Kolorful Palette: Split [Kill Me, Heal Me]

by Fanderay

I’m a huge Ji Sung fan, so I’m surprised I didn’t watch Kill Me, Heal Me earlier. I think what I love about him is that he always gives layered performances and is able to convincingly switch between moods and tones at the blink of an eye without us even noticing the sudden transitions. I remember in Protect the Boss he had me in hysterics one moment and practically weeping the next (I’ve been a fan ever since). I can’t imagine much better casting for a character with multiple personalities in a drama that has both comedic and melo elements.

I drew this scene (Shin Se-gi after Ri-on takes Ri-jin away from him) because I thought it was an excellent example of Ji Sung’s great acting. His turmoil is palpable, but the way he showcases his frustration and anguish is also entirely unique to Shin Se-gi. Every single one of Do-hyun’s alternate personas would have showcased these feelings differently, but Ji Sung seems to jump between roles like it’s easier than breathing (I particularly enjoy Perry Park’s appearances).

Despite Se-gi being the most despicable of the personas he still gets me right in the feels (besides oozing charisma) and I actually find myself feeling the most sorry for him. He’s right about being the one who has to deal with Do-hyun’s tougher emotions, and who would want to live an entire existence that’s essentially based on being in pain? Sure, he puts on a facade of power and control, but just as Do-hyun is Se-gi, Se-gi is Do-hyun, and there’s a reason there are always tears breaking through his anger. Just because he’s more capable of dealing with certain feelings doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel them. This scene that I drew also showcased how helpless he truly feels, and I can’t say that I blame him for feeling that way. If he were ever to attain real peace, he would no longer have a reason to exist, so he can never strive to be anything but what he already is without “killing” himself. As viewers we know that he won’t really disappear, and that his strength will be added to Do-hyun’s as part of the process of making him whole, but even that would be difficult to come to terms with.

I tried a new medium in Corel Painter this time around, which was simply Colored Pencils. I’ve never particularly enjoyed pencil crayons in real life, and I can’t say that I’m any more enamored with their digital counterparts now that I’ve given them a try. I think they can be fantastic, but I don’t feel very adept with them and definitely need a lot practice. I guess it’s nice to have something to work towards!

I can’t say it’s as dear to my heart as Healer, but I’m really glad I finally picked this drama up (took me long enough). Yes, there are some pacing issues, and Ri-jin is more hammy and high-strung that I’d like, but I’d happily stick it out for Do-hyun’s journey. I feel surprisingly invested in every single one of the personalities’ progressions, and am genuinely excited to watch them resolve themselves into one healthy person. Between Kill Me, Heal Me, Healer and Hyde, Jekyll, Me it seems like multiple identities are all the rage. I bet it makes for fun acting, but luckily for me it also makes for fun drawing. Keep ’em coming!

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