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dramasoliloquy) wrote2011-07-16 10:10 pm
dramasoliloquy) wrote2011-07-16 10:10 pm
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Reminds Me Of ... Myung-wol the Spy vs. Comrade X
Soo, I finally got around to watching episode one of City Hunter (which was boring until you-know-who stepped onto the scene). I also watched the first two episodes of Myung-wol the Spy, which is what I really wanna talk about. Oh yeah, and trying, trying hard to finish Lie to Me and Drunken to Love You.
(Myung-wol the Spy, Comrade X)
I've decided to add a new section, Reminds Me Of, which will talk about dramas, and contrast them to the movies, tv shows, etc. that have similar plots or concepts to it. In this case, when I first read the synopsis of Myung-wol the Spy, and read about an uptight agent and how she has to marry her enemy, I immediately thought of Comrade X, a 1940 movie starring Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr. Never heard of it? Well, that's what I'm here for. Onward ho!
(Yeah, Heck Yeah, No!)
First, a little more on City Hunter, episode 1. The first half was bleh, but I perked up later thanks to Min-ho's appearance. I kinda don't know about the girl though, I think it's his relationship with his pseudo father that's really interesting and the girl looked lame. And I'm not sure I'm convinced that he'll want revenge for a father he never knew before either. I'll try a couple more episodes. We'll see.
(Loyal Russian Theodore, Dedicated North Korean spy Myung-wol, similar yes?)
Now, Comrade X. Directed by King Vidor, it's actually the reverse of Myung-wol the Spy. In Myung-wol the Spy, we have the lovely Myung-wol (Han Ye-Seul) as a dedicated officer of North Korea, whose mission is to get popular Hallyu star Kang-woo (Eric) to switch his allegiance from South Korea to North Korea.
In Comrade X, there is the charismatic American news reporter Mac (Clark Gable), who's been smuggling uncensored news out of Moscow under the alias Comrade X. Loyal Soviet patriot Theodore (Hedy Lamarr) enters a marriage with Mac, and they both have hidden agendas. Basically, they're both trying to get the other to switch sides, whereas in Myung-wol the Spy, it's Myung-Wol who will try to convince Kang-woo to defect.
(Here's some eye candy for you.)
What else is there in common? Well, pretty people abound. Seriously though, the characters of both Theodore and Myung-wol are very similar, they're both extreme loyalists to their country and will do anything for it, including marry a guy who's their enemy.
Something else in common is that both the drama and the movie play the situation (enemies who fall for each other) for laughs, and the secondary veteran characters are a lot of fun. Comrade X has Eve Arden, whom I love, she always plays this tough wisecracking girl.
Myung-wol the Spy has these guys who really make this fun. Actually, I thought the first episode was just meh, didn't laugh once, but I enjoyed the humor in the 2nd episode provided by the characters pictured below.
(Haha! Characters that tickle my funny bone, General Kim and agent Hee-bok.)
I enjoy sleazy leaders like General Kim who tries to get away with things as long as it's played right and the antics of old spy Hee-bok made me laugh. They're really the foundation of the comedy here, and although I appreciate the good looks of the other actors, (hate Eric's hair color), they're not going to keep me watching. Overall, I expect Myung-wol to be mildly entertaining and somewhat offbeat, the same as Comrade X was.
(Myung-wol the Spy, Comrade X)
I've decided to add a new section, Reminds Me Of, which will talk about dramas, and contrast them to the movies, tv shows, etc. that have similar plots or concepts to it. In this case, when I first read the synopsis of Myung-wol the Spy, and read about an uptight agent and how she has to marry her enemy, I immediately thought of Comrade X, a 1940 movie starring Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr. Never heard of it? Well, that's what I'm here for. Onward ho!
(Yeah, Heck Yeah, No!)
First, a little more on City Hunter, episode 1. The first half was bleh, but I perked up later thanks to Min-ho's appearance. I kinda don't know about the girl though, I think it's his relationship with his pseudo father that's really interesting and the girl looked lame. And I'm not sure I'm convinced that he'll want revenge for a father he never knew before either. I'll try a couple more episodes. We'll see.
(Loyal Russian Theodore, Dedicated North Korean spy Myung-wol, similar yes?)
In Comrade X, there is the charismatic American news reporter Mac (Clark Gable), who's been smuggling uncensored news out of Moscow under the alias Comrade X. Loyal Soviet patriot Theodore (Hedy Lamarr) enters a marriage with Mac, and they both have hidden agendas. Basically, they're both trying to get the other to switch sides, whereas in Myung-wol the Spy, it's Myung-Wol who will try to convince Kang-woo to defect.
(Here's some eye candy for you.)
What else is there in common? Well, pretty people abound. Seriously though, the characters of both Theodore and Myung-wol are very similar, they're both extreme loyalists to their country and will do anything for it, including marry a guy who's their enemy.
Something else in common is that both the drama and the movie play the situation (enemies who fall for each other) for laughs, and the secondary veteran characters are a lot of fun. Comrade X has Eve Arden, whom I love, she always plays this tough wisecracking girl.
Myung-wol the Spy has these guys who really make this fun. Actually, I thought the first episode was just meh, didn't laugh once, but I enjoyed the humor in the 2nd episode provided by the characters pictured below.
(Haha! Characters that tickle my funny bone, General Kim and agent Hee-bok.)
I enjoy sleazy leaders like General Kim who tries to get away with things as long as it's played right and the antics of old spy Hee-bok made me laugh. They're really the foundation of the comedy here, and although I appreciate the good looks of the other actors, (hate Eric's hair color), they're not going to keep me watching. Overall, I expect Myung-wol to be mildly entertaining and somewhat offbeat, the same as Comrade X was.
