Korea's Top Drama Spring Waltz [봄의 왈츠]

Pronounced:
bom-eh-wal-cheu
Starring:
Seo Do-Young, Han Hyo-Joo, Daniel Henney, Lee So-Yeon, Choi Shi-Won
Directed by:
Yoon Seok-Ho (Autumn Tale, Winter Sonata, Summer Scent, Invitation)
Produced by:
Moon Bo-Hyeon
Written by:
Kim Ji-Yeon and Hwang Da-Eun
Dates Airing:
March 6, 2006 - May 16, 2006
Time Airing:
Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:55 PM (Korea)
Episodes:
20 (scheduled)
Genre:
Romance
Official Website:
[Korean]
Related links:
Soompi Forum Link (discussion, images, links, etc)

Synopsis

In this final instalment of Yoon Seok-Ho's season dramas, the story takes us to Austria, where an accomplished young pianist Yoon Jae-Ha (Seo Do-Young), also known as 'Chris Y', meets an aspiring designer Park Eun-Young (Han Hyo-Joo) on a train ride.

Even though Jae-Ha is reluctant to befriend her, the fresh and innocent look of Eun-Young reminds him of his childhood love. The two meet again later, but this time, Eun-Young is the love interest of Jae-Ha's best friend and manager Philip (Daniel Henney). Though Jae-Ha and Eun-Young continue to run into each other, almost always in an unpleasant way, Jae-Ha is falling for the woman who reminds him of that heart-wrenching childhood love of his.

Just as Philip seems to be near Eun-Young all the time, Jae-Ha has Song Ee-Na (Lee So-Yeon) by his side. Ee-na claims Jae-Ha proposed to her while they were both kids, but the truth is, Jae-Ha has no memory of such an event since he's not always been the Jae-Ha that the world now knows...

Review

Like the rest of the 'season' dramas, Spring Waltz is visually stunning. The drama is presented like a color-rich storyboard with perfect music to accompany each scene. Director Yoon once again brings forth a fairytale to life, but unfortunately, the storyline needs more work.

Nonetheless the main leads are perfectly cast. Seo Do-Young's deep, sad eyes convey the sorrow of Jae-Ha without any words necessary. Lead actress Han Hyo-Joo's fresh, girly appearance also seems a perfect fit. The weaker links are the two supporting actors. Daniel Henney, who despite being one of the most handsome men in the Korean entertainment scene, is really quite distracting. His constant use of English, then German, then some random Korean phrases here and there, as well as his overuse of hand gestures and that very adorable-but-not-always-appropriate smile break the continuity of the story. Lee So-Yeon is actually a pretty good actress, as seen in her previous works, but the problem with her here is that her character is not very well defined. She just seems like the typical third wheel with a jealous heart and the potential to turn evil when desperate. One would think a character with her level of education and status would have a little more depth than the emotional infant she is.

To make the drama worse, Han's fresh appearance soon loses its appeal when her acting shortcomings become apparent. Eun-Young's reaction to almost everything is that same 'dazed and dumb-founded' look that Han is fond of sporting. It doesn't make her any less attractive, but her character soon becomes rather boring and frustrating to follow. This story is enchanting and beautiful despite the flaws, but the shallow script, combined with the inexperience of the cast, make it difficult to continue watching the drama after about episode 8. I was quite disappointed with Yoon's finale to the season dramas.
Rating:
8















Details

* Title: 봄의 왈츠 / Bom-ui Wal-cheu
* English title: Spring Waltz / Endless Love 4
* Genre: Romance
* Episodes: 20
* Broadcast network: KBS2
* Broadcast period: 2006-Mar-06 to 2006-May-16
* Air time: Monday & Tuesday 21:55
* Theme Song: One Love by Loveholic

Synopsis

Will the tragedy of spring be repeated years later?

To escape debt, Lee Su-ho’s father escaped to a remote island where his friend has a young daughter Eun-Young, who is the same age as Su-ho. After being abandoned by his father, Su-ho sought to leave, but his mind changed after being touched by Eun-Young’s pure heart. A series of unfortunate events ensue, and Su-ho disappears, while Eun-Young is sick in the hospital.

Years later, while traveling in Germany, Eun-Young meets the talented pianist Chae-ha, a man with a cold exterior with a few words, who bores a resemblance to Su-ho. As their love start to develop, truth unfolds… Can their love endure the harsh spring tragedy many years ago?

Cast

* Seo Do Young 서도영 as Yoon Jae-ha 윤재하
* Han Hyo Joo 한효주 as Park Eun-young 박은영
* Daniel Henney as Phillip 필립
* Lee So Yeon 이소연 as Song Yi-na 송이나


Supporting Cast

* Choi Ja Hye as Eun-Young's Best Friend
* Kim Hae Sook as Eun-Young's adoptive mom, also her aunt
* Choi Si Won as Eun-Young's brother, also her cousin
* Eun Won Jae as young Jae-Ha
* Han So Hee as young Eun-Young
* Yoon Yoo Sun as Eun- Young's birth mother


Production Credits

* Executive Producer: Kim, Jong Sik
* Chief Producer: Moon, Bo Hyun
* Producer: Lee, Jae Sang
* Executive Producer: Park, In Taek
* Director: Yoon Suk Ho
* Scriptwriter: Kim, Ji Eun, Hwang, Daun, Ha, Mi Sun