Reminiscent of a BBC production of Jane Austine, the Bronte Sisters or Downton Abbey this drama moves at a slow rhythmic pace full of substance. The dialogue and acting are superb however, there were a few unresolved plot issues. My rating 9.5 and it is ripe for a sequel.
This was really well done; has superb acting and a fabulous groove vibe/ ballad OST. I deducted 5 points from my rating because the writers chose to use her skin complexion as a negative and undesirable beauty trait repeatedly. There were many things the writers could have chosen or used like her dressing and wearing her hair like a boy and so on. Also, maybe it was the translation but there was some other derogatory language used as well. Promoting colorism in this day an age in a fictional fantasy drama is really offensive.
If you plan to comment on my post please do not try to defend by using lame excuses it's cultural, it was made for Chinese audience or in ancient times blah blah........ this is not acceptable. Colorism/Color Supremacy is rising on a global level, so please be mindful and try not to defend these subliminal with intent statements or messages whether done knowingly or unknowingly.
Hey Soju, this is a great list for beginners! I have a few to add; the original Meteor Garden series which is in 3 parts 1, 2 and Meteor Rain, it was one of the first successful TV series based on a manga book. The original Fated to Love, which from a contextual POV the script is more substantive and the characters have way more depth. The Rose, what an intense dramatic ride.
What a fun ride; solid performances and OST! Reminiscent of Secret Garden in many ways. Most of the TDramas have been lackluster in the past few years glad to see a good one.
Mr. Sunshine has the best overall OST of the K Dramas that I have watched so far from 2018. Park Hyo Shin's "The Day" is a very beautiful expressive and meaningful song that even speaks to and resonates with what North and South Korea is facing today.
As a standalone drama, this is trash and in comparison to any other version of BOF including MTV India's version, it lacks CLASS! I gave it 1 point because it exists even though it should NOT! The derogatory language, denigration, and castigation of women in this drama are unforgivable! And this is what they call an updated modern version; please spare me. And some think it has less violence, which is wrong; this drama is filled with unmerited nasty gratuitous violent scenes; in part because much of the substantive cause and effect of actions were lost or not portrayed in this version.
The story provides enough intrigue to keep you watching however, Thai dramas have serious casting issues. Quite often the support characters are way better actors and better looking than their leads. And did the brain issue just disappear? What up with that?
I really enjoyed reading your lists and the comments. The coat and phone thing is always a question mark but quite often, it is product placement for sponsors. I remember a scene where a poor girl tripped because her shoes were coming apart but she had a $400 phone in her hand.
I have a few unrealistic things to add to your list! Confusing poverty with having bad taste or being tacky is just wrong. This as a trope to express a character's situation is so annoying. Just because you are poor it doesn't mean you have a bad fashion sense or bad taste in home decor. This is a very unrealistic cliche!
The inequality in female vs male fashion and wardrobes; Too often the male lead is very well dressed in comparison to his female counterpart. This juxtaposition is a constant in K Dramas even when the couple is supposed to hail from the same social-economic background. South Koreans complain so much about this that quite often a network will change the female lead's style and wardrobe a few episodes into the series. The Women's Clothes: Frumpy and shabby oversized sweatshirt/hoodie, t-shirt, huggy leg jeans, (Which are Ok if you are still in your teens; in your collegiate years (sometimes) or hanging out at home but all the time, please. And yes, there is a difference between huggy legs and skinny leg jeans.) Ugly ruffle blouses with virtuous long gathered grandma skirts with bobby socks, and plain sneakers or lace up shoes. Sundresses with clashing t-shirts underneath, I know there are some skin rules but more attention need to be paid to what goes on underneath if they insist on doing this look. The Men's Clothes: Sophisticated styles and really nice trainers or Bruno Magli shoes, sunglasses, pants; button-down shirts, sweaters; a suite or a hoodie that actually fits him. Everything on a man is coordinated perfectly right down to the choice of his shirt, tie, and handkerchief. Please Note: Women did not always dress this generic and shabby in K Dramas its some weird puritanical phenomenon that started about a decade ago.
Things that are not edited out that makes a scene unrealistic, mostly from Sound Stage filming: Scenes where you can see the actors breath because its cold even though the scene takes place inside or they are supposed to be outside walking on pavement or in a courtyard but you can hear the echo of the wooden stage as they walk.
This drama was surprisingly very good and refreshing in a through back kinda way (2000-2010) with a hint of a Thai Lakorn. Lee Da Hae was really good and early on her comedic side from dramas past came through brilliantly. I also think this drama has one of the best soundtracks of 2018 so far. FYI Drama Cool has it in the 20 Episiodes format.
Excellent drama and I'm looking forward to season 2! Also, 32 half-hour episodes = 16 1 hour episodes. I liked this drama so much it inspired me to write my first review.
Much as I do love Secret Garden, this drama is MUCH more realistic and has far more believable characters and…
I actually liked the characters and though the acting was good, which kept me watching! My comments address the script, direction, editing, lack of attention to set and prop details and a lackluster soundtrack. They were not about the acting or character themselves.
SG is a fantasy drama and this one is supposed to be a real-life situation drama, so we can't compare them by their story classification. What the two dramas do have in common is the leads having a tragic meet backstory and a Cinderella element with an anal prince. Very similar tried and true tropes, however, this one did not deliever for me and I have been watching K Dramas since the 90's.
Please Note: Secret Garden is one the drama's that is hailed for making the K Drama a global phenomenon according to the BBC and it still has one of the best soundtracks of this century.
I was happy to see Kim Joo Won's House from Secret Garden, unfortunately, this drama is not in the same league as SG. This is a drama that had great potential but it was never reached, which is a big problem with a lot of TVN dramas. Underutilized plot points and overutilized scenarios( secret office romances); lack of attention to details and a lackluster soundtrack = Just Messy!
Underrated! Very light hearted well acted and executed drama with a great OST! Classic k tropes when done well are still enjoyable! Also, TVN's fantasy drama creativity slump is finally over.
If you plan to comment on my post please do not try to defend by using lame excuses it's cultural, it was made for Chinese audience or in ancient times blah blah........ this is not acceptable. Colorism/Color Supremacy is rising on a global level, so please be mindful and try not to defend these subliminal with intent statements or messages whether done knowingly or unknowingly.
I really enjoyed reading your lists and the comments. The coat and phone thing is always a question mark but quite often, it is product placement for sponsors. I remember a scene where a poor girl tripped because her shoes were coming apart but she had a $400 phone in her hand.
I have a few unrealistic things to add to your list!
Confusing poverty with having bad taste or being tacky is just wrong. This as a trope to express a character's situation is so annoying. Just because you are poor it doesn't mean you have a bad fashion sense or bad taste in home decor. This is a very unrealistic cliche!
The inequality in female vs male fashion and wardrobes; Too often the male lead is very well dressed in comparison to his female counterpart. This juxtaposition is a constant in K Dramas even when the couple is supposed to hail from the same social-economic background. South Koreans complain so much about this that quite often a network will change the female lead's style and wardrobe a few episodes into the series.
The Women's Clothes: Frumpy and shabby oversized sweatshirt/hoodie, t-shirt, huggy leg jeans, (Which are Ok if you are still in your teens; in your collegiate years (sometimes) or hanging out at home but all the time, please. And yes, there is a difference between huggy legs and skinny leg jeans.) Ugly ruffle blouses with virtuous long gathered grandma skirts with bobby socks, and plain sneakers or lace up shoes. Sundresses with clashing t-shirts underneath, I know there are some skin rules but more attention need to be paid to what goes on underneath if they insist on doing this look.
The Men's Clothes: Sophisticated styles and really nice trainers or Bruno Magli shoes, sunglasses, pants; button-down shirts, sweaters; a suite or a hoodie that actually fits him. Everything on a man is coordinated perfectly right down to the choice of his shirt, tie, and handkerchief.
Please Note: Women did not always dress this generic and shabby in K Dramas its some weird puritanical phenomenon that started about a decade ago.
Things that are not edited out that makes a scene unrealistic, mostly from Sound Stage filming: Scenes where you can see the actors breath because its cold even though the scene takes place inside or they are supposed to be outside walking on pavement or in a courtyard but you can hear the echo of the wooden stage as they walk.
SG is a fantasy drama and this one is supposed to be a real-life situation drama, so we can't compare them by their story classification. What the two dramas do have in common is the leads having a tragic meet backstory and a Cinderella element with an anal prince. Very similar tried and true tropes, however, this one did not deliever for me and I have been watching K Dramas since the 90's.
Please Note: Secret Garden is one the drama's that is hailed for making the K Drama a global phenomenon according to the BBC and it still has one of the best soundtracks of this century.