Do You Like Brahms? 브람스를 좋아하세요 ? [2020]

[bluepebbles]

Nodame fans unite! I also got to appreciate those pieces because of that drama! 
 

Meanwhile the ost line up in this drama is no joke 

 

 

[bluepebbles]

Magazine spread for Allure 

 

Spoiler

 

[abs-oluteM]

So super excited for this...cuz I think i have had enough of crime and mystery etc

D-Day!!!!! And I just want a good romance 

 

tagging @SilverMoonTea @Ameera @mademoisellesia  @wallflowersforjane @im0202 @bluepebbles @Lynne@Tofu....let's watch  :D

[im0202]

I thought it aired yesterday night and excitedly searched for the subs today only to find out that 31st Aug is today lol.

 

I’m excited for this too! Only seen KMJ as supporting cast before so I cant wait to see how he performs as a lead 

[Jane]

 I am excited, I think this is the first drama I am going to live-watch with everyone. Going to catch up on trailers and all first!

 

On 8/27/2020 at 10:16 AM, bluepebbles said:

Meanwhile the ost line up in this drama is no joke

 

Wow wow wow, that is an amazing line-up!

[abs-oluteM]

 was trying to look for spoilers online...and how nice is the ending with the 1st OST by Punch !

And the animated intro is so pretty, soft palettes 

Spoiler

 

Love this cut of their interaction ..sweet !

kkkk, priority watching for me tomorrow 

[abs-oluteM]

Drama is getting good buzz 

 

[Tofu]

Yay! It aired today! I'll have to watch it before I go to bed. =)

[im0202]

Made it a priority to watch Ep 1 before work today haha. Ep 1 did not disappoint!

I've separated my thoughts into 2 parts, music and non-music.

 

Music:

The conductor for the first performance was a little too harsh asking two violinists to leave. Does this even happen in real life?
Usually, if certain sections are too loud, the conductor will just request for the section to play softer (p, pp or even ppp!). The rehearsal shown was on the day of the performance, so the conductor would already have had many practices with the orchestra, and the numbers would already have been decided long time ago.
The only reason members are removed is probably if they are really not up to par, not because the section is 'too loud'. It just doesn't make sense to remove members on the day of the performance itself. 
I was in a choir before and we did many performances, but this never happened. So this was just a decision that made me scratch my head.

 

Kim Min Jae's performance on the piano:
Looked pretty realistic as far as dramas go! Except for the (maybe) nit-pick that  he bounced a little too much for the first part when he did the crescendo lol. It almost looked like he was gonna lift his bottom off the seat 
For comparison:

Spoiler

 

 

There have been many uses of Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. both as derivative works and in popular culture.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Concerto_No._2_(Rachmaninoff)
For music drama watchers, it was also performed in Nodame Cantabile (Jdrama).

Schumann - Träumerei 

First time hearing of this piece, played by the main character Joon-young, also shown in the teasers.
Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto in D major, Op 35

Played by Chae Song-ah. This is one of the best-known violin concertos, and also used in Nodame Cantabile.

I'm wondering if CSA will get to be the soloist of this piece by the end of the drama to show her growth as a violinist.

 

Non-music:

Being 29:
"Do you have a plan?"

What are your prospects? What are you going to do next? (And the dreaded when are you going to settle down?)

I could identify so much with Chae Song-ah during the scene with her family. Since, I'm in a similar age range as her, I get asked these questions a lot too, though mostly by friends/acquaintances. Thank goodness my family does not pile on the stress like her family does. I cringed when they showed her family as being such an unsupportive bunch. Of course, I get where the mom and sister are coming from but they could have worded their opinions better. 

I'm already invested in CSA's character because I see myself in her.

 

On the ship (lol) after Ep 1:

This two are so awkward-cute. But Joon-young still has to work out his feelings for Jung-Kyeong.

And based on Song-ah's narration about Brahms, Schumann and Clara, JY is being compared to Brahms, right?

Spoiler

Source: Wikipedia

After Schumann's attempted suicide and subsequent confinement in a mental sanatorium near Bonn in February 1854 (where he died of pneumonia in 1856), Brahms based himself in Düsseldorf, where he supported the household and dealt with business matters on Clara's behalf. Clara was not allowed to visit Robert until two days before his death, but Brahms was able to visit him and acted as a go-between. Brahms began to feel deeply for Clara, who to him represented an ideal of womanhood. Their intensely emotional platonic relationship lasted until Clara's death. In June 1854 Brahms dedicated to Clara his Op. 9, the Variations on a Theme of Schumann.^[21] Clara continued to support Brahms's career by programming his music in her recitals.

 

That's it for Episode 1. Sorry for the long post!

[abs-oluteM]

4 hours ago, im0202 said:

And based on Song-ah's narration about Brahms, Schumann and Clara, JY is being compared to Brahms, right?

Yup...a somewhat forbidden love, given that "Clara" here is the wife / partner of his close buddy. And it seems Song Ah may also harbour some feelings for her violin maker friend who dated her bestie. 

---------------------------

While I am no classical music expert , and I don't even have a fine appreciation for such genre of music, the first episode was a delightful watch . It wasn't too heavy as it did not overdo the classical music bit, which I suppose would be necessary if the drama was intended to reach a wider audience. I am not sure if I am 100% convince of KMJ's super star level classical piano playing skills (my gold standard for actors doing such roles still goes to Yoo Ah In in My Secret Love Affair ) but I think I can accept it since he looks rather dashing behind the piano ( shallow viewer alert here ) 

 

Of course, there are hints  to where the drama is heading for with regards to the leads' growth arc .With Song Ah , it is about her having self - belief and confidence to walk on this  road that she has chosen. Song Ah, I suppose is a late bloomer in the classical music scene, and I feel she may not be playing to her full potential simply because of the inadequacies she thinks she has. This is further reinforced by the lack of support from her family , in particular her mum and sis.

 

Joo Young's personal demons have yet to be fully revealed. But it seems he may be struggling from the lack of inspiration ( or may be burnt out) , a physical condition ( he kept touching he hands as if in pain) and an emotional entanglement with his best friend and the latter's wife(?) . Also from that short scene with his mum, his earnings may be going to support his family or perhaps his father's debts/ bad habits.

 

As to the romance..... I am in love. They had  such soft and sweet interactions and  cute awkwardness . And perhaps it was refreshing that the drama did not go the usual route of having them start off bickering or on opposing sides, a trope that many dramas tend to use. Definitely look forward to more of their interactions

[mademoiselle]

I am with you on this one @im0202, in regard to removing members from the orchestra at the last minute. It's disrespectful to the musicians and unprofessional as a conductor. I think it's for dramatic purposes, and on this note, I am not liking the choice of such introduction. The belittling is inexcusable.

 

I can't help but wonder if there was an intention of copying that bit from Nodame because this piece of performance was also used to highlight how small Song Ah feels about herself as she watches Joon Young's performance. Because Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 is a beautiful piece, I wish the drama would show this scene a tad bit longer, introducing the highlight bit to the audiences/viewers. Least to say, I am also delighted that Song Ah was playing Tchaikovsky violin concerto. Hahaha.

 

Back to Song Ah. I am confused as to why she's considered as "not good enough" (the last row of the violinists mean they did bad in their studies). This isn't some sort of school/uni performances at a festival. My understanding/impression is that if one is able to play in an orchestra that commercialises the performances to public at some well-known music hall, then that musician must have good enough skills to be accepted performing on stage with a well known conductor and pianist. Am I wrong?

 

Joon Young's hand may be injured as he was holding his right hand when he was first introduced on screen. The "pain" maybe mental (phantom pain) thus he wanted to rest for a year. I foresee this as a drama where two people heal each other in the end and grew together. I just hope the Show don't go too far with the Clara and Brahmns loveline bit because I'm not that interested to see my male lead wallowing too much in his first love (yes, I'm talking about you "A Piece of Your Mind").

 

First episode is not a bad watch, although I wouldn't say it was super engaging. Perhaps today isn't a good day as I much prefer the show didn't start out with the yelling and then watching her grilled by her family. Too much negativities.

 

Maybe in the finale Joon Young and Song Ah can have a duet on Brahmns' Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 77 😁

 

[im0202]

14 minutes ago, mademoisellesia said:

I think it's for dramatic purposes

Me too. But this doesn't mean I liked how it happened. 

 

16 minutes ago, mademoisellesia said:

Back to Song Ah. I am confused as to why she's considered as "not good enough" (the last row of the violinists mean they did bad in their studies). 

Yeah another part that I went 'Huh?'. Is there even such a thing?

AFAIK, only the first and second violinist have more or less fixed seated positions. I didn't know they arranged by how good the rest of the strings section are lol.

 

2 hours ago, abs-oluteM said:

Joo Young's personal demons have yet to be fully revealed. But it seems he may be struggling from the lack of inspiration ( or may be burnt out) , a physical condition ( he kept touching he hands as if in pain)

Ah okay so that's why... I was wondering why the shot lingered on him holding his right hand.

I didn't really read any character description before this. Was this mentioned anywhere?

[abs-oluteM]

@mademoisellesia @im0202 the reason she was removed was because the conductor felt that the violins were too much . So those sitting right at the end are assumed to be the worst of the class , as they sit according to their performance / grades .  But nevertheless, it was most disrespectful of the conductor , and it definitely was done for a dramatic introduction. Anyway , I can imagine myself hating the conductor cause you can see he’s rather arrogant. 
 

I like the 1st OST 

 

[abs-oluteM]

End of today , and preview for next week . Think the romance will surely be a slow burn, given that they have lingering feelings for other people.

Better vid of the preview

 

[NiteWalker]

so JY in love with his fren gf, or he only treated her as such till she suddenly kiss him outside the hall???

 

and now he doesnt know how to face her? or he had love her and was willing to take the back sit since she already start going out with the friends instead....and then suddenly she kiss him outside the hall that confuse JY and make him not knowing how to face her....?? hhmmmm

 

SongAh removed from the performance last minutes was a slap to her already very small self from what i can see......and that conductor ...which im glad that JY rejected him for more collaboration, no one need to work with such conductor

[im0202]

Another episode I enjoyed. The themes this drama touch on are just so relatable.

The title card:

poco a poco
Let's take it slowly, gradually

 

Doing what you love and enjoy:

For this, I respect Song-Ah. She did not get affected by all the negativity around her and went for it, despite the fact that it was a route very much different to the standard.

Sure, it was a difficult time for her and she still hasn't attained her dream, but I think she is happier than her friends who are probably living like zombies (the typical office worker), judging from how this friend was lamenting about her job.

 

Don't try to hard to play and impress everybody. Instead of getting an '8' from every judge, it could be better to get 10points from 1 or 2.
Because in that case, those judges will go home having seen a performance they'll never forget.
Don't fear anything, follow your heart.

 

I loved this advice from the maestro who was invited to watch the violinist and Joonyoung's duet at the house. This was later also echoed by Song-ah when she asked Joonyoung what he thought about his own performance, instead of just caring about how others felt. I think JY has kind of lost his direction and the reason for playing the piano. I'm not even sure he enjoyed it from the very beginning. I hope we will be shown more on this matter. But when he played Schumann's Träumerei for his friends, Song-ah did point out that it had something special. I think he was playing from his heart then because he didn't have to play to please anybody. It wasn't a contest and there wasn't any audience that would judge his playing. I'm looking forward to his development in the future episodes.

 

Lastly, the OTP (maybe lol). I loved the shots we got this episode. So much warmth. When Song-ah bade him farewell I was disappointed, but so glad she came back to join him after lol. But seriously they've got to sort out the issues with the respective 'friend' that they have feelings for first.

Edited September 2, 2020 by im0202

[NiteWalker]

i always look at couple back view....sometimes a back view say alot of thing

 

cr: @im0202

[mademoiselle]

I don't have much to add. I think the OTP is coming together at a pace just fine, hehe. Again, I would like a bit more focus on the music and even better if the music was done so through the interactions of Joon Young and Song Ah. I really liked the part where she became his page turner, and had wished it was a bit longer and emphasize on their "rapport".

 

One scene I really like was Joon Young noticing her half-filled iced Americano and gave his to Song Ah and drank it immediately so that she can't take it back.

 

I'm not fond of Jung Kyung at the moment, although I think we need to get to know her better. For now, her cold front appears dull and boring to watch. And obviously I'm also not liking the blurriness of her relationship with Joon Young and Hyun Ho. Girl, please make up your mind so that my boy can be with his girl.

 

Looking forward to seeing more healing and encouragement Joon Young and Song Ah provide one another 😊

 

source: moonsol

Edited September 2, 2020 by mademoisellesia

[LaLa]

I enjoyed the first 2 episodes. I don't have lots of knowledge about classical musics, so I really appreciate for those who can explain more about the choices or reasons behind the chosen classical pieces that being played in the drama. :)

 

Not really fond of the triangle love, but if it can push the two leads to each other, then okay, I think I can bear with it... for now 

Looking forward for more interactions between Joon Young and Song Ah 

 

[stroppyse]

Haven't started watching this drama, and I'm still on the fence about it, but it seems as if JY's characterization and burnout may be similar to Lee Yoon Ho's in Naeil's Cantabile? If so, I may have to watch after all because I had major SLS for Park Bo Gum's LYH in NC.

 

Then again, it could just be because it's another drama about classical music. I do enjoy the music, though not necessarily the dramas about the music. Still, it seems that this drama is drawing some favorable reactions.

 

[abs-oluteM]

@stroppyse you should watch this. It has this warm vibe to it despite the struggles of the leads. 

----------------

Ahem.... @SilverMoonTea...maybe got crumbs in this BTS 

 

Yay @LaLa @NiteWalker glad you guys are watching this too :D

 

[mademoiselle]

Park Eun Bin has this really soft "sweetness" (?) "sweet voice" (?) And then Kim Min Jae's deep, low voice is smexy. And ooooh, he has dimples too.

 

Should I move my shrine over here??? I hope he gets more recognition with this drama. He's had the potential of being a male lead. Ok, this I MUST know, did he play the piano part himself in that scene (even if it's short)?? What did the caption say?

 

@abs-oluteM Hmm, I don't see crumbs unless it's in the things they say. 😅

[im0202]

1 hour ago, mademoisellesia said:

Ok, this I MUST know, did he play the piano part himself in that scene (even if it's short)?? What did the caption say?

I think he really did play! At least for the parts that were shown in this making video. I’m quite surprised too. I thought with the orchestra, they would mostly use a stand-in since they have to pay so many extras and there won’t be much room for mistakes. Kudos to KMJ! He must have practised a lot for this role, even if he could play the piano before. Because playing piano concertos is on a totally different level!

[UnniSara]

@im0202  Kim MinJae can really play the piano 

 

 And sing in English  beautiful voice 

Spoiler

 

 I will watch it later 

[mademoiselle]

@im0202 I thought so, it looks pretty real that he played the piano bits in the BTS. It'd be lovely he actually learnt them, like how Juri did when she plays Nodame. Tamaki Hiroshi learnt piano too, just the part they have to film and he focuses more on conducting after.

 

Kim Min Jae trained as an idol actually, but didn't debut as one. He raps and dance pretty well too. The second YouTube isn't him, it's not his voice and there's a lot of Kim Min Jae.