Korean Drama "Big(aired 2012)" Review: When Youth Meets Adult

 Are you a fan of Korean dramas? Have you watched "Big," a romantic fantasy drama that aired in 2012? If you haven't, then you're missing out on a unique storyline. This Drama combines youth and adult themes in a refreshing way. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at "Big" and discuss its pros and cons. Whether you're already a fan or just curious about the drama, read on to find out more!


Synopsis

The plot summary looks like this. Da Ran (Lee Min Jung) is engaged to Dr. Seo Yoon Jae (Gong Yoo), a brilliant man with whom she has been in a long-term relationship. Da Ran starts working as a temporary teacher at a school and by chance meets a transfer student from the USA named Kang Kyung Joon (Shin Won Ho). Through a series of coincidences, they become acquainted with each other.

As Yoon Jae begins to act coldly towards Da Ran, Kyung Joon realizes the extent of her suffering and decides to help her repair her relationship with Yoon Jae. However, a car accident involving both Yoon Jae and Kyung Joon results in both men falling into the river. In a valiant effort to save Kyung Joon, Yoon Jae sacrifices himself and ends up in a coma, while Kyung Joon wakes up in Yoon Jae's body.

Kyung Joon struggles to act like Yoon Jae and not himself, while Da Ran grapples with the challenge of recognizing Kyung Joon in Yoon Jae's body. The only person Kyung Joon can confide in is Da Ran, but revealing his true identity could have far-reaching consequences.


Main Cast

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  • Gong Yoo as Seo Yoon-jae
  • Lee Min-jung as Gil Da-ran
  • Suzy as Jang Mari
  • Shin Won-ho as Kang Kyung-joon

Gong Yoo, who plays the lead role of Seo Yoon Jae and the 18-year-old high school student Kang Kyung Joon in "Big," is one of the most well-known actors in the Korean entertainment industry. He first rose to fame with his breakthrough role in the hit drama "Coffee Prince" and has since become a household name in Korean and beyond. He has received numerous awards for his performances, including the Best Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in the film "Train to Busan."

Lee Min Jung debuted as an actress in 2005 in the drama "Love Sympathy". Her breakthrough role came in 2009 when she played the leading role in the drama "Boys Over Flowers", which was a huge commercial success. Since then, she has appeared in many popular dramas, including "Midas", " Cunning Single Lady". Her acting skills and charming personality have earned her numerous awards and nominations, making her one of the most sought-after actresses in the Korean entertainment industry. She is also a loving wife and mother who she welcomed with her husband, actor Lee Byung Hun, in 2015.


Soundtrack

The original soundtrack (OST) of "Big" features a diverse range of artists and genres that add to the drama's emotional depth. The OST includes tracks from K-pop groups such as Davichi, and Noel, as well as solo artists like Huh Gak. And the cast of the drama, Suzy and Gong yoo, also participated in the OST.

One of the most memorable tracks from the OST are "Because It's You" by Davichi and "one person" by Huh Gak, which is played during many of the drama's pivotal romantic moments. The emotional ballad perfectly captures the heart-wrenching feelings of love and loss that the characters experience throughout the show.




Ratings and reviews

While the show was initially praised for its unique plot and acting talent, as the story progressed, Many reviewers criticized the plot as too complicated and the characters' actions didn't make sense anymore. Currently, "big" has an average rating of 3.2 on the Korean rating site WATCHA. 

"Big" still managed to achieve respectable ratings, with an average viewership of around 7-10% during its airing period. However, it was a low figure considering the excellent cast and the writers' past successes. Fans jokingly said that Gong Yoo would no longer do romantic comedies because of this film. (He returned to romantic comedies after a four-year hiatus in 2016 with "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.")



Interesting Facts

  • "Big" was written in real time during production, which many believe compromised the Completeness of the script. 
  • The show's writer, Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, are also known for her work on popular Korean dramas such as "My Girl" and "You're Beautiful." 
  • Shin Won-ho, played by Kang Kyung-joon, was lying in the hospital from the second to the last episode, which made many fans feel sorry for him.
  • The writer revealed that the drama was inspired by the Hollywood movie "BIG". 


Overall, "Big" is a unique and entertaining drama that combines elements of fantasy, romance, and comedy. While it may not be perfect, the strong performances from the main cast and the memorable plotline make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre. Give it a chance, and you might just fall in love with this charming show.