The comedic and heartfelt interactions between ZE:A's Park Hyung Sik and Lim Ji Yeon have helped to make "High Society" one of the most compelling dramas to examine the upper echelon of Korean society, in quite some time.
Park Hyun Sik portrays Yoo Chang Soo, the wealthy heir of a department store chain, who has had very few obstacles placed before him. When the series opens, the world is his oyster and he is willing to go on blind dates that will likely lead to an arranged marriage. Few people have challenged Chang Soo, especially women, who are awestruck by his handsome charm.
His tidy world is upended when he meets Lee Ji Yi, a part-time employee who demonstrates food at the supermarket owned by his family. Lim Ji Yeon plays Ji Yi with a jaded air of authenticity that is often removed from K-Drama Cinderellas. She is a practical girl who initially falls for Choi Joon Gi (Sung Joon), a member of upper management at the company, before realizing that her strong feelings towards Chang Soo are actually based in romance.
The relationship dynamic between Chang Soo and Ji Yi is K-Drama gold. Here are five reasons why Park Hyung Sik and Lim Ji Yeon are a great on-screen couple.
1. Park Hyung Sik and Lim Ji Yeon perfectly capture the conflicted emotions of a couple struggling to maintain their love against-all-odds.
The unspoken, run-on joke is that their breakup is inevitable. Park Hyun Sik and Lim Ji Yeon brilliantly translate the complex emotions of a couple who have embarked on an ill-fated relationship.
2. Yoo Chang Soo is a complex, yet sweet-natured character that is unlike most other K-Drama heirs.
Screenwriter Ha Myung Hee has crafted Yoo Chang Soo into a nuanced character whose personality reflects compassion and intelligence. He is not unwittingly plunging into a relationship with Ji Yi and recognizes the consequences of their actions.
3. The evolution of Lee Ji Yi is a Cinderella story, with a twist.
Ji Yi does not approach Chang Soo for lavish dates or extravagant shopping sprees. She attempts to keep Chang Soo grounded, which is a far cry from many K-Drama Cinderella tales.
4. Chang Soo and Ji Yi are pragmatists, who are a more realistic alternative to couples like "The Heirs" Cha Eun Sang and Kim Tan.
Many K-Dramas, like "The Heirs," operate on the premise that a wealthy conglomerate heir can fall hopelessly in love with a commoner, with little recourse other than a few relatives that object to the union."The Heirs" was a fantastic teen series but "High Society" examines the relationship of a poor girl and rich man from a more mature angle. "High Society" approaches this dynamic from a pragmatic perspective, as Yi Ji is relentlessly harassed by Chang Soo's mother.
5. Viewers have been prepared for Chang Soo and Ji Yi to receive an unhappy ending, which will make a positive conclusion an unexpected treat.
Some of the most beloved tales like "Secret Garden," "The Heirs" and "Master's Sun" featured disgruntled family members, who continued to argue against the relationship of the protagonists, until the series' concluded. While they could have a happy ending, the on-going dialog of their breakup has prepared viewers for what could be an inevitable split.
What are your thoughts on Park Hyung Sik and Lim Ji Yeon in "High Society?"
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About the writer: Adrienne Stanley is a contributing editor for KDramastars. She is also a contributing writer for KpopStarz, MTV Iggy, Viki and CJ Entertainment's KCON blog. Her passions include a love of K-pop and Asian drama. When she is not writing, she is hanging out on Twitter (@retrogirladdy).
