Nelly
Canada
A great drama, which only flaw is that the romance lacks a bit of passion. Watch! Just watch!
THE STORY
In my opinion, all good dramas are character-driven, which is why Ho Goo’s Love is good. There’s no storyline per say in the show. Sure, we can say it’s the story of a loser who meets with his first love and tries to win her over. But that’s not it. It’s the story of a guy who thinks he’s a loser and consciously plays the part, and the story of a girl who thinks she’s a loser but chooses to pretend she’s not, and how they come to trust in themselves and go for what really matters to them in life. Their personalities, their issues and their attempts to deal with these problems drive their relationship and the entire drama forward. That's character development at its best. That's a great drama.
All characters are fab and remain coherent from beginning to end (hence the drama also is coherent from start to finish), but what’s also great about this show is the script. Among so many great things, I thought it was amazing how everyone in the show ends up realizing, at some point, that they’re Ho Goo (fools). We’re all fools, especially in love. It’s fresh, it’s light (even when a serious, dark matter’s in play), it’s fun and relatively realistic. It's complete.
The downside to this drama is that the writers put out innovative plot possibilities, but by the end decided to play safe and give the type of closure that’s more conventional to Kdramaland. Also, I’m going to say it as it is, there could have been more skinship between Do Hee and Ho Goo, or more intensity (aka “passion”) in the relationship. While the show’s great, it’s not emotionally gripping, and I think that’s one of the reasons, especially since they put a lot of emphasis in the premise on the fact that Ho Goo had never been romantically involved. It’s a shame, but hey, the drama’s so good, I’m not even going to complain.
THE ACTING
I want Choi Woo Shik! Can’t I have him? He’s cute ok, but he’s also such a great actor! Uee’s acting has me conflicted, because I don’t think it’s bad, but it doesn’t always convince me. Anyway, it wasn’t an impediment to the show, I still loved her character the most out of all, so I’d say she did well. Seulong was awesome! But all the cast did well.
THE MUSIC
Funny, I just ended the show and I can’t think of what the OST was like…well, it wasn’t bad at least! I’d remember that!
REWATCHABLE VALUE
High. Very high.
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A story very much worth watching, but know that you may get frustrated by the shift in focus half way through though. Watch it if 1) you wanted to watch a historical drama less focused on struggles for the throne, 2) you like gripping, suspenseful storylines. Don’t watch if 1) you like well-developed love stories, 2) you can’t stand injustice and characters getting mistreated (it is a show about slaves after all).
THE STORY
The good: Those who complained that historical dramas were always centered on the palace and political factions get to see a show focused more on the life of the lowest class, that is, for half of the drama. The show never becomes boring and the plot, for better or for worse, grips you until the end. The drama has great cinematography, and the first half, deep conversations and steady character and romance development.
The bad: Unfortunately, the writers decided not to risk it fully and cut all the political business out of the story, so the magic of the show – namely, the focus on maids – went away about half way through the drama. As the plot was becoming more palace-conflicts-centered, character and relationship development stagnated. All romances lost their charm, and the characters too.
The Ugly: As the characters lost their charm, they also lost themselves, because their actions became increasingly incoherent. The show, that was initially quite innovative and fresh, became quite predictable by the end, with unnecessary drama.
Bottom line: Started out really good, slowly decayed, but managed to pull off an okay (just okay) ending. Not quite a disappointment, but almost.
THE ACTING
All secondary cast was absolutely great, especially Kim Dong Wook (my Coffee Prince was gone!). Jung Yoo Mi gained my esteem. I didn’t think she was a bad actress and I liked her since Dong Yi, but she wasn’t impressive. In here, she’s definitely impressive, and the only thing I regret is that she had no chemistry with Oh Ji Oh. As for him, I can’t put him in the same basket. He was good enough in his role, but his acting just doesn’t convince me.
THE MUSIC
I liked! Without being something of another world, it wasn’t typical historical-drama music. Fitted super well with the story and scenes too. It was dark and suspenseful. I liked!
REWATCHABLE VALUE
Uff. I don’t know. I loved the beginning so much, but the last few episodes…Ok, well, definitely rewatchable, just maybe not until the end.
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Watch if you feel like action and don’t have anything else in mind to watch. Do not watch after an awesome drama (eg. Healer); it will make it all worse.
THE STORY
Usually, taking a few days after the end of a drama before writing a review is a good thing. Gives me time to reflect on it and miss it too, so I can write more positive things about it. This time though, I can’t say it helps the drama at all. Spy had a forgettable storyline while I was watching, and now five days after I’m done, it has a forgotten storyline.
The premise of the drama was promising, but the script was quite lacking. The characters had no spike and no development, the romance was bland and half-way through the drama got completely overlooked, and the action/thriller was watered down by the characters’ behavior, which was ambiguous or didn’t quite make sense. Even when it did make sense, because everyone (or actually, mostly the “good” ones) had no character and seemed so powerless and senseless against all their challenges, simply reacting to things and never actively taking control of a situation, it still felt like something was missing.
In short, Spy was a disappointment. On a positive note though, the drama is totally watchable, effortlessly, from beginning to end. But in a don’t-really-care-what-happens-just-watching-to-have-something-to-do type of way. It’s not bad, but it’s one of those dramas you spend the whole time thinking it could have been much more.
THE ACTING
And that is where the drama infuriates me. With such a good cast, I don’t know why they had to go and ruin it with poor writing. Spy girl aside (I don’t know Go Sung Hee), Jaejoong is not a bad actor, and Bae Jong Ok and Yoo Oh Sung are veterans I personally love. Go Sung Hee and Jaejoong had some kind of chemistry going on too. Ugh. Really.
THE MUSIC
No comment.
REWATCHABLE VALUE
Not a priority at all, but like I said, it is an effortless watch so maybe one of these days I’ll give it another go.
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If you thought it’s impossible to find a drama that maintains good balance between action, romance and character-driven plot without giving into incoherence or common story elements and clichés, then watch this. If you already thought it’s possible, still watch it.
THE STORY
When I started watching Healer, I wasn’t that into it. I wish I could remember what it was that wasn’t getting to me back then, because right now all I can think of is how awesome the drama is! Objectively speaking, even if I put that initial feeling aside, Healer is not a perfect show. There are things that, without seeming wholly incoherent, don’t make a lot of sense; there are some windows that never really get closed or ends that don’t precisely get tied by episode 20. But it’s a drama that is superior from others because it breaks clichés and it’s character-driven. Not only do the main leads and the villain have depth, but even flashback characters have their own individuality, which makes these scenes come to life. The women are all strong, smart and capable; the story managed to avoid falling in all clichéd abysses we see again and again in dramas, and the primary couple is not only adorable, coherent and real (skinship is real too, and plentiful!), it also puts to shame other Kdramaland OTPs in which doubt, distrust and misunderstandings always get the best of the pair.
THE ACTING
I love Ji Chang Wook, okay. I really do. I always follow all his projects. But he never gave me the feeling of being an amazing actor. I think that it’s because he always seems to be playing the same role, with only slight nuances. Anyway, he was dashing as usual in here, and chemistry was bursting out between him and Park Min Young. She was great, I think I liked her more than usual in here (possibly because her character was the best she’s had). But for me, the best acting in Healer definitely came from the older cast. Do Ji Won, Yoo Ji Tae and Park Sang Won were awesome, and my favorite ajumma actress, Kim Mi Kyung, as well.
THE MUSIC
It was great. Well, it must have been great. Frankly, I can’t remember most songs, not even Chang Wook’s. I was too infatuated by Ben’s You. Was on my mp3 since episode 1. Most catchy OST I’ve heard in a while!
REWATCH VALUE
Well, the show just ended yesterday, but guess what I’m thinking of watching tonight?
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If you want a show with mystery, some humor and ongoing intrigue, even if it comes with uninteresting characters, boring or confusing plot elements and a lacking love line, watch it. If you’d rather good relationships and character development, then skip.
THE STORY
I’m very torn about this drama. On the one side, the main leads suffer from a serious identity crisis. Dongchi starts out looking like pompous player, and ends up being devoid of any personality. Yeolmoo starts out being, let’s say it as it is, unbearable, then loses all character, then somehow ends up showing a cute side completely at odds with her initial portrait. I get turned off by shows with titles out of nowhere, and let me tell you that there is no pride in this drama; nor is there any prejudice, or any resemblance with Jane Austen’s novel. And the love story, although coherent, lacked fluidity and romance. We don’t know why Yeolmoo likes Dongchi (except that he’s dashing and confesses his interest for her every other day), and instead of gradually giving into her feelings, we just get the impression that her love is a switch and one second it’s off, the next it’s on.
On the other side, Pride and Prejudice is a good example of suspense and mystery gone right. Cases that the characters investigate are all connected, slowly weaving a huge, dark and complex spider web. There’s never-ending plot twists, breaking the assumption that dramas can’t escape some predictability, and the main conflicts that the characters face, namely corruption among the political and legal elite, are both daunting and realistic. The secondary couple is also cute and fun, even though the characters separately are not very likable. So the bottom line is? Although I wasn’t in love with this drama, it still peaked my interest enough to get me to watch it all the way to the end.
THE ACTING
Mmm…I hate to say it, but I feel the same way about Choi Jinhyuk as I did with his character, Dongchi. He’s handsome and might have some good acting skills, but he doesn’t know how to show them, because all the roles I’ve seen him in look similar, not to say identical, and lack some unique character. Baek Jinhee I know can act well, anyone who’s seen her in Empress Ki knows it. Why she would take on such a bland role, I don’t know. Well, I do. I would take it too, if I had to be with Choi Jinhyuk, but you know what I mean. The rest of the cast did quite well though, especially the older generation. And you can expect a Good kiss (notice the capital G) between the leads.
THE MUSIC
Nothing great, but alright in context.
REWATCHABLE VALUE
I’m going to say just average. The intrigues might be interesting, but the drama is not gripping. I wasn’t dying to watch each episode then, and I’m not dying to rewatch the show now.
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A very good drama that's got everything to please, even if there's a few inconsistencies here and there, a few wrong plot elements there and here. Watch it if you enjoyed I Hear Your Voice or you think you would. If you didn't like it, pass.
THE STORY
It's hard to try to reproduce the success of a drama in a new project without creating a show that you, the production team and the entire world of Kdrama fans know is a replica. So why pretend? Pinocchio is obviously and shamelessly a spinoff of I Hear Your Voice. The essence of the drama, a social critique made of suspense, humor and romance with a touch of supernatural, is similar. The story, heavily consisting of unexpected plot twists that grip viewers from beginning to end, is similar. Although the female lead is original, the male lead is similar in both dramas (and to make things even better, played by the same actor too). Characters of I Hear Your Voice even make cameos. I would be indignated by all of this, but the show is so much fun, the characters are so likable (except the villain, that is), the romance is so sweet, the story is so inspiring, that I couldn't care less. I Hear Your Voice might be better, but Pinocchio stands close behind. That's what I call good project recycling! On the down side, something's off about the ending. I can't pinpoint what it is...maybe too cheesy?
THE ACTING
More than the main leads, I feel like the rest of the cast really shone through Pinocchio; special kudos to the ajuhmma actresses, they were the stars of this show. Park Shin Hye I liked here more than in all her previous dramas, probably because for once she was playing someone with a backbone. Her acting also seemed more convincing, even though there's still room for improvement. Lee Jong Suk was dashing as usual, but he seriously needs to break the mold and play different roles. They made a very nice couple, with good chemistry (how come he has great chemistry with all his co-stars? Can I be one?)
THE MUSIC
Could it feel any more the same as the music of I Hear Your Voice? Anyway, it was fitting for the show, it wasn't bad to the ears, but nothing I feel the urge to google.
REWATCHABLE VALUE
High, very high.
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Surprisingly good short story. It's only 50-min long, so come on, watch it.
THE STORY
Cute, fun and just a tad suspenseful, like every romantic drama (or film, because all episodes considered this is not even as long as the usual movie) should be. Granted, the male lead has no defined personality and the female lead is not a character everyone can like. Granted, the little mystery surrounding the girl's past is not completely unpredictable and the love kind of drops out of nowhere. But these are things that the short length of Heartbeat love is to blame for. The interactions between the guy and the girl are fun, the mystery keeps you alert, the landscape is beautiful, the script is well-written, so that by the end, all I could think of was, couldn't they have made it a regular drama? *Sigh* Why do the good things never last?
THE ACTING
Definitely did the trick. There was some decent chemistry between the leads too.
THE MUSIC
...yeah...
REWATCHABLE VALUE
Pretty high, but since I already know the conclusion of the little intrigue, I'm not sure I would enjoy rewatching it as much unless it's with someone else.
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Good to watch on a road trip. I'm saying this because that's what I did, and I can't think of another time I'd be desperate enough to.
THE STORY
LOL This was like watching the two-hour recap of a melodrama...or starting the melo from the middle, skipping all the nice, fluttering falling-in-love part and jumping right into the in-laws-tear-us-apart drama, which, I have to say, had all the cliched elements you can find in melos and more. There's nothing gripping about Hanoi Bride because we're not given the chance to care about the protagonists separately or together, and everything is just so damn predictable. The good side? Well, I sure had a lot of laughs watching this, though I'm certain it wasn't what they were aiming for. I also like to give props to stories that portray a social issue, and Korean guys travelling to Vietnam to find a wife is not an unusual phenomenon, from what I've read.
THE ACTING
I would say nothing stellar, but because I got to see Kim Okbin in Yoona's Street first, where her role was so entirely different, I can't help but think she's a very good actress.
THE MUSIC
What music?
REWATCHABLE VALUE
It's standing on that line that separates serious from ridiculous shows. Because I wasn't watching it taking it seriously, it was entertaining, and I can't say I wouldn't watch it again. But I'm not dying for it. Not at all.
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Don't watch unless action and suspense is all you need. This doesn't have much more to offer.
THE STORY
I want to write a really mean review for this one. I really want to. I could go on and on about how watching this felt like watching the narrative of a violent video game tailored for guys, with unnecessary sexual scenes, unnecessary blood, and, as a bonus, unnecessary deaths. I could rant about the ending, which made as much sense as a book read upside down and was extremely disappointing, or the characters with no development, or the plot with no depth. But then, I'd be omitting one little thing: that I was undeniably into Killer Girl K from beginning to end. The suspense did not falter from episode one, and the occasional humor was good too. Retrospectively, I didn't like it, but I have to admit I sort of...maybe...okay, definitely was enjoying it in the moment, so...yeah. It's okay.
THE ACTING
Good. A special mention goes to Han Groo. It was her first lead, I believe, and she was great. Too bad the show wasn't.
THE MUSIC
...*crickets*
REWATCHABLE VALUE
As you can guess, not that high for me.
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One of the best of 2014, without question. It's not only an attention-grabbing show, but it's also deep, coherent and well-executed (finally another all-included drama!). Watch it, no ifs, but maybe keep it for later if you really have a hard time watching shows with only subtle (very subtle) signs of romance.
THE STORY
I need to start by saying that I have neither watched the Japanese drama nor read the manga both shows are based on, so I had no prior bias for or against the drama and can honestly say, with complete objectivity, that it's a.ma.zing. Although the drama seems to be about games of lies and betrayal, more than the games, the characters that take part in them - how they evolve through the games, how their past came to shape who they are and how they act in the present - are really at the core of the story. The games themselves are interesting (though sometimes complex), but it's the action behind the scenes, the mystery on which they stand and the character development that really pulls the drama forward. The characters, are, by the way, absolutely fabulous. I liked how each main lead personify something - Nam Dajung is trust, Kang Doyoung is deception, Ha Woojin is insight, and how many secondary characters have depth (also are given space and conflicts of their own). Dajung doesn't seem as profound as the other leads and sometimes recedes to the background, but she also goes a long way, and her infallible faith in people is very much the heart of the story. The pace of the plot is steady, the suspense is ongoing and sometimes bordelines creepy; twists are numerous, hints, events and interconnections are mindblowing, and the end is very satisfying. I have only three small, tiny regrets: 1) The last episode, without being bad, just doesn't feel as dramatic as it should, 2) why couldn't they give us just one romantic scene?, and 3) twelve episodes, really? Couldn't the show have been longer? I need more games, more Doyoung, Woojin and Dajung, more action!
THE ACTING
Nothing to say other then that it was awsome. Everyone was amazing, from leads to secondary actors, but especially Shin Sung Rok, the actor behind the sly, cruel, weird, psychopath-y Doyoung. Lee Sang Yoon and Kim So Eun had good chemistry (*sigh* such a pity it was not exploited), and the interactions between all cast members were 100% believable.
THE MUSIC
Absolutely fitting for the show...but nothing to keep on listening to now that it's over.
REWATCHABLE VALUE
Definite yes!!!! The plot is so dense that I'm sure rewatching will give more insight into the characters and the games. Will be rewatched once by me before the end of the year, I can promise you that!
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Such a good, different drama! Watch if 1) you feel like everything's the same in Dramaland these days, 2) you're sick of seeing the same kind of main leads, 3) you want to watch a show that's not about some rich chaebol and a Cinderella in the making. Don't watch if 1) you're looking for a well-developed, emotional love story, 2) you don't like stories with many secondary characters, 3) you don't like characters with flaws.
THE STORY
A story like you don't find in Dramaland, with characters that don't typically hang out over there too, and I loved it. I love reserved and down-to-earth Yoona, who is neither naïve, innocent and bright girl nor cold, distant and apathetic (it's usually one or the other); I love open-minded, caring Changman, who is neither a cold and arrogant prick nor a naïve and childish boy. I love how they interact with everyone around them; how loyal Yoona is, which inspires loyalty from others; how empowering Changman is, making others believe that they can aspire for more. I love the comedy, especially in the first half of the drama, and the glimpse into the world of petty crime. There's just so much good in this show. The only downside to it is that although it seemed as though the romance between the main leads and the character development of Yoona would be at the center of the story, they slowly were forgotten in favor of secondary characters and dragging plot elements, so that her changes kind of look incoherent or abrupt, and their love story, bland. The show would have been perfect if it weren't for that *sigh* The ending though, is satisfying, so it's okay.
THE ACTING
I didn't know the main leads before this show, but their acting was good. I liked her more than him, I thought she really had become Yoona. They also weren't bad together *sigh* Such a waste that the romance wasn't exploited some more. Some other actors were also quite good in their roles. Particularly the actress behind Yoonji, she was awesome. Because most characters are realistic, they aren't easy roles, but they were pulled off fine.
THE MUSIC
Just as the story and the characters, the music is sooo fresh. It's not every day that you hear K-country (does that even exist?) or Carla Bruni in a drama, it's so weird - in a good way - and totally fits with the mood. Of course, there's also Leesa's awesome song, Love will find a way. Absolutely addictive. From episode one, it got stuck in my head, and I had no choice but to download it.
REWATCH VALUE
I'd rewatch it, whenever I get in one of those moments in which all dramas just look too much the same. It's like getting some fresh air, without pulling the plug.
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Good filler drama to watch when you have nothing else to watch or need a break from action-packed, overly-emotional or melodramatic shows. It won’t make you pull your hair out in frustration, but you won’t feel too much for it either. Just don’t watch if there’s anything better within your grasp.
THE STORY
Typical boy-meets-girl, boy-loves-girl, girl-gets-tortured-by-crazy-mother-in-law main plot that is 100% predictable, and accompanied by some of those clichéd elements that are absolutely hateful, such as the very old big-and-terrible-illness. On the other hand, this is a story with no meddling, so-annoying-that-you-could-kill-them third wheels in couples. It is light, bright and significantly more drama-free than others. The prejudiced ends up being prejudiced against, which was ironic. Also, despite all the clichés, it is a show that seems more “modern” or open-minded than most, because things that make crazy melodrama and meet controversy in other shows due to being unacceptable in Korean society (eg. marrying a single parent, dating a minor, loving a divorcee with kids, etc.) are ultimately displayed as perfectly fine in this show.
THE ACTING
This is not a show in which you’ll feel convinced by the love stories. There was zero chemistry between the main protagonists (or in other couples, for that matter); the romantic scenes could only make you smile – not because you are entertained or touched by the love of the characters, oh no, but because you feel how fake the scenes are and wonder how awkward it was for the actors to film them. I can’t say that individually, the cast did not perform well. Especially the senior actors, they were quite good. I also can't say that siblings didn't feel like siblings, or parents, like parents. But since a lot of the show is about the different love lines that develop, I need to feel something when I watch them, and that was mostly not the case in this show.
THE MUSIC
Not much for my interests. It was funny and quite cool that there were old-fashioned songs (I’m not going to say trot songs because I’m not sure it was trot) in the main soundtrack of the show – that is, because I like old-fashioned songs. It was not as funny or cool that the characters were singing one of them all the time though – joke got old, really fast.
REWATCH VALUE
Mm….I’m sure I’ll always have something better to rewatch when I get bored.
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An entertaining Taiwanese rom-com that digs a little deeper than others. Watch if 1) you can watch food without eating (otherwise, you'll gain weight, trust me), 2) you've had an overdose of the typical sweet girl and douchy guy, 3) you like shows with children. Don't watch if 1) You have little patience for weird or irritating characters (you can always skip if they bore you, but...), 2) you're looking for a romance with lots of skinship (kisses sure are fine in this show, but there's little more, you're warned!), 3) you don't like when everything is just too happy (yes, there is such a thing as too much happiness).
THE STORY
After watching many many dramas, if there's one thing I'm particularly tired of, it's the cliched sweet, innocent and naive female protagonist. Granted, the main lead of this show is also a cliched character. The distrustful, cold and solitary female type. But I was pleasantly surprised (pun intended) with the character development of Kai Qi, who slowly opens up to people. It was not expected in such a light, comic romance, and that's just how to earn some points in my book. Another way is to have a male lead that slightly deviates from the norm - a patient cutie pie with a warm smile and personality, instead of the all-too-common barbie Ken - the overly-confident, masculine, smirky (or douchy) faced guy. And yet another way is to have a very cute little child actor. So this show was quite enjoyable for me. Predictable, yes, at times unbelievable or dragging too, with an ending that seems a bit too abrupt, but fun to watch and slightly different from the comedies I've seen so far. If that's where Taiwanese rom-coms are going, I'll be hopping onto their boat a lot more often in the future.
THE ACTING
Mmm...I don't know about that, and truthfully the main couple didn't have much chemistry, but I'll say the cast was selected well because they make the show visually appealing. Puff Guo looks great and makes an endearing cold girl. I had seen her before in a similar role (in Inborn Pair, though her character was more of a two-faced bully) and I also had had the I-want-to-be-your-friend feeling. Jasper Liu is cuuute. He's in my list of actors to watch out for. You just look at them and feel like watching the show. That's totally not a legitimate reason to watch a drama, but hey, all is fair in Dramaland.
THE MUSIC
Nothing that captured my attention, except maybe for the occasional instrumental track. The piano piece was cute and I wanted to play it.
REWATCH VALUE
Why not? But...in a while.
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This review may contain spoilers
OVERALLGood, light, fun drama that can be easily completed in a nutshell, without even realizing. Watch if 1) You want something without too much drama, 2) You like the fake-relationship plot element, 3) You don't want a cliche ending. Don't watch if 1) You're vulnerable to the second-lead syndrome, 2) You can't stand secondary females that are gold-diggers or leeches, 3) You are looking for a heart-felt, touching, emotional love story.
THE STORY
Another 'refreshed' plot, as I like to call them. While the premise is nothing new, the humor, the funny prologues, the quirky sound effects and the light feeling (as opposed to the common dramatic feel that seems to be more and more typical of Kdramas) manage to refresh it and suck you in. There are some flaws in this show; starting from very dislikable secondary female characters that seem bad but aren't but actually are but truly aren't, and ending with a main love story at times too slow, at times moving too quickly, without giving the viewers the time to understand the characters' feelings. But the lightness of the drama makes it attractive, entertaining and addictive, the background of both leads justify their character, and the few uncommon drama elements introduced in the plot - won't say them or it's a spoiler - win extra points for creativity.
THE ACTING
I had previously seen the main actors only in secondary roles, but here they managed to pull the story together, which was no simple thing, giving that I have a feeling a lot of it relied on their chemistry and acting skills. Jinwoon and Sunhwa were also quite good in their roles. I see a bright future in acting for the female idol.
THE MUSIC
The selection of tunes was absolutely brilliant and seemed to have, as main purpose, to facilitate laughter. The OST, therefore, is one I love with the show, but I probably wouldn't listen to independently of it.
REWATCH VALUE
Definite yes, but with some skipping.
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Watch this fun, romantic and innovative drama, if not for the story, for the change in perspective that it generates in its viewers. Do it soon if 1) You're looking for something different, not really explored in dramas yet, 2) You want to see a real adult romance. Maybe keep it for later if 1) You have low tolerance for relational conflicts, 3) Mental illness issues make you uncomfortable.
THE STORY
It's okay is a manifesto against discrimination and stigmatization of mental illness. It shows that everyone struggles with some mental issue; that there aren't two categories, the normal people and the mentally ill, we are all on a continuum. It reminds people that mental illness does not mean the end of someone's ability to live, work and love; and that if one cannot overcome it, one can learn to live with it. Basically, it's what anyone studying psychology or psychiatry, such as myself, preaches everyday, and seeing that in a drama was awsome! Apart from its premise, what also makes this show great are the amazing interactions between all characters, who seriously care for one another and help each other work on their issues (which everyone have, no one is spared), and the perfect blend of comedy, romance and a little intrigue, surrounding the story of the male lead and his family. The main love story is mature and real, and so are the characters. The ending is amazing too. On the down side, the characters were too real, sometimes getting on your nerves, and working in a psychiatric hospital myself, I knew that the problems of the main characters were delt with too much optimism, too easily. But that's nothing to challenge all the good that the drama has, and all that it represents. I wish more similar shows come out.
THE ACTING
Well, I was in love with Jo In Sung since That Winter and dying to see him again. This new appearance was fabulous, even better than in his previous drama. Gong Hyo Jin I knew could act well, but I hadn't been able to like any of her dramas before. Now I feel like I can do her justice. Both of them had a crazy amount of chemistry - I guess that was a must, giving all the 'sexy' scenes they had to do - but really, all actors (who were all great) had lots of chemistry, as if they had been friends for years. The cast was well chosen.
THE MUSIC
Perfect for the show, and somewhat innovative. It was giving it a vibe that was quite different from other dramas. Several songs were in English, and though independently from the drama I didn't like many of them, I know at least one will find its way to my mp3 - I just need to google it first.
REWATCH VALUE
I give myself a month. By mid-October, this will be rewatched. And by next September, maybe twice?
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