Was this review helpful to you?
An Epic romance
This series was intriguing, suspenseful with a breakout performance by Yang Jin Sung. She looked stunning with the short hairdo. In my opinion, she carried the entire series. Not that the other actors weren’t good, they were. But Jin Sung was really on her game. Playing two characters is not easy to pull off. Her facial expressions were brilliant. No matter how many times the scenes changed, you immediately knew which character it was.I’m not a fan of vengeful ghosts, but in this case, it drove the entire underlying story. Each character had a connecting plot to the upcoming wedding night and/or the spirit itself. Each plot was dependent on the others. I must say, they did an excellent job connecting them. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Na Doo Rim and Choi Kang Joo initially, but that’s what romance is all about. Please make no mistake about it; this is not a ghost story. It’s a full-blown romance and a great one at that.
The plot developed slowly, and they took the story in directions that I didn’t think were necessary, but it moves fast. There is enough drama and suspense for everybody. The romance was different and at times hurtful, but isn’t that what love is all about? The story of two people from different walks of life tied together by the red string of love. Usually, that’s not a unique storyline, but they made this one feel like the love of a lifetime, two souls clashing together drawn by the hands of fate reaching over a century. To me, it was beautiful.
The development and flow of the characters are critical to making a good series. The overall storyline was solid.
Some of my impressions:
A few things didn’t make sense but not enough to hurt the story. I didn’t understand Na Doo Rim’s complete switch away from Kang Joo midway through the story. Why say all the hateful things? Was it to protect her friend and Grandmother? Because she now loves Yi Hyun? It wasn’t clear, and it diminished Jin Sung’s character and made her seem less important. I thought the story was shaky at this point, but it comes back together.
As the show winds down, the wine drinking scene between Choi Kang Joo and Jang Yi Kyung feels a little contrived. Why would he even meet her at this stage in the story with Na Doo Rim waiting for him? However, this scene and the aftermath drove the rest of the storyline. Somehow lost in the whole thing, Jang Yi Kyung’s mother tried to strangle Na Doo Rim to death. Now she’s a victim? Having all this happen near the end of the show feels like a storyline put in to make the show longer or create a better finish.
Another thing I didn’t understand, at a press conference Choi Kang Joo tells everybody that he got married in secret and loves Na Doo Rim. Why at the end of the show is she still living with her grandmother if she’s married? The two mothers and Jang Yi Kyung are unhappy with her, so Na Doo Rim is depressed? These are the people that tried to kill her. I found myself looking for a connection for this to make any sense.
Shin Eun Jung did a brilliant job portraying Jang Yi Kyung’s mother. It may have been an evil part, but she did it well.
Nam Jung Hee was so much fun to watch as Na Doo Rim’s grandmother. For decades she’s supported a wide variety of stories. Almost every series she’s been in has been a rating success.
The Yi Hyun character didn’t fit. I never felt anything romantic about him at all. He looked like the “Lurker” always hanging around. His character was bland and unappealing. It took him five minutes to start liking Na Doo Rim and not much longer to propose. Don’t people have to have a romantic relationship before a man asks a woman to marry him? Even after she rejected him, he returns to tell her what she can and can’t do and continues to lurk. I’m not sure if I ever saw him smile. I thought she treated him like a brother when she lived there. I guess he felt more. The moral? Don’t ever buy a tie for a guy unless you want him to start getting ideas? If they intended him to be some outside protector for Jin Sung, that didn’t work either. It made me cringe at times. Even when he tried to save her, I didn’t feel a connection. He doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body. His facial expression never changed the entire series, never. If that was the role he was playing, then he did a good job. However, I accepted this character as he was because he wasn’t relevant.
The character Lee Roo Mi going around investigating like she was the chief of detectives had me scratching my head. But I had to wait for the big picture to develop. Some of her stunts to upset the relationship between Yi Kyung and Kang Joo were funny and made sense. But after a while, it just got repetitive until she learned the truth. After that, her presence was the only voice of reason left.
I thought Lee Hong Ki did a great job as the male lead. I was surprised by how well he adjusted from his typical style. He played his role well and didn’t waver.
Subtitles:
There were a few blips in the subtitles, which is very unusual for Viki. I’m so used to reading subtitles it’s almost as if they are speaking English. For that reason, I rely on facial expression, body language, and timing to feel the emotions of a show. Thus my feelings about the Yi Hyun character. In English shows, I know if there is any bad acting right away. In non-English shows, the spoken voice only accents what I read. I don’t know if that’s a blessing or a curse, but it’s opened my world to a flood of amazing shows.
Was this review helpful to you?
The execution of the story wouldn't have been possible if there wasn't a good acting behind it. I appreciated Yan Jin Sung's portrayal of her characters. She made you hate one and love the other, and was able to act according to who she was playing! This is what I call being a good actress and I hope for her to be the lead in future dramas. Lee Hong Ki also did a good job with the main lead but he needs to add more emotions to his characters not to make them look too stiff.
I was satisfied with the ending. The backstory was explained although it had its glitches that could be forgiven if we see this drama as a ghost/supernatural story and well, fiction. The main leads also had a very sweet ending and everyone got something in the end. Even the evil ones got to be redeemed in a way. I think most of the story was resolved.
I suggest to watch this drama if you are looking for a mysterious story with a touch of supernatural.
Was this review helpful to you?
This is a story that starts out all too familiar; a common story that involves a rich guy and a poor girl falling in love, evil mothers and switching identities. However,. I love that they added supernatural elements to the plot to change this typical story into something more. And there are some family secrets and plot holes that are not revealed for a very long time.
The acting was great! I didn't really expect much at first. But, I think Lee Hong Ki's acting had improved greatly. What impressed me was not Lee Hong Ki in this drama though, It was the female lead who was able to pull off two completely different personalities so well for two different characters. The whole time during the show, not once did I feel like it was the same actress. Furthermore, I can feel the emotion from these characters as they endure anger and sadness. Props to everyone who created this great cast!
The music did not highly impress me enough to where I can really say much about it, but there were nice traditional sounds during the scenes of the past.
As much as I liked this drama and was pretty much hooked through to the very end, it is one of those shows that I may not watch again for a while. It wasn't my favorite drama, but it was very very good and is a must watch if you haven't already seen it. I would definitely want to watch this again some day in the future!
Was this review helpful to you?
There are two main reasons.
1. Lee Hon ki is the main actor.
2. The story looked really good.
And I wasn't wrong. It is one of the best series I've ever seen.
Lee Hong ki is very good actor and singer (he sang one of the ost). I think it was a perfict role for him and he played it incredibly well. His character developed during the serial and i love every second of each episode.
The main actriss played great too. I didn't know her, but she coped with the role of two girls very well.
From the very beginning of the serie it has a really good story, which continues to the end.It has a lot of interesting and unexpecting twists, which I didn't expect. Original plot, original end (but very surprising).
I can recommend it to you! ^^
Was this review helpful to you?
But near the ending, the obstacles became just too much, they leave and get back to each other way too much you're just thinking "when will this end?"
And the last episode, just brought the biggest disappointment! It was so poorly written, they were just forcing the happy ending without any logical sequence of events!
I wouldn't rewatch the drama at all, I was so disappointed with the ending, I really wish they wrote it in a better way because the drama was SO good in the beginning :(
Was this review helpful to you?
Say no more.
Watch this drama.
Let's be honest tho, this plot is kinda weird and a bit messy at times but never less than enjoyable.
LOTS OF DRAMA. ESPECIALLY TOWARD THE MIDDLE AND END. LOTS OF IT. THIS IS YOUR WARNING.
I also seriously believed that Lee Hong Ki couldn't be sexy (or flower boys in general for that matter) because he was tooo cute. I stand corrected. I could not be more happy that I was wrong. DANNNNNGGGGGG THAT BOI IS FINNE
Jung Hae In.
Kinda is a bit trope-y, especially toward the end, but a very worth-it investment.
Some good Jung Hae In quotes (i.e. "All men are animals"). He just gets it.
Lots of cute awkward/hilarious and just simply cute moments.
Jung Hae In.
Sadly, this is also one of those where the frickin' sassy middle aged women have to ruin everything. But that's literally the only bad part.
ITS SOOOO SWEEET. Lee Hong Ki just fills my heart. That boy is too talented at these kind of roles for his own good.
Also, Jung Hae In. (warning, he has like 2 lines. But they were the best 2 lines) (not true) (but they were a really good 2 lines)
Very original concept as well, (edit) I'm excited that almost 2 years later, I've never come across anything like it.
9 outta 10 recommend to e'rrybody (especially fans of Lee Hong Ki [and Jung Hae In])
Was this review helpful to you?
Saruman approved!
Was this review helpful to you?
The story in itself was sometimes really innovative and impressive, but sometimes it had those wtf moments too (they were occasional but they were there). I think it was a really nice concept and though after finishing the show and thinking back on it there are huge holes in the story but while I was watching it I was engrossed nevertheless. The addition of just the right amount of mystery and emotions made up for the missing parts. There was a low point somewhere in the middle of the show but it picks itself back swiftly. All in all you don't feel like you've wasted your time on a lame storyline.
The actors did a nice job, there were some really good scenes and impressive work. The main lead actress is fairly new I've read and I've just seen her in City Hunter as a supporting role in which she seemed too good for her role somehow, I'm glad she got such a chance to show her acting. She did a really good job of acting the part of the two girls who look alike without ever getting them mixed up. Lee Hong Ki in all honestly felt off for a few initial episodes but slowly grasped the role he was playing. Just in the span of the show I saw his acting skills grow. Good work by ALL of the cast.
The music was good, smooth and felt right, there weren't many songs and things were pretty basic but that's good as it suited the situations well.
I would recommend this show to anyone who feels like watching something that might be a little rough around the edges but is still endearing. Towards the end, you get a solid end without any loose ties and you get all your questions answered. I'm not saying it's the best, but it's definitely not the worst. One of the better shows I've seen, I didn't regret watching it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
And why?
Firstly, the story.
This story is not hard to fallow, it's rather simple actually and it has been made before. That is what you're going to think when starting out. And yes in the beginning it really feels just like a lot of other series out there. The rich ignorant, rather mean and also a tad selfish CEO/Chaebols son etc. and he, this apparent douchbag of a man falls in love with the odd, different, poor and utterly "charming" girl that finds herself suddenly in the presence of this guy. And after that, depending on the setting itself, the douch suddenly gets hit by a lightning bolt (a metaphorical one) and is shocked to find himself caring, worrying and feeling jealous over this oh so non attractive girl. All of these things are there. It's part of this show as well. It makes a turn after that making it also have some kind of supernatural and true love themes in it. I do like it that the series really try to make us see that these two characters truly fall in love with each other, so much that they will have a hard time living if the other person is not there. Making me really feel the Aww:s at every turn. Another point, which is either likable or not depending on the watcher, is the myth surrounding the family and the marriage of the eldest son. I never felt the importance of that really. I put more interest in the couple and the drama around them and therefor didn't find that storyline to be important. HOWEVER the show itself finds this plot to be key so you can't get away from it.
Secondly, the cast.
I will start out by spilling the beans. Yes the biggest reason for me watching this drama was, without a doubt, so that i could watch my dearest Lee Hong Ki in another Main Role. I love him and he is so charming, and that voice of his is so different yet such a charming part of him. But I didn't continue watching just to see him. I did want to see what happened to be fare. Also the leading lady is really great, because she succeeded in pulling of, not one, but two performances playing two totally different girls. I can really see how that can be a tough job but she did it. I must say that she even made it seem that the two girls where two different people playing them at times and that is a great skill. The rest of the cast is neither special nor hateful, they're just meh. OK sure you will come to hate Jang Yi Kyung after a while and also both the mothers. The female characters takes the price of actually being the most annoying. The majority of the cast, that at least I found to be, that was likable was male characters. I'm not saying that all the female characters sucked but there where many female characters that did annoy me.
The music is fantastic and fits the mood and tone of the show really well. It really feels like some kind of romantic fairy tale or a story that your grandparents tell you, sharing their romantic and fateful meeting. The music brings out those feelings really well and I found myself just staring at the screen.
I feel that the music is one of the most important parts of a series or a movie and i'm always as happy when I find such ones that succeed in combining both visuals and music to make something beautiful.
The rewatch is neither high nor low in this case and that's because right now I still carry that vast emptiness and I still don't know how I feel. The first half of the show was really good in my opinion and it made me seem stuck to my computer. But as soon as the second half appeared it seemed to lose the grip that it had over me and by the end I just felt that I wanted the series done and over with rather than wanting more out of it. I did like the ending, it was cute and really felt finished, but it was the later half of the show that made the ending lose that spark.
Overall and lastly. I do like this show. It had a cute romance going on and you really wanted the two main characters to really find their happily ever after. However the drama surrounding this show, in the end heaved it down and it couldn't shine brighter nor all the way til the end. You really should watch it because if you're looking for a romantic story than this fits right in. Try to stay optimistic, knowing that the ending episode is good and will at least make you feel like it was worth the while.
Still up to you tho!
Happy watching!
Mivaaa
Was this review helpful to you?
this is absolutely one of the most well made dramas out there. i started it without having any high expectations and it hooked me up since the start.
the first few episodes were so damn funny and i had a great laugh and then after the 7th episode all i remember is crying all the time cuz this drama got so intense and so sad. this is one of the few dramas i have bawled my eyes out BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.
the chemistry of hongki and jinsung was one of a kind, something that very few drama couples have. u should definitely watch this drama
Was this review helpful to you?
