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| SBS Promotional Poster Pinocchio 2014 |
Episodes: 20
Starring: Lee Jong-seok, Park Shin-hye, Kim Young-kwang, Lee Yu-bi
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Plot Summary: Ki Ha-myung (Lee Jong-seok) assumes the name of Choi Dal-po, the eldest and deceased son of a kind elderly man, named, Choi Gong-pil. He was found and saved by the old man drifting amid sea after his mother dragged him with her to the ocean for the suicide. Ha-myung's family suffered the wrath of the people after his father, captain of the firefighting squad, was thought to be in hiding when, in fact, along with his team, died from the blast caused by the fire. With lack of evidence, the media delivered irresponsible reporting to the public which was solely based on the statement of a witness who suffers from pinocchio syndrome. Fortunately, Ha-myung survives the suicide and is adopted by his savior who presumably suffers from dementia. The old man, Gong-pil, believes that the boy he saved is his eldest son who comes back to life for him hence he calls the outcast with the deceased son's name, Dal-po. A born genius, Ha-myung, embraces Dal-po's persona by acting brainless in front of his adoptive father to help him cope with the loss of his son who has long been dead 30 years ago.
Few months later, Gong-pil's youngest son moves to the island with his daughter, Choi In-ha (Park Shin-hye), to live with his father. The presence and deception of Ha-myung is met with great resistance by the new arrivals. Gong-pil, who still sees Ha-myung as Dal-po, reprimands his youngest son and granddaughter to treat Dal-po with respect and address the latter as 'older brother' and 'uncle' respectively. Flabbergasted with the thought of calling a 'mere boy' with honorifics, Gong-pyung and Ih-na have no choice but just go with the flow.
Choi In-ha hiccups a lot when she lies, a manifestation of her pinocchio syndrome. She idolizes her mother and hates to live in the island. Her parents' divorce and the health of her grandfather brought them to isolation from the city. Ih-na and Dal-po grows together and attends the same school. While Ih-na is an average student and popular, Dal-po earns the title 'all-zero' to his name inspite of his gifted brains. Even in school, he internalizes Dal-po's image as a simpleton and intentionally ranks last in school. No one knows he that he is actually a genius! He secretly likes Ih-na and careful not to show his affection in regard to his new found family. His feelings for Ih-na drives him to join a TV quiz show to prevent a school mate, a contestant of the said show, from professing on national TV to Ih-na. Dal-po's other goal is to ensure Ih-na wins the bet she got herself into for Dal-po's sake.
Ih-na wishes to be a reporter like her mother but her pinocchio syndrome becomes a hindrance, even her own mother fails her in the interview when she applies for the post in MSC. Frustrated with the meeting with her mom who she has not seen for 13 years, Ih-na is ready to discard her long time dream but Dal-po, after knowing what transpires in the interview, comes to Ih-na and brings hope that they can work together to be reporters. Ih-na helps Dal-po with her reference materials in preparation for the job opening in YGN. In between taxi driving, Dal-po learns his own craft without wasting time and successfully earns the spot in the network. Ih-na, on the other hand, gets rejected and ends up as part-time employee in a convenient store. It is also at this point where Dal-po regards Ih-na unfit for the job, not just because her pinocchio syndrome proves her unworthiness but, more so, it now bothers him the fact that Ih-na is still the daughter of the person who brought tragedy to his family. Ih-na, however, is unsuspecting and incognizant of Dal-po's pain and resentment towards her mother. Ih-na tries to put an end to the tension building up between her and Dal-po. She tells him sincerely that the hiccups she has been experiencing of late is not all about his success and her failure with the job they both sought after but rather admits it's of the feelings she have for him. Her revelation is to clear any misconception of jealousy with the said job Dal-po may have as source of her hiccups. As to her affection, she assures him that she will deal with it alone as they are family.
Song Cha-ok, mother of Ih-na, is a ruthless nightly news anchor and MSC's section chief. Her twisted reporting when she was then a field reporter, brought tragedy to Dal-pong's real family. Responsible reporting is out of her league and only cares about her own ambitions. With MSC's deteriorated credibility rating, Cha-ok gets to Ih-na and hires her, using her daughtet's pinocchio syndrome for publicity stunt. Dal-po, who initially despises TV networks, continues his training as intern to MSC's rival network. He now sees YGN as a vehicle to find his lost brother and clear his father's name. With the recent news where the remains of his father has been found and the info given to him by the police, he is most certain that his brother is alive. While he is relieved that he is not alone, Dal-po's brother, Jae-myung, feels otherwise. Jae-myung is out to avenge the fate of his family by killing 2 of the factory workers and framing the third, all of which, responsible for the tragic fire incident that caused the life and defamation of Jae-myung and Ha-myung's (Dal-po) father.
With the realization of her dream, Ih-na continues to work hard and shows her worth as part of MSC. In the process, she uprooted Dal-po's real identity, what has become to his family and the role played by her mother in the midst of the lamentable state of the bereaved family, notwithstanding, the angushed heart of the two brothers separated by selfish designs of Ih-na's mother. In disgust and resentment to the selfish deed, Ih-na stands firm against her mother and reveals to Jae-myung that his brother is still alive. Hand in hand, they move on and knock the wind out of Ih-na's mother through honest news reporting and expose the conspiracy in the news industry.
My Thoughts: Cheers to another good drama that's worthwile to watch. Both lead stars bagged several awards for their acting which goes to show that they aced their performance. Pinocchio, with its international broadcast was aired in 12 countries where online broadcasting rights records the most expensive Korean drama ever sold in China. Impressive huh?! There are actually a number of reasons to watch this drama - Jong-seok & Shin-hye, transformation of Jong-seok from a country bumpkin with that odd hairstyle to a clean-cut attractive news reporter. Hmmm...he is so cute and carries himself well. In fact, as a model, he was praised by many as "A model who has the image of a boy and a grown man coexisting inside him." And I agree on that! You just can't miss the performance of the multi-awarded actor, Lee Jong-seok! Park Shin-hye is already a given. We all know that she has a lot of supporters with her sweet, pleasant looks and her acting ability as well. She is one of my favorites! The story of Pinocchio is cleverly written with its unique plot, densed with a combo of funny, touching and heart titillating romance. There are mini dramas within the drama that keeps the episodes moving from beginning to end. I am glad that the whole production exceeded my expectation. If there is anything that I can change, I just wish that the writer didn't have to make Jae-myung a criminal. It is just so sad. I know what he has gone through was depressing and I just want the two brothers reunite with no complications. It is just too much for me.
My Rating: 10/10
Hit HOME for other Korean dramas/ movies to watch for!
Other Lee Jong-seok's Dramas/ Movies: I Hear Your Voice
Other Park Shin-hye Dramas/ Movies: Miracle In Cell No. 7, Tree Of Heaven, Don't Worry, I'm A Ghost, Heartstrings
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