Writer Song Ji Na definitely knows how to do romance the right way, it's been so long since there's a Korean drama that does romance so well. Healer was a pleasant surprise, I was totally head over heels in love with this drama, it started off well but as it goes on, it gets even better and better and became literally perfection in the end. I am quite upset about the ratings the drama is getting, IT DESERVES MUCH MORE, I am also hoping that it will get much more popular overseas but no... (it is popular but not to the point it's news worthy but it did receive great reviews from almost all the viewers).
Healer is probably constantly being compared with City Hunter because of all the action scenes and mysterious hero concept but it is really different in terms of storyline, the fact that Park Min Young was Kim Na Na caused more comparison but because of her different hair style here, I didn't think of Na Na when I watch her in Healer which is a good thing since both her character here and in City Hunter are really well written so I don't want to mix them up. The action scenes in the drama are done so nicely, (well City Hunter did a equally impressive job) I really enjoyed the pacing of the story and how the drama lays out the story. THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN JI CHANG WOOK AND PARK MIN YOUNG IS OVER THE ROOF GOSH, I've watched Park Min Young in 4 dramas now and she has excellent chemistry with all 4 (even in New Leaf where there's no love line) but I've to say her chemistry with Ji Chang Wook is probably the best (although many may argue that Lee Min Ho has better chemistry with her since they did date while filming and there's a huge fan base that still ships Min Min couple *I do love that couple too*).
If I have to name out a flaw from the drama, it's the messy background story, the story was confusing in the first few episodes so I had a difficult time figuring out the character's name and relationship and what's going on but a few episodes later, I am clearly aware of everything. I can't say that's a flaw since maybe I have a much lower IQ than others so I have problem understanding and figuring things out haha.
THE CHARACTERS
Ji Chang Wook as Healer/ Seo Jung Hoo/ Bong Soo
Healer is a night courier, messenger and delivery man (it sounds too ordinary to be true heh) but he isn't your ordinary delivery man, he does anything for money with the exception of killing someone and he jumps and climbs across buildings and on walls. (He kind of remind me of Spiderman since in the movie, Mary Jane did fall in love with Spiderman after he saved her a few times not knowing that he is actually just someone around her) Seo Jung Hoo is Healer's real name, he uses many different identities except his own identity because he is a wanted man so he can't let anyone know his true identity. Bong Soo is one of the identity he uses to go work as a reporter in order to get close to Young Shin (Park Min Young) for a requested mission. The thing about Jung Hoo is that he is used to faking himself and being a different person that he doesn't even truly know his real personality and how he acts around people until he met Young Shim whom made him want to live as a normal person and find out what type of person he truly is. Healer's dream is to make enough money to buy an island so he can live alone forever (hah that's cute) but obviously it all changes when Young Shin appears.
Believe it or not, I disliked Ji Chang Wook while watching the 159 episodes Smile Dong Hae, I kind of hated the show so I disliked everything about it (even Lee Jang Woo) but I did find Ji Chang Wook really cute, it's just that his character annoyed the shit outta me for 159 episodes because of he's kind stupidity. Within the first few minutes of Healer, I fell in love with him, he certainly have much better screen presence and charisma now and he looks even better, I almost cried because I became so in love with him haha. He's acting here was just... beyond excellent, he had to act several different personality and person here because he is undercover most of the time but he did great, I think he improved tremendously since I last saw him and he is definitely one of the best actors around below the age 30. I did laugh like a idiot when I see him being too serious because that's 100% different from the Ji Chang Wook I've saw in Running Man (HE WAS SO INNOCENT THAT IT WAS HILLARIOUSLY CUTE), whatever it is I am so in love with him now, i can't think straight.
Park Min Young as Chae Young Shin
Young Shin is a entertainment news reporter whom is adopted by a lawyer that owns a café. She is cute, weird, brave (quite) and special, special enough to make Healer's heart flutter for the first time. Young Shin is a cheerful, enthusiastic, loyal (she's scared of violence but she tried to save Bong Soo aka Healer HAHA), she's quite similar to her ex character, City Hunter's Na Na since both have similar traits but well i love both equally so it's alright.
Park Min Young looks soooo different with short hair, i didn't exactly like her messy hair in the first few episodes but her clean cut short hair after that, makes her look so cute. I have a girl crush on her since City Hunter but i love her completely now, she was stunning as the kick-ass Na Na and adorable as Young Shin too. Park Min Young has been criticized for mediocre acting but i didn't find her acting bad but it's true that her acting wasn't fantastic, HOWEVER SHE WAS EXCELLENT HERE, she improved tremendously and the improvement was so big it's obvious and i am super impressed, i think she improved a lot ever since her almost two years hiatus after Dr Jin.
Yoo Ji Tae as Kim Moon Ho
Kim Moon Ho is famous reporter because of his great sense of justice, Chae Young Shin used to have a crush on him and he was also one of the reason why she wanted to become a reporter. Kim Moon Ho is also related to healer as he paid him to find his niece (no further spoilers). As much as Moon Ho may seem like a supporting character with his description, he is actually a huge part of the main cast and a huge part of the story but i can't say more because it's full of spoilers....
I've never seen Yoo Ji Tae but have heard of him because of him directing the movie, Ma Ratima and i also know that Healer is his TV return work after a long time. I can't say that i'm impressed with his acting but i did find him really really good, his character definitely don't require as much acting work as Ji Chang Wook's but he did shine in his character. (I honestly think he deserve an award or something for his acting here but he didn't receive anything during the KBS drama award so....)
Kim Min Kyung Jo Min Ja
Min Ja aka Ajhumma is Healer's partner, she is a pro hacker so she works behind the scenes and shares the money with Healer but Healer has never seen her face before. Min Ja has her own past that caused her to do that kind of work and hide inside a dark room with many computers everyday (Can you imagine her electricity bills..?).
I've seen loads of actress Kim Min Kyung from Secret Garden to Master Sun to Heirs (Just to name a few), she's practically everywhere!!!!!! Her most memorable role used to be in Master Sun as the aunt but now Healer completely took over, i love love ahjumma because she's just so freaking awesome heh.
STORY AND DIRECTING
Title: 힐러 / Hilleo
Genre: Romance, comedy, thriller, action
Episodes: 20
Broadcast network: KBS2
Broadcast period: 2014-Dec-08 to 2015-Feb-??
Air time: Monday & Tuesday 22:00
Original Soundtrack: Healer OST
When these three people meet, a passionate romance starts and the truths from the past and present reveal themselves to the world. This drama features young people and how they grow into real reporters.
FROM DRAMAWIKI
*i am currently super in love with this picture*
I love how tightly written the story is, it manages to perk up my interest constantly and the show does all kinds of cute things to always remind me on why i love the show and the casting is right exactly on spot. (the whole cast have perfect chemistry!!!) The show remains exciting throughout and manages to make me laugh while tears are still falling, i experienced all kinds of emotions while watching Healer and it even made my heart flutter, i do sincerely thank writer Song Ji Na for creating Healer because i enjoyed every moment of it. Writer Song Ji Na really knows how to make viewers happy, she adds in bucket loads of back hugs, skinships, cute moments, she makes the annoying moments past fast and she never made her drama boring. (I am seriously considering if i should try her last drama, Faith which stars Park Min Young's ex boyfriend and ex drama cast mate, Lee Min Ho).
The story is much more complicated than it seems and definitely different and more messier than City Hunter's. (City Hunter's was just about LMH taking revenge for his father) This drama has birth secrets, accused murder, mysterious characters, politics, truck loads of evil people that may seem to be too much altogether but the drama did handle it well to make it not feel too heavy. (I am really happy that Ji Chang Wook doesn't always gets shot or hurt throughout the drama like LMH in City Hunter haha).
IN CONCLUSION
The drama manage to constantly excite me and impress me, i will like to say that i'm complete healer-ized (my lame puns HAHA SORRY)
Personal Ratings: 10/10 (P/S EPISODE 15 WAS PERFECTION, I'VE WATCHED IT THRICE ALREADY AND MEMORIZED ALMOST WHATEVER THE CHARACTERS SAY IN THAT 60 MINUTES)
How much it deserves: 10/10 (Yes there's flaws but i shall choose to over look them)
-Healer is completely different from Pinocchio but it's constantly being compared because they showed around the same time and are both about reporters but the theme and goal of the story are just so different i don't get how anyone can even compare them- just my mini thoughts.
Healer is probably constantly being compared with City Hunter because of all the action scenes and mysterious hero concept but it is really different in terms of storyline, the fact that Park Min Young was Kim Na Na caused more comparison but because of her different hair style here, I didn't think of Na Na when I watch her in Healer which is a good thing since both her character here and in City Hunter are really well written so I don't want to mix them up. The action scenes in the drama are done so nicely, (well City Hunter did a equally impressive job) I really enjoyed the pacing of the story and how the drama lays out the story. THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN JI CHANG WOOK AND PARK MIN YOUNG IS OVER THE ROOF GOSH, I've watched Park Min Young in 4 dramas now and she has excellent chemistry with all 4 (even in New Leaf where there's no love line) but I've to say her chemistry with Ji Chang Wook is probably the best (although many may argue that Lee Min Ho has better chemistry with her since they did date while filming and there's a huge fan base that still ships Min Min couple *I do love that couple too*).
If I have to name out a flaw from the drama, it's the messy background story, the story was confusing in the first few episodes so I had a difficult time figuring out the character's name and relationship and what's going on but a few episodes later, I am clearly aware of everything. I can't say that's a flaw since maybe I have a much lower IQ than others so I have problem understanding and figuring things out haha.
THE CHARACTERS
Ji Chang Wook as Healer/ Seo Jung Hoo/ Bong Soo
Healer is a night courier, messenger and delivery man (it sounds too ordinary to be true heh) but he isn't your ordinary delivery man, he does anything for money with the exception of killing someone and he jumps and climbs across buildings and on walls. (He kind of remind me of Spiderman since in the movie, Mary Jane did fall in love with Spiderman after he saved her a few times not knowing that he is actually just someone around her) Seo Jung Hoo is Healer's real name, he uses many different identities except his own identity because he is a wanted man so he can't let anyone know his true identity. Bong Soo is one of the identity he uses to go work as a reporter in order to get close to Young Shin (Park Min Young) for a requested mission. The thing about Jung Hoo is that he is used to faking himself and being a different person that he doesn't even truly know his real personality and how he acts around people until he met Young Shim whom made him want to live as a normal person and find out what type of person he truly is. Healer's dream is to make enough money to buy an island so he can live alone forever (hah that's cute) but obviously it all changes when Young Shin appears.
Believe it or not, I disliked Ji Chang Wook while watching the 159 episodes Smile Dong Hae, I kind of hated the show so I disliked everything about it (even Lee Jang Woo) but I did find Ji Chang Wook really cute, it's just that his character annoyed the shit outta me for 159 episodes because of he's kind stupidity. Within the first few minutes of Healer, I fell in love with him, he certainly have much better screen presence and charisma now and he looks even better, I almost cried because I became so in love with him haha. He's acting here was just... beyond excellent, he had to act several different personality and person here because he is undercover most of the time but he did great, I think he improved tremendously since I last saw him and he is definitely one of the best actors around below the age 30. I did laugh like a idiot when I see him being too serious because that's 100% different from the Ji Chang Wook I've saw in Running Man (HE WAS SO INNOCENT THAT IT WAS HILLARIOUSLY CUTE), whatever it is I am so in love with him now, i can't think straight.
Park Min Young as Chae Young Shin
Young Shin is a entertainment news reporter whom is adopted by a lawyer that owns a café. She is cute, weird, brave (quite) and special, special enough to make Healer's heart flutter for the first time. Young Shin is a cheerful, enthusiastic, loyal (she's scared of violence but she tried to save Bong Soo aka Healer HAHA), she's quite similar to her ex character, City Hunter's Na Na since both have similar traits but well i love both equally so it's alright.
Park Min Young looks soooo different with short hair, i didn't exactly like her messy hair in the first few episodes but her clean cut short hair after that, makes her look so cute. I have a girl crush on her since City Hunter but i love her completely now, she was stunning as the kick-ass Na Na and adorable as Young Shin too. Park Min Young has been criticized for mediocre acting but i didn't find her acting bad but it's true that her acting wasn't fantastic, HOWEVER SHE WAS EXCELLENT HERE, she improved tremendously and the improvement was so big it's obvious and i am super impressed, i think she improved a lot ever since her almost two years hiatus after Dr Jin.
Yoo Ji Tae as Kim Moon Ho
Kim Moon Ho is famous reporter because of his great sense of justice, Chae Young Shin used to have a crush on him and he was also one of the reason why she wanted to become a reporter. Kim Moon Ho is also related to healer as he paid him to find his niece (no further spoilers). As much as Moon Ho may seem like a supporting character with his description, he is actually a huge part of the main cast and a huge part of the story but i can't say more because it's full of spoilers....
I've never seen Yoo Ji Tae but have heard of him because of him directing the movie, Ma Ratima and i also know that Healer is his TV return work after a long time. I can't say that i'm impressed with his acting but i did find him really really good, his character definitely don't require as much acting work as Ji Chang Wook's but he did shine in his character. (I honestly think he deserve an award or something for his acting here but he didn't receive anything during the KBS drama award so....)
Kim Min Kyung Jo Min Ja
Min Ja aka Ajhumma is Healer's partner, she is a pro hacker so she works behind the scenes and shares the money with Healer but Healer has never seen her face before. Min Ja has her own past that caused her to do that kind of work and hide inside a dark room with many computers everyday (Can you imagine her electricity bills..?).
I've seen loads of actress Kim Min Kyung from Secret Garden to Master Sun to Heirs (Just to name a few), she's practically everywhere!!!!!! Her most memorable role used to be in Master Sun as the aunt but now Healer completely took over, i love love ahjumma because she's just so freaking awesome heh.
STORY AND DIRECTING
Synopsis
A mysterious messenger of the 22nd century, an online newspaper reporter who only concerns her own interests, a popular reporter who agonizes over the truth and reality.When these three people meet, a passionate romance starts and the truths from the past and present reveal themselves to the world. This drama features young people and how they grow into real reporters.
FROM DRAMAWIKI
*i am currently super in love with this picture*
I love how tightly written the story is, it manages to perk up my interest constantly and the show does all kinds of cute things to always remind me on why i love the show and the casting is right exactly on spot. (the whole cast have perfect chemistry!!!) The show remains exciting throughout and manages to make me laugh while tears are still falling, i experienced all kinds of emotions while watching Healer and it even made my heart flutter, i do sincerely thank writer Song Ji Na for creating Healer because i enjoyed every moment of it. Writer Song Ji Na really knows how to make viewers happy, she adds in bucket loads of back hugs, skinships, cute moments, she makes the annoying moments past fast and she never made her drama boring. (I am seriously considering if i should try her last drama, Faith which stars Park Min Young's ex boyfriend and ex drama cast mate, Lee Min Ho).
The story is much more complicated than it seems and definitely different and more messier than City Hunter's. (City Hunter's was just about LMH taking revenge for his father) This drama has birth secrets, accused murder, mysterious characters, politics, truck loads of evil people that may seem to be too much altogether but the drama did handle it well to make it not feel too heavy. (I am really happy that Ji Chang Wook doesn't always gets shot or hurt throughout the drama like LMH in City Hunter haha).
IN CONCLUSION
The drama manage to constantly excite me and impress me, i will like to say that i'm complete healer-ized (my lame puns HAHA SORRY)
Personal Ratings: 10/10 (P/S EPISODE 15 WAS PERFECTION, I'VE WATCHED IT THRICE ALREADY AND MEMORIZED ALMOST WHATEVER THE CHARACTERS SAY IN THAT 60 MINUTES)
How much it deserves: 10/10 (Yes there's flaws but i shall choose to over look them)
-Healer is completely different from Pinocchio but it's constantly being compared because they showed around the same time and are both about reporters but the theme and goal of the story are just so different i don't get how anyone can even compare them- just my mini thoughts.
When I started this Kdrama I wasn't sure what to expect because I was still hooked on My Love from the Star and couldn't find another drama that could match up but I am happy to say that his drama is Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThere's something about Kdrama directing that is different from any other drama i have ever seen. Timing,soundtrack,storyline,acting,actors/actresses are just perfect.
There's something about their drama that gets deep deep inside you, and bring out emotions you don't know exist. To me they are the best at Dramas.
Glad I did. HEALER is just Awesome from the directing, to the acting, to the soundtracks. I am blown away