Francis
Manila, Philippines
This drama exceeds everyone's expectations despite the controversies even before filming started until it has finally aired. There are 2 episodes left but I'm already writing a review simply because whether it has a good or a bad ending, I want to encourage everyone that this drama is really worth watching.
A Masterpiece-to-be , said the director of 'Misaeng', 'Signal' and 'My Mister'; Director Kim Won Seok. A drama that heals everyone who was having hardships in life. A drama that will touch our hearts. EVERYONE, please listen. This is NOT a romantic drama. It is one of the issues that this drama faced prior to its airing. Lee Ji-An, a girl in her 20s experiencing hardships in life portrayed by IU, Park Dong Hoon, a married man in his 40s portrayed by Lee Sun Kyun together with his brothers, Park Ki Hoon(Song Sae Byuk) and Park Sang Hoon(Oh Dal Su; later replaced by Park Ho San because of the rape allegations). Controversies regarding a man on his 40s developing a relationship with a girl on her 20s surfaced before the drama aired. Allegations on Oh Dal Su that affected not only him but the drama as well, until he was eventually replaced by Park Ho San. But behind all of this, they never failed to deliver.
Story: This is the first time I'm watching a drama not because I'm a fan of IU, but because I want to watch something different. Something unique. As a person that is currently having hardships in life, this drama attracted my attention. Not a romantic drama, not a thriller, not a Rom-Com. But instead, a healing drama, no romance at all. How many times have you watched dramas with a cliché plot? My Mister showed a different perspective in life. Even though we're experiencing hardships and problems, there's always a light of hope. With your family, with your colleagues, and that special someone that has been on your side ever since.
Acting/Cast: I've watched all of IU's dramas since I'm a fan and I can see how much she has improved all through this years. Some people doubted if she can pull of cold, and tough woman since her past roles showed a more bright and fresh image. Well, she proved them wrong. Her acting in this drama is probably the best out of all her drama. Lee Sun Kyun on the other hand for me is somewhat underrated. Since some(not all) based their preferences on looks but not on their acting. This is somewhat irrelevant but if you come to think of it, Lee Sun Kyun is one of the Ahjussis in Korean Entertainment today but has been overshadowed by other actors(not going to drop names). I believe that if other actors took this role, this won't be as good as it is right now. Lee Sun Kyun perfectly portrayed a middle-aged man who is trying to survive despite the hardships and challenges that life has given to him. Believe me, once you watched the drama you'll get goosebumps every time his scene comes up. Song Sae Byuk and Park Ho San complimented the character of Lee Sun Kyun really well as his brothers. Their chemistry together is really amazing. And to think that Park Ho San is suddenly casted because Oh Dal Su has to leave, he really fits the role as the eldest brother and believe me, you wont feel much difference, you wont even think that Oh Dal Su was supposed to play this role.
Music: All of the OSTs. as in all of the OSTs is truly captivating. The way that they are played during some certain scenes gave me chills. For me, my favorite would be OST Part 2: Sondia - Adult (??). Every time this OST will be played, you can really feel the weight of each scene. Also, IU wrote lyrics of one of the OSTs. which is OST Part 4: Dear Moon.
Rewatch Value: I only gave this 9/10 because the heavy plots in this drama is definitely not easy to rewatch. Once you watched it the first time, the emotions will really kick in. This is one of the dramas that made me cry. Because I can relate and I can feel how heavy it is. Well, it's not actually bad if you rewatch it a few times, but that excitement, that surprising plot and cliffhanger on some endings of each episode makes it really worth the wait each week. Once this drama is finished, I will be rewatching it and I sincerely hope that every episode will still give me the same feeling that I have felt the first time I watched it.
Overall, a 10/10. One of the best Korean Drama ever. Trust me, it will be worth your time. The Cast, Cinematography, Music and Story is truly stunning. I hope that this drama will not be underrated and receive recognition as much as other titles. It may have received a lot of controversies and issues along the way but it truly stayed to its track and captivates the heart of the viewers. Thank you so much and it has been an honor watching such a masterpiece.
EDIT:
Last two episodes: As I said in the earlier section of my review, I wrote this review while there are still 2 episodes left and no matter what the ending would be my verdict will still be the same. Out of all the episodes, these last two episodes probably is the best. Now that the drama is finished, please do me a favor and share this masterpiece with your friends. "Even if you're having hardships in life, just hang in there. It's no big deal".
A Masterpiece-to-be , said the director of 'Misaeng', 'Signal' and 'My Mister'; Director Kim Won Seok. A drama that heals everyone who was having hardships in life. A drama that will touch our hearts. EVERYONE, please listen. This is NOT a romantic drama. It is one of the issues that this drama faced prior to its airing. Lee Ji-An, a girl in her 20s experiencing hardships in life portrayed by IU, Park Dong Hoon, a married man in his 40s portrayed by Lee Sun Kyun together with his brothers, Park Ki Hoon(Song Sae Byuk) and Park Sang Hoon(Oh Dal Su; later replaced by Park Ho San because of the rape allegations). Controversies regarding a man on his 40s developing a relationship with a girl on her 20s surfaced before the drama aired. Allegations on Oh Dal Su that affected not only him but the drama as well, until he was eventually replaced by Park Ho San. But behind all of this, they never failed to deliver.
Story: This is the first time I'm watching a drama not because I'm a fan of IU, but because I want to watch something different. Something unique. As a person that is currently having hardships in life, this drama attracted my attention. Not a romantic drama, not a thriller, not a Rom-Com. But instead, a healing drama, no romance at all. How many times have you watched dramas with a cliché plot? My Mister showed a different perspective in life. Even though we're experiencing hardships and problems, there's always a light of hope. With your family, with your colleagues, and that special someone that has been on your side ever since.
Acting/Cast: I've watched all of IU's dramas since I'm a fan and I can see how much she has improved all through this years. Some people doubted if she can pull of cold, and tough woman since her past roles showed a more bright and fresh image. Well, she proved them wrong. Her acting in this drama is probably the best out of all her drama. Lee Sun Kyun on the other hand for me is somewhat underrated. Since some(not all) based their preferences on looks but not on their acting. This is somewhat irrelevant but if you come to think of it, Lee Sun Kyun is one of the Ahjussis in Korean Entertainment today but has been overshadowed by other actors(not going to drop names). I believe that if other actors took this role, this won't be as good as it is right now. Lee Sun Kyun perfectly portrayed a middle-aged man who is trying to survive despite the hardships and challenges that life has given to him. Believe me, once you watched the drama you'll get goosebumps every time his scene comes up. Song Sae Byuk and Park Ho San complimented the character of Lee Sun Kyun really well as his brothers. Their chemistry together is really amazing. And to think that Park Ho San is suddenly casted because Oh Dal Su has to leave, he really fits the role as the eldest brother and believe me, you wont feel much difference, you wont even think that Oh Dal Su was supposed to play this role.
Music: All of the OSTs. as in all of the OSTs is truly captivating. The way that they are played during some certain scenes gave me chills. For me, my favorite would be OST Part 2: Sondia - Adult (??). Every time this OST will be played, you can really feel the weight of each scene. Also, IU wrote lyrics of one of the OSTs. which is OST Part 4: Dear Moon.
Rewatch Value: I only gave this 9/10 because the heavy plots in this drama is definitely not easy to rewatch. Once you watched it the first time, the emotions will really kick in. This is one of the dramas that made me cry. Because I can relate and I can feel how heavy it is. Well, it's not actually bad if you rewatch it a few times, but that excitement, that surprising plot and cliffhanger on some endings of each episode makes it really worth the wait each week. Once this drama is finished, I will be rewatching it and I sincerely hope that every episode will still give me the same feeling that I have felt the first time I watched it.
Overall, a 10/10. One of the best Korean Drama ever. Trust me, it will be worth your time. The Cast, Cinematography, Music and Story is truly stunning. I hope that this drama will not be underrated and receive recognition as much as other titles. It may have received a lot of controversies and issues along the way but it truly stayed to its track and captivates the heart of the viewers. Thank you so much and it has been an honor watching such a masterpiece.
EDIT:
Last two episodes: As I said in the earlier section of my review, I wrote this review while there are still 2 episodes left and no matter what the ending would be my verdict will still be the same. Out of all the episodes, these last two episodes probably is the best. Now that the drama is finished, please do me a favor and share this masterpiece with your friends. "Even if you're having hardships in life, just hang in there. It's no big deal".
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