The cast was really awesome! I saw some of my favorite stars from previous dramas and some new faces as well! All of them portrayed their parts well, and Jasper has really improved in his emotional scenes (from Pleasantly Surprised). Jet and Jasper's character both had fantastic character development and were characters with a lot of layers/depth. Both of their characters were what made me continue watching because it was just so fascinating to understand both of them more. Of course, the OTP was cute too. Mandy and Jasper had more chemistry the second half! The side characters were great too. They were consistent with their character and it seemed like all of them had a story underneath their exterior, which was consistent with the title of this drama, When I See You Again. I liked how the director was detailed enough to give many of the characters time to tell us their story too, adding to the overall depth of the drama!
Music was very catchy so no complaints there! Not my favorite OST of all time but good enough!
Re-watch isn't that high because their were a lot of surprise elements in this drama. Thus, I think that it wouldn't be as good the second time around. However, as usual, I would go back and watch my favorite cute scenes between the leads! All in all, I recommend this drama to everyone who likes a good romantic drama and some "politics" mixed in. Of course, if you're a Jasper fan you cannot miss this drama! (9/8.5)
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Anyway, the special was fair enough we get to see more of great moments specially hilarious ones. I totally love Nakatsu he's the best ever! It's true that Hana Kimi's cast was outstanding but every time I think about this drama, Nakatsu jumps into my mind with his weird yet funny and cool thoughts.
Maybe some people didn't like the special or thought of it as unfair but believe me the fact of seeing Hana Kimi's cast and events all over again is worth wasting your time on it.
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Admittedly you don't see a lot of Aaron Yan at first, which may disappoint you, but that doesn't mean you won't fall in love with the other characters, each individually trying to overcome their own troubles. Aaron's appearances are short but sweet and later when he gets more air time, I fell in love with his sweet, loving character even more. His relationship with the Death Girl, Du may leave something to be desired but is in no way shallow. I felt every emotion in this drama. A must watch!
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Man made goddess.
This fantasy drama is set in Sichuan, a world that is being torn apart by internal strife, corruption and disillusionment after the people are abandoned by their goddess. The young ruler Yuan Yi sets out to restore faith, peace and prosperity to his land by seeking the return of the goddess. This brings him to a remote village that is occupied by a tribe whose sacred duty is to contain the deadly earth fires from erupting and engulfing their world. There he encounters Linglong, a young girl with inexplicable powers and her father Huotu Xin. They are semi-outcasts in the village as Linglong's mother was an outsider who disappears as mysteriously as she appeared. Is Linglong the key to bringing back the goddess to Sichuan?I have to give top marks for how mythically gorgeous this fantasy world looks - especially the fabulous flying fish ships. This drama's premise around this magical fantasy land and its man made goddess is very interesting and I really enjoy how the world building takes place slowly as the mysteries of the past and the origins of the goddess are revealed. The problem is that the plot peaks at that point, meanders around before limping to an unimpressive and dissatisfying ending.
I really enjoyed Yuan Hong's performance as Linglong's father in this drama and find it to be the drama's most memorable and enjoyable relationship. His heart warming, comical rapport with Zhao Jinmai's Linglong regularly had me grinning away and made me continue even after the plot lost momentum. This is one of the best portrayed father-daughter relationships I have seen in c-drama. I am so glad I watched this because I really needed to wipe the (not good) images I had of Yuan Hong after Rebel Princess. He is an incredible and smoking hot actor and I wish the drama was written around his character Huotu Xin, who is much more interesting than the titular character Linglong. That is one of my main gripes - the titular character Linglong is not that interesting and her relationship with Yuan Yi is sweet but does not make a lasting impression. Sadly the China market is idol-focused and there is limited room for actors like Yuan Hong who are ageing out of lead roles.
I love realistically written, opaque and intriguing characters with conflicting agendas, which is how many of the other main characters are written. That makes them so much more interesting than the OTP that I care a lot more about them and am dismayed at how callously they are dealt with. Even Li Sha and Yin Xiao are much more interesting both in terms of their personalities and abilities than the OTP. Not only was I rooting for both Wu Yuan and Yin Zhuang at the same time, I was also rooting for Wei Shengyan and Huotu Xin at the same time! It is incredible that this drama manages to resolve such win-win triangles in a way that manages to disappoint someone who is rooting for both angles. Wei Shengyan is a smart and curiously likeable protagonist who suddenly does stupid, self destructive things to force the plot towards the ending the writers wanted. I don't want to spoil the end so I will just leave it at lots of stuff happens, there are many sacrifices but Sichuan is not necessarily a better place and I don't care that much about the winners.
I enjoyed many aspects of this fantasy drama and can recommend it as a decent filler drama to watch with low expectations. I rate it 7.0.
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I literally cannot count the amount of times I cheered, laughed out loud, cried-mostly tears of joy but a couple times were for sad or simply melancholy reasons, cursed at whomever I detested or disrespected, clapped my hands, or was most profoundly stunned into absolute silence with my mouth agape and my eyes blinking ever so slowly.
This drama offered me everything I could ever desire in an amazing viewing experience. Bromances, romances, betrayals, action and adventure, revenge, loyalty, self awareness, self sacrifice.... None of them done in an over tired or cliched way, as so many dramas are wont to do. Even the villains in this were not evil for the sake of being evil. They were layered and deep and had understandable reasons for their treachery. Even if their actions seemed extreme to the other characters they interacted with, or us as the viewing audience, you could see how, from their point of view, everything they did had purpose.
While watching this drama I only ever had one negative criticism in my mind about one single character. I immensely disliked the Crown Princess, and was ready to deduct half a point from my overall rating of The Three Musketeers which caused a lot of inner turmoil. However, I am so very glad I followed the guidelines for reviewing and waited as, in the end, her character fleshed out and became one that I look forward to seeing develop in the future.
That being said I can say without any doubt there was nothing I didn't love about this drama. It was a wonderful adaptation of Alexander Dumas' Novel. I was thrilled at the ending and also saddened that I had no more episodes to look forward to... at least not today. Whenever they decide to air season 2 it will be like Christmas and my Birthday wrapped into one and I will count the days until this epic adventure continues.
All For One, and One For All !!!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Thought provoking. Confronting the arrogance of the ´normal´. Truly outstanding acting performance
"Oasis" was highly celebrated by international film critics in 2002. Director and screenwriter Lee Chang-dong, who had with "Peppermint Candy" in 1999 already contributed a milestone in Korean film art, came up with this unusual love story between a mentally retarded young man and a young woman with infantile cerebral palsy. In doing so, he once again relied on Sol Kyung-gu and Moon So-ri, who had proven themselves as a couple in "Peppermint Candy" and who now once again deliver truly outstanding acting performances in "Oasis". The list of international awards – i.e. in Venice, Vancouver, Bergen, Brisbane, Seattle and Seville - as well as in South Korea, is long. And rightly so.“Oasis” is pure (independent) KMovie! It impressively embodies a great strength of South Korean movie production: ruthlessness! Even if social life is characterized by facades, coats, make-up and social reputations, modern South Korean cinema has (since the end of dictatorial censorship) proven what 'independence' really means. The freedom to finally show things the way they really are! Not being afraid of what is hurting, what is ugly, what is disgusting! The brutal revelation of the emotional abyss to which the human soul may be exposed over the course of a human life. Situations and moments in life that people tend/wish to quickly forget. The cruelties that people are capable of inflicting on each other. The look behind the facades and underneath the coats, where we are naked and without make-up, alone and vulnerable. But this is where we are sincere and real, too. From there, a new form of beauty and strength can grow. KMovies bring to light even the unloved, unpleasant, repressed, despised, perverted, uninhibited, disturbing human emotions with magnificent intensity, which are often presented so authentically that it hurts (because it's so true). The protagonists have no claim whatsoever to be likeable. This creative courage, when it comes to production and performance, as well as the audience´s willingness to open up to these cinematic works is (in my opinion) almost unique.
“Oasis” offers an impressive expression of this particular artistic attitude. This is a thought provoking KMovie confronting the arrogance of the ´normal´. The plot is about a young woman and a young man who – in the eyes of their social environment - preferably should be socially isolated and actually locked away, as they are supposedly unpresentable. Because of their disability, they are ultimately just a nuisance, causing work and trouble, irritating the 'normal' people with their unpredictable behavior, and actually not contributing anything... Because the families are ashamed of them.
The KMovie bluntly frames that social norms are in fact more important to 'us' than people. "Oasis" encourages to open up a bit and approach the lives of those 'waywards'. And lo and behold! They are sensitive, soulful people like 'us' - with feelings, dreams and longings. They are falling in love. They long for relationships. They are just people, too. Lovable people. Adults with their own lives.
'He' is a physically healthy man in his late 20s, but at the mental level of an 8 year old. He is strong, but easy to manipulate and rather simple-minded. 'She', on the other hand, is physically handicapped due to her severe infantile cerebral palsy to such an extent that she is dependent on help. Due to the impairment of her nervous system, which affects voluntary motor skills, speech disorders, spasms, as well as sensory and motor limitations are occurring, too. Intelligence isn't actually her problem, but that young woman in "Oasis" apparently wasn't given any specific assistance, just basic care. She has her difficulties communicating.
The way the families treat their ´waywards´ is horrendous. In fact, they are both unscrupulously exploited and abused. And both are helpless in their own ways. He doesn't fully grasp the situation. She is physically dependent on helping hands.
The romantic relationship between the two is quite something else. Their start can be considered downright dubious. And yet, as the odd couple they are, they both are happy together. The picture of the oasis on the wall jumps out of its frame and fills the room. In their togetherness, the couple has created an almost magic space where their souls can relate and recharge, where they can be a different person. It is touching, indeed. ´He´ is a responsible man and she is a desirable woman! Yet, this reality is completely alien to their social environment. The families don't have the slightest idea, that this could be even possible: those two ´handicapped losers´ being actually able to genuinely caring for each other and loving each other just the way they are. Not even their closest families honestly tried to truly reach out and attempt to understand their brother/sister.
Bringing the quality of this relationship against all odds authentically to the audience is the unique beauty and strength of “Oasis”. Although 'beauty' is not otherwise something, one would directly associate with this movie. There is hardly any beauty in the world of those two protagonists, where their environment isn´t taking them serious at all. They are either patronized or treated in a disrespectful and disdainful manner. Nevertheless, their feelings for each other radiate beauty and grace. Interaction may inevitably be rather awkward, but still they find their unique way. In the end, it all comes to an almost passionately brilliant finale when HE risks everything in order to by all means keep his promise to HER: sawing off the branches of the tree in front of her window, which only cast shadows on her beloved oasis picture on the wall...
The KMovie leaves us with our thoughts behind. Touched. And - substitutional for those two families, the police, the neighbors etc., who in their arrogance are blind to the inner world of those two lovers – ashamed, too.
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Surprisingly Addictive !
Personally, I find The Sword And The Brocade to be addictive. I kept watching one episode after another and completed the whole drama within 3 to 4 days. What made me hooked is the way the story is told and the smart female character. It is a bit like Word Of Honor whereby the story execution could make or break a drama. In this case, it is a romance drama and the relationship between the male and female lead follows a slow but smooth progress. It is different from a lot of romance dramas whereby the leads just fall in love at first sight or after a short period of bickering like Overlord and The Wolf Princess.Therefore, I find that The Sword And The Brocade has a unique charm because the romance is kind of gentle and gradually persuasive. It has a very different flavor from the usual to make it a compelling watch for me. However, I also understand why some people can’t relate to this drama as the male character is written to be cold especially towards his concubines.
A Cold Male Lead
The main male character, Ling Yi, has a few concubines besides an official wife. So, this is a drama that features a lot of schemings by revengeful and jealous concubines. It does have that element of stereotyping. This is not helped by a mother-in-law who practices favoritism. If you are not into this kind of set-up, this drama may appear unattractive. That was what I thought too but the female character saved the day for me which I will elaborate later.
Basically, a cold male lead is not new. Legend Of Yun Xi and Ten Miles Of Peach Blossoms also start off with an aloof male lead. But because Ling Yi has a few concubines, some viewers may have issue with the way he treats them. In the drama, Ling Yi simply has no affections for them. So, he tends to neglect his concubines especially after the female lead comes into the picture. You can say that he is pretty unfair when it comes to the amount of attention he lavishes on his wife versus the rest of his women.
Personally, I’m fine with it because I can relate to his situation as the head of a very traditional family and why he ended up having to marry them. He is also repulsed by their schemes and over-eagerness to curry favor with him because he is just not that type who would fall for their wily behavior. If you look at it this way, then Ling Yi will become a more palatable male lead.
An Astute Female Lead
Shi Yi Niang’s ability to read the situation and seize it to her advantage is what makes her character interesting to me. So, yes, it is a typical concubine and mother-in-law historical drama whereby they try to make things hard for the female lead. But Shi Yi Niang is not that poor woman in need of her man’s help. She is smart and astute to know how to turn the tables on them. In a way, the female lead carried the show for me. Rather than a sob story with a pitiful female character, she blazes the trail with her independence and courage to take risk.
Hence, if you like watching strong and smart female characters in your dramas, The Sword And The Brocade will certainly qualify as one of them.
A Sweet And Gentle Romance
The plot starts off with Shi Yi Niang wanting to investigate her mother’s death. As the drama progresses, it switches to the relationship between Shi Yi Niang and Ling Yi with the investigation remaining relevant as a sub-plot. I think some might find the romance unrealistic that Ling Yi seems to tread on eggshells around his new wife when he is an experienced married man. I guess it is needed to slowly build up the romance. So, you will find him remaining respectful and a gentleman when it comes to romancing and sleeping with Shi Yi Niang.
Thus, if you want to enjoy this romance drama, you will need to put aside a dose of realism. But that is how it is with most dramas out there anyway. For me, the romance is the slow burn type but charming nonetheless because Shi Yi Niang doesn’t fawn over Ling Yi like he expected her to. She beguiles him and after getting to know her better, he ends up adoring her. Hence, it is gentle progress as they build a foundation of trust after various experiences and start to admire each other’s good qualities. It has a positive feel in a way that is both sweet and satisfying.
My Verdict
I know many people are watching The Sword And The Brocade because of the leads. Seven Tan is a talented actress who tends to have great chemistry with her co-stars. She did well in Under The Power as well as Go Ahead whereby she is paired with someone younger than her. As for Wallace Chung, he has been around for a long time and is a highly experienced actor.
Both of them did manage to generate enough chemistry in The Sword And The Brocade for me. I guess it really depends on whether you find them to be a matching pair appearance-wise as there is a big age gap between them. If you don’t, then the chemistry will feel forced just like the pairing in Dating In The Kitchen and the drama will lose its shine altogether.
Nevertheless, I would still recommend a watch with a score of 8/10 for this The Sword And The Brocade review. Perhaps it could have been shortened rather than stretched to 45 episodes as the women’s schemings can get tiring. But the plot keeps it going as the investigative element and feud with the Ou family offer more variety to the story while remaining closely tied to the romance. That is why I find it to be an addictive drama overall. Watch it if you want a different feel to a romance rather than the usual. Also, the OSTs of the drama are really beautiful to listen to especially the one by Zhou Shen which fits the drama to a tee!
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Tsundere feels!!!'
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Outstanding female characters...
This drama is a must watch.The first few episodes may come of as confusing, but once you're past that this drama will take you in for a ride. And it's an amazing ride.
The casting is perfect, the female characters are complex, smart and strong (every single one of them). The second male lead is another perfect character with so much to tell. Overall all the actors have done their characters perfectly.
The villain is great too.
Personally this is a perfect drama with time travel, adventure, thriller, a crazy villain, best female and male characters, romance, heart wrenching drama, having perfect dialogues and ending.
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This review may contain spoilers
watch it for leads not for story but overall forgettable
After long i watched 8+ rated show with plot that made no sense from start to finishI see lot of people bothered about how ML fell in love with someone who has face of a sister. Thats not a major problem at all. He had not seen his sister after she grew up and he came across that face only after she was dead.
Major problem of this drama is how disconnected the PLOT is and how the characters are.
1. FL thinks ML loved her doppleganger initially but has no qualms to hug him kiss him within few days. Like what! people would think twice if ML really loves her or her face!
2. ML and his intention of getting FL to his house and when everything is revealed hardly anything changes. ML could have just solved everything without involving FL.
3. There is no proper character arc. FL is artist but is good at being CEO within a day. i wish i was that smart.
4. ML changes from cold ,abusive person to sweetest within seconds after FL declares she will protect him . lol
5. There is literally no emotional scenes between ML and FL before she falls in love. She doesnt know anything about him. It really looks like Stockholm syndrome not a love story.
This show has too many unbelievable things that it becomes a comedy . I guess it became quite famous because of ML and their steamy scenes & macho scenes but if there is no proper base for characters and their relationship it hardly effects long time . I would rather have a show with no physical affection but good relationship build than watch this uff!
ML is quite good in acting not just look wise so i hope he does good content shows not such trashy fan service ones.
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The music was okay; nothing special or memorable but not horrible either. But the rewatch value, for me at least, is very high. I liked it so much - just not the ending; I really wanted it to be just a slight little bit different to make it happier for everyone - but it still raised a smile. However, that's why it wasn't a 10 overall for me.
This are my scores -
Story - 9.5/10
Acting/Cast - 10/10 (especially Ikuta Toma, who wound the dial all the way to 11)
Music - 5/10
Rewatch Value - 10/10
Overall -- 9.5/10 (just because of the ending).
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Shining characters trapped in a drab plot line
Standout characters immediately grab your attention, and Do You Like Brahms? starts with one of the strongest first 4 episodes of 2020 premieres, second only to Flower of Evil. The two main leads, a burned out superstar and a struggling artist, seem cliché, but their foil is fully explored and surprisingly relatable. However, little substance is built on the foundation of their relationship. You better understand and relate with each character, with each episode, but the evolution of their relationship stagnates. Either DYLB? should have been told in fewer episodes or bigger dramatics were needed to stimulate a more engaging reaction.Story:
The contrast between the quality of characters vs plot is stark by the ending of Do You Like Brahms? From leads to supports, the characters have an incredible amount of depth. Even the motivations of the antagonists are mired in complexity. As a character drama, DYLB? excels by making the unique lives and challenges of musicians relatable to casual drama viewers.
As a thrilling romance or gripping melodrama, it falls short. The love triangle(s) that is crux to the plot of DYLB? is presented in the first couple episodes, and its potential outcome feels inevitable (i.e. miscommunication, confusion, heartbreak). The lack of suspense transforms into frustration as the middle segment of DYLB? trundles toward the finale following a subdued climax.
I want to include one last comment about time skips and flashbacks. They were not always crystal clear, but I appreciate that the director did not baby the audience with title cards like “1 year ago”, “1 month later”, etc. Overall, the plot is the main weakness in an otherwise well directed drama.
Acting:
The combination of character design and cast brings to life the fictional characters on screen. Park Eun Bin adds another excellent role after her underappreciated performance in Hot Stove League. Kim Min Jae has a long list of great roles for such a young actor, almost comparable to Yeo Jin Goo. Their interpretations of their characters just make sense. They act and behave like genuine human beings instead of characters.
The rest of the cast is equally decorated, but I will specifically praise Choi Dae Hoon and Baek Ji Won for creating characters that knew all the right buttons to push for maximum irritation. The way they frustrate the viewers and the main leads is the definition of entertainment, in stark contrast to my frustration with the flat plot.
Music:
More so than the characters and cast, the music within Do You Like Brahms? rises above First, the use of classical music is slightly cheesy and often used as a plot device, but it is refreshing to hear a different sound from the standard drama ballads. Second, the OST of DYLB? is anything but “standard”. The same musical producer from Hotel Del Luna worked on this drama, and the quality of the OST is unparalleled in 2020. It is hit after hit sung by some of the biggest names in Korean music, from Taeyeon to Heize. It is good enough to listen without even watching DYLB?
Rewatch Value:
The lack of dynamic plot and explosive confrontations make it hard to justify a rewatch. This weakness even bleeds into the strong character designs. The main female lead starts off as a relatable, struggling young adult, but she seems too perfect as the story drags on. Being untalented or soft-spoken is far from a real character flaw, and her immaculate actions wear her initial relatability thin. I may be overly critical since I started DYLB? with high hopes. Unfortunately, it falls short of the best drama of 2020 which currently belongs to Crash Landing on You (depends if you consider it a 2019 or 2020 drama) or Flower of Evil.
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realistic. relatable. refreshing.
ik we are here for the "dimple couple" Shin Min Ah and Kim Seon Ho (atleast I am) so I'll skip the introduction. I haven't seen the original work so i won't mention any comparison to it. the plot seemed like something new to me and trailer gave fresh vibes so I didn't hesitate to start (nor do I regret). I'd discuss some aspects in the drama I particularly loved so you may relate to it or consider watching :)PLOT/PALETTE:
so. back to the drama. a girl leaves her job and goes to some rural place and sees a guy who's... everywhere? I thought it would be cdrama style cliché but it's actually far from that (thankfully). color palette of episodes are really relaxing to watch. I'm not an artsy person and I don't know much about palettes but it's really calming and definitely suitable for the picturesque sceneries.
CHILDHOOD CONNECTION DONE RIGHT:
what i really loved in the drama is that despite the leads having a couple of childhood interactions, they don't give much importance to it and (rightfully) move forward because it was simply a part of their past. it was refreshing to see such an arc because in most dramas, the leads who hate eachother suddenly fall in love because they "vowed to marry each other as 3 yo kids" or whatever, you get the idea.
BEST PORTRAYAL OF LOVE TRIANGLE:
the characters are written realistically and mature. props to the crew for including minor details that may seem unimportant but really adds on to reality. there's no over the top cheesy lines and exaggerated portrayal as seen in many other rom-coms. every single arc (including love triangles) is carried out so well that no part of the drama bores the viewers. I simply can't stop admiring how beautifully the love triangle was carried out because in most case it would simply ruin the overall drama experience.
SIDE CHARACTERS HAVE THEIR OWN LIVES TOO:
the side chracters had their own story to tell, not just being comedic clowns or matchmakers for the main leads. ofc their story slightly depends on the leads because they are centres of the drama but we can agree the writer gave justice to the supporting casts by not always placing them in scenarios where leading characters need them. EVERY character had their own situations and struggles but the way each person grew through the story made me happy and proud.
overall, the drama kept it charm throughout. 100% worth the watch! long story short, start watching now!!
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From the beginning this drama draws you in. This drama made me cry my heart out (no joke I cried for hours...yeah i dramathoned this drama). The story is just amazing. Despite Kim Tak Goo facing many difficulties he always has a smile on his face, moving everyone around him. His character just captures your heart. Kim Tak Goo Fighting!!!
So if you are in the mood of watching a drama that will make you cry, smile, laugh, then I recommend you to watch this one.
This is a must see!!!
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Story: Is there a love story in this? Yes, but it's not the main focus of the story. I thought a love story was unnecessary, because the main focus was Jin Woo fighting against a hugely corrupted company / judicial system that falsely accused his dad, which I thought was 10x better.
This story is depressing, melodramatic, and I experienced a lot of moments where I was frustrated with the writers for making the story so sadistic and sad. But this frustration did not prevent me from enjoying the show; every episode was thrilling, intense, and played with my emotions wholeheartedly. There is so much satisfaction when you see injustice turn into justice and how the downfall of the villain is executed. There is always something happening in every episode, and I thought the story was well paced for a show with 20 episodes
Acting: I feel like in this case everyone's perspective on each character will be different based on your own morals, preferences, etc, but I found the cast to be amazing, but a little frustrating to watch as I questioned some of the characters and their significance to the story
Major props to Nam Goong MIn as the evil guy, he really knows how to make the audience's blood boil. I enjoyed Park Sung Woong as Dong Ho, not only did I love his Busan accent, but he is a very rational character that knows what's right and what's wrong, regardless of how the show/audience portrays him. To be honest, I found Seung Ho's character kind of annoying due to his stubbornness, but he is very passionate and ambitious. Park Min Young's character is very civil and determined, and at the same time she also was Seung Ho's emotional support. I felt the chemistry between Seung Ho and Min Young was amazing, but not in a romantic way at all.
Music/Overall: I haven't really payed attention to the music cause the opening theme song kind of overpowered the rest of the tracks and it constantly plays in my head (LOL), but pretty decent OST collection.
I am giving this a 9 for minor reasons (love story, over usage of flashbacks, frustration of characters, etc.), but If you like thrillers, want to take a rest from all those romance dramas, and cry from sadness you should definitely give this a chance.
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