Review:// Pretty Man (Bel Ami)

Pretty Man, also known as Bel Ami, after the 1885 novel by Guy  de Maupassant about a journalist who uses women to climb his way to the top, is an adaptation of the 17 volume manhwa, Yebbeun Namja by Chon Kye Young.

The drama averaged 4.3% (AGB Nielsen) nationwide, which isn't great. Many people have blamed Jang Geun Suk for the low ratings, saying that he needs to tackle different types of roles. Sure, he has played the emotionally unavailable jerk who eventually charms us with his cat smiles, and ends up intensely invested in love, many times. He's good at it, and we knew that going into Pretty Man.

The problem was that the writing completely failed to deliver a plot that had enormous potential. If the script had allowed for more than minimal character development, had dug deeper into the nature of relationships, and had made connections within the story instead of abbreviating everything and then glossing it all over, viewership would have been higher, and everyone would be saying that Sukkie was awesome.

 It's because of the skill and charisma of the cast that the drama was fun and entertaining despite the shallow storyline. There was more than enough charm to keep me coming back until the end.

First Impressions:// Pretty Man

Eels everywhere are rejoicing as Sukkie's long awaited drama finally airs. Pretty Man, known by many names (but we'll get to that in a bit) is based on the 17 volume manhwa, Yebbeun Namja by Chon Kye Young, first published in 2009.

Jang Geun Suk plays Dokgo Ma Te, a beautiful ambitious man who isn't above using women for his own gain. Hong Yoo Ra (Hong Nya Nya in the manhwa), played by Han Chae Young, is a mysterious woman who has been watching Ma Te and will give him the mission of seducing and learning from 10 successful women in order to take his rightful place in life. Kim Bo Tong, played by IU, is an ordinary girl who has been hopelessly in love with Ma Te since their school days and has the challenge of helping him realize true love.