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nchristi
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K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (La Dolce Vita/Bittersweet Life)
Bittersweet Life is an MBC drama that will be seen on Friday nights on station LA 18, 9:50p–11:20p. Begins Friday, June 27? (Eng Subs)
(Replaces Last Scandal)
Alternate Titles: La Dolce Vita, Sweet Life
Cast : Oh Yeon-soo, Lee Dong-wook, Jeong Bo-seok, Park Si-yeon
Director: Kim Jin-min (Time of Dog and Wolf, Shindon)
Writer: Jung Ha-yeon (Shindon)
Number of Episodes: 24
Running Time: 60 min
Official Homepage: English; Korean
SYNOPSIS (MBC Global)
A love that is unfamiliar but sad. class ul Love is an empty space that can never be filled inA changing world with changing people... class ul In this rapidly changing world, people are caught off guard by new events and have a hard time adapting to the times. Some types of taboo behavior are now acceptable and people even flaunt it. The confusion in social values has become an individual problem that people must grapple with by themselves.
One middle-aged couple faces a crisis as the foundation of their family crumbles. When they reveal their true desires to each other, it takes on the form of a question to viewers on how important it is to reconnect with the values that are in disarray around us.A melodramatic story and mystery... class ul A high-priced luxury apartment in the downtown area of Seoul. In this peaceful neighborhood, one young man committed suicide under uncertain circumstances.
Park Byeong-shik, a retired detective, discovers that the dead man is Lee Joon-soo, a fugitive he had been pursuing for years before he left the force. He picks up clues to solve the uncertain cause of his death. The story begins with events that had happened six months before the man died.
Did Lee Joon-soo really kill himself? He had a lover named Hong Da-ae. And somehow he was also linked to a middle-aged housewife named Yoon Hye-jin. But what exactly was their relationship? The drama traces events in the past and present to reveal the intricate web of story arcs.More sophisticated and more luxurious... class ul The first episode was shot on location in Sapporo for three weeks to capture scenes of beautiful snow-capped mountains. The production quality of the show is very high as each scene was meticulously shot with great attention to small details and angle shots.
The drama contains the fun elements of a miniseries as well as highly charged moments. It will bring a fresh breath of air to viewers who are weary of the tried and true formula that they see over and over again.CAST & CHARACTERS
Oh Yeon-soo as Yoon Hye-jin (Age: 38) class ul Forgoing a career as an interpreter, she chose to become a full-time homemaker when she married Dong-won. Although she gave up her career dreams, she made the decision based on what she thought was best for her children and husband. She believes that her choice equates to happiness. Her husband is always the decision maker at home. And so the life of one woman came to a standstill career-wise. But when she begins to become suspicious of her husband, her life moves into a different direction.
Jung Bo-seok as Ha Dong-won (Age: 40) class ul A proper gentleman. A fund manager who oversees a mid-cap fund and is rated as one of the top ten fund managers in Asia. He’s a handsome man and is also said to be one of the best-dressed people at work. He has a lovely wife and two children.
With a picture-perfect family, he has a narcissist bent. But it is so different with Hong Da-ae. If he could, he would have given her everything he had to win her heart but it was not easy. Even though he was carrying on a long-term affair with her, she never wanted to become his wife or mistress.
And Dong-won believed that was why they were able to have such a long relationship. That is until Da-ae told him she wanted to stop seeing him.
Lee Dong-wook as Lee Joon-soo (Age: 28) class ul A good fella. In the beginning, he was introduced in business circles as a friend of Sung-gu. But when Sung-gu withdrew from the social circles, Joon-soo inherited the fame that Sung-gu once had. People knew him as Joon-soo from then on. But Joon-soo and Sung-gu were very tight friends.
Sung-gu had everything that Joon-soo could never possibly have. But things were changing as Joon-soo started dating Da-ae. Sung-gu wanted to check out Joon-soo’s girlfriend. In fact, he wanted to steal her from him. Joon-soo knew what was going on. But Da-ae resisted the idea.
Park Shi-yeon as Hong Da-ae (Age: 27) class ul Scarlett, a jewelry shop in Apkujung, is famous for two reasons. One reason was that top celebrities frequented the jewelry store and the other, Da-ae the owner of the jewelry store was strikingly beautiful. Da-ae has pretty looks that fit in with the times. But when she began seeing Dong-won in an indecent arrangement, her dreams were dashed away and replaced with a different desire. Then one day, Joon-soo entered her life.
When she met Joon-soo, Da-ae found the man that made her realize that she could no longer continue her relationship with Dong-woon.
Last edited by nchristi, 9/13/2008, 12:24 am
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6/24/2008, 9:07 am
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brad6
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Re: K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (Bittersweet Life)
Yes indeed the subs suddenly appeared tonight.
this drama is a very big change in form altogether. Very frankly immoral and a crime entering into the story.LOTS AND LOTS OF PLOT TO BE WORKED OUT.!!
The Sapporo scenes are breathtaking in their beauty..( and I don't like snow having lived where winter was like that.)
The actors are very good altho I could have done with a more outgoing runaway wife. Considering the emotional trauma ,she is too calm for too long. Lee Dong Wook seems to fit his character very well and with depth.
He looks quite sinister with that thin mustache.
I think this is one to watch all the way through.
I think the title Bittersweet Life is more apt than La Dolce Vita.
Wasn't there a drama with Lee Byung Hun called Bittersweet Life?????
Peg
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7/4/2008, 11:27 pm
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barney1
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Re: K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (Bittersweet Life)
The Bitter Sweet Life with Lee Byung Hun is a movie .
This drama is a very unsual one . You will need to watch it patiently as the fist few episodes having a lot of flasbacks to tell the story . This drama is not the typical Korean drama .
If you like the light hearted one then this not for you . Many did not like it and dropped it since the first episode simply because their idol - Lee Dong Wook - dead in the first scene and secondly , the main lead actress Oh Yeon Soo is 10 years older than Lee Dong Wook and they are having an affair so many were put off by that .
But actually , Oh Yeon Soo acting is briiliantly amazing in this drama . You can not even tell the age difference because they have such good chemistry that you just have to watch it to see why , what happened and where the end will be ?She is the one that bright up the screen with her acting , just the agony look in her eyes that capture Jun Soo 's attention at the airport , she is sure heat up the screen with her silent expressions ( Just Like So Ji Sub , he does not need much saying but he could convey his feelings by using his eyes , his hand and all ) .
If you like LDW in My Girl then do not watch this as he is in another different level and he is so good that you will not see Gong Chan no more but Jun Soo - a pathetic , psychotic and passionate man in this drama ./
This is also his second time working with Pard Shi Yeon . She will blown you away with her acting as well . She will make you love her and hate her so bad as she acts so perfect in her role .
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7/13/2008, 1:08 pm
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brad6
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Re: K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (Bittersweet Life)
I have only seen two episodes of this drama. At least I think it is two. It may be just one as there is so much to take in with this story.
THIS MAY BE A SPOILER. NOT SURE. DON'T READ IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED ANY OF THIS DRAMA........................................
...............................................................................................................................
For starters I do not like the husband. Even tho he is not an evil man and he is respected in business and social life, he is callous and does not see his actions a betrayal of his wife.
At the same time this marriage was not based on either of them 'being in love' with the other. For her it was a safe life to have and good living for the future. for him it was a business thought of having a charming wife and mother for his children and respect from his friends and business associates. For him to have a mistress is not unusual but his emotional response growing as it did makes it the betrayal.
So far I have only seen the Lee Dong Wook character as the stalker and the slightly intense stranger in Sapporo. Obviously he is now living as his former friend or maybe former employer. This has to work itself out as a very sinister tale I think. I can't yet decide why he feels such terrible guilt over the death of his friend. He did not kill him actually. The other man simply let go his hand and fell to his death. I have to watch more of this.
The young 'mistress' is not very interesting yet. she is just another freeliving soul who likes the good life. It would seem she has also dumped the Lee dong Wook character. this I imagine will cause great problems. He seems to be the only one who realises there is a four person connection going on.
I think I have only seen the first episode so I trust I have not done a spoiler here.
Peg
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7/13/2008, 3:28 pm
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nchristi
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Re: K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (Bittersweet Life)
In checking this out, I see that two episodes are being combined and shown each Friday night in the 90–minute time slot. This past Friday was epi # 5–6.
All I can say is Wow. What a riveting drama. Actors are first rate, as are the production values—location, direction, filming, etc. The script is exceedingly intelligent, well-written, well-acted, and intriguingly laid out.
That being said, this is an adult drama, probably most appreciated by anyone who has been stuck in a loveless, mismatched marriage. The characters are very edgy... some even over the edge from mainstream society. Some viewers will find it a drama that is quite uncomfortable to watch—almost the dark side of life.
As for the plot itself, the characters are mysteriously tangled together, sometimes unknowingly so (to them). As barney1 wrote, the unfolding of this story is seen through many flashbacks and important dialogue. Without knowing/understanding the past, it is impossible to appreciate or "get" this drama.
Some highlights... class ul class li The drama begins at a crime scene where someone has either jumped or been pushed from a high building. A retired detective is hired by a rich corp Chairman to locate his missing son (actually secretly dead in Sapporo, Japan). Not quite sure yet why the detective is at this particular death scene, unless the deceased fell from the apartment owned by the rich son. The story flashes back from this point. class li The drama's main couple consists of a 'player' and a sweet, compliant wife. They married because she got pregnant by him and he decided she'd make a good wife for him... all the qualities a high-roller exec and 'player' would like as a home base for himself and his children, yet free to continue his sexual escapades privately. class li After 15(?) years of marriage, the wife finds out hubby is having a major affair with a young babe (buys her a new car and apartment). The wife now finds life unbearable. Wanting to kill herself, she goes to Sapporo, Japan to either accomplish the deed or get her mind in order. (She is a 'thinker,' not a 'talker.') Sapporo is a destination she has always wanted to go to since her college days. class li A young man (Lee Dong Wook) has followed her from Seoul, stalking her with camera from afar, having noticed she is frequently sad with tears running down her cheeks when she is alone having coffee in a café, etc. (We don't know yet how and why he started this.) He catches a ride with her from the airport in Japan and becomes her travel companion—against her wishes, but he just puts himself there anyway and seems innocuous enough. class li She keeps getting rid of him but he keeps showing up everywhere, continuing their contact. He says he is looking for the lost body of his friend (buried in the snow), and is a mysterious, seemingly troubled young man. They stay in an obscure inn by the sea. He watches her walk to a railing at the frozen Japanese sea. She climbs up to throw herself into the freezing waters, but he stops her and takes her back to the inn. class li He asks her to give him "just one day," that if she could change someone's life with just one day, wouldn't she do it? He asks her to give herself over to him for a day and let herself see life through him—then she will want to live. That day (and night) are filled with happiness together and "love" that she has not experienced. His love awakens her soul again and plants a bright flower in her heart. They return to Seoul on separate planes and do not resume their contact. class li The cheating husband is somewhat miffed that his wife has gone to Japan by herself for a week or so, but takes for granted that she is only trying to ruffle his feathers, that there is no way she would ever get involved with another man. class li The wife can take no more from her selfish husband and tells him "I found someone I like." She reveals no more than that. But this is enough to drive the husband crazy. What does she mean? Did she really meet another guy? Did she go to bed with him? No way.... She'd never do that. Maybe they met and had tea. But did she? Nah... Did she just drop that little bombshell as a psychological tactic to get me to notice her, to not take her for granted? class li They each want to discuss the subject at different times when the other doesn't feel like it. Husband really doesn't want to know, but must find out. He can't leave it alone. But he still isn't sure. One night when he is drinking over this matter, he comes to her in her bed, 'does his thing' in about 30-seconds, and leaves. The expression on the wife's face is dreadful as she endures it. Thankfully he is gone in half a minute. It is a snapshot of the misery of her life and marriage. For him, it seemed little more than remarking his territory just in case. class li Lee Dong Wook's character has a traumatic backstory. So far we know at age 6 or 7, he was traumatically stripped away from his older sister (who acted as his mother and seemingly was his only family) and taken away (by the father?) as he hysterically cries for his sister. He says (believes?) his sister is dead. This trauma occurred on a beach by the sea. As an adult, he panics when on a sandy beach. class li He has an unclear relationship with his friend who died, the ultra-rich son of a big corp. Can't tell yet if their relationship is friends, lovers, or what? But the rich son is a sick, sadistic type who loves to emotionally torment Lee Dong Wook. After the death of the rich guy, Lee Dong Wook assumes his identity and lives in his luxury apartment, planning on doing so until the spring thaw comes and his friend's body is found in the Sapporo mountains. The rich guy is obsessed with death, previously having driven Lee Dong Wook to strangle him to the point of nearly dying on one occasion. He slips off a high mountain peak, Lee Dong Wook catches his hand, but the rich guy wants to falls and lets go—falling to his death. LDW is plagued by this and somehow seems to feel responsible for his friend's death. While with the wife in Sapporo, LDW is trying to find his friend's body. Eventually he wants to lie down in the snow and just die. As he digs a hole, he uncovers a buried boot—his friend's boot. He goes crazy pulling it off the body and screaming in emotional agony. class li As a weird twist of fate, one of the girls the rich son and LDW have met at a club is actually the mistress belonging to our husband. The rich son makes a bet with LDW that if he pretends to be the rich one, he will get her in bed within a week. So they go forward with this scheme, but LDW doesn't like the idea and actually begins to like the girl. (This is before he begins following and photographing the unhappy wife.) The wife has followed her husband and knows the identity of his mistress. The husband is unaware of this for a while. The mistress has seen the wife and they have talked. The mistress tries to break off her relationship with the husband but he won't allow it and she succumbs to being taken care of on a high financial level. She begins to develop a relationship with our young man, LDW. The wife is not aware of the connection.This brings us up to date on the first six episodes (very sketchy, sorry). LDW has spotted the wife in an art gallery, follows her, but she ignores him, not wanting to resume any contact or relationship with him. She's decided just to numbly fall back into her marriage and dull life, keeping a secret of the happiness she experienced with LDW. One night while driving her two young daughters home after dinner, a motorcyclist zooms around them, he does 'wheelies,' stands on his bike with no hands in heavy traffic on a Han River bridge, dumps it and crashes to the pavement. She pulls over to check on the cyclist, running up and asking if he's okay, can he open his eyes or hear her? As he opens the shield on his helmet, he smiles She sees it is LDW. His first words are Did you... try to pretend you didn't know me? She cares about him, he knows it, but she is firm on her resolve at the moment, goes back to her car and leaves him there smiling to himself.
The episode ends with the wife returning home and flashing back to her night in Sapporo with LDW and his words that she really wants to live and will see life through him. At home, LDW has a terribly fitful night, flashing back to his sicko friend dragging him (literally) from the car at the beach and forcing him to see a woman working at a stand. Sicko says it is his sister. LDW cannot handle the experience and runs away, not approaching the woman. The woman stares at him. It is a traumatic experience for both of them.
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7/15/2008, 10:34 am
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barney1
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Re: K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (Bittersweet Life)
Credit to twitchfilm.net
This article is in twitchfilm.net relating to La Dolce Vita
http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/2008-k-drama-first-half-wrapup
Jul
18
2008[2008 K-DRAMA] First Half Wrapup
Posted by . X . at 3:26am.
Posted in TV , Asia.
달콤한 인생 (La Dolce Vita) Produced by Samhwa Networks/MBC
Aired on MBC, Weekends - 24 Episodes
PD: Kim Jin-Min (Age of Heroes, Shin Don, Time Between Dog & Wolf)
WRITER: Jung Ha-Yeon (The Lost Empire, Shin Don)
CAST: Jung Bo-Seok, Oh Yeon-Su, Lee Dong-Wook, Park Si-Yeon, Jang Young Nam, Baek Il-Seop, Jo Kyung-Hwan, Jung Kyeo-Woon, Lee Il-Hwa, Jung Myung-Hwan, Kim Il-Woo
A successful and ruthless alpha male trying to find the youth he never experienced, while at the same time piecing together all the fragments that illusion he called life suddenly crashed; his objectified, neglected wife, on the verge of collapse, finding her identity the moment she decides to abandon everything she lived for the last ten years; a young man who spent his youth hating himself and everybody around him because of his dark past, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, perhaps the light before the end; an irresponsible gold digger, and all her existential problems, slowly turning her into a beautiful portrait of humanity. Not your average setup for the usual “adultery drama,” isn’t it? But a quick look at the team behind this show, and you’ll understand why.
So that don’t we spoil the upcoming review (the drama ends this weekend), let’s put it bluntly: La Dolce Vita is everything a TV Drama should be. Incredibly well shot, with the kind of atmosphere that wouldn’t feel out of place in an European art flick, mixed with strong film noir sensibilities; the predictably brilliant score by Hwang Sang-Joon, who not only is one of the two-three best composers in Korea, but also happens to be Hwang Jung-Min’s brother. Talented bloodline, folks; a perfect casting, highlighted by Jung Bo-Seok’s majestic performance, Oh Yeon-Su’s best acting of her career, and the shocking improvement of Lee Dong-Wook and particularly Park Si-Yeon; Jung Ha-Yeon’s novel-like, almost flawless script, mixing existentialism with moments of touching warmth, pungent self-criticism of his generation and an impressive rendition of the young’s inner demons and their darkness-drenched sorrow.
It’s a drama which predictably scored low in the ratings department, but will become a vivid memory for years to come, to those lucky (or smart) enough to see it. Jung Ha-Yeon said all he wants to do in these last few years of his phenomenal career is write whatever it pleases him, regardless of ratings and money. After these last few years’ spent writing gems like Shin Don, 명동백작 (The Count of Myeongdong), 지금도 마로니에는 (Still in Maronie) and La Dolce Vita, I sure hope he will. Until his 100s, his pale gray hair touching the floor. Write for us, Master.
Last edited by barney1, 7/19/2008, 6:15 pm
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7/18/2008, 1:18 pm
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brad6
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Re: K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (Bittersweet Life)
The last post told me more than I need to know about Bittersweet Life. I am not as far advanced as these episodes. Spoiler was need for me I am afraid.
Also what was the previous part of the post about? should it be on another thread?
Sorry if I am out of step here but this drama is strong enough and with very deep drama and it needs this thread to stay with it and nothing else.
I am now finding the wife is beginning to show more strength and backbone. She certainly holds her own with the young man more than with her husband at the moment.
The actor playing the husband is really very accomplished. Never thought he would be this powerful in a modern role.
Still think Lee Dong Wook has a breakout role in his hands. I hope he continues to make this character interesting. He is very intense but has a very charming smile and edge when necessary.
It is a mystery and a good one at that.
Peg
Last edited by brad6, 7/18/2008, 11:58 pm
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7/18/2008, 11:53 pm
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nchristi
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Re: K-Drama: 달콤한 인생 (Bittersweet Life)
Putting on my mod hat here... class blockquote brad6 wrote:
The last post told me more than I need to know about Bittersweet Life. I am not as far advanced as these episodes. Spoiler was need for me I am afraid.
Also what was the previous part of the post about? should it be on another thread?
Sorry if I am out of step here but this drama is strong enough and with very deep drama and it needs this thread to stay with it and nothing else.Okay, couple of things. First, spoilers. In carefully reading the post in question, it does not reveal anything more than what we already know by episode 8 (7-8 were shown last night). I have not viewed any episodes beyond #8, but nothing written in the Twitch article revealed anything more than the general character descriptions we already know. Therefore, I have not 'spoiler protected' anything in the post.
The lengthy article on Korean drama? Yes, ideally it should be in the General Discussion Forum under "The Korean Wave & Domestic News," where this general subject matter resides. For future reference, it would be appropriate to cut and paste the on-topic part of such an article, then post the link (URL) to the article itself for those interested in reading the entire context.
However, since the post contains both general K-drama info and specific info on this drama, let's leave it here and just continue on. It is too involved to try to split it up, move the original, then create a new, edited version to leave in this thread. Members and viewers who aren't into reading lengthy or off-topic posts will pass it by. Others will enjoy the info. In either case, it is now water under the bridge and we have moved on.
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7/19/2008, 11:11 am
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12/4/2008, 7:21 pm
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Las Vegas Vacations