My opinion is that the story is too flat. I love the cinematography however, the story is just so shallow for me. I'm happy that the two main leads fell in love with each other and got married in real life but, I never felt any chemistry between them in the show. I just don't understand why people love them or see them as a good pairing in the show.
The second male and female leads were more interesting for me. Jin Goo's character was so cute for me and I saw Kim Ji Won on a different role after watching the Heirs (another flat drama talked about by many people).
The ending was... disappointing. They were kidnapped, and then what? They just came back fine. Whatever.
Overall, I regret watching the drama. It was a lesson to me to never jump into bandwagon or never let the hype sway me.
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First let me tell you that this film is not for the faint of the heart, it is the criticism of Japanese militarism and propaganda and we all know that the Japanese did the worst war crimes during the World War II in Asia. They sent young men to the war and encouraged them to rape and torture and then they returned to their families like zombies and monsters, unable to differentiate between the war-zone and peacetime.
Yes, the graphic scenes are terrible, but what will hit you hard is the fact that all those things happened and there were many men like Kurokawa who were the product of their country's patriarchy and imperialism. We soon learn that Kyuzo is not a nice guy, before he went to war he had physically abused his wife on a daily basis for not being able to give him a son. In war, he raped and tortured people and then when he returned home as a war hero (but with horrible injuries) he was still an asshole - demanding of his wife to give him sex and her portions of food. However, he was still a victim - a brainwashed peasant
Shinobu Terajima's performance of a wife torn between her duty and disgust is magnificent. She is aware of the absurdity of her husband's state (he is reduced to a caterpillar metaphorically) but she can't just run away because everyone in the village expect her to play a dutiful wife even now. It is interesting to note how Kyuzo's father and sister were repulsed by him at the beginning of the movie and couldn't wait to leave so his wife could take care of him. All those gold medals Kyuzo received for his war "heroism" were basically nothing. Even he soon realizes that and starts refusing to look at them; a series of flashbacks from the time he raped and killed all those people drive him crazy which will lead to the tragic conclusion.
If you look past the graphic scenes you will understand the parallels between brainwashed youth and the reality of war. This film is after all the demystification of the glorification of war - there is no glory in killing, raping and torturing for your country. Everyone is a victim and the innocent civilians are the biggest victims of all.
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The story:
The story itself is controversial because there is a plagiarism issue about it. That’s why I had to knock a star off, but how the script writers presented the drama was very well done. I think I’ve seen all the material about this story (manga, drama, book) but I like this interpretation best because It had a totally different tone than the book itself. It shows the perspective of both leads not just Bai Qian (heroine).
Acting/Cast
OMG! The cast was epic! Yang Mi and Mark Chao blew me away with their incredible chemistry and acting. All the supporting cast did a very impressive job. I have to admit even though I totally hate her character, Maggie Huang(Su Jin) was great. Where did they get such an outstanding cast?! How can they cry at a drop of a hat?! And please do not get me started on Mark Chao’s acting skills. He just made my love for Western acting just silly.
Whoever pooled the cast together should be given an award!
Music:
I just downloaded the songs so enough said! They were all that good to listen to!
Rewatch Value:
Let me put it this way, I’ve already rewatched it five times and am still not tired of it! How am I going to recover fron this epic drama?!????
Overall:
Drop everything and just watch it. I’m not a fan of long dramas because I get bored easily so I watch only korean dramas. This was highly recommended so I decided might as well give it a try. I watched a few episodes and the rest is history . I am now one of the biggest fans of Eternal Love! ??
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The music at the beginning and during the dramatic scenes was really moving, though it didn't really fit in with the drama at some points, I still loved it. The actors are fairly young, but they're a breath of fresh air, to be honest. The acting was natural and so was the drama itself, which was surprising to me because I used to think that Jdramas were all about standing out - but this was completely different. It even managed to make me cry, to be honest. The things that the drama tackled was relatable in a sense, to those who are in high school or have been through high school and have experienced things like bullying, neglect, rejection, heartbreak and other things.
It was because of this drama that I found out about Ryo Yoshizawa (the fact that he exists lol) and his works! So, a huge thumbs up for that! Anyway, the last two episodes were really tough to watch because it was RAW and not subbed, so I had to watch the 9th episode without any subs...it was a major let down so I hope someone subs it soon so more people can watch it!
Oh, and a complaint I have about this show, is the fact that it was too short!!! There were so many things they could have done if it was 15 episodes in total, not 10. I just felt like some things were a bit too rushed. >.< but despite that, I was satisfied with the drama as a whole AND it's only about 20 minutes so it won't take long to finish at all!!
So, all in all, I think this drama deserves more attention and everyone should watch this drama, for sure!
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All the characters were scattered at first but in the end the way it showed how they slowly bonded was just amazing.
Watching this gets emotional like seriously and it’s both the happy and sad one which is great.
What I loved the most was how they got the revenges with each other’s help and slowly becoming a team that has a strong bond.
And lee yo won as Jung hye was just too funny at first she was weird but she was literally the funniest character along with her love for junk food. Btw Jung hye has great sense of fashion.
So gyum is great too he is both sweet and caring, it was nice to see how so gyum and Jung hye relationship got better.
These ahjummas are the funniest with the strongest bond along with the sweet so gyum.
All the characters were played well even side characters acted so well.10/10
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Say no more.
Watch this drama.
Let's be honest tho, this plot is kinda weird and a bit messy at times but never less than enjoyable.
LOTS OF DRAMA. ESPECIALLY TOWARD THE MIDDLE AND END. LOTS OF IT. THIS IS YOUR WARNING.
I also seriously believed that Lee Hong Ki couldn't be sexy (or flower boys in general for that matter) because he was tooo cute. I stand corrected. I could not be more happy that I was wrong. DANNNNNGGGGGG THAT BOI IS FINNE
Jung Hae In.
Kinda is a bit trope-y, especially toward the end, but a very worth-it investment.
Some good Jung Hae In quotes (i.e. "All men are animals"). He just gets it.
Lots of cute awkward/hilarious and just simply cute moments.
Jung Hae In.
Sadly, this is also one of those where the frickin' sassy middle aged women have to ruin everything. But that's literally the only bad part.
ITS SOOOO SWEEET. Lee Hong Ki just fills my heart. That boy is too talented at these kind of roles for his own good.
Also, Jung Hae In. (warning, he has like 2 lines. But they were the best 2 lines) (not true) (but they were a really good 2 lines)
Very original concept as well, (edit) I'm excited that almost 2 years later, I've never come across anything like it.
9 outta 10 recommend to e'rrybody (especially fans of Lee Hong Ki [and Jung Hae In])
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Story was exceptional, the way they told the story of the main character, the other prisoners, officers and more and what occurs in prison was entertaining and exceptionally done. Even the writing, the relationships build, the humor that was placed in all episodes was out of this world.
Acting/Cast - Every single person cast in this drama, it was as if they were made for the role. Great acting from the main leads and supporting roles.
Music - The music helped to set the theme and tone very well, I even liked the theme song a lot. But something that I really liked was when someone would sing a song for a scene and then they wud play it after. I liked those moments for some reason. Great song choices throughout.
Rewatch Value - Yes, I would watch this again.
I really enjoyed this drama, before I started it, I didn't think I would enjoy it so much. It even made me cry, which is hard to do. I will miss it.
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Scarlet Innocence is a racy korean movie about a Professor who is sent to a small town after being suspended from his post at a university following claims of sexual harassment. He meets Deokee, an innocent and naive 18 year old girl who lives with her mute mother, looking for love and excitement in her boring little town that seems to be made up of an aging population. While the story line has a few unexpected twists, no event was appalling enough to really evoke strong feelings of sympathy towards the characters. I did not get angry with them, I did not feel sad with them, I was not happy with them. While the storyline had several poorly explained occurrences, some that seemed down right impossible, I think if there were stronger actors in the movie with better chemistry, this would have been more enjoyable to watch and receive a higher score from me. I mainly watched because it had some racy scenes which I like, especially in Korean cinema because they are usually well choreographed, but the sex scenes in this movie were just boring to watch and barely arousing. I didn't expect much after I saw the IMDB rating of 5.9, but I was still disappointed. TL;DR I wouldn't recommend watching even if you're bored. Unless you're REALLY bored and you're in the mood for a sub-par revenge story line.
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Where the story was the same I wanted it to be different, and where the story was different, I wanted it to be the same.
I'm not exactly sure why, but this drama really just made it clear to me that there IS a wrong way to do an adaptation/remake.
The acting was not stellar, it was just ok and even a little amateur.
From what I remember of the music (I've already forgotten a lot of it), the better versions can simply be found in the soundtrack to the Korean version.
I believe the thing I was most upset about was the adaptation of the character Jeremy. He just was not up to par AT ALL with any of the other Jeremys I've seen. And it'll sound really harsh (supa sorry) but he should be ashamed try and compare himself to Lee Hong Ki's Jeremy. It just feels like the Great Value version of an attempt at the originally complex, beautiful role.
Anyway, nothing really to see here. Very average, slightly less so. I would only recommend if you were a SUPER MEGA DIE HARD FAN of the general story of You're Beautiful/Ikemen Desu Ne, already knowing that each adaptation is an entirely new drama on it's own. And if you weren't as in love with Lee Hong Ki's Jeremy as I.
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-I will credit the makers of that theory with the idea that the plot/story is entirely funky/ messed up (in reality I might use another word for "messed" that starts with an f), but with that, IT IS SOOoOoOOOooOoOOoO GOOD, it's one of those that takes you on a complete adventurous thrill ride from beginning to end, one that makes you nostalgic when looking back at previous phases of your journey, one that has you looking back at it as a whole after it's over thinking "wtf did I just watch ... I think I want to watch it again" (although, that's NOTHING in comparison to its predecessors Hana Yori Dango the Japanese live action seasons 1 & 2, and ESPECIALLY Hana Yori Dango the Japanese anime.).
(Sidenote, a huge problem I have with kdramas [particularly of this similar style and that came out around the same time] is that they're TOO dramatic. I know. Kdrama/dramatic. It's in the title, but still. This one did a PERFECT STUPENDOUS WONDERFUL job at balancing the types of feels [primarily the dramatic/heart feels with the laughter comedy feels])
-The acting is STELLAR. If you don't fall in love with a single one of the sides, I will give you my firstborn. Because that's impossible. To name names, Kim Bum is a large fan favorite in this drama (He's the clay player dude guy) (and also my favorite actor period) (this was the first drama I saw him in) (he is spectacular), but surprisingly not my favorite side (I know, "Srsly?? How can he be your favorite actor and not your favorite character??"). Well, that's because of good ol' Kim Joon (He's the mafia boss son) (and also the member of the F4 [or maybe any side character] with the littlest air time) (but boiiiiii does he make it count). Same goes for Kim Hyun Joong. Low key a proven terrible person in real life (more info on that in my "Least Favorite Actors" list, check it out!), but he plays that role perfectly, I believe there are very few that would have played it better (as proven by the fact that in every other Boys over Flowers adaptation I've seen, I've rooted for the other guy, in this one, Kim Hyun Joong was the OTP). Personally, I can't stand Lee Min Ho as an actor, but this was one role I was ok with his work. Also the lead and her best friend were outstanding!
-I'm pretty sure I'm classically conditioned to start crying of all the feels everytime I hear that cheesy music. Seriously, no one turn it on. Not because its bad, but because I will seriously start having an emotional heart attack. No joke. Or exaggeration. It has happened.
-I would rewatch it in a second if I didn't have so many darned adaptations of it to watch, or just dramas in general to watch, or a life. That to.
-9.5 outta 10 recommend (to anyone... at any stage in their drama-ing life)
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Sometimes I ask myself: What makes a drama great? Is it the acting? Is it the story? The characters? Well, I think what makes a drama great is a mix of those and much, much more. It's not only about technicalities, it's about how this piece of fiction make you feel. If it makes you laugh, cry, angry, happy, fearful, then I think it was worth watching.
Chicago Typewriter has a fast paced, gritty beginning. It's like a huge puzzle that is slowly solving itself. It can be confusing for some viewers, mainly at the start, but if you stick long enough you'll understand everything. A lot of things aren't what they seem, and a lot of things will slowly unravel. From the first episode to the last one there will be questions to be answered, but the result is quite satisfying.
If you look on the surface the story is not very original, but the way it's told is what makes this drama shine. You'll find the old tropes korean dramas just love to play (and I love to point them out) like the tsundere male lead who finds his candy girl, sad pasts, family feulds, star crossed lovers, reeincarnation romance etc. But if you look deep into it, it's really about love, friendship, loyalty and sacrifice. Yeah, I know, everything listed here sounds corny as heck but I think it wouldn't quite be called a "drama" if it wasn't.
The format is also very interesting. It mixes scenes from the 30's and the present, a thing made by many other dramas however in this one the world building was on point. It showed both the glamour and the downside, not overly romanticing but also not really turning it into a darker, heavier drama. It was also interesting to see a historical drama on the 30's, most of the dramas I saw that focused on that time were chinese, but South Korea also had a story of it's own to tell.
Now I must say that, if you aren't completely sold by the story, then you will at least appreaciate the leads. I think this is one of the few times that a korean drama made an awesome love triangle. They weren't just sides of a triangle, they were friends. You'll find yourself appreaciating them, cheering for them and crying because of it. Their chemistry was out of this world, the acting was just on point. You not only believe they are friends, but that their bond is so strong it can be easily be described as love. Those three love each other, no matter if they disagree at certain points, no matter even if they do something heinous, they wil stick together.
The side characters were also pretty good. Each had their shining moment, there wasn't one you just hated. Even the antagonists have some moments of their own, even if barely acceptable.
The music was okay, I liked some OSTs but to be honest some of the background music could be...offputting. Seriously, sometimes there were those perfectly dark, heavy scenes, but then they would throw a music that was the opposite. Thankfully the performances were good enough for one to quickly realize what the scene was really trying to tell.
Also, as an aspiring author and avid reader, I found the references and parallels to other works pretty good. Sometimes they would make me nostalgic like "oh, I've read it before" or make me laugh out loud (the Misery scenes haha). Really, it was a nice touch that makes you connect with what you are watching.
Overall, Chicago Typewriter is a must-watch for those who love a drama that has basically everything.
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The office hijinks played a large part in this show, as the description indicates. However, the office stuff was also kind of where its weak point lay as well. I enjoyed the burgeoning relationship between our leads, Chi Won and Yoon Yi, and the antics of their office department. They had a great supporting cast there. Lee Won Keun as Hwangbo Yul, although mostly a character I sympathized with, also had quite silly and annoying moments of aegyo because he's basically a man-child. Kang Hye Jung as his assistant Wang Jung Ae was just the mothering, loyal assistant he needed. I think they did a pretty decent job with the comedy parts of the show as well as the romance parts. There were lots of laughs and a few swoon-y moments as well. :)
The theme song was catchy - I caught myself singing it a few times.
I would say that this is a fairly decent romantic comedy as long as you don't set your expectations too high. It's cute and fun as long as that's all you are asking from it because the plot is a bit thin. I was just able to overlook that until it got down to the final episodes, and I realized that I wasn't going to get all the answers I was looking for. I would still recommend this to rom-com fans.
As far as re-watches go...I'd say there are several episodes and scenes that I'd watch again, but I don't know if I would do a complete run through again.
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As for the characters, I like every characters specially Samo and Siniang. I really loved the comedic aspects as well. As for Li Zi, I don't know whether it is the actor or character, but he seems lack of life and too stiff.
CG is not so good and music too.
I will definitely re watch again. If you are a fan of Xu Joe, I totally recommend it as u can see a cute side of him in this drama. If you like detective stories, you will probably enjoy it too.
A good Chinese dram that I enjoyed
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