RST Reviews
USA
Not a fan
I passed over this series several times before watching. After reading a few reviews and seeing that the ratings were decent, I figured that I would give it a try. It started off cute and then I just wanted to throw something at the screen. The FL character development was nearly non-existent. The chemistry between the ML and FL was a stretch which made the depth of the 'love factor' more trying than endearing. I have seen ML (Nam Joo Hyuk) in different series, and he really needs better scripts. The concept of the script was good. However, so much of character development was lacking. Also, the hole in the script still remains in the end about the child. The series was too tiring to have you still guessing in the end. All in all, once it ended, I was more relieved than fulfilled. I would not recommend nor rewatch.Was this review helpful to you?
CLASSIC CEO STORY!
I LOVE THIS SERIES!From the ML and FL acting, OST, production and supporting cast, BRAVO!!!
Seriously, it takes almost a miracle to get this rating from me. The rewatch value is worth it. The dynamic emotional changes with both ML and FL are worth mentioning. ML (Park Seo Joon), of course he has the look, presence, etc. However, to go from strong, egotistical to vulnerable, broken and in love felt genuine and impressive. The way ML spoke without speaking throughout the series linked the love and trauma together beautifully. The FL (Park Min-Young), beautiful, smart and naive...yet the writers did not make her clueless even in the odd situations in which she was placed. THANK YOU! I love that she was a strong FL that may not be experienced in love but is still self-aware. when it comes to the supporting cast, I want to say to the writer's "well-done" on how to incorporate a strong supporting cast without their storyline taking over the main. The best friend to the male lead (Kang Ki Young) was a treasure! He was both smart and funny and made the almost unattainable ML seem more relatable. OST and BTS/Location/Grips Production - That's how you produce at great product. You all truly paid attention to detail! This should be noted, because when you view a lot of different series, you can tell when it is and is not done well.
The trauma element is not overdone or forced within this series. The way of the reveal and how the family all came through it all was nicely done. This is a CLASSIC that many dramas (both C-dramas and K-dramas) have tried to recapture the look, feel chemistry and some come close; yet many fall short. I must mention the CEO when he was young (Moon Woo Jin) This child is one to watch! He is truly gifted. Overall, I can't say enough for this tight production inside and out. You all are worth every nomination and award received.
WELL DONE!!!
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Step to Love, but Lacking
This series started off with the family issues and power trip takeover tropes. Nevertheless, the unlikely pair had very good chemistry. The friends and family element of contempt and manipulation seemed like an overreach at times. The pace was good and filled with a couple of twists that kept interest. Yet, the assistant/sister element turned sinister was an arc that felt redundant after a while. The ML and FL were both strong in their own right which made the flow to see them 'make it' to the end endearing, yet their communication seemed off a lot of times. However, the FL's parents brought a refreshing warmth and balance to the drama. This is a solid drama with romance but missed the mark a bit.Was this review helpful to you?
Lethally Lackluster
This long winded mini ended lackluster. The ML and FL were okay yet the push and pull of emotions seemed too warm at times and detached in other times. The breakdown of truths seemed to build an arc of misunderstandings that weren't necessary. The disappearing act of 'lovers' only to reappear years later is an overworked trope that needs to go away. It is decent overall. Yet, there were missed opportunities within the story that could have been capitalized on in giving the drama depth and delivery in parts were it seemed like thrown together shallow lines to get to the end.Was this review helpful to you?
A Melodrama that Missed
If you were to really look at the scope of this series, it feels like a melodramatic appeal from the ML perspective. The ML is tormented from beginning to end. Even the 'happy' moments are bittersweet. The OST was a bit nonexistent due to the dynamics of what the script was trying to convey. The leads didn't have great chemistry. However, they gave solid performances. The horror turn towards the end was expected due to the drag midway. Yet the end tried to do too much with too little. It was an assumptive 'extra' that wasn't needed. which made the drama fall short. This would have been better with an cleaner edit at 12episodes. Overall, this was okay.Was this review helpful to you?
Cute yet Cliché
Ceo and Assistant become close. Someone falls hard only for there to be this push-pull of emotions till they become an item late in the series. The ML and FL were cute yet chemistry seemed forced at times and super-safe in other times. No real petty issues which was refreshing. The misunderstanding and knight in shining armor moments seemed a bit cliché. The SML and SFL were very cute and relatable with how their relationship started, blossomed and progressed. The end was a bit dialog heavy in trying to tie up loose ends and fill in expressed completion of all connections. Yet the cast was solid, the storyline was good but cheeky. Nevertheless, this is a good watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Was Editing and Character Development an Accident?
Oh my...This series had potential to be a solid weekend watch. However, the choppiness of the character development, chemistry and awareness grew tiring. Why prolong a series that doesn't carry depth to begin with. This could have been cute and unique within the basis of the synopsis, yet it felt as if the writer wanted more in his mind but couldn't convey it within the script. The leads were okay but sometimes absent-minded as to 'discoveries' just a couple of episodes earlier. OST was not memorable but seemed to have more forethought into this drama than the series pacing or scene changes. The leads were okay, but I have seen their talents displayed much better in other works. This would have been better as an extended-mini or a solid 20 episodes.
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This King's a Keeper
This series was sweet with a few cliches, and love trumping in the end. For a J-Drama it flowed very well and production overall was solid. The lead couple was cute with endearing moments. The FL was a little too timid at times and the ML too aloof. Yet, they both came together and brought a sweet charm. The challenges for the couple and mostly the ML were cliche and filled with tropes. Yet, communication and desire wins in the end. The supporting cast worked very well in conveying rivalry, envy, friendships and gained understanding. Overall, this series is very cute and a solid watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Mature, Real and Relatable
To find this jewel was a joy. Staring out, you would think the connections and 'entanglement' would be obvious. The way the writers highlighted the things that people endure and sometimes commit to out of obligation and manipulation was very prevalent for both the ML and FL. The tension and chemistry between the leads was endearing and sexy. What happens when a partner makes all the decisions that can affect your life without discussion, and you accommodate it without recourse? This drama addresses this in spades. The 'fluff' was not needed nor used in this drama. There were a few scenes that are a bit too much or not needed within the office. Yet, overall cast and crew did very well in weaving relatable personal and business relationships. So happy that the ending wasn't typical but realistic when dealing with mature individuals. The ending basically screamed..."If what we feel is true, it will be. But let us both heal first." Bravo! Must Watch!Was this review helpful to you?
What If love can transcend time
This was a solid series. It left a lot to be imagined in the end. However, it was interesting how science, fantasy and a little romance was weaved together. All in all, the cast was solid. The OST was okay. The chemistry between the leads was more endearing than swoon worthy. The storyline was interesting with different twists that were relatable. The love interests or challenges weren't draggy or dramatic. There wasn't much trauma hints throughout which was a relief. This was more so a 'What If' series that didn't take itself too seriously. If you want to watch a series with a push and pull for power with a fantasy element that leaves a romance connection hopeful this would be a good fit.Was this review helpful to you?
How to experience 'What If'
This movie was cute and reminded me the US version 'The Family Man with Nicolas Cage'. The story becomes a little detached midway but finds its pace towards the end. The FL was good in showing the edge and breakdown of one's bias through time. The ending was open-ended much like the US version which leaves hope for a better outcome in the end. The family element was interesting yet relatable. The 'purgatory' scenes felt more like references from 'Beetlejuice or Jupiter's Landing' odd, old, detached and disheveled. The overall production was okay. However, this is a solid movie worth watching.Was this review helpful to you?
When writers Forget, How to Edit
Why is this series almost 40 episodes? This series took throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks overboard. The leads were good, but the layout of scenes and scenarios was tiring. Trying to do too much with too little. OST was okay. From amnesia, blindness, murder on many sides, car crashes, company take overs and more... Writer's need to learn when to stop. Doing this in a series does not make it interesting and kills true character development. Not worth the rewatch. However, both leads have better works. They are worth following.Was this review helpful to you?
Lie to keep me interested.
This series had a strong interesting start. I have seen both leads in other series and was very curious how this would land. The cast was very strong. However, some scenes started to drag at times to lengthen the episodes. The chemistry between the leads was minimum. Let's just say the ML and FL acted out the script. At no time did the characters make you want more. After episiode 20 where the main relationship is 'solidified' it was touch and go. It is a solid series as far as production. However, the OST was distracting at times. This definitely needed a cleaner edit to keep things from feeling like it would never end. All on all, the story itself was interesting but the execution missed the mark.Was this review helpful to you?
Cute Series more about healing than food
This series focused on people within the food industry that were battling different kinds of traumas and happen to start working with each other. It is a light series that doesn't take itself too seriously yet kept in step with the challenges of rivalry and competition. The budding romance between the leads had a touch and go in chemistry at times. However, they stayed in step with conveying care and focus. At times, certain office scenes seemed stagnant and unnecessary. The ending episodes seemed rushed to tie up loose ends that could have been weaved throughout more strategically. Even though there are 23 episodes, with a better edit and smoother transitions a solid 20 episodes would have gained a better rating. All in all, it is worth the watch if you desire to see a light romance series.Was this review helpful to you?
The Determination to Beat the Odds
This series is very good. ML (Yang Yang) and FL (Wang Chu Ran) have good chemistry as well as good non-verbal communication. Both leads handle the challenges and the pace of the storyline. There were parts within the series that started to feel exaggerated, but it is understandable when trying to drive home the importance and dangers of the first responder fields as well as weaving a romantic storyline. The character of the FL's bother (Wei Da Xun) was well-played. He captured the controlled and lonely aspects of the role brilliantly. The OST was nice and the CGI and production to capture the various dangerous scenes were very good. Even though (Vin Zhang) role as the fire instructor was short it was heartfelt and memorable. The ML's cousin (Yang Chao Yue) was very dynamic in her character delivery and ebb and flow of emotions. She is one to watch. This story gives a good understanding of what determination both mentally and physically against all odds can render with love and integrity as your guiding light. Worth the Watch!Was this review helpful to you?
