KBS Drama Special 2014: Bride in Sneakers
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In the due course of one night, two young people meet coincidently and their lives change forever.
An abused theme right?? Fate and whatever. But this drama special and though it presents some Utopian ideas and preaches hope, is well-done and worth the journey.
Park Bo Gyong (Lee Chung Ah) is spotted on a train wearing a wedding dress and red sneakers. The man who notices her is a webtoon cartoonist by the name of Jang Hee Sun (Kim Jin Woo). He gets inspired at the scene and decides to buy her story. Therefore he follows her and for one night they get entangled into each other's lives.
It's one hour of comic and serious themes presented simultaneously. You find yourself unable to completely laugh or get absorbed into the sad moment. There's more fun than serious and you'll get a good laugh. The acting of the two leads is truly good. This is my first time watching Kim Jin Woo as a cute and kind man and the surprise was pleasant. There's one shocking turn of events at the end and it's a good one.
The special tackles notions like fortune, luck, miscommunication in relationships, selfishness, cheating and fate. Will tomorrow be different or any better? Do people change?
''You can't take care of yourself but you help others that's why people think you're easy.''
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This review may contain spoilers
Unique & Cute Historical-Contemporary Romance Mix
The plot of this drama was quite unique to me and I gave it a try. The first few episodes were pretty interesting and funny, and I enjoyed watching more than I had expected. There are a number of funny scenes but they were not overly comedic. The storyline developed steadily for the first half of the drama with Zhu Xuan Wen's illness and his treatment by Luo Kai Huai. However, halfway through the drama (like episode 11-12), it started to focus more on the male lead's company power struggles more and there is a big reveal. There is also too much of a focus on the two supporting characters' love lines ( Luo Kai Huai's bro and Zhu Xuan Wen's secretary). I had to skip much of those parts because their stories were not as interesting. And, because the plot lost its focus, I skipped through much of the last half of the drama and only watched the main couple's scenes.On the other hand, I really liked the loveline of Luo Kai Huai and Zhu Xuan Wen. I really felt their chemistry since they first met in the drama even though I did not really like the male lead at first. They're cute together but not in a too sweet/cringey way. The actor and actress playing them did a great job at these two roles. ALSO, I really love the OST of this drama. It always played at the right moment and added to the mood of the scene.
Overall, I would recommend it as a drama filler if you are waiting on some other ongoing dramas since it was still a pretty cute and interesting drama to watch. You may need to use 1.5x speed in the second half though.
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SPOILERS AHEAD
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Things I liked:
1. Main couple's loveline
2. THE OST!!
3. Unique storyline (first half at least) - it was refreshing to see a drama where it was a mix of historical and contemporary because the male lead has mental illness [although in the end it was all an act]. It was also fun to see their past lives being told during Luo Kai Huai's dreams.
Things I didn't like:
1. How their past lives story seemed to have been forgotten after half of the drama
2. How it turned cliche and they have a childhood connection which Luo Kai Huai has a trauma over
3. Too much focus on supporting characters' lovelines- they were boring to watch
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This review may contain spoilers
Finally! A drama where sincerity and goodness always triumph over bad intentions
Chun Cheu Bussaba's merging of romance and comedy against a backdrop of delicious Thai food scenes, resulted in a show that was a lot better than I expected. The show is filled with slapstick, clowning, and funny dialogue, which have time and again really hit the funny bone. At the same time, it had some poignant moments, addressing certain prejudices against older single women and societal perception of beauty.This 'ugly duckling' version with a nice twist did not have Bussaba go through any significant makeover. In fact, I like how they styled Bee Namthip as Bussaba from the beginning. She looked normal, albeit a little unkempt and dowdy with her oversized clothing, but still pretty, especially when she smiled. I love how Bussaba improved her outer beauty naturally and realistically as she started to pay more attention, like using contacts and tidying up her hair. Most of all, I appreciate how Saran, the ML came to love her for her character, but he also noted that Bussaba's beauty was more subtle, less flashy than other women who wear a lot of makeup, high-heels, and fitting clothes.
My one complaint is that Bussaba, with her talent in cooking, did not seem to have a lot of ambition, especially when it came to being a top chef. Her lackluster desire to excel did not seem consistent with her image as the top student of a cooking master.
The best part of the show is how good I felt watching it. In most lakorns, the villains always seem to be ahead until the very last couple of episodes. Not in this show! To quote Bussaba's grandmother, "Divine spirits protect good people!". It is absolutely gratifying to see our FL triumph over not only one but two Nang Rais, simply by being true to herself. Her sincerity touched almost everyone and not surprisingly garnered their support without her even trying. Not only that, we have an ML who was not wishy-washy, unlike many P'eks, vacillating between his ex and the FL. The audience never had to stress about love triangles. While Saran may be uncertain about his feelings for Bussaba in the beginning, he was always clear about drawing the line with his ex. Likewise with Bussaba, while the second ML was a delicious tall drink of hotness and was in every way perfect for her, she never wavered once she developed feelings for Saran. What's refreshing is that the drama did not drag the plot out with misunderstandings. Any potential melodrama was resolved quickly, leading to a satisfying ending.
This rom-com has an older woman, a younger man theme, and Bee Namthip and Film Thanapat had great chemistry and were adorable together. Film was especially cute when he acted all flirty and charming, and Bee complemented him nicely. And the kisses were real and well-done, people! I felt embarrassed, like I was intruding on their privacy and, at the same time, impressed, wondering if the oozing sexiness was due to Bee being a seasoned actress and therefore less inhibited. I thought that both actors emoted well, and Film, especially with his micro-expressions, did a great job. One can tell when Saran was thinking naughty thoughts (although it could just be me, projecting what I want them to do - hehe!)
To be honest, I would not have minded if Bussaba ended up with Dr. Kim as long as Saran also had a happy ending. Utt Uttsada Panichkul is so swoon-worthy and was perfect as the suave, more experienced gentleman who courted Bussaba so gently and patiently. Even when he decided not to be a gentleman and instead be a man who went after what his heart desired, he did it with such dignity that a part of me could not help but root for him. Let's just say that I was 55% Team Saran and 45% Team Dr. Kim. I would really like to see Utt and Bee as the lead couple in another show. The cast overall did a fabulous job, with Bussaba's trio of female relatives who totally earned my respect and admiration as the best family ever!
The music served its purpose, softly playing in the background and enhancing the mood. There were a couple of songs that were pleasant but generally not that memorable.
Re-watch value is high, considering that this is the second time I have watched this series, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good rom-com that conveys messages of karma and the value of knowing one's self-worth.
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interesting premise falls flat
I hoped they would make more out of this, but most scenes were repeated over and over again.How they get to feel for each other was not explored, it just happend.
So, it's very weak, besides the NC scenes there is nothing of substance.
If you do such material you should also have invested the time (in this case the series needed to be longer) to tell the story. Too bad, we got no real story out of it.
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the question is simple but the answer is heartbreaking, the truth is harder than expected...
moving story about an actual case that never been resolved...the movie is based on a true case which makes the story even more painful to watch in addition the victims were only young and innocent boys
the movie represents well the family bonds between parents and their children, the hope to find the lost ones, the desperate state the parents are in, the opinion of the outside world, etc etc
it also represents well of what hardship this case brought to the different people that are involved in it
the actors did a great job throughout the movie... you could feel the emotions so sincerely and also could imagine the parents' state during that time very well
the characters were well portrayed and the story was well set out
IMPORTANT NOTE: the movie has some fictional scene in it around the ending (don't want to spoil it)
if you are interested about the case you can always google 'frog boys' / or even '1991 Deagu case'
there was another movie made in 1992 as well called 'come back, frog boys'
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After the first episode I knew it wasn't really good, but hey, it's important to try and it might improve.
After watching the whole drama, I can safely say it's been a while since I saw such a humongous dumpster fire.
Story: rushed and unconnected. They tried to squeeze in the whole 20 hour drama storyline in 49 minutes. It didn't work. Even the cliches seemed rushed. Still, we glimpsed the following: getting drunk, piggyback ride, eating food from street stalls, rich heir and poor girl trope, rebellious heir, love triangle, second lead syndrome, tsundere male lead and the poor girl getting a makeover trope. Ugh. Add in the open ending, terrible "inspirational" one-liners and a general sense of hopelessness as to where this plot is going and what you get is a whole new level of unwatchable. Honestly, if it wasn't this short, I wouldn't have made it.
Filming: do you like a shaky camera with lots of refocusing and jump cut scenes? If so, you're up for a real treat. My personal favorite was the scene in which they walk down the road - it lasts 5 seconds and has 3 jump cut scenes. We're on one end of the road. And now in the middle. And now at the other end! Wasn't this exciting? Yay.
Acting: I dislike insulting actors for their work so I'l just say the nicest things I can. They didn't stutter and the second lead's dancing was better than expected.
Music: boring but passable
Rewatch value: it has one? Honestly, if you want to watch a romantic short drama you're better off with pretty much anything. May I suggest Another Parting, Between Friendship and Love, The Boy Next Door, She is 200 Years Old? They're all under 2 hours long.
Good points: imagine all the money you'd save on plane tickets if all it took to travel across the ocean was to get drunk and pass out near the sea.
Bad points: everything else
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L : The mirror of live and evil
Started this drama without any prior knowledge about the plot so I did not know what to expect. Mostly, trusted Shin Hakyun's acting as he always delivers the characters and so far, I really enjoyed watching his dramas ─ and Evilive was not an exception. So, I'm glad to not miss it as not only I enjoyed watching how the storyline and characters' developments unfold but also discovered new talented acting people.While I must admit the story is not completely new or unique, it surely delivered its own twists and perspectives. For me, what made it really good drama to watch was acting. Not only main roles but also side characters showed good acting skills and pulled you into the story. The portrayal of dynamics was phenomenal. However, I have to admit Shin Hakyun and Kim Youngkwang truly stole the spotlights with their portrayals of their characters.
Throughout the 10 episodes, we saw how human greed works through characters, how they change and how someone can welcome their inner demons with a tempting whisper from a criminal and suppressed anger. The shift in personality was too realistic and it was nice to watch the constant moving between the grey and dark area throughout character development.
Also wanted to point out how it took me a while to notice there is only one L in Evilive because the letter is acting as a mirror. Evil and Live spell each other backwards, and L is both the door and mirror ─ which is such a witty name. It perfectly represents the story and characters.
I'm glad I didn't miss this drama and gave it a chance ─ and I definitely recommend it.
link to edit : https://youtu.be/h6z05B475cI
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Solid Start, Rushed Romance, and Room for More
I went into this show excited, especially since I’ve discovered my love for police and crime dramas after watching NCIS: Hawai’i for the WLW ship, Kacy.Before anything else, I already want to tachle downfall of the show. It's how stupid the characters were. For such a deep story arc, they were so naive and lacked cleverness. For a person who loves the police procedural genre, the characters, especially Tul, lacked the signature beloved badass and smart charm I was looking for. Because genuinely, how are you the highest ranked police officer on your team yet rely so much on the work of you teammates? Make it make sense.
The first few episodes were solid, episodic yet engaging, especially for me as someone who didn't read the book going into it. But Tul and Run’s love story felt rushed, more like it was there because they’re the leads rather than something that naturally developed. While their shared passion for their craft and moral righteousness could explain their connection, the way they got together felt bland and forgettable.
The show had potential for deeper storytelling and more buildup in their relationship, but with only 10 episodes, it stuck to a simple, generic plot. That simplicity, while necessary for clarity, came at the expense of creativity in building tension and integrating romance with the action-crime theme.
That said, I can’t deny the charm of their pre-relationship banter. It made me wish the lead-up had been longer for a more satisfying payoff. As for the police and medical elements, I just wish there were more action scenes. The standout moments were Tul saving Run from the old man during her solo investigation and the trio’s clever plan to catch the Raindrop Killer dupe. While the latter wasn’t action-heavy, it showcased their strategic thinking, something I wish we’d seen more of.
Still, I’m grateful for this show, it’s a pioneer in the action GL genre with solid production and great attention to accuracy, setting the bar higher for future projects in this space.
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Where the Moon Rises: A princess with a plan and a soft-hearted hero
🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes,✨ What happens when a determined princess meets the kindest man in the kingdom, and they discover how love can change their paths?
📕 Overview 🎬
🔹 20 episodes, historical romance
🔹 At the time of this review, all episodes have aired
🔹 Adapted from the novel Princess Pyeonggang by Choi Sa Gyu
🔹 Kim So Hyun portrays Princess Pyeonggang, a character who is brave and dedicated to her country.
🔹 Na In Woo plays the character On Dal, who is gentle, loyal, and braver than he realizes.
🔹 The story begins when a princess loses her memory after a royal tour incident, grows up as Yeom Ga Jin, and later meets a peace-first young man.
🔹 Ideal for historical romance enthusiasts who enjoy court politics combined with a tender storyline.
🌸 How It Felt Watching 💙
🔹 Setup: a palace filled with tension, where a determined heroine is on a mission, and a quiet hero steps up to help her out, all while keeping his heart intact.
🔹 Viewing feel: warm romance intertwined with the stakes of a palace setting, with a few heavier moments introduced later on.
🔹 Themes explored include love, duty, and courage.
🔹 I liked their chemistry. Even when things slowed down later on, I kept tuning in to see what they were up to.
✨ Cast & Acting
🔹Kim So Hyun as Pyeonggang felt right from the first scene, strong yet tender.
🔹 Na In Woo portrays On Dal as a calm character who grows into his courage, showcasing strong chemistry.
🔹 Supporting cast: a well-balanced mix of allies and rivals that holds the drama together.
🎶OST
🔹 "I Become Love To You" by Zia
🔹 "Against The Wind" by Ahn Ye Eun
🔹 "Tears Of The Moon" by Kang Tae Kwan
🎞️ Production Style
🔹 Setting and mood: forest paths, rivers, and court halls that feel lived-in and authentic.
🔹 Costumes and sets: period armor and robes that are clearly visible on screen.
🔹 The rhythm is generally steady, but it slows down to a softer pace later in the run.
☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What worked well was that the characters felt authentic together, and she took the initiative in the story.
🔹 What didn't: I felt some repetition in the palace arc, and the pace slowed near the end for me
🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes
☕ SpillTheDramaTea's Rating: 8/10
🌿 Tea-Scale: A nice brew, I enjoyed it
✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, I really loved getting cozy with a classic historical K-drama.
✨ In the mood for a brave princess and a kind-hearted hero who learns to stand up for himself?
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1Truly Unique
Low Life is a truly unique drama in a time where uniqueness is hard to come by. I thoroughly enjoyed the first nine episodes of this drama, with the final two episodes still great, but the direction felt a little... off? Honestly, this drama could have at been at least 16 episodes, but by episode 10, it felt like the writers were told that they only had two more episodes left instead of seven, so they decided to cram seven episodes worth of story into the final two - this is the only reason why I haven't rated this drama a perfect ten!This is a highly addictive drama, nevertheless. The characters, honestly, spectacular. The supporting cast all felt like the main cast, and instead of two or three main characters, honestly, it felt like we had eight or nine, something so amazing and difficult to find (and executed superbly, I mean). I also really enjoyed the acting and everyone acted really well, and the chemistry between everyone felt amazing. Rivalries felt real, bromance felt genuinely special, and friendship felt golden.
The story, sensational. I have not watched a drama with this sub nautical/adventure/crime type of theme before, and it was really nice. I wish there were more. I loved the unpredictable story and some of the twists and turns were both predictable, and made logical sense! Even though relationships were complex alongside the story, I never felt confused and I could easily keep track of everyone and everything.
If you are not sure whether to watch this drama or not, I think you should definitely give it a try. Before watching, I also felt that way, but now I am so glad with myself that I made the decision to watch Low Life. Watch it!
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Lovely lovely endearing drama
When I first saw the headlines that Bailu and Allen Ren are the main actors for this drama, I was expecting the drama to follow the typical enemies to lovers theme. This is because in every single past drama that Bailu acted in, she always portrays a charismatic, confident girl. But here, her role is soft, ladylike, extremely courteous and polite. It’s a completely new look for Bailu fans!The love between the two leads are extremely adorable (powerful respectable general + kinds introverted lady), and their chemistry reflects how experienced and mature both actors are at acting :)
This drama will worth your time!
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It was cute, until it got cliche...
The first 20ish episodes were pure cute. Male and female lead had SO MUCH chemistry, and the second leads were adorable in their own way as welland then the typical Asian drama cliches^TM hit and I almost wanted to just walk away from the drama...
But then the drama does end on a better note, so I still gave it a redeeming 7.5. It's like when the cliche's hit, just turn on fast forward, and the chemistry between the leads is super worth it I guess.
The little epilogue at the end was very satisfying to watch too.
Would recommend if you got the time and want some sugar in your life (and don't mind a little bit of Asian Drama Cliche.
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