The last time I saw Sung Dong-il, he was granting dying wishes in If You Wish Upon Me, so it's a little funny to see him commit to granting what he understands to be Geum-soon's dying wish here.

One of the better first episode set-ups for a story; there is no mystery on any backstory of the main characters. Simple, concise, clear. I was not bothered by Ha Ji Won (Se-Yeon) and Kang Ha-Neul (Jae Heon) playing grandparents in 1950 flashback because they are about the same age in 2022. What could be troubling was the opening scene of refuge chaos shown so close in time after the Itaewon tragedy. I think this cast is better suited than the original actors sought: Ha Ji Won and Ko Du-Shim (Geum-Soon) really look like they are related by blood. The story is very traditional: family matriarch is dying after building a large hotel chain. Her second family (grandchildren) are fighting for control of her business/dream. She built Nakwon Hotel (which means paradise or heaven) as a beacon or lighthouse for her lost North Korean family to find. Two motivations are in conflict: sentimentality and greed. A 7.2 rating for first episode was a strong start.

Most viewers can easily tell where this drama will be heading: Se-Joon selling the hotels against Se-Yeon who wants to keep the family legacy. Se-Gyu, the black sheep party animal, has no interest in business but will side with a sibling in the end. Grandma falling for her fake grandson as the Truth slowly closes in on the deception. The deception is problematic from the very beginning: deceiving a old dying woman about her life’s regret when someone knows the truth is actually quite cruel. Grandma is old enough, tough enough to know the truth and deal with the consequences of her real, brutally different NK grandson. The ultimate conclusion is going to be whether dreams or reality win the day.

As good as the first episode was, Episode 2 was like a weekender that puts the brakes on story movement with the preparation of the “play.” It did add seemingly irrelevant tangents that will be material in the end: ex-fiancee Dong-Je, who apparently was stood up at the alter by Se-Yeon, is an uber rich man coming back at the worst possible time to court her. Yoon Hee being recruited as the fake wife when her mother is a high powered attorney in a suddenly “difficult” matter . . . foreshadowing more than Ha Ji Won’s painting brushstrokes. Se-Joon’s wife seems to be the most normal person in the family household, one who is actually looking forward to having a new sister-in-law. Episode 2 did not bring any more dimensions to the stock characterizations of the cast.

I can see why some k-drama fans may not like this drama or on the fence or wary of a long muddy wagon trail to the finish. (Episode 2 ratings were cut about in half.) A dying last wish is something not to play with even with the best intentions. Family conflict and betrayal is not a new or good recipe for entertainment value. And the lack of in-show information on the real Moon-Seong (lost grandson) is problematic since it gives little depth for Kang Ha-Neul’s enthusiastic overacting style.

Thank you @SugarSnow for the speedy recap!

Curtain Call really has those old school kdrama vibes, it will be fun to see where it goes

I was not sure what to expect after episode 1. I worried it would be another chaebol siblings fighting for power and some makjang. But after episode 2 I feel it may not go there (fingers crossed). I do like that the siblings are kinda lonely in their own way dealing with the loss of parents and lack of love. Atleast the elder one is most affected since he probably was of a certain age when his parents died.

What I liked was that neither grandmom nor middle sibling took sides. They clearly aren’t playing politics or causing one to feel left out. I really liked it when the middle one said it’s ok to be hated by both but it would be hard if one of them liked him and other hated him.

I LOL-Ed at the whole family meeting announcing a grandson arrival. The reaction of middle one was hilarious. I love how calm the youngest was while he was panicking. And the daughter in law also seemed more curious than worries.

The family probably needs love and life. And I hope Kang Haneul‘s smile brings them all the warmth they need.

P.s Still learning character name. It will be a while :)

I liked the opening with the flashbacks so much that I was so disappointed with the current scenes and dropped it. I hope it doesn't fail the beanies who enjoy it.

I liked episode 1, especially the first ten minutes were gripping and heartbreaking. The second episode, on the other hand, dragged on a bit, but now that the charade is finally underway, episode 3 should be more interesting again.

I love that although the siblings have different opinions and goals (especially regarding the hotel), they still seem to love each other and are not enemies.

Visually, this drama reminds me of somewhat older series, though I can't put my finger on what that is. What is noticeable, however, is that the scenes are lit differently, which I have to get used to because I rather have the feeling that I am watching a theatre stage.

In previous dramas I often didn't like Ha Ji-won's way of speaking her lines (for me, who doesn't speak or understand Korean, it always sounds as if she is pronouncing the words excessively clearly), but here I like it very much, it seems more natural.

These episodes were an introduction of the story, with the presentation of the different characters and what they want.

I'm exciting to watch the next episode with the introduction of the mysterious cousin. It's interesting to see that we already know that the real one exists somewhere.

Park Se-Gyu was very funny. It's interesting how he doesn't want to be between the member of his family. HIs sister calling him Honey to make the girls leaving was really funny. I like their interactions.

I'm surprised how the Grand-mother wasn't angry against her grand-son who wants to sell the work of her life.

I wanted to love it, but the premise of tricking the old lady because her grandson was trash, just made me itch so I passed.

I loved the flashback scene at the beginning, absolutely epic, and it set things up nicely. Not mad about manager jung lying under the pretence of doing good, but we wouldn't have a story without it.
So far so good, I'm onboard!

I am curious about this one, but the pairing of Ha Ji Won and Kang Haneul gives me Noona romance vibes, and that is not my favorite trope. Also, the fake grandson will be pretending to be first cousin to the real granddaughter, so a potential romance is not going to be approved by grandma until the truth is revealed. I hope this drama turns to be makjang done right.

The first 8 mins of EP 1 was epic... Had me in tears.

The drama started with a strong OST already. Baek Ji Young <3
The other background/instrumental music is good too. This show is different from my current ones so I'm glad to add it to my plate.

Kang Haneul is awesome in this. No surprise. Fun to see him in the different roles from when he was the part-timer, to the soldier, to the cool boyfriend, heh.

Darn, Kwon Sang Woo's character looks like an antagonist. He looks so fine. He and Ha Ji Won make a cute pair.

It seems like the real Moon Sung will be a problem later on with the multiple glimpses of his character.

EP 2 dragged a bit. I was itching to see the "reunion".

I like the concept of Kang Haneul bringing warmth into this family as the long lost grandson, and I'm fine with Geum-soon finding out about the deception along the way, because it will remove the obstacle between his character and Ha Ji-won's after they've had time to fall in love.

What I didn't like was the execution of ep 1. Something was lacking in the storytelling from the moment they left young Geum-soon serving food in South Korea and transitioned to the present day. None of it felt compelling, even though the story itself could be compelling. So I didn't watch ep. 2.

Ha Ji-won looks like a sad princess in this role, and I'm sure Kang Haneul will be the one to make her smile, just like a fairytale. But I probably won't be watching.

1. Was really glad to see the chaebol siblings weren't actually enemies but people with different values because of their different experiences (or how they recall the experiences)
2. Kwon Sang Woo is smooth. This is my first time seeing him but did he disappear in his role. He owned the screen even if barely for a few minutes.
3. The opening was epic, yes the show couldn't retain the same level of epicness and I find that better.
4. I'm here mainly for Go Doo Shim. KHN is awesome as always, HJW is good too but it's her show.
5. I hope the editing and music placement improves, sometimes it is too loud and starts plus stops without proper transitions. The scenes transition abruptly too.
6. The overall look of the show is dated, so is its feel but I don't mind that a lot.
7. This is a big one. Give Noh Sang Hyun some dialogues (and also more scenes). DON'T WASTE HIM! All of you need to hear his voice.

The premiere week was enough to make me curious on how this will work out, though it reminded me of My Girl, it's different but the similarities is there xD.

It's also amusing to me that the casts for sister-in-law and 2nd bro were married in CLOY.

Definitely will tune in. It's been a while since I've seen the film (Argentinian, I think) written by Alejandro Casano (from Spain living in Argentina). Original is categorized as comedy/farce, a genre that I love (e.g. Oscar Wilde). There's been so many adaptations, including a BBC production. I just hope the director doesn't ruin it like he did with River Where the Moon Rises where (IMO) an old Korean folktale was mishandled. This is my first Ha Ji-won show, love love Goo Do-shim, Choi Dae-hoon is killing it as the black sheep. I do wish they keep Kang Ha-neul and Jung Ji-so as the main couple as in the original. And am not looking forward for a HJW and KHN coupling, if this is so.
I'm not sure why Kwon Sang-woo is here. And I'm betting Steve Noh Sang-hyun will be a real treat playing the thuggish biological grandson. Can't wait!!!

I really enjoyed the first two episodes of CURTAIN CALL. Great cast. The opening 50s scenes were awesome.
It seems that Manager Jeong (Sung Dong-il) may have Intelligence Service background because he has the wherewithal to track down Moon-sung. (I was a bit surprised he allowed that selfie to be taken.)
The three grandchildren are so different as Geum-soon pointed out. Her oldest grandson’s distaste for the family business is probably still directly connected to grief over the loss of his parents.
I always look for a redemption arc so I am hoping Moon-sung (although presumably a murderer) is not a totally hopeless cause.

I felt so bad for the grandma when her son had a harsh and negative take on her life after such a traumatic unfortunate parting 20 yrs earlier. They were both (mother and son) affected by such an unfortunate occurrence. I’m so looking forward to the next episode. The acting is stellar all around.

After watching these first two episodes, I'm curious to see what happens with the big deception. I mean, what could go wrong? (Everything!)

I haven't seen Kwon Sang-woo in quite some time so it was great to see him here! Really curious about his character and how he'll fit into the story.

Epic! Although I'm not totally sure if it's just because I'm so excited to see so many of my favs on screen in one drama. Kim Haneul, Ha Ji won, and Kwon Sang-woo! But so far, it seems really good.

The powerful opening scene was reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan in terms of portraying the chaos and immediately pulled me into the story. It is easy to see how it would have such a lasting impression that it still haunts the dreams of the grandmother.

I am interested in what has led the middle child to blatantly throw his grandmother’s hard earned cash around in such a casual way to buy friendship and more for the night. Affection and closeness seems to be absent in the marriage of the oldest son although he seemed to genuinely care for the housekeeper.

I am looking forward to seeing where this story will go and whether the real grandson is doing all the horrific activities to make the kind of money needed to escape to South Korea to find his grandmother.

Really kind of lol-ing at how Sung Dong Il is now in the business of granting dying people's wishes (after If You Wish Upon Me and now this).

I loved the epic opening scenes, really so poignant and heartbreaking, and also finally getting a chaebol family with actually decent people (albeit each with their own background stories and motivations), instead of all the politicking, rivalry and in-fighting between siblings and their spouses.

I did think both episodes repeatedly laid on too much of the grandmother's melancholy, so it got a bit tired and repeated. But glad to see the show going!

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these opening episodes. The premise itself didn’t wow me when I read the synopsis but I was always going to check out Ha Ji-won’s latest project. She’s always been a favourite of mine since she was in the first kdrama I ever watched (Secret Garden) so there’s definitely some nostalgia involved, but she also usually picks decent shows. Kang Haneul is also always great, even when he’s in something so/so. Looking forward to next week and more family and hotel shenanigans.

Sugar Snow, thanks for the recap ! What a cast . Enjoying it so far. My only eye roll was Se-yeon’s Ex being the VIP guest .

I'm into this so far. I agree that it has an old-school feel thanks to the largely classical OST, big budget sets, and an abundance of big-name talent. It all evokes a mood that is both cozy and heartfelt. The plot is simple, but not entirely predictable, at least not yet. And most of the characters are intriguing, if not obviously complex.

Kang Haneul is impressing me the most so far. It's not easy to be an actor playing an actor playing a role, but he's definitely pulling it off. He also has impeccable comic timing even in scenes not meant to be overly comedic, and it makes his characters impossible not to like.

I was just shocked by just how tropey/old fashioned these first two episodes were. Mozart set the mood with the music as the episodes moved through trope after trope with a dying rags to riches matriarch, 3 wealthy grandchildren with deceased parents, board room entrances with a fight over control, a setting of an ostentatious house with very involved employees/help. Yet, I cried at the reunion of mother/son/grandson. The son’s evident mixed feelings of abandonment and attachment by/with his mother felt so touching to me. I rarely cry when I watch dramas, and even less often in the early episodes. I’m interested to see where this takes us. I’m sure there is a revenge aspect coming. Great cast!

Now I remember that even the previews were heavy with big Western classical music indicating Serious Emotions. I hope they dial it back, it’s too much (and too loud) and distracting.

I have great hopes the drama will be filled with twists and turns and surprising reveals (just why is Sung Dong Il the right hand to Grandma, anyway?). Thanks for the recap, @sugarsnow! Ready to go 🍿👀

Thanks, SugarSnow, I can’t wait for this week’s episodes 3 and 4!

I’m bothered by the Maths in the first episode.
1. Geum-soon’s separation from her husband happened in 1950. She’s 92 years old in 2022 so that makes her 20 y.o. in 1950.
2. When Geum-soon met with her son in 2002, that would have made her 72 and her son 52 y.o. It’s strange to see him not look like 52 and has a 10 y.o. son.
3. Yeong-Hoon (GS’ son) said in the 2002 reunion that his mother’s memory of his dad is still sharp considering she’s 6 years older than him. So that makes GS’ husband in 1950 only 14 y.o.?! Kang Ha-Neul def did not look 14 in 1950. And eww to have a son with a 14 y.o.!
4. Dong-il the aide turns out to be the boy that KHN saved in 1950. He looked 4-5 years old that time so he must be 77y.o. in 2022. How does he work as agile as an aide at 77 y.o.?