Only the stories that touched my heart make it to my reviews.
Lee Byung-hun, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, and Han Ji-min may have been fresh-faced rising stars when they starred in ‘All In’, but today, they are recognized as some of the most prominent actors in Korea.
Lee Byung-hun, in particular, has firmly established himself as a leading figure in Korean cinema, a title few would contest.
‘All In’, which aired in 2003 on SBS, became a cultural phenomenon by weaving an intricate tale of gambling, love, and friendship.
Starring top actors of the era, such as Lee Byung-hun, Song
Hye-kyo, Ji Sung, and Park Sol-mi, the drama achieved exceptional ratings both
domestically and internationally, playing a pivotal role in fueling the Hallyu
wave.
Drama Overview
l Title: All In
l Broadcasting Network: SBS
l Air Dates: January 15, 2003 – April 3,
2003
l Episodes: 24
l Genre: Drama, Romance, Action
l Director: Yoo Chul-yong
l Screenwriter: Choi Wan-kyu
l Original Work: Novel "All In" by Roh Seung-il
Main Characters
- Kim In-ha: A hot-blooded and
impulsive man whose fists often act before his thoughts. Despite his fiery
and emotional personality, In-ha is loyal and lacks grudges. As an orphan,
he grows up to lead a tumultuous life as a professional gambler and
businessman while dedicating his heart to one woman throughout his life.
- Min Soo-yeon: Pure-hearted and
radiant, Soo-yeon is warm, kind, and free of prejudice. She is passionate
about her work and meets In-ha, falling deeply in love with him. However,
their love is far from smooth due to their circumstances. Like In-ha, she
also grew up as an orphan.
- Choi Jung-won: Gentle yet
meticulous, Jung-won is rational, calculated, and rarely reveals his true
emotions. Although he is In-ha’s friend, he becomes a lifelong rival as
they continuously find themselves competing against each other.
- Seo Jin-hee: A carefree and liberal
thinker, Jin-hee is educated in the United States to inherit her father’s
casino business. She often supports In-ha while opposing Jung-won in the
process.
Supporting Cast: Veteran actors such as Lee Deok-hwa, Sunwoo Eun-sook, Heo Joon-ho,
along with younger stars like Jin Goo (young In-ha) and Han Ji-min (young
Soo-yeon), complete the powerful ensemble.
Plot Development
The plot of ‘All In’ revolves around the unique theme of gambling, intertwined with the main characters' stories of love, friendship, betrayal, and the highs and lows of life.
The drama takes
viewers through Kim In-ha and Min Soo-yeon's journey from their challenging
childhood to their adult lives, where they reunite after years of separation.
1) Prologue: Childhood and Fateful Encounter
Kim In-ha grows up under the care of his uncle Kim Chi-soo, a professional gambler, exposing him to the world of gambling and crime from an early age.
Chi-soo involves In-ha in illegal
gambling schemes, but In-ha strives to avoid being consumed by this dangerous
world, relying on his wit and intelligence to stay grounded.
During this period, In-ha meets Min Soo-yeon, a pure-hearted and warm girl, and experiences his first love.
Soo-yeon, an orphan herself, faces challenges in carving out her own path in life.
She becomes friends with In-ha, but their
bond is severed due to unforeseen accidents and adult conflicts.
2) Development: Gambling and Love’s Turmoil
As an adult, Kim In-ha (played by Lee Byung-hun) works in the casino industry, dreaming of success as a gambler.
Meanwhile, Min Soo-yeon (played by Song Hye-kyo) becomes an independent casino dealer.
The two cross paths again at the casino in a fateful reunion, but their
relationship is far from simple.
This is when Choi Jung-won (played by Ji Sung) and Seo Jin-hee (played by Park
Sol-mi) enter their lives:
l Choi Jung-won: While maintaining a sense
of friendship with In-ha, Jung-won constantly competes with him over a
lifetime, driven by his personal ambitions.
l Seo Jin-hee: Jin-hee falls in love with
In-ha but acts selfishly for the benefit of her family and personal interests,
adding complexity to the storyline.
In-ha achieves repeated victories in gambling, gaining wealth and fame, but this success brings its own risks.
His
love with Soo-yeon also faces crises due to misunderstandings and conflicts,
further intensifying the drama.
3) Climax: Betrayal and Revenge
Kim In-ha faces betrayal and conspiracies from friends, lovers, and business associates.
The gambling world proves unforgiving, and In-ha's life is constantly at risk, with moments when he
nearly loses everything.
The actions of Choi Jung-won and Seo Jin-hee deeply affect In-ha and Soo-yeon’s relationship, intertwining the fates of all four characters through gambling-related incidents.
In-ha is forced into a high-stakes gamble, risking everything to sustain his
career as a professional gambler, leading to a tense and dramatic climax.
4) Conclusion: Sacrifice and a New Beginning
Recognizing his past mistakes, Kim In-ha resolves to leave the gambling world and pursue a better life.
This decision brings a turning point in his relationship with Min Soo-yeon, opening a path for reconciliation and hope.
The drama concludes with In-ha and Soo-yeon moving forward, leaving the
gambling world behind. The open-ended finale leaves viewers with lingering
emotions and a sense of reflection.
Appendices
[Appendix 1] Iconic Scenes and Lines
l Iconic Scene: In-ha drags Soo-yeon away
forcefully, only to be stopped and confronted by Jung-won.
programs.sbs.co.kr
[Video Source] SBS Play
l Iconic Scene: In-ha is astonished to finally find the long-lost Soo-yeon.
l Iconic Line:
"I bet everything on you. That’s my all-in."
This line from In-ha demonstrates his unwavering determination, both in love
and in gambling.
[Appendix 2] OST List
The OST of 'All In' enriched the
emotional depth of the drama. Key tracks include:
l Like the First Day - Park Yong-ha
l It’s Okay, I’m Fine - Yarz
l Someday - Kim Hyun-sung
l Visions - Cliff Richard
l All In Theme - Kim Hyung-seok
[Appendix 3] Filmography of Main Cast
Lee Byung-hun is regarded as one of Korea's
most accomplished actors, excelling in both films and dramas across various
genres. His extensive filmography is considered a cornerstone of Korean
entertainment history.
·
Dramas
o Tomorrow Love (1992): A youth drama that
marked Lee Byung-hun's debut, focusing on love and friendship among young
adults.
o IRIS (2009): Played a spy, Kim Hyun-jun,
delivering powerful action scenes and intense emotional performances.
o Mr. Sunshine (2018): Set during Korea’s
late Joseon period, Lee starred as Eugene Choi, showcasing deep emotional range
and remarkable acting skills.
·
Films
o Joint Security Area (JSA) (2000): Played
Sergeant Lee Soo-hyeok, a South Korean soldier navigating the complexities of
cross-border friendships and orders from superiors.
o A Bittersweet Life (2005): Starred as
Sun-woo, a loyal subordinate who seeks revenge after a betrayal, offering a
compelling performance in a noir crime thriller.
o Inside Men (2015): Portrayed a political
fixer seeking revenge, a role that won him Best Actor awards at the Grand Bell
and Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Song Hye-kyo, often called the "queen
of melodramas," has shown versatility in romance, thrillers, and revenge
dramas, securing her spot as one of Korea’s top actresses.
·
Dramas
o
Autumn in My Heart (2000): As Yoon Eun-seo, this melodrama catapulted her to stardom,
becoming a classic in Korean television history.
o
Worlds Within (2008): Played a drama producer alongside Hyun Bin, exploring
realistic romantic dynamics in the broadcasting industry.
o
The Glory (2022–2023): Played Moon Dong-eun, delivering an unforgettable
performance in this revenge drama about a victim of school bullying.
·
Films
o
Hwang Jin Yi (2007): Made her historical drama debut as a courtesan, earning
praise for portraying the character’s complex inner emotions.
o
My Brilliant Life (2014): Teamed up with Kang Dong-won in this heartfelt film about
young parents raising a child with progeria, showcasing her nuanced portrayal
of maternal love.
Known for his detailed and emotional
performances, Ji Sung has gained widespread recognition for his versatility and
transformation into complex characters.
·
Dramas
o KAIST (1999): A campus drama that
introduced Ji Sung to the public and marked his early steps into acting.
o New Heart (2007–2008): Played Lee
Eun-sung, a passionate cardiac surgeon, receiving critical acclaim for his role
in this medical drama.
o The Devil Judge (2021): Played Kang
Yo-han, the titular judge in a dystopian legal system, delivering a
thought-provoking and commanding performance.
·
Films
o My PS Partner (2012): A romantic comedy
where Ji Sung and Kim Ah-joong impressed audiences with their chemistry and
refreshing performances.
[Appendix 4] Recommended Korean Dramas with Gambling Themes
l Casino (2022): Chronicles the life of a
man who risks everything to become the king of casinos, blending modern
storytelling with the high-stakes gambling world.
l Swallow the Sun (2009): Similar to All
In, it combines gambling and romance while following a protagonist's
journey through betrayal, growth, and revenge.
0 Comments