Florahh
Second time around enjoyment
I actually watched this three years ago and didn’t have too big an impression, though I can’t pinpoint why exactly. Rewatching it though, I can now offer an overview as sadly, maybe not too many people gave it a chance.Age gap dramas are risky as it’s a good chance of hit or miss. In my opinion on this one, it’s a hit. WU Jin Yan, as Bai Xiao Lu, I feel acted her role exactly as scripted. She’s too curious which gets her in path of ML’s cases, but causes him heart stopping concern of course. She cares so much for him and the endangerment of his job she wants to help and even protect him, which of course causes opposite results. She’s innocent, annoying, clutzy, ditzy yet, adorably cute that Zhou Yuan, played by Guo Xiao Dong, can’t help but fall for. Chemistry was enough to make their relationship believable, which of course was the cherry on top of this undercover cop genre. Great ending.
Whatever else people may of complained about in the police stints of it, I didn’t see it. I mean there are plot holes and there are more plot holes in just about every single drama. This wasn’t perfect, some situations maybe your brain couldn’t get around. Nothing that bad you can easily improvise. OST was fine. My second rewatch. Third might be a charm but too much to see so we’ll see. Hehe. Give it a try.
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Ratings Disappointing for a GEM
This is actually my second time watching from two years ago via Covid. I only noticed the low ratings here so I want to give a review to add my support.We probably have our own lists of complaints about long dramas. Most common is that it got draggy, script, or producers went off skinny dipping along the way, etc. This one isn’t perfect and it has its share of eye rolling scenes (not lots). Here though is why, if it’s your first or you’re looking for a long drama.
I’m not a writer by anything close. However, based on what I would like in a story, this one is pretty good so credit heartedly to writer. It presents the background enough to entice your wanting to know the why and what. Then it slowly peels the layer to answer them. Each episode (104) packs it’s own power so that you are eager to know what happens in next. Each episode connects to what happens next. (Some dramas seems disconnected and leaves you frustrated). You’re absorbed with the characters either with heart flutter or boxing gloves. Leads faces almost the impossibility of ever getting together but theirs is one to cheer for. Children are involved that adds flavor to the story. I have yet to see a korean child actor that disappoints. The two here delivers. Warning though. There’s galore of adults that makes you question the sanity of humanity. Disappointing? Yes, but yeah they’re significant to the story. Villainess delivers to the tee I gotta give you that. In all, it’s a very well weaved connected story that all comes together for everyone to be put in its proper place.
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To the point
What I liked a lot about this is that there wasn’t wasted episodes on clarifying pasts, nor present. The present (relationship) came into play for leads and it progressed beautifully. We didn’t have to worry about it happening fast then the doom to come. There’s a hiccup but resolved quickly and favorably in such a way to strengthen the leads love.Cast are great. Kim Ok Bin, I was not familiar with, but I’m a fan. Her character is great, straightforward, and bad ass, literally. Yoo Teo, main guy is the matured actor in the act that is honest and kind. His bromance with his manager and best friend played by Kim Ji Woon is the kind of friendship we crave for.
I don’t want to make this long because so many have greatly reviewed this. I’m just adding on that is a great watch. Don’t let this one pass you by. You’ll miss out.
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It’s not the beginning….
I rate this very high because as I think about it, the story plot is not bad. Three different families, their struggles, their connection, brings a dynamic portrayal of life. In these families, it brings to light what is right and not in parents, and parenting. While it has the most frustrating and despicable side characters, it really opens the mind of some culture and how these things are acceptable. Thus, it helps some to draw the line and say, nope not in my life.Cast do a really good job. You hate them, their acting is very good. You love them, they’re doing a good job. That’s how you’re feelings fluctuate throughout. Throughout the story, as the families connect, disconnect, and bond, the build up to beautiful relationships is established. Leads are great. Their chemistry is real stuff, thus, no shyness in passionate kissing. It really is a big difference when actors are mature.
Here’s the best part. They wrap up everything beautifully. Don’t we all want that after investing so much time? The last episodes were so well done you forget you had wanted to throw your device so many times because of some people. The ending is well worth it. I only say I wouldn’t rewatch because there’s too many to watch. The leads scenes though after watching wide eyed stare females with closed lips dramas are definitely a must go back to. Great series.
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Underrated Please watch!
People have their own ways of watching a film thank goodness! I must keep this in mind while reading low reviews for this drama. I loved it on the whole though leaving some reservations for some minor disappointments.I liked the story. College art major couple meet, many tugs for him to open up to her very open adoration, cute moments, and then parting with misunderstanding. Seven years later, they meet again, etc. There’s a lot of complications they go through, the road to their happy ending (oops spoiler, sorry) not smooth. That is the bad part..those complications. It is overly, ridiculous, and bad timing. Timing because you get to a point where you think it’s wrapping up, boom here comes a twist, and another, and another.
The lead couple fits their role. George Hu really played his role well. He was cold when needed and warm when suited. This is his film where I feel he really portrays his maturity as an actor. Adi Kan is new to me but when she looks at someone and smiles, her warmth touches even the wicked (well it didn’t remotely for the antagonists) would melt. She was awesome as a student and then later year role. The side love interests of Hong Yao and Sharon Kwon was major in story but some twists to making her jealous of her best friend was irritating.
The chemistry was mature. Kisses of Hu and Kan were sweet and plenty enough as cdramas go. Their struggles to finally be a couple made this drama good. Without the said unnecessary twists, it’s really a unique love story so enjoy it for that. It’s one of the best endings I feel as well so it’s worth it if you’re looking for a beautiful love story. Music is music so if it moves you good. It’s there and it moved me, adding to feels of what’s happening.
I’d definitely rewatch it again as I loved the coming together of this couple. They are unforgettable!
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Appreciation
Honestly, thanks to this show I got a glimpse into the world of talented people who plays music in an orchestra. I thought i wouldn’t like it simply because I’m not particularly interested in this type of genre. However, Lee Young Ae impressed me with her seriousness about her trade, her steely cold demeanor, and of course, her conducting. She’s mesmerizing to watch, and I appreciate the work put into the role (i read) so definitely deserves the watch. Supporting cast were great too. Overall it’s a great watch and I’m glad i did. Other reviews have great intakes on the story.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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Kim Joo Hyuk
I started this without knowing about Mr. Hyuk. I finished because of him; to his memory.This was very enjoyable to me. I just like the type where the male lead is cold and so different in personalities from female lead you deem it impossible for them to end up together. Here, they both disliked each other a lot.
I was conflicted because this story has a very kind hearted second female lead. I would have been okay if she ended up with male lead. I criticize the writing for making these love triangles, actually four people and they’re all so nice.
There’s plenty of annoyances. Female lead is clumsy, gets into plenty mishaps. Regardless, I looked forward to each episode. RIP to Mr. Kim Joo Hyuk. Seeing the bts scenes at last episode was bitter sweet. He is seen laughing a lot, full of life….
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Delightful and Painful
Delightful: Roy Chiu! Though this was out many years ago, it is nevertheless a very fun light watch because of his ability to be comedic. He is very good at being funny it made this drama really entertaining. Two female leads, Alice Ke and Joane Tseng also were great (and irritating I must admit at times but is there ever a drama that doesn’t happen) adding to the intrigue. On top of the cast, the story highlighted young love trying to sort out feelings and uncertainties in relationships. Older love too have problems to be ironed out. Ordinary story with perfect casting to keep you rooting.Painful: got messy towards middle where writer tried too hard to create content to keep the amount of episodes. There were some very positive narratives but got buried in the resolution that went everywhere. It dragged a bit that it lost its cuteness when it should have climbed to crescendo.
Overall: it ended cute with kind of a weird finale that led to the proposal. Happy ending.
Noteworthy to mention that this drama has the most realistic sweet kisses and lots of it. In case you wanted to know^^~^^
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Don’t waste your time
Such potentials but the person writing this has got to be a very depressed person. The saving grace was the leads who were just pleasant to look at. This has the most repulsive characters that pretty much got their happy ending. When I think about the death of actor Lee Sun Kyun, this show gives an enlightenment of the toxicity of narrow mindedness and life of privilege that plagues the mindset. What horrible horrible characters. Specifically the mother daughter duo in this show. They harass, bully, threaten and openly too without repercussions.To be fair, this show also had some really nice characters. Acting was very good. Unfortunately, everything good was buried by the senseless actions of two characters. All the beautiful proses were also buried. I would find something else. You’d think after all these 122 episodes they would at least make it up in ending. Lousy and disappointing as well.
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Watch Something Else
Warning that this does contain spoilers because I just have no way of being nice to this story.Honestly, it has lots of potentials to be a great story but it became a mess as they tried to stretch it out. There’s these scenes of grandma in and out of dementia which was fine at beginning but it became regular, that it wasn’t cute anymore. It didn’t give any effective results of it so yeah, it became a drag. The main issue of female leads father as a murderer was a good plot until it was dragged out towards the end and it was like, so all that just for everyone to be one big family. Trust me, you’ll know what I mean when you watch. Female leads character was just terrible. She bowed, she got slapped, food thrown at, forced to divorce, openly dislike by mother in law and sister in law, that at end, they thought her the greatest thing they bout fell over to get her back in family. There was so much disdain and abuse of the poor and unfortunate from rich a***oles it’s disgusting that a society lives like that. Yes, we’ve seen it a lot in these chaebol dramas but I found this so intolerable.
The acting especially of Choi Soo Jong as father of main lead was really good, I could feel his every emotion in his complicated character. Sorry, I don’t mean to talk bad but female lead, Uee was just not up to par. I could see how her character is supposed to be meek because she’s poor but her facial withdrawn face throughout pretty much never changed throughout entire drama it was so boring. My gosh, it was so frustrating watching her. The actress Jung Jae Soon, adorable as she was could not save this mess. Props though to the snobbish evil ones because as always, their characters shine as bright neon on the hill as to how not to behave in any decent society, even if they’re filthy rich.
Writing was terrible. I think there was so much better plots to get out of situations here without giving bad people excuses to act awful towards others. I mean, we watch and want to come a2ay with something that is lasting and impactful to grow as a society. This show in the most, maybe ninety five percent of it made poor people so pathetic they don’t deserve to live in society and the empowerment to the rich continued until very end when had a light bulb moment of change.
Go ahead if you want to try. These after all are just personal reviews. I scoff that I hear this drama got lots of awards. I wish I never gave it any time of my day. Waste.
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An underrated GEM
I see reviews from 2014 so I want a today one 2023 because it’s one not to scroll over if you come by it.I just want to say why I loved it and rated it highly according to me, and me.
I’ve watched so many kdramas in only a span of two years so by now, I know what I hope to see and what has become redundant as I find so many familiar strengths and weaknesses in these series.
This is @ family drama. What I love about it is that it fully develops what actually happens in a family. As synopsis says, it’s about an abandoned divorced woman with three daughters. It’s cute how the lead girl (2nd daughter) gets entangled with two brothers that begins the connection that will tie two families to become a dynamic big big family. Each character has their own story and writer does such a nice job developing it. Leads are just fine to me. As it is 2014, hugs and kisses are….you know. BUT, the family dynamics makes up for everything. The mother of the girls could very well be the lead. Wise and strong, her story is just as sweet. The grandparents? Oh my gosh, they are great. In this story is the the epic depiction of what endurance is in marriage commitment not only to themselves but their role as patriarchs of the family. So many beautiful moments in this series and lines to inspire and keepsake.
Another thing I liked is that there were no hangovers on problems, or antagonists to mar the storyline. Yes, decision making, obstacles that naturally comes in situations of developing relationships may seem to drag the story but it didn’t prolong. The series smoothed things over so that obstacles were resolved, with touching moments as it went along. There’s lots to like and little to overlook because it’s good.
I heard this was cut from its 60 intended episodes and I was sad as it was wrapping up. I don’t get why it wasn’t liked a lot at the time but to me it’s such well produced/written drama. Kudos to the cast. Support them and give this a watch. You won’t regret.
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A Winner
Admittedly, I haven’t watched too many over hundred episode dramas. However, I have tried a few and did lots of forwarding. With this one, with minimal forwards, I think it’s worthy of its length.Pros:
*It’s a pretty good family oriented story. A family with complications in relationships, personal as well as within. I thought the writer did a good job giving us a story that isn’t the first of its kind, however, it was moving. If a scene that is supposed to move you to tears doesn’t, it’s not well written or acted? This one has lots of moving themes that bring you to tears and afterthoughts.
*The elderly fathers/grandpas that become in-laws. Their acting was so good and pretty much stole the show. They were vital in the story and their acting was impeccable. The rich one of course is obnoxious and it takes the poor one to change him. You can get so mad at the character but smile at the person who is the character. I imagine the effort and laughter in pulling it through while filming.
*It’s like dividing the story in parts. For instance, first part was the romance of leads. Then came the part of opposers (his ex, her admirer) trying to break them up. Then it’s the sister in law and her true nature creating friction. Then it’s one of the dads and his struggle. It transitions well to keep story moving and flowing.
*Family. Many dramas pit brothers against each other. This one has brothers who truly care for each other. We see dramas with evil or let’s say screaming annoying parents. Besides the father of lead male who’s very grumpy and mean, others are kind and make efforts to bring unity. This was so refreshing and I like that a lot in this drama.
*Antagonists did their part to wreak havoc (his ex, her admirer). What’s good though is that their chapters ended pretty early instead of dragging us through their dirty to the end.
Cons:
*I felt that the FL acting was lacking. She was a boring character is maybe more accurate. She’s meek, mousey voice, and just plain boring. In beginning when she kicked out her leg to react at ML attitude, I thought she was gonna be bad**s. As it is, once she got the guy she was more or less insignificant. Lol. She’s kind, humble, gets talked over, etc. You know the kind too familiar (I’m poor so yeah, do as you will rich ones).
*The chapter on dad dragged a bit so I skipped a few episodes.
*It ended well, happy but if I was a producer I would have closed it in another direction. For its focus on the ending portion, even if it’s sad in a way, it would be most realistic. As it is, they opted to give us what we hope to see in dramas, ever ending happiness.
It’s tough to rewatch long dramas and there’s too many to catch up on anyways. If you’re looking though for a long one, this one delivers pretty good and I believe you’ll be satisfied.
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Sister Strong
This is a great story. It is well translated, well written just as I’d hope for in a series. Familiar plot line of sisters where one becomes selfish and uses other ones kindness to advantage. However, no matter what, when it comes down to it, the bond of sisterhood remains true so forgiveness wins. Cast are really good. Love the character of HAWICK. Some say he had a weak role. I didn’t. He was great. He portrayed a very lovable man towards his woman while carrying a silent revenge from childhood hurt. Each character were well developed, the main leads remained strong and caring throughout. Yes female lead was too nice but she was feisty mad when realized she was betrayed.Things wrapped well, and every single character’s issue was resolved. Yes, very well written slice of life family drama I’m sure you’ll appreciate.
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Unforgettable
The story wasn’t focused too much on the romance as stated in description. A young man, (JiSung) and a group of others share a great bond due to growing up in an orphanage in Jeju. They’ll divide due to opportunities to get ahead in life, however the bond is solid when needed. There’s a secret to his birth that will play out, and that’s the part that’s interesting.There’s much to take away, things to ponder on, relatable actions that feeds on our emotions. It’s a great story. From beginning to end, it’s worth the watch.
If I ever find the time, I’d love to read the novel.
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Male lead for the heart
If I just write a few sentences about the male lead, would that be okay? What about him? He hides his love for fl because of his work that could harm her. He has a boring sleepy facade about him (my description okay) which could be a good disguise to his line of work. However, he’s smart and very physical to handle the complexities of his job. He’s the mature, competent, down to business character I wish for in dramas. He’s dedicated to his love interest and has her in his best interest even when she’s silly, makes dumb decisions, and puts him in harms way due to those behaviors. I like it primarily for this. As is with stories during nation conflict, there’s lots to anticipate as story develops. It’s pretty good if it fits your mood.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
