What does Kim Hye-soo's brand of black comedy actually look like? "Beloved, must-see actress" Kim Hye-soo has once again made a deliberate transformation that surprises viewers through the Coupang Play series The Affair Was Just The Beginning.
The Affair Was Just The Beginning, which has released episodes 1 and 2 so far, has gained word of mouth for its fast-paced rapid development, sophisticated mise-en-scène and meticulously calculated direction. And the finishing touch on this polished production is undoubtedly Kim Hye-soo's transformation.
Kim Hye-soo firmly anchors the story in this work as Park Kyung-hee, the self-made owner of an interior design company and a successful influencer with 1 million subscribers. In the chain-reaction collision black comedy that unfolds as she confronts an unbearably fatal secret, Kim Hye-soo is struck and caught up in multiple incidents at once, driving the story with her characteristically hefty presence. The unpredictable struggles that a confident, professional figure faces raise curiosity about future developments.
Kim Hye-soo was different from the opening. In just episode 1 she wore as many as 17 outfits, showcasing a variety of stylings from the impoverished demolition-village life to her current glamorous success, filling out the layered narrative of the character Park Kyung-hee three-dimensionally.
In particular, the shocking hippy perm hairstyle, which she had never shown even once since her debut, seized viewers' attention the moment it appeared. The nonstop dazzling fashion is always in the public spotlight, but it visually and clearly materializes Kyung-hee's precarious internal situation, revealing Kim Hye-soo's meticulous calculation.
The relentless feast of visuals created synergy and shone because of Kim Hye-soo's acting depth. The glamorous exterior only supports it; Kim Hye-soo's deep acting, which freely crosses the boundary between comedy and mystery, met the black comedy genre and demonstrated its true value.
From the face of a vulgar influencer who perfectly contrasts with the past in which she single-handedly raised a household so poor the room would fill with rainwater, to the anxious, conflicted woman worried by rumors of her husband's affair, she vividly portrayed a wide range of emotions and drew praise of "as expected, Kim Hye-soo."
When Kyung-hee, who met people wearing a perfect mask, subtly utters raw, uncensored lines in front of her family such as "you're talking nonsense" and "this is really awful," those lines strip away a layer of exaggerated life and give intense realism, providing viewers with a kind of thrill. They also stimulate curiosity about the character's bare face that will unfold later.
With Kim Hye-soo's flawlessly calculated, outstanding performance added, The Affair Was Just The Beginning is said to have stepped closer to the essence of the black comedy the work aims for. Global fans' attention and expectations are focused on what other looks and acting Kim Hye-soo will use to toy with viewers during the remaining episodes.
[Photo] Hodoo&U Entertainment, broadcast capture
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