There is something beautifully inherently cinematic about two pianists sharing a single instrument. Every moment requires trust, precision, and an almost impossible level of coordination. Four Hands, Two Sonatas follows two young pianists from very different backgrounds who meet at an elite art high school and gradually become friends, rivals, and develop a relationship that becomes far more complicated to be explained in words. Their different worlds become intertwined, and that is what creates the plot of the show.
Song Kang plays Kang Bi-o, a gifted pianist who has spent most of his life being told that he is destined for nothing but greatness. His polished playing techniques and high ranks make him an ideal student. However, all this brings an enormous amount of pressure on him, which is too much for a young boy to handle. This role has been exceptionally well brought out by Sang Kang, who gives us some of his quiet moments that we get to see. Alongside him is Lee Jun-young, who plays Jeong-yo, a talented late bloomer who comes back to piano after experiencing a difficult childhood. There is a sharp contrast in his role compared to that of Sang Kang. He doesn’t have an obvious path to success. To describe it in simple words, his relationship is more emotional and instinctive, which creates a difference in both the roles that we get to see in Four Hands, Two Sonatas.
What I liked the most about the show is the fact that it is a soft, slow-paced drama. There is a lot of tenderness involved in Four Hands, Two Sonatas that makes you wonder how two different worlds collide with each other. That softness has been well treated by the makers. It is indeed a pleasure to watch and see how their plot unfolds in front of us. If you think it is more about competition regarding who is better than the other, then no, you are wrong. That is not how this plot works. Rather, it is a soulful exploration of what happens when two people with different backgrounds are forced into each other’s world. Their friendship feels natural, but slowly and steadily, when they start to perform with each other, the comparisons turn into insecurity and competition. That is what forms the main crux of Four Hands, Two Sonatas.
As of now, only one episode has come out, but it would be interesting to see what the other ones carry. The emotional atmosphere needs to come out well, and I am sure the other episodes will do justice to what we are being shown as of now. But yes, if you are someone who likes to watch fast-paced dramas, then Four Hands, Two Sonatas might not be the best watch for you. The slow storytelling might test your patience. It is needed, but if you do not like such dramas, then maybe it is safe to reconsider watching this one in particular. There is some melodrama that will come your way, but that is again the requirement of the plot. However, even with all this, it would be interesting to watch how the show unfolds.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times