All these years later, this drama holds up marvellously. While early episodes suffer a bit from the overacting, pettiness and villains of your average daytime melodrama/soap, the plot settles in on something a little more profound. Sure, there isn't a point to many of the minor/supporting characters, but it's hard to mind when the drama stayed engaging and kept pace in so many other ways.
The key of course is in the main couple as both actors play the opposites attract chemistry to perfection. You instantly believe Kim Soo-Hyun as the cold, cynical intellectual alien with a bit of a naive younger vulnerability and Jun Ji-Hyun as a dramatic, ambitious and self-involved star actress who pretends to be cynical but actually shares a similar vulnerability. Not only are they excellent on screen separately, but they have a great sense of comedic, romantic and tragic timings.
The big weak point in this drama is the music feels dated and overwhelms some of the scenes. The drama has good rewatch potential.
I grade other criteria as well:
Complex Themes - 7.5
The explicit theme is that loving and caring for others makes a life worth living and creates the feeling of home. A theme I enjoyed was that it's better to commit to love even if the future is uncertain, rather than a relationship without love just because of finances and societal expectations. Also, sometimes you need to let family members suffer the consequences of their actions.
Character Growth - 8
Both characters become more vulnerable, and human over the course of the show. They are not the same in the beginning as they are in the end (though the character growth is predictable).
Complex Female Characters/Dynamics - 7
Cheon Song I is a great character - full of ambition and joy for life. She, however, has a typical frenemies relationship with fellow friend/actress and conflicts with her stage mother.
Production Budget/Design/Cinematography - 8
The wealthy characters have lovely penthouse flats, great clothing, well-designed spaces etc. There's lots of shots outdoors not just on sets, there's some decently creative takes on how to display Do Min-Jun's powers especially his ability to stop time and walk through doors into other spaces. Very few of the special effects feel super dated which shows how much thought must have been put into it.
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Like no other, it had you interested all the time their was no boring part which you could skip.
I loved the main couples chemistry it was touching you would wonder in every episode how the couple was going to end up.
Yes I found the ending nice very good I guess but I was a bit upset because I thought it would have ended a different way but overall it was awesome.
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Not the best, not the worst
I found it hard to like Song Yi for the first couple of episodes. She was so rude and entitled, it was difficult to root for her, but thankfully her awful behavior lessened as the show went on.The leads had amazing chemistry and were great. Their interactions were believable and the emotional scenes felt real. I didn't cry at any point, but this has to be one of the top 5 dramas I've seen, that isn't inherently sad, where characters cry at least once each episode. And very convincingly, mind you.
The supporting characters were also very good. I particularly loved Hwi Kyeong, with his steadfast, unwavering love for Song Yi (he was so sweet, I wouldn't have been mad if the show had ended with a trouple forming LOL), the friend with the comic book store who continually fell in love with every good looking guy she saw and also Song Yi's bratty little brother.
Honestly, for a 21 episode show, it didn't feel that long. It did drag a bit at certain times, but there were surprisingly few "flash-back" scenes, and lots of interesting, interconnecting plots that kept things fresh and moving along nicely.
The OST was a bit cheesy, but maybe that has to do with when this drama came out? IDK.
All in all, story-wise, nothing too mind blowing, but with very strong performances all around that make it worth watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
essential drama!
in a list of the most essential kdramas, this would definitely be in it. i’ve heard so much about this drama and now that i’ve watched, im so glad.the couple bickers so well and the ML fit the role of stoic sweet man really well. as for the FL i have mixed feelings about her her. i tend to like airhead hubby characters but it’s a very fine line from being that to being extremely annoying. i found that FL occasionally crossed it. ah also notable mention to the SML because although at first i didn’t like his character, he did grow on me a bit.
i wasn’t a big fan of the length in the end since the last couple of episodes felt the exact same to me. some of it could’ve been cut and the story wouldn’t have suffered at all. the ending is also not as satisfactory as i thought it would be. how is the SML left to pine eternally after someone ? he should’ve at least just gotten over his feelings and regarded her as a best friend.
overall it was a lot more melodramatic than i expected which may sound dumb haha. first half was great and slowly the story feels stagnant. but i really did enjoy this and don’t regret the watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
After 6 years since the last episode aired, I came up to watch this series for too long since most of the people who recommend to watch kdrama will tell you to try to watch this drama. The first episode was totally great, you'll already have the interest to watch all the episodes. I'm really a big fan of romcom kdramas so I was totally happy that there were cute and funny moments on it. One of the best things about this series was the scenes before every episodes end. It is really unique and funny on how it was connected from the scenes earlier from that episode. Lastly the ending. I was left out a little bit hanging about the ending especially during the last scene when the male protagonist vanished, i felt like it is still wasn't enough to end that kind of drama. Overall a 9.5/10 rating, might re watch because of the funny scenes tho. Was this review helpful to you?
Interesting enough to fast forward
Plot: The plot is okay. Enough amount of screen time to side characters, humor, thriller and action. It was interesting enough for me to find out what will happen next. Despite the weird ending.Acting: They all did great but not superb enough for me to rate it higher. No memorable acting scenes for me aside from JJH.
Music: you are my destiny only comes to mind.
Rewatch value: I would rewatch some funny and romantic scenes. This was the time were heavy filters wasn’t invented yet. I do noticed that JJH gets crossed eyed when she’s crying or zoning out though that can be distracting instead of focusing on her acting. She’s amazing, nonetheless.
Overall: It was a 6-6.5. I didn’t get annoyed much with the characters, and they all had slight character developments, however, I still have some questions about the interview thing, ending, the spit problem and the ex-wife, they just don’t make sense a little bit. Anyway, it wasn’t droppable for me so that’s a good thing. And If you don’t mind the pull-and-push trope in the last episodes then you might like it.
Light romcom with a hint of psycho.
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My Love from the Star (2013)
A Korean wave classic and it's easy to see why. The show has all the basic components in a typical drama yet manages to deliver a unique experience just off of the strength of its writing and acting.The female lead's overly dramatic, tantrum-throwing superstar ego is a wonderful juxtaposition to the male lead's stoic, dull demeanor. The chemistry with each other, though, was oddly not as good as I thought it should have been and it seem to throw off the pairing just a smidge. Their romance was believable and endearing but I kind of want to chalk that up to the pair's acting chops if anything.
Story-wise, it's a good script, the storytelling itself is fine but the pacing gets a little out of place at times and especially during the ending sequences. Honestly, I really wanted the show to maintain the looming bittersweet ending and go out with a bang to really drive home that emotional impact. But it felt like it was neutered to get a somewhat happy ending, and it showed.
In my perfect ending, I would love for the lead pair to actually separate for real, with the female lead continuing her partner's love for literature by turning their three month romantic adventure into an in-universe screenplay or book. It helps her move on with her life while still leaving a recollection of her love, who came from the stars.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is the first kdrama that I’ve convinced my husband to watch. He’s someone who’s not so interested in kdramas, but the story of this is so interesting that he was convinced of watching.As expected from Jun Ji Hyun, she was really funny and amusing. I really enjoyed all her scenes, especially the scene where she got drunk and sent a lot of text to Kim Soo Hyun. Also the part that they are shooting her daily activities. All are really spectacular. I really love her to the moon and back. She was really amazing.
Kim Soo Hyun is most attractive in this drama. I think characters like this one suited him more. He’s great being a hard-to-get kinda man. I also enjoyed him when he’s jealous.
Even though it’s a fantasy drama, it was never corny. The casts are all great in their roles so the story and the scenes are very interesting and entertaining. I have never felt bored in this drama except for the history part, but the present time scenes are all worth watching. My jaw really ached from laughing hard. The first kissing scene is so hot and exciting. The rivalry of Ji Hyun’s lovers are quite a show. I enjoyed their arguments, and I love how things turned out between them in the end. I also love the friendship that was developed between Ji Hyun’s brother and Soo Hyun.
The ending is emotional, but it was hopeful so it isn’t so sad. This is a must-watch kdrama of all times.
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Upon re-rewatch, score went up from 3 to 7.5
I watched this show a couple of years ago and HATED it, mostly for the character of Cheon Song Yi. Since I'm admittedly somewhat fascinated by Kim Soo Hyun, I decided to give this another try. I enjoyed it so much more! There were some things that still prevented me from rating it higher, but I was able to find more positives than negatives.STORY/CHARACTERS: Original storyline. You've got aliens, stopping time, teleportation - what's not to like? My issues were with some of the characters. I still hated Cheon Song Yi. Kim Soo Hyun did an excellent job of making me hate the character. She was self-centered, self-absorbed, bratty, whiny, she yelled a lot, she was demanding, plus she was portrayed as being pretty stupid - she can't remember the door code to get into her house?! I just didn't like this character at all! And she never got any better for me. I didn't care for Lee Hui Kyung - This character was like a puppy following her around, calling her his girlfriend when they weren't involved at all - it was nice to see Park Hae Jin in a role where he actually shows some facial expressions. Shin Sung Rok as Lee Jae Kyung - I was supposed to hate him, I know. I just think that the story would have been better served if they had used an actor that didn't look so much like a villain from the very beginning. It would have brought some depth to the show to discover his evil as you go along, not know immediately that he's the bad guy.
ACTING: I thought the acting was good by all. Kim Soo Hyun was perfect for this role, as he doesn't tend to show any emotion.
in any role he plays. At the end of episode 19 when he looks into the camera with a slight smile - be still my heart! He is a beautiful crier, and I was impressed by his heaving crying, not just drops running down his cheeks. I originally watched this when I was new to K-dramas. I think another reason I enjoyed it more this time, it was like old home week! Most of the actors I've seen in multiple other dramas.
MUSIC: I liked the music, especially Kim Soo Hyun singing In Front of Your House.
REWATCH: I doubt that I'll re-watch it a third time.
OVERALL: I thought this drama was very romantic. Really good kisses, which are always nice for a change of pace. I liked the development of Cheon Song Yi's family dynamics. Now I think I understand why this is at the top of so many people's lists.
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First drama I watched since 2010
When I watched this, I thought it was amazing. The killer made it intense, the main leads made it romantic, the female lead made it funny.My favourite thing about this show would be the build up to the first kiss. There was so much chemistry.
My second favourite thing is the music and the directing. The snippets at the end of the episode was the cherry on top. The music was very mystical like you were in a dream and the backgrounds were very fantasy like which heightened all the romantic scenes.
But everything after the first kiss was slow and predictable.
My comeback kdrama that made me addicted to kdramas.
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