TEN STARS!
A young man lent me this DVD set and even though I don't speak Korean and don't especially like reading subtitles, I was extremely hooked on this unique drama. Soapy? Somewhat, but done in such a way I was captured and couldn't stop watching it. One episode to the next, I barely got out of my chair long enough to go to the bathroom, get something to eat and to change the disk to the next and the next.
Lee Byung Hun portrays a young man (Kim In-ha) who learned the hard knocks in life and learned a gambling talent that projects his life into the politics and high finance world. From poverty to riches, and we mustn't forget he has competition for the apple of his eye, portrayed by Song Hae Gyo. As the story unfolds with twists and turns keeping the lovebirds apart and yearning for each other, the casino game gets into the power play of more and more. As they use in the gambling circles of finality, All In! Hence the title. It's the getting to the All In! that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I've given only a simple description of this TV-movie drama since it is so very complex, it is difficult to give a summary that will give it the admiration it deserves. Gee, a love story that spans 8 disks? Sorry, this just doesn't describe the experience of watching this most remarkable drama. Outstandingly superb is the best to say. I had a neighbor visit me whilst watching it and he got caught up in it as well.
So, if you do get a chance to see this 8 DVD set, be sure to plan out at least two days of your life and accept the notion of being totally addicted to the very end.
