Was really surprised to find this truly hidden gem!
Before anything, The Script Writer Moon Hyun-Kyeong (brilliant!) and Director Hwang Seung-Ki (brilliant!) deserve the highest praise! What a wonderful collaboration, and whoever chose the camera person gets an extra star! The camera work in this entire drama is amazing in a way that is truly art-of-filmmaking brilliant. (Sorry to use this word so many times, but there just isn't any other than fits as well.) And, now...the actors...all of them were so perfectly cast, but special honors go to Im Jin-ah and Park Sung-hoon. Wow, the chemistry between the two leads, especially as they bonded throughout the drama is so entertaining and endearing. And special mention goes to the little boy who is always the fourth character among Se Ra and her two best friends. He's the "And a little child shall lead them" character throughout, and he'sl as so adorable!
I happened upon this drama because I was watching Don't Dare to Dream and was drawn to Park Sung-hoon's role there as Secretary Cha. I was hoping I would find a drama he stars in where he plays a similar endearing character. Into the Ring delivered so much more than that!
If anyone is familiar with the western director Wes Anderson, you might love Into the Ring as so many scenes remind me of some of his funniest and quirkiest films. I do hope there's a future collaboration of everyone who was instrumental in making this wonderful drama. (As a side, I'm surprised to find so few awards for this. S Korea doesn't seem to reward art in filmmaking as much as popularity, which is a shame. Over here, I can think of at least eight Oscar category nominations.)
Special recognition also goes to the storyline, which for me in this terribly contentious, political climate here in the USA (2024), this story worked like a healing balm for my soul that has been so worn down by ridiculous politics and the greed that seems to survive in a way that is so disheartening. This drama storyline makes you feel hopeful that the underdog, the candidate who really cares most for the majority of average, hard-working citizens can make a difference even when all the odds are stacked against them. If for only this, it's a must see these days. Bravo to all the cast and crew of the endearingly entertaining drama. <3 <3 <3 . . .
