Angel's Last Mission: Love review

It would be a shame, a huge SHAME, if I don't write a review for the best kdrama I've seen so far. It will be an injustice to the makers and actors of this truly wonderful show.

I saw a snippet/teaser of this show when it was newly released. I was immediately drawn to Kim Myung Soo (Infinite L) who plays Kim Dan, an angel. The premise seemed so funny and magical. This was the first kdrama I watched while it was still ongoing, and let me tell you, I have never felt pain like waiting a whole week for the next episodes. It was EXCRUCIATING.

Before this, the 1st on my favorite list was Hwayugi (A Korean Odyssey), starring Lee Seung Gi, an extremely great actor. However, after I was disappointed with the last few episodes of Hwayugi, I was more than willing to find the next best thing. I wasn't really expecting anything to surpass it just yet.

I've been raving about the chemistry of the main actors as the biggest factor in the success of this show. There's an undeniably strong chemistry between Kim Dan and ballerina, Lee Yeon So.

I even enjoyed her dynamic with Ji Kang Woo, but somehow, I always ended up pairing her with Kim Dan.

Shin Hye-Sun is a fantastic actress. Her acting is so amazing that even when her character was insufferable at times, she still managed to be incredibly lovable. I even questioned whether she was truly a ballerina or not, and if they used doubles for her ballet scenes, it was done so well that it was almost impossible to tell.

I first saw Lee Dong Gun, the character who played Ji Kang Woo, in the MV "Last Farewell" by Bigbang. I thought he looked handsome and cool there. So after seeing him in the teaser trailers, I had no second thoughts about giving the drama a shot.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Kim Dan initially met Lee Yeon So when she was blind. She was tough, incredibly rude, and hot-tempered. But, as I mentioned, the actress played it so well that instead of getting annoyed with her, one could actually easily put themselves in her shoes (I certainly did). I saw a lot of myself in Lee Yeon So, and I could understand some of her pain really well too. She is just about equal to my most favorite lead female character, Cheon Song-Yi of My Love from Another Star. They both have such spunky and strong personalities, but I could relate more to Lee Yeon So, even if she was a celebrity too. Lee Yeon So was more elegant, and I also don't think I can be as fierce as Cheon Song-Yi.

I didn't find Lee Yeon So beautiful in the first few episodes. She was always dressed so sharply, with her super straight hair always tied in a ponytail. Plus, she was playing a nasty and indifferent character. But after a few episodes in, I was so in love with her. She was so beautiful as Seol Hee, the ballerina who Ji Kang Woo loved and looked so much like her. When I first saw Seol Hee, I couldn't even recognize her as the same actress. She's so beautiful when she's carefree and smiling!!

All I can say is that this kdrama is really well-written. The comedic parts of the show were so effective too. I have not laughed and cried on almost all episodes of a kdrama for quite a long time. Not even Goblin nor Scarlet Heart hit me as hard as this one. The writing gave me a feeling that was reminiscent to W-Two Worlds. The intensity was kept throughout. There was no boring episode, except for a few slow ones where Kim Dan and Lee Yeon So were having their romantic scenes. The romance between them was palpable, and you just can't get enough. Hwayugi was the only other show to make me feel that way. I don't usually get affected with the "lovey-dovey" moments of characters in shows. For the longest time, I was looking for a kdrama capable of doing that. And I almost felt googly-eyed in every episode of Angel's Last Mission.

"You say that I'm pretty. That I'm good. But why don't you like me? Why, Kim Dan?"

As is common in most kdramas, this also started very lighthearted and funny. The jokes didn't fall flat, and even the first interactions between Kim Dan and Ji Kang Woo were so fun to watch. Then slowly, the kdrama builds up the emotional intensity with each new episode. The romance between Lee Yeon So and Kim Dan developed over a period of time, and did not once feel forced. Although Kim Myoong Su might be new to acting as compared to Shin Hye-Sun, I guess his pretty face and adorable character made up for it. They both made me fall in love and broke my heart multiple times throughout the show. At times, it was incredibly relatable and Shin Hye Sun's great acting made the heartbreaking moments even more emotional. It made every week of waiting for the next episode extra painful.

The show tackled religion, or at least, the existence of a deity. Since the story revolved around an angel sent to Earth for a mission, it was only natural for him to have close interactions with god and a sunbae archangel. It was interesting for me to watch Lee Yeon So, who so hated the deity who took everything from her. And I guess, in that perspective, the audience can relate to her character. She was spiteful, cold and sometimes came off as heartless, but it was only the exterior of a person who was once was so hopeful. Ji Kang Woo was also the same, and I found the premise of the kdrama especially interesting because of this.

The addition of their childhood storyline was also a really nice touch. As much as this is pretty repetitive in kdramas and most soap operas, I will always have a soft spot for it because I had my own share of childhood love once, too. Their connection as children was so warm and heartbreaking, at the same time. Nevertheless, it brought a whole new dimension to Kim Dan's character, who turned out to be more human than I expected.

I will not forget this drama for a long time. There were days when I was thinking if I had my own guardian angel. Growing up in a Catholic community, this show was able to awaken a couple of suppressed and questioned beliefs.

Apart from my endless praises for this show, one of the best things about it is its OST. This has, honestly, the best soundtrack out of all the kdramas I've seen. Not a single song is forgettable nor average. They're well-written, angelic and emotional at best. Here is the complete track of the show. I can feel myself falling in love again whenever I listen to them.

Lastly, I can say that this show is really close to my heart. It was able to evoke emotions that the others weren't. Most of the episodes are either laugh-out-loud funny or tearjerkers, or a combination of both. It also doesn't disappoint when it comes to the ending. It was able to touch all of the important things and tied up a few loose ends. I may not understand the motive of the main antagonist, or she may be just purely psychopathic, but I still wish it was given more thought. All the side characters were lovely and great actors too.

This is a scene from a dream!

My only comment is on the final scene. I really felt that it was unfair. Even if it was for the sake of a happy ending--the deity giving the main characters such a providence was just doubtful, that the heavens felt sorry for them and gave them a chance after everyone else did not get that. If Kim Dan remained by her side simply as an angel, would I have been happier? I guess I'll never know. Maybe, I would have liked it more. But, it will surely have been far more realistic and unforgettable.

~Dawn