Presentation
Korean Title: 멜로가 체질
Aired in: 2019 (16 episodes)
Channel: JTBC
Grade: 10/10
Actors: Can Woo Hee, Jeon Yeo Bin, Han Ji Eun, Ahn Jae Hong and Gong Myung
For more…
Han Ji Eun:
– Kkondae Intern
– Lovestruck in the City
Gong Myung:
– Bride of the Water God
– Revolutionary Love
– Feels Good to Die
– Entertainer
Coming-of-age dramas:
– School series (2013/2015/2017/2021)
– Age of Youth 1 & 2
– Reply series (97/94/88)
– Girls’ Generation 1979
Analysis
Synopsis
This drama tells the story of 3 women: Im Jin Joo, Lee Eun Jung and Hwang Han Joo, as they advance in life. We witness their love relationships, life struggles and how they overcome and deal with them.
My Opinion (No Spoilers)
Loved it! The main reason that explains my passion for this drama is the reliability attached to it. The different characters are so complex and different that you won’t have any trouble identifying to one or several of them. The realism of this drama quickly grabbed my attention and made me wonder, what I would do if confronted with this kind of situations. Definitely a must-see in Dramaland, that is clearly worth the watch!
Analysis (Spoiler Alert)
Relatable characters: Be Melodramatic is perfectly written in a sense that all characters have very different, if not sometimes opposite personalities. Hence the rapidity with which one can project himself/herself on one or several of them. What I really loved and found quite intriguing is sometimes how atypical some characters’ reactions and actions are. They act in a way that wouldn’t have been mine, which gives a deeper and wider understanding of humane nature, embodied by all of these characters. Despite their differences, I loved the fact that they get along so well and are capable of putting these differences aside, if it means supporting a friend.
Let’s start with the main character: Im Jin Joo (played by Chun Woo Hee). She is an aspiring drama writer, who is fighting for her career and recognition in her job. We witness her career ascension, as she is given the possibility to write a drama as main screenwriter, helped by her boyfriend-to-be Son Beom Soo (Ahn Jae Hong). She is a resilient character with a strong determination and fighting spirit. She clearly protects her ideas even when others doubt them, especially Beom Soo.
Lee Eun Jung (Jeon Yeo Bin) is definitely my favorite character. She seems to be really weird and distant, kind of lost and disconnected from the world around her. At first, her behavior doesn’t make much sense – she gives all of her money to charity, is unemployed and wanders a lot. The real reason behind these awkward actions is only shown later on in the drama. Indeed, we understand that she has lost her lover because of cancer and she has struggles mourning and overcoming grief. She is in pain and silently suffering; to the point that she keeps seeing his ghost. By the end of the drama, the character finally has an epiphany and accepts help. She decides to ask for it and her reaching out to her friends was a really heartwarming moment, that made me tear up a bit.
The last female lead, played by Han Ji Eun, is Hwang Han Joo. Contrary to her two friends, it feels like she is leading a really hectic and busy life, juggling between her job and her son. She devotes so much energy to her job, that she doesn’t even think about dating or having any kind of romantic relationship. On top of that, she has some trust issues with men, since her previous boyfriend left her with their child. Fortunately, she encounters at work Choo Jae Hoon (Gong Myung). This male character is struggling in his long-lasting and unhappy relationship, but doesn’t have the courage to put an end to it. Him meeting Han Joo will help him doing so.
Finally, the last roommate of the apartment is a drama musician Lee Hyo Bong (Sun Ji On). This character is gay and represents another type of struggles: being homosexual in a rather traditional society.
A drama in a drama: This drama is a perfect epitome of the notorious mise en abyme. Indeed, Jin Joo and Beom Soo are both working on a drama together and they use their own lives as inspiration. Depending on how their relationship evolves and on how they debate the story, the dramatical plot changes and adapts itself. An interesting way of showing the work behind the curtains and everything that occurs behind the scenes. We get a good glimpse at the production, writing and realization of dramas (cc the main writer and her assistants). The best example that illustrates this is the OST called “Shampoo”. First, very funny song, and second I was amazed by how such a stupid song from the drama ended up becoming the actual theme song of Be Melodramatic.
The drama also illustrates the various fields of drama production apart from content creation: partnerships, music, product placement, cast that are indispensable to make a (good) drama.
Chemistry: The chemistry between lovers or lovers-to-be but also between friends is palpable throughout the drama. This drama knows how to be funny, serious, soft and tender, when need be. Characters, although very different, can rely on each other, lean on their roommates and go hand in hand down the path of life (their 30s). Wonderful to watch and admirable!
Relatable stories: Be Melodramatic is simply a drama about life. That’s it! It perfectly describes its ups and downs and its unexpected twists and turns; either positive or negative. It is a drama that gives strength and enable viewers to take a different look at what they go through day-by-day. Personally, I think it is a good way to rationalize tough events and to see that we share common crucial life moments (happiness, disappointment, loss) with a lot of people on this planet. This drama fights loneliness and solitude and proves that we are not the only living what we live.
Product Placement: Even though it is not that important, I had to highlight Han Joo and Jae Hoon’s difficult work. Being in a similar situation at the office, in my opinion, and having to negotiate and convince celebrities over silly product placements, was an excellent idea in order to create a tighter bond between characters and also shed light on another, yet very important, field in drama production.
What are the themes questioned?
Because this drama is about life in general, it is only normal that it tackles very serious subjects. I won’t go a lot into details, because I think images are better than words (so watch the drama); but here is a non exhaustive list:
Cancer and disease: closely related to mourning and grief, the character of Hong Dae (Han Joon Woo) who died because of an illness is the reason behind Eun Jung’s pain – Is it only me who noticed that Hong Dae is a very lively and energetic neighborhood in Seoul and the name given to the man who lost all of his joy, and even his life, to a disease? – As the drama unveils their story, I was so moved by how close they were and how much they loved each other. Until the very end, they seemed to be inseparable. This affection and special bond they had is, I believe, also one of the main reasons why Eun Jung has some difficulties saying farewell. She didn’t have the time to do everything she wanted with her lover and is left alone with a bitter taste. She tries to find comfort in the past, wandering through their old memories but she still misses a presence. Time is her greatest ally here as she finally opens up to others and sees that she can move on. The red thread along that grieving period was for me the making of her documentary. She started one about North Korean with her lover, then lost him and gave away all the money from the documentary. Her getting better goes through her making a new documentary again, also successful; highlighting that she has turned the page.
Having a kid alone and young: Hwang Han Joo has had a child when she was in college with a man she thought she loved. Yet, he left her and the baby to pursue his egoistic dreams. She struggles to provide a good raising environment for her child, but I think she does an excellent job as a working mom. This theme is a very burning one in society today, and I appreciated how the drama tried to break some taboos on that matter: such as being a working mom; having a baby at a young age; being a single parent. Good job on that!
Being gay: Even though the theme was not put forward that much, I have to say I am so proud of South Korean dramas, that are more and more breaking taboos and fighting discrimination against homosexuals. More and more dramas are showing characters from the LGBTQ+ community (Itaewon Class, It’s Okay that’s Love, People With Flaws, Sweet Munchies…) and prove that homosexuality is not a crime! Keep going South Korea!
Abusive relationships: Jae Hoon is the character tackling that problematic. He is drowning in a very long relationship with a (hateful) woman who denigrates, insults and cheats on him. She is constantly jealous, incapable of trusting him and questioning every single one of his actions. Yet, Jae Hoon is a coward for not being able to put a clear end to it, as he always accepts her, when she comes back. In the end, he breaks free from this toxic relationship but had to fight with all his might.
Fame: Lee So Min (Lee Joo Bin) first represents the acting part of drama creation (she is the lead actress of Jin Joo’s drama) and second is the depiction of struggles associated with fame. Celebrities are not supposed to date freely, they have to deal with a lot of hateful and mean comments (especially in Korea) and are constantly afraid they might be forgotten and replaced. All of these insecurities are well portrayed by So Min.
Work-related problematics: Han Joo, Jin Joo, Jae Hoon, Eun Jung, all have to deal with working conditions that are not optimal and perfect (as if they existed!). They have to make compromise, ask for forgiveness when they shouldn’t, comply with their boss’s crazy orders, work with people they don’t appreciate, accept criticisms… Relatable then, right?
Friendship: Yes, this topic doesn’t need a deep analysis, the drama speaks for itself! Having friends is one of the best things that can happen in life. Accept and love them for who they are, they will only give back what you give! Beautiful lesson that proves that you don’t need to be the same to get along!
P.S: Cameos are a great part of that drama: Lee Ha Nee, Kim Do Yeon, Son Seok Koo; did you see them?
Once Upon a Drama 