Revisiting Park Bo-gum’s Encounter with Song Hye-kyo: A slow-burn of an intensely absorbing, therapeutic romance

There are some reveals that begin like a light-weight breeze — one thing to whereas away the hours — however slowly evolve right into a twister of feelings that sucks you in. Park Bo-gum and Song Hye-kyo’s Encounter is one among them, a saccharine but absorbing story of a person, falling in love with a girl a lot older than him -a CEO of an organization, no much less. It was fascinating to see the roles reversed; in Ok-dramas it’s often the person in stiff coats and slick hairstyles wanting down on the seemingly unusual girl who’s only a cog within the company machine. It’s much more fascinating to notice that within the male-centric dramas, the male CEO don’t face the flak for being in a relationship with a girl within the firm, whereas she faces criticism. For a minute I questioned whether or not the sample can be completely different right here, besides Song Hye-kyo’s character continued to face flak from everybody for ‘dating a younger man’, whereas Park Bo-gum was congratulated as if it was an necessary achievement. So all in all, the lady nonetheless suffers.

Nevertheless, Encounter is aesthetically pleasing, and soothing by way of its musical OSTs in addition to the light chemistry between the charismatic leads. The story between two strangers begins in Cuba, with robust Before Sunset vibes, the place the somewhat restrained Cha Soo-hyun is on a piece trip. After being robbed and dropping her slippers, she runs into the free-spirited, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Jin-hyuk they usually spend a memorable night collectively, As it’s time to return to South Korea, as destiny would have it, Jin-hyuk realises that he’s going to be working as her subordinate. Slowly, they evolve from an unsure more-than-friendship bond to an in depth relationship in a somewhat healthful method — from indulging in ramen (the Ok-world’s model of flirting), to hangover soups, and making sand-castles.

No love story is with out difficulties and evil individuals after all and it might be somewhat not possible to visualise a Ok-drama with out the quintessential conniving villains. In this case, it occurs to be Cha Soo-hyun’s former mother-in-law, one other distinguished businesswoman. Evil is as evil does, and he or she is lower than happy about her ex daughter-in-law’s new flame. However, after some extent her position within the story diminishes because the inside turmoil in Cha Soo-hyun herself begins to implode and he or she worries about what world is she dragging Jin-hyuk into. Nevertheless, after a number of tears, it’s time for a contented reunion. The story is kind of fundamental, but it surely’s the facility of the leads that makes it an engrossing watch, with quiet, heart-ringing drama, juxtaposed with comforting musical South American instrumentals.

Encounter is one among Park Bo-gum’s finest and most adorable performances, much more profound than Record Of Youth, as a result of with out seeming just like the male manic pixie, he genuinely appeared to be like the individual that you wish to hang around with. He is aware of the most effective eating places for meals, and one way or the other all the time is aware of methods to cheer up an individual—you’d need him round when you’ve got a foul day. His vibrant persona served as a comforting steadiness to Song Hye-kyo’s constraint — one of many few roles the place she emoted along with her eyes, somewhat than letting heavy exposition drive the narrative.

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One of probably the most memorable scenes of the present is when he sees Soo-hyun at his doorstep, as she had sacrificed an necessary occasion that would put her in additional bother along with her mother-in-law. Park Bo-gum’s Jin-hyuk stands there wanting somewhat gobsmacked. He manages to say, “I’m in trouble.” There’s one thing his countenance that pulls at heartstrings, and one reality is established, he’s a beautiful crier (remorseless as that sounds). When their break-up happens, he actually convinces you of exhaustion, blended along with his frustration and anger. He masters the quivering of the lip, when he asks her somewhat brokenly, “Why are you abandoning me?” There’s all the time been one thing devastatingly actual about irritating scenes with Park Bo-gum; he simply is aware of how to attract you into his world of heartbreak.

Encounter is without doubt one of the most absorbing Ok-drama romances — surprisingly unpredictable at some factors, what’s going to occur subsequent, however you’re not fairly completely positive when you’re proper. A consolation to observe on bleary days