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Completed
Her Private Life
5 people found this review helpful
Jun 11, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Hilarious, relatable and with lots of Soft Boys (TM)

The first five episodes were absolutely hilarious. I was constantly scream-laughing, to the point that my flatmate wanted to know what I'm watching. After episode five there aren't many laugh-out-loud moments anymore, but by that time I was already completely hooked and in love with the setting and all the characters. I enjoyed it all the way to the end, although the drama goes through a slight shift in tone. The fangirling, which was hilarious and so damn relatable, disappeared more and more, which was a bit disappointing, since at first it seemed to be the main storyline. During the last third, it was more of a clichée family drama with some very cheesy romance scenes.

I will probably still rewatch it one day because the first third is hilarious, I love Deok Mi's clothes and apartment and I love the soft relationship she has with Ryan.

First, I wasn't the biggest fan of Kim Jae Wook as Ryan. But I very quickly warmed up to him and by the end I was completely in love, mostly because Ryan is such an incredibly soft, caring, gentle and supportive boyfriend. I hope I'll one day find someone who is as supportive of my weird hobbies and obsessions as he is of Deok Mi's.

Park Min Young is charming as always and I actually think this is one of he best roles. Furthermore, I loved Park Jin Joo, One, Ahn Bo Hyun and Kim Bo Ra. The scenes at the office, when the main couple were fighting were absolutely hilarious and reminded me of awkward moments we've had at our office when someone (ok, that someone was me) was dating a co-worker. I also really liked the character development Hyo Jin went through. She ended up being super funny.

Deok Mi's father cleaning his rocks and hiding behind the curtain? Brilliant. Hyo Jin also cleaning rocks when she stayed with them? Comedic Genius. Actually, the father reminded me of my own dad a bit. My father often doesn't say much and often doesn't even listen to the conversation and people tend to get annoyed. He also has a hobby that he works on constantly - building model planes. Talking about his planes is when he really lights up. And if a potential son-in-law shows even the slightest interest in his planes, he'll have to look at them for hours. Recognizing that similarity, I really had a soft spot for Deok Mi's father.

But honestly, in the beginning there were so many relatable scenes. I constantly paused the drama to send a screencap to my friend like 'this is me', 'this is us' etc.

The only thing that bothered me, and this is where the SPOILER comes, is that Si An never found out that Deok Mi is Si Na Gil. I thought that was one of the most important points..? Especially since he is now her brother-in-law..? And in the beginning they emphasized how he thinks Si Na Gil must be such a special fan... Revealing it would've definitely made for some comedic relief.

All in all, a funny, heart-warming and soft romantic comedy with a side of family drama - and very relatable for adult fangirls.

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Completed
Kingdom
8 people found this review helpful
Feb 29, 2020
6 of 6 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
If you like Zombies, this is definitely a must-watch.

I watched the whole thing in a day because it's short. However, I took several breaks to text people back or watch Youtube videos. That would not have happened if it had REALLY captured me. I like the idea of Zombies in the Joseon era, and the production is great, the cinematography beautiful, the acting good. There were definitely some really suspenseful scenes where I barely dared to breathe. But there was not really anything that touched me.

I don't feel like I got to know the characters at all, so I did not get attached to them - not even to the Crown Prince. The only character I enjoyed a bit more was the guard played by Kim Sang Ho, whom I've adored since "City Hunter".

Furthermore, I think a better OST would have greatly improved my emotional investment. Am I gonna watch season 2? Yes. But is "Kingdom" gonna be on my all-time-favorite Drama list? No.

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Coffee Prince
4 people found this review helpful
Apr 3, 2022
17 of 17 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

Mixed feelings - Do not eat while watching

I know this is a beloved classic, but for me this is very hard to rate because I have very mixed feelings about it.

My first impression was: gross! I'm sorry, but so many scenes in this drama are seriously off-putting. And it already begins gross in the first scene with Eun Chan having a super gross eating contest against Min Yeop. It actually made me physically sick. And these off-putting scenes continue throughout the whole drama. Eun Chan always eats like a pig - even eating tofu from the floor, and smearing food all over her face, people cleaning their feet WHILE at the table with other people (and then using the same washcloth to wash their face), sucking toes, eating used gum that was stuck to the window, shaking out socks over food, talking about earwax, etc. I honestly don't understand why this drama had to be so gross. I learned the hard way, that you should NOT be eating while watching this drama because you will loose your appetite.

Was it to show how "manly" Eun Chan is? I don't understand why "manly" has to be gross. You shouldn't make the viewers feel disgusted. Talking about Eun Chan, she was super obnoxious and over the top. Always yelling and being offended, being gross and unreasonable. I don't think anyone would fall in love with a person like that, if she was real. I seriously hated her for the first 8 episodes. Kudos to Yoon Eun Hye, though, she really didn't shy away from anything for this role.

I barely enjoyed anything about the first 8 episodes and had to force myself over the span of several months to continue watching. But then episodes 9 - 12 were absolutely brilliant. Mostly because of Gong Yoo. His acting was superb and the way he portrayed his character questioning his sexuality and finally admitting it to himself and Eun Chan, only to then be crushed by betrayal and being confused by his feelings all over again, was outstanding. I've watched a bunch of cross-dressing dramas that follow a similar trope and so far, his portayal was by far the best.

I'll admit it, I fell deeply in love with Gong Yoo in this drama. Before this, he was just another somewhat cool actor that I'd seen in a few dramas but now? I am a fan!!

After episode 12 it then sadly lost some of the magic again and was very predictable and fluffy. But at this point, I had fallen so deeply for Gong Yoo, that I didn't really care and was content with just admiring him (and sometimes pausing the drama to stare at him for longer).

So, what should I conclude... Gong Yoo was brilliant, four episodes were brilliant, but I was grossed out a lot and hated the female lead.

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Completed
Crash Landing on You
6 people found this review helpful
Feb 27, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
"Even if it breaks my heart because it's a dream that can't come true, I'd like to sincerely dream of the future."

I finished this Drama an hour ago and I am still just sitting here, not knowing what to do,..or to write, for that matter.
I am floored. My heart aches. I am happy and sad and amazed and grateful to have been able to watch this masterpiece. I honestly don't know where to begin. My heart is so full.

"Crash Landing On You" is a master class in screenwriting. The pacing, the revelations through flashbacks and unlinear storytelling, the perfect balance between tragedy, romance and humor,...and God, the characters!

How is it possible to make each and every character of such a big ensemble so complex, relatable and loveable? Apart from Se Ri's middle brother and his wife, and Cho Cheol Kang, which were obviously villains we were supposed to hate, I loved every single side character to bits and pieces. The village ahjummas who band together and protect each other, the "duckling" squad who are all so adorable and supportive of Jung Hyuk and Se Ri, Seo Dan and Seung Jun and their own tragic story, even Dan's mother and uncle, god, they are hilarious. The oldest brother's wife is also super funny and cute in her own way.
I was so attached to every single character, that at some point I basically cried through entire episodes, because even when there were happy scenes, I kept thinking that things will probably not stay like that for all my poor babies. At any given time, while watching CLOY, I just had to think of the whole South Korea - North Korea predicament that they are all in and that will probably destroy everything, and the tears started flowing

The scenes between Jung Hyuk and Se Ri are so raw and real that I often cried, as well. They say crying doesn't necessarily mean you're sad, it just means you are overwhelmed with emotion - no matter which emotion. And that's exactly how I felt. I was so overwhelmed that I cried when it was sad, romantic and funny.

I cried buckets and buckets of tears but I also laughed so hard that my stomach was sore the next day. There are so many funny moments in both, North and South Korea, but I think my favorite was the ducklings in Seri's department store, trying to flee and wake Eun Dong. I almost died laughing.

As an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker, I am deeply humbled by the masterful stroytelling and breathtaking cinematography. There are so many gorgeous settings, such as all the snow scenes, the night of the train break-down and all the scenes in Switzerland.

I am Swiss and I've never seen Switzerland portrayed so beautifully. It made me fall in love with my own country, again. It was strange to see the tram I take every week in a K-Drama. It was strange to see the place I spent vacations as a child. It was strange to see the sights I walk past every day, and have them shown in a new light, looking at them through the eyes of these characters to whom Switzerland represents happiness and their own little paradise. Somehow, seeing some of these incredibly emotional scenes against the Swiss backdrop, made them even more emotional for me.

I can't mention the Switzerland scenes without mentioning how perfect the OST is, especially "The Song For My Brother", "Flower", "Sunset, "Here I Am Again", "The Hill of Yearning" and "Photo of My Mind", which are the perfect musical expression of the Drama's atmosphere and emotions.

The Production design is amazing. There are so many details in every set, you can tell how much heart and time went into it. Furthermore, there are plenty of pop culture references and even a delightful "Secretly Greatly" cameo by Kim Soo Hyun. I feel like you could watch this Drama 15 times and still discover new details and references.

Last but not least, the acting is brilliant! I've loved Hyun Bin ever since "A Millionaire's First Love", and his on-screen chemistry with Son Ye Jin is out of this world. I am also very happy to have been introduced to Kim Jung Hyun, Lee Shin Young and Seo Ji Hye through this Drama.

(My only criticism: They can't have looked very hard for actors in Switzerland cause that guy in the last episode is absolutely horrible! Omg I was so embarrassed for my own people! Has he ever even acted before??)

I know this review is pretty incoherent and probably full of typos and grammatical mistakes but I am still so emotional, I really don't know what to do with myself.

This drama touched the deepest parts of my soul and will forever stay with me!

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Completed
Navillera
5 people found this review helpful
May 17, 2021
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers

Deeply moving and inspiring

"Did you soar?"

I would say „Navillera“ is no light watch. Of course, there are some funny scenes and happy episodes, but as the drama progresses, it becomes increasingly somber and in the last few episodes I cried my eyes out. You should go into this drama with the right expectations - don’t expect romance or a comedy.
But if you are ready for a story about dreams, friendship, family and finding happiness, it will touch you deeply.

I am not sure what kind of action-packed dramas people who think this is „boring“ or „slow“ are used to, because I thought the pacing was perfect. There was never a dull moment or a filler episode and the drama had the perfect amount of episodes. I wish more dramas would cap at 12 episodes, because after episode 12 is often when they become dragged out and the writers add unnecessary drama.
The ending scene was absolutely perfect!! Everything about it: The cinematography, the dialogue, even the styling! I cried like a baby!

The performances of Song Kang and Park In Hwan are incredible. On top of their acting, I have so much respect for them for learning ballet for this drama, when they have never done it before. I know that they used body doubles for the more challenging scenes, but you can tell that the actors put a ton of hard work into credibly portraying ballet dancers.

Stories about friendship between someone young and old are always very touching and inspiring, and „Navillera“ is no different. The impact Chae Rok and Deok Chul have on each others’ lives and how it transforms not only them but the people around them, is beautiful and heart-warming.

Initially, I thought this was about an old man fulfilling his dream. But it is so much more than that. Every character is a little lost and looking for their happiness and they all eventually have to make a decision - to continue living life they way they are used to or take a chance and do what makes them happy. Coming from a country that is very much about corporate careers and performance, this drama feels very important.

All the characters go through credible character development and enrich the story with their own personal journeys to happiness. I really enjoyed Chae Rok’s relationship with Eun Ho as well. They mostly bond because of Deok Chul and there is no forced romance but they are important to each other. In the end, it is up to the viewer to decide whether they might find love in the future. I personally like the thought that they will fall in love at some point and Chae Rok will become a forever member of the family.

Like I said, it is no light entertainment. It made me think a lot about my own life, about the transience of all things, my aging parents and unfulfilled dreams. But it ends on a very hopeful note and leaves you inspired to find the thing that makes you happy and soar yourself.

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Completed
Squid Game
3 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2021
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 3.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

Great but slightly over-hyped

Squid Game is like the BTS of K-Dramas - very good, definitely up there in the top league but not really justified to be so much more hyped than others.

Sometimes we can't really explain why a piece of pop culture gets such attention from the masses - probably a mix of good timing and sheer luck. Because objectively, there isn't really any novelty about Squid Game. Don't get me wrong, it's a good drama. But the plot isn't all that shocking and surprising, if you've seen works like "The Hunger Games" and "Alice in Borderland". The cinematography is good but doesn't stand out like it does in other popular dramas, such as "Goblin", "Crash-landing on you" and "Kingdom". The OST is forgettable - the only songs I remember are classical music pieces and not original compositions. The acting is great, but again, not any more outstanding than in other dramas.
But let's look into it in some more detail.

Plot
The story is exciting, no doubt. It is fast-paced for the most part and when it slows down, we are given background stories that help us understand and sympathize with the characters. The pacing is generally done well. I have seen many people talk about how shocking this show was, but maybe I have seen too many violent movies and series, but nothing about Squid Game really shocked me - except maybe the sex scene, which was more risque than in your usual K-Drama.

Acting
The cast did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. To be fair, Jung Ho Yeon did not have to show that much range, since her character usually wore the same closed-off expression. But I'm sure she will further impress us in future roles. My favorite discovery from Squid Game was Anupam Tripathi. His Ali was simply adorable and pretty much everyone's favorite character. I also really enjoyed Kim Joo Ryeong's performance. She really knows how to do crazy.

Writing
I really liked the villains. There are the obvious villains but there are also one or two that will take you a bit longer to spot.

What I liked least about the drama though, were the "VIP"s. First of all, I know we all like to fall back on stereotypes. And God knows there is plenty of Western media with Asian characters being stereotypical caricatures. But did they really have to paint the only white characters as brainless, sex-crazed geezers? (Not to mention they even pulled out the predatory gay trope.) Don't even get me started on how abysmally bad these American actors were. This being a Netflix production, did they really not have the means to fly in some decent actors who won't over-enunciate every single word?
The revelation of who these VIPs are was also quite underwhelming. I got excited when they were first mentioned. Who could it be? Politicians? Celebrities? Maybe even someone one of the characters would know? Surprise, it's just a bunch of depraved foreigners.
And then there's the issue that their extensive screentime seriously messed with the pace of the plot. During the last two episodes these foreign VIPs were constantly explaining and commenting on what was happening in the game, which took the thrill out of the otherwise high-paced plot and also raised all kinds of "show don't tell" red flags for me. The fact that they were such bad actors made the experience even more jarring.

In conclusion, it was a really good drama up until the last two episodes, where the VIPs kinda ruined it for me.

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Completed
Nevertheless,
3 people found this review helpful
Apr 16, 2022
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Real, beautiful, atmospheric, a little slow

This drama seems to trigger a lot of negative emotions in people. Specifically, the character of Jae Eon seems to be people's canvas to project all their negative feelings towards past dates on, which makes them dislike the drama as a whole.

The word "toxic" gets thrown around a lot when people talk about Jae Eon. I don't see him as toxic, though. Na Bi knew from the beginning that he doesn't want a relationship. She knew what she was getting into and then caught feelings. Yes, he was acting pretty stupid, once he started catching feelings, too. But I guess that's understandable in some way, when you promised yourself not to catch feelings for someone and then don't know how to handle them. He should've communicated more and better and I don't get why he never clarified that Sol Ah isn't his current girlfriend, but I wouldn't call him toxic.

I absolutely loved the first episode. The camera work was brillitant - it made the viewer feel like we are getting seduced at the same time as Na Bi. The chemistry between Song Kang and Han So Hee was tangible and the tension continued throughout the whole drama. I think it portrayed falling for someone very well - the glances and stares, the back and forth between being happy and unsure whether the other person feels the same, the unjustified jealousy, when they talk to someone else, when you're not even dating,...

The story being set in the art department made for a beautiful picture and great metaphors - although sometimes the butterfly metaphors were a bit too on the nose. Everyone was talking about how great the OST is though, so I was kind of disappointed by how mediocre it was - none of the songs stood out to me or made me feel anything.

In the middle, there were a few episodes that dragged a bit too much. It is definitely a slow, atmospheric drama. But all the quirky side characters made up for when the main story was moving too slow. The only character I disliked was Do Hyuk. I don't understand why everyone likes potato boy so much. It must be that they simply hate Jae Eon so much, that they like ANY alternative for Na Bi. Because honestly, Do Hyuk must be the most boring character I've ever seen. I usually root for the second lead and am heartbroken when he doesn't get the girl. But to be honest, I just wanted to never see his boring sorry self again.

So all in all, it was beautiful and atmospheric, real and raw - but a little draggy, with a boring second lead and not a good OST.

(Also, I'm not really a Song Kang girl but damn, his shoulders are broad. Like, how??)

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Completed
Tinted With You
3 people found this review helpful
Feb 26, 2022
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.5
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 4.5
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 3.0

Meh

Maybe I should just stop watching mini dramas. 99% of them are just not done well. This story was too ambitious to be told in a mini drama and therefore felt very flat. The characters and the world didn't feel real.

It's kinda sad that Korean BL is mostly only seen in mini dramas because it robs us of the opportunity to watch an ACTUALLY well-written, complex gay love story.

Jun's acting was ok but to be fair, it wasn't a very challenging role. It'll be interesting to see what kind of roles he takes on in the future.

In defense of this mini drama it should be said that right before starting this, I'd binged The King's Affection, so of course its storyline and production value are going to look very poor in comparison.

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Completed
My Name
3 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2021
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Betrayal, Revenge and a Badass FL

Wow! Where do I even begin?! My mind is blown and my heart is broken.

I binged this within a single night and was unable to look away from the screen for even a second.

It has been a while since a drama - or any series in general - was able to capture me so completely. It is kinda rare that a story serves so many of my favorite tropes:

- Main character having to go through some rigorous physical training
- Revenge plot
- Secret identity
- Good main character goes dark
- Scene where main character looses all humanity and descends into darkness
- Love interest discovers secret identity
- Badass FL
- People changing sides

Seriously, give me any of these and I’m a fan. Give me ALL OF THESE?!? and I’m obsessed.

On top of that, Han So Hee’s brilliant acting catapulted this drama into untouchable greatness.

I agree that many times, writers force unnecessary love side-plots on us. But among all these cases, it seems viewers now cry „unnecessary love story“ way too soon, without considering the nuances this side plot brings to the story.
In this case, the love story made total sense - besides, I’m not even sure you can call it a love story. We watched two characters connect through their shared pain and seek comfort and warmth from each other. Pildo showed Jiwoo that it is not worth losing herself in the darkness and throwing her life away for revenge - but at the same time his death ended up being her breaking point and the final push she needed to complete her transformation.

The chemistry between Jiwoo and Pildo was tangible and the progression of their connection done masterfully.

I don’t think I will ever be over this. But I will definitely rewatch it and hurt myself all over again. Immediate addition to my top-10.

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Completed
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
2 people found this review helpful
Apr 17, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

It's Okay To Be An Emotional Mess After Watching This

It’s Okay To Not Be Okay has everything I love and seek out in dramas and in stories generally: Deeply flawed characters, a cold, fashionable female character, who pretends to have no feelings, a slow-burn enemies to lovers storyline, complex, lovable side-characters, a beautiful, emotional OST, a magnificent, mysterious cursed house, gorgeous costumes, emotional slo-mo scenes and deep meaning.
And it gave me something else I didn’t expect: A main character that I could relate to and that made me think about the way I’m living my own life.

My older sister is not autistic. But she has a lot of issues. She doesn’t work, is plagued with depression and panic attacks and when she’s upset, she acts like a child, throwing a fit, locking herself in, screaming and crying. It’s very hard to calm her down.

My parents never told me that the reason they had me, was so I could take care of her. But sometimes I think that is kind of what it has turned into. I live with my sister now and have to deal with her fits. Sometimes, I feel like I will have to live with her for the rest of my life because she will be lost without me. And it’s burdening. But she is also safe for me because as long as I have to live with her, I don’t have to go out into the scary world. In a way, we are both holding each other back, just like Sang Tae and Gang Tae.
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay left me feeling ready to spread my wings and find my own happiness.

I loved the way this drama deals with mental illness, trauma and disability. It was very tasteful and hopeful. At first, I thought the residents of the hospital would only have very minor roles. I was pleasantly surprised when we learned about each of their stories. Despite touching upon some dark subjects and being at parts gloomy, the drama never drags you down. I never felt bad by the end of an episode, because it somehow manages to always maintain a positive atmosphere - even when there's a sad or tense cliffhanger.
The way different fairytales are woven into the story is a wonderful idea and very well executed. I also really enjoyed the non-linear storytelling. Of course the fairytale theme is also reflected in the production design - which is nothing short of marvelous, the cursed castle being my favorite set. Ko Moon Young standing on her balcony in her white nightgown, walking down the big staircase or writing in the huge gloomy study... every scene in the Cursed Castle is so aesthetically pleasing, underlined by the hauntingly beautiful OST.

The acting of the whole cast is outstanding. Especially Kim Soo Hyun ‘s and Seo Ye Ji’s portrayal of their characters deeply touched me. I watched this after Seo Ye Ji’s scandals came to light but it didn’t influence my enjoyment of the drama and her role at all. I absolutely adore her in this role. Whether or not the scandals are true, she is a brilliant actress and the perfect fit for the role of Ko Moon Young.

I think one of the things that touched me most – and I imagine will touch most people, is that Gang Tae loves Moon Young for who she really is – with all her flaws, cruel sides and unreasonable outbursts. I think we all have some darker sides and mean streaks, and we feel like we cannot show these if we want to be loved. Seeing this incredibly flawed character being accepted and loved the way she is, made me very emotional.

Up to episode 13, I would’ve given this a perfect 10/10 score. But then I found the plot twist with the true identity of Ko Moon Young’s mother a bit much. To be honest, I would’ve preferred it if her mother had been dead and truly haunting them. The scenes where Ko Moon Young has sleep paralysis and sees her mother’s corpse, are absolutely genius in a “The Haunting of Hill House” kind of way and I would've loved to see the drama go a bit further down that lane. Her mother was also written as too evil, in my opinion. She is the only character that is completely black and white with no humanity to her, which was a bit of a disappointment after 12 episodes full of very three-dimensional and complex characters. I'm not a big fan of pure evil villains - I find them way more interesting when we see some reasons why they became like this.
Nevertheless, this will go on the list of my all-time favorite dramas. And I knew it would be so by the end of the first episode.

It was absolutely brilliant and touched me deeply. I enjoyed every moment of these wounded, lost characters finding their way to each other and finding their happiness. During the montage of their trip with the camping van I cried like a baby.

PS: Moon Gang Tae showing up for the photoshoot with his hair gelled back had me literally scream out-loud. What a gorgeous man.

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Sungkyunkwan Scandal
2 people found this review helpful
Mar 3, 2020
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
Sungkyunkwan Scandal is one of the greats and it definitely stands the test of time. 10 years after its release it is still relevant, entertaining and touching.

The main cast ensemble is one of the best ever, to the point where it is almost impossible to decide on a favorite character. Goo Yong Ha's facial expressions when observing the drama his friends are involved in, are iconic and made me scream with laughter at times. His relationship with Moon Jae Shin is never really defined and has you guessing about their past and future. Yoo Ah In is perfect in the role of the 2nd lead that will have you root for him to get the girl, and his chemistry with Song Joong Ki and Park Min Young is equally wonderful. Yoochun chose the perfect role for his big drama premiere and flawlessly embodies the stoic and heroic Lee Sun Joon. Furthermore, his chemistry with Park Min Young is tangible and I absolutely loved seeing her in such a rebellious feminist role.
The best scenes, however, were always the ones where at least three of them were together. The all played off each other so well and it resulted in absolutely hilarious and heartwarming scenes.

Let's not forget the great performance by Jeon Tae Soo as student body president, Ha In Soo. I wish we would've seen what happened to his character in the end. RIP, Jeon Tae Soo, you will be missed! Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

I loved how long it took for Lee Sun Joon to figure out that Kim Yoon Shik is a girl and that he actually accepted the fact that he is gay, before he found out. And of course, I loved the feminist theme of the drama. Both of these themes are not often found in Kdramas and are one of the main reasons Sungkyunkwan Scandal is so close to my heart.

As a Cassie, another reason is the beautiful OST, sung by JYJ. Even though Jaejoong is my ultimate bias and I love "For You it's Goodbye, For Me it's Waiting", my favorite song of the OST is Junsu's "Too Love".

I rewatched this drama this week after not having seen it since 2011 and it felt just like the first time I watched it. I got super attached to all of the characters, I screamed laughing, I cried, and I loved every second of it.
Aside all the laughs and the love story, it touches upon some very deep topics, such as human rights, the meaning of friendship, social class, what it means to learn, feminism, etc.

I will probably rewatch this many more times and I can only recommend it to everyone else!

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Completed
Reply 1997
2 people found this review helpful
Mar 2, 2020
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
In 1997, I was not a teenager in South Korea, but a five-year old in Europe. Yet, without having had the exact same experiences, the 90s nostalgia hit me hard with this one.

The gadgets (or lack thereof), the music, the hair styles,... it all created such a nostalgic atmosphere, while telling a timeless coming-of-age sory. I loved seeing the squad grow up and go through all these stages of young adult life. Anyone, no matter which decade they were born in, will be able to relate. A lot of shows about teens focus on their love life and rebellion only, which is why I was especially appreciative of the portrayal of Si Won‘s relationship with her parents and the loss all three of them felt, when she left for college. I think every adult who has left the nest or has had their own children leave the nest, will get emotional when watching these scenes.

I loved Si Won and Yun Jae‘s unconventional relationship and his acceptance of her (fan) craziness. None of the other characters understand the dynamic of their relationship, yet they adore each other in their own way.

I think Jun Hee‘s queerness should‘ve been explored more but I understand that Korea just was / is not there, yet. I would have at least liked to see the face of the person who picked him up in the end, though.

The whole production design was lovingly detailed and everything was just so creative and unique. Basing their story around 90s Kpop was a brilliant idea and was made even better by the casting of Sechs Kies' Eun Ji Won as Hak Chan - hilarity ensued.

In fact, The whole cast is pretty amazing. Seo In Guk shines, Hoya is a cutie and the perfect fit for the sweet Jun Hee and Eun Ji is just an absolute treasue. I could watch her read the phone book in her Busan accent and I would be content.

The only thing I disliked about this drama was the character of Tae Woong. I found him creepy ever since he showed interest in Si Won. He was how much older than her??? Plus, he was engaged to her late sister. Yikes.

To summarize, a very touching drama that will make you remember your first love and rebellious teenage years and make you miss the simplicity of the 90s.

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Completed
Goblin
2 people found this review helpful
Mar 17, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

"The time I spent with you was all blindingly bright"

What I liked
- The OST
- Deok Hwa - he's hilarious
- The Intro - it's perfect
- The Bromance
- Yoo In Na
- The cinematography
- The grim reaper
- The ending

What I disliked
- The age gap - especially because she acts like a whiny, selfish, materialistic child and he seems like her father in the beginning. He even calls her child and says things like "an adult is talking". And in the end she's a school girl again?
- The boring episodes in the middle
- The goblin AND Eun Tak are super annoying in the first half.
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Completed
So I Married an Anti-Fan
2 people found this review helpful
Jun 21, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 10

The perfect laugh-out-loud entertainment

Looking for a light and cute watch that will have you laugh out loud? You have come to the right place!

I really don't understand what so many people's issue with this drama is. I think with lots of intricate and complicated dramas around, people have forgotten how to have fun. Not every piece of media is meant to shake the world and have you contemplate the meaning of life. Sometimes, a story is written simply for you to have a good time and forget about the hardships of reality for a while. That is exactly what this drama is for.

I’ve seen some weird comments, such as people claiming the female lead having character flaws is „bad writing“ because we are supposed to root for her. Obviously, bad writing would be if the female lead was flawless. Nothing more boring than one-dimensional characters.

Anyway, this is great entertainment. Sure, the plot is predictable. But boy did I have fun, watching it unfold.

Both Sooyoung and Choi Tae Joon are very cute and fitting for their roles and I always love seeing Chansung as a bad guy - he just does it so well. Kim Min Kyu is always cute to watch and this is my first time seeing Han Ji An, but I enjoyed her performance, too.

The main couple actually developped a surprisingly mature relationship without your typical miscommunication issues, which was refreshing to see. My only criticism is that I didn't like the route the writers went for the second leads. After having been very toxic people throughout most of the drama, I would've liked them to settle their issues in a different way. It kind of robbed them of the opportunity to ACTUALLY grow as people.

I laughed out loud a lot, was always looking forward to the release date of the next episode and will definitely rewatch this. Ignore the fun-hating reviewers and give it a chance.

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Completed
Where Your Eyes Linger
2 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2020
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.5

Beautifully acted

The first episode was a bit confusing but then it got really good. The acting is great, the OST sweet and even the cinematography is pretty great, considering this is a mini drama. I was surprised what the drama managed to do within its short running time. The plot is both funny and suspenseful and the side characters really grow on you, too. I loved Hye Mi, Pil Hyun and Hye Mi's mother.
Most importantly, the chemistry between Han Gi Chan and Jang Eui Soo is tangible. I wish this was a full length drama.
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