"Sangdooya hakgyo kaja!" (2003) TV series

Release Date:

2003 (South Korea)

Genre:

Romance

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

  (Series Credited cast)

Rain	...	Cha, Sang-doo
Hyo-jin Kong	...	Chae, Eun-hwan
Dong-geon Lee	...	Kang, Min-suk
Soo-hyun Hong	...	Han, Se-ra

Also Known As:

Sangdoo, Let's Go to School! (International: English title) (literal title)

Runtime:

South Korea:60 min (16 episodes)

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Color:

Color

Certification:

South Korea:15

Not your typical romantic comedy

I bought this series because I am a fan of Rain. Given the lighthearted title, and cute packaging, I thought it was a romantic comedy along the lines of Full House but boy, was I wrong!

The show is funny, no doubt about it - given the setup. Rain is cast as a gigolo who cons frumpy rich middle aged women - this role takes full advantage of his fan base and public persona. I thought the show was better than Full House in that there is more going on in the storyline. To me, Full House's story is very much confined to the central 4 characters, but here there is a good supporting cast with funny lines and comic situations. Even with the sad bits,there's always a good comic rejoinder soon after. Particularly enjoyable was the interaction between Sang-doo (Rain) and his daughter Bori (which is very sweet) and also with Kang Min-Suk, Eun Hwan's doctor boyfriend. Though they are love rivals, there is comic relief in their rivalry for Eun Hwan's affection, and a reluctant respect and friendship soon grows between them.

It starts out funny and sweet, however, from the 2nd half of the show, things just go increasingly downhill for the 2 protagonists (& the show). It's not even their choices or decisions that contribute to the tragedy - the script is written such that the circumstances surrounding them get worse and worse - i.e. it just sucks to be them. I felt that the show degenerated in the end (disaster after disaster for the couple) and I didn't think the ending was well executed.

There is an overarching theme of family, blood ties and abandonment which is explored in various characters. Don't watch this if you just want an entertaining, lighthearted comedy - I found myself bawling through the last quarter of the show.

I was very impressed with Rain's acting given that this is his acting debut. I thought he did a much better job here than in Full House, but it's because the script here allows him much better range as an actor - a naturally jovial character who through a series of unfortunate incidents and lies is forced to live a double life he hates, but can't escape because too many people are dependent on him. He tries to be as optimistic and make the best with what he has for the people around him, though inside he's sinking into despair and desperation.

The soundtrack is bittersweet - reflecting the fate of the 2 childhood sweethearts.