Sh**ting Stars

"i watch it for the plot" the plot: lee sungkyung

i guess an 8/10 is fair enough because i didn’t expect much. i only saw two familiar faces which are my faves (lee sungkyung and jin hoeun) but the other actors seemed really lovely too. there’s almost no one who annoyed me. well, i’m actually not a fan of the male lead and personally think his acting is a bit off, but it’s still bearable because of the other characters and the story.

it took me a few days to finish it, and i almost dropped it at episode 5. surprisingly i got hooked in the second half of the drama. one thing that bothered me was the filter, it almost hurt my eyes lol. the ost was nice though. in conclusion, it’s unexpectedly good and a worthwhile 16-episode drama to watch.

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Simple story

I'm not going to write much about the plot lines other than exactly what i liked and didnt like so this may contain major **SPOILERS** depending on how you read it

LIKED:
- No brain hurting plot lines, just straight forward romance. Main lead went straight from frenemies to lovers. And since i am really fond of Lee Sung Kyung it helped to finish the drama.
- FL is strong and independent.
- Multiple couples with satisfying pairing.
- Can keep up with the storyline even if youre distracted for a few seconds.

DISLIKED:
- I expected more chemistry between the main leads. But since there were sooo many couples to distract i just didnt care by the end of it.
- Really really REALLY weak justice to crimes like trespassing, stalking, hate crimes, and death threats. It was unsatisfying af to see characters just forgive and move on like they didnt suffer psychological trauma.
- Some characters were plain useless in the overall story line. (hint: the mother)
- Could be wrapped up in 12 episodes.

Overall you can watch it if you're a fan of LSK or Kim Young Dae. Its a light romance , no unecessary dramatic break ups, uncomplicated drama.

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Slow, superficial & corny

If you’re reading this trying to decide if it’s worth your time: go for it if you’re in the mood for a stress-free, somewhat funny slice-of-life, office romance K-drama.

I know many of us tend to filter K-dramas based on the ending, so here’s the good news: this one has a happy ending. In fact, it’s so happy that it stretches across the last three episodes, at least.

That said, this series is essentially about... nothing. It attempts to explore the challenges celebrities face in their personal lives, especially under the pressure of their fans and "anti-fans," but it handles these themes in such a superficial, cartoonish way that it’s hard to believe it made any real impact.

There’s a lot of fluff in this drama. And while I understand that sometimes we need that, it’s better suited for when you’re looking for a “comfort” drama after something heavy or emotionally draining. Otherwise, I believe there are far better options out there.

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A Refreshing and Feel-Good Take on Celebrity Life

I really enjoyed Shooting Stars because it gives a refreshing look into the behind-the-scenes world of a casting agency and PR team, showing the immense effort that goes into managing celebrities. It also beautifully highlights that, at the end of the day, celebrities are humans too. I especially loved how the drama had three different couples—it kept things lively and avoided the usual monotony. Although I did feel some cringe in the beginning with the lead couple, they grew on me and their chemistry improved as the episodes progressed. Overall, I loved it! If you’re looking for something lighthearted and feel-good, this drama will definitely deliver.

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Light, fluffy binge-able watch

Plot: 2 college frenemies discovered their mutual feelings for each other. One is a worldwide star and one is a PR manager. The story focuses more of what goes behind-the-scenes of the actors, such as how rumors spread, who suffers, why it happens and what are the pros and cons of being a star. It didn’t dive in deeply into the life of each character but it was enough to give us ideas or introduction to their lives. I just had a hard time memorizing their names so I got confused who’s who most of the time.

Acting: My favorite character is the ex-manager turned CEO of the rival company, he stole the limelight from the male lead for me. All of them made a convincing acting. Not exactly perfect but it was enough for me to enjoy their roles and appreciate their efforts to make their characters alive. Finally found a series where Lee Sung Kyung’s acting and character were acceptable and decent. Although her chemistry with Kim Young Dae wasn’t that intense(despite many steamy kissing scenes), it was still natural and comfortable.

Music: The songs and sound effects used were quite cute.

Rewatch Value: 100 percent rewatchable. It’s something that you can rewatch anytime when you’re feeling down or bored or in need of something fun. The first few episodes were not that enchanting but it was interesting enough to find out more about what will happen next. Luckily, it got better and funnier as I watch more. I also love how they interpreted mature romance despite the silliness and ridiculousness of it all.

Overall: 8-9 stars because it was enjoyable and an easy watch. There were some thought provoking scenes that were handled well, can be realistic or at least acceptable. I’m glad that the male lead‘s problems didn’t last long but it will also make you wonder, do the actors always have the need to explain themselves or bare out their souls for the fans or audience? And for what? Because they signify hopes and dreams of youth? Are human beings naturally gossip mongers and judgmental of others instead of focusing and living our own lives? Am I guilty? Am I also one of those people? This drama touched some sensitive issues from the actor’s point of views which penetrated my heart and mind for a bit. The dialogues, especially on the last few episodes, are quotable and it can also resonate with people. What may seem nothing to you, may be big for someone else, and I hope we never forget that.

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Predictable romcom with enemies to lovers plot line

So if I had to say one thing before I mention anything I really wanted to watch this back in 2022 when it aired but back then but never really got around to watching it, and then I just saw online that this wasn’t the most memorable watch. So for whatever reason I just didn’t. But now that I actually had time to catch up on some of the series, that I really wanted to watch, I finally got around to starting this show.

So yes, as a lot of other people have written it’s not the most memorable watch it’s very typical romcom for its time and still now a couple years after it’s released. It’s very typical enemies to lovers why we see the two main characters slowly fall for each other it’s got it ups and downs and it’s got some great twists. Honestly, I care more of the music throughout the show, but that’s not even a part of the plot. It’s just OST. And I love Kyuhyun who made one of them.
Well, back onto the review part I feel like this one definitely had potential to be better than what it actually was but it just kind of falls flat in the sense that it’s you know stereotypical romcom enemies to lovers type of plotline so it’s very predictable. But I might just have also set my standards too high if a plot is too predictable it’s hard for the actress to make it better.

Overall, I don’t regret watching this, but it’s not one I scream and yell for that I’d really wanna rewatch, it also didn’t really have me on the edge of my seat or crying my eyes out in anyway so maybe just take that into consideration if you’re considering this drama.

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Really fun at times, frustrating at others, kind of drags. Romance is both great and stupid

The story is pretty interesting and the acting is good, nosediving in the romance department (aside for the mcs). This is a decent show, with many dramatic moments and twists. I suppose that is a cliche, everyone is suspicious, especially background characters, but this is a drama after all. It does its job and the main couple is very cute. Very sweet how they care for each other.
I hated most of the side couples, I think they made no sense. It felt almost as if the writers threw darts and threw their hands in the air like, yeah okay this is what we're landing with. The senior and the junior at the company have no chemistry together. She could've been such a cool character, I was rooting for her and the actor she scouted. It felt like a way more natural match up and their interactions were nice and hey, role reversal would've been so refreshing, with her being more active. Why was it the senior in the end? I don't know. They had no chemistry and it feels like both of their characters weren't deep enough for it to work, regressed even further. He treated her like a child throughout and ended with it. It wasn't cute in the slightest, it went nowhere. They both feel really underdeveloped, because the writers flip flopped with what their romantic stories would be like or about.
On that note, what about the senior and the actress he was in charge of? Her and the senior had impeccable, dramatic and emotional potential. I think the show was kind of going for it at the start, but then realized they all would be like the main couple and dropped what could be a properly angsty couple, with actual one sided attraction, not the stupid on the spot crush. The other two got paired up just for the sake of it, I have nothing else to add, that's it. Predictable at that point and flavorless.
Yuna and her guy were fucking hilarious from start to end. Now this is enemies to lovers.

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Disappointed but not terrible.

O Han Byeol and Kong Tae Seong were a cute pair. I liked the history of their relationship and that they’ve always been a frenemies type of situation that care for each other. I also loved how puppy Kong Tae Seong is once he realizes he loved her. Just absolute cuteness and feels. I also like that O Han Byeol had a crush on him but was hurt so she built up her walls to his silly behavior. I also enjoyed Han Byeol’s friends - Park Ho Yeong and Cho Gi Ppeum - romances though I wished their stories started a bit sooner and where given a little more screen time. I also found it interesting that Baek Da Hye’s character has this super crush of the MML without it being a complicated jealousy love triangle. All of this is decent and enjoyable.

What I didn’t like? Basically every other secondary plot point execution. The rich maid storyline was weird and barely added anything to the plot, same with “smileboy”, and again with the 14 year old kid. All three of these “antagonists” exist for antagonisms sake without any rhyme or real reason. Even worse, there resolutions are simple and barely satisfying. I didn’t mind the message around “celebrities are hated for no reason” but I just think the way it’s executed was as if the show was a melodrama but it really wasn’t so these plot point land flat and annoying. Similarly, the college friend’s death was clearly part of the main leads’ dynamic and personalities, but still it wasn’t “tied up” properly. His death and his manager’s remaining anger about the death could have been a way better antagonist plot line to explore than the random three characters I just mentioned. In fact, I was waiting for a resolution on this and we never get one. Super frustrating. Minus points also specifically for the “Africa” depiction…

Overall, I really wish they had just leaned into the romcom and left out the melodrama because the melodrama parts flopped. My favorite parts were when it was just silly goofy – I was giggling, I was happy. But outside of that, it was so dumb that even the romance was held back by the nonsensical storylines.

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Very good acting and chemistry between the characters

This is my first review, unfortunately I would like to write my first review for another drama, but it so happened that I just rewatched this one for the third time.

Looking ahead, I will say right away that I liked the drama, but unfortunately it is not without flaws.

So let's start everything in order.

The drama stars two of my favorite actors, Lee Sung Kyung and Kim Young Dae, and also my favorites, Park So Jin and Kim Dae Gon. There are even guests like Kang Gi Doong and Kim Dong Wook. This is a truly gradio cast for me.

First of all, I want to highlight the acting of Lee Sung Kyung, she gave it her all here - her smile, laughter, tears, emotions, love, embarrassment - everything is top notch.

As for Kim Dae Gon, he is also at his best here, and for me personally this is his best work.

The rest of the actors also played well, and not a single supporting couple let us down. The pair of Shin Hyun Seung and Lee Si Woo was especially pleasing.

Well, we've talked about the positives, that is, the acting in this drama is truly beyond praise.

But now we need to move on to less positive things - namely the plot. As for me, this drama has literally everything it could - all that's left is to add a little sci-fi, aliens, time travel, superpowers and you'll get the most ultimate drama in the world.

And all because there are so many different themes here, while other dramas choose one theme and develop it as the plot progresses, in this one there are several at once and they all follow one after another.

Here is the loss of the main character's parents, and problems with his mother both in terms of his relationship and her health, here is the death of the main character's best friend, here is a kind of gaslighting, and the relationship between a star and an ordinary girl, revenge from both a friend and a stranger, and even a love triangle at the beginning.

And the whole problem is that all these topics take up too much screen time, which ultimately leaves us with: 50% of the main character's problems, 40% of other problems or relationships of other couples, and only 10% of the screen time is devoted to the relationships of the main characters. This is unforgivably little. We were shown very little of their relationship.

What a shame.

But all this is offset by the overall presentation, acting and well-shot scenes.

I think I will rewatch it more than once in the future.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " Shooting Stars " is a standard korean romantic comedy.

Bringing easily to mind the older kdrama "The Producers", the drama takes place in the entertainment industry and showcases the lives of those who work behind the scenes or alongside the famous stars.

The main plot, moreover, is based on the bickering love story of the two main leads who are on the opposite side of the industry, as well as two opposites all together. Their dynamics are perfect to support an entertaining story, and their relationship is nicely paced and smoothly progressed, with some really sweet romantic scenes.

However, that being said, the drama is predictable and silly at times. The romantic chemistry of the coule was lukewarm as well.

The performances, on the other hand, were enjoyable by everyone in the cast.

So, overall, five out of ten.

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A light romcom drama [Best friends to lovers???] about movies industry in South Korea

The first ten episodes are really funny and light, focusing on the main couple's relationship. The guy likes to tease the girl, acting like they hate each other, while in fact, they've been in love for forever.

Another thing that I like: we can see the people who work behind the celebrities, mainly the PR team who has to clean up the celebrities' scandals >.< how they have to handle groundless rumors while protecting the artists.

It's a cute romance story and we have other two sides couples.

However, after the tenth episode, suddenly the team decided to add some mysteries to the plot, crumping the conflicts for the last six episodes. I wish they could pace it better because it got boring towards the end.

But I still finish it for the sake of Queen Sung Kyung. If you're looking for a light drama with no heavy plot, then this one might be for you.

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