The drama was consistently good despite some cliches. I definitely thought some could be avoided but in the end I did find most characters either relatable to me or someone I know.
I can understand many viewers got second lead syndrome after watching it an a due to that. But this is my take on it. The whole story is basically about how two the main lead has a mysterious side and the female lead grows to accept and love him despite the conflicts. If female lead and second male lead got together, there would be literally no essence to the story. I’m going to refrain from spoilers because I want this review to encourage people to watch it. I hope you aren’t put off by the negative reviews like I was. This drama delves into many deep issues and it not your typical fluffy romance. It will make you think, laugh, cry...
Was this review helpful to you?
Something isn’t instinctually right about this drama.
I will admit : I’m the oddball because I do not like this drama at all .To put context - I must also make it clear that I was really excited to watch this show. I thought the genre was rejuvenating and that Healer was going to make for a stimulating watch. I had also previously watched Park Min Young and found her to be a pleasant actress plus this show enjoys nearly perfect ratings on MDL . A stunning overall of 9.2 out of 10 to be specific. Suffice to say - I was quite rapt to watch this drama.
But dear lawd.
For its type - it’s required to be more gripping which it isn’t. What are the intentions of this drama ? They are not clear at all. Is it romantic ? Political ? Fate ?Thriller ? Socially charged?Action ? And if it’s all these : why is it flat ?
The past informing the present wasn’t so satisfactorily done .. It affected the dramatic unfolding of characters in the present and the things they would say as well.The emotional core of the story was also set up to be socially relevant which was quite undermined by the childish direction of the main protagonists.The cartoonish action scenes with that twangy instrumental didn’t make much sense to me . There was so much to work with on a emotive angle which missed the plot. I did however like how warm and vulnerable the protagonists were but in retrospect that was just an accidental good consequence of puerile directing.
The character portraits of the supporting cast could have been more thought provoking and more intentional with the social relevance their were gunning for . That media side of the story line was so powerful and socially provoking and timeless as it’s relavance is quite apt in the 21st century but like I said before - puerile. The whole puppet master that you don’t really see but controls the politicians and corporations was quite intriguing but this show still managed to watch like a Coca Cola that’s been open and all the carbon is gone.
With such powerful themes - powerful character portraits battling ethics and morality is absolutely called for but all the characters proved severely wearisome.
For a while - I knew something wasn’t instinctually right about a certain component of the cast . I thought maybe it was that tenebrous , god forsaken picture they kept prancing around with no resolve. I seriously couldn’t quite put my finger on it until ep 7 and I realised that the main actor is not the most consistent. The way he handled his three personas could have been far better handled with another actor in my view. Especially when you are with the illustrious Lee Moon Shik who is superbly showing all his different personas of greedy business man, brother , husband , killer and loyal servant of the boss.
Ep 7 was a monumental episode for a number of reasons: it proved to me that this show has a really good plot but poor screenplay . It also showed that dramatic tension amongst the whole cast is very weak. I couldn’t carry on . Watching a thriller that’s not thrilling ? No thank you.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Nothing special. They stretched out the story. Slow paced. Actually the 2nd lead actress is more interesting than the lead shes one tough girl while the lead is obviously a naive one. She doesn't know what she trully likes. She just go to wherever her boyfriend takes her to, she doesnt have a disposition of her own. Shes feisty at on the first 2 to 3 eps after that she just went as meek as a lamb. The male lead was actually not so gorgeous for my taste. The male lead is tough but went soft towards the the end. I love the "authority" look then whenever smiles those dimples kept on showing. So moving on to the ex-gf. I just dont get why she keeps clinging to and how did she suddenly become the EA from housewife. Its not re-watch worthy drama. Was this review helpful to you?
Zero plot holes ,succinct and charming
Hana Yori Dango is quite the unblemished retelling of this iconic story .It’s well acted and seamless that I find next to nothing to reproach .I’m utterly impressed with the succinct nature of this drama . The dramatic consequence made utter sense whilst still maintaining nuance and charisma .Moreover, it was beautifully shot and contains a goodly number of sweet moments and one of the best love declaration scenes I have seen . The last two episodes were simply entrancing and did a lot to bolster my ratings to a perfect 10.
There’s not much more I can add other than that you should definitely give it a watch especially if you are invested in this story and have watched the other adaptations.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I was hooked from the start. Both characters were well developed and lovable. Even though the male lead did the typical COLD face 80% of the time, you could see the fact that he had a sense of humor about himself and others around him. The female lead was also typical in the cute, bubbly type way, but she also had an underlying strength and confidence in herself, even if it was just to admit that she was feeling insecure. There was a bunch of the typical "cliché" moments, but they were handled different in this drama, so they made you smile and think great job. I love that this is a true romance and the show kept the focus where it was needed on the main leads. I love the feel of this drama which is so similar to Love 020, Put Your Head On My Shoulder and Time Teaches Me To Love. They all have a feeling of maturity to the relationships, where they solve most of the problems, by talking it out and being honest. There is a lot of humor and romance in daily life. The second leads Yu Sheng and Tang Li are the ones that left me with mix feelings and I think it was because the chemistry between these two was off the charts and I was disappointed that Yu Sheng didn't "take it to the end", but as his uncle said that wasn't his personality. I think if Tang Li and Mars had better chemistry, it would have been better, after they went to Italy she actually looked happy, but before then she just looked like she was settling. Plus she did her best with Yu , so I don't think she could have to many regrets.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Historical and/or political drama are not necessarily my cup of tea, so I usually avoid these genres. I started watching this drama solely because of its popularity, a recent show, a romcom genre, and the ending. I surprised myself I binge-watched it in 3 days!Like:
- Eye-catching front cover (see my comment on costume below)
- Straigth-forward story line, no plot twist, no shocking surprises, no betrayal. Secrets here and there revealed little by little like pieces of puzzles.
- Not dragging, no filler scenes or conversation.
- Perfect casting, every actor/actress fit their roles well.
- Great chemistry between ML and FL
- Some reviews/commentsI read about actress Shin Se Kyung, that she was bland or stiff in her role as FL. IMO she nailed it perfectly. Hae Ryung role is non-chalant and no-nonsense, which distinguished her with from most women in the drama Joseon Era. We can see her character intro in the beginning when she prefers to read a thriller novel to a group of women who prefer to hear romance instead.
- Some reviews/comments I read about actor Cha Eun Woo's bad acting skills especially in the beginning of the drama. IMO Prince Rim is supposed to be socially inept being confined all his life and only communicates with his subordinates whom have been with him for a long time. There should be a character growth for Prince Rim once he is introduced to outside world thru Hau Ryung, other historians, the French guy, the epidemic area, and Seoraewoon. and how the plot develops. Cha Eun Woo did an outstanding job acting the character transition. I actually cried when Prince Rim broke his heart due to the King's banning him writing romance novels and confiscated his writing tools.
- No love triangle (although there are potentials), so no Second Lead Syndrome
- Amazing friendship and family relationships, and loyalty.
- Happy ending for OTP and most other roles. No death.
- At some point of the drama, some roles become ambiguous , you will be uncertain if they are protagonist or antagonist. The ambiguity adds the spice.
- Beautiful cinematography
- Brilliant costume: I like they chose pastel colored costume for the OTP, symbolizes their delicate and sweet romance. Even the light blue color for the female historian uniform is distinguished from the male historian uniform.
- The OST is easy on the ear. Some notable songs are "My Dream" sung by Yoon Mi Rae, the queen of OST; "Come Here" sung by Lee Seok Hoon, and "Please Remember" sung by the ML Cha Eun Woo.
Dislike:
- I have not found any
Note:
- Probably should add a tag of noona romance, as ML is 20 and FL is 26. It does not seem a big deal in the story since their age gap is never opposed in the drama, and one arranged marriage candidate for ML is older than him (Sa Hee).
Was this review helpful to you?
What was nice and entertaining about this show was the family. They created a nice family environment, with a nice web of human relationships. The character development was pretty good and well made as well, with the switch from career goals to family goals for the main character. The performances were really good too.
However, the story was predictable and so the twists were easy to guess. It was also a plot that has been made into a drama countless of times, just with a few other genres in the mix. The pace got slower towards the ending and so there were some boring scenes.
So, overall, five out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
As the headline says, it's just a simple romance. If you're expecting something great out of the story or your typical twists and turns in a drama, you won't find that here. It's just plain and simple romance. I'm not saying that it was bad but it was great either. However, Radio Romance did succeed in one thing and that's making the viewers feel stuff what I mean is that you will laugh, feel the fluff, and possibly cry at some point. This drama is a good "filler" if you're feeling that drama burnout because it's just so sweet and a bit refreshing.
Acting/Cast:
Kim So Hyun is very natural and effective (I'm a big fan of her and TBH the main reason I watched this drama was because of her) she's just so good at conveying emotion. She was so natural that I couldn't even see that there was a big age gap between her and Yoon Doo Joon. Speaking of Yoon Doo Joon, he portrayed a socially withdrawn top star perfectly. There were times that you just wanna hug him and say "it will be alright". Yoon Park was great too but I just didn't like his character that much.
Overall:
The main reason that I gave Radio Romance a 7.5 was because it a bit too cliched but still very much watchable. As for rewatch value, just as I stated earlier this drama is good as "filler" you finish it once and you're done for good unless you have a big obsession with Kim So Hyun (like me).
Will I recommend this? it's a DEFINITE YES especially if you're feeling that drama burnout. Just chill and enjoy all the fluff that this drama gives.
Was this review helpful to you?
Not like i loved it, i fall in love with this lakorn head over heels.
Mick was perfect for a ideal hysband role.
And the chemistry between ML and FL wowwwwwww.............
I can't explain in words for the awesomeness.
While watching the drama i feel like wow what a gentleman the ML was.
I repeatedly watched this drama like 10 times.
And now I'm watching this when i feel like down.
It's not that i didn't watched these type of gentlemen like dramas or dignity maintained dramas.
But i think something magic is there to lure me to watch this drama again snd again and again........................
For all the actors and actresses i will give 10 out if 10
For the story i can't say thus is a new plot
But the way of screenplays i loved it for that 10/10
Really worth watch drama
And for the romance between them i can give 100/100
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Was this review helpful to you?
The Adventures of Sher-Luo Hommies in Shanghai
This drama unabashedly sets out to create a Chinese Sherlock Holmes that is an upgrade from the original. I wish they had not done that but that changes nothing about how awesome this drama is. Set in the lavish sophisticated glitter of 1930s Shanghai, the glamorous surface visuals stand in sharp contrast to the darker and more ominous undertone of its citizens' dark side. The production borrows heavily from recent popular Sherlock Holmes movies and dramas. This is most notable with the OST which sounds uncannily like parts of the OST from both the movie and the BBC hit drama but has the audacity of being well... just better.This a fun and engaging drama follows gifted police consultant Luo Fei (Bai Yu) and his sidekick rookie female detective Qin Xiaoman's crime solving adventures. They are aided by forensic doctor Ben Jieming and criminal psychologist Dr. Huo Wensi under the eagle eye of Detective Supt. Shawei. Despite the overt allusions to Sherlock Holmes, this is really a crime solving team that is a bit of Elementary in the two leads combined with a bit of CSI and a bit of Criminal Minds. Despite the requisite sharp intellect and deductive talent, Bai Yu's Luo Fei is far too sociable, too stylish, too charismatic and way too relate-able to be considered an iconic Chinese Sherlock Holmes. Ultimately, his portrayal lacks a defining obsessive eccentricity and that dispassionate deductive logic that is the quintessential Sherlock Holmes.
Nonetheless, the humorous antics of the all too human Detective Luo as he falls for his gamin and plucky young sidekick are simply delightful. Xiaomin is a strong, smart and tenacious female character who can kick ass but is also not afraid on occasion to just be a girl. I really like that about her. What I like less is how condescending Luo Fei is when explaining certain deductions to Xiaomin - all that arrogant "Elementary my dear Watson" crap is such an overused and passe preamble to a "this is how it went down" walk-through in this genre. In general, all of the lead roles are colorful characters that were well written, well developed and well acted.
What impresses me most about this drama are how well written the cases are and how they come together in an overarching larger plot. I devoured the Complete Sherlock Holmes when I was twelve and have probably read every critically acclaimed detective out there since. I am not that easily wowed by just any old whodunit. These cases were intriguing, cleverly crafted, largely original with cheeky allusions to many of Holmes cases, both famous and lesser well known. I would observe though that they were mostly crimes of passion, where we end up feeling rather sorry for the perpetrators following the great reveal. In this sense, the cases are much more Agatha Christie than Arthur Conan Doyle.
The approximate three-episode per case format, which should be just the right length to properly develop the backstory to each crime and reasonably in-depth development of the potential suspects. This is where the production rushes through some key interactions, as if they don't really want the viewer to have enough time register what happened and think things through carefully. The casting is also a bit off in the cases. For example, if there is to be a femme fatale in the case, she has to look the part. It is like saying Mrs Peacock seduced Professor Plum in the Conservatory - all you get is a big fat eye roll and yeah, right. Replace her with Miss Scarlet and then its oh yes, of course she did, that tramp! I suspect that the producers just don't understand that part of the big hook in this genre is the audience really does want to have a fair shot at more or less figuring it out. And between the rushing (every episode is really only about 30 mins) and the misleading casting, they are kind of cheating a little bit. But its not a big issue, just don't hesitate to rewind if you think you missed something.
[MILD SPOILER - PROCEED WITH CAUTION]
The way the cases converge towards the end is marvelous (and original) and builds towards a Reichenbach Falls like moment as a final homage towards Sherlock Holmes. Arthur Conan Doyle was bored with his creation and had intended to kill off Sherlock Holmes. I don't think that is the intent here - I think it this is clearly angling for a second season but even if that doesn't happen, I think the ending is excellent and can stand as it is.
Was this review helpful to you?
A little confusing and slow at first but It's absolutely amazing in every way, shape and form and I'm not even over exaggerating that. I mean to each their own but let me tell you, the story starts off a little much because you're like "what's going on?" it's also a remake of many other remakes so you don't even know if it's going to be the same as all the other stories, but trust me, you will not be let down. I went from being like "eh" to laughing, crying and just going with the flow of this show. It really just made me feel some type of way.
The story is exactly what it is and more; it's not your average country girl and city guy fall in love, not at all. You've got your death, you've got your drug trafficking, a little bit of sex trafficking and I wouldn't say love triangle but it gets a little complicated between the characters. The main characters do end up falling in love but the story is not even based off of romance; so don't expect much in that area but the chemistry that Oom and Mai have together is amazing. You're gonna fall in love with the families from both the main characters and how understanding everyone is; even though the girl friend is a little frustrating; you're gonna love the bond between the friends as well. Even with all the plot twist and turns, you'll want to keep watching because there's so much going on but it's so greatly developed you really don't feel like you're missing out on anything.
The acting was wonderful, like huge ups to every single person. The side characters even just straight up felt like main characters and I've personally never seen anyone of these actors or actresses in shows but they played every single so right. With the main guy playing such a sweet guy, I'm definitely a sucker for shows where the guy is just nice through and through and doesn't lead anyone else on. He knows how to keep his distance and when to push as well. Female lead? AMAZING. Her acting was so funny and she played so well at being extra from going from the jungle to the city to learning how to just act right. The best friend? Wonderful man, he was really just the underdog and the girl best friend? For someone that was playing someone kind of evil, she wasn't bad at all. Everyone else? They did that.
The music? Dope. If you have apple music, you should download it; peep it though because it's so catchy.
Hak Kan (Let’s fall in love) by: Rueangrit Siriphanit
Bpen Pai Dai Mai (Is it Possible?) by: Tar Mr.Team & Lookwa Pijika
Rewatch value? 100/100. After I finish it, I feel like I should watch it all over again just to get that feeling. It's been a long time where I've just been hooked on a show and don't want it to end or stop but I also don't feel like I need to force myself because I'm sitting on edge. It was just good for a day off and then some. I even felt myself getting sad because I was like "what am I gonna do when this is over?" I still don't know what I'm going to do tbh. lol.
Overall? It was worth everything and anything if you love a good lakorn; which is rare because I've yet to watch such a mind blowing thai lakorn that really makes me go "omg" well, I have but just not one with this story line. It's the perfect amount of good acting, comedy, action and chemistry.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Back to the ACTUAL story though:
Meaningful friendships and relationships portrayed throughout, if you stick to the end, it may make you feel empty but full (I know, awkward right?)
I must warn you it's more sad than happy, but hey, if it's that your style, go for it ;P
Anyway,
I would watch it again to see the story from another perspective, and to see the actors acting together (cause the main leads are so cute together), but I would skip through some of the brutally sad an powerful parts...
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This one have very beautiful story line. Actually i did not read plot or anything before i start.. after i watch 2 , 3 episodes i confused thinking wht is going on becoz she is going out with everyone but next eposode did not match to it.. after that i found out wht really happening hear... i think all 4 stories have beautiful story line and i think we all watched before same as each love stories.. i love that 4 guys im ok if she end up with anyone.. but i feel so sad last episode becoz i wanted that love story go on bit more.. i think that becoz i love fantasy.. any how acting is all ok..
* when i see baek ju ho (zuho) i remembered yoon shi yoon and lee soo hyuk.. i dont know what but somthing look same zuho and yoon shi yoon for me.. and zuho and lee soo hyuk have same looking nose ???????? soo i think thatz why i remebered him while watching zuho ????????
* And when i see kang cha ni also i feel and remembered yoon shi yoon i think that becoz yoon shi yoon act soo cutely in ''flower boy next door' and it looking same cha ni s acting ???? and who do u remember while look at cha ni in this poster ???? i remembered tae oh in legend of the blue sea (shin won ho)
overall good and worth watching drama..
Was this review helpful to you?
Recent Discussions
-
A Word Game8 minutes ago -
-
A-Z K-pop!!!9 minutes ago -
Last Non Asian TV show you watched?9 minutes ago -
Recommendations of Historical Dramas13 minutes ago
