Warning: Refrain from reading this post if you are
-- anti Korean dramas
-- anti soppy love serials
-- anti love-hate-death storylines
Just finished watching 这该死的爱 aka 'A Love to Kill' starring Rain & Shin Min Ah. Below is a brief synopsis, read it if you want...
Kang Bo Ku (Rain), a pugilist who juggles part time odd jobs, leads a sloppy lifestyle with a group of 猪朋狗友. He commits himself whole-heartedly to Han Ta Jeung, a girl who got scarred while risking her own life to save him from a fire years ago, even though in the absence of love.
One day, Bo Ku reunites with his long-lost brother of 10 years and while drinking together outside the latter's penthouse, Bo Ku witnessed his brother jump off the building after chancing upon a news clip broadcasted on the 电子看板, that is, the engagement of Korea's top star, Cha Eun Suk (Shin Min Ah), and the heir of Kim Holdings, Kim Jun Song.
Overwhelmed with shock and sorrow that his brother is now reduced to a vegetable, together with the discovery of photos of Cha Eun Suk and his brother taken years back, Bo Ku assumed that the former abandoned his brother to establish her acting career for fame and wealth. Through means and ways, he became her personal bodyguard in the name of revenge: to make her fall in love with him, then desert her; the exact way she treated his brother.
As time goes by, Bo Ku understands that Eun Suk's engagement was a cover-up after being caught together with Kim Jun Song in an accidental suggestive act; and in order to protect both parties' from the media limelight, they resorted to a loveless engagement (though the latter found himself attracted to Eun Suk gradually). Bo Ku moved her heart after a string of events, meanwhile falling for her unwittingly.
On the day of the engagement ceremony, Bo Ku brought Eun Suk on the escape to a remote town. This led to a media uproar as Eun Suk's name is now tarnished since she is seen eloping with her personal bodyguard; furthermore, Eun Suk's public display of love towards Bo Ku saw the downfall of her career.
Upon seeing Eun Suk hopelessly in love with him, Bo Ku unveiled his true motive of getting close to her. While Eun Suk was devastatingly affected, Bo Ku felt lost and remorseful at the same time. He later realised that Eun Suk's mother was the tripping stone between Eun Suk and his brother and that she was a victim herself.
Eun Suk dedicated her time looking after Bo Ku's brother, who's condition took a turn for the better. Though the love between them was long dead, Eun Suk felt obliged to take care of him. On the other hand, Bo Ku suppressed his love for her and sought solace in Ta Jeung.
Bo Ku's brother passed away after a sudden drastic deterioration, which dealt a big blow to both Bo Ku and Eun Suk. Now, even with the largest barrier gone, both were unable to face up to the love between them as they harbour apologetic feelings towards Bo Ku's brother. In addition, Bo Ku felt it difficult to forsake Ta Jeung, while Eun Suk had Jun Song standing by her all the time; they then decided to go their ways and be with their respective other.
A year later, Eun Suk regained her position as Korea's top star and is once again engaged to Kim Jun Song; while Bo Ku settled down with a decent car-washing job though things didn't work out with Ta Jeung.
Out of the blue moon, Kim Jun Song payed a surprise visit to Bo Ku in hope that Eun Suk, who had suddenly gone missing for two days, had went to look for him. Upon hearing Jun Song's words, Bo Ku sprang to the snowy woods. He recalled that Eun Suk once mentioned that she longed to go to the deepest woods where no one can find her.
Bo Ku's desperate calls for Eun Suk in the woods were finally requited when he caught sight of her lifeless body in the snow dumps. He enveloped her in his arms, trying in vain to keep her snug. Eun Suk, who had long lost consciousness, lay in the embrace of Bo Ku for the whole night.
At daybreak, Bo Ku's hand finally gave way and fell limply by the side. Just then, Eun Suk's eyes struggled open for a few seconds before she closed them again with a peaceful smile. The two of them fell into an eternal slumber, all because of a love that kills.
I believe that the above synopsis is hardly enough for you to feel anything for the protagonists, that is, if you haven't fallen asleep by now =X. (Pardon me for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, vocabulary limitations or excessive repetition: I suck at writing such stuff.)
As you can see, the story is about falling in love with the person you are taking revenge on, which is a destined tragedy and also a 老掉牙 topic. Mostly I thought the way the series was filmed was special, since there were many overlapping shots and dangling scenes that only unwrap at a later part. And the 无奈 of loving someone when you know it will end up as 一场空 is simply 真该死.
However, there's something I cannot conform to: you dedicate yourself to someone because of obligations or duties, thereby forsaking the one you truly love. That is plain stupidity and selfishness. And in this particular story, it happened not once, but thrice.
It is dumb. So so dumb. When you love a person, you let him/her go to lead a happier life even at the sake of your own happiness. But when you let him/her go because you have your own obligations and your loved one in turns suffers more than you, what is that called?
I guess while love not necessarily reigns supreme, to sacrifice it for something of a lower rank is not worth it. Yes, wow, you're taking responsible. Then what? You end up feeling empty and your loved one another equally hollow soul. And in the long run, the person you commit yourself to is but an unloved puppet.
Love. Love. Love. What a tumultuous word.
