I came into this drama for Yeo Jin Goo, and he definitely did not disappoint. In fact I could not think of other replacements for any of the other actors who played the main characters from Ma Wang Joon, Eum Da Da and to Diana. They really did justice to their parts, although admittedly their characters can be lacking in many ways which would be explained below.
First off, some people are bothered by Ma Wang Joon's action as he acted as the over obsessive guy who could not accept that his ex-girlfriend has moved on. Indeed, he can be a very annoying pushover at times, but his actions are well justified for anyone else who would have been at his place. Therefore, although I understand why some people may be really bothered by him, I am by no means annoyed at his character and actions.
Second, Diana's character is the one that has the most potential to really elevate this drama but was wasted and under-utilized. Diana has motives, but the background to the present self was bland and uninteresting, and that was exactly how they concluded her character in the end as well. She said sorry for her evil actions but certainly did not look regretful at all. It's a real pity that such an opportunity to create an interesting character out of Diana was not properly delivered.
Eum Da Da and Young Gu's relationship feels nice and warm, but there is still the unavoidable lingering question of whether or not their love was real. I get it that the writers tried really hard to make us believe that their love was real to stay true to the original premise of the drama, but I can't help but find it a bit superficial. An AI robot may be able to gather the data intelligence about what is love and what maketh love among human, but he would never be able to experience the feeling. Therefore instead of thinking that Young Gu is Eum Da Da's real love, I would think that it is actually more appropriate if the writers make it clear that Young Gu's purpose is more to teach her about love, rather than give her love. That part just doesn't seem right to me.
In that sense, I am more in resonance with how the writers of Are You Human Too has made the character of Nam Shin III a bit more realistic, where he admits that he knows what is love, but he can't give it back because he does not know how it feels until the end. What he was able to provide instead was accompany, support, comfort and friendship which could have also worked very well here in this drama, instead of trying to convince us that they Da Da and Young Gu are indeed a couple in love.
I also have a discussion with fellow MDL user (Kate) who mentioned that the gradual process of learning, understanding and developing human-like feelings by Zero Nine felt more ambiguous in this drama, and not as good as expressed in Are You Human Too (Nam Shin III) where he learnt human emotions by asking a lot of questions mainly to his eomma, David, Kang So Bong and his secretary.
Another thing I was really bothered by was the lack of attention to detail with regard to how Zero Nine's skin actually looks on screen. Even when I am streaming at 480p definition, I could clearly see the textural impurities of Young Gu's facial skin especially in the second half of the drama onwards. This frustrated me to no ends because only a human's skin can have such textures! In that sense, the visual director in Are You Human Too did a much better job in comparison because I remember they completely airbrushed the facial skin of Nam Shin III compared to the human character.
Other than that, I'm actually glad I watched this because even though the rating in South Korea was really bad that they had to cut down four episodes, it was not entirely nonsensical, and there are many love lessons that were delivered beautifully in this drama, such as the importance of appreciating and spending quality time with your partner while you are together, always caring for the other person when you are in a relationship, and being respectful of your friend's decision and continue to advise/support them, but remember that you cannot control their lives. The way the main character's relationship was written may be lacking, but the storyline itself is pretty solid and satisfying.
The BGMs are fantastic, in fact I will remember this drama for a long time because I really love their OST especially by Lena Park - Like a Starlight. Rewatch value is average-to-high for me because I think I will miss the early happy and cute parts of Young Gu and Da Da at some point and will certainly revisit them in the future.
Note: I actually watched this drama twice because I mistakenly watched the cut 36 episodes version instead of the international version of 40 episodes (both versions are available on the streaming site so it was confusing). Nevertheless, I can safely say that you won't miss anything important if you watch the 36 episodes version only.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Beautiful Guilty Pleasure Of Mine
This drama left me in tears within the last few episodes! I cried ugly tears! I began watching this drama because I thought that it will be a light hearted drama that was mainly cheesy and fun. Since I have been previously watching some heartbreaking dramas before starting this one. But I didn’t expect to get so invested in the storyline of all the characters that the drama introduces to us throughout the drama. I especially love our main male lead Zero Nine or Young-Goo!!! His actor brings this robot character to life!I found myself smiling watching him grow as a character and watching Young-Goo become more human than some of the human characters. I know some viewers had a problem with the fact that he was a robot in a relationship with the female lead Eom Da-Da, but I honestly felt he was more human towards her than her ex Ma Wang-Joon! Young-Goo definitely gives this drama life!
Our female lead Eom Da-Da is a good female lead that I grown to love over the course of the drama. I liked how she reacted to being thrown into this whole situation! It felt real and like how most people would react. I loved watching her love blossom with Young-Goo and how she found real love. I would say my only complaint about her is that I would personally find myself getting frustrated at some of the things she does!
Ma Wang-John is a character I found myself going back and forth between loving and hating! He creates so many issues for our mains! I also felt that his whole reasoning for trying to get Eom Da-Da back wasn’t because he suddenly found himself back in love again! I thought it felt more like he didn’t like the fact that she moved on so quickly with something that he couldn’t understand. But that’s just how I felt!
Now let me tell you one of my major complaints! I felt that the antagonists of the drama were not written as well as I would have wanted! Diana was a very interesting character who could have been used so much more and better to impact the story! I felt that there was barely any growth for her as a character towards the end. She was kinda just there to throw a wrench into Eom Da-Da and Young-Goo love and that’s it!
I loved watching the love blossom between the two mains and felt myself growing with them! I cried in the end with many feelings and I know a lot of people don’t like the ending of the drama and at first I didn’t either. But as it has now settled in on me I think it’s the perfect ending for this drama. Young-Goo gets to remain the human he has become by keeping the memories he made with his girlfriend. Eom Da-Da learns that real love does exist in the world and to fight for what you believe is what good for you! Ma Wang-Joon moves on from his obsession with Eom Da-Da and becomes more human! And the endings up for viewer interpretation of who is there with Eom Da-Da! I loved going on this roller coaster of emotions!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
First of all, I enjoyed this drama very much and I simply don't understand the hate it has got. Though I feel like most of it came from international fans, since Korean comments on naver seemed to be positive.As for the story there were times that the drama was a little boring and had some unnecessary moments. For example instead of all these interactions between Ma Wand Joon and Da Da, they could have spent more time on developing the relationship Da Da had with Young Goo. I also would like more about YG - him developing emotions and ability to feel needs etc. But overall I loved the story.
Everyone was very well played. I especially liked Yoo Jin (Da Da's male friend). I loved every scene with him, since he was such a happy and lovable person. Every actress and actor did a great job portraying their characters. YG was a cute and devoted to his girlfriend robot - you just can't not like him. I feel like after developing emotions he was just like any other human being - able to think on his own and feel. Da Da at first really irritated me, because all she did in the first episodes was being mean to YG. BUT that's probably reasonable since she was still heartbroken after her seven-year-relationship ended and she hasn't trusted YG yet. With time she opened and let YG into her heart, although it was very hard since MWJ was still obsessed with her, saying things he shouldn't. MWJ was messing with Da Da's head and it was very irritating to watch. He couldn't understand that the right thing to do is to let go his ex and just stop, so she can be happy once again. Diana's character was unbearable. You just feel the need to slap the devil out of her. No need to say that the actress did a great job playing her, I'm just a little disappointed that we didn't get to see much of Diana's personality changing. As for the other characters I need to say that I enjoyed watching Nam Bo Won's and Yeo Woong's funny relationship. It was hilarious at times and it made me laugh a lot.
All in all, it was an okay drama with many cute, funny and sad moments.
Was this review helpful to you?
I try to keep and open mind and go without any expectation at all and most of the times, i end up being surprised in so many good ways :D (some bad too but that doesnt happen very often lol)
This drama was a nice surprise. It has major flaws, yes and it could have been a much bigger and better show. BUT they still did an amazing job within this subject. I have seen other similar dramas and this one was way better to watch for me.
To my understanding, the main couple of the story was the female lead DaDa and her ex and the robot was the 2nd male lead and that psyco bish the 2nd female lead who is only in the drama to make me cringe a lot??!? XDDDD
Either way even if i'm wrong let's just go with it and wing it anyway XD
People say they felt no chemistry between the female lead and the robot....i mean, seriously? Are you blind?
They have complex characters and i actually think they did a great job acting them.
The female lead is such a conflicted soul, i could relate to her, giving away all your life to someone for years, your unconditional love and even tho he loved her too (she still loved him more and sacrificed even more for him too) he didn't apreciate what he had until she decided it was enough, that she was no longer happy being the one loving for 2 and not getting as much commitment from his part. I know her ex had some reasons to act the way he did and to how he thought by doing such things he was protecting her but in the end he was protecting his career and himself more than actually thinking about her feelings on the long run. I could smell disaster from a mile away and sadly it's what happens. But then she found solice in another lost soul like her (the robot guy) and they both unlocked things on each other, they became more human while sharing life's hardships and daily struggles. She became stronger and a better person because of him and he also became more human because of her kindness and because she treated him as an equal, a person.
The actor that plays the robot really did a good job, i actually fell in love with his character little by little as he himself discovered the world around him, what he was capable of within his program and off of it, what he could become and how he showed more sympathy and emotions than his fellow humans. The journey he goes through to become human so to speak it's hard and sad but at the same time beautiful. His program and design was to be a love bot, a toy to be used and discarted after but in the end he became so much more, thanks to her!
And his maker, who was such a silly goofball but such a kind hearted guy, loved his pairing with the manager too, such cuties XD
And lets not even get started with that Diana character because i wanted to murder her every single time i layed eyes on her XD I felt some sympathy for her at one time or another but my god, she got on my nerves so badly!! lol
What i'm trying to say after all this, is that i was actually on the edge of my seat rooting for the conflicted girl and the lonely robot the entire show! I shipped them so hard you guys won't even believe. I was actually starting to be upset just considering that they might not even end up together at the end or be together at all. I was devastated. I really liked the idea of them as a couple, they were a match and they were better together, as humans, as persons and as 2 pieces of the same puzzle. I wanted them together and couldn't care less about her ex or that psyco girl, all i cared about was for my babies to be given a chance to be human, to be seen as an equal, as a person who is capable of helping others, of finding love and to be able to live a happy life. So i ended up fully invested in this drama even tho i had no kind of expectations for it XD
Not many dramas do that for me nowadays, so it was a good one for me to watch and i recomend it.
You might like it or not, depends on your tastes and what you like to watch.
But it's so underrated in my opinion.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Cute and Emotional
I don't know why I got so invested in this story exactly, but maybe the actors are just that good.I actually cried in the last few episodes, and I am not someone who will cry for anything (maybe tear up, but with this I was sobbing).
The plot is somewhat simple when it comes to romance stories, but there is the twist that the ML is actually a robot who starts to develop human emotions. I went into it thinking it would be cute and funny - which it was - but I ended up staying because even the moments with the side characters were endearing and funny.
The shining star is of course Yeo Jin Goo as the robot Zero Nine, who is designed to give love, but starts to want to receive love and feel real feelings of longing and jealousy as well. However, the development of these emotions might actually cause his own destruction as a robot is not equipped to have these. I just couldn't help but want him to be happy and loved the whole way through.
I feel like the FL gets bashed a lot on the comments about this show, because at first she is a little mean to the robot ML, but I understand her point of view - she was hurting from a previous break up of a long term relationship and she felt that love wasn't a real thing that could last. Slowly she starts to grow and warm up to the ML and it's lovely to see it happen.
As I said before, the side characters were also really interesting and I think the actors did such a good job. Even though I loved the ML so much I couldn't help but second lead syndrome for Hong Jong Hyun. Also, Hong Seo Young is really good as the villain, because she is absolutely hateful (the villain Diana is up there with Dolores Umbridge on levels of hatefulness in my opinion).
The only thing I was a little disappointed in was the ending, as I which it had been more clear either way (happy or sad or bittersweet), but it didn't take away from all the enjoyment I got from watching the show.
Was this review helpful to you?
Absolute Trash
This is just my opinion I have nothing against the actors and those who enjoyed this drama.It was a chore to finish this drama and I had to push myself to do it. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.I knew this probably wouldn’t be the most deep,complex thrilling story and would be very cheesy but I made the mistake of thinking it would’ve been enjoyable NOPE just very frustrating.The female lead was very annoying and the ending pissed me off.But I will say one thing I think the acting was pretty good and the actors tried to do the best they could with the script they were given and I look forward to seeing them in better dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Loved it, its a 10 for me! - despite the reviews
This actually caught me by surprise, I loved the story and the message it told. All things happen for a reason, she needed to be loved and therefore enters the ML Yung Goo. The one thing we all have to remember she was never lied to, she always knew who and what he was. She accepted him because of his genuine actions and that was the difference between him and Ma Wang Joon. Ma Wang Joon was too busy being a celebrity and had his head in the clouds. He could not separate real life from work. He never once chose her. It frustrated Ma Wang Joon because he had to watch and as Yung Goo always chose her. No matter what Yung Goo goal was, it was in her (Eom Da Da) best interest all the way to the end. The personal growth of the characters is the main point of the story. There had to be challenges in order to inspire them to develop into the people they are meant to be. This show did an excellent job showing pure love is necessary and that it will change people but only when they are ready to grow and accept it. It is a must watch and rewatch, I give it a 10.Was this review helpful to you?
Light, Fluffy, Fun, Mostly
Short: Really enjoyed it, it's primarily a light fluffy and fun romcom that doesn't really innovate or try anything different, but sticks to formula and does a good job. Only seemed to be one or two tracks of music but they were good :) A couple of annoying characters that you just have to live with, made up for by the leads who were excellent.Detail...
Bang Min Ah - i've seen her in "Beautiful Gong Shim" and thought she was a really interesting actress, I really like her voice, her manner and acting style, but it always takes more than one drama to really get a better idea of an actors range and talent. This would be my second drama with her in and all it's done is boost my impression. During scenes when she's crying, she's genuinely giving off all the right emotions through her movement, facial expression, even colours of her face, much like Jang Na Ra, when she cries she's all in. As these kinds of moments are some of my favourite (which sounds odd, I know, but I like the sad scenes, no idea why...), how the actors portray them is much more important to me than other scenes. I saw some other reviewers note that it felt like she was warming up to this role as it went along and I would probably agree, she definitely gets better and better as the drama progresses.
The story itself isn't going to do anything innovative or set the world on fire, but neither do I think every drama has to do that either. It's fairly formulaic but does a good job in execution.
Two characters drove me up the wall. Ma Wang Joon, the top-star / ex boyfriend, is just a horrible example of a man in my eye. The way he denies their break up, constantly tries to get back together with her when she's clearly with someone else, ugh, it was just a bit pathetic to watch. Diana, the psycho who orders the robots so she can destroy them. There was more potential for Diana's character, I felt there was a potential arc for her redemption but it wasn't explored, after building her up to being someone truly awful she just kinda fizzles out.
I thought the little side thing going on between Yeo Woong and Bo Won was fun.
The general trajectory of this one is building up a wonderful love between the two leads, but it's a love that has many challenges to overcome, some of which may be insurmountable. Ultimately, the last few episodes will have you crying a river, and all the more meaningful because of all the escapades and history that you build up throughout the previous episodes in the story.
As this one was concluding, I was thinking to myself - if you're going to take the story one way then you need to get on with it to do it justice, or commit to where it's currently heading... it keeps going... last few minutes i'm thinking - don't do it, don't screw it up... and then in the last like, 1 minute, well, i have no idea WHAT happened. So, my recommendation is... just watch up until she goes to see him at the end and then stop as soon as that scene is over :)
Lead cast were great, some of the other characters weren't fantastic but I think the cast did a good job of representing them - SO disappointed Diana didn't become more, the actress did a great job. Music - felt like there was only one or two actual tracks in this (i'm sure there was more) because the title song comes up ALL the time... it's ok though, it's a good song :) Story is good except for that last minute derail and side step into "what!?" land.
Definitely recommend it, primarily for the romance between the two leads, and for Min Ah's wonderful performances as the story progresses.
Was this review helpful to you?
I did skip the abuses of the villainess as it triggers my childhood, but I understand it's the plot device why a robot built to love needs to be protected. I take this as a science FICTION fantasy so I can picture a state of the art robot that feels, couples adopt or opt out of parenthood, plus the premise is not so different than an alien from the star who never ages. After giving her all for love during the past seven years without ever being acknowledged as a girlfriend, does the female lead now DESERVE to be called Girlfriend openly and be loved openly and unconditionally? The exceptional writers do present the question: If a robot built to love starts to evolve real feelings, can it fry its circuits by loving too much? Can a HUMAN love too much? I really enjoyed the developing romance, superb cast, laughed and smiled at this romantic comedy. Reading the mixed reactions to this drama, it evokes strong feelings of pros or con in people. Thanks to everyone who made this wonderful Kdrama possible, especially Viki and the subtitles team.
UPDATE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE ENDING: Her kiss was his miracle and his finger moved like someone coming out of a coma. He kept his promise to be with her in the first snowfall. He was very adamant about keeping his promises to her. For her sake always, he was moving every minute, according to his maker. It wasn't the actor because she said very clearly that only the robot taught her what REAL love is. The male lead Zero Nine had stated, "You were my miracle," and her kiss becomes his MIRACLE again.
Thanks to the amazing writers who know how to use creative license to bring Viki viewers a happy ending! If a fantasy romance with an EXCEPTIONAL robot superhuman doesn't fit your taste, then by all means imagine it's the actor for I would still consider that a happy ending if he could actually sacrifice his career for her. The writers are not forcing anyone, but too many people are stumped at the ending and I've seen great dramas rated low for "what was that?" reaction to endings when the writers did a super job! What would the world be like if gluten-free people were forced to eat wheat bread or a fantasy romance was forced into a reality show? What really makes us human? ISN'T IT OUR ABILITY TO THINK AND FEEL? Our body can remain but if our mind and feelings go, isn't the person a "vegetable"?
Zero Nine was definite that his love for Da Da was NOT due to his programming, otherwise it would never have been hard on his system! Thus the writers made him more than a robot. How many people operate on a batterized part, a pacemaker, a titanium plate around the brain or metal legs, arms? If we are cruel and feelingless, aren't we LESS than human?
BTW a yellow umbrella is a Kdrama trope, classic or staple thing found in Love Rain, Missing You 2013, Because It's the First Time, She was Pretty, Splash Splash Love, Madame Antoine, Tomorrow with You, Liar and His Lover, Go Back Couple, Hwayugi, Are You Human 2018, Radio Romance, The Best Hit, The Secret Life of My Secretary, etc. Rain is a "pathetic fallacy" in Kdrama tropes, the attribution of human feelings and responses to inanimate things, used especially in art and literature, because rain commiserates with heartache. THEN comes the umbrella which simply means a dramatic scene to be remembered OR RELIEF FROM HEARTACHE. First snowfall often correlates to hope in Kdramas
Was this review helpful to you?
My Absolute Boyfriend had me absolute-ly hooked!
This drama never dragged, and I was always focused and excited for what would happen next. A drama about a “love robot” could’ve been downright goofy, but it strikes a good balance between laughs and hijinks versus tension and deeper emotion. If the ML doesn't charm you, you must be dead inside: he's sweet and earnest and sincere, but also intense and passionate where it counts. His deadpan humor was gold, and when he turned serious I deeply cared about his struggles and feelings. The FL is cute and relatable, and the 2ML can be difficult and flawed but with a good overall character arc. The supporting cast is great, they’re funny and feel like unique individuals rather than blurring together as mere padding for the leads’ story. Likewise, the villain is unique and creepy in a good way. I have my quibbles with the ending - would've been 9 stars if not for that - but I'm not going to let the last 10 minutes erase my enjoyment of the previous 20 hours!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I actually enjoyed watching this drama. While it was interesting to watch there were parts that did drag a bit. The acting was really good, especially Yeo Jin Goo. His ability to express emotion (just by making a face or through body language) was phenomenal and there were times when I really thought Young Goo was a robot and other times where I forgot he was one. He was also very adorable and funny.
I liked most of the cast and enjoyed the funny moments, but I did not like the CEO (he was abusive and very warped mentally), Diana (she added nothing to the show), Ma Wang Joo, and Da Da's unni. The last two were insufferable. They were constantly asking Da Da questions that were none of their concern, they were rude to Young Goo, they would pop up at her house unannounced and just walk in, stick their nose where it didn't belong, try to tell her what to do and how to live her life, etc. For these four characters, I skipped through their scenes because they were irrelevant.
Overall, I do recommend this drama and it is likely that I may watch it again.
Was this review helpful to you?
