[Confession] Three Color Fantasy Series: Romance Full of Life
*minor spoiler alert*
Continuing our review of the Three Color Fantasy Series, comes the second installment called 'Romance Full of Life' or 'Vivid Romance' (Green Series), which stars Yoon Si Yoon (Mirror of the Witch) and Cho Soo Hyang (Weightlifting Fairy). Oh cool, two oddballs.
Here is the synopsis of the drama:
In-Sung (Yoon Si-Yoon) has prepared for the examination to become a police officer for 4 years. He has failed the exam 8 times, but he still has a positive personality. He then applies for the high pay part-time job which is titled "Experiment Full of Life."
This was the first drama I saw upon knowing the series so I was expecting a lot from this. My love Yoon Si Yoon, who recently came out from the military, greets me with his cute character as So In Sung whose a cheerful young man trying to make the best out of failing board exams and getting a decent job. While Cho Soo Hyang is In Sung's ex girlfriend Wang So Ra, who struggles the same. These two assess the meaning of their life and the path they're currently walking.
The first thing that surprised me was Cho Soo Hyang, who came from the Weightlifting Fairy and Who Are You 2015 as the effective bad btch everyone hates. I loved that she took on a role of someone less bad than her past characters and lets her explore her acting range. I feel that she's like Lee Sung Kyung whose role as Kim Bok Joo advanced her skills as an actress, proving that she could also do nice acting instead of endless btching around. When I saw her here, I quickly agreed to watch and check what she looks like without the btch face. Haha!
The second thing that I noticed - and made me giggle at that - was their names. They're all parody of popular actors and actresses! So In Sung (Jo In Sung), Wang So Ra (Kang So Ra), Jo Ji Seob (So Ji Seob), Gong Moo (Gong Yoo), Kim Tae Yi (Kim Tae Hee) and Song Ae Gyo (Song Hye Kyo). Hahahaha! What a witty way to name characters!
The plot carries a fantasy-hero type as So In Sung acquired superhero powers after involving himself in a medical experiment with unknown side effects. The loser In Sung - whose supposedly weak, slow yet caring and optimistic - became cool, smart yet a total show off. After So Ra (his girlfriend) broke up with him, he saw the chance for vengeance against So Ra. From there, I found In Sung's newfound physical and mental abilities by means presented just to end his misery - not his greater calling.
The two main conflicts are resolved one after another, highlighting the theme as it went. Starting with the most important one- the relationship between In Sung and So Ra. The shortfall their relationship felt and the space they needed when they parted. There came rivals who tested their love for each other, yet they stood strong. I was quite disappointed with So Ra for using a guy just because she needs 'comfort'. That's a btch move there. The second theme was the act of relying on something instead of your own skills. In Sung didn't get this until the end. He still tried to get the exam even after bad side effects are happening. Good thing love prevails in the end. It shows that the wonder drug is just a metaphor for this feeling of inadequacy in our abilities and knowledge. Remember that not all good things last and if you use it underhandedly, it comes back as karma.
As a love story, Romance Full of Life manages to be profound most distinctly in its layers of subtlety, showing how a break-up can make a relationship stronger over the long-term. It's a powerful second act for the overall "Three Color Fantasy" series. Although I liked the first installment better.
My Rating:
Plot: 6.5/10
Acting: 7.8/10
Cinematography: 6.0/10
Characters: 8.0/10
Uniqueness: 6.0/10
OVERALL RATING: 6.8