ilkaeva

Kim Seon Ho appears in volume 3 and is unrecognizable - his divine gift to always look different here is at full swing. Maintaining a stiff upper lip throughout requires a high level of artistic skill and control. The ability to convey emotion while keeping a composed, almost unreadable expression is a testament to his depth and precision. For him, to consistently embody such composure, he needs excellent muscle control, awareness of subtle tension and the ability to express emotion through minimalistic yet powerful gestures. A skill that makes his performance unforgettable -conveying depth without exaggeration.

Though an awkward loser when first appearing, he builds up a vintage, intellectual, multi-layered character. Restrained yet intense emotion, intriguing and touching, with a promising firmness that offsets inexplicable sadness. At the same time, from his "grand" entrance in Ep. 9 to sprinting after the bus, his comedic genius adds a subtle yet hilarious twist to the series.

So what tangerine is Chungseob?

A bit bruised, late-season tangerine - weathered by rough days, yet hiding sweet depth. Tart at first bite but mellow as you eat. A later harvest, bringing a fresh twist to Gm's life. She just has to peel the layers and he'll shine!

Drawing a parallel between Mr. Plankton and Quentin Tarantino's movies may seem unconventional at first given the distinct genres and styles-K-dramatic poignancy versus Tarantino's kinetic, genre-bending approach. However, both works explore complex characters and human connections amidst dark, often tragic circumstances, while employing distinctive storytelling elements.

Narrative Complexity and Emotional Depth: Like many of Tarantino's films, Mr. Plankton thrives on character backstories and layers of emotion intertwined with present events. While Mr. Plankton focuses on Hae-jo's journey to make peace with his past before facing death, Tarantino characters often confront their own pasts through violent, redemptive, or transformative arcs (Kill Bill's revenge quest being one example). In both cases, the emotional stakes drive the character motivations and plot.

Character-Driven Plot with a Focus on Redemption and Reconciliation: Tarantino's characters, from the Bride in Kill Bill to Django in Django Unchained, often seek redemption or personal justice. Similarly, Mr. Plankton centers on Hae-jo's quest to reconcile with his origins and lost love before his life ends. Though Tarantino's stories tend to be more revenge-fueled, both share an undercurrent of resolution-seeking amidst chaos, tragedy, and broken lives.

Use of Dark Humor and Tragic Undertones: While Tarantino often leverages dark humor to cut through intense moments, Mr. Plankton leans into bittersweet melancholy but occasionally finds surreal levity or humanity amid its bleakness. Both styles add a nuanced texture, making their tales compelling and emotionally layered.

Structuring Themes Through Symbolic Journeys: In many Tarantino films, characters embark on journeys-literal or figurative-that represent more than their immediate quests. Mr. Plankton similarly crafts Hae-jo's road trip as a symbolic trek to resolve identity crises and familial dysfunction. While the settings and tone are worlds apart, the idea of using travel as a means to self-realization and closure is a shared narrative device.

Focus on Relationships in a Chaotic World: Tarantino often pits human connections against a chaotic backdrop of violence, betrayal, and morally gray dilemmas. Mr. Plankton places Hae-jo's relationships in the context of existential crises, strained family bonds, and lost love. The chaotic worlds may differ-criminal underworlds versus inner emotional turmoil-but the portrayal of relationships tested by extreme circumstances forms a strong parallel.

While Mr. Plankton adheres more to romantic tragedy and personal drama and Tarantino emphasizes explosive genre storytelling, both show how storytelling, complex characters, and challenging thematic content can elevate their respective narrative worlds. In a way, each explores what happens when people try to reclaim meaning amid inevitable endgames.

The long-expected "The Tyrant" doesn't disappoint! Still, there is a small fly in the ointment!

Director Park is juggling too many balls for the first three episodes. He makes it slightly difficult for the viewer to trace them, especially in the dimly lit scenes. So when he catches them all successfully in episode 4, the viewer is already a bit tired. Just as the capsule is missing, something is missing in the storyline to rivet you wholeheartedly to the screen. I have high respect for Director Park. Yet I think he starts telling the story as if he has all the time in this world, while towards the end, he rushes to bring all the loose ends together. Perhaps because of his vast vision? He takes joy in crafting films that reflect his personal vision, paying little heed to traditional storytelling or pursuing commercial success. He offers his perspective and style, leaving it to you to accept or reject. Much like a true modern artist, he indulges in his individual style and preferences. So it takes time to like it or lump it.

However, he has the knack of selecting a brilliant cast, which makes up for the high mortality rate in this movie/drama.

Of course, Kim Seon Ho as the calm reserved and charismatic Director Choe makes the most of it as usual!