Jinyoungie
A slow, melancholic drama with some gratifying moments scattered throughout.
When the Weather is Fine is simply not my preference. There are a number of ways you could describe the pacing of this drama and the events that transpire in each episode but personally, I struggle to find a word that is less harsh than boring. Maybe uneventful? The overarching past story-line was interesting, but the drama mostly revolves around the day to day lives of characters who are damaged, scarred, & pained because of past events. A majority of the characters i.e. the main cast, are individuals who have become tired and depressed, living in a trance, they are unable or simply unwilling to communicate with each other. There are triumphs, there are moments that I smiled and grinned about, but I would say those moments are not heavily prevalent; which I understand considering the past, but it just didn't appeal to me.The reason I chose to watch this KDrama in the first place was Seo Kang Joon, so maybe I should've considered other factors. But I also love a good romance, so that drew me in as well. Seo Kang Joon plays Im Eun Sub who is quiet and thoughtful. He is not good at expressing his emotions and does not share his feelings and moods easily. He is a man of few words who has a caring nature but can come across cold because of his lack of outward emotion. At times he seems quite warm, and at other times his character's actions or lack thereof, makes him seem distant and closed-off. There were many moments where I was thinking, does he even like Hae Won? as he seemed so cool and reserved. (Ironic as she ends up having the exact same doubts at one point.) Park Min Young plays Mok Hae Won, who was a hard character for me to like at the beginning. She, like Eun Sub, was very quiet and withdrawn but she seemed to have no relationships or prospects. Eventually she starts to warm up as her life becomes less miserable, and you begin to see that there is life in her. She can at times be quite bold and open, but it is also evident that she has a justified bitterness to her. Her relationships with her family are distant and unsatisfying to watch. It takes time to understand their characters however and that might be why I felt it hard to enjoy the Drama until episode 7 or so. Their romance was slow going, but they did have some really sweet moments together and I did root for them. Seo Kang Joon & Park Min Young did a great job, I genuinely thought they performed well, but I just didn't fall in love with the characters that they played.
Lee Jang Woo & Ji Eun Sil were polar opposites of Im Eun Sub & Mok Hae Won. Their relationship is something that the writers tease you with the whooole Drama as they don't get much focus, but they were definitely a highlight point for me. I loved Eun Sil's straightforward cheery disposition and Jang Woo's awkward foolishly in love persona.
Im Hwi is another character that, because she is young and untouched by the hardships that the main characters dealt with, is quite refreshing. At first I found her obnoxious and immature, but I started liking her more and more as the episodes went on. Her carefree, honest, crazy and outspoken demeanor was just what I needed and I think my favorite relationship throughout the whole Drama was the relationship she shares with her non-biological brother, Eun Sub. Eun Sub shows such kindness and generosity to his sister and Im Hwi with her blunt honesty is so healing to Eun Sub and you could see how, without even knowing, Im Hwi reaches the coldest, most frozen parts of his heart. My favorite scene of the entire Drama stars these two. I think Eun Sub's relationship with his whole family is special to see, they fought for him and he remained loyal.
I had a hard time settling on a rating for this one since I didn't really get into it until about half way through and then the last couple episodes tapered off for me as well. There were some scenes in this drama that I loved, scenes that made me cry because they felt so real, scenes that I went back and searched up on Youtube just to rewatch, but I need more than "some" scenes in a 16 episode Drama.
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Meh.
Shopping King Louis is one of those dramas that I just don't understand where the high ratings are coming from. It frustrates me because although it wasn't a terrible drama, there just wasn't much to it either. Everything you'd expect the characters to do they do. Louis is a cute character but little to no growth was made with his character. I understand that he was spoiled but he more resembled a 10 year old boy with his mannerisms and choices. Honestly it was kind of weird. I think this was partly responsible for the lack of chemistry I felt between the main leads. It was a little unbelievable that Bok Sil fell in love with him. I liked Bok Sil's character for the most part, but she got kind of annoying in the later episodes. The supporting characters were almost interesting but not quite. The roles that they were given they played well but they really had nothing to them and I feel that the writers could have at least given Cha Joong Won or Baek Ma Ri some substance. Then again the drama as a whole doesn't really have any substance or depth to it. The "bad guys" were not threatening or realistic at all and I felt like the writers did a poor job integrating them into the plot which shouldn't have been hard to do. Also, I found the random animations to be super distracting rather than useful. The music was okay but there were a few scenes where the songs didn't fit the situation. All in all, not a bad drama, but not anything special either. Wouldn't watch again.Was this review helpful to you?
I loved the romance between Tae Woon and Eun Ho. I wasn't sure how the romance would play out between the main leads but I was pleasantly surprised with both of the actor's abilities and chemistry. Their relationship was cute and affectionate and whenever they'd interact I felt myself grinning like an idiot. I loved them. <3 I think their relationship made up for a lot of this dramas faults.
Personally I don't feel like it was quite as well done as school 2013 though. I liked the whole X thing for a while but it kind of lost momentum for me. I also feel like Tae Woon's whole backstory wasn't handled very well. I didn't quite understand all the angst between the two main guys because it wasn't really Tae Woon's fault that things turned out like they did but his dad's. One specific thing that bothered me is Tae Woon's father's sudden transformation in the last episode. He showed no growth or change through all 15 episodes but then suddenly he takes a 180. Like what the heck. The last couple episodes in general I don't feel were done as well as the others but whatever. Also the authorities in the school seemed really goofy but also weirdly evil. Regardless of my complaints, I enjoyed School 2017 and I was left feeling more satisfied than disappointed.
Overall I really liked this drama even if it wasn't a home run. I would recommend it but I think you have to have a thing for school dramas to like it though.
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This drama was all over the place and most of the places it went weren't good.
The story/plotline is really messy. I had my doubts about this drama because of the whole time travel thing, and my doubts definitely weren't gone after watching this. The drama lost focus throughout and it felt like there really was no central theme the drama was trying to portray. This wouldn't have mattered as much if the drama compensated for it in other ways, comedy etc., but it didn't. In fact I've little to no idea what I was supposed to have gotten from watching this. The writers almost scratched the surface of different issues but as soon as it seemed they'd go somewhere with it, they'd stop.One thing that I always hope when watching a kdrama is that it will not only provide interesting and deep main characters, but supporting characters who are eye catching and attention getting as well. That's one of the many areas that this drama fails in. Bo Hee is the most boring character ever. Drill is also boring which is ironic because I think he was supposed to be the fun and quirky friend but instead he was just annoying and one dimensional. The grandpa and Mal Sook could have been really cute and interesting but they weren't given enough backstory for me as the viewer to care about them. I also felt that the focus shifted from the supporting characters all of the sudden to just a couple of the main characters rather suddenly and nonsensically. This wouldn't have bothered me as much if I was super into the main character's storyline, but I'm gonna be honest, the main characters really weren't a whole lot more interesting than the supporting characters. Yoon Shi Yoon's character, Da Bong or Yoo Hyun Jae started out cute, but as episodes went on he started bothering me more and more. Kim Min Jae's charcter Ji Hoon had potential to be intriguing. I liked his whole struggle with choosing his life's path at the beginning when he wanted to debut even if it wasn't encouraged by those in his family but instead of developing that, the writers just dropped that and chose to start ignoring Min Jae's character. He became the guy who had a crush on the girl and nothing else really happened to him. MJ, played by Eunwoo, I probably liked the most but his role was really small and he didn't get to do much. The main couples romance didn't seem natural and I didn't feel the chemistry between them. Kiss scenes kind of cringy in my opinion. I think I shipped MJ with Woo Seung more than any of the other guys. Obviously there were parts to this drama which I liked otherwise I wouldn't have forced myself to finish it. But I would not recommend it and I almost regret watching it, but not quite.Was this review helpful to you?
Park Seo Joon and Kim Ji Won! They both carried their parts well and I looked forward to their scenes the most; with their hilarious banter and playful romance, their relationship felt believable and I thought that they meshed well as actors. Park Seo Joon plays the line between adorable and dorky while being super manly and hot so well, I'm not sure how he does it, but I think this might be my favorite role for him. Kim Ji Won's character is a lot of fun in this one, a female lead that will not be trifled with but has a good sense of humor is always a win for me. Their relationship starts off where they are both close friends of many years but start to realize that the feelings they have for each other might be more than just friendship. Their relationship development made perfect sense, I felt the slow progression from friends to more than friends was done really well. Ae Ra & Dong Man are definitely the highlight of this drama and in my opinion, the reason to watch. Plus some shirtless scenes with Park Seo Joon, I mean come on.
The second leads relationship was very unique in theory in that it showed an aspect of relationships that I haven't really seen portrayed in any of the kdramas I've watched; however, in reality their relationship is super boring and their characters super frustrating! Joo Man is the most melancholic, uninteresting character which made the actions that his character took, even more obnoxious and pathetic. They didn't make him likeable enough from the beginning, so *spoiler alert* him riding the line of cheating on his girlfriend for 10 episodes was just frustrating and made him out to be just a lame guy with no will-power. If I was more invested in him/if his character was more interesting, then perhaps I would've rooted for him to do the right thing or even have been heartbroken when he continually fails to do the right thing and be honest. Seol Hee wasn't as bad, but I still found her completely uninteresting, and even though she was the victim and the one I should've been feeling sorry for, I couldn't have cared less.
As for the story, the main plot revolves around Dong Man and Ae Ra work towards achieving their dreams alongside recognizing that they have feelings for each other. Nothing too original, but the momentum was maintained fairly well throughout. One character that bothered me from the very beginning was the landlord lady (Jin Hee Kyung), she would just appear out of nowhere and be super nosy and controlling. But to my dismay, towards the end of the drama they even tried to give her this whole storyline which felt so unnecessary and was totally thrown in last minute. It didn't make sense the way we were all supposed to care about her character just because she had relations to the main leads.
Overall, I do think this was an easy watch and worth it if you like romance or are a fan of Park Seo Joon or Kim Ji Won. I would recommend skipping over Seol Hee & Joo Man's scenes however...
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Wow, just wow.
With really good dramas you can just tell right away, like almost always at some point in the first episode I'm like yup, this is it. This was definitely one of those times.If you like the bad boy then Kim Moo Young will have you literally dying from being heart struck. I loooved Seo In Guk's portrayal of Kim Moo Young. The first time he nonchalantly waltzes on screen with his ever so slight smirk, smooth walk and cool confident gaze there was no going back. Kim Moo Young is complicated. His character's persona isn't obviously good or obviously bad but his choices lead both ways. He is a multi-dimensional character without much of a moral compass who views others as pieces to a game, a form of entertainment in this strange world. He is a flawed individual that eventually stumbles upon past trauma and becomes broken because of it. He is intriguing because you never quite know what his response will be to a situation. A very powerful male lead who led the drama well.
Jin Kang (Jung So Min) was the PERFECT match for Moo Young. Initially cautious of Moo Young, she slowly became entangled in his life and as past storylines unfold, it's very clear why. Jin Kang challenged Kim Moo Young. She didn't fawn over him as every other woman had ever done and she didn't excuse his behavior. She also didn't parent him or patronize him. She put her faith in him to be better and she believed in him even when from the outside perspective she maybe shouldn't have. She instilled love and goodness in an otherwise cold dead heart. She held onto him and never gave up on him. Jin Kang was strong and kind and had her wits about her.
Jin Kang’s older brother, Yoo Jin Gook (Park Sung Woong) is the other main character who does everything in his power to care for and protect his sister. She means the world to him and their relationship is truly heartwarming to watch. Sometimes his protectiveness went over the top to the point of harming his beloved sister, but as much as I didn't like to admit it, I always understood his point of view even when I too thought he crossed a line. I thought Park Sung Woong was perfect for the role of her brother, because he can look very intimidating and formidable but when he smiles and talks he looks like a teddy bear.
Suspense and melodrama are heavy themes in this drama. My concern is always that as a drama progresses the story will plummet and we'll be left in a cliche last few episodes of nothingness. This was not the case. Up to the very last second of this drama I was hoping there would be more. Usually at the second to last episode you can tell things are on their way to resolve and wrap up but I was left on the edge of my seat till the end. Fitting of a melodrama, this is a dark storyline. Every conflict is not resolved perfectly and wrapped up with a golden ribbon. It’s a drama with pained characters who are trying to continue on even when everything in their lives comes crashing down. The relationships and how they evolve are what makes this drama so special. I tend to stay away from heavier dramas that I know are going to bring on the tears, but I would 100% recommend this one.
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The cast - I've gotta give props to the actors. I think each member of the cast did a really good job of portraying their character and fulfilling the role that they were given. Even when their characters actions crossed far over the line of believability I thought that the good acting compensated fairly well for the areas of poor writing. I was specifically captivated by Joo Won's acting despite my frustrations with the way his character was written. His acting was really entertaining and I definitely think he did his best to salvage his character. But after about halfway or more into the drama his character became too frustratingly unrealistic and I felt like screaming at Ma Joon way more than a few times. Yoon Shi Yoon's character, Tak Goo, was like an adorable beam of light. His character's fun loving nature was captivating and encouraging when other characters had me climbing up a wall. But unfortunately there came a point when even precious Tak Goo became too dense/oblivious for me to handle. Eugene's character, Yu Kyung, was very interesting to watch and I enjoyed her character's journey throughout most of the drama even if I sometimes despised her. Lee Young Ah. Her character frustrates me only in the fact that I think she was extremely under developed and underused. She seemed to get left in the dust along with a few other side characters, but as she was a main cast that really bothered me. It almost felt like the writers forgot about her later on in the drama.
Story/plot - Honestly I thought it was a pretty interesting story but as I suspected when I saw the episode count, they simply drag it out too long. It starts out pretty strong and continues that way for quite awhile but not for long enough. I liked the issues this drama dealt with though, particularly favoritism and jealousy. This drama probably could have been vastly improved if just condensed to 20 episodes, or even 25 episodes would have been much better. After episode 25 I almost dropped it a few times, but I was so close that I stuck it out. Ma Joon and Yu Kyung's interactions were one of the main components of this drama that really kept my interest going though, even when I was all about done. After 20 episodes there were a lot more poorly written parts than well written parts. Many of the conflicts dragged on way longer than they should have and when they were about to be resolved, the characters suddenly/unrealistically flip flopped in their behavior and hence, the conflict was dragged on even longer. Sometimes kdrama characters can be exaggerated but for this drama many of the characters stepped outside the realm of believability for far too long.
Overall- In conclusion I enjoyed King of Baking, Kim Tak Goo, it's heartwarming and intense and it made me cry. So yes, I'd recommend it, but you'd better be prepared to pull your hair out a few times.
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Is there any hope for a better life?
While watching I felt myself gripped with this sad melancholic feeling as there were just so many instances that are just too unfortunate and hopeless for Dongbaek (the main female lead Gong Hyo Jin) to withstand. She encounters seemingly endless obstacles and is beaten up and dragged down by all the people in her life that take advantage of her. Many of the supporting characters in this drama are quite unlikable at first. They either take advantage of Dongbaek’s kindness and soft-spoken nature or verbally abuse her and judge her for circumstances she has been placed in that have been out of her control. To have no one on your side, that is what loneliness is. The triumphs in this drama are few and far between but when they arise they are intensely strong and rejuvenating for the characters as well as us, the viewers. These triumphs are almost always related to Yong-Sik (Kang Ha Neul).This drama is a slow burn. It takes 3 episodes to really commit to it but everything picks up speed around that point. I remember browsing through the comments after having watched the first couple episodes looking for some confirmation that I should continue watching, and that was the comment many made. I also noticed comments saying how great of a character Yong Sik was and that he would turn the whole drama around. AND HE DOES! Yong Sik is the sweetest, most caring, thoughtful, endearing, precious character ever!! He is the sunshine of Ongsan and the only one who consistently stands by Dongbaek’s side. He defends her, encourages her, and instills in her self worth. He reassures her that she does matter and that she deserves to be loved and to love herself. Dongbaek’s character could frustrate some as she is on the more timid side, but once you come to understand her story and see the multitude of little ways that she persists and conquers her own life you see that she is much stronger than she appears.
In this drama there were slow moments, there were weak moments, but there were also intensely powerful moments, lessons about self worth and perseverance, and real struggles and stories that show what life can really be like sometimes. Life is unfair. It’s hard. It’s full of judgment from others and pain. But to have someone, even one person, to be there for you along the way can give you so much strength. One person can give you the strength to not only triumph over life’s obstacles, but to be happy while you’re enduring them.
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A drama worth sticking out.
This drama started out slow but only got better. This isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the first episodes but that I found myself enjoying the episodes significantly more after around episode 6 or so. So I encourage you to stick with it if you don't get all the hype at first.I'd never seen Lee Seung Gi in anything before and honestly I waited so long to watch this because I'm kind of shallow and was convinced he wasn't my type. But like most dramas I put off watching, I can say that I'm mad at myself for doing so. Why? Because Lee Seung Gi is great! His character's evolvement from being immature and entitled to becoming a responsible, wise and deserving individual is touching to say the least. Lee Jae Ha goes through so much and maintains his dignity and morals even through the toughest of battles. Battles that would drive a lesser man to crumble only to never stand up again. Ha Ji Won I wasn't as worried about, as I'd seen her in Secret Garden and all anyone ever has to say about her is good things. She performed well as I expected. Her character Kim Hang Ah is consistently strong and supports those around her with everything that she has. The responsibilities she is given she embraces and even when those around her doubt her she remains calm and level headed. But for me the real scene stealers would have to be Jo Jung Suk and Lee Yoon Ji as Eun Shi Kyung and Princess Lee Jae Shin respectively. I'm sorry but Jo Jung Suk is just amazing and anytime he's on screen I literally can't even take my eyes off him. He makes me feel for the character in such a deep way. His character, Eun Shi Kyung, was honorable and self sacrificing. He believed in those around him with all of his heart and his loyalty and willingness to do whatever it took to protect his king and nation had my heart rooting for him every scene he was in. Lee Yoon Ji plays Princess Lee Jae Shin to perfection. She portrays her pain and tortures very realistically. I wouldn't have begrudged either of these characters more screen time, in fact I think I sometimes liked them more than the main couple.The story was well developed and the pacing was pretty consistently maintained throughout. This drama does really well appealing to the emotions which I think is one of the most important parts of a kdrama. I definitely balled more than once. However, there was one particular writing choice that I would have to disagree with and if you watched it I'm sure you'll know what I'm talking about. I don't honestly feel that it was necessary, and yes not every choice a writer makes has to be out of necessity but I really don't think it added anything. It felt thrown in last minute and it didn't help me root for any particular character more than I already was so in that sense I would have to argue that the scene took away from the drama more than it added. Also some of the English was pretty cringe but I can let that go.This drama's really good! And I wasn't expecting to enjoy it that much cause I'm not really into the military or political genres. So you should watch it! It's worth your time.Was this review helpful to you?
I love how the writers just throw you into the drama without hesitation. The first episode may seem a bit hard to keep track of but this is what makes it so good. It's okay if you are a little confused as to how all the characters are connected, just go with the flow. I was immediately intrigued with each character introduced which was honestly quite a few. I have to sincerely congratulate every one of the actors because no matter how small the role I enjoyed the presence of each actor immensely and they each brought their own interesting and individual contributions to a drama full of wonderful characters. I also loved the story of this drama and the issues that were dealt with. I love when occupations play a part in dramas and this drama intertwines the stress and behind the scenes at broadcasting stations in a way that always had my heart racing either out of excitement or anxiousness. I also appreciated the issues that were brought up such as male breast cancer (I would name other issues dealt with but I don't want to spoil anything) and the way in which the issues were presented. The parts of the drama that were meant to be sad, were truly very heartbreaking, but this drama manages to keep the comedy going and never lets you feel dragged down for long as there's a good balance between the serious and comedic moments.
Jo Jung Suk does not disappoint which I already knew from having watched him in Oh My Ghostess and You're the Best Lee Soon Shin. His character is beautifully flawed. Hwa Shin is egotistical, rough, insecure, and proud but somehow his character manages to be so incredibly lovable. Jo Jung Suk has this presence that makes his characters so interesting and entertaining. Sometimes I would just laugh out loud because of a facial expression! Gong Hyo Jin I wasn't as sure about going into this one because although I liked her I hadn't really seen her in all that much but she is officially my favorite female actress. Pyo Na Ri is a character who is refreshing in and of herself but I struggle to picture any other actress portraying her in quite as likable of a light as Gong Hyo Jin did. Go Kyung Pyo I had only ever seen in Flower Boy Next Door and I didn't really remember him much from that but I truly appreciate him as an actor now. Go Jung Won was a very likable character as he was pretty close to perfect but I think the writers did a good job of making his character mildly annoying later on which I think helps support Hwa Shin with Pyo Na Ri. I also was greatly amused/entertained by the fights/struggles between Ppal gang's moms and loved their heated interactions and their bonding moments. Oh and Beomi is so fricken cute like omigosh I wanted to pinch his lil face!
I noticed comments saying that the drama didn't do a good job of maintaining a balance between storylines but I disagree because part of the beauty of this drama is in the way it is laid out. The fact that sometimes certain storylines overtake others or that the balance shifts throughout the drama is what makes it so fresh and entertaining. I never found myself contemplating when they were going to go back to the main couple or when they were gonna address the supporting characters or sidestorys like I have found myself doing in so many other slow paced dramas because of how engrossing the main couples relationship was. Plus, as much as I liked the supporting characters, which was a lot because they were amazing, the main couples story was just so well done and exciting that it wouldn't have made sense for the writers to take time away from them to address a pretty typical high school relationship. I liked Chi Yeol, Dae Goo and Ppal Gang, but I was so much more invested in Pyo Na Ri, Lee Hwa Shin, and Go Jeong Won so to me I felt like the writers were smart to shift the focus to them once the drama started getting more intense. Everything that needed to be addressed got addressed! And even though not everyone got their "perfect fairy tale ending," I think it was more than fitting where all the characters stories ended and I didn't feel cheated one bit at the end.
So I could go on and on but I'll stop now realizing that I already have. I would STRONGLY recommend this to anyone who loves a wonderfully strong cast, interesting supporting characters as well as amazing leads, perfectly timed comedy and music (I loved every track and still listen to them), great chemistry and romance, and unique issues that are dealt with in a deep way. Honestly it's one of my all time favorite dramas.
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The reasons I picked this drama up: 1. all of the raving reviews/high ratings, and 2. Jung Kyung Ho is a main cast. I have to say I was a little disappointed that Jung Kyung Ho wasn't the main lead, but eventually I accepted that and warmed up to Park Hae Soo who played our star, Kim Je Hyuk. Kim Je Hyuk was a bit of an enigma at first. He seems quiet, reserved, faint-hearted, in fact, everything about his personality screams pushover! Seeing this, I was like I don't know if I can take 16 episodes of this guy. But come to find out, he's totally not! Rather he lets things play out, carefully analyzing the situation and the unforeseen dangers that lie therein and when the appropriate time comes, he strikes! Park Hae Soo's driving factors that makes him the lead we want to root for, is his thoughtful kindness and sacrificial nature. Being a star baseball player, Je Hyuk is not proud, but let's his fame motivate him to help others. He is humble but still knows his worth. No matter how hard I think about it, I can't compare his personality accurately to any other male lead I've seen in a drama before. Needless to say Park Hae Soo did a great job portraying the subtleties of our quiet and kind, yet brave and gutsy character Kim Je Hyuk.
Jung Kyung Ho I wasn't worried about and, as always, he delivers. His character, Lee Joon Ho, is really Kim Je Hyuk's savior in a lot of the early on conflicts so of course every time he showed up on screen it was not only, yay I get to see Jung Kyung Ho's face, but also a much needed relief for the story. There weren't as many opportunities for Jung Kyung Ho to showcase his acting range as his character, being a corrections officer, wasn't super involved in the daily conflicts that Park Hae Soo's character was as an inmate. Despite this, Lee Joon Ho has presence on screen, and Jung Kyung Ho made his character interesting and dynamic, and had great chemistry and bromance with Kim Je Hyuk. Lee Joon Ho always looks out for Kim Je Hyuk's best interests and holds him in high esteem, even when it would've been easy to blur the lines in their relationship with the extreme difference in power, i.e., their roles as correction officer and prisoner.
Lieutenant Paeng played by Jung Woong In was another character that the writers enjoyed playing with us a bit. He seems like a complete, insensitive jerk, but you soon come to find out that he genuinely cares for our beloved cellmates and all of the other inmates he oversees. He treats them all like humans and friends. Through his time as a corrections officer he has learned that everyone has a story to tell, and a circumstance that led them to prison, whether justly or unjustly. Lieutenant Paeng's personality is rough around the edges but a total softy! Literally an angel from heaven to our cellmates. Jung Woong In I had only ever seen as our infamous Min Joon Gook, but going forward I will remember him as this love-able, soft-hearted sweetheart.
Other favorite cast members would be all of the cellmates in cell 2, room 6, but special shout outs would be Looney/Yoo Han played by Lee Kyu Hyung and Kaist/Kang Chul Doo played by Park Ho San. Their characters really delivered in the comedy department and every scene they had together was shockingly hilarious. Looney because he carries himself in a way that makes him seem like a total whimp when he is actually the most brazen, gutsy character ever, who calls out Kaist (and any/all others) on their crap. It not only feels like sweet justice, but it is completely ridiculous and hilarious when he does. Partly because although he says the truth, he says it in the rudest way possible! His scenes with Kaist in particular but also with Jung Woo/Captain Yoo (Jung Hae In) were always my favorites!
As for the story, I think the pacing was kept really well. There was the overall storyline of Je Hyuk serving his time in prison, training diligently in hopes of returning to the mound as the star pitcher of the Nexens but each episode also had an obstacle to conquer and focused in on another cellmate. Each inmate from cell 2 had an individual story that transformed their characters from punishment deserving criminals, to flawed people who either made mistakes or were horribly unlucky. I loved each of the cellmates and I appreciated that we were given background as to who they were as people and why they arrived at Seobu Penitentiary, but at times it was hard for me to be emotionally invested in each one equally. I sympathized with each of them for sure, but I didn't become as attached to them and their struggles as I think I was meant to. With a lot of my favorite dramas I have become so attached to the characters that I cry or laugh at the drop of a hat, but I didn't experience quite that level of emotion with this one.
Prison Playbook is original and our main characters are smart, those two factors in and of itself make for a promising K-Drama. This was a very different watch for me than other dramas I've seen and I liked that. Even with hour and a half episodes, I didn't feel bored and that deserves recognition! Since so many people have watched and loved this drama I definitely think it deserves a watch.
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Kang. Min. Ho. A phenomenally well-written character played by Jung Kyung Ho who has so much charm and charisma you wouldn't believe it. Kang Min Ho is one of those male leads that you know will be stuck in your head and your heart for a long time after the drama ends. No, he is not the stereotypical cold and harsh CEO that he plays in the first two episodes, he is not, so do not be fooled. Kang Min Ho has such an immensely captivating personality and possesses the perfect blend of characteristics. He is hilarious and quick-witted, he is fierce and formidable, he is refreshingly optimistic and reliable. Sometimes an adorable puppy dog and at other times an opponent and an authority with a threatening disposition. I love how Jung Kyung Ho portrayed his character's journey from harsh, revengeful Kang Min Ho, to caring and self-sacrificing Kang Min Ho. The writers as well did a really great job of slowly transforming his character without making you panic that he was suddenly turning into a different person. I could really see the attention to detail that went into his transformation and that continued on as eventually his personality blended with Ma Dong Wook to apparently create the perfect person that is Kang Min Ho. I cannot say enough how well written his character was and how masterfully Jung Kyung Ho performed.
Kim So Yeon had a hard task to keep up with her co-lead Jung Kyung Ho but I think she succeeded. With Jung Kyung Ho being such a strong lead I think there easily could've been a disconnect but Jung Kyung Ho and Kim So Yeon had amazing chemistry. Kim Soon Jung is a strong female lead and has an unmatched loyalty and positive demeanor. I loved the role she took of protecting and cheering him on to be the best man he could be. While, Kang Min Ho is consistent in his affections for Kim Soon Jung and never wavers from being head over heels in love. Their relationship, filled with camaraderie, hilarious banter and amorous teasing, was so enjoyable to watch and I wish they had had more scenes together, 16 episodes wasn't enough. Having fun was the essence of their relationship and that's what made it really believable.
Supporting cast, well done! Dong Wook's father, Ma Tae Suk, played by actor Ahn Suk Hwan was a character that I really appreciated. He was definitely the wise and caring father figure for both Kim Soon Jung and Kang Min Ho, and whenever he opened his mouth I knew that he was going to say something the leads needed to hear. He was supportive, loving, and most of all, realistic! He didn't manipulate and overreact to things, but kept a level understanding outlook even in the darkest of situations. There was a time when Kim Soon Jung is confused and isn't thinking straight when he tells her exactly what she needs to hear. "Dong Wook wanted to protect you and you want to protect CEO Kang, you love them in different ways." I loved Kang Min Ho's interactions with literally everyone, but the relationship between Kang Min Ho and Ma Tae Suk was so sweet n' precious while also being laugh out loud hilarious, they made me smile so much!
Oh Woo Sik, played by Lee Si Eon, is my other honorable mention (as I do not want to go through the entire cast). He added just the right doses of humor to every scenario! Kang Min Ho and Oh Woo Sik bounced off of each other so well, the amount of sass they gave each other, the woman advice that Woo Sik kept giving Min Ho, priceless! Also the prank they play on Soon Jung, "Who are you? I'm your dad." Like how did they even think of that lol - beyond hilarious.
Oh and the whole Captain Hook, Wendy (Jo Eun Ji) & Tinker Bell nickname thing was so just the cherry on top of a perfect trio.
There are so many parts of the plot that on paper, could have been so cheesy, but execution is everything and this drama really demonstrates that. Falling for Innocence reminded me what I love so much about KDramas, and it is that when done well, even the most unrealistic of happenings can seem so fathomable and understandable. There were predictable parts but there were also parts that threw me off, I am not going to say the plot was the most original because it wasn't, but it didn't have to be. A standard plot done well easily surpasses an original plot done poorly. The characters are what makes this drama great and they are what sets it apart as something original. I also have to applaud this one for keeping the pacing. This KDrama does not drag and at the end I was left wanting more, which should always be the case.
This drama sat in my plan to watch list for way too long and I am so glad I finally went ahead and watched it. If you are a fan of romance I STRONGLY recommend this one.
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One of the things I loved most about this drama was the realness of the characters. Oh Hae Young (Seo Hyun Jin) was a very vulnerable and raw character. She was not perfect and her struggles of having to compete with someone with the same name throughout her whole life were very touching. Some might say her actions and emotions make her seem childish but I disagree. She chooses to embrace her feelings and emotions without concerning herself with the opinions and judgments of others. I admired that despite her brokenness she continued to thrive with her fearlessly bold personality. Seo Hyun Jin's charcter is inspiring to me on so many levels as she doesn't hold back and learns to pursue what makes her happy.
I was also really captivated with Eric's character, Do Kyung. Do Kyung is one of those characters who would be terribly hard to play as his character is very closed off and reserved. His character's emotions in so many scenes were portrayed solely in his face and eyes. Often times, it was a quiet stare or couple words which carried behind it the most powerful meaning. When a person is scarred it is a very natural reaction to close themselves off and to hide their emotions and feelings from others and I was very moved and impressed with Eric's acting and portrayal of such a difficult character. He portrayed Do Kyung's healing journey very beautifully. Also supporting cast was phenomenal!
I could honestly go on and on about how great this drama is as I do with all my favorite dramas, but rather than that I would just really encourage you to watch it. It is beautifully done and the chemistry between the main couple is extremely moving. The uniquely hilarious comedic moments are balanced perfectly with the heavier areas of melodrama and the hint of supernatural in this drama adds just the extra element that it needed. The work aspect of this drama is also very intriguing and interesting and I especially love when dramas intertwine occupations in with the story. One last thing, the music was amazing. Definitely worth the watch. I'm honestly not opposed to watching it for a 5th time.
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Artistic, Therapeutic, Beautiful Drama
A drama with artistic & therapeutic themes that scream at you through it's painfully real characters and their complicated stories. It's Okay to Not Be Okay is a beautifully orchestrated drama with fresh, creative characters that come alive as they each learn what it means to truly love themselves and each other and in this way they find healing and happiness alongside each other.One of my favorite quotes of the entire drama, "Hurtful, painful memories. Only those with such memories buried in their hearts can become stronger, more passionate, and emotionally flexible. And only those can attain happiness."
I have to say, wholly impressed by our cast and their acting abilities. There were many friendly faces for me in this drama, actors & actresses that I have already seen and liked, but even still, I was shocked at the level of talent that was portrayed. Kim Soo Hyun as Moon Gang Tae, had such a gentle, nurturing aura as he tirelessly gives and gives to those around him; supports everyone with very little support in return. But his character held such silent power and strength as well, which made him so appealing. Moon Gang Tae's care for/relationship with his brother made me tear up constantly. Seo Ye Ji as Ko Moon Young is fierce and wild. It is no overstatement to say that she commands the screen with her presence. I loved watching her sly demeanor and quick wit run wild, especially as she interacted with Gang Tae; her unabashed confidence and aggressive pursuit of him (and his body lol) was hilarious at times and also made for some extremely captivating romantic moments. You could feel the chemistry between Gang Tae & Moon Young even as Gang Tae was wise to be cautious of interacting with our admittedly unpredictable, sometimes dangerous Moon Young. My first drama with Seo Ye Ji and I hope to be seeing more of her! And now this brings me to Moon Sang Tae played by Oh Jung Se. *STANDING OVATION* Wow. The way he portrayed Sang Tae's mannerisms, his posture, his speech, every movement of his hands and glance of his eyes was exceptional. I think a lesser actor could have very easily over or under emphasized some of Sang Tae's persona but Oh Jung Se had the perfect balance. I loved that Sang Tae was an an integral part of the drama throughout, that he wasn't cast aside when emotions and drama heated up between our main couple, but rather he became the rock that both Gang Tae & Moon Young needed; Sang Tae, the one that everyone thought was the weakest, rose up and became the strongest for all of them.
Moving on from the cast, (although all were amazing I don't have it in me to write for each) I have to say the dialogue in It's Okay to Not Be Okay was very strongly and creatively written. Every interaction between the cast was meaningful and either strengthened relationships or corresponded with the overarching storyline. The stories in Ko Moon Young's books were so disturbingly captivating and had such hard truth to them, not to mention the illustrations in the books was breathtakingly creepy. I am so glad they put so much emphasis on her books as her fairytales were ways of seeing into her mind and understanding why her character was so twisted. I have to say the psychological aspect to this drama was definitely the most intriguing part, and there was a depth and heaviness to many of the emotional scenes because that is where the mind leads us sometimes, to dark and heavy places. But the momentum and the chemistry between the characters kept things exciting and kept me feeling renewed because even when characters had to go through some really intense and difficult internal struggles, they rarely had to go through them alone; and afterwards, they arose stronger and braver than they were before.
I will probably edit this review as I want to add more as I have so much more left to say; but in the event that I don't, I strongly recommend this drama if you enjoy the psychological aspect of things, mental health, things of that nature. The romance also heavily drives the drama and the one between Kim Soo Hyun & Seo Ye Ji's characters is quite thrilling and entertaining. Personally, I loved every minute of this drama and am crushed that I have finished it. Between my laughing, giggling, crying, wailing, grinning, and beaming, this drama solidified itself as one of my all times favorites and thus has landed on my Favorite K-Drama's List.
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What I love most about this drama is the characters and the actors who played them. Seo Kang Joon was spectacular. He made Nam Sin III robotic but in the most adorable way! Whenever Nam Sin III smiled I literally melted. Even the way he blinked was so spot on. I'm not sure how the writers managed to make a robot interesting,hilarious, and completely endearing but that's exactly what they did. Never a more pure hearted main male lead, literally a puppy dog. And of course Nam Sin the human was such a brat and I wanted to slap his beautiful face so many times. Seo Kang Joon played the two roles so well from the way he stood to the way he spoke. I was also impressed with Gong Seung Yeon as Kang So Bong. Even though her character was supposed to be annoying sometimes, Seung Yeon played her in a way where even when I was super frustrated with her, I still didn't dislike her character. I also really enjoyed Park Young Kyoo as Nam Sin's grandfather. He was really entertaining to watch and I liked the way the writers blurred his character so I was never really sure whether I was supposed to like him or hate him. I enjoyed all of the cast but lastly I want to mention, Lee Joon Hyuk as Ji Yeong Hoon. I think his character easily could have become super boring but he totally wasn't and I think that was due to Lee Joon Hyuk's acting. He was sort of a father figure to both Nam Sin III and Nam Sin and it was encouraging to see the way he protected them both. It was also so refreshing that he always said and did the smartest thing. His character was brave and loyal and level headed. Exactly the kind of character this dramatic drama needed.
The writers/director did a really good job of keeping the story going and shifting the momentum of the story in ways that I didn't notice until later on. 18 episodes can be a huge mistake but in this case every episode was deliberate and necessary. Also, who would have thought that a robot could work as the main character! That's honestly what I was most worried about but somehow Kang So Bong and Nam Sin III were cuteness overload nearly every episode. Despite logic, I ship them so hard. I also really appreciated Nam Sin III's journey as a robot learning what humans are like and learning to stick up for himself. It broke my heart when others abused him and took advantage of him but with Kang So Bong's help he came to think of himself as more than just metal parts. Watching his growth and self acceptance was inspiring.
I really enjoyed most of the ost's but I loved The Longing Dance and Milagro. They really added to the intensity of the drama.
There were a few plot points that bugged me but not enough to ruin my enjoyment or the flow.
I would definitely recommend this and am so sad that it's over!
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