The Hong Sisters strike again with a quirky fantasy-style romantic comedy.

 

 

 

 

Storyline/Synopsis: My Rating 7/10

The Master’s Sun was one of the new ‘Ghost Dramas’ of the season. Tae Gong-sil suffers an accident and is left with the unwanted ability to see ghosts. Alone, and suffering from insomnia (those pesky specters just won’t leave her be!), she finds solace in an unlikely source: the loveless, money-grubbing Joo Joong-won, CEO of  a large company. For reasons unknown, his touch can dispel the ghosts that frighten the timid Tae Gong-sil. Once she discovers his unique gift, she doesn’t want to let him go. Joong-won, however, is not so happy about the company of a crazy-looking young woman, until he comes to believe in her gift, and finds that she might be useful.   Script/Acting: My Rating 8/10 Definitely less serious than Who Are You, the other ghost drama, The Master’s Sun was quirky and fun. Following the ‘new style’, early episodes stood out as mini stories, based on the problems caused by the ghosts following Tae Gong-sil around like stray cats. She reluctantly, but patiently solves the problems, and in doing so, helps develop the characters around her as well as the main plot line.  CEO Joo Joong-won has ghosts of his own: a heinous kidnapping incident when he was younger left his girlfriend dead, right before his eyes. Because of the torture he endured during the experience, he was left unable to read. But things were not all they seem… Gong Hyo-jin (Flower Boy Ramen Shop, Pasta) was Tae Gong-shil. She was amusingly convincing as a sleep-deprived, gloomy young woman who was once considered to be someone with a bright future. In fact, her nickname “Big Sun”, came not only from her name, (태양 = sun in Korean), but her sunny personality. Her comical fixation and lack of modesty when it came to interactions with Joong-won was deliciously refreshing. Joo Joong-won was portrayed as an emotionally stunted, no-nonsense businessman by So Ji-sub (What Happened in Bali; I’m Sorry, I Love You). His fascinatingly deadpan presentation style was effective. His offhand “Get lost” (thematic throughout the series) combined with an arrogant hand-flip became iconic. The chemistry between the two was interesting, but not ideal. While the two actors played off each other well, romantically, they seemed mismatched.   Seo In-guk (Love Rain, Reply 1997) returned to the screen as Kang Woo, security guard chief with a mysterious agenda. Easily one of the best characters of the drama, Kang Woo was complex character whose agenda kept the viewers guessing. His one-sided love for Tae Gong-sil was more credible than Joong-won – Tae Gong-sil pairing. His interactions with Kim Yoo-ri (Cheongdam-dong Alice, Coffee House) were one of the highlights of the drama. Kim Yoo-ri played “Little Sun” to Tae Gong-sil’s “Big Sun”. Portraying ‘top star’ Tae Yi-ryung, her character was comically jealous of the earlier version of Tae Gong-sil and reveled in Tae Gong-sil’s decline from glory. Her mission is life was to make Tae Gong-sil miserable for past percieved injustices, but she ended up falling in love with Kang Woo, instead. Choi Jung-woo put in an exemplary performance as Joong-won’s secretary Kim Gui-do. As an avid supporter of the relationship between Tae Gong-sil and Joong-won, he fills in as a father-figure to the cold man for whom he works.     Cinematography: My Rating 7/10 Fun and interesting special effects were visually stimulating. The ghosts ‘morphed’ from frightening, evil characters to somewhat-less-frightening and sometimes pathetic ghouls, looking for assistance. Great use of lighting throughout added to the drama without being overwhelming.   Music: My Rating 8/10 A far more ambitious and extensive track list is available for “The Master’s Sun” than for most dramas (including instrumentals). A wonderful ballad: “Day and Night” Gummy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqnGBWAW7wQ Tied for best song of the drama?: “You and I” Hong Dae-Kwang http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djTs2oIssUg “Driving Me Crazy” Hyo Rin (Sistar)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-WlBVRrkJU Best song of the drama?: “TouchLove” T Yoon Mi-rae http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5DiFqiOGJg The rock song of the drama: “Mystery” Jung Dong-Ha (Boohwal) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYLY7sgSXIQ Love this, too: “All About” Melody Day  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOwXuU949_8 “No Matter What” Seo In-guk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tDKyIn8LhA “Last One” Yoo Mi feat. Joo Suk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgvn9fW-kFM (Instrumental) “Joogoon’s Song” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2yg-fQ_iQ (Instrumental) “Good Morning, Mrs. Sun” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc38PCOEUkw (Instrumental) –excellent guitar riffs – “Who Are You?” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeG1ZPFJi3I (Instrumental) “Out of the Ghost” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FydUukYp2uA (Instrumental) “Ghost Eyes” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz0Xm8K1TCw (Instrumental) “This Is Me” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-5nMCVZ2As

Fun, fun fun!!!: (Instrumental) “Enjoy the Party” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5rasv5yz8g

Pretty piano piece: (Instrumental) “In Memories” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B9JXYg20ck (Instrumental) “Tears in Rain” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPgMF2eJwEQ Instrumental version of “Touch Love”: (Instrumental) “Candy Love” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCzMcMJY25c (Instrumental) “Love Connection” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFu96TL6nYA (Instrumental) “Ghost Tango” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YT1mXLV7iM (Instrumental) “Empty Garden” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9EjO6-GaVI (Instrumental) “Keep Out” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIKsgkhtT0k Halloween music??? (Instrumental) “Dangerous Zone” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjNF2gum1zI (Instrumental) “Painful Memory” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B9JXYg20ck (Instrumental) “Ghost Presents” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB8PZGf39to (Instrumental) “Love is like a picture” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HODM9TvCbsA (Instrumental) “Feather Kiss” Oh Joon-sung Sweetest of sweet melodies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_pCoW3f74&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU (Instrumental) “White Flower” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWA_QAKDvck&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU (Instrumental) “Ghost World” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEEsKQrdags (Instrumental) “Foolish Spy” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFtN9W1xv7c&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU (Instrumental) “Sad Wave” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1noGDmwDiQ (Instrumental) “Water in the Sky” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_73uPq8iBQ&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU Silliness at it’s best: (Instrumental) “Like a Mosquito” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRR0ZbyYlwQ&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU (Instrumental) “Making Shadow” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0pE_Rg8Flk&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU (Instrumental) “High Jump” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RGcFsPk-Aw&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU “Lake Wave” Oh Joon-sung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J147aeXPqeg&list=PLWtMrZbBUq2o8jKOhs_4AiOq4XJVwtyZU   Overall Charisma: My Rating 7/10 The Master’s Sun was yet another drama that ended leaving me wondering ‘what the heck happened?’ The drama was progressing nicely and then, like a crash-landing, everything was rolled up, the lights were turned off, and everyone went home. Perhaps it was meant to be an enigmatic ending, but several loose ends were dropped leaving the viewer with a less than satisfactory conclusion to the series. Aside from the weak ending, The Master’s Sun was one of the dramas that held my interest throughout. I eagerly awaited new episodes and ran to my computer as soon as they became available. So Ji-sub and Seo In-guk? How could it not be pleasant viewing? 😉

Happy Drama Watching!