Top Ten Underrated Dramas - Number Nine - Happy Together
A while back, I made a post in which I began discussing the Top Ten Underrated Asian Dramas. In order to come up with the list, I looked at several factors: the ratings in their original country, how often they are rec'ed to people in forums and on journals, and how many people were talking about them on journals, forums, etc as they aired. Number Ten was the Japanese ensemble drama Love Shuffle.
Number Nine is the sixteen episode Korean family drama Happy Together
WARNING: SPOILERS!!!!
Drama Name : Happy Together
Country : Korea
Air Dates : 1999-Jun-16 to 1999-Aug-05 on SBS
Summary : This drama tells the heart-wrenching story of five siblings whose lives are irrevocably changed by the tragic death of their parents. Lee Byung Hun stars as a professional baseball player named Su Tae Poong, who just so happens to be one of the orphaned children, now all grown-up. It seems three of the children were taken away, but for some reason, Suh Tae Poong and his younger sister were left behind. Due to Tae Poong's young age, his little sister had to be given up for adoption. Ever since, the kind-hearted Tae Poong has longed to bring the family back together, searching his whole life for his brother and three sisters.
In the present day, his elder sister Su Chan Joo (Jo Min Soo) supports her siblings Su Ji Suk (Song Seung Hun) and Su Moon Joo (Kang Sung Yun). Ji Suk finds himself engaged to Jin Soo Ha (Kim Ha Neul). When Tae Poong finally finds his oldest sister and Ji Suk, his estranged siblings tell him to leave! If their coldness wasn't enough, an eight-year-old boy suddenly enters the picture, claiming to be Tae Poong's son. Faced with financial difficulties, Tae Poong turns to Chan Joo for help. - yesasia
Cast: The cast is basically a whose who of Korean films and dramas. There are a lot of big names in this one, most of them in their first or second major drama roles and many of them were at the peeks of their careers at this time.
Lee Byung Hun (IRIS, All In); Song Seung Hun (East of Eden; Summer Scent); Nim Ha Neul (Romance; Road Number One); Jo Min Soo (Will It Snow at Christmas?; Piano); Kang Sung Yun (Tazza; Wife Returns); Jun Ji Hyun (Daisy; My Sassy Girl); Han Go-eun (Spring Day; Capital Scandal); Jo Jae Hyun (New Heart; Piano); Chae Tae Hyun (My Sassy Girl; Speed Scandal)
Writer: Bae Yoo Mi (Who Are You?; Romance; Tropical Nights in December; I Really Really Like You)
Director: Oh Jong Rok (Piano; Hello My Teacher; Say You Love Me; Working Mom; 90 Days, Falling in Love Days)
Why It’s Underrated : I think there may be two main reasons: this drama is older, from 1999. Also, it's licensed in the United States, so many places refuse to put up down-loadable links. The thing is, this cast is awesome. I mean, it has the best of the best in Korean films and dramas - it has Nim Ha Neul in her first drama role! And, Jun Ji Hyun in her second major drama role - girl doesn't even do dramas anymore!
But, it may be that people read the summary of this drama and think - 'Melodrama fest and boring family drama', but that's not it at all. Yes, this is a family drama that does have some dramatic moments and storylines, but at heart it's about a family coming together. These siblings have major issues, but they aren't cutting their wrists in the corner while listening to depressing music.
Why You Should Watch It : If for any reason - the cast. If you need another - the story is very heartwarming. It's really refreshing to see a drama that's about siblings coming together. It's also refreshing to see characters coming out and saying; "I'm a bitch, and I don't care if you know it." instead of trying to hide their true selves. It's really great to see a drama that lets you hate its characters, but makes them complex enough that you understand why they are being bastards.
Favorite Scenes: 1) When Tae-poong finally figures out that Yoon-joo is really his youngest sister. He's in the apartment where he and Yoon-joo live (he thinks she's just a sweet girl and the two have become friends) and he and Moon-joo are talking, when he finds a picture. It's the picture he left with a toddler Yoon-joo when he had to give her up - it's a picture of the five siblings right before their parents died. And, that's when he knows that cheerful Yoon-joo is his baby sister, the one he and Moon-joo have been searching for. The way he breaks down in tears, feeling awful for not recognizing his own sister for months is just. . .heart breaking.
2) The scene were all five siblings are together for the first time in sixteen years. They are sitting at a table and Tae-poong has called them together for a serious talk. Moon-joo has been looking for Tae-poong and Yoon-joo for sixteen years, and now she wants her older brother and sister to embrace their siblings too. But, Ji-suk and Chan-joo want nothing to do with Tae-poong and Yoon-joo. And, that's when the ugly truth comes out:
When the mother died and then the father died, the mother's family came - but, just for the children from mom's first marriage - just Chan-joo, Ji-suk, and Moon-joo. They didn't want Tae-poong (from dad's first marriage) and Yoon-joo (the product of the mom and dad's short marriage). So, they left the teenage Tae-poong and toddler Yoon-joo - without telling them. But, Chan-joo knew and did nothing. In fact, she hated them and didn't want them coming to her family. Ouch. I called Chan-joo a bitch out loud while watching that scene. So powerful.
3) Moon-joo is working in a sleazy club, to rebel against her sister and for money to continue her search for Yoon-joo and Tae-poong. One day, Tae-poong finds out and comes to the club. He hasn't seen her in years, so he just starts screaming for his younger sister, telling her she's better then this and begging her to come to him, so they can leave. Moon-joo sees him, and crying runs to him. The two fall into a mass of tears and hugs on the floor in the middle of the club. Beautiful scene.
4) The birthday 'party' with Tae-poong and Soo-ha. Cute!
Don't let me fool you - the scenes that are my favorite are intense. But, there is a lot of comedy in this drama too. Lee Byung Hun is hilarious as the big doofy brother that has a lot of love and depth.
My score - 8/10. It drags a bit at times, but overall it's a beautiful and sweet drama. The cast has tons of chemistry and I love the scenes between everyone; especially Tae-poong and his younger sisters - he's an awesome older brother. Oh, and his scenes with his young son are brilliantly done. Plus, that end wedding - awesome family love there.
Number Nine is the sixteen episode Korean family drama Happy Together
WARNING: SPOILERS!!!!
Drama Name : Happy Together
Country : Korea
Air Dates : 1999-Jun-16 to 1999-Aug-05 on SBS
Summary : This drama tells the heart-wrenching story of five siblings whose lives are irrevocably changed by the tragic death of their parents. Lee Byung Hun stars as a professional baseball player named Su Tae Poong, who just so happens to be one of the orphaned children, now all grown-up. It seems three of the children were taken away, but for some reason, Suh Tae Poong and his younger sister were left behind. Due to Tae Poong's young age, his little sister had to be given up for adoption. Ever since, the kind-hearted Tae Poong has longed to bring the family back together, searching his whole life for his brother and three sisters.
In the present day, his elder sister Su Chan Joo (Jo Min Soo) supports her siblings Su Ji Suk (Song Seung Hun) and Su Moon Joo (Kang Sung Yun). Ji Suk finds himself engaged to Jin Soo Ha (Kim Ha Neul). When Tae Poong finally finds his oldest sister and Ji Suk, his estranged siblings tell him to leave! If their coldness wasn't enough, an eight-year-old boy suddenly enters the picture, claiming to be Tae Poong's son. Faced with financial difficulties, Tae Poong turns to Chan Joo for help. - yesasia
Cast: The cast is basically a whose who of Korean films and dramas. There are a lot of big names in this one, most of them in their first or second major drama roles and many of them were at the peeks of their careers at this time.
Lee Byung Hun (IRIS, All In); Song Seung Hun (East of Eden; Summer Scent); Nim Ha Neul (Romance; Road Number One); Jo Min Soo (Will It Snow at Christmas?; Piano); Kang Sung Yun (Tazza; Wife Returns); Jun Ji Hyun (Daisy; My Sassy Girl); Han Go-eun (Spring Day; Capital Scandal); Jo Jae Hyun (New Heart; Piano); Chae Tae Hyun (My Sassy Girl; Speed Scandal)
Writer: Bae Yoo Mi (Who Are You?; Romance; Tropical Nights in December; I Really Really Like You)
Director: Oh Jong Rok (Piano; Hello My Teacher; Say You Love Me; Working Mom; 90 Days, Falling in Love Days)
Why It’s Underrated : I think there may be two main reasons: this drama is older, from 1999. Also, it's licensed in the United States, so many places refuse to put up down-loadable links. The thing is, this cast is awesome. I mean, it has the best of the best in Korean films and dramas - it has Nim Ha Neul in her first drama role! And, Jun Ji Hyun in her second major drama role - girl doesn't even do dramas anymore!
But, it may be that people read the summary of this drama and think - 'Melodrama fest and boring family drama', but that's not it at all. Yes, this is a family drama that does have some dramatic moments and storylines, but at heart it's about a family coming together. These siblings have major issues, but they aren't cutting their wrists in the corner while listening to depressing music.
Why You Should Watch It : If for any reason - the cast. If you need another - the story is very heartwarming. It's really refreshing to see a drama that's about siblings coming together. It's also refreshing to see characters coming out and saying; "I'm a bitch, and I don't care if you know it." instead of trying to hide their true selves. It's really great to see a drama that lets you hate its characters, but makes them complex enough that you understand why they are being bastards.
Favorite Scenes: 1) When Tae-poong finally figures out that Yoon-joo is really his youngest sister. He's in the apartment where he and Yoon-joo live (he thinks she's just a sweet girl and the two have become friends) and he and Moon-joo are talking, when he finds a picture. It's the picture he left with a toddler Yoon-joo when he had to give her up - it's a picture of the five siblings right before their parents died. And, that's when he knows that cheerful Yoon-joo is his baby sister, the one he and Moon-joo have been searching for. The way he breaks down in tears, feeling awful for not recognizing his own sister for months is just. . .heart breaking.
2) The scene were all five siblings are together for the first time in sixteen years. They are sitting at a table and Tae-poong has called them together for a serious talk. Moon-joo has been looking for Tae-poong and Yoon-joo for sixteen years, and now she wants her older brother and sister to embrace their siblings too. But, Ji-suk and Chan-joo want nothing to do with Tae-poong and Yoon-joo. And, that's when the ugly truth comes out:
When the mother died and then the father died, the mother's family came - but, just for the children from mom's first marriage - just Chan-joo, Ji-suk, and Moon-joo. They didn't want Tae-poong (from dad's first marriage) and Yoon-joo (the product of the mom and dad's short marriage). So, they left the teenage Tae-poong and toddler Yoon-joo - without telling them. But, Chan-joo knew and did nothing. In fact, she hated them and didn't want them coming to her family. Ouch. I called Chan-joo a bitch out loud while watching that scene. So powerful.
3) Moon-joo is working in a sleazy club, to rebel against her sister and for money to continue her search for Yoon-joo and Tae-poong. One day, Tae-poong finds out and comes to the club. He hasn't seen her in years, so he just starts screaming for his younger sister, telling her she's better then this and begging her to come to him, so they can leave. Moon-joo sees him, and crying runs to him. The two fall into a mass of tears and hugs on the floor in the middle of the club. Beautiful scene.
4) The birthday 'party' with Tae-poong and Soo-ha. Cute!
Don't let me fool you - the scenes that are my favorite are intense. But, there is a lot of comedy in this drama too. Lee Byung Hun is hilarious as the big doofy brother that has a lot of love and depth.
My score - 8/10. It drags a bit at times, but overall it's a beautiful and sweet drama. The cast has tons of chemistry and I love the scenes between everyone; especially Tae-poong and his younger sisters - he's an awesome older brother. Oh, and his scenes with his young son are brilliantly done. Plus, that end wedding - awesome family love there.