La Dolce Vita

From X's [2008 K-DRAMA] First Half Wrapup:


Five Best Dramas



달콤한 인생 (La Dolce Vita)
Produced by Samhwa Networks/MBC
Aired on MBC, Weekends - 24 Episodes
PD: Kim Jin-Min (Age of Heroes, Shin Don, Time Between Dog & Wolf)
WRITER: Jung Ha-Yeon (The Lost Empire, Shin Don)
CAST: Jung Bo-Seok, Oh Yeon-Su, Lee Dong-Wook, Park Si-Yeon, Jang Young Nam, Baek Il-Seop, Jo Kyung-Hwan, Jung Kyeo-Woon, Lee Il-Hwa, Jung Myung-Hwan, Kim Il-Woo

A successful and ruthless alpha male trying to find the youth he never experienced, while at the same time piecing together all the fragments that illusion he called life suddenly crashed; his objectified, neglected wife, on the verge of collapse, finding her identity the moment she decides to abandon everything she lived for the last ten years; a young man who spent his youth hating himself and everybody around him because of his dark past, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, perhaps the light before the end; an irresponsible gold digger, and all her existential problems, slowly turning her into a beautiful portrait of humanity. Not your average setup for the usual “adultery drama,” isn’t it? But a quick look at the team behind this show, and you’ll understand why.

So that don’t we spoil the upcoming review (the drama ends this weekend), let’s put it bluntly: La Dolce Vita is everything a TV Drama should be. Incredibly well shot, with the kind of atmosphere that wouldn’t feel out of place in an European art flick, mixed with strong film noir sensibilities; the predictably brilliant score by Hwang Sang-Joon, who not only is one of the two-three best composers in Korea, but also happens to be Hwang Jung-Min’s brother. Talented bloodline, folks; a perfect casting, highlighted by Jung Bo-Seok’s majestic performance, Oh Yeon-Su’s best acting of her career, and the shocking improvement of Lee Dong-Wook and particularly Park Si-Yeon; Jung Ha-Yeon’s novel-like, almost flawless script, mixing existentialism with moments of touching warmth, pungent self-criticism of his generation and an impressive rendition of the young’s inner demons and their darkness-drenched sorrow.

It’s a drama which predictably scored low in the ratings department, but will become a vivid memory for years to come, to those lucky (or smart) enough to see it. Jung Ha-Yeon said all he wants to do in these last few years of his phenomenal career is write whatever it pleases him, regardless of ratings and money. After these last few years’ spent writing gems like Shin Don, 명동백작 (The Count of Myeongdong), 지금도 마로니에는 (Still in Maronie) and La Dolce Vita, I sure hope he will. Until his 100s, his pale gray hair touching the floor. Write for us, Master.

credit: twitchfilm