War of Money

SBS has a knack for producing dramas that many normal folks can readily relate with. For example, people who are seeking, or struggling, to understand the meaning of love will greatly appreciate the way SBS broached and explored this issue in Alone in Love.

In War of Money, SBS has once again touched on a topic which we would have read about in the newspapers. This drama takes a close look at how people, their families, and loved ones, are affected when loans taken from loansharks pushes them over the edge.

A very down and out Guem Na Ra (Park Shin Yang)
(Image source: SBS)

In War of Money, Park Shin Yang plays Geum Na Ra, a successful financial broker who had everything going for him, but only to see everything crashing down around him after his father committed suicide hoping to spare his family from a spiralling loanshark debt. The story focuses on the ups and downs in Guem's life and how he himself became involved in the loansharking business.

War of Money is a really good drama. I am totally hooked after watching the first episode. Don't expect the usual Korean drama fare with extended scenes in the form of long emotional gazes and soft tender loving moments. This drama, with its fast paced storyline, puts into sharp focus the frustrations and anger faced by the protagonists, Park Shin Yang and Park Jin Hee, in dealing with the debts incurred by their family members. The actors bring across the emotions through fine acting rather than the much touted Korean cinematography, read - extended scenes described earlier.

I am not sure if SBS has a thing for casting the 'normal' looking blokes as the male leads in their dramas, but I do see an interesting similarity between the choice in casting Park and Gam Woo Sang in the dramas - War of Money and Alone in Love respectively. Both are not your typical Korean idols, given their more than normal looks. But both possess a certain charismatic quality and a repertoire of acting skills, which I find lacking in the young idol types. Sometimes looks just go so far in adding to the entertainment value of a drama. Experience and screen presence is priceless.

The beautiful Park Jin Hee
(Image source: SBS)

Apart from Park Shin Yang, War of Money also introduced me to Park Jin Hee. Park Jin Hee reminds me a lot of Sung Yu Ri. For some reason, I think they look really alike. To Mydaemon, she reminds her of a young Lee Young Ae. Hmmm, guess there's something common in the facial features of beautiful women.

Enough said, I am looking forward to tonight's episodes. For Singaporean fans, War of Money is running on Starhub's VV Drama on channel 56 every Sunday from 10.30pm to 12.15am. Catch it if you can!