[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Whisper" Episode 8

The hinted rift between our lovebird antagonists cannot stop expanding and it is aided by Yeong-joo and Dong-joon's actions, but also by the two elders who want to win over their rival. The desperate villains are starting to change their mind on their loyalties and this yields importance evidence for our heroes' case. At the same time, the shift of alliances creates new dangers and the suggestion for an unwelcome compromise.

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I did not expect the loss of trust between Soo-yeon (Park Se-young) and Jeong-il (Kwon Yul) to happen as soon as it has and so I am curious to see the new paths opened ahead. Now Soo-yeon will not manipulate her father for Jeong-il anymore and her ex-beau will not protect her from his father. Il-hwan (Kim Kap-soo) is shaking things up by cowering away from a solution, but it would have been equally fun to have two relentless elders.

What his cowardice achieves, however, is to boost the story to its next phase by bringing Yeong-joo (Lee Bo-young) back to the driver's seat and in conflict with Dong-joon (Lee Sang-yoon). "Whisper" is a two-lead series and so, while I understand that Yeong-joo's lack of a high-ranking position limits her, I am glad to see her growth. If male heroes can escape abroad and miraculously return as rich geniuses, a smart woman can learn to play the game while working among lions in their den.

While the loss of love and trust between the villains creates fun new dynamics on their end, it is not really a source of emotional investment for viewers, since those are characters we are meant to hate. A possible new rift or new uncertainty between the leads, however, is more interesting and frankly more realistic than a sudden friendship between two people who clearly do everything for their personal goals alone, even if those goals align at times.

I do have a complaint about this latest crisis and it is one I have about Korean drama plots in general. The only reason why Dong-joon is pushed into picking a new "culprit" is because drama characters become conveniently oblivious when it comes to gathering game-ending evidence. The series has to continue, of course, but the tension created instantly evaporates when these situations are written poorly.

It has taken "Whisper" half a series to get somewhere interesting and so I cannot really sing its praises too much, but as someone who has taken up the task of covering this show, I do feel happier to watch it now. As someone who knows how hard producing a drama is, I wish the work will pay off in quality. As a viewer, I also wish to enjoy it until the end, so dazzle me, "Whisper".

"Whisper" is directed by Lee Myeong-woo, written by Park Kyeong-soo and features Lee Bo-young, Lee Sang-yoon, Kwon Yul and Park Se-young.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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