Crash Landing on You

It has been several weeks since I watched the last episode of Crash Landing on You and I am utterly shocked by how much I miss these characters. And not just the main characters whose chemistry was magical but all the supporting cast as well. They lent a depth and breadth to this tale--the good guys were endearing and the bad guys were classic. Caution: You will have to suspend judgement about a few circumstances but if you ever read Peter Pan, you will easily want to believe they can fly. Personal note: I started watched K-D's because I am 75 years old and wanted to keep my mind sharp by reading subtitles. I don't know if my mind is sharper but my heart is warmer thanks to this wonderful series.

I've never, ever watched a Korean show and this show just shook me to the core! The plot is out-of-this-world, truly original, and the acting is amazing!!!! I felt every feeling, I laughed, I cries and I can't get enough of it! It's way better than any Hollywood production. Just do yourself a favour and watch it!!!!

What makes this KD different from other KDs? 1. They used older actors which IMO are better in acting. Hyun Bin & Son Ye Jin are definitely the best choice for RJH & YSR character. The chemistry are inevitable! 2. The story is flawless and not boring. There's a speck of love story, comedy, and action in one KD. What not to love? 3. Beautiful sceneries. Omo. 4. Everything makes sense. No stupid magic or ghosts whatever.

"If you give up on waiting, the pain of loss will kill you. That's why I wait." -Captain Ri.

Most people who have watched the entire series, love CLOY, which is one of KDrama's finest series, for some of the following points:

1. The writer, Park Ji-eun, who also gave us "You Who Came from the Star" is one of the best, knowing how to balance drama, comedy, themes, and closure while keeping her audience intrigued and in love with her characters. The director, Lee Jeong-hyo, who has worked on many series and movies, kept everything focused and carefully paced so that the series steadily evolved each week.

2. The cast is one of the best I've seen with immensely beautiful and talented leads, warm, hilarious village ajummas, and Capt. Ri's delightful squad, dubbed "the ducklings"-all of whom became a family for one another and for the viewers.

3. Themes varying from the pain of losing family, being abandoned and becoming a street orphan all the way to the belief in a Zen appreciation for patience and waiting, also kindness, protection, sacrifice, and unconditional love. The themes drive the plot, and the cast brought everything to life, making us impatient for each weekend to finally roll around so we can see what happens next to our beloved characters, whether love, laughter, danger and heartbreak, we got on that train with them.

4. A great story that keeps the reader interested, a love story whose premise was there from the beginning and revealed brilliantly in the steady epilogues. But also the comedy of the sidekick-and the horror of the bad guy consumed with envy and jealousy that destroys innocence and beauty, making this the classical struggle between good and evil embraced by every generation since time.

5. The touching, beautiful OST, which many fans have downloaded. The piano piece "Song for My Brother" leaves me in tears every time.

6. A wealthy, beautiful but hurt woman who learns to love herself as well as others, who can be hilarious and sassy, yet who finds strength in loving and protecting the most amazing man-Capt. Ri.

7. A beautiful man, a pianist who becomes an army officer, a quiet philosopher and tomato plant caretaker with a "low voice"-the kindest man I believe I've ever seen in any narrative-who adores the hurt woman, knows who she is, finds her, protects her, and loves her no matter what evil, what danger threatens them. Yes, he sounds too good to be true. . . . .but he's not. The whole world is in love with Capt. Ri because Hyun Bin developed him and made us believe that such a man can exist.

What can I say about Crash Landing on You that hasn't been said already? For starters this drama belongs to the Premier Division of k drama IMO, in line with Secret Garden, You Who Came From the Stars, Legend of the Blue Sea. Not entirely coincidental these dramas were aided by respectively the same actor, Hyun Bin, and the same screen writer, Park Ji Eun. The question remains: what's so good about it? I think it is the right mix of story, actors & music.

The Story

Crash Landing on You combines many proven genres that capture a worldwide audience from the start: action, romance, comedy, drama, tragedy, business, rags & riches. Moreover it is meticulously written according to the golden rules of screen writing: 1. Use the time of your audience in such a way that they will not feel their time was wasted 2. Give people at least one character to root for 3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water 4. Every minute must either reveal more of a character or advance the action 5. Start as close to the end as possible 6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet your characters, make awful things happen to them to show what they are made of 7. Don't try to please the whole world, this only weakens your storyline 8. Give your audience as much information as possible in order to stay hooked. The storytelling is also rock solid: boy meets girl - they get into trouble - things go from bad to worse - there is a closure but at the same time it keeps us from knowing if new developments are good or bad, hoping for a sequel.

The Actors

Even well written stories are made or broken by the cast. In this case the acting of each and everyone was on point. I can't imagine any other actor playing the lead than Hyun Bin (the stern and sturdy North Korean army officer Ri Jung Hyuk) and Son Ye Jin (the sophisticated South Korean chaebol heiress Yoon Se Ri). Also the supporting cast did a great job, with honorable mentions for Yang Kyung Won (sergeant Pyo Chi Su who speaks North Korean to a T according to North Korean defector Kang Nara) and Bang Eun Jin playing the emotionally scarred mother of Se Ri.

The Music

So, we've got our story and the right actors, but the soundtrack is the cherry on top. No surprise this soundtrack leads the Top 10 of most downloaded OST's of ALL TIME at the moment I'm writing this review.

Rewatch

Sometimes I can forget a story as soon as the clue has been reached, but I think I will definitely rewatch this drama. There are many layers in the episodes that deserve a re-run.

Verdict

Overall, if you haven't seen this already, go watch it, and get in line with others who are longing for The Sequel.