[Drama Review] 'Ddanddara' - Episode 7

I've got a new favorite character in the drama now; it's no longer Ji Sung--sorry Ji Sung!�

It's the old man in the bathroom stall that Seok Ho had a chance encounter with. I got the inkling that the guy wasn't just some random, unlucky bloke who ran out of toilet paper while 'number two'-ing. He actually turned out to be the station chief at 'SBC,' but y'all probably guessed that already, being the quick catchers-on that you are. This guy may look completely harmless what with his sanguine, easygoing aura...but don't let his pleasant front deceive you.�

The guy is actually very skilled at being menacing while at the same time being polite. He even managed to put the 'fearsome' Lee Joon Seok in his place, when he marched all huffing and puffing and feathers ruffled into SBC, threatening to withdraw all of his artists from the station. Too bad for the short-sighted CEO as the station chief was already at least ten steps ahead of him. You the man, 'SBC' chief, and my new favorite person in the drama!�

You fool! You've played right into my clutches!�

Aw shit.�

Now that new characters are being introduced to the drama, like this station chief and President Byun of 'Smiley Distribution,' the plot seems to be moving forward again. Though it's still littered with (unnecessary) comedy breaks here and there, which, more often than not, end up being not so comical. And once again--and as I've mentioned in my past reviews--we're presented with another big block of mystery: the death of Jo Sung Hyun.�

The drama be sneaking all sorts of sneaky lil cameos in there.�

Thought for a second that I was watching 'Cheese in the Trap' again...

It is my dearest wish that the writers will not drag this mystery out until the very end of the series. It's sort of hindering the main plot--you know the one I'm talking about, the one of Ddanddara's chances at stardom. But I guess that can't be helped because therein lies the very problem: until the mystery of Jo Sung Hyun's death is solved and the world knows about the true nature of K-Top and Lee Joon Suk, Ddanddara's existence will continue to be a struggle.�

Geu Rin & Ha Neul?�

The part Lee Joon Suk played in Jo Sung Hyun's death must have been pretty terrible...why else would the guy go to such pains to pay off the one person who knows the truth behind the death and even plot to forsake his�own company in an attempt to permanently end Ddanddara? The guy's a true nut and I'm liking him less and less every episode.�

You may wonder the reason President Byun is withholding his knowledge of Jo Sung Hyun's death. If he told Seok Ho the truth, then Seok Ho will finally be able to expose Lee Joon Suk. But maybe the truth isn't as simple as that. We'll have to wait several more episodes to find out what really happened...I just hope that we won't have to wait until the final episodes.�

...or Seok Ho & Geu Rin?�

The drama is slow as it is, and neither the acting nor the plot is stellar enough to really hold my interest even after seven episodes. Don't get me wrong; Ji Sung's acting is great, but when comparing his acting to those of others such as Hyeri, Minhyuk, L.Joe, etc., it hits home even harder just how much their performances fall short. And I'm still not really feeling the romantic development between Ji Sung and Hyeri. Seok Ho is falling for Hyeri...but how? Their romance still feels unnatural, forced, and a bit abrupt. Is that just me? But I'm willing to give the romance a chance since it's just begun; it could develop into something more solid and believable in future episodes.�