And the best Villain Award goes to...

[Baitball Blogger]

Last edited Sun Jul 2, 2023, 04:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Everyone has their favorites. I just picked mine.

I confess that these last two days, more than usual, I have been escaping the bad news from the US Supreme Court by turning my attention to K-drama. Watched a marathon of the show Eve, starring Seo Ye-Ji and Byeong Eun Park. It is a South Korean tv series about a 13 year plan of revenge and, in my opinion, beats Cold Mountain, which I think was top notch. "There's going to be a reckoning."

What I learned about revenge stories is that it requires a likeable protagonist, but a seriously twisted villain. The more twisted, the bigger the suspense and the pay-off, if the protagonist prevails. Eve is what I would call a mature revenge story. Not for the rom-com crowd who expects a perfect happily ever after nor for those who are expecting an obligatory sex scene. Really, guys, this show aired on Asian t.v. and met their codes of decency. The protagonist uses the honey pot method to begin her revenge scheme and her sensual method of temptation, well, was quite refreshing to watch without the skin flick. I did have a laugh when I read the reviews before watching the show, and they claimed that some of the viewers thought the scenes were too racy. Well, nope. This is sex Eastern style. Everyone has clothing on. Not even side boob. And what makes it so remarkable is that the seduction scenes were quite effective anyway. Probably why Seo Ye-Ji was selected for the role, despite controversy in her personal life. Her acting skills are eons beyond many of our Western counterparts.

The writing was tight. No easy wins for the protagonist. It took quite a bit to lure in her target, who is suspicious of her from the beginning. You have to feel sorry for him as he gradually allows himself to be lured into the trap, without fully understanding her motivations, until it was too late.

What also makes this interaction compelling to watch is that the protagonist faces many obstacles. You never really know if she is succeeding as she has to adapt to changing events. Even when she uses the best technological advances to gather opposition research, nothing is for granted. Her targets are the richest gangsta family in Korea, who killed her father and stole the family semi-conductor corporation. She has a hurt that will never go away, which is why she seeks revenge. And she is willing to die for it. Hence, her scenes with the main villainness keeps ramping up as they test each other's desire to prevail.

The villainness is played by Yoo Sun, as Han So Ra. Yoo Sun, had a rare opportunity to define a new class of evil, derived from a combination of selfishness, entitlement and an indifference to the mounting casualties in the wake of her main pursuit, which it to keep her husband at all cost. Just that one. Seems innocent, but with the ability to activate those in the family circle, who are either there to follow her orders, or protect her from her father's wrath, she was capable of doing as much damage as a Cat 5 hurricane. Or Typhoon in this case.

Her backstory is complex, starting back when her father killed her mother in front of her eyes, when she was younger. Now, that's backstory.

Too often I couldn't help thinking of Trump as I watched Han So-Ra, taking the next unimaginable step as she pursued her goals. They just don't know where to draw the line. If only Trump were to meet the same justice.

But, Yoo Sun did something that Trump could never do. Too many times, right when you think you couldn't take her brand of evil, she said something that alleviated the tension, and made you laugh out loud. And, hence, my nomination for the best line in a movie. Right after her honey-potted husband storms out of the house, telling her he's going to file for a divorce. She screams at her servants, "Prepare my car. I have to pick up my daughter from day care. I need a hostage." (Paraphrased)

Anyway. For those who don't mind reading captions, I highly recommend Eve. Yoo Sun won a Best Supporting Actress award for her role.

https://www.kdramastars.com/articles/126840/20220930/apan-star-awards-2022-eve-gains-praise-sizzling-outfit-ceremony.htm
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Btw, you can see it on viki.com for free if you don't mind the maddening commercials.

[AltairIV]

1. On my watchlist

I first became aware of So Yea-ji watching Lawless Lawyer and a terrific 16 episode KDrama It's Okay to Not Be Okay. It was quite apparent after the first episode that the camera adores her. It has a large ensemble cast and many of these have rich back stories that we only become aware of later in the series. Quite enjoyable and my brief description does not do it justice. The "dance" sequence from Eve is an eye raiser, proving again Hitchcock's theory, that viewers imagination is a more powerful tool than anything the director could put onscreen.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. It takes a good director to figure it out, about how subtlety can communicate

louder than words.

I think Seo Ye-Ji is ready to branch out internationally. Certainly there was evidence of that, showcasing her impeccable Spanish accent. I want to say Catalan, but not sure. Definitely heard a lot of zeta, (thetas) I definitely think that the Spanish audience is going to adore her.

I have been thinking about the American audience. Not sure how that will go.

She has a past controversy, that by American standards, won't matter in the long run, IMO. Apparently she was dating the supporting actor from Crash Landing on you, and she became possessive about his love scenes in another project. In a presser he is seen ignoring his co-star's attempt to grab his arm for a photo-op. He would later claim that he was suffering from depression and an eating disorder and his agent forced him into a presser he wasn't ready for. (I wonder how many of these lithe Asian actors are dealing with the same issue?)

Seo Ye-Ji for her part would later come out and apologize, claiming she acted immaturely. I can certainly understand that. Girl gets shot into stardom with It's Okay to Not be Okay, suddenly dating a very popular male actor and IF she tried to control his love scenes, it was probably hatched out of insecurity. I hope she's learned her lesson and come out of it with a better awareness of the impact she can have on people around her. She stayed out of show-biz for a year, and Eve was her comeback.

I suspect the movie industry has only scratched the surface of her acting chops.

[AltairIV]

3. Thanks!

Thanks for the additional info and hope this has little impact on what I'd hope to be a bright and promising future.