Dropped: Heavenly Ever After – The Fangirl Verdict

My pals. I actually, actually wished to like this one.

Not solely does it characteristic a lot of actors whom I really like (Kim Hye Ja! Han Ji Min! Son Seok Ku! Lee Jung Eun! 🤩🤩🤩🤩), it additionally comes from the crew that introduced us The Mild in Your Eyes (evaluate right here!), a drama that I feel may be very, very particular. 🥲

I felt that with all that going for it, I simply couldn’t miss this drama.

And but, now, 8 episodes into Present’s 12, I’m sorry to say that I’ve determined to throw within the towel. 😅

Nevertheless, simply because this present doesn’t work for me, doesn’t essentially imply that it received’t give you the results you want, as a result of there are people who actually, actually love this present.

Who is aware of; you may be one in every of them?

MY TRAJECTORY WITH THIS ONE

I began my watch filled with confidence that Present would take me on a significant journey, even when I didn’t all the time know what to anticipate.

I’d say that I loved the primary couple of episodes fairly effectively, however as early as episodes 3-4, I began to really feel like I wasn’t as engaged with the present as I wished to be. Not nice.

I loved episode 5-6 extra, however by episodes 7-8, I generally actually discovered myself gritting my tooth, to attempt to get by means of the episode. Whoops. 😅

At its greatest, I discovered Present to be very strong, with a lot of completely different feels to go round, from humorous and surprising, to poignant and touching.

Sadly, I do assume that Present will get slowed down making an attempt to do an excessive amount of, and finally ends up lacking some nice narrative alternatives, at the very least, in my opinion.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

I may not have made it to the end line with this present, however nonetheless, listed below are a few issues that I feel could be useful to remember, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:

1. Present makes up its personal theology

..and so, it’s greatest for those who’re capable of put apart any theology that you understand and love, as a result of it’s very possible that Present’s not going to align itself with it.

Higher to roll with it than attempt to battle it, is my pondering. 😁

2. The ‘Cats’ lens

I had an epiphany of types, whereas watching this present, and that’s, that this present is kinda-sorta just like the musical Cats, ie, it’s concept-driven slightly than story-driven.

I’d been approaching this as extra of a story-driven drama, most probably as a result of that’s actually the type of drama I have a tendency of desire, and why I take pleasure in dramas within the first place, and had been feeling perplexed that this story appeared to be so loosely plotted and virtually directionless.

I’d actually had had the very same response, once I’d gone to see the musical, Cats, a few years in the past, with my household.

And but, Cats has been celebrated as a murals for a few years, by followers and critics alike.

I feel that “Cats” lens, of seeing this drama as being largely a couple of idea, could be very useful, by way of adjusting expectations and gaining most enjoyment from this present.

STUFF I LIKED

Hae Suk’s private journey

I believed our story was a fantastic car to discover Hae Suk’s private story, and generally, Present gave me precisely that.

I did really feel like we might have performed with extra of Hae Suk’s private journey than what we obtained, and I really feel that eliminating a number of the facet arcs, would have given us the narrative area for this.

This is among the issues I used to be referring to, once I talked about that there have been some missed narrative alternatives, in my opinion.

Right here’s a take a look at one of many instances we did get perception into Hae Suk’s story, and I did take pleasure in this beat very effectively.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. I did just like the flashbacks that we get, when Hae Suk goes to the reflection room and appears again on her life, and remembers how Nak Jun had courted her all the way in which to her blind date.

That was cute.

And it was poignant, to see the hardship that she had gone by means of, and the bonds that she’d shared, with not solely Nak Jun, however Younger Ae. 🥲

I additionally loved the beat the place Hae Suk decides to hunt out her mom, and finally ends up having some actually poignant, therapeutic time with Mother, whose backstory is an entire poignant saga by itself.

And, I additionally favored that Nak Jun involves fetch her, and affords his deepest bow to Mother, whom he’s assembly for the primary time.

I actually like this concept of Nak Jun and Mother coming to know one another in Heaven as two individuals who sincerely love Hae Suk, since they’d by no means had an opportunity to fulfill in life. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Hae Suk’s relationship with Nak Jun

For probably the most half, I loved when our narrative focus was on the connection between Hae Suk and Nak Jun.

I do assume that the casting of Son Seok Ku reverse Kim Hye Ja is cute, and their interactions do have a tendency to provide off a plausible “previous married couple” high quality that I discover fairly endearing.

[BROAD SPOILER]

I additionally discovered it an fascinating angle, that as a result of Nak Jun had been bedridden for a lot of their marriage whereas they’d been alive, they now have plenty of changes to make of their relationship, when he’s not solely not bedridden, however the extra energetic, bodily vibrant one, between them.

[END SPOILER]

Once more, I really feel like I’d have most popular for Present to delve into this relationship with extra display screen time, and in additional element, than what we get.

I generally didn’t discover the supposed humorous all that humorous (extra on that later), and wished that we’d have extra severe beats combined in, to provide us extra emotional heft total.

Once more, your mileage might actually fluctuate on this, after all.

Listed below are a few my private highlights, round this relationship.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. The factor that strikes me about Nak Jun, is that he’s unfailingly candy to Hae Suk, despite the fact that he’s clearly shocked at her look.

Like, sure, he would favor her to look youthful, however as soon as he will get over the preliminary shock, he’s completely blissful to carry her hand and introduce her to different folks as his spouse.

He’s not awkward or embarrassed concerning the visible age distinction, and y’know, I discover myself actually liking that about him. 🥲

E5-6. I have to say, I discovered it very touching, that Nak Jun could be so decided to search out and save Hae Suk, even when it meant going to Hell to take action.

And, after crawling by means of the horrible situations of Hell, it’s actually wonderful to me, that Nak Jun would leap into the fiery pit with out hesitation, when he will get Yeomra’s phrase, that if he goes by means of all of the varieties of hell, Hae Suk can be returned to him.

It’s true that Nak Jun doesn’t truly find yourself going by means of all the varied varieties of hell, and as a substitute, lands proper again in Heaven, however the truth is, he hadn’t hesitated for a second, to throw himself into the pit, if it meant that he might save Hae Suk.

That’s love. 🥲🥲

[END SPOILER]

Hae Suk’s relationship with Younger Ae

Younger Ae (Lee Jung Eun) is launched as Hae Suk’s worker, however is basically extra like Hae Suk’s foster daughter, and I loved their relationship very effectively.

I discovered the backstory round how this relationship got here to be, to be very touching, and that added a really good layer of poignance to how I perceived this relationship.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. The truth that Hae Suk had gone to Younger Ae’s home to gather a debt from Younger Ae’s deadbeat father, and had ended up feeding Younger Ae, and even bringing her lunchboxes to high school, is so candy.

After which, when Hae Suk sees that Younger Ae’s been overwhelmed up by her deadbeat father, I’m so touched that Hae Suk cancels his debt, in change for the appropriate to be Younger Ae’s guardian.

Awww. She doesn’t get the cash again, and as a substitute takes on the care of a kid, which might imply more cash that she must spend, however she makes the selection anyway – for Younger Ae’s sake.

I feel that claims the whole lot about Hae Suk’s coronary heart; she may placed on a tricky entrance to do her moneylending enterprise, and seek advice from herself as a foul individual, however at her core, she is an efficient individual, and I do imagine that that’s why Younger Ae loves her a lot, just like the mom she by no means had.

E5-6. I really like the way in which Hae Suk tries to guard Younger Ae, within the scene the place their sins are being weighed, to determine whether or not they belong in Hell or not.

By this level, similar to Nak Jun, Hae Suk’s seen simply how terrifying Hell is, and but, on the subject of Younger Ae’s activate the dimensions, Hae Suk instantly volunteers to tackle Younger Ae’s sins.

Augh. That’s so touching.

Hae Suk actually is the mom that Younger Ae by no means had. 🥲🥲

[END SPOILER]

Choi Hee Jin as Sonya [SPOILER]

I beloved the reveal that the staring woman, was Sonya, Hae Suk’s cat.

The way in which she knocked over that bottle of water, was simply CLASSIC. 😂 How excellent is that?

As soon as that puzzle piece fell into place, I couldn’t assist however really feel that Present had performed an ideal job, in recreating Sonya in human kind. 🤭

Nevertheless, I’m admittedly slightly disillusioned that Sonya doesn’t seem past episode 2.

I undoubtedly assume that was a missed alternative; Sonya taking part in a component within the heavenly hijinks might have been plenty of enjoyable, I think about.

STUFF THAT WAS OK

Present’s interpretation of Heaven and Hell

I’ve combined emotions about Present’s interpretation of Heaven and Hell, which is why it sits on this impartial zone.

On the upside, I do assume that a number of the concepts introduced are fairly surprising and artistic.

On the draw back, it feels to me like writer-nim is getting an excessive amount of of a kick from imagining what the afterlife is like, and the way it all works, and is subsequently neglecting our most important narrative.

Total, I really feel like we’re spending an excessive amount of display screen time on the facet arcs that showcase Heaven and Hell, and never sufficient time on our most important narrative, and because of this, Present feels type of scattered, to my eyes.

Once more, your mileage might fluctuate, relying on how tolerant you’re, of those facet arcs.

Right here’s a fast selective highlight on Present’s interpretation of Heaven and Hell.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Heaven

E5-6. It’s fairly cute how Younger Ae’s going round with Hae Suk to gather on the great deeds that she’s performed in her lifetime; this completely looks like an echo of how they’d used to make debt assortment rounds, prior to now.

It’s a really pleasing concept, that the varied kindnesses that we do in life, are saved up in Heaven.

And, the way in which it’s all listed in that pill, makes it really feel like a sport that Hae Suk’s required to play, with the intention to unlock her varied treasures.

I discovered this to be a cute idea, and truly discovered myself actually having fun with the varied flashbacks that we get, to how Hae Suk had proven kindness and compassion, even whereas going about her enterprise as a moneylender.

It’s very touching to see how Hae Suk had introduced meals for the previous man who collected cardboard, and all the time sufficient for 2 days, in order that he’d all the time have a purpose to dwell for an additional day.

After which, there’s additionally how Hae Suk had spent a lot time, effort and cash, to provide that woman a correct funeral, as a result of she’d felt so sorry for her.

Aw. Hae Suk actually has coronary heart. 🥲

Hell

E5-6. The portrayal of all of the various kinds of Hell was fascinating, and jogs my memory of Korean and Chinese language folklore that depicts Hell as having many various layers, for the numerous varieties and levels of sin.

And, I believed our writers labored in a tour of the various kinds of hell fairly properly for viewers, by giving Hae Suk and Younger Ae a tour of Hell, as a matter of process.

I used to be shocked by the idea of the brand new hell, however discovered it very apt, that there could be a particular hell for keyboard warriors who spew hate a public figures, and driving so many to their deaths.

ALSO. Can I simply say, it was fairly a stroke of brilliance to have Cheon Ho Jin play each the president of Heaven, and Yeomra, the king of Hell.

He appears to be like all shiny, glowy and benign because the president of Heaven, however dang, does he appears to be like legit scary, as Yeomra. 😱

It’s the sunshine contact lenses, and his facial expressions which are the true kicker, despite the fact that the styling does add to it as effectively; I discovered his genuinely unsettling to observe. 😅

I additionally discovered it unsettling to observe a number of of the punishments being meted out, significantly the tongue-cutting one. Can’t lie; I actually lined my eyes by means of most of that scene. 🙈

[END SPOILER]

Present’s humorousness

As with most dramas, Present’s humorousness was a combined bag, for me.

Generally, I used to be pleasantly shocked to search out myself guffawing alongside, however at different instances, I discovered myself decidedly unamused by Present’s try at comedy.

[SPOILER ALERT]

When it labored for me

E1-2. The “useful” narrative gadget that Hae Suk receives upon getting into Heaven, supposedly to assist older residents like her, to know her inside ideas, is fairly nice.

The awkward conditions created by the unabashed narration of Hae Suk’s ideas, is a hilarious supply of leisure, a lot to Hae Suk’s chagrin. 🤭

When it didn’t work for me

E3-4. Hae Suk falling right into a deep sleep at each phrase that the pastor preaches, was slightly too broadly comedian for my style.

My appreciation for the bickering between Hae Suk and the pastor was additionally fairly restricted; ie, it was cute for some time, however quickly obtained previous for me. 🙈

I mainly felt like we had been spending an excessive amount of display screen time on this, and never getting anyplace a lot.

[END SPOILER]

Hae Suk’s bond with the pastor

Though I simply talked about above, that I believed Present leaned somewhat an excessive amount of into the broad humor, with this arc, I’ve to say that I ultimately did discover myself liking the rising bond between Hae Suk and the pastor.

[SPOILER ALERT]

It’s actually fairly heartwarming to see them sharing meals that Hae Suk cooks for them; little by little, it’s beginning to really feel like Hae Suk’s kinda-sorta the mom that the pastor by no means had.

The way in which he sheds involuntary tears whereas tasting her meals; the way in which he will get used to her dozing off throughout his sermons; the way in which he appears to be like out into the space, hoping to see her making her approach to church; it’s all very heartwarming. 🥰

[END SPOILER]

The thriller of Somi [BROAD SPOILER]

On the finish of episode 2, Present introduces Somi (Han Ji Min) as a mysterious character, and thru my watch up until the top of episode 8, it’s nonetheless unclear who Somi actually is.

I discover myself having combined emotions concerning the thriller of Somi.

On the one hand, my curiosity to know the reality behind Somi’s id, does nudge me to maintain watching, even once I’m probably not having fun with my watch as a lot as I’d wish to.

Then again, this thriller has type of overstayed its welcome with me; I’ve gotten to the purpose of feeling impatient and antsy, and I want Present would hurry up and reveal the reality already. 😅

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

The pet facet arcs

Generally an excessive amount of of factor.. isn’t factor, and I feel that that is just about the place I stand, on the subject of the pet arcs, in our story world.

[SPOILER ALERT]

At first, I’d thought that the pet arc was a one-off beat that Present was introducing in episode 2, simply to display how pets are reunited with their house owners in Heaven.

I discovered the scene poignant and touching, and cried literal tears.

HOWEVER. As early as episodes 3-4, I already began to really feel like possibly Present was leaning an excessive amount of into this pet arc.

To begin with, I quickly began to search out it fairly awkward, to have people act because the pets, and have the people show pet behaviors, like growling and chasing after balls.

This was amusing for possibly 2 seconds, so far as I used to be involved. 😅

Second of all, I felt just like the extra Present delved into the varied pet-owner dynamics, the preachier it appeared, to my eyes.

I don’t perceive; does Korea have a pet abuse drawback? As a result of, if not, why does it really feel like Present is making an attempt so onerous to be a public schooling service, round pet possession??

[END SPOILER]

Thirdly, I actually felt like these pet arcs took up method an excessive amount of display screen time, which I really feel might have been invested in deepening our central narrative as a substitute.

Younger Ae’s crush

I really like Lee Jung Eun, and I had very a lot welcomed her presence as a part of the forged on this present.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Nevertheless, when Younger Ae will get to Heaven and develops an enormous crush on the Middle Director (Cheon Ho Jin), and begins to pursue him, I discovered all of it very cringey to observe.

I didn’t like the truth that Younger Ae’s made to behave in such an undignified, clueless type of method, aggressively searching for out the Middle Director’s time and a spotlight, whereas he recoils in terror and horror.

I’m fairly certain this was meant to be humorous, however I didn’t discover it humorous in any respect. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[END SPOILER]

SAYING GOODBYE

Y’know, as a result of I’d had such a constructive expertise with The Mild in Your Eyes (once more, evaluate right here!), I’d felt like I might have the boldness to only belief this present, to take me on a journey too.

Nevertheless, I do assume it’s time to confess that this present simply isn’t working for me the way in which I would like it to.

To be honest to Present, there are particular issues in right here which are attractive me to maintain watching, like my curiosity round Somi’s id, and in addition, round whether or not Present’s going to provide us a Huge Reveal in our remaining stretch, that may change my notion of our story fully.

Sadly, these enticements really feel like comparatively small blips in my watch expertise, which has turned an increasing number of right into a slog, the extra episodes I’ve watched.

Actually, once I completed episode 8 and located that I had 4 extra episodes to get to the end line as a substitute of the two that I’d had in my thoughts, my coronary heart actually sank. 😅

That was my signal to faucet out of this one, as a result of, as MC has correctly stated to me, life’s too quick to spend time on exhibits that don’t work for me (thanks MC!). 😁

PATREON UPDATE!

The following drama I’m masking on Patreon, rather than  Heavenly Ever After, is The Prisoner of Magnificence [China].

I can be posting my episode 1-4 notes on The Prisoner of Magnificence on Patreon very quickly!

Right here’s an summary of what I’m masking on Patreon proper now (Tier advantages are cumulative)!

Basis Tier (US$1): Leisure Drop (Sundays) + the primary set notes of all exhibits lined on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Entry (US$5): +The Haunted Palace [Korea]

Early Entry Plus (US$10): +Doubt [Korea]

VIP (US$15): +The Prisoner of Magnificence [China]

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