linxminx

I just finished this Kdrama. You can read below my initial impressions. Now for the review after completing it.

This Kdrama had all the characteristics of a good rom com Kdrama. Here are what I consider the strengths:
1. Good actors - it was nice to see Park Eun Bin again. It had been awhile since I saw one of her dramas. She is really good in it, and when you have a decent storyline, she can make it shine.

Ong Seong Wu, a favorite of mine. I think this is the first drama where I've seen him play the antagonist. I like that he is spreading his wings in to other roles. It shows his acting range. His character had a good mix of menace, ambition, and a little lost mixed in. He showed a range of emotions, and I thought he did it well.

Yang Se Jong - I very much enjoyed his Gang Uk. He had that mix of goofy sexiness that can be really appealing. I said this before, but he reminds me of Rowoon. I hope Se Jong's career continues to flourish and I will be on the lookout for future dramas with him.

Kim do Wan - was really good at the spoiled, entitled asshole who went down the wrong road. It's hard to resist a sexy bad-boy.

There were good supporting characters who added to storylines, and scenes when we needed a laugh. The two Hymeonis were endearing, Yeori's aunt and cousins were both annoying and funny, and who didn't love Gang Uk's staff? And Yeori's staff...I loved those two!! I wish they had more scenes.

2. The storyline flowed moving it forward without too much lag or repeating subplots.
3. There were the typical cliches, but they fit the storyline and at times fit the conflicting narrative. For instance, Yeori's not touching anyone. Here she is, the heroine, the good girl, the perfect person, CEO, yet when presented with a situation like helping a fallen child, she pulls her hands away. This conflicting behavior was added in all the right places.
4. The ending. The story wrapped up nice and neat without unnecessary and over-the-top-scenes. I loved the ending scene of Yeori and Gang Uk walking at her families property holding hands. It was just the right ending.

Weaknesses:
I really enjoyed the storylines with the ghosts. I wished there would have been more of them. I wish we would have had hints of Jiwan's ghost with her. I thought this was a part of the story that didn't get enough airtime and could have been developed further. I really liked the scene where the ghosts were giving Yeori their warmth. It was very heartwarming and brought a tear to my eye.

There were some dumb scenes, like Yeori pushing Gang Uk out of the way only to be hit by the truck. The length of time she stood there watching the truck come at her was too long. It made the scene unbelievable. Also, her lying to Gang Uk about heading to Seung Jae's. After all they had been through together, she lies to him? That didn't make sense. But this is part of Kdrama weirdness that says, "If there is danger to be had, I will face it completely alone." In Kdramaland, people don't act like normal human beings. You just have to understand that.

All in all it was a good drama. I would highly recommend it.


This is after watching 6 episodes:
I'm writing this mainly for those who are still new to Kdramas and after watching the first 6 episodes. This drama has absolutely the best of all the reasons why I fell in love with Kdramas.

1. Kdrama cliches - Yes, there was a time when I thought they were cringy, but now they are endearing. If you think there are "things" you see when watching a series and you say to yourself "you're kidding, right?", then you've experienced the cringe. However, watch enough of these dramas and surprisingly, you will enjoy those parts. For example, the "sudden stumble turned-into a lip-lock" with the two main leads. Episode 6 had one and I loved it! There was a time when I would have said, "oh, brother that's so unrealistic." But now, I laugh, I applaud, I love it. It's just one of the many ways I love Korean entertainment.

2. The acting and the actors!!! This drama has some of my absolute favorites, and they are just wonderful. I have been a fan of Park Eun Bin since The King's Affection and still can't get enough of her work. Likewise, Ong Seong Wu has been a favorite since More Than Friends (one of my top 5 dramas of all time). New to me is Yang Se Jong. The charisma and sex appeal coming off of this actor is blowing my away. He's both goofy and sexy at the same time, which is hard to believably pull off, but he's doing it. I'm really enjoying his main male lead and finding myself looking up to see what other work he has done. Dare I say he's a formidable competitor of another sexy/goofy actor--Rowoon. The scenes with Eun bin's Yeo ri and Se Jong's Gang Uk are a mix of irritation yet sweet, awkward attraction that is funny yet leaves the viewer wanting more. This is the right mix to connect the characters to the viewer and keep them tuned in. This drama has the great combination of smart writing and great acting.
3. The storyline - full of twists and turns. Yes, it has the usual "chaebol" family theme, but has a twist this time with an heiress instead of heir, that sees ghosts and can pass this along to someone else by just touching them. Heiresses are usually fashion icons, which our main female lead is, but with the addition of wearing gloves all the time. What's up with that, right? Another twist--the two leads are attracted to each other but cannot touch else she passes along the curse of also seeing ghosts, so it leads to all kinds of funny, comical avoidance-type situations. Yes, it's kinda stupid, but when you're used to Kdrama behavior, it's comical. It makes me laugh. And, it shows the sense of humor of the writer. The awkwardness between the male and female leads when they are close to each other isn't passed off as normal in this drama. Instead, it's part of the plot. Take one beautiful, single, rich heiress and put her together with a sexy but kind and caring male and of course something will ignite...BUT she can't touch him or else he will be cursed along with her. So, you can see where this leads to all sorts of funny and awkward situations. These aren't the usual cliches'.

I love that a historical element has been added to the mix. The story of forbidden love from the Josean Era and our two main leads have to solve the mystery. There is also the typical evil-doing by others to try to thwart our two main leads in getting together. Jo Hye Joo is doing a superb job of playing the jealous, bitch-from-hell stirring up all sorts of trouble.

It's the typical Kdrama rom com with so much more added in. Give it a whirl...I think you will enjoy it.