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Story:
I'm not entirely sure if the story was great or if I was too busy looking at six packs to notice it was bad. What I am sure about is that the story is VERY simple and doesn't really offer you that much. That being said, this drama has a wonderfully relaxing mood throughout and should give you plenty of smiles and romance. Just don't expect a lot and you will be pleasantly surprised. Additional bonus goes to the writer for actually knowing something about MMORPGs and game development!
Acting/Cast:
The casting of the main characters is perfect. They are both beautiful and charismatic, yet they both portray people that have even more alluring qualities - intelligence and humour. As in all dramas, there are a few characters that aren't as good, but overall this drama will offer you all sorts of characters and most of them add to the experience positively.
Music:
The music does what it's supposed to - it creates the mood and doesn't subtract from the drama. I wish they had more songs to use though. Sometimes it feels repetitive.
Rewatch value:
I'm sure I will rewatch this when I'm a granny. Not for the exciting storyline, but for the romantic and sometimes even erotic moments ;)
Overall:
If you are feeling a bit blue and need some cheering up, this drama is perfect for you! I would say it's about 70% romance, 20% story development and 10% drama. Suitable for a moment when you are not looking for an epic revenge story or a multifaceted action melodrama. The only flaw of this drama is that it's fluffy and empty, but sometimes that's all you are looking for - no arguing, no pain - just some cheesy and cozy romance.
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Story (9/10):
The absolute strong point of this drama is the story. In every single episode something interesting is going on and it never seems forced or manufactured. The story arch works really well and the pacing is the best I've ever seen in a drama. The story also has historical facts and intricate details that will keep you interested. Also it was quite special to follow the main character from birth to maturity. The romance in the story was really well done - built for a loooooong time upon mutual trust and respect. Instead of the usual kdrama perks: hotness and wealth...
Acting/Cast (7/10):
The acting was extremely good at parts. Yang Mi-Kyeong and Ji Jin-Hee for example were awesome, but there were some side characters that were really lacking. I am not a fan of over-acting and they made you feel like you were at a summer theater watching a kids' play. The main character (Lee Young-Ae) relied too much on exaggerated facial expressions and sometimes I found her character really annoying due to this, although the story gives her all the tools to really grab your sympathies. All in all though, I think the acting was this dramas weak point.
Music (9/10):
This drama has a soundtrack that you instantly recognize. Some might not like it, since it's a weird combination of synthesized sounds and traditional instruments and choirs. I feel the music really played a big part in building the epic atmosphere and I can still remember the main theme although it's been a while since I last heard it. Can't say the same for about 95% of all the dramas I've watched. Also I enjoyed the fact that the music was mostly instrumental or choir notes, no lyrics to draw you away from what you are watching.
Rewatch value (7/10):
This drama is quite long and I doubt I will be watching it again any time soon. I usually rewatch a drama if it has those super cheesy, romantic scenes and this one has almost none of those. Still it's possible I might watch it again when I'm in a retiring home... :D
Overall (8.5/10):
I remember dropping this drama a few times. It is a bit much to chew on, especially when compared to dramas that come out these days. Still I really recommend it to anyone who loves kdramas A LOT, or who is interested in cooking and Korean history in general. It will definitely suck you in if you let it, but it requires some determination to invest so much time into one drama (54 episodes). If you want to give it a try, please watch at least 10 episodes before you make up your mind.
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Story (9/10):
The story is interesting mostly, because of the wonderful characters. The subject matter might be excruciatingly boring, but instead you sort of get interested in the world of sales and contracts. The story also brings out a lot of the negatives of the Korean workplace... which I hope they are exaggerating, but probably aren't. The pacing is wonderful and I was never tempted to skip ahead.
Acting/Cast:
This drama was cast wonderfully and I felt that all of the actors did a great job. The stars of the show for me were the sympathetic main character (Im Shi Wan), his boss (Lee Sung Min), co-worker (Kim Dae-Myung) and the comedic relief (Byun Yo Han). The characters felt like real, relatable people with their own motivations and gripes, managing to grip my heartstrings many times.
Music:
The music was very suitable and mostly you payed no attention to it. It perfectly accompanied the drama, but I wish there had been just a few more theme songs since this drama definitely would've deserved more.
Overall:
I started this drama expecting to drop it after one episode. Instead I couldn't wait to watch more and more. I raise my hat to the writer since this is one of the few dramas where I felt like the writer really knew their stuff - the office felt real, the work felt real, the characters felt real. I would definitely recommend this drama to anyone who loves Korean dramas and is ready for something a little more special than the average cheesy romance. Also this is a great drama for anyone who feels like their life is at a dead end, this drama can brighten your day with some "realistic positivity" in a world which feels far too cynical and cold.
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Story:
Nothing really special here, but the characters are sort of interesting and different. The story is just a prop in the background and the characters are the centerpiece. Feminists will not enjoy the setting, but I for one did :D Just don't take it too seriously and enjoy it!
Acting/Cast:
Both of the main actors are going into my to-watch list! At first I did not like the male lead, but he really grows on you and has a lovely voice and charisma that you will warm to. The female lead portrayed a different kind of woman... she was more than just a pretty face, she actually portrayed genuine feelings and her facial expressions felt real.
Music:
I really enjoyed the music in this drama. There were no songs with vocals, just a blend of different instrumental songs. They actually played the Star Wars "Imperial March" a LOT and I can't believe they actually managed to make that fit in and seem fresh. All in all I enjoyed the soundtrack and it strengthened the atmosphere.
Rewatch value:
I wish that there had been even MORE erotic or romantic scenes. Those are the thing I go back for, but I can see myself watching this again happily when I am about 70 years old and sitting in my rocking chair... mostly due to the six-pack...
Overall:
A 9/10 seems really, REALLY high, but it all comes down to the fact that I enjoyed watching this. I actually watched this in one sitting. My favourite drama so far is Coffee Prince and compared to that this is a very simple and short drama and doesn't offer you much to remember or think about, but it felt fresh, fun and it fed my hunger for romance which is what I look for in Korean dramas.
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Warm & Cozy offers nothing special, but if you are interested in Jeju island and cooking, you might find it worthwhile. If aimless, slow pacing , non-existent love chemistry and an uninspired story bother you, then you might want to skip this one.
The positives:
- Jeju looks beautiful and they've gone through a lot of trouble to make the film setting look warm & cozy.
- Mouthwatering food is being prepared and consumed in many scenes.
- One of the side character romance storylines is quite funny and interesting.
- The production value seems high, everything looks and sounds polished.
The negatives:
- The main characters lacked chemistry. At some points it was practically dead... (not good in a kdrama!)
- The story is very strange, jumping from one genre to the next and never really going anywhere.
- There are many dream sequences that just ruin the atmosphere.
- The female lead relies too much on weird, exaggerated facial expressions.
- Although there are romantic things going on all over the place, you never FEEL that something romantic is going on. Especially in the latter part of the drama things begin to feel too much like "fan service".
In the end a 6.5 rating might seem kind of brutal, but for me it comes down to whether I keep watching a drama from start to finish, craving the next episode, or if I end up dropping off midway. This drama I dropped 3 times. I wanted to finish it just to finish. I did not care about the characters or the ending. I think people who are new to kdramas might enjoy this one, because it is lukewarm, looks pretty and doesn't really challenge you in any way. For those of us who have seen +100 kdramas this might feel rather soulless, shallow and pointless.
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One Well-Raised Daughter
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Highlights:
- The second male lead is really charismatic and cool, too bad he's not utilized enough in the drama.
- The revenge plot is built up A LOT and tries to satisfy the viewers in every way possible.
Negatives:
- The story is erratic and it's obviously trying to hold on to the original plan although the viewers want something else.
- The gender bender is not done convincingly. It just doesn't feel authentic and messes a bit with the overall atmosphere.
- The story is very black and white and so are the characters. The bad people are too bad and the good to good. Makes for a predictable and generic story.
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