Title: 최고의 사랑 Choegoui Sarang
English Title:
- Best Love
- Greatest Love
Language: Korean
Year: 2011
Episode: 16
Cast:
- 공효진 Gong Hyo Jin
- 차승원 Cha Seung Won
- 윤계상 Yoon Kye Sang
- 유인나 Yoo In Na
- 이희진 Lee Hee Jin
- 정준하 Jung Joon Ha
- 임지규 Im Ji Kyu
SYNOPSIS
Gu Ae Jung was the leader and the most popular member of the idol girl group National Treasure Girls. However, her popularity and image took a hit due to numerous scandals she was involved in. Ten years down the line, Ae Jung is struggling in the entertainment world as a D-list celebrity and she has to work hard in order to get air time in variety shows.
Ae Jung meets Dokko Jin, the most popular actor in South Korea. Although his image is a nice guy and he is well-loved by everyone, Jin is a pompous and selfish guy in real life. Jin is terribly concerned about his image and career so he is conflicted when he finds himself falling for Ae Jung's nice persona and charms.
REVIEW
Best Love is an interesting look behind the entertainment industry, from the hierarchies of power to the fickleness of popularity. Although it's probably the same in most industries, the impact of one's popularity in relation to work opportunities is more evident in the show business.
The drama also presents how the images and personalities of the popular celebrities are influenced by their management as well as the public's opinion and interpretation of certain events. It's a well-known adage that "things are not always what they seem" but people always tend to make snap judgement and generalizations.
It's sad that a good person like Gu Ae Jung has to contend with bad reputation because of unfortunate circumstances whereas a bad person like Dokko Jin is greatly admired for a good personality that he does not really possess. I was reminded through watching this drama to be careful in taking things at face value.
What I really like about the drama is how realistic everything is; from work issues to relationship issues to family issues. Some aspects are outrageous, to be sure, but the conflicts are more often than not grounded in reality.
When I heard the drama's plot, I initially thought that the setting is when the characters are in their early 20s and the characters would be played by actors who are also in their early 20s. Gong Hyo Jin and Cha Seung Won were both amazing in their roles but sometimes I can't help but think how the drama would be like if what I initially thought the drama's setting would be like is what really happened.
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최고의 사랑 Best Love
