If you search for the drama's plot, you'll find that "it's about the delicate relationship between a female university student Hong Seol and her senior Yoo Jung." But it's actually more than that.
This drama is about life. It's about my life, your life... It's more than a drama or webtoon. It's realistic and really makes you think about everything.
It's about friendship, classmates, lovers. I'm happy that we could see different types of problematic relationships in families.
It teaches you that communication is the most important thing in one relationship.
It teaches that you can't always be good to people because they're going to use you.
It teaches you that revenge isn't always the right answer.
It teaches not to give up on your dreams or laugh at someone else's dream.
It teaches so many things and I'm sure that everyone will find an answer of personal questions because I found so many answers in this drama.
The cast was perfect for this drama, every actor had their own way to represent their character and they did a good job. The chemistry between Park Hae Jin and Kim Go Eun was just right but everyone was talking about the second lead Seo Kang Joon... and I can't judge! You'll fall in his trap so fast and you'll feel the pain.
The OST is really beautiful, fits perfectly. If I could choose a foreign song to describe this drama or Seol and Jung's relationship I would pick - A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera - Say Something.
What I like about this drama:
- the second lead - Good job, Seo Kang Joon! You stole my heart!
- mystery - I liked all the mystery around the main characters, it keeps you awake.
- the chemistry between Park Hae Jin and Kim Go Eun
- rich guy - poor girl - I really liked that they didn't even focus on this or make it a main problem of the drama.
- university environment
What I don't like about this drama:
- love triangle
I don't know why many people didn't like the ending, it was a very beautiful way to say "I still love you."
PS: I know 9/10 is really high but the drama was just what I wanted to see and feel the past months.
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This review may contain spoilers
A good drama about finding success and finding love.
STORY:1) The journey to success:
A group of people in their twenties enter the world of start ups. They use their talent, their personality, their friendship and commitment to fight battles that they win sometimes and loose the other times. It takes them through highs and lows, helps them form or improve personal and professional bounds between them. Mishandled situations by themselves and their mentor separate them but they will be reunited again to find success together.
This business oriented plotline is instilled and developed secondary to the romance plotline. Still it was nice and enjoyable despite the fact that the business ideas developed are no innovations. They already exists in reality. Also the mentoring part was not properly done. The idea of mentoring engineers and coding specialits and CEO like yelling at a dishwasher of a restaurant who slacked is just grotesque. But if we accept that, the story stands.
2) The journey of love and lies:
A grandma schemes a plan to lie to comfort her 12yo granddaughter who is left alone. Grandma and a 19yo highschooler play fake pen friend using the name and identity of another kid her age. It has been decided by Destiny. It will be the long journey of these two of a same age finding each other despite the lies and deception.
The love story turns into a toxic situation when adult Han Ji Pyeong the writer of the letters starts to take a liking for Dal Mi and he stops at no means to undermine Do San and tries to make himself look like the real fated lover of Dal Mi. Of course she doesn't care about it but the fake love triangle lasts until ep 15. I found it was too long. But for the main couple, the love story is very natural and realistic. They looked very good together.
CHARACTERS/ACTORS:
- Dal Mi / Bae Suzy: She is the common thread. The anchor point of most of the other characters. She is a nice girl but also outspoken, rebellious, down to earth, motivated and persevering. She is fighter and a leader. I liked her personality and I liked the fact that she faced all her challenges bluntly by believing in herself and in her choices. I have seen 5 dramas with Suzy. This is her best performance for me. She was convincing all the time when she had to be professional or very emotional.
- Nam Do San / Nam Joo Hyuk : He is a bit timid, not confident, not assertive enough but he is a very nice person. He cares for others and has a lot of empathy. Maybe too much. He is people oriented. People are what makes him give his best. His growth is real but not a twist. It is even more credible. First time seeing Nam Joo Hyuk in a lead role. I found him excellent with a range of emotions larger than common actors in Kdrama. His portrayal of an over sensitive Do San but caring of others was great.
- Han Ji Pyeong / Kim Seon Ho : An orphan full of flaws that he turned as his advantage to become a self made man. He is rude, cold, inconsiderate, nagging, bullying and scheming but also knowledgeable, good natured, sometimes goofy. He has a good heart deep inside and a lot of emotions but he doesn't show it. It is his loss.
- Won In Jae / Kang Han Na: A cold older sister but a resolute an ambitious woman who will stick at her choices and prove herself by all means even if it hurts people around her. She has family values deep inside and it will help her slow path to reconciliation. First time seeing Kang Han Na. She was pretty good in that role.
- Grandmother / Kim Hae Sook : A good hearted and caring grandmother who tries her best to help and comfort her granddaughter and young Ji Pyeong but she does not always uses the best mean. Lying is not a good way. Anyway she did her best and it turned out to be effective. She is a warm and loving person. I was sad about how things turned for her with her health but she was always a positive person. Kim Hae Sook great like most usual suspects in Kdrama.
- Yong San and Chul San : The two others of the Three Stooges of the beginning. They are nerds but they have great interactions to bring fun to the drama. I liked Yong San personal story which was no big deal in the drama but contributed to a key moment of the story. Chul San was super annoying at times but ended quite a good guy.
- Sa Ha: Perfect woman with the perfect face and perfect body and perfect education and high standards and a prickly appearance but in fact she is just a nice girl with a romantic side. Did not know that actress Stephanie Lee before but I will be glad to see her again in another drama.
Others Characters brought their share of fun to this drama:
- Do San parents : great comic relief. They really love their kid but also are too demanding especially the father. I liked the mom and her predictions a lot.
- The cousin : Most epic moment in the drama thanks to him.
- Yoon Seon Hak CEO SH Venture Capital : Liked her 15 years earlier as a fair and professional boss and 15 years after, looking for the girl on the swing.
- Dal Mi' s mom: Super annoying at first but life teaches her a lesson. She will finally make good deeds. I liked her evolution.
- Park Dong Chun (Ji Pyung's junior): always bounced here and there by his boss but he was fun despite little screen time.
- Alex Kwon : A very competent guy and professional with his own agenda. Not a good guy. Not a bad guy. But he does his job and gives you smiles.
- Jang Yeong Shil / Yeo Jin Goo : Funny AI which can't tell the weather properly but gives tips to humans about life.
MUSIC:
It enhanced greatly the sad moments, successful moments, the nostalgic moments.. Overall it was very good.
REWATCH VALUE:
I would rewatch it to look into the details see if I missed something. Find hidden Easter eggs maybe. Too recent for me to think about rewatching but after some time yes I think it is something I would gladly rewatch.
OVERALL: Not a perfect drama because the SML was too annoying and nagging and scheming for too long without having his own arc in the narration to beef him up so that people can adhere to him. Not only to his smile and dimples and as a sad orphan . But as a real good person deep inside and a competent team leader/director. Overall it is an enjoyable drama.
ADVICES IF YOU DECIDE TO WATCH THIS DRAMA:
- Do not fall for ep1 which makes you see the SML as the most adorable person and pitiful orphan and worthy of your sympathy and he must absolutely be the ML of the drama because destiny chose him. He is not. Destiny is going to play an ugly trick on him.
- Every episode, do not focus on one character or one couple. Put yourself in the shoes of every main characters. This drama is about people. Live things like you are at their place. Do not assume what they should understand or do because you as the viewer you know.
- Pay attention to the connexions and interactions between the people. They are as important as the people themselves.
- Pay attention to the details of what is showed. What people say their words but also what emotion their face expresses .
It is demanding but it will help you understand the real intentions and story of this drama.
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What was the storyline here?
No, seriously, someone tell me what the storyline was supposed to be here, cause I still don't know. There were so many back stories and flashbacks going on. So many relationships developing left, right and center with no real sense of direction. And still, despite all that, the characters managed to do absolutely nothing for 60 minutes straight, in way too many episodes to count.Not only was it not a comedy, it wasn't melodramatic either (looking at you, title). Heck, it wasn't even entertaining. I don't even mind the average looking male lead. Sure, let's have a realistic looking man fall in love for once, why not. But where's the chemistry? Where's the romance or the courtship or any semblance of relationship? People don't just become drones when they turn 30. Love can be passionate at any age.
And speaking of love, was the female lead Jin Joo supposed to be that rude and insufferable? Is that something we're supposed to admire and relate to, or do we just write it off as her "quirky" personality?
Honestly, at moments it was so awkward and try-hard, that it was too difficult to watch, let alone care about Eun Jung's storyline and road towards healing, which was the only interesting thing about this show.
Look, my point is if I can skip 10 minutes at a time and still not miss anything, it ain't the show for me.
If 5 episodes in the only semblance of romance is that they had a drunken one-night-stand and now refuse to talk to one another, it ain't the show for me.
And if after an entire day of watching I still can't relate to the female lead or even understand the reasoning behind her behaviour - it ain't the show for me.
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Cinderella meets The Red Sleeve
This is the story of the (at start) highly annoying girl who cheated death and decided that swindling people was the right way to survive. And the Swindeld King who kept getting swindled to terror by a lot of people around him...The poor terrorised king is in desperate need of being swindled back to health and shows us his upper body to try to convince us that he indeed is a health male... But dude physical and mental health are not really the same thing.
Anyway these two meet, got confused and fell in love... There are a bunch of obstacles along the way and the female lead seems to need more lives than a cat, and well the drama would have ended very fast if she did not get those lives.
There are a bunch of lovely characters, the second male lead is a sweetheart true SLS material. The female lead goes though annoying, to bad ass to kind to weak and annoying again... and is one of dramalands most inconsistent female leads. The male lead on the other hand has character development as straight as an arrow...
There are a lot of men that hate women in this, and a show of how a marriage-ban can be used to retain power, money and make way for a bunch of more or less evil black markets (with women). So there are some political elements but not as much politics and intrigues as there are in other historical dramas, Here the focus is more on comedy (with inconsistent quality) and romance.
The plot starts off decent, gets boring and then gets kind of decent again there of the 7,5 score saying it is an ok watch it has a lot of good stuff in it but just not enough good for me to want to recommend it.
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A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College
12 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
HILARIOUS DRAMA THIS YEAR
I've been looking forward for this drama because I love Zhao LuSi...she's a cute gal with acting like fresh breath of air. Too many heavy intrigue back stabbing dramas lately, too many stupidity story lines, a light heart comedy drama is most welcomed. Zhao LuSi is good doing comedy, there're fans tired watching her on the same genre but when she's doing something different character (Le Yan - Long Ballad) she looked out of character and miserable. Xu Kai Cheng is the kind of guy who'd look gorgeous without smile...his soft gaze betrays sternness as Deputy Chief educator. His expression is on the spot; between exasperation, wonderment, delight, love, unbelievably, and protectiveness. The kind of a man that has finally found his treasure in his life and happy to announce the world that that treasure is belong to him.I enjoy every minute of it. It's started from a 'bet' - a bet that would get Sang Qi (LuSi) into hilarious efforts to get Yan YunZhi (Kai Cheng) accept her tiny purse/pouch who'd happen to be her Dean at the Imperial Collage. The collaboration of supporting actors in this drama was amateur, some act childish even wooden. Xu Kai Cheng was a bit older which appropriate for his character as he's her oldest brother's best friend and the Deputy Chief of the collage - about 27-30 while LuSi's character was about 16-18 (marriageable age) a care free and brave girl that grown up at the frontier of border. MLs were both look so comfortable and relax together like sibling. They're bickering - outsmart each other - play trick as well as shamelessly showing open affection. Sang Qi was kind of a Tomboy, she gets herself into fights between school mates, she's the ring leader of the boys, the only girl amongest competitive unruly young noble men. The girl Lan Qi was such a bore, a killjoy.
I love ep 1 when Sang Qi and Zhao speak dialect to mock Ms Song and YunZhi, ep 11 a hilarious memorable scene as first time ever I see a quarrel - a misunderstanding between lovers using their apologetic (and up set) expression while on the other side of the rock, another couple arguing try to reconcile their same misunderstanding. I think that's an awesome scene because we don't see that cleverness/witty expression scene in a scrip. Ep 14 'hiding' scene under the bed is good too...actually there are many funny scenes in every episodes. Ep 18 onward is not funny anymore...little serious. The MLs kissing/hugging scenes were pretty cute, their eyes locking together with smiles and affection, they look good and cute together,I love the OST...the background music is very good. I gave rewatch value 10 because I've been watching this over and over again....
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EPIC. EPIC. EPIC.
I'm just crying right now because it finished and the time went by so quickly. I still remember when I was watching the first two episodes and going OMG! THIS DRAMA IS AWESOME.
Totally hot guys: Kang To, Shunji, Katsuyama. If you watch this you won't regret seeing Shunji's smile.
And the ending.. somehow I can't get over it. PERFECT.
*Sob*
Yeah. I suck at writing. I know. LMAO.
I just can't gather my emotions into words rn.
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I think the actors did a good job with what they had, but I truly didn't like any of the characters. But I think every single drama cliche ever done was throw in and spat back out again, I cringed my way through a lot of the episodes.
I know tons of people disagree, and they are welcome to their opinions, but I just didn't like it.
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I feel like this drama is overrated, but this could just be me?
I didn't like this drama at all. The pacing was way too slow imo & it dragged for me. I guess I'm just not into these type of dramas since there wasn't anything to really grab my attention in this drama. Watched it because I'm a fan of Apink Eunji but I was unable to finish it without sleeping...Story: There isn't really anything special about the plot.. It is so plain and simple and just boring to me.
Acting/Cast: I've seen much better actors/actresses but they are pretty good at acting. Though not experts, they are good.
Music: Nothing that attracted me.
Rewatch Value: I could barely finish this so.. at ep 13 I just skipped and fast forwarded through everything.
Overall: I can't give it a higher rating than this, sorry. However, if you're into youth dramas then maybe...? For me it's a hardcore pass.
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In my opinion, a story like this is very unrealistic. Also the moral of this story is to show that the outer appearance of a person doesn't matter...it's what's inside that does. But I don't see that message being delivered properly either. They don't really show what the two leads actually liked in each other. All they seem to talk about and bond over is furniture. We don't get to see their proper personalities.
And anyway how can she deal with him looking old enough to be her grandfather or young enough to be her son?? O.o Creepy.
Also if the whole point of the movie is that the outer appearance doesn't matter, why are there intimate scenes only when Woo Jin is a good looking man? So yeah I don't get the point of this film.
Plus, it's just too weird for me. Woo Jon's appearance changes every time he goes to sleep...there's no limit to the gender, race or age. I just can't imagine anybody being able to marry someone like that. Being a friend is different. Can anyone marry someone like that and deal with all the gossip and the inevitable stress?? It's too unhealthy and creepy.
I felt the same way after reading the book "Everyday" by David Levithan (I didn't watch the movie). That book too has something similar to this movie and I didn't like it much either cause it was too strange. :/
1 point for the good acting.
Another point for the good directing.
And .5 for the music.
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Purely a propaganda film...
I watched this movie because I'm a fan of Wang Yibo and of course I had to show my support. I watched it at my local AMC and just returned home to write this review.I am sadly not a fan of this movie and I might be the minority here. I will admit that the CGI was great and I do think that the action/flight scenes were very well done with the pairing and timing of the music to really keep you on the edge of your seat. Wang Yibo also had some really adorable funny scenes and you will see a few of his rare smiles, however, it really ends there.
There is no actual storyline besides focusing on the testing and training process of test pilots. The "bad guys" are some no-face pilots that went into their airspace for no reason - they sound and resemble stereotypical American jocks (so weird imo). The whole movie just reminded me of something that would be shown to recruit soldiers - being educational and patriotic and with very little entertainment value. Perhaps if they were able to put an actual plot together and if the patriotism was woven in more seamlessly, I would have enjoyed it more.
Moral of the story is, don't eject from a plunging plane or shy away from foreign invasion - even if it means you'll die because you're fighting for your country and for your comrades. They do spin it in a more marketable way though and call it "testing your own limits" (even if it means death).
Sadly, even Yibo's wide range of acting here couldn't convince me to like this movie. While I think Yibo and Hu Jun put on wonderful performances, there was little character development and barely any story buildup. Because of this, the supposedly heartwarming moments fell flat. If you're looking for well fleshed-out characters or a well-developed story, this movie isn't it.
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It's (kind of) healing
It contains personal taste so please take it with a grain of salt for everything I said.I really enjoy the watch! I'm someone who is a fan of this kind of drama, something that isn't too heavy, but isn't too light. Everything seems chill and laid back, something I would watch when I want to get away with everything and have a quick escape on my own (and I guess I should give the credit to Ms. Hwang for that). The pace feels right, not too quick but not dragging at all. I don't understand about the cinematography and any other technical stuff, but for something that has limited budget and limited airing time, it did a great job! The one who acted as Siwon and Dawoon also acted quiet well, remembering they're new (?) in the industry. But standing ovation for Siwon's mom!! The scene where she got emotional was done really good!!
If you want to watch them, I guess just give it a try? Especially if you want a quick watch when you're bored, or if you want something that's not all fluffy but also not heavily angst-y either. But for me, definitely, it's gonna be my healing drama where I want to clear my mind and just have a good time for 2 hours and so, along with To My Star!
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This review may contain spoilers
IS may not be the cup of tea for all of you, but for me, IS has won my heart entirely with the amazing storyline, the casts' amazing acting and the OSTs with deep meanings for the plot. I firstly decided to watch bcz of YZ & CY, never knew I would be very fond of the plot too.
- IS is one of the dramas where romance is rarely shown between the main lead couple, I'm very disappointed because of that but the way YY & YD's romance of just watching each other, staring and sweet talking can make my heart flutter for most of the time.
- But the chemistry between YZ & CY is NEXT LEVEL, PURE GOLD, UNREACHABLE!! Having skinship scenes more and kissing scenes more doesn't fully describe "Romance". Protecting each other, being by each other's side when they actually need someone = Pure & Sincere Love + Romance
- CY's acting totally amazes me in IS, the way he portrayed YY, TZ, XY differently. YY is TZ but there're so many differences between them and CY flawlessly nails the characters. Especially XY, the villain role, in the final ep of YY confronts XY, the eyes are so different!! HE'S SO AMAZING!
- YZ never disappoints me as always, she definitely slays the role of YD! No actress will be able to act as YD expect YZ! The cute and carefree immortal attendance with intelligent and clever mindset, YD, one of the best FLs among many dramas.
- I also recommend you to listen to the OST too, the lyrics also explains the characters' experiences, difficulties and how they want to tell each other abt it!
- Many may hate the ending but for me, this sad ending is very meaningful and perfect choice of ending for YY & YD! They are free now, free from responsibilities, misunderstanding, barriers and difficulties. They are now happily live in another life and once again, they fall in love with each other.
10000/10 for me so far, never regret watching til the end. I'm so glad I'm part of IS family who had been by their sides since the drama start aired.
Huge respect and thank u YZ, CY and all casts and crews of Immortal Samsara for creating this masterpiece
Hope to see YZ & CY in another drama like modern or republican one!
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Don't miss this Masterpiece....
The best i mean the best which i seen this year. What an ending. 1 will give hundred out of hundred. Most of the dramas are lacking in their ending part. But Hong Sisters (writers) are different. They made a complete wholesome ending experience for viewers. This is a weird feeling, i don't know why . because may be after so many dramas i got an experience which i always desperate. Don't miss this guys...I always had this hope before i started this, knew this is going to be the best because it's from the writer of masterpiece Hotel DelLuna. Even though there is a 20 long episode in the first season, still i didn't have any compliant, because every week the progress of the story is very interesting to watch. The script is stand tall all the time. Never have any compramise when coming to that. Hat's off to the writers for that.
Screenplay is also keeping that curiosity factor alive for the next episode. You will definitely fall in love with almost all the characters. Because it was lovely written. Making also wonderful. The story is big and for that reason they can't conclude everything with just 20. So it's renewing with a season 2. Which is coming this December.
Acting also top class. All the actors who done their role perfectly. They said it was a fantasy romance. But at first am not so interested in the romantic part also not bothered about the love triangle. But actually it's clean. I mean the triangle part is not boring. As i said after few episodes i had that curiosity how will they end up. And when coming to the finale episode the chemistry is amazing.
Alchemy of Souls is a must watch. Never miss this masterpiece. and lastly i want say something... All the writers of kdrams should learn from hong sisters. Not only the beginning but also the ending matters. Give me something which i can cherish for a long time..but not the crap forced ending... I want a complete satisfaction because i invested 16 or 20 hours for ur writing... thanks a lot. Hong Sisters, eagerly waiting what your going to make in season 2...
Don't miss... Must Must Must watch................
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