Review: Triangle

First Impression

Synopsis: It’s a drama about three brothers who were separated for more than 20 years and later met with no recognition of each other. The eldest Jang Dong Soo has become a police officer diligent in finding his lost brothers and to take revenge to the people who have caused their father's death as an activist leader. The middle child Jang Dong Chul grew up as Heo Youngdal, a known gangster who apparently lost his childhood memories; while the youngest Jang Dong Woo lived as Yoon Yang Ha who was adopted by Chairman of a Casino and was raised to be the heir. Will they be able to make up for the years lost and fill the gaps between them for a reunion?

Strengths:

Its strengths are what I absolutely love about this drama. Probably one of the strengths which is the reason why I favored it mostly is the actors and the sequencing that was excellent to my standard. Since I have been following it from the beginning, I have heard various comments and opinions regarding this series in both extremes. Some viewers even make fun of the small details and some would tend to overlook them because some simply enjoy. To me, it has been very effective because I’m in that category of those who would fall to compliment it first before taking notice of the weak points. So, I would like to further discuss the strengths of it.

The actors are very lively. I feel that even with a trashy script, they would deliver. They stick to their character that I forget who they are behind their portrayals. They have seriously taken their responsibility to the highest level despite falling short for the storyline. Lee Bum Soo is expected to be phenomenal, very graceful, passionate, and is someone who would pour his heart into something that he is committed to. He delivered a great performance as Jang Dong Soo. Through the demand of the script, which required him to be at loss for temper most of the time, he became so angry that sometimes you think he would fit to be restrained. I really commend his presence all throughout. Then, I would think that he supported Jaejoong’s growth as an actor well through the guidance as a senior (sunbae).

On the other hand, Kim Jaejoong was stellar in his growth and I’m happy that everyone has seen his effort to be a reliable actor through this drama. Being a fan of him as a singer, I’m proud how long he’s come as an actor. Same thing goes to Im Si Wan. He was busy promoting with his group ZE:A as well at the same time so I know how hard he’s work for his character. Despite the lack of the relationship development as brothers, they made up for it through their great acting in the series and that alone is something this drama has won over. Even the director would claim that it was indeed a gamble for them to give Kim Jaejoong the lead role because of his lack of experience. However, they are very enlightened to witness his evolution towards becoming a satisfactory actor as he needs to keep climbing that high mountain in order to get better and better. For that matter, I thought this drama has helped Kim Jaejoong a lot in his craft, like a coach teaching him how to properly act out his lines and such. I have watched some clips wherein they would have to rehearse a scene in order to make it perfect and if that is needed, they have taken care of Jaejoong a lot. Through I’m amazed at how he’s transformed him as an action star which was needed because Heo Youngdal was a gangster. It was executed in a way that would benefit not just the scene but also the actor. So thank you, drama.

The supporting casts also did their part in making this drama a decent one. I thought that they recruited people who could live up to their roles. That is where Triangle exceeded my expectations. The confidence they give to their actors and characterization is a huge factor as well along with teamwork.

The sequencing is absolutely extraordinary for Triangle to me. The writer must have a wide range of ideas when it comes to the sequencing that others would call transition. But to me, I am more comfortable in calling it sequencing because it was a neat slide. They could insert a scene that is not appropriate from the precedent but would hold your grip because as much non-sense as it would be like, it is still worthy to be seen. However, some didn’t like the flashbacks but to me, I see it as appropriate because I’m a sentimental person like what Triangle is like.

Weaknesses:

As much as the writer is immersed into making great sequencing, it lacked in character development most especially to the bond among the brothers. I would also like to see them get close to each other because this is the best revenge to all those people who made them miserable and separated. It seemed that this drama concentrated much on the villain part than getting the brothers develop a relationship. If they have only inserted some bromance, this drama would have been perfect despite the antics inevitable in Kdramas. I wish and it would have been close to meeting my requests if they stopped introducing unnecessary characters which are deemed irrelevant and time consuming.

I also feel sorry to Yang Ha because of his silent suffering being raised in a lonely household. Then, I would like this drama to give him an unconditional love he deserved and has never experience in his whole life. Thus, I thought this drama has a debt to his character.

The ending, I knew from the start that this drama is melo and heart wrenching. However it made me cry, I thought that it was very gripping and my attachment to the series just had to be released through shedding some tears because this drama gave me so much to ponder after it ended. I wasn’t devastated but the moment the scene was currently being flashed on my face, I couldn’t help but cry because of utter sadness. I loss attachment to who the actors were before their characters, they were very convincing to their roles. Nonetheless, I still hated that portion of the ending where someone has to die. I thought that despite the extension, it was rushed too. So basically, it will affect the rating I will give to it.

Verdict:

Like how the viewers have conflicting opinions, I experience the same thing too. But the good outweighs the bad still. I think this drama is still very much highly recommended if you want to see its strengths and is willing to forget the lapses. I hope that people would still catch this drama out because to my preference, it’s still worth it.