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[HanCinema's Drama Preview] "A Korean Odyssey"

An umbrella wielding Oh Yeon-seo is here to lead her group of merry deities to an adventure in the latest work by Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran. "A Korean Odyssey" promises supernatural shenanigans, clashing forces and romance this December. Are the Hongs back? Really back? I sure hope so.

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Premise

Jin Seon-mi (Oh Yeon-seo) is a real estate agent with the power to see and defeat monsters. She is joined by Son Oh-gong (Lee Seung-gi), the Monkey King whose abilities can be unlocked by Seon-mi, and Woo Hwi-cheol (Cha Seung-won), the Bull Demon King, as well as others in her adventures with the supernatural. The series is based on Chinese novel "Journey to the West".

The Worrying

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Three is a Crowd

Dramas by the Hong sisters tend to focus a lot on the leads and this can sometimes have a bad impact on supporting roles. "A Korean Odyssey" (also known as "Hwayugi") has a colorful cast of characters and so I hope that the writers mind its worldbuilding. The writers can rock a supporting cast when they give it love and care.

Trademark Hong Inconsistency

The Hong sisters have had their ups and downs, but those tend to be major. It is difficult to look at works such as "Big" or "Warm and Cozy" with anything but disappointment, yet the writers do great when they find their groove. Will this be another mess or are they inspired this time around?

The Reassuring

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Ghoulies and Beasties

Dramaland has its share of supernatural beings, but with the focus in most shows featuring them being crime or romance, they usually amount to little more than a gimmick. The Hong sisters are romance-focused, but they also have fun with their featured twists. The series might be a fun romantic adventure about supernatural misfits.

Cast and Promos

The show's main and supporting cast is as diverse as its characters and everything released so far looks exciting, whimsical and fun. Unless a stereotypical OTP takes over every other aspect, there is a lot to be enjoyed in a fantasy world and it can support a good romance as well.

Closing Thoughts

Having watched almost all of the workd by Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran has left me with mixed feelings. The writers are very good at certain things and their style makes their works very much theirs, but they also have some major flaws. Going into "A Korean Odyssey" is not an easy decision after many a disappointment, but one cannot deny their appeal and potential.

"A Korean Odyssey" begins its run on December 23rd and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 KST, on tvN. It is directed by Park Hong-gyoon, written by Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran and features Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yeon-seo, Jang Gwang and Lee Hong-ki.

 

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Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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