1
manicmuse
NYC!
Oh Yeon Seo as Joo Seo Yeon is ok. Yes, just ok. There are some likable things about her character, but most of the time she looks shocked, mad, or embarrassed with her eyes bulging through most scenes. My favorite moments of hers were with Kim Seul Gi as her bff Kim Mi Kyung. Kim Seul Gi is definitely a scene-stealer, and her commentary and instigating is probably the best part of the whole show. I kinda wish she was the romantic lead with Heo Jung Min, but instead Yeon Seo is matched with Ahn Jae Hyun as Lee Kang Woo who is this drama's biggest flaw. I admit that I have disliked him in every single drama I've seen him in, and this is the best of the worst. At least in this drama, he almost has a personality... a goofy one, an awkward one, but it's better than his usual lackluster roles. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt but I am just not a fan of his at all. It doesn't help that he always plays arrogant characters who are supposed to be so "good looking" but to me, he looks average at best. I honestly don't get his appeal.
Then add to that the forced romance between Seo Yeon and Kang Woo, which is underwhelming. I just don't think they had any believable chemistry. This is definitely a case where I liked the 2nd lead much more. I loved his sweets obsession. I also liked the cousin rivalry at times, but as a love triangle, it was played more for laughs than anything else. It's hard to like a romcom if you don't like the main couple, but it's impossible if the story is crap too.
I initially liked the idea of a girl who likes "less attractive" guys but it didn't take long for that plot point to not be relevant anymore. This drama is full of random plot points... Kang Woo's IBS, a weird homeless girl, a fraudulent therapist... that feel like filler with no substance or meaning. They did try to tackle a gay plot, which was decent, but again lacking any chemistry to make me really care. Something about it just seemed lacking. They also added a little bit of family melodrama but it honestly just felt out of place.
Would I watch this again? I'm surprised I didn't drop it this time, so no. This drama is so silly and over the top, and I think the short episodes were the only reason I could keep watching. I also kept waiting for a payoff that never came. They actually try to wrap everything up in the last 30-minute episode with everything resolving way too easily, but at that point, I didn't really care I just wanted it to finally be over.
Overall, this drama is one you can skip. It's mostly a comedy but I don't remember laughing even once. It's a romance but peripheral characters' relationships were way more interesting than the main couple. They had good intentions with the gay acceptance subplot but it wasn't done well. I should have known from the moment that doves flew from the toilet seat that this drama was a mess. Fans of this type of humor may feel differently, or fans of Ahn Jae Hyun, but to me, this was a forgettable drama that I watched just to pass the time. If you love awkward moments, silly misunderstandings, and poop jokes, then this drama delivers! Sadly, that's about all it delivers. I think Drama with Flaws would've been a much more accurate title.
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I decided to watch this because of Ha Ji Won, one of my favorites, and she does a great job as Cha Young even though her character is pretty one-note, basically melancholy and apologetic. This matches the mood of Yoon Kye Sang as Lee Kang as well, who is equally somber and melancholy. They do have pretty good chemistry, and I liked their story in general, but there is way more heaviness and sadness than butterflies in their story. There's the expected destiny theme as well. It also builds very slowly, and although I didn't mind the pace, it definitely made me watch more casually instead of being excited to watch each new episode.
I also liked the rest of the cast as well. To me Jang Seung Jo as Lee Joon is definitely the standout, playing a role he's so good at, the "rich guy rival" (like his performance in "Money Flower"). The cast is also full of great performances by the supporting cast as patients, staff, and relatives... although The Lee family did seem a bit cliché at times with their typical greed and scheming. I blame that more on the writing than the cast.
The story is this dramas weakest point for me, not because it's a bad story, but more because of how somber and standard it is. However, instead of comic relief, this drama's most uplifting moments all center around food. Yes, this is the kind of drama (like the "Let's Eat" series) that will probably make you very VERY hungry. So many food close-ups. So much emotional eating. Sooo many chewing scenes! It's about way more than just chocolate too. Food is the real star of this drama.
It's also beautifully shot. The scenery is amazing and all of the food looks delicious (even stuff I don't eat). It has a cinematic feel visually which helps with the slow pace. I was much more forgiving of certain scenes because of how beautiful it looked. At the very least, Netflix definitely knows how to make pretty dramas.
Would I watch this again? I don't think so. I was honestly caught off guard by how sad this was, and I didn't love any part of this drama enough to endure that sadness again. The story is also pretty typical as far as the "Who's gonna take over the family business" tropes go.
Overall, I appreciate the main theme of this drama, which is to appreciate every single moment of the life you have and that a fulfilling life is more about love and giving than about how much you can acquire. That theme really hits home by the end, and I shed a lot of tears throughout this drama, so I think I would recommend this drama but only with that warning. Death comes up constantly, which could feel therapeutic or like too much. For me, it was a combination of both.
"Chocolate" is a low key melodrama, so there's less excitement and much more contemplation. If you don't like the mood of the first episode, don't expect it to pick up later. The resolutions are also subtle. Some things were left hanging, which I'm ok with, and it's much more about going on a journey with each character through their personal traumas, dysfunction, and moments of failure and empowerment. This drama from beginning to end will try to come for your feelings!!! Make sure you have enough tissues and snacks while watching.
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Since Nokdu is the title character it's important that he is at least likable but Jang Dong Yoon more than succeeds in playing a charming character that I loved rooting for. It's his quest to find out the truth about who he is that takes him on this epic journey where he ends up pretending he is a widow on the run "Lady Kim". Sure the idea that he is such a convincing woman is pretty ridiculous but he really makes it work without playing too much into feminine stereotypes. This is the first drama that I've seen Jang Dong Yoon in, and I was definitely impressed. He is perfectly matched with Kim So Hyun as Dong Joo, who may be much younger but being an experienced actress, she definitely holds her own. They have great chemistry from the moment they meet, going from sibling-like squabbling, then eventually growing closer. I also loved that Dong Joo had more of a fighter's spirit and had more traditionally male energy in some ways and Nokdu was the more sensitive and romantic one which added to how he could be easily seen as feminine. Sure they both have literal genderbending moments, but this drama doesn't play up that misunderstanding for too long, and crossdressing is eventually used more like a tool. Instead, we get to see all the things that bring them closer together and fuels their connection and eventually their trust and support for each other. That brings me to Kang Tae Oh who plays the quintessential handsome second lead role and gives a performance that is absolutely brilliant. As much as I loved Nokdu and Dong Joo, it is Yool Mu who is the true breakout star of this drama!
I don't want to go into much detail about each amazing cast member since I don't want to accidentally give away too much of the plot, but just know that the entire cast is great. Some characters are more for comic relief, while others are much more sinister, serious and complicated, but they made me care about what happened to each one of them (Shout out to Hwang In Yeob who may be a man of few words but his eyes and smirk said volumes). Some characters are more frustrating to watch, like the impetuously hot-tempered king and the annoyingly food-obsessed and unable to just shut up little girl, but that's because of the role they play in the story. The Island of exiles, The Widow Village, The Gisaeng House, The Palace... The world of Tale of Nokdu is filled with great and performances and a cast that knows how to go from comedy to action to drama without making it feel disjointed. Earlier scenes were a bit confusing to me, especially the politically based ones, but with every revelation, the full story becomes clearer and clearer. This is a drama that gets better and better with each episode, constantly building momentum. Even seemingly mundane moments have an importance that isn't realized at first. This is a drama that pays attention to details, without ever taking itself too seriously for too long. Every episode of this drama is meant to entertain and it does. I'm sure it's even better if you binge-watch it instead of having to wait. It also has a very satisfying ending in my opinion which gives the serious moments the attention they deserve while still leaving room for the playfulness that makes this drama so much fun.
That leads me to the question of whether or not I would rewatch this drama and my answer is definitely. It would be great to see this drama again now that I know what's really going on, and am able to catch all the things I missed the first time. I'm sure it will be just as entertaining, even if the suspense is gone. The performances, storytelling, and cinematography are compelling enough to keep me entertained, and I can already think of a few scenes that I would love to see again.
I also liked the OST. I won't say that any of the songs are favorites of mine but they fit the different moods of the drama well.
Overall this is definitely a drama I would recommend and already have. It's one of my new favorite sageuks, and although this didn't make me as emotional as my favorite historical dramas usually do I really felt connected to characters in a way that I never would have expected when I started. I also loved seeing a romance that isn't just about chemistry, flirting, or fate but is about choosing to be each other's support and "home". I even empathized with many of the villainous characters. And I especially loved the theme of the value of trust and the importance of having support from people who care vs a lonely existence where you may have wealth and power but can trust no one. The sillier moments may be too over the top for some viewers but I thought they were really cute, especially the earlier bonding episodes between Nokdu and Dong Joo. The heavier moments also aren't too heavy for long, so while I wouldn't call this drama lighthearted it is a feel-good drama in many ways in spite of some very dark turns in the plot. I also loved the theme of so many strong and self-sufficient women in a traditionally male-dominated Joseon Dynasty Era. If you give this drama a chance I think you will be pleasantly surprised like I was. I can't compare it to the webtoon since I never even heard of it, and I suspect there are zero historical accuracies beyond a few names, so my review's only based on this drama's own merit. Like Nokdu disguised, this drama is clever and endearing, and one that I couldn't help but grow to love.
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My guess is that Kim Sun Ah meant to play Jenny Jang as poker-faced and cold-blooded, but instead, she came across as robotic and with such an emotional backstory and such a fast-paced and plot-twisting story her being emotionless for the majority of the drama, besides a few restrained crying scenes, got old really quick. I felt like she was going for a similar vibe to Jang Hyuk as Pil Joo in "Money Flower" (which I LOVED) but he had so many emotions that were always noticeable right below the surface while Jenny Jang just seemed like she was on depression medication from the first episode until the very last episode only occasionally looking slightly shocked when something didn't go her way, or smirking and sneering slightly when pleased. Luckily so many of the other cast members are really exceptional and they are what kept me interested enough to keep watching.
If I had to choose a favorite character I would be torn between Jang Mi Hee and Park Hee Bon. Both of their characters are far from likable but their greed and ruthlessness were addictive to watch.
Jang Mi Hee is praiseworthy as the head of the Deo Group Kim Yeo Ok who puts success in her business before anything else, including her family. I loved watching her devious smile as she crossed lines no one would ever expect anyone but a sociopath to cross. Great villains are my favorite and she definitely falls into that category. If Jenny Jang had more of a personality and was less passive-aggressive their scenes could have been so much better but Yeo Ok's performance still shines. I also loved Park Jae Young as the Deo daughter Ye Nam. Her irrational greed and jealousy were so frustrating to watch that I wanted to reach through the screen several times and shake the hell out of her. I'm not used to seeing her as a villain type instead of the "quintessential bff" but she was perfect in this role. She didn't just play up her annoying and whiney characteristics but I also empathized. Even if I didn't like her I cared about her story and at times pitied her. I also loved her rivalry with Jenny even though she also carried the emotional weight in their scenes together too. I hope to see her in more roles as a main character.
The next characters that deserve praise are Kim Jae Young as Sun Woo who takes loyalty to the ultimate level, and the determined and strategic Go Min Shi as Lee Hyun Ji. I really loved their performances and complicated relationship. The scenes where they get to know each other better were some of my favorites in the whole drama. Jae Young nails Sun Woo's puppy-like loyalty but also his bad@ss qualities, and I found myself rooting for him much more than Jenny. I think that's because unlike Jenny he had moments where he was vulnerable and human, and that along with his backstory gave his character a lot more depth. I also loved that Hyun Ji was seemingly innocent and idealistic but usually one step ahead of everyone, and I liked watching her character evolve from being used to using others. I know Go Min Shi from one of my favorite dramas (The Smile Has Left Your Eyes) and I look forward to seeing her in more dramas. I think these two deserved way more screen time together, and their chemistry and storyline kept me interested when the rest of the plot lost some of it's spark. I wouldn't call the dynamic between these 3 a love triangle (or love square if you include Kim Tae Hoon
as Jung Hyuk) since there really isn't any romance in this drama, but it's more about devotion and support for each who they love with each character dealing with their own form of unrequited love.
The rest of the cast was good too but I wonder how much more I would have liked their performance if they got to play against a main character with more of a personality. The plot is also pretty fast-paced for the most part and has a good amount twists but as the drama went on things started to get more repetitive and less interesting until I was ultimately bored and no longer excited for the next episode to come out. Still, many of the twists are really well done, especially the first major backstory reveal which was jaw-dropping. And I didn't love the ending but the ending does make sense and wraps the story up pretty neatly, although it felt a little rushed even if I was definitely ready for it to finally be over.
Another petty complaint I have is that the "Secret Boutique" this drama refers to is mostly a glorified office and not worthy of inspiring the title name. I wish I could see more of the Boutique in action. Maybe that would have made the fact that Jenny built it with nothing more interesting too.
Would I watch this again? Maybe. I'm not sure if knowing what is going to happen would help me lower my expectations enough to like it more or just bore me for the second time. I would be curious to see if I missed anything since there are so many elements to this plot, but watching Kim Sun Ah's lackluster Jenny would probably be even less interesting the second time around. It also doesn't help that I didn't love the ending. Meanwhile, Yeo Ok is such a fascinatingly sinister character that it might be worth it just to watch her in action again. Who knew that stroking a cat and drinking tea could be so dramatic!
Overall this is a standard ruthless rich family power struggle makjang flavored with revenge that started off strong but just couldn't keep up the momentum. This really is the worst family ever on so many levels, which I found to be extremely entertaining, but because it centers around a female lead that I became indifferent to it's hard for me to recommend this drama without that warning. There's still enough to the story that I would recommend it to people who like rich family melodramas in general, it's still probably better than most in that genre in many ways, especially if you binge-watch instead of waiting on episodes as I did (which kept getting delayed). If you enjoy watching people casually do the most heinous things in the name of greed and power then there is plenty of that. I liked that I was never really sure who the good and bad guys in each situation were. It's also beautifully shot, like a film, with some scenes being visually stunning and haunting at the same time. As Aalia's Masquerade played for the final time I realized that this drama did deliver on what it was trying to do, even if I did still feel let down. Some viewers may also like Sun Ah's performance way more than I did, so it's definitely worth watching to judge for yourself. I think of this as Money Flower lite, which isn't a bad thing. It's also good to see such a female-dominated plot in general, with all of the men playing supportive roles to the women in this drama. This drama may be guilty of a few tropes but it being a female-centered drama around business and power is refreshing and unique. That alone may be enough of a reason to watch.
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Although this is an ensemble cast effort, and Song Kang Ho is clearly marketed at the star of the film, the real star of this story, in my opinion, is Choi Woo Shik as Kim Gi Woo. Gi Woo is the catalyst for everything that happens in this film and I thought he was really great as the idealistically naive but ingeniously calculating son of the family. Song Kang Ho as the impulsive father, Park So Dam as the extremely clever sister, and Jang Hye Jin as the supportive mom with an edge complete the family. The Kim family is the epitome of poor and struggling and seeing how they make their situation work is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. They have amazing chemistry as a family which made me laugh and even cry and made it very easy to root for them no matter what they did. They are contrasted with the well off and extremely privileged Park family. I've loved Lee Sun Kyun since Coffee Prince, so I really liked seeing him as less of the nice guy character I am used to seeing him as. I also loved Cho Yeo Jung as the "gullible because she's privileged enough to be" wife who is very nice but also obliviously elitist. However, I liked that she never played her as too stupid, which makes what the Kims are able to accomplish even more plausible and hilariously impressive. The way the two families played off of each other, from the most subtle gestures to the more extreme moments were amazing.
But my favorite actor in the ensemble is Lee Jung Eun as the Park family's maid. She is so good at saying so much with just her expression, and then some. I won't say more because I don't want to give anything away about the story at all. The less you know about Parasite before watching the better.
What I will say about the story is that the Park family literally and figuratively live far above the Kim family. In spite of this they seem nice enough to not be reduced to stereotypical hateful rich caricatures which made any conflict between the two families seem less about good or bad people and more about the dynamics classism creates and how the lines it builds defines who we are but at the same time how easily those lines can blur with some manipulation. The events are also sometimes funny even at their worst and it's so entertaining that it takes some of the seemingly most mundane things like cooking a meal or carrying fruit and makes watching that like watching a fast-paced action thriller. There are no boring parts in this film even during the less eventful scenes, and it has so much great symbolism without relying more on that than an actual story with a coherent plot. It excels when it comes to symbolism and storytelling equally. There are no real plotholes either, all the weirdness made complete sense in this film's world.
Would I watch it again? Of Course. This is a movie that I thought was beautiful and fun to watch. Knowing what will happen will definitely lessen the suspense but it's so beautifully shot with such great scenes and performances that that is enough to put the rewatch rating at a 10. I also would love to maybe catch some things that I maybe missed the first time.
Overall, Parasite is a satire with an extreme yet simple story and it stayed with me emotionally long after the film was over, but not in a sappy overly sentimental way. I laughed a lot while watching it, so despite the theme, this is far from just a downer. Parts of this film may not be for everyone, and the ending may not be either, but I really think this is the type of story that I want to recommend to everyone just so we can talk about it! This is definitely the kind of storytelling that gets folks talking, and I really doubt you will see many bad reviews (although one person in the theater I saw it in was audibly unhappy at the end). This movie is art down to the details but it's also an entertaining story that leaves you thinking without having to be super preachy or depressing. This is also exciting and unpredictable from start to finish, and if you love movies where you can't guess what will happen next no matter how obvious and inevitable the unraveling seems to be, then you definitely won't be disappointed. Who knew that a constant "something bad is gonna happen" feeling could be so much fun. My anxiety was on high, and I liked it. I would never say it's one of the greatest films of all time, but it is definitely one of the most unique films I have ever seen.
Also, I will never look at a peach the same way again.
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Ji Chang Wook as the insanely ambitious PD Ma Dong Chan is the strongest character in the show and any fan of his will probably be tempted to keep watching just to see him. He is honestly great in his role but unfortunately, the script gives him not much good to work with. He's stubborn and single-minded and rude but at least his character had some passion and development. He's matched with Won Jin Ah as the brave and outspoken Go Mi Ran, who is also great in her role, but her character made even less sense to me, often contradicting herself, so her actions more than the performance was sometimes frustrating to watch. I don't consider it a spoiler to say that this is a rom-com about two people who are accidentally cryogenically frozen for 20 years. You would think that loss of time would be a major factor and what drives the story would be more sci-fi related, thriller related, or even emotional because of time lost from loved ones but instead, the majority of this drama is about how frustrating it is for two formerly frozen people to have a normal relationship and being unable to drink coffee. To me the relationship also felt forced from the start but because "Wookie" is so charming the most romantic moments are the best thing this drama has to offer. That doesn't mean I felt anything deeply for them as a couple, it just means that they knew how to deliver when it came down to romantic chemistry. They have quite a few cute and flirty moments but their shower scene is legendary.
The rest of the cast looked like they enjoyed working together but they were all one-note and over the top. I guess their goal was to be extra funny but instead it was silly and cheesy and I rolled my eyes more than I laughed. They did do a good job matching younger and older versions of the same characters, but I honestly cared so little about the other characters that it didn't matter. Usually, I'm a softie when it comes to stories about nostalgia but with this one, I felt absolutely nothing. That may be because characters basically stayed caricatures with little to no depth. Even her special-needs brother felt like a joke sometimes and don't get me started on the silliness of the "Professor" who ran the experiment. Shallow characters also lead to a very repetitive plot, which really stands out when the story is already weak.
The greatest offense this drama committed is creating an elaborate premise for why everything in this drama happened in the first place and then resolved it in the laziest, most anti-climactic way possible. One "bad" character literally only shows up to do bad things and doesn't even get more than a brief mention in the final episode. It was insulting how little effort went into creating a logical story out of a premise with so many possibilities. I really can't say I was disappointed though because I knew it was bad and watched it anyway. I can say that the second greatest offense this drama committed was dragging out the ending with ridiculous last-minute obstacles, and scenes that literally felt like place holders with no purpose or structure, only to end with a resolution that felt unresolved and shrug-worthy with a cheap metaphor thrown in that played off of the cold theme (ugh!).
The answer to whether or not I would watch this again is obvious. Of course not. What I will probably watch multiple times is that shower scene, which is the only reason the rewatch score is at 1.5.
The music was very forgettable.
Overall this drama is a complete waste of time unless you really love Ji Chang Wook so much that you can watch his smile at anything no matter what's happening around him, but in that case why not just follow him on Instagram instead? Part of me hopes that he and Jin ah may get a do-over drama with a better script one day but I doubt that would be in high demand after this one. This drama would have left me with so many unanswered questions if I cared enough about the story but I didn't. I also know I'm not the only one who's emotions ran cold watching this based on other reviews (yes, it's really as bad as most of us are saying). Many parts felt rushed and predictable yet also dragged out. The pace of this drama was a little like watching a block of ice melt... I knew that it would end in a mess all over the place... like a puddle, but I still watched this drama literally melt into that mess anyway. I would never recommend this drama, but If this drama touched on any important theme (barely) it's that it's important to be mindful of not wasting your life on things that don't matter. To avoid wasting time on this drama just read the synopsis, watch the shower scene (not the episode just that scene), and have someone spoil the ending for you instead. Trust me. If you did sit through all 16 episodes most of it would be forgettable anyway so just like Mi Ran and Dong Chan pretend you were frozen while this show was airing and just skip it and move forward with your life.
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I'll start with my favorite part of this drama, and that is Eric Mun as Kang Woo. I don't know much about his boyband days, but he stars in one of my favorite dramas ever, "Another Oh Hae Young", so he is the main reason I wanted to give this drama a shot. He plays the quintessential arrogant male lead, a Hallyu idol, and he's perfect in the role. He manages to make some of his character's worst flaws "cute" instead of annoying, and his charm is undeniable. He is matched Han Ye Seul as the title spy Myung Wol, and although she is not as strong of an actor as Eric, I really liked her portrayal of the sweet and innocent but impetuous and bad@ss female spy. From the very beginning, I loved their banter and I knew they would be a fun couple to watch. No matter how cheesy the dialogue or how predictable the plot became they made me want to keep watching and rooting for them. Is a lot of that because of Eric, maybe, but I thought they worked very well together.
I liked the rest of the cast as well. You really need a great cast to make a drama so "tropey" work, and make the silliest dialogue and most logic-defying scenes work, which they do. The supporting cast is pretty one-note but effective. The main villain is great at being very villainy, and the fellow spy characters who are comic relief are actually funny. Jang Hee Jin as spoiled and obnoxious Joo In Ah was really good at being equal parts hateable and likable, and Lee Jin Wook as spy Choi Ryu comes through as the kind of 2nd lead to give you that second lead syndrome so many viewers crave (his quirky ear movements were a bonus). In fact, I liked them both so much I wasn't even bothered by the love triangle/square. Yes, the acting is often overdone in moments, and too cheesy even for me during some scenes, but that worked for this drama's style which is kinda campy, even seeming to make fun of itself in moments. This may not fit everyone's taste but I think that just added to the fun of this crazy plot.
As for the plot, this drama isn't afraid to be as absurd as possible, which is clear from the very first episode. Don't bother asking questions like 'How can Myung Wol possibly beat up all those men and not break a sweat?', or 'Is it really that easy for a stranger to move in with a celebrity?'. Just embrace the farfetched fight scenes and all the other outlandish parts of the story. This drama isn't meant to be taken seriously, it's meant to be entertaining, and I was certainly entertained. My main complaint with the story is that some things got to be too repetitive after a while. It was almost like they decided to literally repeat some scenes almost verbatim. I mean, how many times do we need to see Choi Ryu ask Myung Wol the same exact question with the same exact expression? Still, I was actually entertained by how "bad" the writing was at some points, especially the last episode, which made me laugh inappropriately, and made me oddly happy to see clichés that usually annoy me. I think in the name of telling a fun story all was forgiven, but I still can't give this a higher story score based on that. Even the soundtrack, with it's take on the mission impossible theme, lets you know that the more serious parts are still comical.
Would I watch this again? Yup. It wouldn't be high on my rewatch list, but I can definitely see myself being in the mood too see all of the antics and chemistry again. Maybe some of the fun would be lost since I know what happens, but I can still enjoy just watching it all happen again, especially for Eric's acting, although I'd be tempted to skip quite a few scenes.
Overall, I am really glad I randomly came across this drama. I felt nostalgic watching it. It reminded me of the kind of dramas I loved when I first got into watching KDramas. It's not quite "favorites list" worthy, probably because the lighthearted silliness made it hard for me to emotionally connect at all to this drama, but that's not the kind of drama this is. If you don't like melodrama, you probably should pass on this one, even though it's definitely melodrama-lite. If you like answers to questions and logical conclusions to situations then you should definitely pass on this. If you like Eric Mun, then grab an extra-large popcorn and enjoy (yes there's a shower scene). If you like to pine over second leads, then Jin Wook is your man! This definitely isn't my first North & South Korea centered romance drama, or my favorite (this is no "The King 2 Hearts"), but I'm a fan of "Myung Wol the Spy". If their goal was to keep me excited about watching each episode, and happy I did watch by the end, well... mission accomplished.
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Of all the characters I liked Yeon Woo Jin as Jang Yoon the best because you could never quite tell what his intentions were. I've definitely liked him in other dramas but seeing him being so duplicitous made me like him even more as an actor. I loved how charming yet sinister he could be, and that made me really want to know what his motives were. He is matched with Kim Se Jung as
Hong Yi Young, who I liked much more than I thought I would. At first, I thought she would be too young to hold her own with him, but her character was written in a refreshing way so she wasn't a doormat and often spoke her mind directly. Her "YOLO" tendencies could have easily been annoying, but she was so likable that I wanted to root for her. Even her being a timpanist is a cool choice. I think the two of them also had some great chemistry moments, which along with the mystery of Yi Young's forgotten summer made me eager to watch each episode. There are other characters who are pretty good too, though most are just filler. The best part of this drama is the idea of their love story, but as Yi Young says early on, this is NOT a love story.
Yes, a lot of this story involves romance, but the bulk of it is a murder mystery. The mystery storyline is revealed in interesting pieces and the world of the orchestra was a great setting, but once all the pieces start to come together in the later episodes the story starts to get really boring because it feels so drawn out. There are so many repeated flashbacks in the final few episodes that I actually started to get annoyed. Then the reveal of what happened and wrap up of all the characters was an even bigger disappointment because it felt so forced, cliché, and contrived. Song Jae Rim as Maestro Nam had the best story arc of the side characters, but Park Ji Yeon was completely underutilized. Many of the other characters were forgettable and very one-note, even her BFF. If it weren't for the romance elements this drama would have felt like a complete waste of time, and even the romance was a let down at the end no matter how hard they tried to recapture moments from earlier episodes.
Would I watch this again? I doubt it. I'm sorta curious about how watching this drama would be now that I already know what really happened, but I can't imagine watching any of the later episodes again. And as for the soundtrack, as much as I liked the orchestra, especially the baby shark moment, I despised the "Beautiful Day" song that they kept insisting on repeating! I know she's an idol and stuff but I'd rather hear Jang Yoon sing me a full concert than hear that song ever again. I don't wanna hear that song!
Overall, this drama goes from an exciting start to a basic ending. Maybe if it were shorter it would have been better, or maybe if the ending was less obvious and dragged out I would have liked it a lot more. Instead, this is a drama that I am likely to forget by next summer. Maybe it's worth a watch since there are much worse dramas out there, but I suspect you will lose interest towards the end. Perhaps it's better to watch the first part and then when you're ready to drop it ask for spoilers instead of suffering through the final episodes. Unless you need a cure for insomnia too? If so, just treat the last episodes like a serenade from Jang Yoon and let them lull you to sleep.
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What I loved most about Ji Sung's performance is that Dr. Cha is often very poker-faced and hard to read, and when he was emotional it was usually very subtle where just a simple look from him, or tap of his finger, could break my heart, or get me excited. He is matched with Lee Se Young as Dr. Kang Shi Yeong, who is pretty young in comparison, so I wasn't sure if they would match well or have any chemistry. I was definitely wrong about that and she was often great at matching his subtle intensity and definitely held her own in all of their scenes together. This is less of a cute romantic pairing and more about watching two people inspire each other to be better. I really enjoyed how they worked together and complimented each other.
As for the rest of the cast, there are supporting characters that I loved and others that were a little annoying. I absolutely loved the team of doctors in the Pain unit, especially Hwang Hee as Dr. Lee Yoo Joon (aka the poor man's Gong Yoo). It felt as if I was actually watching a team bond and come together. On the flip side, I was much less interested in characters like Nurse Chae and prosecutor Son Suk Ki. I thought their story was interesting and resolved well, and I did empathize with them initially, but eventually, their actions became way too repetitive for me to continue to care. A large part of the "mystery" in this story revolves around them and they became my least favorite part of the story. I did like how the story took its time in revealing what was happening, but I wished some parts weren't dragged out for so long once things were revealed, especially in the later episodes. The last few episodes were definitely the weakest.
What I surprisingly did like a lot were the random stories of patients. They were extremely interesting, and their diagnosis was like solving mini-mysteries. Some moments are a little graphic, but never without reason. Many of them also stuck to the show's main themes about what the role of doctors can/should be and the more controversial topic of euthanasia. All of the stories are handled with respect and without heavy-handed judgment, which I think is what makes this show so thought-provoking. Maybe that's why I liked it more than I usually like other hospital dramas.
Would I watch this again? Yes, I can see myself watching this again, although I may be tempted to just skip past a few parts. Some of the mystery would definitely be gone, but it's still entertaining enough to hold my interest. I also think the soundtrack generally complimented this drama well.
Overall, I think this is a great drama to watch, even if you're not into medically-based stories because the mystery element makes it all more entertaining. The love story feels real, although it may not satisfy fans who like a strong focus on romance. It's at times heartbreaking, and frustrating, but also inspiring. The patient's stories are strong enough to override the weak hospital rivalry stories, but overall the hospital atmosphere also felt very real. I am curious about the book this is loosely based on, but I think this drama definitely stands on its own. I also don't understand why Cha translates to "John" but no matter what you call him Ji Sung nailed the role! This is yet another drama that won't be added to my favorites list, but I can't deny what this drama does well and that I am glad I watched it. By the end, I felt good, without there being an extra cheesy feel-good resolution. If you don't think you have a high threshold for dramas like this, give this one a chance, and you may be surprised like I was. I prescribe at least 4 episodes of Dr. John before making a decision. Just like this drama's themes show repeatedly, you can't always go by your first impression, and Dr, John definitely deserves a chance to really be seen, especially if you are a Ji Sung fan. If you're not, I suspect you'll become one after watching!
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I loved the entire main cast of this drama, but IU's character is so amazing that I became a fan from the moment she appeared on the screen. Yes, I've liked her in other dramas (especially in My Mister), but in this role, she is not only a bad@ss, and funny (I loved her sarcasm), but she had an elegance that was epic and even regal! I also love a good villain and Man Wol was the perfect balance of heroine and villainess which made me never quite sure what she would do. She is matched with the super talented Yeo Jin Goo as way too empathic hotelier Goo Chan Sung, who I thought was a good match, but I admit that there were moments when he seemed a little out of his league with her, but that also worked for their dynamic in the story. He mostly plays the straight man, which I'm sure isn't easy to do in such an over the top drama, but he has the right kind of likable innocence to make him perfect for his role too. As far as romance, it definitely plays a large part in the main story, but it's pretty platonic. Their chemistry is basically some cute flirting, funny banter, and eating so don't get your hopes up beyond that.
I also have to mention the rest of the hotel staff Bae Hae Seon, Shin Jung Keun, P.O, and Mina. Instead of just being comedy relief, these characters each have strong stories of their own, and by the end, I became attached to each of them. Then there are the flashback sequences, the stories of the hotel guests, poor rich Sanchez, The Grim Reaper, and of course Seo Yi Sook as the many faces of Ma Go Shin... and every single person in the cast is great! With a story this over the top it can be hard to make certain moments not feel too silly to be believed but they really pulled it off. The fun visuals also helped. Many of the stories are light horror stories, or are mysteries that need to be solved, but mostly centering around revenge or longing. I unexpectedly connected emotionally to a few of the stories. Maybe it's because death is a touchy subject for me, but I also think it's because the writing in each episode was good, and made me think about how precious, and sometimes cruel life can be. So keep this in mind if you have recently experienced a loss. This show may be comforting in some ways, but it may also be too much to handle.
The only reason I gave the overall story a 9 instead of a 10 is because some of the explanations and resolutions seemed convoluted. The overall story is so ambitious that I think they sometimes missed the mark in tying loose ends in the story. The last episode is a perfect example of that. I loved most of the last episode, which resolved things so beautifully in so many ways and had me in tears throughout, but in the final moments, I was just left scratching my head. It didn't make me like the drama any less. I'd rather watch an imperfect but original drama like this than a predictable and boring drama.
Would I watch this again? Yes. I know a lot of people seemed to want a second season (Oh, make sure you keep watching past the credits), but I'd rather just watch this again. It may seem less mysterious with a second viewing, but maybe I'll catch some things that I missed the first time.
Overall I liked this drama a lot. It's not going to make my favorites list, but it's certainly one of the most memorable dramas I've seen in a while. I usually don't like dramas that focus on random side stories too much, but I guess these stories are my taste (I admit Halloween is also my favorite holiday), and I loved the repeated theme of making peace with the past at the end of life. It's also surprisingly lighthearted considering there are so many dark aspects to this drama. Think of it more like an old school fairytale and you will have a better idea of what to expect. It really is a beautiful world, full of amazing imagery (That bridge!) and a gorgeous hotel (I really wish it was real!), so the director definitely deserves praise for that. I also love that it all centers around such a strong female character, and her amazing wardrobe! Seriously, every single outfit deserves applause! This is not your average ghost story, and even if I loved The Hong Sisters Master's Sun more (So Ji Sub has A LOT to do with that though), I understand why this drama has so many fans! I recommend adjusting expectations and giving this drama a chance. Who knew that a drama about death and deep resentment could be so cute?
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The Heirs stars Lee Min Ho as another extremely wealthy student, like a Boys over Flowers flashback, but honestly, he seemed way too mature to be a student this time. Maybe it's because his character was so passive, but even with his usual charm, he seemed out of place as Kim Tan. He is matched with Park Shin Hye as Cha Eun Sang, in a standard poor girl role that has definitely been overdone but can still work if there is great chemistry... Spoiler Alert: There is no great chemistry! Initially, I was kinda entertained by the first few episodes, even if it was full of tropes and way too many coincidences and seemed to escalate to romance way too unrealistically. If the show kept up the same energy as the beginning then this drama could have been decent. Instead, it became so painfully dull I had to force myself to watch it till the end. It didn't help that most of that dullness came from Park Shin Hye's acting (and this isn't the first time I thought she was boring in a drama). Other than successfully crying on cue, I thought she was a bad choice for this role. Her character was supposed to inspire all this attention and admiration, but I couldn't understand what everyone saw in her since she was so boring and uninteresting. That brings me to the bad@ss third-wheel Kim Woo Bin as Choi Yeong Do. He is definitely the most interesting of the three main characters, and a great 2nd lead to secretly root for, but his storyline just didn't make the most of his performance. That can also be said about most of the performances, and that brings me to the writing which is this show's biggest flaw.
I don't always need a drama to make complete sense if it's entertaining. I also understand that melodramas tend to be over the top, which can be fun to watch if done right. I kept waiting for something entertaining or over the top to happen but it never did. Most of the show is the same unequal social status romance trope over and over again mixed in with school scenes of students being catty and bullying each other. How they are kept apart isn't even interesting, neither are the random moments of corporate infighting, featuring Choi Jin Hyu in a forgettable role. Please don't make the same mistake I did and expect the story to eventually pick up or end with a bang. It never does. Even if they condensed this drama into a two-hour movie I still don't think there'd be enough drama to keep the story from dragging, so 20 episodes seemed painfully long.
If I had to choose the best parts of the show it would be the relationship between the leads' moms. Kim Mi Kyung is a favorite of mine and the best performance in this whole drama, and she doesn't even speak, which says A LOT.
Would I watch this again? Never. I'm still surprised I didn't drop it the first time.
Overall, don't be fooled by the cast. This drama really is as bad as people say. Watching characters do the same things over and over again was like watching a drama that is 90% flashbacks. What's the point of a romance with a boring couple that mostly cries over being apart, and anytime they do get together you don't even care (Don't even get me started on the awful kissing scenes). This drama tried to rely on repeating what has already been done in countless other popular dramas and failed. This is the kind of drama you can take several naps through and not miss anything. If you do watch and you start getting bored just skip to the final episode, I promise you that you won't miss anything that important and you will save yourself from wasting hours of your life like I did. Yes, there are worse dramas than this one, but there are too many good dramas with these cast members to watch 20 hours of this.
I guess the point of The Heirs was to feel sorry for these characters who seemed to have everything, but by the end, I just felt sorry for myself for giving this drama a chance. Please don't be like me, believe these bad reviews and skip this drama.
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The story centers around three main characters, brothers Baek Yi Kang and Baek Yi Hyun, and merchant Lady Song, and how their lives are all changed by the Donghak Peasant Revolution. Their relationship with each other isn't a traditional love triangle, but instead, it's more about how their roles directly or indirectly affect each other, rather than a traditional rivalry, which was a much more interesting dynamic to watch. I don't want to give anything away by saying too much, but they are each so good in their roles and how they relate to and interact with each other, that they didn't need a cliché romance plot to keep me engaged. Han Ye Ri as composed and calculating Song Ja In is formidable in her role, and I loved watching her hold her own in a mainly male dominant cast. I already mentioned that Jo Jung Suk is a favorite K-actor of mine, and he does display some of his usual charms as Baek Yi Kang, but it's nice to know that even with romance playing such a minor part in the story, he is still so good! However, surprisingly my favorite of the three characters is Yoon Shi Yoon as Baek Yi Hyun. His range in this drama is amazing and award-worthy (he's really come a long way from the king of baking lol), and his relationship with his brother is the true heart of this story. I can't imagine a better possible pairing, Junk Suk and Ye Ri had great chemistry, but it's Junk Suk and Shi Yoon that got me right in the feels.
I mentioned the three leads as the main branches of this plot but the reality is that every single character in this drama is important and well played. Choi Moo Sung may have the biggest shoes to fill as Jeon Bong Jun, but even the most minor characters end up being major parts of the story, and I loved watching how all the characters and their allegiances and relationships changed with each episode. The real history makes a lot of this story predetermined but it's the individual characters that keep the story unpredictable and exciting. I wish I could name every character I loved but there are just way too many. This really is a perfect cast all around, and I love that there's not always clear villains or heroes, which keeps things from getting too predictable.
That leads me to the writing, which is truly amazing. Yes, the beginning episodes take their time setting up who everyone is, the unfairness of ancient Joseon, and what's about to happen, but before I knew it I was totally addicted and wrapped up in the revolution. I also liked how historical moments were noted to make them clear but without distracting from the story. I appreciated the details in even the side plots that made me care more and made this turn of the century Joseon world feel more real. This is the kind of story that you can definitely watch again, and maybe catch things that you missed the first time. I can see myself watching this again, now knowing more about what really happened, although knowing how it ends may make some scenes a little less exciting.
It's hard to hate a soundtrack that takes a traditional song and plays off of it beautifully. I liked the rest of the soundtrack as well and thought the music was always well placed, but some of the songs were too forgettable for me to warrant a perfect score for music. The music definitely enhanced the mood, especially during battle scenes.
Overall, this drama is a practically perfect sageuk. It's much deeper than the usual fighting over status, family betrayals, corrupt politics, and ill-fated love story tropes that make up most dramas in this genre (although sometimes I love those too). In Nokdu Flower I loved the themes of fighting for equality, tradition vs change, struggling with identity/self-determination, figuring out what is really important in life and what it truly means to win or lose, loyalty and betrayal, and all the conflicting faces of "patriotism"... I have no idea how accurate it was overall but I did actually learn a lot while watching without it feeling too preachy or feeling like the history channel. It's also not so heavy that the story becomes too depressing, even if you already know the history. There's a little bit of romance, great action/war scenes, even many funny moments... and the characters may be mostly fictional, but the way they brought life to the story felt hauntingly real. I loved how many of my favorite characters got the spotlight they deserved in the story too, and that the ending didn't feel rushed and really honored the history it was celebrating. Sure, the bluebird song will probably get stuck in your head for a while from watching, but it's definitely worth it.
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I will start with Shin Hye Sun, who I loved as such an innocent character in Thirty But Seventeen, but in this drama, she is completely different in the best way! As Lee Yeon Seo she is smart, no-nonsense, and always one step ahead of what's expected of her, and even though she is extremely temperamental it was hard not to like and root for her. In a lot of ways, she plays the role the male lead usually plays in this kind of romcom (rich, mean, but misunderstood), while L plays the role usually given to women (cute and thoughtful enough to win her over). L really is perfectly cast as a charming angel, and although I understand people critiquing some of his more dramatic scenes, I think that what he did right outshined his weaker acting moments... also his dimples... who can deny the power of that dimple whenever he smiled?!! Together I think they had great chemistry, and I especially loved their banter in the beginning. Their melodramatic scenes were less interesting, but I still loved seeing them together, no matter what.
The rest of the cast was filled with great performances and mediocre performances. I think Lee Dong Gun is a master at playing a sinister 2nd lead, but I feel like he was a better actor than what was written for his character. Woo Hee Jin was great too as the maid/surrogate family. A lot of the villainous characters were made to be super campy and were hard to take seriously because of that. I think the sisters Ni Na and Ru Na were good at playing extreme opposites, but because both characters were so one-note I didn't feel much for them, and they are both major parts of the plot so I should have cared a lot more than I did.
Besides Yeon Seo, the best character and the real MVP of this drama is Kim In Kwon as Archangel Hoo! Not only was he hilarious, but he also had one of the few moments in the drama that actually made me tear up. His chemistry with L was just as entertaining as the main couple in my opinion, and he kept this drama entertaining when the plot and couple drama started to get repetitive and boring. He was definitely a scene stealer and a major highlight in this drama.
I think the plot is where this drama lost its way, which is very disappointing because the early episodes were so strong. Without giving too much away, I will say that I was intrigued by the angel on a mission plot. The set up for this drama did have its fair share of clichés, but I thought the story, in the beginning, was well told. I thought certain elements were very creative (the feather handkerchief especially), and I liked the angel mythology in general. Unfortunately, I don't think the conclusion of this drama was well thought out and so the last half of this drama started to drag and became super redundant and boring by the end. It was also annoying to have so many "rehearsal" scenes when it was clear that Shin Hye Sun is not a great dancer in real life. The earlier dance scenes with Kim Bo Mi, who obviously has ballet experience, made more sense but watching long scenes where Shin Hye Sun would "emote" when she should have been dancing was annoying, and felt like filler to drag out the story more. If this drama was shorter I would have liked it much more, even with a vague ending, but watching the same crying scenes over and over again and the same arguments on repeat made it very hard for me to want to keep watching. I also wonder if the writer got talked out of the original ending because the last episodes definitely seemed thrown together.
Would I watch this again? Maybe. I can see myself watching the beginning and then skipping most scenes until getting to the end. There were many scenes and moments that I liked enough to want to see them again. I also thought the soundtrack was perfect but I still didn't love it enough to want to hear the songs again now that the show is over.
With a couple this cute, I thought this drama would be added to my favorites list for sure. I love a good cheesy fairytale that tugs at the heartstrings! The problem with this drama is that it didn't tug at my heart. I wish I cared more, but by the end, I was just waiting for it to be over. I do think that there is enough good in Angel's Last Mission: Love to justify a recommendation for romance fans. It's not the best this year, but it's far from the worst. It's "tragic romance-lite" for those who like melodrama but don't want to watch something too heavy. Also, did I mention the dimples? I can overlook a lot of plotholes just to see those dimples. They deserve their own drama. If you're looking to find deep meaning at the end of this drama then set your expectations much lower. If you're a ballet fan maybe you will appreciate how the "Giselle" performance parallels with the romance between Angel Dan and Yeon Seo, but to me, the connection felt forced and overdone. The crime plot is also very weak, the explanation for Angel's mission is messy, too many things were left unresolved (seriously, what was up with the crazy dance teacher?), but the love story, even with its flaws, still delivers. At the very least, I hope this sparks a trend for more female lead roles like this! I think their dynamic was a refreshing twist on the same ole thing I love.
So, in the end, I'm glad I completed the mission of watching this till the end, but I won't declare my love! I'd say this drama is more like a summer crush than real love, and I'm satisfied with that.
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What got me looking forward to watching every episode was not the story but rather the two main characters. The best way to describe their chemistry is extremely cute, like giggling while watching cute. I think that is mainly because of Kim Young Kwang as Director Do Min Ik. Even at his worst behavior, there was just always something super charming, sympathetic, and cute about him, and it really is an interesting role. He is matched by Jin Ki Joo as his personal secretary Jung Gal Hee, who despite being the kind of doormat that usually annoys me, she was also very cute in a way that made me want to root for her. Together, their super cute chemistry kept me involved from the very beginning, and I couldn't help but get hooked just from wanting to see them together, which never got old for me. At times the romance is super cheesy, but it's delicious cheese in my opinion, which made me overlook a lot of the show's other flaws.
The rest of the cast is pretty entertaining too (especially Gal Hee's blind brother and the campy Veronica Park), with one major exception... Koo Ja Sung as Ki Dae Joo. I don't know if it's due to inexperience or not but I found Koo Ja Sung to be extremely boring to have such a major role. Many of the actors knew how to play up the comedy and the drama but he seemed one note throughout. It was extra noticeable whenever he was in scenes with Veronica Park, who was such an over the top character, and in comparison, his character fell completely flat. There was an ambiguous nature to his character which did work for the story but he still never had much of a personality or depth in a show full of so many broad characters.
As for the story, it's mostly everything you've already seen in this type of drama with a random twist that at first seemed silly but it definitely made things more interesting. I also loved the way that part of the story unfolded visually. There is also a mystery element to this drama that was intriguing enough to make me want to know what was really going on, but it was the cheesy romance that really kept me watching. This is also a generally lighthearted story. Even though there are serious elements nothing is ever taken too seriously, even when characters are in tears or in danger. That definitely made it hard to take this drama too seriously or expect too much from the plot. There is also dual identity part of the story that is very far-fetched but was still fun to watch. I honestly had no real complaints while watching, but the ending did feel rushed. Still, I appreciated that they didn't add unnecessary new conflicts and rivalries to try to fill in the time, and stuck to telling one storyline without a lot of distracting sideline stories.
Would I watch this again? If I'm in the mood for a cute romcom, then yes. The cute parts are definitely rewatchable, and the short episodes are constructed well enough to not get too boring. However, I'd much rather see Kim Young Kwang cast as another male lead in a new romcom soon!
Overall I recommend this drama even though it's not joining my official list of favorites. It's more like a guilty pleasure drama. I think the key to enjoying it is to not expect too much or overanalyze the plot. There is also a reoccurring theme about what's really important in life and relationships that I liked. This drama may not have been what I expected at first sight, but I'm definitely glad I kept watching.
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I admit that I am already a huge fan of Park Min Young at this point (Sungkyunkwan Scandal, City Hunter, Healer, Queen for 7 Days, and especially What's Wrong With Secretary Kim), but I wasn't sold on the male lead who I only really liked in Coffee Prince back in his younger emo days. Together they have a grown and sexy chemistry that makes even the most mundane moments hotter than I expected, especially after the rather dull first episode. Sure, they are brought together by the usual clichés, but there's a reason why certain clichés continue to work, and they are what makes this drama work so well.
The rest of the cast is generally good, with a few favorites in minor roles (like hilarious Park Jin Joo, and
Kim Mi Kyung as another cool mom, but I also loved her in Healer too). There are also characters that I should have loved more but didn't. I thought Kim Bo Ra as Cindy was as annoying as she should have been, but too boring to really care about. I also found the object of all this fangirling, One as Cha Shi An, to also be boring. I guess his purpose was mainly to be cute anyway, which he was. I also think Kim Sun Young made the most out of her silly role and was definitely entertaining.
As for the story, it starts off as really silly, which is why the addition of melodrama seemed out of place when it became the main focus. The story is full of repeat chance meetings, misunderstandings, a 2nd lead syndrome worthy bff, and the KDrama romcom staple... "The fake relationship", but the writing does tell a complete story, and everything does come together and makes sense in the end (even for minor characters), which I appreciated. However, I still found that there were too many times, especially in the final episodes, where I was completely bored. I also didn't feel any connection to most of the more emotional parts, which seemed to resolve too quickly and neatly to be engaging to me. The comedy parts were also too silly for me, and the Ryan = Lion jokes definitely got old quick! If it weren't for the romance, I would have dropped this one for sure.
Would I watch this again? Actually Maybe, although I'd be tempted to skip a lot of parts, and maybe skip the last few episodes completely. I am also not a fan of the soundtrack, which was sweet and cute which sometimes clashed with the maturity of the story, but I guess it goes with the sasaeng vibe. That "precious little girl" song was especially irritating to me though.
Overall, I understand the appeal of this drama. I think it's a hit for the two leads, although the story is pretty dull for a romcom in my opinion. I would still recommend it for romance fans especially since I think they are one of the best pairings I've seen this year so far. Also, it is a decent story if you give in to the tropes and predictability. Just know that it's not exactly as lighthearted as it seems initially, but it's also not too heavy with drama either. I'm definitely not fangirling over the writing, but maybe I am over
Park Min Young a little who's fast becoming my romcom queen.
Also, no matter how cute and relatable they tried to make them, sasaengs are still pretty creepy to me! o.O
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