First Look: Warrior Baek Dong Soo

Warrior Baek Dong Soo may seem like your typical historical drama but throw a killer star, a warrior camp and an assassin group into the mix and it becomes an action-packed affair for the martial arts enthusiast.

Episode 1 begins with a narration of events, starting with Crown Prince Sado’s (Oh Man Suk) valiant display of defiance against his enemies. The act though emboldened led to grave repercussions such that Sado’s subordinate, Baek Sa King faces the death penalty along with three generations of his family.

On an open field somewhere in the distance, Sword Saint Kim Gwang Taek (Jun Gwang Ryul) is intercepted by a grungy swordsman named Chun (Choi Min Soo). The two exchange banter like old friends until they engage in combat with a mastery of skill that definitely counts as badass. The fight ends in a standoff but not before Chun declares that this time around, he wins.

As it turns out, it was because Gwang Taek was rushing to save Baek Sa King. However, Noron leader Hong Dae Joo warns that doing so will place a target on Sado’s back instead because either way, they will have blood. 

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Baek chooses to sacrifice himself and leaves his wife and unborn child under the care of Kim Gwang Taek but alas, it seems as though the odds are against them.

First Impressions: I came here because of Jackpot and it is proving to be well worth the effort. Although Warrior Baek Dong Soo has a flair for tragedy and gore, the story is fleshed out in a manner that is thoroughly engaging. 

Within the first episode alone, I wanted more. I yearned to see the unborn child turn into the man who will right all the wrongs and I wanted the underdogs to win.

As an avid wuxia fan, I appreciated the k-style sword fighting and relished the cheesiness of it all, from Sky Lord and Earth Lord to the quintessential background music that completes the mood.

It is a heroic journey in the making and no matter how dire the circumstance or how unfair the injustice, Gwang Taek and his band of friends stand strong. I wouldn’t mind more of that especially if it means more of his swaggering nemesis Choi Min Soo and his own band of assassins. 

Last but not the least, episode 2 introduces a teenage Baek Dong Soo (Yeo Jin Goo) and Yeo Un (Park Gun Tae) to kickstart the coming-of-age story of Warrior Baek Dong Soo.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see popular historical kdramas.

First Look: The Royal Gambler (Jackpot)

Not to glorify the trade but gambling as a sub-genre in film has always been a personal favorite of mine, exuding a distinct flair that can make the simple shuffling of cards hypnotic. 

The Royal Gambler 대박 combines varied themes together with gambling, a battle for the throne and a hero with abandonment issues tightly written into a story set in historical Joseon. Yes, I am all in, pun intended.

Episode 1 begins with a preview of Lee In Jwa's (Jun Kwang Ryul) revolt in 1728, then a flashback to the man who wanted to stop it from happening. Baek Dae Gil (Jang Geun Suk) and his teacher, Lee In Jwa, play a round of chess metaphoric of their respective stances on the nation. Lee In Jwa is willing and able to sacrifice every man for the throne while Baek Dae Gil values the people above all else.

Their dialogue escalates to an outright challenge by Dae Gil daring Lee In Jwa to slay him, if he can. Their guards engage in a three-way sword fight, ultimately ending in a standoff. 

What a tease because we rewind to another time in 1693 where Lee In Jwa arranges for the low-born wife of a destitute noble to win the heart of a king.

First Impressions: The action sequences have swag, akin to a choreographed dance accompanied by a musical score to complete the mood. Neither Dae Gil nor Lee In Jwa batted an eyelash throughout the fight, which made for a very cool scene that can be admittedly cheesy, yet I thrive for moments like these

Sad as I may, the main cast had to be pushed aside to properly explain the reason behind an abandoned prince. We are introduced to this drama's version of Dong Yi's love story with King Sukjong and the veterans' acting prowess do not disappoint. 

Having seen Jun Kwang Ryul in other dramas (most recently Son's War), I expected as much but I actually failed to recognize the actor playing the king. It took a quick googling to find that the he is none other than Choi Min Soo from 1995 hit k-drama Sandglass. No wonder I hear good things about Choi Min Soo because he is intense.

Choi Min Soo as King Sukjong brings forth such a commanding presence that I had to take notice. He is kingly, no doubt about that, but tinged with an erratically sinister aura fit for a man who has the world at his feet.

Frankly, I don't buy the setup revolving around Lee In Jwa's masterplan to puppeteer King Sukjong into falling for Bok Soon (Yoon Jin Seo), which was overly presumptuous. "On the third breath, his soul will be yours," what? how? why? Nevertheless, the story must go on and I'm looking forward to the main cast's appearance in next week's episode. Watch on Viki.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 kdrama listing.

The Royal Gambler (Jackpot)

I am counting down to the series premiere of Jackpot 대박 next Monday March 28. Jang Geun Suk headlines in his first lead role in a Korean historical drama. I am neither a diehard fan nor an anti so I'm admittedly just really excited because of the plot. Besides, fan or not, I recognize an undeniably delectable cast when I see one, which is always a plus.

Jackpot is touted as the successor to All In, period drama style. Dae Gil (Jang Geun Suk) is a commoner who shares the same bloodline as the prince (Yeo Jin Goo) but his wretched fate relegates him to life as a gambler.

While I usually watch historical c-dramas for the martial arts, k-dramas tend to have a different appeal with an illegitimate son, cursed birth, abandoned prince or all of the above at its disposal guaranteeing a gut-wrenching story that frankly makes a highly-addictive watch.

Dae Gil is one man fighting against a giant and it is those miserable odds that allow the viewers to sympathize and empathize with the tragic hero's journey to overcome destiny. The problem is that Yeo Jin Goo's character is the future king of Joseon, which does not bode well for Jang Geun Suk. Watch on Viki.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 kdrama listing.

Source: Chosun, Chosun2, Stoo