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Korea's Hit Drama Spring Waltz [봄의 왈츠]

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Korea's Top Drama Spring Waltz [봄의 왈츠]


Pronounced:
bom-eh-wal-cheu
Starring:
Seo Do-Young, Han Hyo-Joo, Daniel Henney, Lee So-Yeon, Choi Shi-Won
Directed by:
Yoon Seok-Ho (Autumn Tale, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent, Invitation)
Produced by:
Moon Bo-Hyeon
Written by:
Kim Ji-Yeon and Hwang Da-Eun
Dates Airing:
March 6, 2006 - May 16, 2006
Time Airing:
Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:55 PM (Korea)
Episodes:
20 (scheduled)
Genre:
Romance
Official Website:
[Korean]
Related links:
Soompi Forum Link (discussion, images, links, etc)

Synopsis

In this final instalment of Yoon Seok-Ho's season dramas, the story takes us to Austria, where an accomplished young pianist Yoon Jae-Ha (Seo Do-Young), also known as 'Chris Y', meets an aspiring designer Park Eun-Young (Han Hyo-Joo) on a train ride.

Even though Jae-Ha is reluctant to befriend her, the fresh and innocent look of Eun-Young reminds him of his childhood love. The two meet again later, but this time, Eun-Young is the love interest of Jae-Ha's best friend and manager Philip (Daniel Henney). Though Jae-Ha and Eun-Young continue to run into each other, almost always in an unpleasant way, Jae-Ha is falling for the woman who reminds him of that heart-wrenching childhood love of his.

Just as Philip seems to be near Eun-Young all the time, Jae-Ha has Song Ee-Na (Lee So-Yeon) by his side. Ee-na claims Jae-Ha proposed to her while they were both kids, but the truth is, Jae-Ha has no memory of such an event since he's not always been the Jae-Ha that the world now knows...

Review

Like the rest of the 'season' dramas, Spring Waltz is visually stunning. The drama is presented like a color-rich storyboard with perfect music to accompany each scene. Director Yoon once again brings forth a fairytale to life, but unfortunately, the storyline needs more work.

Nonetheless the main leads are perfectly cast. Seo Do-Young's deep, sad eyes convey the sorrow of Jae-Ha without any words necessary. Lead actress Han Hyo-Joo's fresh, girly appearance also seems a perfect fit. The weaker links are the two supporting actors. Daniel Henney, who despite being one of the most handsome men in the Korean entertainment scene, is really quite distracting. His constant use of English, then German, then some random Korean phrases here and there, as well as his overuse of hand gestures and that very adorable-but-not-always-appropriate smile break the continuity of the story. Lee So-Yeon is actually a pretty good actress, as seen in her previous works, but the problem with her here is that her character is not very well defined. She just seems like the typical third wheel with a jealous heart and the potential to turn evil when desperate. One would think a character with her level of education and status would have a little more depth than the emotional infant she is.

To make the drama worse, Han's fresh appearance soon loses its appeal when her acting shortcomings become apparent. Eun-Young's reaction to almost everything is that same 'dazed and dumb-founded' look that Han is fond of sporting. It doesn't make her any less attractive, but her character soon becomes rather boring and frustrating to follow. This story is enchanting and beautiful despite the flaws, but the shallow script, combined with the inexperience of the cast, make it difficult to continue watching the drama after about episode 8. I was quite disappointed with Yoon's finale to the season dramas.
Rating:
8


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korea's top drama spring waltz
korea's top drama spring waltz

Details

* Title: 봄의 왈츠 / Bom-ui Wal-cheu
* English title: Spring Waltz / Endless Love 4
* Genre: Romance
* Episodes: 20
* Broadcast network: KBS2
* Broadcast period: 2006-Mar-06 to 2006-May-16
* Air time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55
* Theme Song: One Love by Loveholic


Synopsis

Will the tragedy of spring be repeated years later?

To escape debt, Lee Su-ho’s father escaped to a remote island where his friend has a young daughter Eun-Young, who is the same age as Su-ho. After being abandoned by his father, Su-ho sought to leave, but his mind changed after being touched by Eun-Young’s pure heart. A series of unfortunate events ensue, and Su-ho disappears, while Eun-Young is sick in the hospital.

Years later, while traveling in Germany, Eun-Young meets the talented pianist Chae-ha, a man with a cold exterior with a few words, who bores a resemblance to Su-ho. As their love start to develop, truth unfolds… Can their love endure the harsh spring tragedy many years ago?

Cast

* Seo Do Young 서도영 as Yoon Jae-ha 윤재하
* Han Hyo Joo 한효주 as Park Eun-young 박은영
* Daniel Henney as Phillip 필립
* Lee So Yeon 이소연 as Song Yi-na 송이나


Supporting Cast

* Choi Ja Hye as Eun-Young's Best Friend
* Kim Hae Sook as Eun-Young's adoptive mom, also her aunt
* Choi Si Won as Eun-Young's brother, also her cousin
* Eun Won Jae as young Jae-Ha
* Han So Hee as young Eun-Young
* Yoon Yoo Sun as Eun- Young's birth mother


Production Credits

* Executive Producer: Kim, Jong Sik
* Chief Producer: Moon, Bo Hyun
* Producer: Lee, Jae Sang
* Executive Producer: Park, In Taek
* Director: Yoon Suk Ho
* Scriptwriter: Kim, Ji Eun, Hwang, Daun, Ha, Mi Sun




Credit to whoever made this MV. Translated and add Thai meaning by Namcha ja. I hope you'll enjoy it.

pas (sa c'est le seul truc negatif dans ce drama!lol) merci à elle: episode *** jusqu'à l'episode 14 en français sinon c'est en anglais. LA musique par exellence!lol C'est LA musique de cette petite merveille!


ダニエル・ヘニー/ 生年月日: 1979年11月28日 家族構成:イギリス系の父、韓国系の母 身長: 188cm 体重: 73kg 学歴:イリノイ大学校シカゴ校 経営学科

4 Responses to "Korea's Hit Drama Spring Waltz [봄의 왈츠]"

judith_2064 Says:

Indeed a very beautiful love story. Two two leads are not veterans yet in acting but they portrayed their role well. I like the chemistry on-screen of Seo Do Young and Han Hyo Joo. They could be mistaken as lovers in real life. I like Daniel Henney too, so with Lee So Yeon. She's a perfect contravida of Jae Ha and Eun Young. And. . . . it has a happy ending huh? I am just sad, the DVD I got has no scene after marriage wherein they are like children playing along with each other. They even bore a love child. Nevertheless....I am very happy to have watched it!!!

judith_2064 Says:

Indeed a very romantic and a nice love story. Although the lead stars are not veterans esp. the female lead, but they gave an A performance. They portrayed the role of a perfect lovers. They have great chemistry on-screen. The storyline is ok though predictable but I like the twist at the end. I really like Seo Do Young, Daniel Henney. But I am quite mesmerized by the smile of Han Hyo Joo. Seeing her smile makes your day complete!

  Says:

are you sure that your DVD don't have those? I have mine just okay with the extra extended scene. thank you for your nice and warm comments, enjoy it here

- Says:

mine didn't have it either - the 7 disc dvd set in the US does not show the full ending like I saw on broadcast tv in HK. You don't see Jae Ha teaching a class of kids at the end, Eun Young bringing lunch, or their little baby - I am pretty sure I remember seeing this when it was on tv. It is disappointing that the dvd would have *less* than the broadcast version....