Sometimes Great, Sometimes Insufferable

So when I first signed up for this site about a month ago, I sat down and did reviews for all the dramas I could remember watching. Tonight something relating to Itaewon Class came up (a show I watched only a few months back) and I couldn't remember talking about my biggest issue with the show. Turns out I accidentally forgot to do a review for this one, so let's get into it.

Occasionally someone's character in a drama is so nasty, awful, cruel, idiotic, annoying, narcissistic, etc., that I will struggle to want to watch anything with that person again. Usually that's a nod to how great of an actor they are, but this is definitely not one of those cases, as everything I've seen written about the FL's character Oh Soo Ah (Kwon Nara) in this drama has been weirdly positive. Despite that, I thought she was vile. Them writing that she wasn't actually the one who turned him into police for the underage selling as if we're all supposed to go, "Omg... I was sooo wrong about her!" after EVERYTHING else she did from the time he met her until the end of the drama... give me a break.

After all Park Sae-Ro-Yi (Park Seo-Joon) did for her, after all Sae-Ro-Yi's father did for her, she behaved that way? Not just once either. It was one selfish, narcissistic, cold-blooded decision after another. All I kept thinking throughout this whole movie was that he was 100% correct about her from the first time they met, and the time as kids after that was fake af. She had always been fake, and he was always unable to see it.

You can say what you want about Jo Yi-Seo (Kim Da Mi), and sure there were times where she was definitely wayyyy out of line, but at least she was real. Brutally honest and real. And of course, that brings us to another example of Soo Ah's fakery; the introduction of a beautiful, strong, and determined female who knew she wanted Seo-Ro-Yi from the beginning. After years of treating him either like sh*t, like she was too good for him, or like he didn't exist at all, suddenly she's interested in him when she learns this girl is? Bffr

The rest of the cast was decent. I loved the transformation of Choi Seung-Gwon (Ryu Kyung-Soo) over time and I also really loved his relationship with Sae-Ro-Yi. I definitely feel like they shafted Kim To-Ni (Chris Lyon) at the end a bit. They definitely should've all been more involved and more together.

Also, the romance thing went on for too long because every time he didn't return feelings, I didn't really care except for the fact that he'd then go and do some stupid sh*t for Soo Ah. I also hated the trans thing. It added nothing to the story and was totally irrelevant. The actress, Lee Joo-Young looked the same in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo so it feels like they were just like, "You have a boyish haircut, what if we make you a dude trying to be a woman for funsies!?" Like, instead of writing her as an interesting person, they just did this.

I was worried I'd feel the same about Chris Lyon being in it because Netflix tends to throw random diversity characters into shows so they give the appearance of virtue, when in reality there's just no good reason, and they can't be bothered to create one. I didn't dislike his placement at all though. They storyline with his dad and grandma and them hiring him to speak English because they assumed he could speak it... that all makes sense.

Anyways, I don't think I'd rewatch because it was too infuriating.

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Another Drama I Struggled Through

I usually watch my dramas at work when there's down time, or when I'm eating, so depending on the day and how much I like the drama, it could take anywhere from a week or two to months to finish. It took me months to finish Doom because I was just so not into it at all.

This was sort of like that but different. I felt like this couple definitely had more chemistry than the Doom couple, but they got together pretty early so I was concerned that the show was going to do multiple break up/get back together story lines, but luckily they didn't.

This is the first review I'm writing immediately after finishing a drama, so I actually remember everything. lol Something that was super annoying to me in this drama was the motivation for the FL and her relationship with ML. So, I understood her initially requesting they don't tell anyone until she talks to the guy who has a crush on her, that's it. That makes total sense and is totally respectable.

Then she spoke to him, cleared the air, and then still requested they keep it a secret... for no reason. Literally none. After specifically saying, "Just until I speak to him." (Ji Seong Hyeon's character). It's like the writers wanted some wacky montage of them getting "caught" by the towns folk but couldn't be arsed to come up with a reason for why the secret needed to continue. lol

Also, SO MUCH happened the last episode or two, meanwhile almost nothing important happened throughout the rest of the show. It felt super rushed (not as rushed as the BOF ending but still lol). And those things were actually interesting, exciting, and emotional things. Why not spread it out?

Final complaint is very superficial but they did Yoon Hye Jin (Shin Min A) sooo dirty with that wedding dress. I get they live in a small town, and they had a little nothing wedding, but my first thought was, "Wow the budget must have been GONE by this point." It was not attractive, not flattering for her at all, and looked paper thin and cheap. I bought a nicer wedding-like dress for $40 that I used to play the Corpse Bride. They could've done better. lol

Also, side note but why is there a music rating on these things? The only KDrama music that has ever, and will ever matter is the BOF music and that's because it's now used as THEE quintessential mocking KDramas music. lol

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Half Good, Half Annoying

I will admit that while I liked this drama overall, I almost quit very early on because the female lead's character was really getting on my nerves. You threw up on guest of honor at this event you're supposed to be reporting on, and your boss, who was already awful to you finally snapped and fired you and you think the celebrity orchestrated it?

Like, she kind of took no accountability like maybe her own attitude and behavior may have been her demise. Also, what is the protest meant to do? Only in a romcom could that turn into a TV show. lol

Once both main characters started to chill tf out, it actually got kind of cute at times.

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Maybe Too Overhyped?

I know this review may upset some people but it is what it is. Like I said in the title, maybe this was just too overhyped and I got my expectations up, I don't know.

Anyways, I love the story, and I love this idea of seeing this group of friends grow up together and see how they turn out. I get why they did it, but it was weird to see the flash forward version of two of the characters where we're clearly not supposed to know who he is, but it sort of doesn't make sense as none of them would look like completely different people at age 50. lol

I feel like they could've just not used future actors. Maybe done it in a written format so we see the perspective but not them? I don't know. Anyways, the older sister really, really irritated me in the beginning. I know I'm not alone in that, but still. lol

I'm also not sure how I feel about the outcomes. I sort of had the same issue with the female lead in this that I had with the female lead in Personal Taste, which is that they sort of wrote her as "quirky" and "not like other girls" but in some instances it's just her being kinda gross for no reason. I did really like the story and the actors though.

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Not One of Lee Min Ho's Best

This drama was ok for me. Nothing super special. I watched it because I love Lee Min Ho. The story is decent and definitely something new compared to other K-Dramas.

While very sweet, I did find the female lead to be mildly annoying at times due to her naiveté. I also get that she's meant to be sort of the extreme version of the "not like other girls" girl, but some of that was ridiculous.

It's been awhile since I've watched this but at times these "quirky" things were just weird and inappropriate. Sometimes her "dressing down" was just plain being a slob. Also, if I remember correctly she sometimes just lacked manners and was either oblivious to it or thought it was endearing... when it was not. lol

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Female Lead Drove Me Insane

I liked this drama and that it included some thriller/suspense stuff as well as comedy but the main female lead was insufferable. I know she's meant to be in the beginning and that's the point, but even after she "learns the truth" she's still narcissistic and kind of an AH.

I stayed for Lee Jong Suk, the story, and the chemistry the rest of the cast had. If they'd written her a little different or maybe if she'd acted a little different, it would've been a great drama. Also of note was how dirty they did teenage Choi Dal Po (Lee Jong Suk) with that hair. lol I'm well aware that during the 2010's in Korea, K drama actors and K-pop idols had some interesting hairstyles, but his was ridiculous and funny. It also went on much longer than I expected it to. The hairstyle I mean, not the drama. Haha

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My Favorite Part Just Might Be the Familial Bonds Created

So as I stated in my "review" for Island, I keep notes on a show as I'm watching it, to help me write a review later on. But just like Island, I think instead of writing an actual review, I'm just going to put my notes into here. Maybe someone who's seen the show will find my random upset commentary hilarious. There are, of course, spoilers in here.

The tenants have nothing but your word to go on. Why on earth would that be? He's a lawyer. Why would there not be a written agreement? Make it make sense.

The daughter is insufferable. I get she's supposed to be, but she really is just unbelievably selfish.

I cannot believe the dad actually died. I legit cried. It's not bad enough that that fat, nasty grunt killed him and the only remaining researcher, but she made sure to smear him with all of the crimes they were committing?

I get the concept that they have all this money and power, but you're telling me the original complainant suddenly states that he was lying all along, then 14 researchers die in an explosion that would be easy to discover was arson, then another researcher turns up dead as well as the opposing counsel and no media or citizens or anything find it odd?

I'm super disappointed in Vincenzo's reaction to Yu Chan's death. I get he's cold and that's his thing but it would be nice to have seen a moment when he awoke, just him by himself, clearly reflecting. I know they had that moment a bit when the car hit them and he was laying there looking at Yu Chan, but still.

Why is prosecutor lady acting shocked that bodies are stacking up when she started this shit? Oooooh I love her being locked in the laundromat with the white truck flashing lights at her. SOOO SATISFYING.

Omg... he's the villain!? Okay it's a day later and I'm back to watching but I'm so confused because Jun Woo does seem to actually care about Cha Young. Like laughing at her getting out of the car blowing kisses and jumping up when she passed out. Like, those things seemed beyond the fake pretend stuff he does with others?

Cha Young is doing a terrible job of pulling off this trial crap. Her smiling and looking smug when the lights go out and stuff is annoying.

Okay so Jun Woo is clearly insane but so weirdly charming. Also, Ok Taec Yeon's English is great. I love that they keep sprinkling it in there. "STAY... IN... THE... CAR!!!!"

The prosecutor and all the victim's families all at the same time in addition to the other hundreds of bodies and NO ONE is suspicious!?

I know Jun Woo is a psycho but man that dinner scene where he makes his brother cut his throat is wild. I've thought for awhile that surely at some point Han Seo is going to turn on his brother because he'll eventually reach his breaking point but if that didn't do it, nothing will.

Ahn finally getting to reveal who he is to save Vincenzo is so great. He's so extra, I love him.

I know she is meant to be a villain but Myung Hee is legit the most evil villain in a kdrama that I can recall. Legitimately. She's not just vile, she's disgusting. Just everything about her. Her face, the way she dances, the way she eats, her attitude, just all of it. I CANNOT wait for her to get what's coming to her.

I know he's also a bad guy but I almost feel bad for Han Seo because they're about to go hunting and I don't see this going well for him.

As soon as they got down to the gold I knew dude would try something. Wait, one gold bar? Oooooh the file!

You know what else is super annoying? How Myung Hee bosses her literal boss around. She'd still be a gopher at the prosecution if it wasn't for him.

It took way longer for Han Seo to attempt to turn on Han Seok than I thought. I also cannot believe that Seo Woong Ho (the prosecutor working with them) is also actually working against them. I get that no one can be trusted in this show but wtf!

Okay so I kind of love the couple that was meant to get engaged at the art gallery. I also love how much fun they're having at Geumga P. All of them together having fun is so cute.

Okay the pigeon thing was cheesy but I LOVED IT. Btw, if a pigeon saves my life, he's now my new roommate. The room is his. I'll sleep on the couch.

So this newspaper guy has been following all the Babel drama so closely so his newspaper can put a spin on things but he doesn't recognize Vincenzo or Cha Young? lol

Man, I'm actually rooting for Han Seo to team up with Vincenzo and Cha Young.

Okay finally found a plot hole. How on earth would Vincenzo be guilty of killing Mr Oh when his dead body fell from the rooftop while Vincenzo stood IN FRONT of police as they all watched him fall. Make it make sense.

Myung Hee is pathetic. Why on earth is she willing to throw herself under the bus for Han Seok? I mean, she's always been pathetic but come on.

I'm actually going to be so upset if Han Seo dies.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Tell me Han Seo is not really dead!! Omg that pisses me off so bad.

Myung Hee's death was brutal. Most importantly, that was his favorite lighter and he just tossed it and left! Noooo not Mr. Lee!!! Also, I still miss Han Seo.

EDIT: How'd he get the lighter back? lol

Mr Lee is alive!!!?? I love that! I just wish we'd find out Han Seo actually lived and they pretended he didn't to protect him from Han Seok until Vincenzo could take him down.

I'm disappointed with the ending. I get it, but I'm disappointed.

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Soooo Pleasantly Surprised!!

So most of the dramas I watch are romcoms, and for this one, I let my co-worker choose from my "plan to watch" list as I have such a hard time deciding what to watch next. I was unsure for the first 1-2 episodes, but I find I feel like that with almost all dramas just because it's new at the time and I'm still not over whatever drama I just finished. lol

So for this review I actually made notes on this site as I watched it so I wouldn't forget things so some of this will be written as if I'm currently watching it. I'm going to make bullet points.

* So far the sister is irritating because she is VERY "woe is me". I get he's where he is because of her (at least in her mind), but it's enough already. He's the one in prison, then he's the one forced to retire from the job he loves, and she's over here sobbing away feeling sorry for herself. To make it worse, she won't even visit him. She's really pissing me off.

* I feel ZERO chemistry between ML and his girlfriend. Maybe it's his dry personality in the beginning, but I don't care about them as a couple at all. He has more chemistry with his best friend and other prisoners than he does her.

* I was SO happy that Crony turned out the way he did. That was a great direction to take that storyline. I also (at the time) loved the college girl visiting and writing a paper on Min Chul. Little did I know!!! ML's girlfriend being "too busy" to visit was just as annoying as the sister doing the same thing to him.

* He just can't figure out how to pitch straight, and 'ex-gf' comes up with the idea to put an X in the glove and suddenly that solves it and she's a genius who knows him better than anyone and no one else could have pulled that off. Really? Like it hadn't occurred to him to aim at the glove before the X? *eye roll*

* I do NOT want to do another villain arc where someone tries to kill him but here we are with the wood shop guy scheming in the greenhouse.

* NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Please tell me this was a fever dream and he did not do ALL that hard work, for a year, quitting drugs, only to immediately do them again the moment he left. I swear to god, I will riot.

* Stating the obvious here, but Lt. Na is an insufferable grunt.

* His POS sister has still not visited. On top of that she's dating his best friend, who is also a guard there. What a shitty sister.

* I'm so happy that Lt. Paeng went to his daughter's career day. Crony being left behind made me sad, even though he did some heinous shit, and he'll obviously have the company of Captain Yoo for awhile. Also, would've liked to see him get out as well, maybe even Crony, so they could all meet up like they talked about.

* I love that Min-Chul had a daughter and that she reached out.

* The entire story is amazing and the friendships and chemistry is unmatched with this cast. I could've done without the girlfriend as there's no chemistry there. I also could've done without the sister because she was insufferable and selfish. They could've just had him saving any random chick.

I wanted to give this a 10/10 but I cannot forgive Loony's ending. It doesn't make any sense for his character. NONE. Also, I hated that we didn't get to see them all out of prison living their lives, or at least meeting up. Even if they just did a flash forward like they did with ML.

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One of My First Dramas

I watched this drama shortly after I watched Boys Over Flowers as it was recommended as a similar show. I absolutely love this show. This show was my introduction to all of the main cast.

Not that the female lead isn't pretty with short hair but when I saw the actress's photo on Viki with long hair I was like, "OMG she's stunning!". I will say that something endearing about this show that's almost nostalgic for me is that the female leads reminds me of Julia Stiles' character from 10 Things I Hate About You. Snarky and smart. No nonsense. I love it.

This is another show where I really struggled with who she should be with. And I may be alone in this but I did not like Park Hye Ji (Son Na Eun). Not even after we're supposed to feel sorry for her and like her. I did NOT want her back with Kang Hyun Min (Ahn Jae Hyun). Just no. But otherwise I love this show!

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Classic Korean RomCom

What do I say about this other than it's amazing? The lead actors are phenomenal and their chemistry is NEXT LEVEL. This show is also hilarious. Both characters are funny in their own unique ways, and the comedy that comes about between them is even better.

I hate that there is a character minimum on this website because sometimes all you really need to say is that a show is amazing. Everyone I've seen agrees. This is one of those rare dramas where I've not seen anyone dislike it. Except people who aren't really big KDrama fans or those who insist on applying modern day western values to Korean shows. Ugh.

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Second Favorite Drama EVER

I started this show and got about an episode or so in and then I stopped to watch something else and I can't remember why. Then I sort of never went back. I jumped from drama to drama. Then suddenly I kept remembering this drama I had watched previously with an athlete who's family is murdered and he's blamed and I tried searching EVERWHERE for MONTHS and found nothing.

One day, after I'd given up my search, I saw W sitting in my unfinished list so I restarted it and instantly was like, "OMG it's been under my nose the whole time!!!" So I restarted it and it was just amazing.

Once you get a few episodes in it goes from good to great. I also love anything Lee Jong Suk is in (because I saw him in this and fell in love). lol Definitely a re-watch.

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Solid, Cute KDrama

So now that I've seen Doom At Your Service I realize that show reminds me of this show in that they both have a fantasy element, an innocent girl who gets wrapped up with said fantasy element and that both men are very cold and stoic... until they're not.

The only difference for me is that by episode seven of Doom I desperately wanted to quit watching as I felt no chemistry between them despite my love for the actress. And there wasn't enough charisma or charm coming from the male lead alone to really keep my interest.

I'm not sure I'd re-watch this, but it was a solid little love story for me.

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Gossip Girl Vibes

Again, I liked this story line. I feel like they really nailed the "Who is M?" thing without making it obnoxious or being too obvious about who it was.

I really liked the whole cast but the side couples, for me, were so much better than the main couple. I honestly started to get really irritated with the female lead. I know they write them to be naïve and to not pick up on things, but at a certain point it's super annoying.

Overall this was a fun watch. I liked that the mystery of "M" gave the story something other than just the typical friends to lovers or unrequited love triangle thing. I also like how the group came together.

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The BEST Version of this Story

I've seen the Korean, Thai, Japanese and Chinese (this) version of this story and this is hands down the best one to me. The Japanese and Thai ones were ok, I just didn't care a whole lot for the characters. The Korean one wasn't too bad but I didn't care for the male lead.

I almost felt like he was too old for her and I'm not sure why but he was giving me Willy Wonka vibes? It's been awhile since I've watched it so I don't know how to articulate that, but it makes sense to me. lol

Anyways, the Chinese casting is just superb. I absolutely adored the female lead and loved her little glow up. I felt real chemistry between them which I didn't really see in the Korean one. I also loved the casting for everyone else. His grandma was amazing, even the aunt and cousin when they inevitably come around.

Not to mention Dylan and Anna. I really despised Anna despite wanting to have sympathy for her, but that's the whole point, I suppose. This drama made me laugh and cry and just have so many emotions. I've already watched it twice.

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LOVEEEE This Show

This was my first show with IU and I was excited because I've heard nothing but great things about her acting (and singing since I know Jungkook is her #1 fan lol) and I was not disappointed. Despite her character's cold exterior, there is this small part of her that is likeable from the start.

This was also my first drama with Yeo Jin Goo, and I really liked him too. His character was really fun and very endearing and I LOVED their chemistry. I heard people talk about the chemistry in Doom and I felt like there was NONE. THIS was chemistry. I also loved that they kept Kim Yu Na (Kang Mi Na) as part of the main cast. I kept thinking how bummed I'd be if that's where her story ended.

On that note, Ji Hyun Joong (P.O) might have been my favorite. I'll be honest that I had no idea who the actor was and I wound up looking him up about halfway through the series. When I learned he was a rapper I was super surprised. Then I watched some videos of him and was like, "This is the same guy!?" Which really is a nod to how talented he is.

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