Kolorful Palette: So happy together [Golden Cross]
by Fanderay
So many dramas, so little time. I honestly only decided to give Golden Cross a try because I’m so behind on every other drama that the prospect of catching up was overwhelming, but starting a new drama is oh-so-easy! The first two episodes were better than expected, but revenge isn’t really my thing, so Golden Cross is going to have to deliver in the intrigue and suspense departments if it wants to get me hooked.
The back-story was predictably predictable (like most dramas of this type) and although most elements of this show have been very well done, it’s always a bit boring to know exactly how everything is going to play out, and then have to watch it play out for two episodes before getting to the real story.
I was impressed enough with the pacing, acting, and directing to be quite hopeful that Golden Cross could get good. There just needs to be more to the plot than a guy falling in love with his enemy’s daughter, and then torturing himself over what to do (here’s a hint for him: women are more fun than plotting someone’s demise!).
It’s too bad that Ha-yoon is the one who died because I really liked her. She was the perfect sister character, and I would have happily watched a drama about her journey to becoming an actress or finding another path in life. She felt fairly realistic to me, and I think a lot of girls would have acted similarly in her situation. It’s one thing to have a sponsor forced on you, but another to have it happen in a foreign country where you have to play ball or risk being stranded. It made me wonder how many real-life girls have been sent abroad like that to add an element of entrapment.
I love asymmetrical cropping (rule of thirds be damned!), especially when it is used to add an emotional element, which is definitely the case in the scene above. The shot so perfectly reflects her discomfort that I felt compelled to draw it, even though it’s not the most pleasant of moments. I couldn’t help but wonder why I don’t just add more interesting crops myself on a regular basis, but I think it’s because this whole operation is more about showcasing what I appreciate in dramas, rather than creating something new.
Seo Dong-ha (the guy “sponsoring” her) is most definitely not a nice person, but I find his character a lot more interesting than the average villain. He has his manipulative moments, but he also seems vulnerable and cowardly at times. Jung Bo-seok’s acting has impressed me ever since Can You Hear My Heart, and although he tends to play an unlikable bad guy, I appreciate his nuanced performances.
My main curiosity so far is why Michael Jang set Ha-yoon up with Dong-ha in the first place. It seems unlikely that he could have predicted the murder, so what was his goal? Or should I know that already? I paid attention, but for some reason I still feel like I may have missed some important details.
Probably the biggest determining factor regarding whether or not I’ll stick with this drama is the development of the protagonist. So far Do-yoon hasn’t had a ton of screen time, so I don’t feel particularly invested in him. I do think that’ll change, but I sometimes find vengeful characters a little too despicable, so hopefully he’ll keep a little bit of his soft side. I’ll definitely be checking out Golden Cross for the next couple weeks to see how it all goes down. I already know the ending is unlikely to be a happy one, but it can’t possibly be worse than the end of God’s Gift, so I think I’m okay with it. In the meantime, there are more new dramas on the way!
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Tags: Golden Cross, Kolorful Palette
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1 mary
April 27, 2014 at 4:11 AM
It's so beautiful! O____O
Dat lace/crochet/knitted flower pattern!
FANDERAY, Y U SO OZAM???
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2 ;)
April 27, 2014 at 5:10 AM
The attention to detail is wonderful! Have not checked out golden cross and likely never will, but it's a fantastic painting none the less!
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3 AAAA
April 27, 2014 at 6:30 AM
Ears are so hard to draw and paint... all those gradations of color... props to you... I'm taking a few art classes in my free time, and the attention to detail required is enormous... Would love to know what your background in the arts is- did you go to art school? Thanks ^^
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4 AAAA
April 27, 2014 at 6:40 AM
I forgot to mention, I started watching Golden Cross too. I watched it because I was curious what the drama Kang Ji Hwan turned down was like (haha). Pleasantly surprised with the "replacement" lead actor's performance. I like him. Although the plot has to do with rape and makes me feel quite uncomfortable, I do like their choice of bad guy. He really plays the part quite well and seems very evil! He's a lot more nuanced than the bad guys in Incarnation of Money, which is a good thing.
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5 esjpx
April 27, 2014 at 6:41 AM
I agree, it's kinda boring to watch the tragic back-story play out for so long when we already know what happens. I fast-forwarded a lot of scenes in ep 3 for that reason, not sure if I'm going to stick to it.
The art is awesome btw, love the details in the dress!
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6 fab
April 27, 2014 at 7:03 AM
How wonderful! And I feel bad for the sister too, she was so sweet and full of life...
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7 risa
April 27, 2014 at 7:49 AM
Not watching this, so I'm glad to get your take on the show. I enjoy your commentary as much as your art~ thanks again for sharing your talent with us on a regular basis.
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8 divyrus
April 27, 2014 at 9:06 AM
This is so so so so beautiful ! ?
Revenge melodramas are not really my thing, so am gonna pass !
And yes you are right, it can't be worse than god's gift ending ?
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9 windsun33
April 27, 2014 at 10:51 AM
".. It made me wonder how many real-life girls have been sent abroad like that to add an element of entrapment.."
Quite a few apparently - in the 10's of millions by some sources. Mostly from 3rd world countries, but not all. Just recently there was a local news story here in Phoenix about a human traffic ring being busted, and of the 60 or so women, two were South Koreans. Most were lured here by promises of show biz jobs in Las Vegas etc.
Just one example from a report: "South Korea remains one of the world’s most significant contributors to child
pornography. In October 2006, the Internet Watch Foundation ranked South Korea 6th on the list of host countries for child abuse websites..."
http://resources.ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A_V2_EAP_SKOREA.pdf#search=south korea
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10 floralnori
April 27, 2014 at 10:54 AM
What a beautiful picture!
I've watched the first couple of episodes and will continue to give it a chance even though it's not really my favorite type of dramas.
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11 Skyofblue
April 27, 2014 at 10:57 AM
I've been looking at your drawings since the beginning, and wow Fanderay, your drawings are so amazing! Tis is skill.
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12 windsun33
April 27, 2014 at 10:58 AM
"..why Michael Jang set Ha-yoon up with Dong-ha in the first place.."
This is one of the big mysteries to me also. On one hand it appears that she was just a random girl that fit his "specifications", but I also think that 'someone' knew who she was, even though he did not. I am pretty sure that that Michael guy is the one really pulling all the strings, or at least orchestrating the puppet masters.
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13 newgirl
April 27, 2014 at 12:03 PM
I am not watching GC, but this is the best painting yet! Beautiful composition and attention to detail.
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14 DayDreamer
April 27, 2014 at 1:25 PM
Holy shit, I love this painting. Been staring at it for like fifteen minutes. What a deft hand....such perfection....amazing detail....
I am super jealous of your talent. Can't stop staring.
I don't watch this show so I have no comment. I'm just burned out by revenge dramas, somehow ever since Secret ended. I think that drama drained me after feeling all sorts of bursting emotions. Now I seek more light stuff.
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15 Enz
April 27, 2014 at 4:15 PM
Fanderay, had to check out your painting even though am not watching the show. It is beautiful. How difficult it must have been to paint that??
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owl 🦉 🫰
April 27, 2014 at 4:19 PM
I'll tag on to Enz's comment - your painting is just beautiful, Fanderay! I watched the interview with the cast of Golden Cross on Entertainment Weekly, and have only caught the 1st episode so far.
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16 CaroleMcDonnell
April 27, 2014 at 5:32 PM
oh my! Beautiful, beautiful pic! And yes to asymmetrical cropping!
Re: villains
The villains in this drama are all so hateful. From the powerful to the minion, from the inner pawn-moving circle to the petty pawns. I HATE THEM all. ALL, I tell ya. I hate them because they're the herd mind and because they are so dang ubiquitous and because they are so threatening. I never thought I would believe in some secret organization having so much power but dang...I do now. High-class thugs in the power infrastructure are way worse than Big Bads who are Armani-wearing neighborhood thugs. Cause these Golden Cross folks know ALL the rules, have all the connections.
And the murderer... what a pitiful little man. So shaky, so weak, so desperate for power. I can't hate him right now because he's so fascinatingly pitiful.
The only villain I love to love is Michael. Because he is so totally unemotional and amoral. His only goal in money....and everything else is of no importance. Gotta love a villain like that. Wonder if there's anything that can make him swerve toward the good side. Am i being silly to even hope that one of these villains could "become good/repentant"?
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17 mayavishnu
April 27, 2014 at 7:14 PM
wow! Fanderay..you're so talented. I've been checking out your works since the first time, but this one is so beautiful, the details and your capture of her emotion.
I will pass on GC, revenge drama is not my thing. Right now, am anticipating "You're all surrounded", hope you'll get to paint some of the scenes of the drama :)
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18 glowry
April 27, 2014 at 8:41 PM
i was reading this but when God's Gift is mentioned, i was like Nooooo, Ki Dong Chan..!! still in grieving mode though.. lol
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19 d
April 28, 2014 at 6:12 AM
yup watching this drama up to ep3 already.. think i'll wtch it after 3 days finish =)
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20 August
April 28, 2014 at 6:21 PM
The juxtaposition of the beautiful picture of Kang Ha-Yoon (Kang Do-Yoon's sister) amidst the context of the situation of having just been conned and violated sexually is painful.
Revenge and melodramas are not really my first choice or preference. But I am watching Golden Cross because it is slightly delving into the darker parts of society and it is full of juxtapositions.
Privileged Owners (Haves) vs. Earnest Hard Workers (Have Nots)
Justice vs. Crime (Financial & Murder)
Powerful Economic Interest Groups vs. Public Interest
Disproportionate Influence of Money (Accumulation and concentration of wealth) vs. Inequality
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21 Beng
April 29, 2014 at 4:12 AM
i love Ha-yoon too! i also hoped that she has longer roles, but the blurb already mentioned that the revenge is because of her death.
I would definitely watch out for this girl. though i don't know yet her real name.
I think Michael Jang set her up to hold Dong-ha through his nose. Yes, i think he's able to predict the outcome coz he always study his adversaries. I love his villainous character and i love how Eom KJ is playing him...creepily handsome =)
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22 Karyn Amado
April 29, 2014 at 12:17 PM
Wow! Just Wow!
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23 joyy
May 16, 2014 at 7:11 AM
aaww...i guess dramabeans will not recapping Golden Cross :(
though the love story seems to be a sad one, i love Kim Kang Woo, Lee Shi Young, Han Eun Jung, and Uhm Ki Joon.
4 of them together are just fantastic acting & character interpretation by them.
I do hope Lee Shi Young's character will be stronger as each episode goes on just like LSY's real character
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