Reviews

Siren's kiss is more like misogyny's kiss

Misogyny can be very loosely summed up as prejudice or hatred of women and girls, often leading to harmful actions against them. In this show, the female lead literally doesn't do much wrong. She's just beautiful. And because of that, she had weirdos after her, often feeling like she owes them something when she doesn't. Even the male lead, whom she ends up with in the end, was initially very weird towards her and accused her of all kinds of stuff without any actual evidence.

I probably would have enjoyed this series more if they had aired episodes every day or released them all at once. However, due to the pace, I found myself losing interest at times. As such, I rated this a 7/10. It's a decent show, and now that all the episodes are out, I do recommend it.

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This is a tough one to rate. I am so used to the normal k-drama series where there is no second season. There is always a solid conclusion at the end of it's 16, 20, or whatever episode run. But here, you are waiting for what presumably looks like is going to be the show's biggest action scene yet, and then boom! ....Sorry, wait until next year. REALLY!

Ending aside, this show is a lot of fun. It's a blockbuster type of drama. While there is story and character around the monarchy, with it's lead character of the crown prince, the show isn't too concerned with character development and a deep storyline. In many ways it fits in the disaster film genre. It isn't so much about its characters as it is more about the epidemic surrounding them. Which I think is fine. It presents itself as an epic and violent action feature, and it succeeds at that. The acting is great. The effects are great. It's a fun one to watch for sure. But damn you for making us wait a year on that type of cliffhanger.

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I am not going to lie, I felt extremely frustrated while watching this drama. It had amazing potential, but close to nothing worked out. The beauty - amazing cinematography and styling of our main character, and the beast - the writing.

There honestly is not much to say about the characters, since the only one that had true depth was Man Wol. She was the centre of the drama and IU did an amazing job representing her development and gradual change. Chang Sung could have worked way better if it wasn't for Chung Myung. All the rest of the characters we simply did not spend enough time with, to truly care about. I must say, Sanchez was my favorite and he was the breath of fresh air.

Kim Seon Bi/Choi Seo Hee/Ji Hyun Joong aka when writers do not care.
Out of all their stories, only Seo Hee's had some depth to it. Kim Seon Bin's story was extremely random, there were close to no hints about his previous life so I did not even care to speculate what happened to him. Hyun Joong's past life story had the least sense. How did his sister not recognize that the guy taking care of her was not her brother. How did his family not ask any questions, why did they recognize her and not him? You could say it was a war so they did not see him for a long time, but the same would apply to the sister. Hong sisters did not care enough about those characters to spend time to truly explain and develop their stories. They had the material for a good 8 episodes of Man Wol's side and had to fill the rest with random storylines. I could not feel emotional about them all leaving at the end, because all I could think about was: None of it makes any sense.

I also believe it would be better to start sending away the characters around episode 10-12, and not just have them all gone in the last 2 episodes. We could slowly see how Man Wol is realizing all the people she loves and cares about are gone and moving on to the afterlife. How the ones that stay behind struggle with the loss. We would see her being more concerned about how will Chan Sung deal in the future when she is gone. Them gradually leaving would have more impact on both the characters and the storyline.

Chan Sung/Chung Myung aka the failed romance
While I enjoyed Chan Sung at the beginning, the moment we got more scenes with Chung Myung and the past story developed into something interesting, I could not focus on the present. Chan Sung was simply a boring character that was there only for Man Wol's story to develop and he had nothing going on for himself. When we met another male character that had a past romantic relationship with Man Wol, but also was its own character, it was easy to forget our male lead. At the end of the day I wished for more flashbacks and less present plot. And I would rather have them as friends than as romantic partners.

Kim Yoo Na aka no one truly cares about anything
While I enjoyed Yoo Na, I do believe they should have made her a more tragic character. Yet again, there was no depth to the story. Show me how much she struggles to fit in that new house, how she misses her old friends and family and how she is tired of pretending to be someone else.

All the hotel cases aka when you try too hard to please the viewers
I did not truly like any of the random hotel cases, but I hated some more than others. The most random one with the humans having sex in the hotel room to have some superior child in the future. I was truly confused why this plotline was in the drama.
There were too many cases, so at the end, none of them was developed or complex. They tried to fit any genre (horror, crime, romance, melo, etc.) into the drama, just to make sure all viewers can find something they may like.

Disney ending aka when you are afraid to commit to the tragedy
None of the characters involved in the drama had a truly tragic ending. Which was extremely unrealistic. It could be easily fixed. Make Yoona too late to say goodbye to Hyun Joong. After Seo Hee goes to the bridge, cut to the mother registering the baby with the father's surname because of the grandparents. Make the book about Seon Bi flop. I would even like for Chung Myung to vanish because he used all his energy looking after Man Wol. The Song sisters wanted to show us how sad, tragic, and emotional the feeling of loss is, but they did not want to show the truly ugly side of it. Because of that, the ending felt bland.

Overall, during the whole watch, there was literally (and I truly mean it) only one time when I thought "wow, this is a good writing, I finally feel the playoff" and it was with how they used the Coffee Writer Dude. They spent just enough time for us to be curious about him and wonder what will happen to him, when he will go to the afterlife.

At the end, Hong Sisters had an amazing idea, about an amazing character, and no idea what to do with the rest. Trying to fit too many stories of too many characters made this drama a... mess.

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This drama was filmed in the wrong era

If this drama was out at the same time as Boys Over Flowers or Secret Garden or something, I would be more understanding. But this drama felt like they were just following the Book of K-Drama Cliches. I have watched cliche dramas before that work just fine, but this was just straight up boring and outdated. Everything was predictable, from the dialogue to the tropes. There was barely anything to the plot to keep the drama moving. I felt like I was watching filler ep after filler. No wonder there's only 12 eps.

I thought we have moved past the I-will-bother-you-till-you-like-me-Sehoon-Lee Min Ho-like romance. The main couple barely shared any connection and had no chemistry. The second couple was slightly better, but they also didn't match in compatibility.

The only unique factor was the English speaking cousin.

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Another good piece from Author Kim!

Reviews gotten me skeptical but it surpasses my expectation.

Author Kim is very well-known in writing different kinds of genre and this drama is like a combination of Goblin + Mr Sunshine where it has a little of the fantasy element with some foreign affairs politics. However, as this is the first drama over the past few years that wasn't produced Director Lee Eung Bok, the production wasn't that fantastic, but still okay.

For those who enjoyed fantasy, this will most likely be your cup of tea. However, do note that this is slightly more complicated than the other fantasy as it involves time travel, universe travel and space-time gap but I personally think that these have made the drama even more special! As someone who enjoy fairytale, I love how they created the monarch world and also where the king was riding on his white horse! Pure imagination!

A big applaud for the cast as well for portraying more than one role in the drama and slayed it! My favourite goes to Eun-seob and Jo Yeong!!!!!! He is so charming and cute at the same time in his totally different-character roles and really deserve much love omgggg!

Overall, I love it! Giving it a 9.0/10.0 as 1 mark goes to the excessive product placement that is out of nowhere. I don't really enjoy product placement in the drama, especially when they even designed their lines to promote the product, it gives me a C-drama vibes which I don't really fancy it. And this drama has really too much of it, it sort of ruin the whole atmosphere build up for this drama. Other than that, all good! :)

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Zero Plot, Just Cooking and Singing

Let’s be honest, there is no plot to this 32 episode series. Guy meets girl. They fall in love. They SLOWLY get to their first kiss. Everyone stares at them with adoration. They stare at each other. The end.

This is more of a - let’s just show a lot of good Chinese culture. Chinese dishes, Chinese clothes, Chinese music, Chinese tourist attractions. Bring in some good looking people, have them eat together and make it 32 hours.

This huge cast of actors did absolutely NOTHING. How much teasing can they give the main couple? How long must the FL act 12 and shy every single time she’s with her boyfriend? What about the side couples? They literally moved slower than a grandpa with broken hips. All the side couples got together in the last 15 mins. They have the main couple way way way too much screen time doing nothing but act cute. I wouldn’t mind if they actually showed some sort of character growth or storyline. If they made it just 12-16 episodes, it would’ve been short and sweet. But y’all.. 32 episodes?! What’s crazier is that I actually made it to the end. I mostly skipped by episode 25.

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HIGH FIVE TO THE FACE!!!WITH A CHAIR IS WHAT I NEED!!

I honestly am too drained to write out my disappointment! So much wasted! As a Novel reader, this was such a slap to the face or should I say HIGH FIVE to the face!! The first episodes were good and then everything just derailed after they became a couple! Can't even blame Covid-19 because they finished before the lockdown thing. The ending was such utter disrespect to the source material..

I can't even rewatch it.. the novel was so good! How do you mess up this much.. Win was adorable and he portrayed Tine well, including the insecurities, Bright however.....No comment

Wish my boy Gunsmile had more screen time. He actually made some scenes bearable...

This wasn't a romance story, this was a weird friends story! Not even Bromance. Atleast Bromance compels you to ship the couple, SaraTine just bored me in the last 3 episodes..

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1) The reason I watched this:

All my friends watched it and fell for it; they kept recommending so I watch it in order to find out the fuss that went around it.

2) Storyline/Plot:

This rom-com doesn't have the usual boring concept of other films, it has a new story that bumps out from crowd.

Positive points:

*There was a great self-introduction at the beginning of the film: it was a cool start.
*The love story was just great from how they met and all the weird yet sweet acts that would keep anyone interested.
*So much laughter in this film, it was really hilarious most of the time.
*Beside romance and laughter there were also some sad moments and captivating twists so it sort of got it all.

Negative points:

I couldn't find any, even if there was, they weren't so serious that would ruin the general story therefore there's no need to mention them.

Story: 9.5/10.

3) Acting/Cast:

*Jun Ji Hyun : This was the first and only work that I saw with this actress; she has a lot of potential since she prtrayed her role perfectly since I don't believe that there's any other actress that would portray the sassy girl the way she did: she was convincing, brought me laughter and some sorrow near the end: *Claps*

*Cha Tae Hyun : I really liked that actor, he has held the main lead male in a great way. The character was appealing to the point that I feel sorry for him since he always get hitted by both his mother and the girl he loves, so much laughter in those scenes xD
*I loved the chemistry between the leads and the way they acted in the park and in the club with school uniforms: I loved those scenes.

Cast: 8/10
Acting: 10/10

4) The ending:

It may sound weird but I saw it comming while it's supposed to be a "surprise".
Anyhow, it was a smart move to gather events in a way that would make the film end that way. Great end overall.

The ending: 8.5/10.

5) My impression (How did it affect me):

*This film made my day, I kept wondering why I haven't watch it sooner.
*I laughed a lot while watching this, it was a great K-film classic that deserves to be remembered.

My impression 9/10

6) Overall:

*If you like rom-coms then this is a must watch.
*If you like unusual yet sweet love stories then you would like this.
*If you like hilarious films with a strong female lead then this is for you.

Overall: 8.5/10

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I'm not a fan of manga so I decided to see it just because it was ongoing and it was showing up on my explore page all the time. You can tell it's a manga adoption just by Risa's voice and Hiroto's haircut (you know that typical long manga hairstyle).

To the plot ... I really like the fact that each episode is a little less than 30 minutes long which doesn't tires me unlike the typical 1 hour + long dramas. To be honest everything is happening really fast but again how long would be the storyline of a manga? It's definitely a drama for more mature audience or people who like a little bit of smut ;)

Now the story is quite basic : The typical virgin "never-had-a-boyfriend-before" girl fells in love with a mysterious, sexy , rich guy who's manipulative but she doesn't care (or understand it) because she's in love. It kinda reminds me of Twilight movies sometimes ( and I wasn't a fan ). Anyway I would really like to know what's his secret that he has to hide so well from her but from some spoilers I read that he might be bisexual and doesn't want her to know???? I guess I'll have to wait until the end to learn...

I would definitely re-watch it for the spicy scenes ;)

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I Hope the Original Author Sued the Production Team.

Story: This drama starts from what I thought was a mainstream RPR (Regression, Possession, Reincarnation) drama that will focus on a justice-obsessed main character. I'm proven wrong, as Jin Do Jun will use any means necessary to further his revenge, even if it means besmirching his late Grandfather's reputation. The schemes, the backstabbing, and the battle of wits are epic. As far as the story goes, if the production team decided to just follow the original ending like in the novel, it would be a perfect drama. BUT NO! The production team decided on their own ending for the drama, which ruined its whole point. For the production team, I respectfully give you all of my available middle fingers. Just like what Yoon Hyun Woo said to his father in Episode 14, you just have to stay f*cking still to be a help, so why don't you? The rating for this part for me is 9 out of 10 before the finale. After that, it went downhill to just 1.

Acting & Music: I'm new to Korean drama and their culture, but even I could see that the dynamic between Do Jun and his Grandfather is gold. On the one hand, you have a clever, witty, and daredevil grandson; on the other, you have the most badass grandfather you could have in your entire life. The clash between the two is the most awaited scene for me. The music for this drama is beautifully done. 10 out of 10 for this part.

Rewatch Value: Yeah, no. This drama was supposed to be an adaptation of the webnovel so that the series could be more popular and widely known. But with this kind of ending, I doubt this drama has a rewatch value. Unless you just watch the first 15 episodes and make your own ending, Do Jun beat the bad guys and live happily after with his loved ones.

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It could be so much better

We all know this could be so much better.
It was messy and boring at times. The acting is the only reason I'm giving it a high score. The actors were all amazing.

I don't like the beauty ideal message sent by the drama. I wish we could stop feeding the plastic surgery industry. It makes me think they have a drama lobby.
Somehow all the dramas that deal with looks different than the ideal all try to change the person instead of working for acceptance. You see that with beauty and weight (oh my venus, gangnam beauty, coffee do me a favor).
Even the drama weightlifting fairy kim bok joo has that problem, calling perfectly normal women overwheight and recommending skin whitening creams (that one didn't escape me and I hate that drama for that.)
It's 2020. Let's start accepting people come in all shapes and sizes. More diversity and true acceptance lead to a better and kinder society. Stop brainwashing young girls and young women into thinking they need to change their looks to be accepted or valuable. They don't.

I also have a thing with the main song! YOU HAVE SOME NERVE SINGING I'M SO LONELY WHILE WE'RE WATCHING THE LEADS KISS!!! hahaha

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I don't know how I feel about this drama

It was an ok drama with a weird set up...

I LOVED the editing and cinematography of this drama. Every shot and scene was something worth studying. My favorite scene from this drama was how Hae Jo met his lil sister, who was looking for her brother. I didn't expect that and it was such a bittersweet surprise that the drama threw. I wish there was a scene where they met later...

Everything else was meh... It felt like at times the drama was going to hit the high that it was seeking and just shine brilliantly but then it just flares off and then just meh... I don't know how else to put it... I felt like this drama was unfinished.

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Bullying and parental abuse

I hardly know where to start reviewing this comedy, romance drama. I don’t think it fits in either genre. I watched this series, then waited a year and watched all 25 episodes again. I watched it again because I was so polarized, and I wanted to see if I missed something before I wrote a review. I understand this show was a stepping stone to stardom for some of the actors. Lee Min Ho stood out from the rest even though his character was blah and really strange. The rest were average at best. Gu Hye Seon’s portrayal of Jan Di was almost unbearable. She had zero chemistry with the ML and should never ever play another romantic role.

The story, however, was one of the most horrendous depictions of bullying and parental abuse I’ve ever seen. I watched 24.9 episodes of misery; all piled on one young woman. Misery is not drama. The horror genre would have been a better fit for this one. None of the male characters in this show had any redeeming value. The story was unbelievable and even the ending was weird without any direction. Where was the romance? Was that ending supposed to make us feel good? Some of the bullying bordered on life and death. How can the word comedy be added anywhere in this series? When I review dramas, I like to add a misery index to my reviews when it’s needed. This one receives a misery index of 10. I don’t know how many times I have to say it. Three minutes of sunshine at the end of a show full of misery does not leave you with a good feeling. All you remember is the misery and hate.

Looking back, I can’t believe I watched it twice. I would never recommend this series to a friend.

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I've been really disappointed with the amount of hate that this drama received. Even the ratings didn't give it justice.
I'll be honest and say that the whole drama contains all the elements of the typical romantic K-drama. But we shouldn't focus only on the story and forget the cast. I think that the cast is the best thing in this drama. Ji Chang Wook is -as ever- perfect at conveying his emotions and feelings. I also discovered Won Jin Ah for the first time in Melting Me Softly. Her acting is really good and the two protagonists had and incredible chemistry.

At some points, I found some scenes really sappy and even noticed some plot holes. But overall, this drama is suitable for everyone who is looking for a typical romance with a very handsome male lead and a beautiful female lead.

I think that Ji Chang Wook could have done better for a comeback drama in comparison with his previous projects. I really like him for being able to demonstrate the feelings of his character with incredible sincerity. In Melting Me Softly, I felt like crying during some scenes and especially the last episode. Concerning his acting skills, he's never disappointed me.

To resume, I would say to everyone thinking about watching MLS don't get your expectations very high concerning the story. It's a typical romantic drama. However, if you're looking for wonderful chemistry and a happy ending then go for it. After all, it has Ji Chang Wook as the male lead !!!

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