Today, I offer a clear leader in my books: Lee Hye-young as as Hong Sa-gang in Bitter Sweet Hell. Her mellifluous voice alone wins this prize from me (Listen below!).
Hong Sa-gang was a complex character, even if her strait-lacedness was often played for comedic effect. Her endgame, while admittedly somewhat pat, still held an edge of completed satisfaction that, for me, stemmed from a sense that, “Well, I didn’t see that coming, but I truly don’t know why I did not.” I could see it fine…in retrospect.
Furthermore, cheers to a mom who authentically seems to see the errors of her past ways, apologizes, and gains forgiveness from her son and the respect of her daughter-in-law.
Just beautiful, all around. I do very much recommend Bitter Sweet Hell to any and everyone who likes a little makjang+black comedy, family drama. Because that’s exactly what it is.
I’m not usually a makjang fan, and black comedy often feels forced to me, but Bittersweet Hell was so so good! So beautiful! So calm, but at the same time so gripping! I kept asking myself Who is this director!? It must be noted that it’s also a crime thriller which is very much my jam!
Also @javabeans and @girlfriday were sorely missed to pinooint every single one of the puns and jokes and meta references that I’m sure were in every other sentence!
Seon-ha
December 2, 2024 at 9:39 AM
2024 Roundup, Day 2: Favorite Female Lead
Today, I offer a clear leader in my books: Lee Hye-young as as Hong Sa-gang in Bitter Sweet Hell. Her mellifluous voice alone wins this prize from me (Listen below!).
Hong Sa-gang was a complex character, even if her strait-lacedness was often played for comedic effect. Her endgame, while admittedly somewhat pat, still held an edge of completed satisfaction that, for me, stemmed from a sense that, “Well, I didn’t see that coming, but I truly don’t know why I did not.” I could see it fine…in retrospect.
Furthermore, cheers to a mom who authentically seems to see the errors of her past ways, apologizes, and gains forgiveness from her son and the respect of her daughter-in-law.
Now, @midnight (and everyone else!!), please do say it with me, “여러분? 안녕하세요…구, 구, 구, 구.”
Seon-ha
December 2, 2024 at 9:42 AM
Kim Hee-sun’s face. “It’s not, son-of-a-bitch stew, moooom. WhatEVer!”
Seon-ha
December 2, 2024 at 9:43 AM
Just beautiful, all around. I do very much recommend Bitter Sweet Hell to any and everyone who likes a little makjang+black comedy, family drama. Because that’s exactly what it is.
Midnight
December 2, 2024 at 9:54 AM
I’m not usually a makjang fan, and black comedy often feels forced to me, but Bittersweet Hell was so so good! So beautiful! So calm, but at the same time so gripping! I kept asking myself Who is this director!? It must be noted that it’s also a crime thriller which is very much my jam!
Also @javabeans and @girlfriday were sorely missed to pinooint every single one of the puns and jokes and meta references that I’m sure were in every other sentence!
Eazal
December 2, 2024 at 10:08 AM
I loved this drama sooooo much, had so much fun watching!! I’m so happy to see this post 🙂
bbstl 🧹
December 2, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Thanks for carrying on about this show, I never would have thought to watch it otherwise. It was so beautifully done.
Midnight
December 3, 2024 at 2:15 AM
Exactly me.
Margo of the Resilient Lip Gloss
December 2, 2024 at 2:23 PM
I concur.
No one else was even close.