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AWESOME 100%
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I love these type of corporate plotting dramas but Korean detective dramas are usually very tasteless so I wish there was no police involved her either. When it comes to antiheroes or 'bad guys turn good' - plot lines Korean do really well as long as the story doesn't concentrate too much on the romance. Even though there was a lot of plotting and dirty games going on I felt like most of the drama was about love and the plotting scenes became repetitive. The bad guy was really obvious too...
The acting was good, except for Kim so Yeon, her character was really dull. even though she was supposed to be mature she was leaving the company all the time for personal reasons but then stuck around after all... I must say that the best one was Lee Shi Eon, this guy really has talent. His character came to life on the screen. Ahn Suk Hwan never fails as the father figure. Jung Kyung Hoo was good but his character wasn't interesting. In the beginning he caught my attention and his character had the spunk but after the surgery he changed into a mess. I wish the writer had paid more attention to character development.
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The cast was great. Kim So Yeon is great as the by the book Sun Jeong. She was the polar opposite of her role in Prosecutor Princess, which I hated her in,so that was already a plus for me. Jung Kyung Ho, as the revenge driven Min Ho, was also great. Although their chemistry is a little more reserved, I loved watching their developing romance, and they did have great chemistry. I thought Yoon Hyun Min was good too, and made for a great love triangle initially, but eventually his character became such a cliché that it was hard to take him too seriously. This is also one of these dramas where the supporting characters really stand out. Jo Eun Ji (my favorite Kdrama bff), Lee Shi Eon, and Ahn Suk Hwan were just as engaging as the leads to me. Their relationships to the main characters were some of my favorite moments in the show, and Ahn Suk Hwan was the only actor who actually made me tear up. I also liked the mysterious Han Ji Hyun, for her subtly sinister addition to the cast of characters.
Would I watch this drama again? Possible, but not likely. There are far too many frustrating moments, so I would probably just skip to the parts I liked. Also, knowing for sure what will happen next, makes the predictable parts even harder to sit through.
The last episode was satisfying, but a bit melodramatic. I also think it was the perfect length, not too long or short, and no moments that the story dragged (I watched the entire show in a few days).
Overall, I would recommend this drama for romance fans, though not as enthusiastically as I would recommend others. The humor and suspense also makes it good for those viewers who don't want to strictly watch a love story. I would call this a light romantic melodrama, and a good show to watch if you want a break from more intense shows, without going for straight fluff. That's exactly why I watched, and I'm glad I did.
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Kang. Min. Ho. A phenomenally well-written character played by Jung Kyung Ho who has so much charm and charisma you wouldn't believe it. Kang Min Ho is one of those male leads that you know will be stuck in your head and your heart for a long time after the drama ends. No, he is not the stereotypical cold and harsh CEO that he plays in the first two episodes, he is not, so do not be fooled. Kang Min Ho has such an immensely captivating personality and possesses the perfect blend of characteristics. He is hilarious and quick-witted, he is fierce and formidable, he is refreshingly optimistic and reliable. Sometimes an adorable puppy dog and at other times an opponent and an authority with a threatening disposition. I love how Jung Kyung Ho portrayed his character's journey from harsh, revengeful Kang Min Ho, to caring and self-sacrificing Kang Min Ho. The writers as well did a really great job of slowly transforming his character without making you panic that he was suddenly turning into a different person. I could really see the attention to detail that went into his transformation and that continued on as eventually his personality blended with Ma Dong Wook to apparently create the perfect person that is Kang Min Ho. I cannot say enough how well written his character was and how masterfully Jung Kyung Ho performed.
Kim So Yeon had a hard task to keep up with her co-lead Jung Kyung Ho but I think she succeeded. With Jung Kyung Ho being such a strong lead I think there easily could've been a disconnect but Jung Kyung Ho and Kim So Yeon had amazing chemistry. Kim Soon Jung is a strong female lead and has an unmatched loyalty and positive demeanor. I loved the role she took of protecting and cheering him on to be the best man he could be. While, Kang Min Ho is consistent in his affections for Kim Soon Jung and never wavers from being head over heels in love. Their relationship, filled with camaraderie, hilarious banter and amorous teasing, was so enjoyable to watch and I wish they had had more scenes together, 16 episodes wasn't enough. Having fun was the essence of their relationship and that's what made it really believable.
Supporting cast, well done! Dong Wook's father, Ma Tae Suk, played by actor Ahn Suk Hwan was a character that I really appreciated. He was definitely the wise and caring father figure for both Kim Soon Jung and Kang Min Ho, and whenever he opened his mouth I knew that he was going to say something the leads needed to hear. He was supportive, loving, and most of all, realistic! He didn't manipulate and overreact to things, but kept a level understanding outlook even in the darkest of situations. There was a time when Kim Soon Jung is confused and isn't thinking straight when he tells her exactly what she needs to hear. "Dong Wook wanted to protect you and you want to protect CEO Kang, you love them in different ways." I loved Kang Min Ho's interactions with literally everyone, but the relationship between Kang Min Ho and Ma Tae Suk was so sweet n' precious while also being laugh out loud hilarious, they made me smile so much!
Oh Woo Sik, played by Lee Si Eon, is my other honorable mention (as I do not want to go through the entire cast). He added just the right doses of humor to every scenario! Kang Min Ho and Oh Woo Sik bounced off of each other so well, the amount of sass they gave each other, the woman advice that Woo Sik kept giving Min Ho, priceless! Also the prank they play on Soon Jung, "Who are you? I'm your dad." Like how did they even think of that lol - beyond hilarious.
Oh and the whole Captain Hook, Wendy (Jo Eun Ji) & Tinker Bell nickname thing was so just the cherry on top of a perfect trio.
There are so many parts of the plot that on paper, could have been so cheesy, but execution is everything and this drama really demonstrates that. Falling for Innocence reminded me what I love so much about KDramas, and it is that when done well, even the most unrealistic of happenings can seem so fathomable and understandable. There were predictable parts but there were also parts that threw me off, I am not going to say the plot was the most original because it wasn't, but it didn't have to be. A standard plot done well easily surpasses an original plot done poorly. The characters are what makes this drama great and they are what sets it apart as something original. I also have to applaud this one for keeping the pacing. This KDrama does not drag and at the end I was left wanting more, which should always be the case.
This drama sat in my plan to watch list for way too long and I am so glad I finally went ahead and watched it. If you are a fan of romance I STRONGLY recommend this one.
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Don't feel guilty about it
'Falling for Innocence' is typically the kind of drama that quickly starts as 'not bad' and end up quite enjoyable overall, even if far from perfection. While the story is not exactly the strong point of the drama, that's still a story worth following, considering the surprises to the viewers along the way. There's some kind of mix between clichés and 'not so clichés' scenes and situations there, that will keep up the greed and desire of the audience to the last episode. So that's already some kind of success for any drama, isn't it ?One thing to notice, as minor as it is, is that the female lead being a little older than the male main role seems to bring something a bit refreshing and challenging. As if the others characters around her have to keep up with her, doing their very best to stay on her path. I really liked it, although I'm not entirely sure as to why exactly.
And since the drama is done without too much technical issues (here and there, for example, forgiving a mic that comes into camera view for a few milliseconds ^^), that was quite an enjoyable show.
Then, this drama is an easy recommandation, especially if you're not expecting too much from it and if you miss the thrills of some other popular drama you've just finished before.
I think you will spend some good time, and if that's all you're wishing for, 'Falling for Innocence' could be the right thing to fall for.
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We all must already know by now that (not all though) kdramas aren't exactly the most accurate depiction of certain areas, medical being perhaps the main one. Falling For Innocence is not above that. With an almost fantasy-like plot (if not outright fantasy), FFI however is a good romance, with good characters and interactions.
This drama presents the same formula we are all tired to see: a rich jerk romancing a plucky, cheerful woman who, for reasons, intrigues him and defies everything he stands for. No matter how mean or rude he acts towards her, they will end up falling in love anyways because...well, it wouldn't be a kdrama if they didn't. The one thing that differentiates this drama is that the girl fiancee's heart is on the jerk and he starts to feel for her even though his mind says otherwise. It's an interesting plot point, unrealistic, but still interesting.
Apart from the typical romance, we also have a very typical revenge ploy where the jerk aims to make "justice" by exposing and depowering the ones who wronged his family when he was just a child (althought I'm almost convinced he did, at first, just to avenge his hurt pride). One more cliché to the list. Oh, and we can't forget the jerk has a "sad, sob worth past so that his actions are somehow explained (or even excused, though I beg to differ)"
Add some predictable mystery on the line and then we have Falling For Innocence.
However, despite all it's clichés and predictabilities, I liked it. I liked the characters, mainly Min Ho. He basically steals the show, even when he's behaving like a rude jerk and one step of being a sociopath. Jung Kyung Ho knows how to perfectly balance his character's manchild's antics with the angst required for someone who is, firstly, nearly dying and then suddenly discovering life again and how much of a horrible person he used to be. Unlike many rich jerk leads, his change actually is believable.
Kim So Yeon is good, but not outstanding. Like I said, this show is basically JKH's. But it was good to see a different sort of candy girl, who isn't entirely stupid or unbelievably clueless or kind. She's firm when necessary, but also has a gentle and positive mind. And when she faces angst, it actually feels natural. It was a refreshing role to see KSY in, althought I didn't see many of her drama. I watched and hated her inI Need Romance 3 (actually I hated that drama in general) so much I was skeptical at first, but she won me over and showed that yes, she still can take a place in my list of good korean actresses.
The supporting cast was also good, I have to say that I didn't quite like how they turned Yoon Hyun Min's character on an outright villain, with little to no redeemable features. I liked him in the beginning, he was a good contrast to Min Ho's manchild, but then for some reason the writers decided to make him downright evil because...evil mwahahaha. And the main leads need another obstacle (?). It would be much better if instead of creating a monster, they created someone who, still antogonistic, had more personality other than being the psycho.
Also, the office babbles bored me sometimes. You see, I'm not here entirely for the fluff (although it's 60% of the reason), but the business part of this drama was boring. So boring I found myself switching attention for other things. Luckily I think they noticed this and by the middle to the end of the drama focused much more on the characters, and the fun part of business a.k.a ploys to humiliate/take down business (yeah, I like that)
Aside from some shortcomings though, I have to say that I liked the general message of this drama. Actually, it has a lot of good aesops or at least some leads for you to think over. My favorite must the "If there's no love in your heart, then life is not worth" or something among these lines. Cute. I'll put that on my Tumblr later.
The music was forgetable. Seriously, I can't even remember one OST. Maybe I'm not as good of a reviewer as think I am, but if I'm watching a drama the OSTs has to catch my attention, even if just one.
Rewatch value? Hmmm, I'll also admit I'm definitely not one to rewatch a drama (It's also actually one of my drama viewer's almost rules, besides never watch a currently airing drama, but those I don't always follow). However, I can see myself watching it again in a distant future when I'm too bored or dimotivated to look for dramas. It would be a good pick if I wanted a not so serious drama.
All in all FFI has a lot of flaws, but I enjoyed and even binged, that's why the rating is relatively high. JKH is definitely on the way to become one of my favorite actors (I'm just loving him in Prison Playbook and plan to watch his other stuff), and I don't dislike KSY. Also, Min Ho's antics about love when he was heartbroken were the best.
And this drama is quotable af.
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This drama came to me one night when I had absolutely nothing to do and was still suffering from Goblin and Healer withdrawal syndrome. Perhaps because in my very young lifetime, I have been through company mergers & acquisitions twice: the first as a director of the company originally owned by the investment firm with majority stakes to the merger & acquisition, hence I was part of the integration team to ensure the other company we ate up seamlessly blended to our big picture, and second as part of the consultants that a global investment company (similar to Gold Partners!) brought in, later to be integrated as part of senior management, to make the recently-acquired company profitable for selling later on.
I think this background was primarily why this drama got me hooked. I loved how the writer kept upping the stakes so the business-side of the drama ended up riveting and actually complementary to the romance story line, not disjointed and unrealistic as that of, say, Doctors. I am glad the writer did not dumb us down (in fact, my cousin and I started having serious discussions about financial markets and financial instruments because of this drama!)
I have seen complaints about how Kim So Yeon's character, Kim Sun Jeong (KSJ), felt awkwardly flat and powerless, but I think the reaction stems from the perspective that this is a story about the two main leads, its hero and heroine. However, when you come to think of it, and if KSJ's internal monologue during the last few minutes of the final episode is any indication, this is Jung Kyung Ho's character, Kang Min Ho (KMH), story-- his evolution from being the best heartless corporate raider in the planet to being a competent and selfless CEO who also happens to find time to still love. Please view the story with this type of lens. It will make the entire series justified and enjoyable.
And then the star of the show, Jung Kyung Ho. I can totally see how his face and overall appearance made him perfect for his cruel and angtsy role in Cruel City but to take on the role of KMH showed his range. In his first incarnation, he was much like his role in Cruel City (although of course since this is also a rom-com, his sporadic childish outbursts in front of his trusted secretary Oh Woo Shik made his cruel side a touch lovable) and as the episodes progressed, the more I understood and empathized at why this man-child acted the way he acted. Towards the middle, we see Jung Kyung Ho act like a man “possessed”— keeping his character as KHM still true to character but resisting his changes every step of the way. By the time we get to his third incarnation, which I fondly call KMH 2.0, we see him channel his cruel intelligence into a more positive light while also making sure he has time for love. Jung Kyung Ho was so great, the alternative title should have been [Audience] Falling for Kang Min Ho (see what i did there).
Anyway, if you want an intelligent drama where the characters don’t fall out of character and the settings the characters were in were given due respect, take some time to watch this drama. The first couple of episodes may feel slow (really, things only started moving faster after the heart operation) but hold on to your horses cos this drama might just take you in for a surprising ride.
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This review may contain spoilers
This K-drama was so full of heart (pun intended) that I watched it again, and the second time with my teen-age nieces and nephew. This is a story of a man who focuses his life on getting revenge before he dies of heart disease, instead he gets a heart transplant, and then he begins to change as a person. He falls in love, develop friendships, finds a purpose, and (dare we hope) a happy ending. Jung Hyung Ho plays Kang Min-Ho up to all kinds of corporate shenanigans to ensure the company his father built, and his uncle stole was destroyed. May I say that Jung Kyung Ho was hilarious and got funnier with each episode, seconded only by his trusty side-kick Woo-Sik. The trio of Min-Ho, Woo-Sik, and Ok Hyun were amusing as Captain Hook, Tinker Bell, and Wendy. Yoon Hyun Min did very well as the friend turned not-so-nice guy and his story line of the progression from good to bad was believable. The budding relationship between Min-Ho and Soon-Jung was sweet and well played out. Still, most of the scenes were stolen by the funny comedic timing of Jung Hyung Ho. I hope to find another show with him playing such a well-rounded and entertaining character. The other supporting characters were well developed and well played in this upbeat K-drama. Please note that I prefer all bad guys eventually get punished for their misdeeds and this show did not disappoint in that regard.
The music and camera work enhanced the story and did not detract from it. I found little about this show to complain about as long as I’m a person easily entertained by lighthearted comedy and drama, and I am. If anyone reading this review prefers to watch a serious drama with lots of angst. This is show is not one for you. While there is a smattering of serious scenes, the majority of the show can only be described as moderately paced fun with interesting characters and witty dialogue (keep in mind my dialogue was subtitles). I love that there was a moral to the story, especially at the end. Please give me more K-dramas like this.
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Now apart from the "Yeah, I know it will turn out like this" story, what makes this drama worth your time? It's the acting. Should I restate how good Jung Kyung Ho played his character here? And Kim So Yeon also did a very amazing job with her role. For awhile, I really shipped this couple and really believe that maybe somewhere in Korea and sometime near in the future they really love each other and is getting married soon (LOL).
This really is a good drama worth watching just because of the chemistry and acting from the main actors, especially Jung Kyung Ho. I know I will be start watching all his previous dramas, because of what he had offered in Falling for Innocence.
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