excellent, and even those who aren't don't let the side down. The story doesn;t break any new ground. It's probably all be seen
before.But it's excuted so perfectly,that it reminds you of why you fell in love with Korean dramas in the first place.
It seems my favourite characters in Kdramas are often those who are or look a little bit quirky. This time it's the female cop Ok Hyun
played by Jo Eun. Defintely one of my favourite drama
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Let me first start by saying that I decided to give this drama a shot because of the review and the -so overrated- rating.
I am writing this review because I can relate in so many ways to the lead female character JI HO, I am at the age of getting married but I am also afraid of being tied down to a man for the rest of my life, I just don't know how I should feel about it (marriage) now, while watching this drama I felt like a woman can't be complete if she doesn't marry, I am starting to believe that life is not worth living if you don't have anyone to share it with.
What I want to say is that the show completely brainwashed me (if this is the correct way to say it) and I am seriously considering to get married now, maybe life won't be as boring as I think it would be? Who knows? I really envied the main male character, even with his mentality he was able to find someone who could accept him for what he is, however, i don't think that life is this generous to anybody especially when it comes to marriage.
Now talking about my thoughts on the show;
I solely believe that 16 episodes were way too many! especially to such a predictable story ( I mean come one! we've already seen it coming we just chose to stick it for one reason or another. (for me it was because I kind of envied how courageous she was for getting married, I am not going to lie) The pacing was slow and I had to forward many scenes, especially when it came to MA & Woo soo! I just found their chemistry too bland and forced!
The characters development was kinda superficial and once again expected, nothing deep ... and sometimes dialogues are repeated ... I don't know what was all the hype about! An okay show I guess, I probably won't rewatch it again ... the cinematography and the ost, on the other hand, are great! I just wanna say, that TVN successfully took 16 hours of my life away from me lol (well, less, since I had to skip many unnecessary scenes)
Come on Kdrama! I want something as fresh as "MAN FROM THE STARS" I want something that takes me to the moon and back!
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PLUS, HI? HELLO? Look at that gorgeous Hu Yi Tian in this drama. I probably would've appreciated it more if had cried. Like a tear would have sufficed. BUTTTTT, nonetheless, I would still rewatch this. Seeing him so in love with a girl in this drama made me just want to find a boyfriend stat. lol.
1,012,783,917,947,198,274,981,273,912 out of 10 would watch. ????????????????????
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The story is not something very original but I loved how they pulled it off. It wasn't draggy, had just enough plot for its entire run to keep you on your toes to go on watching the next episode. Its a great romcom for people who love watching cute first love stories and school drama without the super cliche parts. there are of course some cliches but they will make you swoon. What I love about this drama is that it is very relatable. It will strike a chord in your heart if you have ever had an unrequited love or at least a crush on someone. The feelings the drama will evoke from you is worth the watch.
Acting/Cast:
I would like to say that Joanne Tang and Prince Chiu did a great job with their roles. Each emotion was potrayed perfectly. The female lead exposed her sadness of being in an unrequited love in such a relatable way. One particular quote that I love is she said every girl when they say they like someone, they have hesitated, struggled for a long time to confirm their feelings for the other person before confessing. Since they are so serious about it, they are even more afraid of getting hurt by the response they get. Another one is "Its not that I don't have the courage to tell him I like him. I just don't have courage to face life after losing him." Prince chiu also potrayed Li Zheng perfectly. Those feelings of insecurity, struggle with losing his parents, confusion with his feelings and his jealousy was shown very realistically. The second leads were great too although I didn't have second lead syndrome because Prince is too handsome keke. The two best friends were a nice addition to the female lead's life.
Music:
I LOVE ALL the OSTs. they were really great, every one of them. the starting song was sung by our very own main male lead Prince and the ending song is sung by our female lead. "Close to You" was great too and international fans will be able to appreciate this song better because its in english haha.
Re-watch value:
I would definitely rewatch this again. <3
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Cons:
Tone: I will just say it. The dad is abusive and beats on his son and subordinate. Not slap or hit as we see in so many dramas. Beat. And then we are supposed to see and accept that there is an upside to this guy at the same time. I believe this actor played the bad guy in The Time Between Dog and Wolf, and he was fantastic at portraying a tragic, flawed and yet sympathetic character all at the same time. Unfortunately, the script or direction didn't help him here. Many dropped at this point.
What Love?: If you expect romance to be a big part of this drama, stop right here and back away. I get it....love is in the title of the drama but this has a very mild love story and to a certain extent the writer doesn't seem to know what to do with it. It is because of this woman that he is changing; that's been true of many dramas but the writer doesn't commit to how she feels about him really. Writer also throws in a totally unbelievable love triangle
Pacing: There is bromance, but I don't think it flourished like it could have because something that needed to be revealed didn't happen until too late. I think this is unfortunate because this drama is at its best when the three friends are all for one and one for all like the 3 Musketeers so to speak.
Pros:
Change: Unlike many, I was happy that change of the main character didn't happen that quickly. There is something around episode 4 wherein many viewers got really frustrated at the continued immaturity of Siwon's character. I am in the minority that LIKED that he didn't change that quickly because, guess what, people don't. If this drama's theme is that caring about people can bring about positive change in others, fine but it is still going to take time and it does.
Actors: So Siwon is a bit OTT here but some of that we learn is a facade to deal with the brutality of his father and some of it is his personality and doing what is expected of him. It was a bit much and I think the writer/director should have dealt with that because I think it is more on them. They wanted a definite comedic vibe even if it didn't always suit the tone. (See Con) Kang Sora is fine and shows she can be dramatic and funny but I actually think this wasn't a hugely challenging role for her. Gong Myung is really good here as the woe is me salaryman. I just wish there had been some earlier evolution in his character because I think he doesn't crack a smile for 15 episodes.
Story: Okay, full disclosure, I'm a sucker for a friends helping friends story. I like the cleaning crew gang, I like the three helping each other out. I like the flight attendant/cop combo. I like people working to change because so often in the real world, people stay in their ruts. So, yes, this drama worked better for me than others. I freely admit by the last four or so episodes I was folding my laundry and wrapping Christmas gifts while watching but that's fine, it worked for me.
I would say that if you keep expectations in the middle and realize romance is very very limited, there is a solid k-drama here. Not anything fantastic or life changing but pleasant enough. For a better office/friends drama there is Radiant Office and, of course, the excellent Misaeng.
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Truthfully, a large portion of why I enjoyed this show was because it was so relatable. I did not grow up in Korea but I have heard about the Korean boy band fan wars after getting into KPOP in my late teens, early twenties. I did not live through H.O.T. versus Seckskies but I lived through Backstreet Boys versus NSync. The way Shi Won obsessed over H.O.T was similar to how I used to obsess over the Backstreet Boys. I remember, vividly, hovering over a teen magazine and tearing out pages to share with my girlfriends and classmates, similar to the drama. My inner 90's kid self laughed when the gang in the drama started getting into Tamagotchis and other 90's crazes like overalls, pig tails, CD players... Of course, I had a Tamagotchi! It was also really nostalgic and heartwarming watching the friends have their reunion. How many people still keep in touch with their high school friends in their late twenties? Not too many people unfortunately. This was something that I couldn't relate to but still found touching.
I also loved how the drama talked about real life topics despite some topics being controversial in a conservative country. When I lived in Korea in the early part of this decade, it was still taboo to talk openly about homosexuality. People were having same- sex relationships but it was still not a widely accepted mindset. It was refreshing for the drama to kinda mention homosexuality and paint it with a warm, understanding light.
I also commend the actors for portraying their roles so well. Some might find the Busan accent to be whiny but I found it to be endearing. This drama also transcend gender lines. I recommended this drama to my fiance and he absolutely loved it. Eunji, as Shi Won was the clear glue to this entire show. She was so lovable that it is easy to see why people liked her. In Guk as Yoon Je was also hilariously straight edged and goofy. It was so funny how the main leads interacted with each other and their chemistry was palpable.
All in all, if you grew up in the 90's...watch this drama. You will love it.
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I dropped this drama a while ago and I couldn't remember why so I started watching it again. In the beginning I loved the show and I hadn't even noticed I had reached the 5th episode. Near the 8th episode is when the show really went down hill... sigh
The Problems
1.
I would like to talk about the leads.
When you begin the show you will assume that a certain person in the first lead. The writer gave this person all of the characteristics of the first lead, but I felt something was wrong. While watching the show I noticed the second lead was getting all of the first lead's scenes. It finally dawned on me that the second lead is the first lead.
The problem is that the second lead showed complete interest in the heroine and he didn't pay any attention to the second female lead! And then boom he suddenly has no interest in the heroine and looves the second lead. While this is going on the second lead trying to steal the heroine from the second lead but is overly affectionate towardw the second female lead.
2.
The second female lead pops out of nowhere and is stuck between trying to be friends with the heroine and not. I honestly still don't even know what her motive is. She knows the second lead likes the heroine and is all fine with it except the many times when the second lead confessed. It felt like the second female lead was always on her period and kept having mood swings.
3.
Majority of the characters are just annoying af, I loved the heroine and the secretary but that's about it. The Grandpa was really insensitive and he annoyed me whenever he spoke yet the heroine treated him like he was the best person ever. I feel like the writer tried to fit too many clichés into one drama and this was the result.
The major problem with the drama was the story line, I would say the plus side is that there is a lot of fluffy moments.
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Maybe SSH had this written into his contract.
"The ending has to be vague or, suck altogether. Oh yeah, and let's have Halloween-Christmas because, Why not?
I want my fans to prove they love me for me instead of my work, just like Lee Min Ho.
Come all my pretty lemmings and I'll show you a cliff. Bwahahaha!"
Don't watch the last 10 minutes of the final episode and you'll be better for it.
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Now onto the rest of the cast and story, it is not as cut and dry as it seems with the first four episodes. The twist happens and a great Juxta-positioning occurs.I will not spoil it, but It is worth a watch if you like family dramas or Dramas about brothers. Romance is there but while it SEEMS the main focus, it really isn't. Its a solid office/company/family drama that, like family, will make you sad, frustrated, happy and then satisfied by the end.
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a heads up though:
1. the show is really choppy and messy. even from the first season, the first half of each season would be based on their life in school. then it'll suddenly change to an alternate universe of some sort where they have magical powers. those parts seemed really draggy to me.
2.there isn't much romance. maybe a little tease here and there but there's literally barely any romance at all. literally, we only get that tease of romance in the last two episodes.
3. their audio dubbing is good, it sounds pretty fluent. but lip syncing? not so much. especially when the characters perform or sing. it's like the actors don't know what they're singing or performing. it's so out of sync, i thought they added a random audio clip over the scenes.
i really do like each character's personality and their backstories. this drama is more about friendship than anything else. the theme song is really good, it's upbeat and easy to understand. still, the best part of the entire drama are the comedic scenes.
personally would not watch this drama again.
if you're looking for a comedic highschool drama, give this a go.
but if you're looking for something with a solid plot and romance, this isn't for you.
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I am adding Kuroki Haru in my list of favorite actresses. Whenever role she plays, I just want her to be happy And when she is, her happiness is contagious. And she is so gentle, so Japanese-lady-like. My other favorite in this dorama was her mistress (Yasuda Narumi), who loved her as a mother. Her love for her adopted daughter, and for her son was beautiful. Her sad smile was so poignant...
There is a little reunion of members of "Juhan Shuttai", which made me really happy (4 of them!). Starting with the MC, who again works hard in what she loves XD And is spite of working again with Nagayama Kento (Nagata-sensei), I was rooting for Komatsubara-san since the very beginning. I loved when there is respect and a little bit of teasing from the love interest XD
I love the setting, since historical stories set in Edo period are most of the times my favorites. The food that are shown look mostly so tasteful (and there is a little culinary demonstration of the main recipe of the day at the end of each episode, performed by the amazing Kuroki Haru). The other time, when I was eating with other people and they were "ohhh my, so delicious" I laughed internally because that's what happens every time people eats Mio's food).
The OST is lovely, it helped to keep the tone light.
For rewatch value, yes, I would watch it again, specially when the SP is subbed (there HAS to be a SP... when I finished Ep 8 I was like, WHAT?). Besides, it is very short, with 8 episodes only, of 35 minutes aprox each ep.).
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This review may contain spoilers
If you're planning to watch Black, give it atleast 3 episodes. It takes about that much time for things, that at first might appear as random or scattered events, to form a vague connected picture of how things are supposed to be. Ofcourse, you could always love the drama right from the start, like me. But if the first two episode confuse/ frustrate you, please don't give up on it before atleast 3 ep, because it could just turn out to be a drama that you'll love.That being said, now on to the review:
- This is my first time seeing both Song & Go Ara.There's a lot of negative stigma attached with Go Ara, so I was a bit hesitatnt to watch this at first. However, her character here is alright. Ha ram, is by no means, the best FL out there. But she is not really among the worst ones either. At the very least, Go Ara's acting isn't cringeworthy or bad enough to drop this drama.Song Seung Heon is amazing! And I am, by no means, exaggerating. You'll see what I mean when you watch the drama. As Detective Han, he's kind and understanding. And as Black, he's ruthless and hostile.The only thing he cares about is getting his job done. Watching him become more human is one of the most enoyable things about this drama. I'll even go as far as saying that he's one of the best tsundere male leads out there. Although, putting him in that box seems too restrictive, since he was much more than that. Oh, and he's really, really sexy!
- The writing, to me, was one of the best things about this drama. Although to some, it might seem overbearing or even messy at times. And I do understand where they are coming from. The writing here is really intricate, detailed and connected. It's a drama where you have to pay attenton a lot. But instead of finding that annoying, I appreciated that. I specially loved the fact that how the things, that at first seemed irrelevant, became part of something bigger later on. Honestly, if I could, I'd rate the writing 11/10.
- When I first went into this drama, one thing that I didn't expect, and that one thing that really surprised me in a good way, was the comedy! Black is savage, yet so, so funny! Like a lot of supernatural beings out there, he thinks himself to be above the 'mere human beings. You can just imagine how his interactions with humans would result. Hilariously, ofcourse! The series has the deadpan humor, that I really enjoyed watching.
- The romance is a subdued part of the drama. Although, it's not the main focus, it's balanced in a good way. The romance between the leads is slow burn, but shippable. I personally think that the chemistry between the leads was good.
- I think this is one of those dramas that is worth marathon-ing. Each episode is so much filled with information, there's never a dull moment! And you'll NEVER see the twists coming, aside from the ones that the drama do let on.
- There are actually a lot of things I loved about this drama, as obvious from my rating. However, delving into them might lead into me (accidentally) giving out a spoiler, so I'd rather not say them.
I am not going to say that it's the best drama out there, in either thriller, fantasy or (subdued) romance genre. It even has a few (minor) loopholes, or facts that don't add up with the story. Despite that, it managed to keep me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The minute I started the episode to the minute it ended, I was thoroughly engaged and captivated. And for me, sometimes, that's the only thing that counts.
So, I'll just say that this is a really good, entertaining and a really well-done drama. And I'd definitely recommend this! So, I hope you give this a chance!
Happy Watching!!
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Unlike its counterparts in other countries, most of the Korean queer films, in my opinions, have always been dark and gloomy, but at the same time they try to reflect the reality of gays living in Korean society. This film is one of the greatest I ever watched in terms of queer films.
This film is not an exception. The overall mood is gloomy, dark, and painful. However, at the same time, Director Lee-Song Hee Il magically depicts passion and warm, heart-beating romance at the same time. I don't know why Director Lee-Song's films are mostly dark and gloomy. Maybe he thinks it is so in Korea, which I agree but don't like much.
This film is about a story that occurs in one night. But that occurrence leaves a deep impression and love in each other's heart. If you are meant to meet someone, when and how doesn't matter.
The story is so good, touching your heart soon and acting is great. The emotions of the actors are delicate and abundant. I watched this film in Korean version, so I dont know if the English translation is good or not. Maybe you cannot get the exact impression that I got if watching it with English subtitle.
I strongly recommend you to watch this film! You won't regret it.
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