Though the year is not over and there is a chance a better drama is hiding in the shadows waiting to blow my mind, I will take the chance and declare on December 4th 2016 that I know the Best "Korean Drama Series" or "K-Drama".
I can hear the chuckles and snickers from some corner of the internet communicating the thoughts "who does he think he is declaring something the best before the year is out?" "Can he really say that prior to watching all the Korean Drama of 2016?" "Isn't declaring something the best particularly in the cinema arts a bit presumptuous"
I believe I can and as a male veteran of the Korean drama scene(more specifically the post 2010 Korean drama scene). Like Hollywood and Bollywood success is attributed to certain tropes and possibly cliches. After a while from the first episode you pretty much know how things are going to go save a few subversions but upon seeing the poster you pretty much know the progression of the if anything the only thing uncertain is the ending.
Cryptic Hint Section
Girl Meets Boy. Shenanigans ensure. Social Commentary about South Korea society. Cute Couple moments. Crisis! What do we do? Where do we go? That actress is really cute. Lucky Bastard. What did he do to deserve to be with her in this drama? Did he save a country in his past life? She cute though.
Do you know which show I am talking about? Neither do I and if you can figure it out from there I suspect Jesus and you talk alot.
Spoilers might be present discussion but I try to reveal as little as possible about the shows
Nothing earth shattering or paradigm shifting. This show is not going to change the entire drama landscape forever. There were two candidates that wrestled in my heart for this top spot. Despite something screaming in my ear "you haven't seen them all yet!".
We have a neurosurgeon, we have a high school delinquent. Neurosurgeon is teaching in delinquent's high school. What could possibly go wrong?
In an ancient kingdom, full of court intrigue and the clash between taoism and shamanism a member of the royal family makes a fatal mistake; and it seems it is the children that will pay the price.
Of courses the clash is between Doctors and Mirror of the Witch.
You can put your daggers away of course I watched Descendants of the Sun. I thought Come Back Ajushii was quite underrated by the viewing public. Moon Lover's Scarlet Heart Ryo was a great project. Super actress Park Min-Young was in "Remember". Aren't you a Yoona fan boy? Aren't you the only human who rates "Fight" as an awesome drama? Where is K-2? Don't you remember the music in "Uncontrollably Fond"?(I hear other voices shouting)
Declaring something to be "of the year" needs to be more than a popularity contest. It needs to be more than the poor hardworking girl meets this cute bad boy chaebol who loves her and Korea more than money. It needs to explore a subject matter worth remembering. It needs to do so with wit, skill and produce enjoyment. It has to be a work I can show my children and say, "In my youth,this is what humanity brought forth". I might also need to confess if I am incapable of falling in love with the heroine the show is a dud.
I would like to submit that Doctors was able to edge Mirror of the Witch (Oh how I love that show title) on account of the ending. Not that it was poorly done, but the show to be honest lasted a little longer than it needed to.
Now back to why I think Doctors is the show of the year. "It isn't really that memorable" I hear somebody shout. I doubt anyone can question the skill of the actors involved with the project. What I think my fellow viewers missed about the show was the symbolism. There is a rich tapestry of metaphors (I don't know if that was intentional) woven in the inevitable social commentary of every K-drama. Perhaps it's coincidence or it's my imagination and creativity working overtime but there is so much depth to Doctors (or Doctor Crush as some have informed me) than it's bland title suggests. It covers every human concern save one, the question of ultimate concern.
I think Doctors paints a realistic picture of what it takes to build lasting relationships. The great triumvirate of friendship, commitment and lust; at time a relationship manages to go through the storm by sheer strength of character. The couple are no longer friends, the lust is absent but commitment allows them to navigate the storm.
I feel it would be weird to give away the many little themes that interact in this well manicured lawn. Use the present to build your future. The past is a seed that has grown into a tree that you need to prune. Forgive, love and give your best. I could go on and on, episode by episode.
Thus by reason of exploring multiple topics worth remembering; having excellent actors, great camera work, some shallow characters, being strangely understated and exploring and exibiting craft and skill I hereby declare Doctors K-Drama of the year 2016.
Seijin out!
