Before I get started, I want to address why I personally liked My ID Is Gangnam Beauty. This was a light drama overall, although it did have it's heavy moments. It's not the best I've ever watched, nor is it certainly the worst, but I don't believe it was meant to be a Korean drama of the year like Goblin, but more to stand up against the stigma around plastic surgery, and to show that no matter how you look, real beauty is always on the inside.

STORY:
As I mentioned beforehand, this drama isn't heavy or dark or violent, but nor is it light and fluffy. I believe it somehow hangs in the balance of both. We see a lot of sweet interactions between Kang Mi Rae and Do Kyung Seok, as well as between Mi Rae and her family and friends. Throughout the drama, we watch as each character develops and becomes a better version of themselves. Kyung Seok learns how to be kinder towards others and not as antisocial, whilst Mi Rae battles against those who label her a Gangnam Beauty, and with the help of Kyung Seok and others, begins to 'live' again. In contrast, the darker tone of this series relies solely on the antagonist that is Hyun Soo A. There are many interactions between Soo A and Mi Rae, and as the series progresses, we instead see Soo A's character progression getting darker and darker, compared to the other characters, but somehow throughout all of this darkness that embodies her, Mi Rae and Kyung Seok always managed to bring some light. :)

ACTING/CAST: (MINOR SPOILERS)
Portraying a college student and acting alongside Cha Eun Woo, who is 7 years younger, is a feat in itself; and to keep the chemistry alive is an even bigger achievement. I had my doubts when Im Soo Hyang was casted as the role of Kang Mi Rae, but looking back, I have no idea why. The age gap is fairly significant, but boy, would you not know. The chemistry between the leading couple maintained all the way to it's finale, and each episode they had seemed easier and more comfortable. Im Soo Hyang expressed amazing emotions and cried when she needed to cry, laughed when she needed to laugh, and above all, she loved. The experiences Mi Rae had gone through broke my heart, and to see her still feeling like she was not good enough or beautiful enough even after getting a face she had always desired, was the saddest thing I have seen. Though, my heart was soon mended as I witnessed her growth from a shy, insecure girl to a confident woman who stood up for herself and made justice.

However, Mi Rae couldn't have done it alone. Throughout her side was the only one that had ever seen her for her true beauty, Do Kyung Seok, acted by Cha Eun Woo (who is so handsome *drool*). There was no single moment where I didn't swoon over his good looks, manly brooding and occasional smiles that could melt a heart. However, sometimes I felt there was no emotion there, but as I delved deeper, I begun to realize it was all part of his character development. Although I felt uncomfortable at times with his lack of emotion and occasionally, acting that fell flat, I cannot mistake his relationship with Mi Rae. One thing I loved the most about Kyung Seok was his ability to realize who people really were beyond the facade they wore. This was the exact description of Hyun Soo A, and his interactions with her were the best thing witnessed. Kyung Seok was blunt, unyielding in his love and proved time and time again, that there was more to the character than a stern (but handsome) face.

And finally, Jo Woo Ri. I could applaud the acting of her time and time again. She portrayed the character of Hyun Soo A perfectly, even to the point we all hated her face. But, as I like to remind myself, the actor is different to the character. And a good thing that is too, for Hyun Soo A was a pretty girl with an ugly personality. She manipulated people and felt a strong desire to be seen, as shown through her endless clinging to Do Kyung Seok, even with the knowledge her only had eyes for Mi Rae. Although we found out that this stemmed from a traumatic childhood and a lack of parental care, nothing could excuse how she treated Kang Mi Rae and the people around her. Only towards the final few episodes of Gangnam Beauty, did my opinion slowly begin to turn. I felt a pity for her, which intensified in the semi final and final episode, where she repented for her actions and seemingly changed. Again, I applaud Jo Woo Ri for her superb acting of Hyun Soo A, who was so brilliant to the point that netizens and k-drama lovers hated the character.

MUSIC:
To be fair, I don't have much to comment on this as I wasn't truly invested in the music with this kdrama as I have been in past dramas (note: Descendants of the Sun). It was okay, but nothing special, and instead I focused on the characters themselves.

REWATCH VALUE:
I can imagine myself rewatching this sometime in the future, if I have nothing else to watch. I certainly would go back just to see the developing relationship between Mi Rae and Kyung Seok, to see Mi Rae grow in confidence, and also for Cha Eun Woo's handsome face (which I have probably mentioned 3 times now). Although I would rewatch this drama, it wouldn't be in the top number to rewatch, but maybe when I feel an urge to watch it, or a boredom I cannot alleviate.

OVERALL:
I'll keep this short as I've already made this review too long. The relationships between the main characters drew me in and made me fall in love with them all over again. From their middle school encounters to meeting again, to going through many tribulations and hardships to reach the happy place they are now, I have found all a priviledge to watch. This drama was one of the few that I could relate to; through my life, I have always struggled with my appearance and anxiety regarding it, and to see Mi Rae experiencing similar hardships, made me feel less alone. I will forever thank the producers and the writer of the webtoon for creating such a masterpiece that fights against stigma and reminds others that we are all beautiful in our way.

Read More

"You crash landed into my world.."

STORY:
I gave this story a solid 10/10, and if I could, I'd rate it even higher. The plot, right from the moment I discovered CLOY, had me hooked. I loved the idea of North Korea and South Korea being brought into play, but even more so the passionate and developing love story between our two main leads, Se-ri and Jeong-hyeok. This story was unforgettable, addictive and at times, nail biting.

ACTING/CAST:
Need I say anything about this remarkable cast? Hyun Bin as the quiet yet charismatic army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok and Son Ye-jin as the beautiful and strong Yoon Se-ri made for some scorching hot chemistry. Their love for one another proved to be unbreakable over and over again. That aside, the one main thing I love about this drama is how they diverted from the normal trope that is rich man/poor woman, and made them both equal people struggling through their own past hardships. Son Ye Jin as the 'picky princess' was wonderful to see. She proved to be strong, intelligent and perceptive time and time again, but this was not without difficulty, as shown through the past she has had to endure. Similarly, Ri Jeong-hyeok, the charming army officer and son of a high ranking director, that everyone looks up to, also had his fair share of pain and loss. Both actors successfully portrayed the hardships and happiness of Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri throughout their time together.

OST:
The OST was just out of of this world, and utterly breathtaking! I particularly loved IU's 'Give You My Heart.'

REWATCH VALUE:
Yes, yes, yes! Oh, did I say yes?! I would 1000% rewatch this, just to see all of those loving looks that Jeong-hyeok gave Se-ri, just to see all of those wonderful, passion-filled kisses, just to see Hyun Bin pouting again! And of course, to see the way that despite the divide between their countries they still always managed to find their way back to one another, proving that no matter what, love conquers all.

OVERALL:
“If you give up on waiting, the pain of loss will kill you. That’s why I wait.” - Ri Jeong-hyeok. That quote is the exact description of how I felt about having to wait every week for a new episode! This was 2020's highlight and mine too, this will always hold a special place in my heart. I enjoyed this not just because of our two star-crossed lovers, but because of the people that surrounded them that bought comedy and warmth into their lives. Thank you to all that made this drama come to life, not just the writers or actors, but the people who watched it too. (:

Read More