Arang and the Magistrate

Shin Min-Ah plays the role of the tragic character of the ghost, Arang.

Well, it has been so long ever since I've watched a drama that really pushed me to write about it. Just a few days ago, a sageuk-mystery-action-comedy drama, Arang and the Magistrate just ended. Guess what? I love it. The setting and the plot twists are just my cup of tea. It's more plot-driven rather than a typical fantasy love story. Perhaps, that's why most romance drama watchers are not much fond of it since it focuses more on the plot than romance. And for a comedy, it's setting is morbid by adapting a local Miryang folklore of Arang. Here's a snippet from Wikipedia:

"Arang is a figure in the folklore of the Miryang area of Korea. According to the legend, she was the daughter of a magistrate (busa) of Miryang during the Joseon Dynasty. Her wicked nanny conspired to have the servant Baekga seize her at night and rape her; however, she resisted and Baekga stabbed her to death. Her father, thinking she had eloped with a stranger, resigned his position in shame. Thereafter, whenever a new magistrate was appointed Arang's corpse would appear; soon no-one would take the position. At last a bold man named Yi Sang-sa was appointed to the post, and he promised Arang's ghost that he would avenge her. He had Baekga seized and executed. Thereafter, her spirit ceased to trouble the town. 

The Aranggak shrine, where Arang's spirit is venerated, still stands in Miryang, on the Yeongnamnu bluff overlooking the Miryang River. Traditionally, rites were held in her honor on the 16th day of the 4th month of the Chinese calendar."

Lee Jun-Ki plays the role of a nobleman who can see ghosts and later became the Magistrate.

Synopsis:
Set in the Joseon Dynasty period, a ghost named Arang, who was murdered, appears in front of a Magistrate who can see ghosts and pleads for the man to reveal her identity and punish her murderer. Together, they discover the dark mysteries that Miryang has been keeping for centuries.

Thoughts:
Arang and the Magistrate dwells much on life and death. The story itself built its own Universe where ghosts, grim reapers and even the heavenly fairies roam around.  If you are interested in CLAMP stories, Mushishi or even Natsume Yuujinchou which in their world, ghosts, demons and whatnot roams freely, then AATM can be your cup of tea. Though it is labeled as  sageuk-mystery-action-comedy drama, AATM brings alot off poignant and creative scenes (especially when one travels to the afterlife) which is why this drama is fun to watch. I enjoy watching also the Jade Emperor and Yeom-ra (Hades) playing their Badook games. I like the heavenly goat too. Yes.

Another reason I watched this drama was because of its cast. AATM boasts two talented actors of their generation, Shin Min-Ah (My Mighty Princess, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho) and Lee Jun-Ki (The King and the Clown, Virgin Snow). For these two actors, AATM is their official comeback. For Shin-Minah, it has been two years since her last drama (My Girlfriend is a Gumiho) and this is her first sageuk role. As for Lee Jun-Ki, this is his first role after his military service. Who would have known that their pairing is such a nice combination. Here's one poignant MV of AATM:

I might post a review soon. Hehe.

P.S.
My Dad thinks Lee Jun-Ki  is too beautiful that he thought he was a girl. Hah.