A Rom/Com with strange comedy

A light rom/com that has a great concept but misses the mark with the wrong kind of comedy. I’m not sure if it was the script or the actors. I wasn’t a fan of Choi Si Won in this drama, he rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. Maybe it’s because he uses his odd facial expressions too much. He tried to play the part of a love interest that just didn’t work. I like Park Seo Joon and Hwang Jung Eum, so I was drawn to the drama.

It was easy to watch and doesn’t have a lot of twists and turns. It has a sweet romance that will make you smile. Jung Eum is a beautiful actress and even when they try to make her look ordinary, her beauty shows through. She has a great smile and an x-factor vibe. Her comedy is a little weak but her romantic chemistry on screen has no limit when she’s on her game. The story kind of ruined the strength of the romance with so many side antics, so the chemistry between the leads was not earth shattering.

The romance didn’t knock me over but it was there. They took the couple to a happy ending which I always like in a drama. The strange comedy kind of overpowered everything including the romance, and to be honest it wasn’t funny most of the time. But if you like that kind of comedy you may love this series.

Hye Jin, the FL, was fun to watch most of the time. Halfway through the series she went from ordinary to beautiful. There were a few things that didn’t work for me, mainly her interaction with Shin Hyuk. He constantly belittled her and made her the brunt of his jokes. She acted like a naïve school girl around him that made her look weak. Late in the series Shin Hyuk sweeps in and takes her to an amusement park for the day. Doesn’t she know how to say no? She’d already committed to Sung Jun by this time. To me this is strange. You go on a date with a guy who has confessed to you a dozen times when you have already committed to someone else? It just isn’t right. The last hug near the end and the constant reminiscing scenes of the two made me ill.

Sung Jun stayed with his character and handled things fairly well considering he was tricked by the two women. Once he committed to Hye Jin at least he didn’t go on dates with Ha Ri. Once again the comedy comes in during one-on-one moments and some of it was just silly.

Shin Hyuk was obnoxious and overbearing most of the time and constantly tried to be funny. I didn’t see much comedic timing. The script tried to make him a love interest by treating Hye Jin like a buffoon? Was this some kind foreplay to a love relationship? It makes me wonder what kind of relationship experience the writer had to make that connection.

Best friends betraying best friends is always wrong. No matter how it turns out, it isn’t good. The rules of life: you never like, date, kiss, or anything else with a person that’s important to your best friend or sibling, without clearing it with them first. Just avoid those types of encounters, no matter how attractive they may seem. It doesn’t look any better on-screen and it diminished the friendship between Hye Jin and Ha Ri, which they spent so much script time building up.

I like rom/coms where you don’t have to press for comedy. When it’s done right it’s just there without any of the screaming and jumping around.This drama is worth watching if you like rom/coms with the emphasis on the over done type comedy.

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Great romance with a unique storyline

Every once in a while, a TV series comes along that keeps you immersed the entire way. This story was one of those. It was unique, the acting was good, and the music was great. The story pulled me along in anticipation, the best kind of drama. The characters were well thought out and complemented each other. I felt the coming together of a family formed from a common unknown element that kept you hanging on each word. I liked Ye Ji-won’s performance as Jennifer. Shin Hye-sun and Yang Se-jong also did exceptionally well with their roles.

Also, the subtitles were perfect. That means a lot when you rely on them. With subtitles, you rely on facial expressions, emotions, music, and action. With English-speaking shows, I can instantly tell when the acting is bad. With non-English shows, the actual spoken words aren’t as crucial to the person who doesn’t understand the language. I have to compliment Viki as one of the best subtitle producers I’ve ever watched.

I highly recommend this series. It was fun, entertaining, and full of romance and unique drama.

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Great Female Lead

I would like to say I watched this series because I played soccer in high school, but the truth is, I watched it so see Park Yoo Na. The soccer was a plus, but the underlying romance was the draw in this short series. Young Jae broke the golden rule of relationships. Never go out with a girl your best friend is interested in and then try to act like you were with her first. You will end up losing your best friend and best friends are rare in life. Cha Sun Woo might have been a little slow on the draw, but he eventually left the lasting impression that counted. Yoo Sun Woo saw through the deceit and backstabbing of Lee Young Jae and made her way to the right man. Two hearts, one for soccer and one for her. I can totally understand that. However, I don’t think I would have remained best friends with Lee Young Jae. Once bitten…

Park Yoo Na was great and played her part to perfection. It was a fun watch and I recommend you watch it too.

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A light romantic comedy

If you want a light and beautiful romantic comedy, this one is for you. Sure, some parts were shaky, and characters I think were overdone, but I liked this series overall. The story of an arranged marriage or engagement under a written contract is an overused concept, so when I watch a show like this, I expect something different, unique, or special. Well, I got special this time, and I couldn’t be happier. This show was a masterpiece by Yan Zhi Chao in her debut performance. I was amazed that she could carry this complex female lead so well. I can’t wait to see what she does next. I thought Chen Jing Ke also did a great job with the male lead.

Some C-Dramas are slow and drawn-out with repeated scenes, but the 30 episodes in this one flew by for me. Each episode was relatively short, so I think you’ll find them easy to watch. I binge-watched it, so that’s a good sign that it kept my interest.

The story itself was a struggle to watch at first because the ML was constantly browbeating, punishing, humiliating, and abusing the FL. That doesn’t make for good comedy or drama, in my opinion, so I struggled to watch it. The problem is, you can’t build up a weird, sadistic character like that and expect it to melt into a romance. They ran the risk of tearing the character down to the point of no return. It reminded me a little of the show Full House, which I didn’t particularly like when I rooted for the side character and was disappointed when he drove off and left the FL with the ML. But they pulled this one together just in time. In my opinion, the strength of Yan Zhi Chao’s character Zhou Jian Qing pulled it together. She was super.

The supporting characters each did a good job adding to the storyline. My favorite was the woman who played Gu Nan Zhou’s mother. Not sure who she was. FL’s brother was a little overbearing. What man in his right mind walks into the home of a complete stranger, even if the door was open, and walks into the bedroom? He had no idea his sister was even there. Normally in most societies, that would get you in big trouble. Zhang Yin had that eternal puppy dog look, but his character was always pleasant, giving everything some balance.

Jian Qing is constantly pressed by interfering people. I’m not sure which is worse, the overly aggressive brother or the assistant/wanna-be boyfriend who is always around. He comes off as needy, but he seems to be a good guy, so I ignore him. I won’t even mention the female assistant to ML, who can’t seem to disappear. The second level relationship between Jian Qing’s brother and her best friend is slow to develop. As with most long Chinese dramas, I know I have to be patient.

Near the end, and, still, I’m not too fond of Gu Nan Zhou, but I like Jian Qing’s brother even less. Why does he think he has control over his sister’s life? It feels like he is overplaying his part when he talks. He doesn’t act like a brother. He acts like a controller. There is nothing, and I mean nothing endearing, about him. He treats his sister like a commodity. Little did I know he would soon surprise me.

One of the pluses of watching Chinese TV series is the unusual architecture you can always count on seeing. I loved the unique structure of the apartment building the ML lived in, and I even screen captured it. His office building is even better. Ahh, the little things that make a show better.

Subtitles:
If you don’t care about subtitles, ignore this paragraph. Translations turn into subtitles, and occasionally I take the time to talk about them. The subtitles in this one were a little strange. When two people are talking, and one decides to leave for whatever reason, they would normally say, “I’m leaving now” or just “I’m leaving.” I don’t know what part of the world says, “I’ll make a move first” or even “I’ll leave first.” The only time you would say. “I’ll leave first” is when who is going to leave first is in question. “I’ll make a move first” is just strange. I don’t know; maybe other English-speaking countries use that term. I see it a lot so it must not be uncommon.

Another one that bothers me is “I’m into you,” which is slang and flippant. I’ve only seen that term twice in all the shows I’ve watched, here and in Birdie Buddy. If you ask someone if they are “into you,” it usually means something sensual and can get you in trouble, or you may even get a laugh. It rarely, if ever, means love or like. It’s slang and makes me cringe hearing it coming from ML. Also, I never heard it said that a man has a good figure. You would normally say he has a good body. Women have good figures.

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Fun to Watch

If you like a fun historical series with enough drama, intrigue to keep you interested without overwhelming you with political issues, this is the one for you. The comedy was fun without the bings and bongs, which I dislike. The story started a little slow, and I wasn’t sure if it would have a serious side, but I continued watching and was pleasantly surprised. The romance was real and sometimes raw. It developed slowly, and even though you could see it coming, it was moving to watch. The action scenes were well played and sometimes brutal, making them more realistic. The character interaction was great. The second you begin to dislike some of the characters, you know the story is well written.

Oh Yeon Seo was amazing in her role as Princess Hye Myung. She has so many acting skills, and this series showed them all. Drama, comedy, and romance always seem to be at her fingertips. She is truly something to watch.

The music brought it all together. Even though some of it was in English, I would like to have seen the words in the subtitles. Speaking of subtitles, they were great. They are so important to a viewer who doesn’t speak the language.

I enjoyed this experience, and I recommend it if you want to watch something that is fun and light. I’m all about romance, and this one didn’t disappoint.

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Seo Hyun Jin at her finest

This may have been Seo Hyun Jin’s finest performance. Her portrayal of Oh Soo Jae, the top lawyer at the TK law firm, was flawless. There was mystery, suspense, excitement and some romance. You will be captivated by her blend of strength, beauty and intelligence. From the moment she walks on the screen until the last moment she is in total control.

She portrayed a strong female character from start to finish. I love watching strong female leads and she didn’t disappoint me in this fantastic drama. I was captured by her presence on screen and I was totally immersed in the story. Each episode had interest and excitement so the episodes flew by for me.

I’m a romance junkie and Seo Hyun Jin is one of the best in the business showing on-screen romantic chemistry. Some feel the romance was unnecessary, but I disagree. It blended her betrayal from a flawed marriage into hope for the future. Romance wasn’t the focus of this melodrama so it gave the viewer a feeling that some happiness can be found when the world is swirling around you in chaos.

The story of people in power taking advantage of people weaker than them was well constructed and left you with thought provoking moments. Is the concept overused? No concept is overused if the script is well written. In my opinion, this drama was a masterpiece.

I couldn’t stop watching which is a pleasant indicator that I’m watching something good.

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A Unique Story About Time

It was an interesting storyline that I’ve never seen before: drama, special powers, and even a version of God. Not the God you would typically think of, but a self-professed God nonetheless. It had warm heart-wrenching moments and a cute romance. It could have been a great romance, but for some reason, they didn’t commit to the kisses (show some emotion), which lessened the on-screen chemistry.

The highlight of the series was Ahn Ji Hyun’s portrayal of Kim Sun Ah, the warm-hearted landlord of an apartment building. She has a million-dollar smile. You don’t often see a smile as bright as hers. The male lead Kim Hyun Joong was also great in his portrayal of Joon Woo, an unfeeling man with special powers and no memory. Watching them fall in love was filled with many sweet moments. Since Joon Woo didn’t understand his feelings, it took Sun Ah time to understand him. By the way, he also has a decent smile when the character he was playing allowed for it.

Overall I enjoyed the series. Even the ending had a unique twist. It was Ahn Ji Hyun’s first main role, so kudos to her. Just practice those kisses. Maybe it was Kim Hyun Joong that needs the practice? No, I remember him from Boys over Flowers, even though I’m trying to forget.

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A Beautiful Romance

If you want to watch a love story you will never forget then watch this one. If you don’t get goosebumps a dozen times and cry with emotion you not a romantic. I saw this series on a friend's favorite list, so I decided to watch it. I am so glad that I did. Shin Kye Sun and Kim Myung Soo were absolutely amazing and had on-screen chemistry that glowed like a brilliant light. Shin Key Sun is so good at portraying unique romances, like Mr. Queen for example. Her acting ability stuns me at times. I would highly recommend this series.

There was drama, smiles, and all the romance you can handle. The supporting actors were great. Each one giving life to a great script. The music was fantastic pulling the emotional strings just when it was needed. I was totally immersed for all 32 episodes. Angel’s Last Mission: Love is now on my all-time favorites list.

And finally, a huge thanks to the Subtitle masters at Viki. Without the subtitles, I would have missed out on one of the most touching dramas I’ve ever seen. I am in your debt.

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A Love Story that didn't work.

First, let me say that I don’t speak a word of Korean. For that reason, I rely on the acting (facial expressions and body language), the music, and the sub-titles when I watch a show that’s not in English. I’ve watched thousands of romantic based movies and TV shows because it’s a genre that fascinates me. Maybe I’m one of those eternal romantics. With that foundation, here is my review.
The storyline in this romantic comedy was interesting. With each of the 12 episodes being about 20 minutes, you can easily watch it in one day. Ga Doo Ri (Lee Joo Bin), a Tarot reading Susi Restaurant owner with a depressing background in love and work, lights up the screen. People flock to her restaurant for food and love advice, even though her own love life is a wreck. Cha Woo Bin (Hyuk), the CEO of an underwear company, shows two different personas that make the story enjoyable. The interaction between the two is the foundation of the story. The story moves fast, but it still gives you a sweet romantic feel if you can overlook the flaws.
The comedy, however, was weak and, to be truthful, unnecessary. The wacky assistant to the CEO is an overplayed idea and just not funny. They made Ga Doo Ri look weird with her midnight Karaoke. There are other ways of getting the sound idea across without undermining the strength of the main character. I also didn’t understand her going out and getting drunk with the strange assistant. They nearly destroyed her image with that interaction. They built her up as a self-aware female with tough lessons learned in her past, then tore it apart with that outing. The past connection between the main characters pulled it back together but left me wondering how I would react to her fling with the assistant.

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The Challenges of Romance

I start my reviews by revealing that I don’t speak a word of Korean. For that reason, I rely on the acting (facial expressions and body language), the music, and the sub-titles when I watch a show.
The storyline was unique, interesting with enough twists and turns to make it well worth the watch. The supporting characters were well placed and added to the overall experience. I especially liked the character Do Yeo-Yoo (Jo Bo-Ah). She was quirky, wild, and lovable all at once. Kwon Duk-Bong (Lee Soo-hyuk), the competitor for Hong Na-Ri’s (Soo-Ae) affections, was so good at his pursuit that it drove me crazy. The action scenes were exciting and added to the overall experience.
My favorite genre is romance. I always pay particular attention to the romantic relationship between two souls that meet as strangers. In this case, the meeting was in no way the normal man meets woman. I understand that the character Go Nan-Gil (Kim Young-Kwang) was her stepfather when they met. The development of the relationship was slow and sometimes excruciating. Was it meant to be that way? I think it was, so I let it flow and enjoyed the banter between the two. However, it felt awkward even in the end. A Na-Ri’s facial expression that should have said, “I love you,” gave me the “am I doing the right thing” feeling. The kisses sometimes looked just as awkward. But if you think I didn’t like Soo-Ae’s performance, you are wrong. I loved the strength of her character. The trials they went through to get to the man/woman relationship were challenging. She never gave up, and that gave her a warm, loving glow that fit the final scenes. I like shows that push my senses, and this one did.

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The robot we all would like to see

I love robot dramas when romance is involved. It makes for an exciting story and gives the writer flexibility to take romance to unusual places. It’s not something you see every day. This drama is no exception. Girl falls in love with a robot, and you have sparks of romance everywhere.

A fantastic story of a unique robot who becomes part of a conglomerate and learns to love. This drama has suspense, surprises, and villains galore. Add in some comedy and lots of unusual romance, and you have a blockbuster.

The acting was just superb, especially Seo Kang Joon, who performed two roles. Switching between a robot and a human, and making it seem real, is not easy. His performance made the entire drama fun to watch. However, the woman that loved the robot was every bit as good. Gong Seung Yeon was brilliant in her role as Kang So Bong, the bodyguard protector of Ham Shin the android. Her romantic chemistry for her robot was believable and heartwarming.

You will find that this drama flows easily with the short episodes. The music was good. The story had moments that will make you stop and think about the AI world.

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Office Outings Unfiltered

Have you ever been to an office outing and had a few drinks? Have you ever been cheated on? Has a colleague ever spread rumors about you? Have you ever consumed ten bottles of Soju in one sitting? Have you ever been around all that and found a shining light amongst all the chaos? Someone to love…

I liked this movie because it felt like it was about real people. People were living their lives and sometimes making mistakes. Unfiltered and raw at times with non-stop comedy on top of it. A great drama that shows, in realistic detail, the victims of infidelity.

Gong Hyo Jin’s portray of Sun Young was terrific. She never disappoints. I loved this character. She was strong, authentic, and unfiltered. Kim Rae Won was every bit as good as Jae Hoon, the leader in the office. He spent his nights drinking himself into a stupor, trying to forget a woman who cheated on him right before their wedding. Yet, together these two found romance in the most unlikely of settings.

Give it a try. It’s worth the time.

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A macabre love story

A macabre love story that will plunge your senses into the dark depths of bewilderment. Two violent men, on the opposite sides of the law, love a woman who has never felt the emotions of love. Which one loves her more? Which one will prevail? To find out, watch this exciting tale of love and death.

As usual, Jun Ji Hyun is outstanding in portraying Hye Yeong, the young, innocent artist who wants to experience love. The challenges of this character were way above the norm. Expressing yourself without speaking is a talent, and Ji Hyun has mastered every challenge she’s ever faced.

The two MLs played their part to perfection. Try to decide which one she should be with as you watch. Even after watching it I’m not sure I made the right choice.

This drama is also a lesson on not listening to your coworkers. The depth of stupidity for the plan they hatch out, will boggle your mind.

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A romantic gem is waiting for you.

My heart is still racing as I write this review. Seventeen years and three months ago, this movie was released into the world. It felt like it was just waiting for me to arrive. I was immersed in the story five minutes after it started. I’m always looking for romance in a drama, but I never expected to find a gem like this. I’m at a loss for words to describe what I just watched.

Jang Hyuk did an outstanding job in his portrayal of Myungwoo. He was just starting a long impressive career. But the star of this show was the unbelievable Jun Ji Hyun. She is a talent like no other. Playing a strong and fearless police officer was as easy as breathing to her. She brings her talent into everything she does.

I loved her commitment to Myungwoo. You don’t see that often in a drama. She never wavered in her love for him. It truly felt like two souls blending together for eternity. If you have any romance in your soul, this movie will give you goosebumps, bring tears to your eyes and make you smile.

I loved everything about this movie, including the music. If you can’t find it anywhere else, try YouTube.

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A Beautiful Story of love between two worlds

Finally a romance that kept me on the edge of my seat. One of the most interesting, emotional, and heart wrenching dramas I’ve ever watched on K-Dramas. The star packed cast was just superb. This series had romance, humor, drama and suspense. I laughed, I fought off tears, I felt the emotion of every scene and I saw the birth and growth of a beautiful love. It was like watching the blossoming of a flower from a seed to a garden of beauty.

Jun Ji Hyun was just amazing in this series. She is beautiful, funny, athletic and serious, when she needs to be. Above all that she has great chemistry in her romantic scenes. She has some of the best comedic timing I’ve ever seen. She is the total package. I was really surprised by her talent. I can’t believe it took me this long to see her in a drama. When she walked up the red carpet in that white dress in the final episode it took my breath away. I’ve played that scene about ten times and it will remain one of my favorite scenes of all time. It culminated into the most anticipated kiss I’ve ever seen on the screen.

Kim Soo Hyun was also terrific. He was the perfect pick for the part of an alien. He has the look and the stoic facial expression that he’s perfected over the years. I’ve seen him in other dramas so I know he has talent and a great smile.

As I watched this drama unfold I found myself getting immersed in the story. The changes in their relationship as they grew closer pulled me deeper into an emotional trap. I could almost feel the chemistry change as Song Yi realized her feelings. Min Yoon’s gradual changes as he fell in love with her were something to watch. I was watching an alien learning to love.

The story was interesting without any fluff or needless scenes. When one episode ended I couldn’t wait for the next.

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