spinzgirl
I've not seen any of the previous iterations of this show, so I don't have a point of reference, but I think it's nice that this was redone for modern times. The story showed respect for women that is missing in older shows. The characters aren't overly complex and are given room to grow.
My only complaint is that at 49 episodes it will be harder to binge rewatch instead of waiting every week for new episodes, but I can see myself wanting to see it again in the future.
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Kwak Dong Yeon SHINES
So I'm not usually a fan of office comedies- the movie Office Space being the exception- but this one simply nails it. Originally I started watching only because KDY was the male lead (which I've been waiting for since seeing him in Love In The Moonlight) but stayed because of how brilliant it was.At a sadly short twelve-episode run, the pace is quick but the dialogue keeps up nicely. Unlike some Western-made comedies, it doesn't rely solely on characters being nasty to one another. Instead, what bickering does occur is limited and the funniest bits come from their development through the show. There's not one wasted part or scene, and every movement lends itself to the situation at hand. Every actor carries the weight of their character with extreme skill. KDY shows his versatility by easily switching gears, but admittedly one of the best supporting roles is the actor who doesn't have to.
Honestly, this is one of the few shows I'd be eager to see a second season of, or at the least a one-time special TV movie! To anyone who loves to laugh and isn't nursing a broken rib, please give this series a shot!
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However, I will say that the ending felt like a cheap cop-out. I was ready to rave about the series to my friends but honestly I haven't been this disappointed in an ending since Kado. If you've seen that series you know what I mean. Otherwise I would have given the show around a 9.0.
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The cast was great and played well off each other, and the music matched the scenes nicely. I felt the ending left a bit unanswered but it was nothing significant enough to change my opinion of the show overall.
Chances are I will watch this again in the future!
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Food Porn with an uncomplicated story
Honestly, if they’d put as much effort into the story as they did the cooking, this could have been a great story. Unfortunately, as another user better stated, if you’re turned off by gross eating noises then it’ll be a hard watch. I forced myself to deal as I was invested in the romance. Sadly the payoff was uneven, and left me somewhat disappointed. Still, it was cute at moments, especially watching the prince being so enamored with Xiaoxiao. On the plus side, it avoids a lot of K and C drama tropes which is refreshing. On the downside, as it has been pointed out, there is a strong disdain for women who aren’t a size 2.So I’d say it’s worth the watch if you’re not into Bridgerton level heat but you are into Iron Chef
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The story follows many typical tropes but doesn't flaunt them or make them boring. You actually care very much about all the characters, even the ones with the small roles. Yes, even the bad guy, in the end.
My only complaint is the sound editing. Many times the dialogue was overpowered by the music, and sometimes the music cut off or changed awkwardly.
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This review may contain spoilers
Coming into the story it was obvious that there was going to be more than just a cutesy love story. Granted it took some turns I could never have imagined, but that made it an even better story. Jae In and Ji Soo were well written female characters and entirely believable. So many dramas try to dumb down the women, or make them useless outside of a relationship. Here we had not one but two terrifically fleshed out characters, which were supported by other great women!
The music was good but not exceptional. There were no standout songs like I've come to expect from K-dramas, but still felt natural and didn't distract from any scenes.
Also there are no weak players in this series. The younger actors hold their own against the more seasoned actors, and Ji Soo's death was devastating to watch. Everyone involved should be proud of what they accomplished here!
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But, most importantly, you have to pay attention at all times. Rewind if you miss dialogue, pause if you need to read the translation. Everything is well laid out and explained properly if you are patient. Obviously this show will not appeal to everyone, but to those of us it does it is an amazing ride!
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If you’ve been there
I think one thing a lot of reviews are missing is life experiences. Does this title contain tropes? Yes, but not as many as most. Do those tropes overpower the story? Not at all; in fact, they usually feel like an afterthought.Either way, as an older person who has experienced some of these things (directly or indirectly, I don’t find the writing to be all that lacking. But an entire 16-episode series with just the mains rebuilding a relationship is a hard task. Might work for a movie, but it would get old quick if it were that times sixteen!
Also, I appreciate the ending— as much as it made me cry— because that’s how life feels. Ten, twenty, fifty years go by in a flash. The entire premise of this series is to emphasize that memories make us who we are, even the smallest ones. It also reminds us to cherish it, because we don’t know what’s coming next. We learn forgiveness for others, and for ourselves, when someone feels wronged. And we learn that love looks different for everyone, and none are your average Hollywood ending
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Perfect fun, relaxing romp
Honestly I enjoyed this show more than I expected. Still, it was the right length (48 episode shows are too burdensome) and the ideal tone. Being stuck at home with COVID, I wanted something that wouldn’t stress me out to watch. This show has a nice balance between funny and serious, with punchlines never feeling awkward. I’ll credit the actors as well as the writers here, because both seem to have a good grasp on human behavior.It’s also nice that they avoided some of the more egregious tropes, which allowed certain characters to feel less like caricatures than other series.
The cast was also well selected. The main leads’ chemistry was palpable, heating up the screen at every turn. (I’d also love to see an appreciation post for Li Jun Chen, master of snark and physical comedy.)
The music selection was a lovely touch, never overpowering the scenes. My biggest beef is the fact that, even though the story centers on the fashion industry they didn’t have a large wardrobe, nor did they take care to change clothes from one day to the next.
Otherwise I’d suggest anyone who enjoys happy, sappy love stories to check this one out and judge for yourself!
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Going up there with my favorites
Look, I don't catch feelings very often. In fact, it takes a lot to get me to tear up. But this show? Yeah, I actually had to pause it a few times to compose myself. To me that says everything about a series, from the writing to the actors. Honestly, if the ending hadn't felt a tad bit rushed it likely would have earned a 10!At first I watched it because I'm a sucker for Grim Reaper stories. Why? I couldn't say, but I love them when they're done well. Granted the initial disclaimer gave me a moment's pause, so I proceeded with caution. I'm so glad I did. For anyone who has felt hopeless, helpless, and clinging to tiny threads of happiness, this show is so satisfying. It validates one's feelings while skillfully challenging them at the same time. Also, for those who love someone dealing with this, it's an eye-opening look at those struggles.
The cast was perfectly chosen, and the character storylines nicely woven together. Nothing in the soundtrack jumped out at me, but that's probably the point. While I might not recommend this to a first-time K-Drama watcher, to the experienced fan it's certainly well worth a look!
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Even though the series dealt with heavy subject material the humorous portions were well done and enjoyable. It gives the audience a chance to collect its breath as the tension builds.
It may not be the best show ever written but I'd certainly recommend it to anyone who asks!
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There was some great acting in the series. Choi Sung Joon was adorable and stole every scene he was in.
The music was decent but not memorable. It felt like it was there to convince you of a scene's emotion rather than complement it.
Now that I've watched it there's very little chance of me watching it again. Most of the buildup fell flat on execution, so knowing what happens will not put me in that same mindset the second time around.
That said it was still a decent series so I feel it deserves the score based on the suspense factor and some great side characters/story lines.
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