Connection or Action? Powerful Opponents Episode 8 Review
Connection or Action?
POWERFUL OPPONENTS EPISODE 8 REVIEW
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
One of the main draws of this drama is the triangle. And what I completely like about this triangle is we do not have one guy who is just really put in there as the martyrdom of love. Like Yul from “Goong” or Jung Woo from “My Girl”. The type when I watch and go, “Dude. Can you at least give these lovesick puppies a pity hug? A makeout session? A butt tap? Anything? To get rid of my guilty feeling?”
Here both men, I can totally see making out with her.
I mean, having a significant relationship with her.
We have two men.
There is Soo Ho, the handsome president’s son with a mysterious past and an immature rebellious streak. Suave, aggressive, and knows his cards for the pursuit of Young Jin. He knows what he wants and he knows he is capable of getting it. His rather adorable side is he wears his heart on his sleeve. Very much like Daniel Cleaver, the seducer and the one who lives in passion.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Then there is Gwan Pil, the sexy emo agent. Socially awkward but with a heart. Dry, straightforward and mostly cool-headed. Every thing about him is meticulously calculated. He speaks in a deep, one-note tone as he butts heads with our heroine. But inside him is a man with a lot of his own scars (haha symbolism alert) and comes out often as a confidante at times when you least expect it. Very Mark Darcy.
So far, much of the establishment with the heroine eight episodes in is with Gwan Pil --- the connection is with him but the action is going towards Soo Ho. Which puts me forth to the “Bridget Jones” effect.
Soo Ho and Young Jin their interactions are about his pursuit for her and how he is first smitten with her, from the moment he kept her journal to now, aggressively following her around. He is coming dangerously close to really falling for her. He even takes dancing lessons with her dad, much to her dismay.
I think the winning formula in Soo Ho and Young Jin’s story is the effect she has on him. Little moments when he would readily run to her or when his father had a sense of pride because Soo Ho is finally doing something with passion and that is the dancing lessons.
But for me the most poignant part was the scene when he slammed his cell phone with a huge smile on his face, then he walked in to look at the mirror practicing his stance like a soldier --- THAT scene was touching. That was when I realized that their story can go forward.
Then there is Gwan Pil and Young Jin, remains to be man who is readily waiting right behind her (and I sit her and squeee like an old fangirl) despite of his lack of emotion and sense of romance, he connects with her.
After she broke down in front of her family because of her frustrations towards her father, he was instantly there waiting outside. She opens up to him, just as he opens up to her an episode ago. In the most turbulent and pivotal moments, the two characters meet and connect, in spite of their façade towards each other, they are clearly connected.
Yet, it is very telling that Gwan Pil is fully aware of his lack of social grace when it comes to women. He tells his daughter how women do not like talking to him because he of his cold demeanor. The daughter should know though that he does talk to Young Jin… but is Gwan Pil really ready to open himself up to her? He DOES NOT wear his heart on his sleeve, something Soo Ho readily does.
But setting aside the romance, I think this was CHAE RIM’s episode. To a tee. Hands down. Young Jin’s breakdown showed both a sense of haughty arrogance and just genuine, emotional frailty. This is what an actress is supposed to be capable of showing the scope and complexities of a person, one does not just break down and cry--- tears is not enough to show it. One shows real emotions, which she made me feel at that moment.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
I felt like a third party who walked in on something I should not have heard. It was that commanding. And I sit here thinking, “This is a romantic comedy?” Sometimes I hope Chae Rim gets a more complex story, but that’s a whole different topic altogether.
The heart of the drama really comes with the notion of family, I love Young Jin and her father, even in times when they are tumultuous and times when they are loving towards each other. It really looks like a real family; I especially loved the part when they did a toast with their lettuce wraps. It just reminds us that all of us have the most awkward moments with our families and we still come to love them.
But as much heart as this storyline gives, everything still leads us to the triangle. The scene when all three of them reminisce about the egg and flour incident shows how greatly linked they all can be. That one moment had an effect on all three of them. A sense of relief after bouts of drama with Young Jin. A time to break into a laugh for Gwan Pil. And the joys of infatuation with Soo Ho.
Finally, the scene I have been waiting for happens. For Young Jin to get out of her usual security get-up and gets into a sexy, slinky number. I started howling at the scene because I knew this would have to happen. And as expected it really catapults the triangle.
Hilarious was my reaction when I watched Gwan Pil stare at her for moments and moments. Then he blows air in sudden edginess at the sight of a radiant Young Jin. He tries to look away and walked out as fast as he can.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Quite the opposite of Soo Ho who knowingly shows her he is attracted and he is ready to make his move. He stares at her with something that seems lingering and dangerous.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
I believe Young Jin IS aware of this by this time. I believe also she is attracted to the guy, hence her freezing with her gun! Unable to come back to her senses at the sight of the handsome man with a devilish grin. And we know what happens after… there is far too many screencaps and photos at this point.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Only, of course, in true triangle fashion, Gwan Pil stands there and witnesses every single thing.
Episode 8 was full force with the plot direction and character development, which makes it a strong and also enjoyable episode. Now the question is--- will action outweigh connection? This is what I will have to wait for.
Just a few minor comments: Soo Ho’s sister is shady to me. SHADY, I tell ya. Why is she having Gwan Pil’s daughter investigated?
With all these mysteries and the triangle, we’re having a fun drama in our hands.
POWERFUL OPPONENTS EPISODE 8 REVIEW
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
One of the main draws of this drama is the triangle. And what I completely like about this triangle is we do not have one guy who is just really put in there as the martyrdom of love. Like Yul from “Goong” or Jung Woo from “My Girl”. The type when I watch and go, “Dude. Can you at least give these lovesick puppies a pity hug? A makeout session? A butt tap? Anything? To get rid of my guilty feeling?”
Here both men, I can totally see making out with her.
I mean, having a significant relationship with her.
We have two men.
There is Soo Ho, the handsome president’s son with a mysterious past and an immature rebellious streak. Suave, aggressive, and knows his cards for the pursuit of Young Jin. He knows what he wants and he knows he is capable of getting it. His rather adorable side is he wears his heart on his sleeve. Very much like Daniel Cleaver, the seducer and the one who lives in passion.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Then there is Gwan Pil, the sexy emo agent. Socially awkward but with a heart. Dry, straightforward and mostly cool-headed. Every thing about him is meticulously calculated. He speaks in a deep, one-note tone as he butts heads with our heroine. But inside him is a man with a lot of his own scars (haha symbolism alert) and comes out often as a confidante at times when you least expect it. Very Mark Darcy.
So far, much of the establishment with the heroine eight episodes in is with Gwan Pil --- the connection is with him but the action is going towards Soo Ho. Which puts me forth to the “Bridget Jones” effect.
Soo Ho and Young Jin their interactions are about his pursuit for her and how he is first smitten with her, from the moment he kept her journal to now, aggressively following her around. He is coming dangerously close to really falling for her. He even takes dancing lessons with her dad, much to her dismay.
I think the winning formula in Soo Ho and Young Jin’s story is the effect she has on him. Little moments when he would readily run to her or when his father had a sense of pride because Soo Ho is finally doing something with passion and that is the dancing lessons.
But for me the most poignant part was the scene when he slammed his cell phone with a huge smile on his face, then he walked in to look at the mirror practicing his stance like a soldier --- THAT scene was touching. That was when I realized that their story can go forward.
Then there is Gwan Pil and Young Jin, remains to be man who is readily waiting right behind her (and I sit her and squeee like an old fangirl) despite of his lack of emotion and sense of romance, he connects with her.
After she broke down in front of her family because of her frustrations towards her father, he was instantly there waiting outside. She opens up to him, just as he opens up to her an episode ago. In the most turbulent and pivotal moments, the two characters meet and connect, in spite of their façade towards each other, they are clearly connected.
Yet, it is very telling that Gwan Pil is fully aware of his lack of social grace when it comes to women. He tells his daughter how women do not like talking to him because he of his cold demeanor. The daughter should know though that he does talk to Young Jin… but is Gwan Pil really ready to open himself up to her? He DOES NOT wear his heart on his sleeve, something Soo Ho readily does.
But setting aside the romance, I think this was CHAE RIM’s episode. To a tee. Hands down. Young Jin’s breakdown showed both a sense of haughty arrogance and just genuine, emotional frailty. This is what an actress is supposed to be capable of showing the scope and complexities of a person, one does not just break down and cry--- tears is not enough to show it. One shows real emotions, which she made me feel at that moment.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
I felt like a third party who walked in on something I should not have heard. It was that commanding. And I sit here thinking, “This is a romantic comedy?” Sometimes I hope Chae Rim gets a more complex story, but that’s a whole different topic altogether.
The heart of the drama really comes with the notion of family, I love Young Jin and her father, even in times when they are tumultuous and times when they are loving towards each other. It really looks like a real family; I especially loved the part when they did a toast with their lettuce wraps. It just reminds us that all of us have the most awkward moments with our families and we still come to love them.
But as much heart as this storyline gives, everything still leads us to the triangle. The scene when all three of them reminisce about the egg and flour incident shows how greatly linked they all can be. That one moment had an effect on all three of them. A sense of relief after bouts of drama with Young Jin. A time to break into a laugh for Gwan Pil. And the joys of infatuation with Soo Ho.
Finally, the scene I have been waiting for happens. For Young Jin to get out of her usual security get-up and gets into a sexy, slinky number. I started howling at the scene because I knew this would have to happen. And as expected it really catapults the triangle.
Hilarious was my reaction when I watched Gwan Pil stare at her for moments and moments. Then he blows air in sudden edginess at the sight of a radiant Young Jin. He tries to look away and walked out as fast as he can.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Quite the opposite of Soo Ho who knowingly shows her he is attracted and he is ready to make his move. He stares at her with something that seems lingering and dangerous.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
I believe Young Jin IS aware of this by this time. I believe also she is attracted to the guy, hence her freezing with her gun! Unable to come back to her senses at the sight of the handsome man with a devilish grin. And we know what happens after… there is far too many screencaps and photos at this point.
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Reduced: 80% of original size [ 640 x 352 ] - Click to view full image
Only, of course, in true triangle fashion, Gwan Pil stands there and witnesses every single thing.
Episode 8 was full force with the plot direction and character development, which makes it a strong and also enjoyable episode. Now the question is--- will action outweigh connection? This is what I will have to wait for.
Just a few minor comments: Soo Ho’s sister is shady to me. SHADY, I tell ya. Why is she having Gwan Pil’s daughter investigated?
With all these mysteries and the triangle, we’re having a fun drama in our hands.