This review may contain spoilers
***Mild spoilers in this reviewStory: The premise of this drama was interesting. Ha Na and Doo Na are twin sisters living with their mom, attending school, and enjoying life. However, Ha Na discovers she can see ghosts and become possessed by them after witnessing the suicide of a fellow classmate. From there the drama touches on a few different storylines. We have the murder of Ha Na’s sister Doo Na who goes on to possess Ha Na to seek revenge, the meeting between Ha and criminal psychoanalyst Shin Ryu who ends up using her supernatural abilities to kill criminals, and exact his own vengeance, and two separate murder cases that are used to drive the story a bit further.
Pros: The characters were engaging, and I really enjoyed the connection between Ha Na and criminal psychoanalyst Shin Ryu. You could see how Ha Na and Shin Ryu descended into their own personal madness, and there were some extremely sad moments that made me feel for the characters, especially Ha Na. It was a very powerful look at how one should be prepared to dig two graves when looking for revenge.
Cons: As much as I enjoyed it, there were flaws. There were lapses in logic and the direction of the story. Yes, it was a tad cliched with all the screaming and the “scary” bits, but I didn’t really mind. What I did mind were some of the plot holes and unnecessary scenes.
For example, at the beginning of the very first episode, we have this scene that seems super important, a foreshadowing of events to come perhaps? Well, not exactly. It had no impact on the story whatsoever. I went in thinking that this scene was going to happen somewhere in the 10 episode drama, but it didn’t, so why include it?
Another example of a lapse is the reason for the murder of Ha Na’s sister Doo Na. Ha Na witnesses an altercation between the girl who commits suicide and the male bully in her class. After the girl commits suicide her ghost leads Ha Na to the roof where she dropped her phone before jumping. The audience is lead to believe that there is some sort of incriminating evidence on the phone that would be bad for this bully and his two goons. The bully finds out about Ha Na and the phone and devises a huge ploy to get the phone back involving kidnapping Doo Na. But the phone is never mentioned again. Ha Na left it in the basket of her bike which she threw aside to save her sister, and it disappears. But it doesn’t even seem like the bullies have it. There was no indication they took it, and the next day nothing is said about it. They instead worry about if they’ll be found out for their involvement in Doo Na's death. You’d think the writers would’ve spent a few minutes on why the phone was important, or at least shown these guys taking it back. That was the purpose behind kidnapping Doo Na. What was on it, why was this bully harassing this girl? It seemed like the writers were going to make a big deal about why this girl killed herself and the phone, and it wasn't properly conveyed.
There were other things such as characters knowing information they shouldn't have known (the main antagonist learns about Ha Na's supernatural ability, but it's not shown how), or when Ha Na finds a picture of Shin Ryu looks him up and states that they’re the same age (this really bugged me). Maybe the subbers got it wrong, but there is noooo way Ha Na and Shin Ryu were the same age. No way. When they first met she was in high school for crying out loud and he was a 30+ something-year-old man working with the police. Sure there's a 2-year jump and she's older towards the end, but they still wouldn't be the same age. It was just another situation that made me scratch my head.
And, in the last few episodes, we have another murderer loose who is killing white collar criminals. Other than a few TV broadcasts, Shin Ryu’s interest (he subsequently teaches a class on this new killer), and the fact that the antagonist frames him for these murders (the audience is never shown how this is done), we have no idea who has been killing people, and don’t get any resolution on the matter. I mean maybe the bad guy hired someone to do these murders to frame Shin Ryu, but again if this was the case the writers should’ve conveyed that to use somehow.
Overall: Plot holes aside I still enjoyed it and I would recommend it. I love the revenge aspect of any show, and it was satisfying to see the bad guys get their due. The ghost scenes were pretty cool, and honestly, this is perfect for people who are into suspense and a little bit of horror. Are there flaws? Yeah for sure, there wasn’t a lot of closure on certain things, sometimes the acting was cringy, and the ending was very sad, but it’s short and sweet compared to other dramas that have 20+ episodes. Just be ready to question a few things and shake your head at times.
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-While playful kiss cannot necessarily be confined to the category of "family drama", the family aspects in it were amazing, maybe even my favorite part.
-The friendships were double plus amazing, this is the part that will seriously have you walking away with your heart so full. So, coming from someone with Synesthesia, the friendships in this drama and the word warm just fit together like two perfect puzzle pieces in my mind.
-The humor probably was my favorite part, Playful Kiss is full of the awkward, cringe-inducing humor that has you screaming inside "ERMAGERSH, THAT IS SO ME!" (Wait, nobody else did that? That was just me? Oh. Well it made me cry of laughter anyway.)
-WARNING: The story will make you hurt though. Personally, it made my heart turn over so many times, not because it's tragic or anything like that, but because of the decisions of the main characters. You just wanna go in there and grab 'em by the shoulders and wholup them around a bit sometimes.
-Great plot though, always full of ridiculous antics, always had you playing the next episode before the preview of it at the end of the last episode began. Thinking back, I might have finished it in a day
-9.5 outta 10 Recommend
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So what was so great about this drama? Honestly for me it was absolutely the main pairing. There was just something so absolutely magical in their connection and way of being together. It even got me to break a personal rule: never watch triangle romances - I never like them and feel the person "in the middle" should just choose. However in this drama I actually bought the tension and reasons for it not being that simple. They were also a couple with pretty much no intense drama. Sure there were some struggles, but it just felt human and realistic without the over the top element added to it. I think in general their relationship was built up slowly and well. They really conveyed the early attraction and later angst really well.
The other characters were for the most part pretty solid as well. I really appreciated that for once the triangle drama didn't have one crazy participant. The characters were in general in this drama pretty believable and sensible.
I would definitely recommend this drama to anyone who appreciates a good thai drama. I don't even mind that the final episodes are unsubbed (though if they were ever subbed I would scream in happiness). The age just makes it even more charming and avoids a few pitfalls modern dramas love to fall into ;)
If you are looking for a well written drama with interesting characters and little romantic drama: this is the one!
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I would say if you're a Kim Soo Hyun fan then sure, have a go at it, but it isn't anything like a K-drama (nudity, drug use and violence), and you won't finish it with any more understanding than when you started.
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Story - too long, boring, not creative or unique.
Acting - The cast grew on me. At first I thought ZXF was ugly asfk (still do). I thought JY and CSS were more likeable and liked whenever they had screentime. The female cast is great, and they're all very pretty. But too many annoying romances that you don't get to dive into and clear up what happened i.e. Senior Brother Wan & You Ji (Bi Yao's aunty). IDK why, but the Azure Dragon (William Yang) really caught my eye.
Rewatch value: NOPE.
Note: I kept reading reviews and comments, and so many people kept labeling this as "bro-mancey" with ZXF and JY, I mean yea they were pretty bro-mancy but there is obviously love between Bi Yao and Zhang Xiao Fan!
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I gave 9.5/10 on the story because All the tragic love's drama are always the same, same plot, same complicated love, but The Starry Night, The Starry Sea has such a deep and interesting dilema !
First of all, I didn't get bored at all while watching the drama. I found the acting not bad, the storyline was cool. Action's scenes were well done.
The drama was full of emotions, not only painfull ones , surprise, betrayal, happiness !
The love story was one of the deepest drama love story ! The main characters didn't need to talk we could see on their eyes that they love each other, they will always love each other.
I'm happy , watching this drama made me discover another type of love, friendship, not the cheesy kind, it was strong from the start !
ABOUT THE END ! It's not a secret that tragedy's drama don't have a happy ending. That's why I could not watch this drama 3 times, but I could watch it twice, despite the end I trully like everything, I only have good memories of this drama. The end is just 1 episode on 32, so I cannot hate the drama because of that. Yes the end is very important since it closes the drama but it's not everything, So to people who are afraid to watch it because of the tragedy, do not care about it, just watch it for the story, the love story, the friendship story.
I'll say it again... from this drama, I only have good memories !
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Acting: The acting was AMAZING there was not one bit where I was confused because of the acting. They showed every emotion needed for the drama.
Music: Obviously I hardly pay attention to the music since I was just focusing on the characters but at times where no one was talking I could hear how beautiful it would be at times.
Rewatch: I would definitely rewatch it but I would only choose the most intense parts that EXCITED ME
FULL EPISODES AND ENG SUB:
(Please be warned that Viki does have some adverts but it is probably one of the best streaming sites for Asian dramas.)
https://www.viki.com/tv/33973c-my-mr-mermaid?q=my
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The ending is sad and meaningful. "Goodbye, my youth. Goodbye, Ssangmun-dong” -Deok Sun
Teaches you how important and significant your youth is. Beautiful story. So many feels from this.
The plot and setting is on point. Love it!
Some parts of their acting was awkward.
It has a mixture of family, friendship, school, romance and real world problems that happened at that time.
I love how they interviewed the adult Deok Sun and Taek, and than the whole thing was just them recalling their childhood memories together, super creative.
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As for the main lead, this is my first time watching them, nonetheless, the male lead's act is spectacular. I haven't read the novel but how the male lead character was played is satisfying. The coldness, love, and anger can be seen through his eyes and how he smiles is a good point all throughout. I also love how Xiao Xiao was played. It was hilarious and made the series more interesting.
Furthermore, one thing that I love most towards this series is the soundtracks. I fell in love with the music at the first episode! (The music is still on my head while writing this).
This may not be the perfect series but it was overall satisfying. It is one of those "feel good" dramas that will keep you smiling while watching. There was a lot of flashbacks within the present frame that I don't think are necessary and may bore a lot of people, but this flaw can be forgiven for it somewhat gives the sweet feeling of youth. Watching the flashbacks remind me of the old times.
This may be not be for everyone but I think it is worth recommending to those who want to simply have a sweet feeling and have a ray of sunshine for the day. It is a great series to watch if you're having a break.
I will definitely watch this again in the future if I wanted to "feel good".
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But I don't care - ultimately, I still adore this show, because the characters and relationships are so endearing. Joo Rin is really a great protagonist. She habitually lies in the beginning (albeit usually for understandable reasons), and she is also sometimes temperamental and petty. But she's also loving, kind, funny, charming, and resilient. In other words, she is likable, but flawed and genuine. Gong Chan, likewise, achieves a perfect balance of traits. He is sometimes arrogant, but also modest and hardworking. He seems tough and rigid, but he actually leans more towards being softhearted and kind. Lee Dong Wook instills a very warm quality in his character. I question whether another actress and actor could have brought these two characters alive in such a beautiful way. (Side note: I did actually see the Philippine remake of this story first. I enjoyed it, but this version is better in my opinion.)
The talented Lee Joon Gi is also very good in this; I love his character's expressiveness and cheekiness. I also love the Seol family, even if I think the romance between In Sun and Il Do could have been ~a bit~ less dramatic at times. Although Gong Chan's grandfather is unfair to his loved ones in a way (especially his deceased daughter and Gong Chan, whom he loves most), his actor does so well at playing up his sweet and charming side. The weakest link for me, hands down, was Se Hyun. I understand she's supposed to be an antagonist, but after a certain point, she seems to outstay her role in the show.
I really love the music. It is memorable and does a great job at enhancing the emotional quality of scenes. Overall, I really enjoyed the narrative. The ending is satisfying without being too unrealistic; the two main characters do suffer the consequences for their charade. I might favor My Girl a little because it was one of the first Asian dramas I watched, but I still think it's a fun show and I'll probably watch it again in a year or so. If you haven't seen it, give it a go. :)
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One complaint was music which I felt was not that good but yeah goes well with the story.if you really want to watch a great love story then go for it !!!!!!
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After this, I watched lots of k-dramas, so I guess this show is to blame that now I'm a k-drama addict. And even having watching so many of them, anything could be compared to Goblin. Without any doubt it's the best drama I've ever seen in my entire life.
Everything is wonderful. The story (from a non-used to k-dramas point of view) is kind of unusual. The photography, the settings (oh, Quebec, one of the most wonderful places I've ever been), the dialogues, the humor, the bromance, the romance...
I love Gong Yoo in every one of the things he has done, but here he is amazing as the lonely tokebi. For the rest of the casting, they are all perfect, overall Lee Dong Wook as the Grim Reaper (his bromance with the Goblin is mythic, so funny!)
Other thing that I really liked in this show is that you don't have a love triangle, nor the tropes so used in other dramas, and you have the opportunity to see the evolution in both couples.
The only thing I complain is that the main couple does not have much explanation time at the ending as they should have. There were too much time to explain the Grim Reapers and Sunny (not Sun Hee) future and not so much for the main couple... Dommage!
This show taugh me so many things I could continue for hours explaining why everybody should watch it.
I have read some bad reviews explaining that it's so slow that is boring. I don't know but for me it wasn't slow at all. It had the right pace for a perfect development of the story and the characters.
Music: loved it. One of by k-drama OST.
Rewatch value: I've watched this show three times already and I watch it every now and then while I deciding what to see next.
So, last advise, DON'T MISS IT, BEST DRAMA EVER!
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PROS:
Music: Susanna Kwan music is still as awesome as ever! Like the other heart of greed francise, just listening to it makes you think this drama is going to be intense one with lots of conflicts and sadness along the way (this isnt the case for this drama however). Also, hana and vincent song......it is one of the best love songs from TVB ever since Jinny Ng love is Not Easy from line walker. when that songs come up in those dramatic love scenes in this drama, its so addicting to listen to more of it! hope this song wins the TVB awards :)
Acting: A drama featuring most of the orginal veteran cast was rare indeed. And almost all of their acting was still superb after all these years (there was one who's acting wasnt as great. ill get to her later). Although their acting was spectacular, it was all wasted due to the characters that they played. More on that later
Relationships of the Characters: Strong chemistry among the actors and the characters they play. Vincent and Eliza relationship altho that typical childhood romance, it still was executed well and wasnt all cliche as it had some twists along the way. Priscilla and Bosco relationship, altho hit with many cliches, it didnt feel force at all and their "brother" relationship was funny and cute. Joseph and Michell/Ha Yu and Louise relationships of married couples, u can really feel the loves they had for each other. Theres sharon and Michael relationship, probably the most dramatic part of the drama, it kinda felt force in a way and their chemistry with each other altho shitty, sharon and micheal acting synchrozination led their character's relationship less "hateful"
CONS:
Story: PROBABLY THE BIGGEST LETDOWN OF THE SERIES!! In heart of greed 1 and 2, the drama in the story was ACTUALLY problematic and intense. That was the whole charm of it. But in this drama, you would never feel that the conflict was dramatic because it had a lot of written comedy that disrupts it entirely and the actors character that they portayed, didnt even match their typical characters that they portray and that lowered the drama suspense.
Character: THIS IS DEFINITELY THE BIGGEST LETDOWN OF THE DRAMA. Remember how i said "the actors character that they portayed, didnt even match their typical acting"? For example, Joseph acting in the previous francise, was that of a true villan. but in this, hes soft and sympathetic and it really didnt work on him as well. The BIGGEST disaapointment, was by far, Michella Yim. In Moonlight Resonance, what made her the best villan of that drama, was her great acting as a cunning and maniputaed person. in this drama, shes not even close to being villanious. Her character was rather annoying and cartoony. Sorry Michelle you had to do this embarrasing role. Finally, Louisee acting was rather crappy. And its probably because the character she portrayed. the typical character she usually portay is the voice of reason and her acting made you feel empathy and agree with the character. But in this, (just like michelle yim) was cartoony and altho sometimes she would be the voice of reason, it wasnt as compelling because like it said, this drama story isnt all that dramatic.
CONCLUSION:
Did this drama had a lot of potential and could reach or beyond exceed their predecessors? Yes. But did it? Not even half way. This drama overall is ok. If you were to compare it to their predecessors, this drama would definity be considered as a dissapointment. I would be okay if this drama wasnt called "heart of greed 3" because it really is not. But its worth of try. Just keep in mind this wont the same atomsphere as the heart of greed 1 and 2 had.
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