From the first episode I knew I was going to like this drama. It starts off with Yun Hee as a high school student, taken out of an orphanage by a friend of her father. She's taken into his rich family and inherits an arrogant step mother, an annoying step sister and a creep step brother. Typical Cinderella start out. But the story progresses little by little until Yun Hee is already half way through college. The time gaps, I will note, did confuse me a little. They're implied by change of hair or change of events, it's not stated how much time has passed, rather something you have to pick up on yourself.
The story overall was good. While nowadays it may be clichéd, Star in My Heart was one of the dramas that paved the way for modern Kdramas. To me, I found it really refreshing and a nice change of pace. There wasn't the over amount of angst and drama, but rather just the right amount. Another thing I loved was the lack of confusion between the leads. There was some, but they understood each other. And the love triangle is really hardly there at all. But it didn't take away from the drama at all, actually it made me like it more.
The acting was done really well. Choi Jin Sil did an excellent job as Yun Hee, and I was really sad to hear about her death. Yun Hee was a character who stood up for herself. She had her limits and didn't let the petty things get to her. And the actress also portrayed someone else in the drama, really contrasted her original character. Ahn Jae Wook as Min Hee was also really well done. I loved his character! He has such an amazing voice, too, and I'm pretty sure he was singing live during the show. Most of the times in modern dramas it's often lip synching through audio when it's supposed to be live. Cha In Pyo as Joon Hee was also a favorite. Not getting as much screen time until later on, but becoming one of the most important characters in this drama. His character was always supportive and he knew what he was doing as a leader.
Other characters, such as Yi Hwa, Yi Ban and their mother did their roles fine. Yi Hwa was probably the most annoying character in the drama, but her mother followed closely behind. Yi Ban was annoying, but I found his character pathetic and wimpy and couldn't help but laugh at his character on screen at serious moments.
The music was the best part of the drama. The soundtrack has become a favorite of mine now. As I mentioned above, Ahn Jae Wook has an amazing voice! Such songs as "Forever" and "Hurt" have lingered in my head even after I finished watching. The theme song "Always Beside You" is also nice. As are all the instrumentals.
I don't normally rewatch that many dramas, simply because there's always a drama I haven't seen calling my name, but I can see myself rewatching this one some time down the road. As I mentioned before, it was a refreshing and nice break from the modern Kdrama.
Overall, I would recommend this drama to anyone looking for a change of pace or something that would nowadays be lesser known. If you're the type who doesn't like to watch older dramas, maybe because of the quality, then maybe this is not for you. The quality I found to watch I felt was good for a drama 15 years old. You're not going to get much better than that unless you buy the drama.
I think I'll always picture the leads look the way they did in this drama.
If you do decide to watch it, keep in mind that the fashion may not be what you consider "good" simply because the styles have really changed since then. The lack of cellphones as well. Only one character had one in this drama. And the difference in the sound of the music. I, personally, love a lot of things from the nineties so I loved the music. But I understand that may not be the case for some.
Anyways, hope this review convinces you to check it out! It's worth that much at least (:
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The story was not unique, however, I like some of these older dramas because they have more realistic love scenes. No chicken peck kisses. I actually enjoyed when they replayed the love scenes to the beautiful, haunting music. My only complaint is that the writer didn't tie up all the complications at the end, although the ending was beautiful and memorable.
This is a "feel good" romance drama that you will want to rewatch.
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The story is nothing extraordinary- poor girl gets thrown into the rich world, there are the usual villains that are evil just cause, but what I liked about this series is that it gets the "work hard for your dreams" message across in a genuine way. It was also refreshing not to see that much unecessary angst and noble idiocy as it is the case today. Highlight for me, apart from the music where the instrumental themes stand out, was Cha In Pyo as Joon Hee- probably one of the most calming and composured presences I've ever encounted in a drama. That doesn't mean the other two leads are far behind; AJW was a sweetheart with a brilliant, raspy voice and CJS who had to pull off a double role too for a few epis was very good; I was sad to learn of her death.
Generally it has its flaws and a bit of a rushed ending but it's an okay drama that will make you nostalgic for the old times. I'd rec it to people that want a change of pace and want to watch a series without having to think too much except wanting to spit on the villains because holy hell, were they annoying!
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I was hooked from the first episode. I am a dear fan of clichés and THIS drama is the Godmother of clichés, it basically started the kdrama romance formula.. The two main leads, Choi Jin Shil and Ahn Jae Wook, although not a lot of scenes filmed together, you can see the amazing chemistry whenever together. AND THAT LAST SCENE *cries with happiness*(my FAVOURITE ending in a kdrama ever). I must admit, Choi Jin Shil had amazing chemistry with both male leads, so I would of been fine with either male lead ending up with her. Cha In Pyo's character was such a refreshing 2nd male lead...it was nice that we didn't end up have a messy love triangle.
Although some questions in this drama were unanswered. I liked majority of the plot, this could have gone in so many different ways so glad it didn't become a dark heavy mess, it had just the right amount of romance and the right amount of agnst to still be enjoyable and keep up interest. Even though there are some characters you would like them to act their age it was still good, and when they get their karma it feels very satisfying. This is a type of drama you can rewatch any day and have that feel good feeling with a splash of nostalgia.
I think what helped me enjoy this drama was three main factors; 1. The acting. 2. The music. and 3. THE 90'S HAIRSTYLES AND FASHION!!!! I LOVE 1990's hairstyles(weird, I know) and the fashion, it is a BIG yes from me. If todays actors had Ahn Jae Wook & Cha In Pyo's hairstyles I would watch it just for that hahahaha. I downloaded the OST and now a massive fan of Ahn Jae Wook.
All in all I really loved this drama. This will have a special place in my heart.
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More than a bit dated, but this Halyu 1.0 provides great insight into the current state of kdramas
I watched this based on a recommendation from an Instagrammer, but it wasn't showing on any of my regular streaming services. I finally found it on a sketchy site (that will remain unnamed) that forces popups at you with nearly every click anywhere on the screen. (The popups ranged from benign looking Walmart ads to a variety of porn sites.) The production of this drama is extremely dated, featuring very artsy harsh lighting, deep shadows, odd tracking shots, heavy use of fish-eye lens, and all sorts of wacky (straight out of film school) camera angles. The brooding ML has a terrible reverse mullet haircut (party in front, business in back), which I think must have been a 90s/early 00s asian thing. And in a weird twist, the FL actress, Choi Jin Shil, plays two different characters: the love interests of both MLs. (There is a minor plot point that spins on the physical similarities of the two characters.) All sorts of OG tropes in this Halyu 1.0 drama. Rich boy/poor girl, orphans, plucky girl makes good, mean parents, comically mean bullying step mom & step sister, piggy back rides, wrist grabs, and opened-eyed kisses. Taken in context, you can get an inkling of where kdramas are headed, but lovers of modern fare will be left underwhelmed.One of the things I like about watching these old dramas is the "where are they now" factor. And while Choi Jin Shill sadly passed away too young, two other actors in the drama have appeared in mainstream dramas in 2023. ML Ahn Jae Wook, plays the father of Choi Soo Young and the "new" boyfriend of her mom in Not Others, and the FL's best friend Jeon Do Yeon plays the love interest Jung Kyung Ho (Choi Soo Young's boyfriend of 10 years IRL) in Crash Course in Romance.
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A solid package
Rest in piece Choi Jin Shil. It breaks my heart watching her after knowing what she went through. She's a wonderful actress I will always remember. I've seen a handful of 90s drama and this one has definitely a unique style. More like a dreamy and melodic feel, from the color grading to the rocking motion of the camera to the jazzy edits and adequate dialogue. All three main leads were wonderfully written. They're independent with their own problems, they have their own world outside their interactions. This is a textbook on how to make main leads. Also, great OST.Was this review helpful to you?
