K-Drama: Crash Landing on You — A Forbidden Romance (Analysis)
Brisk Review:
A gripping drama following a forbidden romance between South Korean CEO Yoon Seri and North Korean soldier Ri Jeong Hyeok. The two characters run into continuous obstacles in all aspects of their life, romance, and all. I found myself on the edge of my seat, striving for these two to achieve success. While the drama was oozing with romance and drama, comedic elements were fed into the show flawlessly through the hilarious team of Ri Jeong Hyeok’s sub-coordinates and the families of the military camp whom we all get to know so well. If you love pure romance, this is a drama not to be missed!
The Breakdown
Visual and Audio
Something I enjoyed the most when watching Crash Landing on You was the visual and audio elements of the show. Cinematography (the way in which the show was shot, e.g camera angles) and editing played a huge part in conveying different emotions to the viewer. Each episode was almost the length of a film, and the aesthetics felt like I was watching a film as well.
For example, going back to the first episode. The show opens with establishing shots, beautiful landscapes of North and South Korea, this works nicely because it is already showcasing the juxtapositions of each character. From this we already know there is going to be a cross over and some way these two locations will collide.
The editing was extremely clear, which was useful for the plot as there are constant switches between past and present in the show. It never felt confusing, and this was done by making big aesthetical changes between location. As an audience, we know exactly when we are in Seoul, and when we are in Switzerland. Of course, they are different countries so architecturally do not look the same. However, the editor has made it very clear for the audience to be able to know where we are at any given time. For example, when the characters are in Switzerland, the colouring of the shots are different, and over-saturated, shots are more likely to be in slow motion and the tempo of the music changes.
The way audio plays into the show works nicely. Especially how Jeong Hyeok’s piano piece was incorporated into the story, used both in diegetic and non-diegetic ways. The song became a character of its own and was like a leitmotif (leitmotif is a piece of music that is usually that is associated with a character, the viewer could guess that something may happen, or know the character will appear soon in the film/show) — this is how I felt about Jeong Hyeok’s piece, it gave me the impression it was there to serve nostalgia not only for the characters, but for the audience also, as it symbolises a time in both the characters’ lives.
Characters and Storyline
The show did a great job of introducing Yoon Seri, our protagonist of the show. A strong, powerful CEO who exists within a dysfunctional family. Seri has two incompetent brothers, Yoon Se-hyung and Yoon Se-joo, and their wives who clearly do not have much interest in Seri until when when it concerns their bank accounts. However, Se-hyung and his wife Ji-min do become one of the two antagonists in the show as they conspire to try and keep her in North Korea, at any cost. Meanwhile Se-joo and his wife Hye-ji are mainly placed within the show for comedic affect which is entertaining to watch.
Introduction to Jeong Hyeok executed well, we are shown a good leader who is well respected and takes initiative. Jeong Hyeok has charming qualities, he has a silly/childish trait that are endearing. He displays affection quickly and tends to Seri’s needs. Meanwhile Seri displays her ignorance — especially at the beginning of the show when getting used to North Korean life.
Se-ri
I like Seri, I think she is a charming, quick-witted character that manages to be strong in a stressful situation. In the first of this show at least… I was disappointed in her character in the second half, when she became the damsel in distress. This is when the storyline took a U-turn and become more so about Jeong-Hyeok. There is nothing wrong wanted to flesh out Jeong-Hyeok’s narrative because he is a main character, however he is not the protagonist. There is no denying their character’s displayed great chemistry and I was routing for them the whole time. However, near the end of the show I lost my interest in Seri, her narrative perspective was lost because technically she was not doing anything. She had no internal battles. She has this whole side plot of her relationship with her mother and I needed more from it. Instead I was shown the same scenes from Switzerland multiple times when Seri insults Seo-Dan by saying “he can do better” I don’t think the hate between them was necessary, you cannot like someone but why do you have to go for some other woman’s looks? Seri knows the struggles of being a woman CEO but cannot treat another woman with respect, its a male epitome of a female CEO and that is not what I wanted to see from her.
Jeong-Hyeok
I was sad to see Jeong Hyeok not evolving as much as Seri does. We are provided with a strong back story for his character however in the present he lacked emotional development. It was clear he fell in love with Seri but there was not much more than that. It could possibly be because Seri is the protagonist. However, I think it is due to an old trope in that occurs romantic comedies. The love from the man changes the cold independent, woman who struggled with a lack of successful relationships. This is coming from someone who loves romantic comedies, but too me, a romance is about giving and taking for each other. He became her saviour; I think the trope is a little dated and we need to be a bit for progressive. I did not like Jeong Hyeoks inconsideration to Dan and he never fully opened to his abandonment of her. He was not perfect, and his character is extremely surface level.
A bit of confusion occurred when watching the show. When Jeong-Hyeok’s brother before he is killed speaks about his recital and getting a standing ovation but then Jeong-Hyeok finds out about his brother’s death after his performance so the time frame is not being communicated well, whether that be by the writer or the editor.
Seo-Dan and Seung-Jun
I desperately wanted to see more of Seo-Dan! She is an unconventional character as well as smart, talented and stubborn. She ended up in the right place, as a lone independent woman who lives her life as she wants. She was dragged along by Jeong-Hyeok for so long, it was nice to see her not in the arms of another man. However, her plot did consist of a blossoming romance between her and Seung-Jun. Seung-Jun was hiding in North Korea after stealing money from Seri’s brother, and there was a moment in the show where it seemed as though Seung-Jun was depicted as the antagonist, but this only lasted for an episode and I felt a sign of relief. Seo-Dan’s and Seung-Jun’s story although ended with heartache, was overall a light-hearted good feeling romance. It was a nice contrast because at this point in the story Seri and Jeon-Hyeok’s storyline was getting serious.
Another element of the show I enjoyed was its comedic flares that were given to us by the “comedy-team”, North Korean military men, Pyo Chi-Su, Kim Ju-Muk, Park Kwang-Beom and Geum Eun-Dong. Watching their adventure in Seoul, along with Jeong Man-Bok provided some top moments for the show. Such as them trying to blend in, Pyo Chi-Su’s constant over-reactions to South Korean culture, it was extremely entertaining to watch. Again, it provided some balance away from the serious plot line that happens in the show.
So, would I recommend Crash Landing on You? 100% yes. If you love romance, this is the show for you. You would not be disappointed.
