Currently Watching: Inspiring Generation

There’s been a lot of talk about this drama, before it came out and now that it’s airing, and a lot of it is due to the fact that most cast members are well known and talented actors. However, it also shows a lot of new actors, who are very promising as well! But this is not the only good thing about this drama, even if it certainly is a good point (eye candy anyone?)

It started airing on January 15th on KBS2, and it’s a Wed-Thu drama. 24 episodes are planned.

But first of all, for those who haven’t heard about it, here is the story. I’m trying my best not to give any spoilers, and as I write this article, 10 episodes have aired. 

So, the plot.

The story is set in Korea, in the 1930s. Shin Jung Tae is an orphan, who used to live with his sister. He has a talent for fighting. His childhood friend, Ok Ryeon, is pretty much in love with him, but being a drama character, Jung Tae doesn’t notice. One day, he meets a mysterious girl, Gaya (who is half Japanese) and he of course happens to fall is love with her. But once again, things are not so simple.



So what’s the big deal about it, you may say ?

Gaya believes Jung Tae’s father (whom he hadn’t seen for years and hates) killed her father, and swears she will get revenge on both of them. She leaves to Japan, learns how to fight, gets strength and power.

And this is when we change from the young characters to the older ones.

Inspiring Generation, also known as Age of Feeling, of Generation of Youth, is a beautiful sageuk so far, set in a very interesting time in the history of Asia, with fights between China and Japan, who both have the desire control more lands, of course. So first, it’s very interesting to see this if you have absolutely no clue about Asia’s history. And even if you do.

Then, and once again, it’s not only about this. You will see a lot of fights, as Jung Tae is a fighter, and gets involved with the Dobi Gang. The Japanese clique also does a great deal of fighting. These fighting scenes are beautifully shot, and sometimes also feel like they are dancing. Not very realistic, you may say, but it’s a drama after all!

There’s also a point that I find absolutely amazing, and it’s the visuals. I mean, it really fascinates me, how beautiful it is! The costumes are awesome, especially. And I’ll add to that the amazing OST.


 
And now, meet the characters.

Shin Jung Tae: Kim Hyun Joong


At first, we know that Jung Tae lives with his sister, Chung Ah, who has a terrible illness. He manages to keep them alive with the help of his friend. One day, as they try to win a lot of money, they lose everything, and eventually decide to join the Dobi Gang. Jung Tae turns out to be very persistent at learning the best way to earn money, no surprise. He learns how to jump trains. But his sister disappears, and it breaks his heart. He is determined to prove to Gaya that his father is innocent.

The child actor who plays him is Kwak Dong Yun, an FNC trainee. He really did a good job in my opinion! You can see him with Gaya in the picture above, and here is a picture of the older Jung Tae, played by Kim Hyun Joong. He is a very moving character in my opinion. The odds were never in his favor, yet he is trustworthy and caring for those he loves.


 
Deguchi Gaya: Im Soo Hyang


She is a beautiful and strong lady. She is also strong-willed and determined to 1) Learn who killed her mother, 2) Get revenge, and 3) Discover who she really is. A total badass. As a child, she is cheerful and hopeful, but it changes at the moment she discovers her father’s dead body. She joins the Japanese forces (her mother was Japanese) and learns how to fight.

She is in some kind of love-hate relationship with Jung Tae, as she wants to destroy him, but at the same time, won’t have anyone touch him.

As an adult, Gaya is played by Im Soo Hyang. 15-year-old Gaya is portrayed by Joo Da Young (you can see her in the picture with Jung Tae above) and I’m seriously impressed by both their performances! Gaya is an awesome character, and I look forward to see her evolving.


 
Kim Ok Ryeon: Jin Se Yeon


Ok Ryeon has know Jung Tae forever, and always helped him and his sister, because she had an unrequited love for him. Her mother is a gisaeng, and she dreams of becoming a singer.

She then meets Kim So Ok, a charming young man who falls in love with her, and is willing to help her. Yet she keeps waiting for Jung Tae to love her, while he doesn’t even realise her feelings. She is very good at staying positive and brings color to the drama! (I’m not sure I like her character though… But she’s also very strong-willed so it’s cool so far! She is also willing to protect the man she loves, and we can’t blame her for that.)

Ok Ryeon is portrayed by Jin Se Yeon, and as a child, by Ji Woo.

 
Kim So Ok: Kim Jae Wook



Kim So Ok is a mysterious but good-looking young man who arrives in Shanghai and meets Ok Ryeon. He is interested in music and falls in love with her. He grows closer and closer to her, filling Jung Tae’s lack of presence. 

He is portrayed by Kim Jae Wook, and I think he is a very interesting character. We can see him doing his best to be close to Ok Ryeon, and he is very touching.

Problem: When I started the article, this wasn’t a known fact, but now it is. After ep 11, the writers are changing, and Kim Jae Wook quit the drama. He wasn’t there in episodes 9 and 10. It really is a pity, but at the same time there are so much characters that me have lots of other things to see!


Mo Il Hwa: Song Jae Rim



Mo Il Hwa is another mysterious character. He is one of the Chinese leaders. Both the Japanese clique and the Dobi Gang have business with him. He is an extremely good fighter, and seems somehow linked to Jung Tae’s father.

He is portrayed by Song Jae Rim (who is awesome at playing mysterious characters!!) and is therefore a hot leader. It’s hard to determine whether he is a good or a bad character; one thing is sure, he is definitely an interesting one!

 
Shinichi: Jo Dong Hyeok


He is one of the few characters who appears in the first episodes (when the characters are still young). He is part of the Japanese Gang, and seems to hold a very important place in it. It is indeed the case. He becomes Gaya’s trainer, and later her bodyguard. He almost tries to kill Jung Tae every time he sees him (I thought this would be an interesting thing to tell ^^). He also was linked to Gaya’s mother, which arouses her curiosity.

He is portrayed by Jo Dong Hyeok. At the beginning I thought he was an awesome character but my opinion of him may be changing little by little… I’ll see in the next episodes! (And he still remains eye candy ^^)

Right. There are still lots of characters, but those are the most important in my opinion. There are also the Dobi Gang leaders, who took care of Jung Tae, and their enemy gang with Do Goo. If you check up the cast on MDL, it has 44 members… But if you want to discover more about it, you’ll have to watch it now!

 
And now here is the trailer