King 2 Hearts: Love is a Battlefield, but we can win the War.

I know, I know, I am rattling these off like wildfire, but I seem to be on a role tonight, so I will write until I feel tired.

At the moment I am also sticking to K dramaland, since I have seen quite a few K dramas recently.  All I can say is, that it's an addition.  Once you start, you can't seem to stop.  So here we have "The King 2 Hearts".

One look at the title and you go, WHAT?  Based in a fictional modern world, where South Korea still possesses a royal monarchy. In 2012, we find ourselves in the mist of the royal family made up of King Jae Kang (Lee Sung Min), who's successor is none other than his younger brother Crown Prince Lee Jae Ha (Lee Seung Gi).  ( I love how Korean families tend to name their children with similar characters, it seems to reflect such coherence and closeness, but I digress).  King Jae Kang is the responsible older brother, who you know that you can depend on to confidently rule the kingdom and look out for the benefits of the people, while Crown Prince Lee Jae Ha is the 30 year old playboy without any focus or direction (or is he really?)

The story centres around the topic of Korean unification, which has been a recurring theme in several K dramas and movies throughout the years, but in this particular drama, North and South Korea are attempting to join forces to create a joint military team for the upcoming and fictional WOC games (I really never did catch what the acronym for the games means).  It order to effectively promote the unification, older brother Jae Kang tricks Jae Ha into participating.  It is at this joint training that Jae Ha meets the tough North Korean officer Kim Han Ah (Ha Ji Won).  It is from there that the journey begins as these two from opposing sides of the 38th parallel fall in love have to work together to secure that love.

Overall, The King 2 Hearts is a beautiful, typical and romantic story, set in what is probably the most unlikely scenario, a real battle field.  They say that love is a battle, in their case it literally is.  Ever development in their relationship is countered by the repercussions not only between the two, but between two nations desperate for peace, but unable to achieve it.  The lack of trust, questions of support and loyalty that plague all couples in relationships are amplified by a gazillion when one realises that these difficulties not only apply to them, but to their countries.

Upon initial inspection of the drama's background, it would seem that it is an intense and heavy drama all about a political situation, but that is not the case.  The dynamics between Lee Seung Gi and Ha Ji Won are off the charts, and sizzling with chemistry, so much so, that whenever they drink alcohol the audience is thinking what trouble are they going to get themselves into.  The romantic tension between the two leads at the beginning of the drama is conveyed with such depth and earnestness, that one cannot help but support the budding romance between them.

Lee Seung Gi was once again playing the role of an entitle rich boy, who evolves into a man with a deeper heart and warmer personality than we originally gave him credit for.  I don't think it gives too much away to note that Seung Gi's character becomes King after his brother's death, since as the title King of the drama, he must at some point assume that crown.  What is great about Jae Ha's character is that we get to see him evolve from the entitled idiot, to becoming a better king than his brother was.  That is not to discount the strength and value of Jae Kang, in fact, there is no doubt that Jae Kang shaped Jae Ha, into becoming the king that he was.  The personality traits are what define them in terms of being better kings.  Jae Kang was too "nice" to be a truly great king,.  Jae Ha, is just "bad" enough to be a great king. 

Ha Ji Won's character of Kim Hang Ah is also a vital person.  She becomes the support needed for a King like Jae Ha.  While he is the brains, she is the brawn (not that she isn't smart as well), but I just love the fact that while Jae Ha is good at scheming and plotting and finding the next way to handle his opponents, she is able to go in and kick some butt all on her own, without needing to be rescued.  Jae Ha and Hang Ah are two halves of a whole, without one, the other does not reach its full potential, and I love that about the drama.  There relationship becomes such a strong metaphor for the country of Korea as a whole.  From my studies of Korean history, the issue of separation between the North and the South is always seen as a weakness for the whole Korean.  Mirroring the relationship between Jae Ha and Hang Ah, the two nations are simply not complete without each other.

Regardless, of all those metaphors and analogies, The King 2 Hearts excels because of the acting of its amazing cast.  Of course, the leads were fantastic, but the performance of Jo Jung Suk as the loyal guard Eun Shi Kyung has got to be my favourite character.  His unwavering faith and loyalty to a crown prince who became king was both moving and uplifting.  He is the man behind the king, believing in his abilities, even when the king does not.  For Jae Ha entering the role of King, one that he never wanted, having someone like Eun Shi Kyung was vital.  He too helped to shape the unworthy crown prince from a boy to a man.  The youngest of the royal family, sister Jae Shin (Lee Yoon Ji) was also fantastic.  Her strength of character and perseverance were inspiring, not to mention the Queen mother played by Yoon Yeo Jung.  Her portrayal of the difficult path of a mother in a royal family was exceptional.  A steadfast matriarch and the most important family of the country, she was an excellent choice for the role.  As for the resident bad guy.  John Mayer a.k.a as Bong Gu was creepy and nuts.  It is never a good thing when your enemy is a psychopath.  Although, I guess things even out when you are apparently one as well.  What I loved about the Jae Hae, his ability to go toe to toe with an evil mastermind, by simply being your witty self.  The characteristics which made him a carefree playboy, helped to shape his ability to be a phenomenal king, and that is perhaps why his role as king is better than that of his older brother groomed and shaped for the role. 

Though the acting was phenomenal, it could not have been achieved without an great script and good directing.  Therefore, great appreciation also goes to the production crew.  Though, there are many takes as to why the title is "The King 2 Hearts", I tend to settle on the romantic side of things, that the king is torn between his love for a North Korean woman and his duty as a South Korean king.  

The King 2 Hearts is a romantic, fantasy drama that touches you at the heart, while thoroughly entertaining you.  For that reason I give this drama a 4.5 out of 5 on the Bel Scale and I strongly recommend it.  The strong acting, and great performances leave a lasting impression.

According to Bel it's a definite hit.