Oh boy who said this was a classic?

I would say that this drama is the perfect contender for explaining just how much nostalgia can blind us to the quality of our entertainment. And I`m extremely glad that I didn`t get to watch this in my childhood because now I might be one of those people who herald this drama as a classic. It`s not. A drama I can consider a true classic is "Coffee Prince" for example. A classic for me is supposed to signify something that will never get old, whose message will always beat the concept of time and won`t fall victim to changing tides. This on the other hand... yikes.

I think, again, that this would have no chance with me, in retrospect, even if it wasn`t held up at such a high standard. I just hate every trope this drama decides to utilize. From immature leads who cannot stand each other to the point of acting like actual five year olds (at times I felt like I was in charge of kindergarteners), a douchey second lead who only looks out for his own benefit, a male lead who can`t get over a girl from his past...Yup, it`s all here. And, in this concept, you need your main characters to be likeable. They are NOT. And this is rare, but I would say that they both got on my nerves in the same amount. And it`s a shame because chemistry is there. The soundtrack is crazy good. But you need some kind of meat on the bones of your plot OR interesting characters who mature and change over time. Unfortunately, neither was achieved here.

When both of the characters had the opportunity of a turning point on the porch, they just reverted to their old selves and it was all for naught. All that time, all that dragging, only to wrap it up quickly and nonsensically. It`s a real shame that this pairing ended up in this project because I feel like they could`ve done something. But this ain`t it.

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If PARASITE was a drama

This is not an easy watch by any means. I urge you to not watch this if you`re not open minded, if you`re immature or moot to the brutal realism of the capitalism run world. If the movie "Parasite" was a show, this is a whole circus.

The acting is immaculate. I actually have no complaints whatsoever about any actor. They all did their jobs brilliantly. Kim Hee-Ae and Yoo Ah-In`s chemistry is palpable, raw, it morphes from something animalistic into something frail and true. In fact, the scene where she reads his diary while he plays the piano for her gave me the feeling of being around my long-time crush and steadily spending time, all the while these butterflies kept flying around freely in my stomach. Even my fingers got tingly every time these two were on screen. I have never felt that in a drama and the feeling never went away. At times I was uncomfortable because the things the characters were dealing with hit too close to home as I live in a corrupt country where these situations are all too common.

As I`ve mentioned before, the topics discussed in this drama, which aren`t clear and you have to search for answers yourself, won`t appeal to someone whose biggest problem is what they`re going to wear for the day. I`ve recently had a short discussion about this drama and more importantly, about Hye Won as a character, with someone who sees drama characters as blueprints of how we should live or wish to, so he thought that Hye Won was a pathetic older woman who put herself in this situation and can get out of it any time she wishes to. He blamed her for ruining Sun Jae, pegging him for a victim and saying how she used the Chairman as much as he used her. So I very well understand the polarizing consensus. It doesn`t matter how well acted or written something is, if you aren`t able to place a mirror to yourself and the world and see that people aren`t morally positive or negative, good or evil. Hye Won is a case of a character caught in a monetary trap out of which she cannot escape as a consequence of her co-dependency on money and stability. There is a big difference between born and raised parasites, such as her snobby husband, who acts as a morality gatekeeper when he is nothing more but a puppet, or her anger management issues struck boss Young Woo, who can only live with someone else`s help. Hye Won has to solve their issues and pretend to be a parasite for survival. Nothing she has truly belongs to her. No one recognizes her as an equal even after decades of hard work. So of course she`s going to be drawn to something warm and welcoming, someone who worships her, like Sun Jae.

Some may say that the writing is convoluted, and I think I could see it from their perspective. Little is ever explained and what is, isn`t typical for a drama. It`s ugly, unfair, ruthless and disgusting. And it exists. Right now, someone may be living like this and it`s a sad, sad life. Does that mean that you should justify her behaviour?No, as she herself fed into this carnivorous world. But one should try to understand her because that is the only way to understand the statement behind this drama. Life is messy, sad, pathetic. You have to deal with bullies and corrupt individuals, but there is no happy ending at the end of the tunnel. We all live to survive. But you still root for Hye Won and Sun Jae, because you either understand them, or find redeeming qualities about their characters. Or both.

Whatever the case may be, this is a masterfully acted drama talking about themes that are too uncomfortable for most. But not in the graphic, over the top, violent way. Just in an unfiltered way.

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A good drama, albeit a bit overhyped

This is a well crafted, well written and above all, rightfully applauded drama for all the right reasons. Most of the characters are layered, have intriguing personalities and goals and are acted well, to boot. The flow of the story is mostly consistent, with a few weird choices which were pulled off adequately. Like others said, the synopsis for this drama definitely makes it out a rather boring slice-of-life show, when it`s so much more. Despite this, it didn`t wow me as it did other users on here. My issue with this drama lies in my own taste however, which have eventually led me to not be as invested in the whole presentation, nor connect with the characters. First off, I have to critique the title a bit from the get-go. While interesting and eye-catching, In-ha`s Pinocchio Syndrome definitely has the least to do with the story, despite being the selling point of the show. I wish they showed a lot more of In-ha and Dal-po when they were growing up, as that would let us see their relationship and connect with them in that period a little more. It would surely add weight to Dal-po`s emotions and torment of ending it for good with her. Although semi-romantic, I hesitate to categorize this drama under romance as well, as it definitely takes a big backseat over the reporting aspect of the story.

Another issue I had was with the second villain of the story. Bum-jo`s mom is an...interesting choice for a villain. While In-ha`s mom had a whole story arc where I genuinely felt for her(it also helped that she was acted by one of the best actresses of the Korean drama world) and was obviously thought out meticulously, I feel like the Chairwoman was an alternative rather than a planned out villain. She felt rather cartoonish at times and I just didn`t feel anything when she finally did confess in that final scene. I would say this drama was at its best when exploring relationships between In-ha and her mother and Dal-po and his brother. Everything afterwards honestly felt like filler. And I have to reiterate, the characters were written really well. The situations they were put in however...eh, give or take. At times I felt like they couldn`t find a way to correctly develop someone like In-ha, for example so they put her and Dal-po in these rather stereotypical situations where I could already predict why they would break up, how and that`s purely my fault. While I didn`t fall head over heels for this drama, I admit it`s technically very, very good, it just needs to strike the chord with the right person. With me, it was half right.

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The right amount of tears to flood my soul

To start this review off,I`d like to mention a quote from Aya Kitou`s diary(the person without whom this drama wouldn`t exist at all) which probably struck me the hardest:

- "School ends in 4 days. Everyone`s making 1000 wish paper cranes for me. The prayers they`re putting their hearts into are burned into my memory so that no matter how distant we grow,I`ll never forget. But...what I really wanted was to hear them say
[ Aya,please don`t go ]"

As always,I`d like to thank the writers,producers,actors and every staff member on the work they put in,because creating a drama is hard.

Candidly speaking,whenever I saw this one on any list regarding dramas,it always pulled me in. However,as a person who`s strangely sensitive to tragedy put on screen,coupled with the fact this is based on a real person and a real disease,I tried to put it away from my mind. Hidden in a faraway compartment in my brain,designed to keep such information. Then months passed by and I was in a slump. With nothing being satisfying enough to get me out of the rut,I turned to this drama,knowing full well what awaits me.

This title is scarily accurate. You will cry. This is a fact and it`s deserved(unlike Move to Heaven,where you crying didn`t feel organic but rather a consequence of set up manipulations). You might cry during different parts of the story than me,but you will cry. Ikeuchi Aya is probably one of the best tragic characters I`ve seen in a drama in some time. She`s a bright,zealous,optimistic 15 year old girl,excited to leave her trace in this world. Her family,made up of a tofu store owner dad,mother Shioka,sisters Rika and Ako and a younger brother Hiroki. And once you realize what a huge impact they have on her,it`s completely understandable how admirable of a person she became by their side. It is a healthy environment. Which makes it both worse and better,seeing as her journey unfolds. Accompanied by friends,young doctor,a small crush and an irritable sidekick Asou,Aya learns to grapple with her condition: spinocerebellar degeneration.

It`s probably a good moment to mention that I too,have a mild condition where one side of my body is,by all accounts,less respondent than the other. I was born with it and it is nowhere near as serious. But me bringing it to light is meant to highlight just one thing:I could understand Aya`s feelings of isolation and guilt. Not wanting to be a burden. Trying everything for herself in order to minimize having to rely on anyone. Because of that,there is this sense of kinship almost,as some of the things I went through in my teen years flooded back,mixing with tears running down my face. That is not to say I understand EVERYTHING she went through,as that`d probably take me...well,a whole `nother life,at least. What I will tell you is:Following Ikeuchi Aya,despite knowing where this`ll end,is still one of the best drama experiences. I am SO glad I decided to bite the bullet and give a chance to this show.

This drama completely deserves its place on every list,unlike most dramas found there. And it deserves to stay there...forever,pretty much. Because it`s a drama you`ll learn something from. Be it surface level or personal,one is for sure:You won`t complete this drama without having learnt something about you or Aya or...the world. When it comes to acting,even though everyone`s pretty good,I`ll say Riko Narumi as Ako and Erika Sawajiri as Aya stole the show for me.

What works for this drama,however,is definitely the writing,most of it taken directly from Aya`s diary and her excerpts. Even as young as she was,with as many talents,one of her greatest is what she used to cope with this tragedy:her writing. And this,in turn,made the drama so much deeper and has given it a sense of utmost importance. If it seems like I`m putting off the inevitable,that`s because I am. I don`t want to talk about Aya`s disease because she was so much more. Aya accomplished what many people won`t,even though amount of time allotted to them is three times what she was given. She saw the world for the good and positive it has to offer. And that`ll forever be more important than the level of her disability or how long she had left.

Which`d probably take me to one of my small nitpicks. While I love the "1 Litre no Namida" title,especially within the context of the story itself,what I`m not crazy about is the amount of posters showcasing Aya in pain or crying,as if she was a simple moppet,there to be sad and nothing more. Especially since so many pictures of real life Aya depict her as someone with spirit and fight. I understand the purpose,but I`m not crazy about it.

I`d say this isn`t so much a proper review,as it is an ode to a strong individual whose story both helped and educated many. It goes without saying,but this is an essential watch for all viewers who are looking for an experience whilst watching dramas. A true classic. One whose existence can`t be touched by a slump.

And for Aya: Dear Aya,no matter where you are,I hope you`re smiling. Creating little miracles everywhere you go. Hope you can see how much you`ve inspired your siblings,their offspring and people around the world. I`d be silly to say this,but if reincarnation exists,I hope you got reincarnated. You deserve it. And Aya? I hope tears I`ve shed and tissues I`ve used up help create a path for you,so you can advance confidently...as you always did.

Thank you.

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A soulful class of misfits

"My friends need me. And I`m curious about our future." ¬ Park Sae-ro-yi

This is one puzzling drama, I must be honest. From the moment I got into Korean dramas, I`ve seen quotes, edits and snippets of this drama scattered all over social media. After some time, I became a huge fan of Park Seo joon as a person and I came to believe that, when saddled with a good script or director(or ideally both), he can do great things. When it comes to this project, I was right. This is, without a doubt in my mind, the best role PSJ has ever taken on.

Giving life to idealistic, yet gravely wronged and revenge-fueled Park Sae-ro-yi was probably the best decision he has made in a while. Regardless of the other aspects of this show, this character will be one many fans will remember, even if you`re not fond of PSJ. I`m sure of it. This drama managed to highlight many, if not all talents he has to offer, proving that he`s not just a `pretty face` many people have been referring to him as for years. But he`s not the only positive about this ambitious program. In fact, the reason why this drama confuses me is due to its ability to overcome its own mediocrity. Let me elaborate.

Like many others before me, I`ve got to agree with the fact that this script is not the best. In fact, it`s not even that good, to be honest. While few shinning moments can be put aside, like Hyun-yi`s competition and clever parallels drawn between Mr. Jang and Sae-ro-yi, for the most part, this script isn`t the inspiring or, for that matter, soulful aspect of this drama. When it comes to direction, whilst adequate, it also wasn`t the main ingredient for this drama`s win with me. No, from my point of view, this dramas was bound to be seen as average or even below it in my eyes, since I`ve seen this plot, this ending, these characters befo-
...
That right there. That was the reason. The characters. The reason why this drama got me addicted enough to finish it in three days. The reason why I didn`t feel the need to take a break between episodes and devote my time to something more fulfilling for a bit. Never did I feel like that with this show. Even when they used predictable tropes to move the story along. Even when they dropped the ball on the last three episodes with our main couple. Even with the way they concluded the grandiose revenge. Through all these warning stops, I still cared about Itaewon Class. Because they achieved unity that was so effortless and charming. From the lovable but clueless Choi Seung-Kwon, brave yet vulnerable Ma Hyun-yi, optimistic yet scarred Kim Toni to, finally, savvy yet ignorant Jo Yi-Seo, this gang of misfits was a joy to watch. And this is why I must call my review a subjective one. Not everyone is going to think like me. In fact, I urge you not to. But when I talk about how chemistry between the actors can and will overcome almost every average script, directing etc. this is what I mean. Even if the characters besides Yi-Seo, Sae-ro-yi and Mr. Jang could`ve been more fleshed out, I loved what we got from them too. And I love the message behind our main couple, maybe more that their clumsy, but happy end. Support. Being there for one another when things get tough. Growing together. These are principles present in the relationship between Yi-Seo and Sae-ro-yi. Even if their actual progression to a romantic connection was indeed, rushed, for me it was believable BECAUSE we spent so much time watching them work hard together, make mistakes and grow. Key word:together. Which is why I would have never been able to buy a serious relationship between Soo-ah(whom I really like as a character, on her own) and Sae-ro-yi. I`ve had similar experiences and it`s not fun nor is it rewarding. I won`t spoil it further, but I would`ve been upset if they had ended up together because they are too fundamentally different to a certain point. One more thing I must mention is how they dared to make the main female lead an ignorant one when it comes to social issues like racism and transphobia, but let her grow in that department too. Never have I ever seen that in a drama.

As for the drawbacks, apart from these I`ve mentioned, I do feel like they could`ve substituted the last two episodes with more development from Toni, Seung-Kwon etc. I would be fine with this drama having 18 episodes, for example, if they were to use them on further development of side characters and the main couple. Another minor problem I had also, and I`m going to nitpick, is how many things were set up conveniently and some decisions that were made were questionable. The OST was good, with the theme song stealing the show for how well incorporated it came off. It was worthy of ITAEWON CLASS.

Finally, while this show had its fair share of problems, it was still fun, comforting and never boring, even when it was biting more than it could chew. A recommendation well-earned.

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A winner in subverting expectations- and taking your heart

"You will lose. Even so, I want to go all in with you."

This drama deserves every bit of praise it has gotten so far. If you're wondering why, and more importantly whether you should watch it, then let me elaborate.
It does not matter whether you`re a fairly new drama fan(like me), or you have been watching Korean dramas for as long as you can remember, it is an undeniable fact that the time travelling and soul/body switching(though in this case it isn't really switching) plots have started to become a bit of a trend in recent years. Hell, in the last two, I can name at least half a dozen of such dramas. What I'm trying to say is, the world of two periods or personalities isn`t as fresh as it once was due to oversaturation, coupled with some other factors. Keeping this in mind, "Mr.Queen" also had to face the status of the Korean remake, expecting some possible negative attention of the Chinese original`s fans. But despite these problems, this historical drama managed to reinvigorate and change its genre, by creating some of the most relatable, endearing and down-to-earth characters in recent memory. I LOVE them. All across the board, I adore the level of attention that was paid to character building. Due to the obvious talent and effort of the whole cast, I know by heart, all of the characters` names and their temperaments. Their quirks and motivations. From the Royal Chef Man Bok to Court Lady Choi, I even love Kim Jwa-Geum and Kim Byeong-In(for whose sake I`ve cried like four tissues worth of tears). They are so engaging that I`m more than willing to overlook some plot holes in an otherwise tight story. There is such a feeling of life jumping from each and every scene of this drama. The sets are lively and beautiful(albeit at times a bit empty), the OST, while probably being the weakest link here, is by no means bad. It`s good, appropriate, but is there for a purpose and nothing more.(except for that NORAZO track. I laugh dearly every time it comes on)

And now, we get to the heart and soul of our drama: The Queen and the King. Oh, how I love these two. I`ll start off with King Cheoljong and his spectacular actor Kim Jung-Hyun. Much like Shin Hye-Sun, he gives me hope with his talent. In a sea of pretty faces and average acting, both he and SHS have established themselves as acting forces to be reckoned with and I`m so, so, so glad that they were given a chance of working together, because they fit just right. Kim Jung-Hyun plays the role of a seemingly carefree, breezy and somewhat dim King Cheoljong, whose secret agenda is actually what separates his arc and turns it into something notable in its own right. He`s at his funniest when he`s clueless, unsure of his own surroundings. Without spoiling it too much, just like almost everything in this drama, his character subverts expectations. Not only is he the type of character you`d find to be a supporting character in most other dramas, he`s a lead because these kind of characters deserve the spotlight now. His emotions are palpable, raw and he delivers his lines with much security. He`s the perfect jin to So-Young`s/Bong-Hwan`s jang. Ah, the Queen. The reason why, unlike many reviewers, I`m not addressing So-Young/Bong-Hwan as such but as simply Queen is:a) I can`t be bothered but b)because by the end, she just becomes a Frankenstein of both So-Young and Bong-Hwan where it just seems wrong to opt for one option. And I`m pretty sure that was the goal of this story. While I understand many have gripes with the story`s portrayal of Bong-Hwan and Cheoljong`s relationship and really, the ending, I would like to offer my own interpretation, backed by some research and knowledge about the Chinese version. I`d like to ask new watchers or those considering becoming one, to see Bong-Hwan in a form of a narrator, or how Cheoljong describes him subconsciously: a spiritual guide. Once again, your expectations will be thwarted, but for me, much like the rest, I like the ending, when compared to the alternatives. I don`t LOVE it as much, but I contextually understand it. As for the Queen herself, she`s a blast. *insert that Lady Gaga gif here. You know the one.* The comedy mostly stems from her and what is happening in her vicinity, however, as a character, she`s layered just enough to stop it from being one-dimensional

For those who`d like to understand why and don`t mind being spoiled, in the original story it is mentioned that Bong-Hwan`s and So-Young`s souls were coexisting in her body and what`s more, Bong-Hwan`s soul was always meant to be born in Joseon era, only it didn`t happen for some reason(I didn`t get too much into it). With this knowledge, I started seeing the presented story in a new light. While I wish they at least mentioned this somewhere, or hinted at it, I`m also glad they didn`t get into the whole mechanics of it, because so many other stories like this do. Even though I`d like for Bong-Hwan and Cheoljong to at least meet in the present day and even be together, I can`t deny that I liked the ending more than most because I well understood that Bong-Hwan was never meant to stay. For the lack of better words, I like how they decided to stay consistent and not fulfill our wishes. Whilst it`s bittersweet, it`s by miles better than having them die or be killed. Yes, those were the alternatives in the original. In my mind, best ending would either be:Cheoljong and Bong-Hwan meeting each other in present day and being together, which would tie well with the themes of rebirth, while Cheoljong is with So-Young in the past OR that the Queen would live as a mix of both characters(that`s my selfish wish, because it wouldn`t be right for either Bong-Hwan or So-Young). Finally the comedy in this is top notch. Many jokes land on the back of their punchlines which are very clever sometimes too. You need to make sure that you`re doing slapstick right, otherwise it is grading and almost surreal, so it can take you out of the experience("Strong Woman Do Bong Soon"). And here, it was done just right.

Finally, I don`t want to make this review too long, but this drama warrants your attention and keeps it throughout. You`ll laugh, get mad, cry but most of all, you might get the feeling I got when I was done with it and its spin off "Mr.Queen: The Bamboo Forest", which I urge the watchers to see after this, as it might answer some of your questions. The feeling of satisfaction you get when you walk out of the theatre after seeing a good play and the actors bow. You were invested, interested in the lives of the characters you saw and that is the biggest compliment this type of entertainment can get. So do yourself a favor, watch it and don`t be deterred!

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A cheesy MESS- But worthy of love!

I must presume that only people who will agree with my review of "Mei-chan no Shitsuji" will be those of you who, much like me, grew up on Japanese dramas. If that`s so, then this little cringy gem was surely a part of your childhood. "Hana Yori Dango", "Hana Kimi" and this drama could very well be referred to as the Holy Trinity of early 2000s Japanese drama world. And if you`ve followed me this far, then you must realize why my rating is so high. And you would be right on the money. Pure, unadulterated NOSTALGIA.

Is "Mei-chan no Shitsuji" a collection of over-the-top scenes that amount to slapstick jokes and overdramatic revelations most of the time?Well yeah, it`s based on a shoujo manga by an artist whose scope of world building and character development is very, very flawed. Most of the characters, excluding the main ones, are positively one dimensional. And stereotypical at that. A womanizer, a rich heiress, a rich girl who won`t stop eating, macabre couple of misfits...check,check,check! And despite all that, there IS this sense of overall earnestness that made this drama so popular in dark, private Japanese drama circles(just kidding). And the majority of that likeability falls on our lead pair and most importantly, on the character of Mei. Her story is completely clichéd, `fish out of the water` type that became worn out even back in 2009. However, much like "Hana Yori Dango"`s Makino(a less developed version for sure), Mei is a character who was extremely amplified by the actress playing her, to the point of where she`s miles ahead of her manga counterpart. The actress Hana Eikura decided to be on her A game while shooting this drama, and brought us a character that`s sarcastic, everyman and for the most part, relatable(except for the whole falling in love with an S rank butler of a prestigious academy part). Her love interest Rihito, played by the ever so charming Hiro Mizushima, is also one most Jdrama watchers remember due to his charisma and dare I say, appropriate chemistry. Don`t be fooled by my review, it`s nothing like the chemistry level of Makino and Tsukasa(Mao Inoue and Jun Matsumoto) but it is there. Now, if I were to dive deep into the many, many flaws of "Mei-chan no Shitsuji) this review would take a nosedive into those dreadful 4s, so I`m not going to do that.

Yes, the plot is exasperatedly overdone and obvious. Yes, the situations are cringy and villains cartoonish and...Well, hm.
About that "cartoonish villains" part. Unlike vast majority of dramas dealing with this subject matter, the actual villains in the form of Shinobu, Shiori, Tami and Kanda are better than what you would expect. I remember the 12 year old me being shocked that Tami and Kanda were that blood thirsty and ready to execute their plan of getting rid of Mei when they were with her at the bottom of the ladder for such a long time. That reveal alone, albeit a bit predictable, made me appreciate the show that much more.

Be it for uncontrollable amount of love and unwarranted protection I`ve got for this blast from the past, be it for something having possession over me, I have to give this show an 8 because I still genuinely rewatch it from time to time and still have the fun of my life doing so. I`m not saying you`ll like it(in fact I`m sure you won`t) but maybe give it a try for when you just want to watch something outlandish but still fun as hell.

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A charming drama - except when it falls apart

This is one of the most atmospheric dramas I`ve seen thus far, and if I had to guess, I`d say that it`s thanks to its amazing OST, which I`ll be downloading in a few moments` time. Whoever was responsible for it, they did a great job. It`s catchy, nostalgic and not at all bland. Another point this drama has going for it is the acting of Chun Jung-myung, who really sells the chemistry and his role of a chaotic doctor pushed too far. And he also has great chemistry with the lead actress. However, I don`t particularly think that chemistry was explored enough, or rather, it was explored, but it seemed like it was only peppered through, resulting in a relationship that, though not shallow, seemed so. Up to the episode 12, it was a cute drama about a couple of misfits trying to find themselves. The psychological aspect is extremely watered down, so if you`re looking for some apt representation, skip this. From episode 12, however, it almost seemed like writers decided to throw their initial main plot lines to the wind and exchange it for a very cliché and over-the-top drama plot, leading to this drama just taking the biggest nosedive and becoming boring in a matter of minutes.

Everything they`ve been working on collapsed due to a bad writing decision. From then on, it just became a chore to watch and I almost wanted to skip through most of the scenes. This is an advice from an aspiring writer whose strengths come from characterisation derived from trauma and real life situations- don't ruin your characters by forcing in a tragic past and then, even worse, try to make it a relevant point, when you know that these kinds of dramatic storylines aren`t your forte. It was messy, unnecessary and ruined the whole mood in the process. In the end this drama is a victim of nonsensical writing decisions and I would recommend it as a pastime, and don`t try to analyse it, as it will fall apart completely then.

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THE PERFECT WAY TO END A JOURNEY

Would you believe me if I told you that this is the only movie derived from any drama that I`ve ever watched?Sure, I`ve watched tens of dramas, but I was never really invested to see any special footage and/or extra material. I`ve always felt that it was unnecessary or better said, a drag. This one, however, I have downloaded on my PC in highest quality, despite not being the biggest fan of the whole searching for tiara and going through troubles and tribulations plot. As to why that is, the answer is simple: I just love seeing our F4 gang on screen, no matter what situation they might find themselves in. Again, the story of this movie makes absolutely no sense, which is why the grade for that part is so low. It`s ridiculous, campy, over-the-top and a big departure from the usual format.

That being said, it is still a BLAST to watch for the cast, the chemistry and THAT ENDING. Oh, 12-year-old me cried so much over that damn ending and pregnancy reveal, it`s not even funny. I`m so glad that they didn`t stick to the original ending of the anime nor the manga, because what they came up with is so, so much better. Once again, Mao Inoue and Matsumoto Jun own their roles of Makino Tsukushi and Doumyouji Tsukasa, fighting and making up, which, for people who are still complaining about this - at this point, it`s that couple dynamic that made this whole series popular in the first place. Plus, Tsukasa in this drama, including the movie, is heck of a lot less abusive and irritating than in both the manga and the anime, so I don`t know what to tell you. Just as a warning, don`t apply LOGIC to this movie nor to the rest of this story because, you`ll just be spoiling it for yourself. Let go of your perceived notions and enjoy the ride this movie has in store for you. I`m sure that you`ll be having a blast!

Oh, and for drama producers in the Japanese entertainment industry:Please cast Jun and Mao in another drama or movie, because they are literally the best Japanese drama couple I`ve ever seen. Don`t be dumb, thanks.

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A SEQUEL WORTH WATCHING

Let me preface this by saying that the first season will almost always be better than the second: That`s also the case here. Does that, then mean that this is not worth watching?ABSOLUTELY NOT. This remains as one of the best sequels of any body of work to this day. The acting is consistently excellent, the soundtrack is as great as it was the first time around and the drama is keeping true to the feel of its original material. Like I have mentioned in my review of the first season, "Hana Yori Dango" the drama is better than both the manga and the anime version and I stand by my words. It`s also better than any other adaptation of this material and I have a feeling that it`ll stay that way. This time around we have two more extra episodes, rounding up to 20 and a movie, which I`ll also review.

Now regarding this season, I had to give it a 8.5 instead of 9.0 even though it contains some of my favorite moments of this drama, like the fig talk between Tsukasa and Makino(which remains one of the most romantic scenes my eyes have ever seen). The reason for that being, sadly, the AMNESIA plot point. Ugh, I hate it so much when shows do this, I can`t even explain it. We`re lucky that it is done by such good actors like Matsumoto Jun and Mao Inoue, otherwise it would be a sure skip. Now, everything stays consistently good, but what also happens is the definite moment where you`re made sure of the actors` talent when compared to other adaptations and I would like to insert that one scene here. For comparisons` sake, the scene I`m talking about and am pitting against each other, is the moment Tsukasa/Jun-Pyo sees Makino`s/Jan-di`s magazine shoot in New York. This one right here is the best scene where I can confidently say that Matsumoto Jun can out-act Lee Min-ho easily. First off, the atmosphere is completely different for both scenes. Lee Min-ho`s is well lit, filmed from a direct point where you can clearly see his facial expression being that of simple jealousy. Yes, that`s fine that`s what the original material calls for as well. HOWEVER. Matsumoto Jun`s scene is dim, with him looking over New York and his back is turned to us. We see him looking at something and then, with a dose of disdain, he throws it on the bed:The magazine cover. His face is then shown to be completely blank, yet his eyes are full of pain. He doesn`t say anything, just keeps looking over the skyline pensively. With this scene, you`re not communicated if he`s only jealous. Because he isn`t. He`s restrained by the guilt he feels towards his friend for a reason I won`t reveal here, but he is also pained by jealousy AND another layer of guilt for having such a petty emotion in that moment. Truly, Doumyouji Tsukasa BECOMES Matsumoto Jun. And I`ve never seen that happen. Same is true for Makino and Mao. And Shun and Rui. And I`ve never realized this before, though I`ve seen this drama a million times, but Tsukasa and Makino only ever kiss three times in both seasons and I was shocked by that. Because what they transmit through looks and caresses, some actors can`t with even the steamiest of scenes.

This time around we also get a worthy villain who has been lurking from the start in the form of Tsukasa`s mother, and though stereotypical, the actress chosen for this role fits it like a glove and I really felt an array of bad emotions towards her character because of her presence. Still, this is a more than worthy successor of one of the most famous Japanese dramas ever created and it has my glowing recommendation.

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What were they thinking?

I`ve watched this drama only once - and that was a chore all on its own. I feel like this drama was honestly helmed by amateur writers - in every sense of the word.
This drama is supposed to show two character developments happening at the same time and in the same place. Lee Mih-ho`s character is meant to put up a charade for a rather selfish reason, however he`s supposed to change along the way. Not the most creative plot line, but it`s honestly the best part of this mess. Lee Mih-ho`s acting can really be one-dimensional and hit-or-miss, but he`s without a doubt the best actor here, along with Ryoo Seung-Ryong. It`s just that he has no chemistry with Son Ye-jin. And it doesn`t help that her character is a complete doormat and above all, that she`s not convincing in this role. Her character`s development is supposed to be centered around letting go, taking your life by the horns and changing. Only that is presented so muddily, made even worse by her portrayal. I don`t get it. When I watch her act in this, it`s almost like she`s on the cusp of getting it, but is to afraid to put in more effort. The way her mother died also really cemented for me the level that this drama`s writers seem to be on. And I`m fully aware that sounded snobbish and underhanded but it still is true.

Which is made even more obvious when Yoon Eun-Hye makes a short cameo. Like, I`m not kidding when I say that this drama was my background noise and a chore to finish until I saw her for like ten minutes. She brought fresh air into this thing and I`m so sad that she`s not getting more roles.

Alas, that`s my personal preference. Cinematography is fine, like someone else mentioned, the wardrobe is REALLY questionable. Also, the sets got on my nerves really quick. I hate that I`m a stickler for these things, but I cannot stress enough how fake EACH SET LOOKED. It didn`t look perfect, it was downright jarring to look at. Even this is a really high score average for something this subpar.

I`m positive that this should`ve stayed in the vault, as I doubt that it`s anybody's personal taste at all.

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The Price of Beauty

...Can I just say,before delving into this review head first...What a good KDrama. Honestly. It`s been A WHILE since I saw something this controversially twisted yet...beautiful.

As always,if this is your first time coming across my reviews,I like to thank the crew,staff,actors and everyone involved in making this(and any other)drama. As an aspiring writer myself,I`m well aware of trials and tribulations one must go through to deliver dramas,movies and many other forms of art. Thank you.

To start this particular review off,I`ll probably be leaning more towards my own feelings towards this drama`s message,as someone who doesn`t fit in ANY beauty standard,be it of my own country and/or foreign. I mean,I do like to begin by listing off the positives,after all.

With Kim Mo Mi being played by a wonderful array of actresses,from striking rookie actress Lee Han Byeol,wildly impressionable Nana to seasoned competitor Ko Hyun Jung,you can really get the feeling of Mask Girl growing and changing. With every hand that handles her differently. But what is so thought-provoking about this drama,that`d warrant a lengthy review from yours truly?Well,let`s take a looksie at the plot itself. More than your straightforward affair,much of this character study(both of one character and one GENERATION of characters) relies heavily on both utmost stylization(purposefully) and female experience. You see,if I had to compare this drama(based on a webtoon by the same name,which ran from 2015 to 2018.) to any piece of media,it reminds me so much of a gem that should definitely be reevaluated today,a movie by the name of `Helter Skelter`(2012). `Mask Girl`s insistence on weaponization of male gaze(helped by the fact that all female characters of this drama suffer because of the labels superimposed on them by society they want so desperately to please) makes it feel like `Helter Skelter`s more adult cousin. Hammering in even more just how much damage one can cause to self and others by simply wanting to be accepted into the mold,yet stand out all the same.

Across the board,every actor did great with their respective roles,with Lee Han Byeol and Yeom Hye Ran being my personal standouts. Despite it covering about two decades(with 80s being referenced slightly,yet shaping a lot of Mo Mi`s perception),`Mask Girl` feels very modern in its execution. And it also doesn`t feel much like a KDrama at all. And in this context,that`s a good thing,you see. Much like Mask Girl,an entity the whole country of South Korea seemingly became obsessed with(with men chasing and tailing her even after what she does,while women almost exclusively seem to hate and want to bring her down),many KDramas discussing infamous Korean beauty standard,undergo a certain level of...performative shallowness(dramas like `She Was Pretty`,`True Beauty` and `Oh My Venus` come to mind). These are noticeable in their wish to `have their cake and eat it too`. Ergo,these specific examples are ready to discuss how damaging these severe expectations in the form of a beauty standard are...as long as they`re still adhered to and ultimately make the protagonist happy and fulfilled. At best patronizing,at worst damaging to many people,this form of storytelling communicates that the one writing it never questioned the existence of the standard itself.

Whilst `Mask Girl` has other conflicts to pad out the runtime(some of which work, others not so much),it is without a doubt,Mo Mi`s necessity to be loved by everyone,that catapults her into a whirlpool of trauma,crime and a new life.

Another aspect of this drama that isn`t all KDrama like,is how not one character here is GOOD. You could make a strong case against any of them and I`d agree. Mo Mi is not a good person,but you,as a viewer,can clearly see why and how,her twisted nature came to be. Many of her decisions bear weighty consequences. At some points,I COULDN`T anticipate her next move. But not in a ready to shock only for exploitation way. More in a,oh this character is layers and layers way. Do not be mistaken,there ARE some exploitative aspects. But they do service a bigger picture,almost like exploitation movies of the 70s. I prefer this. I`d rather have hard hitting scenes with a purpose,than unnecessary fan service to warrant that Netflix +18 rating. I`d go as far as to say that this drama`s payoffs are seriously punishing,something Korean dramas in particular have a hard time balancing(most recently,dramas like `Flower of Evil` have this issue).

Storytelling,though jumpy for most of the runtime(may turn people off),feels fluid too,mostly because Mask Girl very much could serve as a concept,rather than a character outright. The ending is both heartbreaking and positive,depending on which side of the justice spectrum you fall on.

As for drawbacks,there aren`t many but they are noticeable. For one,I would have preferred this as a 12 episode KDrama(asking for more episodes is not something I expected to want at this point in my KDrama journey). There are some story elements and key plot points left unanswered and put to the wayside for some other storytelling devices.

Secondly,this drama does something I`m not very fond of and that`s relying on coincidence to push the story along,something glaringly obvious like that happens in the last two episodes.

Finally,while it`s not a drawback for me at all(in fact I WANT KDramas to get more experimental,even at their own detriment because God knows they could use a challenge),`Mask Girl` might be too much for an average KDrama enjoyer used to tried and true tropes and bland thrillers. I`d gauge your readiness for this drama by how well you know and enjoy JDramas,because much of `Mask Girl` is reminiscent of more mature crime JDramas.

And that`s about it. Truthfullly,I didn`t expect to like this drama as much as I did,especially given the rating it holds on here. What I found,however,is that unlike a well polished veneer hiding hollow space,`Mask Girl` is more akin to a dark,macabre fantasy. You`ll either love it or hate it. At least it`s not empty. It`s ugly,and yet...so beautiful. And incidentally,it wears no mask.

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CLASSIC STORY FILLED WITH EARNESTNESS

"Going through this life is the first for all of us anyway."

Unlike my other drama reviews, I have to first preface this one by saying that this drama could very well be universal, one size fits all type of drama. Because through three interwoven stories, everyone and anyone can find themselves reflected in at least one character.

Now back to my usual form of writing.

To start off, the good sides of this drama are heartfelt, true and educational(strangely enough), but it doesn`t mutually exclude the fact that they aren`t, at the same time, fluffy, somewhat funny and easy to watch. Every actor does a phenomenal job of living in their role, as their character. I thoroughly believed in these people, their struggles and way of living. No one here knows exactly what they`re doing or if what they are doing is right by default. But that doesn`t mean they don`t try. The absurdist comedy and lessons presented throughout are much of the time spot on in helping us see each person for what they stand and how. Because we do the same thing. We all have our quirks, routines and principles some might not agree with. Yet we press on. In the midst of relatable scenes that hit harder than most love confessions, my two favorites are:
1.When Ji-ho is walking through a dark tunnel in her pajamas aimlessly, after enduring sexual abuse and barely avoiding ra*e, talking about how your family could, at times, be the biggest strangers to you. How she was ready to take on every toil due to the fact that she chose to be a drama writer. She knew her path would be lonely and dark, like the tunnel she was perusing at that moment, but she still didn`t know the extent of it all. For personal reasons, that spoke to me in this exact moment of time. It was effective, clear and loud without being preachy or coming off as compensating.
2. When Se Hee was subconsciously consoling Ji-ho at that bus stop, which is probably the most well-known scene of this drama and what probably drew YOU to check it out and find out more about it. By watching this scene, I was also consoled on a deeper level not any drama could even touch, let alone soothe.
And this is where the magic of this show is contained. In its earnestness and good understanding of adult life as such. We all love admiring capable, ambitious and focused individuals(like Woo Soo Ji) without realizing that this is life...is a first for all of us. Such a simple truth is sadly almost never relayed in media. Despite being one, if not THE MOST depressed generation of our lifetime, you would never guess it by most pieces of the media we consume. And that`s such a missed opportunity this show tries to highlight. We shame others for being at crossroads, for not knowing what to do or where to turn to. And as this show so clearly expresses...we shouldn`t. Like that poem Ji-ho finds(which became my favorite as well), people are fragile, chipped away by time and situations they had to face by this point. Instead of accepting that and letting them heal, we berate them, rejecting what they can be in the process. It`s such a fruitless cycle. I get this review might be regarded as somewhat of an ode to life crisis, but it`s just an observation of young life and what awaits us as society. The fact that a show got me to think about these ideas and concepts is, in my opinion, an accomplishment on its own. It helps that it`s coupled with some visual cues movie buffs like myself appreciate even more. The OST is also subtle, but appropriate, boosting the atmosphere and letting scenes breathe on their own time. This isn`t a drama which needs emotional songs to relay its message, but when they are put in, it doesn`t hinder the feeling either.

After these compliments, like any drama, there are some drawbacks that got me thinking. First one is the pacing of it, though most Korean dramas suffer in this regard. It can at parts be too long. Especially if you`re not invested in the story, which admittedly, isn`t all that original. It`s the way they decide to present it what defines it. Without it, this is just another cohabitation story between a cold ML and a ditzy FL. To be honest, I can`t fault it for anything else, because it`s a great slice of life drama. One of those I like the most. Unassuming, changing and memorable. Kind of like life itself.

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A WORTHY ADDITION TO THE DRAMA WORLD

Is this a good drama? Yes.
Are its characters well developed, for the most part?Also yes.
But can it, at times, seem draggy and honestly, kind of boring?YES.

I can definitely see how and why people see this show as a certified classic, creme de la crème of the drama world, as it admittedly has one of the more interesting and gripping plots I`ve seen so far. Action, drama, revenge, not your typical run of the mill, ruined male protagonist... All of these are its good points, together with a great soundtrack. But I still have to hold it to a higher standard, being as popular as it is. This means that my praises are still valid, but criticism is harsher. However, despite it all, it somehow still leaves me wanting more and honestly, I don`t know why. This drama is one of those things which you can respect more than, really love. Like how Lars fon Trir is a great film director, but his films are mostly just not my cup of tea. This logic can be applied here as well. Some plot lines are rather regurgitated and brought back throughout this drama, that I also wasn`t a fan of. It`s a thrill ride up until episode 5, I would say, when it slows down for some actual character development but it also becomes strangely void. My favorite part of any drama is typically that down time, when we actually start to learn and care about our characters. Only, as a fan of quick and tight characterisation(present in "It`s Okay, That`s Love" for an example, where you immediately get the feel of the characters you`re presented with with their first lines), Moon Ho was effectively my favorite character, alongside Seo Jung-hu and Jo Min-ja, who is, to me, the most organically strong female character. Moon Ho has layers upon layers of personality and you only grow more interested in the next one as you peel the previous layer. He`s funny, jaded, charismatic and even though he didn`t get as much of screen time as I would`ve liked(this goes for Min-ja and Moon Sik as well), he owned every scene he was in. The older actors are a delight to watch and you actually feel the weight of guilt, corruption and fear they experience fully. The problem lies in the two main characters however. Or rather, the way they develop less and less as the show moves along. I just feel like for the amount of episodes they were given, Jung-hu and Chae Young-shin, deserved some more introspection. When Young-shin was talking and opening up about her abusive childhood in the second episode, I felt it rushed. It felt almost out of place, this early in the show, so I would`ve liked if they had taken the same approach to her backstory as the one they took to Jung-hu`s backstory, which was presented a lot more naturally. That one scene with his mother in the shaved ice shop is an AMAZING representation of good writing and I urge you, even if you won`t watch this, to see that scene, even all on its own, it`ll move you, for sure. His development however, is halted when the romance kicks into gear. And it`s like writers give up on his intellect as well, as he makes some really questionable decisions which, his character at the start of the show would never make, because of his intelligence. And this is the weakest part of the show. It might be unpopular, but due to the way it was presented, I actually wouldn`t have minded if Young-shin and Jung-hu didn`t end up together. I feel like that would be the final act of tying everything together so that each character can get his or her, fresh start.

The last five episodes are definitely draggy, so much so that I actually ended up watching them as background noise. It`s obvious that what they needed to develop, they haven`t really, while they spent A LOT of time on stories which are nonconsequential when compared to, say, Jung-hu`s and Ki Young-jae`s relationship, which I wanted developed SO MUCH as I loved his character too. But they kill him off so quickly, so he was basically a misplaced and mishandled plot device to further the story. At times, the mystery is handled well, like with throwbacks to the five friends and their time at the junkyard. Other times, it`s messy and chaotic, like Jung-hu trying to find out whether his dad is guilty or not. The action is top notch though. Sure, it`s outlandish and obviously a bit campy but it works, and I wish we got more of it.

Overall, this drama is good, but definitely overhyped for today`s standards. Though it revolutionized the drama game, it`s still far away from that title of timeless excellence, at least in my eyes. But as a good action, it`s definitely up to snuff.

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A run of the mill romantic fantasy

If you are looking for something cute that’ll make your teeth hurt with little character development but sweet romance, then this drama is for you. Whatever you thought of after reading that synopsis you are probably right. This is a shoujoesque webtoon coming alive. It’s a collection of cliches, but I have nothing against them if they suit my taste. Unfortunately, this drama is really mediocre for me. But it’s not the fault of the show, but mine because I’ve seen so many stories like this. I do like the chemistry between our leads. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s there, kind of. I just wish they had a better script to work with.

I am grateful that the episodes averaged around 40 minutes, since it’s all very bare bones. If I had to guess the average rating for this one, I never would’ve guessed that it would sit in the 8s and I do think that’s an overestimation. I mean this has the same rating average as “Coffee Prince” and... I guess I find it weird. But who am I to judge other people’s tastes? Even I have some shows that I like that are in the 7s,so. Anyway, my main complaint with this drama would be paper-thin characters and just how everything and everyone seem to exist for the sake of either doing something for them or being a convenient plot device. The best example of this is the ex-girlfriend. The only thing that we knew is that she was rich and obsessed with our main male lead.

As someone else has already said, I also had to suspend my belief for quite a big portion of this show. From DaDa only appearing at her job when the plot calls for it, to the way the whole breakup happened, even though there was no reason for it, as the Chairman was for the marriage and our leads as well. So the whole montage of them suffering was done well but without any reason. It just felt nonsensical.

Overall, I would suggest this drama to someone who just needs to let their brain go for a few hours and enjoy this like the mindless fluff that it is. Enjoy!

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