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I really wish the synopsis for Cheer Up just had *more* in it so that way the vagueness didn't cause people to look past it. Cheer Up is all about what the synopsis says, but it's also so much more. Cheer Up is also about how people mature over time and through their experiences. Cheer Up is about how people from very different walks of life can be friends and care for each other. Cheer Up heavily supports good morals - if you have to hurt someone to get where you are/want to go, you're not doing it right. Cheer Up also has some sadder points that mostly revolve around how incredible pressure placed on people can make them miserable and cause them to make decisions they wouldn't make if they were adequately supported.
On a more specific level, the love triangle that takes place is sweet and sad at the same time, but don't worry, you won't be sad in the end. The teachers, Mr. Yang and Ms. Nam were such great role models and support systems as well as being entertaining characters to watch. All the loose ends to the story (even though Cheer Up is only a 12 episode drama) were tied up really well and in a good way.
The song, Hold On There, which was comprised of guitar sounds, whistling, and some humming was pleasant sounding and catchy.
Jung Eun Ji did a phenomenal job yet again in her role. For some reason, whenever she cries on screen, I can't help but get teared up too - great job Eun Ji!
This was my first time seeing Lee Won Keun, but I enjoyed his acting and role too! I've enjoyed Ji Soo yet again as well because he did a wonderful job in showing his transformation while working through his struggles. In all the other dramas I've seen Chae Soo Bin in, she's played a "good" character, so seeing her play the antagonist was odd, but I was also glad for her character's transformation. There was not one actor that I found to not be a good fit for this drama.
I will likely rewatch this drama in the future just to watch the characters grow again.
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The side characters were all extremely likable, even Marie. The way the "greedy" family member is resolved truly broke my heart and how it was handled couldn't have been done better in my opinion.
The last episode had me in tears because it was heartbreaking and touching at the same time. I didn't expect everything to tie together the way it did in the end, but I'm so glad the writers had the forethought to wrap everything up the way they did.
There are no loose ends and I didn't find any plot issues that usually leave me questioning things. Everyone got an ending and the pacing was superb.
*And* EVERY SINGLE EPISODE HAD ME LAUGHING MY BUTT OFF. Which only added to the quality of the drama.
"Tiger Moth" by MONSTA X was an amazing OST and I keep listening to the original version as well as the acoustic because they're just so lovely to listen to!
I've seen Seo In Guk is some other dramas, such as Reply 1997, and while I adored his bashful and introverted character in Reply 1997, his silly and innocent character portrayal (completely different, mind you) was hilarious and expertly represented.
The only real memorable drama I remember seeing Nam Ji Hyun in was Suspicious Partner. Personally, I think she did a better job portraying such a kindhearted soul in Shopping King Louie than she did as an attorney in Suspicious Partner. Even though she really did do well in Suspicious Partner, I think I prefer the performance she made here.
This is definitely a drama I will rewatch in the future. I especially found the comedic moments to be so incredibly hilarious! Whenever Louie screamed usually due to a bug, would make me laugh out loud! His scream and high pitched voice when screaming was just sooooo funny!
My rating for Shopping King Louie is a solid 10/10 with absolutely NO reservations.
I would highly recommend the K-drama, Cinderella and the Four Knights as an equivalent to Shopping King Louie.
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Also, even if the main leads of Cunning Single Lady had a nice story, the second leads (the 2 siblings) had a turn in character toward the end of the drama (literally the last 3 episode) that saddened me as the viewer. Even though they weren't "evil" in the end, it bothers me that the writers took their characters in that direction; it wasn't only cliched, it was also simply unnecessary and unrealistic. It felt like a cop out to me. In regards to the ending, it was happy, but I feel like the ending was rushed - literally the credits started to roll and I was like, "oh. I didn't realize that was the end end. Mkay." It wasn't a rushed ending that negatively impacted the drama, but I think they could have taken out the drama of the siblings and wrote a better paced last 2 episodes.
The music wasn't bad, it just went unnoticed most of the time. Some of the songs were good (though, not good enough for me to re-listen to), others were unremarkable.
The acting for the entire cast was good, but I didn't develop any intense need to watch another actor/actress in a new drama after this. Although, Joo Sang Wook is very handsome and he was enjoyable to watch. Haha. I wonder if he is that goofy/awkward in real life or if that was strictly written for his character. :D
Anyway, overall, this was an enjoyable drama, but I don't think I would watch it again nor pull up specific scenes to rewatch.
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I was hooked from the very first episode and there weren't really any slow points. I think the pacing was good, and even though each episode dealt with it's own ghost story (for the most part), the overall plot continued to move forward smoothly.
I figured out the overarching plot twist about half way through, which I was pretty proud of myself for being right. Haha! Honestly, the plot wasn't particularly obvious, I just thought about it intently and put pieces together to make sense of the plot twist. And don't worry - the plot twist isn't completely crazy or nonsensical, which is also satisfying.
So Ji Sub is really a treat to watch, by the way. I really loved his acting and I really respect how well he can portray such different characters. In Oh My Venus, his character was so different and he really pulled both off so well. AND I liked both characters for different reasons because his acting is just THAT good!
Gong Hyo Jin also deserves recognition because she did such a good job portraying different "people" when she was possessed by ghosts. *Meow* XD
Seo In Guk was also really nice to see again - I saw him in the Reply series and have been craving his acting ever since!
Kim Mi Kyung.......I have such mixed feelings about her character because in all the other dramas I've watched with her, she always played a character that was helping the main characters and giving her advice when she could. While I understand that the aunt was just trying to do what she felt was best for her nephew, it still bugged me that she was such a vicious (NOT evil, just cut-throat) woman in this drama. She portrayed it well, I just didn't like seeing her playing this kind of character.
The ending was wonderful and really REALLY nicely wrapped up. The only thing that bothered me plot-wise, was in the last 2 episodes where the MC's are having some emotional struggles that they need to come to terms with. Which I understood, I just wish that that process was a bit smoother.
Overall, I really enjoyed this drama for it's outstanding cast, pleasurable OST, and well thought-out plot. Don't let the ghost's scare you away!
***Please be mentally prepared before starting this drama, especially to those who are sensitive to serious topics such as child abuse/neglect. There were a couple of scenes that could make viewers emotionally upset.
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It's not an issue of plot, it's more an issue with the main female protagonist for me. She comes across as an immature, whiny girl. I found her character completely annoying and entirely unrealistic when it comes to pairing her with a 700+ year old war general. It wasn't an issue of AGE for me, but rather, how her character was written. For example, in Cinderella and the Four Knights (a lovely watch, by the way), the main female protagonist is sweet, innocent, and overall, happy and good-natured. Even though both female characters in Cinderella and the Four Knights and Goblin had similar "Cinderella" circumstances, the writers executed their characterization very differently. Ultimately, while I recognize that the writer for Goblin was trying to get a happy, innocent girl despite her unfortunate circumstances, in comparison, I think Cinderella and the Four Knights female MC was so much better. She was someone I could respect, root-for, and empathize with - I just couldn't feel any of those things for the MC of Goblin.
I really couldn't move past the female MC in Goblin because of her characteristics that I mentioned above. And it really sucks because I really liked the other aspects of this drama. The Goblin has such an interesting story and history. The Grim Reaper was entertaining to watch. The interactions between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper were HILARIOUS. I also really enjoy Gong Yoo's acting and he's extremely attractive, which is a plus! But I just couldn't get over the insta-love and unrealistic romance between the girl and the Goblin.
Again, I'm really bummed and I really really REALLY had hoped that I would like this drama on the second try, but I guess it just wasn't in the cards.
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What I really liked was how the movie included the ending for the two MC's, which the anime hasn't currently produced, so a finished story was really nice to watch. I really wouldn't go back to watch this movie just because the acting wasn't particularly good and the choppiness. Instead, I'd go back and read/watch the manga/anime if anything.
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Toward the end of the drama series, I bawled for 1 specific character, but I absolutely love how the writers redeemed themselves for my heartbreak. The ending was very neat and tied up well.
This was the first drama I have seen with Park Bo Gum and I found his acting to be very nice to watch. He isn't my favorite actor, but he is a really good actor. The way he smiled at the female lead would just melt my heart. The chemistry between both MC's was absolutely there and the way they could "speak" to each other with their eyes was sweet and believable.
Kim Byung Yeon was my absolute favorite character - he was the dark, mysterious, brooding character and I simply couldn't get enough of him!
I know some reviewers found Love in the Moonlight to be an amateur historical drama for beginning K-drama watchers, but please don't let those reviews deter or dissuade you from picking up this drama. It was well-paced with sweet romantic elements as well as the political side of things without being too serious or cruel.
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The ending is actually a happy ending in my book because I let my imagination take the wheel from that last scene. The acting and pacing were both good too!
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I loved watching Bae Suzy, especially her shower singing scene (I've rewatched that scene at least 10 times since finishing the drama). The banter between Lee Jong Suk's character and Bae Suzy's character was so fun to watch and definitely kept the drama much lighter in tone, which I was thankful for. This was my first Lee Jong Suk drama and since then, I willingly and happily watch anything he's in because he's just that good of an actor (and I find him funny). He's also SUPER tall which I always forget until he's standing next to another character and they appear so much shorter. Haha! Anyways, I appreciated that the drama didn't get dark or serious, even though it definitely dealt with some serious topics. Humor was used in such a natural and perfect way throughout the drama, which really helped to keep me watching. The ending was very satisfying and complete.
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I finished this drama and ended up having to watch it all over again because my mother saw some scenes and JUST HAD to watch it for herself to "really understand the ending," she said. XD So I watched it twice in the span of 2 weeks. If a drama is good enough for me to watch twice, especially in such a short time period, I would definitely say it's worth the watch.
CAUTION -- Ji Bai (Wang Kai) might give you a nosebleed while watching this (sexy lion you), so come prepared before sitting down to watch.
Also, I plan on reading the Chinese novel this drama is based on because the story was just THAT good.
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***SHOUT OUT to Kim Woo Bin --- major eye candy --- his character was my favorite. His temper tantrum for continued allowance with his parents was really funny!
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