tvNŌĆÖs ĀMine wasnŌĆÖt exactly a highly anticipated series since it was about ŌĆśthe lives of the upper class,ŌĆÖ ŌĆśmurders,ŌĆÖ ŌĆśaffairs,ŌĆÖ and all ŌĆśthe complicated feelings between men and women.ŌĆÖ Though the idea of having Lee Bo Young and Kim Seo Hyung as lead roles were appealing, some concerned that the show might turn out to be unoriginal and overly provocative. But it didnŌĆÖt take long for them to prove that we worried for nothing. As the show progressed, viewers became engrossed in the story and characters. And now that the showŌĆÖs run for ten episodes, viewers are engrossed in the show. LetŌĆÖs discuss the appeal of Mine. The show revolves around the two daughters-in-laws of the Hyowon Group family, Jeong Seo Hyun, and Seo Hee Soo. Hyowon Group is one of the top 1% wealthy corporations in South Korea. ItŌĆÖs about their journey to find ŌĆśwho they truly areŌĆÖ and claim ŌĆśwhatŌĆÖs theirs,ŌĆÖ which they kept hidden in the chain that binds them due to their status as part of a wealthy family. The show was intense from the beginning. It stirred up the curiosity by starting with a murder (or a mysterious death). Then, it turned the clock back 60 days to slowly show viewers the events leading up to the death. Ever since Chairman Han had collapsed, the greed of the family members and the sketchy behavior of outsiders, who stepped into HanŌĆÖs household, got jumbled together. Together, they eventually begin to endanger the Hyowon Group. Unlike the projectŌĆÖs intention, the showŌĆÖs plot may not be any different from other guilty pleasure shows that have been aired. The complicated family tree on the show doesnŌĆÖt help either. For example, Han Ji Yong and his son Han Ha Jun are those born out of wedlock. Not only that, Han Ji YongŌĆÖs biological mother had worked as Han Ji YongŌĆÖs nanny, and his son Han Ha JunŌĆÖs birth mother also became Han Ha JunŌĆÖs tutor. IŌĆÖm sure some of these settings could bring headaches for many people. Plus, the show explores a family fighting over inheritance, secret affairs, and the love between a poor woman and a wealthy man. ItŌĆÖs understandable if the show has been labeled ŌĆ£unoriginal.ŌĆØ But Mine is not like one of those overdramatized guilty pleasure shows that people hate-watch. The show focuses on a bond between Seo Hee Soo and Jeong Seo Hyun and their growth after overcoming all these obstacles. ThatŌĆÖs what makes viewers engrossed in the show, and itŌĆÖs why the showŌĆÖs relatable. The focal point of the show is the two charactersŌĆÖ stories. And, of course, Lee Bo Young and Kim Seo HyungŌĆÖs acting is incredible. Dyed-in-the-wool noblewoman Jeong Seo Hyun is excellent at hiding her true self. Since she knows how things work in wealthy families, she was never shy around the Hyowon Group family. She eventually became the most influential person in the family. But she has her own share of secrets and pain. To survive as a daughter and daughter-in-law in wealthy families, she had to live in the pain of hiding her sexual identity from everyone, about being a lesbian. On the other hand, Seo Hee Soo is the opposite of Jeong Seo Hyun. Being a former actress, she doesnŌĆÖt let herself be constricted by rules or conventions. And she loves who she truly is. It wasnŌĆÖt easy for her to live as a daughter-in-law in a wealthy family. But since she had whatŌĆÖs entirely hers, her dear husband Han Ji Yong and stepson Ha Jun, she could keep up with it. However, when she found out that Kang Ja Kyung, Ha JunŌĆÖs tutor, is her stepsonŌĆÖs biological mother and Ji YongŌĆÖs secret mistress, she feels devastated Āto the point of having a miscarriage. The person, who reached out to her when she was going through the horror, was no one but Seo Hyun. Even though Hee Soo is the opposite of her, she stood up for her because, perhaps, she saw her past self in Hee Soo. The two womenŌĆÖs bonding, growing and striving to overcome the oppression within Hyowon Group, and breaking the emotional fences they created for themselves, like ŌĆ£an elephant trapped in a narrow doorway,ŌĆØ are the backbone and the biggest weapon of Mine. Of course, the show has its flaws. Although opinions may differ, among the showŌĆÖs many subjects(mystery, thriller, black comedy, romance), the romance between Seo HyunŌĆÖs son Soo Hyuk and maid Yoo Yeon was the most questionable element. It almost felt like it was a combination of an unnecessary clich├® of a Cinderella story and a powerful and progressive show. But because admitting their relationship plays a part in Seo HyunŌĆÖs growth, I am willing to put up with it. With six episodes ahead, Mine still has so many unfinished storylines. WhatŌĆÖs the truth behind the murder in the Hyowon Group family? Will Seo Hyun and Hee Soo be able to protect themselves and claim whatŌĆÖs theirs? Many viewers canŌĆÖt wait to see the next episode. ┬Ā Verdict: A series starring go-to actresses, Kim Seo Hyung and Lee Bo Young as the lead roles. 8/10 ┬Ā Editor Yang Young Jun: There is at least one good part in every movie or TV series. A media geek who isnŌĆÖt picky with genres. Translator Na Young Gil: ZAPZEE is the best Korean pop culture community, and IŌĆÖm happy to be part of it.
