Do you like Brahms? is a fresh new drama that aired on SBS on Mondays and Tuesdays, ending on October 20th. Directed by Jo Young-min and written by Ryu Bori, both of whom were unfamiliar names to me until now. However, I discovered that the two previously collaborated on a two-part short film called "17 Again" last year.
Jo Young-min PD and Ryu Bori, despite dealing with a classical theme that may feel somewhat challenging for someone like me who is unfamiliar with classical music which beautifully portrayed it with warmth and emotion.
As I got drawn into the drama, which had been gaining popularity among those around me, I couldn't help but wonder about the person behind such a beautiful story. Upon researching, I found the writer's background to be impressive.
Graduating from Seoul National University's Department of Music with a major in violin, double majoring in business administration, obtaining a master's degree in performing arts management from New York University, and working in marketing for the New York Philharmonic and the Ministry of Education.
Come to think of it, the character Song-a's profile in the drama closely resembles that of writer Ryu, almost as if she wrote her own story. A person who majored in music, worked in marketing for the New York Philharmonic, and then became a drama writer; it made me curious about how Ryu Bori transitioned into being a writer after already having a career in such a different field.
Park Eun-bin plays the role of Chae Song-a, who graduated from Seoryeong University's business administration department and, after failing four times, entered the music department as a violinist.
In the drama, Seoryeong University's music department is portrayed as the top music school in Korea that any high school student who is passionate about music would dream to attend. So, in real life, it would be comparable to S University's music department. Song-a graduated from S University's business administration department. In reality, if she graduated from the business administration department of S University, it must be a highly prestigious place that requires excellent academic performance.
Both her parents and her sister are elite lawyers, and Song-a, like her family, could have lived a life without lacking anything. However, she wanted to live by doing what she loved rather than pursuing a stable future.
So, she chose the violin. But as it often happens, what one loves and what one is good at don't always align. This caused Song-a a lot of frustration. Despite loving the violin more than anyone else and wanting to excel at it, the reality is she's only relegated to the back seats of the orchestra, and she has to leave university after just one more semester with nowhere to go.
However, in front of the disillusioned and disheartened Song-a, appears the famous pianist Jun-young. And every time she faces a crisis, feels frustrated, or finds it hard to continue, he comforts her.
Jun-young is a famous pianist with a handsome appearance, affectionate personality, and a voice that is simply captivating. As the 2nd place winner of the Chopin Competition, he tours the world performing on stage. To those who don't know his circumstances, he seems like a man living in heaven, but those who know Jun-young's situation can't help but sympathize with him.
Because of his father, who constantly falls for scams, Jun-young spent 7 years touring after winning the competition, but he still doesn't have more than ten million won in his bank account. As the eldest son who's supposed to support his family, and burdened with the weight of his life as the one who's supposed to be the best, and the feeling of indebtedness towards the Kyunghoo Group, which has been sponsoring him since middle school, Jun-young is already worn out by life.
However, despite being exhausted by life, Jun-young keeps seeing Song-a. She, who loves the violin more than anyone else but feels frustrated due to lack of talent, and who secretly has a crush on a guy her friend likes, reminds Jun-young of himself.
Jun-young has liked Kyung, the heiress of the Kyunghoo Group, since he was young. However, Kyung always had Hyun-ho by her side, and being sponsored by the Kyunghoo Group, he never even dared to confess his feelings to Kyung.
Then why does he feel drawn to Song-a, who is struggling with life? Being with her makes him feel happy and comfortable. And her sincere and considerate heart always comforts him. However, Jun-young still has feelings for Kyung that he needs to sort out.
"Can you wait a little longer?" But sorting out his long-held feelings for Kyung isn't something that can be done overnight. And in the meantime, things only get worse as Kyung herself confesses her feelings for Jun-young, causing even more complications.
Jun-young needs to sort out his feelings for Kyung, who has been in his heart for a long time, but he can't just ignore Kyung, who seems fragile, and ends up unintentionally hurting Song-a in the process...
