Ethereal Romantic K-Drama -The Bride of Habaek (Water God) Review

A fantasy drama presented with a creative plot. The story is about Habeak' challenges and the growth curve when He is about to be enthroned in Divine World. This is TV show representation of 2006 print/comic release with the name "The Bride of Water God".

The series is recommended for its engaging storytelling, thought-provoking dialogues, and well-paced direction. It's a refreshing deviation from typical drama plots and offers mature romantic scenes. While featuring a complex storyline, the drama rewards attentive viewers with a compelling narrative.

Year Of Release: 2017

No. Of Episodes: 16

Streaming Channels: Viki, Netflix, Dramacool

Cast:  

• Shin Se-kyung as Yoon So-ah, 

• Nam Joo-hyuk as Habaek, 

• Lim Ju-hwan as Shin Hoo-ye

• Krystal Jung as Moo-ra

• Gong Myung as Bi-ryeom

Recommended:  A must watch for amazing art of story-telling of a complicated storyline.

Story-Line/Synopsis

"Nothing in this world is meaningless..!! "

The story starts with Habaek to be the crowned as king in Divine Realm. God' High Priest sends him to Earth to complete a mandatory task and then claim the throne. Task: Finding the 3 stones. To complete this task, he can take help from Yoon So-ah, a psychiatrist by profession and God' servant on Earth.

Habaek comes to Earth with his servant Nam Soo-ri and loses his powers. Both of them are in distress as they have no identity and means to survive on Earth. On Earth, Moo-ra (Water Goddess and an actress on Earth) and Bi-ryum (God of Wind) are guarding the 3 stones. On approaching them, Habaek gets to know that they have lost the stones.

Yoon So-ah has lost her mother and her father abandoned her without any hope of returning. Her life is full of struggles and there is not a slight glitter to it. She has seen failures more than success and this has distressed her. Her miserable and chaotic life is because of the promise between her ancestors and Gods.

Habaek seeks help of his 'human servant' - Yoon So-ah. With her help, Habaek has to collect the 3 stones.

She initially does not believe Habaek to be God and considers him delusional. Whenever Yoon So-ah is in danger, Habaek gets his power intermittently. On many such instances he successfully saves her. Yoon So-ah then starts to believe Habaek.

Habaek collects 2 stones alongwith Yoon So-ah, but realizes that Joo-Dong has stolen the 3rd stone.

A stage in the drama comes wherein all the 3 Gods on Earth are in search of Joo-Dong who is untraceable. 

In parallel plot, Shin Hoo-ye is a successfully wealthy business man and Moo-ra works as model for his hotels. He is reticent, introvert and composed. He befriends So-ah and thus comes in contact with the other Gods.

Shin Hoo-ye is a demi-god, son of God and human and has exceptional Power of Fire. Since He is not pure God, the King of Earth imprisoned in cave for many 1000 years. Later escapes to live a disguised life as human. He helps find Joo-Dong and thereby 3rd stone is found as well.

"Even Gods cannot revive the dead"

Meanwhile, Habaek and So-ah fall in love. On acquiring all 3 stones, Habaek now has to leave for The Divine World and part with So-ah.

~ Few interesting plot twists ~

Twist 1: In-case Habaek decides not to return to stay with So-ah, He will perish.

"Gods perish when they are no longer remembered by humans..!! "

On returning, Habaek again seeks a task from High priest and so has to again return to Earth.

The task this time is not to find anything but answer to a very weird arrangement done by Gods: "Why heavenly stones are kept in Human World".

The second part of his return reveals multiple stories which has taken place in lives of these Gods over span of 1000+ years. This part reveals many unknown and details which complete the story flow - the why/when/what/s are answered here, connecting the dots.

~Habaek-By-ryum Animosity~

When humans are about to sacrifice Nak Bin (a human female), Habaek saves her. They both fall in love. But, she betrays the Gods, and returns to Earth.

This enrages the Gods. To hide from God' wrath, she hides in same cave where young Shin Yoo-he is caged.

Ultimately, God' capture her from the cave. As counter-attack on Gods, Shin Yoo-he kills many servants of God with his power (which he is unable to control). One of the deceased is By-ryum' best friend. This unknowingly creates a rift between Habaek and By-ryum.  

~The Servant' Promise~

Nak Bin is prosecuted and By-ryum later targets her brother and his kid. To avoid God' wrath, they make a deal with God to serve them for generations thereby making So-ah Habaek' servant.

As a favor to the promise made, God' grant 'Divine Pendant' to their servant to fulfill their 1 true wish.

~Yoon So-ah' Past~

IIn her childhood, 1 day, So-ah' father disappears leaving behind So-ah and her mother .

The day when her mother dies, her father is about to return to So-ah and on the way meets young Shin Hoo-ye who had escaped the cave. His assistant nurtures young Shin Hoo-ye.

 Unable to bear the loss of family, So-ah jumps of the bridge. Her father reaches the bridge on-time and with help of the Divine Pendant saves her. He loses his live and his remains lie in the river bed since then.

So-ah has forgotten this and so is unaware of her father' truth. She resents her father for leaving her alone. Her only wish now is to meet her father someday and seeks answers about his actions/behavior.

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Habaek, before completing the 2nd task, finds So-ah' father. He transfers his power to her so that she can reach the river bed and get her father back to perform rituals. As a result, Habaek loses his powers and this creates uncertainty about his return to Divine Realm. The failure to return could subsequently perish him.

On completing her father' ritual, So-ah plans to wish for Habaek' return to Divine World using 'Divine Pendant''. The High Priest (who visits earth in disguise) intervenes and agrees for Habaek' return. He considers that since Haebeak has completed the 2nd task; there is no dispute for Him to return.

The purpose real purpose of keeping the stones in Human World is to make the crowned king to realize their true duty towards Human World. The process helps Gods connect with the Worldly being and their existence.

"If God cannot safeguard 1 human, how can He save the entire Earthly World."

So, So-ah gets opportunity to make another wish with 'Divine Pendant'. She wishes that Habaek delays his return to Divine World and lives with her till the day she dies. Thereafter, He can return for his enthronement.

Her choice impresses The High Priest and He happily agrees to her wish. The drama happily ends with Habaek and So-ah staying back on Earth in So-ah home.

All the characters have their own detailed story-lines. We can excuse some open points and loose ends.

There are many characters and one need to actual pay attention to understand their relation and connections throughout the plot. I would definitely not recommend this for binge watch, but give it a shot when you have time and patience to watch.

There are many characters and one need to actual pay attention to understand their relation and connections throughout the plot. I would definitely not recommend this for binge watch, but give it a shot when you have time and patience to watch.

To summarize, viewers who need a break from the typical rom-com/sci-fi/family-drama plots can definitely watch this one. The story plot is good so is the direction. The drama is well paced.

It has some good kiss scenes which are mature and surely raise the temperature in the room. This is definitely rare in KDramas.

It' always a pleasing experience to watch dramas/movies which are engaging and give back some provoking thoughts in return.

Hope you enjoyed reading the review of "The Bride of Habaek". Do enjoy watching this fantasy based romantic drama between God and His human servant and let me know your thoughts..!!!

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Happy Watching...!!!