[Drama Review] 'Uncontrollably Fond' - Episode 4

AKP STAFF

Posted by eric_r_wirsing Friday, July 15, 2016

UNCONTROLLABLY FOND -- EPISODE 4

"Don't be fooled. This dog is so lazy, he doesn't chase cars, he takes down license plate numbers."

Noh Eul and Joon Young pretty themselves up for shooting the documentary. Ji Tae, friend to both Noh Eul and her brother Noh Jik, arranges for a place for them to live. Noh Jik tells him not to bother, that they're doing fine. Meanwhile, in the home of Congressman Choi, #1 son Ji Tae admits that he doesn't much like the arranged marriage between him and Jung Eun, but has apparently agreed to it. Later, Noh Eul's old company offers her a sweet job, but she turns it down, much to the ire of Choi's son. Getting ready to film, the disease catches up with Joon Young and leaves him in agony. Time jumping again, we learn it was Choi's kid who ran her down last episode. Sharing a bathroom with Joon Young, he ganks the celebrity's phone to find out more about him. He's stunned when he finds he has a half brother. Given a grim diagnosis at the hospital, Joon Young refuses treatment for his cancer. Later, they film the documentary, but he acts out on camera, saying he has 3 months to live and wants to go out with Noh Eul for one last fling...

If it sounds confusing, that's because it is. This drama has more time jumps than Doctor Who. So we're going to construct a little timeline. Five years ago, Joon Young was in law school and ready to become a prosecutor. Noh Eul was actively campaigning against Choi, who was running for Congress.� She had dirt on him that could be used to blackmail him to drop out. Joon Young stole her handbag that had the incriminating film in it. Choi's son Ji Tae was also tailing her, likely to protect his father. But, as he tries to leave he inadvertently hits Noh Eul with his car. It appears that neither Choi nor his son knew anything about Joon Young. Until now...

The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.

And that's not the most problematic part of this drama. Suzy's acting isn't the best. So it's singularly unconvincing when she tries to go from calm to upset at the drop of a hat. She's a bit wooden here. She's wonderful to look at, even bundled up in those big, bulky sweaters. But beauty doesn't always make for good acting, and I'm sure you've seen a few dramas where it just doesn't work.

Ji Tae just confuses me. At first he's got his hair down, wears glasses, and has an old coat. It doesn't seem like he has a lot of money. But when he shows up at his family's house, he's got his hair combed back, sheds the specs, and sports an expensive suit. Of course you don't see him effect this magical change, which is even more confusing. And why is he trying to help Noh Eul out?

Give it up for fan service!

They've packed a lot of subplots into what should be just a simple plot. And I don't think it quite works. It almost reminds me of something that a beginning writer might work up. He writes the basic plot, which makes a good short story. Then he works desperately to pack in more plot, realizing he's on the hook for a full novel. You only need a little, not heaping platefuls.

I'm still waiting for it to get really good, and I keep getting thrown for a loop with every episode that airs. It's watchable, but it's also disorienting. Jury's still out on this one. It remains to be seen whether it will stay uncontrollably bad.