Dalja's Spring

I took a break from Korean drama for like 3 months. The last recent one that I finished was Lovers (with Lee Seo Jin and Kim Jung Eun) and I had a hangover for awhile. Now, I'm back to K-addict mode after finishing Dalja's Spring (KBS, 22 episodes) and the lineup for the spring season seem appealing with The Devil, Witch Yoo Hee and Hello, Miss.

Dalja’s Spring Synopsis (from KBS Global)
‘Dalja’s Spring’ is the story of Dalja, a 33-year old single at a crossroad of whether to remain single or get married before she gets older. The drama aims to comically and candidly portray the reality and undying pursuit of romance of a thirty something single woman.

The love triangle of Dalja, Taebong and Gijoong brews conflicts over love versus marriage. Taebong, a hunk six years younger than Dalja, works as substitute dates and becomes Dalja’s fake boyfriend. Gijoong is the type who dreams of an ideal and rational courtship. The drama also highlights the life and work of women in their thirties through Dalja who is a talented managing director at a home shopping channel.

Actress Chae Rim plays 'Oh Dalja' while actor Lee Min-gi is 'Taebong,' who freelances as a substitute date and develops feelings for his last client Dalja. Lee Hyeon-woo will play 'Yeom Gijoong' and Gong Hyeong-jin is cast for 'Shin Sedo,' a free romantist and Dalja's ex. Actress Lee Hye-young plays ‘Wi Seon-joo,’ a 33-year-old home shopping show host with a brilliant sense in dating.

Cast:
Chae Rim as Oh Dal Ja
Lee Min Ki as Kang Tae Bong
Lee Hyun Woo as Uhm Gi Joong
Lee Hye Young as Wee Seon Joo
Gong Hyung Jin as Shin Sae Do

My comments:
At first, Dalja's Spring gives me the impression of a mix of My Name is Kim Sam Soon + What’s Up Fox. The similarities they have: the heroine in the journey of self-discovery, the heroine who likes to fantasize and the heroine who dates a man younger than her with families objecting. As it goes on, differences can be noticed. Normally in this genre of drama, you have the leading couple with a supporting male and female character, who are the “roadblocks” preventing the leading couple to be together. Surprisingly, not this time! Dal Ja and Tae Bong (leading couple) didn’t have major obstacles until Soo Jin comes to the picture. Se Do and Seon Joo (supporting couple) have their own loveline with their own problems as well.

It took me awhile to warm up to Chae Rim. She is different now compared to the last time I saw her: permed hair, dark nails, heavy makeup and looking more and more like a doll. The major characters are interesting and end up being very adorable in their own way. Seon Joo seems like a cold, arrogant woman at first but she does have a warm heart but doesn’t show it. Ki Joong gives the impression of a boring and bland prince charming at first but he gave me the most laughs. For example: his anger management techniques and in order to learn how to be a perfect prince charming, he would read romantic novels and mangas. He was so into it that he had to call his secretary eagerly to know what happens to this and that character, why that character didn’t end up with that character etc. Haha!

Overall, I find this drama very touching and heartwarming. The support and care the friends and coworkers give to Dal Ja when she needed it made me tear the most. The ending should be the most complete ending I've ever seen, even the minor characters who appeared briefly had a closure. Oh and this drama had a lot of parodies and references from other dramas and movies, which cracked me up!

* Opening credit of the drama