I'd recommend watching both the series and the movie, it's worth it!
There are just a few points in which they differ from each other:1. The Inner Monologues:
What the movie didn't include are the inner monologues of Gook and Taejoo, which I really loved in the series. But what surprised me was, that even tho they left them out everything still works perfectly fine, just because of the amazing acting. You'll notice that even without words you can just read everything from their faces and that's honestly so impressive.
2. The Music:
The movie gives of a different vibe mostly due to the different soundtrack.
In my opinion it was a bit more intense and emphasized the emotions of the characters better in some scenes.
What made me a bit sad was, that the part of the soundtrack which I personally love the most wasn't present in the movie as much as it was in the series (I'm talking about 'Light' by KEUM JO). In the series it was playing at the end of every episode and I loved it so frickin much!!
3. The Transitions/Cuts:
The transitions were different cuz (obviously) they can't just mash everything together and call it a movie.
Some scenes where cut short while some were a little longer than in the series. And it honestly didn't bother me at all!
I think everyone can see how much thought they've put into how to assemble every cut/transition.
Everything just works together very well
I myself watched the movie after the series but I guess the order doesn't really matter! Both versions have their charm and are definitely worth watching!
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I actually enjoyed this more than the drama!
Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the drama and gave it an overall rating of 9/10. I give this 10/10 because something just felt right here. I very much enjoyed the removal of the inner dialogue. I generally don't like hearing inner dialogue in dramas, it minimizes the things I'm feeling. Some of the scenes where there normally would've been a dialogue just seemed so much more beautiful! I think it's because it was all about feelings then. YOU get to think things. The music was also changed and gave it such a more (for lack of a better word) "mature" feel. On my drama review, I put Story and Music with a score of 9, but I had to up them both to 9.5 because the movie just made it so much better.This movie made me BUY a Viki Standard Pass so I could watch it (I have no regrets, now I can also watch so many more dramas). Please enjoy this movie, as it is the director's cut! They didn't just make a movie to make a movie.
If you're thinking of watching, please do! This movie was wonderful in so many ways. Both Han Gi Chan and Jang Eui Soo did a fantastic job at acting. Especially for Gi Chan, I can imagine it must've been hard to debut as an actor in a BL drama, not long after trying to debut as an idol. He was so good at expressing his emotions, I really couldn't tell that it was his first time acting. Every actor did a fantastic job portraying their characters! Without spoiling too much, the story is very sweet and had my emotions on a roller coaster, even though it was so short. The development between Tae Joo and Gook was amazing and I am a sucker for romances like these. (Copied from my drama review.)
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Movie or drama?
Since the movie is basically the series itself, I’ll not write a full/regular review. I recommend yall to read those (well written though) on drama site. If you’re still considering whether watch this show- do it as soon as possible! However if you’re not sure which one should go first, maybe a couple of words from me will help you to make a choice.At first, I have to admit my deep love for the series alone. I’ve watched it twice already, some scenes even more and alongside this, movie too- everything in less than 24 hours. Despite this- I didn’t feel annoyed and bored even a bit. Surprisingly, the movie appeared to be a completely different experience than “primary production”:
The main difference is that there’s no narration here, no characters thoughts, no their inner voices- just the action by its own pace and we as casual viewers. Instead it were replaced with the brilliant music- mostly by classical instruments. Such operation let us focus on small details as eyesight, gestures, pure emotions and whole acting even more; also gives us another perspective to interpret by ourselves.
I remember one, actual additional scene- nearly at the end, but completely insignificant to the main plot. Even though the movie provides us a few extra shots, longer flashes when it comes to “intimate” moments between Tae Joo and Kang Gook. Even it’s a second- we’re able to sense their killer chemistry for this precious second more, to let our hearts flutter minimally harder.
The OST is a masterpiece to begin with, yet we can observe slight changes in soundtracks to more intense one in few places (example- my fav scene all time- in the backyard from ep5).
Summarizing,
The series: explains the story better and reasons behind some actions, serves us emotions blended with characters thoughts
The movie: leaves more field for own interpretation, focuses on body language more than inner feelings; action flows fluently due to lack of cuts
To be honest, if you watch it once, you’ll want experience this angst, thrill, flutter again and again. This drama will always be special to me- simple concept narrated in such beautiful way; short- yet satisfying; a pair of actors who made us believe in their love.
P.S. It’s not directly related to the production, but I have to mention about it as well. I’m neither Korean, nor English native, both versions saw on Viki. Nonetheless the English translation was obviously different in the drama and the movie- to the point that I got another interpretation of some situations or properly understanding only after watching both. I think it’s a good reason to see two productions.
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Both of the actors were great, They really are. I even loved how their eyes talked to each other without saying anything. Their performances are the only aspects that I respect of this series.
I hope someday their series would getting better, I missed the feeling of korean BL since Night Flight.
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This review may contain spoilers
Question: Is the Kim Pilheung the same character as in To My Star, just a few years younger?What I liked:
* I actually liked that there was no inner dialogue, which is there in the series -- it made things a bit more ambiguous for me, which suits the characters' developing emotional state.* I liked the acting of all the actors.
* The girl's mother was cute :)
* We still don't know what is so different at the end of the story that it is possible for the couple to be together. I actually like that.
What I did not like:
* The premise is interesting (though similar things have been done already), but things don't really add up, unless Gang Gook is in some kind of indentured servitude? If they are both 18 or so, then 15 years ago, when their master-bodyguard-relationship began, Gook must have been three years old?
* Even if he started his role later, he would still have been a minor.
* Tae Joo's father seems to regard Gook as some kind of whipping boy, which is otherwise not seen as a problem, but it is an archaic practice that should not have a place in modern society.
* All of this imbalance of power between Tae Joo and Gook is adressed several times but never resolved between them. It makes the happy ending unfinished, for me, and leaves a bad taste...
The last points of both my lists would make an excellent starting point for a second series, in which their difference in status and the need for balance in their relationship would be the main theme. (Could even be as good as the second series of To My Star, I think).
Compared to the movie, I like the series less, since the movie's music score fits it better, and also I liked that we don't get the inner monolgue, which I found more distracting than helpful.
So, overall, it's not that bad, if you can and want to watch the story, then watch the movie.
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Watch the Movie First
TBH I liked it, and it was cool to see how they transitioned the mini series into having the vibe of it having been intentionally made as a movie, but to me it kind of made it feel more low budget? Like the mini series production value felt like your run of the mill mini series production value. Made into the movie, however, it just felt cheaper.Almost all scenes had more white noise where there were previously voice overs, and just noise pollution in general instead of a clean sound. Plus the music was randomly loud and overbearing, especially adding on to how it didn't always fit the scene to begin with.
In some ways, taking out the voice overs gave more room for the audience to simply read into the characters' feelings from the actors expressions (which were always on point, might I add). However, there were some things which I feel like I gained from the voice overs in the mini series. With them, I still enjoyed the actors expressions and all, and they weren't there just to add exposition and move the story along (obviously, if the plot was still able to function after removing them) but I just felt they gave us more insight into what they were thinking at that moment, instead of leaving everything more ambiguous and only being able to see the pain and longing, and not the reason behind it or the words going through their minds. (i.e. Kang Gook staring at Tae Joo kissing the girl. In the movie he just looks hurt. In the mini-series he says it's because as a bodyguard he needs to always be watching him, and you can further hear the hurt in his words, which I feel just add a whole other layer to what we're already seeing).
All in all, I did enjoy the movie. I enjoyed seeing them rework scenes and editing to give it more of a movie feel, and how they went with slightly different story-telling choices than they had previously. I do, however, recommend watching the movie first. Not because it's better, but exactly the opposite. I feel like you'd have more satisfaction from loving these characters and making your own assumptions before watching the mini-series and learning even more from their actual thoughts. Kind of like reading a book a second time and finding all the foreshadowing you'd missed previously.
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A feel-good, be-happy, world-as-it-should-be... movie!
Do you want to watch a feel-good-movie? Or, are you in for a reality check from which you come out pensive and troubled?The answer is important; you see? Because… this is a feel-good-movie without pretense; a flicker that makes you happy; a sitting you get done in an hour and a half; and, after which, you will feel wonderful - as if the world could be like the movies, parents could be that accepting, and friends could be that nonjudgemental ... hehehe! If you agree with these surreal values for the sake of a good time (like I do)... then you will have a wonderful time.
The plot is light-hearted; with a few little punches here and there and a mafia-like father, whose worst punishment is exiling his son to England (not the Gulag).
The acting is really, really good - and the chemistry between all of the actors contagious. This is perhaps the best reason for the movie’s / series’ popularity... and my favorite category.
Music is good - highlighting a few sad moments... and the re-watch value (a notion that has always befuddled me) is high; provided a couple of years go by before seeing it again.
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Feel Good Movie
I've watched the series multiple times and I've never grown tired of watching it over and over again. This is not the typical "hating each other to later on become lovers" kind of story.STORY: 10/10 For some people they may think that this isn't something special but a friendship that turned into love makes me feel good inside. I love how the story showed what they can do to protect each other. The 15 years of being together made it even stronger for Han Tae Joo and Kang Gook. A relationship that was built in friendship is worth taking care of.
ACTING/CAST: 10/10 Han Gi Chan (Han Tae Joo) and Jang Eui Soo (Kang Gook) did a splendid job portraying the characters. Each one of them was able to play their roles efficiently. Even facial expressions were on point. They were able to convey what they felt through their eyes and that's a big plus for me. Not saying anything but showing emotions just by action is WOW.
MUSIC: 10/10 The song choices were very apt for this movie. It adds emotions to what's going on.
REWATCH VALUE: 10/10 As I mentioned earlier I've already seen the series multiple times and I still look forward to watching it again. There are sad moments but at the end of the day, I see the happiness that they felt with each other. And this for me is a rewatchable series/movie.
OVERALL: 10/10 The story gives you a different kind of feel. How their friendship progressed to something beautiful. That even though they went through rough patches and got separated still their love for each other remained intact. A beautiful ending to a beautiful love story.
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Cute
Quite a cute storyline but it was not a favourite. Personally the beginning of the story was not my style however the ending was a perfect way to end the story.I watched both drama and movie but will not rewatch again as there wasn’t any real drama only a few minor confrontations which isn’t my preference however if you like less agressive (minus some of the end) storylines it might be a good drama for you . The acting was so good and I hope they have many more dramas in the future.
However it was my first BL drama and it will remain in my heart. <3
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A must-watch for BL fans
I will preface this review by stating that this is the very first BL Asian drama I've ever seen and boy did this one set the bar high. This drama was able to reel me in and feel such strong emotions alongside the characters.In terms of the story, the plot is pretty basic and unoriginal. However, due to the great chemistry between the two male leads I was entirely content, and even overjoyed, as a viewer watching them interact. There were times when I wanted nothing more than to smack Han Tae Joo in the head for being ridiculous and insensitive towards Kang Gook and there were also times when I wanted to hug the both of them.
I do wish that we got to see more of Han Tae Joo's more serious side as a rich heir, because other than the beginning and end to the movie we only got to see his interactions with his father that displayed that more serious side of him. I also knocked the acting a star because I didn't like the acting between Han Tae Joo and his father, or anytime the father was shown. It didn't appear the most believable. The music is also forgettable, but that's not the main takeaway of this movie. This movie is incredible and will make you feel the same emotions as its characters. There is a lot of non-verbal language used here and I think that's one of the reasons I've fallen in love with it so much.
The ending was beautiful, all I ever wanted and more. 11/10 recommend.
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Incredibly romantic, it will suck you right in~
The first impression, I was in shock..... You know when you encounter something good, you know it's going to give it to you! The only downer is, it was too short and you can hardly expect season 2 since there isn't much left to lead on.A beautiful love story that makes your heart flutter, dive deep into a fairy tale of a happy ending and you don't want it to end EVER. I watched both drama series version (more narratives) and movie version (edited), I personally like the movie version better, because of the music that was put it to intensify their emotional turning point. Besides, it is better to run your imagination than having someone to explain. Interesting character, Gook (Jang Eui Soo), he took my breath away by his looks and his acting. He was.... just so pure and innocent. It is a must watch if you are tired of the cliche that current romantic comedy is portraying.
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Eye Candy - Great Acting - Recycled Plot (but great) - Music (not memorable)
Okay this was a great BL. Although the plot was one that you've seen multiple times before, it was executed very well. The actors were much needed eye candy & their acting skills were pretty much on point.The music was nothing to grab your headphones for. I could watch more of the two main actors in "what happens next." the ending screams....more.
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