The drama started off so well - the ML behaved unpredictably and it helped to keep things interesting. However, it went off the rails after Ep 10-11. The writers for some reason decided to amp up the melodrama without reason, which turned everything a bit ridiculous and the drama lost all intensity. Sadly it never recovered. The original revenge plot per se is interesting and remained logical all through but the biggest issue was the romance. The love story was to be the source of all the angst ....but the leads together were so ...flat, so boring, so thanda (cold) that you don't feel a thing.
The only time I was moved was not surprisingly in Jo Jin Woong's scenes. He's surely the best of the cast - such a subtle actor and was so good all through. Side characters Hong and the brother were great additions! And finally, both the major confrontation scenes were well written.
Quite enjoyed the show. Great performances all around, no filler stuff. Look forward to S2 if any. Only thing I would complain about - the backgrounds score was a bit jarring in the beginning but got toned down later (gave me very Stranger Things vibe with the 80s synth!).
Between the dense world of shogi, the disconnected plot progression ep2 onwards and difficult to understand subs, this drama was tough to finish. I suggest you watch it only if you understand shogi and Japanese to some extent.
So I am perhaps the first one in years to watch this show! Well, that's because I am watching everything with Kim Sun A.
On the whole I enjoyed the show, particularly the first half and particularly because of the really unique setting. The last 4-5 eps kinda lost steam and didn't have the same pull.
What I really loved in the show was actually the romance, which wasn't the focus but was really wonderfully done. For once the ML *shows* his love even though he hasn't yet formally confessed. I truly enjoyed watching their bickering relationship transform into a mutually supportive and comforting relationship. Excellent chemistry between the two. As for the major plot, the juxtaposition of bumbling cops (& gangs) trying to beat a powerful villain was a good idea but didn't quite work in execution. Still a fun watch, only issue? No choice except crappy res vids - I wish they'd release the show legally.
Absolutely LOVED this drama. Largely fluffy with light touches of more serious issues making it for me the right…
And oh, if you want a serious and realistic take on love triangle involving friends, watch the cdrama The First Half of My Life. Shows just how devastating it can actually get. But I dont fault this drama to go lightly on it plus it was well done
Absolutely LOVED this drama. Largely fluffy with light touches of more serious issues making it for me the right blend. Great performances by main cast particularly the main leads who have awesome chemistry. I loved that the drama examined love and marriage from different lenses and did it without being preachy. I typically dislike flighty FLs but here while Han Mi Mo was so initially the script not only calls her out on it but also shows WHY she falls so hard and so seriously for the ML. I am so glad I watched this - it put such a smile on my face...and Song Soo Hyuk/Jung Hung Ko will forever be my ultimate type!
Interesting - made me look up my list and yep, its largely jdramas below that threshold Busujima Yuriko no Sekirara Nikki(8/10), Zeni no Senso (8/10), Nemureru Mori no Jukujo (9/10; incidentally my first jdrama) and Ashita no Kimi ga Motto Suki (6.5/10). Busujima was such a unique show with a really interesting FL character. Loved it. Oh, and 1 TwD - In Between (7/10).
Writing this note for others like me who are fans of the original US version and are curious about this version. Well, it is a true remake as in it follows the original very closely - right down to camera framing, shot sequence and the cases(with slight adaptations to suit culture). I wanted to give it a try given the talented main 2 actors, but managed to watch only half of the first episode. The main couple was fine, but the characters/actors playing Will and Diane didnt seem to match up. Given that these two were my fave characters (with Kalinda) of the original I could not shake off my disappointment. So dropped.
This was fantastic. The relationships, the progress, characters (main and sides), just amazing. I did not expect…
Just wanted to thank you for your review. I had added this drama to my PTW for Lee Sun Kyun way back. I was looking for something different recently and your comment convinced me to start it. absolutely loved the drama.
I absolutely adored this drama. I am so glad I picked it up despite the low rating and mixed reviews.
It is not a romance or a romcom but a heartwarming story of struggling against all odds to reach your dreams/goals. So people looking for a strong romance may be disappointed. In fact, the main couple has a sweet, drama-free romance with the actual love story being of the second leads which is really cute.
I loved that the romance and the plot itself is almost without usual tropes (bar a few). I loved that the drama weaves in real-life issues if only superficially whether it is about beauty pageants or the economy. And I really loved the MC having mature conversations rather than misunderstanding or yelling at each other. Lee Yun Hee was luminous especially in later episodes while Lee Sun Kyun is as usual great. Lee Mi Sook as Queen Ma really makes you want her as your mentor, and Lee Sung Min's turn as the romantic gangster was sweet. The icing on the cake is the OST which is wonderful. If I were to talk about anything negative - the flashback shots: Lee Sun Kyun DOES not even remotely pass off as a school kid so those scenes were super jarring. But it was a minor irritant. And yes, the first eps are a bit slow and the MC does not seem to gel but trust me it improves, vastly.
Goodness, no Secret? Like many here, I too believe Secret is THE Asian drama for enemies-to-lovers done right. I think the article is not complete without at least a note on why it wasn't included. Or even at least the close Thai version.
For this to have been rated anything below 9, more than a dozen of people must have given it a subpar rating.…
I think a few reasons: The first 8-9 episodes were somewhat not gripping because the script was laying ground meticulously for the revenge to unfold so there was lesser focus on the thrills. JH's acting was incredible but again, it shined only post Ep10 (imo); he was a bit too low key in the earlier episodes. And finally, most people are looking for romance and/or quick thrills, but Money Flower is not such a drama so left folks disappointed. For the record, I absolutely loved the drama and found JH mesmerizing. Jang Seung Jo and Lee Mi Sook too were superb.
This drama had so much potential but its poor script let it down. I adore Kim Sun A but really all we see her…
Plot issues: Its a revenge-focused drama but Jenny seems to have no plan for bringing down her mortal enemy which supposedly is her only goal in life. Compare this to Money Flower (which has a super similar plot arc) where we see Pil Joo plan meticulously and have back up plans so he has some trump card even when the unexpected happens. Here even the final blow that takes down Chairman Kim was thanks to Jung Hyuk's last minute help. Not to mention that Jenny seemed to have no plan for saving her boutique when it was known that it was Deo/Chairman's money that was behind it, so when it gets shut down, Jenny Jang just moons around! My other biggest issue was the reveal scenes - I mean we got such lame scenes! People randomly overhear/find stuff which feels super anticlimactic - just poor writing. Again, it falls flat when you compare Money Flower! Ugh. What a waste.
This drama had so much potential but its poor script let it down. I adore Kim Sun A but really all we see her do is strut around (in amazing ensembles!)and have grandiose but empty dialogue exchanges. Bar a few scenes, the drama wasted her. Go Min Si had a better deal at least initially. I also found Jang Mi Hee's dialogue delivery very jarring and for some reason, it stopped me from connecting to the drama as a whole. Kim Jae Young (Sun Woo) was the single bright spot and I loved him on screen. Plot issues below w/spoliers! Yes, this is a rant!
After putting it on hold a million times, I finally finished this. I wanted to watch the original since it has inspired so many remakes, however I have to admit I found the show cringey and poorly acted in many places but there were also several scenes that were pretty moving, Of course, I also kept getting annoyed by Ji Cun Xi. It should have been Dylan! Anyway, I am now wondering if I should have watched the Jang Hyuk version? Is he a better ML? Well, maybe I will give it a spin when I have nothing left to watch!!!
The original revenge plot per se is interesting and remained logical all through but the biggest issue was the romance. The love story was to be the source of all the angst ....but the leads together were so ...flat, so boring, so thanda (cold) that you don't feel a thing.
The only time I was moved was not surprisingly in Jo Jin Woong's scenes. He's surely the best of the cast - such a subtle actor and was so good all through. Side characters Hong and the brother were great additions! And finally, both the major confrontation scenes were well written.
On the whole I enjoyed the show, particularly the first half and particularly because of the really unique setting. The last 4-5 eps kinda lost steam and didn't have the same pull.
What I really loved in the show was actually the romance, which wasn't the focus but was really wonderfully done. For once the ML *shows* his love even though he hasn't yet formally confessed. I truly enjoyed watching their bickering relationship transform into a mutually supportive and comforting relationship. Excellent chemistry between the two.
As for the major plot, the juxtaposition of bumbling cops (& gangs) trying to beat a powerful villain was a good idea but didn't quite work in execution. Still a fun watch, only issue? No choice except crappy res vids - I wish they'd release the show legally.
I typically dislike flighty FLs but here while Han Mi Mo was so initially the script not only calls her out on it but also shows WHY she falls so hard and so seriously for the ML. I am so glad I watched this - it put such a smile on my face...and Song Soo Hyuk/Jung Hung Ko will forever be my ultimate type!
Busujima Yuriko no Sekirara Nikki(8/10), Zeni no Senso (8/10), Nemureru Mori no Jukujo (9/10; incidentally my first jdrama) and Ashita no Kimi ga Motto Suki (6.5/10). Busujima was such a unique show with a really interesting FL character. Loved it. Oh, and 1 TwD - In Between (7/10).
I wanted to give it a try given the talented main 2 actors, but managed to watch only half of the first episode. The main couple was fine, but the characters/actors playing Will and Diane didnt seem to match up. Given that these two were my fave characters (with Kalinda) of the original I could not shake off my disappointment. So dropped.
It is not a romance or a romcom but a heartwarming story of struggling against all odds to reach your dreams/goals. So people looking for a strong romance may be disappointed. In fact, the main couple has a sweet, drama-free romance with the actual love story being of the second leads which is really cute.
I loved that the romance and the plot itself is almost without usual tropes (bar a few). I loved that the drama weaves in real-life issues if only superficially whether it is about beauty pageants or the economy. And I really loved the MC having mature conversations rather than misunderstanding or yelling at each other. Lee Yun Hee was luminous especially in later episodes while Lee Sun Kyun is as usual great. Lee Mi Sook as Queen Ma really makes you want her as your mentor, and Lee Sung Min's turn as the romantic gangster was sweet. The icing on the cake is the OST which is wonderful.
If I were to talk about anything negative - the flashback shots: Lee Sun Kyun DOES not even remotely pass off as a school kid so those scenes were super jarring. But it was a minor irritant. And yes, the first eps are a bit slow and the MC does not seem to gel but trust me it improves, vastly.
My other biggest issue was the reveal scenes - I mean we got such lame scenes! People randomly overhear/find stuff which feels super anticlimactic - just poor writing. Again, it falls flat when you compare Money Flower! Ugh. What a waste.
Of course, I also kept getting annoyed by Ji Cun Xi. It should have been Dylan!
Anyway, I am now wondering if I should have watched the Jang Hyuk version? Is he a better ML? Well, maybe I will give it a spin when I have nothing left to watch!!!