Faith's other strong point is obviously Kim Hee Sun. In the first couple of episodes she may come off as slightly airhead-ish, babbling non-stop like a teenager but once you learn that under the facade of this relentless bubbliness, there is a headstrong, intelligent, sassy woman who takes no shit from anyone you will find yourself charmed by her antics. I came to this drama to verify whether Lee Min Ho can actually act or not and was pleasantly surprised. I think this is the only show in which LMH gets into a character rather than acting out the part of a rich, entitled brat/superhero-lite. Choi Young's vulnerability, his heroism in the face of defeat and danger, his emotional scars, his unwavering love for Eun Soo all come through quite wonderfully in Lee Min Ho's performance. And I think Kim Hee Sun's excellent excellent acting may have helped things along in this regard. Only she could have made Eun Soo so endearing, earnest and believable.
The direction is not the drama's strength. In fact it flounders so badly, that there is a constant discrepancy between a scene's emotional content and the actual screenplay. Badass fights look distinctly less impressive because of the choppy editing and shabby production values. There are so many plot loopholes in the drama that one can drive a truck through all of them put together. Several plot devices are rehashed time and again to advance the story and the fantasy bits are rather badly juxtaposed with the realistic bits. The X-Men-ish premise makes zero sense. One wonders if there were indeed X-Men like warriors in Goryeo, why the hell did they not organize themselves against Yuan? Also Young's superhuman powers were rarely used in the drama so I am not sure what was the point of giving him the ability to shoot lightning anyway. Excellency Deuk Heung made for a worthier villain than Gi Cheol who sort of degenerated into a caricature by the end methinks.
I would have liked the time-travelling bits to have been more fleshed out so that we could understand better the past and future Eun Soo's struggles to reach Young across the fabric of space-time. It was probably one of the only plot threads that could have made for interesting viewing but remained sadly underutilized.
Long story short, Faith isn't the best sageuk-fantasy out there (that honour goes to Arang and the Magistrate) and has a shitton of narrative flaws. But it has its heart in the right place. If for nothing else, watch this for Young and Eun Soo's impossible love that develops gradually and becomes the show's only lifeblood. In my opinion, this is one of the best romantic relationship portrayals in all of Kdrama history.
Was this review helpful to you?
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Awesome!!Awesome!!Awesome!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
I have to say that sometimes the effects were a bit lacking and the music sometimes came on a strange moment. Also when I was near the end (in my opinion), there were too many flashbacks from the previous episode. But even so it couldn't make the drama less great. The story they wanted to tell was wonderfull and the cast did great in acting. I only knew Lee Min Ho, but seeing the others acting, I will probarbly continue to follow one or two more of them.
Anyways don't let the negativity reach the upperhand. Start watching this drama and continue to watch it.
Just don't drop the drama and believe me, in the end... You know you didn't waste your time watching it
(atleast I know).
Have fun watching it, I hope you enjoy so!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Overall, I would say this drama is pretty amazing. The best thing for me was the cast. I enjoyed Lee Min Ho as cold but sweet Choi Young . Kim Hee Sun nailed her character. I usually only watch for the male leads but this is my 2nd drama of kim hee sun and she didnt disappoint me at all! I enjoyed her flustered and quirky character. They had incredible chemistry as well. I would say the story is pretty well written too. I liked the fact that their is no love triangle and that the 2nd couple (king and queen) were pretty adorable as well. I liked the happy ending since I was worried it was going to end in a tragedy but it didn't.
I would rewatch it since I love happy but not forced endings. A great historical drama!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Brilliant. Emotional. Beautiful time travel story with happy ending!
I must say, this drama is hands down the best one I've watched so far, and it has rightfully earned its place in my top 3 dramas list, both for C-dramas and K-dramas. This drama is also named “The Good Doctor” or “The Great Doctor”, aired in 2012.Love story……
The love story was an absolute masterpiece. It was a perfect blend of beauty and intensity that kept me hooked till the end. The casting was spot-on, and the chemistry between the two main characters was absolutely perfect. Both the characters were aware of their limitations and knew that they could not love each other, but somehow, they found themselves unable to resist the pull of their strong emotions. She loved him unconditionally, and he reciprocated her emotions with an intensity that was beyond words.
Even though he loved her deeply, he was willing to let her go for the sake of her happiness, even if it meant going against his own. This selflessness and sacrifice made their love story all the more beautiful and intense. It was a love story that defied all the odds and transcended time and minds. It left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling, and I couldn't help but admire the beauty of true love that was showcased in this story.
Script, storyline….
To be honest, I had started to blacklist time travel dramas altogether because of their predictable bittersweet or sad endings, the tragic separation of the main couple, and the immature female lead. It was all too repetitive and tiresome.
Luckily, I stumbled upon this gem on YouTube, where I usually discover new dramas to watch. I simply searched for "general kiss C-drama", and voilà, a list appeared, which included some K-dramas.
The story of "Faith aka the good doctor" kept me glued episode after episode. However, as is my habit, I had to spoil the ending for myself to ensure that this drama had a happy ending. And it did not disappoint.
I strongly believe that the drama I watched is the most underrated one. It is not clear to me why it is not getting the recognition it deserves. Compared to other time travel dramas, it has the most original storyline, best script, and perfect casting. Although personal preferences play a role in liking or disliking actors and actresses, this drama has exceeded my expectations.
Music, costumes…
I wanted to give a special shout-out to the music. The chorus music was delightful and added a layer of depth to the scenes. Whenever love was in the air between the characters, the love music was so fitting and beautiful. Additionally, the night effects added a special touch and made me smile. However, I have to say that the costumes were just average and didn't leave much of an impression.
Flaws, inconsistencies…
Was it flawless? Almost. However, I believe that the minor imperfections I noticed were mostly due to cultural differences. For instance, there was only one memorable kiss scene, and mostly hugging scenes were shown. Furthermore, there was a scene where the characters were in bed, fully clothed, but it seemed like they had sex. Lastly, the ending lacked a physical hug or kiss, but the emotions were there.
When she returned and found the Japanese reporters waiting for her to interview her and the nurse calling the police to report she was back. That was ridiculous.
The scene where the ML touches the villain after already piercing him with a sword was ridiculous. It was obvious that touching him would freeze him to death. The special effects were impressive, but the scene lacked logic. Furthermore, it was disappointing to see the great doctor struggle with basic first aid skills, such as performing CPR. The endless pumping routine was not only unrealistic but also frustrating to watch. Overall, this was not the drama's best scene.
To be honest, the last episode was not the best.
Genius director…
The way the scriptwriter and director handled the ambiguity between the older sister and younger brother in the movie was truly praiseworthy. Even though it was never fully developed, it was evident that they were probably lovers. The portrayal of the sister as a twisted villain character who loved to play with men was well-done.
One of the most brilliant scenes in the movie was when the prince revealed that the ML was the true king. The choice of secondary actors and actresses was fantastic, and they all played their roles to perfection.
Special effects, martial arts choreography…
I found the special effects in the movie to be quite unimpressive and they failed to grab my attention. ML showcased his powers only once when he kidnapped the FL, which was impressive enough to take down dozens of cops, but after that, there was no explanation or proper utilization of his powers. Moreover, there were three villains in the movie who had powers, but there was no explanation given as to why they possessed these abilities. It seemed like a convenient plot device that added nothing to the story.
Although the martial arts scenes were decent considering the low budget. They kept claiming that there were thousands of guards in the movie, but we could only see the same 20 actors throughout. At times, the sword didn't even touch the opponent, but he still died on the spot. Overall, the movie felt cheap and unprofessional, but the secondary actors managed to make up for it.
Time travel and meaning of “faith”…
Time travel is often portrayed as a mix of comedy, romance, and drama, which can be annoying at times. However, “Faith” drama, which is a political romance drama time travel, managed to strike a balance without the annoying comedy. FL was indeed clumsy and brought humor but because she didn't look like a teenager, somehow her character managed to bring smiles instead of annoying faces. At times, it was just a tiny bit over the top though. The concept of a time travel door in the middle of the city at night seemed a bit far-fetched, but it still managed to capture the audience's attention because the focus wasn't present time.
I have to be honest, I was struggling about the last episode. After brainstorming, I have come to the conclusion that the reason why the prince couldn't go through the portal while the ML could previously, be due to his lack of purpose and faith. It's also worth noting that when the FL came back in the same year/era versus when she left a second time, she went back 100 years before and the third time 5 years after. I came to the conclusion that the name of the drama, "Faith", explains it all. With faith, it was possible to go through time and space.
During the first time travel, ML had a clear purpose - to bring a divine doctor to save the queen, which they succeeded in doing. However, during the second travel, the FL explained that her faith was weak, which is why she failed and came back 100 years earlier. On the third attempt, the FL's faith was stronger, and she wanted to reunite with him again, which led to success. It's safe to say that the prince lacked both purpose and faith, which is why he remained stuck in his own time.
Epilogue… and finally a happy ending!
The ending of the movie felt a bit hurried, leaving me with a desire for more. As a viewer, I was anticipating a grand romantic finale that would culminate in a satisfying climax. However, it appeared to be a little brief. Nonetheless, as I paid attention to the details, I noticed that the many yellow chrysanthemum- FL's favorite flowers, was a clear indication that this place was a sacred spot for the ML. His fellows said he usually spent four long days there, probably reminiscing about her. The intense exchange of looks between them was nothing short of breathtaking. I saw the relief in her eyes to find him, tears streaming down her face, and his expression conveyed the reason why the drama was named "faith". He had faith that she would return, and he never once doubted it. This movie was a masterpiece, well worth the watch.
Alternative ending…
The scene was set, tension was building up and I was eagerly waiting for a romantic moment between the two lead actors. However, as the scene progressed, it became apparent that the Korean director was being a bit too conservative. While staring at each other was fine, I was hoping for something more - a passionate kiss that would make their hearts skip a beat. Yet, it seemed like the director was holding back, being a bit too prudish. Despite the captivating performances by the actors, the scene failed to deliver the emotional punch that was expected.
The director's aversion to physical contact was evident in the drama, with only one kiss and an abundance of hugs. It's clear that they have a strong dislike for such interactions..
Conclusion…
I am absolutely in love with this drama and I know I will watch it countless times. It was released in 2012 and even though it's an old drama, I still bought the DVD to ensure that I can watch it anytime I want. With the fear that it might not be available for streaming at some point, owning the DVD is the best option. Are you convinced to give this drama a try?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Loved it the whole way through
This is a 2012 South Korean Historical Medical Fantasy Romance television drama with 24, 1 hr episodes. It is also known under the title “Faith.”When the queen is mortally injured General Choi Young (Lee Min-ho) is sent through Heaven’s door to the land of the Gods to find a doctor to heal her. First doctor he encounters is a plastic surgeon, Yoo Eun-soo (Kim Hee-sun) but there is no such distinction 700 years in the past so he abducts her to take her back to save the queen, Queen Noguk (Park Se-young). Seeing her skill and the medical tools she brought with her, the people believe she was trained by no other than the legendary Chinese surgeon Doctor Hwata. Soon all those currently battling for rights to the throne believe that having her as their royal doctor will tip the scales in their favor. As love grows between the doctor and the captain of the royal guard, he must battle not only for the young king he has come to respect but also for the woman doctor he has grown to love. He also must keep a promise to her, on his honor, to return her to her world.
I was afraid this would be just another historical drama. Should have known better with Lee Min-Ho involved it has both fantasy and sci-fi time travel mixed in. His role is so dynamic. Not only is he a intelligent military strategist and strong warrior but his ethics and moral code are truly impressive. It is the first time I have seen this female lead and I just loved the role she played. She was smart and forceful yet completely feminine. Very pretty both in her behavior and appearance. I thought Lee Min-Ho was a great couple with Park Shin-Hye and he was but I thought these two were even more perfect together. Looked up to see if they dated and seems she was married. That is how great their chemistry was. There was good and evil a bit of a mystery and lots of suspense. Lee Min-Ho shines in action scenes. He puts so much emotion into his acting I suspect he is an empath and probably deeply feels his roles I would imagine he is exhausted when he finishes a drama. I greatly admire his talent and knowing he is in something greatly influences whether or not I watch it. spoiler alert** I was a bit worried at the ending as it seemed they might not wind up together. Things ended well I just wish there had been a bit more screen time when things wrapped up happy. Still very good and a must see if you like the genre or either of these very talented actors.
Was this review helpful to you?
I did find him hot in this one w his sexy armor costume. Of course Kim hee sun is amazing. She jst doesn't look like her age, she looks so young. I never rly like noona romances but j actually ship them in this one cuz they had no barriers between them. It jst flowed smoothly.
I barely remember the plot or story but it was interesting n draggy at some parts. I always love historical dramas w martial arts so I like this one.
Kdrama ost are the best so I don't need to explain more...
Personally, it was one of my first kdrama so I didn't rly know how I felt except it's a great drama.
I don't plan on rewatching this cuz I'm kinda sick of lee min ho. He's jst too overrated.
It's watchable if anyone wants some love, fighting, healing...
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Ive had watched many historical drama and this is one of the drama that i want to drop but because im too bored i finished it .lols
It's too dragging .. i dont like the story and actors well maybe except lee min hoo, her aunt, and the guy who portrayed dr. Jang.
Well this is my first time write a review so im not used to it yet..
Was this review helpful to you?
Highly recommended.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
