Capital Scandal

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This drama is set in the 1930's when Korea was under the rule of Japan. Na Yeo Kyeong was the owner of a book store and she was also a freedom fighter. Seon Woo Wan was the playboy son of a rich family and he became involved in the independence movement through a bet with his co-workers to win Na Yeo Kyeong's heart. His father paid for the education of his worker's son, Lee Soo Hyeon, and was disappointed to find him working for the Security Branch of the Japanese government. Cha Song Joo was a famous gisaeng who ran a high class brothel.

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Ryu Jin (Lee Soo Hyun)
Main Role

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Kang Ji Hwan (Seon Woo Wan)
Main Role

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Han Go Eun (Cha Song Joo)
Main Role

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Han Ji Min (Na Yeo Kyeong)
Main Role

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Kang Nam Gil (Kim Tak Goo)
Supporting Role

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Park Ha Sun (So Yeong Rang (Cha Song Joo's junior))
Supporting Role

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Apr 21, 2012 2 of 16 episodes seen

Sonkido
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Other reviews by this user
- Overall 6
- Story 5
- Acting/Cast 10
- Music 8
- Rewatch Value 1
I tried to like it, I really did, but couldn't. Normally I get the feeling of the drama later on and keep pushing on knowing that, especially with Korean dramas beginnings can drag a little bit, but in general I get a few pointers about whether or not I'll like the story.
Here, first of all, I couldn't get into the story, I couldn't believe it from the beginning.
Don't get me wrong, the acting was stellar, but the setting and the costumes were so un-authentic that I couldn't get involved in the story as to like it and to want to watch it further. It seemed like quite a high budget, but they could have afforded better costumes, not like glamorous people going to some posh Halloween party nowadays. It seemed too fake for me, too ... how to call it ... plastic (as in the material) for me to get immersed in the story.
It could be great and I've seen some people liked it, but for anybody who knows anything about history and costume history is like scratching the eyes... read more
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Sep 23, 2011 16 of 16 episodes seen

Jeaniessi
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Other reviews by this user
- Overall 8
- Story 8
- Acting/Cast 9
- Music 8
- Rewatch Value 7
Capital Scandal is a fun period piece drama set in the 30's during the Japanese occupation of Joseon. In this mix are the rebels who wish to free Joseon from Japanese oppression and immersion, The Japanese police and their ilk and the middle grounders (I made that term up), the people who just want to live under the radar, embrace the fun of the times and the modernization of Seoul. It is at its core, the story of a playboy who has run from all forms of obligation for most of his life and how the love of a woman changes him. And while this may be an archetype that Kang Ji Hwan has played before, I found myself loving his character anyway. I've seen him step away from this type in movies and I hope he does continue to stretch himself in the future.

I liked how deep this story became as the episodes moved along. There are nuanced and complex relationships that flesh themselves out completely and are not left hanging. While not every character gets a picture perfect conclusion, you do get the satisfaction of ends tied up nicely. There is a lot of fun, smart and snappy dialog in this drama that I don't feel was lost in the translation of the subs. The love story between the two leads was very sweet. I liked their antagonistic start, middle and end. They had a kind of old Hollywood Hepburn/Tracy feel to them.

The cinematography, color palette, clothing and music were all added delights of enhancing the feel of the time period. The Concubine Cha Song Joo had so many costume changes my head was spinning; but it was wonderful!

It struck me as I was watching Capital Scandal that even as it must have completely stretched the truth of the Japanese occupation of Joseon, (it was much worse, of course) if not over westernizing the time period; this drama speaks to the sense of pride Koreans have of their long, ancient history as a people. They deserve to feel that pride. When I think about all the ancient civilizations that remain intact, I hazard to say that Asian cultures seemed to have remembered if not kept their traditions better than most. As an American mutt, I envy the purity of that tradition and the ability to go back thousands of years tracing your family and owning your people's history. After I watched this drama I dug a little and found out just how close Korea came to being lost by that occupation. God Love Ya Japan...but I'm so glad you lost that war.

Capital Scandal is not perfect but it is a fun show. Lots of intrigue, funny situations, intense drama and a lovely little romance wrapped up in Kang Ji Hwan's special brand of bad boy comedy.

Give it a try! read more
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Hong Gil Dong

It is another period piece (although much more modern than Hong Gil Dong) that was written by the amazing Hong sisters. The lead actor is also the same as in Hong Gil Dong: Kang Ji Hwan.
reportRecommended by loois

Comments (9)

Bladey 12 days ago
How can anyone write reviews after seeing just two episodes? I suggest you go to the forums to consult the thread on how to write a proper review..writing after two episodes certainly isn't a review. Make use of the new MDL features if you're dropping after two episodes, we now have the option of episode review. Alternatively just leave a comment, not a review. Writing a review here is for the entire series, not two episodes. Two episodes is NOT the entire series and how can you do justice to the series after watching just two episodes? Seriously. And I can't repeat that enough.
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- Sonkido 9 days ago
  It's just like when you leave a book after reading two chapters. I was not satisfied with the way they made it and it was pretty obvious it wasn't getting better. I'm sorry to say, but not all dramas are like wine to get better with time. :-)
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- Bladey 9 days ago
  I suppose you do have a point and Sorry if I sounded annoyed but we do have the new features called episode reviews and these are useful for this sort of thing. Reviews are best for the entre impression, sometimes something does happen late in the book or late in the drama that changes thet impression and turns things at least a little around. And the contrary: dramas may well fall short of hiugh expectations in the middle. Fine to drop it if you cant stand it, but a review should take everything in to be helpful. Two episodes does not seem like giving it proper justice.
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- Sonkido 9 days ago
  For this drama in particular, I felt there was nowhere to go but the same path. Sorry, but my comments would have been valid even if I would have watched the whole thing. Plus, it wasn't about the action or whatever happened in two episodes, it was about the general feel that's not going to go away. :-)
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Orange-Panda Feb 3, 2012
Is this drama funny because it sounds pretty serious?
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- iamatrashbin Feb 18, 2012
  I think it is funny, but it is serious too. One of my favorites, so I think the combination is perfect ;)
  
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- Orange-Panda Feb 20, 2012
  Thanks =)
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Bladey Jan 7, 2012
This one is unique in the setting it deals with. I am looking forward to watching more of it soon.
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BPetra May 12, 2011
Unexpectedly good, more serious then i would expected... plus two my favourite actors are there (Kang Ji Hwan and Ryu Jin). Storyline is amazing, actors are believable... 90%, because it is amazing mix of everything that a drama needs :)
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