12 eps in mind. Lots of Japanese dramas are that short and quite good. We all know plenty of American shows that really should only be min-series or even better movie-of-the-weeks.
Waaaaaaiiiii?! I need more Rara, more Myung-soo. More crazy Lion.
Well, if the hopeful folks are right, it could go out with a Bang (get it?) rather than a whimper.
Then we can count down the days till we see BYH in 6 Dragons, or I can rererewatch Misaeng.
I'm really enjoying this one too! You described it perfectly. There is 1 character though that I just can't come around liking. That is Ji an. She's too manipulative. I love Rara's straightforwardness, even more straightforward than Soo Jin.
I love how down-to-earth the characters are, and the lead guy is so refreshing. He's so chill and caring. I also love how we got to see the the characters' flaws. I love the confrontation between the leads in episode 7, that shows the reason behind why things didn't go well in their past. Obviously I see there were faults from both sides but I love the attention given in writing these characters.
As for the episode cut, I don't know if I'm happy or sad about it. I hope it doesn't need to rush but I'm happy we'll have less time for angst.
Rara is T-ara Ex member(the alleged bully victim). As an actress, I think she is doing a wonderful job. This is my favorite drama so far this year. Really sad about shortening the drama. I feel it is Na PD fault. Since his variety comes after their show. Everyone goes to do house chores and everything else, so they can sit and enjoy his show. Back to the drama, the emotions are so raw, and any scene with all the exes are fun. The interaction between MS and SJ is to die for. I ship them so much. I love how comfortable they are with each other. Gary has a competition in BYH.
Welcome Back Jomo!
Thanks! You, too! :)
I absolutely agree with you too.
I was so sad and angry to learn they cut down this drama, the sweet genuine dramas like this always have less episodes, but dramas that are bad from beginning to end end up with freaking 20 episodes.. its upsetting ;/
I am absolutely loving all the characters and story development, MS and SJ are so adorable together, great chemistry. My favourite ex is the Lion, she is bash crazy, temperamental and her lines and reactions/faces are just sending me on fits of laugh every time.
I look forward to each episode!
I actually mourning over the cutting down drama. this drama isl light, breezy, fun but with plenty of hearts. I definetely annoyed with 2 exes. namely Cat and Lion. but they are relatable wit a bit exxegeration. and Song Ji Hyo excel in acting like she doesn't know that she's pretty and attractive though not glamorous as the other exes.
Byun Yo Han is heart. his mega-watt smile is warm. not typical maind lead in k-drama. and second lead is like typical main lead in k-drama but he's not clueless and straight rude. he has his own perspective and being objective even to Myung Soo. he wants to woo SJ but she carefully observe whether SJ thinks MS as friend or more.
I totally loveee the drama. i don't usually watch rom-com. but this drama is more than rom-com. It is life! so, i wish director, writer, actor and staff still delivering good quality with a little episode is given. because It is great drama
I was really taken aback to see the cut! This drama is more warm and cozy to me than Warm and Cozy as I hate the leads on Hong sisters drama being together. I love the side characters but shouldn't we love our OTP as we can in EGC? I had not known that Song Ji Hyo was being hated on as she was loved in EC and I had serious issues with that OTP and in general. I love how funny this is and I will be sad to see it end. Please please do not ruin the end because it is cut short! What is my most scary thought are the ones that are can be just cut off and I hate the end. I am not thrilled with dramas that end like Faith. Or like Gu Family Book....please take the time now to make a cozy ending we can truly enjoy.
Oh so agree with you about warm and cozy!! I started watching it to unwind and relax through a stressful time. I thought i don't mind watching leads bicker with the refreshing scenery of jeju island. What did I get? My blood boiling! The lead guy is both stupid and jerk beyond belief! (Its been dropped :P) Thankfully I stumbled on this and got exactly what I was looking for. Whats funny is the synopsis makes it seems like the lead is this player with maybe a jerkish side but what we get is a sincere guy full of heart.
Oh yes about EC I also didn't see why they should end up together but here it's so different! It's that instance if they finally settle their past and get together they would really make each other happy! I hope it has a good ending though.