Suki
India
I really loved the story. I usually avoid multi-starrer casts because those plots tend to get a little crammed and messy. This plotline however was much smoother and cleaner which was a blessing. They could have interlinked and tangled up the characters in the movie but they kept the stories a little apart so that it didn't feel like it was too impractical. All the stories told depicted a different facet of what the 2 year long wait could mean for different people, and it was very honest. 2 years is a long time for people to change (for better or for worse) and the movie showed that really well.
The acting was good on all parts, the focus was more on portraying the emotions than on the dialogues, which was fine by me. I could focus on all the characters separately and no one overshadowed the other which usually happens in the multi-starrers.
Music took a back burner for me this time because I was too engrossed in the movie. Since one story is of a couple from a band, there were tid-bits here and there where I heard the music primarily but otherwise it didn't grab my attention. Which is okay I guess, it's better than to have bad music that distracts you from the movie.
Definitely one of the movies I can watch again, it tells a really good story and seems realistic enough for such a theme. I couldn't imagine what it'd be like if I was put in their position, it's a really brave thing they do. Waiting for someone for 2 years or telling them that you cannot wait requires equal amount of courage in my opinion.
As far as the movie is concerned, admittedly, the movie starts out a little slow but that's only because they're giving us a little time to settle in and grasp all the foundations they've laid out. It would have been worse if they'd rushed it. But to be honest the ratings for this movie shocked me, it's definitely worth more than a meager 6.6 rating. You should definitely try it! I absolutely recommend it! :)
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The main leads have to be praised for holding together the drama. Without them, I would have dropped this drama halfway through. The chemistry that they share, no just in duos but the three of them together as well, was worth spending 16 hours on. There are scenes which you will rewind and watch again and again because they were too funny or too sweet (The drama has abundant amount of both of those, don't worry). The actors bring alive the characters that were too conflicted otherwise.
The story was 1) Nothing striking 2) Not thought through 3) Illogical 4) Eve frustrating, after a point. But you love watching the leads so much that you decide to bear through that. I'm a very impatient person and sometimes -major confession comping up- skip parts that bore me to death. And I just skipped a little bit in one episode through the later part of the show I think. That's rare. The main low of the drama arrives after the 9th episode. You start to feel that the story is being dragged and you're being dragged along with it, the show tempts you many times to drop it, but you still don't. The thing is, even though the story is.. not so good, it moves at a decent pace. Before you can get annoyed enough to drop it, you have another illogical thing to focus on. So basically you don't even realize that while moving from one silly plot to another, you reached the finale and made it through! But I should still mention, beware of some serious character warping towards the end. You'll want to smash the writers' heads for distorting perfectly great characters into a morbid shell of what they were earlier, especially Kang Mu-Gyul's (JGS) character. Had me grimacing throughout the last few episodes.
The main leads chosen were simply outstanding. I'm a JGS fan through and through and thought I'd be rooting for the girl to end up with him till the end but I've never been proved so wrong. True, JGS's character Mu-Gyul was pretty attractive and appealed to me, but I was more confused than Mary between whom I would choose! Kim Jae Wook was a brilliant surprise for me. I'd seen him in Coffee Prince of course but, there wasn't really much to see was there. Here.. Woah, I was blown away. Half the time I was thinking I wouldn't mind it if Mary ended up with Jung-in (Kim Jae Wook) either. Then my JGS fan-side would chide me for being a traitor and gushing after another. But I loved him nonetheless, he acted really well. Superb acting by all three of them actually! There were some majorly annoying characters though. All the parents in this show (not counting Mary's mother since she wasn't actually there) - pathetic. No parenting skills whatsoever. God knows how the three leads ended up being so good. And Mary's friends.. Agh, I cringed every time they were about to get drunk, I would either end up banging my head against the table or run away if I had such noisy and whiny friends, but I should give them credit for being helpful and loyal though.
The music of the show was another reason you sail through the illogical story. The main song of the show 'My Precious' seemed off to me the first time I heard it and then later, I found myself wishing for it to come up at every situation possible. The rest of the score was okay, nothing noteworthy but bearable at the same time. Overall, I didn't find anything specifically wrong in the Music department.
Like I said, there are many adorable and hilarious scenes in the show which you don't get tired of watching again and again. For them, and them alone (and for the main leads of course) the rewatch value imo is 8. I might not watch the whole drama another time but I can sure see myself opening specific episodes and watching those great scenes again.
Verdict:
Definitely not the best drama I've seen, but I've seen worse. This is definitely a drama that should be seen as a breather between heavy ones to just freshen up your mind. If you're looking for a story that makes absolute sense and if too much mush makes you gag, this drama is not for you. But if you want to laugh, scoff, giggle, gush - you won't regret watching this. Just remember to switch off the logical side of your brain, it'll get fried anyway.
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If you read the synopsis, it might seem like one you've read or seen before, and it is, objectively. But the manner in which the story was written and told, it was absolutely delightful to watch. Everything felt just right and nothing seemed to be rushed, the character development, the interactions, emotions, incidents that happened - everything was timed right. And the characters.. I just loved them! The character of Go Mi Seo was so refreshing to watch!
The casting was spot on. Everybody seemed to be doing a great job with their respective roles. Han Hyo Joo and Go Soo were adorable together! Amazing chemistry. I discovered Go Soo in this movie, and I think I'll stalk him a little after now :D
I cannot really focus on the music on movies unless something really stands out, in this case two songs stood out - Along Again by Gilbert O'Sullivan and the track that plays at the end of the movie (I LOVED that one). I don't recall anything else, which is good as well because it must have blended in well with the scenes :P
Absolutely worth rewatching! I'm so happy I have such movies to watch again with friends or even alone. A thoroughly enjoyable experience while watching the movie, it made me laugh, it made me smile, it made me wince, I might have even teared up a little once - in short, it touched my heart. I'd definitely recommend this to those who haven't seen it already!
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Reading the synopsis, it felt like a slightly above average interesting adaptation of the same old love triangle. I wish I could travel back in time to two hours ago and smack my younger-self for thinking such a thing about this movie. I've never seen a more breathtaking execution of a veteran plot. The characters of the story were hauntingly realistic and believable. Love makes you do things you wouldn't normally do, we see the characters go through that very naturally.
When you watch this movie, you'll find yourself understanding the mind of an assassin who loves an innocent girl; you'll find yourself aching for the girl who's lost her voice and the man she loves; you'll find yourself wanting to believe there's got to be some good in the world. The story makes a warm spot in your heart and you find yourself so engrossed in it that you forget you're just a spectator. This is the sort of magic that made me love Korean cinema in the first place.
I cannot even begin to describe how awed I am by the performances in this movie. I've only seen Jung Woo Sung in A Moment To Remember before and I'd thought he was amazing, after watching this movie, I take it back. He not just amazing, he's absolutely brilliant. Jeon Ji Hyun doesn't cease to impress me. This is the 3rd work I've seen of hers and all have been great. Every body on the cast did such a spectacular job, definitely worth commending.
What do I say about the music of the film - it's stunning. The incorporation of Classical music into the movie was a touch of perfection to the masterpiece. I enjoy listening to Classical (I'm not into the technical aspect just the vibe and effect that the music has on me) and it was really nice to see the music being used so amazingly. It felt like the soul of the movie, when there weren't dialogues to convey the emotions, the music did the work. Perfect harmony.
If my ratings and the praises above aren't enough of an evident as to how much I loved this movie, then I don't know how else I should convince you to stop thinking and just watch the movie already. I am 100% sure that the moment you see the beautiful scenery and hear the lovely song playing in the background in the first few seconds of the film, you'll be hooked in and that hook is going to be painful to take out by the time the credits start to roll.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Don't hesitate one bit.
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The story was pure magic. I loved every bit, every aspect of it. It was realistic, it had depth, it had emotions, it had a refreshing quality, and what more - it made sense! The characters were so real to life and lovable that it was hard not to root for them and hope they'd be happy in whatever they did. On the surface the band seems like such a misfit it's hilarious. A used-car seller, a delivery-guy-by-day-designated-driver-by-night dad who's living a shell of a life, an unemployed immature naive man who's barely getting by with his wife's money and a rebellious aloof son of a late-singer who was a friend of these other men. What do they have in common? A sense of loyalty towards each other and love for music. That's a stronger bond than any other if you ask me. We get to see how these men who've pretty much bummed out on every other area in their life raise their heads up and the rock the hell out of life with help from each other.
I would have clapped and bowed to the four lead actors if I could (done more than just clapping and bowing down to Jang Geun Suk but that's besides the point). They brought each character to life. It was as if the roles were written for them! Brilliant acting, I was really captivated. Jeong Jin Yeong as I'm discovering is a really versatile actor, he can pretty much do anything I guess! Kim Sang Ho was great and entertaining, did a really good job. Jang Geun Suk, ah, what do I say, I fall short of words now when it comes to praising him, I've pretty much said everything. But I should mention that this guy gave an absolutely wonderful performance in the movie. You only see him as the rebel rocker he is supposed to be, gone are the soft idol like traits. When you see these guys performing on stage or even just practicing, it is a rock band you see and not actors playing roles.
Music was AMAZING. The songs had a special unique quality that I've yet to come across in any other OST. Jang Geun Suk has sung the songs in a deep throaty voice to give it the rock feel and my my wasn't I a mushy puddle whenever he sang. The music is absolutely fantastic. The song Explosion is especially catchy.
Without a doubt a movie I'd watch again and even make my friends watch. It was endearing in every way possible, it's impossible not to love it. I would recommend this movie to everyone who wants to watch a lighter comedy that stays with you in your heart for a long time. It shows what friendship can get you through when you really need a support in life. It makes you love and cherish all the moments you get to spend with your friends while doing things you love. Makes you want to get as much out of life as possible before life throws all the megabombs at you. It teaches you that you should sty young at heart no matter what. Definitely good enough reasons to give the movie a watch! This is a first entry in my list that I've given straight 10s in all the fields, you might call me crazy but yes, I loved it that much.
Boy, even writing all this is making me want to watch it again right away :D
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Give it a chance! Despite the end, give it a chance
I couldn't stop thinking about the way the end made me feel, and probably how many others were feeling the same, but I also cannot ignore the fact that the show, minus the last 4 minutes, was absolutely endearing and lovely! I was conflicted whether I should shelve the show as a trainwreck because of the end and forget about the beauty the rest of the show was, or should I turn a blind eye towards the end and remember the rest fondly. I found my answer the more I thought about it.Let's talk about the story/premise of the plot. Pretty simple and straight-forward, I liked how they navigated the tropes, and how they revealed the twists and solved the mysteries. The focus was on the characters rather than just getting to the next piece of the puzzle. I loved the familial setting of the show, and how each character was unique and had a story of their own to share. It's a feel good story, it makes you laugh, smile, cry and fall in love (or hope to at least) and helps you heal some of the pain you might be holding on to.
The cast carried the whole thing on their shoulders remarkably! Go Ah Ra keeps getting better in my very honest opinion, she lived the part of a naive but resilient riches-to-rags princess. And I also loved how they handled the character arc for her, she adapted to the new life, learnt so much but still remained who she was at heart. Lee Jae Wook is a gem! How glad am I that I picked this show and discovered his talent. The character of Jun came alive because of him. I cannot wait to see more of his works. The supporting casts are all great at their work, and complemented each other's work so well! I've seen so many of them in other shows and I always marvel how they manage to make each character seem different from the last one (even when the writers haven't really given them much to do with)
The music, is, undeniably beautiful. It felt like the string that tied everything together. It made you feel, and feel strongly. I should mention that the cinematography of the show is quite amazing, the scenes where the piano is being played, or the flashbacks, the epilogues, everything was shot and presented so thoughtfully. Great production work!
When it comes to rewatching this, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. But the end was so off you say? Yes, yes it was. But was the rest of the show? No. So I'd watch it again. I'd watch it to be a part of Ra-Ra's journey, and of Jun's, and of everyone else in the Eunpo family. I'd watch it to feel things that only some shows have made me feel in the last 6-7 years of viewing k-dramas. It would have been ideal if the the writers hadn't handled the end the way they did (it did feel like they were playing with the audience's emotions) but that doesn't mean the cast's or the production team's work shouldn't be commended and appreciated.
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol surely might have ended on a wrong note, but the rest of the piece was heart-warming and beautiful. Please give it a chance and go a little easy on the end. If you are not the one to nitpick and be too overtly analytical about things, I'm sure you will love the show for what it is.
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The plot was just brilliant! I loved the premise and the setting of the story. It's one of those stories that I could watch anytime without hesitation. The synopsis was enough to reel me in. The characters that the writers created were superb. Such depth to each character, such detail that you forget it's just fiction. The story had it's share of twists and turns that kept me at the edge of my seat. And the show didn't break it's streak until the end, which is commendable.
I simply bow down to the cast of this show. I saw some of the best performances I have come across in the time since I started recognizing good performances :P The actors are a part of the reason I'm silently praying for a next season. Anyone who's seen this show will probably agree with me that the actors did praiseworthy work.
It was an absolutely wonderful show, one of the best I have seen. I just need another season to make it perfect. Don't miss out on this one though.
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I wouldn't call the story of this drama a work of a genius but it was a fresh concept for me and worked really well on screen too. The characters were quite realistic and believable. I had fun following all the stories that were strung together in an enjoyable manner. The thing I loved about the drama was that even though there were many cameos and supporting casts that appeared infrequently, nobody seemed like an extra piece. I especially enjoyed the ER scenes. Though I couldn't understand more than half of medical conditions and treatments they spoke about, I could really feel the tension and the panic they tried to show. It was completely natural and effortless on the writers' part.
The actors did a splendid job in my opinion. They practically didn't look like actors to me but rather as actual doctors/interns. They must have worked their asses off to get the right feel for their characters. Kudos to them. Much of the credit for the love I have for this show goes to the actors because they made me fall in love with the drama in the first place. The chemistry between all the couples(and also almost-couples) was great, nothing seemed out of place. The baby who plays the character of Gook deserves a special mention because he was absolutely adorable in whatever shot he gave! :D
Honestly, during the first few episodes the music almost ticked me off because I couldn't connect with it at all. Especially when they played the songs at the end of the episode. Those songs were frankly VERY misplaced. The end of the episode would be on a mellow or sad note and then suddenly you'd have this super peppy song as an end theme. But as the show progressed they rectified that I guess because even the songs got better and felt more natural. By the end of the show I was in love with the OST track 'Scent of a Flower'. Both the male and female versions were beautiful. Choi Jin Hyuk has a knee-wobbling voice. Worth a listen!
I could definitely watch this drama again in a while. Not in the immediate future but maybe in a few months. A well acted and executed drama that I really like surprisingly. The finale of the drama was a treat to watch as well. Nothing felt rushed, everybody got their ends properly. The reason I have given the show a 9/10 rather than a 10/10 despite liking it so much is because although I really appreciate the fact that they gave a good end, it felt a little incomplete for my taste. This is not a flaw, mind you. Maybe the writers left the rest for us to imagine but in my personal opinion I'd have liked it more if they could have wrapped it up in a more definitive manner.
I have absolutely no other complains with the show, it was a delight to watch! Don't miss it :)
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The concept for finding your first love again struck a chord with me and made me watch this on a whim. It turned out to be one of the best romantic comedies I've seen. The story was so captivating, the characters were so credible and relatable, I just sat through the movie in awe. The story takes a few minutes to settle in, though. You feel as if you're being fed random scenes but it all starts to make sense in about 20 mins max. And you forget about the initial confusion once you get engrossed in the film. The dilemma, the fear of pursuing your first love again has been portrayed amazingly.
Acting skills are not necessarily tested in a romantic comedy movie but the actors need to grasp the characters well and portray their emotions correctly. The lead pair managed to do more than that. They managed to imprint the characters in my memory. Great work by everyone!
The music is quite nice, I especially like the musical portion of the movie, it was really well done and Im Su Jeong did a classy performance!
This is a movie I will be rewatching time and again for sure. It's going down as one of my all time favorites. I just loved the whole feel of the movie and the things I got to learn from it. It's not overly mushy, it's not overly serious or comic either. It's got the perfect blend of everything and I enjoyed every bit of it.
This movie will hold a special part in my heart for a long time, it was such a great experience and moreover it was shot in my city (Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India a.k.a Blue City), all the more reason to cherish it. Worth the watch!
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The story wasn't a novel idea but it was well executed. I loved some of the little bits and pieces of the movie. The characters were realistic and believable. What surprised me the most was the end of the movie. I had thought would be the message in the end was completely different than what was actually delivered and I wasn't upset at all. Being someone who knows what Jini went through, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I agreed with the end.
The actors did a splendid job making me believe in their performances and relate to the characters are real people and not just figments of imagination.
I'm really bad at noticing music in a movie unless something stands out especially so forgive me for not being able to really comment in this department.
Despite how much I liked the movie, if I was given a choice to rewatch it, I'd be in two minds. On one hand it gave a realistic view about relationships that was refreshing. On the other hand, I watch rom-coms to escape reality and feel good so I'm not sure if I'd watch it with that mind set.
It's a good movie, something you can pick over at the weekend and watch. Don't watch it with the delusion of being a friends-gathering sort of movie though.
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The story of the drama in all honesty is nothing new. When you hear the synopsis you already know what's going to happen and how. Despite knowing the end and means, I was able to enjoy the drama thoroughly. The show impressed me with the fact that it didn't revolve around the love story of the leads. I was skeptically waiting for the episode where things would start to become melodramatic and the love story would begin to drag itself through the end, and that episode never came. Till the end, there wasn't a single point where I'd say that the story dragged itself. You learn so much from this show that it's shockingly surprising. It's more than just a comedy drama, you learn about relations, you learn about family and you learn about valuing things that are important in life. You learn to respect time.
The casting seemed a little awkward to me in the first couple of episodes. It was obvious that Lee Bum Soo was a little too older than YoonA to be cast opposite her. But somewhere along the line, I started to like that age gap. It gave more depth to their chemistry and respective stories. YoonA did a really great job in the drama, she seems to have improved a lot. And I think I'm going to watch other dramas and movies Lee Bum Soo has been in as well. The rest of the cast seemed to settle in their roles as he show progressed on, by the end of it, I had zero complains.
Music was acceptable. Complemented the scenes and situations well. Unfortunately none of the songs seemed to strike a chord in my heart and I couldn't find myself liking anything especially. An okay score nonetheless.
Watching this drama again would be something I'd do maybe in a couple of months or an year maybe. The things I learnt from the show are still fresh in my mind so I don't think I'd need to revisit it in the recent future at least. But it's not off the rewatch list.
I've seen dramas that have been brilliant throughout, dramas that began with a bang and ended with a poof, dramas that were great all along UNTIL the finale. This show comes somewhere in between the first and last category. I cannot say the finale was disappointing, neither can I say it was perfect. Although I understand the whole symbolism thing they had going on at the end, but it still felt as if it lacked that warm feeling. A well written finale but it could have been better. I almost feel like I baked a great cake but left out the cherry on top :P
I'd recommend this nevetheless! It's a good drama that's a little underrated, definitely worth giving a chance. It's my guarantee you won't feel as if you're wasting your time by watching it.
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That's what this show was about, making me feel things. I got to see all kinds of love. You name it, you have it. There was the young shy love, the hot-blooded love, the infamous unrequited love, the love between friends, the love between family, the jealous love, the immature love - everything. The show WAS love.
If it hasn't struck you yet, I think I should make it clear that if you cringe away from anything too emotional or romantic (mind you, I didn't say the word mushy anywhere) you should steer clear from this drama. Because this drama set my emotions on an over-drive. I haven't cried so much in any drama. From the 1st episode itself! It was almost embarrassing for me.
The story isn't the best one out there but it worked for me. It showcased the pure unadulterated love that we rarely get to see. The first part (the 1970s era) was magical. The feelings, the music, the whole thing just took me to another world. There was this inexplicable pull that part of the show had for me, I could watch it a million times and not get enough. Impractical and way to high moral obligations, they just made the love seem more majestic. The other part of the show (the present age) was atypical. It had fun moments, straightforward and thankfully decisive people in love. Even though there was the element of girl-meet-boy-sparks-fly but there was also the fresh touch of maturity and understanding that separates this love from the other young loves we see now. We could have had the show end with 16 episodes and have a better story in our midst but somehow, the slow end, the way various things were taken care of at their own pace was something new. We usually have finales where the loose ends are tied up way too quickly and untidily. Here, you have a clear and smooth end. I think the last couple of episodes could be thought of as a mega-finale.
The actors should receive high commendations. Especially the lead couple - Jang Geun Suk and Yoona. These two simply took the show to another level. Be it the 1970s era or the present age. You cannot, how much ever you try, find similarities in their acting in the two periods. Their performance was so flawless that you fall in love with their characters along with them, you feel what they feel. The supporting cast was pretty great as well. I think they did well considering the roles they were given. The acting didn't seem misplaced at least, the characters were maybe a little off sometimes.
Music.. I think music is a gigantic stage of love. You cannot be in love and not listen to music. The music of this show simply swept me off. There is usually one song (maybe not even that) in a show that I like and listen to even after the show ends. But the music of this show, I loved it as a whole. It breathed life into the scenes and if possible, made it even more heartwarming. The title track touches my heart in a way no song has ever done, and I don't even know the language! That's what feelings are about I guess.
I don't usually ever watch the shows again, maybe sometimes a few scenes here and there, but I'm itching to start the show all over again as I type this, and it has not even been more than an hour since I finished it. The show reminded me what love is. It was melodramatic, it was long, it dragged through the latter part, it made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me smile for no reason, it made me cry with happiness, it made me blush, it made me angry, it made me angst-y, sometimes it made no sense at all. Sounds a lot like love to me :)
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More of an eternal ordeal
I put off watching this show for various reasons, the first being that the trailer gave me major Goblin vibes and I couldn't shake off the feeling that the writer(s) wanted to ride on that show's brilliance. The cinematography, the story of two ill-fated lovers, and the FL (who I thought was just juxtaposed from the Goblin world to this show's world and asked to love Lee Gon now instead of Kim Shin).I'd be lying if I said I wasn't prepared to be projected to a pretty flimsy plot. I knew what I was getting into. The plot chasms ( calling them holes would be too generous ), made it so difficult to follow the story many a times. And I need to mention the absolutely horrible way the episodes were linked. There seemed to be no sense or reason or pattern or explanation to connect the scenes. One moment you'd be watching an event in present day and the next you'd be suddenly taken back to a distant past (even a different world) with characters who were not even there in the present scene nor does the scene hold any relevance to current events! What am I, as a viewer, supposed to make of this. Now I just have information that I think might be useful but turns out to just be a filler. This was just one of the ways that the writer(s) tried too hard to make the show seem smarter than it was. It really wasn't. It was more or less a sad and unnecessary rip off of, yes you guessed it right - GOBLIN.
I liked the FL's work in Goblin, and was looking forward to seeing how she carries a more or less similar character. Absolute disappointment, although I doubt it had anything to do with her acting skills but rather just the way her character was written. But I also think there is always something an actor can do to liven up a dead script. I kept seeing flashes of Ji Eun Tak and I swear I wasn't even trying. The crying, the snarkiness, the love sick behavior, right down to her mannerisms. There were moments where I'd almost anticipate her to break into one her signature "Ahjussi!" Lee Min Ho is an absolute eye candy, and served the purpose of nudging me towards the end of the show. Let's be honest, he's not really one of the finest actors out there, but he still did a better job than Go Eun-ssi. I wouldn't give up on her altogether, maybe just chalk it up to bad writing, God knows how many ships that iceberg has sunk. I saved the best for the last. Woo Do Hwan. What a masterpiece that human is. I confess I fell in love with both his roles. I shed tears for his characters more than I shed for the lead pair (zero). There was a depth and a meaning to his characters, and he played them both brilliantly. If Lee Min Ho nudged me along to finish the show, it was Woo Do Hwan (Yeong, or Eun Seop, really) who's hand I wanted to grab and run off into the sunset with. I waited for him to appear on screen, but alas, the writer(s) by this point had probably just thrown all care or respect for the art of storytelling and sold their soul over to the advertisers.
Did this show even have music? The first time that guitar melody plays, I paused and stared at the screen in shock. Had they, had they really? Could they? HOW could they? Was pasting the same fall/winter aesthetics not enough? Really? And it didn't even sound good! I kept waiting for a good ost to play, or stick to my brain, and I'm still waiting, and probably will be waiting eternally. They really should have just played the Goblin OST and had some saving grace.
Will most definitely not rewatch this and do my duty as a responsible KDrama viewer to stop others from watching this too. Unless you're doing it for a case study. A case study of how not to rip off a successful drama and turn it into a circus; of how not to chart a love story; of how not to write flat characters; and basically how no matter the star cast, the production, the backbone of a show is the script and without it, it might take off spectacularly but then crash within a couple of episodes never to pick altitude again.
The intensity of my disappointment with this show far exceeds the intensity of the love that the leads shared which the writer(s) were trying to shove down the viewers' eyes. I get that these are two people who love each other very much, but for God's sake, pace it out. Although I do understand it would be very difficult for any sane woman to resist the charms of a man who looks and talks like Lee Min Ho for more than a minute, but that's besides the point. The love felt forced, the dialogues made my eyes roll far back into my head, the scenes which were orchestrated to make the viewer bawl left me staring awkwardly at the screen waiting for the cringe to be over with. I do need to mention the other relationships in this drama were far, far superior. The bromance was heartwarming. I was more invested in the friendships and bromance than I could manage to be with the lead pair.
The makers had a fine and easy on the eyes cast, a swanky budget too I'm sure, and could have made a memorable drama but sabotaged it all up with poor writing and poorer execution. The finale was the last nail on this coffin. I'm a sucker for fan service endings (forgive me as I wipe a tear recalling Crash Landing On You's end) BUT, that does not mean I will consume anything in the name of a happy ending. Theoretically my brain understands that these are two very very in love, and the rules of the world don't really hold any ground, since the story itself spans worlds and ages. But that doesn't take away the emotions and depth, which again the writers probably traded for product placements. "Here, take about a month long worth of bonding, and give me the milk tea latte with chewy tapioca seeds, which I should taste before stirring" "Ah, still, refreshing". Not.
My verdict would be to steer clear of this show for as long as you can. It's addictive in the wrong way, almost as if you want to watch how much more they can botch show. I will have to watch Goblin again to rinse my mind off of the badly recycled piece this show was. There are definitely better dramas out there, I'd skip this one if I had Manpasikjeok and could go back in time to stop my foolish self from watching this. Or maybe I was fated to watch it (and discover the brilliance that Woo Do Hwan is), and I'm fulfilling my destiny by writing this review and stopping others from watching it.
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It's not a very original idea for a story, honestly, but who said it has to be original to be beautiful? The best part about the whole thing was that it never felt redundant, I never experienced the "Pfft-Not-Again" feeling that one usually ends up feeling when you watch rom-coms. The plot was well paced out, with enough content to cover 16 episodes impressively. Even when there were switches in the subplots, I didn't feel the awkwardness of it. And the story itself is so beautiful! I know I've already used that word for it once, but it just IS that beautiful. Just as the characters. Every character felt so real. The lead guy was never perfect, neither was the leading lady. Everybody made mistakes, everybody had doubts, everybody was human. The only issue I had was with the last 10 minutes of the last episode. I felt they could have explained things a little more smoothly. It felt just a little abrupt. Do get to the end and maybe you'll understand what I mean. But please, do get to the end. The journey matters more than the destination right? :)
The cast. Oh the cast. Kdramas keep making me realize there's so much acting talent in the world that I'm missing. The one jewel I discovered in this drama was Jung Kyung Ho. He was ridiculous, he was charming, he was obnoxious, he was adorable, he was a jerk, he was a hero. He stole the show. Not saying the rest of the cast didn't do a good job, I loved the leading lady's work as well, along with every other cast member, down right to the gritty-voiced Ahjussi Jung Kyung Ho mimics flawlessly. But every time I recall this show, I think I will fall again for Jung Kyung Ho (Did that rhyme?)
I loved the background score, it didn't seem out of place at all, and though one only gets to hear bits and pieces of it, mostly during the end credits of the episode, I listened to the whole thing without skipping to the end. That says something I guess.
YES YES YES. I would definitely rewatch this. Maybe not right away, but every time I feel down and want to feel good, I would watch this again. I waited for a day before writing this review because I didn't want to go overboard with my emotions that were so riled up when I finished it last morning. I had been crying like a baby (not exaggerating) by the end of the last episode. And when a show affects me to that level, I tend to recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a good show in the rom-com genre.
This isn't your average feel good rom-com either. It is a really well-made, well-acted show that you will definitely remember for a long long time. Must watch!
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The synopsis had me believing that there wouldn't be much alterations in the conventional storyline concerning a blind girl and a coconut-like guy. If I'm being honest, yes the basic story was pretty much by the book. Having said that though, I would like to clarify that, despite there being no creative and novel plot twists, this movie still managed to make me feel as if I was watching this scenario for the first time. The freshness and the warmth was unparalleled. I fell in love with the premise, the characters, their habits, everything! Even though this was not a novel concept, the story still deserves a perfect 10 for the way it was written and executed. It's one of the best depicted love stories I have ever seen.
Where do I even begin about the actors.. The female lead (this is the first time I've seen her work) was spectacular! She gave a praiseworthy natural performance, you'd have a hard time believing that she isn't blind in real. I can recall there is a scene where she shines the torchlight in her eyes, with the torch a mere inch or two away from her eyes and she doesn't show a spec of emotion on her face! Brilliant work. And So Ji Sub was a pure delight to watch, he came off as such an endearing and likable person, especially in all his efforts at redemption. The two have a very heartwarming chemistry as well, you feel all giddy and joyous just looking at the two of them.
The music stood out even though it was a movie and music rarely leaves a mark during films. But I loved the soundtracks used in this film, definitely added to the beauty of the story.
Even as I'm writing this review I want to watch the movie again :P This movie is definitely something I'll rewatch and make my friends watch too, it deserves to be seen. The bonds between the characters that are shown in the film are very memorable and you take them with you even after you finish watching it. You remember all the little details that touched your heart and make you feel good all over again.
I highly recommend this beautiful movie to everyone who wants to watch a movie that'll leave a fond memory :)
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