Details

  • Last Online: 18 hours ago
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: The Pages of a Fairytale
  • Contribution Points: 245 LV3
  • Roles: VIP
  • Join Date: July 27, 2014
  • Awards Received: Coin Gift Award1

DramaHeroine

The Pages of a Fairytale

DramaHeroine

The Pages of a Fairytale
Completed
Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 7, 2021
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
I won't bury the lead. This is a cute, binge-able, perfect for a weekend in when you're looking for that rom-com (with a dash of family heart and soul) drama fix. I highly recommend.

On to the full review.

The female lead starts off somewhat silly in episode one, but she quickly grows and improves as the story goes along. Whenever she finds herself faced with a challenge, she puts her all into facing and overcoming it. The male lead makes the perfect, prickly but with hidden depth, love-interest who starts off antagonistic but very quickly begins to develop feelings for the female lead and a genuine respect for her talent. And of course, the younger and older brother are each great characters in their own right and watching the four of them around the house and running the restaurant is heart-warming.

I'm not actually bothered by the female lead going away to New York to study in the finale as I tink it makes sense for her character arc. But I am disgruntled by the male lead pretending he doesn't like her anymore and he wants to replace her at the restaurant just so he can ensure she will go. There was no reason for him to not just sit down and have a conversation with her about the opportunity. She's not gonna be gone forever, and as ends up happening anyway, they can do long-distance while she's gone. He doesn't give her the opportunity to truly decide for herself, which isn't fair. That being said, his decision doesn't significantly harm the overall drama for me, so I can overlook it.

The only aspect of this series that I think is completely unnecessary is the plotline involving the 'gangster' (I assume that's what he was meant to be) trying to bully the three brothers into selling the restaurant. It is a worthless plotline that ultimately goes nowhere and serves no purpose in the story. It's easy to ignore, but that doesn't make it any less annoying.

The thing that really struck me though, while watching this drama, was how consistent the storytelling was. As I thought about it, I realized that that's what I love about Japanese dramas (at least the ones I've watched so far); their consistency. The events of the story always feel planned out rather than random, and even if I don't like the trajectory of the drama or the behavior of the characters, I never find myself enraged by a writing choice that came out of left field. (Of course, now that I've said this, I'll probably start stumbling upon Jdrama after Jdrama where this is not the case, lol.) For years, Kdrama was my drama land of choice, and I can unequivocally say that consistency is not necessarily common in that realm of the drama world. I cannot count the number of times I've been watching a drama and found myself wanting to flip tables, because the writer decided to throw a wrench into the story for the sole purpose of drama and conflict. It's been refreshing, now that I've fully stepped into the Jdrama world, to experience such consistent...consistency, lol.

So, yes. This was a thoroughly enjoyable watch. It made me laugh, it made me shed a few tears, it made me binge-watch it in one weekend, and that...is a pretty good drama by my standards.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Catch the Ghost
0 people found this review helpful
Apr 18, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers
The lead actors performances are what really elevate this drama and make it better than what it really is. The way they capture the sorrow, the pain, the fire, the determination of their characters is superb. I've never seen Moon Geun Young in any other dramas, just a couple of rom-coms from her younger days (both of which are utterly delightful), so I have no experience seeing her in this sort of role, but when you watch her dig through a practical mountain of garbage while sobbing her eyes out because she's so desperate to find her sister, that can do nothing else but hit you in the gut. As for Kim Seon Ho, the only other project I've seen him in is Strongest Deliveryman (where he almost steals the entire show, his performance is so good), and he seems to have a particular talent for taking his characters and making them feel Real.

And that's really why I finished this drama. There were a lot of things I enjoyed about the story, but nothing that would have kept me watching if the leads hadn't been so well-portrayed. The mystery, as invested in it as I was at the beginning, really struggles in the middle, and while the conclusion gets some things right, it also gets some things wrong. The case of the day format sometimes works and sometimes doesn't (although that's something I think could have been overlooked if the over-arching mystery had been a little better). And the biggest flaw/frustration of the drama for me was Ma Ri. She's unnecessarily aggressive toward the female lead and makes some Really dumb decisions in relation to the central mystery because of it.

This is a drama that does some things well and some things not so well. I would suggest, if you're looking for a drama where the crime/mystery element is really compelling and well-paced and well-written, that you maybe look elsewhere. But if you like dramas with compellingly portrayed leads, then this is definitely a good drama to watch.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Love at First Flood
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 17, 2020
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.5
This review may contain spoilers
Obviously, the best part of this movie is seeing just what the country looked like during this time. The film is beautifully shot, and it definitely gives you a good picture of not only how devastating the 2011 flood must have been, but also what daily life must have looked like. Wading through calf/knee high water, traveling everywhere by boat, evacuation orders; it's a light-hearted film, so it doesn't spend a lot of time on the more upsetting aspects of such an event, but it certainly gives you a glimpse.

Of course, that's kind of the only real reason to watch it, outside of you just really enjoy highly cliché rom-com's of this nature. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this movie at all, but I certainly enjoyed the first half a lot more than the second. The second half, as is often the case in these films, is the most heavily cliché portion of the story, and I stopped caring pretty quickly into it. There's some pointless melodrama, the childhood connection serves no purpose (although the child actors are adorable as heck), and the pacing is too fast. Basically, this movie is like almost every other Asian rom-com of it's time but with a real natural disaster going on in the background.

If you like cliché rom-coms or are interested in seeing what Thailand looked like during the 2011 flood or both of these things appeal to you equally, then check the movie it. Otherwise, probably not worth your time.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Boku, Unmei no Hito desu
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 7, 2020
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
So I don't actually think this drama is completely perfect even though I've given it a ten across the board, but the way this drama made me love it makes it Feel like a ten to me, so a ten it's getting. I might come back to this review later and change the scoring, but for now, I'm on a finished-drama-high, and who am I to say no to the impulses you get when that happens?

So yeah, there's one main flaw to this story, and if you've done any looking at the comments on MyDramaList, you probably already know what it is.

The drama doesn't provide any compelling reasons, outside of destiny and saving the world, for the leads to end up together.

Granted, I think it does a pretty good job of showing their compatibility when they interact with each other, but still. You do expect a romance to do a little bit of work convincing it's audience that these two are right for each other. Similar hobbies, compatible personalities, the same moral code, something that shows that there's more to their relationship than just 'Fate demands it.' Of course, I'm sure there are many drama lovers out there who find destiny and saving the world compelling enough reasons on their own, and I don't fault them for that. While I'm not really a fan of the 'do it to save the world' angle (that's a very different kind of story, in my eyes), I don't dislike the use of destiny in romance stories. And despite it being the only real foundation for their relationship throughout most of the drama, the leads did always feel Right for each other to me. I don't know if it was the acting chemistry between the actors or the subtext of their interactions with each other or how they always somehow just Fit or what, but I always wanted them to end up together. And by the end, I honestly wasn't all that bothered anymore by their relationship being built almost solely on destiny, which I guess means the writers did a good job of selling me their story.

At the core, this is a drama about two kind people who've experienced some heavy romantic disappointments in life being guided (or pushed, lol) towards each other and ultimately finding themselves the better for it. And I don't know about you, but that's a good story to me.

(On a side note, I have to say that the most emotional part of the drama was when our resident 'God's' job was done and he went about making his goodbyes. Uggggghhhhhh, that was a gut punch. I definitely got a little misty-eyed over it.)

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Click Your Heart
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 22, 2020
7 of 7 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers
A reverse-harem story a la 7 First Kisses but for the teen set where the female lead both ends up with all of the male leads and simultaneously ends up with none of them.

While I can see the appeal of these sorts of stories where you get to enjoy multiple romances and pick your favorite (without the story involving an Actual harem, because no-thanks), after both Click Your Heart and 7 First Kisses, I can firmly say that they are probably not for me (although I probably won't stop occasionally watching them, lol). I like having one male lead, not a gajillion. I can appreciate a well-written second male lead, but when there are multiple male leads all with equally compelling reasons for deserving to be with the female lead, that just leaves me sad for the 'losers' and frustrated with the overall viewing experience. I like investing in the main couple, but it's hard to do that when there isn't a main couple.

To be fair, Click Your Heart isn't too terribly plotted considering it's genre(s) and episode runtime. All of the male leads are likable and have good chemistry with the female lead and a compelling reason for her to choose them. The female leads main flaw, being seemingly cursed to ruin other people's lives, isn't really prominent enough, but it is used fairly effectively. And while the story can be cringey at times, it still has enjoyable moments that mostly make up for the cringe.

If you're looking for something quick and easy, you like reverse harem stories (that don't involve actual harems), and you don't mind cringey/cheesy teen drama/romance, you'll probably like this. It's cute enough.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Memories of Matsuko
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 15, 2020
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
Jarring, colorful, irreverent, heartbreaking, this is a weird, but affecting, movie.

My only complaint is the sexualized content. I don't believe there is ever a reason for sexual content in any story, but especially not in a story about a character who is forced by her life circumstances into prostitution and other demoralizing and compromising situations that she did not wish to be in. It cheapens the message.

Criticisms over the sexual content aside, damn does this movie break your heart into a million little pieces. The forceful combo of weird and brutal and bright reminds me of some other quirky Japanese films I've enjoyed such as Wool 100% and Rinko's Restaurant and I'm a Cyborg but That's Okay, and that is definitely not going to make me complain.

More importantly, however, ever since finishing this movie, I've really wanted to watch it again, so they clearly did something right when it came to the story. The biggest take away from the film for me was this line at the end 'A life isn't valued by what one receives, but by what one gives.'

I would say Memories of Matsuko conveys that message fairly well.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Secret Queen Makers
0 people found this review helpful
Mar 18, 2020
7 of 7 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers
I didn't realize until sitting down to watch that this was a sequel of sorts to 7 First Kisses (okay, maybe not a sequel really, but sort of), which I also watched, although I found that one more difficult to push through. As much as I loved the premise of Kisses (I mean, I play Otome games), I wasn't finding myself all that eager to press play on each consecutive episode. Queen Makers, however, was significantly easier for me to watch and enjoy, and I think I probably owe all it all to the female lead.

I know I'm in the minority when I say this, but I love shy, insecure, awkward female leads. I can appreciate a 'strong' female character (although I think there needs to be a conversation on what exactly that means, because I think people don't understand what they ask for when they ask for strong female leads), but I don't relate to them on just about any level. Insecure female leads are infinitely more relatable to me and probably always will be, because as much as I might wish I were some sort of strong and brave and resilient person, I'm not, and these characters make me feel like I'm not alone in being so useless. So yes, I loved the female lead here. Of course, it didn't hurt that the actress playing her did a superb job. She may not have Looked the part of an awkward, 'unattractive' girl, but she definitely emanated the emotions of one through her portrayal, and that goes a long way.

Now does this web series have a strong storyline? No. It's fluffy, it's cheesy, it's way too rushed and has a glaring plot hole or two. But I was still able to enjoy it for what it was.

So if you can approach a web-series like this with the attitude of 'I'm not looking for a perfectly plotted story. I just want a little fluff' then you will enjoy this just fine.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Girl's Life
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 13, 2020
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers
This movie is far too short and fast-paced to really do a lot with it's plot and characters, and the main actress is obviously very green, but the female lead is very likable and her struggles relatable and her ultimate triumphant over them rewarding making this an easy, enjoyable watch.

I liked how kind Haruka always was in the face of very mean people and how she always chose to focus on pushing through her struggles and finding a way to be successful rather then getting revenge. She never mistreated others but always stood up for herself, and she knew what she wanted in life and was willing to work to get it. (Her pet turtle was also a cute added element to the story.) She may not have had a lot of book smarts, but she quickly demonstrated her street smarts time and time again.

It was a cute movie with a likable main character, and I enjoyed watching it.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
The Cravings Season 2
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 11, 2018
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
Just like I did with the first season of this web drama, I'm giving this season an overall rating of 7.5 based on my personal enjoyment of it, not based on the overall quality. In terms of overall quality, this season is a solid 10. It just didn't grip me the way I want drama's to, so I took some points off for overall enjoyment.

As far as what the story is like, it's the same setup as season one. Slice of life told in a series of vignettes with food playing an important role. There are more yummy looking recipes that I wish I had the desire and motivation to make myself (alas, I have made a lifetime vow against cooking as we are mortal enemies), and the female lead is as interesting and relatable as she was in the first season.

If you watched the first season and liked it, you will enjoy this season.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
100 Days with Mr. Arrogant
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 9, 2018
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
I watched this movie ages ago when I first got into Korean dramas and movies, so I had no frame of reference for what Korean media was like back then, and I remember being immediately hooked on the story (much like I was with many other movies and dramas from that time) despite how outlandish and stereotypical and just Odd it was. I rewatched it last night to refresh my memory on the story so that I could write up a review for it, and I have to admit, my feelings have not changed all that much. Of course, now that I've been a Korean media druggie for awhile, I can see all the typical hallmarks of old school Kdramas/movies as well as all of the flaws I totally ignored on my first viewing. This is one of those classic K movies that if it came out today exactly as is, I doubt it would be all that popular. (Although I bet someone could do a successful modernized remake.) But even still, there's something about this movie that makes you love it. The actors really sell their characters. (I had no idea Ha Ji Won played the female lead until re-watching. I was That new to dramas the first time I watched it, lol. Considering the types of roles she's gone on to do, it was fun seeing her doing something so incredibly different.) The story is something we've all seen a thousand times before at this point, and yet it doesn't feel bland or overdone. It just feels like a lot of fun.

Because this movie came out when it did, it was perfectly poised for future cult classic status. And honestly, it deserves that status. I don't expect that I'll watch it again, unless it's in another ten years from now to be like 'Oh yeah. That movie.' But I mean it when I say it's a fun movie and required viewing for any Korean drama/movie fan.

(Just so you know, the finale scene is confusing and I don't really know what the purpose of it is, so I just ignore it and recommend you do the same.)

Also, WARNING: There is gross-out, toilet, not really sure what to call it, humor sprinkled throughout this movie. Things involving boogers and other bodily fluids, one particularly gross bit in the later half that I won't even type up because then I might vomit. It's not pervasive throughout the movie. Most of it occurs towards the beginning/the first half of the film, and it is spaced pretty evenly. But if you don't like that sort of thing or need a warning beforehand, well here's your warning.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
My ID Is Gangnam Beauty
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 27, 2018
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
Anytime I find myself relating to the main character(s) of a drama on a personal, emotional, often private level, I know I'm going to end up loving a show, and this time was no exception. I was Very emotionally invested in Mi Rae's story, because I related to her Very deeply. I wanted to see her overcome her insecurities and give herself permission to live a fulfilling life, and it was so rewarding watching her open up and let others in.

What I probably enjoyed most about this drama is how subtly it dealt with it's subject matter. All throughout were these tiny moments and messages that compounded on top of each other. The story was never pushy or loud or obnoxious. It never tried to shout it's message from a rooftop. It didn't go for cliché or for 'Woman power'. It chose instead to weave a simple message into the everyday things characters said and did and felt about themselves. It created a message meant to be felt, not necessarily spoken out loud, which is where any true, genuine truth should be held and understood.

This drama is not without flaws though, and I truthfully found said flaws to be a little too big to overlook.

The entire finale was honestly a letdown. While I liked a lot of how everything played out, it felt very rushed and out of order. Mi Rae and Kyung Seok get the happy ending together they deserve, but it felt a bit like the writers trying to create that 'perfect romantic ending' rather than just letting the characters be themselves. Soo Ah receives what I consider a fitting, and hopeful, redemption story that I wish could have started to unfold a little sooner as it would have helped the audience relate to her a lot better.. And I'm soooooo salty about how all of our side couples were sort of dropped by the writers at the end, because I wanted their happy endings, and we didn’t get them!!!

Ultimately, I was waiting for the drama to tie together all of the little, subtle messages it had been sending throughout the story, and that didn't happen. The focus on creating that 'perfect romantic ending' and trying to give Soo Ah an affective redemption arc took away from what was really the overall message of the drama. Beauty is subjective, and it's objectively in all of us.

(And for anyone wanting to know, yes. Cha Eun Woo is probably not the best actor, but I think his acting style worked fairly well for the character, and I didn't find it particularly distracting while watching.)

Despite my disappointment with the finale, this is still one of my favorite dramas that I've watched this year and definitely on my list of favorite dramas I've ever watched. It treats it’s characters and subject matter with thoughtful kindness, and that goes a long way in overcoming any other mistakes a drama might make. I highly recommend giving this drama a chance.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
7 First Kisses
0 people found this review helpful
Mar 2, 2018
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers
It's too short to really do a whole lot with its premise, and I didn't find myself particularly eager to watch each episode, but it's a fun and light-hearted story so long as you don't take it too seriously. I will admit that I found it difficult to pick a favorite suitor. With the exception of one potential love interest who feels shoe-horned into the story, the rest of the male leads are all fairly interesting and attractive. (And just like in an Otome game, there's someone for every viewer, lol.) Not all of the lovelines personally worked for me, but I did quite enjoy some of the others and totally could have seen them expanded into a much longer story.

I guess the best word to describe this web drama is cute. Ultimately, I'm not going to recommend it, but I'm not going to discourage anyone from watching it either. It was a fun premise I would love to see expanded into something longer.

I want to put a warning here though for anyone who might be going into this expecting certain things from the romance(s). There isn't a definitive romantic ending. (Or alternatively, there are six, sort-of seven, of them. However you want to look at it, lol.) If you are going into this expecting her to ultimately pick one guy to be with, you are going to be disappointed, because it doesn't happen.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Yankee-kun to Megane-chan
0 people found this review helpful
Mar 2, 2018
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
It's based on a manga, so it's obviously over-the-top and a little ridiculous in terms of it's acting and storytelling style, but that's also what makes it so much fun. I was roaring with laughter throughout each and every episode. I loved our leads to bits and enjoyed every moment of interaction between them. I also found the story to be quite heartfelt and moving in how it dealt with family relationships and the pressures of Japanese school life. I did want more of a conclusion to the romance in the finale, but I guess that's just more incentive to read the manga the drama is based on. I already planned on reading it, but now I Really have to. If you are not a fan of the outlandish style of acting and storytelling Japanese dramas sometimes employ, this might not be the drama for you. But if that doesn't bother you, and you enjoy a good story centered around school life and innocent romance and family and friendship, then I can't recommend this enough.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Last Minute Romance
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 11, 2018
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
Cute and fluffy and sweet. My only complaint is the ending was rushed and took away from the lovely romance the story had built up to that point. Admittedly, I'm really just upset that they didn't decide to save her last minute so the two of them could be together, but I also realize that not all stories have to have tied together with a bow happy endings. A less rushed ending would have gone a long way in helping me accept that their romance was never going to be.

Now have some extra words so I can fill the word limit.
Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Jealousy Incarnate
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 16, 2017
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
Yes to more dramas like this. Yes to realistic and relatable characters, yes to engaging and well thought out plots, and yes to tackling real-life issues. Taking on male breast cancer was massive, and I appreciate the drama writers willingness to go there. Pyo Na Ri was this fascinating combination of confident, vulnerable, honest, bold, and self-aware. Hwa Shin and Jung Won were two fascinating love interests with a heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, friendship. The make-up of this drama is almost flawless.

I only have 3 complaints.

1) The three-way cohabitation nonsense that comes a little past the halfway mark (three-way not to be confused with the sexual term).

2) The kiss at the hospital between Na Ri and Hwa Shin when Na Ri and Jung Won are tentatively dating.

3) That silly song/dance at the wedding in the finale.

The first two are important. The last one isn't a big deal. (I just thought the scene was hilariously stupid.)

The cohabitation is never really justified by the writers and lasts waaaay longer than necessary, but the kiss is addressed as being a very poor and inappropriate decision that has consequences. Unfortunately, the character's responses to the kiss is to create said, weird, three-way cohabitation arrangement that is just awkward and uncomfortable and annoying to watch. (I recommend finding a unique way to watch those episodes to ensure you don't go nuts.)

Even in these frustrating moments when you don't really understand what exactly the writers think they are doing though, they found a way to make these characters feel real and believable, like people you want to root for.

I recommend this drama, and I might even rewatch it some day.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?