Completed
Sinasina
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 8, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers
I enjoyed watching this show very much, that said it's not as light as I thought it would be, based on the reviews I've read on this site. In fact I think the melodrama tag is completely justified, yes there were no major tragedies, even so there was a melodramatic vibe throughout the entire drama. (melodramatic music, many ppl being perpetually unhappy etc, cinematography)
Song Hye-kyo was really amazing, maybe this was her best acting performance to date. Usually in kdramas I really hate interactions with foreigners, because both the foreign actors (seriously where do they get those ppl?) & the Korean actors speaking English all embarrass themselves so much, that I find it hard to watch, here however the Cuban scenes were surprisingly good. The foreigners spoke English naturally with a normal-ish Spanish accent & our main characters were also speaking like how I would expect a normal Korean to speak English in real life, it was actually believable. The secretary lady & that fat driver were also awesome!

I could go on and on about the positives, but the other reviewers already mentioned all the important points, so I'll just list what I did not like:
1, The ML looked like a female version of Matt Damon. I'm completely used to effeminate looking male Hallyu stars, but this was on another level. (too heavy on the lipstick YO!)
2, There is an insane amount of twisted logic, like that retarded clause ..
3, I didn't like any of the 3 mothers
4, The end of episode 13 was unnecessary & for me that alone made episodes 14 & 15 meaningless fillers.
5, There is that side character that only has one role, which is to recommend that W drink to his coworkers (and to us obviously).
6, The second ML hasn't had a single scene without having teary eyes, I hated his character even without this but ..
7, The ending could've been longer & more satisfying. (still it was ok)

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Completed
N H
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 14, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.5
I dropped this after 8 episodes, before resuming my watch months later.
I thought it became rather stale at that time, but the development picked up quite a bit in the second half.

There's nothing groundbreaking in the story and the writing is pretty average.
What saved this drama was the directing, which elevated the writing above what it was.
Chemistry was very good, which was unexpected for me since I couldn't see it by their visuals alone.
They make quite lovely onscreen couple, SHK and PBG.

I love love love the OSTs. Made way into my playlist which I kept on repeating for quite a while after I finished watching this drama.
Still listen to them sometimes now.

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Completed
NoobieFan
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 11, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
I think the best way to review Encounter is to talk about episode one. Absolutely phenomenal opening episode (in fact, the show is pretty amazing until episode 13-ish). The best I've ever really seen from Korean Dramas. The rich cinematography is right on display with the beautiful scenery of Cuba and South Korea. The great introduction for our main leads, allowing us to learn their motivations and dreams outside of the environment we'll typically see them in. Soo Hyun and Jin Hyuk's introduction and how two opposite people are able to connect so beautifully in a neutral zone and develop intense feelings for each other. Despite age, class, circumstances being worlds apart. It was a strong beginning and Encounter is able to mix usual K-Drama tropes, such as disapproving rich in-laws, themes on social class and the typical break up at the end only for the couple to get together, with good storytelling, great down to earth acting and scintillating chemistry. And not just sexual chemistry either because it's not that. It's certain chemistry that makes you feel like they make each other happy as human beings. It comes off so well and makes the show worth watching without factoring other plots and characters. Encounter is far from one-note. Don't get me wrong. There is plenty to love in this series. And while the finishing episodes aren't quite as strong, There is a good chunk of quality.

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Completed
gemmagyh
0 people found this review helpful
Apr 14, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5

This drama is a poem ??

If this drama is a poem, here's how I would love to write it:
The sun is about to set. You’ve been holding on for too long.
It’s the right time to end it all, you think.
You’ll be gone as soon as the sunset, you believe.
But as you close your eyes to surrender your pain and yourself to nothingness, he's there sitting next to you.
When you think you about to fall to the deep of the blue sea, he places your head to his shoulder.
That’s how you realize, the moon will keep you safe when it gets dark.
You could have some rest, forget about the world a little, but when you’re ready you could begin again.
The pain is there, but he and the night had helped you to heal, to become stronger, to walk with confidence since that encounter.

---

(Pardon my English skill, at least that's how I would describe this drama)

This drama shares the same feeling with painting or poetry. The narration doesn’t explain but visualizes the situation. It won’t be hard for you to put yourself in the main characters’ shoes because it’s all written in all the details you find in the drama: the setting, color grading, OST and even the words that have been carefully chosen for each scene.

I used to avoid melodrama. I haven't’ watched any melodrama before beside Something In The Rain and Be Melodramatic but I really love watching this one. This drama is so beautiful. Even though at some point I feel depressed, mostly it’s a beautiful thing that makes me cry throughout this drama. The main character of this drama makes me realize things I might have taken for granted and teach me how to be grateful. I feel like growing together with the female lead. That’s how strong the male lead character is. He is not that common "manly" type of man yet he makes you feel like being cheered up and protected. Overall, the mood of this drama is that time between sunset and sunrise spent with a hot cup of tea. I would love to rewatch again.

I know this review is so subjective. I’m just trying to be honest with my feeling because this drama feels so personal to me. You should definitely give it a shot, especially when you feel tired and discouraged.

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Completed
sloanefix
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 24, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Dreamy romance without the toxicity of classic kdramas

plot
though the series is not plot driven , we can say that it follows a hotel CEO that has been isolated her whole life and forced to shrink to fit into a certain image, to not upset her father's political career. so she had married the man they dictated and did the job that was expected of her. but she got out. and that's before the series start.

romance
the drama starts when a sweet man appears in her life and shares with her experiences she didn't have until now. even sharing a meal with her colleages wwas something foreign to her, but with his love and unwavering support she manages to keep control over the hotel she fought for and enjoy the simlicity of love

overall
sweet, meaningful, full of green flags

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Completed
Ahmed Saleh
0 people found this review helpful
May 5, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 2.0
This review may contain spoilers
i don't understand her ex husband .... if he loved her and never cheated on her , even if he wanted to free her why didn't he at least try to change things first , make her happy , protect her from his mother , like did he think i'm gonna act like i cheated and then get a divorce , then fall in love ?!! i think divorce should've been the last solution and he is stupid AF and doesn't think , what a ridiculous thing to do , and her mother , what a bit** , i understood the chairwoman but her mother is fu*ked up , and her father's character was so weak like he was pushed around by every body , his wife , the chairwoman , how is he a politician

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Completed
Naomi Necro
0 people found this review helpful
Mar 28, 2023
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.5

amidst the thorns, a boy saves a girl from her gilded tower

The drama begin's on an awkwardly shot episode filled with poorly acted foreigners and even worse English-speaking scenes. I don't think Korea will ever work out the kinks of English-speaking scenes so they're less awkward and unnatural. I'll give the production crew credit for filming on set in Cuba; it's a beautiful location that allowed the poorly strung scenes to immerse me in the story.

Once our CP met in Korea, I fell in love. The plot structure is organized from start to finish and surprisingly well-crafted for a chaebol family drama. I was invested in our CEO's plight and, for a while, even pitied her ex-husband after learning his back story. As we watch our CP's romance blossom, it's both elevated and tested through a sweeping and turbulent "sea monster" that threatens to overtake their sails (as gorgeously depicted in the whimsically illustrated intro/outro imagery).

I remember encountering (heheh) this drama a few years ago and having difficulty pressing the play button. I think it was because I was unimpressed with Song Hye-Kyo's facial acting and thought I was in for a wooden ride. After watching her latest drama, The Glory, I knew the power of her acting and the nuance of her performance. This drama did not disappoint.

I'm still surprised with myself for watching 16 episodes of a drama that isn't Chinese wuxia/xianxia, or fantasy-related, as is my usual schtick. I was hoping for some gorgeous Park Bo Gum scenes and angst, and I got it all and more. Also, thank you, drama Gods, for giving me beautiful kiss scenes. Their chemistry, albeit surprising, warms on me, and I found myself cheesily smiling and crying along with them.

If you're considering watching this drama, give it a shot. Don't let the first episode or two fool you; it'll quickly hit its flow and charm you with its fairy-tale-like romance.

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Completed
Tackysue
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 18, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
So far it's been a beautiful show and I find myself smiling like fool at the sweetness. Couldn't live off shows like (too much sweetness) this but I love it so far.

After finishing the show I still really liked it. Again, super sweet and a steady diet of these could probably get old. I loved the eagerness of the main male lead and the resoluteness of the female lead. You knew who these characters were and, for better or worse, they stayed true to that persona. They risk everything for each other even when you think that they aren't going to.

The secondary stories were good as well and kept things interesting. And I'm a sucker for beautiful cinematography so I was captivated. The music was good as well, I liked the music while they are in Cuba since it's closer to my heart. I also liked how they tied the two countries together in an interesting way as opposed to just the place where they met.

There was a stall (most shows have them) near the end but the wrap up was sweet and perfect and made me happy. I love happy endings.

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Completed
Randolph Pinlac
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 17, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

Encounter 2018

I very like this series. I Like this because the old female and young male make a romantic scene and romantic line. Very touching. It makes me smile even tho I'm alone.

It is the best kdrama I have watched so far.
Please, if someone was reading this. Please recommend some plots whose Female Lead is Old than Male Lead. Thank you.

10/10 Old Female - Young Male
10/10 Ost.
10/10 Casting.
10/10 Line.

Overall I did kilig in this series.

Thank you mydramalist, without this website, I would; not know this series.
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Completed
Butterfly
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 25, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
First thing about this drama is the acting of both the actors park bogum and song hye kyo , they both depicted their roles amazingly. The emotions of sadness,endurance ,happiness ,anger,love depicted perfectly. Not only by them and also by the supporting characters.

The drama is slow romance , the screenplay was well written that unfolds how crush or likeness on one person turns into love and it flows like smoothly like a river.

Big mention is to the ost and background score which makes drama more beautiful. In some places it makes the simple scene into more beautiful one.

Some of the scenes gives excitement to the heart. For me it is exactly in 3 scenes .
1. The jin hyuk reponse in front of all people to cha so hyun.
2. The cha so hyun reponse in front of all reporters to jin hyuk.
3. The decision made by cha so hyun when its comes between jin hyuk and ex-husband family meeting.
p.s : To know what decisions were made ,viewers have to see the drama and check it whether you also get excited at those scenes.

Lastly, the role played by the camera it took some nice pictures .

Most of them likes a love story to have a happy ending and this drama gives that happiness to the viewers.

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Completed
AGE
0 people found this review helpful
May 22, 2019
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
The visual of this drama is astonishing, no one can argue with me about that. Everything here is beautiful, the animation, the song, the scenery, the actors, each shot is a beauty. The features of Cuba made me want to go there and fall in love.

Encounter’s plot is not new to us. It’s all about two people who loved each other despite the age difference, lifestyle and status in life. It is mostly used in any dramas- US against the world. I was hoping for more creative values and significance of the story which I believe it doesn’t disappoint me. A definite yes for executions of the show, you will hate the rascals and you will sympathize the protagonist. You want to embrace the possibility that love conquers all.

What I don’t like about this drama are the slow pacing and some repetitive scenes and arguments. To be honest, I got bored in the middle, almost to give up – but what can I say, I must endure the tedium to witness the happy endings.

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Completed
KDRAMA9486267
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 1, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0

Romantic Show

Encounter was ineffable. I felt like I encountered a unique, soul searching romantic sensory. Just watch the show.
The cast did a fantastic job. This type of story is tough to pull off and make it believable. I believe they have achieved it. The story flows effortlessly.
I love the Go Chang Suk and Shin Soo Yeon character.
I do have a problem with the last episode. Usually this has to be spot on otherwise it will ruin the whole show. The writer had so many ways to end the show which could added more closure. The writer/director chose the vanilla version. Ending could have put the whole show on a pedestal. But it did not. I am a bit disappointed. This show still earns 10 stars from me because there is more to this show than just the ending.
It is difficult to pull off a show without any flaws. This show had it own share of flaws that does not mean it wasn't good.

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Encounter (2018) poster

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