maybe a classic but not that good
It was hard for me to start this one in 2010 (always dropped it) and I give another chance this year. i was totally right. this is boring, dragging, I really don’t like the second couple.The main one is cute but I don’t really like the FL either, she is really disappointing me most time of the show. For this trope (girl acting like a boy) this is the least good…
I like some old kdrama cliche but everything else was so long and boring !
At least it’s a very good cast ! Can’t deny it ! I thought it would be better..
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Memorable Show
COFFEE PRINCE was one of the first K-dramas I ever watched, quite a few years ago now. It is a very entertaining rom-com, but as light as it may seem, it also has a lot of heavy-heavy feels going on. The premise is fun and entertaining and yet very moving. The characters are all interesting and well-casted. I absolutely loved the main character, a tomboy heroine named Go Eun-chan. She was so lovable, relatable and interesting. Although a bit slow at times, this show was an unforgettable watch. Super cute. No regrets.Overall, it was worth the watch.
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heartfelt 10
Though not perfect by far , this drama deserves a 10 for:1) actors' genius acting, 2) convincing - realistic to the very detail - settings, also a FAB sense of fashion, with that 80's vibe, 3) original idea. You could swear this one just aired, it's got an incredibly modern look!
It starts as a comedy, and totally fun! But then it turns into melodrama, which is less convincing... Still the old trope of Cinderella - Cold Prince gets a fresh approach, which is quite catchy. The ML is - for once - a sensitive caring human being, not a heartless CEO, and the FL is very natural with her boyish look!
I disapprove of taking lies too far though...
The second couple is annoying/boring and gets too much screen time. The three Princes from the Cafe are another story - very loveable.
Towards the end it seriously drags, with the 2-yr separation of lovers and all.
I would rewatch the first half anytime.
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One negative to this drama that kinda bothered me was the second leads. When I went back and watched the drama for a second time, I found myself skipping all of the second lead's romance scenes with the artist because I just really didn't like her as a character. I feel like, if her character was just a little less selfish and maybe approached others in a different manner, I would like her a whole bunch more.
Anyways, if you can get over an artsy-fartsy female second lead who is the exact opposite from the main female lead who is sweet, slightly immature, but in a funny innocent way, and kind-hearted, I think you'll enjoy this.
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I surprisingly didn't hate the side characters in this one, though some of the dynamics and age gaps were weird to me, and I didn't feel so invested in the secondary relationship.
I did feel like the last few episodes dropped off a little after they reconciled, and that a lot of the talk about marriage and the disapproving parents were more tedious to watch.
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As warm and cozy as a cup of coffee
I’m not sure if I know what to write about Coffee Prince, especially considering it is one of my favourite series. I guess that what I love the most about this k-drama is the character development and the relationship between the four main characters. I guess I also like the fact that I am always a sucker for the ‘I love this person no matter what’ trope and Coffee Prince has this element aplenty.Favourite things:
#1 | Eun Chan & Han Gyul. Not only the acting and the chemistry between the actors is very good but you learn to care for the characters since the very beginning, especially Eun Chan that we love since episode one – when she is struggling to make ends meet. Han Gyul grows in our hearts as the drama continues and he has to face professional responsibilities, family demands and new feelings. Their relationship is odd at first (how could it not be with the series starting point?), but it gines us a fuzzy, fluffy feeling in our hearts to see they become friends and then the relationship that spirals out of that. Their character development is attached and permeates their relationship.
#2 |Han Sung & Yoo Joo. The two second leads and their side story also grasps our attention and get us invested in their storyline. A mature romantic subplot, about people that love each other but have history to overcome.
#3 | Rest of the cast. The café crew and Han Gyul’s fierce grandmother and Eun Cha’s childish sister add flavour, warmth and laughs in every scene their in.
#4 | Noh Sun Gi’s random subplot. Yeah, like me, you may end up falling in love with Noh Sun Gi with no apparent reason (ok… maybe his looks). And the subplot he gets midway through the series is unexpected and delightful.
#5 | Interactions. What really makes Coffee Prince works is how the characters interacts amongst themselves. Eun Chan’s family life, he friendship with Han Sung and Sweeper, Gae Shik and the rest of the coffee prince crew as well as Han Gyul’s relationship with his grandmother, the fragile interactions with his father and his care for his employees add a new layer and more colours to the story.
To conclude, I really do not anything ‘bad’ to say about Coffee Prince. Not that it does not have faults but they are elements that you forget after you watch and all that is left is a sweet and magical taste in your mouth.
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Most Accurate Depiction of Realistic Thoughts, Actions & Reactions (+) Superb Acting
3 thoughts about Coffee Prince [Spoiler-free]1. In real life, if you are holding your lover's hand playfully, you don't touch slowly, looking into each other eyes, blushing the whole time while your heart thumps loudly and intense music plays in the background. Instead, you randomly touch them, put your fingers in between theirs out of sync, slap each other, smile a bit but not the whole time, and just look away and lose your attention.
These are the kinds of small actions and reactions that are portrayed throughout all 17 episodes and it made me admire this series so much due to such an accurate depiction of realism. I truly admire the director for their great work!
2. Love is usually not the most epitome emotion for each person. In fact, very few people can keep love above all else. Coffee Prince made sure to not ruin the viewer's hopes with unrealistic romances while showing various storylines of different couples.
3. It wouldn't be so well displayed, of course, without the brilliant performance by each and every cast member. Especially KUDOS to Gong Ji-Cheol for taking us through each and every complex emotion. It almost felt like he went through it personally.
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Started Slow, But It's Worth It!
While I found the first quarter of episodes rather quite slow, I did eventually find Coffee Prince to be a solid drama with some greatly built characters and OST, which of course was helped alongside an all-star cast. (R.I.P. to Lee Eon). In all honesty, I could have perhaps even given Coffee Prince a higher rating, if one thing was changed - that being the character of the FL. Don't get me wrong, the character wasn't horrible, but I did get a little tired of the same thing over and over. Thankfully however, the story, while not insanely impactful, kept giving little twists and turns which kept it fresh, and the majority of the characters excluding the FL, were enjoyable to watch. I would have in-fact liked more episodes by the end - perhaps like a spin-off that featured more limelight of the supporting characters based in the Coffee Prince café.All in all, while the start was slow, I still definitely suggest people to watch Coffee Prince. I'm not even the sort of person to enjoy 'contemporary romance/slice-of-life type' dramas, and I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially when it comes to the second half of episodes.
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Just watch it!
I like gender-bender and cross-dressing dramas, so I could not skip this one.However, I think also when you are not a fan of such types of dramas, there is no way that you will not love it.
Classic drama with a great team of actors (you just want to be part of them), emotions which you feel yourself while watching and good choice of music! All made the story come to life!
Don't miss it!
Before having registered at MDL, I had my own grading system. These are the grades which I applied and which have contributed to the overall score I gave to this drama.
acting M: 10
acting F: 10
couple match: 10
romance: 9
emotions: 9
story line: 9
supporting cast: ++
watch back: yes yes
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This review may contain spoilers
Swept off my feet
I wasn't expecting to like this one based on the synopsis alone, but I wanted some more Gong Yoo in my life, so I gave it a chance. Not only did I like it, I lovvvvvved it, and it's easily in my top 5 now. What a delightful story, with a quirky, yet charming female lead, and damnnnnn, Gong Yoo really hasn't aged has he? Their chemistry and story was beyond adorable ...from a fun, engaging friendship, to a straight man questioning his sexuality, to falling in love...I loved everything about their relationship and progression. How this drama handled a man trying to come to terms with being attracted to another man was beautifully done. The humor added was a perfect balance. Sometimes you just have a connection to someone, and you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. Only thing keeping this one from being perfection to me was the secondary couple...didn't care for them or their story the moment cheating was involved. The ending was adorable, and it made me so happy to see Eu Chan come into her own woman, style and overall just be true to herself the entire drama.Was this review helpful to you?
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Gold Standard of GenderBender
This drama is so meticulous and sensitive in delivering this multi-faceted gender bender story so that we can keep our logic intact (which is a rarity in drama world) whilst having all the FEEELLLSSSS from the angst involved.The ML & FL plot is realistic and their chemistry is off the charts.
What i love about them, they each have their own problems and together they grow to become better version of themselves.
What i dont love about them - NONE (!!!)
The secondary couple's depiction of a mature relationship may seemed boring to some viewers but when a relationship have run that long - things do get mundane and boring.
The second ML's interest on the FL is understandable - he has been in a long term relationship with its own problems and challenges, thus he finds the FL just may be the refresher he needs to kickstart his heart again.
The second ML also presents a very real threat and become one of many catalyst to the main couple's relationship development.
The supporting characters make a wonderful ensemble that help make this drama feel wholesome and warm.
Worth an annual rewatch for this gold standard in gender bender drama.
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