displacedmoon

Not quite sure what LDW was thinking when he chose this one. I really enjoy a quirky drama/movie and the story is interesting enough, but the scriptwriting/directing is a weird combination of slapstick with melodramatic undertones which sometimes work, but more often just falls flat (at least for me). A positive of this drama is the creativity they use with their cinematography/visual effects--really quite brilliant. Example feather, food and firefly scenes in ep 5. I like LDW---so out of loyalty I'll certainly continue to give this a go and hope that it will grow on me.

Thanks to the writer, director and superb cast for providing us with such a beautifully scripted and executed drama. I'm so happy the typical storyline with the 2nd female lead throwing a revenge tantrum and making everyone's life hell, was avoided. Gong Hyo Jin really has a knack for picking good dramas. Can't wait to see what she's in next.

I want a refund for the hours I wasted. Aaron please be a bit more discerning when selecting your next drama. Your talent was utterly wasted on this one (as well as that of some of the other cast members). I found myself fast forwarding through most of it starting around ep 10. What a shame because this drama was such a carefree and fun watch in the beginning with the promise of being great. And then the melodrama took over giving it a completely different feel from it's rom-com start. Seriously...this is an example of how good dramas are destroyed by bad writers/directing and main leads with the inability to change their facial expressions (yes Tia, I mean you). I couldn't even summon a smile at the end, because I honestly didn't care who ended up with whom.

Just the one scene alone where Hyun Bin is doing push ups was enough to sell me on the movie. Just kidding...but barely. Seriously, it's actually a really good movie with lots of character depth and an intriguing storyline.

as the description states - "they encounter another serious situation." asian writers/directors really know how to make sad movies. still a good watch.

thanks so much for the summary. rurouni kenshin is one of my top fav movies so i've been waiting for this to come out....will watch with or without the subtitles!

May 18 was such a great movie--but definitely sad. Motivated me to do my own research on the movement. Thanks for the reviews.

I thank Cruel City for putting Jung Kyung Ho on my radar. He was absolutely swoonworthy in that drama. Watched 4 other dramas on your list and they were all pretty good. Now if only I could tackle Empress Ki --- 40 eps is such a stretch for me. sigh.

So far they're equally good imo. But ask me again once JG has finished airing as my opinion may have changed (these writers sometimes surprise you--in a bad way---by going off the deep end).

While both Iljimae and JG have great casts and interesting stories -- JG has a more seasoned lead in Lee Joon Gi this time around. So I think JG has the potential to be better than Iljimae if the writers are careful with the plot twists, and they don't rush the ending like they did with Iljimae.

I'm always afraid Yoon Kang's mask is going to fall off his face. I think he needs to go borrow Iljimae's mask. That one is made of sturdier stuff.

you and me both.

I just love this actor! I first saw him in Dream High and have since re-watched it a few times just b/c of him. He does a fantastic job playing the heck out of Song Sam Dong. And it's no wonder that role has been pivotal in earning him some of his well earned success. Thanks for the stalkers guide.

Not on your list - Joseon Gunman is excellent!!! Can't get enough of it. Also watching Endless Love but not sure how I feel about this one yet. And Marriage Not Dating is kind of cute.
On your list I'm watching Pleasantly Surprised, Trot Lovers, and Hotel King which are pretty cool.
I gave up on Fall in Love in Me around ep 13....but I'll try to pick it up again when it's near the end b/c I'm stubborn and I hate dropping Aaron Yan dramas.

A Moment to Remember is one of the first Korean movies I ever watched and it's still one of my favorite movies. I bawled my eyes out. All of the other ones were fantastic. Will have to give Portrait a try...thanks for the reco.

agree. i'm sure she remembers that three years ago he was to be killed as punishment for his father's 'treason'. being caught now would mean certain death for YK. Very stupid for her character to continue to confront him out in the open when she's supposed to be this "enlightened" woman who knows how the world works. I understand the initial shock/slip up when she first meets YK and let's on that it's him, but afterwards...she's like a dog with a bone who won't let go. Hmmm...wonder if she'll smarten up and go about uncovering his identity in a sneakier manner?

Loved it. Didn't expect that ending.

You're not the only one....i thought she wanted to go into criminal justice...don't see how acting will ever tie into this. but hey...ronald reagan became president of the united states after being an actor--so i guess anything can happen.

Hanjo is pretty badass. Absolutely loving this drama so far.

Totally agree with you on Ryu Tae Oh...that smile of his gave me the creeps but in a good way. lol

I'd add Shin Sung Rok from You Who Came from the Stars. During the drama i wanted to stab him---repeatedly. He was truly evil incarnate. But every so often the thought that he was such a handsome psychopath would creep through my mind.

My issue isn't so much with yoona playing nodame but if korea can pull off the remake. the japanese version/anime is so slapstick at times---i'm hoping korea will be able to stay true to the humor that made the original so hilarious w/o making it too corny. Or maybe they plan on a more subdued approach which is why they cast yoona? i'll give it a try, at the very least.