This drama was very interesting and entertaining for me. I can't compare it to the American version which I haven't…
You should give the original American show a try, my friend. It's an amazing show with a wonderful cast and most of all it's very honest, something I seem to understand the Koreans remade well too. :)
This drama's definitely going in my ptw. :D
First and foremost: THANK YOU! This is a well written, detailed and insightful article. :)
It was high time someone addressed this issue, because the overdose of K-drama related articles, reviews, threads, screenshots and general discussions is having a very negative effect on me - and how could it not? It's an overdose, after all.
I've loved shows from both countries and some of my favourites are Korean dramas, but I'm a little sick of the hallyu, as I tend to get bored of everything that is too much advertised and too popular.
I admire Japan for its courage to keep its own peculiarities intact, for producing splendid shows without relying too much on grand cinematography, for addressing often very uncomfortable issues, for not bowing to Western expectations, for touching on a wide range of themes without inserting romantic love in almost every soup, for treating tragedy with delicacy, for outlining a character with just a few strokes.
As for their physical appearance, I'm not sure the massive plastic surgery that is the norm in Korea is actually producing beautiful people. The way I see it, they were much prettier when one could still tell the difference between one and the other, like it is still the case in Japan.
Yes, I'm a little bitter towards S.Korea right now - that's the negative effect I mentioned above.
What's with doctors all over the place? Korean TV looks like a clinic. :P
It must be the new trend. We've had time jumps, mental disorders, ghosts and vampires, special powers...
If they give me a ghost doctor who time jumps and swaps body with a female vampire who sees scents, I may even decide to watch it. :P
Totally agree with you on the disappointment part: they played on the surprise factor but in so doing they completely failed in consistency. I have the feeling that particular character wasn't the appointed one from the beginning. It feels like a last minute decision for lack of better ideas.
I also agree the first 25 episodes or so were perfect. The second half of the drama is saved by Tal Tal, imo.
So we have learned that Rain is the best, that Lee na Young isn't as pretty as Song Hye Kyo (I beg to differ) and is married to Won Bin and that you liked the drama.
Perhaps you care to give us further insighful details as to why?
Another beautiful, insightful and inspirational review for a drama I have no doubt must be just as such.
May not be my cup of tea, though. I have a bit of a conflicting relationship with motherhood.
Great article really enjoyed your article :D I agree we are all guilty of that, but sometimes some viewers overdo…
Oh dear, I had to shut off that viki comment sections many times myself for the same reason. The things I've seen lately are unbearable, with either extreme badmouthing or people chatting among one other about totally unrelated things.I used to enjoy the comments in the past because it was a little like watching in good company, but now it's like going to the cinema and being surrounded by people shouting on the phone. :P
I wholehartedly agree with naccu, but this is an interesting article, so I'll add my two pence.
Fiction is rarely something we approach to learn about life; in fact, most of us want to escape it.
Tears in dramas don't actually add anything to the character and his/her story, they are simply a mean to make the viewer cry along. When a character's crying too often and too heavily, I feel as though the show is treating me like an idiot who isn't capable of being moved by the events, instead of the impact they have on the involved character. If I know someone has lost parents, lovers, is terminally ill, or is going through a particularly hard time, I'm moved regardless of the amount of eye drops streaming on the actor's cheeks. Or so it should be. Too many tears usually have the exact opposite effect than the meant one on me: I grow detached. They also have the annoying ability to make my escape to the fictional world a harder place than the real one I originally fled from.
This being said, I can relate to your sense of guilt. When I read many declare that they have shed the content of 10 boxes of tissues on a drama, I can't help but wonder whether my heart was made of a different material. And I have no true patience with constant bashing of the actors involved, since they - unlike the character they play - are real people.
As for the doormats, I have more patience with them in dramas than in real life. :P
Wow, that's a lot of reasearch and review work. You did a fantastic job, dragon. :)
And with many interesting suggestions, among which the movie Gimme Heaven that is going to be added to my ptw list, like now. Synesthesia is my thing.
Also, I could watch Shinohara Ryoko doing nothing but reciting sutras for hours, so Lady Girls goes there too. :D
I've seen him in R.Kenshin, of course, and I have to admit he and his everpresent cigarette are unforgettable. I didn't remember he was in Brain Man, but that movie had only a few scenes I really enjoyed, the rest was... ok.
Thank you for your hard work and the splendid article that resulted from it.
Thank you for this review.
As you rightly suggest, I've always avoided this drama because of the negative comments and review. Now that I've read a different point of view, I've decided to put it in my Plan to Watch List and give it a chance. :)
4 
Funny and deliciously caustic as always, Picky. :D
This drama's definitely going in my ptw. :D
KissAsian has terrible subs!
It was high time someone addressed this issue, because the overdose of K-drama related articles, reviews, threads, screenshots and general discussions is having a very negative effect on me - and how could it not? It's an overdose, after all.
I've loved shows from both countries and some of my favourites are Korean dramas, but I'm a little sick of the hallyu, as I tend to get bored of everything that is too much advertised and too popular.
I admire Japan for its courage to keep its own peculiarities intact, for producing splendid shows without relying too much on grand cinematography, for addressing often very uncomfortable issues, for not bowing to Western expectations, for touching on a wide range of themes without inserting romantic love in almost every soup, for treating tragedy with delicacy, for outlining a character with just a few strokes.
As for their physical appearance, I'm not sure the massive plastic surgery that is the norm in Korea is actually producing beautiful people. The way I see it, they were much prettier when one could still tell the difference between one and the other, like it is still the case in Japan.
Yes, I'm a little bitter towards S.Korea right now - that's the negative effect I mentioned above.
Thanks Hessa, that was a funny intervew. I love this man. :D
If they give me a ghost doctor who time jumps and swaps body with a female vampire who sees scents, I may even decide to watch it. :P
I also agree the first 25 episodes or so were perfect. The second half of the drama is saved by Tal Tal, imo.
Perhaps you care to give us further insighful details as to why?
One of my all time favourite movies. :)
May not be my cup of tea, though. I have a bit of a conflicting relationship with motherhood.
Fiction is rarely something we approach to learn about life; in fact, most of us want to escape it.
Tears in dramas don't actually add anything to the character and his/her story, they are simply a mean to make the viewer cry along. When a character's crying too often and too heavily, I feel as though the show is treating me like an idiot who isn't capable of being moved by the events, instead of the impact they have on the involved character. If I know someone has lost parents, lovers, is terminally ill, or is going through a particularly hard time, I'm moved regardless of the amount of eye drops streaming on the actor's cheeks. Or so it should be. Too many tears usually have the exact opposite effect than the meant one on me: I grow detached. They also have the annoying ability to make my escape to the fictional world a harder place than the real one I originally fled from.
This being said, I can relate to your sense of guilt. When I read many declare that they have shed the content of 10 boxes of tissues on a drama, I can't help but wonder whether my heart was made of a different material. And I have no true patience with constant bashing of the actors involved, since they - unlike the character they play - are real people.
As for the doormats, I have more patience with them in dramas than in real life. :P
And with many interesting suggestions, among which the movie Gimme Heaven that is going to be added to my ptw list, like now. Synesthesia is my thing.
Also, I could watch Shinohara Ryoko doing nothing but reciting sutras for hours, so Lady Girls goes there too. :D
I've seen him in R.Kenshin, of course, and I have to admit he and his everpresent cigarette are unforgettable. I didn't remember he was in Brain Man, but that movie had only a few scenes I really enjoyed, the rest was... ok.
Thank you for your hard work and the splendid article that resulted from it.
As you rightly suggest, I've always avoided this drama because of the negative comments and review. Now that I've read a different point of view, I've decided to put it in my Plan to Watch List and give it a chance. :)
The two look very alike.