I'm so excited! My first Vampire K-drama! -me during the first episode
And then slowly entering a pit of despair due to the hopelessness of this drama. Let me tell you why.
This drama is typical, predictable, and drags on.
For the first time, I actually prefer the female antagonistic side character, Jo Ah Ra (Gil Eun Hye), over our main girl, Baek Ma Ri (Seol Hyun). Which says a lot for me because I cannot withstand bullying of any type. However, Baek Ma Ri is typical and artificial, making it hard for me to relate to her in any way.
The character Jung Jae Min is an arrogant asshole so I applaud Yeo Jin Goo for his acting. Jae min makes it obvious that he hates Vampires, to the extent that the story had to shift back to JOSEON period for him to be convinced that he and Baek Ma Ri belong together.
(if y'all have to switch time periods just to validate you're relationship then thats a red flag)
Han Shi Hoo (Lee Jung Hyun), cool and indifferent, is one of the characters that seemed to shine in this drama. In fact, Han Shi Hoo reveals early on how suppressed his species is. Even with VCS operating in the background, Jae Min and most humans are too scared/closed-minded to actually get to know the Vampires. Realistic, but it makes me even more disappointed considering Jae Min's relationship with his step-dad. And I think if Jae Min had put a little effort, he would have had a better relationship with his mother, less prejudiced to Vampires, and probably wouldn't have to go back in time.
The irony is that I ONLY completed Orange Marmalade STRICTLY because I wanted to see how the drama would wrap up. Having introduced the characters' ancestors and their stories. Joseon Baek Ma Ri is portrayed to be too perfect but with decent fighting skills. The leader of the "bad" Vampires was defeated too easily, even after the "100 night" ritual thing that she performed.
This drama only gained potential when they took their band seriously. The idea of bringing two species together with music is the only thing that is NEW in this drama. Like if the plot had focused on the band and how their music was slowly changing the public opinion of Vampires (along with the high school romance and drama in the beginning), perhaps, Jae Min would have come to terms with his mother's remarriage and perhaps fallen in love with Baek Ma Ri without their ANCESTORS' HELP.
Unless you can point out something huge I missed that can defend this drama's high rating, I ain't watching it again.
Was this review helpful to you?