Off-kilter visuals, clever dialogue and ingenious music choices provide plenty of humor (don't miss the little bonus scenes tacked on at the end of each episode), but they’re in the service of serious themes. Without ever becoming overly didactic, the show notes the fragility of life and the importance of embracing the here and now. The protagonists may long for extraordinary riches (in this case, tons of hidden gold), but their everyday interactions are where true value lies. For the viewer, though, the biggest prize is getting to savor this underrated gem of a show. Like all treasures, it may be hard to find, but you’ll be well rewarded if you seek it out.
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To those seeking answers if it's worth watching, what is it about or what can you expect. How is it? Well, it's lighthearted moments are fantastic and drama moments too. Sadly the writing, motivations of villains and overall frustration is something that you have to overlook to move on. Writers and villains will do everything in their power to make the drama frustrating just for the sake of frustration. The main cast tries to do everything but the GOD of this drama just plays with you and will frustrate you from the beginning till the end. Even the "redemption arc" is not enough to redeem these villains. Their actions and their writing is unacceptable. There was potential because you can see that people are actually mentally ill and should do something about it but you get only few mentions and nobody takes it seriously.
If you are looking for something where the main cast gets through the trouble by the first half and then will have happy moments, look somewhere else. People will be together and people will fight. Tears will be shed and blood shall be spilled (oh wait... I don't remember this part about blood being in the drama). The progress is really fast and mature and with that sadly comes the decision to make it frustrating even sacrificing some sanity and common sense. The frustration lasts till the end and it's not even frustration over the characters but more like frustration over writing stuff that will make you scream "how is this happening AGAIN! WHY! But you know what, I still have to say if you can watch some quality acting and magnificent chemistry, go for it and skip the parts you want to skip. You can sit through the hours of frustration and angst and unreasonable WTH moments and take it all in or you can just take parts of it and enjoy it by your standards.
Story: Feels like watching torture and degradation of main cast waiting for happy moments of insanely good chemistry and funny interaction.
Acting: Absolutely amazing. You might love some characters. You might despise some characters with passion. You might hate the writers but these people can act. Despite very questionable reasons, decisions, twists and whatsoever, these actors can act.
- If you hate angst, stupid decisions and don't want to be frustrated or don't like arrogant (and often rude) but strong female lead - avoid it.
- If you want just some sweet romance and skinship with good chemistry - avoid it or watch it and skip the parts you want to skip - make it your own experience.
- If you want to watch people burn - Go for it
- If you want some mature experience and are able to get through the frustration or are ok with skipping some parts - Go for it
- If you are a fan of one of the two main actors - Go for it.
Despite all my criticism here or down in the comment section, I had a blast. Maybe it was the acting, maybe it was the mature feeling. Maybe it was all of it and more. As I am writing this, only a few people on this site actually watched it and I wish these "hidden gems" could get more recognition.
More info and spoilers in the comment section.
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To be honest, at first i didn't really get it but then wow... so glad i choose to rewatch it. believe me, the time you spend watching this won't be for nothing. surely it will trully make your mood goes up and down!!!
Give it a try and you'll be so happy with yourself for doing so. :)
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Way too long
What is it with Chinese dramas? They tend to be, for the most part, twice as long as they need to be. I will be upfront and say that my rating is based upon my enjoyment of the whole thing. I found myself getting bored (a lot) and I left it for two weeks and finally went back to finish it up, because I can't leave a show unfinished.The main couple? I loved both of them. I really enjoyed her in Love Me If You Dare and I was so glad that their own voices were used. Dubbing makes the whole thing even worse. They were very cute together, the kind of cute that you just have to smile when watching them. I felt that toward the beginning she had some entitlement going on, which irritated me. She kept breaking rules and then didn't understand why he wanted her to leave the program she was in. She felt it was better to apologize than to ask for permission, apparently.
Second couple - if a woman continues to chase a man and he keeps shutting her down, my opinion of her lowers. It's like she has no self-esteem. His reason for shutting her down, when he obviously liked her, was missing so he irritated me as well.
The older couple - had an interesting back story, but I didn't feel overly invested in them, either.
A lot of the medical stuff was incorrect, as it tends to be in these dramas. Do you not have a medical consultant? That takes away from the story as well.
There is quite a bit of action, some bromance, and it's low on angst, so if you are patient and your expectations aren't too high, you might enjoy this show.
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Better read the novel, better life
At this point, everyone has already said everything. I'm gonna say the director shouldn't have messed with the original novel. Original storyline was far more better than the movie. Changing that only made the novel fans angry. The fans were hopeful that their favourite novel was getting an adaption. I was excited too. To see all my fav actors in my fav novel. But it all went in vain. They acted as if it was their first time acting. Why did they have to acte like that? Does this look like a zombie apocalypes??? They shouldv'e declined the role if they were not confident. Money hungry basta....Was this review helpful to you?
Story:
The story is nothing special. It is quite "safe" - a basic love story with predictable high and low notes. My biggest qualm was the attempt to boost the melodrama in the latter part of the drama by the characters making illogical decisions.
Acting/Cast:
Krystal and Rain were an okay couple, but their chemistry was lacking. Also probably due to their huge age gap the drama kept their skinship to a minimum and this further made their chemistry and romance lukewarm. Krystal is extremely young and although she did portray most of the emotions well, I still felt her character was less real compared to Rain´s. All in all the cast was okay, but most of the characters seemed hollow and not very interesting.
Music:
This drama is mostly about music so you would think they would pull out all the stops to push the music, but I only liked one of the songs in the drama. The worst song in the drama was unfortunately the one they played every time something romantic was going on. Of course music is very personal and someone else might enjoy the songs in the drama, but they just weren't for me.
Rewatch Value:
I don´t think I will be watching this drama again. There were no epic love scenes in the drama, nothing especially memorable or exciting.
Review Summary:
I gave this drama 7.5, because it was okay, but it didn't offer anything new. I would recommend this drama to anyone who really watches a LOT of dramas and enjoys either Krystal or Rain. This drama is also a good newbie drama, because it has most of the drama clichés, but it isn't too over the top and it doesn't delve into Korean culture as it feels very global and generic.
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Warm family time
The excerpt truly summarizes this drama perfectly. It is the exact plot of the drama. Nothing extra happens.This drama is a multi-starrer. I'm sure, every once in while watching those thrilling leads give their all of their love stories, we wonder what happened to the people around them, their friends and family? Like a running joke of where the parents are in all those young adult save the world novels. If you are one of those people, you would love this series. It is centered around romance, but with the context of marriage. There are 5 (and some extra) romance plot lines.
Every parent worries about what would happen to their children when they eventually pass away. Who would accompany them, care about them with sincerity when they are no longer around? Mrs. Li also has the same worries. Truly a tigress raising her children, while single handedly fending off packs of wolves. All of her precious 5 girls are domineering, far from the delicate traditionally feminine, 'demure' behavior that is generally deemed as acceptable then (even now). They're famously called the "The 6 Fierce Li Ladies from Louyang". The drama, essentially follows the Li family's daughters as they find a suitable partner, a perfect match to peacefully live life well.
Each Li lady as her own personality, her own attitude and quirks, and the story follows how they find a groom, marry, and then get settled into family life. There were some concerns about the ML being red flags, and while they arent unfounded, The story gives each one of them a redemption arc of sorts. The drama's idea of a perfect match is that ML and FL have complimentary personalities, so even the borderline red flag behaviors of the ML is kind of directed towards only outsiders, to protect the family (their + Lis). There is an element of FL 'taming' the ML. The FL are written to be extra fierce to make up for the naturally unbalanced misogynistic power gradient due to the nature of the historic setting. An important feature to note, almost all ML have a close female family member influence - a single mother, a dear sister, a grandmother. It was very lowkey tho, idk if it was intentional or to send a message to audience.
Watch this drama if:
1. You like Multi starrer, family drama
2. The brides family doesnt abandon her in any way. As long as their daughter is alive, she is welcome at home. Even if she comes sobbing on her wedding night. Even when shes a widow. Li family doesnt abandon their daughters.
3. Ladies making it big (living well) in a mans world. Fighting against the general ridicule and malicious attacks of people who deem them as a weak spot. They're able to fend them off by themselves, and later with more ease by help of the MLs.
4. Dutiful ML- The MLs stand for and are concerned about their wives family. They willingly actively participate in family meetings and help in major decisions. Its shown that its to get brownie points for their wives, but thats not the whole reason, they are really sincere.
5. Hilarious Li family Husband alliance - little bit of bromance (tiny bit). A support group of sorts.
6. Matraich family
7. Monogamy- MLs swear that in case of death of wife, shall mourn for atleast 3 years before marrying again, (or in one case, even follow to die). Shall not take any other woman while married to wife.
8. Crash course on how not to get bullied and preventing your daughter/ sister from getting bullied/ harassed after marriage.
9. All marriage problems and discord are solved by the interference of the Li family (not unwelcome - only when asked). Li daughters arent spoiled, they are scolded also, for being to harsh on their husband (in one case). All FL, and other ML give advice on how to solve situation without compromising on self's dignity.
Dont watch this drama if:
1. I seriously cant think of a reason.
2. All the usual c drama trigger warnings apply, but no cannon fodder. No side character dies.
3. I may have forgotten since i was watching this while airing.
4. Maybe if you dont like imperfect, borderline red flag (pre - redemption arc) ML. (Every ML becomes better except the 2nd)
5. If you watched this drama for Wang Xing Yue his role is quite little (cameo like) since this is a multi-starrer. I think it was strategically placed to seemed like he is solo ML, so that by the time 3rd couple is settled, we are grasped by Li Family and no longer care about Chai An (played by Wang Xing Yue).
Possible spoilers below. Recommended read at own risk if ur concerned about red flag MLs:
I'll briefly summarise the themes around romance of each Li daughter (by order of birth):
1. Age gap, substitution marriage, poor grounded ML, mature gentle FL. Mature romance. FL 2nd marriage. Older FL. Distant to close bond transformation.
2. this was the most bland and bleh. Ig fool- naive ML (sorry). But he means well at least. (He doesnt grow up)
3. Scheming ML and FL, battle of the wits, scheming to marry each other by tricks, misunderstandings - chemistry, rich- poor gradient.
4. Upright gentle stern (green forest) ML, gentle cute yet quietish FL. Flash Marriage. Aiding other through injury- strengthening bond. Older ML. Distant to close bond transformation.
5. Rich bratty ML (very bratty - red flag, but surprisingly has a turnaround with story arc), Domineering FL (red flag - beats everyone- husband beater). Out of all, has the most 'taming' element. Bride Kidnapping. ML supporting FL against in-laws. FL standing upto in-laws. FL beating up in-laws. FL straightening out ML to inspire him to become better person. ML becoming decent man for FL.
Idk if i missed out on anything 'cause i was watching this while it aired.
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want to see actors in something else (watch suggestions)
Overall: this is an old school Thai romcom/drama that should have been left in the past. 8 episodes about 45 minutes each aired in Thailand. I watched the WeTV version that had 10 episodes but most of episode 10 was the actors talking about the series. Aired on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/e36k7s4okwtoesy-A%20secretly%20love%20(Uncut%20Ver.)Watch Suggestions (this avoids a lot of a guy harassing his ex-girlfriend, hazing and second lead syndrome)
- watch episode 1 from 5-19:20 (flashback to them in high school)
- start episode 4 at 37:40
- watch episode 5
- watch episode 6 from 23 to 34:20
- watch episode 7 from the beginning to 6, then GL at 16-17, watch 23-29 or continue to the end if you want to see a lot of music practice/performance
- watch episode 8 from 4-18:40 and then 41-42 has a nice message about funding rural schools
- watch episode 9 from 18:30-23, 26-29:40 and 34-39 (or can watch to the end)
- either start episode 10 at 6 minutes or you can watch the whole first 12 minutes (the rest is behind the scene stuff)
Content Warnings: slaps, manhandling, blood, beaten up, stalking, harassing, hazing, slaps played as comedy, non con touching
What I Liked
- clear premise
- supportive friends (the twins)
- the GL after they communicated/were honest with each other
- episode 8 message of the importance of funding rural schools
Room For Improvement
- for the majority of the series viewers saw an utterly unlikable character, he's harassed his ex, was immature, acted like a jerk, there were almost no redeeming qualities so I did not want him in a romantic relationship with anyone
- cliche (more than once) saw something and didn't communicate
- comedy sound effects that didn't make it funny, nor was the toilet humor in episode 9 funny
- was not a fun way to start a series (and I hope unrealistic)
- confusing parts, based on the summary and what was shown they first met in high school when Khon was a Freshman and Pluem a Sophomore, in the present they were a Sophomore and Senior in university, Khon didn't interact with Pluem for 2 years at the same university? he's just started the hazing/initiation stuff with Pluem?
- kind of a 'gay for you' trope
- episode 5 had a flashback montage of what we just saw in the episode
- very confusing subtitles (didn't take off points although it did negatively affect the ability to understand what was happening, Necklace was the ex-girlfriend)
- the title should have been "I Secretly Love You" or "A Secret Love" (didn't take off points)
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Good drama and would recommend
The ost is one of my favorite parts of the drama and the chemistry among the cast is pretty good ,romantically and non romantically. The characters and overall drama is funny. The ML and FL were good characters and I really like FL. Her reactions are valid for the most part ,in the situations she's put in. Their facial expressions are on point, especially FL , and ML is good with face expressions especially his eyes. They look pretty natural in a way and it looks like they're not acting when they are with each other. Would watch againWas this review helpful to you?
the dumbest kdrama I have ever watched
I’ve anticipated this drama since I heard Kim Min Gue would be playing the male lead. So far this drama is very funny and I’m enjoying it.The fish out of water story can either go right or wrong for me. And with the approach being more of a comedy than anything else I’m really enjoying that. I need a good feel good drama that isn’t taking itself too seriously and with the first two episodes it does that. This drama isn’t anything too spectacular, not saying it can’t though.
The thing I don’t like is the female leads character Kim Dal. She is kind of a sasaeng with the following of this male idol. I don’t really buy into the romance if there is one between the two. It’s sort of hinted but I don’t think I’d like it and it wouldn’t make sense since this guy is completely different than the idol she’s been well.. idolizing. Hopefully she’s more of a helper than a lover. This guy so far is the least interested in the world he’s put in so I really hope they don’t get together like that.
The whole backstory of her character is iffy for me.. hopefully they don’t make it offensive but there is only so much I can say. I don’t buy into the whole idea of a romance forming, that makes this show more dumb. I don’t like how she hinders his success by telling him what to do, it’s her image of the perfect idol. Instead I wish the show would do more of the fish out of water, but in all honesty I think that mind wear itself thin. I like the content of him going about idol life but doing it in his own unaware way. Kim Dal sucks the fun out of that, and overall sucks the fun from this drama. That’s how it is for me at least.
I haven’t read the webtoon so this is coming from that sort of perspective.
Kim Min Gue does a really good job with his role(s). The concept of him being some heavenly figure being put into the real world is working now because of the reactions of other people. It’s hilarious this guy Rembrary working his way around not only being a guy in the real world but an idol that is expected to be someone he just isn’t. I like his nonchalant attitude and how he doesn’t at all know the concept of the idol and also many things about the human world. And that’s the most interesting part for me. So if this drama keeps up with these funny scenarios I’d really like it all the way through.
The whole plot is so out there so I wish that the writing went all the way with that. Sometimes it takes itself too seriously and that’s when I start to get really bored. I REALLY don’t want a romance from this drama with the two leads but I guess I’m expecting it. The plot with the devil is so boring. Shows can be engaging in all parts of it, this show isn’t engaging with its subplots. I want more of the idol doing promotions, etc. and the reactions of other characters to that. I don’t need devil plot being shown as much as it is because I don’t understand it nor care because I do not understand it. It’s one dimensional villian and I’m not watching this show for that much cheap tension. I’m watching because of the over the top plot.. maybe I should watch Welcome to Waikiki instead ..
Let me emphasize. That if the plot is stupid, at least be funny. It is a funny show without the whole ‘other world’ plot. The female lead kills the fun, it’s just getting old after each episode with her draining and draining.
The whole plot threads about self hate and suicide or so wrongly interpreted. Especially when you have the ‘devil’ giving a character depression.. the representation there is used as a plot device and I find it offensive how it’s done. I hate the Rizzle sub plot, I hate the devil sun plot, I hate the other world sub plot, the cult, I only like the idol fun happy things going on because that’s why I started the show in the first place. The mental illnesses aren’t treated like that
, they are to move the plot along and are cheap ways to try and get sympathy.
Down to the whole idol life it gets dull. The interesting one was the singing competition and after that it became unbelievably unrealistic yet so cheap and unoriginal. Especially the awards show, there was hardly any build up and it just seemed to happen all at once.
I’m really impressed by the other idol characters and the writing there with them. The dorm life scenes are fun and his members also play off this new character really well. I can put myself in their perspective because the writing is done with me knowing that they all were a group with the real Woo Yeon Woo.
Each episode takes more and more years off my life. This drama is just plain stupid. I can’t :(
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Meh.
So this is a story of a guy who joins his comatose twin brother's thug gang members who take the law into their own hands and get hurt... a lot. Oh, and two gay couples emerge from it because, you know, that's what always happens within dangerous gangs. The End.Here are my pros and cons:
PROS
FLUKE (Dan). For me, he was the best actor in the show. And... he's GORGEOUS. He can pose naked for me any day.
CONCEPT. It was interesting, especially in the first half of the series.
OST. I liked the theme song.
CONS
GUN AS A GANG MEMBER. I'm sorry, but are we seriously supposed to believe that Gun is a dangerous gang member that could actually hurt anyone? Sure, he's a decent actor, but he's built like a fem twink and has no arm muscles whatsoever. Yeah... I'm sure everyone is REAL scared of him...
STORY. What started out as an interesting concept got tired very quickly. The characters were mostly unlikeable, the whole Tawi thing got boring and, in the end, I couldn't have cared less who got together.
I'm giving it a 6.0.
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baek ahjin and her 3 sidekicks...
Maybe before I go into the details let me begin by saying the ending is terrible not satisfying at all.I have not read the webtoon so this review is purely based on what was shown to me in the drama. Our FL is the villain and that itself is very interesting. But different from other villains who are fierce on the outside soft on the inside this character is just pure evil. Since she is the lead, for the drama to move forward all her wrong doings in the end has to be covered up (cause if shes caught then there is no drama). So the episodes are just a continuous cycle of her taking advantage of guys and making them fall into traps.
Honestly, the story of the part time boss made the most sense all the others were just blinded by the thought that "oh maybe she likes me"...Because of this I couldnt relate to any of the characters cause I didnt understand why they are so devoted to her. At least for junseo he has something to feel guilty about but the rest...they are just blindly being her accomplice.
Then her school bully just randomly one day decided to start living together with her???
The entire marriage with MDH just felt like a plot to increase the number of episodes cause it brought nothing to the drama. The last few episodes felt extremely rushed.
While they were revealing all her issues it finally felt like the drama was getting somewhere until the ending where it just messed everything up....
I read comments saying we need to really understand the characters and stuff but to be honest...the writing and development is just bad. It just feels like multiple plots being layered one after another.
For Kim YooJung definitely this drama is really something new and she managed to show the audience her acting range. Her acting was amazing and you could tell how much effort she put in to get the sociopath vibes out.
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Disappointed by the evolution of the FL
Three Chapters – HUGE SPOILERSChapter 1 : the birth of a psychopath
The origin of the FL as a psychopath who grew up being self-centered. After witnessing the attempted murder of her mother, she let her die because it was advantageous for her. Then she kept manipulating people, good ones, bad ones, anyone she can to obtain the results she wants. Very well told. I enjoyed this part where she is savage and has no empathy. Especially how she schemed and achieved the assassination of her own father and still walked freely after twists and turns.
Chapter 2 : The romance of a psychopath girl and a lost boy
FL is harassed by a female colleague. She manipulates people and gets rid of her. She decides to date her rival’s ex-bf lost in drinks and drugs. Another great load of cold manipulation. She is so good at that. She sneakily approaches him using someone dear to him of course. She clears his guilty conscience, makes him fall in love with her, gives him nice moments then tosses him aside like an old sock. She refuses to tell him the whole truth of her lies. Feeling guilty and desperate, lost boy meets his demise. She finds him and tells him “you were weak” and she lets him to rot. Her move on him was a bit nonsense and out of character for me. Plus at times, writers wanted to make her look like a nice person. Like she is the poor victim of bad people.
Chapter 3: Psycho wife VS Psycho husband
FL weds a rich handsome perfect man just to be trapped and tortured until minion 2 sacrifices himself to give her a solution but minion 1 is pissed off so he decides to reveal everything and put an end to a situation that he himself contributed to. For me that part had plot holes. Especially regarding the origin of the husband, the reasons of his actions against her and how he blends in her story. FL's new rise and downfall is rushed too.
Overall, it starts good and violent then quality drops because the characterization of the FL weakens. The end is questionable as the writer chooses an immoral ending. I do not mind revenge plots where grey characters wins but when it is a cold scheming manipulative murderer who wins… It’s not so nice. 7/10.
Thanks to the actors and crew for this drama.
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What is this movie?!???? Its definitely not Orv
This movie is just disappointing and a disgrace to the author who put a lot of work in their novel like how can you change everything about ORV and call it ORV like no??!, changing the important things that makes it ORV and call it a day no?? ORV has such a good story that why we love this story they are just using the characters names and making it their own thats not ORV if you r going to watch this movie just don't. just read the novel instead or the manhwa but this is unacceptable.Was this review helpful to you?
However, you could have the same reservations I had before someone recommended it to me, and may end up skipping a delicious drama thinking - wrongly - that it's not for you.
At first I simply left it off my list without a second thought because of the meagre synopsis. What, fangirlism? No, thank you! I'm not even a fan of K-pop, let alone pop from the 90ies, who could care less?, I thought.
If you have the same doubts, please know that this drama proved me wrong: not only "groupies" and K-pop are a simple vehicle to a completely different story, but that same fangirl I thought I would detest became my favourite character and the one I related to the most.
The story is made of small moments, some hilarious, some incredibly sweet, some profound, some all of those. There are episodes, mostly in the beginning, which take place in the space of a few hours and tell of little, at times mundane occurrences. They are the true force of the drama, along with the characters, because whether you're young or old, from one side of the planet or the other, you surely have lived at least one of those situations yourself. All is seasoned with those very Korean peculiarities we love, including huge meals, bodily needs, people losing their temper and shouting around, gossiping ahjummas and overly stubborn ahjussis.
Reply 1997 finally confirmed something I have been thinking about a lot lately: my liking of a drama is directly related to the number of likable characters. The more, the better.
These people are adorable. All of them. And on top of them, let me put Shi Won, an anti heroine full of shortcomings but wonderfully consistent, brave, straightforward and charming. Even when she's wrong, she's reasonable. I dare say, this drama is a celebration of feminism, not the trite and anachronistic one of wild females rotating their bras over their heads and claiming the ownership of their bodies, but the one combining sweetness and strength of will, friendship and solidarity among girls.
The very natural acting of all adds to the general feeling of realism. It's easy to forget these people are staging a drama. Great. At times I laughed hard, smiled or sympathized because I could see that very scene happening live in front of my eyes.
The music isn't unforgettable, but it's used very well and it's so varied it never bored me, nor did I ever think it wasn't properly chosen for the scene.
As I said, another review may not be very useful, but if it convinces even one hesitant viewer to give the drama a try, it'll have fulfilled its purpose. A very sweet and enjoyable ride I am willing to go along for again. Any time.
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