Sassy Girl, Chun-hyang

Synopsis:



"Sassy Girl, Chun-hyang" is the 2005 interpretation of the "Legend of Chun-hyang". The story begins when Lee Mong-ryong is transferred from Seoul to a high school in Namwon, North Jeolla Province. Chun-hyang does her best to help Mong-ryong, her first love and the son of the Namwon Police Station chief, to enter a prestigious university. However, after meeting with Mong-ryong's first love, Chae-rin, Mong-ryong's love toward Chun-hyang is shattered, although Chun-hyang's love remains unwavering.

One day, Byeon Hak-do, CEO of a famous entertainment company, appears in her life. He exudes confidence that he can make any woman fall for him. But as Chun-hyang shows no interest in him, his self-esteem is damaged profoundly. Byeon Hak-do is determined to make her love him.

The production team of this drama says they wanted to present a whole new image of Chun-hyang in line with modern times as she is an attractive female character who showed courage in choosing her love in the Chosun period, when Confucianism was a dominant value.

This fusion-style drama makes various new attempts in terms of genre, such as mixing rap with Pansori music.

Il_mare's add-on:

Chun-hyang is the top student in her school. Despite her poor family background, she is resilient, cheerful and bright. She makes her own money and excels in whatever she does. She is the idol of all her peers.

Lee Mong-ryong is the trouble making son of a Police chief. He is constantly getting into trouble and has the grades to match them. MR transfers to Namwon when his father was moved to head the Police Force in that area. Although CH and MY did not get off on a good start but due to an unexpected twist of fate, they had to get married to restore CH's honor. Both agreed to stay married until after high school and then decide how they should take their lives from there.

However, their married life is constantly marred by MR's unrequited affection to his first love CR. CH helped MR pass his university entrance exams but choose to end their relationship when she found out that CR wishes to accept MY's affection.

MR is upset by CH's decision and goes in search of CH. He feels confused about his feelings for CH. The situation is complicated with the introduction of a charismatic and charming CEO of an entertainment company, Byung Hak-do who is vying for CH's heart too.

But the young couple overcame all their insecurities and misunderstanding for each other and learned to love and cherish each other wholeheartedly. They decided to hold their wedding ceremony to formalize their marriage. But their plans are thwarted by HD who became obsessed with CH.

HD manages to set MR up with a crime he did not commit and used evidence of the "crime" to force CH to leave MR. In her effort to protect MR, CH divorces MR and left with HD. MR is heart-broken, but HD does not get CH either as she runs away from HD as well.

Many years later, MR graduate from law school and is a famous prosecutor with the government. CH hides from both HD and MR in Pusan, running her own accessory business. HD tries to locate CH all these years while hiding the fact from the rest that CH is actually not with him. How will they meet? Will MR end up with CH? Will HD harm MR still? Will this story have the same happy ending as the original tale?

Review:

This kdrama was really popular with the youngsters when it was aired during the Winter break. And perhaps because it followed the terrible heartbreaking "I'm Sorry, I Love You", the audience could do with a good dose of comic relief. It combined the charms of the up and coming Jae Hee with the Barbie Doll of South Korea, Han Chae Young. I was really bothered by HCY's perfectly constructed face. There is something about HCY's face that reminds me of a mouse, especially when she curls her lips. She really looked like a doll. Maybe it is just me, can't live with manipulated perfection. And she had a figure that did not match with her cute face (let's just say that she is a little too top-heavy). But yet somehow it did not stop me from enjoying this kdrama. Chun-hyang is such a strong spirited girl, nothing gets her down. As a matter of fact, she is always saving herself from dire straits. She is totally smart and bright! I think in that way HCY fitted the character very well.

In many ways the story of this kdrama is pretty flat with conventional kdrama elements. I kept asking myself why am I motivated to finish this (I have recently been crowned by a fellow addict to be Ms Incomplete i.e. not completing a lot of the kdramas which I started on, so that shows it takes some kind of draw to keep me going), and the only reason I concluded is because of the chase!

Yes, the chase for the wonderful heroine. Her brains saves her from every terrible situation and she is the one doing the rescuing instead of the men. I was chasing for Chun-hyang with the men! "Sassy Girl Chun-hyang's" attraction is that it celebrate unwavering love. And the modern interpretation brings a fresh and cute twist to an age old love story.

Although this story is a modern interpretation of an ancient tale, I was glad that the writers did not give totally black and white characters to the story. There were many times where you may find the acting and expressions exaggerated and comic like e.g. Matrix type of fighting scenes. But all these should be taken in as good fun as this is typical of kdrama comedies. The pace was also wonderful, just when I worry whether it was going to drag, it steps up and before I know it, I have completed a some more episodes.

Jae Hee gained a lot of attention when he won the Best Newcomer in the recent Blue Dragon awards for his role in director Kim Ki-duk's "3-Iron" a.k.a. "Empty House". So I believe a big reason for the popularity of this kdrama is due to the attraction of this up and coming youngster. Jae Hee has pretty good comic talent! I can't help laughing every time he is running e.g. running from his father, running to CH, running for his life! And the big grin he gives every time he gives his smirk remarks to CH, and disappointed expressions when CH ignores him were really funny. Such a sweetie, you will be charmed! Jae Hee's problem arises when he had to deliver the sob scenes. They were just not as heartbreaking as I would have expected it to be, kind of below my expectations. And I could not stand his image when he was a prosecutor. Those glasses and shiny suits, and that hair just made Jae Hee looked like a cheap second hand car salesman.

The writers made the modern Chun-hyang strong, warm, smart, hardworking and pretty. There were no scenes of Chun-hyang sobbing quietly over her sad predicament. She strives and succeed during trying moments, and even had spare time to tutor the trouble-making MR, that he makes it to the most difficult course in the most prestigious university in South Korea. It seemed that anything she touches turn for the better (except for maybe, HD). What a wonderful woman!

HCY is totally cute too in her role. She got this high pitch voice (which I did not enjoy) that matched her likable character and she made a compatible and lovable pairing with Jae Hee. Something about this couple, when they stand together, you just want them to end up with each other. Her acting was ok, but I think the character was so likeable that it was not really difficult to deliver. I found HCY had difficulty executing the sad scenes too. Especially the ones when she had to kick MR out of her life because of her pact with HD. She just did not seem devastated enough when required, and not cruel enough when needed.

The draw of Eom Tae Woong in this kdrama surprised many. HD is a selfish and calculated man. A level-headed and shrewd business man. He has a cold exterior with strong resolve in getting what he wants. Unfortunately, that resolve translated into something vindictive because of his unrequitted feelings for CH. There is this mysterious and dangerous aura that surrounds ETW. Any girl will wish for to be rescued by such a cool strong man. I wished for HD to be the moody brooding macho man, who never smiles and just stay silent by CH. ETW definitely needs to work on his happy expressions.

Park Shi Eun as Hong Chae-rin, MR's first love threw in a credible effort. Nothing really to shout about but a complementary performance to the story. My only complain is that I did not hate her as much as I would like to.

My personal favourite in this kdrama is MR's father. He is one wise old man. The writers peppered this strict father image with multiple comic moments e.g. slicing of the apple, crying over the grandchildren hoax were really hilarious. In my honest opinion, the dad put in the best acting!

Overall I would give an above average rating for the acting. But the attraction is in the story and the nice pace which breezes you through from beginning to the end. Sometimes it is nice not to get too complicated and confused characters in a kdrama. For once I shan't complain about one-dimensional characters!

Cast:
Sung Chun-hyang: Han Chae Young (Beijing My Love/Autumn Story)
Lee Mong-ryong: Jae Hee (3-Iron)
Byun Hak-do: Eom Tae Woong (Nine-tail Fox - A Supplementary Tale)
Hong Chae-rin: Park Shi Eun (Match Made in Heaven/Gift)
Han Dan-hee: Lee In Hye
Pang Ji-hyuk: Moon Ji Yoon
Kong Wol-mae: Kim Chung
Mong-ryong's dad: Ahn Suk Hwan
Mong-ryong's mom: Choi Ran (Tropical Nights in December/Pearl Necklace)

Lyrics

JA YOO RO WA
moo uh seul sun teh ga dun geu gun neh ma eu mi ya
so ri reul ji luh deh dun mal dun uh neu noo goo eh geh doh so gal soo neun ub ja na
dan ha na eh geu deh ni ga ja ee jeh weh chyuh bwa yo! nan...ja yoo ro wah
neh seng gak neh heng dong neh mo deun guh shi hey hey hey hey hey wa~
muh ra go nal so gi dun dwi eh suh nal yo ga dun geu nyang shin gyung seu ji ma yo
mo deun sa ram deu reh geh in jung ba deul soon ub suh geu nyang da moo shi heh buh ryuh
geu ri go eh chuh bwa yo! nan...ja yoo ro wah
neh seng gak neh heng dong neh mo deun guh shi hey hey hey hey hey wa~
nan...ja yoo ro wah
neh seng gak neh heng dong neh mo deun guh shi hey hey hey hey hey wa~


HENG BO GA GIL BA REH
geu noon so geh suh nuh neun doh da reun go seul bo myuh oo ruh suh
geu ruh neun ni ga nuh moo mi wuh suh na doh da ra oh ruh suh

*geu ri wuh nan ni ga nuh moo jit gi doh rok na ah pa doh
na joo guh suh doh neh sa rang eu roh nuh heng bo ga gil ba reh*

ahh~
hi mi deu ruh doh ra bo myun na guh gi eh neu ri neun gun
geu go seh da nam gyuh doo go on ni noon mool deh moo neh
nah duh nan ja ri eh nuh reun ja dool soo ub suh ee suh dun geh
ee jeh neun nul nuh moo sa rang heh gal soo ub neun ee yoo dweh suh

*REPEAT*
03. SA RANG HEH YO
Please credit http://members.aol.com/kpoplyrics and OvaRideDis24
ee jeu meh suh nal sa rang heh doh dweh ni ah joo jo geu meh ni poom eh suh
nal nam gyuh doo go duh na gan da myun neh mam ah peun guh ja ral ja na...

*sa rang heh yo da shi shi ja geh yo him deul geh man het dun geu deh ji man
I LOVE MY FRIEND
nuh ah ni myun ahn dweh oo ri sa rang eun jung heh jyuh buh rin oon myung in gul*

nul him deul geh han noon mool ga ji doh ee jen neh ga jun boo ga peul geh yo
neh ga gi beun gun nuh eh geu oo seu mi ji geum nal dal ma it da neun guh

*REPEAT*

ji geum chuh rum man...sa rang heh yo da shi shi ja geh yo
him deul geh man het dun geu deh ji man
I LOVE MY FRIEND
nuh ah ni myun ahn dweh mo deun guh rit go heng bo ga geh man heh jool geh

sa rang heh yo da shi shi ja geh yo him deul geh man het dun geu deh ji man
I LOVE MY FRIEND
nuh ah ni myun ahn dweh oo ri sa rang eun jung heh jyuh buh rin oon myung ee ya...


EUNG GEUB SHIL
hoo weh ha go ee suh yo oo ri da too dun geu nal gwen han ja jon shim deh moo neh
geut neh ja go ma reul heh buh rin guh ya
geum bang bol joo ra ra suh nal chat gil ba reh suh
huh na myuh chi ri ji na doh ah moo so shik jo cha ub suh
hang sang neh geh nuh moo ja reh juh suh shib geh seng ga get na bwa
ee jen ah ra neh go jib deh moo neh him deu rut dun nuh reul

ee ba bo ya jin ja ah ni ya ah jik doh na reul geu ruh geh mo la
nuh reul ga jin sa rang na ba geh ub neun deh jeh bal na reul duh na ga ji ma

un jeh ra doh neh pyuh ni deh joon nuh go ma oon jool mo reu go
chuh rub shi na mut deh ro han guh yong suh hal soo ub ni

ee ba bo ya jin ja ah ni ya ah jik doh na reul geu ruh geh mo la
nuh reul ga jin sa rang na ba geh ub neun deh jeh bal duh na ga ji ma

nuh ha na man sa rang ha neun deh ee deh ro na reul doo go ga ji ma
na reul buh ri ji ma geu nyang ah na juh da shi sa rang ha geh do ra wa...


MI AH NEH YA HA NEUN GUH NI
mi ahn han guh ni mi ahn heh ya ha neun guh ni nul sa rang ha geh dweh buh rin guh
neh sa rang ee nul ma ni him deul geh han da neun gul al myun suh doh
ah jik doh bo neh ji doh mo ta go ee suh ee run na ri heh han da myun
jo geum man na duh oon da go heh doh na yong suh heh jam shi man duh

*ah ni ra go ahn dweh da go neh noo neul ga ryuh doh nuh neun
it suh go ham geh heh suh ah pa ha myuh sa ra doh geu gut ma neu ro heng bo geh suh*

neh doo gwi reul da ma ga deut ji ah na doh un jeh na neh geh ma reul het go
ji wuh ji ji ah neun da myun ee jen jung mal sa rang ha go shi puh

*REPEAT*(2x's)


QUEEN
ah joo suh toon seng gak gwa nuh eh geu pyo jung eun
ma ji mak in gut chuh rum bo yuh
nuh moo boo ran han deut na reul ji na chyut dun
geu ma na dun shi gan juh gi buh ryuh doo ji

*nuh eh boo ran han wi teh rob dun son jit da shi doh han bun
nal nuh moo him deul geh man heh
gi da ryuh bo ji man ee mi ji na buh rin yak sok deh ron mo deun gul
jeul gi neun deut oot gon heh*

ah joo oh ret dong an neh geh ma ret ji hwa nan deut chul mo reun go ma gat da go
da ga ol neh il doh moo seu ni ri ol ga boo ran heh jam deun neh mo seub
ee jeh geu man heh neh geh mal heh hwa ga nan na eh geh da jim ha deu shi
da ga ol neh il geu shi ga ni oh myun ji chyut dun na reul wi ro heh joo ryum

DON'T YOU BEHAVE THAT WAY GIRL
CAN'T YOU SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU
DON'T YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON ME
DON'T YOU BE A BAD GIRL(2x's)

nuh eh jal meun seng gak gwa nuh eh geu pyo jung eun
ee jeh duh ee sang ub deut buh ryuh
jom duh seng ga geh bwa ji na wat dun il deul
geu ma na dun shi gan buh ryuh doo ji mal go

*REPEAT*(3x'S)


EE MI GEU DEN
uh ril juk chun jin het dun na goom so geu ro nuh reul da ra ga neun
geu geh yo jeum na eh ba ra neun il sang ee jyo...
gin yuh rum ga eul ji na suh ah jik ga ji choo uk man seng gak hal deh
ee mi geu den uh reu ni dweh ut jyo

ba ra dun deh ro da too meh ee gyut ji man so joon han guh ra
na ee ruh suh geu geh na ma neh nam ja da oom ya
ja shin ha myuh bo neh suh

*hoo weh heh doh so yong ub go han soom syuh doh so yong ub neh
nuh neun nuh go na neun na ji man
ah jik na rit jin an geh ah ji?*

sa ram deul ah peh suh gyul ko ool ji an neun
gang han na yut da heh doh nuh moo guh bi na suh
hok shi ni ga duh nal ga bwa

geu mo deun guh shi guh jit ma ri ra go myut nyun dong an ji nel deh
ee mi geu deh neun da reun nam ja eh ah reum da oon yuh ja ya

*REPEAT*

geu reh doh ni ga mun juh ah neun chuk heh seul deh
nuh moo ban ga wuh ji man da shi doh ra oh ran mal mo teh suh

*REPEAT*


ALIVE
I'VE BEEN WORKING, LIKE CRAZY I FEEL TRAPPED INSIDE THIS WORLD AND I JUST
HAVE TO BREAK FREE, BUT AT NIGHT TIME, SECRETS AWAIT ME I LEAVE THE DAY BEHIND
TO LIVE A LIFE I HAVE IN MY DREAMS

AFTER MIDNIGHT, IN THE MOONLIGHT I RUN THRU THE DARK INTO A NIGHT OF FANTASY
UNDER STREET LIGHTS, THAT'S WHEN I FLY UP IN THE SKY
SO THAT I CAN ESCAPE REALITY,

*BECAUSE I'M FREE na neun ja yoo ya
FREE! DOIN' WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW
FREE! NO ONE'S GONNA HOLD ME BACK, NO MATTER WHAT I'M MOVIN'ON
I'M FREE! TELL ME CAN YOU HEAR ME?
FREE! CUZ I'M LOSING CONTROL
FREE! NOW I KNOW I'M GETTING CLOSER "I FEEL SO ALIVE"*

MONDAY MORNING, I FACE ANOTHER DAY, I'M JUST THINKING OF HOW I'M GONNA GET AWAY
MIGHT BE DREAMING, BUT IT SEEMS SO REAL, MY MIND LETS GO AND TAKES ME TO A PLACE
I'VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE

AFTER MIDNIGHT, IN THE MOONLIGHT I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT I HAVE FOUND MY FANTASY
UNDER STREET LIGHTS, I FEEL SO RIGHT, NOW THAT I AM, IN A PLACE,
WHERE I KNOW THAT I CAN BE,

**FREE na neun ja yoo ya
FREE! DOIN' WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW
FREE! NO ONE'S GONNA HOLD ME BACK, NO MATTER WHAT I'M MOVIN'ON
I'M FREE! TELL ME CAN YOU HEAR ME?
FREE! CUZ I'M LOSING CONTROL
FREE! NOW I KNOW I'M GETTING CLOSER "I FEEL SO ALIVE"**

I WANNA GO, TO A WORLD FULL OF MYSTERY WHERE I CAN BE ALL ALONE...
AND NOBODY KNOWS, NOBODY KNOWS,
WHERE MY DREAMS ARE REALITY AND I'M NOT AFRAID ANYMORE...

*REPEAT*

**REPEAT**


BYE MY FRIEND
ee jeum eh suh nun duh na ya ha ni ah joo jo geum eh ni poom eh suh
nal nam gyuh doo go duh na ga myun suh ul mal na nun doh ah peun guh ya

*BYE BYE MY FRIEND, BYE BYE MY LOVE mi ah neh suh jung mal geu reh suh
BYE BYE MY FRIEND heng bo geh ya dweh
him deul get ji man mo reun chuh gal geh nul wi heh suh*

sang chuh ba geh ub neun na eh sa rang ee nuh reul man ee doh ol geh het ji
neh ga seul peun gun nuh eh geu noon moo ri ee jeh neun nal dal ma it da neun guh

*REPEAT*(2x's)

BYE BYE MY FRIEND, BYE BYE MY LOVE mi ah neh suh jung mal geu reh suh
BYE BYE MY FRIEND heng bo geh ya dweh
ma mi ah peun gun geh jit mal ga teun nuh eh mi so


Video

Episode 1 Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4



Part 5



Part 6



Part 7



Episode 2 Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4



Part 5



Part 6



Part 7



Part 8