A charming set of cute couple stories set against the backdrop of palace intrigue, also exploring attitudes towards marriage, matchmaking, destiny and love. With that scheming-rivalry-ambition thread, a different title might have been more reflective of the plot. Nevertheless, the matchmakers and friends were highly entertaining, and I’m glad the point was made more than once that while it’s great to find the ‘perfect match’, one doesn’t necessarily have to be with THE one.
Matchmakers
The writer(s) did Rowoon a huge favour by making Jung-woo funny, bright yet pitiful, in a way that was suitable for his abilities. Also, his height and imposing stature are the best foil for this sheltered ‘talent’ (knows everything, thinks of everything, could pick up swimming and fighting just by reading up on them!) who is prone to lovesickness! This interesting character is further enhanced by him appearing in pink a lot of the time, riding a donkey(!), being protected by his over-protective attendant O-bong (Kim Hyun-mok) and his seemingly frail constitution, all well contrasted with his serious discussions with the king and his quick decision-making.
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| first time I've seen Jo Han-chul in a role that doesn't make me dislike him |
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| Soon-deuk often has to help helpless Jung-woo! |
Still, Cho Yi-hyun outperformed him – she is much more natural, fluid and fluent in portraying Soon-deuk, and what a character she is: smart, bold, resourceful and responsible. We can see why she has set her mind on staying as part of the family in spite of her unhinged parents-in-law. Her loving Geun-seok (Kim Si-woo) and Ye-jin (Oh Ye-joo) as though they are her real son and sister makes her such a hero, and it does seem at times that mother-in-law Lady Park (Park Ji-young) genuinely likes her. All this is topped by Yi-hyun’s lovely voice and the hilarious mole disguise that fools even her brother!
Just a note here that Geun-seok is such a sweet-tempered loving boy. Credit to his aunt and ‘mother’. He definitely didn’t get that from his grandparents!
Another note, about the real Lady Yeoju – such a dignified, understated lady!
Jung-woo and Soon-deuk’s relationship is nicely developed, amidst their matchmaking ventures and I like how it turns out that he, rather than Soon-deuk, is the ‘Agent of Love’! Also like that there is little attempt to downplay the height difference between them, which further emphasises the difference in their personalities and situations.
Couples
All the couples are funny and endearing, and even the wrongly picked bachelors end up with their correct partners!
The Maeng sisters
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| the 'old ladies' 😄 |
Sam-soon (Jung Bi-min) is so amusing and adorable, and cleverly paired with Lieutenant Jung (Heo Nam-joon). I think their mother knew from the start that he liked her daughter, when she got him to come back for more repairs at their house, but this is never mentioned. Neither is it explained why he had vowed never to get married or why he rejected Sam-soon’s initial proposal.
Doo-ri (Park Ji-won) and Shi-yeol (Son Sang-yeon) are my favourite couple because they are the cutest.
Ha-na and the Crown Prince… well, I can see that they are a ‘good’ match as he holds her in high esteem and he suits her need for an intelligent husband but she’s settling for someone less intelligent than herself. What about the future, when he grows up and there are other attractive ladies who are nearer his age?
Scenes stealers
Kim Hyun-kok as O Bong. He is hilarious and such an apt match with Jung-woo/Rowoon, to whom he is so endearingly loyal. He just bursts with energy or funny expressions in every one of his scenes!
Lee Soon-won as defence minister. Very successful portrayal of a dim guy who thinks he’s got everything under his belt and takes all his ridiculous tasks seriously.
Kim Da-hwin as chief magistrate. Another bonehead who thinks he’s an astute schemer.
Along with the Left Councillor (Lee Hae-young), they form the really dense group who thinks they are a formidable opposition to the king, never realising how useless their ideas and meetings are, and never knowing how they are actually pawns of the mother of all plots! These baddies almost always operate in the night or in dim light, in contrast with all the light and colour that accompany the other characters.
A question about Lady Park – although it is quite a punishment for her to be abandoned by family and left all alone in the huge Park residence, still convincing herself that she did right all along, why is she not punished for her murders and almost-murders?
The little reality TV-like interviews, and the soundtrack of songs and many instrumentals, as well as the pretty artwork and animation of the theme song, are among the supporting ingredients that add to one’s enjoyment!
The Matchmakers, 16 episodes, KBS
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