Kolorful Palette: Musical magic [Cantabile Tomorrow]

27 October 19, 2014October 18, 2014

Kolorful Palette: Musical magic [Cantabile Tomorrow]

by Fanderay

I tend to enjoy all musical dramas (even the terrible ones) but I get extra excited when they’re actually good, and Cantabile Tomorrow has been more than just good so far. I was a bit apprehensive going in, but all my fears have been alleviated. I realized I’m not watching because I feel any sense of suspense like I need to know what comes next. Instead I just want to watch more because it’s enjoyable, and that’s probably the best reason there is.

One of my worries was that this drama would be boring since there aren’t any obvious hooks, but there doesn’t really need to be any since the characters are interesting, the chemistry between characters is highly entertaining, and the music is wonderful to listen to. The music itself was actually another worry that I had. I’ve seen other dramas make classical music seem boring, but it really feels like Cantabile Tomorrow has taken the time to pick the right music for each scene, and really make it the star of the show at times. I was surprised at first to hear the Nutcracker since it’s so evocative of Christmas, but musically it suited the moment so well that it ended up seeming like the perfect choice, and that indicates to me that someone knows what they’re doing.

I was also worried for myself personally because I’ve never really liked Joo-won. I don’t actually think he’s a bad actor and I know I just have a wire crossed somewhere in my brain (since I also don’t like Lee Min-ho, Lee Dong-wook, or Kang Ji-hwan). I think I might need medical intervention! At any rate, I am both shocked and ecstatic that I actually like Joo-won in this role. Perhaps it has something to do with the lower-than-average resolution that I watched the first two episodes at, but I think it’s primarily that I like him as a musician, and find that it suits him. He’s completely fantastic as Yoo-jin, and the character of Yoo-jin itself is surprisingly likable. Broody musicians are usually likable because they’re talented and mysterious, but Yoo-jin is likable because he’s actually nice. He barely tries at all to be a curmudgeon, and instead he’s answering his professor’s phone calls, making food for everyone, and recording parts for his duet partner. He doesn’t even seem to have much of an ego about his talent, and instead follows others when it’s the smart thing to do.

Yoo-jin is even more magical when he’s on screen with Nae-il. I love watching them play music together, but they also have great comic timing and it’s endearing to both of them the way they treat each other. Nae-il has absolutely no shame about going after Yoo-jin, but he handles her with almost inhuman patience and manages to see beyond her peskiness. Of course that doesn’t keep him from getting some enjoyment out of annoying her from time to time, but it’s only fair!

I’m even loving side characters like Teacher Ahn and Il-lac so far. Il-lac may win the prize for worst drama hair this year, but his interactions with his father are adorable, and I fully expected him to spend most of the drama resenting Yoo-jin. Instead he wants to be besties, which is extra awesome since Yoo-jin would probably prefer to be enemies (he seems like the lone wolf type) and has to endure even more skinship. It’s pretty refreshing to watch a drama where kindness outweighs hatefulness, and it really makes this a feel-good show to watch.

I didn’t draw this scene because it’s anything particularly special, but simply because I love strings (in the musical sense that is). As much as I love piano, it does always seem to get the spotlight, and I would love to see (and hear) a greater variety of instruments. I was pretty disappointed that Yoo-jin only played violin for about 5 seconds, but hopefully we get to hear more in the future. If not, there’s always Il-lac, and I do love a good duet.

I haven’t read or watched any of the previous Nodame Cantabile material so I don’t know how Cantabile Tomorrow stacks up, but I plan to enjoy it like it’s an original, and it looks like that is going to be very easy to do.

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1 moonleaf

October 19, 2014 at 4:27 AM

I'm loving the show so far! Really charming, refreshing and hilarious :D

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2 fab

October 19, 2014 at 4:45 AM

I usual don't care much for musical dramas, but Nodame Cantabile is a classic! Love it so far.

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3 fab

October 19, 2014 at 4:49 AM

usually!

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4 kanz

October 19, 2014 at 5:35 AM

Love it so far! Yoo Jin and Nae Il is hilarious combo!
But for me, although Joo Won plays Yoo Jin's character very good, I'm more drawn to Nae Il. Maybe because I'm biased more to SEK rather than Joo Won.

I love the classical music used to enhance particular scenes. Although I can't play music listening to classical music is a joy. Please, dramagods! Please don't mess this drama!

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5 annflln

October 19, 2014 at 6:19 AM

Ditto. I found this drama very enjoyable. Love the characters so far and how they slowly introduced to scene. I found Franz very amusing, especially with that broken (but smooth) korean lol. And the music are great!!

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6 far

October 19, 2014 at 6:52 AM

Thanks for this great review! Love the chemistry between all the casts. You certainly have a screw loose if you do not like Joowon or Kang Ji Hwan. They're like, two of the best actors in Korea! Anyway, glad to know you like Joowon in this role. His hard work has definitely paid of so far.

One of my most favourite moments is the part where Naeil and IlRak was fighting for skinship over Yoojin when he doesnt even want any with both of them in the first place. XD There are so many hilarious and touching moments in the drama. The conflicts are starting to shape up and friendships are bonding nicely.

I started watching this because of Joowon, but now I'm watching for all the casts and the beautiful music~

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7 kumi

October 19, 2014 at 7:17 AM

Loving your drawings and comments.
BTW, piano is also a stringed instrument. Moreover, you can also pluck or bow its' strings. Henry Cowell did that.
Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14jPvnWhdNM

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8 pastmidnite

October 19, 2014 at 7:56 AM

Well, thanks for pointing out the fact that I probably have some wires crossed in my brain, coz I was never a fan of Joo won, either (nor LMH, and all the actors you mentioned) LOL...but I LOVE Joo won here! Maybe it has something to do with my bias to actors/characters who can play musical instruments, but I haven't actually watched the whole 1st & 2nd episodes, only bits of them, and I already liked what I saw. Looking forward to watching this!

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9 owl 🦉 🫰

October 19, 2014 at 7:57 AM

Fabulous art!

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10 hyperbutterfly89

October 19, 2014 at 8:14 AM

I think I have my wire crossed too since I also don’t like and borderline hate Lee Min-ho, Lee Dong-wook, and Kang Ji-hwan. I've watched the japanese drama version and loved both the main leads and their portrayal. In the korean version, I loved Joo-won and found him interesting and expressive without being too much. However, I'm still holding judgement on Nae-il. Enjoying this version so far.

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11 hana

October 19, 2014 at 9:50 AM

Loving this so far, especially uri Cha Yoo Jin :D

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12 SS

October 19, 2014 at 10:06 AM

I enjoyed your screencaps and comments on Ojakgyo Brothers at Softy's. Although I had an idea(absence of gushing over Hwang Taehee, LOL), I really didn't know you felt this way towards Joo Won until now.

Thank you for drawing Cha Yoo Jin. I find it amusing that while HD made me spazz more over Joo Won's looks. it was the lack of HD/lower quality resolution that made him more 'attractive' to you.

Let's hope Tomorrow Cantabile will keep entertaining us and be awesome.

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13 robin

October 19, 2014 at 10:32 AM

Funny, I also have wires crossed. I think Lee Min-ho is overrated but has potential if he stops singing and doesn't coast on his popularity, Lee Dong-wook is an ok actor but has weird eyes, and Kang Ji-hwan sets off my gaydar in a way that makes me not quite able to suspend my disbelief about his on-screen romances despite his fantastic kiss scenes. Personal and controversial opinions, I know! I have adored Joowon since Ojakgyo Bros., though.

As always, you capture the scene really nicely. Emotional, thoughtful, and lovely lighting.

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hyperbutterfly89

October 19, 2014 at 11:49 AM

I've seen him in the first couple of BOF episodes and the poodle hair, horrible fashion and bad acting just turned me off and I've hated him ever since. The only dramas where I found him tolerable were my personal taste and city hunter even though his acting was still not up to par and way over rated in comparison to others such as Cha Seung-won, Gong Yoo, Eric, yoon shi yoon (who I think is under-utilized), Seo In-guk and other.

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robin

October 19, 2014 at 3:02 PM

I agree with absolutely everything you said. :)

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14 Brasslefrat

October 19, 2014 at 10:53 AM

I am also joining the club that does not like Lee Min Ho! But that's maybe because I've never seen BOF, I know it's blasphemous. Anyway don't let GF hear it :D

I love the art work and also like your description of Yoo-jin very much. Thanks!

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hyperbutterfly89

October 19, 2014 at 11:50 AM

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Brasslefrat

October 19, 2014 at 2:53 PM

Yeah, I couldn't get through the first episode myself. I had just seen Hana Yori Dango before trying BOF and I thought seeing the "same" story with an actor I don't like very much, never mind that...
I still have to see Citu Hunter,so maybe my opinion will change a bit?

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15 reeta700

October 19, 2014 at 11:47 AM

Seeing actors like joo won becoming male leads makes me quit k-drama..pffffffff

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16 Marisol

October 19, 2014 at 2:27 PM

I've been really enjoying it! I have read the manga, and so I had to watch the drama to see how it would be. I think it's been pretty good. The manga has a ton of music in it, but of course you can't hear it. Sometimes I would look up the songs, but most of the time I would not. I like that they play a bunch of classical music throughout the show, and so I can actually hear a bunch of different pieces. This series actually taught me a lot about classical music, and so I learn something too!

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robin

October 19, 2014 at 3:06 PM

I didn't read the manga for the exact reason that you can't hear the music. Loooved the anime, though. Made it into my top three. Didn't like the Japanese live action because they overdid the comic book violence. Don't think that works unless it's animated. So far they have tuned it down in the Korean version. Fingers crossed they continue to do so!

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17 keepondreaming

October 19, 2014 at 5:23 PM

I'm not a big fan of Joo-won but his acting is okay in this drama. I've watched the Japanese version and I think what the Korean version lacks is the quirky humor of the original. Cinematic wise though, the lighting and stuff make it more enjoyable to watch visually. I guess its also more emotive in that sense. However, the Korean version fails to convey the significance of music in their lives and some of the characters could have been portrayed more humorously. Strezemann for example isn't as funny as he is in the Japanese version. Also, the Korean Nodame is acted out very childishly. Watching the Korean version just makes me miss the Japanese version even more, to be honest. Both have their good points and bad points though. Will continue watching it!

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celest4

October 19, 2014 at 7:04 PM

THIS. The only difference I have in opinion I have is that I actually really like Joo Won in this drama. It's Nae-Il that keeps bothering me because I think SEK's acting is a little off. She tries to make the character more childish than she needs to be. I definitely will keep watching because overall I do enjoy it, but it's very difficult to not keep comparing the two.

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Carinne

October 19, 2014 at 9:26 PM

*high five* I too haven't warmed up to SEK's acting chops in this remake. I love the original too much.

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nomad

October 20, 2014 at 7:15 PM

I agree, they need to stop painting her to be that childish. I mean, what's up with the little doll they keep propped up either on her shoulder or her back? It bothers me A LOT. Cantabile tomorrow actually made me re-marathon Nodame Cantabile cause I can't help not to compare the two. I still love the Japanese live-version too much to warm up to this one...

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Kim

October 20, 2014 at 8:54 AM

Finally. Someone who has the same option as me. The Japanese version was much more fun. Missing the tympani player's character too. He was totally hilarious about his love for Chiaki. The music scenes seemed more emotional and moving in the japenes version, too.

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18 2Fab4you

October 20, 2014 at 5:55 AM

Overall, I enjoyed the drama a lot! I watched both the anime and the live action before... I personally dont find Nae il that irritating as you do, tbh that wasnt so childish at all, it isnt the worst tho... Joo won, i could say that he is much blending into the charcter of chiaki, that wasnt that bad and I enjoyed their fabulous chemistry... it make it so enjoyable to watch. I love Il lac character as he was so funny and I find Franz not as funny as the japanese version still. Hope to see more better stuff coming up today...

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Cantabile Tomorrow