Kdrama “Oasis” Episode 1 And 2 Review
The newly released k-drama “Oasis” is finally here, lets talk about it!
Note: this article is a first-impression review, it doesn’t mean this is the writer’s final thoughts on the drama. This is a spoiler review.
I have been excited about this drama, aside from this being Seo ln Ah’s first leading role, the script idea seemed rather intriguing. I like dramas or movies made in the 1970s or 1980s.
The review is a bit late but I finally caught up with the premiere episodes which turned out to be sadder than I had initially expected, not that I dislike it, but it was unexpectedly filled with various major events and sad.
From a script perspective, I think the premiere episodes did a good job, its filled with relevant events like I said and had loads of information loaded onto us, but a the same time, to me it didn’t feel overwhelming, just surprising in a good way.
I don’t like the friendship between Doo-Hak and Cheol-Woong but at the same time I understand due to his prison sentence, he thinks its totally over for him, and it probably was during that time, so he bet his entire life on his former friend who disrespected him and belittled him and then framed him for murder.
I think their friendship will be a huge source of tension going forward, but to what degree remains to be seen.
I generally don’t like it when two women or two men fight over a crush, but turns out they’re not really ‘friends. With this in mind, I’d say it was done nicely here with the exception of the fact that Jung-Shin just plays around with them until she decides on whom she would date which is very manipulative to say the least. I mean she was under the impression that they’re good friends and its pretty horrible to divide them over you.
I found that plot point to be annoying especially since so far her character is shown in a positive light.
I don’t know if the screenwriter will not address this point unironically or actually address how it caused further divide between the two men and how she was in the wrong to pit them against each other while they ‘competed’ for her love.
I saw some trailers and it seems the love triangle might actually carry on as time goes by in their present time.
Screenwriter Jung Hyung-Soo wrote this script. He focuses mostly on historical kdramas. I’ve only seen one of his projects around 8 or 9 years ago which is named “Dream” because it had Kim Bum in it. His last project was in 2015. and this is his 2nd shortest kdrama.
I have hopes for the script mainly because I think he’s taken his time to craft this script well, I also take into consideration that he must’ve felt pressure to present that very turbulent era of South Korean history well, it was a very critical time for the country, if you’re curious, there are many documentaries and videos across SNS and streaming platforms you can watch that’ll explain what happened in the 80s and 90s.
Its 16 episodes, and appears he’s aiming to shift between the 1990s and 1980s throughout at least the 1st half of the drama’s run time going back to show what led Doo-Hak down that path.
The directing is done well but the color scheme was not to my liking.
I am very happy for Seol In A’s first leading project, she’s come a far way. She’s doing a great job so far.
I like Jang Dong-Yoon. He’s a stellar actor and he’s done a great job so far. His eyes really convey the character’s feelings well.
Rookie actor Choo Yeong-Woo turned out to have been born in 1999 which stunned me because he looks like he’s in his late 20s. This will serve him really well because he’ll be able to play younger/older characters based on the styling and it wouldn’t be far-fetched.
I have not seen any of his dramas yet and this is my 1st project of him but he’s truly talented. I bet if this drama does well he’ll be called one of the most stunning rising actors of 2023.
So far, Seol In A and Jang Dong-Yoon’s chemistry is ok. I need to see more episodes to decide how good or bad it is.
The drama premiered to 6% and for a Monday-Tuesday drama is quite an accomplishment these days because week day dramas are not performing well across the board. I really hope it does well and doesn’t go below the 5% mark, we need a kdrama to break the week day dramas curse, even with stellar cast members we’ve not seen any of them perform above average domestically for some time now.
So these are my thoughts on the premiere of this drama , so what about you guys? did you like the episodes? let me know what you thought in the comment section below.
I loved the premiere. I have already seen Choo Yeong-Woo who plays Cheol Woong in another project. In his first ever project – it was a BL drama “You make me dance”, he played a contemporary dancer. He stood out already – with his talent, physical abilities (I mean, try to play a dancer) and visuals. You could see he was a total package and he was only 20 years old. And on top of that, it was a BL.
Actually, I noticed that it is difficult for actors playing in BL dramas to later transition into a non-BL, long format kdramas. Many idols or young actors play in BL but after that you don’t see them anymore. Notable exception are both main leans from a BL drama “To My Star” – they both played in the Golden Spoon in supporting roles. So well done Choo Yeong-Woo for making to the main cast, I guess his talent spoke for itself.
I also noticed that the director was the one behind Mr Queen and Hwarang, so he must be used to make costume dramas, which is also the case here since we are in 70ties. Can’t say anything about the script at the moment, the writer does not have many dramas. The first two episodes were gripping and fast paced, let’s see if it stays like that for the remaining 14 episodes, it is a lot. The main leads are fine, I like them both, but there is no more love triangle or suspense since we already know who Jung Jin has chosen. She can’t choose the Rookie actor after all )). Also happy to see Saoul In Ah in lead, she is very entertaining, it was high time she was given an opportunity to shine.