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Completed
Suddenly Seventeen
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by Zoe
Apr 15, 2017
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
The heroine is a great actress. The emotion she carries on her face is wonderful.

I liked the filming. I usually don’t notice things like this but this movie made me pay attention.

This is a really fun twist of putting a 17 year old into a 28 year old body.
I really liked how confident she is and how she acts like a teenager so beautifully.
17 year old Liang is so much fun and sassy. Her facial expressions are so relaxed and free.

The premise was so cute that I really wanted some creativity to the storyline. It was a bit lacking especially the motivations of the current 28 year old Liang was so weak. But at least she played with her own character a bit.

“I want to experiences lots of things with you. We’ve got plenty of time, right?”

I really loved the idea of how Liang had it in her and she just had to reclaim that skill of hers.

“She made me who I am.”

I think that’s such a beautiful perspective of one’s youth. Everyone has regrets on past behaviours and decisions but the person who made those decisions is still you and you made you who you are.

A woman who is a master of her craft is always a delight to see.

“No one cares about me in your world.”
“But you can take care of yourself. Don’t you remember how we slowly lost ourselves amidst our emotions and confusion?”

She had to love herself, reconcile with her past, to get on with her life.

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Completed
Oh! My Lady
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by Zoe
Mar 27, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
Not even a noona romance but an ahjumma romance haha. I was curious how they’d play this one out. She’s even got the perm.
The hero is a rascal, but the heroine isn’t too far behind with her immaturity. They do kind of suit each other with the silly games they play to deal with their problems and get what they want.

It’s always interesting when the hero treats a heroine badly and then when they see another guy step on her, he feels like that’s not right.

Gae Hwa - “I think I would be really glad if you succeeded.”
Min Woo - “What’s so good about other people succeeding? You have to succeed yourself.”

For an ego-centric star, this is a nice turn around for Min Woo.

Chae Rim is a great actress. I loved how her tears were so natural and sincere. I really liked her personality. She was all the good and funny things about an ahjumma. Determined, motherly and practical. Also, Chae Rim is so cute. She’s direct, it’s lovely.

Min Woo is not the most charming of rascals, but when he tries to make things right, he does it well.
It’s quite unusual for a drama to make the hero go through a maturing process. The way he makes amends is so adorable. It was a real nice change to have the hero have to go through that development process.

I liked the whole dad vibe he ended up cultivating. It was so sweet and also weighty that this young guy who didn’t care about anything but himself started to care about his little family of females.

“What is this? They’re only having fun amongst themselves. Aigoo. Aigoo Aigoo.”

Kim Yoo Bin is so intensely cute.

Even Min Ji the daughter is really nice and clever.

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Completed
Miracle in Cell No. 7
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by Zoe
Mar 1, 2017
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
It was cute and funny and sad. The little actress is amazing and the protagonist was convincing. All the secondary characters played their part well and we got to know all the minor players just enough to care about them and be interested in their individual personalities and back stories. The story telling was pretty tight with not a lot of waffling and something interesting was always happening.
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Completed
Best Wedding
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Nov 6, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 3.0
“I'm not a human, I'm a mother.”

If a Kdrama wants to focus on marriage they will focus on marriage. Mostly the bad and the ugly it seems, in this drama. Fake marriages, arranged marriages, adultery, marriages of convenience, divorces, what marriage does to a family what marriage doesn’t do to a family, etc.
This is definitely not your stereotypical romance. This is story. And it's unpredictable. And characters' motivations make sense.
The first ¾ of the drama were pretty good but then it really got into ridiculous, drawn-out territory. The last couple of episodes, you just want to die.
But things get interesting between the secondary character couples two episodes from the end, so watch for that to get you through.
This drama is kind of shocking with how relationships form and fall apart and form. It's a real whirlwind. And it makes me feel quite confused at how I view the characters.
The show also shows how motherhood can be all consuming. Cha Ki Young is such a normal person when she doesn't have a child.
The drama also pokes fun at the strangeness of dysfunctional families.

Ki Young – female lead
I really love how straight forward she is. And how honest and vulnerable she allows herself to be without being shy about the way she feels. She owns her personality.
And I have not seen a woman like her so unmoved. She has a great control on her emotions.
It was interesting seeing her not exactly becoming motherly to her co-host, but how she understood him more and didn't look at him with such disdain.
I really loved that the heroine completely owns the show. She makes her decisions, she faces down her adversaries and she solves her own problems. Until the end, then things get a bit finicky.
I feel like Ki Young really is the best when it comes to being unfazed by personal attacks. She is so cool.

Small Rant about Sex in Kdramas
Why can't we get sexy scenes from people we actually care about?
It's like Korean dramas just won't give us that mind blowing stuff when we want to see it.

Tae Yun
“Hey! You crazy pregnant woman! Take the elevator!”
He is not the greatest guy. But he's just kind of ridiculous and you don't always get that kind of Kdrama man who really is good for nothing. He's a guy who doesn't have all the answers. He reacts before he thinks and he makes a ton of mistakes. He doesn't know what he's doing but he tries.
I actually warmed up to Tae Yun by episode 3.
I didn't expect him to man up, not for a long time. I was impressed for a while. But then he went back to his temper tantrums and his cluelessness about life.

Tae Yun's sister's storyline with her fake husband was a lot of fun. I like that she's jumpy when she gets a sudden approach from guys. Pedro's storyline was actually pretty good. I found him and the sister to be so cute.

Eun Cha
As per usual, Kdramas throw us some crazy characters to deal with and Eun Cha is one of the wildest. He's a pervert but he's also kind of funny. I was shocked at how my perspective of him changed and how he himself changed even while keeping his sexism.

Myung Yi
Despite her scheming, she does get a bit of the short end of the stick. Tae Yun is such a brat with her.
It was interesting how she started off as a somewhat innocent kid and then turned into one of those high society women. I also found her relationship with Tae Yun to be a little scary but also fascinating. I kind of liked her poise and how she knew her rights. She'd go through hell for what she wanted.
And she was so heartless with everything, but she had her weaknesses.
In the end, she was the one person Tae Yun could be honest with.

Yun Hee – best friend

“I picked a cool man because you were so patriarchal. But I think a cool man is more difficult.”

I ended up really loving Yun Hee and her husband and their dramas haha.

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Ongoing 12/12
Ex-Girlfriend Club
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Feb 8, 2016
12 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
I've been in a 8.0 rating slump and I have finally got out of it! Yesss!
I did originally watch this for the comedy and I wasn't feeling it until Episode 5 when really every character just goes wild. I laughed so much and I'm not much of a LOL-er.
I sped watched the first few episodes to get a feel for this drama. There's one main secret and all the characters responses to it are so hilarious the way they try to keep it hidden or try to reveal it. There's a lot of raised eyebrows and winking.
I think the interesting thing is that a lot of the troublemakers will talk big but they in the end don't really want to hurt each other.
Towards the middle of the drama there enters a new character who really spices everything up.
The ex-girlfriends completely go crazy with their own agendas.
The outrageous scenarios in this drama and the chaotic feel is nailed so perfectly. I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, but not in a bad anticipation, it was very satisfying when they had their knock-em-down-drag-em-out moments.
I could feel the face-palming that each of the characters wanted to do every time.
The ending takes on a different tone, but it's still a lot of fun and really holds its own. I like that it simmers down on the comedy aspect and instead finishes off with a deeper exploration of the characters that makes me feel more connected with them.
I was watching a Chinese dr ama at the same time as this and I just have to say, Korean dramas just capture the feels so well. And they portray people with so much heart. The actors put a lot of personality into their moments that make their relationship and their drama unique.

Myeong Soo
I bumped the rating of this drama up another .5 points because of this guy. I just really liked his personality.
I think after watching Rooftop Prince it was nice to have a hero who was an ordinary guy – not too up himself and willing to help without a hidden agenda. I really enjoyed his soothing demeanour.
He's more boyish than childish which is a big difference and he doesn't have a hint of arrogant chaebol.
He's really funny and never failed to amuse me.
I really like that he makes an effort to maintain good terms with Soo Jin. Myeong Soo is even quite physically affectionate.
His exasperated face always made me laugh. And he is exasperated a lot surrounded by four crazy women that he genuinely cares about but has no idea what to do with.

Romance
Myeong Soo and Soo Jin have a great relationship as friends. They gel together beautifully. And I love how they joke around so physically like mates. They have a lot of fun together and I love their inside jokes.
I liked their unusual dynamic. They don't hate each others guts and get along so well. Both of them know how to give in so it feels like an equal relationship. Financially, socially, and occupationally, they are equal as well. I really liked the even playing field.

Soo Jin
I like that Soo Jin isn't overly sensitive to insults.
She's not a young, inexperienced thing either.
“Being passionate is so yesterday.” she's not endlessly cheery and optimistic.
I love that she stood up to the Lioness and even the Lioness was scared of her.
Also, random note, how classy does Song Ji Hyo look with her hair up? And I liked her cute glasses.

The Ex Girlfriends
“Because we're going around together, my intelligence is evaporating.”
I kind of like how they all had their personalities but all had the weakness of Myeong Soo.
I liked seeing them go from enemies, grudging allies to friends...and then back to enemies.
There are no elders but these three are so freakin' meddlesome and always picking sides.

Director Jo
This guy just made everything so damn interesting. I love in the second part how sinister his takeover is. Also, because of the situation, pretty much every single one of his lines is sarcastic. It was so hilarious how he became a part of the gang. Although, “Why did you become one team with that abnormal bunch?” was a very appropriate line. He also has this face that constantly looks like he's thinking, “Oh why is this happening to me?”
His banter with Myeong Soo is a cracker.

“How long are you going to follow Soo Jin around?”
“Longer than you will.”
“Didn't you get rejected by Soo Jin last time?”
“'Aigoo, that's the first part of the long process of pushing and pulling. This person only watched the opening and thinks he's watched the entire movie.”
“There are many movies in which the opening is the only good part.”
[both reach for the rice cake] “Eat something else.”
“I picked it first.”
“You were the one who cut in.”
“You didn't even look at it first!”
“Why are you challenging me after I picked it up?”
“Aren't you trying to take something that I had in mind from the beginning?”
Soo Jin - “Um..excuse me, there are lots of rice cakes. Lots of potatoes too.”

Music
The music is very appropriate and works well with the drama. While I wouldn't say it's good music, I do think it's a progressive step towards more diverse soundtracks in Korean dramas.

The Ending
It's obvious it was a quick wrap up because the loose ends were suddenly shoved together in a HEA.

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Completed
Shut Up: Flower Boy Band
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Jan 30, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
“Strutting around, 'I've got my boys so don't mess with me'.”

Perhaps this is a weird way to describe it. But this drama is full of genuine moments. They just did everything right to make me feel the intent and the emotion of the scenes.
Right from the start these boys are a lot of fun. They're such good pals and they get along so well. They're camaraderie is top notch. I liked how the drama showed how connected they are in the little things.
They're rebels who like to use their fists when they're not making music. But they know how to keep each other in check.
So the boys get transferred to a posh school and of course you have powerplays among the students. These kids act like total gang members with their formations and their hierarchies.
I like the perspective that the boys might be a lot of trouble but they are sincere.

“They're scary, dirty, and it's best to avoid them.”

The way the boys transformed themselves for the sake of the school was really funny. It was sad to see them lose some of their team spirit as the drama went on and they got more demoralised. But of course if you don't see them fall apart then we'd never get to see how easy it is for them to forgive and forget. Also, when one of the big crises happens, it was really awesome to see how unreactionary they were to betrayal and how quick they were to hear his side of the story.

Ji Hyuk
“Why are you so fixated on your friends?”
“Cause without them, I have nothing.”
Sung Joon's character might have been the right hand man but he is connected to all the boys the most. The band says he's the most wild out of all of them but he's also the most soft-hearted. I was surprised at what a gentleman he is.
Ji Hyuk understands what makes people tick. Despite his foolish impulsivity, there's not a lot that slips by him.

Hyun Soo
L is actually a really great actor. His character is the grumpiest and the most uptight. His icy demeanour and his sneer is aces. He pulls off the slow blink really well.

Do Il
Do Il is the most loyal to Ji Hyuk and probably the least hyper out of all of them. He's very calm and doesn't say much. I did like him quite a lot.

Seung Hoon

“The thing I like the most about Seung Hoon is his anger management skills.”

I like this character. He was a great personality for Ji Hyuk to clash with and bounce off. He's the kind of guy that you say, “There's a reason he's the leader.” He's not just on a powertrip and he's full of surprises. I really liked that his infatuation with Su Ah wasn't as shallow as I initially thought.
What happens to him really gave me goosebumps.

The Girl
Su Ah can be annoying with her weak voice and demeanor but she does have her moments. Why does she talk like she's in a historical drama and half stoned? She is so dull.

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Completed
Emergency Couple
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Jan 17, 2016
21 of 21 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
“I don't know how to love in a cool, mature way like you do.” ~ Chang Min

This is by no means a good drama. Character development, plot development, relationship development, it's all lacking. Watch this for the heroine's competence, the second male lead's adorkable performance and Choi Jin Hyuk's perfect facial expressions.
It's pretty long at 21 episodes but the more I saw of the main couple and even the secondary couple, the more I liked them. It really is an enjoyable drama.
I wasn't looking forward to a medical drama but I actually found that I really started getting on board with the drama when the hospital work started.
There are plenty of insults and bickering being flung around but I just skipped over it.
Chang Min is pretty popular among the interns but Jin Hee is not. They call her the old lady so that amused me that Chang Min would fall back in love with her again. Despite all the antagonism it's not long before they are protecting each other in spur of the moment decisions.
I also like the concept that trivial matters like divorce don't matter in life and death situations. And people's real values and strengths can arise in a crisis.
The setting of the internship is also a nice background for leveling all the interns no matter what background they come from they are equal.
Finally, the dudes in this drama are pretty shy and gawky when it comes to romance which is always fun.

Chang Min
I am so ridiculously biased to Choi Jin Hyuk. He is one of my all time favourite actors to crush on. I was beyond excited to finally watch a drama where he gets the main role. I have to admit I was a little alarmed to see his personality at first. I've only ever seen him as kind and serious. Even in rom-coms. I wasn't sure if this show would ruin him for me but he's too handsome not to enjoy seeing him on the screen and his comic face gets me every time. He's hilarious. And when he turned the charm on...I was so done. I've also never seen him smile so much.
He gets fawned on a lot by women which I can understand, but it amuses me to have my crush on him so validated. His awkwardness when he's on the receiving end of attention is adorable. I especially liked that all the young things (and some older women too!) are chasing him around and he's just following after Jin Hee all the time.
Chang Min comes from a doctor family and he's very knowledgable. He always knows what's wrong with a patient and what to do. I was glad that he wasn't a braggart about that. He was a braggart about everything else though.
I really liked his acting after his crisis towards the end of the drama. It's a side of him that doesn't really appear throughout and I liked seeing his hopeless and listless portrayal. It was really effective.

Jin Hee
This girl is rocking the red hair. I love that she took her weaknesses and did something about them. She can be quite impulsive but she has the guts to respond in emergencies better than Chang Min.
Of course there are mistakes but she proves her competence again and again. It's brilliant.

Romance
“I don't remember it at all. About seducing a girl...how do I even start? How did I do it in the beginning?”

After Chang Min gets over his immaturity over the divorce he really is a oppa kind of hero. He likes to take care of everything for Jin Hee and I mean everything.
The pair had great chemistry. Both as colleagues and as a couple.

Chief Chun Soo
I liked this guy in Pinocchio so I was really happy to see him again. He maintains that awkwardness and abruptness that is so endearing.
He makes for a great boss with a past. Firm but compassionate and a little geeky.
He really became the highlight of the show for me. He's so good at smiling with his eyes.

Elders
I think this is a really good example of how much Jin Hee loves Chang Min that she can love his mother as well. I also find it amusing that really both Jin Hee and I were both most touched when Chang Min said, “I'll never let her yell at you again.”

Gwang Soo
I didn't think this weirdo would get a mention. But I did like him.
“If you practice a lot in music you don't make mistakes on stage. But you don't get to practice marriage, it starts right away as a live show. So of course accidents can happen. People aren't watermelons. You have to tap so many of them to choose one.”

Professor Shim
I liked how wholeheartedly she supported Chun Soon.

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Completed
Somehow 18
3 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Feb 8, 2018
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 4.0
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 2.0
This drama felt a bit stiff and lifeless. The delivery of the premise and the emotion of the characters was lacking.
I like Min Ho as an idol person. I’ve never seen him act before. It’s clear he’s not that good.
Min Ho is still a 30 year dude when he goes back in time. So it seems slightly pedophilic.
The drama is pretty boring and it took me a while to bother to finish it.

Some of the time-wimey stuff is interesting. Especially with the events that happen to other people because Min Ho knows how to avoid them.
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Completed
Love Me If You Dare
1 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Feb 11, 2016
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
From start to finish, this drama is solid. No waffling!
The drama is really one of the best when it comes to depicting the serious content. It never felt like it was trying too hard to make me feel. It was simple but effective.
I liked that other characters had strong deductive reasoning as well. It's not all about the god-like Professor Bo.
The plot has a twist! How I love twists. The lead up to the ending is really thrilling. Oh so good.

Jin Yan
“Are you using Li Xun Ran's life to gamble with me?”
“Analysing the mind of a perverted madman is my job, not a gamble.”

I think this is the first time I was convinced that the hero wasn't necessarily trying to be mean, he was just speaking his mind. Jin Yan is very direct. He is not good with people. I like that he's not picky about cleanliness or order. Most of the time, characters with his type of personality will be meticulous and OCD, but that's not really his thing.
Jin Yan's straight face is actually quite comical. The actor makes use of body language to give his character a lot of personality. His forwardness means he can ask questions that progress the relationship along quicker but as the viewer you're not really sure what it means that he's asked.
He also has a bit of a naughty side that he delivers so deadpan I can't help but laugh.

“You kissed the President?”
“Yes. During the climax of catching the criminal, I went out of my way to kiss my own sister. Are you thinking that I left my IQ and morality behind?”

Jin Yan is such a great character. It's hard to describe him. He is stiff, but never boring. He cares but is never kind. He's blunt and a little mean but not rude. He is open to learning more about “normal people” but on his terms. His progression into a human is really subtle and fabulous. I loved the unraveling of his personality. He smiles a lot to himself which makes him more accessible. He's not a diva.
I think the interesting thing about him, is that most Korean heroes have the two sides to them, but for Jin Yan, even when he is acting cute, he is still intimidating and even when he's humbly following instructions.
I like that he doesn't think he's a monster. That he knows full well who that title goes to. And the drama also emphasises how he doesn't identify with the murderers. That even though he understands them it's because of talent not because of some sinister connection or that there's something wrong with him.

Romance
This is probably my first time that I swooned over the heroine's romantic lines rather than the hero's. But Yao Yao's beautiful delivery was really touching.
Jin Yan is pretty much always respectful towards Yao Yao which is something you can't say of many heroes. And I like that he appreciates her intelligence and seeks out her input on the cases.
The pair have a very functional relationship right from the beginning. Their dynamic is really enjoyable.
I liked the flirty undertones and how Jin Yan really conveys his admiration for Jian Yao. I love that in a hero. He trusts her.
As the drama goes on, he becomes more relaxed and funny.
However, when he really starts to pursue her, I found the romantic activities a little jarring. It was almost like he had no heart in it, but rather was using formula as a means to an end.
However, once they get together, the drama moves away from focusing on their relationship. I was glad for that because romantic Jin Yan is kind of creepy.

Zi Yu
Zi Yu at first seems like the stereotypical sidekick. He's a good sidekick. He knows Jin Yan's quirks well. I love the little conversation he had with Yao about his best friend.
“His emotional intelligence is basically zero.”

He has some really awesome moments when he's got Jin Yan's back.

Jian Yao
This heroine is amazing. She's very firm right from the start. Unafraid to be a little rude but isn't bratty at all. She doesn't fall for any of Jin Yan's games (not that he plays a lot) and she can give him a fine and sophisticated setdown.
As one of the characters says, Jian Yao is both book smart and street smart which is refreshing in a heroine.
Despite considerable desensitisation to serial killer plots, I was terrified right along with Jian Yao.
I felt Jian Yao's horror towards Jin Yan but similar to her, also felt the curiosity of the mystery and the intrigue of the hunt.
She's efficient and capable.
Towards the second half of the drama, her character sort of withers away. She doesn't become annoying, she just becomes very unimportant to the plot.

It's been a while see a drama really gripped me. I was looking for a drama that would cheer me up and was trying for all the comedies, but nothing worked like the satisfaction of a good drama regardless of genre.

P.S. The book that this drama is based on is really good. You can read how Fu Zi Yu and Jin Yan become friends. It's awesome.

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Completed
Prosecutor Princess
1 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Sep 29, 2015
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 5.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
I really struggled with the beginning of this drama so I skipped ahead because it's boring and we see the usual incompetencies, failure at work, incapable at her job, jumping to conclusions, inflammatory remarks, entire workplace laughing at her, etc. What kind of kick do writers get out of this?

Yay! She's working late!
Ep 7 – she's suspicious as a prosecutor – not gullible, thinks about the possibilities. This is good.
Ep 8 – her colleagues are finally respecting her. Nice that she put in terms and conditions like a real lawyer would.
Personally, she's a wreck but she's quite efficient as a prosecutor.
She's also good at making people talk.
Damn, she's a hard worker and so keen for the case. But she's not clueless either.
No conniving second female lead? It gets better.
When he's having the nightmare, her gentle compassion really shines through.
I like what she says in Ep 4, “I really do know everything. It's just that I don't always think the same as everyone else. But I really do know everything that I should.”
There's also teamwork with the lady rivals - I like this.

Se Jun (secondary male lead)
He's a nice team leader - “Later on, when you feel like saying. And if you need help, tell me.”
What an absurd...oh these Kdramas always inventive ways of being adorable and awkward as hell. Such a weirdo, this guy. 3 years since he's been on the dating scene.
She just lifted him onto her back. No kidding. He's crazy. And he's not a skinny fellow like Gong Yoo either.

Father Relationship
I roughly know that the parents strong arm their daughter, but seeing moments like this seems nice even though he's just being a scallyway.

Romance
Hye Ri is a satisfying character. “You haven't even tasted my wrath. Don't you even think about moving.”
Her calm face when she's asking him what's wrong – dignity.
He's got a great selection of vests.
Nobody in their right mind would let that person drive them home after discovering all the treachery.
Oh yeah, end of ep 13. She's great. Says what she has to. Confidently. Knows him.
“I love you. You bastard.”
I never understand how a kiss can be so grossly misconstrued by male leads / producers / writers. A kiss shouldn't take the work out for you you lazy buggers.
“Without you in the office it was so cold and lonely.” That's what you want to hear.

In Woo
In Woo is being a real decent kind of guy. Helpful, serving, kind. This is cool.
“She keeps finding the truth I've mixed in with the lies. She keeps figuring out my sincerity.” That's such a nice way to put it, don't you think?
I love this conversation in Ep 14 about her saying use your lawyer language and him saying her occupation is showing.
“My mind, heart, and eyes are filled with all your expressions.” That's a real romantic line, isn't it.
He looks better with more hair.
There is a lot of sad faced In Woo.
He's so encouraging teaching her how to cook.

Jenny
I really wanted to hate Jenny. I hated her on screen but felt annoyed because there's no good reason to hate her. She's reasonable. She's helpful. She's a good friend. Ugh!

1 year later... you better have grown more hair In Woo.
Hye Ri doesn't have a change of hairstyle. That's a first.
Her optimism is strong and she can smile at hurt.
Nope, he doesn't have more hair and he's insanely obsessed with those disgusting V-necks.
She's carrying In Woo, now? This girl is strong. I can't believe he even attempted a piggyback ride from her. So bizarre.
That's hilarious she can remember what he said a year ago and he can't believe it.

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Completed
Twenty
1 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Jan 18, 2016
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 4.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This is so weird. It took me six days to finish it.

There's a lot of pretty to this drama.

These guys take themselves way too seriously.

There's not much of a plot, or bromance, and I think the show was a little tied down by the “message” of being in your 20s.

Too much reflection for this kind of genre.



Chi Ho

“Chi Ho's goal was to keep breathing.”

This guy is shallow and aimless and spoiled.



Kyung Jae

Kyung Jae is super shy and easily embarrassed. He's really concerned about what other people think of him. I like the dynamic of how respectful and careful he is around his sunbae romance. His friends say,



“Don't go and raise the bar of the rest of us please.”



He wants to impress her.



Dong Woo

I don't even know what to say about this guy. He was just there.



Verdict: I think I should stick to Korean dramas.

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Completed
Doctors
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Nov 23, 2017
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
“Don’t worry. I only fight when I know I will win.”

Hye Jung has a high IQ, street smarts, confidence, and she knows how to fight. Hello, dream Kdrama heroine. I love how it was impossible to rattle her. She’s just aces at avoiding uncomfortable situations. I love how she handles these annoying people in her life. She’s not overly moralistic. She’s practical.
Even though they make a big deal about Hye Jung not having a life, she is really passionate and happy about being a doctor. Even though she doesn’t like being close to people she grows to trust and reach out to others without any fanfare or big life learning curves, which I appreciated.

I read reviews that complain about hospital politics. It’s true. They’re useless, but they’re easy to skip over. And I was still riveted by the story telling right through to the end.

Romance
Communication is so sexy. You’re not going to find a couple like this that is so efficient and effective in their ability to get the message across to each other.

“I like that you’re not afraid to admit what you don’t know.”

They make efforts towards each other to be nice and take care of each other. There’s no awkwardness or tension between them. They’re both polite and mature but there’s still chemistry – could it get anymore perfect? Even when they might have romantic things happen between them they’re still so comfortable with each other. That’s not something you see in Kdramas.  
And here’s another thing. They are already so equal but if Hye Jung sees the tiniest ahjussi symptoms in Ji Hong she calls him out. I was impressed at her philosophical musings about their potential romance.

“He must feel like a parent who favours their weakest child.”

The pair together is dynamic. I like how the show lets us see them becoming closer in a platonic way. And how they respect each other as individuals and human beings. I like how level their footing is. Ji Hong is impacted by her just as strongly, if not more strongly. Hye Jung is very mature in her handling of their acquaintanceship. Ji Hong can’t help but respect that. Hye Jung is a girl who knows how to cut ties. I was really impressed by her ability to be so selfless even at her young age.
You can see that Ji Hong admires Hye Jung and wants to share things with her. I like that Hye Jung didn’t just crush on him first, but they fell in love simultaneously at the same time.  
It was funny how Ji Hong invited Hye Jung to assume the masculine roles of the relationship.

“You like these things. Protecting and looking after people.”  

The show just kicks stereotypes in the teeth. I love that despite Hye Jung being tough and everyone viewing her that way, even Ji Hong assumes she wouldn’t enjoy romance.

“There was nothing romantic about it.”
“I thought you hated those things.”
“Why would I hate it?”
“That’s right. Why would I think you hated it?”
“I don’t.”

I love the feeling that I understand why Ji Hong is so enamored with Hye Jung. I can also share his affection her when you see her in action and you’re just like, “She’s fantastic.”

The drama also touches on the dynamic of working together with your significant other. Their relationship is one that I didn’t get tired of. I liked seeing them grow together.

Ji Hong
Ji Hong is easy going and happy but he’s not a push over. He’s not dark and mysterious but he is a cool dude. He’s not an arrogant ahjussi, he’s caring and his gentle side is so sweet and vulnerable. Sometimes he does silly things but it’s fun because he’s older and he’s a very steady character. He is so magnanimous and tender-hearted. I loved the way he loved Hye Jung. So supportive, vulnerable and yet strong.

I love the characters in this show. So well rounded.

Do Yoon
Do Yoon has such funny facial expressions. I loved him in Pinocchio. He gets more screen time here and he’s awesome. His relationship with Ji Hong is gold.

Ji Hong of Do Yoon - “He’s cute. That dork.”

Do Yoon to Hye Jung, “How’s the revenge going?”

Love this guy.

This show is funny! I didn’t expect to laugh so much.

Side note: That quick joke about the scalpel and the watermelon was SO HILARIOUS.
Side note 2: Isn’t hella awkward to have a relationship with someone who STILL calls you “Teacher” in casual conversations?
Side note 3: I like that Hye Jung’s friendship with Soon Hee helps Soon Hee be strong.

Secondary Female Lead
Sung Kyung’s character is pretty annoying but she had some great lines at the end.
“How have you been living your life? Have you only seen those kind of people? What about nice people? Do you think weird people like that make up the entire population? Is that how you decide to treat people?”

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Completed
Captain of Destiny
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
May 14, 2016
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 3.0
The quality of film, story telling, acting and characterisation is...lacking.

Listening to Cantonese in a drama...when the characters raised his voice I was suddenly taken back to Malaysia as if I was hearing it in the background while there. Haha.
The story telling is quite weird. Mui seems to be making up a boyfriend and then bang the boyfriend is introduced to the viewers. I guess I can see what people mean when the story is written as the drama is filmed. In Korean dramas, you meet all the important people in the first episode.
The personalities are really lacking.
The way they threw up some drama with the boyfriend being unreasonable about Bowie feels quite unnatural. And even her response to it is so Home and Away. Isn't that weird, that Cantonese dramas still fall into Western traps? But I think being exposed to Kdrama “moment” fests I have more tolerance for forced sweet moments between couples. But this CG is so crap. My eyes!
Is it weird that the brother in law is so creepily Cantonese and annoying? But with familiar mannerisms and familial arguments.
I like how the relationships developed and the girls got together to get what they wanted.

Cheung Tsai Po
I quite like his style of Cantonese. And his personality is so ridiculous.

Mui
She's pretty tough on herself. I do like that she's just killing the bad guys off like flies.
When she's crying in the bathroom and telling herself off. “Why are you crying? He's the one who did wrong, not you.” I was impressed.
Of course I have to be nitpicky first thing when comparing a show to Kdramas. The sisterly moments feel quite meaningless. But that was a pretty great moment when her sister beats up the husband.
I don't know what the characters in this drama are really feeling. Did Mui really love her boyfriend? If she did, a Korean drama would've told me. She's resilient.
I eventually grew to like Mui's cheeky brash and somewhat cheeky personality.
And when it comes to warfare, she's pretty awesome.

Romance
The secondary romance was much more fun and smexy than Mui's. Her's was just awkward.

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Completed
The Con Artists
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Nov 16, 2015
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
“What's easier? Turning something real into fake or turning something fake into real?” ~ Ji Hyuk

Double crossing inception is my favourite kind of plot. You know the ones, the trick within a trick within a trick.
This is a feel-good-hehe-we-win kind of story.
My first show with the beloved Kim Woo Bin.
Kim Woo Bin delivers a lot of personality and attitude.
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Completed
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
0 people found this review helpful
by Zoe
Sep 30, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
The start of this show is shaky, with really in-your-face montages. The characterisation was pretty weird too. I mean, now I know what people talk about when they say inexperienced actors. But everyone gets better!

I enjoyed the strong sunbae culture and it was also nice to see the protagonists being the sunbaes instead of the hoobaes.

I like the show deals with mental health issues. And that people don’t just become depressed because they break up. It’s very rare for a heroine to have a breakdown over something or someone that isn’t the romantic line.

The character have sad back stories, but they just suck it up and deal with it simply without drama.

Random note: I like the different names of the characters, instead of ones that I’ve already known from other dramas.

Joon Hyung - male lead
Nam Joo Hyuk’s acting gets better. In the beginning, I really wasn’t sure what face he was trying to pull. He has some really great one-liners throughout the drama.

“People either really like me or hate me, y’know.”

He’s used to people being pissed at him that he’s come to the point that he just shuts it out.

“Relationships aren’t like sports. Effort does not guarantee success.”

“I’m yours, so I have to listen to you.”
 
I like that Joon Hyung was only a little adverse to therapy and it showed how he was challenged but he just got into it quite easily. He’s really a very gentle soul and the actor who played him when he was a kid was just perfect. Nam Joo Hyuk also has a very puppy dog vulnerable expression. I appreciated his shyness when it comes to emotions, but also how he is quite in touch with his.
Joon Hyung’s relationship with his bro is so funny. I like how well he knew his brother and wanted to support him. Joon Hyung has a very middle aged man personality actually.
I liked the way he acted towards his parents, maybe it’s because of his inexperience, but it felt like his character was also acting a certain way, putting on a show for his parents.
His stand out trait is his loyalty. I love how kind he is to lots of people but of course the way he cares for Bok Joo and is concerned for her is beautiful. He really goes out of his way to make sure she’s ok. And he thinks about how to approach her and puts thought into how to talk to her or make her feel better. He has some of the best moments of sincere gentleness and kindness that I’ve seen in dramaland.

I love the swimming pool analogy and what it means to Joon Hyung.
 
Bok Joo
I like that Bok Joo wears really unflattering clothes constantly.
Usually I would dislike a storyline where the heroine is in love with the wrong person for a majority of the show. But Joon Hyung’s gentle and kind support of her made it ok. It’s a bit funny how scared Joon Hyung is of her.
It’s unusual, for me to see a heroine really go for her misplaced love, and in a way it felt a bit more realistic that just because he’s not the hero of the show, doesn’t mean that it’s not hard to get over him.
I like that Bok Joo is so good at what she does. That Joon Hyung has to work hard to keep up with her athletic achievements in his own field.

Romance

“Is this a home shopping channel? That sounds ridiculous.”

I like that you can see that Joon Hyung is so polite to his family to the point that it’s stiff. So it’s really meaningful the way he can relax around Bok Joo.
Bok Joo’s way of comforting Joon Hyung is really genuine and I like that she avoids cliches, and is so real about what she says to him.

Best Friends
The best friends of both Bok Joo and Joon Hyung were borderline stereotypical. But they had some nice stand out moments.

“Did she eat ginseng or something? What’s wrong with her?”

And it was funny to see Joon Hyung’s best bud get involved with Bok Joo’s girl friends.

Female Role Models
Coach Choi was a great character and I loved the way she yelled at people like a lion. Not your usual high pitch barrage that you get with female characters but a very guttural roar haha.

Ah Young
“It’s good to love someone, but you need to be loved to boost your self-esteem.”

Si Ho
Also, I like that I got to love the crazy ex-girlfriend too. There’s something really cool about her.

Jae Yi
It was a bit funny to see the nice guy, “second lead syndrome” personality get a bad rap for hurting people with his consideration.

“Seriously, I had no idea that treating you well would create more distance between us. Agh, do I have a disorder?”

Jae Yi - “You were quite scary when you got angry. I thought you’d punch me.”
Joon Hyung - “I may seem sweet to you, but I can be quite tough.”

Cameos
We have some beautiful scene stealers! This show had the best cameos – all my favourite actors. LJS didn’t even try and act, but come on, it’s LJS. Ji Soo, however, put his whole heart into his little scenes. Love that guy! And had to squee when I saw Kim Seul Gi too.

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