SECRET GARDEN

I’m still on a mini-writing hiatus as I wait for edits from my critique partners. I’m milking my leisure time to decadent levels of self-indulgence before the grind of revisions begins. I like to think of my addiction to dramas as research into character and plot development for future projects. And, I have learned a lot, especially about pacing, humor, and layering of obstacles for the characters to overcome. See, it’s not all fun and games.

Okay, it’s mostly fun. But I think it’s also been helpful. Maybe I’ll write a post about what I’ve learned at a later date.   

Onto my latest obsession:

This wonderful South Korean drama series can be found on HULU, Netflix, and www.viki.com (a ‘fan-subbing’ collaboration hub). It's called SECRET GARDEN. If you like romance and action adventure spiced with fantasy, then I highly recommend this show.

The first scene fully captures the intensity of this series. Imagine a stunt woman, Gil Ra Im (Ha Ji Won) dressed in leather: tough, beautiful, and dangerous, but also poor and humble accidently meets an arrogant and eccentric CEO, Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin). A man so arrogant he has no social filter and says whatever pops into his head. He has no concept of the real world having been pampered his whole life. Two polar opposites, yet despite their differences there is an undeniable attraction. Fate intervenes in a series of hilarious misadventures due to a body swap.

Yep, you heard right.

What was interesting was watching these amazing actors take on the characteristics of their partner when they swapped bodies. Their demeanors and quirks flipped so drastically, I was able to suspend my disbelief and go with the flow. It’s not surprising that this series won a bunch of awards.

Loved it!

If anyone has a recommendation for a show, please let me know in the comments section.