Live Up to Your Name

Live Up To Your Name (2017) 명불허전

Directed by Hong Jong-chan, starring Kim Nam-gil and Kim A-joong. 

Watched 15 - 28 April 2024 — 16 episodes (DRAMACOOL)

*I really liked this show, although I wasn't immediately invested in the characters. I love the actor Kim Nam-gil but the broad humour with which he portrays his character Heo Im could have been toned down a bit. At times he ís funny, though, and the actor does have comedic skills. Still, when he's in his humorous mode, he's a bit of a dope (at the same time he can also be adorable). I just preferred him being more serious.

*I think at one point I wanted to put this show on hold but I was also very curious how things would develop and I wanted Heo Im to succeed as a doctor in the present world. I also like the chemistry between him and the female lead Kim A-joong.

*Kim A-joong as Choi Yeon-kyung is not entirely likeable in the beginning but as the series progresses you understand where she's coming from. I love the way she treats patients and wants what's best for them. Incidentally, she looks lovely in the traditional hanbok and with her hair in a braid. I also loved to see how she silently observes Heo Im and starts to like him.

*The ending of episode 8 had me in tears when Ddaksae, the brother of Doo-chil, gets killed in a brutal way after Heo Im had treated him and saved his life. It was heartbreaking to see how Im goes down on his knees in front of the enemy and humiliates himself in order to save Doo-chil (Oh Dae-hwan) and himself, Yeon-kyung being witness to all of this. This episode was the turning point for me, and from then on I binge-watched the rest of the episodes. They get increasingly more compelling.

*After ep. 8, Heo Im gets all serious and there's no more goofy behaviour (for now). He's willing to sell his soul to the chaebols because he never wants to be hurt and humiliated again (apparently money is the answer). He almost looks like a different person (more attractive, in my opinion) and even walks differently. It's funny that the moment he decides to stop selling his soul, his behaviour is dorky again. He even walks clumsily now and then.

*Choi Yeon-kyung repeatedly tries to connect with Heo Im, even though he keeps pushing her away, and I loved her for that.

*I was glad that this whole working-for-the-chaebols thing didn't last too long, and Heo Im came to his senses when granny almost died. It broke my heart that he sent her away when she visited him at the hospital.

*Love the episode with the two children, and how Heo Im and Choi Yeon-kyung operated on the little boy, bringing together the ancient and modern medical techniques. This is also the strength of the show: showing both methods and not claiming one method to be better than the other. Moreover, they complement one another. I loved to see the workings of acupuncture and how Heo Im was diagnosing the patient. 

*I like how they time-travel back and forth to the Joseon period. You anticipate it will go wrong at some point, that Heo Im will leave Choi Yeon-kyung behind in Joseon by herself when he goes back to the present and he's not physically holding her. And this is exactly what happens.

*I simply love Heo Im and Choi Yeon-kyung together, how they care for one another and support each other, no matter what. And their first kiss is so sweet! Swooooon!!! I was glad Yeon-kyung witnessed in Joseon how Im was humiliated for treating a slave, him being from a low upbringing himself, so she could understand his attitude towards power and wealth in the present time.

*In ep. 15, while being under attack by the Japanese soldiers, I was so happy to see that Heo Im's saviour was Doo-chil. I love how their relationship became friendly.

*I also love how the Japanese general helped them as a result of them helping him and how in the end he and his brother ended up staying in Joseon. 

*I like the couple from grandfather's practice, Tae Hang-ho as Min Byung-ki and Min Ji-a as Jeon Jae-sook (I've seen her as Court Lady Kim in The Crowned Clown), even though she's hitting him too much. I also like Yun Ju-sang as Yeon-kyung's granddad, this role is much better than his role in IRIS.

*The ending!!! I was thrilled that it was a happy ending and that Heo Im travelled back to the present time. To be honest, I did a quick search online to see if there was mention of a happy ending, because it looked like it wasn't going to end happily for our main couple and I wanted to be sure beforehand. Heo Im behaved a bit goofy again in the last scene. 

*The epilogue with Mak-gae (Mun Ka-young) travelling with Heo Im to the present time and meeting Jae-ha (Yoo Min-kyu) was a cliffhanger! First of all, she can now study medicine and become a doctor as well. Secondly, Mak-gae and Jae-ha as a romantic couple!!! I would love to see that! I actually felt a bit sorry for Jae-ha that his love for Yeon-kyung wasn't reciprocated, because he wasn't a bad person. So can we have a second season, please!!! 

*Noteworthy is that the character of Heo Im is a historical figure. You can read more about him here.