This review may contain spoilers
TLDR: WATCH. I‘m writing this really lengthy review because I hope to encourage more people to watch this masterpiece (and also express my love for this variety show as well).(Please note that since this is a delayed review and I have watched up till Season 3 now, this is sort of a combined review for all 3 seasons. But season 1 was what truly captured my heart so in that case, even though every episode of Go Fighting is precious to me, I would deem season 1 to be the best since it's also the foundation of inside jokes in Season 2/3. Please start by watching Season 1. Just try out 2 episodes and you will be sold. I still remember -- I liked the first episode and laughed until my cheek hurt but it was by episode 2 that I knew I was completely sold.)
This is one of the first Chinese reality show I started watching and it brought me into the land of Chinese reality shows. After so many reality shows, this is still my favourite. I know that I can count on this to bring me happiness and lift me to a better mood every time I watch an episode no matter how I felt before watching it (be it happy, sad or angry). That's how amazing it is. There is consistency in quality.
Storyline 8/10
Honestly, there is nothing special about these storylines. It's decent, but there are tens of other shows with similar storylines. There are also many other shows that s tried to replicate the 6-male hosts 'gang of brotherhood' format that this show has after Go Fighting shot to success but I personally feel that none of this shows compared up to Go Fighting. I have tried to watch many similar shows with cast members whom I'm interested in but they fell pretty flat for me. The chemistry of those shows were lacking. I still managed to watch some of them but I couldn't make myself sit past a few episodes for some of them. I would think that the benchmark set by Go Fighting is too high. It is really one of the most successful reality shows around.
Cast 10/10
I watched the first episode when it was airing because I saw Show Luo in the cast and boom, I never turned back again. Today, season 3 is already out and I still love this show to bits. When I started watching the show, I only knew Show. (Punny... Ha ha.) But now, I love every single one of them. The show did well in fleshing out the distinct personality of each one of them. The most important thing was that it did not feel forced. It was unlike other shows where each cast member was awkwardly force fitted into a role / stereotype. In fact, it was done so well that... my favourite cast member is now Huang Lei for his intelligence. I would never have thought that I would be so invested in a bunch of... uncles. (To be honest, Show is not too young anymore....) But really, if you made me rank the cast members according to how much I like each of them... I think it would be really tough. Even though I already adore Show Luo to bits and he is indeed very hilarious and comical in Go Fighting, each and every of the cast member shine in their own way and I love them equally much.
Sun Hong Lei. The oldest of the bunch. In a lot of Chinese shows, there is a very big thing about respecting seniors (not just elderly, but basically people with more experience than you). It is usually the cause of awkwardness because everyone has to be super careful around the eldest. But Sun Hong Lei breaks the stereotype. For one, he's not wise at all. Even though you still see people respecting him because he is the oldest, it is not too bad because Sun Hong Lei's existence itself is... a bug. He's violent. He cheats. He steals. He robs. He doesn't play by the rules. He think he is handsome. He is so ridiculous, it is extremely hilarious. So while there is respect towards him, his behaviour as a three year old kid doesn't distance the others as much. I held my reservations against him when I first started watching. But over time, his absurd presence just became... a source of comfort.
Huang Lei. The wise man. His intelligence is so high that I suspected he was cheating on a number of times. (But as it turns out, it seems that he was just really logical and knew how the producer team worked really well.) High IQ and high EQ. He's a joy to watch because you see him solving puzzles and challenges set by the producer team... Amazing even though he lacks physical advantages. I don't have much to elaborate about him because 'High IQ and High EQ' describes everything already. But rest assured, he is definitely not boring at all. His intelligence stole the show so many times (and once again, he is my favourite cast member which means his performance can't be lacking).
I'm not sure if this is considered a spoiler or not (consider yourself warned) but I would like to share this particular scene involving Sun Hong Lei and Huang Lei. I don't remember which season/episode it is from but to me, it was such a worthy moment because it showed off their respective characteristics so well. In that scene, we follow Huang Lei as he made a WHOLE BUNCH of impressive logical deductions (that pretty much no one else could do) based on the hints received and finally solving the secret code to open a treasure chest. While the audience is still awed by Huang Lei's spectacular performance, the scene cuts to Sun Hong Lei retrieving the item inside the treasure chest as well... But wait, Sun Hong Lei is known to be silly! He couldn't have possibly achieve that.... faster than Huang Lei too!... And then we see a playback.... Sun Hong Lei had simply smashed the treasure chest. Easily. No hesitation. That was such a golden moment. And that scene made me fall in love with the show once again.
This is a show that never plays by the rules. They never do things according to how a normal person think which is why it is so fun. Rules are indeed there to be broken and it would be a weird episode if everyone abided by the rules. In fact, towards the back, the cast members started coming up with their own rules to fool other members. And in Go Fighing, even the production team doesn't play by the rules: sometimes, when you win, you lose. When you lose, you actually win. Everything is ridiculous... yet fun. Ok, back to introduction of the cast members.
Zhang Yixing. Lay from Exo. I didn't know him prior to watching this show. And Lay's identity in this show was a lamb. He's young and innocent and easily fooled. His silliness started in Season 1 Episode 1 (I still remember that particular scene because it was so iconic even though it was not heavily discussed but I shall not step on boundaries and share it here in case that counts as a spoiler). It was blown out of proportions by episode 2. I thought he was acting innocent at first. But over the season, you realise that he is really just like that. But something really heartening is that somewhere along the way, he made Huang Lei, the wily old fox, his shifu (master) and by season 2, he has graduated to be a sly little fox. Watching his character growth (who would have thought there would be character growth in a variety show as well!) was really fulfilling.
Show Luo Zhixiang. He is simply funny. From episode 1, he was the reason why I laughed till both my cheeks and stomach hurt. And mind you, I was watching that at 1am because I saw a notification about this new show on my phone right before I slept. I decided to postpone sleeping and that 1.5 hours was about the best decision ever. Even though I have an immense love for Show, I do feel that he is the most awkward member in the cast. It feels like he hasn't fully integrated with them (maybe because he is the only Taiwanese). But that did not affect the viewing pleasure because Show, himself, is hilarious! A lot of the best laugh-out-loud moments in Season 1 has to be credited to Show. He make funny out of nothing! And over time, he did integrate into the cast (while maintaining his hilarity).
Huang Bo. When I first started watching, I thought Huang Bo's role was the least distinct. I felt like he was designed to be funny but he couldn't even compare up to Show Luo. It was later in the show that I realised his role is crucial. He was the one that tied the six of them together. Huang Bo is a big name and he was the only one that could (and dared to openly) shoot down and manage Sun Hong Lei (probably because the two of them have similar standing). He balances the game out by supporting Huang Lei who had the brains to pit themselves against Sun Hong Lei's destructive nature. Without him, there won't be so much fun with the brains vs brawns because Sun Hong Lei would be overpowered.
Wang Xun. Quite a controversial guy but I shall not talk about that. I do like Wang Xun a lot. His stinginess is one of the funniest thing on the show. To me, it never gets old. It's even funnier because Wang Xun's status is one of the lowest in the cast so even though he would like to be stingy, he is always forced by the others to pretend to be generous. He's also the (not-so-bright) sidekick that gets bullied all the time. Apparently, the show was trying to portray him as a 'good guy' character but I never really felt that way. Honestly, the silly, stingy, little bullied guy is a perfect personality already. It's also funny how Wang Xun seems to be so silly and led around or cheated all the time. But his 'win-rate' is surprisingly high... Guess this is what they mean by 'the silly has their own fortune'.
The cast is fantastic. Don't be turned away even if you are not familiar with them. They bring so much joy! They are each funny on their own and their chemistry together is also fantastic. They mix very well amongst the group of 6 as well. In fact, the best episodes are when there are no guests. While other shows invite guests to boost their ratings, I sigh whenever I see guests on the show. While the six are still funny with their antics, to accommodate to guests, the extent of craziness to which they display does get tuned down. One of the rare guest-episodes I liked was the one with Wang Da Lu, Xie Na and Jiang Jinfu though. They were completely lost and left behind by the six. It really display the 'true spirit' of Go Fighting of not doing things the normal way (hence throwing the guests off). After all that I said, just watch it already!
Music 8/10
Okay, to be honest I don't pay much attention to the music and I can't really recall offhand about the music. But I remember reading youtube comments that say that the music is the first (two?) season(s) is/are better and more varied because of copyright issues etc. While I don't recall much, I know that the iconic scenes are really good and the music didn't ruin it so I'm giving it a good rating of 8. Plus, Season 1's music & sound effect is definitely good/decent and by season 2, regardless of how crappy the music might have became, you would still want more so this rating is negligible. Bahahaha.
Rewatch value 10/10
Still funny no matter how many times I watch it. Cheers me up every single time.
Overall 10/10
Because this is (one of the) best! (Alright, I have to admit, I have added a few more 'favourite' variety show along my reality show watching journey. But this is definitely the best within its category/theme of 'games & challenges' reality show!)
...I hope this is not too much but I wrote a couple of posts regarding Go Fighting on my drama blog... I'm really not trying to advertise my own blog by writing this lengthy review... I genuinely wanted to share my love... But if anyone already watched the show and would like to discuss / want to read more about the show before watching, do head over to https://skimmedmilkdrama.com/tag/go-fighting/ . I've written about Zhang Yixing's growth from a lamb to a fox, recapped & reviewed the first episode of the first season of Go Fighting and shared many lovey and funny screencaps and gifs of my favourite moments of Go Fighting! If you are still hesitating, just go look at the screencaps. You will feel like you HAVE to watch the show then. It's that fabulous.
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Let’s weigh Tatta Hitotsu No Koi on our drama beam balance and see what makes Nao and Hitoro’s love story so special.
Music: The soundtrack is magnificent and suits the tempo of the drama. It builds the mood for the scene and will have you totally involved with the characters.
Ayase Haruka and Kamenashi Kazuya: Haruka is cute as a button. She is gorgeous and plays the role of naïve and innocent Nao to perfection. Ditto for Kame. Kame looks extremely bony and at times I wanted to stuff some meat on him because it became unbearable to see someone so skinny. But it works for his role as he plays a poor chap over-burdened with family responsibilities at a very young age. Kame and Haruka bring Hiroto and Nao to life with such ease that makes their characters relatable. They share a sparkling chemistry which works great for this drama and makes them a memorable couple.
Sweet Moments: This drama may not have several kisses as expected of a romantic drama but it has several sweet moments that will surely touch your heart. For instance, Nao lives in a high-rise building and can see Hitoro’s house from her balcony. One night she flashes a shiny ball in her balcony as a sign from her side. She wants Hitoro to flash a light in response to her so she knows that he can see her. She feels dejected when there is no response from his end but a few seconds later he flashes a torchlight and Nao jumps like a little-excited baby seeing the light. Nao looks so damn cute in the scene. Similarly, there are many such delightful moments that make Nao and Hitoro an adorable couple.
Script: The premise of this drama is the regular rich girl meets boy and falls in love with him. However, the script makes the drama stand out. Hitoro and Nao’s love story is nothing that you would expect it to be. They do have their struggles like every other couple but they do not follow drama clichés. Hitoro does not suddenly become rich nor do Nao’s parents accept their daughter’s love. The drama sticks to reality and does not follow the usual drama path of showing impractical solutions. Also, there are no forced kisses, no wrist grabbing and certainly no accidental falls. Just sincere characters and their honest approach to life and love. This is what I love about Japanese dramas. They try to be as real as possible. All the characters in the drama feel real and relatable.
The supporting cast has their parallel storylines that are intertwined with Nao and Hitoro’s lives. I liked all the supporting characters as they add to the story and make the drama more enjoyable.
Bad Weights
Nothing. I would say Kame’s bony face did make me cringe a little but I will let that pass as the guy acted well.
Tatta Hitotsu no Koi is not flawless but is very endearing and I love absolutely everything about it. I loved its music (that is playing on my PC as I write this), the lead characters, supporting characters, the cast, the plotline, and just about everything about this drama.
I have ignored all the minor flaws in this sweet drama and am strongly recommending it because it warmed my heart with its fresh appeal. Do watch it if you love watching lovable romantic dramas.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Minami-kun no Koibito - My Little Lover
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This review may contain spoilers
The only reason I watched this show was that it had only 10 episodes and I could finish it in one day. Did I mention that the show has an uber-cute male protagonist who also was a reason for watching this show? What? I didn’t need to because you guessed it anyway :O Gah!I picked this show very randomly without even reading its synopsis. I went for it with zero expectations. And I am glad (and lucky) that I enjoyed the show despite its high level of predictability. The show is short so there isn’t much to analyze. But is it worth even a short while? Well, read on to know that.
Let’s weigh My Little Lover on our beam balance and see if it is worthwhile or no.
Good Weights
Simple Story: The story is simple with no twists or turns. Its medium paced and does not attempt to push the envelope in any way which may be because it must have stuck true to the original manga.
Commendable Chemistry: Building chemistry between a boy who is 1.78 m tall and a girl who is only 15 cms is a difficult task but surprisingly the two leads look good together. And what’s commendable about their chemistry is that they must have obviously shot scenes separately and still managed to convince me of their love for each other, which is what really worked for the show.
Bad Weights
Frequent Shrieking: The one thing that really got on my nerves was the little girl shrieking Minami’s name every now and then. I know she is now a Thumbelina and has to scream on top of her voice to grab his attention but it was really annoying.
Acting: Considering Taishi Nakagawa’s (Minami) age (he is still in his teens) his acting was not that bad. But in some scenes, it was difficult to understand what he was feeling and what he was trying to show. For example, when he is confessing his true feelings for Chiyomi (Spoiler alert? What for? Didn’t I mention that it was a predictable drama?) he has a very weird expression on his face. The scene is important because Minami makes a few revelations in that scene but somehow the scene has no effect on me.
With an equal number of good and bad weights, My Little Lover manages to balance its self on the beam balance. To sum it up, My Little Lover is a cute teenage love story with no complications or plot twists. If you enjoy innocent, pure childlike love then go for this one. It isn’t a bad choice on a day when you have absolutely nothing to do.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Good Weights
Plot: The plot revolves around a man’s Pride. Halu is a man who has had a tough life and has nothing but his pride to cling on. Hardships have hardened Halu so much that now he only aims for the best and despises anything that isn’t up to his standards. Throughout the show, Halu is shown to pick his pride over everything else. Even when he knows that he can stop the woman he loves from going to back to her boyfriend, he doesn’t do so because begging for love would amount to crushing his pride. He financially supports the coach’s family after his death only to keep his wife from marrying another man. He wants the coach’s wife to spend the rest of her life as a widow mourning the death of her husband since he knew how much the coach loved her.
I personally do not support such traditional thoughts. It is just that the dorama has beautifully depicted the importance of pride to a man.
Back-stories: Each of the important side-character has a back-story that explains his or her behaviour and choices in the show. For instance, Halu’s teammate Ikegawa Tomonori is a good-looking rich brat who lives life recklessly. He throws away money (literally too) on women and booze. People only know him as the rich playboy, who has no care in the world and will one day inherit his father’s business when in reality he is actually an illegitimate child of his father’s mistress and his father is ashamed of acknowledging his mother and him. To compensate for the lack of father’s love his mother gives him a lot of money to live a lavish life. He, however, is shattered by the reality of his birth and splurges money looking for happiness.
Every episode touches the life of one character and explains the reason why they are so passionate about ice hockey and how Halu plays an important role in their lives.
Bromance: Since this is a sports drama, there is plenty of bromance. You get to see the camaraderie that sportsmen share with their team. Actually, the one thing common in most sports drama is the bro code of ‘bros over hoes’. And it feels nice to watch men share such a bond with their friends.
Romance: Halu is the man with a painful past and Aki is a sweet naive woman looking for love. He brings love like a challenge in her monotonous life while she brings warmth in his life. They complete each other and even when they do not acknowledge it, people around them can clearly see how perfect they are for each other. Takuya’s chiselled face and a muscular body make him the perfect iceman. While Takeuchi’s innocent face and soft voice make her the very lovable Aki. They effortlessly bring their characters to life. Together they share great onscreen chemistry.
Bad Weights
Slow Paced: The story progresses slightly slowly. Some scenes are dragged unnecessarily. But that is just a handful of them. The show is otherwise quite engaging.
The show has enough of good weights to be called a good dorama. I wanted a good romantic drama to keep me entertained over a rather boring weekend and Pride had me involved a 100%. Its soundtracks, story and cast were all put beautifully together. I enjoyed every episode of this classic Japanese dorama.
If you want to start watching Japanese drama’s do start with this one as its video quality and dubbing is much better than most other J-dramas. If you are looking for a good sports/romantic drama then Pride should be your pick as it seamlessly combines the two and brings you an almost flawless drama.
Originally posted on ww.alphagirl.in
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I do not mind dramas having too much of skinship as long as it is meaningful and has some significance in the story. In Second Love, our two lead characters are lonely and are looking for a breakthrough in life. The male character Taira Kei is looking for a job worthy of his talent while Nishihara Yui wants to get married and live an ordinary life with a husband and family. They both want different things from life but their unison as a couple changes them and staying together becomes challenging with each passing day.
Let’s weigh this uncomplicated love story on the show beam balance and see if it is worth your time or no.
Good Weights
Realistic Scenarios: People high on Korean dramas will know how refreshing it is to watch a show that doesn’t have a super-rich guy fighting with another rich guy for the attention of a so-so clumsy girl. (Jeez! I just gave away the plot of 80% Kdramas ;)) In Second Love, the male lead is a passionate dancer who has seen his career high and is struggling to make it out of a bad phase while the female lead is tired of a monotonous life and is desperately looking for some change in life. The pace at which the two hook-up may be a little hard to believe but considering their respective situation it isn’t impossible. Time changes and so do people. With an increase in work offers, Kei is on his way to finally achieve his dream, which makes him pay less attention to Yui. It is a true scenario where a man often neglects his woman as soon as his career starts to move forward. The fact that all the scenarios in the show are relatable makes me like the show. I have seen creative people struggle, I have seen teachers being disrespected (not the way they do in the drama…that was a shocker for me…but I have seen students behave rudely with teachers), I have seen men change in relationships, so whatever was shown in the drama was not over-the-top but very true.
Realistic Characters: There is a scene in the drama where Yui wants the light off before the two of them get close, but Yui insists on keeping the lights on. They both fight for the switch till Kei has his way. The scene may seem like just another one in a drama but there is depth to it. Yui is a woman in her early thirties who lacks confidence in herself. She probably is not confident of her body and insists on undressing only in the dark whereas, Kei is a passionate man who would like to appreciate his lover in every way, which is why he wants to see her in the most intimate way. This scene actually goes on to depict the nature of the two characters. Yui is lonely and when a man much younger to her calls her a ‘goddess’ she feels desirable and is easily tempted to give in to his request. Her heart yearning for love is the reason why she sees nothing wrong in living with a man completely unknown to her. Little details like this always impress me. I like it when the characters have a soul and portray real emotions.
Bad Weights
Stone Faced Kame: Kamenashi Kazuya is a popular Japanese idol-actor. I guess he may be popular more for his singing because acting-wise he did not look impressive at all. This is all the variation he had to offer in expressions. Contemporary dances usually have a story to be conveyed through dance movements and facial expression. But even when dancing Kazuya looked pale and inexpressive. I have seen him in Nobuta Wo Produce where he has acted decently. I don’t understand why playing a disappointed, struggling character made him do away with his expressions. Also, there is something off about his eyebrows. I was too distracted by his eyebrows most of the time.
Japanese doramas are usually 10-11 episodes long but this drama had only 7 episodes because of its poor ratings. Going by the first 5 episodes I found the drama engaging and interesting I do not understand what was so bad about it to have it cut short.
The show beam balance has more good weights because I really enjoyed watching this drama. To me, the characters were very real which is why their actions seemed justified to me. Of course, this isn’t the best romantic J-drama but it is a decent love story focusing only on the two main characters.
Second Love is a simple love story of two people driven by lust and desire. If you like romantic shows with less of complications and more of love (making) then go for this one.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Totsuzen Desu ga, Ashita Kekkon Shimasu
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Let’s weigh this to ‘marry or not to marry’ conflicted dorama on our show beam balance and see if it is worth investing your time in or no.
Good Weights
Lead Couple Chemistry: Japanese actress, Mariya Nishiuchi and lead actor Ryuta Yamamura have an age gap of 8 years, but when you watch the show, you will not notice the age difference at all because they look so good together. For a romantic drama, the lead couple chemistry makes up for 90% of the drama. If there is no chemistry between the lead actors, then no matter how good the story is, it will fall flat if they don’t look convincingly in love with each other. Ryu and Asuka’s love story was convincing because the lead actors did a fine job of breathing life into their respective characters and developing good chemistry.
Mariya Nishiuchi: Japanese actress, Mariya Nishiuchi is a cutie pie. She may not be an ace actress but her efforts are evident and worth appreciating. She looks slightly weak in emotional scenes but I am sure she will be better with time and experience. I have no complaints from her in the comedy or romantic scenes. She looked extremely sweet and lovable as Asuka. She is a very pretty and capable actress and I would love to watch more of her shows.
Ryuta Yamamura: If you have read any of my Korean drama reviews you must have noticed how much I gush over the gorgeous Korean men. Japanese actors too are good-looking but they are not pretty like the Korean actors. Japanese heroes are short while the female actresses are usually tall and thin. Actor Ryuta Yamamura may not be the conventional swoon-worthy romantic drama lead, but the guy acts well. His deep masculine voice makes up for his lack of attractiveness. His acting was decent but it was his voice that kept me watching the show.
Screenplay: Everyone’s Getting Married has a simple plot where a love hating man falls in love with a romantic girl who changes his views about marriage. There is nothing new about this story but what was refreshing was the screenplay. We all know that the hero will eventually fall for the girl and marry her but how that happens is where the charm of the show lies. Some shows exude certain natural charm and this was one of them. Despite the thin plotline, I kept going back to the show because I enjoyed the character development of Ryu and Asuka. The sweet couple moments that Ryu and Asuka shared are too adorable. The way they grow close to each, live together and learn about each other’s habits is cute and delightful.
Bad Weights
Ending: Just when I thought the show was going great and it’s going to be my most favourite J-drama, the show suddenly hit the accelerator and drove so fast that it ended before I could even wrap my head around it. The drama is great until episode 6, but from episode 7 onwards the pace of the show is fastened leading you to a hasty ending. I loved watching this show but the abrupt ending ruined its whole impression. With a start so strong, I had great expectations of it but I don’t know why the show was concluded so quickly. The rushed second-half disappointed me and I still hate the producers for depriving me of a good ending.
The show beam balance has more good weights because it really was a good dorama and I have no clue why it was cut short. I have no major complaints from the dorama except the rushed ending which left a sour taste in my mouth.
The show is worth trying because it is absolutely endearing. If you can handle a poor ending but an overall pleasant drama, then go for this one. It is a decent watch for a day when you crave to watch a romantic Japanese drama.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh Refresh Man on our show beam balance and see if the show is ‘refreshing’ or ‘tiring’.
Good Weights
Amazing Aaron: Aaron Yan is a complete drama hero. Be it romantic scenes, comic scenes, or even emotional scenes he aces them all. He is good-looking and expresses through his eyes and that is something I admire the most in him. His emotional scenes are subtle yet you can feel his pain and clearly see the emotions he is going through as a character. Taiwanese romantic dramas thrive on the perfect kissing scenes and kissing is Aaron’s forte. All in all, he is just the perfect romantic hero.
Lead Pair Chemistry: Joanne Tseng and Aaron Yan make a good on-screen couple. They even manage to look ten years younger in their school uniforms without causing any dilution in their chemistry. They look very comfortable and that comfort level reflects in their acting.
Magical Music: The show has some good soundtracks. The show’s theme song Partner by Claire Kuo is peppy while You’re The First to Come to Mind by William Wei is romantic and addictive.
Fantastic Finale: I initially thought that the show has 20 episodes which is a reason why episode 17 was more of a shocker to me as I wasn’t expecting it to be the concluding one. But episode 17 is the best of all the episodes. The writers put in so much effort to tie all the loose ends and make sense of all the mysterious instances on the show. Everything that happened in the show was beautifully explained in the last episode. It was undoubtedly one of the best finale episodes I have seen of a drama.
Bad Weights
Too Good To Be True: Wen Kai is the perfect boss, perfect mentor, perfect businessman, perfect friend, and the perfect boyfriend. Now isn’t that too much of perfection? He was supposedly dumb in school but suddenly after ten years he is excellent in everything he does. What did he do in those ten years? Visit some multi-talent training camp? But he is the quintessential drama hero so you can’t even expect him to be flawed in any way.
This office romance is interesting and enjoyable. The characters were well written, the script was consistent and the actors did full justice to their roles.
Refresh Man is perfect for binge watching. If you enjoy watching swoon-worthy romances then do watch Refresh Man as it has all the ‘awwww’ moments you watch in a romantic show.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh Just You on our show beam balance and see what makes it an adorable show.
Good Weights
Aaron Yan: When I saw Refresh Man I thought that there could be something brewing between Aaron and his co-star, Joanne Tseng because their chemistry was too good to be fake. I started watching two of Aaron’s other shows to see if he shared the same chemistry with other actresses. Few episodes into both the shows and I realised that Aaron could build chemistry with even a tree. He is one helluva romantic lead. He looks so convincing in every romantic scene that I am forced to wonder if he has anything going on with his actresses behind the camera. He has been linked with most of his leading ladies but nothing has ever been confirmed. Anyway, Aaron is the main highlight of this show. He may be repetitive with his roles but he does manage to look different in each show all thanks to his styling. Aaron’s ‘aeroplane’ hairstyle (that’s what his co-star Puff Guo calls it) looks a little funny but it suits him. Even with a baby face, he effectively manages to look like a strict, neurotic, and egotistical boss.
Puff Guo: The first few episodes, Liang Liang may appear very irritating and irrational but as the show progresses you will start liking her. Liang Liang gradually grows on you and you understand that she is a clean hearted, naive, and honest person. She is so innocent that at times I felt like shaking her hard and screaming at her to tell her to stop being so blind to peoples’ vices. Puff Guo plays the character of Liang Liang with a lot of sincerity which is evident onscreen.
Romance/Chemistry: The show may not be high on intimate scenes like other T-dramas nonetheless it has several endearing moments. Aaron and Puff have an easy chemistry between them and they look very comfortable with each other even behind the scenes. What the show lacked story wise was more than made up for by Aaron and Puff’s fabulous chemistry.
Bad Weights
Annoying Antagonist: Qi Yi ex-girlfriend is the antagonist in the show who gives a tough time to Liang Liang. Every couple needs a third-party threat to help the couple grow closer. But here Ding Jia Yu was just a pain in the neck. Qi Yi is clearly disinterested in her but she still won’t give up. Neither was Jia Yu’s character well defined nor was her motives behind any of her actions. She was too weak an antagonist. She lacked the kind of effect third angles generally have in a show.
Too Looooong: Every major development of the show takes too long to happen. For instance, Qi Yi has left for an important meeting with the wrong file. Liang Liang chases after him to hand him the right file. The chase itself takes up half the episode. Similarly, there are certain petty situations that take up more time than required. The show could have been concise and shorter had there not been such unnecessarily stretched scenes.
The show beam balance is heavy with good weights, which means Just You is a show to watch for sure. Its romance is what you have to look out for. Just You is a feel-good rom-com with honest and caring characters. If you fancy a disciplinarian boss and a fun loving subordinates’ love story then go for this one. If you are an Aaron Yan fan (like me) then do not dare miss this one. Watch Just You just for Aaron.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weight this psychological romantic drama on our show beam balance and see what makes the drama so popular amongst drama addicts.
Good Weights
Vic Zhou: I personally love the character of Hanazawa Rui from Hana Yori Dango. And have a crush on all the actors playing that role in their respective versions i.e. I like Ji Hoo (Korean) and Hua Ze Lei (Taiwanese) as much as I like Rui. Vic Zhou (aka Zai Zai) played Hua Ze Lei and I have been his fan since then. After seeing him play the reticent Lei, it was interesting to see him play a completely opposite character in Mars.
In Mars, Ling is this enigmatic playboy who is often surrounded by girls vying for his attention. He is a fun-loving crowd pleaser who wants to live life on his own terms. However, all of this changes when he meets Qi Luo. The fearless Ling starts to feel protective of the meek Qi Luo and wishes to provide for her. He works hard to make her feel safe and happy. But Ling himself is a broken soul and battles psychological issues because of a difficult past. He camouflages his pain and struggles with a cool, reckless attitude. He is a complex character with several shades to him.
If you talk about looks then Vic Zhou was perfectly cast for the role of a lady-killer. Acting-wise however, Vic had a slow start wherein the initial episodes his acting was far from convincing. His forced laughter and awkward facial expressions made me wonder if I would be able to sit through 21 episodes. But as the show progressed Vic seemed to get into the flesh of the character and looked every bit of the troubled Ling. He isn’t a mind-blowing Ling but he sure is decent enough to have your attention.
Barbie Hsu: I am amazed at how effortlessly Barbie pulled off the character of Qi Luo which is starkly in contrast with Shan Cai in Meteor Garden. I liked her in Meteor Garden but loved her in Mars.
Qi Luo is a restrained and diffident young girl who keeps to herself and avoids any kind of interaction with people. She has suffered a traumatic experience in the past that altered her personality. Meeting Ling helps her bring out the real Qi Luo and she realises how much she wants to be her old self again.
Barbie played the reserved and quiet Qi Luo to perfection. Her body language and dialogue delivery made her a very convincing Qi Luo. She especially shines in emotional scenes which is most required for a role like this.
Couple Chemistry: Barbie and Vic’s pairing was a much-requested one by fans of Meteor Garden who shipped the couple real hard. Ling and Qi Luo’s love story follows the typical handsome, fearless, outspoken dude falling for a guarded, introverted girl concept.
Barbie and Vic have a very easy chemistry where they look extremely comfortable with each other. Mars is a dark drama with characters dealing with extremely complicated situations. Had the producers cast any other couple for Ling and Qi Luo’s role, I don’t think I would’ve been as interested in watching it, as I was knowing of the actual cast. To be able to sit through a poignant drama like Mars, you need a realistic couple to convince you of their love and for me, Barbie and Vic were perfect as the much in love couple. It was Ling and Qi Luo romance that kept me involved with the show.
Compelling Plot: Mars has three central characters, each with a dark back-story. Each of these characters has personality issues they need to address. While Ling and Qi Luo help each other overcome their personal difficulties we have the third character Tong Dao chose a completely different path to deal with his problems. The show makers have effectively justified every characters’ behaviour and choice and have done a good job in simplifying a convoluted plot.
Bad Weights
Redundant Scenes: Considering the types of characters and their lives 21 episodes seems justified as it takes some time to create a realistic image of the characters in the minds of the viewers. However, in an attempt at giving a deeper look into the characters, the show would end up stretching unnecessary angles and storylines. It was good that they dealt with the back-stories in detail which helped in understanding the characters better, but there were too many long conversations and flashbacks that hampered the pace of the show.
Mars is not a regular romantic drama. It is about how two battered lives converge and connect to lead to a better fulfilling life. It is about how certain events permanently change a person’s course of life. It is about how time heals all wounds and eventually we learn to make peace with our past to save our future. The drama is slow paced and slumps occasionally but its riveting storyline will keep you engaged.
If you like deep and moving dramas then go for this one. Moreover, Barbie Hsu’s acting and Vic Zhou’s charm (not to mention good looks) will easily pull you through most of the show.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh In Time With You on our show beam balance and see if this two friends-turned-lover are worth your time or no.
Good Weights
You Qing’s Wardrobe and Character: Every girl will know why wardrobe is counted as a good weight. You Qing works as a manager with a shoe manufacturing company. She is a smart and ambitious woman and that is clearly reflected in her dressing. Mostly dressed in smart formals, You Qing’s clothes and shoes had me frothing at the mouth. Even her sister-in-law would borrow clothes from her in the drama. I was in awe of her impeccable dressing sense. You Qing’s wardrobe is every girl’s dream. Actress Ariel Lin looked stunning in almost every outfit that helped her look her part in the drama. You Qing is a headstrong girl who knows how to perfectly balance her personal and professional life. She is stubborn, rude, and unapologetically outspoken which is what makes her character so real. She is not sweet and kind lady but a hot and nice woman. Moreover, Ariel Lin played the character to perfection which is what made me like You Qing even more.
Chen Bolin: I have seen Ariel’s dramas before so I was aware of her acting prowess. It was the first time I was watching Chen Bolin in a drama and I think he has the cutest dimples in Asian dramaland. Li Da Ren is the quintessential romantic hero who loves the heroine unconditionally and can do anything to see her smile. He is always there to wipe her tears when she is upset. He patiently listens to all her complaints. Solves her problems for her. Protects her from harm. Fights with people who speak against her. And basically, acts like a err….drama hero. The casting director chose the best face possible to play such an endearing character. Chen Bolin’s smile can make any girl go weak in the knees. Thankfully, his pretty face is not devoid of expression and his portrayal of Li Da Ren was just perfect.
Intense Chemistry: For this, I have to applaud Ariel for being able to build an amazing chemistry with both her male leads Chen Bolin and Sunny Wang. Her chemistry with her ex-boyfriend on the show Ding Li Wei i.e. actor Sunny Wang was too hot to handle. There are plenty of sweet love scenes between You Qing and Li Wei which is a given for any romantic T-drama. Also, actor Sunny Wang is an eye candy which is why it is natural to be torn between Da Ren and Li Wei. You Qing and her bestie Da Ren do not have that many love scenes but there are several adorable scenes between the two pals that will make you fall in love with them.
Bad Weights
First Episode: I don’t know why but I found the first episode of the show extremely boring and almost decided not to watch it. Had I not read rave reviews of the show I surely would have not watched it beyond episode 1. But luckily I held my patience and gave it another try. In case you decide to watch this show do not feel very disappointed by episode 1. It is boring I agree but the show overall is not bad so let the one-episode slip.
Draggy Episodes: The website I saw the drama on had 13 episodes but several other websites have broken down the drama into 20+ episodes. But despite the breakdown, the story does seem to drag sometimes. It does slow down a bit but doesn’t fully lose track. In spite of the slight dip in pace I eagerly waited to catch the next episode only because I liked all the characters on the drama.
In Time With You is charming love story that will make you want a guy best friend. It is that Taiwanese drama which should be on your ‘to-watch’ list. If you are looking for a sweet friendship-turned-romance drama then stop here and spare some time for this heart-warming drama.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh Behind Your Smile on our show beam balance to determine if the show is worth a try or no.
Good Weights
OST: The show’s opening theme is what got me to watch it in the first place. ‘He Isn’t Worth It’ by Shi Shi is hauntingly enchanting and suits the revenge plot of the drama. ‘Lost on The Way’ by Shi Shi feat. Matzka is saved for the suspenseful moments where your mouth is agape watching something you did not expect to see. My favourite ‘Don’t Panic’ by Shi Shi is a delightful song that reminds me of all the funny moments Lei Xinyu has when she is with Zhao Yiting. Here is another fan vid featuring this peppy song that instantly brings a smile to my face. This video has all the cute moments that Yiting and Xinyu share on the show.
Eugenie Liu: Actress Eugenie Liu is tailor-made for the role of Lei Xinyu. She looks and plays the part to perfection. Xinyu is naïve, overly trusting and good natured and Eugenie Liu’s innocent face will make you forget that she is actually acting and may not be like that in real life. Her cuteness is palpable and she lights up the screen with her alluring smile. Xinyu’s ability to smile even in adversity makes her a typical drama character nonetheless she is a very endearing heroine.
Marcus Chang: Actor Marcus Chang plays the quintessential ‘khadus’ (rude) boss who is stingy with his smiles. His character Zhao Yiting has seen severe hardships in life and is determined to exact revenge on the people who destroyed his family. Chang may falter in some comical moments on the show but he manages to pull off the role effortlessly. He looks great for the role and his acting is smooth and consistent. He has an attractive persona and his eyes emote so much that you cannot help notice how attractive his face is.
Lead Couple Chemistry: This drama has a lot of light and sweet moments that are brought to life by Chang and Liu. These two actors look so good together that I am shipping this couple hard to date in real life too. Chang and Liu seem to share a good rapport off-screen too which is why they look so convincing as a couple in the drama. If you are a sucker for romance like me than this drama is perfect for you as this drama has plenty of romantic ‘accidents’.
Bad Weights
Draggy Affair: I have this complaint from most Taiwanese dramas. They stretch their episodes a little too much. Behind Your Smile was a weekly drama and each episode was 75 minutes long. It gets a little draggy after a point of time and I started to lose my patience. However, the drama was quite gripping so I will not say that it was boring but it could have been shorter.
Overly Far-fetched Scenes: I know several dramas show scenes that are practically impossible to even imagine in real life but most of such scenes often do not bother me. It bothers me only when some scenes are too hard to believe or even watch. For instance, Yiting runs to rescue Xinyu when she meets with an accident. When he reaches the spot, he sees a young boy bleeding in the driver’s seat but he chooses to ignore the boy and looks out for Xinyu. The boy could have died, dude. Why did you ignore him like that? That scene I felt was too stupid to believe. I understand Yiting is worried for Xinyu but C’mon he leaves the boy bleeding only to avoid being spotted by his brother. In another scene, Yiting saves Xinyu from some goons and they hide in an abandoned shelter in the jungle. She then asks him to imagine that they are in an action movie and that she is trying to save his life by almost giving him a CPR. Kyaaaaaa….Who does that? I often found myself saying ‘arre yeh to kuch bhi tha’ (This was utter rubbish).
Behind Your Smile weighs heavy with good weights which indicates that it is an engaging drama. Yes, it is flawed but it is never dull. I liked the cast, the story and the soundtrack and would certainly recommend it. This Taiwanese drama has suspense, revenge, love, hatred, Eugenie Liu and Marcus Chang so it is a must watch at any cost.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh It’s Okay It’s Love on a beam balance and see if it is worth watching or is better missed.
Good Weights
Good Story – IOIL is a medical drama with an interesting storyline for every character on the show. The show deals with several medical cases and each case has been dealt with maturely without compromising on the entertainment value. You may not belong to the medical field but the psychiatrists in the show explain each case in a simple manner for a layman to understand. Despite dealing with a serious topic, the show still makes space for comedy and romance without straying away from the central theme.
Amazing Soundtrack – Apart from the beautifully woven storylines, the original soundtrack of the show is what stands out. All the songs in the show are just incredible. It sets the mood for a scene especially for the non-Korean audience who may initially struggle slightly to understand the nature of a scene.
Sleepless Night by Crush (feat. Punch) is my favourite and I listen to it in a loop. Its lyrics are extremely romantic and totally suits the protagonist’s love story.
Good Acting – What’s beautiful about this show is that every character has a part to play and has a story of its own. It shows how each character deals with its own personal issues and how they manage to tackle them and go on in life. Supporting actors of the show have done an amazing job. Each of them has acted their part to perfection.
Main Lead’s Chemistry – Jang Jae Yeol and Ji Hae Soo’s chemistry is intense and enchanting. Their love-hate relationship is so engaging that you wait for them to come together on screen. Jo In Sung (Jang Jae Yeol) is not only handsome but also a good actor. He looks so vulnerable in certain scenes that you almost feel like protecting him. After a few episodes he just doesn’t look like the Casanova he was thought of being initially. He manages to shed the playboy image and comfortably fit in the role of a romantic hero.
Gong Hyo Jin (Ji Hae Soo) is exceptionally good as the independent and highly opinionated psychiatrist. At times, you might feel annoyed with the way Hae Soo deliberately pushes Jang Jae Yeol away from herself but that is what is required for the character. Hae Soo is a difficult woman because she deals with some insecurities and guilt which is why she uses her arrogance to shield herself.
Bad Weights(I found it extremely difficult to spot any flaws in the show. So the bad weights for this show are not exactly its shortcomings but a few things that bothered me slightly.)
Easy Treatments – Some of the ailments have been shown to be treated easily. An illness like schizophrenia is difficult to treat and may take years to control. But in the show, a patient is shown to contain it very easily and in a rather short period of time. I am not from a medical background but from what I have read I know that it definitely requires more time and efforts to treat it. However, since the show is only 16 hours long I cannot blame the makers for speeding up the treatment process as the audience is not really interested in seeing the detailed procedure of the treatment.
Cheesy Title – I must say that the show’s title is totally misleading. With such a strong content it should have been named differently to avoid the audience taking it to be a just a regular romantic series.
The show beam balance has way too many good weights than bad weights which clearly indicate that the show is a MUST MUST WATCH. I cannot elaborate enough why the show deserves the accolades it has been receiving online by several K-drama fans. All I can say is that had it not been for this show I wouldn’t have tried Korean dramas at all. It’s Okay It’s Love is totally worth the 16 hours of your life.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Let’s weigh She Was Pretty on our show beam balance and see what is ‘pretty’ and what is ‘ugly’ about this drama.
Good Weights
Hwang Jung Eum: Kim Hye Jin, the goofball, is the reason why this show is hilarious. Actress Hwang Jung Eum’s comic timing and natural acting are laudable. I loved her weird expressions that flit from excited to bewildered to bemused to annoyed to God knows what not in nano seconds. Hye Jin is crazy and I mean it. She has no inhibitions whatsoever and often ends up making a fool of herself. This is the reason why I found it difficult to relate to the younger Hye Jin who looks sorted and sophisticated, unlike Hye Jin who is completely cracked in the head. Her tiffs with Seong Joon are funny while her weird encounters with Shin Hyeok are hysterical. Yes, she does tend to overact in certain comical scenes, but she does it effortlessly which is what I like the most about her.
Park Seo Joon: I have seen Park Seo Joon in Hwarang and I wondered why he was the main lead in the drama because I wasn’t very impressed by him. In fact, I liked everybody on the show except him. However, She Was Pretty changed my opinion about him as I loved his portrayal of Seong Joon. Seong Joon is a perfectionist who believes in pushing his employees hard to get the best out of them. I felt that Park Seo Joon does not have that ‘boss’ look and he was not very convincing with the stern boss look. But he was not horrible because I genuinely liked his character and Park Seo Joon has evidently played the character with a lot of sincerity. I probably still feel that Aaron Yan is the best ‘boss’ out there and maybe in comparison to him Park Seo Joon seems to fall short. Park Seo Joon does play the ‘lover boy’ well and looks as lovable as a male lead should in a romantic drama. His chemistry with Hwang Jung Eum is good and I loved the couple’s love scenes.
Choi Si Won: If you are not aware of my love for second leads then click here and here to know of my adoration for them. Choi Si Won’s wacky character Kim Shin Hyeok made me laugh and cry. His crazy antics at pulling Hye Jin’s leg used to crack me up. I especially loved to hear him call Hye Jin ‘Jackson’. The most painful moment on the show for me was when Hye Jin talks to Shin Hyeok and receives a call from Seong Joon asking her to meet him as he now knows the truth about her. Shin Hyeok begs her not to go but she cannot help it as she has answers to give Seong Joon. He repeats ‘gajima’ (don’t go) so helplessly it pained to see him like that. It was the most heartbreaking scene I have seen of a second-lead. Actor Choi Si Won is absolutely adorable in his eccentric role. He looks the part with his dimples adding to his character. I hope I do not have to see a character like him as a second-lead ever again because I don’t think I can bear this kind of pain once more.
Friendship: Hye Jin and Ha Ri are best friends and inseparable. They trust each other blindly which is why Hye Jin sends Ha Ri to meet her love Seong Joon without feeling any kind of insecurity. Ha Ri becomes a little selfish and tries to keep Seong Joon by her side despite knowing what Hye Jin feels for him. When Hye Jin discovers Ha Ri’s truth, she does not attack her with accusations but instead gives her a benefit of doubt. Ha Ri too feels guilty of her wrong actions and makes it up to Hye Jin. I liked the fact that the writers did not turn Ha Ri into an evil friend just to make her a villain. Ha Ri is a good character who loses her way but then regains the lost love with her repentance. I like Ha Ri and Hye Jin’s friendship and the fact that they really are loyal supporters of each other. The are several dramas showcasing bromance but very dramas promote sisterhood and I am glad that this drama did it in a very believable way. I liked the fact that the writers did not turn Ha Ri into an evil friend just to make her a villain. Ha Ri is a good character who loses her way but then regains the lost love with her repentance. I like Ha Ri and Hye Jin’s friendship and the fact that they really are loyal supporters of each other. There are several dramas celebrating bromance but seldom do they promote sisterhood and I am glad that this drama did it in a way that is relatable.
Sweet Moments: This drama is high on comedy and does not have a lot of hard-core romantic moments. However, there are enough of saccharine moments that make the drama endearing. The drama has several of those lovey-dovey moments that romance lovers savour the most. For instance, Seong Joon and Hye Jin find themselves alone on an overnight outing. On their way, they happen to eat at a restaurant but are unable to pay for the food so the restaurant owner makes them do some labour work to recover the money. Now Seong Joon is a rich guy who probably has never even seen cow dung, unlike Hye Jin who has faced a tough life. He cribs about touching manure and cries when he accidentally touches fresh cow dung with his gloves on. So, he basically strongly detests manure. While working in the cowshed, Hye Jin loses her employee ID card which she treasures a lot considering she landed her dream job. She returns to retrieve her ID card but is unable to find it. Seong Joon knows how important the ID card is for to her so he searches through the manure for her ID card and hands it over to her lying that he found it fallen on the ground. Seong Joon cringes at manure but for her sake, he does something that he dislikes the most. Similarly, there are back-hugs, piggy-back rides, soft kisses, forehead kisses and a lot of love that you would want to see in a K-drama.
Bad Weights
Faulty Details: The script has loopholes that are way too glaring to be ignored. For instance, Shin Hyeok chances upon Seong Joon’s house access card when he helps to drop an unconscious Seong Joon home. After that Seong Joon never asks him for his access card. Shin Hyeok thereafter enters Seong Joon’s house as and when he likes and Seong Joong does not question even once of how he gained access to his apartment without his permission. Also, I found it difficult connect with the young Hye Jin who is calm, civilised and nerdy which is very different than the restless, hyperactive and effervescent older Hye Jin. Yes, people do change with time but when they showed flashback scenes of Hye Jin with Seong Joon, I found it difficult to believe that it is the same girl because nothing about young Hye Jin gave a vibe of the older Hye Jin. It is quite possible that the difference in personality was deliberate so Seong Joon does not identify her easily but still, isn’t he supposed to be conflicted with what he believes and what Hye Jin wants him to believe? Also, the supposed ‘suspense’ factors in the drama were too easy to predict. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes when the suspense was finally revealed as I could bet my life on my guesswork.
She Was Pretty has more of good weights than bad weights which means that it is a treat to watch. Despite its gaping plot holes it never ceases to entertain so do not miss it for anything. It ends on a sugary sweet, positive note that will make you miss the drama terribly after it has concluded.
This drama has a good start and a smooth ending which left me with sweet memories of the show. If rom-com is your genre, then go for this one without thinking too much. It is highly entertaining and worth your time.
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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Though I was high on romance dramas, I hadn’t seen an out and out mushy, corny stuff in some time. My Secret Romance came as a respite for my longing. There was ‘fireworks’ in the very first episode which generated a lot of buzz for the drama. I too would wait eagerly each week to catch up on the drama. But sadly, this drama also tumbled towards the end till it fell flat.
Let’s weigh My Secret Romance on our show beam balance and see how this romantic drama fares and if it is worth a watch or no.
Good Weights
Sung Hoon: This guy has the face and body of a Greek God. He is a rare specimen of a ‘tanned’ Korean actor. Acting-wise he may be on a weaker footing but looks-wise he was just perfect for this role. This role anyway did not require him to emote a lot so it was ok. The show was replete with kisses and sweet moments and Sung Hoon does that like an ace player so I am happy that he was in the drama. However, even this Jack could not save the Titanic from sinking as the story failed to provide enough scope for him and the drama.
Couple Chemistry: I have said this before that, for a romance drama, the lead couple chemistry is the deal maker for the drama. Actors Sung Hoon and Song Ji Eun shared an amazing chemistry. She looked like a very naïve employee while he looked every bit of an intimidating boss. Jin Wook and Yoo Mi share several sweet moments on the show and these two actors looked very comfortable with each other which made them look convincingly in love with each other.
Bad Weights
Lee Yoo Mi: Now I am only talking about the character Yoo Mi and not actress Ji Eun. I personally felt that Yoo Mi was not a well-developed character because she seemed one-dimensional. She feels a little awkward with Jin Wook initially because of their one-night stand and also because of his stern face. But even after he makes it clear that he likes her, she still looks wary of him. Why?
The most annoying thing is when she stares wide-eyed at him each time he steals a kiss. She even hiccups occasionally in his presence. I know Jin Wook is HAWT and anybody would feel nervous around him but being nervous all the time is a little too much.
Overly Cliched Storyline: Yes, I admitted at the start of this post that I don’t mind clichéd romance dramas. But trust me, this drama is toooooooooo clichéd. A one-sided lover cum best friend, a clingy girlfriend, an elitist father and almost everything you can think of was there in this drama. There are several dramas that have all of this but the script of the show makes a drama interesting. I felt that the scripting for this drama was weak and could have been better.
Too Much Love: Suspense shows thrive on the suspenseful scenes that catch viewers off guard. Similarly, romance shows thrive on romantic moments that viewers eagerly wait for. Though I am a sucker for romance, I do not enjoy shows that constantly throw romantic scenes out of nowhere. I like to wait for the story to develop and like to cheer the leads on to finally go in for the much-awaited kiss. This drama became like a trashy romance novel that has a kiss on every alternate page. Where is the wait? Where is the excitement? After a point, I would yawn at the love scene despite Sung Hoon being in the frame. I wish the writers had been more judicious about the kisses, then the kisses would not have lost their impact on me so easily.
Draggy Ending: Ugh! The last four episodes make me cringe. Why!!!! Despite the predictable story, I was liking the show because of Sung Hoon and Ji Eun but then, the last four episodes were unbearably boring. I actually jumped through most of the scenes and landed straight on the last episode because so much of misunderstanding and flashback made no sense to me. I think the writer must have run out of ideas and was forced to drag the show till 13 episodes so he must have written these four episodes on one page by simply writing ‘recall what happened in the previous episodes’.
My Secret Romance weighs down with bad weights which means that there were a lot of loopholes in the drama. For me, My Secret Romance is like a Mills and Boons story that is high on love and low on story and logic. I did enjoy the first nine episodes of the drama till it started to drag unnecessarily and spoilt the perfect climax of a predictable romance drama.
If you like dramas with a lot of lovey-dovey scenes, good-looking lead couple, and an exceptionally hot leading actor and do not mind a lame climax then do watch this drama, it won’t disappoint you. Also, if you like Sung Hoon then you have to watch this because he looks just so damn HOT!!!u like dramas with a lot of lovey-dovey scenes, good-looking lead couple, and an exceptionally hot leading actor and do not mind a lame climax then do watch this drama, it won’t disappoint you. Also, if you like Sung Hoon then you have to watch this because he looks just so damn HOT!!!
Originally posted on www.alphagirl.in
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