livmj
This review may contain spoilers
Roller Coaster Ride
This drama for me is one hell of roller coaster ride. It seems different with every body that said that the last part of the dramas (last 11-12 episodes) is the most boring and dragging. But for me, it is the most intense and twist here and there. I usually said that this Drama has 3 stages : before enter the palace as concubine, concubine stage, and noble consort stage. Well I know that the first 2 stages we all have one enemy and we are all emotionally driven and we have that peak when El Temur and family dies. Some people perhaps cannot get out from that setting and feel that it is dragging, I gotta agree with that. But turns out the last 15 episodes is the one I rewatch, because it is more complicated and depict more reality about politics, hatred, despise, and full of angst in the palace.It makes you doesn't want to sleep and I spend 3.5 days to finish without skipping it (of course it is because holiday :p)
Plot holes? Yes it do have, but I think the whole story overcome that and the subplot manage to build that whole plot.
Acting and cast, SUPERB!! From the villain that I want to slap them in the face and our main and supporting actors I see no flaw. Especially of course our empress Ki (Ha Ji Won). I think I need to give her heads up since I think no one can portray Empress Ki better with that development, from being a boy until being Empress. How she portray the Seung Nyang from the bottom status to the top status it is just wow! Action stunt, no questions! She is the best! And emotional ride that I can root for her. I know Seung Nyang in the last stage she is not the most favorite since she looks greedy and we don't actually what she wants. But for my self, I can connect to her. She just want to protect her son, but at the same time she still tried her best to bring goods for both Yuan and Goryo. But yeah, even the real world, we cannot get that perfect situation and I think it will be different "best" for everbody.
I'm rewatching some of the scene sometimes. But when I have time, I plan to rewatch the whole episodes.
Side note : I'm not King / Emperor side, definitely I'm Tal tal side. Sexy brain is more appealing that other sexiness :D The King is also smart but sometimes he is no clear headed like what Tal tal did.. If I'm Seung Nyang I will just love those three people.. Lol!
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A Hidden Game
To start with, I'm actually not a fan of Melodrama. I'm a fan for action, thriller, political, and crime drama which this is far from my cup of tea. It's actually because I'm a fan of Ha Ji Won (we know that she is an action actress and that's why I love her). So I started this drama with zero expectation, just for the sake of okay I want to see Jiwon more, I'm running out of dramas :D. But you know turns out this drama become one in my top list!At the first I also like most of the people. The story is boring and I don't think I'm enjoying much. However in every episode I started crying. Then I manage to finish it. First time I enjoy is solely for the scenery and the OST. Beautiful Greece and Hospice set up.
But then I don't know why I started to miss Moon Cha Young and Lee Kang and I read some reviews and story from people. I decide to rewatch again and yes, this is started when I finally find this gem! The story itself is so thoughtful and have many deep meaning. I started to think about life and death and a lot of meaning of value of life. This drama has that kind of messages that I think I cannot find it in Kdramas I've ever watched. So I suggest that for the watchers to enjoy the meaning that every sub stories told, which this is actually set-up the romance for the Main Leads to start open to each other. This drama is more physiological and I think the most realistic drama. Try to put yourself in their shoes and you know it is actually what you will do more or less.
Acting just superb! From the main leads, supporting actors, and child actors! Definitely the best! Since you can be drawn by every story.
I will definitely rewatch this time to time to find great scenery, hidden values and meaning, and make your heart warm.
Read somewhere that gem cannot be found by many people. Sometimes they find you. That's why Chocolate is a very hidden gem to me., So if this drama is your gem, congratulation! Hope you can be inspired too and your life can be better. And on the other hand some or most people who cannot find this gem inside, don't worry just skip this and enjoy others drama which is your cup of tea :D
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This review may contain spoilers
Could be Potential
I'm watching it with high expectation to get solid plot and story. And I feel I get it only half of it.The main story it self is thorough and get the conclusion. However I don't know it is because of the PD or the writer, they put a lot of stress in the emotion or what, I need to fast forward 30s per scenes. I agree when I read also somewhere that it can be compressed to 16 episodes and remove very-very unnecessary scenes and sub stories.
Acting is no doubt, I think all actors and actress deliver well. But perhaps again with my first notes that the writing or the PD that not really give justice to the scene that I need to jump.
The role of the of Jang Kwook Han's mistress is really useless, I don't know why they can and turns out secretary Ahn and The Main Cook have some important thing to the story.
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Twist here and there
I know it is a mid fantasy drama, so I will take it as an entertainment only.The drama gave a lot of backflash to make you understand the context as they don't reveal it directly after a scene and make you in questions sometime.
Firstly is rather slow pace, but it keep it faster towards the end and a lot of twist here and there. I think some questions is not answered yet, but okay.
Lee Hani ofc carried the show and yes, I'm a fan of her. I watched her Fiery Priest and also Extreme Job and she is always excel in those comedic role. Perhaps this is her comfort zone.
I agree it get the hype on the local and quite deserved. And if you want fresh comedy, you can give it try!
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This review may contain spoilers
Crime Thriller Combining Fantasy
Crime thriller is one of my favorite genre and this one is very good. I would say this shows keep me engaged for the ideas of time travel. It’s not new about the walkie talkie conversation to the past time, like a movie Ditto in 2000, but combining it to the crime is quite fresh for me.About the acting, thumbs up to the casts. They delivered it great, because they are so professional and consider at experience.
I would give more score, but I think there are certain parts that is too exessive in putting emotional scene, especially when they need to talk in walkie talkie. Also the walkie talkie background is not explained well. More episode perhaps will give explanation, And regarding all the cases, it’s perhaps only give one message, that only the one who has power and money can get over the rule? Also I’m not a fan of opem ending and left a lot of things unexplained.
Maybe I will rewarch it to understand more? I’m not sure.
But overall it is a good show, and you must give it a try!
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Watching solely for 1 + 1 Couple
I watch it because of Ha Ji Won but end up love Lee Jin Wook and crave his works more.Well., I believe those who watch other Ha Ji Won works might end up hate her role here because Oh Ha Na is very different with her other roles, which is very girly and full of aegyo. But the one who watch other Ha Ji Won dramas AND also also follow all her interviews, variety shows, and daily life might love Oh Ha Na since Oh Hana is just like Ha Ji Won in real life with full of aegyo.
Well, for me my favorites are the first 4 episodes and last 3 episodes where I rewatch over time (not to mention the BTS because their chemistry is giving butterfly in my stomach) but other than that I might say yes it's been disappointing. It's because the writers change in the middle and couldn't keep up with previous one.
I feel sorry with all the casts and the crews where this one should have potential but end up bad in the back stage. I mean if I can blame, it's definitely the early process which the station cannot wrap up the writers and PD together.
So 1+1 chemistry is the first why I kept watching plus the wardrobe that Oh Ha Na has as a worker inspire me! :)
Ofc not their best drama and probably the least favorite of both leads, but this one is okay if you want to have light rom-com with great chemistry on screen!
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Lee Jae Ha, well at first I want to drop the drama because he is being a jerk. To be honest for the first few episodes I keep hanging because of Hang Ah, King Jae Kang, and Eun Shi Kyung are there to lift the mood. But since the refrigerator kiss, I started to like him, and through the drama I really saw the development. He learns so much and I like it! Lee Seung Gi is the best I think to portrait Jae Ha, and so far the best LSG acting for me.
Kim Hang Ah is so believable! Some people said she is inconsistent, or fall to the weak side. But I don't feel like that. Kim Hang Ah is the female lead that actually the most I admirer from Kdramas I've ever watch. She is tough, yet she wants to be loved. She actually soft and cute, but because of her profession of course she need to look tough and badass while as a wife (or soon-to-be) she needs to be a support for her husband and family. And when she started to enter the SK palace, of course she needs to balance and adjust that she is in different place, not in the comfortable place where she used to be in NK. Step up from your comfortable place, of course you will feel weaker, and need to learn a lot. However we can see that it's her integrity and principle is still there and being the light of the royal family and that's she came to protect. This is my first Ha Ji Won drama, and this is where I fall in love in the first sight and want to watch her projects more (and I'm done already, never be disappointed with her acting)! Again you can argue me, who can do better to portrait Kim Hang Ah aside of her?
Eun Shi Kyung and Princess Jae Shin... this one which have more romance and swoon scene for me. They both delivered well.
The OST.. ughh how can I say more. Missing You and Love is Crying is always in my playlist.
I could give 10 but i'm quite annoyed with American actors, and the English script for them :)
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