Korean Drama Review: "The Legend of the Blue Sea" (푸른 바다의 전설 2016-2017)

Korean Drama Review: "The Legend of the Blue Sea" (2016-2017)

(푸른 바다의 전설, "The Legend of the Blue Sea")

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy, Drama

Episodes: 20

Starring: Lee Min-ho, Jun Ji-hyun

Director: Jin Hyuk (The Heirs, City Hunter)

Writer: Park Ji-eun (My Love from the Star, Crash Landing on You)

Plot Summary

A modern-day mermaid, Shim Cheong (Jun Ji-hyun), travels from the ocean to Seoul in search of a charming con artist, Heo Joon-jae (Lee Min-ho), whom she believes is the reincarnation of her past love from the Joseon era. The drama alternates between their present-day romance and their tragic past lives, blending fantasy, comedy, and melodrama.

Detailed Review

1. Characters & Performances

✅ Shim Cheong (Jun Ji-hyun) – A naive yet lovable mermaid adjusting to human life. Jun Ji-hyun delivers a hilarious and heartwarming performance, showcasing her signature comedic timing (similar to her role in My Love from the Star).

✅ Heo Joon-jae (Lee Min-ho) – A smooth-talking con man with a hidden tragic past. Lee Min-ho balances charm, vulnerability, and swagger well.

✅ Supporting Cast –

Lee Hee-joon as Nam-doo, Joon-jae’s con artist partner, provides comic relief.

Shin Won-ho as Tae-oh, a kind chaebol heir, adds a mild love triangle.

Moon So-ri as Kang Seo-hee, the main antagonist, delivers a chilling performance.

2. Romance & Chemistry

Past & Present Love Story – The Joseon-era flashbacks add depth to the romance.

Grumpy x Sunshine Dynamic – Joon-jae’s initial reluctance vs. Cheong’s innocent persistence.

Slow-Burn with Humor – Their odd-couple interactions are hilarious (e.g., Cheong misunderstanding human customs).

3. Pacing & Storytelling

First Half (Ep 1-10): Lighthearted, comedic, and whimsical.

Second Half (Ep 11-20): More dramatic, with thriller elements and past-life revelations.

Slight Drag in Middle – Some viewers find the con-artist subplots repetitive.

4. Fantasy Elements

Mermaid Lore – Cheong’s abilities (mind-reading, super strength, and memory erasure) are creatively used.

Reincarnation Theme – The Joseon-era tragedy parallels the present-day romance.

5. Cinematography & OST

Visually Stunning – The underwater scenes, Spain filming locations, and Joseon-era sets are breathtaking.

Memorable OST – Love Story (LYn), You Are My World (Yoon Mi-rae), and Windflower (Lee Sun-hee) enhance emotional moments.

Themes & Feel

Destiny vs. Free Will – Can past lives affect the present?

Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy – Cheong’s adorable misunderstandings (e.g., eating ramen with a fork).

Melodrama & Thriller – The villain’s schemes add suspense.

Comparison to Similar Dramas

Drama Similarities Differences

My Love from the Star Same writer, fantasy romance Alien vs. Mermaid

Tale of the Nine-Tailed Mythical romance, past lives Darker tone, less comedy

Splash Splash Love Short mermaid-themed drama More comedy-focused

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros:

Jun Ji-hyun’s hilarious & endearing performance

Lee Min-ho’s charismatic chemistry with her

Beautiful cinematography & OST

Unique blend of comedy, fantasy, and melodrama

❌ Cons:

Villain’s schemes can feel overdramatic

Middle episodes slow down

Some plot holes in fantasy logic

Final Verdict: 8.5/10

"The Legend of the Blue Sea" is a charming, visually stunning fantasy romance with excellent leads and a mix of humor, heart, and drama. While it has some pacing issues, Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho’s chemistry makes it a must-watch for fans of lighthearted fantasy K-dramas.