The acting was quite good. Jang Hyuk did an excellent job, but I wish they had implemented the idea that he is very good at mimicry as good psychopathy are. He looked a little too blank and lost for that.
The soundtrack was well done and Bernard Park's 'Dirt' really gets stuck in the head. My only complaint is that it sounds like he keeps saying 'dirts' instead of 'dirt' and it just drives me crazy. I believe he was born and brought up in America so I refuse to believe he didn't have access to a native speaker who could have potentially corrected this for him if he himself is not a native English speaker and if indeed this was a mistake and not just because of the way he is singing.
Overall, it's not a drama that should be missed. It has the right amounts of drama, romance, and humor. I will definitely be watching this in the next few years.
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The Story: Let me begin by saying I was really looking forward to the show because I thought it had great potential after seeing the plot. I was almost expecting a little bit of a similar background view to Korean showbiz as was seen in 'The Producers'. but in reality it felt more like a soap. There was just too much plot put in and the emotion of the story felt lost and shallow. I get that everyone in the group was supposed to have their own background story and show growth, but the execution was sadly lacking. The writing of the script and dialogue needed a lot more depth. It was like reading a novel where the writer tells you 'so and so feels sad' rather than showing it through the the character's actions words/actions. The relationships in the between the characters also felt shallow. They showed the one scene between Shin suk ho and young Ha nuel over and over to establish the connection, there could have been more. The romance was also a stretch. Either the development should have been shown slowly over time with them spending more time together instead of the awkward glances and kindness and the fast forward to the future where you are supposed to assume the relationship had grown, or they could have just left it out. The redeeming aspect of the relationships was the bromance, but even that could have been done better.
Acting/Cast: The cast was another thing that had me anticipating the drama. I love Ji Sung and everything I have seen with him in it, I was really impressed by Hyeri in Reply 1988, and was so happy to see Chae Jung Ahn cast in a 'nice' role (I just think she is radiant). I was not familiar with the rest of the cast so I wasn't expecting much there. I don't know if it was the direction or the actors' own initiative, but there was waayy too much moping. If they had cut the minute long intense glares/gazes and super dramatic crying/ wailing/throwing oneself against walls and the floor scenes, the drama would have fit the original plan of 16 episodes and been a better drama for it. For me, this was just the beginning of the acting troubles for the main cast. I would be tempted to say that the supporting cast, esp Lee Tae Sun were more convincing.
Music: The music was great. It was the one thing I really enjoyed in this drama.
Rewatch value/overall: I think if you are a great fan of one of these actors or you like a really drama filled show with angsty looks and heartbroken glances with tons of bromance, it won't be a bad watch. I would stay very far away if you are looking: for a show that touches your heart with great acting and dialogue or a drama gives a glimpse of human nature and the harshness of reality or just really good romance. In all my disappointment I don't regret watching this 100%, but there is definitely never going to be a re-run of this for me. I apologize if someone finds this review very harsh and I know there will be many who don't agree with me, but this is the review I would have wanted to read before watching. It is my honest opinion and perhaps it will soften the blow of disappointment for someone else if they go in with more realistic expectations than I did.
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All the actors did a fabulous job. I honestly had not seen most of them before and was very impressed. From the main characters to the supporting, all portrayed their characters very well.
The music is pretty good. I especially enjoyed the song by The Black Skirts. The soundtrack fit the drama well and stays with you, but it's not anything exceptional.
Overall, for me, this drama captured so much of the ups and downs of love, from the feelings of betrayal, to the embarrassment and pain of not having your feelings return, to the crazy things one does to get over it, to the bliss of being together with nothing and no one else to care about. It made me laugh, it made my heart hurt, it made me want to shake the characters at times. It definitely caught me by surprise and I am really glad I decided to give it a chance. I will probably watch it again in the future.
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