kcla

It starts off well enough. The first two episodes is classic Fellowes, efficient exposition with just the right dash of melodrama and romance. But then it sputters out. Half of the remaining dialogue in the series seems to be a variation of 'who is/why charles pope'. It gets a bit tedious especially as there's only one B-plot to fill up the time.

The acting is... interesting. Harriet Walter is appropriately grand-dameish and there are a few credible turns but nothing great and there are also just some laughably hammy/camp performances especially from the villain. It's a bit surprising how bad the acting is overall given the budget and Fellowes involvement. I mean the writing is also terrible but the acting from some of the cast is soap opera level.

It is mercifully short, though; a brisk 6 epsiodes. With some better acting and writing they could have probably stretched the story for another episode or two, but as is, it at least doesn't overstay it's welcome and it's a fun diversion for costume melodrama fans.

As everyone has said, Park Eun-bin gives an incredible performance. I can't imagine how taxing it was for her, physically and mentally. I do think that the portrayal is exaggerated, and the show infantilizes Woo Young-woo in way it never fully reconciles, but that's more of a writer and director decision.

Another standout was Kang Tae-Oh as her love interest. This was a tricky part. Frankly, the character is underwritten and the show glosses over the dicey dynamics of their relationship for a 'love overcomes all' message. But KTO brings a real warmth in a finely calibrated performance. As written, he could have made no impact or been incredibly cringe, luckily the director and actor, as well as the strong chemistry between the leads, was able to make him feel like a possible person. Albeit one, who seemingly only exists to make Young-woo happy.

The rest of the supporting cast was also very strong and better than most K-dramas. Kang Ki-young, a longtime second-lead comedic lead, gives a more mellow performance as Woo Young-woo's mentor. Both actresses playing Young-woo's friends are great comedically. Powerful performances from the actors playing Young-woo's parents. The director really did a terrific job working with the actors.

Each episode is a new legal case a la Law and Order, and the format allows for some great showings by seasoned Korean character actors. I'm not a fan of the legal scenes though. Maybe it's because i work in a legal environment, but it was hard for me to suspend my disbelief at all the 'lawyer' shenanigans.

The show has apparently been renewed for a second season and my wish is it will focus less on the courtroom stuff (unlikely given the show title) and more on the relationships. There were several interesting storylines involving Young-woo's personal life that just seemed to fizzle out and go unresolved.