Mask
Synonyms: Doppelganger
Episodes: 20
Episodes: 20
Country: South Korea
Aired: May 27, 2015 - Jul. 30, 2015
Network: SBS
Duration: 60 mins.
Genres: Drama, Melodrama, Psychological, Romance
Viewers Rating: 8.2/10
My Rating: 10/10
Synopsis: Byun Ji Sook has always had a hard life with her father constantly going into debt and being chased by loan sharks. She desperately wants to know what life is like if she was born into a better family and didn't have to worry about money all the time. When a series of circumstances brings Ji Sook to Seo Eun Ha, a woman from a wealthy family who strongly resembles Ji Sook, she grabs hold of the chance for a better life and assumes Eun Ha's identity and begins to live her elite life. She meets Choi Min Woo, a chaebol heir who is mistrusting of the people around him. But when he realizes that Ji Sook is not like the other women he has met, he is drawn to her. How long can Ji Sook keep up the charade and hide her true identity?
Cast: Soo Ae - Byun Ji Sook/Seo Eun Ha
Joo Ji Hoon - Choi Min Woo
Yoo In Young - Choi Mi Yeon
Yeon Jung Hoon - Min Seok Hoon
Review
Contains a lot of spoilers!
General Impressions:
Although the drama was very confusing at first, Mask turned out to be one of the best dramas I have watched throughout my whole k-drama experience. Not only did it meet my expectations, it exceeded them. I was really hoping that once I watched the last two episodes, it wouldn't do a Who Are You: School 2015 and completely mess up the ending, but it didn't. Everyone ended up how I wanted and expected them to (I didn't predict Mi Yeon's incident though) and to top it all off, it actually made me cry during Mi Yeon's funeral, and Ji Sook and Min Woo's adorable family time with their daughter. It was just perfect.
Story: 10/10
The synopsis isn't the most original, someone has seen something similar to Mask before, but it absolutely blew my mind away. I love how as the series progressed. Byun Ji Sook's character got smarter and more brilliant, she was able to stand up against Min Seok Hoon and fight against him. And it was the same with Seok Hoon. He was an amazing villain. He truly believed what he was doing was what was best for everyone, and as Ji Sook, Choi Min Woo and eventually Choi Mi Yeon started to retaliate, his plans fell apart and he became more desperate, and would go to more extremes to push forward his plan. It was simply amazing to watch and I would watch it all again right now if I could.
Acting/Cast: 9.0/10
As much as I enjoyed the acting in this drama, Mi Yeon's actress - Yoo In Young - was the only one who felt lacking while I watched this. I've watched her acting before as she played a guest role in My Love From the Stars, but she didn't impress me in that either. Her acting felt very repetitive, especially when she was investigating Ji Sook and trying to get Seok Hoon to stay by her side. It was annoying, but as her character was meant to be like that, I can understand it. Despite her, everyone else was amazing. I've heard complaints about Soo Ae's acting, but she was brilliant in playing both Seo Eun Ha and Byun Ji Sook. I could definitely tell the difference between the two and that takes some skill to do. Joo Ji Hoon perceived his character of Min Woo very well. He showed a great example of a psychiatric patient and a business man. I can understand why Ji Sook fell for him, he's delightful. And lastly, Yeon Jung Hoon was fantastic. With help from the writing, he made the best villain I have ever seen and I'm not very easy to impress.
Music: 10/10
I absolutely loved the soundtrack to Mask. Each track was beautiful and so great to listen to. I especially liked Just One Day by LYn. I absolutely love this artist's songs, she has such a lovely voice. She also voiced my favourite song in the My Love From the Stars OST. I am looking forward to watching another drama that has LYn in. I'm sure it won't be too long into the future because I'm pretty sure every director wants her voice for their soundtrack. I'm positive.
Re-watch Value: 10/10
If I could, I would rewatch Mask right here, right now. But I have a busy life and I don't have enough free time to nonchalantly watch through 20 hours of pure epicness. But I'm sure that when my schedule frees up some more, I'll get round to watching through Mask again.
Final Verdict: 10/10
Overall, besides In Young's slightly disappointing performance, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama a lot and I would recommend it to anyone. I came into Mask with open eyes and when I finished it, I'm glad that I decided to watch it. Mask was one of the most amazing experiences that I have ever seen and you will not be disappointed.
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| Seok Hoon, Ji Sook, Min Woo + Mi Yeon. |
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