Kang Hye-jung dismayed over Ripley role
by javabeans
Or rather, her lack of one.
And not for no reason, either, since Kang Hye-jung’s role as Miri’s (Lee Da-hae) friend/rival/foil in Miss Ripley has failed to materialize, having been drastically cut in recent episodes. Viewers have noticed her nonentity status and let loose a string of complaints, and now Kang’s own agency has spoken out as well.
On the 13th, a rep stated in an interview that Kang is disappointed that her role has been reduced to near-invisibility in the drama, although she is determined to do her best with the remaining material.
When the drama was first announced, it was presented as a story about four leads, rather than two leads and two supporting characters. It’s hard to see how the drama could have scored such strong actors as Kang and Kim Seung-woo otherwise, given that they’re leading material themselves. Kim Seung-woo’s character has had more weight in the storyline, playing a major role in Miri’s rise and fall, although his sharp decline in visibility in recent weeks has also prompted grumbling amongst viewership.
But Kang’s Hee-joo character has all but disappeared, despite being set up to be Miri’s big competitor. She was the light to Miri’s dark, the girl with the happy life Miri felt she should have had instead. The one in love with Miri’s fiancé, the friend and enabler and — one hoped — the obstacle. She held the key to Miri’s downfall…and then, nothing.
Instead of using Hee-joo’s knowledge of Miri’s lies, the burden of those revelations have shifted to uncouth Hirayama (Kim Jung-tae) and steely Stepmom Lee Hwa (Choi Myung-gil), both of whom have been winning praise for their performances. Viewers point out that Hee-joo hasn’t merely taken a backseat, but had even less screen time than a cameo (by Eom Ki-joon). She could be written out and it would make no difference.
It’s a bummer, because Kang Hye-jung is a wonderful actress who doesn’t do many dramas (she’s more known for her quirky film characters, such as in Welcome to Dongmakgol and Herb), and a lot of her fans had been anticipating her return to television. Her last drama was 2007’s Flowers For My Life, which was lovely and insightful (still one of my favorites), but sadly a ratings flop. (Ratings were among the lowest I’ve seen, in the 2% to 3% range.)
I hope the Miss Ripley experience doesn’t turn her off television for good, though I can see why she’d be feeling mighty disappointed in how this one turned out for her. I’d love to see her take on a quirky and plucky leading role in another comedy — oh all right, I just want another Flowers For My Life. So what if I’m greedy like that?
Via 10 Asia, Joy News, NTN Seoul
RELATED POSTS
Tags: Kang Hye-jung, Miss Ripley
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
51 jojo
July 14, 2011 at 4:29 AM
Saw where this was going...have given up on this one...
Required fields are marked *
52 specialKA
July 14, 2011 at 4:30 AM
Kang Hye-Jung is in a new really cute and hilarious American/Korean comedy Wedding Palace. It won best indepedent feature film & best cinematography in a big Hollywood film competition.
Check out all her photos on the film's fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/weddingpalaceGO
What KHJ lost out on Ms. Ripley, she'll win back ten fold when this movie hits the theaters later this year!
Required fields are marked *
53 ...
July 14, 2011 at 5:42 AM
I really like this blog but I understand why almost every fans of LDH decided not to intervene any more. So much hatred for an actress is ridiculous
Required fields are marked *
54 et
July 14, 2011 at 6:25 AM
@... : Most of LDH fan's doesnt want to argue anymore because it is ridiculous and a waste of time. There's no use of stooping down because haters will just continue to hate no matter what you say in defense of LDH.Too much hatred is not good for the heart...
Required fields are marked *
55 minheeboo
July 14, 2011 at 7:03 AM
this is such a bummer. i like miss ripley with kang heejoo in it. now... she doesn't even have enough face time in the series. ugh.
i'm on the heejoo and yooyhun ship... this is such a bummer.
Required fields are marked *
56 imogene_af
July 14, 2011 at 7:49 AM
It is not about LDH fans vs KHJ fans...fans here just like women being pitted against each other. They would not do the same if this was an issue between Park Yoochun and Kim Seung Woo.
As if to praise LDH is a downgrade on KHJ. Or vice versa.
They are both good actresses, look at the actresses around their age and they stand by as one of the best.
Required fields are marked *
Kim
July 14, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Lord, I agree with you so very much.
Required fields are marked *
et
July 15, 2011 at 9:11 PM
I totally agree with you.
Required fields are marked *
57 Tha
July 14, 2011 at 8:07 AM
I feel like Im going to be echoing everyone here! So I'll echo on!
I am also sad that Hee Joo wasnt written out the be as important as the other character of the show. I was sooo looking forward to her character. And then nothing...
I am disappointed in the writers. Not any of the actors...everyone plays the part the writers write, right? and they played them exceptionally well especially here...so if the writers ever considered writing Hee Joo to be the part that she should have been...She would have been well played by Kang Hye Jung.
Good story. Good pace. Good acting. Would have been better with Hee Joo in it!
Required fields are marked *
58 JLemonade
July 14, 2011 at 8:33 AM
After reading all this I can feel that many do not like LDH but love KHJ so much. Actually actors/actresses just need to act following the storyline and that is what they are paid for. If they disagree with the screen time then just discuss internally with the PD/writer or the Big Boss and try to work out what is best. We as audience should not give our judgement whether who is professional or not , whether to leave the set or to continue because the party to the contract are them. What I know is that they can always make their stand and sue each other in court if either party breach the contract. Giving derogatory remarks on the actresses are not good as this will tarnish their image and hurt their fans.
We as audience should understand that not all the work of our favorite actress can be box office all the time because it depends so much on the character given and how good they are able to carry them. Maybe this time for Ms Ripley LDH is at the top, and previously KHJ was top in Old Boy. So what is important is for the actress to evaluate and choose their project diligently and decide what is best to bring their acting and popularity to greater heights. If they are not happy midway, talk to the PD/Writer what can be done and try to arrive to a win/win situation. The Writer can always kill off the character in a worst case scenario and just get the paycheck and leave. No need to complain and clean your dirty laundry in public! Why? Because movie/drama reporters and columnist love gossips and will spin the news beyond control. And this is what is happening now and why we are here raving or ranting to no end.
Just my 2 cents. Ha. ha. ha *bowing out*
Required fields are marked *
JLemonade
July 14, 2011 at 8:53 AM
No offense intended for DB. I love your blog very much because this is where I will go for viewers' comments before I watch K drama. If the comments are good I will watch and if not, I will skip.
Required fields are marked *
59 Bias
July 14, 2011 at 8:45 AM
@John Cantor, lol does she also light up something else for you?
It's not about jealousy but rather shock that an acclaimed actress like KHJ is not used to her full potential.
KHJ CAN act and can act very well, they could have utilised her very well in the story but why not? I mean the story is full of typical cliches and all that, why not make her the baddie and turn her against LDH...it's because people want to see LDH for she is pretty.
But soley it is the fault of the writers...it's not exactly hard to change her dull, trampled-all-over-by-Miri character into something more thrilling.
And as such you can't help but get the feeling, they gave KHJ a mediocre part because of the "lack of looks". KHJ gets less screen time because she's not plastic pretty pretty like LDH and LDH has to be matched with Micky.
Required fields are marked *
Kim
July 14, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Please stop calling LDH plastic pretty. You might as well call every korean actress plastic pretty.
And how can you say for sure that people want to see LDH onscreen only because she is pretty? How about, idk, they are intrigued by the character of Miri? And are invested in her storyline? And enjoy LDH's actor? Yes, there are those of us out there who feel this way. Yes, she is pretty, her character calls for it, so it makes sense. But pretty itself does not a compelling character make.
Yeah, I understand people are fans of KHJ and don't like her lack of screen time. But please direct your hate somewhere else and not at LDH. It is wholly unfair to insult her just to make a point about KHJ. It is ridiculous and pretty disgusting.
Required fields are marked *
smiley
July 14, 2011 at 9:28 AM
If you people love KHJ so much, please respect her, bashing LDH just make silent reader like me thinking that KHJ's fans got no class.
Every women got billion of Jelousy' genes in their body, but it is taboo, if you said it to them-they will go bersek thinking of it.
Required fields are marked *
bd
July 14, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Uhm, no.
Pretty much all of the most beautiful Korean actresses are natural - Kim Tae hee, Jeon Ji hyun, Shin Min ah, Lee Yeon hee, Son Ye jin, Song Hye gyo, Han Hyo joo, etc.
Required fields are marked *
pimly
July 14, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Lol it's cute you think that.
Required fields are marked *
Kim
July 14, 2011 at 8:26 PM
LOL Naming a handful of actresses does not invalidate my point, sorry.
Required fields are marked *
mookie
July 15, 2011 at 4:27 AM
If she's plastic and she's pretty, I don't see the offense in calling her what she is.
Or do you prefer it phrased Pretty Plastic putting her beauty first?!
Kim
July 15, 2011 at 8:19 AM
@59.1.2.2.1 mookie
It's an insult and meant to be offensive. Don't act like that isn't clear to you. If you were fat, would you like people to call you fat pretty? If you were African American, would you be okay with people calling you Black pretty? Just because they're calling you pretty, doesn't make it any less of an insult. If she is pretty, call her pretty. Calling her plastic has many negative connotations, which are unfair to her because, what, she's had one eyelids done?, and now she's plastic? That's pretty much 99% of the entire Korean actress pop. If you're calling her plastic, you might as well apply that to every other Korean actress.
Please give me more credit than to insult me with that second line. There is no difference in either, sorry for your failure with the English phrasing.
mookie
July 15, 2011 at 2:49 PM
@Kim,
I myself use that term, on EVERY actors and actresses I'm sure had visible work done. LDH has moments with certain scenes for me when the plastic is visible and therefore snapping me out of my suspension of belief. It doesn't invalidate anybody calling LDH plastic pretty when it applies to 99% of K actors and actresses. I understand you feel enraged when someone is saying sth not flattering to LDH specifically and the need to berate, but I don't see the logic when I tell someone, hey u've lost wt! and I'm only justified to say sth not meant to offend after I've said it to everyone who's lost wt on the planet. Bringing the 99% onto her same boat is not validating anything.
I've never said it's meant to be flattering but I don't use it to offend at all. It is what it is. The difference is if it's race that is discriminatory, whereas if it's sth they've made the educated decision to be done, I don't see why we can't speak of the white elephant. I have no prob with PS and Plastic, you are the one is holding the opinion plastic= derogative, I don't. They can be plastic fantastic, plastic pretty, if they r fantastic/pretty because of work they choose to do, empowering themselves why can't we celebrate it?!?! Don't ever put words and your prejudices on me. Of the 99% K actresses you are dragging along, many have very successful procedures, GHJ/Mishil is an example since you prefer bringing in others to validate. and I will not BLINK nor hesitate calling GHJ plastic pretty.
I have nth against PS, until the point I can only see the plastic trying mightiest to emote human expressions. I just don't prefer watching a chunk of silicon emoting on my screen.
Kim
July 15, 2011 at 4:45 PM
@ mookie
Calling anyone plastic is derogatory. Why don't you try going out into the real world and calling someone plastic, to their face, see if they like it or not. I guarantee you, they will take offense to it, whether you try to make yourself believe that "oh, since I don't mean it to be offensive, I see no problem with it." Yeah, we'll see how the person you're calling plastic take it. I don't know why you're trying to argue that I'm the one making it out to be a bad thing, it is a bad thing to call someone plastic.
And what you do mean of the 99% of Korean actresses I'm dragging along? Dragging along, in what way? It's true and I'm stating it. Are you trying to say it's a bad thing for them to also be referred to as plastic pretty if LDH is to be called that, when the amount of work she's had done is the same or less than many out there? Isn't that hypocritical of you then to have a problem with these actresses being called plastic pretty, or that I'm "dragging them along" when supposedly you say you think it's a fine word to use?
Yeah, it's not a nice word to use, and nor is it appropriate in this case, because though she has had work done, she's hardly plastic. Calling her that is both an exaggeration and mean-spirited.
mookie
July 15, 2011 at 6:29 PM
@kim,
tbh, I started messing with you just with your entitlement of telling ppl what can or can't be said/thought or what should and shouldn't be done. Here you go again telling me to go around saying to ppl's face they are plastic. huh?
Wordplay is not that absolute, in the light of terms like plastic scary , plastic freaky, plastic ugly, plastic pretty is a compliment, no? ha, let me just clear up, I don't agree with what the original poster is saying, I don't think LDH has anything to do with KHJ's demise.
You are the one I'm specifically referencing of 'dragging them along' since you hold the absolute opinion this is derogatory, not PS not the word plastic, not my doing, your opinion on the word and logic somehow we have to 'round up the plastics' to validate whatever point u were making. Calling someone fat can be rude, calling someone in an unkind light based on their race and ethnicity, inconceivable. The way u casually equate those with plastic surgeries have me in thoughts of why u are so against plastic the most. I don't think LDH is as caught up in it, she can hold up her own without your fussing. I like LDH, the woman, but I have problems with her acting and some I can attribute to too much PS and botox, is all.
LDH has non-human tissues in her, deal with it. When sth is not meat and skin and bone on her face what else am I supposed to call it?!?! I happen to think the word plastic is non-offensive enough to describe what it exactly is. There are different levels of surgeries, it's none of my business, someone walking down the street in a plastic mask is so none of my business for me to tell them in the face u r wearing a plastic mask. Most of the time, PS doesn't affect my experience watching them act on my screen in my dramas, but when I can't fool my eyes, when it affects the acting, ie their day job, the job that I have the right to critique at the perceiving end of their craft, not their surgeons'
I'm not arguing, I'm just messing with ya. TGIF!
Kim
July 15, 2011 at 7:00 PM
So you're admitting to just being mean-spirited then? To me? When you had no honest business or interest in the discussion, but just to be mean you dabbed in it anyway. You do realize that's a bit bitchy of you.
What are you even talking about with all this talk about entitlement? Don't you think you come off looking very entitled yourself, telling people they shouldn't be offended because, "hey, I don't get offended by it, so why should you? Answer, you shouldn't."
Non-human tissue? LOL that cracks me up! Anyone who has had a filling in their teeth, joint replacement surgery, wear contact lenses, are going to have non-human tissue in them. Are we going to call all these people plastic as well?
And again I ask, what is so wrong with me "dragging them along?" as you say. You are the one making it sound like it is a bad thing that I mentioned it. It you were truly okay with all these other actresses having plastic pretty applied to them as well, you would not have cared one way or another about my mentioning it. You are the one making a big deal of it. I'm saying "hey look, all these other actresses have had procedures too, it's not that big of a deal." I hope you realize surgery itself is not a big deal to me either. But calling anyone plastic has many negative connotations. It's rude and mean. Don't believe me, really, call anyone in real life plastic, and see if they welcome it or not.
imogene_af
July 14, 2011 at 11:24 AM
another example of pitting women against each other. seriously, grow up, folks. Plastic pretty? How is LDH's plastic surgery EVEN RELEVANT to this at all?
KHJ's dismay is in no way related to LDH. Her screentime got lessened when the story switched up the main villains to Lee Hwa and Hirayama. You cannot discredit this actor's either because they are both brilliant playing the villains of the story.
KHJ had to suffer because her character is not well-written and even when she acted so well, the character was simply overpowered with such intensely written characters which is NOT her fault. Or LDH's.
How is LDH even connected to this? Their acting styles are different and if you are even familiar with Ripley they shared the best scenes together.
LDH was hired as a protagonist but a really unlikeable one. Miri is not a pretty character she is despicable. Know your facts, first.
Required fields are marked *
imogene_af
July 14, 2011 at 11:25 AM
*these actors. cannot do grammar. =/
Required fields are marked *
60 sully
July 14, 2011 at 9:31 AM
People are ridiculous! First of all you should blame the writers and not LDH. What fault does she have in this! She is the lead from the start. Of course she's going to have more time. As for KHJ's character, with the amount of episodes that we have, they just couldn't fit it in. They have H and the step mom more screen time and of course they had to lessen hers. Get it through your thick head.
They should have extended the series from the start. There are too many loose ends and flaws.
How silly do you all sound when you said that LDH got more screen time because she's more "plastic pretty". When it ever that that actor get more screen time bc of that! If actors are pick mostly on their looks and not talent then how screw up the movie world would it be.
Need i remind you that LDH is the lead. The story has been surrounding from the beginning. In case you couldn't register that into your head. Ha!
Required fields are marked *
smiley
July 14, 2011 at 10:34 AM
I like what you said,
and for those who is still unclear, maybe better to rephrase it
'my dear wife, Julia Robert is having a hard time now, hope you don't blame Megan Fox for all her obstacles'
Lucikly my 10 yrs old can understand it.
Required fields are marked *
61 Tha
July 14, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Again. Echoing....
WRITERS FAULT. We should leave the actors out of this.
Required fields are marked *
JLemonade
July 14, 2011 at 11:46 PM
I don't think it is the Writer's fault either. We are all enjoying Ms Ripley drama and the popularity is also not going down from the viewers rating. This is a 16 episode drama and what the Writer is doing is just right with the twist and turn that makes everyone waiting for the next episode. Its is just too bad that KHJ does not have enough screen time due to the story. I would not want to watch a drama that does not have substance and enough plot to keep my interest.
I hope KHJ's fan will think rationally and not keep bashing LDH for getting more screen time. She is the lead and therefore naturally will have more appearance. I agree with @Sully that these people should wake up and not dwell on the past of KHJ's glorious days. She will thrive if given the right role and the right drama/movie in future.
Required fields are marked *
Tha
July 15, 2011 at 6:46 AM
Then what is it then that would make her "dismayed over her role"! To me, it is the writers 's fault! This article is about Kang Hye Jung's disappointment in her role and/or lack there of. I dont see anything wrong with how she is feeling about her role.
Yes, I like Miss Ripley but I would have liked it even more if Hee Joo was more relevant to the story from beginning to end and I know Kang Hye Jung would have done her justice.
I do agree with you and other commentors about not needing any negative connotations regarding the other actors in the show. That so needs to done away with. I think the cast overall is really good. And its a good show. But then again, I think it would be better if Hee Joo was more relevant to rise and fall of Miri. I've expressed this in other recaps before.
Yes, its a good show. Could it be better with a more meaty Hee Joo? YES!!!
Required fields are marked *
JLemonade
July 15, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Can't say much about the screenwriter. The drama is so good but not every character is happy. Too little time left to make changes (Monday is just like 2 days away) and an extension is impossible due to commitments by other actors. Guess she just need to set her priorities to ensure a good/acceptable ending for Ms Ripley. Poor writer, she also has to bear with all these challenges and headaches in producing a drama.
Required fields are marked *
yoonah
July 15, 2011 at 7:38 PM
No one is expecting the writer to pull a rabbit from a hat in 2 episodes. Hee-joo's diminishing screen time started many episodes ago, so the decision to make her less significant to the story also happened weeks ago. No one (least of all KHJ) expects the script to magically alter its course with 2 remaining episodes. The viewers are just being given the forum to vent now that KHJ has gone public with her disappointment.
I don't pity the writer. Every job has its challenges (in this case partially of her own making), and this is what you sign up for when you become a drama writer.
yoonah
July 15, 2011 at 7:19 PM
It has to be SOMEONE's fault when a production promises an actor a significant role and ends up not delivering. Whether it be the writer, the producers, etc.
It's not merely sourgraping or "dwelling on her glory days." What happened to her is unfair. I'm sure LDH fans felt the same with EOE, that she got screwed over. Sure it happens all the time that actors sign up for Kdrama roles that turn out very differently, but it doesn't make it any less unfair.
KHJ fans aren't stupid or irrational, of course we know that she wasn't the main lead actress in this drama. But it's possible to have a 4-lead drama, with almost equally meaty roles. And the simple fact that actors of her and Kim Seung-woo's stature signed on to this drama makes one assume that that was the synopsis they were presented with. KHJ is not a vain actress, I bet she would gladly have taken on a supporting role if it was challenging (see her award-winning turn in Welcome to Dongmakgol). But Hee-joo has become a nonentity, and THAT is what she is unhappy about.
With good writing, Hee-joo and Myung-hoon could've had better character development AND the current brisk pacing. I'm enjoying Lee Hwa and Hirayama as well, so I'm not suggesting their screen time be reduced either. My point is, if this writer couldn't handle developing so many characters, then they shouldn't have hired KHJ and KSW in the first place.
Of course LDH has nothing to do with this. Some people are bringing her up because she had a similar situation with EOE, not because she's in any way to blame for KHJ's reduced screen time in Ripley. Do not equate KHJ fans with LDH supposed anti's.
Oh well, that's the Kdrama live-shoot system for ya. This isn't the first time this has happened, and it definitely won't be the last.
Required fields are marked *
62 Birdie
July 14, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Some questions:
Do the actress/actor not sign a tighter contract so they will have more protection against a diminished role? One assume the actress will take on another character in another drama if she has not been duped.
Also it bothers me when one hear of unpaid wages for months? Again do they not have a payment contract?
Also, the work conditions whereby they have no sleep or little sleep for 3-4 days straight is terrible. Again the contract do not protect them or at least specify a certain no. of hours of rest?
Required fields are marked *
63 Purpleclouds
July 14, 2011 at 10:52 AM
I love Ripley. It's the only show right now that I'm hooked on and LDH is an extremely good actress & her looks are unique & outstanding amongst a sea of other tall, fair, pretty actresses. I really enjoyed CHUNO also. If Ripley would extend 4 more eps, that'd be great.
Required fields are marked *
64 imogene_af
July 14, 2011 at 10:32 PM
soooo you have not seen anything of LDH and sort of just heard the EOE incident and you decide she has spikes in her nose? Or whatever metaphor...oh. ok then.
Required fields are marked *
imogene_af
July 14, 2011 at 10:34 PM
LOL I cannot believe I submitted this. Ignore. That was a reply to someone.
Required fields are marked *
jane088
July 14, 2011 at 11:37 PM
lol.. i was totally like - huh?
Required fields are marked *
65 yaya
July 14, 2011 at 11:16 PM
this is ridiculous, obviously they reduce her role, because they give her part to Hirayama and Lee Hwa, it has nothing to do with LDH.
Required fields are marked *
66 o..o
July 15, 2011 at 1:03 AM
life isnt giving me time to sit and watch dramas everyday so i havent seen every drama LDH is in but still a big fan and i love her acting.
we have a life to live so not every fan can follow your every step but i want you to know there are many fan who love you but dont have as much time a to tell all the anti who have n o lives how great a person and actress you are.
LDH FIGHTING!!!!!!!
Required fields are marked *
67 huongap
July 15, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I don't understand why K-dramas can not have its entire film-script finished before filming and producers can adjust the storyline if needed, or when viewers express dissatisfaction. It's as simple as finishing the draft (like when we're in college) and then making corrections and tightening the essay along the way.
On this case, I must give applaud to the writer of 49 days, it's one of the rare case when we feel all are leading characters. Still missing 49 days until this day.
Required fields are marked *
68 JJ
July 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM
that's too bad coz i think she's a good actress but i'm not a big fan of her either! she probab shldn't hv taken this role! :(
Required fields are marked *
69 tubong
July 15, 2011 at 3:45 PM
What does this have to do with LDH? I am sad when reading these negative comments toward LDH while all she has been doing is to try her best to bring out her character. I understand there are people who simply do not like her no matter what, but it is hard to bear when her efforts are discredit like that :(
Required fields are marked *
Kim
July 15, 2011 at 4:52 PM
I agree. If you read through these comments, it's the same people bringing up LDH and bringing her into this. There are some hardcore anti-fans of hers here that seem to jump at the chance to be negative about her. I feel bad for KHJ and have nothing against her at all. I'm sure she'll come out of this with lots of great projects to come. LDH is doing great in the drama, she's brought this character to life and doing an admirable job, and yet that seems to be lost in all of the negativity here. I hate that this news is giving people ammo to shoot her down like this when all she's done is giving her best in this role.
Required fields are marked *
70 lala
July 15, 2011 at 6:58 PM
They should've used KHJ's character to show a darker side. That way, it'd be like....oh, Miri has some light but KHJ also has some dark. But comparing LDH and KHJ's situations, LDH dropped out because the PD team was completely CORRUPT and did everything Seong Sun Hun wanted (making LYH the lead because he had the real-life hots for her). THAT was totally immature and unprofessional. Why the hell would anyone in their right mind stay with a PD team like that? LDH basically did an eye-for-an-eye with East of Eden. They were unprofessional, so there was no need for her to do anything for them. On the other hand, Miss Ripley seems to be more of a problem with the WRITING and KHJ only has to stick it out for a few more weeks (and she's been showing up a lot in the early-mid episodes)
Required fields are marked *
71 almondie
July 16, 2011 at 4:43 AM
Though (used to be) a fan of Yoochun (scholar Lee), it was Heejoo that kept me going, until it's clear how much weight she was going to have in the show.
In all fairness, I don't think Hye Jung's acting is anything impressive here, her character's too minor anyways. Still, there were moments when seeing her act made me go "Great screen presence!" "Yes, at least this much acting quality!" That - really - was about the only thing I found satisfactory in this horrid drama.
So wasted talent - Yes.
But- she seems to be gaining new fans through this project.
So, it's not all too bad for her, i don't think.
Required fields are marked *
72 Bird
July 16, 2011 at 8:38 AM
I think the main problem is the story is too complicated if only in 16 episode..
Required fields are marked *
73 Queenie
July 16, 2011 at 10:29 AM
i think the story turned out for the better ...it is SO GOOD. and yes i once thought that Hee joo was once potentially a rival for Miri...but wouldnt that have been prodictable? at least for her character's sake and for the others in the drama....people can still remain righteous and compassionate even when they are faced with evil. It would have been a shame for Hee Joo to become a bitch....you all just want to see from serious acting from her...and typically a love triangle between Yoochun, LDH and her....well that would've made me stop....cos this aint that kind of drama.
as for LDH and her eventual withdrawal from East Of Eden, i dont blame her. that drama ended up being based around LYH and SSH because people liked their love story better and eventually writing out a really good character for the sake of viewing ratings. i gave up on that one too, and not just cos of LDH. u could see they were milking that story. just because ratings arent high for this drama doesnt mean this drama isnt one of the best out there at the moment....and most of the time its got nothing to do with the actors and actresses. directors' visions and their "instruction" on how to deliver one's lines in a scene is also debatable. EVERYTHING comes together for a good drama....not just the typical pretty boy who gets into a love triangle with a weak, sad and lonely girl who wants to saved by her prince....lots of people watch dramas saying its really really good and so exciting when all they wait for is that hot kiss to occur or an aeygo moment from the male lead with the female lead...to make a drama good. a good drama falls beyond that a million miles ahead.
Required fields are marked *
74 facebook
July 18, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Oh YES, it has me dismayed over her role BIG TIME. I am a fan of Kang Hye Jung. I follow Ripley and quite like the drama but at times I feel like kicking my own screen.
Required fields are marked *
75 Ice
July 19, 2011 at 5:43 AM
Stopped watching Ripley after episode 5. I had high hopes for this drama. I thought it was going to have 4 leads. I only decided to watch this because of Kang Hye Jung. I can't stomach the injustice they did to one of Korea's greatest actresses. Such great talent wasted.
Required fields are marked *
76 Mo
July 20, 2011 at 2:53 AM
I have also noticed that Kang Hye-jung seems to have very little appearances especially in the last 6 episodes. As mentioned, she was supposed to be the rival and viewers were hoping that she could have some lead way with Micky given Da-Hae's lies but she was completely been cut off. It started off very beautifully but ended up awfully. Very unfair to Kang.
Required fields are marked *
77 Peggy
August 3, 2011 at 4:26 PM
Well you know the reason for the Kang disappearance..
It's the LDH Virus. If she does not disappear from the drama then other members of the cast fade away....
Required fields are marked *