While You Were Sleeping is the BEST KDRAMA of 2017
I have always been in love on how Korean Drama (KDRAMA) writers do their screen plays. They normally congest a lot of story lines in 16–17 episodes; I thought it is too much to take for viewers but they narrate it and stem it perfectly.
The moment that the teaser of While You Were Sleeping (WYYS) was released, I knew that this series was going to be a hit.
I was curious after seeing the teaser. I don’t know. Perhaps, because I am a fan of any content that makes me think (not just makes me feel kilig); anything about law, crime, suspense and action pick up my interest. For WYWS, Lee Jong Suk is a prosecutor. So that’s a check for me.
Another compelling point was, it’s Lee Jong Suk. I love all projects that he did — Pinocchio (2014) and W: Two Worlds (2016). He never had a flop project, IMO. So, let’s go. To be honest, this is the first time I watched a series the same time (or week) it aired in Korea. Yup, not DOTS neither GOBLIN.
WYWS had me at hello. The first episode felt like a finale. So yeah, let the craze begin. Screw my first impressions on Bae Suzy (who’s a bit so-so to me during the first few episodes but eventually redeemed herself on the last run).
More of my WHY’s here:
PLOT TWIST
The plot as reflected on the show’s press release is nowhere near the beef of this series (well, of course!) At the onset, I was expecting that the story would be centralized on how Jae Chan (Lee Jong Suk) fights to stop the future ‘unfortunate’ events from happening as seen on Hong Joo’s (Bae Suzy) dreams.
But there’s more to it. Viewers witnessed a thread — all the feels that’s quite similar to final destination — like one destiny is connected to another. This is how the bond between Jae Chan (Lee Jong Suk), Hong Joo (Bae Suzy) and Woo Tak (Jung Hae In) — as second lead slash third party — started.
To cut the long story short — you’ll see the future of someone in your dreams because that someone happened to be that person who saved your life in the past.
Episode 13 happened to be the biggest twist for me. I didn’t see that coming, for sure! The revelation of Hong-Joo’s almost-death experience is also a nail-biter!
RIGHT BLEND, RIGHT TREATMENT
WYWS nailed its casting. Each gives the right blend that any viewer would look for.
The thing about KDRAMA is, story tellers won’t just make you root for the love story of the characters alone; there’s lesson one situation after another and it’s quite creative how each character unravels it.
Again, you’ll see Lee Jong Suk’s versatility as actor here (though I hope to see him in one solid action role in the future).
One scene, you’d see Jae Chan pulling off his dramatic chops then another scene will feature his comic self especially when his brother embarrasses him in front of Hong-Joo — or could be those moments when he’s a bit jealous of the ever-charming policeman Woo Tak.
It was never dragging. The intensity during interrogations and trials. The banter between Jae Chan and Lee Yoo-Bum (Lee Sang Yeob).
By the way, I think Sang Yeob is the most handsome male cast. I never hated his smirks. *wink-wink*
The treatment is commendable. I have always been a fan on how they do montage. I am in love on how the director did the mirroring of flashback and current scenes.
SOUNDTRACK
Okay. I’ll be honest here. I don’t like the entire album as much as I love Goblin’s OST. But as compared to my other top favorite, Descendants of the Sun (DOTS), I like WYWS’ theme song better than DOTS.
SQUAD GOALS
One major thing that picks up my interest whenever I watch series is spotting my favorite #SQUADGOALS. I am happy seeing how the relationship genuinely builds on the entire series of WYWS. It’s not too enforced, too staged, or trying hard. The development of relationship is realistic.
The Prosecutors
At first, it was hard for Jae Chan to blend in the team but eventually, you’d witness how his seniors pulled off an A+ team work to back-up their newbie.
Jae Chan is a bit slow for a prosecutor and they always have a difficult time mentoring Jae Chan. But it’s needless to emphasize how they value Jae Chan’s ability to pursue fairness and right judgement even if it takes him forever to do it.
Woo-Tak and his senior police officer
Who didn’t cry after watching this scene? We all know how they always got each other’s back!
The Dreamers
I guess one thing that I like when I watch KDRAMAS is their treatment to not always put a darker role on any couple’s third party. Filipino Dramas always do that and I am tired of it (sorry!). In KDRAMAS, we often root for the second guy lead; and writers redeem their second leads more often than not.
What I see in Woo Tak, Jae Chan and Hoo Jin is more than just the love triangle. I see the genuine friendship. Woo Tak is selfless but on the other hand he also benefited from Jae Chan and Hoo Jin. And how I love their breakfast session!
Choi-Chan Tandem
Let’s admit it. A perky and careless-looking prosecutor is what sums up the first impressions that the company has on Jae Chan. He’s always been perceived as a pain in the ass being young and a bit slow. Also thanks to Lee Yoo-Bum for his low-key brain-washing moves prior to Chan’s entrance to his former firm.
But no matter how careless and slow Jae Chan is, Mr Choi always saves the day. I don’t want to be a spoiler but their tandem is to watch for. :) Enjoy the ride.
There you have it. I hope I am convincing enough to prove that While You Were Sleeping is the best KDRAMA Series of 2017. See it to yourself. Full series is now available on Viu App.
Thank you!
Credits to all photos I used!
