MBC is aiming to improve their year of rating drought with East of Eden, a 50 episode story based on the development and changes in Korea from the 1960s to 2000s, spanning 40 years and the story of two men, who were born on the same day at the same time at the same hospital, and their crossed destiny and revenge. The story holds much familiarity with Korean audiences despite the clichéd storyline but that’s not enough to guarantee good ratings apparently, a huge star-studded cast is also present with the likes of Song Seung Hun, Park Hae Jin, Han Ji Hye, Lee Da Hae, Lee Yeon Hee and Dennis Oh headlining the list (but of course there are a large number of stars in the supporting list as well) so if this drama becomes another flop for MBC I’ll try really hard but my response would be “sucks to be you”. Still, current ratings have been steadily rising (11.3% episode 1 to 17.8% episode 2) so maybe MBC has a hit on their hands (pity if this monster wasn’t a hit).
I say all this but the war of ratings mean nothing, I don’t usually care, popular =/= good so I took all the anticipation with a grain of salt and decided to jump in thinking that East of Eden would be pure populist material (otherwise known as overrated crap) and well, when you jump into something with this frame of mind chances are you will be walking out satisfied. I did just that with the first two episodes of East of Eden and as expected, I left with my low expectations exceeded.
(Pictures to come)
Impressions:
You know, everyone was making the first two episodes out to be boring and not at all attention-grabbing but Evee and I would beg to differ, it may not have been ground breaking good but don’t tell me it had not one ounce of merit in it.
The first two episodes and the subsequent 4 I think (up to 6) focus on the background and childhood portion of the story (starring KIM BUM I must add) and so far the story shows some promise (yet, I still cannot fathom the importance of blood relations over true brotherhood or whatever as a plot device in dramas) despite being long-winded and somewhat confusing I did happen to find it quite endearing on Dong Chul’s part and tragic for that of his family. Call me sentimental but I was honestly close to tears with his final “words” to his father. It’s going to be an “epic” (and take the word lightly) with some form of angsty (YEAH! ANGST) plot and possibly (hopefully) romance later on. I don’t mind; Kim Bum shows up (substantially) in episode 3. I must say I’m impressed with Song Seung Hun’s acting so far because I know he’s not known for AWESOME acting but the opening was good, his best maybe? As for mini Dong Chul, WOW, I’m impressed with this kid, his emotions are seriously believable enough to break your heart. Well, Kim Bum takes on the role of Dong Chul now but that kid was good while he was there. The adult actors are all in some way or another veterans so if the younger side let’s us down (which I don’t think the females will do) we have back-up. I’m just worrying about Dennis Oh’s “ability”.
Nothing that I describe as “okay to good” goes without complaints, mostly in the lengthy conversations which are occasionally boring, questionable plot and some of the characters. The scripting isn’t genius but nor is it horrid, it passes and is as good as it needs to be for this type of show. It may be the subject area of some of these conversations but all the mining drama totally flew over my head, I simply don’t care. As harsh as it sounds, I didn’t need all the political and business background information for the death of Dong Chul’s dad, that alone lost me for at least 20 minutes every episode. The plot is mostly moving thanks to certain plot devices (baby swapping, EVERY woman in the damn town being pregnant and so on). I don’t mind because it works in terms of moving the story and thankfully these devices aren’t too outrageous. Biggest complaint – the characterisation of some characters, mostly Dong Chul’s mother, Mr. Villain and periodically Dong Chul’s dad’s first love (like I know no names other than Dong Chul and Dong Wook). The mother comes of as an absolute bitch (pardon the French) and her single volume of voice (which is 1000decibels) doesn’t help much either. It’s one thing to be “motherly” and protective with hidden feelings and it’s another to be an ass. If it wasn’t for the humility we see with the cake or the scene at the deathbed I would not be able to empathise with her or why she could get married and not divorced by now. As for Mr. Villain he is just a plain jerk, need I explain? Still, he’s a villain so if I am already hating him now that’s a good thing right? Finally, Ms. First Love, I see her as being the mother Dong Wook always needed, I also see her as selfish and simple-minded. If her “character” wasn’t gentle then she’d be another addition to the hate pile. Other than that I see no other problems (but they themselves aren’t exactly small).
Oh, there are a lot of nekkid men’s, and not nekkid Song Seung Hun either.
But overall there was more good than not. I was intrigued, interested and I do want to see more developments. As far as pilots go, this was a good one. Just the right amount of action, mystery, sadness and as soon as episode one ended (with it’s cliff-hanger) I wanted to see episode 2. Right now East of Eden is gearing up for a fun ride and if the adult portion of the story continues the good start then I’m in for the whole thing. The series is looking like a possible 7.5 or so right now and hey, that’s pretty good coming from a person who would prefer to watch a rom-com.
