And the best Villain Award goes to...
Last edited Sun Jul 2, 2023, 05:08 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.
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