Firstly, the strength of this show comes from two people in the cast. Kim Heechul and Lee Soogeum. That is it. Everyone else is relatively a non-factor since the dynamic between all individuals has been decided and the structure of how to treat guests or situations are relatively the same. I am not saying that if Kang Ho Dong was replaced by Yoo Jae Suk it would not make a difference because that would surely changed the entire dynamic of the show. However, the comedy and gags and pace of the show is determined by Kim Heechul interactions with guests and Lee Soogeum's comedic timing and ability. Honestly, if you told me they would replace half the members except these two than new gags would come up and new personalities and relationships would be highlighted.
Secondly, this show is build around Kang Ho Dong's personality which is loud, abrasive and often times insensitive. There are many jokes that are said that on any other show would be contraband such as divorce, gambling, alcoholism. This is refreshing in a sense that it makes everyone more human. However, it also means that the show must play on the fact that its the hosts of the "school" versus the guests that come. This can get boring because picking on female idols over and over for the same thing loses its charm after a while. And disregarding guests becomes disrespectful at times. There are moments where the hosts throw away this system and its image, however, that makes the show lose its meaning if done too frequently.
Thirdly, I will say it again, but Kim Heechul is the sole reason this show is where it is. Because giving Heechul an abrasive platform to make whatever jokes he wanted makes this show fresh. Seeing him talk down to SNSD or tell EXO and Shinee and Infinite to get lost are novel. Similarly, flirting with guests is also novel. However, there is a limit to certain things and certain things get repetitive. Making jokes about smoking is funny, but than it becomes serious after a while when you consider he could do it every episode. It would lose meaning. The main thing saving this show is Heechul's vast connections and his ability to talk and play off of them.
Fourthly, most of this show is boring. This is partly due to the hosts not treating the guests well and sometimes blatantly ignoring them. But there is also the fact that the guests are asked to introduce themselves but can't say anything that is "real." I will be honest, who cares about a spot on Jonghyun's body. I don't even care if its Seolhyun's body. Or how Momo feels about this or that. It's just not that interesting. The only interesting parts are when Heechul or someone else is able to relate and make it more interesting. The most boring parts, however, are the skits or other aspects of the show because to be honest they are not funny and do not play onto the strengths of the show which are the abrasive relationships between members and guests.
Overall, the best moments are when relationships are teased and jokes are made. However, this can get boring very quickly. Is it worth watching entire episodes again? Not really. Is it worth rewatching certain clips? Sure, just go to Youtube and you'll find compilations and categorization. Having people show off their talents is what makes things like this memorable. For example, can anyone tell me what Jonghyun and Irene did when they came? How about Davichi? No idea. Cause it is not memorable.
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The strengths of this drama:
1) The actors played it very well. The main "love triangle" and the antagonist were done quite well. This is mainly because of acting ability and not due to the writing of the drama.
2) Even though common troupes were used, they touched upon it in a sensitive and realistic manner. To expand upon this point, when the second lead's girlfriend began to "waver" she did not straight up just cheat on him and his friend did not automatically turn his back on him. She was up front with her opinions to her current boyfriend. He was also hesitant to pursue anything since he was friends with her ex-boyfriend. Often times you see characters that just follow the plot and don't follow logic. My second point is the common troupe of the second lead that realizes his love too late. This is one of the most over-used plots in dramas and should be done away with. However, they added a nice touch by focusing on his anguish and how he expresses his feelings to both partners of the new couple.
My main problems with this drama:
1) The lack of defined plot. There were approximately 3 main plot lines and 6-8 side plots that were just poorly written or poorly handled. Can any viewer definitively tell me every plot and its resolution? I felt the need to skip over certain plots because they dragged on and did not have any importance or significance to the story at all. Firstly, as soon as I started watching I knew that the two leads would end up together and the second lead would get snubbed. Not even trying to change the plot line. Of course it had to be selfish rich guy that changes and cares only for her and does things behind her back until she coincidentally finds out and they fall in love. Instead of the person that she had liked for 7 years and just missed saving her by a step. Always. I could have not watched this drama at all and told you the plot "twists" and "endings." Oh wow, family issues when it shows that her mom does absolutely nothing and emotionally abuses her father? Wow, how new and insightful with 0 character development or relevance. Oh wow, it turns out she gets her powers again and instead of living in fear of using it, which she never was by the way, becomes a hero and helps people. Wow, so new.
2) The amount of random comic-relief side characters is ridiculous. The only serious characters in this story are the main three characters, the serial killer, the brother and his love interest. Every single other character was there for comic relief or not relevant enough to remember their names. I don't know what the purpose of all these characters is. And I don't understand how this drama can confuse quality characters with a hundred random useless characters. Can anyone tell me the name of the mob boss? How about the secretary's name? How about the name of the school gang leader?
3) This drama was boring. There were definitely highlights and extremely important moments to remember but the fact is that due to the mixing of multiple overall plots and the usage of comic relief characters, it takes away from the character development of the main characters and the main plot. After watching the thrilling portions of the drama, didn't you want to know what happened next? Not wait until next episode for there to be development and have to wade through a sea of nonsense and random fighting or shopping scenes. How about after a romantic scene, shouldn't there be build up towards the main plot? However, every time there was a transition between genres there was meaning lost. For example, do you remember why the murder killed the first girl? Most people will forget that important plot point cause it was submerged under a ton of other nonsense. Secondly, do you remember who was the first suspect for threatening the President (Hyunsik)? All of these major plot points become nothing once you have a hundred of them that drag on and do absolutely nothing to build upon each other.
Overall, for everyone saying this is worth watching, let me ask you this: is this a drama that you would watch again? Is this the drama you will remember in 10 years? I don't think so. There are many better dramas than this. Just because you like Hyunsik or Ji Soo or Park Bo Young does not mean this is a good drama. In my personal opinion, this was a very poorly written drama that could be fleshed out and narrowed down.
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Thus, I must also give credit to the director for his achievement, and to the supporting cast, all who delivered strong performances.
Korean writing takes a bit getting used to, and, wittingly or not, it employs a good measure of redundancy and fantastical elements, even in its most serious dramas. By fantastical, you should understand "unbelievable" or "incapable of allowing belief to be suspended". I learned recently, however, that Korean shows are produced on very tight budgets and schedules, and are often written and filmed right up to air time, literally. With those facts in mind, the superior quality the Koreans achieve is nothing short of astonishing. For sheer fun and often intense, gripping moments, the Koreans have no equal among their Asian counterparts, in my humble opinion, and they exceed almost all American television shows.
That's why Han Ye-seul's light shone so brightly in this series. She demonstrated an incredible range of emotion and thought in the relationships Go Hye-Rim dealt with: Dr. Choi, her business, her landlord ("the chairman"), the men chasing her in the "experiment", her daughter's newfound affection for her stepmother, the stepmother and Go's ex-husband, her sister's elopement and violation of traditional Korean values, Go's scamming and being scammed, and ultimately what it meant to scam no more and to just give with one's whole heart to the emotionally crippled Dr. Choi, all in a setting rich with drama, comedy, and romance.
Some reviewers may want to reconsider how they looked at Madame Antoine. At any rate, I heartily recommend it!
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This review may contain spoilers
The cast is something. The actors that they chose to play each one seems to be chosen carefully. They played out their parts perfectly, especially Megan Lai (Pi Yanou) and Mandy Tao (Du Zi Han). The way they expressed each character must have been hard. Also, the gender bender for Megan Lai was apparently common as she played a lesbian in the movie “Cafe Waiting Love.” I think the story plot was good, the only problem is how many coincidences there were. (Yanou saving Zifeng as a child, Nana just happened to live around where ZiFeng worked, etc.) It is not a gay drama! It’s just a gender bender, Yanou is actually a girl. This is not a spoiler, because in the first episode, she explains her situation. I would definitely watch this drama over but I don’t really have the time ???? The music hit me hard, I loved it, especially “Quietness” by Miu Chu and Andrew Tan and “Tender Love.” Fun fact, the opening song, “Epochal Times,” “Back In Time,” and “Tender Love,” were written by Bii, Wei Qing Yangs character. Andrew Tan, Bii, Dino Lee and Ian composed Epochal Times together. Sorry, I’m dragging the songs on. Anyway, yes it’s a good drama but their is a lot of tension at the end. It might make you a little anger too. It’s a great drama, please watch it! Was this review helpful to you?
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You can't judge how you'll enjoy a drama base on reviews, take it all with a grain of salt. I would say , Always try it out. It will either click or not. I watch a drama for the "feels" and don't go deep into it. It's my escape (fantasy).
Reply 1997 was highly recommended and I absolutely HATED it! It was soo annoying and the Noble sacrifices. The brother thinking because he likes her and do things for her in a sense she belongs to him.....blaaah...stupid love triangle. I FFW soo much and thinking I would like it because of the high rating it has to be good...nope...
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a good movie to watch while i crocheted lol language is for mature adults i would say they do spout out the words got to watch this its so cute
wish it could of been a drama ..her being a weather girl like to see what else she would do and him and his kids at school so funny and cute
The star is the main actress her drunk rantings are classic the best i have seen she also showed feelings and they both cried and the childhood seens are funny too
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This review may contain spoilers
A flawed but entertaining and emotional ride.Con man deceives blind girl into thinking he's her deceased brother. This premise just screams melodrama. And like many melodramas, it's full of ambiguous characters, tearjerking situations and unbreakable bonds. In my opinion, That Winter, The Wind Blows is not that original since it's based on an already established work, but among so many "Cinderella" dramas out there, it sure stands out as a demi-original but overly unlikely kind of drama.
I like to begin my reviews with positive things I have to say, so let's just start: The camera work, the scenarious and everything about the picture of this drama was plainly beautiful. The atmosphere becomes heavy when it needs to be heavy, and also light and endearing when need be. Amazing work of the director, also, the close ups on the right place just made me stare in awe at so much detail put on the scenario.
Also, I have to praise Jo In Sung and Song Hye Kyo for their amazing acting. In Sung not only gave Oh Soo all sides of his personality, but much more. The way he cockily smiles but then suddenly cracks down in tears is simply amazing. His chemistry with Hye Kyo was superb, and you can really believe that those two are pained, lost individuals that find comfort on each other. And Hye Kyo...oh, for a moment I thought she was really blind. Seriously, her interpretation is so perfect that if you don't know that she can see in real life, you would actually believe they hired a blind actress.
Kim Tae Woo was perfect as well. I began the drama really hating his character, but as episodes passed by I started to feel for him, and appreciate his inner turmoil. That's something only a good actor can do. And props to Bae Jong Ok, another ground breaking performance. However, I would've liked if her motives and backstory were better explained because the way they did just seemed all over the place.
Props for Kim Sang Beom as well, he made a cute pairing with Eun Ji. However, althought I really love Eun Ji, in this drama I didn't really feel her character. It was like she wasn't even that necessary to the plot except to have a third partner in crime who helped from time to time. Also, she was annoying at times and to be honest, althought she's a good actress, I would like to see Eun Ji playing another type of girl/personality.
Another thing I didn't quite like was how sometimes the drama was too self explicative. The audience is not dumb, we can clearly see what's happening so there's no need for overexposition. Mainly the way they did, turning the explanation very difficult and sometimes confusing. For example (SPOILER), when Oh Soo finds th room where Young makes her video diary all trashed, it was obvious that Young did all that since she was the last person on that room. It didn't take a genius to guess that, so the demi-flashback shown was unnecessary.
Other miss was how progressively draggy and, dare I say, boring the drama became. I have to give a little of slack since the plot doesn't give much to work with except interactions between characters, however I could picture this drama having 14 episodes and still being the same. Many conflicts were somewhat unecessary, and sometimes they threw characters we barely even knew that ended up changing the whole story, in a very confusing way.
If this is rewatchable? Yeah, but maybe after some time like six months or even a year, not something you would want to rewatch more than twice.
All in all it's far from perfect, but entertaining and emotional enough to keep you hooked. It's not an unforgetable drama even though sometimes it tries too hard to be, but also not quite forgetable because you can still rewatch and feel for the characters.
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Okay, so this is one of those drama which could be thoroughly enjoyed when you're binge watching it. As it was aired only once a week, the story may seem a little dragy if you were following it from start. But as a binge watcher I immensely enjoyed the straight 15 hours of this little slow placed but a fairly written drama. The setting was lovable, story was good enough to keep the interest on, character developments were good and man do i love the inner monologue of the main female protagonist? The way she expressed the growth of her first love through her thoughts with such subtlety was nicely written. The story may seem to go around the circle when it comes to male protagonist, but you would forgive the writers by the end for it. Over all i think it was surprisingly well written drama, given I was not planning to watch it at all in the beginning.
Acting/Cast:
I personally think that all the main characters except for few minor ones did a very good job with their roles. Kudos to Joanne Tang and Prince Chiu for amazing performance. I really enjoyed Shao Xi's character. She calmed down alot in the later part of the drama, her expressions were on point, initially I thought that I would be annoyed by her but then I really ended up rooting for her love for Yen Li Zheng. Li Zheng on the other hand killed it at his role. His trauma, insecurity, confusion, jealousy and acceptance- everything was portrayed well by Prince Chiu. One could really see his struggle for the quest of love and the pain of not being able to accept his own feelings. He also turned into Yoo Jung from 'Cheese in thr Trap" from time to time. I swear he gives me such chilly Yoo Jung vibes. The second leads were really nice too. I found the second lead guy very annoying at first but the curse got me at the end and i even shed a tear or two for him. On the other habd Angelina or the second lead girl was a gem. She might annoy the hell out of you at first but then you would grow to love her character. She was the real QUEEN!
Music:
I loved the music. All the songs were really really nice specially the intro and the ending themes. And ofcourse the special mention goes to the song "Close to you". It was soo catchy and pleasing to hear.
Re-watch value:
I would really like to see it again in future when i am bored or if i am missing few characters. This drama was really the character's show.
Ovwrall:
Overall I think it was a really nice drama. I never expected to watch it. I only started watching it because there was nothing else to watch and soon I was on episode 10. It literally took me only one and a half day to fish it. Go watch it guys, you won't regret it!
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Story:
Was quite interesting.
Actors:
A lot people said the main lead didn't have chemistry but I don't know why they said that or once again I'm opposite what others think...
I really like the chemistry between 2 main couples. NAM JOOHYUK and SHIN SEKYUNG were very adorable and also very romantic when they kiss. Krystal and Gong Myung were also very cute. After watching my lovely girl I really like her acting and before lovely girl I didn't like her at all (sorry for die hard fans). NAM JOOHYUK was very cute and adorable and hot as Habaek!! NJH improved a lot from debut to now. He is the reason why i wanted to watch this serie???? and the demi god uri IM JOOHWAN oppa did his job very well and I always like his character even it's evil. Shortly they did their job. I can't say it's very bad.
Music:
As usual the music fits it's story.
Overal:
I will give this serie a big thumps up for their effort. It didn't bored me at all... love all the sequence and the chemistry etc.
Please give it a try before posting bad review cuz of other reviews. Normally I watch selected dramas cuz I'm watching series for more than 10 years and I think I know what I'm writing and saying about.
I spend times reading reviews before watching cuz I don't want to spend time for nothing.
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To start off with, the show is rather slow to build up. It carefully develops a tone and atmosphere that matches in with the mood and character of the main protagonist; it is melancholy, understated, and almost detached. However, as the story rolls forward, this restrained tone becomes intense, and despite the short amount of time the drama has to play with, we truly get a picture of each of the women living in the house. I found I had to take a break about midway through, because I was almost overwhelmed by the intensity - a first, for me. However, despite this pick up in pace, the show never felt rushed.
To me, this was an absolutely solid drama, with a great cast and set of characters. This is listed as 18+/R on here, but on Netflix it is a 15. I imagine this is more to do with one particular scene than anything much else, but there is nothing overly graphic shown on screen for those of you that might be put off by that.
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Really, you should watch me watch him.
I have a huge school-girl crush-y grin on my face, my heart starts palpitating and all the Aaahs and Ooohs on the spectrum emit from my mouth.
However, my personal bias aside, there is no denying that he is an excellent actor. No matter what role he's given, he puts in his 11O% and owns it. Unsurprisingly, he does the same in Suspicious Partner. I spent all my time swooning at his adorable actions, fawning at his beautiful face and admiring the way he is able to smoothly deliver so many expressions all at once.
My obsession with him is exactly the reason why I hate giving any drama JCW stars in, a rating less than 8. It makes me feel all sorts of 'disloyal', but unfortunately sometimes you just gotta tell it how it is.
And the 'it' here is the fact that aside from Ji Chang Wook, this show has little to nothing going on for it.
Suspicious Partner starts as a strong, romantic suspense drama but somewhere in between it loses its identity. So much so, that when we're done with it, it fails to properly execute either of the genres.
I want to give credit to the female lead, for she does try and do her best to be quirky but unfortunately, I don't feel much for her. She feels like a support role, at best. There's also the fact that I had to put a lot of effort in getting over her role as the annoying kid Queen Seon Duk, which was a feat in it self 'cause ten years later, her mannerisms are exactly the same as before.
While there is a good dynamic between Ji Wook's Law Team and some hilarious moments between them, nothing really stands out. The sisterhood and bromance has so much potential to be a golden point of the show but unfortunately, it is left untapped.
There is some majorly good acting put out by the antagonist but the show does not develop his character as much as it deserves to be.
The whole crime mystery is dead and very predictable. The second lead romance falls flat and more often than not, the drama stumbles into the realm of utter boredom.
There are some good OST songs here and there but again, there's nothing I would lose sleep over. A lot of questions are given unsatisfactory answers, plot-holes are abundant and so are convenient plot-devices.
The story-line is mediocre, if we're being kind. They use so many ideas from Ji Chang Wook's other shows. Some scenes are copy pasted from The K2, a whole plot-line regarding the heroine's father is taken from Healer and it is all just more of the same ol' same ol' bs.
If it wasn't for JCW, I'm sure I'd rate it even less. And even though I am an eternal fangirl; I love him to the moon and back and I think he is as perfect as always in this show, I will still say that I didn't see him go the extra mile here. This role couldn't have been a challenge for him and because I know that he's an incredibly versatile actor; I'm so ready for him to bring us something phenomenal and better than this.
So over-all I guess it's a good time-pass.
Not too bad, not too good but extremely forgettable.
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ACTING/CAST: Only reason I wanted to see this was because ?Gun? is in it. Don't much care about anyone else in this.
MUSIC: Um, there's a song at the end that sounds kinda cool.
REWATCH VALUE: Bathtub scene only, hehehe.
OVERALL: Pointlessly slow. Go watch the bathtub scene cut on YouTube. It's the only part of this movie that was interesting. I hope the sequel is better...
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