hangukeando
Earth
Some may say it's a mix of Coffee Prince, Hana Kimi and Boys Before Flowers. But to me, this falls short to the final product. Even if it uses familiar themes present in these other dramas, Sungkyunkwan Scandal's characters are different and the plot refreshing. It is too simple to describe it as a combination of the aforementioned stories, for its historical setting and character development make it stand on a whole different level. The interaction between students, the plots set about by powerful officials, the displays of affection and the scandals...it wouldn't have been the same in a contemporary setting.
And, as a plus, for all us fangirls out there, the guys in this drama are so cute...it was a joy to watch so much eye candy on screen.
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Like it has been mentioned before the episodes are about 15 minutes each. It is like watching a movie - timewise.
Now, off to search who these kids are. :)
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Bottom-line, though, if you don't know much of Super Junior, you may not enjoy it as much. Until a week ago, if I had seen this movie, I might have just given it a 6 (Good) and never watch it again. I, mostly, knew about "Sorry, Sorry" and "Bonamana"...when M&D came out a friend insisted I watch Super Junior Full House.
So, if you don't know much of SJ and want to really appreciate this film, my advice is to get the crash course by watching Super Junior Full House (there's also Explorers of the Human Body, but I haven't seen that one yet) and then watch Attack on the Pin-Up Boys. After all, it will be 81 minutes of your life, you might as well enjoy them (^_~)
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The show did start pretty strong, but it's story could have been easily told in 12-14 episodes instead of dragging it out for 20.
This show had the potential of being an awesome drama. Has great actors, well developed characters and a good premise but the writing....oh, the writing. The only talent the writers had was for great product placement and the Scheherazade effect - keeping you wanting more at the end of most of the episodes. (But what good are 10 minutes of an hour show.)
Ignoring all that could have been done, what it seriously lacked was suspension of disbelief. I could not get caught up in the story and just run with it. The characters were all over the place. While one character was finding out one thing, the other one was finding out the exact same thing somewhere else, so they both end in the right place at the same time right after everything has been ruined by the bad guys.
It was the story of an incompetent police squad that made me want to smack the characters with something over their heads and sympathize with the evil master minds. Believe me, not the intention of the writers. It would show the team failing time, after time, after time, after time, after time, after time, after time...well you get the idea. While, at the same time, tries to sell them as the top elite anti-hacker squad in South Korea.
There are so many moments when they fail to achieve anything that once they finally get something or someone one becomes excited that they actually did something right.
If you are into dramas that you can enjoy all the way through, without forcing yourself to go at it 'til the end, then think twice before choosing this one to e watch in a marathon. Make sure you have other things you can do in those long breaks you will surely take when trying to finish an episode. Even better, just watch a couple of episodes a day or every two days. It is likely that if I had watched it as it aired, my review would be different.
On the plus side: Good actors (good-looking too), a lot of action, a cute romance, and a good final, yet predictable ending.
Oh, and be forewarned, you may end up wanting to become a computer programmer or something of the likes. They just make it look like anyone can do it.
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This review may contain spoilers
To me, this has been one of the best dramas I have watched this year. The romance, the action, the time traveling and the emotional roller coaster just kept me glued to my computer (as well as, sometimes, my box of Kleenex).Maybe it got upgraded in my heart since I watched it after reading about the real romance behind the cameras between the two leads. So adorable.
Anyway, going into the drama. Simple story of boy meets girl while escaping a life threatening situation. Girls falls for boy, boy falls for girl. No one approves. A big political subplot thickens. Yet, the most important of challenges, the boy and girl are from different centuries - how will THAT ever work out?
I found that the suspension of disbelief was very well done in this drama. The premise behind the time traveling and its consequences. Being more mystical than scientific, allowed it certain liberties that, otherwise, I would have not allowed to pass. I read in previous comments that it doesn't make sense towards the end. I wish to defer. If there is something constant from beginning to end in this drama is that things are not always what they seem. Yet, I can not go further into the explanation, because I don't like to give spoilers in my reviews. (If anyone feels differently, feel free to leave me a message, we can discuss it there :D )
I think that the chemistry between the leads made this a really enjoyable show. And it made it easy for me to believe they were actually falling and in love. The supporting actors of the present seemed to be there more for comedic relief while the supporting actors from the Joseon era were the ones to actually put meat in the bones of this drama.
The music is splendid. And, if you watch it at Viki you will find the translation which accurately transmit the feelings of each of the scenes it plays through.
I think that my only complaint is that annoying ringtone Hee Bin uses at the beginning. But they get rid of it after a couple of eps.
What can I say, I would definitely watch it again, and again, and again.
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Since I have not seen the original, I have to say I really enjoyed it. Then again, it was the first time I watched an all-action-packed Korean film.
The relationship between the main characters and the lengths they go through to show us the meaning of loyalty and "family," while everyone gets beat up, shot or blown up was surprising. Never thought I would feel emotional watching something like it.
The end...well...makes you glad it is finally over. I think it deserved a better finale and that the director just got tired and wrapped everything up by deciding to have everyone act out of character.
I don't really believe that the "rewatch" value should be considered as "brilliant", but I would watch it again.
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The way the story is told kept me going from one emotion to the next...what a roller-coaster! Every little thing that happens keeps you guessing until the end, even though, deep down, you know what is going to happen all along.
Won't even bother watching the series. This is definitely a movie I plan to watch again.
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Sure, there were a lot of loose ends, and parts of the plot where one would say, "how convenient". But, although it takes itself seriously at the beginning, the show's mood lightens up as our main character is changed through the miracle of motherhood.
The acting...well, this is a cast full of superb actors and they do their best in every scene, but I think that the comedic intention of the writers and/or directors could have driven them to some overacting at points. I don't really care though, because they did a great job at it as well.
I would definitely watch this show again. With every episode I would just sit back, enjoy and laugh to my heart's content. So, if you are looking for a lighter note on your drama watch and want to just have a fun time free of tears, yet full of random unfathomable occurrences, then you will enjoy this show.
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Must admit that the theme alone had me watch it in one sitting, but couldn't help being disappointed with how it ended. Since, when a story ends, I like to see most of the loose ends tied, specially the main conflict. Besides this, it was a pretty enjoyable ride.
Gave it an 8 because I did like the theme. Otherwise, the story was all over the place and there were too many things that just were not explained or didn't make sense in the plot. The acting was ok, a little bit over acted in some parts (but nothing one really minds), plus, the k-pop star value present was really pleasing. The music was ok as well. But I don't think I will watch this show again.
If you don't have another drama you are dying to watch, then I suggest you watch this one. It is entertaining enough, most of the characters are adorable and there are k-pop stars galore! What I really didn't like was the final episode for a lack of conflict resolution. I don't mind stories having open endings...that is, when they are done right and are the result of the wrap up of the main storyline.
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I warn you, though, the beginning will feel...slow...even pointless - at least it seemed that way to me. Countless times I thought, "when will they arrive to the present?" But, what you don't notice until the present comes along is how the 70's storyline, somehow, becomes ingrained in your subconscious (or metaphorical heart) and once the story starts to take shape in the present you cannot help but root for the characters from, both, the past and present.
Even the villains have souls...And they are not villains, really. How should I explain it? It is just a little bit of real life. Many will want what they cannot have and either become better people for it or not. It is our choices that shape us and we see how this people just grow, for better or for worse, as they accept (or not) that there are some things in life one cannot and may never possess.
But I'm getting too philosophical here (or whatever). I LOVED the acting. I think that the suspension of disbelief built by the interpretation of the characters made me get more involved in the drama. The theme song is beautiful, and it has been one of the few dramas in which I don't get sick of hearing it episode after episode. Editing is superb, the locations are beautiful, the story - maybe not the most original - but once you put everything else together, you just become lost in this blissful parallel reality.
So, this is why I almost gave it a perfect score. I hope you can give yourself a chance to enjoy it as much as I did.
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