Lorrapatricia
2 years after my original viewing, I happened to click on this drama again while sifting through MDL. After a re-watch, I hopped back to my list and upgraded my rating from 7 to 8.5/10. 7? What was I thinking? Then I had the urge to watch it again. A few days later I watched it yet again then hopped back to MDL and upgraded my rating to 9.5/10. A week later while browsing, I suddenly had the urge to watch it again, then I watched it again after that. This weekend, after updating all the on-going dramas I've been watching, I watched Lovers again and came back to MDL to do a whole new review and give it my final rating of 10/10 because apparently, this drama just does it for me. It's my ideal perfect drama. The MC pairing is so endearing and emotionally powerful they are HANDS DOWN my favorite pairing of all. This is now my #1 Drama period because of it's re-watch-ability and the OTP.
IT'S A BIRTH SECRET PLOT DONE MOB STYLE but unlike a lot of these kinds of dramas, this one presents itself in a more down to earth and believable way. That's what makes it so compelling. The characters are written with maturity and we watch while every effort is made to make right choices even when they are the most difficult and heart-wrenching ones. No matter how many times I watch it, the plot twist still manages to make me say "wow" I may not be surprised like I was the first time I saw the drama but I'm still left shaking my head. It's really great stuff! Everyone plays their roll to perfection in this drama.
THE ACTION segments are really on point as well. Gang war/fight choreography is fantastic quality. The highlight for me was the land and sea battle when a rival Chinese gang captured the heroine, carrying her off in one of the escaping motor boats and the hero dashes to her rescue. ...Has me screaming every time!
LOCATIONS & CINEMATOGRAPHY are simply stunning. The way they captured a twilight ocean view from a window as our OTP finally surrender to their feelings in a tension packed hotel room scene that makes you want to peak through your fingers like a girl as you watch the sweetest most awkward romantic scene play out. They make it seem like the pair are actually sitting outside on the beach in the dark with the blue and white foam waves rolling right to their feet even as they sit on the floor together high up in the suite. Amazing camera work from inside that suite.
THE OST is one of the BEST I've ever heard throughout an entire drama. Every single vocal/Instrumental song is a perfect fit for the mood. I think two of the songs were mainstream pop hits as well and made their way to my ipod for repeated play. You'll definitely recognize when you hear.
THE CAST as a team, I can't rave about enough especially LEE SEO JIN! An actor with the ability to scream any emotion by simply being still without saying one word. We all get to watch as he achieves Kang-Jaes' character grown purely through his growing love for Mi-Joo, going from Mob boss-icy , unsmiling, unhappy reserve to the real hidden man of shyness, warmth and passion where every smile she wrings from him is gift to us. Mi-Joo alone is capable of bringing out his true feelings that he hides away from everyone else. KIM JUNG EUN's portrayal of Yoon Mi-Joo is wonderful. Her rash, impulsive "girl-next-door"ordinary looking character is a breath of fresh air that adds brightness in an otherwise dark drama. She manages to capture a hardcore loyal, serious and gruff gang man like Kang-Jae away from beautiful Park Yu-Jin without even trying or doing anything underhanded. Instead she was even willing to sacrifice her heart for the sake of doing what's right. KIM KYU RI plays the soft spoken-but-not-a-door mat, pretty Park Yu-Jin, Kang-Jae's 8 year (empty relationship) steady girlfriend who does everything in her power to hold on to the man she truly loves. I found her appropriately cloying and annoying while still finding lots of room to sympathize with her situation. Her character was just a bit too m Then to finish the square JUNG CHAN does an admirable job with Sae Yeon. A spoiled mama's boy who was given the best of everything growing up except the one thing he truly pined for - his father's love and acceptance, a thing he noted was freely given to his adopted brother from the orphanage who was not even "blood!" Jung Chan found a way to portray Sae-Yeon with dignity and class even as he pouted his way through and in his less favorable but understandable moments as he tried hard to hang on to Mi-Joo. I can't forget A big nod to the fantastic KIM ROE HA who played nasty baddy Chang Ba, the main antagonist who will make you grit your teeth just at the sight of him, ugh! He was masterful at playing a cowardly but viscious and despicable greedy gangster.
It's all here. The bad, bad guys VS. the good, bad guys. The passionate romance, heavy on the chemistry. Great comic relief. The struggles of everyday living. The fight against greed and corruption and a family legacy battle that all wraps up as it should and leaves you (with the exception of one regretful loss) very very satisfied nevertheless!
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Drama Special Season 3: When I Was The Prettiest
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This is a pleasant watch. I realized this was a re-watch for me 1/4 of the way in but it was good enough to continue for a second time. I happen to really like the male Yeon Jung Hoon lead in everything he does so I guess that played a factor as well. It's definitely not a boring watch. And as much as it's you're typical hardcore CEO vs hardluck Secretary RD they tried to put a different spin on the typical happy ending. You'll either like it or you won't. The ending isn't my favorite but it didn't detract from the drama at all.
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It's IMMEDIATELY ENGAGING.
The 2 words I'd use to describe it in a nutshell is GOOD FUN.
The main female is perfect for this role. She's just adorable. The male lead is just right. Together they have fantastic chemistry.
The COMEDY is GREAT and the STORY LINE is SWEET and the
ENDING is NICE. :)
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- I Just watched this for the 4th time!
- I hit this standard Rom-Com in my Bookmark list this morning and my lazy day perked!.
- A FAVORITE THAT LEAVES ME FEELING HAPPY. :)
WHAT I LIKED
AN EASY ROM-COM THAT HIT ALL THE MARKERS I set. The acting is great. The chemistry is great. The Cast is great. The story is light. They never keep me hanging for too long (but I'm a patient child). The story moves along making it a GREAT MARATHON watch/rewatch (while you multi-task of course) on a lazy/sick day at home.
WHAT I DISLIKED
................................This is on a permanent rewatch list now so I can't be a hypocrite. ;)
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- This drama kicked in AFTER EPISODE 6 for me. It took 2 weeks to get there and 2 days to finish it after that.
What I Liked:
1. THE PLOT
WATCH THIS ONE FOR THE STORYLINE. A passionate young girls' journey from childhood to adulthood as she tries to break through a fierce traditional prejudice. From the age of 8 she had to dress and act like a boy (Eun-Seong) in order to be accepted and trained to get an inheritance that for 400 years only Men in the family were allowed to have.
2. THE way LOVE was presented
The writers took protective love and love that gives freedom and presented it to us very very well.
3. THE COMEDY
Two women gave performances that stole every scene they were in. Their Characters were very well cast. Even without much Character development they stood out and added comic relief and warmth.
4. SATISFACTION
This drama is full of satisfactory moments!. They don't make you stew over unfair treatment without giving you the satisfaction of getting a good knock out punch in every time!
5. HOW/WHY DID I WATCH 122 Episodes?
a) I used the Watchsome-Skipsome method. b)The story line was good and strong and overshadowed the things I disliked. For the most part the actors did a great job with the script they got and there were times this drama hooked me solid. A lot of people will really like it and you might like it as well.
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If you care to know WHAT I DISLIKED about this drama read on. If you're going to give this drama a shot, DON'T READ ON. Instead, for the impatient like me, bear with it through episode 6 after that it takes off. :)
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What I Disliked: (please remember this is IMO if you completely disagree I totally respect that.)
1. THE FEMALE LEAD in the roll of Adult Jang Ha Na
First of all, I have to say up front - they should have changed the main female once she passed out of Teen-hood. There were ample opportunities to do it. Park Han Byul's cute innocent look and feel did not live up to the qualities that Jang Ha Na needed to be believable. The adult roll of Jang Ha Na would have suited Yoon Se In (who played her half sister) much better.
2. NO SEXUAL/ROMANTIC CHEMISTRY WHATSOEVER EVER EVER EVER
They present us with a triangle very early on and If they're gonna do that, they should ante up some chemistry. Yoon Se In worked hard and tried her best with the triangle/romantic scenes. And that's the problem. I could see it. - If you want great romantic chemistry with your FD, I suggest the drama Ugly Alert.
3. THE STRETCHING/ REPETITIONS,
FINE it's 122 episodes. That means the writers should skillfully fill the scenes with lines other than -We'll see after we compete next week, next week, we'll see next week, it'll all be over next week and the segments with something other than a NEW competition to see who deserves the job. I think I counted 4 or more RE-competitions, you'll probably end up counting them as well :+/
5. ANTI-CLIMATIC ENDING
This drama should have been 20-25 episodes Max. but they wanted to give us 122 so they did.
There are many climaxes in this story and they're good! But with that many episodes creativity and enthusiasm can run dry and as a result the ending is not unpleasant but it's lackluster.
WITH ALL THESE grievances, I STILL WATCHED 122 EPISODES through to finish and I didn't viciously want my time emailed back to me:)
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I think you will enjoy this family drama as well.
ASIDE:)
Because of this drama, I actually took the time to think about all my 9th years over the decades coming up to my present and to my surprise in my case it's true! lolol! Something life changing has happened to me every year before each decade began. 2016 is another 9th year for me and before it ends will probably bring the most significant life change of all so far. Crazy I know.
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A very well done BL drama. Don't be fooled by the poster. This one pulls no punches. Literally.
WHAT I LIKED:
SEXUAL ORIENTATION TAKES A BACK SEAT TO ACTING and is not the first thing I noticed off the bat.. You don't have to be LGBT to watch this Movie. All you need to be is an understanding Human Being and you'll appreciate what this Film sets out to relay.
It's very WELL THOUGHT OUT.
It COMPROMISES NOTHING while remaining TASTEFUL.
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Pure enjoyment. I marathoned this one. All 40 episodes!
NO THIS IS NOT ABOUT MAKING A WOMAN CRY. - tsk!..ridiculous title considering the drama.
THIS IS WORTH WATCHING. Really.
I passed this one over many times because of the summary.
Please know that the summary really doesn't convey how addicting and well done this drama is. Sure It's you're average FD but only in that it follows all the standards for Family Drama we've all become so familiar with.
YES TO MAKJANG! I happen to love it in my FDs :)
So much goes on in this drama I can't even start. But you won't get lost! ....and okay maybe it does go a little nuts toward the end but it holds up and rounds out so nicely!
ALL THE FEELS AND A HAPPY ENDING Give it a try!
Note: You can find it on Kissasian.com. If it's not on your favored Drama site.
The subs get all Google translatey for a few episodes but then it goes back to normal.
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I was just left wanting more. Check out both films and compare. I liked both.
UPDATE: I stand corrected.
Apparently Il Mare was made first and the US version after. My bad!
Thanks > PrettyCarEye :)
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FAIRY TALE and FATE- A REMINDER TO VALUE TIME WELL
no matter how young we are because with all the stress and mess we face daily we tend to forget, A LOT. I use these kinds dramas (Tragedies) to pause and take in some bitter reality with the sweet. That's life after all. Still, I rarely do it when what I'm actually in Drama land for is the fake and pretend. It's even more rare to find one I like enough to brave to the finish line. I'm a Drama wimp.
YOU CAN WALLOW IN FEELS with this one all you want. I've already admitted my aversion to tragic Dramas BUT this is one of my exceptions. I LIKE THIS drama. Apart from it being sad, it accomplished another purpose, It made me pause to appreciate the hours and quality of life that I've been given. Even if only for the 1minute it took for the credits to flash at the end. This pause took the place of tears and also replaced the morbid depressing thoughts I'd usually have for hours and days after, with ideas of how I can add more happy value to the time I've been given.
THE CINEMATOGRAPHY IS JUST BREATH TAKING
and may be the main reason I rewatch a Tragedy for the 1st. time. Especially the final scene.
Locations and skillful artistic and natural lighting weave so much magic throughout everything. It's pure Eye-Candy and beautiful ambience ..it still gives me goosebumps really. The visuals are turbulent and soothing. You may not need the tissue....then again...
THE ACTORS DID THEIR CHARACTERS JUSTICE. I happen to love both Leads.
The drama had an overall condensed feel. It moved along very quickly and I noticed most of my attention went to the front and not so much the back story. I'm pretty sure I'll re-watch.
Song Hye Kyo and Cha Tae Hyun balanced such a sweet and pure young 1st. Love story with real world adult reality. Their present was all I could focus on. THEY WERE GREAT.
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There is absolutely nothing I didn't like about this gritty little romantic drama. I LOVED IT. It's not sweet or cute although the Actors are very young. I feel the subject matter is mature enough to hold the interest of all ages. how should I describe it.....
A short BIT OF FILM GRAFFITI. ?
I admit I was completely taken off guard by this drama. Not your typical love triangle but I've come upon this premise before. Two High School Gang leading boys in opposing Gangs. One new girl from out of town. Add 1 huge twist and a tragic circumstance and you've got A DRAMA WELL WORTH THE TIME.
It's very BOLD BUT WARM. There's DEPTH too. Nostalgia formed a lump in my throat really.
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I KNOW ZERO ABOUT HOCKEY BUT IT WAS REALISTIC ENOUGH to make me cheer and it was very very entertaining !
I ENJOYED THE SIDE STORIES (it's a Hockey Team). I never skipped over any of them like I usually do :) Each tale/pairing had enough of a bite to hold my interest though I may have gently tapped the FF just to jog things along in places ;)
THE MAIN LOVE STORY was impressive. An Office Lady and A Pro-Hockey Star played out the angst and fear of falling in love at first sight when all the reasons why they can't and shouldn't have been a part of their personal circumstances for ages. If/When love happens, you really have no say in the matter right? This idea was portrayed very believably here.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I would definitely give this an 8 if I hadn't found the ending to be a bit too crispy for my taste - Not saying crispy is bad - just saying too crispy makes it just that little bit stiffer, harder to bite into and takes away just that teeny bit from the overall enjoyment.
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I think for KRW this drama was light and fun to do. All the Cast were great. I invested in all of them, even the Antagonists and although the story basically fizzled - IMO - once the mains established their bond and the fight scenes no longer made sense, the fizzle started far enough along and I liked the characters more than enough for this to be one of my indefinite re-watches. In fact, maybe it's that all-round lack of heaviness and full-Cast likeability that allows me to keep going back to it happily.
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