robkell-909

I am compelled to write about this video now that I've just finished watching it. This is a movie I would recommend others to watch at least "once."

This is not a classic, but it has a good story line and several subplots. It could very easily have become a tear-jerker. I disagree with people who say that the acting was bad. The acting was better than the "direction" (directing) in my opinion.

In the hands of better director(s) and a bit of a more refined plot, the video would have received much better reception.

Personally I vouch for a remake with the above enhancements.

I'm not a big fan of TV dramas due to their length and generally sub-par acting. However, watching Korean TV series has changed my perspective forever.

This is my second IMDb comment since I started using IMDb many years ago. I am compelled to write about this series because it deserves to be noted, along side with another Korean TV series "Dae Jang Geum" (AKA A Jewel In The Palace) if you have not already seen it.

If you have been an avid Korean romance TV drama fan before watching this series, you will probably find this one too clichéd and has taken (politely speaking) the "best ingredients" of other romantic-themed TV dramas.

However, if you are new to Korean romance TV dramas (dare I say anyone who has watched less than 5 Korean TV drama series prior to this?), then this will probably woo you as it did me, and forever change your view of Korean romantic TV dramas, for the same reason above: when you see other similar dramas after this, you will find bits and pieces of the others that remind you of this one. But -- most importantly -- this one has managed to weave it together better than all the others of the same genre to date. Is it any surprise that the writers and producers have benefited from previous similar productions? Would it be better off if this show was never produced?

This brings me to the next point: I ask that anyone casting their vote to bear in mind that just because elements of this show came from others before it should not be the main reason for down-casting it. Should we down grade an ice skater's superior performance just because he/she has used similar steps as others before them? I think the difference is mainly in execution. This one is beautifully executed with some of the most memorable sound tracks for a romance-based TV series ever -- look up the song title "Bo Go Ship Da" on "www.YouTube.com" for a taste of what may have already become a classic -- seems that every Korean I meet knows this song. The only other Korean TV romance drama series that has this memorable a sound track would be "Winter Sonata," but this show still manages to out-do it with it's own classic.

I have heard many times from other people that watched this series BEFORE some of the other series telling me that "nothing compares" to this one -- that they are spoiled by this show. I concur. If you watch this series, it may just have the same effect on you. Luckily, even though I watched "Dae Jang Geum" after this, DJG was not similarly themed that I was not "disappointed" at DJG in any way.

Does this mean this show is PERFECT? No -- hence the 9 out of 10. The acting by the stepmother and her daughter were over the top at times, and it did get a bit slower near the end where the emotions ran very high, but I strongly disagree with those that said the "ending" was bad because it is "sad." I think the way it ended was beautifully done that though it was sad it wasn't poorly framed nor felt unpolished like some other dramas where the ending leaves you wondering if the writer fell asleep.

So be forewarned -- watch this show and it just may change your expectation for other romantic TV series that follow forever, not to mention needing a box of tissue handy for each episode.

If you want to learn more about the show (and therein possible spoilers), visit "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stairway_to_Heaven_(TV_series)" by cutting and pasting the address into your browser.

Side comment: This series has been watched at least three times in our household. Each time my wife commented that Yuri would have been a better choice as the tragic heroine. Personally, I feel Yuri is prettier than Jeong-Seo. While this may just be a coincidence, did any one notice that Jeong-Seo and Song-joo have complimentary initials (JS vs. SJ)?? :)

P.S. Please let me know if my comment is helpful to you so I know how to improve it for the future. Thanks!

P.P.S. By the way, the someone needs to add "Stairway to Heaven" as the AKA title in the listing. I tried many times to bring this show up in IMDb and have been unsuccessful since I have never known this show's English title as anything else.

This is the first time I have written a comment on IMDb in all the years I have used it avidly to search for worthy videos to watch. I am writing it not because there is not enough comments already for this wonderful series, but to additionally help you decide if you should invest a whopping 54 hours of your life on watching one drama! Since this is aimed at convincing you why you should watch it, I will keep spoilers to a minimum.

So how did I get involved with it? I was searching for worthy Korean TV series to watch after having seen the more contemporary setting drama such as Stairway To Heaven, which is highly recommended. When I came across this, although rated highly by others, I shy-ed away from it for the same reason above ... I just couldn't imagine how this kind of drama can entice me. But...someone I know asked if I have it to lent them due to the fact I told people I watched Korean Drams. I did not in spite of my collection of top DVD titles. I decided to get it just to find out what it was all about. At the time, IMDb did not have this title rated to assist in my decision.

Episode one was interesting. Not hooked but enough interest to keep me going...same with the next one...and then when I finally got to the part when the little Jang Geum became orphaned and out-shone the other little girls in the palace in her determination and diligence, that is when I really got hooked, which brings me to a suggestion ... watch the first 3 episodes in their entirety. If you are still only on the sideline not sure to continue or not after watching episode 3, then you should probably stop watching (really unthinkable to me but I suppose it is possible). The actors/actresses are handsome/pretty, but that is not why I continued.

The first set of DVDs I purchased was made in China and had OK English translation. The problem with the English translation, while subtle, surfaced more in the second half, as one can tell they are not done by the same person(s). An anal movie-buff that I am, I sold it and bought the YesAsia edition, more expensive but has much better translation (a very prominent example would be: Palace Girl in the China Edition is Court Lady in the YesAsia edition -- while Palace Girl is the "literal" translation, the proper equivalent by title is Court Lady). The picture quality is also better. In fact, my wife commented that Jang-Geum (grown up) is not as pretty as in the China version now that she can see the imperfections on her face close up.... So I ended up spending yet another 54 hours re-watching...but it was worth it...because the translation clarified things that otherwise would have been lost as "cultural differences." This is the set that will remain in my library as one of the rare "worthy" TV dramas to collect in its original form. By the way, the China edition in the green box has bonus materials of interview with some of the cast members as well as the last 7 days of filming -- even though there is no English subtitle on the bonus materials, it was still quite enjoyable to see how the cast looked in "modern" attire and their reaction to the questions! :)

With so many TV programs trying to "buy" an audience with "sex, violence, and improper language (lack of respect)" screen time nowadays, it is truly refreshing to see something that not only serves to entertain but also educate at the same time without emphasis on sex and violence! It is little wonder that this series has swept away audiences all over and realigned some of the younger generation to the ideals that seem to be eroding away in the modern world.

In closing, none of the episodes disappointed and they were all enjoyable, but it is just a small few minutes here and there of extra details that seem to drag a bit in the first 10 episodes. In fact, I have a feeling that if you are KOREAN you will probably not feel the drag due to your ability to relate those details better than non-KOREANs like me.

The quality of research that has gone into making this production (the cuisines and the medicines) is impressive and educational. The music - excellent. Combined with the singular vision of one director and one writer for this drama, it is a COMPLETE experience that, in short, will enrich the lives of anyone who is open-minded and willing to invest the time to watch it.

Please let me know if my comment is helpful to you. Thanks!

P.S. Here are some additional research sites that has helped me to connect and enjoy the drama more:

* stillwatersca.blogspot. com/2005/04/dae-jang-geum-background-information. html (please take out the spaces for it to work)

* wikipedia.org

* Lee Young Ae (lead actress) 2006 New Year Message to fans @ http://mydjg.blogspot.com/

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