Yr/TV Stn: 2011/MBC
Cast:
Kim Jae Won as Cha Dong Joo
Hwang Jung Eum as Bong Woo Ri
Nam Goong Min as Jang Joon Ha/Bong Ma Ru
Go Joon Hee as Kang Min Soo
Lee Kyu Han as Lee Seung Chul
Synopsis: (edited from AsianWiki)
Bong Woo Ri was a bright 9-year-old girl, but she didn't have a name or a father. Her mother was also deaf. Nevertheless, there were good people around her like Bong Young Gyu - a man who loved her mother and was also mentally deficient. Young Gyu lived with his elderly mother and his son Bong Ma Ru. Ma Ru was a student who was insecure about his foul-mouthed grandmother and his mentally deficient father. To make matters worse, his father married a woman who was deaf. Tragedy soon struck when a fire occurred in a factory where their deaf mother worked. Their mother died in the fire and their father was taken into police custody because of a frame-up . Ma Ru left his sister and said he would come back. Now, Woo Ri, her grandmother and father awaited his return.
Meanwhile, Dong Joo lived with his grandfather, mother and stepfather. His grandfather owned the company "Yoo-Kyung," but the company was run by the step-father due to the grandfather's bad health. By chance, Dong Joo met Woo Ri. He promised to teach her how to play the piano. To keep his promise, Dong Joo attempted to sneak out at night once. During this time, he saw his step-father attempting to murder his grandfather. An accident then occurred that resulted in Dong Joo permanently losing his hearing. At the funeral for his grandfather, Dong Joo's mother learned that her husband cheated on her and even fathered another child. Dong Joo's mother also learned that the other child was Ma Ru. Dong Joo's mother hid the truth about her son's loss of hearing and took him to live overseas. For revenge, Dong Joo's mother took Ma Ru with them.
While living overseas, Ma Ru changed his name to Jang Joon Ha. Dong Joo also learned how to read lips and, because of this, could act as someone with normal hearing. The three of them returned to South Korea and Dong Joo now attempts to return the company to his mother and exact revenge upon his stepfather ....
Review:
CYHMH is a typical korean family drama with the usual birth secrets and revenge plots. It's is slow paced from the start, but the story got better as the secrets uncovered one by one. It's exciting to see how Joon Ha planned his revenge against his Dong Joo's mother and his own parents. The drama could be better if it has less episodes, but I think it also gave other supporting characters a chance to tell their stories. Overall, it's a heartwarming and touching drama, despite the plot being revengeful most of the time.
KJW returned to the small screen through this drama, and I thought this is one of the best performance he ever had. Dong Joo is rather independent and know exactly what he wanted. I liked his close bonds with his brother, Joon Ha, though they are not blood-related. I bet many people like this "Bromance" huh? Haha!
First time watching Hwang Jung Eum, and I know her usual image is not as innocent as Woo Ri. Hahaha! I only started Woo Ri after she grew up, and most of the touching moments are around here. Nice chemistry with Mr Kim and Mr Nam, though HJE and NGM got more "sparks" somehow.
Nam Goong Min returned with another "not-so-good" character. Actually Joon Ha himself is far more interesting than Dong Joo. Lots of developments as we see this guy struggled from young to adulthood. He is actually a kind-hearted person despite being very cold to people, and we saw how he turned revengeful and blamed others for his ill-fated life. Actually he's really pitiful, but I am glad he had a good ending.
Lee Kyu Han did not have many chances to lead a drama, but I think he's capable of being one. Seung Chul is a supporting cast, but thanks to him we did have some funny moments from him.
I have seen Go Joon Hee too, another actress who has yet to make it big. Min Soo is ok, but falls into the typical support role category.
I must mention the veteran actors who acted as Ma Ru's dad and grandma. They are actually very important characters in the drama too! Spectacular acting!
