Life hasn’t been the perfect drama as Forest of Secrets was for me. There were unfortunately glaring flaws in all fronts that miss the 2% wow factor. It is solid, but falls short of being mind-blowing (see the comments section for my 2 cents on Life’s flaws). Nevertheless I waited with bated breath for new episodes every week, and this final week is no exception.
The preview for episode 15 seems to suggest that the trio that matters will join hands to defeat the evil chairman, however I have a nagging feeling that it’s more like the Last Supper kind of gathering. By the looks of it, the three raised their cups as a show of respect to each other before the real battle begins. “Let’s do what we can, so there are no regrets”. Either way, Seung-hyo will have to decide where his allegiance lies, and live with the consequences. He’s my favourite character and I’m rooting for him all the way, so I hope his character stays consistent and doesn’t get short-changed in the end.
I love Lee Soo-yeon’s brilliant writing in Forest of Secrets, but I think this time it is overly ambitious. Just from the top of my mind, I can point out a few topics that the writer raised, but then simply gets forgotten. For example just for Seung-hyo alone, the writer never explains what drives Seung-hyo to bend over backwards and devote his whole life to Hwajeong. It’s only mentioned that he’s a scholarship student (so what? unless all scholarship students are legally contracted to be life-long slaves, Seung-hyo always has a way out). Additionally, JSW has said in the press conference that his character is loyal to the former chairman out of gratitude, but it’s never explicitly shown what he’s grateful for. We could’ve understood his character motivation better had this been made clear from the beginning. It’s also mentioned in passing that Seung-hyo was once badly screwed over by some of the subsidiaries’ presidents, and that’s why he’s now very cautious when it comes to doing anything that can potentially piss off the chairman, but we never know what happened. A simple flashback scene on these topics along the way would’ve sufficed, and yet we’re at the final two episodes and we still haven’t got any crumbs.
Also, what’s with the Seosan pioneers (the original land owners)? Is it important enough for us to pay attention? Do the Korean viewers just automatically relate because it’s a current social issue, whereas the international viewers are here scratching our heads wondering what the big deal is? Seung-hyo has planned for so-called “caretaker lodgings” to be built near the new hospital complex, and we know that he intends for them to be used for a different purpose unbeknownst to the current chairman, but what is it? I could go on and on with the many loose threads that the writer has created, but shows no signs of being resolved, which is a shame.
Did the finale answer your question on Seung-hyo? Perhaps the old chairman of Hwajeong helped him while his family was their lowest point due to the IMF crisis.
About the Seosan pioneers, I’m glad I am not the only one who was scratching my head. I think it’s some social issue which only the Koreans can understand.
Acting – This actually starts with mis-castings. No-eul was casted too young. If it was intended from the start that she would be Jin-woo’s cohort, then they should’ve casted someone who looks and carries the gravitas of someone her age (mid to late thirties). It was super awkward to hear Sun-woo call her noona. Lee Kyu-hyung himself is not baby-faced, and I only accept it because he acts like a puppy around her. If I could re-cast I would’ve probably picked Han Yeri, or Moon Chae-won. What Won Jin-ah also didn’t manage to do is create an unambiguous chemistry with Seung-hyo. I’m just confused as to what the writer intends to do with her character and their so-called love line. Is it a platonic friendship, is there flirting, or potential for romance and soul mateship? Instead of having a clear-cut something that the viewers can root for, all their interactions just turn into a big messy, forced, ambiguous nothing.
As for Lee Dong-wook (and Jin-woo), sigh. I digged deep into my heart to find something positive to say about his performance, but this is one of those times where I cannot understand or relate to the hero of the story. However, it would be unfair to say that the blame lies solely on the actor, because frankly, the writing for the character itself is pretty damn frustrating. Do you want me to root for you or not?
Totally agree with the casting of Won Jin-ah. I was fine with her as a character on her own but I found it really hard to buy her with Seung-hyo. I don’t think it’s age but something else which I can’t quite put my finger to. Put Director Oh and Seungkhyo together and I find them mesmerizing. That’s the difference.
For Jin Woo, someone described him as a douchebag. While that’s rather strong, I find it hard to say anything positive about him other than his devotion to his brother. He’s one of the strangest lead character I’ve seen in dramas. I enjoyed the side characters like the annoying doctors and the organ transplant guy much more than Jin Woo. Was it because of LDW’s performance? I know that he’s heavily criticized for his performance but some of it seem biased from the start. I like underdogs. So while I think highly of Jo Seung Woo, I was hoping that LDW would prove his naysayers wrong. Although he wasn’t terrible, he wasn’t very good either. Sad is all I can say of Jin Woo. He just looks grim all the time.
Directing – One could argue that the writing in Forest of Secrets is equally muddy from the start, as there are so many characters, each with different motivations, which could possibly point them to be the main suspect. However in the director’s hand, each layer of the character is peeled at a pace that is just right. Do it too early and you risk running out of steam towards the end. Do it too late and the viewers disconnected and already left before the meaty part starts, plus you run out of time, as is the case for Life. It is admittedly, a larger ensemble cast compared to FoS, so there’s less time allocated for each character’s development, but what a waste of a bunch of good actors. We could’ve done away with some unnecessary scenes and save it for what’s really important. The director did his best, but I foresee that there was just not enough time to try and wrap up this story in a satisfying way.
Music – The less said about the stupidly loud background music, the better. I’ve noticed that they’ve thankfully toned it down a notch in the later episodes, possibly due to criticisms. I hope the music director learnt something from this experience. Sometimes less is more.
Your criticisms are so on point. It has been a solid, wild ride but as we approach the end, I’m almost certain that not all the loose threads that matter would be resolved successfully. Most of the reasons (or maybe the only reason) why I love this drama have to do with Seung-hyo’s character and JSW’s performance. Director Oh and Team Leader Kang are tied for second favs <3 Other than that, FoS by far is superior in terms of writing and directing.
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Melona
September 9, 2018 at 4:55 AM
My OTP in Life.
Life hasn’t been the perfect drama as Forest of Secrets was for me. There were unfortunately glaring flaws in all fronts that miss the 2% wow factor. It is solid, but falls short of being mind-blowing (see the comments section for my 2 cents on Life’s flaws). Nevertheless I waited with bated breath for new episodes every week, and this final week is no exception.
The preview for episode 15 seems to suggest that the trio that matters will join hands to defeat the evil chairman, however I have a nagging feeling that it’s more like the Last Supper kind of gathering. By the looks of it, the three raised their cups as a show of respect to each other before the real battle begins. “Let’s do what we can, so there are no regrets”. Either way, Seung-hyo will have to decide where his allegiance lies, and live with the consequences. He’s my favourite character and I’m rooting for him all the way, so I hope his character stays consistent and doesn’t get short-changed in the end.
Melona
September 9, 2018 at 4:56 AM
I love Lee Soo-yeon’s brilliant writing in Forest of Secrets, but I think this time it is overly ambitious. Just from the top of my mind, I can point out a few topics that the writer raised, but then simply gets forgotten. For example just for Seung-hyo alone, the writer never explains what drives Seung-hyo to bend over backwards and devote his whole life to Hwajeong. It’s only mentioned that he’s a scholarship student (so what? unless all scholarship students are legally contracted to be life-long slaves, Seung-hyo always has a way out). Additionally, JSW has said in the press conference that his character is loyal to the former chairman out of gratitude, but it’s never explicitly shown what he’s grateful for. We could’ve understood his character motivation better had this been made clear from the beginning. It’s also mentioned in passing that Seung-hyo was once badly screwed over by some of the subsidiaries’ presidents, and that’s why he’s now very cautious when it comes to doing anything that can potentially piss off the chairman, but we never know what happened. A simple flashback scene on these topics along the way would’ve sufficed, and yet we’re at the final two episodes and we still haven’t got any crumbs.
Also, what’s with the Seosan pioneers (the original land owners)? Is it important enough for us to pay attention? Do the Korean viewers just automatically relate because it’s a current social issue, whereas the international viewers are here scratching our heads wondering what the big deal is? Seung-hyo has planned for so-called “caretaker lodgings” to be built near the new hospital complex, and we know that he intends for them to be used for a different purpose unbeknownst to the current chairman, but what is it? I could go on and on with the many loose threads that the writer has created, but shows no signs of being resolved, which is a shame.
outofthisworld 不愧是我 🏍
September 13, 2018 at 6:48 AM
Did the finale answer your question on Seung-hyo? Perhaps the old chairman of Hwajeong helped him while his family was their lowest point due to the IMF crisis.
About the Seosan pioneers, I’m glad I am not the only one who was scratching my head. I think it’s some social issue which only the Koreans can understand.
Melona
September 15, 2018 at 4:41 PM
Yes, I look back at this post and thankfully I can say that most of my questions have been answered in the finale.
Melona
September 9, 2018 at 4:56 AM
Acting – This actually starts with mis-castings. No-eul was casted too young. If it was intended from the start that she would be Jin-woo’s cohort, then they should’ve casted someone who looks and carries the gravitas of someone her age (mid to late thirties). It was super awkward to hear Sun-woo call her noona. Lee Kyu-hyung himself is not baby-faced, and I only accept it because he acts like a puppy around her. If I could re-cast I would’ve probably picked Han Yeri, or Moon Chae-won. What Won Jin-ah also didn’t manage to do is create an unambiguous chemistry with Seung-hyo. I’m just confused as to what the writer intends to do with her character and their so-called love line. Is it a platonic friendship, is there flirting, or potential for romance and soul mateship? Instead of having a clear-cut something that the viewers can root for, all their interactions just turn into a big messy, forced, ambiguous nothing.
As for Lee Dong-wook (and Jin-woo), sigh. I digged deep into my heart to find something positive to say about his performance, but this is one of those times where I cannot understand or relate to the hero of the story. However, it would be unfair to say that the blame lies solely on the actor, because frankly, the writing for the character itself is pretty damn frustrating. Do you want me to root for you or not?
outofthisworld 不愧是我 🏍
September 13, 2018 at 7:12 AM
Totally agree with the casting of Won Jin-ah. I was fine with her as a character on her own but I found it really hard to buy her with Seung-hyo. I don’t think it’s age but something else which I can’t quite put my finger to. Put Director Oh and Seungkhyo together and I find them mesmerizing. That’s the difference.
For Jin Woo, someone described him as a douchebag. While that’s rather strong, I find it hard to say anything positive about him other than his devotion to his brother. He’s one of the strangest lead character I’ve seen in dramas. I enjoyed the side characters like the annoying doctors and the organ transplant guy much more than Jin Woo. Was it because of LDW’s performance? I know that he’s heavily criticized for his performance but some of it seem biased from the start. I like underdogs. So while I think highly of Jo Seung Woo, I was hoping that LDW would prove his naysayers wrong. Although he wasn’t terrible, he wasn’t very good either. Sad is all I can say of Jin Woo. He just looks grim all the time.
Melona
September 9, 2018 at 4:56 AM
Directing – One could argue that the writing in Forest of Secrets is equally muddy from the start, as there are so many characters, each with different motivations, which could possibly point them to be the main suspect. However in the director’s hand, each layer of the character is peeled at a pace that is just right. Do it too early and you risk running out of steam towards the end. Do it too late and the viewers disconnected and already left before the meaty part starts, plus you run out of time, as is the case for Life. It is admittedly, a larger ensemble cast compared to FoS, so there’s less time allocated for each character’s development, but what a waste of a bunch of good actors. We could’ve done away with some unnecessary scenes and save it for what’s really important. The director did his best, but I foresee that there was just not enough time to try and wrap up this story in a satisfying way.
Music – The less said about the stupidly loud background music, the better. I’ve noticed that they’ve thankfully toned it down a notch in the later episodes, possibly due to criticisms. I hope the music director learnt something from this experience. Sometimes less is more.
strawberry
September 9, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Your criticisms are so on point. It has been a solid, wild ride but as we approach the end, I’m almost certain that not all the loose threads that matter would be resolved successfully. Most of the reasons (or maybe the only reason) why I love this drama have to do with Seung-hyo’s character and JSW’s performance. Director Oh and Team Leader Kang are tied for second favs <3 Other than that, FoS by far is superior in terms of writing and directing.