That was until the last couple of episodes happened. It felt like the writer of this show just had a sudden idea at the end of making this story and they wanted to insert it no matter what, or just had the idea all along and couldn't mix it well with the rest of the plot. Either way, it is didn't work out and they were a lot of plot holes and unanswered questions. Also, the relationship between the princess and the other man bothered me.
But I'm going to look over all that since I'd enjoyed almost everything about this drama and don't want to ruin the experience. Besides, episode 20 went back to original funny vibes of the show and it was really entertaining. I'd love to see more about Ji Man and Da Xi.
Recommended if you want to watch a (mostly) lighthearted drama with a lot of funny moments.
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Getting into the details, I would have to say that this season is inferior to the first one, but it's certainly not disappointing.
The story and subplots were solid, but none were particularly as outstanding as the ones in the first season. It did get melodramatic at times, but maintained a good slice-of-life balance, as it was realistic in depicting how life gets tough and dark, yet life goes on. The first episode was definitely the best; it was a great and dramatic return to the belle epoque we know and love. Jiwon's development arc was amazing, as she gained a bigger focus this season, Yeeun's arc was a bit stilted, but it did fine in articulating a sensitive topic of trauma. It was also awesome seeing our loving motherly Jinmyung finally paving her path in the world, and since season 1 was her success story, she played more of a supporting role in the plots of others, which was still great to see. The addition of Joeun was great as well; she has a relatable subplot, and the actress is completely charming and adorable. Unfortunately, I personally found Eunjae's arc to be highly unsatisfying and unconvincing. It was mostly due to the writing and partially to do with the recasting. I'm not going to blame the actress because her hands were really tied by the fact that Park Hyesoo had defined Eunjae too well as her own character and the writers not being more adventurous with her development.
As always, the music is fun and sets the mood really nicely throughout the drama. The girls are hilarious and this slice-of-life is totally rewatchable. The acting of all the girls was great; I wasn't particularly impressed by the male actors except for Kwon Hochang's actor, becuase that was a tough portrayal.
Overall, this is still an amazing follow-up drama, but I wouldn't say it has the strength to stand apart from it's explosively well received predecessor. Give it a watch!
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The ending was the best part of the whole movie, but actually I enjoyed
the chemistry between the girl and her two boys. Overall the story
wasn't that bad, though it wasn't something you haven't watched before.
At least, it was cute and sweet, though it did move a bit fast. The
acting was nice as well, simple and not too over the top that manga
based movies usually tend to have. So 6 out of 10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Misaeng is my favorite drama of all time. I think it's one of the most important Korean dramas to have ever been made. So it's saying something when I say that Age of Youth 1 and 2 rival my love for Misaeng. I love these dramas.Season 2 manages to do what most sequels can't do, and that's be just as good as the first season. Even three cast changes can't stop this drama from hitting it out of the park. There's no one in this drama you hate, no one you can't relate to in some way. The story tackles a number of heavy topics with deft hands and a gentle gaze. And just like season 1, you find yourself wishing you could be part of this group of girls, because you'll never find better friends than them.
This is a ten-star drama, and you need to watch it.
FUTURE EDIT: I need to add a caveat here that I didn't in my initial review for reasons I don't know anymore, but there is one thing about this drama that disappoints, and that is the lack of conclusion to what was the most anticipated romance in both seasons to date. But I temper that disappointment with the reckless faith that that simply means we will be getting a season 3 where the romance will come to fruition and all will be well and happy and beautiful with the world. (FUTURE FUTURE EDIT: Ah, sweet, naïve, innocent me, thinking there could ever possibly be a season 3.)
Also, I rebuke that episode 7 urn epilogue in the name of Jesus Christ. Get behind me Satan.
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I don't think it ended as strong as it started (it began to drag a bit in the last quarter, lost the darker edge it started out with, and certain plot points weren't given as much attention as they deserved), but I enjoyed it for what it was and what it aspired to be. Hell Joseon is a real place, and I felt the characters pain each time they tried, failed, then pulled themselves back up to try again. I ended up being more invested in the secondary couple than the main couple (cause they were just too dang cute), but I appreciated the main couple's struggles in their relationship and how they supported each other and held each other up when one was falling apart.I wouldn't watch it again, but I'm glad I watched it at least once.
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This review may contain spoilers
Perfection. Absolute perfection. Came for Kim Seul Gi, stayed for the story (that hits close to home), fell in love with all of the characters, wasn't disappointed by the handling of the subject matter. This is what I want from a drama. It just sucks it wasn't longer, because there's so much more that could have been said and explored (and turned into ooey-gooey romantic moments), but any longer than it was and the story probably would have dragged and become frustrating, so I'll just say it's perfection and leave it at that, lol.Was this review helpful to you?
– Beautiful scenography.
– Spectacular original soundtracks and background music.
– Okay acting. I was in it for Mike He and wasn't disappointed one bit in that regard, however, I feel like they could have fleshed out his character some more.
– Chemistry. This is really a matter of taste and opinion. The main couple did have chemistry and cute moments, but not to the degree that I would ship them (I think I shipped the side couple more). To me, their relationship felt more like a noona-dongsaeng relationship rather than a romantic/mature one, but guess that's a given considering the age of the actors.
What NOT to expect?
– A strong plot. The premise of the story was interesting—it was literally oozing with potential—however, not very convincingly executed. The plot was not strongly knit together and above all, lacked focus. It lost me somewhere between the middle and the ending.
– A love triangle (although the poster might suggest otherwise). Not sure if there was a love triangle—if there was, it was very vaguely present. Don't forget, Mike He is not playing the second male lead, he is playing the main character of his own story.
– Not the most satisfying ending of all. In fact, the ending was WTF-inducing and felt rushed. On the plus side (or not, depending on how you're looking at it), chances of a second season seem high judging from the manner in which things were rounded off in the final episode.
Was it worth watching? Yes. Would I watch it again? Doubt it.
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The story was nothing new at all: the same ol' rich boy-poor girl dynamic and all the elements it includes (a.k.a evil parent, snobby female rival etc). Maybe the only original thing was the addition of the USA first arc, but not even that was done well. Seriously, I cringed so hard everytime an american actor spoke. Also, it didn't add much to the narrative at all, they could've skipped the entire trip and still have the same product in the end.
Acting ranged from mediocre to very good. I have to voice my disappointment of what an incredible character the female lead, Eun Sang, could've been. Seriously, at first I liked her different attitude than most female leads, but then she started to become whiny, helpless and literally a cry baby with few moments of defiance that just couldn't save my impression of her anymore. I'm a bit confused on that, if it was Park Shin Hye's delivery or just a poorly written script. Maybe a bit of both, since aside from crying, I didn't feel much coming from PSH.
Tan was another lead that could've been good, but turned out bad. Really, he was one of the most annoying main leads ever. And I have to agree with many people that Lee Min Ho was too old to play a high schooler. Heck, I know they tried to conceal it with makeup, but in a few close ups you could clearly notice how he wasn't a young boy anymore.
I think this was one of the few dramas that I found the side characters and couples a lot more interesting than the main. Mainly the dynamic between the mothers of Eun Sang and Kim Tan. It was really delightful to see how their friendship developed, and I have to praise the actresses for deliverying such an incredible perfomance.
Continuing on the side characters, I also simply loved Bo Na and Chan Young's relationship. A million times better than the main couple. Props for Krystal as well, this drama made me like her very much. Another character that shined , even though some of her actions were petty and mean, was Rachel. Something about her seemed so real, and it would've been a lot better if the writers developed her more.
And last but certainly not least, I have to talk about Kim Woo Bin. Oh, Kim Woo Bin. He was the best, his character was the best. He made me loathe him in the beginning, understand and feel empathy for him in the middle and love him by the end. And that scene with Eun Sang's mother...damn, that was one of the most well done and emotional I've ever seen.
However, even if a few performances were good, the overall wasn't. I guess I could define this drama in one quote: What could've been. Everybody was so excited about it from the beginning and the story, although not original, could open space for so many conflicts and development. And not even the music was decent. Seriously, I wanted to rip my ears off everytime I heard the lyrics "Love is the moment..."!
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Cast: Honestly, the Cast was the reason why I watched it til the end. Ha Jiwon is one of my favourite Actresses and I have watched many dramas with her, even though the story wasn‘t very good. Ha Jiwon is an amazing Actress, maybe one of the best in Korea. But I didn‘t liked her role in the drama. I don‘t know why, but she was very cold to other people even though the other person was nice to her. To keep it short she acted very good, but her role wasn‘t very good for me. The character got on my nerves.
Kang Minhyuk (CNBLUE) played Doktor Kwak Hyun who has a past with a famous father who isn‘t to recognize. Kang Minhyuk is a good Actor. He was impressive in The Heirs and Entertainer but the Role of Kwak Hyun didn‘t suit him. There wasn‘t any emotion for me. After I watched this drama I think Choi Jinhyuk woukd have been better that Minhyuk. The Chemistry between Jiwon and Minhyuk was like zero. I couldn‘t see any romantic feelings between them. The shouldn‘t have add a romance story…
My favourite Actor war Lee Seowon and he was the one Actor I felt the most sorry for. Seowon has so much potential to become a very good and famous Actor but he chooses projects who aren‘t very good. Although I liked all of his roles until now. Seowon acted as the son of a hospital director and seems to be very arrogant on the outside. On the inside he is very lonely and sensitive, because of his family and past. I don‘t understand why he doesn‘t get a first lead role. I hope he gets one in the near future because his performance in this drama was one of the best.
The supporting Actors acted well but not amazing.
Music: The OST was good and it played at the right moments.
I would recommend it if you don‘t care much about chemistry or if you can ignore a romance which isn‘t very useful.
In the end I kept watching the drama only because of Lee Seowon, because he has so much potential but his dramas are not very good...
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This review may contain spoilers
This review contains spoilers, as well as some slightly inflammatory opinions.This drama made me very angry.
It didn't make me angry because it was that bad. On the contrary, it was so good it could be perfect - if not for the little things, at first, and the bigger ones later, that started to add up, until I couldn't ignore them anymore.
1. Casting and acting. At least two of the main leads, Ha Ji Won and Ji Chang Wook, held up very well - I could rather call them exemplary. So did Kim Ji Han (Tal Tal) and Baek Jin Hee (Tanasili). I would actually say that the acting was very believable, if not for some over-dramatic moments that occured everytime a twist happened or new information was disclosed, but maybe that's common in "historical" dramas.
2. Music and costumes. The music was beautiful and well placed - except for, again, some over-dramatic drum banging. As for the costumes, their quality was good and I enjoyed seeing all that Yuan and Goryeo couture and skin routine. The choreography was also good, apart from the occasional kicks in the air and people falling without getting hit.
3. Story and characters. Now, this is what I had most trouble with. I'm pretty okay with watching period and pseudohistorical shows, but they've got to stay believable. If a writer really thought that women can give birth in a cave, with no support whatsoever, and are then able to go out and about shooting arrows, that writer outright insults my intelligence as a viewer. How can I take anything seriously after that? Not to mention the whole "curses and rabid dogs" storyline.
Extraordinary feats aside, the plot was dragged in the middle and then became too convoluted after 40 episodes. I'm actually pretty sure the only reason we saw about the vouchers was to satisfy anyone rooting for Wang Yoo - and I'd be fine with that, if only there were a more interesting setting. Never mind that, but after the first 40 episodes, the heroes' actions went from mildly thrilling to straight up unbelievable.
Which brings me to the worst part of my review, the characters. In my opinion, the characters weren't created with care and respected, at all. This has nothing to do with the historical aspect of the drama, as it concerns mostly minor characters. For example, Yeom Bi Soo, or else Batoru. Batoru had no agency, no personality. She could be such an interesting character, but was instead used as a plot tool, and a weak at that. Silk road? Bam! Vouchers? Bam! Convenient sacrifice? Bam! She essentialy existed to move the plot forward and had no other qualities. Also, after the 42nd episode, even the characters that were well-developed so far started falling apart. Nyang Ki goes from an intelligent and well-nuanced character to being the "bad guy" (as if we're suddenly watching this through the Dowager's POV), Ta Hwan takes 10 steps back on the maturity that we've seen growing in him, Kolta... don't get me started on Kolta. Kolta was the designated villain when it didn't even make sense - never in 47 episodes had we seen him express anything else but love and loyalty for the emperor, and then he makes a 180-degrees turn. Did that really happen? Is it a new addition? I don't really care, just build up to it through the episodes. I know it was meant to show that Ta Hwan couldn't trust anyone but Nyang, in the end, but the whole tragedy of it got lost down the drain. I think that's what happens when you only add conflict for the sake of conflict - I would have like to see more explanations, more of a background, but action got the better of it.
And let me get one more thing straight: when you continuously cut 5 years to the future, especially when there's a conflict unresolved, without much reason whatsoever, it's not good storytelling, it's a cop out.
That's all for a drama that I very much enjoyed watching but had many flaws as well. Extra points for badass Nyang, excellently executed conflicted Ta Hwan, and the last 2 scenes that brought me to tears.
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Story: ok, it's not so original, even very foreseeable from time to time, but nice and funny. The only thing I wasn't really happy (overall in the last episode) was that for me, parts of the plot were too similar to Coffee Prince (and I loved this show, but I would have prefered something different).
Acting: the gem of this show is the acting of the three main actors. I have already seen Park Bo Young in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon and I loved her, so I was happy to see her again doing two different roles, sooo funny when she acts as the ghost. I liked the fact that even having seen her in others films/series, it was easy to forget about it, so good was her acting.
Music: it's ok, nothing special, although the main song is nice to hear.
Rewatch value: perhaps some scenes or episodes. Not anytime soon.
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ACTING: OKAY. APPLAUSE FOR THE CAST. I hated and loved all of them with a passion. "Spiritual Father" and "Apostle Jo" are officially my most hated K-drama characters, which just means their acting was a 10/10. I especially loved that Sang Mi wasn't too brave but not too weak either...she was just a perfect female lead, her acting was so good, that I was dying to slap all the people for her, and damn, she is so beautiful. I didn't notice her queen like visuals in Moorim School, but she definitely caught my eye (and my heart) here. Moving on to Taecyeon, I feel like somehow his "main role" wasn't justified as there just wasn't much depth or importance for his character. As always, his acting was great, but I feel like the writer could have done much more for his role. Aaaaand, WOO DO HWAN. I might just have a major crush on this guy, and his acting just makes me love him even more. Just my opinion, but Woo Do Hwan actually felt like the male lead in the drama, cause really speaking, it's all because of his character that they were able to save her as he did most of the work, and practically sacrificed his family in order to save her. I really feel he deserved a little recognition for his efforts in the end.
Overall, I recommend this drama to everyone. If you're hesitant like I was, JUST JUMP IN. YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
NOTE: I'm a christian too, and I agree that such false people are using religion to benefit themselves and are leading people into an actual hell-hole. I'm thankful I've never had to meet such people, and that all of the churches we attend are amazing, but the drama brought up the issue of false pastors and churches really well.
Also, that church looked so damn satanic. It gave me the creeps.
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Overall I liked the movie, it's super cliché really .... but super funny. I loved the characters, especially Kairi, the energy was fantastic, I think it was my favorite.
Sae was really strange, in my view, the way she reacted to things and her schemes, in the most creepy sense.I like Mizuki too, her character was diferente I guess and dramatic and super fun.
About the end I was surpirse but I like it.
Overall it's a funny and fun story.
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