Early Access: Into The Ring E1 (Patreon)

E1. Ha. I like this more than I thought I would. Let me count the reasons why.

First, this is turning out to be an underdog story, and I do enjoy a good underdog story. Nobody expects Se Ra to succeed at her bid for the district representative seat, not because they actually understand what she's about and don't think she fits the bill; rather, it all seems to be dismissive prejudice, and now I just want Se Ra to succeed, if only to prove them wrong.

Secondly, I love the idea that Se Ra has a random, peculiar talent that seems quite useless, but which looks likely to stand her in good stead, in her bid to be district representative. With all her years of systematic complaints under her belt, she has a deep and broad understanding of all the things that the constituents in the district might care about. Also, this idea of a random talent finding its place resonates with me, because in the real world, nobody really thinks that having a talent writing about dramas is all that useful, but here, in the blogosphere, that's viewed completely differently. Here, in the blogosphere, this has use and purpose, and I feel that same sense of surprising satisfaction, for Se Ra. Third, I find Se Ra likable. She's not malicious in her complaints, even though the complaints drive the service officers crazy. She's earnest about making things better, and dedicates herself to it. Even when she's tipsy and upset, it doesn't stop her from reporting an apparently very drunk man, slumped over at a stoplight, because she believes he needs help. I also like her forthrightness. She firmly believes in her right to speak up - unlike many other drama heroines before her - and I find that stubborn tenaciousness that she holds onto, never mind what anyone else thinks, refreshing and interesting. I also like her gung-ho, can-do attitude. Even though she only has 24 hours to put in her application, she isn't discouraged by it, and throws herself headlong into making it happen. I like that drive and confidence, despite her lack of actual political experience.

Also, it says a lot about Se Ra that she refuses to take a job, even though she's desperate for one, and this one's been specially arranged for her, because it means that it'll put someone else out of a job. She's empathetic and principled, and I respect that.

So far, I find Gong Myung interesting, in his systematic, robotic approach to everything. It makes me curious to know more about what makes him tick. Importantly, even though he appears to be a bit of a stick in the mud, he doesn't come off as unlikable. In fact, there're some tinges of pathos in how he's been demoted, and doesn't have people to eat lunch with. Also, there are flashes of personality, which make me think that he's more emotional than one might expect. The way he passes Se Ra right away at the interview, seems like a personal thing; he just wants her to have no time to complain, so that his life will be easier. His consternation, when she starts complaining again, after a short break, is quite funny.

Additionally, the humor in this show isn't too much for me. I find that I'm jiving with it quite nicely, and I find myself quite nicely amused. The use of the fisheye lens and unusual camera angles can feel a bit distracting, but I think it adds to Show's off-the-wall vibe. So far, it's working for me.

The childhood connection between Gong Myung and Se Ra is tropey, but given Gong Myung's distant personality, it does come as a rather pleasant surprise, that he muses about it fondly, saying with a small smile, that Se Ra's grown up well. It does make me curious to see more of this soft spot, which he's kept hidden so well.

All in all, a very promising start.