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manicmuse
NYC!
Flower Scholars Love Story
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Not what I expected in the best way!
"The Secret Romantic Guesthouse" is nothing like what I expected it to be. It has a lot of elements that are in some of my favorite sageuks but has a unique balance between being seriously dramatic and comedically lighthearted. The story does take a few emotional turns without ever becoming too heavy. The title definitely doesn't do this drama any justice. Yes, romance is a big part of the story but there are also revenge plots, a tyrant king, a secret rebellion, and some truly great characters. This drama is definitely more about the whole ensemble than one particular couple, and I loved the chemistry between all of the characters as chance and fate brought them all together to become a makeshift family in a random Inn for aspiring scholars.The owner of Ihwawon Inn is Dan Oh played by Shin Ye Eun. I loved that she is a brave, independent, and outspoken character even though sometimes her antics were frustrating to watch. I also love that the plot wasn't just the usual one girl choosing between 3 suitors trope, as the poster suggests. She really has a unique relationship with each male lead and they have the same unique relationships with each other as well. Ryeoun plays the aloof fighter Kang San who doesn't warm to people too easily, but I loved his smile whenever he did. Jung Gun Joo plays the thoughtful and scholarly Jung Yoo Ha, the most straight-laced of the bunch without being boring. And Kang Hoon plays the silly Kim Shi Yeol who never seems to take anything too seriously, and definitely became my favorite. It was easy for me to really start to care about each of the leads from the beginning, but what I loved most is that none of them were exactly as they seemed and always kept me guessing. With each episode, we learn more about each character's past and motivations, which kept every episode interesting till the very end.
The entire supporting cast is just as great as the leads, although I won't go into too much detail to avoid spoilers. The King and Chief Administer, however, were so irredeemably evil that I loved to root against them, yet even their single-minded goals made me empathize with them during some of their evilest moments. I think that's because the characters were really well written even if they all weren't necessarily complex. None of the characters felt like filler, and no scene felt useless either. There may have been a few minor moments that made me roll my eyes but it all came together and made sense in the end.
Would I watch this again? Definitely. Mostly I would want to watch knowing what I learned about the characters from the beginning. I already rewatched the first episode and certain scenes hit differently once you know how the story will evolve. Maybe some moments will drag watching it for the second time, but I liked the characters so much I would still be entertained.
My only real complaint is that the kiss moments were so disappointing. All the chemistry in the world just feels ruined by dead fish emotionless lip touch where a passionate kiss should be. Ryeoun tried his best to make it sexy, but Shin Ye Eun... just yuck.
Overall, this drama tells a great story and I think it will appeal to people who don't want a historical drama that is too depressing or a romcom that is too silly. This is directed by the director of The Princess's Man, one of my favorite sageuks of all time, so the action scenes are great too... especially the Watchman battles. If you like dramas that will keep you guessing. this one does a great job of always introducing a new and unexpected element even when you think you have it all figured out. I say this as a person who is easily bored by fighting for the crown plots but the pace was great so I didn't have a chance to be bored.
I was sad at the end of 18 episodes to say goodbye to these characters, and that's more than enough for me to recommend this drama. I didn't cry, I don't have any new favorite couples to add to my list, but by the end, I felt like I went on a journey with these characters with them finally living the lives they were meant to and that's the best kind of ending for me.
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Dystopian must mean American in Korean lol
I heard so many good things about this drama before I started watching but I was still hesitant because I have mixed feelings about law and corruption dramas. Sometimes I am bored by political corruption tropes, but it was clear from the beginning that this drama is much more stylized. It's dystopian, but also super realistic. It has some very entertaining characters and an antihero who's exciting to root for. "The Devil Judge" is a mysterious character with questionable methods, similar to a Vincenzo-type, and I loved "Vicenzo". Yes, it is about politics, corruption, and revenge... what you would normally expect from a drama like this... but it's also about morality and human nature which is way more interesting to me, with characters that blur those lines in the best way.Ji Sung is perfectly cast as Kang Yo Han, a popular celebrity judge who shows no mercy when it comes to exacting justice. This is an iconic role, and he really gets to showcase his charm and the nuances in his acting. Obviously, he is no stranger to playing complicated characters, "Kill Me, Heal Me" is my favorite performance of his, but this is definitely a close second. I love characters that don't neatly fall under the category of bad or good, and he straddles that line in the most attractive ways. He's also the type of character who is usually 3 steps ahead of everyone else, which is fun, but also tortured by his past which is heartbreaking. He is matched with Park Jin Young as Kim Ga On, an ambitious new lawyer whose idealistic and often self-righteous ideas clash with Yo Han. It's the unlikely bond between them that drives most of this story. I loved their bromantic chemistry, and unconventional mentor dynamic. Ga On is frustrating at times, many MANY times, but his charm always shines through. I think he was perfectly cast in his role as well. They worked so well together.
The entire cast in this drama is great, and it almost feels unfair not to mention them all, but some of the performances were just exceptional... think broad comic book characters more than melodrama. I loved Jeon Chae Eun as Elijah. Her relationship with Yo Han was a strong highlight in this drama for me. Park Gyu Young as Soo Hyun, on the other hand, was a character I loved to complain about. Most of the time she was on the screen I was rolling my eyes, but I actually did appreciate her relationship with Ga On, even if it seemed obsessive and the friendzoning became one-note, I did think they were cute together. Don't expect a full-blown romance arc for these two. It's more about her influence on Ga On than about watching them falling in love. Other standout performances worth mentioning are Jang Young Nam as the Minister of Justice. I loved her unapologetic ruthlessness and powerful pantsuit vibes. Also Baek Hyun Jin as The President who I just call K-Trump based on his over the top antics and narcissism that seemed way too similar to the former clown in the American White House (I don't think the similarities were accidental either lol). There are a lot of characters to know but as the story evolves it's more about The Goal of the Devil Judge than remembering exactly who's who. It's also about the general publics reaction to easy access justice, so I consider the app voting masses important characters as well.
Surpisingly, my favorite character, whose performance I loved even more than Ji Sung's is Kim Min Jung as Jung Sun Ah. Every scene she had with Ji Sung was my favorite. I wasn't sure if I wanted them to fight or date but just a look or light touch between them was electrifying. I don't want to say too much about her character but it's one of the best performances I've seen is a while. Her soft-spoken bad@ssery is legendary.
Would I watch this again? Possibly, but there are some flaws in the drama that would make me a little hesitant to. One is that the story is pretty predictable. Anticipating what would happen was still fun, but I'm not sure if it would be as entertaining the second time. The performances are fun but were a little repetitive. I was excited to watch each week but it may drag if I were to binge watch it again. I do think that knowing the characters better may make me appreciate the earlier episodes more. I would definitely be tempted to skip to certain scenes. Many of the scenes are beautifully shot however, so maybe I can appreciate some just for the look of it all.
Overall, this drama is well done, but imperfect. I could easily nitpick the things that made no sense or were ridiculous, like why didn't Ga On ever go home??!! Or why was Soo Hyun always investigating alone??! I also didn't love the ending. It was pretty much what I expected, and was entertaining to watch, but I guess I was hoping to be more surprised or wowed. I loved that this drama challenged the idea that morality or justice are clearly defined. Self righteous characters aren't necessarily heroes and brutal villainous-types can also be empathetic. If you like watching manipulation and revenge that's played out like a game of chess, then this drama delivers. If you don't need romance, but might love a complicated bromance, then this drama is a must watch. It was funny to see that some things that are normal in America are dystopian in KDramaland... all we need is the app. Maybe being to jaded has kept this from being a new favorite of mine, but it definitely gets a thumbs up vote from me.
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Binge worthy Teen Angst
"Here's My Plan" is the perfect example of a drama not overstaying its welcome. At four episodes, it is the perfect satisfying length for binging. Not too short but not dragged on for too long. This is a darker teen coming of age drama, although it's much more intriguing than depressing. Think more teen "Fight Club" style, complete with an inner monologue throughout explaining all the motivations behind the crazy twists and turns. This is more than a story about a plan going from bad to worse to much worse. There is a suspenseful element to the story, with a touch of revenge and romance, but mainly it's a confession from a girl dealing with her past traumas in very unconventional ways. I loved that the story was so unpredictable and kept my interest throughout, and the cast was perfect.Leading the cast is Kim Hwan Hee who is brilliant as Lee So Hyun. What made So Hyun so interesting to me is that she isn't very likable, or a "good" person, but you kinda can't help but empathize with her. We see what fuels her choices , so even when those choices frustrated me I still sympathized with her and wanted to see her win in the end. Kim Hwan Hee brings a lot of depth to the character so you can still feel her vulnerability even when she's being cold or calculating. I also felt sadness in her smile which was something mentioned by Yoon Ho who is played so well by Kim Do Hoon. Cho Yoon Ho balances out So Hyun's more anti-social vibe with his genuine concern and caring for others. By the end of episode one I absolutely adored his character. I loved their awkward but realistic chemistry, and he showcased the kind of likability that will make him an ideal romantic lead in the future. Their odd relationship isn't exactly the main plot, so don't expect too much romance, but it definitely fuels how everything progresses.
Every member of the cast really is great! I don't want to mention too much to avoid spoilers but there are no weak links in this story. It's also a pretty small cast which gives you space to feel like you know the characters better. My favorite character by far is the Grandma! She's the real MVP!
Would I watch this again? Yes! Although some of the excitement of wondering what will happen next is gone, the performances are so solid and the story evolves so well that I can definitely see myself watching this again. Once it was over, I was satisfied and didn't feel the urge to rewatch any scene in particular (except maybe one), which is the only reason my rewatch rating isn't high.
The music is good too. I thought the retro and British punk vibe matched the angsty mood of the drama well. There's no memorable ballad or song (besides Girls & Boys), but I did think the music did well in setting the mood of the drama.
Overall, I highly recommend this drama. It's emo, it's about trauma, it's about revenge, it's heartbreaking but the pace and style makes it also... dare I say... fun to watch. If you are looking for cuteness and feel good escapism this is the wrong drama for you. I liked the theme of figuring out what happiness is and whether you can be happy even having to deal with painful circumstances, and I loved the resolution for that. Many will compare this with "Extracuricular", which is similar as far as angst and empathetic young anti-hero leads, but this is not an action thriller, it's a story of self discovery and healing told in a less conventional way. I loved that the main character's journey is messy. Some of the last episode felt a bit too easily resolved, but the story is solid throughout with no unnecessary scenes or side plots. This drama is a good example of how well that can work! It actually gives you time to binge and go out and have an actual life afterwards! Crazy, right?! I can think of a lot of dramas that I would have probably liked so much better if they were 4 episodes instead of 16. I hope they make more shorter dramas as good as this one.
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It stars Shin Hye Sun or Yang Se Jong and they really are a dream match. I find it funny that neither of them is actually 30, but I guess that makes sense since both characters are stuck in their pasts. Shin Hye Sun as Woo Seo Ri does an amazing job of handling all the emotions her character has to go through, and seeming inappropriately youthful without being too silly. I was also extremely impressed with Yang Se Jong as Gong Woo Jin who was both heartbreaking and heart melting in his role. They had a great chemistry which felt honest, and sweet, and I absolutely fell in love with them falling for each other.
The supporting cast is pretty much perfect. I loved Ahn Hyo Seop as the super cute jock Yoo Chan, and his bromantical and hilarious teammates. I really liked Woo Jin's coworkers, and how they dealt with his antics in a caring way. I was also extremely happy to see one of my favorite K-actresses Ye Ji Won as Jennifer, a kind of robotic Mary Poppins character who easily became one of my favorites in the cast. I may never be able to say "Jenni-fer" normally again! Even the dog was great!
I also have to mention how well all of the younger versions of the characters matched their older versions. They did not have to look like perfect matches to match their personalities perfectly. For once I wasn't annoyed by constant flashbacks, because every look back made sense and added to the depth of the story. I appreciated that.
Another unsung favorite in this drama is that house! I haven't fallen in love with a kdrama home like this since "Secret Garden".
So, does this drama really cover romance, comedy, drama, mystery, and music? Kinda, but not in a way that feels disconnected. I also love that all of the parts of the story seem well thought out and connected. Even what should seem improbable feels like it makes perfectly reasonable sense as more of the story is revealed.
Music is also a major part of this drama. Although the original songs were appropriate, they were not particularly memorable. I just liked the way love of music was shown throughout the story.
Would I watch this again? Definitely! Not only was it easy to binge through (32 episodes even felt short), but It'll be fun to rewatch it all knowing there will be new moments to catch now that I know the full story. I already caught something while rewatching the first episode that I definitely had no reason to notice the first time. A small trivial thing, but a huge part of the story, just like this drama's overall theme. I definitely want to applaud the writer for paying attention to those kinds of details.
There were a few minor parts of the story that felt a little rushed through as far as explanations, or became less important, but not in a way that affected the pace or telling of the story at all. I hear that it was originally much longer which is probably the reason. Still, I was more than satisfied with the end, which felt pretty perfect and solidified this dramas spot on my favorites list.
So if you're thinking about watching this drama for any reason, just heed the advice of Yoo Chan... "Don't think, feel!" or rather "Don't think, watch!" This drama definitely got me in the "Feels" and I loved every single episode of it!
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Jang Hyuk first won me over in Fated to Love but this role is completely different. There's no infectious laughter, in fact he rarely cracks a smile, but as Pil Joo he shows so much emotion behind what on the surface seems like a permanent poker face. From the beginning I was fascinated with, and rooting for, Pil Joo. Seeing the constant torment on his face at each betrayal, then watching him always be a step ahead, was an addictive combination. Even though he is insanely manipulative, he's also extremely sympathetic, and it's impressive watching this master strategist implement his ultimate plan for revenge. Whatever praise he gets for this role is well deserved.
The majority of the rest of the cast is just as praise worthy, and help create the perfect atmosphere. With a character like Pil Joo, you need characters just as compelling to make the story work, and although everyone was really good, Jang Seung Jo, Lee Mi Sook, and Lee Soon Jae were perfection. I loved Lee Soon Jae's matter of fact callousness as the head of the Jang family, Jang Gook Hwan (aka Grandpa from HELL). He was so nonchalant about being so unbelievably evil that I almost had to laugh at times. I adored Seung Jo's manic charm as Boo Cheon (the ultimate frenemy). Boo Cheon was so complicated that he's the kind of character you sympathize with and want to see destroyed. I loved him, and loved to hate him. He was also really good at saying more with his expression than words could. He had one scene where just him closing the hotel door was one of the most gripping episode endings.
Then there is Mi Sook's Jung Mal Ran (aka Psycho Mommy Dearest). Mal Ran is the kind of villain that I love. She somehow made being completely unmerciful attractive. Without giving away too much, she is the main target for Pil Joo's revenge, and their scenes together are many of my favorite moments in the show. It seems weird to call what they had chemistry, but that's what it felt like... intense rivalry, constant suspicion for sure, but also a little sexual tension. Even her outfits were amazing. I already liked her as one of the dueling mom's in Jealousy Incarnate, but I had no idea she was capable of this kind of performance. She is the worst mother possible, but in the best way!
The only character who was good but not as great as the others in my opinion is Park Se Young. As Na Mo Hyun she did a good enough job, but with such an epic cast it's easy for her to look mediocre in comparison. It could also be the way her character was written, being the least duplicitous of the bunch. She does hold her own in many scenes, but always in a way that still seems to leave her out-shined by her costar. I guess being the only goodie two shoes among the vicious can have that effect.
Betrayal, greed, and revenge is what drives this drama from start to finish, so don't get fooled by the genre tags or the synopsis. This is about THE WORST family you could ever imagine, and the fight to see who will be the next to lead the company once grandpa dies. Even though I've seen way too many dramas with this kind of plot, I don't ever remember one doing ruthless so well. Don't expect laughs, or anything even slightly resembling comic relief. Expect lots of people not trusting each other, and for good reason. Still it doesn't go overboard with melodramatic sadness, so its more engrossing than depressing. Instead of romance, I would say there is intense longing and deception. Instead of law, I would say that these characters take extreme liberties with the law in ways that are very entertaining. This is a drama where you wonder how far each character will go for their goal, and then stand back and watch them probably go way beyond what you would imagine they would do... at least that was the case with me. I had many jaw dropping moments at their actions.
Another thing worth mentioning is the music. It's less about songs and more about how much music is used to drive the intensity in the story. I especially loved the cliff hanger music at the end of each episode. Once I heard that music play I knew something unbelievable was about to happen. Even in the last episode, when I thought they couldn't possibly fit in another twist, that music always told me otherwise.
Would I watch this again? Absolutely, but I couldn't give it a perfect rewatch score, because knowing what will happen does lessen the intensity. The performances themselves are mesmerizing enough to keep me watching, but cliff hangers lose some of their charm when you know what will come next.
Overall I highly recommend this drama. The writing, directing, and acting were all too good to miss. If you want something light to watch, this is definitely not for you, but I'd still say add it to your queue for when you may be more in the mood. If you start watching and feel like it's too slow, this is one of those dramas that just gets more and more exciting as it goes on. If the idea of a makjang scares you away, think of it more as a revenge drama, and if revenge dramas aren't your thing, maybe think of it as a character driven melodrama. I say this because Money Flower is missing some of the elements I normally love in a drama, but I didn't really miss anything at all. I started watching with no expectations, and an open mind, and I knew early on that this would end up on my favorites list. It was so fun being shocked every week, and wanting to curse at my screen. I was satisfied with the end, and liked that it still left me wanting more, but with enough closure to not feel cheated. After 24 episodes I am sad that it's over. I'm not sure there's another drama that can fill the intensity void this one will leave.
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This drama revolved around the quintessential jerk of a chaebol Cheon Soo Ho, played by Kim Jung Hyun, and the optimistic but always struggling Seol Ji Hyun played by Seo Hyun. I thought Kim Jung Hyun was great and initially liked Seo Hyun, but eventually, their chemistry got traded in for a convoluted revenge story that I just didn't like. I felt like the story wasted the development of a great character, Cheon Soo Ho, and instead focused on turning Seol Ji Hyun into an unconvincing mastermind who kept giving everyone the side eye so much that I forgot I initially liked her character. Maybe a better actress could have pulled off Seol Ji Hyun's transformation but as the star of this story she was pretty boring, and unimpressive.
The side characters were fine. Hwang Seung Eon and her super purse and Kim Joon Han as the worst ex ever were really good, with a relationship that became even more interesting than the main couple, but because of the overload of melodrama, many of the characters became too two dimensional. By the end, I had no real interest in any of them.
I suspect that the last few episodes were not what was originally intended because they seemed so thrown together and tried to overcompensate with the drama. Soo Ho made me sympathize and even boo hoo cry the more I learned about him, but once Soo Ho was no longer the focus I lost any lingering interest in this show. I just finished it to see how it would finally end, and to see if the ending would justify the depressing tone. Maybe some people found the end inspiring, but I did not. I felt like all the suspense lead to a pretty boring conclusion. There were a few themes about classism and trust that could have been interesting, but the story was just too cliché for me to invest any real feelings into it.
Overall if evil CEOs, terminal illness, rich people behaving badly, betrayal & revenge sound like the makings of a great drama, I'd say there are other dramas that do those things much better than this. But if you feel like brooding over how unfair the world is then maybe this is the perfect drama for you. As for me, I'd recommend just waiting for whatever drama Kim Jung Hyun has coming up next.
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As far as the cast goes, I would give the 2 leads a solid 10. Kim Myung Min is not exactly a likable character at the start, but his portrayal of Anthony Kim had me from the beginning. I love watching a good villain, so a hero with villainous tendencies is right up my alley. He was the perfect contrast to the sweet, but in no way a pushover, newbie writer Lee Go Eun, played by Jung Ryeo Won. I loved watching them together on screen. They didn't have a necessarily steamy chemistry together, but they worked so well together, and their love story was fun to watch.
I liked the entire supporting cast, but I honestly found Si Won's character to be a bit annoying. I know that was kinda the point, and I know I will incur fangirl wrath, but I felt like he sometimes had too much screen time. Oh Ji Eun, on the other hand, seemed a little too forgettable for a second lead in a triangle. I did think Min Ah's and Kang Min rivalry was hilarious, and that they played their parts very well in that respect.
This drama was entertaining the entire time, never really dragging, in spite of being relatively predictable. The ending felt like It snuck up on me, because I wasn't quite ready for it to end, but it was actually the perfect length (it didn't drag, or feel rushed).
I would say this is a must watch KDrama within a KDrama, and for that I should rate it a 10, but for some reason I just can't classify it with my favorites. Maybe it's because the rewatch value for me is just not that high. I didn't know what to expect the first time around, so I am not sure all the excitement would be there with a second viewing.
Still, I think this drama should be praised for being original while simultaneously playing off of every drama cliché they could think of. At the heart of The King of Dramas is the questions "Why do we love dramas", and I think this drama does a pretty good job of answering that by giving us a little bit of everything. I would certainly recommend it to all ardent KDrama fans.
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Oh Yeon Seo as Joo Seo Yeon is ok. Yes, just ok. There are some likable things about her character, but most of the time she looks shocked, mad, or embarrassed with her eyes bulging through most scenes. My favorite moments of hers were with Kim Seul Gi as her bff Kim Mi Kyung. Kim Seul Gi is definitely a scene-stealer, and her commentary and instigating is probably the best part of the whole show. I kinda wish she was the romantic lead with Heo Jung Min, but instead Yeon Seo is matched with Ahn Jae Hyun as Lee Kang Woo who is this drama's biggest flaw. I admit that I have disliked him in every single drama I've seen him in, and this is the best of the worst. At least in this drama, he almost has a personality... a goofy one, an awkward one, but it's better than his usual lackluster roles. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt but I am just not a fan of his at all. It doesn't help that he always plays arrogant characters who are supposed to be so "good looking" but to me, he looks average at best. I honestly don't get his appeal.
Then add to that the forced romance between Seo Yeon and Kang Woo, which is underwhelming. I just don't think they had any believable chemistry. This is definitely a case where I liked the 2nd lead much more. I loved his sweets obsession. I also liked the cousin rivalry at times, but as a love triangle, it was played more for laughs than anything else. It's hard to like a romcom if you don't like the main couple, but it's impossible if the story is crap too.
I initially liked the idea of a girl who likes "less attractive" guys but it didn't take long for that plot point to not be relevant anymore. This drama is full of random plot points... Kang Woo's IBS, a weird homeless girl, a fraudulent therapist... that feel like filler with no substance or meaning. They did try to tackle a gay plot, which was decent, but again lacking any chemistry to make me really care. Something about it just seemed lacking. They also added a little bit of family melodrama but it honestly just felt out of place.
Would I watch this again? I'm surprised I didn't drop it this time, so no. This drama is so silly and over the top, and I think the short episodes were the only reason I could keep watching. I also kept waiting for a payoff that never came. They actually try to wrap everything up in the last 30-minute episode with everything resolving way too easily, but at that point, I didn't really care I just wanted it to finally be over.
Overall, this drama is one you can skip. It's mostly a comedy but I don't remember laughing even once. It's a romance but peripheral characters' relationships were way more interesting than the main couple. They had good intentions with the gay acceptance subplot but it wasn't done well. I should have known from the moment that doves flew from the toilet seat that this drama was a mess. Fans of this type of humor may feel differently, or fans of Ahn Jae Hyun, but to me, this was a forgettable drama that I watched just to pass the time. If you love awkward moments, silly misunderstandings, and poop jokes, then this drama delivers! Sadly, that's about all it delivers. I think Drama with Flaws would've been a much more accurate title.
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Fun, Nothing Serious...
This is a super fun rom com! It's the kind of drama that you watch again, and again, or quickly marathon straight through (which I just did), because you just have to watch what happens next. This drama is not deep, or very intellectual, but it isn't completely shallow either. It showcases how unpredictable relationships can be. It even explores some heavy situations, and mature topics, without losing the light feel of the drama. While watching I laughed, cried, and felt genuine butterflies. The cast got me totally invested in their shenanigans from beginning to end.This is an ensemble cast comedy in lot of ways, but it does primarily focus on Gong Ki Tae and Jang Mi, and what their fake relationship becomes. Faking a relationship is nothing new in kdramaland, but these two felt like a different kind of couple. Han Groo as Jang Mi is so unpredictable, an charmingly imperfect, that she was an awesome character to root for, and I was excited to see how she would react to certain situations. Yeon Woo Jin as cool Gong Ki Tae was her total opposite, yet made a perfect match. They have palpable chemistry, and I became instantly addicted to seeing what would happen between them.
Add to that a truly great supporting cast, who were just as interesting as the leads (even if I hated some of the characters). In real life, this crew of 6 friends would be the worst friends EVER, but in kdramaland I loved their relationships, and the love hexagon it created. Most of the characters are flawed but likable. Jung Jin Woon as Han Yeo Reum is great eye candy, but also was an interesting character. Han Sun Hwa
as Se Ah is an über beyotch, but also oddly likable, and won my sympathy. Heo Jeong Min as Lee Hoon Dong is a cross between a jerk and a lovable clown (similar to his role in Another Miss Oh ) - his is another character that grew on me. Then there is Yoon So Hee who was really good as Nam Hyun Hee, even though she was an almost impossible character to like. I prefer these kinds of characters in dramas to one dimensional forgettable ones. I never felt the urge to skip through their scenes, which is also a good sign.
The cast of family members are great too. I won't name them all, but the VIP of this whole drama to me is Kim Hae Sook as the mom. She is officially my favorite KDrama actress. I loooooove watching her in dramas, because she may not be the leading lady, but she always manages to steal the show. I almost thought that that wouldn't be the case with this show, because she first appears to be so passive, but the scenes where she simply and sweetly says "Jang Mi" were some of the most memorable moments of the show. Still, I took .5 points away because the acting is super over the top at times. I know that's the style of the show, but in some moments it was almost too much - like I'm laughing when I should be crying bad.
Speaking of style, I love the way this drama took some pretty overdone clichés and showed them in a new way. Each episode starts with a teaser of what's to come, one that's ambiguous yet intriguing enough that you become eager to see what actually happens during the show. It's often not at all what was implied, like an anti-spoiler, but it works well, and kept me hooked. The plot is never boring, cheesy at times, possibly too predictable in a few moments, but still never boring. Some heavy situations are taken too lightly, and some light situations become epic problems, but this is not the kind of drama that one should analyze deeply. The storytelling also definitely doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it puts some custom chromed rims on that wheel so it feels like new.
The soundtrack was also a perfect fit, and I had to download it. Even the over the top comedy effects and extra EXTRA cheesy songs grew on me. I found myself involuntarily humming "love lane"... OMG it's still stuck in my head... that and "barago barago baraedo neol..." make it stop... lol
So would I watch this again? Definitely! I couldn't allow myself to give this a perfect score, or add it to my favorites list, only because is does rely so much on doing what has already been done a million times before, BUT it does it better than most. Even the ending held my interest till the very last moments, and ended up being perfect! As far as rom-coms go, I'd say that this one is a MVP must watch. As far as life changing dramas go... hmm... It's not without some valuable perspectives on love, dating and marriage... but don't take things too seriously and you will enjoy it much more.
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This is how I would describe this drama and it's over the top appeal. This is not a drama with substance. It's listed as a melodrama, but it is a cartoon version of a melodrama. All of the characters are comedic and over the top, yes even the bad guys. I admit that this was a plus and a minus for me, because sometimes playing certain things up for the comedy made it frustrating to watch, and hard to take seriously. Once I let go of any type of expectations of seriousness, I liked this drama a lot more, but I should be honest... there is only one reason I kept watching in the beginning, and that reason is Seo In Guk.
Seo In Guk as Louis is the main reason to watch this show. I've seen him, and liked him a lot, in other dramas, but I had no idea he could be so hilarious and silly. Louis is a character that could easily become annoying if played by the wrong actor, but instead I totally fell for him and his antics. He also managed to make him feel real in each completely unrealistic scenario this drama put him in, which sucked me even further into the story. Even when the plot let me down, Louis never did.
He's matched with Nam Ji Hyun as Go Bok Shil, another super sweet and likable character who avoids being annoying. She is naive, yet brave, so her innocence wasn't a turn off for me. I also loved that although she is obviously the Cinderella of this story, this never changed the essence of who her character was. Bok Shil and Louis are so incredibly adorkable as a couple, and have such great chemistry, that it felt like watching a real love story in spite of the cheesy plot. Their love story is what the show is all about, so liking them made me automatically like the show, and look forward to each episode.
There is also Yoon Sang Hyun as Cha Joong Won, another actor who I've loved in many other dramas, and he pulls off another memorable character. Playing totally against their sweetness, with each clearing of his throat, he became the hilarious third wheel to complete their love triangle. Although he is a classic "forever alone" character, watching his rivalry/bromance with Louis was fun. Honestly, the entire supporting cast is fun to watch. I can't really think of one bad cast member, and considering the cheesy dialogue and scenarios (a certain car ride comes to mind), the fact that they could pull off such over the top comedy so well shows how talented they all are.
What I didn't love is the plot. There were way too many tropes/clichés, and certain scenarios were dragged out way too long. I got so frustrated waiting for Louis' memory to return, or for someone to reveal who he was. Then there was some extreme violence that felt out of place in this extreme comedy, and seemed to be more for shock value. I did love the side stories of some of the characters (their neighbors, the servants, the mom clique...), but the main story of what happened to Louis, and why, seemed really messy. The romance portion does have some sweet closure at the end, though unbelievable, but at that point I liked them so much I just smiled and accepted it. That's how I felt about most of the plot... smile, or laugh, and accept it, even if its completely ridiculous.
Would I watch this again? Probably not, but maybe. Again, the cast is really cute, so maybe that's enough to justify a second viewing. Maybe Louis' goofy smile is enough. At least the OST is good.
Overall this is a great excuse to watch Seo In Guk be as cute as possible, and a fun drama for those looking for more laughs than tears. It has too many flaws in the plot to make my favorites list, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it on someone else's. Who knew that amnesia, homelessness, robbery, assault, going missing, and family greed could be such hilarious fun? This was a great break from heavier dramas, and I highly recommend it for exactly that reason.
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What made me watch this was Yoon Shi Yoon, who I recently watched play Kim Tak Goo, and loved. He is a completely different kind of character in this, but just as endearing. I look forward too seeing more of Yoon Shi Yoon in the future, and I don't just mean in the shower : ) !His charm alone could've carried the show, but he had great chemistry with Lee Ji Ah. They worked so well together that I had no idea there was a major age difference between them. They also shared one of the hottest kdrama kisses ever! The 1st 7 or 8 episodes are totally addictive because of their dysfunctional romance, but then there's a major shift. I actually liked the jealousy sub plot, and Han Go Eun, but that's when the plot started to follow a more predictable route.
Overall, I thought the cast, story and music were very good, but the first half was much stronger than the last half. I can see myself watching the first half multiple times, and then skipping a lot of scenes to get to the end. I was really disappointed in the last 2 episodes, and thought the ending felt rushed/thrown together. Still, all the characters/plots did get proper endings. Though disappointed, I was never bored. I was just hoping to get that extremely excited to watch feeling back, which I never did.
I do recommend this for lovers of romantic drama. This may seem a little like a bad review, but I was really pleasantly surprised.
*random thought... What kind of name is Pink Chicken?!That's a pop icon name FAIL, lol!*
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I'm glad my search lead me to "WWW"... Strong Woman Lead x3
I'm so glad I decided to finally watch this. I was struggling to find something to fit my current drama mood, but when I saw so many not-so-great reviews and the tags "business" and "political" I guessed that I wouldn't like this drama. Turns out this drama exceeded my expectations. It's fun, it's thought-provoking, it's easy to binge, and it's empowering. The title "Search: WWW" made me think this would be about a fake "Google" so I thought I would get easily bored but it's really as if the Ws represent 3 strong women. They are bosses but imperfect and messy and hilarious and frustrating and intelligent and it was refreshing to see women being the center of this drama in all ways and not because they were fighting over a man, or overcoming a melodramatic trauma. I thought in the first episode that this would be a corporate catfight drama but these characters are much deeper and less predictable than that, which was this drama's main appeal for me.The true lead in this story is Im Soo Jung as Bae Ta Mi (Tammy), who I loved first in "A Tale of Two Sisters" and later in "Chicago Typewriter" (2 favorites on mine). Tammy is clever and ambitious and often brutally honest and I think Soo Jung does so well being strong and vulnerable and bad@ss and a hot mess. I loved her character, even when her choices annoyed me, because to me her thinking was so relatable. Then there is Jeon Hye Jin as Song Ga Kyung, who I liked the least of the leads, but her character is complex and isn't really set up to be liked. Rounding out the leads is Lee Da Hee as Cha Hyun (Scarlett), who is definitely a favorite character for many people, myself included. Scarlett is super tough and easily violent but the ultimate empathetic caregiver and I loved all of her crazy moments. Usually, I start reviews for Romance themed dramas with the main couple but in this drama, the relationship between these ladies deserves the first mention. Not quite BFFs or Frienemies, I love that their relationships were nuanced which made them feel less superficial. Their chemistry with each other was so strong at some points that I wondered if the story would lead to a romance between at least 2 of the characters but this is more about real bonding, how relationships between people can change or evolve, and how we can be different with/to/for different people, which is again super relatable.
There is a major romance plot in this drama as well which brings us to Jang Ki Yong as
Park Morgan. He is so good at being charming and his flirt game is at 100! From the moment they met, I was hooked on their story. Yes, there is a big noticeable age gap between Morgan and Tammy, which becomes their main obstacle, but unlike people who felt annoyed by this conflict I thought it was refreshing to see a genuine issue with being together instead of a crazy materialistic parent or incurable disease or an inconvenient ex (at least not as the main issue). I really loved how he loved Tammy (he made me swoon with just how he would look at her), and I liked his character's story (which explained many of his feelings), and yes it was hard to watch so much conflict but I understood their overall dilemma way too well. I actually started this while watching "Born Again", without realizing he was in both. I like him much more in this drama (less over the top melodrama) and I look forward to his future roles.
Then we have Lee Jae Wook as Sul Ji Hwan. Like Scarlett, he is another standout role and I love how well the drama within a drama aspect was done. For being so young he really holds his own in this drama full of strong older women. I don't want to say too much about his character to avoid spoilers but I was shocked by how much I loved his character.
As for the rest of the cast, I appreciate it when there are too many wonderful characters to name, which makes a work ensemble-based drama even better. More than for the company I found myself rooting for the Barro team full of quirky characters and of course for one of my personal favorite characters in this entire drama Kwon Hae Hyo as "Brian" the boss that dreams are made of! On the flip side, my other personal favorite was Ye Soo Jung who was so deliciously ruthless that I was kinda rooting for her over the leads in some scenes. This drama doesn't have weak characters, although I do wish some had more screen time, which brings me to the story.
Even though I gave the story less than a 10 I have to say I think the writing and directing in this drama is so good. Even the product placement was masterclass level (still obvious but well played lol). My only issue is that I wish some minor characters had more screen time with less focus on things like board meetings or arguments on loop. A major question the drama presents is, "how far are you willing to go into a relationship that is likely to fail?", and I think that made the story more complex. Still, certain arguments became irritatingly repetitive, and I wish that could have been balanced out with more romantic chemistry-charged moments (like one scene in this that is one of the best drama kiss scenes ever), or more from Ji Seung Hyun's character who has the least screen time as a lead, but the pace is still good and kept me engaged the whole time. I wasn't even bored with the business or political aspect because so much of it was about the dynamic between different characters that I actually cared about and many of the dilemmas they faced brought up interesting points about how we use the web and how to determine what is "right". My favorite quote from the show: "3 things that don't exist... free things, the right answer, and secrets". Also visually, with montages, and sunsets, and lighting they really knew how to tell this story well.
Would I watch this again? For sure. I may be tempted to skip scenes, but I am also curious how knowing the whole story might change how I feel while watching. Just rewatching the intro sequence felt different once I knew all of the characters. I think many of the themes, like living in the now, may resonate differently depending on my mood too. The creators really took care in certain details, and there are quite a few scenes I could definitely watch again and again.
I also really liked this soundtrack a lot, even though I didn't necessarily love any song in particular. I give soundtracks high ratings if the music matches the show well, gets me in the mood to watch, and makes me feel nostalgic when the show is over. This soundtrack does all 3. Music is also a part of the plot in a few ways. I even stopped to really read lyrics a few times, although the "Search" song is basically catchy gibberish. The OST is so well incorporated that my favorite song on it is an instrumental "Heart Shape on Ankle" (cute title) which is clearly a bootleg SWV melody but it's used so well. Then there's one song that breaks into A' Cappella right at the perfect moment, which made the feels even deeper. Also, shout out to Brian's songs which I am disappointed are not on the soundtrack. Again, I know this is about strong women but Brian is the exception MVP.
Overall this drama had the exact mix of what I wanted (laughs, tears, butterflies) and kept me excited to binge until the end. Some traditional romance fans may be disappointed by this drama but all the great flirt scenes between the characters were enough for me. Even with some familiar but lovable drama tropes in play, this felt different and even innovative for just centering around strong women (even a minor foreign CEO part was played by a Black Woman). By the end, it was clear that this drama is a mood if you want a show how women are strong on their own (with or without a partner), and how strong isn't perfect or one obvious path. I honestly knew from the opening sequence I would love this drama and I'm glad my "what to watch" search lead me to this.
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From the very beginning it is clear that this drama is not afraid to take on tragedy, so it's not exactly lighthearted (have tissues on hand just in case for the early episodes). Still there are definitely laughs, and romance as well.
I know many reviewers will understandably compare this to I Hear your Voice. The comparison makes obvious sense, and fans of that drama's cast and story will most likely enjoy this drama too (since the writer and some of the actors are the same). As for me, between the two, I liked Pinocchio more. It took a while for me to get into I Hear your Voice, but with this drama I was hooked from the beginning till the very end.
Park Hye-ryun really knows how to blend genres well. Lots of the standard k-drama elements are included - a love triangle, parental issues, rivalries, secrets, deception, revenge - but it all still feels completely original. I had no idea what would happen next, and didn't want it all to end. The writing has something for every drama lover, and gets a 10 from me. The characters were also all well written. The entire cast did a great job, and gets a deserving 10 from me as well.
Park Shin Hye & Lee Jong Suk are great together. They have great chemistry so the fact that their romance isn't always the main focus shouldn't be a huge disappointment to romance fans. I love that In Ha isn't always likable, nor is she timid, which is always nice to see for a female lead. Any Lee Jong Suk fan should definitely watch, and he does a great job taking on a complicated character while still showcasing his charm. Their triangle is completed by Kim Young Kwang who actually plays a likable chaebol. It's also nice that their friendship dynamic is as important as the romantic storyline.
Then there is one of my all time favorite k-drama actresses Kim Hae Sook. I knew I'd love her character, since she never disappoints. I particularly like her when she plays more of a villain, but she was still completely different than I've seen her before (which is what makes her so awesome). Jin Kyung is also excellent as the cold hearted mother of In Ha. She was one of my favorites in the cast overall. I also really liked the family dynamic, which included some of the funniest parts.
The music was great, but there weren't any memorable epic songs which is why I only gave it an 8.
Rewatch value is high for me since I am already rewatching it. I was so sad when it was over, and there's so many interesting turns in the story that a second watch is still entertaining. Plus the cast is so likable, which is another good reason to want to watch it all again.
Overall all I cared a lot about the characters, was engrossed in the story, and liked the themes regarding truth, integrity, and family. I also liked how it ended, and though part of me wished there were more episodes, I think it ended perfectly, and right when it should have.
This is a definite, rare, 10 worthy drama for me, and one I highly recommend to all drama fans. I'd even recommend it to those who are curious to know how these dramas can become so damn addictive. I think this is definitely the kind of drama that could get a newbie hooked, and that's the truth!
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There were two major issues I had with this drama. The first is that I really could not stand Hong Seol. She irritated me, and frustrated me, and made me want to reach through the screen and shake her. Kim Go Eun does a decent job, and I totally believed her as an awkward college student, but there was a charm that was missing for me. Seol is a complicated character emotionally, and I just don't think she pulled that off. She kinda played the role as if the character was on anti-depressant medication. That approach also added to one of the biggest fails in this drama for me - I just never believed that Seol actually liked Yoo Jung. Their chemistry was awkward. Even if both characters are "weird", and she was on guard with him, there should still be a sense that they actually belong together to make the romance work. She had much better chemistry with Seo Kang Joon as In Ho, but still not enough to carry a whole drama.
Speaking of the two leading men, they were my favorite characters. Figuring out the dynamic of their relationship became one of the most interesting parts of the show. Park Hae Jin was great at playing the line between sweet and sinister, so I loved him as Yoo Jung, but I didn't believe he liked Seol very much either. Part of what may have made their dynamic weird is that Park Hae Jin is older, looks older, and behaved as if he were older than the entire cast of students. He could sorta physically pass for a college student (sometimes - from certain flattering angles), but not compared to the other main student characters (except maybe Sang Chul). He seemed more like Seol's older brother, than a love interest. Similar to the dynamic he had with Seo Kang Joon, but the bromance gone wrong story touched me more. In Ho was also a great character, the epitome of the bad boy with a good heart. I definitely look forward to seeing him in more dramas in the future.
The rest of the cast was great. Many of the supporting characters are more campy than realistic, which fits the style of the show. I hated most of the character's traits, and had very little empathy for them, but they were played very well. In particular, Lee Sung Kyung as In Ha was very over the top, and smack-in-the-face-able, but memorable for sure. Eun Taek and Bo Ra were cute together, and I thought they had a better love story than the main characters.
What about the writing? I think it was pretty bad. It was good enough to get me interested, but not good enough to hold that interest. Yoo Jung is almost treated as if he is Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho", when I didn't see anything really wrong with what he did, even at his worst. Maybe that's a cultural thing, or maybe that's because I like movies like "American Psycho", but he just didn't seem bad enough to warrant how people acted towards him. I think they should have made him temper much worse revenge thriller-style, or make the misunderstandings more obvious, but the weird in between just made things confusing for me. Why were his actions seen as unforgivable vs the other characters in the show (who's actions were equally terrible). It seemed like lack of empathy was supposed to be a big theme in this drama, and I don't think that was executed well.
Much of the show is told through vignettes, which matches the webtoon feel, but especially towards the end, the story felt less cohesive. And don't even get me started on the ending, which was terrible. The only reason I wasn't completely dissatisfied with the end, is because I was just ready for it to be over at that point. Maybe it was meant to give you that "sequel pending" feeling, but it seemed more like the writers rushed to finish. Or maybe it's related to the drama surrounding this drama that I didn't care enough to read up on.
Would I watch this again? Nope. I barely made it through the first viewing.
Now that I completed this show, the story still had so much potential for me that I started reading the webtoon. So far, I'm not a fan of it either (super confusing to follow - maybe too much is lost in the translation - but I'm only on #20). Like the show, the concept is interesting enough that I will keep reading hoping to like it more. Characters (certainly Seol), and relationships between them make more sense to me than they did on the show, so I wouldn't even recommend this drama to the webtoon fans.
Overall, I will say this is a drama whose concept, and potential, was much greater than the execution of it. I can't recommend it, unless you really like being frustrated by characters and their choices, but I can see how people could see this as an interesting look at human nature. It just wasn't interesting enough for me.
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Obviously the chemistry between Son Ye Jin as Se Ri and Hyun Bin as Ri Jung Hyuk is one thing that this drama gets absolutely right. This is the kind of couple that makes you laugh and cry, and whether they are having cute banter or dodging bullets I was always rooting for them. Yes, their relationship is way over the top and even sappy at times, but it works so well. Captain Ri's straightfaced swag and Se Ri's extreme confidence played well off of each other, and I loved that Se Ri was a strong character and not just a victim passively waiting for a savior. They make a lot of corny moments work because they are just so good. Se Ri is also in the classic "chaebol" role while Jung Hyuk gets the makeover (a definite switch from the Hyun Bin I'm used to seeing in dramas), so even with a strong military theme, the women characters are just as strong.
Then we have the rest of the cast that is filled with great performances. Two surprising favorites were Seo Ji Hye as Seo Dan and Kim Jung Hyun as Goo Seung Jun. Seo Dan's bitter arrogance and Seung Jun's playboy charm were great, and I loved watching their characters' growth and their unexpected bond. At first, they just seemed like two annoying villainous characters but they soon became two of my favorites in the show. Then there are Captain Ri's fellow soldiers (#squadgoals) and neighbor wives (frenemies turned bffs) who are not only hilarious but were all characters I genuinely cared about. I also liked Seo Dan's aunt and uncle (who are so different from their roles in Parasite) and Se Ri and Jung Hyuk's moms. These characters had a lot of funny moments but also some touching moments that actually made me tear up quite a few times. The North Korean characters were definitely way more interesting than the South Korean characters, mainly Se Ri's family, who I thought were pretty cliché. Greedy siblings fighting over who will take over the family business is probably the most overused KDrama trope, and they weren't very interesting aside from helping to push that part of the story along. I also wasn't too fond of the main villain, who although he was effective he was very one-note.
The story did have a great pace and that's impressive since each episode is well over an hour. Most of the episodes balanced all the different genres well. The only two episodes that dragged for me were the first one, and the last one. I was honestly disappointed in the ending, even though it did do a good job of not leaving things unresolved. I felt like it took an unnecessary extra melodramatic turn then dragged out the endings with flashbacks and slow scenes that lost the show's momentum. Still, even with the slow ending, I still enjoyed the drama as a whole.
There's also a small musical element in this drama but it wasn't very strong. I honestly can't even remember the melody of Captain Ri's song. The rest of the music was over the top or just ok.
Would I watch this again? Maybe. As entertaining as it was anticipating new episodes each weekend, I'm not sure if the story is the kind I want to binge-watch again any time soon. I also think the plot loses all suspense which would make some parts of the story seem slower, especially with such long episodes. I would rather just rewatch parts that I like, but there aren't even specific scenes that I can think of wanting to see again. The characters would be my main reason for ever watching again.
Overall, this is a great classic-style drama. I was all in for the fish out of water/opposites-attract love story, and I liked the idea of being away from the comforts of the south and ending up finding real support and friendship in the north. If you are willing to embrace the tropes, the melodrama, the abundance of coincidences, obnoxious product placements, the cheap special fx, and silliness you will get to see an epic love story, beautiful scenery, some cool action scenes and cliffhangers, and more than a few moments likely to get you in the feels. This drama won't make my personal favorites list but I understand all of the high ratings. For Hyun Bin fans this is a must-watch. I am also rewatching King 2 Hearts now... don't worry that there's anything similar, there isn't, but I do like how both marry humor, action, and suspense with a great love story. Watching this drama made me want to watch that drama again (one of my old school favorites).
There really is a lot that makes Crash Landing on You worth watching. I related to the drama obsessed soldier big time while watching this. Don't let my lack of perfect 10s or 9s dissuade you, I was bored with a lot of the current on-air dramas I've been watching and this finally took me out of that slump. I'm glad I embraced the expected tropes and enjoyed the unpredictable ride.
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