Memorials/ Into the Ring review

 

Drama name: Memorials/ Into the Ring/ The Ballot 

Country: South Korea

Year: July- Aug 2020

Saw the advertisement trailer on KBS Asia during the time it was aired, but didn't manage to watch it. Just kept it in mind but I forgot the drama title. ^_^V Had to ask for help from a kdrama expert in the Discord server that I am in, haha.. she gave me the answer right away after I described the trailer. Many thanks! 

So,what's this drama about?

Goo Se Ra is a late twenties early thirties woman who is still struggling to find and hold a job. She has been job hopping for almost a decade and it shows on her resume. She has a fiery personality and that always lands her into trouble with the working culture in South Korea. Apart from that, she is also known as "Garden Tiger Moth" online, who is infamous for her numerous complaints to the local municipal council to fix or repair stuff on the streets. 

Meanwhile, Seo Gong Myung is a strict no nonsense kind of guy who used to work in the local district finance budget department. Because he spoke up against the budget, he was demoted to the municipal council office instead. There he was given the task to settle "Garden Tiger Moth" 's complaints. One night he finally meets her in person while checking out her complaint. 

The rest of the story goes on with Se Ra running for the district representative post with all the obstacles she has to overcome together with Gong Myung by her side. 

Overall thoughts

It is a light hearted rom-com that skims the surface of politics. The female lead character is very much like Fight for my way female lead, which I don't really like because she seems to be screaming a lot in the show. The male lead is a quiet strong type so it sort of strikes a balance. (The saying goes opposites attract!) It was an alright watch, nothing heavy or any evil villain in this drama. 

Best parts of the drama

The bookshop cafe which was Goo Se Ra's campaign base. The cinematography of this drama is quite artistic, with low angles and wide lens. It's either you love it or hate it, I remember reading some commenters who disliked it. For me, it works while filming the exterior of the building as it gives a dynamic view... 

Se Ra's secret place to hide and re-collect her thoughts... Sunset Land or something... I wonder if the neon signage is on all the time?! :D 

Se Ra's family residence, again you can see here the low angle wide view works... 

The childhood best friends become lovers relationship between Se Ra and Gong Myung... Lots of sweet moments and kisses for the hopeless romantics... 

The friendship between Se Ra and her two besties... They stuck with her through thick and thin... 

This weird scene where small kids were driving cars at night... I was like what is this... and then realised it was a park where kids can learn how to drive... Haha! Lots of other comedic scenes as well in this drama... 

Some yummy food for the foodies... 

Special mention

Haha, this trio from the district representatives members... They always work together as a team. Kinda like the three stooges! 

Conclusion

The biggest bad guy in this story is Gong Myung's father. Gong Myung decides to spill the beans about everything and that totally destroyed his father's reputation and ambition to be the Chief of Mawon. Se Ra manages to keep her job as the district representative until the end of term. 

Lots of different endings for the various district reps... one was banished to the rural area, one of the three stooges finally decides to step out on his own and the best part was one of Se Ra's friends will be running for the district position the following year. Haha, yes it's another round of campaigning! 

Meanwhile Se Ra herself was no longer allowed to be involved in politics...Gong Myung made her sign a cheesy declaration in her notebook...But it doesn't end there, she finds herself being recruited to fight the cause of polar bears! 

Like I mentioned earlier, this is a light hearted rom-com... The issues they tackled regarding urban development and environmental damage was good. However, the political part of this drama is merely on the surface only. In real life politics, there will be lots more bribery, slander, accusations, murder and the like. I did enjoy this drama as it resembles our own political scene here, with the district representatives. I guess it is the same for almost every country... corrupt politicians that squander the taxpayers' money. 

Thanks for reading this and stopping by! Will leave you with Se Ra and Gong Myung... 

*Image credits Dramabeans, own screenshots and Google search*