This series juxtaposes the heroic anti-Japanese movement with young romance by depicting Seoul of the 1930s, when the nation’s independence fighters clashed with pro-Japanese traitors while pre-modern moral values clashed with free love of the modern time. It was an era when young people acted with extreme passion to protect their love and things that they treasured. They regarded love as the most powerful stimulant of a revolution, and a loving relationship as the best revolution tactics. This drama attempts to interpret one of the gloomiest periods in the nation’s history in the most cheerful and vigorous way.
Casting
Kang Ji-hwan
Seon Woo-wan: The most famous playboy in Seoul, Woo-wan has graduated from college in Japan and is confident that it takes him only ten minutes to seduce a Seoul girl. One day he makes a bet that he will break his record by seducing not some pretty and sophisticated girl but an independence fighter. But what begins as false love later evolves into genuine feelings. The former decadent turns into an enthusiastic independence fighter, who experiences the magic of love, which later evolves into patriotism.
Han Ji-min
Na Yeo-kyung: An unrivaled, elegant and graceful woman from Seoul, Yeo-kyung has received advanced education but she still prioritizes pre-modern moral values. She still wears a traditional white blouse and a black skirt. She is drastic, strong and stubborn -- to the extent that she makes others want to challenge her. Many guys tried to approach her but ended up in disgrace. Rumors have it that one guy was scolded by her for a full hour. That’s why Seoul guys don’t try to approach her anymore. They just sarcastically call her “the last woman of Joseon.”
Ryoo Jin
Lee Su-hyun: Having received elite education in Tokyo, Su-hyun has outstanding work abilities, good manners and neat looks and is climbing up the promotion ladder fast at the Japanese government in Korea. Everybody knows that Japanese high-ranking official Ueda Mamoru fully trusts and relies on him. But as talented as he is, Su-hyun also has many enemies, including his Japanese coworkers, Korean underlings and even his childhood friend. They are eager to get rid of him but he wouldn’t budge, even when people point fingers at him for betraying his home country. His face is always expressionless, and he only smiles briefly at decisive moments. He holds the key to all questions. Unlike Seon Woo-wan, he uses gentle techniques, but nobody knows how to decrypt them.
Han Go-eun
Cha Song-ju: A famous entertainer, Song-ju has spellbinding looks that can charm anyone. Only people of a high social status can meet with her. One has to put their life at stake to tame her. She is a dancing queen and a top singer. Those who don’t have enough money or power to meet with her in person can hear her songs on Seoul Radio or see her smiling face on Japanese government PR posters hanging at Seoul Station. She is the top celebrity of the era when there were no entertainers in Joseon yet.
That’s what Capital Scandal offers you...
With the background of Japanese Colonialism (in 1930s), this drama portrays how the Joseon (Korean) youth struggling for their romance and happiness in the era of unstable country… Sounds sad? Yeah, but don’t forget, this drama is a Fusion drama. It will give you great humors plus beautiful romance plus strong spirit of patriotism!! And what make me being surprised: all of the three aspects (humors + romance + patriotism spirit) were perfectly well-blend!
I love how the story was developed by the crews… The story becomes more and more interesting through out each episode…
Well, the romance will be start with something that sounds typical: a bet. But believe me, it still so good to watch… The first five episodes will appear as a very light and entertaining show… Go along up to the 10th episode and you’ll find this drama isn’t that light WITHOUT losing its great humors… Then finish them up to the last episode (the 16th) and you’ll find how perfect the three aspects (humors + romance + patriotism spirit) were blend!!
Moreover, all of the casts really did a great job. From the main 4 leads, to the supporting ones… They portrayed their role so well and make them feels so real and adorable…
One thing to add… This drama offer you such of fancy taste of the 1930s fashion!
Just look at ChaSongJoo (played by HanGoEun) wardrobes… So 30s, but yet so beautiful… You’ll never get bored of them ^^
And look at Seonoo Wan (played by KangJiHwan) wardrobes… it’s totally an opposite thing from the “sepia mood” that the official pics and posters (of this drama) show… it was Above than FULLCOLOR! Yeah, Wan had worn all of extreme bright colors (that you can think) along the drama…! It used to be a pain to see a man with those colors, but believe me, those Wan’s OVER-colorful wardrobes will only make you be more hypnotized by his charm! ^^
Overall, I do love all aspects about this drama… The idea, the story, the plot, the characters, the acting, the cinematography, the soundtracks, the wardrobe… All of them were well-blend and develop such a great drama…!
>> Miss this drama and you’ll miss one of the greatest k-dramas… ^^
PS: if your country had been colonized in the past, after see this drama, you’ll become much more appreciate your ancestor who struggle their life to give you a free plus peace land where you live now… ^^