I guess I will get lots of hate for this but I have to vent. First of all I have dropped this drama and am not planning to finish watching it. You might ask why am I writing a review then? Well, you don't need to force yourself finish watching something to write a review and believe me, I have watched enough Kdramas to know this won't get any better (at least not for me). I am going to talk about the things I disliked and what made me drop this series, I was going to finish watching but I couldn't get past ep 6, not even by fast forwarding.
Acting is okay, after all they have Rain and L both handsome and charismatic. Krystal pulled off the girl next door character exceptionally well and I actually found myself liking her. Park Young Kyu in a goofy father's role, who else would do better? Cha Ye Ryun didn't impress, because her character is typical and annoying + she doesn't differ from any other such character in any other drama. Among the side characters Se Na's friends and Sung Jin are the only interesting ones who actually have some warmth and reality to them. I'm not sure about Rain's acting though, in director's role he is stiff and distant, hard to make contact with. I'm sure that's his purpose and later he will become a warmer director like his father. But acting-wise instead of succeeding as a cold director he only comes off stiff and unnatural.
Ever since watching the first episode I felt like something was missing in the atmosphere, I was left feeling cold and unaffected by anything what happened in the drama. I feel nothing for the characters, everyone lack's presence and storytelling is boorish. The plot is same old: a rookie in something reaches to the top with the help of a benefactor who wants to help out for a XX reason. Same patterns like in Trot Lovers but the themes are a bit different. I don't mind cliches as long as execution is fun, this time it failed. Once again a man with higher status helping a girl of no status into the fame and that girl doesn't even have any charisma.
Even though Krystal does well with the aloof girl role she doesn't have enough contact with the audience and almost no chemistry with Rain, instead she does a lot better with L (could it be because of their real age?). But we all know how kdramas work and I am sure it's just wishful thinking for her to actually end up with Shi Woo who is way more interesting than Rain's character. Coming to Hyun Wook, I never got his motive for hiding his personality from Se Na, he is just escaping and acting like a coward even though he is still portrayed as a strong willed character who can opposed his father. He choose to make same mistakes... I love Rain but somehow his character has no power at all, no charms for me to fall in love with. His smile is adorable but I find myself wondering about L more, he wins the spotlight. His character is the only one alive.
Some people commented this drama is realistic, I beg to differ. ANA seems like a tiny little agency with only a few trainees and nothing going on, director's son can do whatever he wants, there are no routines and things just happen randomly. Most of the time someone is in a room and someone else is staring and thinking, the rest of the time they walk around. Conflicts between characters are bland and have no effect on the viewer, not evoking any feelings like irritation or sympathy.
Characters are driven by love instead of the will to succeed, there is not much behind anyone's actions or conflicts except feelings and that's why the plot seems lacking. Even the trainees don't give off the feeling of fighting spirit. There is nothing catchy about the plot, and acting is weak. I would like to blame the director but Hyung Ki has directed some pretty decent and solid dramas with good dynamics so what happened now? My Lovely Girl seems to be falling apart in his hands.
I don't understand how this boring show got such good ratings. it's slow and predictable, there is no humor and funny parts don't make me laugh. Most of the scenes are awkward and don't connect well, I get a very choppy feeling from watching this.
Music is just the typical kpop stuff and nothing special. Se Na is supposed to win the hearts with another love song which brings nothing new. Heard 100x times before.
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When a Man's in Love Episode 1
5 people found this review helpful
Of course, SSH is hot in all his sexy glory but he alone is not enough to hook me for a sad excuse of a plot which makes no sense whatsoever. A lot of things happened but nothing really made any sense, nothing. While watching I was thinking: "why was he camping all of a sudden and why should I even care? And wow, this birthday party is really awkward"
Not to mention the heroine is a typical goody two shoes who is though outside but weak and vulnerable inside, otherwise perfect woman who will stay innocent and good no matter what. The main hero falls for her out of the blue and keeps helping her with anything he can, even risking his life. But why? Because he read a book?
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Persevere, Goo Hae Ra Episode 6
1 people found this review helpful
Ray's and Hae Ra's relationship was on the main focus in this episode, but things were hastened so much it barely felt like any development took place. And Se Jong got barely any screen time. Somehow the whole episode felt useless and hollow. I finally noticed how much better the chemistry between Hae Ra and Se Jong made everything.
Everyone got a bit of screen time, but I was left feeling like no one got any screen time. This episode was such a disappointment.
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I don't know if it's Hyun Bin's acting what has been putting me off so far. I think pulling two characters at once is a bit too much for him. He manages Seo Jin really well, but Robin comes out stiff and one dimensional, even boring. Lacking character and personality. Perhaps, Hyun Bin finally got the gist of it or something because in this episode the drama makes a u-turn from bad to great.
I can only cross my fingers and hope the drama doesn't make another u-turn. Hwaiting Hyun Bin! You can do it!
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I really don't understand why they had to make that live show? It complicates everything and makes the whole thing messy. I know this can't just be realistic but other versions succeeded in that better, they felt somehow more believable. That's why I wish Korean version was more dynamic, faster, simpler, shorter scenes, like a comic book.
At least they should have somehow foreshadowed the Liar Game live show before just exploding it on the viewer. Anyway, I liked it simple like the first volume of the manga. It explained the tactic and flow of the game really well and introduced the characters in simple yet engaging way. Now I don't really care about the characters, there is nothing interesting about them. Especially Woo Jin, they ruined his character for me by introducing him first and taking all mystery away. Plus the darkness of the story is missing.
The cast seems ok though, Shin Sung Rock being the best of them and shining the brightest. Do Young sparked the most interest with me.
But yeah, what I expected was less talking and moping around and more plotting.
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But why does the comedy have to go so much over the top? It would be better if the show was a bit more realistic and comedy a bit toned down. There is so much more funny stuff to the countryside than chasing pigs and running around like idiots. It doesn't have to be childishly crazy to be funny, right? Besides all of the villagers don’t need to be mental patients…
I also wish the other guys had more spotlight, maybe they will later but right now Hong Ki is stealing most of the spotlight. He is adorable and acts really well but still… I get the feeling the drama will be mostly about his character.
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