Pretty Man

Pretty Man is a charming, exceptionally captivating, and delightfully engaging romantic comedy drama aired on the Korean KBS2 Network from 2013 to 2014. The central character of this elusive series is portrayed by the esteemed Korean actor, Jang Keun-Suk, known for his compelling charisma and commitment to his performances.

Pretty Man is an adaption from the 2009 webtoon of the same name written by Chon Kye-Young. The show masterfully captures the essence of the webtoon, including its intricate storyline, unique characters and their development, and the different settings, making the series a joy to watch.

The core narrative of Pretty Man revolves around Dokgo Ma-Te (Jang Keun-Suk), an ambition-driven young good-looking man who has mastered the art of using his strikingly handsome looks to his advantage. Possessing a face that no woman can resist, Ma-Te wields his charm in pursuit of wealth and material comforts. However, despite his apparent confidence and manipulative prowess, Ma-Te is a complex character with a richly layered personality and a backstory that exponentially deepens as the series unfolds.

Ma-Te's journey takes an intriguing turn when he meets Hong Yoo-Ra, an ex-heiress and a cunning woman who seemingly shares his material aspirations and unscrupulous ways. Seeing the potential in Ma-Te, Hong Yoo-Ra takes him under her wing and challenges him with the task of seducing ten wealthy and powerful women to gain their secrets which would be instrumental to achieve his lofty goals.

The character of Kim Bo-Tong, portrayed by sensational actress IU, adds an endearing flavor to the show. Bo-Tong is a simple, innocent, yet relentlessly optimistic and a tenacious woman who has harbored a one-sided love for Ma-Te since their youth. Despite her lower social status, she embodies a refreshing honesty and pure-hearted kindness that stands in stark contrast to the myriad manipulative characters and their machinations that populate this universe.

Pretty Man beautifully portrays a journey crowded with love, power games, manipulation, revelations, and the importance of inner beauty. The show expertly depicts Ma-Te's character evolution from an ambitious pretty man, a pawn in the hands of crafty women, to someone who grows with each passing episode, all while wrestling with complex emotions, often straddling the line between ambition and morality.

Another aspect worth noting is the series' rich production values. The drama's gorgeous and varied locations, combined with its splendid cinematography, add to the viewing pleasure of the audience. It also boasts of an exotic and vast wardrobe that mirrors the characters' personalities and their changes throughout the series.

However, Pretty Man is not merely about the glamorous lifestyle and conniving schemes. It involves Ma-Te's journey towards self-discovery as he unravels the secrets of his past, a significant arc in the narrative that weaves together a story of intense emotional depth. It is fascinating to witness how Ma-Te's relationships with Bo-Tong, Yoo-Ra, and the various women he meets during his quest influence him and shape his eventual transformation.

The beauty of Pretty Man lies in the detailed and intricate storyline that encourages viewers to think beyond surface appearances. Behind the glitz, glamour, and comedic undertones, the drama flits through themes of love, identity, self-growth, morality, and the concept of power with a tantalizing mix of comedic moments and intense drama, thereby creating a televisual spectacle that is captivating to the core, making it a worthy and essential watch.

In conclusion, Pretty Man emerges as a remarkable series, with a superb cast, an engaging plot, and soar performances that make for a highly enjoyable viewing experience. It masterfully brings out the irony in its title - the "pretty man" who has to step away from his superficial beauty and dig deeper into himself to find his genuine potential. While exploring the realms of romance, humor, and introspective growth, Pretty Man goes beyond being just a love story—it dives into the essence of human interactions, personal evolution, and the complex dynamics of society. The show undeniably renders an emotional and visual rollercoaster ride that viewers wouldn't want to miss out on.