My Lovely Samsoon (“Nae ireum-eun Sam-Soon”) November 6, 2007

My Lovely Sam-Soon was the most popular TV drama of 2005, and it’s easy to see why, though the series doesn’t fully work for me. Kim Seon-A is totally convincing and likable as the title character: a brassy, unglamorous, vulgar young woman with her own mind, but who still feels the tug of social expectations. They are her expectations too. Kim Sam-soon is a high school graduate who went to France to study as a pastry chef. Returning to Korea, she acquired a boyfriend, a spoiled and disturbingly pretty rich boy. When she discovers, at the beginning of Episode 1, that he has been cheating on her casually, she flees to bawl her eyes out in a restroom stall. A knock on the stall door interrupts her; she learns that she’d run into a men’s restroom by mistake. The man who knocked is another disturbingly pretty rich young man, Hyeon Jin-heon (played by Hyeon Bin), and even if you hadn’t seen him in the opening credits, you’d know by the conventions of TV drama that he’s the one. The question, as Sam-soon flees again, is how to get from this embarrassing first meeting to Happily Ever After.

Before you know it, Sam-soon has stumbled into a job as pastry chef in Jin-heon’s chic restaurant, so you know that it’s only a matter of time — sixteen episodes, to be exact. All they have to do is get past Jin-heon’s Gorgon of a mother, President Na Hyun-sook (Na Moon-hee); his former true love Yoo Hee-jin, returned from several years in California (Jung Ryeo-won); Henry Kim, the studly Korean-American doctor (Daniel Henney) who followed Hee-Jin to Korea from California; and all the other obstacles that a talented and sadistic writer can throw at them.

Another obstacle, of course, is Sam-soon’s age: she’s on the verge of 30. In Korea (and not only there) she’s no longer prime meat in the marriage market, even if she weren’t slightly plump, loud, and stubbornly self-willed. Even so, she has three disturbingly pretty, rich, younger men pursuing her. (I don’t remember the third one’s name. He’s mainly a fall guy: every time he and Sam-soon sit down together in the hotel lounge for a lust-filled chat, a jealous Heon-bin intervenes and sends him on his way.) She isn’t really overweight, just a normal Korean woman instead of a supermodel, and her appeal to men is more realistic than surprising. This clash between romantic fantasy and reality is the force that drives the series.

I don’t have space to do justice to all the characters who thread in and out of Sam-soon’s life, from her widowed mother to her glamorous, divorced older sister; from the restaurant staff to President Na Hyun-sook’s icy lieutenant. There are more, all performed beautifully by the fine cast, except for Daniel Henney as Henry Kim, the studly Korean-American oncologist. He’s game, but wooden; still, his model’s good looks ensure that he’s going to turn up in more TV dramas (and commercials, and Buddha only knows what else), despite his still practically non-existent Korean. Sweetest of all is Sam-soon’s late father, who loved and encouraged her all her life, and who turns up often in flashbacks and Sam-soon’s fantasy. In Sam-soon, Heon-bin like so many men is falling in love with a woman much like his mother; Heon-bin, unfortunately, is not at all like Sam-soon’s father. That may be why, despite her attraction to him, she can still look at Heon-bin with a critical, even cynical eye.

My Lovely Sam-Soon, then, takes some believable and interesting characters and runs them through the meat grinder of TV drama conventions, from raucous slapstick to gothic melodrama. By the sixth episode I often felt as if I were sitting through the sixteen-hour director’s cut of My Sassy Girl, but I was hooked by then and had to learn how it all turned out. The ending is surprisingly realistic, resisting the temptation and pressure for a Cinderella resolution; so it satisfied me even though it might not please everyone. What I love most is a long scene near the midpoint, between Sam-soon and Henry in a hotel lounge in Chejudo. Upstairs, Heon-bin has been reunited with his lost love Hee-jin, whom Henry also loves. Henry speaks no Korean. Sam-soon sizes him up and then, while he beams at her uncomprehendingly, she tells him (in French, Korean, and bits of English), about the role of pastry and memory in Marcel Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past, a book she learned about during her training in France.

Can you imagine a long, funny, moving dialogue on literature and love, conducted in three languages, in an American TV comedy? Me neither, but it works. I only wished for more scenes like it. Still, because of the hodgepodge of incidents and styles, there’s probably something in My Lovely Sam-Soon for everybody. (Review by Duncan Mitchel)

My Lovely Sam-Soon (“Nae ireum-eun Sam-Soon”). Alternate title: “My Name is Samsoon.” 16 episodes. Written by Kim Do-woo. Produced by Kim Yoon-chul. Starring Kim Seon-A, Hyun Bin, Jung Ryeo-won, Daniel Henney, Na Moon-hee, Kim Ja-ok, Lee Ah-hyun, Suh Ji-hee, Yoon Ye-hee, Lee Kyu-han, Kwon Hae-hyo.

COFFEE PRINCE (Keo-pi Peu-rin-seu 1-ho-jeom) November 6, 2007

17 episodes

Synopsis

Coffee Prince’s Flagship Store is a TV series that revolves around the love life and dreams of four young people who meet together at a café.

Han-gyeol (actor Gong Yoo) is a smart young man who hates to be tied down to one career in his life. Abhorring the idea of joining the family business, he is ordered by his grandmother to manage a café. Unable to disobey his grandmother, he reluctantly takes over the responsibility of running a café and begins to immerse himself in the gourmet coffee business. One day, he meets Eun-chan, a cheerful girl who has an unpredictable personality, and learns the meaning of true love…

< Coffee Prince’s Flagship Store> is a story about a group of young people who find themselves drawn to the gourmet coffee business where they also find love and new hope. The TV series will also show what it takes to run a family business and become a true steward who can oversee a company.

A café with a view.

In the dreary city with towers of concrete structures everywhere… The dynamism of the younger generation brings energy to the lifeless city…
When you commute on a bus through the city, you’ll find yourself looking with pity at the people walking by skyscrapers. But it’s people like those you see in the streets who build these tall buildings and work hard inside the offices to create new hope and dreams for themselves and other people. The city can be an unfriendly place. Then what brings energy and warmth to the city? It’s the hard work of people who have lofty dreams and hopes for a more fulfilling life. Like an embroidery piece that requires many hours of cross-stitching threads with a small, thin needle, the people in the city are the fabric of society. We live winding lives that are not ordinary inasmuch as they are precious to our very existence. And this coming-of-age story about four young people will fill your heart with a new hope.

“There is a special aroma from coffee beans that will move your heart.”

It was in 1896, when King Kojong was served coffee at the Russian Embassy for the first time by a woman named Sontak, who was the sister-in-law of Russian Ambassador Veber. This was the first time and place where coffee was introduced to a Korean. In the 1920s, Japanese cafés, which were called Kikdajeom (喫茶店) began appearing in Seoul. The first café that was opened by a Korean was called Kakadyoo and it was owned by film director Lee Gyeon-seok. At the time, there were three Kikdajeom stores that were popular in Seoul. The cafés that opened after that became popular hotspots among novelists, actors, and musicians.

So cafés became a natural gathering place among people Some people avoided drinking coffee because they believed it was unhealthy but even among non-coffee lovers, they would probably all agree that coffee has a deep, rich aroma. Most people probably stopped once in their lives to smell the aroma of coffee from a cafe.

The smell of coffee will greet you in the morning. At work, co-workers will offer each other a cup of coffee.
Couples drink coffee on their first dates as they get to know each other better. People have coffee after a long day with their loved ones. Coffee is a drink that is ubiquitous in our lives. It brings people together.
A cup of coffee is a time for people to enjoy a short break from their busy lives …

“Relentlessly fine-tuning your core competence.”

A cook who can make a dumpling in 3 seconds. A candlemaker who can make holes in 120 candles in seconds. A newspaper delivery man who carries a load of newspapers weighing 300 kilograms on his back. Have you ever seen these remarkable people? These people became skilled at what they do because they focused on what they were good at and practiced it over and over. They sweated over jobs that other people overlooked and became skilled workers. It’s time to reflect on what is truly important in building a successful business instead of focusing on the bottom line,

Casting

Choi Han-gyeol / Actor Gong Yo, Heir of Dongin Foods. A pretty boy who dresses sharply.

‘How could I kiss that poor-looking, overdressed kid?!’
He washes his mouth with Listerine but he cannot forget the disgust of that moment.
The moment when their lips touched…
He is smart and witty but he is a restless soul who cannot commit himself to one line of work.
He is a self-absorbed person and he doesn’t like bothering other people nor does he like being bothered himself. He is an independent person and he shows no interest in the lives of other people. But deep inside, he is a warm person.
There are many things to do in life but he doesn’t want to be stuck with inheriting the family business. His grandmother forces him to manage Coffee Prince one day…
Unable to disobey his grandmother, he discovers the rich aroma of coffee while working at Coffee Prince and he also fall sin love with the unpredictable Eun-chan…

Koh Eun-chan / Actress Yoon Eun-hye, Coffee Prince employee. A strong-willed young lady

“Who cares if you’re a man or a woman. You have to make a living, you know…”
One day, she meets a handsome man who makes her wish that she could look attractive like a lady…
When she walks down the streets of Myung-dong, young girls will shriek and stare at her pretty boy looks.
But she’s not a boy. She’s a woman who has a black belt in Taekwondo and talks in a husky voice like a guy.
After her father passed away, her family was able to make ends meet through the help of relatives for 8 years.
She supports her family who live in a small one-room rooftop apartment.
Since her father loved the taste of coffee, she developed an uncanny ability of telling apart different coffee just from smelling them. Later on, she finds a job at Coffee Prince. She aims to become a barista one day.
To reach her career goals, she first has to deal with the cold and aloof Han-gyeol who she finds herself falling for…

Choi Han-sung / Actor Lee Seon-gyoon, Musician. A charming man with a soft smile.

Yoo-joo left his life. He was angry at her and felt betrayed. But his feelings for her have also changed.
He was just incapable of handling a separation…
He is Han-gyeol’s cousin.
He is a stubborn artist who has a romantic side and easy-going personality.
When he meets strangers, he greets them with a friendly smile and talks freely about a range subjects with them but he never reveals his inner feelings.
He stays away from the family business unlike his family members and relatives and finds himself as the outcast of the family, which makes him a lonely soul. He comforts his soul by turning to music.
He is in control of every aspect of his professional career and is good at what he does but due to his past relationship with Yoo-joo, he is not comfortable around woman.
So when he meets Eun-chan, who has a pleasant smile and puts people at ease, he is immediately attracted to her…

Han Yoo-joo / Actress Chae Jeong-an, Painter. Frida Kalo. Camille Claudel.

Being free from the desire to have true freedom!
She madly sings and dances while also madly falling in love. And she wants to be free from all those mad habits of hers.’
She is a passionate woman. Her alluring hair seems to have the powers of Samson. Each strand of hair seems to give her a wicked intellect. She is a free-spirited nonconformist. She is liberal, sexy and very delicate.
Because of her nonconforming attitude, it is easy for her to make new friends but they also find her personality to be too liberal.
Although she is never intimidated by anything in life, she has a tender soul and is emotionally vulnerable.
Although she loved Choi Han-sung, she left him to go to New York and pursue her passion for painting.
She later realizes that she is still in love with Han-sung and returns to Seoul but Han-sung does not take her back…

Gara-gara Princess Hours alias Goong ! November 5, 2006

Hehehe, waktu pertama kali nulis diblog tentang drama komedy dari Korea ini cuma iseng-iseng aja. Nambahin tulisan di blog .. Tulisan gue tidak seheboh yang orang-orang biasa nulis tentang drama tersebut (hasil dari intipin gue nech)
Yang membuat gue respect adalah komentar-komentar mereka. Tentunya perlu waktu untuk sekedar mengomentari tulisan gue. Salut dech !!!…
Tapi yang membuat gue heran, adalah darimana mereka tau ??? Gue iseng coba di google.com tulisan gue tidak masuk dalam chart paling atas *alahhh* …serta gue jarang publikasi-in tulisan tersebut. Anyway…. gue mo ngucapin terima kasih atas waktu mereka main diblog gue !!!

http://imod9.wordpress.com/tag/princess-hours/

Princess Hours (goong) -behind scene- October 22, 2006

Based on a comic book series, “Princess Hours” has been the topic of a major media hype since its production started. Not only was the comic book series uncompleted, but many of those who admired the comic book watched eagerly to see how well the TV production would live up to the fame of the original book. It was also the first acting role for Yoon Eun-hye, previously a member of the music group Baby Vox, in her role as the lead character, and this generated much concern over her acting ability. All concerns aside, the TV drama was a huge success, with news of a possible second season following the finale. Fans can’t seem to get enough of it, as scandals between the leading characters Lee Shin and Chae-gyeong continue to make headlines on the media front pages.

 

Based on an interesting premise that Korea is still ruled by a royal family, the drama portrays a romance between two people of different social standings and backgrounds. Starting with the classical setting of an encounter between the upper and the common classes, Princess Hours has created a unique couple: a 19th century prince and a 21st century commoner. Their relationship starts as part of an arranged marriage but they soon find that they love each other. The drama also depicts how the crown prince overcomes hardships, finds true love, and becomes a respected emperor.

 

The use of code words to communicate as well as having subtitles, which is unusual in Korean dramas, are production tricks that have appealed to today’s younger generation. Another interesting fact is the 1.5 billion-won studio set was built especially for the production. Famed Korean designers were consulted in the creation of traditional costumes, props, and interior design. Currently at the frontline of neo-Orientalism, Princess Hours’ interior design is becoming the hottest design item in Korea.

 

Synopsis Chae-gyeong is an ordinary art high school student. One day, she hears totally unexpected news that, based on her grandfather’s will, she must marry the unemotional Crown Prince Lee Shin who attends the same high school. Free-spirited Chae-gyeong resists the proposal, but reluctantly marries him to help her debt-ridden family. As she struggles to adapt herself to the proper manners and royal duties of palace life and to her disagreeable husband, Lee Shin’s sentimental cousin and second-in-line to the throne Yul steps into her life. She feels like she can rely on Yul to help her, but can’t help worrying about her haughty, cold-hearted husband.
To help bridge this gap, the senior members of the royal family take some special measures to get them to spend the night together. Along the way, you will encounter numerous delightful episodes among the cute and lively Chae-gyeong, the cold heartthrob Lee Shin, the handsome, down-to-earth Yul, the perfect ballerina Hyo- rin who just can’t get over Lee Shin, and all the other members of the royal family. Will the Crowned Princess, Chae-gyeong be up to the challenges of royal life? Come and join us as these wonderful tales of the crown princess unfold.

 

About the Characters

 

♥ Shin Chae-gyung / Played by Yoon Eun-hye
Chae-gyeong is a student at an art high school. She wears training pants under her school uniform and uses slang on a daily basis. Despite her family’s difficult financial situation, she is lively and cheerful, and has creative talent. She hates Prince Lee Shin who attends the same school, saying that he has a prince syndrome. Because of her family’s situation, however, she is forced to consent to an arranged marriage with him. As she gets to know him better, she discovers his loneliness and begins to feel compassion.
While struggling to adapt to palace life, Yul makes his appearance. He is kind to her and this attracts her, but she can’t help thinking about Lee Shin. Chae-gyeong is an optimistic character who manages to deal graciously with the veiled attempts to take the throne. She brings a cheerful and genuine presence to the stony atmosphere of the palace and gradually changes other members of the royal family. See how this ordinary high -school girl turns into a respected princess.

 

♥ Lee Shin / Played by Joo Ji-hoon
Prince Lee Shin has won the heart of every girl in the country, but is fed up with fans that follow him wherever he goes. Born to a clever emperor and a beautiful empress, this arrogant prince has both intelligence and great looks. However, strict palace rules and heavy royal responsibilities do not allow him any private life or dreams of his own. He is so disillusioned that he no longer believes in family, love, or friendship. Living in his own sheltered world, his only pleasure is watching movies. He had a covert relationship with Hyo-rin, who is a ballet student at the same school.
Because of plans for an arranged marriage many years before, he is forced to marry a spunky, ordinary girl but finds himself gradually falling in love with her. He is at the heart of a love triangle as his ex-girlfriend Hyo-rin intervenes after the marriage. The situation worsens as the second-in-line Prince Yul wishes to reclaim the throne.

 

♥ Min Hyo-rin / Played by Song Ji-hyo
Hyo-rin is a pretty, clever ballet student who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. She is the first love and secret girlfriend of Lee Shin. He had proposed to her, trying to avoid an arranged marriage, but she declined, believing that her dream to be a ballerina was more important. After winning a competition, she realizes her true feelings for him. She befriends Chae-gyeong in the hope of winning Lee Shin back, just as Camilla did with Prince Charles.
One day, Hyejeonggung, the mother of Yul, who has plans to reclaim the throne, approaches her. With Hyejeonggung and Lee Shin’s friends, Hyo-rin manages to put Chae-gyeong in a perilous situation. Everybody thinks Hyo-rin is perfect, but she carries her own untold secret.

 

♥ Lee Yul / Played by Kim Jeong-hoon
Yul is second in line to the throne. He was still a child when his father died in an accident, leaving the title to Lee Shin’s father. He and his mother left the palace and since then lived abroad. He has lived a carefree life with no royal obligations, so his outlook and actions are no different from those of other ordinary high-school kids. Gentle, attentive, and intelligent, he likes gardening and reading. His character is the reverse of the haughty prince, Lee Shin, and he always takes good care of Chae-gyeong.
He was originally troubled by his mother’s ambition for the lost throne, but soon finds himself wanting to reclaim his title as he falls for Chae-gyeong.

Filming Locations of Princess Hours

* Main Filming Location – Osan Location Set *

Most of the indoor scenes were shot at a location set in Osan, especially the kissing scene between Lee Shin and Chae-gyeong, the scene in which they both look back sadly, to see the other walking away, and the quarreling scene in their bedrooms. This 1.5 billion won studio set is a reenactment of a modern-day royal palace. With all the rental furniture and props included, the set cost almost 5 billion won. The emperor’s room is decorated in amber and olive colors, while the room of the empress is decorated in black and gold to express regality and authority. The room of the crown prince is located in the east wing and is in blue while the room of the crown princess is decorated in romantic pink. Other areas are the grand reception room and the indoor garden. Classic and modern styles coexist in the overall design of the studio set.

* Anapji Pond in Gyeongju and Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju *

Scenes of the front and back palace courtyards were filmed at Anapji Pond in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province. Scenes of the main palace Geunjeongjeon were filmed at Gyeonghuigung Palace in Jeong-dong, Seoul. The scene in which the royal family played a royal sport similar to golf took place in Gyeonghuigung. The image of the palace buildings behind Gyeongbokgung Palace was designed by using computer graphics. Sightseers at these locations need to remember that some visual scenes were created with computer imaging.
→ Go to Anapji Pond in Gyeongju
→ Go to Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju

* Palace Exterior – Duksung University, Unni-dong Campus *

While the palace’s interior scenes were shot at the studio set in Osan, the exterior scenes were shot at the Yanggwan Building of Unhyeongung Palace in Jongno, Seoul. The architecture currently houses Duksung University School of Continuing Education. This Renaissance-style building with antique white exterior walls is in harmony with the gardens surrounding it. The building is easily accessible on foot from Jongno.
→ Go to Unhyeongung Palace

* High–School Attended by the Characters – Kaywon High School of Arts *

Located in Bundang, Kaywon is a well-known arts high school like the one depicted in the drama. It has a beautiful campus designed with modern architecture. The school has four departments (fine arts, drama & cinema, music, and dance) and is intensely competitive, which only enrolls 320 students into eight classes each year. All the school scenes were filmed at Kaywon. However, since it is an educational institution, sightseeing at the school is restricted.
Website: http://www.kaywon.hs.kr (Korean)
Location: Kaywon High School of Arts, Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do Province
How to Get There: Take the Bundang-seon subway line to Jeongja Station → Go out of Exit No. 1 or 2 → Take the local shuttle bus No. 109

* Lee Shin and Chae-gyung’s Kiss Scene Location – Myeongdong *

Lee Shin and Chae-gyeong have hidden their true feelings by acting cold to one another. Their misunderstanding grows and they quarrel every day, worrying the people around them. But after they reveal their love, they boldly kiss in the middle of a crowded street. This scene was shot in the heart of Myeongdong, one of the busiest shopping districts in Korea. If you happened to be impressed by this scene, you should visit Myeongdong where you can enjoy sightseeing and shopping.
→ Go to Myeongdong

* The Couple’s Fourth Night Together and Shower Scene – House of the Mind *

Lee Shin and Chae-gyeong spend their fourth night together at the House of the Mind. On Yul’s birthday, the couple visits this inn with their friends, who force them to spend the night in the same room. In one scene, they playfully change their clothes, but the ambience becomes more and more romantic. If you felt your heart beat during the shower scene of model-turned-actor Joo Ji-hoon (playing Lee Shin in the drama), you may want to visit this inn, located in Yangpyeong. House of Mind, which has two buildings (six rooms), features unique architecture, and was shown many times by the media before filming even began. It is exceedingly popular, so weekend reservations must be made a month in advance.

* Honeymoon Scene – Gangneung Seongyojang *

Lee Shin and Chae-gyeong’s honeymoon was located in Gangneung in Gangwon-do Province. They go by car and arrive at the seaside. Do you remember the scene in which Lee Shin affectionately gazes at Chae-gyeong as she sleeps? They enjoyed moments together walking on the beach, grocery shopping, and making an enjoyable dinner. At night, they find themselves in the same bed again. Seongyojang is a large private residence with four residential buildings. It is a major tourist destination in Gangneung and was designated as an Important Folk Material no. 5. Accommodations are not available, but this place is open for sightseeing.
→ Go to Seongyojang in Gangneung

* Chae-gyung’s Teddy Bear – Teddy Bear Museum *

During their trip to Jeju Island, Chae-gyeong and the empress visit the Teddy Bear Museum. This is the world’s largest museum that is wholly dedicated to teddy bears. The museum has on exhibit a wide collection of teddy bears from all over the world and is a great place to take pictures. As Chae- gyeong thinks about Lee Shin back in Seoul, she is shocked when he suddenly appears. Her expression brightens and she looks just like a teddy bear. If you remember this scene, you may want to visit the museum. Here, you will find the teddy bear that Chae-gyeong pretended was Lee Shin.
→ Go to Teddy Bear Museum in Jeju

 

Pemeran Sekuel Princess Hours Telah Dipastikan October 22, 2006

Meneruskan sebuah serial memang tidak mudah karena pasti ada tuntutan dari penggemar lama supaya minimal bisa sukses seperti pendahulunya, hal itu juga yang dialami oleh Princess Hours alias Goong.

Cukup lama mengadakan seleksi, akhirnya muncul juga satu nama yang dipercaya bakal membuat Goong 2 tidak kehilangan daya magisnya meski menampilkan cerita yang berbeda dengan sekuel pertamanya. Sebagai langkah pertama, dipilih nama Se7en sebagai pemeran utama pria.

Selain Se7en, yang bakal menggunakan nama aslinya Choi Dong-wook, Goong 2 juga menampilkan Heo Yi-jae yang didapuk sebagai ‘pengganti’ peran utama wanita yang sebelumnya dilakoni Yoon Eun-hye, Kang Doo, dan Park Shin-hye.

Sekuel Goong sendiri bakal mengisahkan tentang Lee Hoo yang tanpa disadarinya memiliki darah biru, hidupnya sehari-hari adalah mengantar makanan di sebuah restoran. Semua berubah setelah pihak kerajaan berhasil melacak, kemudian mengajaknya untuk masuk ke istana.

Disana ia harus menghadapi beberapa pihak yang tidak menyukainya, mulai dari Lee Joon yang sejak kecil sudah dilatih untuk menjadi pewaris tahta sampai Shin Sae-ryong seorang gadis kaya yang selalu menjadi nomor satu dalam segala hal.

Yang cukup mengejutkan adalah pemilihan Shin-hye yang justru bukanlah sebagai pemeran utama wanita, mengingat reputasi gadis kelahiran 1990 yang mencuat lewat Stairway to Heaven itu jauh lebih mengkilap dari Yi-jae.

Untuk itu, Hwang In-roi yang memilih sendiri keempat artis tersebut punya alasan tersendiri. Menurutnya meski muda, Shin-hye mempunyai kemampuan untuk menampilkan karakter kompleks seperti Shin Sae-ryong yang cerdas, ambisius dan sedikit pongah.

Asal tahu saja, sutradara Hwang semula dikabarkan berniat merekrut gadis yang masih duduk di bangku SMU itu untuk tampil di Princess Hours, namun akhirnya dibatalkan karena usianya yang masih muda dan dikuatirkan tidak klop dengan Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Jeong-hoon, dan Song Ji-hyo

Princess Hours August 18, 2006

Film serial ini adalah cerita klasik Cinderella masa kini. Namun jangan khawatir akan jalan ceritanya, sangat asik untuk diikuti. Serial ini diinspirasi dari buku komik atau manga buatan Korea berjudul GOONG. Yang juga menarik dari film ini adalah pemainnya lumayan baru dalam berakting, berhubung chemistery yang kuat antara pemain, sutradara, dan skenario yang baik semua tantangan dalam produksi film serial ini dapat diatasi. Serial ini sangat terkenal di negara Korea, dan selalu ditunggu oleh penggemarnya.

Princess Hours ini mengisahkan kehidupan seorang gadis SMU dari kalangan rakyat biasa yang harus menikah dengan seorang pangeran karena desakan ekonomi dan janji almarhum sang kakek dengan keluarga kerajaan. Pernikahan ini harus terjadi karena desakan keluarga kerajaan yang harus segera mengisi posisi calon kaisar berikutnya mengingat raja yang sekarang sedang dalam kondisi tidak sehat. Proses adaptasi dengan keluarga kerajaan membuat sang gadis yang telah menjadi calon permaisuri menjadi frustasi.

Namun karena sifatnya yang selalu ceria membuat dia bisa diterima oleh pihak kerajaan. Jalinan cinta sang putri dan pangeran juga tidak mudah mengingat hubungan cinta pangeran dengan mantan pacarnya masih berlanjut, ini menjadi pokok masalah dalam film ini. Masalah juga semakin diperumit dengan hadirnya pangeran dari anak mantan kaisar yang telah wafat, yang dihasut oleh ibu kandungnya sendiri atau mantan permaisuri untuk mendapatkan posisi kaisar. Sekedar info, di Korea dikisahkan apabila kaisar/raja mangkat atau meninggal maka seluruh keluarganya harus keluar dari istana, karena yang berhak tinggal hanya raja.

Segala kekonyolan yang dilakukan sang putri juga asik untuk diliat, atau bagaimana akhirnya sang pangeran mulai mencintai sang putri dan mulai bisa melupakan mantan pacarnya serta kisah cinta sang pangeran yang terbuang dengan calon permaisuri yang mengakibatkan kisah cinta segitiga. Dan tentunya cerita bagaimana sang pangeran mengatasi segala masalah dalam mempertahankan gelarnya sebagai calon kaisar. Namun, kalo kita sudah tau ending-nya, apapun keputusan yang diambil oeh sang pangeran tidak menjadi soal. Yang penting happy !!

Namun yang dapat kita pelajari dari menonton film-film serial Korea adalah budaya, walaupun selalu ingin terlihat kebarat- baratan namun mereka tetap menampilkan budaya Korea (namun tetap ada kekurangan dari segi kostum, menurut saya norak banget apalagi busana kaum prianya, terlalu feminim bahkan kadang cenderung ke waria. Setiap cerita film yang diproduksi selalu mengikut sertakan tradisi mereka, seperti rasa hormat kepada yang lebih tua, makan di kedai pinggir jalan, pemandangan yang indah dan lain sebagainya. Padahal kalau mau ditelusuri bukankah kita bangsa yang kaya akan budaya dibanding bangsa lain. Kenapa kalau bikin cerita selalu sama dan terlalu bersetting America/Eropa?

Ambil contoh sebuah film dengan setting disebuah mall yang jelas-jelas di Jakarta tidak ada itu mall dengan setting terlalu eropa (memang ada sich, tapi tidak seperti yang digambarkan). Membuat saya berpikir itu mall di Jakarta daerah mana ya, maklum yang nulis ini juga banci mall :d. Next time semoga ada yang bikin film dengan cerita tentang kehidupan sehar-hari yang tidak lupa meluangkan waktu dengan adegan makan di warteg dan belanja dipasar tradisional, atau naik bis kota / angkot (film Garasi pernah menampilkan adegan ini).

Hmmm, tapi sayang ! Kabarnya sequel PH-2 semua pemainnya diganti total. Alamak !!! ……kita tunggu aja dech kelanjutan ceritanya sepertiapa. Tapi gak asik aja kalo pemainnya diganti. Nerima pemain baru khan susah banget dibenak kita.