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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Lovers of the Red Sky" Episode 6

As this episode begins, the second leg of the artistic competition has already finished the production stage. One by one, the work of every entrant is presented and critiqued. And it's not long before Chun-gi herself is again called to explain the unusual colors of her landscape. Her answer is intriguing. As a blind girl, her entire perception of colors was abstract. Chun-gi's impressions of what shades should go along with what natural imagery are thus unusual- yet not illogical.

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This is a very strong argument for why Chun-gi has unique merit as an artist. "Lovers of the Red Sky" isn't just lazily telling us that she's talented. The drama has made a point of emphasizing how Chun-gi's backstory as the blind daughter of a former painting master has given her an artistic style based on form rather than assumption. That Chun-gi is a woman is left refreshingly understated, even if her distinctive lifestyle is likewise emblematic of an ability to find new approaches to well-worn material.

I wasn't that enthralled with Chun-gi's exact motivation though, more about getting medicine for her sick father than trying to become a well-reknowned artist. But this is just part and parcel for a romantic storyline that's leaving me ambivalent. The problem isn't with the lead actors. Ahn Hyo-seop and Kim You-jung are both charming in their own way, and have great chemistry. The problem is that the storyline involving the gods simply isn't that well-explained, and manages to cause a rift here despite neither Ram nor Chun-gi really understanding why.

It's a relief when that's over with so we can get to the final leg of the artistic competition, with yet more emphasis on interpretation as Chun-gi turns in her most baffling painting yet. I appreciate that, despite most of the paintings not being on screen for very long, we do still see them. Time is still taken to note their distinctive qualities, and how individual aspects of the compositions can clash or compliment each other.

The art direction in "Lovers of the Red Sky" is quite superb in this regard. Even the nighttime scene with Ram and Chun-gi has powerful romantic undertones, allowing the story to be compelling despite the blatant contrivance used to prevent the scene from going any further. That's why the art scenes have genuine tension even though they're fairly predictable. Close attention is needed to follow the logic, which always results in a nice payoff.

Review by William Schwartz

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"Lovers of the Red Sky" is directed by Chang Tae-you, written by Ha Eun, and features Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim You-jung, Gong Myung, Kwak Si-yang, Kim Kwang-kyu, Choi Kwang-il. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/08/30~Now airing, Mon, Tue 22:00 on SBS.

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