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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Shopping King Louis" Episode 4

Like a puppy waiting for the mail person, I am always excited by the possibility that a drama will avoid repetitive plot devices and major drops in quality. Much like said puppies, I also sadly set my expectations too high for the eventual pay off. "Shopping King Louis" is still a delightful show, but we are now introduced to certain familiar and frustrating concepts. I am not panicking just yet, however, as I also see its good sides persevere.

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As much as I understand the appeal of Seo In-guk acting cute and the trauma Louis/Ji-seong is currently experiencing, I feel the show has in some ways regressed on the matter of his insatiable spending appetite. Specifically, it is the presentation which I find an issue. Getting greedy the more money he has is normal and the stuff of good writing. I just hope the series can stop trying to paint this abuse of Bok-sil's (Nam Ji-hyun) money as cute, because it goes against its original portrayal of Ji-seong's issues.

Bok-sil chastising Ji-seongIn-seong holding an umbrella for Ji-seong

I still cannot dislike him and he does make progress, but having a grown man acting like a spoiled 10-year-old can only be excused as a product of a sheltered life and inhibited social awareness for so long. Ji-seong clearly understands what he does wrong and why. He cannot act like an adult only when convenient. I do believe he will start changing more significantly, because his development cannot be at a standstill so long and the writer seems aware of it. Even In-seong (Oh Dae-hwan) knows better by now.

The drama is generally going in a familiar direction and it can potentially be a silly and overdone one. Ma-ri (Lim Se-mi) is now completely in evil second female lead territory and I have already stated how little I appreciate this forceful character type. Aside from personal dislike, I know what it does to stories and how it functions. It is there to put the characters we like down, frustrate for attention grabbing and delay resolutions through uninspired writing.

Ma-ri bullying Bok-silJoong-won showing Bok-sil his support

Grievances aside, the episode has good side as well, such as the growth of In-seong and his mother. What had the trajectory of an annoying "comic relief" duo is actually maturing through their relationships with Ji-seong and Bok-sil. Similarly, we see Joong-won (Yoon Sang-hyun) mature and we discover how sensible he is when he gives people his attention. Bok-sil's character is still in danger of damseling, but I will put that worry off for now.

I know I have grumbled a lot here, but I still really like the series. This very fact is where my slight disappointment stems from. Expecting very little is an easier way to remain pleased, but I feel it does a creative work a disservice. I think "Shopping King Louis" has some really nice ideas, some endearing characters and a sweet story. I just wish to see it use those instead of going for stale, cookie-cutter material.

"Shopping King Louis" is directed by Lee Sang-yeob-I, written by Oh Ji-yeong-I and features Seo In-guk, Nam Ji-yeon, Yoon Sang-hyun and Lim Se-mi.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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