chickabiddy
California
I am a huge fan of historical dramas for the reason that there is a lot more to work with than modern day dramas. There is the restriction of politics, hierarchies, and palace guidelines that generate problems that a juicy plot could build upon - and I felt like this drama utilized all three traits to its advantage. As for the plot itself, I had an impression from the start (literally the start, aka episode 1 LOL) that this drama would have a sad ending - similar to Scarlet Heart Ryeo's. Although my presumption was not entirely correct, I did spill a lot of tears throughout the drama. I rated the storyline a 9.5/10 (-0.5) for the reason that I did feel like certain parts were rushed, especially towards the end - it felt sort of like the domino effect, quick and abrupt. Despite that, I did really enjoy the contrast in romance, as this drama portrayed more struggle and strife rather than the typical smooth, stable kind of love that caters to the audience's desires; it's realistic and raw, rather than set up with all the fluffed up bogus that creates unrealistic expectations for viewers.
Initially, I picked this drama to watch because of my favorite actress, Park Min Young - who always finds a way to develop chemistry with the lead male role (this is double edged sword, because she ends up ruining all of my previous ships of her and other lead males heh). To my expectations, she did a great job once again - and out of the three lead roles, I felt like she executed her role the best. The on-screen relationship between all three leads was exceptional, and I appreciated how each of them were flawed in a different way. Not only did this add to the storyline, but it also made me super attached to each and every one of the characters - even the the secondary actors and actresses.
Ultimately, I would definitely recommend this to historical drama fanatics, but I would NOT recommend re-watching it - as a large majority of the drama is pretty depressing, even if there were some really lovely and happy scenes offered through the duration of it. It really stays with you, even after you finish it. This drama is one that I will always remember and keep close to my heart.
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Beautiful plot, cast, and OSTs - but a very questionable and painful ending...
If you don't count the ending, this is one of my favorite dramas of all time. It's such a well-rounded show that covers topics from all different aspects of life - personal growth, friendship, rivalry love, youth, family, and more. I found myself relating to a lot of the characters in many ways and felt motivated and inspired about my own dreams and life after finishing this drama. Every episode left me with a tear-stained face, whether it was from happiness, sadness, or anything in between.OVERALL PLOT:
The plot was set up for every character to shine, fail, and grow. There were so many challenges that each character - even side or supporting roles - struggled with and overcame that only made them an even better character by the end of the drama (minus the last 2 episodes lol). Not every character gets their chance to go through that kind of progression all within 16 episodes, but the fact that 2521 made it possible is one of the reasons why I loved the show so much.
I enjoyed how romantic love was not an overly consuming theme in this drama. The main leads had a healthy, reciprocating relationship and aspirations in life that were equally as important. This made the plot more admirable and realistic in comparison to other dramas where couples would do literally anything for love. I found myself feeling inspired and motivated watching Hee Do and Yi Jin lift each other up during hard moments and wholly enjoy each other's presence during happy times; their love was so pure, selfless, and wholesome. Up until the last couple of episodes, I really believed that their relationship was what every couple should strive for. I also appreciated how the writers planted the couple's first kiss towards the end of the drama; it just further reinforced how pure their love was, and made the wait for watchers like me SO worth it. Man, that kiss had me shaking in my boots - the buildup to it was just *chef's kiss*.
The strong emphasis on friendship and fencing rivalry also presented more opportunities for character complexity and development. I loved watching Hee Do and Yu Rim go from enemies to the most supportive besties. Their Madrid fencing competition was one of my favorite scenes of the show.
Hee Do's relationship with her mom is one of the most realistic portrayals of what Asian families can be like. She wasn't just a naggy mom who would only lightly scold her child. She was straight up unsupportive, abusive, and unforgiving to her only child because she was struggling with her own trauma - and we saw how deeply it affected Hee Do. It's ugly, painful, but real.
ACTING:
I loved the cast's acting, but I especially want to express my love for Kim Tae Ri. This is my first time watching her acting and I was truly blown away. She embodied Hee Do's strong spirit, quirky and cute humor, and emotional outbursts so well. Because of her talent, Hee Do's character/personality was a shining point in this show. Young and naive, but full of life, strength, and grit to handle any challenges that come her way. This persona heavily contrasts the endless female leads in other shows who often start off strong and end up weak or dependent on a man again. This alone makes the drama quite rewatchable; I found myself rewinding to certain parts of the show during Hee Do's victories or happy moments because her smile and energy were really contagious! I can't think of any other actress who could've played this role as well as Kim Tae Ri.
OST:
I LOVED every single OST from this drama. Every song really embodied what the characters were feeling. I added all of them to my Spotify playlist. :')
ENDING:
I know a majority of watchers were accepting of the ending because it's "realistic." Not all couples make it, whether it be due to internal or external problems - I get that. But the entirety of the drama built up the characters to have fighting spirits, to never waver in support for one another, and to love each other through life's challenges.
I know the writers' wanted no one to be at fault for the breakup - but it still felt like it was Yi Jin's fault to me. He was stuck in a job that made him depressed and traumatized, and as a result, he started neglecting his relationship with Hee Do. Meanwhile, Hee Do was always so eager to see and talk to him and was always all ears to offer him support. Hee Do also kept pushing him to be honest with his feelings, but he chose not to be. So where's the character development here? Did he just stop growing after he became a reporter? Considering how caring and loving Yi Jin was throughout the entire drama, I felt like this was really out of character for him.
Their last argument really upset me. I felt like they gave up way too easily after yelling at each other, neither one of them wanting to have an open and honest discussion about their feelings. You'd expect that after 600+ days of being in a relationship with someone you claim to love so deeply, you'd have a good understanding of how to bring up problems and be candid with each other.
The ending really broke the characters' continuity and who they're supposed to be to the core. If the writers wanted to take a more "realistic" approach, perhaps just have Hee Do/Yi Jin go overseas like how Yu Rim did - but have them reconcile at the very last second for an open-ended ending. I'd much rather prefer that kind of wrap-up than whatever they decided on.
I don't think the ending completely ruined the drama for me because there were just too many good moments throughout the show that still made it worth watching - but I definitely feel like the writers could've made it the perfect drama had they taken a different approach.
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This is my first time watching Yeo Jin Goo and I am IMPRESSED! He executed his dual role of the king and the clown so damn well I could barely catch my breath from switching between loving and hating the characters (also, he's super charming and cute when he smiles so that's a huge plus T_T <3). I also have to commend Kim Sang Kyung (Chief Lee) for his acting - while he maintained a stoic expression throughout most of the drama, he is definitely not one dimensional; it was so heartwarming to see him and Eunuch Cho slowly warm up to Ha Seon as time went on. The overall character development of each character was easy to follow along and I couldn't help but smile to see as they faced their challenges and overcame them. There was never a boring episode - every moment counted and had a purpose to help build the plot. I am so attached to all the characters - not sure how I'll survive when this drama is over. Hoping for a good ending! <3
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A beautiful and refreshing story on trauma, mental health, and the healing journey.
As someone who enjoys intense, action-packed dramas, I would say It's Okay to Not Be Okay (IOTNBO) conveyed a completely different message and feel - in a good way. However, it's definitely not for everyone and I wouldn't recommend it to a K-drama newbie as there are many nuances that can make the drama seem "too slow" or "boring." There are also common K-drama themes embedded throughout the drama, so it's not something completely new - but the genre and storyline are what separate this piece from the others.This drama shows what trauma (and healing) is like through the perspective of three characters - Moon Gang Tae, Moon Sang Tae, and Ko Mun Yeong. All three characters struggled with their own inner demons throughout the show and eventually conquered it through their relationships with each other. It's a raw and emotional perspective of trauma, and displays the truths of how difficult it can be to really overcome your past pains and struggles. I truly enjoyed watching every character develop and grow into who they were meant to be, alongside one another. I did have questions I wanted answers to - specifically about Ko Mun Yeong's mother - but they ultimately didn't affect the closing of the drama. The story came to a good end, with no strings left untied.
The acting was superb, especially Oh Jung-Se who played as Moon Sang-Tae. There were many scenes he played that made me emotional beyond belief - it was so hard to detach from his character, even after the drama ended. Seo Ye-Ji and Kim Soo Hyun are obviously masters at their art as well; their chemistry was off the charts and they definitely lived up to the hype!
Music was a 10/10. But I AM a Heize fan, so I might be biased there. ;^)
All in all, I'd say this drama was a refreshing piece. It's heavy, but not TOO heavy - so you can definitely enjoy it and even rewatch it if you wish. There were definitely great takeaways, and it has a soft spot in my heart.
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Do not watch this drama. You'll be disappointed.
Start-Up had SO MUCH potential. The premise was unique: young adults trying to start their own businesses in modern day South Korea. The actors and actresses are talented, well-known, and attractive. The OSTs were catchy. The cinematography was beautiful. Notice how I commended everything but the actual plot.This drama went downhill - fast - and what made it worse was how captivating - and misleading - the first couple of episodes were. Seo Dal-mi had so many opportunities for proper character development, starting with her sisterhood rivalry. You'd think most of the drama would be centered around that - but no. The show took an arbitrary turn when Dal-mi suddenly dedicated her life to finding and falling in love with Nam Do-San - who isn't even the guy she wrote in her letters. After breaking up with Nam Do-San, she decided to just join her sister out of desperation. Like seriously? The writers set her up to bluff her way through half of the drama, built her up to prove her sister wrong, and then resolved the sisterhood trope with a no-effort reconciliation.
Now, let's talk about the absolute WORST part of the drama: the writers did Han Ji-Pyeong so wrong! If you're going to make him a second lead, why the heck would you make him EVERYTHING a female lead could ask for? He had no impactful flaws. Ji-Pyeong made it from nothing, cared so much about Seo Dal-mi and her grandma, and was the real guy from the letters - yet he ended up with nothing. Dal-mi never looked his way, even after finding out he was the real Nam-Do San.
Meanwhile, there's Nam Do-San who's a big wimp - he couldn't even fess up to Dal-mi after realizing he started to have feelings for her. Until the very end, he still couldn't man up and face Dal-mi until Ji-Pyeong gave him a wake up call. I'm sorry but there was little to no character development for the guy. He left for 3 years to join 2STO, and came back to Korea as a self-proclaimed "stronger" man. Ok, what? He did nothing but leave for 3 years - the viewers didn't even get to experience his journey to becoming a "stronger" man. After all of this, Dal-mi STILL has feelings for this nut - and when asked for a reason, she just said, "I don't know. I don't have a reason. It's because it's you." Absolute horrendous writing.
Last but not least, why in the f*ck did Dal-mi's mom move back in with her family? After leaving her late husband for a shady walking money bag, she crawls back to her ex-husband's mother and begs for a job and place to stay. It was like a slap in the face, yet grandma still took her in. Like come on - that's not realistic.
I don't know. I'm sad. Ji-Pyeong deserved the world, but was left with nothing. Do-San ends up with the female lead who only liked him for his big hands, and the sisters are now happy and united after a few snarky comments. Very lackluster drama. I would not recommend this unless you want to watch a train wreck.
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Flower of Evil is a beautiful masterpiece that really keeps you on your toes. It is a thriller that showcases a loving couple that is trapped in an ill-fated relationship, desperate to do whatever it takes to be together in peace. The plot unravels slowly, then all at once, leaving you no time to catch your breath.
I absolutely LOVED Do Hyun Soo and Cha Ji Won's relationship. Despite their unfortunate conditions, their characters played out so realistically and naturally - you'd have a hard time believing they weren't married in real life. Neither of them overplayed their roles, so you won't see any of the standard cheesy fluff that you get in your typical drama. The kind of love they had for one another was real - and real love is not always stable nor unconditional. It really makes you think - if the one you love the most turned out to be someone they weren't, would you still be able to love them? Does someone's past dictate their present? Can you forgive a liar?
Furthermore, I really enjoyed the close knit bond between the secondary characters. Do Hae Soo and Kim Moo Jin had some very cute and light-hearted interactions that made me desperate for all the unfortune to go away, just so they could start over. Despite their bickering throughout the work day, Choi Jae Sup truly cared for Cha Ji Won's safety and happiness as a sunbae. Although there we many dark moments, Do Hyun Soo and Cha Ji Won's support system never failed them - these moments truly made my heart warm.
This drama is heavily plot based, but NONE of the characters were lacking. This really allowed for both Do Hyun Soo and Cha Ji Won to shine and tell their painful stories individually, then together as a couple. I would definitely recommend this, purely for the suspense and thrill - but you're definitely going to stay for the characters. :-)
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Why did I pull through? Why did I still give this drama an overall rating of 8/10? Because of Yoo Seung Ho, Kim So Hyun, and a few other side characters such as Gon, Hwa Gun, and Master Woo Bo. Otherwise, the drama itself would have been unbearable. The plot was super bland - but arbitrarily convenient in certain settings just so that the leads would MIRACULOUSLY be saved with a scrape or two. I've seen enough Sageuk dramas to predict a few things here and there, but not enough that I would be able to basically feel out the remainder of the story as I did with this one.
I honestly did feel as if YSH and KSH's fullest potential was not demonstrated in this drama, and I could understand why - the plot was lacking the structure that would allow for the leads to express the right range of emotions. I felt like KSH held back in certain scenes - maybe due to discomfort or just a disconnect with her character? YSH had a great presence, but because the plot was so lacking, it felt as if his acting was uncomfortably overpowering? Don't get me wrong, I've seen both of the leads' previous works before, and they are definitely talented - but this drama did not put them in a position to perform at their fullest potential.
Also, this drama dragged on for a lot longer than necessary. Like seriously, it could have ended 5 episodes earlier of both parties stopped feigning ignorance 45 times in a row just to have their plans spoiled.
With that said, I would not recommend this. The actors and actresses alone are not enough to save the drama as a whole!!! P.S. I'm still a big fan of YSH and KSH though, and I hope that they will star in another drama in the future :-)
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The plot itself was very stereotypical - piggyback rides, chaebol drama, and a rich guy and poor girl - but the concept of AI really put a twist to it. In this case, the line between robots and humankind start to blur and you really start to wonder, "At what point can a robot be considered human?" This question was enough to keep me hooked on the drama. At first, I truly doubted that So Bong would fall in love with Nam Shin because well, that just wasn't "normal." But as the plot thickened and the characters developed, concepts of normality were questioned as I found myself growing fond of Nam Shin III. Although these capabilities were probably programmed into his system, watching him express his genuine care for humans and desire to learn more about So Bong was just so damn touching. Even as a robot, he had nothing but good intentions and that was something that many of the human characters lacked.
I also have to say I was very proud of Seo Kang Joon for executing his role so beautifully. The subtle facial expressions between Nam Shin and Nam Shin III were enough to have me flip from hating him to loving him, but I think we can all agree that he is a very attractive man regardless ;-) As for Gong Seung Yeon, it was my first time seeing her on screen but she did an phenomenal job; as she grew more and more attached to Nam Shin III, the gradual changes in her tone were very natural and sweet. I look forward to seeing more of her work in the future! ^_^
All in all, would definitely recommend if you're looking for a drama that'll really make you ponder on a controversial topic!
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