(Jeju for ‘Thank You for Your Hard Work) . It is a South Korean romance slice of life TV series. Written by Lim Sang choon. Directed by Kim Won seok. Starring IU, Park Bo gum, Moon So ri & Park Hae joon.
Beginning in Jeju in 1951, the spirited Ae -sun & the steadfast Gwan -sik’s island story blossoms into a lifelong tale of setbacks & triumphs-proving love endures across time.
A domestic & international hit, it received praise for it’s performances, screenplay & direction. It has been favourably compared to the acclaimed period drama ‘Reply 1988’ (2015-16), also starring Park Bo-gum, for eliciting nostalgia & warmth rooted in the Korean experience.
Right from the first frame one is aware of the story. Well researched, executed . As ‘Reply 1988’ remains in our memories forever, this is another one well crafted. Along with the leads so many actors make an appearance, it’s delightful.
I started with ‘When the Camelia blooms’ then went on to ‘When the phone rings’ & ‘When the Stars Gossip’. I find the start, ‘When…’ quite interesting! Each had a different genre. Maybe ‘Camelia & Phone rings ‘were thrillers but with a different angle.
Again so many dramas are shot on Jeju, the latest being ‘Welcome to Sam dal-ri’ the girl there also aspired for a ‘Seoul boy” & a life on the mainland. There she escapes alone, here, both run to Busan.
IU at her best & Bo gum, ‘the Steel man’ who never goes wrong. I admire how he can look good as the Go player ,Taek, in ‘Reply 1988’, again a struggling actor in ‘Record of Youth’ & coming back from his military training, in ‘When life gives you Tangerines’ he supports & is beside her, always.
IU isa singer-songwriter & actress. She works & moves in both the fields effortlessly. She is at her best with the ‘spirited girl image’ here. Refusing to be a part of ‘Queen of Tears’ she made a good choice in selecting this role.
After just two episodes I am hooked.
Asian Entertainment 