Jealousy Incarnate/ Don't Dare to Dream (2016)
Grade:
A-
24 Episodes, 60 minutes each
Viewing
Platform: Dramafever
Weather girl Pyo Na Ri is an aspiring
news anchor at a large television station. She is also recovering
from a 3 year crush on the athletic and charming yet arrogant news
anchor, Lee Hwa Shin, who has been on assignment in Thailand as a
news correspondent for the past while. Hwa Shin had exposed his
older brother's meat company for false advertising and selling lower
quality products, creating a rift in their family. Na Ri is excited
to go to Thailand to earn a few extra bucks on a short work
assignment, even though it means interacting with the object of her
one-sided love. She does run into a handsome, kind young man on the
plane ride over, Go Jung-won – who just so happens to be Hwa Shin's
rich best friend. While in Thailand, Na Ri accidentally feels Hwa
Shin's chest and notices a lump – her mother had died from breast
cancer, and while Hwa Shin is a man, Na Ri can't shake the feeling
that Hwa Shin's health could be at risk. What happens when Na Ri's
suspicions are proved correct? Will Hwa Shin be grateful for her
help, or continue to reject her? How will Na Ri feel when she
realizes Jung-won is interested in her?
*This
drama is an interesting cross between a soap opera and a romantic
comedy. The first few episodes are very confusing, as coworkers and
ex-wives, uncles, step-moms and grandmothers are all introduced and
eventually connected. However, the large cast lent itself well to
having so many episodes and helped keep the plot interesting. The
caricature-like characters were quite entertaining as well – loud
and funny yet mostly relatable. Lee Hwa-shin was my favorite
character because of the struggles he encounters and growth that
happens. Everyone else was not nearly as entertaining, or pitiable,
or dynamic. And as always, Gong Hyo-jin's clothes (Pyo Na Ri) are
extremely distracting/ugly. She is a good actress, though, and a good
foil for Jo Jung-suk. Loved the chemistry, the music wasn't my
favorite, but the pacing was excellent for such a LONG drama, and I
liked the ending. I also liked how the writers kept coming back to
and using the jealousy theme; repetition in art brings balance, and
it all worked very well. I'd watch this drama again.*
