BelindaA
This review may contain spoilers
The ultimate classic
Ah, where to begin..? I have a lot of feelings about Secret Garden. Rewatching after ten years, however, made some of these feelings conflicting.
First of all, the cast is amazing! Hyun Bin, Ha Ji Won, Kim Sa Rang, Yoon Sang Hyun, and even a guest appearance of my love, Lee Joon Hyuk. I adore every single one of them!
Their portrayal of the characters is real and relatable. While I love Kim Joo Won and Gil Ra Im, it is Oska and Yoon Seul who own my heart. Both times rewatching, they were my favorite plot line. Sure, the main plot is hilarious and dramatic and sweet, but it is Oska and Seul that I can relate to. Especially Yoon Seul, I adore her. When I first watched Secret Garden ten years ago, I was going through a tough time and her character actually helped me through it. And Oska is honestly the heart of the show.
The main pairing however, during my latest rewatch, made me a bit uncomfortable at times. I know it is normal in Kdramas for the men to drag the women around by their arms and yell at them for weird reasons, but somehow, Joo Won is on a whole other level. Especially the various scenes of him pushing her on some bed (and the one where he tries to break into her hotel room) had me shift uncomfortably in my seat. (Also, that really long forced kiss that she keeps hitting him during.) I guess the fact that Ra Im could throw Joo Won on his back and break his arm within seconds if she really wanted to, was somewhat consoling, but that doesn't mean I was a fan of those scenes.
The plot has some amazing climaxes and plot twists but it also has parts (entire episodes) where it really drags. I think the first switching should've happened sooner. Otherwise, some people (my sister) could already loose interest before it happens. Furthermore, the conversations between Joo Won and Ra Im and with Joo Won's mother felt quite repetitive after a while. In episode 17, the writers really redeemed themselves with a great creative plot twist but then I think they should've gone all the way with it or at least dragged it out. Instead, they introduce YET ANOTHER dramatic development and continue the same conversations with the mother. ugh
Despite these plot weaknesses and a basic lack of 'no-means-no', Secret Garden knows how to touch you in those moments when the plot is at a high. There are a lot of really emotional scenes that always touch me deeply and make me cry like a baby. Also, despite their flaws, you continue to root for the characters and suffer along every step with them. The emotions, of course, are intensified by the amazingly beautiful OST.
Secret Garden is definitely not the most eloquent drama out there, but you will scream laughing and cry your eyes out, plus it is the ultimate classic, brought to life by an outstanding cast. So, yes, you should definitely watch it.
First of all, the cast is amazing! Hyun Bin, Ha Ji Won, Kim Sa Rang, Yoon Sang Hyun, and even a guest appearance of my love, Lee Joon Hyuk. I adore every single one of them!
Their portrayal of the characters is real and relatable. While I love Kim Joo Won and Gil Ra Im, it is Oska and Yoon Seul who own my heart. Both times rewatching, they were my favorite plot line. Sure, the main plot is hilarious and dramatic and sweet, but it is Oska and Seul that I can relate to. Especially Yoon Seul, I adore her. When I first watched Secret Garden ten years ago, I was going through a tough time and her character actually helped me through it. And Oska is honestly the heart of the show.
The main pairing however, during my latest rewatch, made me a bit uncomfortable at times. I know it is normal in Kdramas for the men to drag the women around by their arms and yell at them for weird reasons, but somehow, Joo Won is on a whole other level. Especially the various scenes of him pushing her on some bed (and the one where he tries to break into her hotel room) had me shift uncomfortably in my seat. (Also, that really long forced kiss that she keeps hitting him during.) I guess the fact that Ra Im could throw Joo Won on his back and break his arm within seconds if she really wanted to, was somewhat consoling, but that doesn't mean I was a fan of those scenes.
The plot has some amazing climaxes and plot twists but it also has parts (entire episodes) where it really drags. I think the first switching should've happened sooner. Otherwise, some people (my sister) could already loose interest before it happens. Furthermore, the conversations between Joo Won and Ra Im and with Joo Won's mother felt quite repetitive after a while. In episode 17, the writers really redeemed themselves with a great creative plot twist but then I think they should've gone all the way with it or at least dragged it out. Instead, they introduce YET ANOTHER dramatic development and continue the same conversations with the mother. ugh
Despite these plot weaknesses and a basic lack of 'no-means-no', Secret Garden knows how to touch you in those moments when the plot is at a high. There are a lot of really emotional scenes that always touch me deeply and make me cry like a baby. Also, despite their flaws, you continue to root for the characters and suffer along every step with them. The emotions, of course, are intensified by the amazingly beautiful OST.
Secret Garden is definitely not the most eloquent drama out there, but you will scream laughing and cry your eyes out, plus it is the ultimate classic, brought to life by an outstanding cast. So, yes, you should definitely watch it.
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