Mary
Stayed Out All Night (2010)
Grade:
C
16 Episodes
Wi Mary is busy evading debt collectors
and hiding the spare few items she can at a neighbor's house, all
because of her father's failed business ventures. She had to take
time off from school to try and earn more money, but without a
college degree and loan sharks chasing them down in the streets,
there is not much hope for stability for Mary and her father. Their luck changes, however,
when Mary's father runs into an old friend – a friend with deep
pockets and a handsome son. The fathers then decide to arrange a
marriage between their two children, and Mary must think quickly to
avoid marrying the eligible owner of an up-and-coming drama
production company, Byun Jung-in. She somehow convinces the indie
rock band guitarist Kang Mu-gyul, whom she had accidentally hit with
a car the night before, to pose as her husband in a fake photo shoot.
What happens when Jung-in's father threatens to pull out all his
investments if Jung-in does not go through with the arranged
marriage? Will My-gyul continue to pose as Mary's husband to deter
the fathers' efforts? Who will Mary choose in the end once feelings
among the three start coming into play?
*I once wondered what would happen in
a drama when it's not clear who is the lead and who is the second
male lead; now I know the ambiguity makes for terrible writing. Mary
ends up kissing both men, and then it turns out she actually has a
history with the second male lead, as revealed in a flashback about
their childhood – usually that is reserved for the relationship
between the girl and the lead, not the second male lead. I have never
had “second male lead syndrome” before, but this is one drama
(spoiler alert) where it made NO SENSE for her to choose the
musician. Mu-gyul never changed. He was still rude, he was still
self-centered and moody all the time, purposely misunderstanding
situations to make Mary feel bad, unable to provide for her, and just
wasn't there for her. Jung-in, on the other hand, time and again
proved himself a self-sacrificing man of action and extremely
conscientious of her needs (while also being handsome and charming),
saving her from physical harm as well as social embarrassment, yet
she chose the guy who treated her like crap.
I was so sick of Mary
and Mu-gyul's self-centered “love” that kept hurting everyone
around them – a relationship that did not make either one of them
better people and had them resorting to childish antics like hiding
in a dumpster to avoid Mary's dad. Sometimes kdramas can have funny
moments like that, but between these two it just came off as immature
and selfish. Yes, Mu-gyul needed the stability Mary's affections
provided, but being with Mu-gyul did not make HER a better person. He
couldn't even keep her happy – they break up 12 times in the
following year (as revealed in the last few minutes of the show),
proving they are not good for each other. Mary's character also had
that annoying meek, mousy personality that I just don't appreciate.
And even if it was an arranged marriage, Mary would have grown to
love Jung-in, there is no doubt in my mind. She would have always
been taken care of, with no fear of emotional strife with a gentle,
loving partner. GAH! She chose the bard instead of the prince! Even
the soundtrack was annoying after the first few episodes. I don't
recommend this drama.*
Shohei
Sugiyama works as an accountant, with a devoted wife and daughter
waiting for him at home every night. Despite owning a home and his
external show of success, he is depressed. One night, on the train
home from work, he notices a woman staring wistfully out a window of
a local dance studio. Overcome with curiosity and a longing for
something more in his life, Sugiyama visits the dance hall and signs
up for group dance lessons. Will he be able to keep his double life a
secret from his wife and coworkers, or will he give up dancing in the
end?
