We can all agree this drama is dated

Shin Ha Eun:"Can you please put away the script under "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha"'s folder so that I can later edit it and send it to final proofreading before it goes into preproduction?" She asked of her intern before getting up, and leaving the office until the next day.
Before her intern could even answer appropriately, the writer was gone.She grabbed numerous papers and headed for the indicated office. Before she could reach out however, a life-changing call came in, during which she completely forgot about her responsibility.Instead she crumbled to the floor and cried her eyes out. Important papers were left in the corner, all but completely forgotten. After a brief cheering up session, the aforementioned intern picked up the papers that belonged to the "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" script and in all of her chaos, instead of placing them in a folder, she decidedly left them on the table of a proofreader, who in turn sent it to preproduction next week.

This is how I feel a warm albeit surface level drama came about.

I always like to start off all my reviews by being thankful to all the writers, producers and everyone else involved in making drama. I have the upmost respect for fellow creative people in this field as I know that making a drama is anything but easy. As they say “Good news come first!” In that spirit I'll now list all of the positives I found while watching this show.

First off, the overall ambiance and mood of a small seaside village called Gongjin is stunning. It feels alive. The way they decided to shoot this fictional location as well as the way they decided to frame it makes for a very rich experience. It's fun to look at and discover new things and it almost feels like a character all on its own. Not only that but I am so glad that more dramas are being filmed and set in rural areas as opposed to urban ones. Not only does it make for a more original setting, but it also feels fresh and interesting. I'm glad smaller places are getting the hype they rightfully deserve. Because locations like Seoul have been used so many times before, now they feel uninspired and uninteresting. That's not to say that urban areas cannot be rich in content.Of course not, however it's nice to see villages and small towns get some limelight as well.The music felt appropriate though at times repetitive too.And that’s coming from me, who loved the OSTs to”One Spring Night”.
With that being said, another strong suit of this drama are its side characters. They are full of life. Almost cartoonishly so, But they are believable and layered. Geum-ri,a sweet but often pitiful matriarchal figure of Gongjin, will stay in my memory for a long time to come. Village and zone chiefs who are divorced and thus create a certain rift between the villagers are also stand outs. Not only that but they are probably the most realistic romantic relationship In this drama. I can confidently say that I've seen couples like this before.Oh Yoon,a washed up singer who is trying to take care of his daughter, run an eclectic Café, while shoving autographs down peoples throats,is yet another worthy addition and,to a degree,a wasted potential.Coupled with an gossipy owner of a Korean Chinese fusion restaurant(who also comes across as realistic when placed in village backdrop,I`ve known people like this),they all have presence and a way to pry into the hearts of the viewers of this drama.Do you see where I'm going with this? No? Then let me break it down even further.

Everyone's character and relationship is more interesting than the main leads.

In fact this aspect of the show made me so inspired that I wanted to come up with a suitable analogy to the way their relationship was written. What I've come up with is this: If you're familiar with the way jewelry was sold in 19th and 20th century, then this should come as no surprise to you. Word of mouth was everything. If you were to be told by numerous people about this rare emerald jewel, which can only be found in one specific area, over and over, you'd be more than intrigued to check it out. You’d hear about how precisely it is cut,how clear and vibrant the color is,not at all cloudy…So you’d prepare your boat or pay for a ticket to board one, go on an arduous journey and finally come across one such product. However instead of feeling incredible and relieved, you'd feel cheated because this gem resembles nothing original. Instead it’d remind you of those cheap trinkets you can buy a dime a dozen in the nearby market. This is exactly what I thought of the "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha"'s principal romantic relationship.

From the very first episode, we follow a (materialistic? )female dentist called Yoon Hye jin(played masterfully by Shin Min Ah.Everyone`s acting was great across the board) and her inevitable move to this seaside village. I really liked her in the first episode. She was honest, cut to the chase, and resistant to the idea of sacrificing her own morals for monetary gain. And then she moved to Gongjin. And she became one of the most annoying female leads I`ve seen in SOME TIME. She was unnecessarily condescending and reminded me of an elitist. And basically did completely change her goal. Thankfully, the writers almost completely dropped this trait in favor of a brat trapped in the body of an adult, mature woman. Or was that truly some thing to be thankful for? Her reactions and even her subsequent relationship with Chief Hong were childish, shallow and nothing I haven't seen before. I would especially like to highlight the unneeded slaps and beatings he had to go through because of this completely normal occurrence of being in a relationship(followed by some light gossip coming from a group of people who have overall been a net positive in their lives) because it was too much for her to bear. This was played off as funny however in my eyes it was anything but.In fact it was chock-full of clichés. I was surprised there was no amnesia storyline. And that's not to say that clichés are never useful.If you use them sparingly and with a purpose they can be one of your biggest weapons when it comes to writing. Unfortunately here they were used clumsily and just because they worked before. I can honestly see some deeming this a future classic, I fail to see that touch of magic that made drama classics such as “Coffee Prince” what they are. What's more, both of these actors have great chemistry, which almost feels wasted in favor of repetitive checkpoints they have to adhere to.I`d honestly love to see both of them in a drama with a well-made script.What I'd also like to mention as many may have stated before,Chief Hong’s storyline seems tacked on with no real idea besides having a male lead with a bitter past. Just like so many dramas that came before.Trauma isn`t addressed and what is,is due to incessant and frankly insensitive pushing by the female lead.Seriously,she was walking a fine line between cracking his shell and berating him altogether.

Finally, many applaud this relationship as extremely realistic, when in reality to me it just feels like another romcom relationship put to the screen. Not great, not bad, just average. Or at times, below average.What works for me in this slice of life show, are the side characters who seem larger than life, and they are what ultimately saved it from dipping below fives.So what the end up with is a beautiful scenic village with interesting bits of information and funny dialogue from time to time, serving as a backdrop to a less than stimulating love story between beautiful people with mindsets that range from infantile to half baked.

In conclusion I love cheesy, sweet romcoms that can make me feel like love is worth something and can lead to victory. I've watched so many crinhy romantic Japanese dramas and loved almost every bit of them,bar some really outlandish scenes. So in theory I should've been the perfect demographic for "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha". Not only did I enjoy romcoms in the past but I came from a dozen of horror, thriller dramas that have turned out to be just a tad much for the moment.

And still it didn’t manage to charm enough for me to give it a higher grade. At least we’ll always have surfing Kim Seon Ho to look at. At least that counts for somethingI think?

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A great drama - except when it self-sabotages

"The Devil Judge" is a mind bending,law questioning spectacle everyone should experience at least once.Or the first half anyway.This 2021 drama presents dystopian corruption(because good things never die) and a small live court in the middle of this pandemonium.Led by one of the most charismatic characters I`ve seen in a drama recently,Judge Kang Yo Han.If you know about Geum Ja from "Hyena", Yo Han would be the male version of her.And despite these refined elements,why then,am I not giving this drama a higher grade?Well,let`s talk about it.

LIKES

First,in all of my reviews I like to name the good things about a drama as I firmly believe it is hard to create,write,direct and edit a drama.Or any form of media for that matter.With that being said,this drama started off with a bang.The minute our main character(Yo Han is the main character GODDAMN IT)drives past the slums bathed in red,on his way to witness his inauguration,so to speak,really intrigued me from the getgo. Ji Sung is an amazing actor(save for a few seconds of overacting in final episode) and he managed to breathe life into this mammoth of pride,arrogance and hidden motivations clouded by elegant masculine fragrance. Yo Han never disappointed me and his goals,though not the most noble,had a consistent and understandable quality and thought process behind them.Honestly,I loved the way he maneuvered each hearing and what they did with his character,as what he stands for is not lost on me(after all,they weren`t THE most subtle about it). The way this drama was shot is also very commendable and at times even artistic,despite questionable CGI.Some set pieces and numerous instances made me feel for every resident in the slums the rich were using(and most of you will know about the scene I`m talking about).

The concept of a live court is intriguing in it of itself and the process of voting lending itself to the conversation of what democracy is in its purest form is also amazingly put together.The idea of Politicisation of a virus is a novel one as well,and takes guts to talk about,especially in this social climate. Not only that,but we actually got worthy antagonists ranging from the foundation to psychotic,yet charming Jung Sun Ah. Some`d say they took an absurdist route,but me,living where I live,could totally believe people in power would be as despicable as the ones we`re presented with in this drama.And that`s the fact of the matter.If you`ve lived or are living in corrupt society,you understand and agree with most,if not all Yo Han`s notions,because you know how bad it can get. When looking at it only shallowly,many would deem his decisions as extreme and rather on the nose.When in fact,Yo Han deserved more respect and reverence from people around him for being an absolute saint by withstanding their nonsense. But the pillar of necessary evil he embodies would,in reality,be necessary. They had it all.The writing was solid,the production adequate,the acting was ranging from good to masterful and then...the makers of this drama shot themselves in the foot.Because they introduced GA ON.The crux of an otherwise epic drama.

DISLIKES

To those who follow me, me dedicating a whole paragraph to one of the most annoying good guy characters I`ve seen in recent times should come as no surprise.I was very vocal about it. Kim Ga On should`ve NEVER been the main character of this drama.What`s more,his progression and story arcs are the most glaringly repetitive and that makes me even less forgiving.Unlike many,who,while admitting that Ga On is extremely dislikeable,still had the ability to overlook him and laud this drama,I can`t do that because,well,I`ve spent almost fifteen hours with this character.And when push comes to shove and there was a tinge of a chance he`ll die,I didn`t care.And that`s BAD.Kim Ga On being the central character of this drama pushes my gears in more ways than one. Not only was he inconsistently written(much like his love interest),but he was also the least interesting character to follow.Where Yo Han had to face himself,his beliefs and loner traits,Sun Ah had to deal with her wretched love and greed,Judge Oh with choosing between corruption and speaking out,Ga On`s story arc would seemingly complete...and then start all over again.His bias against Yo Han would subside and flare up and this would repeat and grow,like a sore on your back. THERE`S NO RESOLUTION. The first time it happened,I was on board,the second I was cautiously curious...but the third just made me hate this character. In fact,when I think back on it,Ga On could easily be perceived as an antagonist had they just changed how to interpret his actions. His holier than thou attitude being rewarded and fishing for emotional reaction made me cringe. His dilemma was uninteresting and frankly speaking,disrespectful to Yo Han who received him into his home,nursed him to health,showed him what precious law he wanted to abide by really amounted to and just who was responsible for the horrific end of his parents. Yo Han was more than patient with him and deserved a better sidekick. Maybe not even that,as I think that this drama would be a solid 9 without Ga On in it. Or if he had just been a minor character. But with his backstory, it`s almost impossible to see where all this faith in the broken justice system comes from with him. It`s insulting,from a writer`s standpoint. And I really wish they reconsidered his influence and inclusion in this drama. I have no problem in particular with the actor(though he didn`t have a lot to go off) nor the chemistry between Yo Han and Ga On, but he simply wasn`t deserving of this role. Point blank period.

Other than his character,the drama suffers a bit from pacing issues,and I think they could`ve done away with tens of minutes per episode. But I always think that. Finally I wish they worked on the story frame for the way characters act towards Yo Han,as this man deserves all the best and I`m walking away from this drama with the conviction that he`s become one of my favorite male drama characters.

In the end, "The Devil Judge" had a winning formula which they couldn`t complete just yet.But for what it`s worth it`s still a formidable entry in the world of law dramas. And if for nothing else,I`d watch it for Kang Yo Han.

#KangYoHanSupremacy

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A drama that`ll take you to paradise

"If the time of eternity was painted in black and white, humans shine in all kinds of colors, as if they can be shattered at any moment." ¬ Kim Dan

"Angel`s Last Mission:Love" is my first experience with Shin Hye-sun`s acting and let me say :I was impressed!Finally, I`ve discovered an actress whose talent almost pours out of her every time she`s on the screen. In fact most of the time, everyone`s acting is without fault, which I`m really glad to see. I`m so happy to see a production whose earnest intentions can be seen through the art it creates. Of course, this drama is not perfect by any means, but its strong points are mighty strong. Like many people have already mentioned on here, and I think the name and the cover art are mostly to blame, if you are expecting an average romantic comedy, curb your expectations because this drama is so much more. Kim Dan and Yeon-seo`s dynamic is amongst my favorite couple dynamics to watch. A pure, childish man and a cold, hardened woman come together with the help of divine power and fall in love. Seeing it spelled out like this, you would think it`d amount to something subpar and shallow but you`d be mistaken. This is a love with tragic consequences you wish you could save. Because both of these characters deserve it. Something about their relationship seems so fragile and precious, reeling this show to a higher rating for me. When their relationship is the focus, or the characters for that matter, it`s great. The OST also helps us feel all the necessary emotions, carrying, with each tune, a note of impending bitterness. It fits in with the story the writers are trying to tell. And it comes across perfectly well. L is also holding his own, though some of the more dramatic scenes require some feeling he`s not able to draw out just yet. Other than this nitpick, nowhere did his acting come off as gratifying or unsatisfactory. The sets and some of the effects are beautiful too, albeit a little too perfect, but that kind of aesthetic fits in with this drama just fine.

Now, after such high praises, I do have some concerns to voice. As I kept watching this drama, in the latter half of it especially, I felt a need to have it shortened. As in, the conflicts that kept appearing, other than the fear of Dan or Yeon-seo disappearing, felt a bit baseless and too unfounded for how good the drama itself was. And this was especially true for the overly evil sister Ru Na, who just became a downright cartoonish villain by the final episode, where her mother still felt somewhat acceptable. Them asking for forgiveness also felt like it was for the sake of the wrapped up happy ending, instead of feeling like it was an organic decision. Basically, the whole evil family story line in the last six episodes felt overblown and unnecessary, is what I'm trying to say. Again, I`m not a fan of the "characters appearing right where they`re supposed to be" or "main characters knowing each other since they were kids" tropes, but the charm and the commendable acting managed to mask these cons. One little nitpick I also have to name for my sake, is that I felt just a touch disappointed that we didn`t get a blind protagonist all the way through but I got over it pretty quickly.

To close up this review, I recommend this drama to those of you who are looking for a new take on star-crossed lovers which will make your feelings soar. Check it out!

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If you`re the right audience - You`ll love this

I honestly don`t know why I like this drama so much, I couldn`t give you a definite answer. It is chock-full of tropes, easily solvable misunderstandings, cringy situations...AND YET. I like it a lot. Did I cringe at times, hoping that a scene will end fast?Sure. Did I huff at the "lover from the past appearing again to mess everything up" trope?YUP. As I`ve rated, the story is the weakest link here. It`s nonsensical at times, characters` motivations don`t line up with what they`re supposed to be and it is amateurish at times. Cuts can be abrupt, some scenes are left out, so we don't get the context of what happened, since it was left behind the scene. Be it my damn fascination with older women, younger men trope or something else, this is a good drama. And out of the three that I have watched starring Park Seo-joon(This one, "What`s Wrong with Secretary Kim?" and "Fight My Way")this one is my favorite. He`s great as the dependable, charitable and sweet Yoon Dong Ha and has the best chemistry with Uhm Jung-Hwa, who`s great in this role, when she`s consistent. I do see some cracks in her acting which at times, made it hard for me to buy it as convincing, but these moments were scarce and far apart. The acting of others was serviceable. I was also surprised by the number of certified musical classics used, especially in fishcake bar scenes, which doesn`t happen often, I think.

My one main flaw with this drama is the writing, but not even for how cliché it is, but for how the scenes were written. Sometimes, they don`t flow subsequently, as they should. In fact, Ji-Yeon`s ex boyfriend is the biggest victim of this mistake and his character suffers in a way that could`ve been avoided and I even thought of how. Instead of having a tearjerking reason for why he couldn`t make it to the wedding, it would be more interesting and thematically satisfying to either:have him make up that story and be discovered, or not even make it up and have Ji-Yeon create a revenge plan in which she would leave him at the altar this time and even ruin his reputation with her article. And the second option is that thematically satisfying one. Why?Well, in the second episode of the drama, Yi-Jeon says, multiple times:"You shouldn`t have your blood pressure go up because of idiots?But if you get the chance, you should get a revenge on them."And also, both her and her ex-boyfriend always talked about him taking pictures and her writing the articles, so having her ruin him with her article would be a nice ending and a closing chapter for her. It`s still cliché but it works in the context of her character. In the meantime, she falls in love with Dong Ha, who would also feel betrayed after giving the man an okay. I wish the writers sat on it more, instead of opting for such a farfetched explanation.

Now, like I`ve mentioned before, the chemistry between the leads in this drama is great.It is the best for Seo-yoon especially. It is not as overacted as in "Fight My Way" and nor is it as stereotypical as in "What`s Wrong with Secretary Kim?". There`s a certain overlap between the actors that seems subtle and weirdly appropriate, despite their age difference. And though not spectacular, I do have to give points to the writers on one thing they did for Ji-Yeon:making her a fun, ambitious and confident older woman. In almost all dramas that use this trope, the woman is either shy, self-conscious or elegant and mature, but never openly sexy. And they chose the right actress for that, I`m so glad to see a curvaceous female lead(by Asian standards- don`t get it twisted, everyone is beautiful, but it`s just nice to see) who`s lively and though they screw with her character at times, I never felt that she became weak or defenseless, just in a shitty situation. That is not to say that the whole ex-boyfriend thing doesn`t bother me and the way she reacted is so wrong for what she stands for, but I still like her because of the charisma the actress brings. It is also nice how Dong Ha has a reason for being so giving, not only has he lost his first love at such a young age, but is also connected to an orphanage, which is why he knew how to mellow down Ji-Yeon. Episodes with these two(especially episode 15)are great, and they really have a positive effect on me, I totally see them as a couple. So, even though this drama had all the ingredients to make me drop it immediately, it actually managed to entice me enough to give it this score.

It must be witchcraft.

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Honesty is key- This drama made Hyun Bin unlikeable

That is a hurdle to tackle. Making Hyun Bin, one of the most charismatic and magnetic Korean actors working today, unlikeable. Thank God for CLOY in that sense-otherwise I might`ve remembered him as this arrogant, borderline psychopathic Jin-heon whose pathetic indecisiveness almost made me drop my first Korean drama. Alas, that didn`t happen. Like many mentioned before, it is important to acknowledge the good parts of this drama, which is obviously acting and even the story wasn`t written half bad. Kim Sun-a as Kim Sam Soon is great, she sells it completely(it`s kinda funny to see what Koreans back then thought fat was) it`s just that her character is so grading, also bordering on psychopathic. This drama shows two very unstable people falling in love(?) only their personalities, in reality, would never, ever work.

The ending and kissing scenes are probably my favorite parts of this show, as the ending is strangely mature and complex, when compared to what we`ve been seeing so far- utter displays of unnerving immaturity on both sides. That being said, now I`m going to go in on just why this whole drama is so farfetched, and incredibly disagreeable. And it all pretty much stems from Hee-jin. Not her as a character, in it of itself, but just how many times she`s used as an excuse for both Sam Soon`s and Jin-heon`s problems. In fact, I commented on one of the episodes that, even though Jin-heon has ended up with Sam Soon, he`s still sus in my eyes, because up to the last episode, he was all about Hee-jin, despite having feelings for Sam Soon. He never once instilled that confidence in me of being over Hee-jin and his indecisiveness, coupled with a few scenes of Sam Soon plainly taking his disrespect just pushed me over the edge and had me giving this score to this drama. I love strong characters, and I don`t mind characters to whom I can`t relate, or even like, but I can`t forgive this hot-n-cold take just on the basis of first love. In "Coffee Prince", Han Kyul was also in love with someone for 9 years, but when it came down to it, he gave up. I just don`t feel like Jin-heon ever definitely gave up, though they were hellbent on proving that to us. It just didn`t work. And I also strongly dislike how their main troubles were related to that love triangle, as if they themselves aren`t a whole mess and a half to deal with. At times I felt exasperated, just HOPING that one of them will nip this at the bud and move on. Yet, they ended up together. I don`t know, the main leads, although brimming with chemistry, just mismatch as a couple due to their tempers. And when most of the story is about that, it becomes a chore to watch.

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Misleading poster,yet...

A little pre-fact for you:This drama compelled me to get back to writing these reviews after a seven month long hiatus.So,let`s get into it.

Before starting any of my reviews,it is my habit to thank everyone involved in a drama for making it.I know how tough it must be,yet they prevailed and here we are.Not only that,but this drama was written by a first time drama writer.Setting aside her controversies,the fact that someone`s first drama is this well written...well,let`s say some big names in the industry fade by comparison.

Now,let`s focus on this drama.And what a pleasure that will turn out to be for me.Because this series is a joy to watch.

For starters,everyone`s acting is absolutely phenomenal.From Meguro Ren giving (undoubtedly) one of the best male performances of this year as sweet,yet understated male lead Sakura Sou.To Suzuka Ouji just genuinely being a great addition in the form of his former best friend and boyfriend of Sakura`s ex-girlfriend Tsumugi.This trio beautifully explored a whole new world one wouldn`t often think about unless they find themselves in an unescapable situation.The silent world.Because,as my headline says,don`t let this drama fool you into thinking it`s a romantic story of sacrifice and abnegation.It`s so much more than that.Its focus(almost entirely) IS on how deaf people interact,build relationships,destroy them and are perceived by hearing people,as well as how they(hearing people) are perceived by them,in return.The `meat` of this story is not found through usual,linear storytelling where boy meets girl,they fall in love,evil second lead threatens their happiness etc.It is,instead,neatly woven through characters` eyes,sign language and thought processes.Some viewers might find characters` decisions brash and illogical,with many telling me so whilst watching this show.On the other hand,I find them more than understandable,because it was easy to get into the mindset of each and every character.And that falls on good writing.Many conclusions are gotten through careful tracking of their body language,movements and,in lesser measure,words.I didn`t find anyone complementing how much is said in this drama,without the need to use words at all.Whole stretches of thought processes shown wonderfully,without a single letter being uttered.That is some serious talent and a hurdle destroyed.Another point for this drama goes to the portrayal of a healthy breakup once a person realizes they aren`t in it for the same reasons anymore.

So often do we have a chance to see toxic breakups in dramas.They exist,sure,but the way they are executed usually leaves a bad taste in my mouth.Here,it`s one of the most amicable and admirable types I`ve seen and it`s not like it`s for no reason either.It all circles back to me being in awe of the writer and her abilities.It`s not even only reflected in situations either.Sakura Sou is such a rare type of male lead you can`t help but root for.He`s the definition of someone minding their own business and trying their best in the face of adversity.He`s got his own demons,moments of vanity and weakness,but he`s never portrayed at this drama`s brownie point(ahem Move to Heaven).You get a feeling a person like this might just exist.Same goes for Tsumugi and Minato,though they do have a significantly smaller amount of time to be as fleshed out as I wanted them to be.Nevertheless,they`ve all got their issues and troubles,but it never feels out of place or forced.Plus,the character of Nana,Sou`s guide through this new challenge he`s conquering,is also a great person with cons and insecurities,as someone who grew up deaf and thus,carries a certain type of prejudice one might not see often.I rooted for all of them to succeed in their aspirations.

This drama really isn`t about one thing in particular.It`s not very sad(though I did cry almost every episode),not very romantic or crazy/out of the box.It really is a character study,or rather,a world study,on the type of things most of us take for granted.How quickly they can disappear and we have to adapt again.And again.One fun fact - I actually picked up quite a bit of sign language whilst watching this drama.There`s an unexpected pro I`ve personally,never had the chance to pick up for a drama.Even if you`re not interested in learning sign language,you`ll probably get it subconsciously.There are so many good things found in this show one might simply not expect.

Even the romance,which is very scarce,so be warned,is quite...sweet.Nice.But not clichéd.Tsumugi and Sou`s interactions feel very intimate in a quite real way.Them holding hands on the street made me feel more than characters going at it in other dramas this year.There`s a beautiful sense of respect and love,especially in the last episode,that I don`t think many dramas get right nowadays.In fact,I want a whole `nother season dedicated to their relationship and life as a couple.

Also,the OST to this drama by OfficialHigedism,is appropriately fabulous.Truly,they can`t make a bad song even if they tried.Now,as for drawbacks...

There aren`t many really.As I mentioned before,I would like MORE of Tsumugi and Sou.They`ve got such an intriguing dynamic and past,plus their chemistry is great.Another 5-6 episodes of this drama would`ve made it a perfect 10,but I get why they didn`t want to focus as much on romance as they could`ve.That`s not the point.

Another con is,I wanted more characterisation when it came to Tsumugi and Minato.I think they deserved just a bit more consideration.Which Sou and Nana got.But these are nitpicks really,as I do think this drama very significant and a huge win for many communities.

Finally,we do not appreciate what we`ve got until we lose it.Even then,we can start again.As loudly or as silently as we wish to,we can always start again.

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YES MA`AM!

First of all, I want to thank the writers of this show for giving us a strong female lead whose only trait is NOT that she`s strong and/or fueled by something overly moral and heroic. She just wants to make money to buy a building which she considers as her root. She`s cunning, savvy, not overly empathetic, fun, sarcastic and smart all the way through. And best of all, she`s morally GRAY!I cannot give enough praise to producers who decide to make their leads like this, whether they are male or female. We all make wrong decisions and are tempted by greed, pride or whatever. No one is exempt from this, yet dramas and entertainment seem to insist on convincing us that main characters are always either PERFECT in their beliefs and cannot waver for anything OR are cartoonishly evil, but they can change!!

That isn`t to say that our main lead doesn't go through a transformation of her own. She does, and though I wish that transformation was done a little bit more subtly, I`m grateful that her prideful stance doesn`t change at all and stays the backbone of her character throughout. There were moments when I caught myself rooting for her despite the fact that what she was doing wasn`t morally sound in my eyes. But I like that. I like questioning my own standards and ways and it`s great when a drama can get me to do that. You won`t always agree with Geum Ja, in fact you might outright hate her sometimes(mainly at the start of the show), but I love being challenged and faced with different molds of characters which I can analyze.
This isn`t to say that the male lead isn`t great too and his development comes in due time and it is every bit as beautiful as female lead`s. In fact I would say that his change went even smoother. Hee Jae was, like Geum Ja would call him, a rich brat who got where he is on the back of his family. And this is true at the start. He WAS that twerp running errands for corrupt rich without question, but what is more important, he felt entitled to impose his moral compass on someone who doesn't accept it. She more like flips that thing and destroys it, which is why he loses to her. Still, Hee Jae doesn`t feel like a bad guy. He`s more morally sound than Geum Ja but has the same objectives as her, which is why their change wouldn't be possible without each other and if that isn't the best kind of adult love, them I don`t know what is. He becomes patient, understanding and threads lightly, which after everything they`ve been through, is the best way.

Other characters are a delight as well and although he was a touch cartoonish, Song Pil-Joong was a good villain. Like, I was genuinely happy when Geum Ja erased that stupid smirk off his face.

Now, I do need to nitpick for a bit. I wish we saw just a bit more of an interaction between Geum Ja and Hee Jae. Like 10 minutes more would`ve been perfect since their comradeship and chemistry is very believable and it would`ve also cemented their relationship as something that`s gonna last. I do also have to complain about some missteps the writers made in regards to how Geum Ja distributes the vital information she receives as sometimes that`s exactly what gets them in trouble in the first place. I wish they didn`t make such a highly intelligent character go to the big bad wolf directly to spell out her plan so that he could, of course, stop her for plot convenience sake. Otherwise, the writing is quite clever in places, such as when Geum Ja tells her client:"Do you know why hyenas shit out white poop?Because they eat the bones of their pray, no matter if dead or alive. So watch me how I eat your mother."I loved it. She`s unapologetically savage and not what a badass female today should look like at all, by Hollywood`s standards. She`s older, dresses differently, curses and is overall the opposite of ruined bad woman ideal. And I love, love it.

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So,about MIU 404...

...this drama might be the FIRST one to finally capture the true essence of what BUDDY COP trope means. So let`s talk about it.

First of all,I like to start every review of mine by thanking everyone involved in the making of this drama. As an aspiring writer,I`m well aware of exertions one must undergo in every production. Therefore,thank you,actors,producers,writers and the rest of the staff people do not usually mention,for giving us such a great project.

With that out of the way,shall we dive into what sets `MIU 404` apart from many dramas whose backbone lies in unity between the characters? I`ll be the first one to say,I didn`t have high expectations for this drama. Although I generally prefer Japanese dramas over dramas from other countries(though hypocritically two of my absolute favorite dramas are from South Korea,alas),that cover really didn`t inspire much. To be completely honest,I was so put off by this drama`s cover,I had to set it aside for MONTHS. Despite the fact Gen Hoshino(of `Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu` fame,amongst MANY other projects and ventures) was in this,I still had to think about whether to give this a try or not just because of that damn poster. But,only 48 hours after I started this journey,I`m here to say it was WELL worth it. Because,what a great drama this was. Seriously.

In my circle of friends,I`m known as an S class,thorough SCEPTIC. And that title is not for naught. Because I`ve written,seen and read so much,there aren`t a lot of projects,especially referring to dramas,that can really move me nowadays. I`ll find good,even great dramas. And whilst I can recognize their objective value to the medium as it is,many of them fail to move me in any significant manner. I am happy to report `MIU 404` is not one of those dramas. This one has a quality that is rarely seen today. And that `something` cannot be explained rationally for it`s something based on an completely irrational concept: soul. The type of chemistry this drama sports is often tried,yet rarely executed well. Even though the premise is quite so simple.

Two members of unit `MIU 404`,department of Metropolitan Tokyo police force,Ibuki Ai(a rough around the edges outlier whose seemingly only redeeming quality is his running ability) and Shima Kazumi(your good to Ibaki`s bad cop trope if you will) are grouped together,hoping to make a difference in the world...by running after high school pranksters,finding a little girl`s toy,uncovering a body covered in cat`s litter and the like. You know,the usually stuff. Yeah,this drama couldn`t`ve been made by any other country than Japan.

On paper,this is a true and tried formula Hollywood in particular,does good with. Get a character who wants to do good,by the book deeds,and one who`s so volatile and funny,together. Boom,magic. However,the way they went about showing this unlikely friendship form is so understated,yet easy,that I can`t,for the life of me,understand why some dramas INSIST on making everything so complicated. On Captain Kikyo`s orders,this odd pair is shoved in a melon bread van(figuratively of course...) and sent on their way to catch the baddies of Tokyo`s society. What we get,in reality,are two completely different people with the same goal clashing,discussing,philosophising and talking over each other,with everything being filmed in an almost documentary type of style. It is GREAT. It is quite exhilarating seeing one of my favorite types of characterization explored in a buddy cop drama. This is,quite probably,one of the quickest ways you,as a writer,can employ,to get me to care about your characters. People like to rave about D.P. and the like(which,there is a lot to like there,no doubt),but the first buddy cop drama duo that really got me to care was this one. I can genuinely see these actors as their characters,which should attest to the level of pretty much everyone here. Which brings me to my next point. Most of the performances here are so great in their heartwarming oddity. I`ve already mentioned Ibuki,Shima,Kikyo,but Jinba and Kokonoe also have my heart. In fact,the whole MIU 404 gang has it. Even Kuzumi(though his is a character that holds my biggest critique incidentally). Heck,even Shima`s previous partner Kosaka(played incredibly by Murakami Nijiro) in his brief cameo had me caring. One thing you`ll learn quite quickly with this drama is that you`ll come to care.

Another point to its advantage is just how bingeable it is. Seeing as this drama(for the most part) relies on the `new case per episode` approach,whilst many discoveries and dramatic turns(which many dramas would MILK and make it as overly dramatic as they could) happen in the background,it is quite understandable why I mention this. You`d be able to watch one episode of this drama per week,and due to it having such memorable characters,I`d wager you`d still remember what is crucial. I won`t reveal much about our antagonist,but just know,he`s charismatic,dramatic,takes over your screen entirely and played with such ease by none other than our veteran at this point,Masakik Suda. Yes,I was pleasantly surprised too,don`t worry.

Subsequently,the comedy used for many of the scenes is, drumroll please...ACTUALLY FUNNY. And NOT readily based on slapstick. The laughs aren`t derived from someone simply farting,or hitting a wall,or a misunderstanding. A large portion of that fun comes from Ibuki,Shima and the rest of the crew just eating udon,spewing cute burns and enjoying the banter that ensues. And it all feels so NATURAL. For example,one`d start talking seriously about something and the other(usually Ibuki with his intrusive thoughts) would join in and take it to another direction,while the first one didn`t even finish talking. Can you tell how desperate I am for another season of this yet?Huh?HUH?

This type of drama lends itself to possible great subsequent seasons,that`s all I`ll say.

The OST,as well,is understandably awesome. Penned by Kenshi Yonezu,it is expectedly JPOP-y and exhilarating at points. Even the cases themselves,being as insignificant as they are,paint a more realistic picture of police duty and,like Shima says,when topic of guns and arms came up:`Most number of cops don`t even reach for their gun in their whole entire career. I`m talking about firing one,forget about that. They don`t even REACH for one.`

After all of these accolades,I wouldn`t be myself if I didn`t mention SOME drawbacks. They mainly concern the latter batch of this show,especially the actual antagonist. Or rather,how they spliced the great tension about him with some questionable editing choices. There is a specific confrontation between him and Ibuki that is just magnificent. It`s not played up to be dramatic,but you can feel something brewing. Dialogue is pretty surface level,yet body language discerns irritability. And when it comes to a boiling point,it`s quite...underwhelmingly cut down. I won`t reveal more than this,but it does make for some immersion breaking moments I wasn`t a fan of. Some anime level immersion breaking moments.

However,whether this drama put me in a forgiving mood or there`s something else at play,is no concern of mine. What is,though,is me urging people to give this one a watch when they`re in an explorative,fun yet not one for dramatics state of mind. It`ll be worth it,I can vouch for this one. I just know it will.

Also,Hokada udon IS too soft. Only the real ones know.

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A worthy successor

I`d like to pose a cautionary reference/grade if you will:

I have obviously seen "The Glory: Part One" and rated it a 7,5.My rating hasn`t changed since then,but I haven`t written a dedicated review for it.
Secondly,as I do with all my reviews,I`d like to congratulate every actor,director,writer,down to every staff member for participating in the making of this drama.Creating a drama is hard and the effort should be recognized accordingly.

With that out of the way,I can begin my review properly.

I`m starting off my review of "The Glory: Part Two" by listing what I did like in this revenge fueled,mean spirited but fun journey.The villains:Park Yeon Jin,Jeon Jae Joon,Choi Hye Jeong,Song Myeong Oh and Lee Sa Ra,played by Lim Ji Yeon,Park Sung Hoon,Cha Joo Young,Kim Gun Woo and Kim Hi Oera,respectively.I don`t know if it`s wrong to like this bully bunch,but if it is,I don`t wanna be right.I absolutely believe "The Glory" would be nothing without its antagonists.Despite some overdramatic mishaps and holes in writing(later on that),every one of them never cuts corners.They decided to work for that paycheck and it shows.Absolute delight and I hope to see more of them in future projects,especially Cha Joo Young,my personal favorite.
Not to mention,Jung Sung Il as Ha Do Yeong.The best acting job,besides Yeom Hye Ran as Kang Hyeon Nam,positive,albeit somewhat tragic assistant of our protagonist.When I think about who most naturally adapted to their character,it`d definitely be these two.In fact,I wanted even more of them.A lot more that we got.

Another point would be in regards to cinematography.As with most Netflix backed projects,it looks great.The colors pop when they need to and it`s appropriately somber at times.As it should be.The tones were conveyed competently,including the OST,which never felt out of place.Also,the ending was actually satisfying and in today`s KDrama climate,that`s something to applaud.Not only that,but this drama has some very memorable scenes,courtesy of its antagonists mostly.

What the first part probably has over the sequel(which,one thing:This drama should NOT have been separated into two seasons.I get why it was done ahem,but there`s no actual benefit for the viewer in this separation) is the novelty and writing.Despite this having a lot more action,it FELT a lot slower and in parts,the pacing suffered greatly.Like some stated before,some important characterization and logic were sacrificed in favor of a very subpar romance.Also,as I praised the villains,I did praise their actors.The way they dumbed them down in the script,however,I`d have to mention here.Yeon Jin in particular is greatly wounded by the `convenience over logic` trope.I won`t spoil it for you,but on more than one occasion,she made choices her character wouldn`t commit in that way.And the excuse of `she panicked` very much feels like a cop out in this case.While I mentioned how the ending was good,and it was,make no mistake,I don`t feel like it was achieved thanks to our glorious revenge,as much as luck and having the right connections,so to speak.Like I also noted,Ha Do Yeong should`ve had a bigger role and impact.I`d take his character over Lee Do Hyun`s any day,and I,like many,have a soft spot for Lee Do Hyun.

Guess this is as good of a segue as any:What I can observe as a viewer who enjoyed this drama well enough,is that both Moon Dong Eun,our beautiful,tortured and determined lead and Joo Yeo Jeong,a sweet albeit,distanced plastic surgeon,her headsman and love interest,are played...adequately.Here`s the thing:Besides her beauty and "Full House",it always seemed to me Song Hye Kyo was holding back.Her expressions,intonations,body language...like in previous projects,it`s also felt here.In a smaller measure,to be quite honest,there are moments I thought she was legitimately good.But it always seems to me like she`s afraid to unleash her potential in full capacity.Yeom Hye Ran is a great example of what I mean.That woman can ACT and she does that.I always get immersed in her characters.

As for Lee Do Hyun,he`s been,unfortunately typecast once again,as a somewhat inoffensive,warm hearted younger male lead to a colder,more intellectually driven older female lead.He`s never really TRIED to get lost in a character he plays,but their romance here is very,very underwhelming and kind of even one note,and a fair chunk of the runtime is given to it.So that`s why it`s even more of a surprise.

Finally,I have to repeat myself:I do think this is a GOOD drama.I`m a sucker for revenge themes in my media,in general.It`s just now,to me,more obvious what can be improved upon whereas the First Part was able to hide those cracks just a bit better.

A story that can,at times,leaving you wanting more,still was an entertaining ride. I`d recommend this drama,just manage your expectations,based on generous reviews left by others.

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An ambitious drama ruined by its scope

"A society that can't forgive someone's failures for a whole life OR a society that supports people who are doing their best at the moment. I wonder which one we want to show to our children." ¬

It`s been a while since I`ve dedicated my time to watching a Japanese drama, let alone a drama dealing with such a taboo topic. It`s no secret that I tend to prefer and gravitate towards shows and movies with subject matters that make me think and maybe even revaluate some of my grounded stances. Be it moral or ethical ones. This drama, however, made me question both. And I`m still not sure where I stand with it. I realized that, unlike Korean dramas, where the main problems usually lie in the dependency on clichés and tropes, or in the absence of chemistry between characters, with Japanese dramas, the problem more often than not lies in the actual format itself and how limiting it actually is.

For such an overzealous project such as "Chugakusei Nikki", the Japanese format of creating dramas(pushing them into a pattern of 10 or 11 episodes), doesn`t lend itself to productive outcome. To be very blunt, this drama would`ve benefitted more from either:becoming a 100 minute picture OR having additional 4 or 5 episodes. As it stands, there are some things I liked about it, and some that were downright confusing to watch. So let`s talk about it.

In my reviews, I`m always readily opting to list off positives I`ve noticed while watching a particular drama. Not only is this my way of respecting hard work put into the show itself, but also because I don`t want to deter any potential watchers if they`re set on giving this drama, for example, a portion of their time. When it comes to pros, the acting from pretty much everyone involved was good, and at parts even great. Namely the male lead and the female lead are obviously talented and embody their roles quite well. There is some overacting, as is the case with most Japanese dramas(Akira`s mother), however it is not noticeable enough to ruin my watching experience. Some of the sequences are creative and engaging to watch and are also in tune with characters` emotions and thoughts, which, as a cinematic snob, I appreciated very much. Their chemistry is very much undeniable, as well, but that chemistry, unfortunately, doesn`t come from the story itself, but from the ambition and talent of the cast. The OST has some gems too, which is unsurprising, coming from Japanese dramas, they really do throw in some amazing songs in all of their shows, and this one is no exception to that rule. I downloaded at least two or three songs on my phone. Two or three times, writing parallels are drawn between past and present that worked for me and made me realize that the writing team also has talent to pull off some impressing scenes. I am a fan of how they tried to also showcase consequences of this relationship in the form of Hijiri barely finding a job and constantly being afraid of her secret being found out by the teachers and parents. And now for the biggest crux of this show.

THE STORY AND THE WAY ITS CHARACTERS ARE WRITTEN.

This is what I mean when I say that this story should`ve been either thought out more or left as a movie. Because what we end up with is a heart-wrenching plot in theory, without proper backing in terms of character development. And with dramas like this, you need fleshed out relationships and characters, otherwise you`re piling on grief without earning the interest beforehand. As I kept on watching this show, one thought became clearer and clearer:Why is Hijiri ready to go through with this forbidden connection?Nothing Akira is offering is precious enough, nor is it something she can`t find with someone else who`s not a minor. Here we come to the main issue this one, and many other Jdramas have:relationships and experiences come across as shallow because the team isn`t given enough time to deepen them. This is quite literally, the case of `biting off more than you can chew`. Even still, if they weren`t so intently focused on stretching this story out over long periods of time only, but instead concentrated on weaving their love out like a well-made sweater, using experiences and situations as balls of yarn, maybe I, as a watcher, would`ve had an easier time of believing Akira when he prostrated himself in front of his mother in desperation. Or when Hijiri decided to give up on the profession of her life. Maybe I would`ve been able to swallow this icky feeling of unrest whenever I thought of the fact that these two were impulsive, thoughtless people. Their actions(moreso Akira`s) are extremely selfish. That would be fine, as I have no issues rooting for such people IF they`ve also got redeeming qualities. Even the secondary couple, Kawai and Higurashi(who is my favorite character here, despite the fact that even she`s questionable due to some of her stances), have some good parts to them. Like how Geum Ja from "Hyena" is immoral and brash, but also ambitious and intelligent. Or how Kairi Tendo from "Love Lasts Forever" is cold and stoic, but also wise and helpful. But Akira and Hijiri DON`T have these qualities, nor duality to their characters. Akira is impetuous, with no regard for others around him. Even though three years pass, he learns nothing from what happened and the second he finds out about Hijiri`s whereabouts, he rushes there, with no consideration for her nor her job. Not only do these things make their romance even more unbelievable, but it also makes their relationship seem as a product born from Hijiri being cornered by her upcoming married life and responsibilities. And they treat this as if it`s other forces only meddling with their relationship and that others are only and strictly at fault. On the other hand, Hijiri straight up has no say over her life and it seems like she prefers it that way. She self-sabotages ,has no compassion for her friend who found her a job and a place to live, but is ready to shoulder the blame and try to come off as the ultimate sinner. It`s frustrating because, even though they have to face hurdles, Akira and Hijiri don`t talk about their next steps. Instead, they dramatically wail and ponder over their misery separately, at a time when they should be united the most. Thus, while one part of their suffering should and can be put on their circumstances, it`s also on them, for aggravating their situation further in an unneeded way.

A good juxtaposition for this drama would be its much sweeter, yet more substantial counterpart:"A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love", another Jdrama dealing with a potential relationship between a teacher and a student. Only this time, not only is the male student leaps and bounds more emotionally equipped and intelligent that Akira, but the female teacher is far too innocent and adorably clueless to his emotions. This time, they go through A LOT before she even starts falling in love with him. This credibility then, is kept in watcher`s mind when things unsurprisingly go awry. That`s the key difference. YOU need to give US a reason to care. And that is not achieved through dramatic separations only. Now, I haven`t read the manga this drama is based on, as it is still ongoing, so when it comes to that, I can`t warrant to the quality of it as an adaptation.

Finally, while this drama is definitely atmospheric and at times interesting in its presentation, it`s also far from being such a high-rated Jdrama. I would not recommend it unless it really piques your interest, like it did mine.

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When writing becomes a strong point

I wasn`t surprised, first of all, to see that the writers responsible for this drama were the same ones who gave us "Pinocchio". Both of these dramas` strongest points is their writing.

To start off this review, I do have to admit my bias for Older Female/Younger Male trope, which has been one of my favorites for a long time now, and it is also the way I found out about this drama. I always like to start off my reviews by mentioning one drama`s pros, as I believe that each one, no matter how good or mediocre it is, has its pros and cons. For one, most of characters` emotions, thoughts and relationships are meticulously explored and tied, where you can thoroughly understand their motivations and the progression of feelings they experience. For example, I completely understand why and how Soo-ha would fall for Hye-sung. It has next to nothing to do with her appearance per se, but it is the kind of infatuation which you can hardly shake even well into your adulthood. She basically saved his life and honored his family while not really understanding the level of danger she`d be put in. That`s commendable and worthy of his affection. It`s not JUST an `idol` type of shallow obsession, it`s both gratefulness and love for someone who became your savior. I also like how, though disappointed at first, he still understood her personality instead of wallowing in self pity over a ruined facade. Another point goes for the characterization and development of Hye-sung. Now, this also partially has to do with my preference. Under almost each episode at the start of this drama, people were brutal towards her. "She`s unlikeable, downright insufferable, I hope we see her grow and change."Jang Hye-sung is the type of a female lead we still don`t see a lot in dramas, for whatever reason. She`s arrogant(and she stays this way for the remainder of the drama), proud, with very relatable goals in life in hindsight(comfortable living provided by money) and blunt to a fault, but it`s so refreshing. We do see her change however. But not in the over the top way, from bad to good, from independent to pathetically underpowered. Her arrogance, which has stemmed from her insecurities, acting like a front, instead started to stem from her ability and convictions. She did not stop being self-important and cocky, she just changed the source from which that power was coming. That`s how you understand your characters and their thoughts and develop them accordingly. Other characters receive similar treatment, especially the show`s antagonist Min Joon-gook. Up until episode 12, Min Joon-gook was one interesting and downright realistic take on a serial killer. He`s an everyman, someone you can easily employ, positive and helpful. We all like to imagine our serial killers as sociopathic, asocial and broody humans who are creepy and obviously on a bad path because that would make us feel more perceptive and safe, as we deem it easy to spot them. And admittedly, some are like that. However, the vast majority are more likely to be like Min Joon-gook. Even as a serial killer, he still makes mistakes and worries about how his plans are going to work out. That clumsiness , coupled with the eerie normalcy of his character, made him a worthy addition. Which is why I`m rather mad for what they did to him in later episodes. The OST is also very good, some bangers lead to the enhancement of the actual atmosphere instead of taking away from it.

As I`ve said, if the story is tight, the characters are fleshed out and worthy of praise and OST is great as well, then pray, what are the cons of this drama?

Well, I would be a hypocrite to give this drama an 8.5 or higher when, at the same time, it becomes lazy and employs one of the worst tropes known to the dramaworld, if not the worst. You know the one, for sure. FREAKING MEMORY LOSS. Thanks, I hate it. I hated it before, I hate it now and I`ll hate it forever until the end of time. Unless amnesia is an important plot point encompassing your story from the start until the end, don`t use it. Don`t use it to pad out the runtime of an otherwise satisfying show. It flushes your credibility down the toilet in an instant. And I hate how every drama that does this obviously does it for useless filler, shown through the fact that memories return after maximum two episodes. Another reason why I just couldn`t rate it any higher is briefly mentioned above, but I just hate how they turned Min Joon-gook`s motivation from going after Hye-sung because of her testimony, aptly showing how being consumed by hatred can make you rotten from the inside to it being a revenge against Soo-ha of all people, on the basis of his parents` past. This way they undermine most of the things he did to get to where he got. Him telling Soo-ha that he`s not his target and that he has no wish to hurt him, to him luring Soo-ha for a ham-fisted exposition on turning into a beast, it`s all diluted and unnecessary and obviously done for tacked on drama. Finally, I feel like, and this is just my gripe with both this drama and "Pinocchio" from a writing standpoint, they should`ve developed actual relationship between Soo-ha and Hye-sung more. As in, as a couple. It still felt like they weren`t even together when they`ve been in a relationship for a bit. It all stayed on the `playful-yet-innocent` level for characters whose feelings obviously warrant more.

Still, I like this drama a lot and fun fact: I actually watched "Kill Me, Heal Me" before this and had no idea that Lee Bo-young(Jang Hye-sung) and Ji Sung(Cha Do-hyun) were married!What a coincidence!

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THIS IS IT

This is how it all began, isn`t it?The craze over Korean dramas seems to have started with this pioneer, a drama which should be in the 9s, and isn`t because, some people just don`t like serotonin, I guess. Now, I have to be honest. Before Korean, I was hardcore into Japanese dramas since the age of 12. And, around that time, two dramas would always be mentioned. Hana Yori Dango(a favorite to this day) and Coffee Prince. Sadly, because of my unfounded ignorance, I refused ardently to watch CP until now. But maybe it`s for the better, because nostalgia can`t blind me here.
Even without that, I can say that this is a classic for a reason and it`s a true blasphemy, again, that it`s rated lower than, say, Master`s Sun(which I liked fine, but it didn`t hook me).

Coffee Prince is a story that might`ve been told numerous times, but never in this way and never with this amount of effort and likeability. Perhaps unfairly, because of this drama, I cannot watch Gong Yoo in any other project involving romance, because it just feels lackluster in comparison. Everyone here feels like family. And my meaning is two fold. The chemistry between the actors is so overpowering that there is no way to believe that they aren`t real friends. Another part is that, when I watch this drama, I feel like I`m a part of that family and that is why the rewatch value for me is so high. I will never get bored of this.

Go Eun Chan, Choi Han Kyul, Noh Sun Ki, Choi Han Sung... they all belong to a universe of their own. That universe is special, pure, and something that can never be replicated. And I stand by that. If this drama is ever remade, it won`t do well unless it`s with these actors. It`s obvious that for both screen writers, this was a flash in the pan, since they were never able to write something like this again. It`s both a blessing and a curse to make something this memorable. You will either launch your career into outer space(Gong Yoo) or you will be eaten by the level of popularity which you cannot live up to (Yoon Eun-hye). Whatever the case may be, Coffee Prince is unadulterated shot of magic that we all need. It may be a bit cliché and seen before, but so what?If you can make a story, which has been told a million times before, stand out in this way, I would say you`ve overcome a bigger feat than if you`ve told a completely new story. So, give it a chance if you haven`t, don`t be like me. And with that being said, I`ll make me a cup of average coffee(-_-) and watch this drama for seventh time in five months.

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Memories are not puzzle pieces,they are a feeling

Life unexpectedly creeps up on you without realization.It shapes your perception quietly and slowly,making you think you`re one in charge.This drama weaves a story of longing and necessity so well,you might not even realize what type of message it actually had in store.Like a good tale should,it leaves breadcrumbs with each new episode,and you become Hansel or Gretel,following pieces of tasty treat in order to get to a fervent goal.And it`s a tearjerking one at that.

To start off this review,I`d like to that the actors,writers,producers and the rest of the staff involved with this show,as I`m well aware of the risks and hoops one has to forego in order to create a drama.

To be completely honest,I still don`t know which direction this review will take.Because during my time with this drama,I kept lowering then changing my score.Other than one specific episode(or rather fifty minutes of it),it was a smooth ride.The pacing is probably one of the best I`ve seen when we`re talking about slower,more deliberate approaches.And,with the exception of one or two larger than life characters,everyone seems...grounded in reality.Which is kind of purposefully juxtaposed with time traveling MacGuffin because...everything in this drama is a stand in for something else.Even if you are of the twist this one goes for,you won`t be able to guess how they`ll go about it until it happens.The writing is actually clever.The writer(who I can delightfully report also wrote "Beyond Evil",a great crime thriller)really thrives in surroundings that seem fake.And she really got better at it with time.
And this is not the case with the writer either.The director did a wonderful job of setting up scenes and angles,that at times I was really wondering if what I was watching wasn`t a western show,rather than a Korean drama.And some answers were carefully tucked away in the background,thus,if you weren`t paying attention,this twist might seem to come out of left field.But it is not the case.

As this is a spoiler free review(since I don`t want to spoil an actual worthy twist,something that comes once in a blue moon),I`ll have to keep all points of interest at bay.But I still wanted to shed light on it by saying that you know something has a good twist when stories(both pre twist and post twist) could work on their own.So many dramas like to put in any twist just for pure shock value and because it`s simply popular.So what ends up happening is in worst case scenario it can ruin a perfectly good story,or in best case scenario earn a small chuckle out of you.As my headline suggests,it is rather hard to describe what makes this drama fun(albeit painfully) because it is entirely based on a feeling.You feel happy,sad,enraged,melancholic...all at once.The ending to this drama and the last episode in general is one of the most beautifully complex,yet maniacally emotional episodes I`ve seen of anything really.It`s partially why my rating shot up so high.It comes bearing so many lessons and experiences from young and old people alike.Everything that happens in this drama(bar fantastical elements) happened to multitude of persons,but it`s rarely talked about.That`s one more thing in favor of this show.It makes some excellent points on how young oriented society treats people who are deemed as unserviceable because they are elderly.And that sometimes happens in front of your very eyes.Some scenes reminded me of my childhood even and resentment accumulated in these characters is more than understandable when one gets the full picture.The acting is great across the board but Nam Joo Hyuk and Han Ji Min have really outdone themselves.I`ve yet to see a bad Han Ji Min project.And Nam Joo Hyuk FINALLY has something to work with,as his character is one full of moral faults,regrets and duality.This is his best role to date point blank,PERIOD.I honestly don`t think there`s one bad performance here and that speaks volumes.

Now,for drawbacks.Well,as I mentioned,fifty minutes of Episode 10 are incredibly weak,clunky and equipped with some clumsy introduction to a great twist.For a moment,I felt like I was watching a subpar drama and feared what was to come if they`re taking things in this direction.Thankfully,my fears were put to rest very quickly with exceptional episodes that followed.Another issue I`ve had though,is that some actions characters take can and are sometimes overly slapsticky and cartoony.Other than these though,it`s a drama I`m glad I gave a chance to.

It exceeded my expectations and if you need a takeaway from this,remember:Happiness is not shaped by events you go through,but by feelings you had whilst facing them.Thank You.

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A Korean telenovela

I`ve finished watching this drama today, without having seen the previous, Taiwanese version, and the first thing that popped in my head, due to the scenes, most of the characters and the plot in it of itself, was Mexican telenovela. To be fair, this drama is a bit less melodramatic than most telenovelas(no one dies here), of which I became a connoisseur at just seven years old (thanks, Grandma!) so I might be at a disadvantage with this one. Many people like it for how fresh and innocently charming it was, although it was still plagued with clichés and character development inconsistencies. With me, the one thing that stood out as very positive is Jang Hyuk`s acting and his character in general. Lee Gun is too charismatic for his own good. Even when the script makes him do things that are completely out of character for him(for filler purposes) it doesn`t get as annoying or monotone. Basically, every scene with him was a joy to watch, although the enjoyment of the actual show varies. It was interesting up until episode 12, and I distinctly remember it, because that`s the first time I reached for my phone. Afterwards, the damn AMNESIA issue, coupled with again, MISCOMMUNICATION, led to me charging through this one like crazy, because it got REALLY draggy.

The moment I got sucked in was episode 17, with Lee Gun`s video confession, which was such great acting that I started to care again. But not enough to score it any higher. I seriously think that people will label me as sexist, because in many Korean dramas I seem to find a problem with female leads, instead of the male ones, whom I often praise. And I don`t know what to tell you, because I love nothing more than an interesting and well written female lead. But this is, sadly not the case here. Because, it`s just, so, tragically lazy writing. I didn`t care for Mi Yeong at all, even though Jang Nara portrayed her well. The problem lies in the character. First off, I started rewriting the character in my head and came up with an intriguing, yet slight adjustment. I imagined her as an ex-delinquent, who was now trying to live her life earnestly, so she takes to being a post-it, for that reason. Yet, when her crush inevitably betrays her in that hotel room, she would wild out and pull his hair out or something. That kind of character. I think that it would be so much more interesting to watch such a dynamic. Alas, that`s not what ended up happening. Also, I`ve got a gripe with her becoming a popular artist out of the blue, when she didn`t even show much interest until the Dog Poopie cup. It all made it so easy for her and not even her second personality was that convincing, just frustrating.

While I love the relationship between Lee Gun and Mi Yeong`s mother, which is why I kept on watching, this drama is both too long and a road I know all too well, so for me, it is just another drama, when it should`ve been a sweet surprise.

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THE BEST ADAPTATION OF A MANGA

Let me just say this: Be it the blindness caused by nostalgia, be it my appreciation for Matsumoto Jun and Inoue Mao as actors or something else... If this isn`t your favorite, or at least your second favorite adaptation of this material, then I cannot trust your judgement. It might seem harsh to a bystander, so let me elaborate on my strong opinion.

This version of the well-known shoujo manga classic "Hana Yori Dango"(or Boys Over Flowers) should`ve just been a way to cash in on the popularity of its material, which is probably why they only made 9 episodes at first. Even the cast seems picked at random to a careless overseer. What I`m sure both the producers, as well as directors didn`t expect, is that they`ll end up creating one of, if not the most influential manga adaptation of all time. That is, for a lack of a better word, Hana Yori Dango has become the golden standard for me, of how a rather vapid and clichéd material should be improved upon and handled.

Let me make something very clear: Hana Yori Dango, the drama adaptation, is significantly better than both the manga and the anime. Yes, I`m perfectly aware that what I`m saying is almost unheard of, but that doesn`t make it any less true. Is the story clichéd and at times, nonsensical?Sure, it is based off of a shoujo dramatic manga, after all. However, it is miles better than its source material and the reason for that is both the IMMACULATE cast, their chemistry AND most importantly, what the director chose to shoot and present to the audience as such. The fact that most important characters are shaped by this, and thus different than their later counterparts, coupled with the way they are acted, makes this a show that improves upon the manga and the anime indefinitely.
Now for the cast that I keep praising to high heavens. Another fact that you should know: Each actor embodies his character PERFECTLY. As in the characters become the actors themselves. Many praise the Korean version of this, AKA Boys Over Flowers, and especially Lee Min-ho`s portrayal of the despotic, ruthless and chaotic Gu Jun-Pyo(Doumyouji Tsukasa) but after being treated to the layered portrayal done by Matsumoto Jun, (who`s just about one of the most talented people I`ve ever seen working in Japanese entertainment industry today), any other will seem one note or even unsatisfactory. Same goes for Inoue Mao, Oguri Shun etc. You would think that in 9 episodes, the timing would be off and the episodes would be rushed but that also, couldn`t be further than the truth. Everything flows remarkably well with no boring parts in between. To put it really simply, I think that this version, at first, was supposed to be done just for financial benefit and that`s it. But, along the way, the actors, the writers, the directors, chose to instead offer something bursting with effort, feelings and talent. At first glance, physically, none of the actors other than Mao Inoue, fit the characters that they are playing. Matsumoto Jun is not tall, buff or aggressive-looking. Oguri Shun is not extremely delicate, pale nor that elegant. But due to their talent, the characters that were supposed to embody the actors, ended up being embodied by the actors instead. There`s a reason why, to this day there is talk about Mao and Jun still being together. It`s the overwhelming chemistry that`s to blame.

As for the cons of this classic, I would say that they either harken back to the original material(love triangles, misunderstandings) or the acting of one villain in particular, which seemed overwhelmingly cheesy, so I have to be objective on that. However!If you`re unsure of which adaptation of this manga you should watch, I warmly suggest this one, because it excels in every way and will stand any test of time.

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