If you've watched K-dramas before, you'll know that there are certain storytelling formulas that you can expect to be followed. Uncontrollably Fond certainly does not revolutionise the art in this respect, however this most certainly shouldn't discourage you, as what it does do is deliver an incredibly polished representation of the "genre", from start to finish.
From the beginning the stereotypical dynamics appear to immediately emerge. Bae Suzy is the classic underdog female lead, whose father is run over by the opposing female main, and lives with the weight of injustice at the hands of a corrupt social divide. Kim Woo Bin plays the handsome, rich and cocky star who has had lingering, yet vague, feelings for our beleaguered heroine since their high school days. There is also the obligatory love rival, while the aforementioned opposing female main completes the love-rectangle. However, while these formulas are all too familiar, there are just enough atypical elements and twists introduced to keep the storyline fresh and engaging.. As soon as the story begins, Woo Bin's character is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and this represents the main driving force of the narrative, and the execution of this plot line throughout covers over other rehashed elements, almost seeming as if you are watching something entirely fresh and new.
Of course, you are not- and there are some typical criticisms. Viewers will have to suspend their disbelief somewhat in the female lead's underdog status, given she is one of the most beautiful women in Korea, however since she naturally possesses a girl-next-door vibe, and they manage to compensate by downplaying her wardrobe considerably compared to the typical k-drama lead- it's no big obstacle.. In fact this arguably plays into favour- her wardrobe is more realistic to the character, and adds to the down-to-earth effect that you really can believe would make her a unique person to the hearts of the male leads, not to mention male audience members watching. There are also some bridges to be made in certain character motivations at some points, as is again typical, but viewers willing to accept a certain degree of this is inevitable will be rewarded.
The pacing of the story from the start is near perfect, and the story seamlessly transitions from phase to phase at most of the correct timings. Personally, I had a huge gripe with the pacing elements in Kim Woo Bin's previous drama hit "The Heirs", as I felt the push-pull love-triangle phase of that story was dragged out far too long, and to the point where it grew stale and repetitive- Uncontrollably Fond has no such issues, and makes significant advances in plot, if not in every episode then certainly within 2-3. The acting is similarly fantastic in my book- Bae Suzy was previously criticised by many for her lack of range in "Architecture 101", yet shows off the complete spectrum here with talented subtlety. Kim Woo Bin too produces the performance of someone who has mastered their craft, especially with certain story elements that would have been difficult to execute technically as you will see.
In fact, that encapsulates this production and why I was willing to give it a 9. We may not be breaking any ground here, but most elements ring of having been produced by people using the weight of accumulated experience to produce a well-rounded and complete article. This drama knows what it is doing- Uncontrollably Fond will toy with your emotions, pulling them this way and that- having you crying one minute and grinning like an idiot the next before the tears can even dry. As the subject matter suggests, it is primarily a melodrama, and a very successful one at that. By the end you can expect to feel hollow and empty inside, with a bittersweet nostalgia to the lives of these fictional characters, as the hallmark of a k-drama's job well done.
So don't forget the tissues ready.
