Namib

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Overview

Synopsis

Kang Soo Kyun is a star producer who trains idols. One day, she gets fired for unknown reasons. To get back on her feet, she decides to turn 10-year trainee Yoo Jin Woo into a star. He’s got a lot of luggages due to his past, but wants to succeed. Meanwhile, Soo Hyun’s husband also starts working as Jin Woo’s music producer.

My Opinion (No Spoilers)

I’m genuinely surprised by this drama. At first, I thought it was going to be yet another drama about a teenager who dreams of becoming an idol and his ordeals to succeed. However, Namib proves to be much more than that. It’s first and foremost the depiction of a relationship that changes both leads. The mentor-protégé dynamic was absolutely beautiful to see, as Soo Hyun and Jin Woo grow together. They each have something to bring to the other even if it’s not very obvious at first. The drama is the story of their journey through life and the entertainment industry. The side characters – especially Shim Jin Woo and his father – are also really great. They all form a solid core. However, I was seriously annoyed by the main villain Hyeon Cheol. I thought his actions were despicable. I could understand why he was doing that, but his anger was directed towards the wrong people. All in all, Namib is a good drama, slightly different from idol dramas that you usually see. Oh, and the meaning of the title is extremely poetic and clever.

Analysis

• Themes tackled
• Kang Soo Hyun and Yoo Jin Woo, the perfect synergy
  Difficult backgrounds
  Mentor and protégé
  Same choice, 2 outcomes
  Smile again
  Title explained
• Kang Soo Hyun and Shim Joon Seok, revive the flame
• Kang Soo Hyun and Shim Jin Woo, a mother’s love
• Jang Hyeon Cheol, atonement
• The failed idols
• The brotherhood
• The unexpected duo
• Atmosphere

Themes tackled: The drama is built on one main theme that impacts the whole narrative: dreams and second chances. It’s a red thread that defines characters’ relationships and evolution in the story. Some, like Yoo Jin Woo, dream of becoming a singer who can live off his passion; others, like Kang Soo Hyun, seek redemption and a new start. Though it seems like the leads’ goals diverge at first, they actually meet at a crossroad and pull each other up to fulfill their own wishes.

Kang Soo Hyun and Yoo Jin Woo, the perfect synergy: Kang Soo Hyun (Ko Hyun Jung) and Yoo Jin Woo (Ryeon Un) have a complex bond. It starts off as a business deal in which each party wins, but slowly develops into something greater. Both sides have something to bring to the other to grow and heal. Together, they make the perfect duo, even if it’s hard to decipher it at first.

Difficult backgrounds: If we take a look at Soo Hyun’s and Jin Woo’s backgrounds, it’s clearly visible that they share common points. Kang Soo Hyun’s the eldest daughter of her family who had to take matters into her own hands when her father kicked his wife and kids out to live with his mistress. Since then, she has loathed her parent and assumed his role as head of the household. That’s why, she’s so resilient, headstrong and determined. She had to carry her mother and sister despite being a teenager. She built herself up from scratch thanks to her hard work and efforts. Even years after, she continues to take care of her mother who has dementia. If we look at Yoo Jin Woo’s past now, we can see a similar pattern. He was a gifted child who could dance, sing and do music. So, his parents ‘exploited’ him to make money. His mother dragged him from one audition to the other, hoping to make a big star out of him. When he was successful, his mother would praise him and shower him with love. But the smallest error would lead to disdain and disappointment. She would turn cold and mean, refusing him affection. As a child and later on a teenager, Yoo Jin Woo considered his worth based on people’s view on him. His self-esteem and self-confidence would hit rock bottom if his company, teachers or the public criticized him. He feared the aftermath of not performing well, and thus became very wary of people’s opinions. As if this were not enough, Jin Woo’s mother abandoned him rightly after he joined Pandora Entertainment as a trainee. She then forgot about him for 10 years. Yoo Jin Woo went through the five major wounds of childhood (abandonment, rejection, humiliation, betrayal and injustice) which left an indelible scar. Now 19, he’s finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel thanks to Soo Hyun. However, his mother chooses that precise moment to make a comeback, scam people, and create new issues for her son. Parallel to that, Soo Hyun’s father suddenly returns at that same time. He regrets his past deeds and wants to make amends. He wishes to spend time with his former wife and daughters. That’s when the relationship between Soo Hyun and Jin Woo comes in handy. On the one hand, Soo Hyun protects her trainee from his mother. She makes him understand that it‘s ok to cut ties with people (even parents) when they are toxic. However, Jin Yoo does otherwise at the end. Instead, he forgives his mother and reminds her that him becoming an idol was their dream. If she keeps on sucking money out of him, scandals and controversies will simply shatter their common dream. On the other hand, the teenager is the reason why Soo Hyun compromises with her father. She is in dire need of money to get her protégé back, so she asks her father. In exchange, she allows him to see her mother once in a while. Both characters either brought resolve or concession to the other.

Mentor and protégé: Kang Soo Hyun and Yoo Jin Woo clearly have a strong mentor-protégé relationship. First of all, Soo Hyun is a star producer who’s known for raising idols. She can immediately see the potential of her trainees. Her talent led her to create her own company: Pandora Entertainment. She’s also nurtured a good number of artists over the years which built on her notorious reputation. When she loses her position as CEO and is kicked out of Pandora, she takes a look at the trainees who’ve been with the agency for years. Through files and recordings, Soo Hyun notices that Yoo Jin Woo has the potential to become a superstar. But his future is bleak and full of hurdles. That’s when Soo Hyun shows how good of a mentor she is. Though her actions are interested at first (she needs Jin Woo to buy her son a factory), she solves all of the teenager’s problems like his mother’s toxic influence, his lack of self-confidence and self-love, his habit of hurting himself when he’s overwhelmed, and first and foremost his fear of abandonment which haunted him all his life. She even offers him a roof over his head and involves him in her family. The only fact that she’s opening the door to her intimacy is proof that she intends to look after him. Conversely, Yoo Jin Woo’s talent and desire to make it big drive Soo Hyun in her endeavor. Yoo Jin Woo is by far her best protégé. He can sing, dance, compose, play instruments. He also has a ‘sad’ story that sells and makes the public curious about his career. On top of that, he’s got great visuals and has a great personality. He’s empathetic, kind, loyal, doesn’t resent others despite all the dirt they throw his way. He’s just pure and genuine, a diamond in the rough. Kang Soo Hyun realizes his value only after she’s sent him off to another company. But she fights tooth and nail to get him back. He’s the trainee she’s been waiting for her all life. She’s dreamed of raising a kid like that her entire career, so she can’t let her chance pass. Kang Soo Hyun and Yoo Jin Woo have a clear symbiotic relationship that is beautiful to witness bloom on screen.

Same choice, 2 outcomes: Kang Soo Hyun and Yoo Jin Woo end up at the same crossroads twice in the drama, when the mentor is looking for a company to take over Jin Woo’s management. However, there’s a clear difference between the two instances which clearly impacts the outcome of their relationship. That difference resides in Kang Soo Hyun’s intention. The first time, the CEO is in dire need of money in order to pay for her son’s factory. She’s raised Jin Woo into a popular idol who’s now targeted by many companies. At that time, Soo Hyun considers her protégé as an object to be sold at the highest price. Hence her decision to give him away to TA Entertainment for 2 billion won. When the deal takes place, Jin Woo is devastated. He feels as if he’s been abandoned once again. As for Soo Hyun, she refuses to feel remorse, as she prioritizes her son’s happiness and future. Their relationship takes a hit at that moment, as trust is broken. Not to mention that Jin Woo is still involved in a drug case, bullied by others and unstable mentally. It’s a new failure for him and it’s heartbreak for Soo Hyun. Fortunately, the CEO has an awakening shortly after. She realizes that Jin Woo is the trainee she’s been waiting for all her life. Her decision to sell him doesn’t sit well with her. She’s got insomnia and even her son resents her for that. When Jin Woo is about to hit rock bottom again, embroiled in new scandals, assaulted by groundless rumors, and left to fend for himself by the company, Kang Soo Hyun rescues him again. She takes him back under her wing and shields him, as she should’ve done earlier. The second time Soo Hyun decides to hand over Jin Woo’s contract, her heart is in another place. She’s just built a new company from scratch, but doesn’t have as much influence as before. Jin Woo has also turned into a superstar, making it difficult for her to provide him with more. Kang Soo Hyun knows that Yoo Jin Woo has grown too big. She can’t help him shine more from her little world. So, she hands him over to Mega Entertainment – the company she’s had in mind since day 1. However, Kang Soo Hyun refuses to take money. She genuinely wants her protégé to succeed and doesn’t want money to be a burden in their relationship. Compared to the first time, Soo Hyun’s action is reasonable, selfless, and worthy of a manager. That’s why Jin Woo accepts it without breaking down again. When confronted with the same choice, the drama proves that the intention and the circumstances can greatly impact the outcome of a situation.

Smile again: At the end of the drama, Yoo Jin Woo has his big breakthrough thanks to a new song composed by Soo Hyun’s husband. The title, Smile Again, sounds like an order directed at the singer whose life’s not been easy until now. It’s also a hopeful message that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. However, Soo Hyun’s husband mentions an important point that cements the similitude between mentor and protégé. He says that he’s written this song for his wife first. This is an eye opener for Kang Soo Hyun, and viewers as well. It shows that Jin Woo and Soo Hyun have both been on tough journeys with a lot of obstacles on the way (Soo Hyun was fired, she feels guilty for her son’s accident, she’s pressurized for money to get him a factory, Hyeon Cheol is targeting her constantly, her mother has dementia and her father destroyed their family; Jin Woo spent 10 years as a trainee without succeeding, he was abandoned by the company, used by his mother, resorted to self-hurt to feel better and is a tool in a revenge he shouldn’t be involved in). Characters embark on a healing journey the moment they meet. And proof is that they had a positive influence on the other. Indeed, Soo Hyun comes back to Korea after years of traveling. She goes to Jin Woo’s signing event and the last scene portrays them smiling at each other brightly. It’s a victory on life for these two people who endured a lot and had forgotten how to smile.

Title explained: I’m a huge fan of intriguing drama titles whose meaning is clearly explained in the drama. And that’s exactly the case for Namib. At first, I was wondering what it designated (location, event, feeling…) and how it related to the plot. The only Namib I could find on the Internet was a desert in Namibia, which didn’t seem to make sense. The drama revolves around idols in South Korea, so what would be the link? Well, there is actually one. Once revealed in the show, it just sounds so obvious. Geographically, Namib is a place in the African country named Namibia where the desert and the Atlantic Ocean meet – I really encourage you to go see pictures, it’s absolutely breathtaking! Now in the drama, Yoo Jin Woo is often compared to the ocean, while Kang Soo Hyun is described as a desert. If you take into account their past and personalities, the comparisons sound pretty accurate. On the one side, Yoo Jin Woo is like a vast area of water pierced by currents and tormented by sailors. His life has been a constant come and go, oscillating between quiet days and stormy tumultuous moments. Water is synonymous with calm – Jin Woo seems taciturn and quiet at first – but it can hide a tempest, a tornado, a storm. That’s the case for Yoo Jin Woo who hides all his problems (self-harm, panic attacks, mental instability). However, the ocean (and water in general) can also be regarded as a symbol of rebirth. By washing away his painful past, Yoo Jin Woo can start anew. On the other side, Kang Soo Hyun is similar to a desert. Her life experiences – from her disruptive family dynamics to the fierce entertainment world – have drained her from emotions. She’s dry and only works towards her goal without considering people’s feelings. This led to a number of issues, such as her son’s accident and the death of one of her trainees. She’s been so used to keeping it all in that she forgot how to live properly. Nevertheless, the desert can also be seen as a place of rebirth, just like the ocean. The crossing of a desert is a symbol of renewal. Once people have gone through the ordeals brought about by the desert and managed to get out of this desolate place, they can finally start on a blank slate. In a way, that’s what Kang Soo Hyun does. Both characters meet at a crossroads bringing either emotions or solace to the other. The title is extremely poetic and matches characters very well.

Kang Soo Hyun and Shim Joon Seok, revive the flame: The drama is about second chances in all possible fields of life. Hence, the entire narrative about Kang Soo Hyun and her husband Shim Joon Seok (Yoon Sang Hyun). At the beginning, Soo Hyun and Joon Seok appear as a solid couple who’s built their relationship over years of trust and partnership. Their love for music, but also their skills in crafting the next best talent drew them closer. However, their marriage is not as peaceful as it seems. It’s full of cracks and ready to burst. Indeed, Joon Seok reproaches his wife for working too much, which lead to their son’s accident. He never resented her for that, but he can’t stand to see her continuing on that path despite everything that’s happened. Moreover, Shim Joon Seok can’t communicate with Soo Hyun. This puts him in a desperate situation where he feels that it’s only way to make his wife understand is through an ultimatum aka a divorce. By doing so, Shim Joon Seok hopes he can change his wife’s mind and unburden her from the heavy load she carries on her own. Yet, even the news of a potential divorce doesn’t shake her up. Kang Soo Hyun knows that Shim Joon Seok doesn’t mean it – or he means well, though the method is clumsy. So, she’d rather focus on her more pressing matters among which securing the payment for her son’s factory. At the end of the drama, Shim Joon Seok renounces his idea of divorcing Soo Hyun. He’s been oblivious to her situation as well, but has an awakening when her father comes into play. Indeed, Joon Seok is conscious that his wife doesn’t talk much about her personal problems and that he disregarded her familial situation. Putting her in a corner and threatening her with divorce only added to her plate, when all she needed was his support. So, he gives up on divorce and instead does what he knows best: he composes a song for Soo Hyun to make her smile again. All in all, I think Yoo Jin Woo’s presence in the couple’s life was beneficial, if not a necessity. It allowed Kang Soo Hyun to let go of her obsession to make her son a CEO, made Joon Seok compose again and get back into the industry, and gave way to an actual dialogue between spouses.

Kang Soo Hyun and Shim Jin Woo, a mother’s love: As a young mother, Kang Soo Hyun made a grave mistake that she’s still paying. She was with her young son and husband at a park to enjoy some family time. However, her job was always on her mind to the point that she sacrificed these family events to pick up the phone or answer emails. Her husband told her to keep an eye on Shim Jin Woo (Lee Jin Woo) while he was getting them snacks. Kang Soo Hyun promised to focus and wait for his return. Unfortunately, she let go of her son’s hand to pick up the phone. Her son strayed away onto the road, attracted by cotton candy at a nearby stand. While crossing the road, he got hit by a car. Though transported immediately to the hospital, Shim Jin Woo would keep the aftereffect of the shock. He became deaf and had to learn how to communicate all over again. Since then, Kang Soo Hyun has felt unbearably guilty. She knew she was responsible for making her job prevail over her son’s security. This made her feel even worse and unworthy of being a mother. On top of that, Shim Joon Seok also resented her for not paying more attention to their kid, when he had expressly asked her to set her job aside for the day. Ever since she learned that her son would be disabled for life, Kang Soo Hyun has tirelessly tried to find him a cure. She abandoned her company to go to the US. There, she spent their entire savings consulting doctors, only to get the same diagnosis over and over again. Kang Soo Hyun felt terrible, convinced that she had ruined her son’s life. She eventually accepted her son’s handicap, but never let go of her desire to make him live a normal life. As a kid, Jin Woo expressed his desire to become CEO one day. Kang Soo Hyun stumbled upon this school assignment and has cemented this idea in her head. She will definitely make her son CEO. She will not make him give up on his dream, on a bright future only because he’s deaf. This also explains why Soo Hyun is so hell-bent on buying her son the sock factory. She wants to prove her son that he is as much capable as other teenagers his age. Though Shim Jin Woo doesn’t realize that – nor Soo Hyun’s husband – and she’s considered as a stubborn woman obsessed with the factory, Jin Woo gradually understands that Soo Hyun doesn’t want him to just own the factory. She wants to inspire the will in him to do something with his life and follow his dreams. At the end of the drama, mother and son reconcile. Soo Hyun’s intentions may have been misunderstood, but they become crystal clear to Jin Woo shortly after. They end up selling the factory to get Yoo Jin Woo back, but the point has been made. The factory also enabled Jin Woo to develop a real passion for drawing. He discovered his skills while creating new models at the factory. This is a stepping stone in his future as an arts teacher for deaf kids. He indeed turns into the CEO of his academy.

Jang Hyeon Cheol, atonement: Jang Hyeon Cheol (Lee Seung Joon) used to work as a team manager at Pandora Entertainment. He had a sister named Yoon Hee who was a trainee at the same company. When Kang Soo Hyun’s son had his accident, she neglected her job and ran everywhere to find a doctor who would fix her mistake. Without a CEO to make decisions, control management and overview trainees’ career, Pandora Entertainment failed to protect its idols. Yoon Hee and her friend got invited by so-called investors to a night club, they were drugged and Yoon Hee was crushed by a car when she tried to run away. The culprit was never arrested and managed to escape punishment even after. That tragic night, Jang Hyeon Cheol witnessed the accident, but he was powerless against wealthy people. Since then, he built his entire life around his revenge. He considered Soo Hyun responsible for everything, because she was not there to do her job. He bought a night club and let rich criminals get drugs there, he then joined hands with Bong Gyu to oust Soo Hyun out of her company, and even used Yoo Jin Woo as leverage to threaten her. Though his initial intention was understandable and acceptable, Jang Hyeon Cheol turned exactly into the kind of people he loathes. I could empathize with him after he’d lost Yoon Hee so brutally. Worse, her death was left unpunished. However, this trauma could not justify in any way the violence and manipulation he resorted to against characters who were not directly responsible for Yoon Hee’s passing. Indeed, Kang Soo Hyun may have been absent, but she also had her reasons. She was broken and spiraling down. Her son had just had his accident and she was struggling to survive the guilt. Meanwhile, Yoo Jin Woo became a collateral damage in Hyeon Cheol’s revenge scheme. The trainee was not involved in the past accident and didn’t even know the victim. His only crime was to be close to Soo Hyun. Jang Hyeon Cheol even used and tortured Chris (Lee Ki Taek), a former trainee and friend to Yoon Hee, who just wanted to help him avenge his dear sister. Again, I could see where Jang Hyeon Cheol was coming from, but I could not condone his actions against characters who were technically either partially responsible or not responsible at all for Yoon Hee’s death. Eventually at the end, Kang Soo Hyun is the bigger person. Despite everything Hyeon Cheol put her through, she still pushes the police to investigate Yoon Hee’s accident, as a way to repay him for not being there when her trainee’s life was in danger.

The failed idols: Han Chan Young, also known as Chris, Kyung Ha Na (Yu Ju) and Yoon Ji Young (Kim Ji Woo) are living proof that you can do something out of your life even if you’re not succeeded in becoming an idol. Han Chan Young was about to debut, when Kang Soo Hyun suddenly disappeared to the US. This put the company in jeopardy and neutralized Chang Young’s chance to become an idol. After that, he resented Kang Soo Hyun and tried to make something out of his life. But he had little respect or hope for himself, thus turning into a low-rank gangster operating for Hyeon Cheol. Despite all, Chan Young kept a clear conscience and only aims at going back to who he was before his dreams were shattered. He’s shown the way thanks to Ha Na. She was Yoon Hee’s friend and a trainee around the same time as Chan Young. Just like him, she never made it big, but was protected by Jang Hyeon Cheol. Thanks to that, she was selected to participate in a survival show where she reached the finals. Unfortunately for her, her company was accused of rigging the game to make her win, leading to the public turning its back on her. This was the last straw for Ha Na, who decided that becoming an idol was maybe not meant to for her. She renounced after giving her all. Through thick and thin, Chan Young and Ha Na supported each other in their choices. Even if their reunion started off the wrong foot, Chan Young always encouraged Ha Na, while she pushed him back onto the right path. Following Jang Hyeon Cheol’s arrest, Chan Young is finally free from the night club. He takes on a ‘normal’ job. In the meantime, Ha Na switches to another career as well. Both took a long detour to get where they are, but they did it together and even end up as couple. These two characters are examples that there are many trainees who dream of being idols, but only a small portion of them make it. Yet, this doesn’t mean that the others are failures. On the contrary, they’ve pursued their dreams, worked hard and thus have no regrets. Their lives don’t come to an end with their careers. On the contrary, they can strive for another dream to fulfill. Yoon Ji Young is in the exact same position. She was a trainee for 10 years with Jin Woo and participated in the same survival program. She was not selected after the second round. Nevertheless, she made peace with this dream and moved on to another. Like I said before, the drama is fully centered on dreams and second chances. That trio demonstrates that there are many second chances for those who truly wish to grab new opportunities.

The brotherhood: To me, the two Jin Woos have become brothers. When the drama starts, both teenagers are in a bad place. They are lost, confused and can’t seem to envision a bright future for themselves. Yoo Jin Woo is a ‘failed’ trainee with a lot of traumas and a bleak future, while Shim Jin Woo is hindered by his disability. He can’t follow properly at school, doesn’t have actual friends and feels at odds with his parents. The Jin Woos have a lot in common, which is exactly why they have so much synergy together. Yoo Jin Woo offers Soo Hyun’s son a new perspective on life. He protects him at school and lends a helping hand whenever. He also doesn’t judge him because he’s deaf. On the other hand, Shim Jin Woo encourages Jin Woo in his endeavor and shields him from the exterior world. He doesn’t ask questions, doesn’t get nosy about Jin Woo’s past. He just gives him unconditional support. Both are bullied by their peers, but stand strong together. Shim Jin Woo is also the reason behind Yoo Jin Woo’s demise, but also his salute. He’s the one convincing his mother that selling Yoo Jin Woo for the factory – to buy him a future – was a bad move and that she needs to atone. The brotherhood that blooms between these two is endearing and moving. Their personalities perfectly compensate each other. They balance the dynamics in the house, Yoo Jin Woo taking over Shim Joon Seok’s tasks, when Shim Jin Woo is more like his mother. I really loved them together. They are both on a healing journey, each limping. Yet, the other is there to fill in the role of the crutches.

The unexpected duo: I have to admit that the bromance between Oh Bong Gyu (In Gyo Jin) and Shim Joon Seok surprised me at first, but was absolutely hilarious. They start off as rivals, fighting over Kang Soo Hyun. When Oh Bong Gyu confesses his feelings, the arrogant wealthy man is convinced Soo Hyun will reciprocate. Unfortunately for him, she’s already taken and about to get married to Joon Seok. She’s never considered Bong Gyu as a love interest. Worse, she didn’t even know he had feelings for her. Soo Hyun’s wedding announcement is a shock to Bong Gyu. He’s hurt in his ego and thus decides to get his revenge. The couple crushed his heart, so he will get his hands on their lives’ work: Pandora Entertainment. Oh Bong Gyu is clearly the antagonist at the beginning of the drama. However, he reveals softer and better sides of him the more interactions he has with Shim Joon Seok. Soo Hyun’s husband doesn’t feel threatened by Bong Gyu; he doesn’t even resent him for stealing his wife’s company. On the contrary, he perceives him as a wise investor and a good person. The reason why he acted against Soo Hyun was because his feelings were hurt, and he was manipulated by Hyun Cheol. But he’s clever enough to see right through the CEO’s game. Throughout the drama, we witness Bong Gyu’s actions, as he slowly shifts sides. He recognizes that Hyun Cheol is a liability for the company. And he cares about his money first and foremost. Plus, he appreciates Shim Joon Seok and finds the perfect henchman in him. At the end of the show, Bong Gyu offers the music producer the seat of CEO of Pandora Entertainment. They may not see eye to eye on everything, but they are conscious of the other’s business philosophy which is enough to create trust between the two. I have to say that their scenes were extremely funny and lightened up the mood. Moreover, it was nice to see an antagonist switch sides. Oh Bong Gyu is full of nuances which makes him a rather interesting character.

Atmosphere: Though the drama is hopeful and ends on a good note, I couldn’t help but feeling emotionally involved in characters’ tribulations. The number of obstacles on their path is enormous, starting with people. This made their journey heart wrenching and quite painful. Both Soo Hyun and Jin Woo have bullies around them that seem to be dedicated to bringing them down. It made me feel quite frustrated and annoyed, especially when you consider that Yoo Jin Woo has constantly been a collateral victim. At some point, you pity this poor teenager who’s a pawn in adults’ mind games. Fortunately, the songs soften the heavy ambiance a little and give a more hopeful vibe to it. The relationship between the main protagonists also allows for a lighter atmosphere to gradually emerge towards a happy ending.