Random goat noises add rustic appeal

Really, there are goat noises everywhere, it’s slightly overdone, but the show is mostly amazing.

This will have spoilers, so watch out!

First of all, the feeling of this drama is amazing: the outfits, the music, the settings, the relationships. It’s unbelievably nostalgic and heartwarming, truly. It successfully drew me right into the character’s lives and I watched the entire drama in just two days, even though I usually struggle to get past the middle of a drama.

Secondly, the acting was pretty great, especially from the parents - I really cared about them and their happiness and when that happiness was threatened, I could feel the tension and the sadness in their eyes. Also, some dramas have these really cringe-worthy kiss scenes in which the actors’ lips are barely touching or they’re struggling to remain motionless for 45 seconds until the kiss ends. This drama had some amazing kids scenes, no doubt about it. It made it seem like those characters really wanted to be together and weren’t being forced to touch each other by someone behind the camera. 10/10 kiss scenes.

Lastly, what the hell?! Choi Taek? He wasn’t even around for most of the drama and he’s the one Deok Sun ended up marrying? It makes no sense and it ruined my entire month, maybe my year, we will see. Jung Hwan’s hesitation and nervousness and stand-offishness may have been unappealing for a different character, but it made him seem completely endearing and love-able and his failure to achieve what he wanted and the regret he felt and the way he told himself it was his own fault? Completely heartbreaking. He was such a human character and I really don’t know if I’ll ever get over what they did with the end of the drama. Additionally, they literally gave adult Taek Jung Hwan’s entire personality. The adult Taek we saw was kind of snippy like Jung Hwan was towards Deok Sun and seemed to be trying to conceal his feelings behind that. Taek acted like a baby, honestly, he couldn’t do most things well, he certainly wasn’t snippy, he was totally obedient. Honestly, it’s like even the writers weren’t happy with their ending.

In conclusion, this drama was so, so good, until it wasn’t.

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Disturbing behavior and a lack of actual relationship development

Ok, Daoming Si is the first male lead and he seems unpleasant to be around, disturbingly immature, and is unnecessarily violent, at one point smashing a paper takeout box full of food into the female lead's (Dong Shancai's) head and at another, slamming her against a wall and forcing a kiss on her. Additionally, while I haven't seen the entire show, I did watch 21 episodes before the characters' behavior became too ridiculous to handle, but the two leads barely spent any time together where they weren't fighting or dragging each other around against the other's will. Their relationship was so dysfunctional; they refused to explain their feelings or actions to each other and were always making each other mad or uncomfortable. I have seen Boys Over Flowers, and I know that that male lead (Gu Jun Pyo) was also somewhat immature and initially unpleasant and violent, but there was something endearing about Gu Jun Pyo that Daoming Si completely lacks.

I do think the second male lead (Huaze Lei) was a pretty good character and a much more appealing partner than Daoming Si. He never attacked anyone or blurted out rude and disturbing things and he acted his age. Also, he and Dong Shancai had a far better, more stable relationship. I usually don't think the second male lead should be with the female lead, because I tend to just go with what the story wants me to go with, but in this case, the male lead was so horrible, I could not see him and the female lead ending up together.

When it comes to acting, I thought it was subpar. Sometimes, the actors' actions felt jilted and forced. Also, Dong Shancai's facial expressions during moments that were supposed to be sexy or romantic made it look like she was disgusted and upset, which added to the disturbing effect Daoming Si was creating.

Also, I feel like this goes without saying, but isn't this plot just a little trite? Rich, cool, emotionally distant boy falls for the first quirky, poor girl who stands up to him? I am not interested, honestly. I know that Hana Yori Dango and Boys Over Flowers and Meteor Garden are kind of staples, but I feel like, in 2018, you could be doing something else

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