Ma Ri
Brazil
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
I need to say that I don't understand the message here. Initially, I thought that it would be a drama about self-image and the importance to love yourself, and I waited for that, and waited, and waited... Then I figured out that the drama was ending and this wasn't happening. We can see Kang Mi Rae (Im Soo Hyang) showing some of this in the process, but it's insignificant in the middle of the process. Until episode 13 we still have a dialog as "I don't deserve to be with you because I'm ugly". I really didn't understand why the drama goes in this direction and didn't make a massive critical about beauty standards. It looks like if they bring the theme but hadn't the courage to do something with this. I felt a lot of frustration, I can't hide this. The message to me was "Beauty is happiness" in the entire show, and in the last episode just a turn "Oh no, you don't need to be pretty to be happy. But I am and this is everything to me". I'm writing this and getting upset again. I understand now why this show is so controversial. I think that what was missed here was the conclusion, a moment of catharsis where everyone could see the things cleary. Mi Rae's parents realizing that your daughter didn't need plastic surgery, but psychological help. Mi Rae herself understanding how confused her mind was and how her need embrace who she was with a "pretty face" or not. Kyung Suk expressing for real that Mi Rae was Mi Rae with a pretty face or not (this shows up very softly in some episodes). When you bring a problem and doesn't show a solution, you are confirming that there isn't a problem at all. This is dangerous, for me.Talking about acting... Please, someone explain this to me: Do Kyung Suk (Cha Eun Woo) was autistic?! I enjoy introspective male leads, but this one was too much. I thought that they will put him as an autistic (this would be amazing!), but after all, he was just shy. This wouldn't be a problem if we had a strong female lead, but Kang Mi Rae (Im Soo Hyang) was just tasteless. I couldn't get involved with the romance because I feel nothing with them. They were cute in the last episodes, but everything was so stiffened, that sometimes I just felt shame watching them. We could see the difference when we watch them interacting with Yeon Woo Young (Kwak Dong Yeon) and Oh Hyun Jung (Min Do Hee), the energy was totally different. This was another thing that made me mad, Woo Young and Hyun Jung were great characters, but we couldn't saw almost anything of them. Hyun Soo Ah (Jo Woo Ri) also was a perfect "villain" for me! I never saw a villain that maintain a falseness until the end of the show, and I thought very interesting her plot, but also obfuscated by the mess of the principal message.
Yeah, I didn't like this. I know some people really love this show, and I really tried to enjoy the process, but the inconsistencies and bad choices in the script really disturb me. I could forgive the tasteless chemistry of the main couple and their personalities, but a messy plot that could sustain a wrong message about beauty and health, it's too much for me. So, at your own risk (★ ★ ★ ★). I hope see Cha Eun Woo in another role, I saw that he will be on a drama "True beauty" (again, beauty) with Moon Ga Young (that I love), so I hope to see an amazing job here. And I will put "When I was the most beautiful" (beautiful, again) on my plan to watch's list, to see Im Soo Hyang and maybe start to be empathetic with her... Let's see!
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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Jung Hae In is an incredible man. I couldn't stop smiling seeing him walking by the city and expressing himself. He just was amazed by everything, and this was very beautiful for me. A man who is pretty famous and has money, people, many experiences... Just amazed by a sunset, or a construct, or the lights of a building... He just smiled all time. Obviously, I didn't know Hae In, but this vlog can show to us that he is a simple person even having so many resources. When Im Hyun Soo and Eun Jong Geon joined the trip, my heart melted. Their friendship is incredibly beautiful and everything was very fun. Technically speaking, the images were incredibly beautiful, the edition was so funny and the Travel Playlist of Hae In was amazing too! I really felt as I was there.
I've just finished the last episode and I'm in tears. The confessions that they shared in the restaurant was just beautiful! I don't tell you about it because you need to see this with your own eyes, but I could feel sincerity with them and I was very touched too. I hope that Hyun Soo and Eun Jong Geon will get a lot of opportunities and show their talent with proud, and hope that Hae In continues on his way, being an amazing actor but still showing how amazing person he is.
This was a "chosen one" for me! (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★) If you looking for something fun and beautiful to distract, this is your call.
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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I just love this story! In many ways, this reminds me a lot of "What's wrong with Secretary Kim?" and not just because of Park Min Young. The crazy and funny edition, the jokes and exaggerating characteristics of the characters... Everything was amazing for me! Starting for our female lead, Sung Duk Mi was captivating! Her passion and the way how she maintains her personality during all the process made me love Park Min Young even more. Every drama with this woman makes me satisfied! She is a beauty (undeniable fact) but her charism makes her compatible with every male lead. I thought that I never would be able to overcome her and Park Seo Jun, but here she is also perfect with Kim Jae Wook. Here I left my note: Why this man doesn't participate in more funny dramas? He is amazing with this! I was searching for him and realized that he is in many thrillers and horror dramas, but I laugh so much with him that I couldn't imagine him being scary. The character of Ryan Gold was a masterpiece for me. A man who just loves a woman knowing everything about her and respecting her, without trying to change anything about her behavior. I had chills when I saw him protecting Duk Mi's passion as if was his passion too. THIS IS A MAN! And making a big note here: WHAT A CHEMISTRY! These two just set fire together!
About some things that I don't like... The Eun Gi (Ahn Bo Hyun) plot. It wasn't awful, but I'm a little tired of this kind of friend that appears just to make a twist in the story but you know that don't go anywhere. It's a waste of time for me. I also wish that the "fan thing" had a bigger space in the story. The plot is about Duk Mi hiding her passion and how this affects her life but kinda fades away with the process. But I'm just trying hard to point bad things here.
We see a lot of traumas and childhood issues in dramas like this, and we saw something very similar in "What's wrong with Secretary Kim?" (yes, I'll keep comparing), but here I could felt the things fitting with more fluidness. The story is equally "no way" when we think about everything that happens, and I can't imagine any of them happens in real life, but here I could believe a little more and wasn't so absurd. Also very impossible, but not absurd.
This is not a real-life drama but does its job. It's funny, VERY CUTE, made me cry... It was just AMAZING! (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★) If you are looking for something to wash your dark heart and expel every bad feeling, this is your drama! Go for it!
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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MY PRECIOUS!
This show was a great surprise for me. I started with low expectations because I'm not a fan of medical dramas (only Grey's Anatomy), but when I saw the first episode, I was fall in love.How could they create a friendship so beautiful and amazing? I melted every time that I saw a scene with my band, they are perfect together! I wanted to be part of this group so badly! All the actors were amazing, but I wanna make an honorable mention to Jo Jung-suk as Lee Ik-jun. He was my favorite character from distance and I always laughed when he talked anything. His expressions, lines, the way how he interacted with the others, everything was awesome for me. THE SCENES WITH U-JU (Kim Joon)? MY GOODNESS, I ALMOST EXPLODE WITH CUTENESS! My mention extends for Kim Joon as well. What a kid! So cute and focused on the role!
Hospital Playlist isn't a show made for a marathon or for people that be in a rush. It's a show about process and progress. I watched an episode in a day and reflected on what I saw without the addicted to seeing the next one quickly. I think the format told about life and death, and the development of relationships, ask for you to watch peacefully. And I love this experience! Another honorable mention: THE OST IT'S AMAZING! (Even when Chae Song-hwa (Jeon Mi-do) was singing, hahaha.)
I can't wait for the second season and what we gonna see in the Yulje Hospital! If you are looking for something deep but calm, cute but visceral, soft but heartbreaking (at some times), this is your drama.
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| ABOUT THE CHARACTERS |
JUNG BA REUM, THE INCREDIBLY GOOD
Jung Ba Reum is the kind of character that you start hating or loving. There isn't a middle way. The figure of the good and naive officer is captivating and you just will get involving in his charms and sensibility. I'm not the kind of person that loves the good guy character so, in the first episodes, Ba Reum was pretty annoying for me. But with the process, I started to fall in love (Lee Seung Gi power, right?) and he totally got me. The development of the character is amazing and this is the man who will blow your mind and make you question what is justice and right like his name already invokes since the beginning. I'm suspicious to say, but Lee Seung Gi gives everything in this character. I went from the laugh to the passion, to the hate, to the sadness... Everything at the same time. This guy deserves his fame, without question.
GO MU CHI, THE BROKE DETECTIVE
Go Mu Chi was the edgy character that makes me tense in most part of the episodes. He is a traumatized detective who passes through many things in his life since his childhood, which was marked by the murdering of his parents by the Headhunter. Mu Chi is crazy, but also very smart, but in many moments I was frustrated by his stupid and recklessness. I joked with a friend that the problem of Mu Chi was his love with alcohol (maldita cachaça). This character made me cry a lot and, for me, he carried the heavy part of this show. His story is impressive and the consequences of the things that happened to him were also breathtaking. I met Lee Hee Joon when I watched "The legend of the blue sea" and at the time I already loved his performance. He is a great actor and this time wasn't different.
BONG YI, THE ANNOYING WARRIOR
Bong Yi is a traumatized character that you have to accept and understand. This isn't my favorite type of character, but I tolerate her because of the process (yeah, everything is about the process). She passed through a very difficult situation when she was a child and also lost her parents, being raised by her grandma. In the beginning, you can think that she is just an annoying teenager, but in the following episodes, you can realize that she is actually a strong girl. I was cheering for her, expecting that she could have a normal life someday. The first work of Park Joo Hyun that I watched was "A Piece Of Your Mind" (there is a review here), and she looks so mature at the time, so when I saw her on "Extracurricular" and now here, I was very surprised. She is young and I think she can do many interesting things in the future, considering her effort in doing "Mouse".
CHOI HONG JOO, THE MYSTERIOUS ONE
This is a character that I can't talk about almost anything without giving some spoiler. Choi Hong Joo is a mysterious reporter that has a big interest in the case of Headhunter and is close to Detective Mu Chi. It seems that she wasn't so important, but believe me, she is. She has an unknowing past (and present) that makes us suspicious of everything related to her since the beginning. It was my first time seeing a work of Kyung Soo Jin, and I really thought she was great on this. I couldn't predict almost anything about her, and she surprises everyone until the last episode.
HAN SEO JUN, THE HEADHUNTER
Han Seo Jun is more seeing in the first episode and in some flashes, but his character is the key to everything. Here is another character that I can say much about, but it was incredible to hate this guy. This character is pure evil and cynicism, and the performance of Ahn Jae Wook was just amazing. It was his first complete villain character and we have to praise him because he kills it (literally).
| HIGHLIGHTS |
The production and the script are really exciting. If you like thrillers you probably will enjoy this show. The performance of the main actors is also amazing and makes you immerse in every moment and feeling. I love plot twists, and this is something that you will have a lot here. The fight scenes are very exciting and real, and we can see the effort made by everyone on the team.
| LOW POINTS |
If you like thrillers like me, you can consider "Mouse" as an exaggerated drama. The plot twist is cool, but this happens in many moments of the plot and sometimes we feel a little confused and lost. I started to fix my attention after episode seven, when the bigger twist happen, but before that is a little difficult to catch up with the story. I started to deduce the truth in the beginning and see each episode trying so hard to make us think another way, even sometimes creating unnecessary tension, it was a bit annoying. But I'm saying this because I have to say something bad, because in the process I loved even when I was pissed of, lol. The science part is something that you can't take seriously. They explore the poetic license very hard and create almost a fantasy, and if you want real science and logic, this isn't for you.
| FINAL CONSIDERATION |
As I said, I have some points that made me a little distrustful in the beginning, but I loved every moment that I passed watching and theorizing about this drama. I will give the CHOSEN ONE (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★) title for this because even with the low points I could enjoy everything and feel the tension and passion that was promised. I'm watching the special episodes these days and I have to say that this opens your mind to many things. "Mouse" is for sure a drama that you can rewatch over and over to understand and see things that you don't in the first time.
And you? What did you think about this one?
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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I will talk about the actors and I have to start with IU. As I said in the "first impressions", sometimes I have a little prejudice with idols that acts, but this woman makes my heart flutter with her performance and I think that was the best female acting that I saw in a drama until now. The personality, the devotion, the deep look on her eyes... Everything communicated about the character and makes us understand a little bit of Lee Ji Ahn and all her shadows. Lee Sun Kyun also did a great job as Park Dong Hoon! I could feel the kindness and peace in his expressions, but in the moments of anger, he just transformed himself. I the first blow-up of the character my mouth couldn't close, I was totally in chock. The chemistry between them both was amazing and made me sigh many times... Not in a romantic way, and I don't know how to explain, but I think that their relationship will communicate something different to each person that watches it.
I won't spoiler it, but I have to talk about the ending. Guys, I never cried like this since "Goblin". Don't take me wrong, this has nothing with "Goblin" and the reasons for my cry were pretty different here. Follow the development of each character and their relations made me cry realizing how life is full of changes and how one person can make your story totally different. I never realize this with so much strongness. The most powerful to me was the ending of Lee Kwang Il (Jang Ki Yong). I think that I never hated a character as I hated him. Every time that he shows on the screen, I was nauseated... But the conclusion... God! I cried like a baby realizing that I'm pretty fast to judge, but nobody does something without purpose or reason. We are products of the environment and, at the same time, we are totally responsible for our acts. As I said... This drama was a life lesson.
Just to say something that wasn't so amazing, I will talk about the relation between Choi Yoo Ra (Kwon Na Ra) and Park Gi Hoon (Song Sae Byuk). I just understand what was happening after the revelation on episode nine (I guess), but, after that, I just thought everything very weird with them. For me just didn't much sense. But after all explain, I started to love them.
So, this isn't a funny or soft drama, this is a drama for you who loves to immerse and to face heavy themes. I laughed, I cried a lot, and I think a lot about many things... For me, this is a chosen one for sure! (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★) Do a favor to yourself and watch this with an open mind and heart, thinking about your life and the value of the things and people to you. You won't regret it!
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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The story of "Start-up" is full of twists and beautiful relationships, and I think that this was the reason why I loved so much this process. Seeing a character as Dal Mi (Bae Suzy) I just knew that this would be a great experience. Dal Mi was the key to this drama for me. Her courage and determination made me think a lot about my choices and my dreams. She was a consistent character and I don't have a thing to complain about her. Do Sam (Nam Joo Hyuk) was different, though. In the beginning, I didn't like him too much, maybe because he just appears at the end of the episode and I already was in love with Kim Seon Ho's smile until there, LOL. Do Sam started as an insecure boy with no ambition and no perspective, and his posture made me uncomfortable many times in the first episodes. Because of that, I thought that maybe Dal Mi and Ji Pyung (Kim Seon Ho) had a better future together, but with the follow episodes I start to see tiny flashes of an unexpected personality that could surprise me (and did that indeed). The growth of Do Sam was remarkable and I loved to see how Dal Mi did part of this. He was an incredible character and I was cheer for him like crazy at the end. The performance of Nam Joo Hyuk also was incredible for me. The last drama with him that I saw was "The Bride of Habaek" and he was totally different! Remembering of "Weightlifting fairy, Bok Joo", it was equally different. So here I could see a part of this man that I didn't saw before and I loved it.
I will write an entire paragraph because he deserves this. Kim Seon Ho, you conquer my heart on this. I generally hate love triangles, but I never saw this relationship as a triangle. From the beginning, I thought that Ji Pyung had a unique path to walk on this show. His relationship with Ms. Choi (Kim Hae Sook) heated my heart and make me cry many times. The way how a person could change the future of someone with a simple action was beautifully showed and I couldn't love more. I loved to see his growth as I loved Do Sam. Both of them need to grow in different ways and I think that because of that their friendship was so important.
The only thing that I missed was a conversation between Do Sam and his father. After so many disagreements and repents, I think that they deserved a moment of catharsis. But maybe this was too cliche, I don't know. It was just something that I wanted to see elaborated.
I loved In Jae (Kang Han Na) and the fact that they didn't put her only like a b*tch, but like a person that made mistakes but also knew how to fix them. I loved the SamSam Tech friendship and the way how they kept their dream alive even when nobody believes it. Well, I really enjoy this drama, and the end included!
I'll rate this as "amazing"! (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★) This is a different type of drama, focused on every kind of relationship. It was a great experience and I hope that Kim Seon Ho shows up as the main character soon! I can't get tired of these dimples!
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[Soft action and fan service]
This is a cool movie for people who aren't looking for deep true action. I thought that maybe it would be a heavy story with a lot of blood and tense situations, but this wasn't so like that. We had some fight scenes that were cool, but nothing that makes you shrink yourself on the couch. The plot was softened by the comedy and the low age rating, and I think that the rate of 14 is reasonable here. I'm not a fan of action movies, so for me, this one hit on the spot with the violent stuff. For the ones who enjoy the kind of story involving thieves' friendship, this will be a good choice. The relationship between the team could be a little more developed, but maybe this would drag the movie, and the duration is a high light to me in this production. I like short movies, especially when it's about action movies. After watching "The Tomorrow War" I'm kinda traumatized.The performance of the actors was also pretty good, and It was fun to see Seo In Guk and Lee Soo Hyuk acting as hard enemies, to the fans this surely will be amazing. I felt like it was a movie to exalt both of them, so because of that we can't see a lot of the other characters, that is why I think it's a big fan service (no complaint, I'll accept that gladly). Maybe a version 19+ of this would be a great success to the ones who are not addicted to k-dramas.
This is a pretty good movie (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★) to watch with friends eating popcorn, just to spend some time.
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I have to confirm my theory about why I have this problem with Lee Jong Suk. I'm sure now that the problem is his beauty, haha. I don't know how to explain, but when I look at his face I thought impossible that a normal person can look so perfect. For me, this compromises my perception of his performance, even if that could be a terrible judgment (and it is!). This justified why I love "W" so much because Jong Suk really looks like a character of webtoon. Even with this conception (again, I'm not saying that this is a right thing to think, I'm just sharing my conclusion because Jong Suk always was an open question to me), I thought that I could see more of his acting on this drama, and the last episode show this cleary. And what episode! I'm already in tears with the ending of "Flower of evil" and now I just can't stop crying with this. I could see the "human" part of Lee Jong Suk in many parts of this episode, LOL. About Bae Suzy I haven't any complaints... The character of Nam Hong Ju was made for her. The sincerity, boldness, everything makes me love this character. We don't see just two men trying to save a girl, but three friends that support each other equally. This is amazing! And speaking of the last friend... I love Jung Hae In. Just that, haha. His character was very fun and strong, I just missed a deeper connection with the main couple (as a past connection) and a more detailed story. They focused on the main couple and kinda left Han Woo Tak besides sometimes. I get that, but still... I just wanted to see more of him! It was just me or sometimes looks like they could show Woo Tak as gay? I really thought that the big secret was this, haha.
So my conclusion is that this drama is amazing! If you are looking for something fun a cute but also surprising and electrifying, this is an excellent choice!
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I was frustrated with the plot of Na Ha Young (Yoon Se Ah) and Ma Dong Chan (Ji Chang Wook). I really think that they could develop a real problem with their relationship and this would be very instigating! But how they showed this, I thought sometimes that Ha Young was freeze for 20 years and Dong Chan was waiting here. They totally invert their feelings and this made their story very difficult to understand. They really could make something very cool, and I don't even like love triangles, but I was hoping for something exciting.
I would like to see more of Go Nam Tae (Yoon Na Moo). He started being so important to Go Mi Ran (Won Jin Ah) and with the process just lost the power. The same with the plot of Hwang Byung Shim (Shim Hyung Tak). I think they just showed a lot of possibilities and at the end just worried about the main couple and that was all. It isn't the worst thing, but for me it is very amateur.
The ending was very boring for me too. I had the feeling that the story was finished in episode 12 and after that, they just try to fill the episodes with anything. The "problem" that came out was aleatory and so easily resolved that I already knew how everything will end up. The last episode and the little "crisis" that we saw with the main couple were revolting to me. After all, they tried to convert the bold and courage of Go Mi Ran (Won Jin Ah) into coldness and I don't think that she's like that at all, at least don't in the process before...
Anyway! I don't think this was a great drama, for me was just more of the same. I keep loving Ji Chang Wook, but I wanna see him in something more exciting now.
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When I started this drama, I was in the same vibe that most people were. The story, the romance and chemistry of the main couple, the way how we could saw another face of the entertainment industry... Everything catches me at the first sight. I really love the way how they construct the need for persistence and work to catch your dreams, the first episodes create an amazing image to the show. I think that maybe this was one of the factors that we can feel this feeling of frustration: the expectations. Mostly on Park Bo Gum and Park So Dam's performance, but also in the story and the promise of something great. With so many expectations, some script choices made the story lose its shine. One thing that disturbs me was the relation between Won Hae Hyo (Byeon Woo Seok) and Ahn Jung Ha (Park So Dam). I'm not talking about the plot itself, but the fact of this started with so much strength and in the middle of the process just was faded. We couldn't see a satisfactory closet to the feelings of Hae Hyo or an exposition of this, and the things just go on. Jung Ha doesn't show strong refuse to these feelings but also doesn't make this clear... I don't know. For me, this was very weak. I could point some others loose ends, but this isn't a spoiler review. I can say that many things are left without a good closer and leave a bitter taste on our mouth. I know that is an "adult drama" with real stuff and a really interesting message, but this isn't an excuse to sloppy with the story.
About the acting, I already said that I didn't know Park Bo Geum's work before, but I love him on this character. The way how we could saw the kindness and sweetness of Sa Hye Joon through his eyes was beautiful. Park So Dam also did a great job, but as I said, I couldn't embrace her character with all my strength. Something didn't catch me on Ahn Jung Ha, but this has nothing to do with Park So Dam's performance. Some characters seemed a little out of the story to me, like Kim Jin Woo (Kwon Soo Hyun) that had quickly moments on screen. When I thought that his plot would go deep, everything just vanished. The same for Jung Ji Ah (Seol In Ah) and Lee Tae Soo (Lee Chang Hoon) that could be great antagonists in the story, but just lose power in the process. With Won Hae Hyo (Byeon Woo Seok) the path was inverted... I started disliking him, but in the process, I could appreciate some characteristics of this character. I still don't like some attitudes, but I thought his plot the most coherent until the end. Honorable mention to my precious cameo: Park Seo Joon. My love. Owner of my heart. LOL.
I'm a little sad about the inconsistencies in the story and the high expectations made us a little frustrated with this show... But I still thought this a GOOD ONE (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★). You won't find a surprising story here, but for sure you will see some life lessons and get emotional with many moments.
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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The progress of the drama was very pleasant for me. The way how they show Do Hyun Soo and the detective Ji Won interact was the cherry in this cake. The chemistry between Lee Jong Gi and Moon Chae Won was incredible! It was my first drama with these two and I thought they did a great job! I could feel all the tension, the love, the sadness... These last episodes break my heart into a million pieces and the major reason was the performance of these two. The character of Kim Moo Jin (Seo Hyun Woo) was put as a relief in the middle of the process, and I appreciate this kind of idea, but sometimes I felt he was lost in the middle of all. The connection between him and Do Hyun Soo was made came of nothing and suddenly they just start to share everything, and when they tried to explain the connection with some flashbacks... I don't know, for me was kinda forced, but I enjoy saw them work together and Seo Hyun Woo was great too. Do Hae Soo (Jang Hee Jin) was the weak part to me in the drama... I don't thin was a problem with the actress, but with the character herself. She should be an important part of the story, but she was so repetitive sometimes that ends up turn into an unbearable thing in the plot. The end kinda makes me understand a little bit more of her personality, but at this point was too late to make something very significant with her. Jung Seo Yeon as Eun Ha was a jewel! What a girl! I loved her performance and cuteness! Hope to see her again in another drama soon!
I enjoyed the process and most part of the ending of this drama. I'm not a fan of bittersweet endings, but this one is questionable. Some people thought was a happy ending, others that could be better... I think that depends on what you can interpret and what you expect. For me, was a nice time and the opportunity to see very good performances. I don't feel like the sensation of an amazing drama that ended, but I feel like was something different and that I couldn't add or take out nothing. This was I thought about it and I hope that you enjoy my opinion!
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First of all, I have to say, what a mess up script. The screenwriter Joo Hwa Mi doesn't have many works, so I can say if this is especially a weak work, or if she is actually not so good. The fact is that we have a good premise here. The random scene of the suicide at the beginning of episode one breaks the expectation of a simple romance and pushes us to the mystery from the first minute. But the following events are very confusing and superficial. The motive of the female lead starts so strong, but she loses this strength in every single moment. I think her personality is the main problem here. If we had a determined female lead, the plot would be very interesting. The inconstancy in her decisions, the way how she interacts with the Boss even knowing that he is her focus... A great part of her disturbed me a lot. Park Hye Soo is funny, cute, and I think that some improvements in this character would be perfect to show the necessary intensity. I was expecting "Dear M", I hope that now the rumors are calmed down, we can see her soon.
Kang Woo Il (Yoon Park) was a character that I really hoped for more. I liked the fact that he wasn't just a bad guy, but had a story and background that make his character a little more complex and interesting. I would like to see more details in his changing in the process, but I think the script wasn't made for this. The same for Eun Yi Soo (Gong Seung Yeon). Her character started a simple support role, but suddenly we could see many nuances of her. Too suddenly, without preparations. The most wronged characters in my point of view.
But not everything is a disappointment. I have to make a big mark here for my favorite character in this show, our Eun Kwan Ki (Yeon Woo Jin). I love when a plot maintains the constancy of a character and doesn't just change everything as magic just to fit the story. The disorder of Kwan Ki is present and we see little changes in the process, but the essence of the character is the same and I really love this. Kwan Ki was a very oppressed guy, and the way how slowly he takes control of his life is very beautiful to see. I cried many times in his scenes struggling with his condition. This character was the highlight for me and what make me watch it until the end. The chemistry between him and Chae Ro Woon was also pretty good, they are very cute and funny together, but the problems with Chae Ro Woon made me not enjoy this so much.
I'll put this as an "I'm not so regretful" one (★★★★★). I had some fun watching it, but the low points are considerable if you don't have time to lose. If you like elaborated endings, maybe you should avoid this too. The magic of the last episodes is present here until the bones.
P.S.: I don't give spoilers here, so I'll try to not go deep in this, but I have to ask... WTH was that bathtub scene in the last episode???? Seriously, what a no sense reconciliation in a no sense place. Ok, now I'm done.
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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I said in my first impressions about the irregular path that the story follows, but I didn't think that this would be a remarkable thing about it. More than just breaking the cliches, DATCP makes fun with it and surprises us in each episode. The story reveals freshening even when put common themes like wealth and CEOs at the table. I can imagine myself talking about this drama to someone else: "You have to watch this! There's a rich girl, who falls in love with a rich guy, but he is kinda ignorant, and there's another rich guy, but he is bad and her ex..." and I also imagine the answer that I would receive "this is just another k-drama." Believe me, it is not.
Kim Da Li (Park Gyu Young) was a character that didn't bring my attention at first sight. I didn't feel a connection with her mostly because I was just expecting the disappointment that I always feel with the majority of female characters like her. But how I was wrong! Dali was a great surprise and the strongest female character that I saw in a rom-com k-drama. Her resilience and determination were inspiring. Park Gyu Young has the sweetest face ever, and this sweetness does an incredible contrast with the power of our main character. Our Jin Moo Hak (Kim Min Jae) is not different at all. What a male lead! I loved this guy since episode one and this love only increased. Moo Hak is just the personification of security and great self-esteem. He isn't an incredible mind, but an incredible man. I love the fact that Dali wasn't hiding behind the money of Moo Hak and the fact that he never suggest this to her. He believed in her potential and strength and this gave space to our female lead to shine. Kim Min Jae is such a baby and I'm amazed by his talent. I really hope that he grows up more and more, and I think that "Do you like Brahms?" will be my next one with this beautiful. I could mention the most part of the cast here, as Kwon Yool that made me crazy in anger, or Hwang Bo Ra that made me laugh so many times... The thing here is that we don't have just villains or just good guys/girls, we have a story with complex characters that can't be condensed in a simple term.
In short, I loved the fact that NO CLICHES SURVIVED HERE! I really never saw a rom-com k-drama where I could say this. Because of all that, I'll put this one as an amazing one, half-point to be a chosen one (★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★/2). The half-point is just for some little thing in the script that I expected a little more and just show up in the last minutes. This drama is so worth it and will make you smile and vibrate with the story and the possibilities that we could see in the next productions from now on.
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
P.S.: WHAT A OST!!!!! Loved every single song!
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It's not for no reason that this drama won so many awards this year. We have an addicted story mixed with actors that deliver everything in their roles. I'll start talking about the main characters. Lee Dong Shik (Shin Ha Kyun) is the kind of character that you don't know what to expect. Until the last episode, I yet had afraid that he could do something terrible and I think that Ha Kyun pass the exact essence of the disturbed personality of Dong Shik. What is the smile of this man? It made me nervous and in love at the same time during the entire show. On the other side, but with the same instability, Han Joo Won (Yeo Jin Goo) made me crazy in the same way. Seeing Joo Won slowly losing his sanity and notion of justice and himself was the most incredible journey for me here. Yeo Jin Goo is a beast and I really hope that he can get a lot of complex characters in his career because I think we'll gonna see so much more of his ability from now on. I love the way how they put the people of the city so together. This left us confused for many episodes and maintain the thriller at the highest. I will make an honorable mention to Choi Dae Hoon, our Park Jung Jae, and Lee Kyu Hoe, the incredible Kang Jin Mook. These two, besides all the Munji crew, captivate me with extreme performance. I'm not totally recovery yet, for real.
About the story, I have to say that is not a even single missing point. Maybe you don't feel so excited if you don't like corruption plots, but if you are like me, you gonna love it. The corruption of the high society of Munji is the center of everything, and many times I felt disgusting seeing so much dirty, but at the same time is a totally possible story. It's very insane to think that something like that could happen for real, maybe not with such greatness but for sure with something similar, for the same reasons.
I'll definitely put this one as a chosen one (★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★) and tied with "Mouse" in the scale of my heart (I really can't choose between these two). If you love "Mouse", "Taxi Driver", "The Devil Judge", you'll gonna love this for sure.
See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.
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