Snozzberry Juice
Alchemy of Souls: Part 2
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I Enjoyed More Than S1
Hear me out: My issue with S1 was there was so much fluff. They went 20 episodes in what could have been 10, and they proved that with S2.The story to me is essentially a remake of S1. Yes, it is technically a continuation, but the overall love story and outcome is the same, but without all of the time filling nonsense. I read some reviews where they complained about the two lead love story and how quickly he got over Mu Deok, but if you pay attention to the story, you'd see that it's a sense of familiarity vs "here's someone new. I like her". My biggest gripe of S2 is how rushed the last episode was. Here you have these one hour-one and a half hour long episodes, and they waited until the last one to try to close everything. It was silly and unnecessary and made me meh the ending instead of fully enjoying it.
The casting is GREAT! Yes, it is unfortunate the entire cast couldn't return, but Go Yoon Jung really stepped up to the plate and I felt her chemistry with Lee Jae Wook was so much more natural and convincing then his chemistry with Jung So Min in S1.
The OST was of course fitting for the drama, catchy, and memorable. It tugged at your heart strings at the end of each episodes and made you belt out the lyrics while you quickly skipped the countdown for the next episode.
I would give this drama a rewatch on a cleaning day or something like that. I can't say I'd consistently rewatch it outside or a wanting something on in the background scenario.
Overall, I enjoyed S2. There were some plot holes, and to me, it really seemed like a condensed remake of S1, but it made the execution better in my opinion. It's worth a watch if you enjoyed S1 but felt like something was missing.
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A Magical Love Story
I added this to my list from the high rating on here. At the time that I went on a K-Drama adding spree, this was one of the ones that sat on the top. I dove right in hitting a wall with some of the current dramas I had on my list.The story, I thought was great. At least Jang Uk's story. I want to say his is the only story, but unfortunately there are so many filler episodes and it's like they really try to push the entire cast into a main lead role, which gets very boring fast. I found myself almost wanting to skip to get to the stories I wanted to follow. I'm not saying the side stories weren't good, but I didn't find them necessary and they really could've just condensed the drama to 10-16 episodes vs the full 20, especially with each episode being an hour and a half. I really wish they would have spent more time developing Mu Deok's story. I think they spent too much time on trying to bring everyone main character energy that she got lost in translation.
The acting was done well. Everyone had great chemistry, although I do question the chemistry of the two main leads. It felt forced and unnatural compared to the way all the other cast seemed to mesh. The casting was great on all fronts! I can't imagine a different cast to play those parts.
The music was well orchestrated and catchy. The cliffhanger ending ment definitely had me screaming (because of the cliffhanger), but enjoying the song at the same time.
I did add this to my list of rewatches while I do other things and don't necessarily need to look at the screen because I already know what's going to happen. I can't deny that Jang Uk's story is intriguing and you really connect with the character throughout the drama.
Overall, it is a good drama. The antagonists really make you despise them and you call their bluff out loud in hopes the other characters hear you. It had re-watch value and I was definitely excited for Season 2.
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Youngest Son of a Conglomerate
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A Nice Adrenaline Rush to Break the Typical K-Drama Lull
Naturally, I hopped on this drama for Song Joong Ki. I mean, honestly, that should be it. Because I refuse to input spoilers, I'll keep it simple.Story: The story had some major plot holes, yes, so why did I rate it so high? In all my K-Drama watching career, I can confidently predict the ending and 9/10 get it right. I was so far off on my ending prediction, I spent the last hour of E16 with my jaw to the floor. I'm not sure why everyone hated the ending. I tipped my hat to it. It was creative, not what was expected and the ending still played to the protagonists favor.
Each episode is an adrenaline rush of, "will he get revenge"? I definitely spent a few late nights convincing myself one more episode would satiate all of the twists and turns. Instead, I convinced myself I needed one more episode.
The characters, I will say, were a but much. I understand that the focus is on this family, but they would bring in a family member, peak interest on how this family member ties into things, and then toss them aside like they didn't exist. Dragging them out only when they needed them to appear again with no explanation of where they were or how they really tie to anything. This goes for the female lead. They spoke so highly of her, but whenever she had a scene it was lackluster and short-lived.
The acting was beautiful. The exaggeration of the rich family members to the hurt and deceit of the poor side characters. Everyone did beautifully. They truly made you either love their character or hate their character accordingly.
The soundtrack was great and tied into everything beautifully. I absolutely LOVED the flashbacks and getting a taste of the 90s and early 00s nostalgia.
This drama would definitely go in my pocket as a "safe show" playback. For those of you that don't know, it's a show that you just feel comfortable watching when you can't quite decide what you want to watch next and you're not ready to committ to a brand new show.
Overall, I enjoyed the drama. I did have my moments where I felt bored, and it took me about two weeks to finish the last two episodes, but the ending made it worth it for me.
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Quirky & Adorable
I started this drama back during its original airtime and stopped at Episode 12. I honestly have no clue why, by that episode things are interesting and you want to continue. Unfortunately for me, revisiting it in 2022 left me with zero clue what happened prior to E12 and had to start over.Story-wise, it is a slow moving drama. I learned that when I got to E16 (what I thought was the last episode), and couldn't understand why there had been ZERO character development. I would say the first 5-6 episodes are a bit painful to get through. yes, you're getting back story and a bit of a feel of how the relationships develop, but it's BORING. When things do finally pick up, you've either already formed your opinion of the drama or you're just meh about the characters because it's taken this long to develop.
The main love triangle is a complete dud and cringey, and just awkward. The support character love triangle is way better to invest in. I loved it.
The acting is ok. Being a romantic style comedy, everything is naturally over dramatic and exaggerated, but if it was without it, I think it would have been a complete dud. The ML & FL do a convincing job in wanting to make you sob with them. Toward the end, I definitely got a bit choked up during parts.
The music is not memorable at all. Aside from the ending theme song, I cannot tell you much about the OST. it didn't stand out.
Re-watch value is non-existent for me.
Overall, I'm glad I went back to finish this drama. It was adorable, the story wasn't uncomfortably cringe, and the characters actually show growth vs the whole "I can't be with you because several unbelievable reasons before we finally get together." For a one and done watch, it's great if you can tough through the first several episodes of fluff.
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It Was Great During Its Time
If you have watched/read "Hana Yori Dango" (Meteor Garden was also a great adaptation, but comes almost a decade later), you expect to watch a social hierarchy struggle with an adorable love triangle giving you false hope for relationships and daydreaming your HYD life. That doesn't happen with "Boys Over Flowers".I watched this during its air time in 2009. At that time, I screamed a perfect 10 rating. Any human that even hinted interest in K-Drama's I shouted this is a must watch. AT THAT TIME it was the perfect representation of what K-Dramas were. overdramatized high school love stories where some sort of social status affected the relationship. The actors were gorgeous, the love triangle kept you on your toes. It deserved a 10.
Re-watching it 13 years later had me cringe, roll my eyes, and scoff every episode. It hasn't aged well (especially in America), and I can't seem to understand how I glorified the terrible relationship all the characters had.
The acting is AWFUL! Another shock when re-watching because I remember praising the main actors for a beautiful portrayal of the characters. Watching it again and it was a total cringefest. I couldn't believe at how terrible the lines are delivered, how stiff and awkward they all seem on camera. The terrible, "I'm sexy, but brooding" or "I'm cute, but sad/hurt" looks made them all look constipated.
Granted, I no longer suggest this to my new K-Drama fans, I DO mention it to them as a should watch, or at least attempt to because of the impact it had DURING ITS TIME. I stress quite a bit that it just does not age well.
The OST still stands as one of my favorites! I'm heartbroken "Paradise" is no longer a featured song in every episode during every happy moment (it only plays as the intro), and the replacement "Bang, Bang, Boom" is lackluster in the spots where "Paradise" should have been. The OST is addicting and a beautiful mix of bops and ballads. Most of the songs still make their appearance on my Spotify lists, today.
I based my ratings off of my recent watch. I said it previously and meant it. Watching it during its run, I absolutely rated it a 10.
If you are curious or want to be able to say you watched a K-Drama classic, I say go for it. I will add not to expect much, and definitely be aware that in this current time, it's problematic.
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A Feel-Good Watch
This marks my first K-Drama in about two years (not counting Netflix dramas). The reason why I enjoy K-Dramas are the goofy love triangles or the angsty family rivalries. I didn't get ANY of that with this drama.Why did I rate this drama so high? Because the character development was AMAZING! There isn't a laser focus on 1-3 characters. You learn, get to know, and relate with every single character that gets at least 5 minutes of screen time.
Although I do love a good ole fashioned love triangle K-Drama, I appreciated the fact that this one wasn't oversaturated with unrequited love. It focused on the message of being a good doctor and why they all became doctors.
To keep this review short and sweet. This was a great step back into the world of K-Dramas for me. It was refreshing in both comedy and the drama storytelling. The entire cast was a perfect fit for their parts. I couldn't imagine a "x could have done it better" scenario.
I would suggest this drama to any new or old K-Drama fan. Maybe not as a binge (there are some filler episodes that are kind of mean to get through), but definitely to either fall in love with K-Dramas or find your love for them again.
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So I Married an Anti-Fan
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It's Very Loosely Based Off Novel
I will start by saying I am a HUGE fan of the novel. I only recently found out that this drama existed and jumped right in.It is very much the typical, cringy, K-Drama romantic comedy. It starts off following the novel very detailed but by the end of the first Episode it makes it clear it'll be something different. I tried to keep an open mind throughout, but the changes were so odd and too much for my taste.
The acting was sub-par. I don't feel like any of the actors really made their character stand out or likeable. All for of the main leads were whiney and annoying. They were practically polar opposite of their novel versions.
The music was catchy. It was nice to have the soundtrack. They were cute pop-like ballads and dance tunes. I often got them stuck in my head after mulling through an episode.
Overall, the drama wasn't BAD, just not notable. Nothing about it screamed a drama to recommend, rewatch, or that I can honestly say I really enjoyed. It was painful getting through the last episode. I honestly considered skipping to the last 2 minutes just to say I could finish it. I did watch the entirety.
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