Series Review: Prime Minister and I

    

    KBS aired the final episode of Prime Minister and I starring Lee Bum Soo and Yoona on Tuesday and was met with mixed reviews regarding the ending. In all honesty, after reading the spoilers on Soompi I was cursing the writers and was ready to blacklist their future dramas. However, after thinking about it and watching the final episode, I quite liked it and enjoyed how the writers chose to end it. It wasn't what I was originally expecting, but for what they gave us it wasn't bad and made some sense.

     When this drama was announced, I had mixed feelings. I was excited to see Yoona in a drama again, but I also had my reservations since this was being produced by SM C&C and we all know they don't have the greatest track record when it comes to drama (To The Beautiful You anyone?). I kept my expectations really low and because of this, I was pleasantly surprised by what the writers were bringing to the table. They made the characters, for the most part, mature and handled the misunderstandings and issues within an episode. Whenever Yul and Da Jung had an argument or plain disagreement, they talked it out in the end and became closer. This style became apparent when Yul asked Da Jung to leave the official residence and she ended up coming by in the middle of the episode. Sure her dad left on purpose to get them back together, but it worked and they worked it out. Even with outside forces working against them, both Yul and Da Jung were able to stand together. Both of them had enough respect for the other to be open and honest. Neither went into this sham of a marriage lying to each other. To other people, yes bu they were like an open book to each other which was refreshing to see.

     Speaking of outside forces, I can't do a review and not mention the ones who were "working" against our OTP. In your average drama, you often have jealous second leads who can't face the fact that they have no chance with the main leads. It's a drama staple and a common drama trope, showing nonexistent love triangles. PMAI, on the other hand, had no triangles. You could say that Kang In Ho's lvoe for Da Jung and constant puppy dog eyes was one, but in reality there wasn't one. Da Jung made it clear he was friend zoned from the get go and he eventually relented by being her friend. In the end, he was one of the couple's biggest supporters even if his feelings for Da Jung hadn't gone away yet. Seo Hye Joo is probably one of the best second leads I have ever seen. At first, I thought she was going to be the typical, whiny female second lead who can't get over her years long crush on the main lead. However, this was not the case. When she saw his feelings for Da Jung grow, Hye Joo took herself out of the picture in an attempt to finally move on. She was still Yul's friend, but she left for her own good and heart. I can respect the writers for not making her into some pathetic second lead who demands to be loved. By the end of the series, she is a politician in her own right and not someone's right-hand man or bodyguard. She was one who proved to be consistent and overall was an awesome character. This character was a much better portrayal than Chae Jung Ahn's other piney, one sided in love character from When A Man Loves. 

     You can't have the one-sided love talk without mentioning Yul's rival for over 15 years in Park Joon Ki. He also wasn't the typical villain who was just evil just for the hell of it and has no chance in turning around "because they've come this far and can't stop". Joon Ki had his issues and understandably so, but we also saw his human side and were reminded that this man was hurt. Joon Ki revenge made him short sighted and was a contributor to his rocky marriage. Yoon Hee couldn't figure out why he was so dead set against Yul and wondered if he should let it go, as we all did. His anger didn't subside until he figured out his sister was alive and was the cause of  everyone's pain. Once told the real story behind her disappearance, Joon Ki saw his wrong and made a complete turnaround. I usually like my villains redeemable, for the most part, because then it shows that everyone has flaws and there are real people underneath those icy exteriors. 

     I think what I loved the most was how Yul and Da Jung came together so naturally. In my other post about them, I praised their communication and mutual respect for one another. For the most part that didn't change even after they both confessed. The one thing that got in their way was the resurrection of Park Na Young aka Yul's not-so-dead first wife. I admit that I was taken aback and a little upset when they revealed her to be alive after so long. Granted, I couldn't be too upset since they gave us hints since episode 1 that she could possibly be alive, but I was hoping they were using that to troll us. They weren't and Na Young was alive and apparently wallowing in guilt while being a stalkerazzi to the kids she left 7-8 years ago. While I was upset with her reappearance, I understood it since she was the only one capable of clearing up her car accident misunderstandings. Sadly, that came at the cost of Da Jung leaving the Kwon family once she became aware of her being alive. This was right when Yul officially proposed and was about to legally register their marriage, but with Na Young now alive it wasn't possible at the moment. I know many viewers were upset when Da Jung left the family in order to give Na Young her place back. While I don't agree with her methods of leaving and not telling Yul why, I did understand why she left. She didn't grow up with a mother and didn't want the kids to wish for their mom like she did, this was her last gift to the family. I didn't agree with her making up random excuses, but I understand where she was coming from. Luckily, all of her lying stopped in episode 17 and it was obvious Yul finally understood her. 

     Watching these two stare at each other the way they did confirmed their love and trust in one another. After her father's passing, Da Jung decided to go away and find out who she was. No one wanted her to go, but I believe it was needed for her personal growth. For years, she's been living for others and not for herself. Loving Yul was something for herself however, once Na Young came back, she no longer held that right to be with him, at least from a legal standpoint and she was the 'other' woman. Her going away was good for her to enjoy life and experience it like she's never done before. This time she's living for Nam Da Jung and no one else. Yul understood this and knew she'd come back when she was ready. This brings us to the ending in which I have seen many complain about. When I initially read the spoilers, I wasn't happy and was genuinely upset with the writers for having such a cliched ending. I had said plenty of times I didn't like happiness being brought on in the last 5 minutes with them staring at each other. I usually hate those endings, but for some reason, I am content with what we have. It doesn't feel like an ending, it feels more like a chapter beginning to their fresh start. Their contract marriage started with a handshake and now their new lives begin with one as well. Before she left, Da Jung said that if they ever me again, she'd hold his hand and never let go. That's what I saw, her holding onto him without anything hold either of them back. 

     What are my overall thoughts? I enjoyed it. This was a well written drama without all the usual drama tropes and if they were there, the writers made sure to put a twist to it and fit it into the characters' personalities. Things become more difficult when children are involved and this drama pointed out that you have to think about their well being, which is why I'm glad Yul didn't push Woo Ri to meet his mother. He knew he was upset and hurt so he wanted him to take his time. It also teaches forgiveness, not for the person who hurt you but for yourself. Da Jung taught Yul this, to forgive and be happy. In Ho also learned a thing or two from her. This was sort of a romantic comedy mixed with family, which is exactly how SM C&C described it. So while I was upset with the lack of romance in these last few episodes, I bared it with some understanding of the subplot that needed to be resolved.

     Part of the synopsis says that Da Jung came to the Kwon family like a Christmas present. After the finale, it had me thinking about this line. Da Jung came to this family during a rough time and everyone was hurt or neglected somewhere. Just with her presence and caring personality, she managed to help them move on and become a communicating family again. Even her advice helped In Ho and Joon Ki in indirect ways. Had she not come to them at this time in their lives, who knows how anyone would have acted to Na Young's reappearance. Yul would have still be cold and probably would have never expressed his hurt and anger towards her nor would Woo Ri have learned to forgive and to speak his mind. Man Se would never be able to feel loved and Na Ra might still be a brat. So I think overall, it was good and the message is loud and clear. 

   This has gotten long enough and I didn't get through some of what I wanted to say, another time. 

What are your thoughts? Did you enjoy the drama and ending or is this on your drama blacklist?