Completed
Giant
8 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
60 of 60 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
Awww...soo great!I don't know how to start!This drama is one of my favourites.
The story is well balanced.It's a combination of drama,revenge,romance,music and a little comedy.You know,I started to watch the first episode and I couldn't stop!This drama has that something that you cannot define but which attracts you and keeps you with your heart between your teeth until the end.
The acting was very good.Jung Bo Suk played one of the craziest villains,Jo Pil Yeon.The love of the three brothers is unforgettable.I felt the emotion emitted by them, I cried with them, I laughed with them and all that they felt I felt too.The chemistry between the main couple(Lee Bum Soo & Park Jin Hee) was,hmmm,good.But what touched my soul was the second couple(Hwang Jung Eum & Joo Sang Wook).
The music was very good.
I don't watch the same drama a second time but this one I think I will watch it a million times. ^_^
Hmmm,overall 10.

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Completed
The Quiz Show
8 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
This show fascinated me. I have something of a love for psychological stories and movies/dramas that involve diving into the psyche. Thus this show is to date one of my favorite dramas I've ever seen.
The acting is amazing. There's nothing else to say. Katagiri Jin does a wonderful job as the main lead Tazaki Toru. It honestly feels like he is becoming the character right before your eyes at certain points in the drama. The other characters are also done exceptionally well. The "evil" mastermind behind the whole thing is played wonderfully, and when it's revealed at the end what and who he really is, Totsugi Shigeyuki does a fantastic job of conveying the overwhelming emotions that the character is going through. The contestants are all quite well-cast as well. The character arcs they go through in such a short amount of time are often quite complex.
As to the actual story, everything was so well-written I almost wonder if whoever wrote this had some psychological issues to work out at the time this was being written. The way the drama uses flashbacks to reveal pieces of the mystery is spot on. The way all of the characters figure into the story is quite intriguing as well. There were a couple of points where it did feel just the slightest bit contrived, but I suppose that's bound to happen.
The concept for this drama is also quite unique. The idea of using a gameshow setting to force people to reveal their deepest darkest secrets is almost...creepy. It can get quite intense as well.
Overall, I just have to say this: this is one of the most fascinating psychological thriller/mysteries I've ever seen. Go watch this drama.

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Completed
Kurosagi
7 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
First off, I must say I was really intrigued going into this. It's such a unique concept for a drama and, as it turns out, it was really well done.
The episodic nature of the whole thing made it very interesting and the way the writers wove the subplots and the overarching story line into each episode was amazing. This is the kind of story I desperately wish I could write.
Aside from that, the acting was wonderful. The supporting cast was done quite well, right down to every swindler that Kurosaki goes after. But the real draw for this show (at least for me) was the man himself. Tomohisa Yamashita. Man, can that guy act. Seriously. He is wonderful at conveying all of the subtleties that made this character great. The way he manages to portray the emotionlessness of the character and yet still make him sympathetic is amazing. Horikita Maki also does a wonderful job, although her character is kind of annoying.
I will say, though, that the ending is what did it for me, even more than everything I just said. This is a VERY serious and dramatic story that has a VERY serious and dramatic ending. There is one little side note that I have however: after the bulk of the ending is over, it feels like the writers just kind of said, "Oh, no, we can't leave it on THAT. THAT's too harsh of an ending." So they wrote another piece onto the end that kind of takes some of the drama out of it all. I really felt like this drama was so serious and wonderfully dramatic and heart-wrenching, and I honestly think it shouldn't have the ending it has. But that aside, watch this drama. DEFINITELY watch this drama.

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Completed
Summer's Desire
9 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
14 of 14 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
this has just become my top favorite stories why....i said story and acting. my main reason is the direction and twist of the drama is unlike any other; what you see is not what you get. there are three main casts instead of two. the heroine is cold blooded, heartless, different, beautiful, emotionless. she has two main guys who have fallen for her deeply from the get go and she doesnt really show or initiate affection so its anybodys game. the first 4 episodes are confusing coz theres alot of flashbacks by we start getting the hang of it and understand why it something happened. the orphan kid is with her the first half and the second half its with the rich kid but both scenarios shes with both and till the last episode we dont know who she will choose. i liked it because just when you think you can predict shit happens. its like watching a drama where the girl ends up choosing the nice guy instead of the asshole but in this case they both were main and whoever she ended up with was fine. i loved loved the ending unlike most people and couldnt ask for more. the writer did not follow drama rules when concluding the show like some secrets were never revealed to the host. (whos your daddy)
the negatives are theres soo much fabrication in the story to fit the actors like cliche. some scenes and moods were too unreal like the actors in acting. luo xi smiled too much it was getting unfunny. coincidences were just too much of a coincidence.....

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Completed
I Hear Your Voice
21 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
18 of 18 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
Can I just say that whoever doesn't watch this, needs a whopping!!!
When I started this, I never thought I'd like it this much, I thought it was just other drama to pass time with, but I was sooo WRONG!! the first 10 minutes grabbed my attention and I couldn't stop watching after that. The story is really unique, whoever heard of Justice with a twist of mind reading?? Every moment makes you guess and wonder whats going to happen!! I mean legit you really don't have a clue on whats going to happen next, it can go in that direction or the other, you have to just watch and wait, which personally kills me!!. The Acting is perfect,some people have a problem because the women is older, but trust me even though the main leads have an age gap, you really don't see it because their chemistry is shining threw the shine,The main guy is MANLY!! Watch it and you'll know what I mean. The Music is really catchy, it fits with every scene well, and I don't usually rewatch dramas, but this one is an exception for me,that's how good it is.
*** GOO WATCH NOWW!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET!***

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Completed
Birth Secret
16 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
18 of 18 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Although I wanted to slap the lead female throughout the drama, I was also totally shipping for her to recover her memories and family,so by the end of the drama I was fairly satisfied hence the 9/10 instead of 10.

If not going to waste my saliva or fatigued my fingers on the issue , but if you feel that you must overlooked this drama because someone may had badmouth it or a reviewer did not give it a high enough grade, then you should not blame anyone else but yourself for missing out on a true uniquely almost gem drama.

I have my "gringe" with this drama hence I did not give it a higher note, but if you really want to see great acting it's a must see, especially from the older cast, they had me totally hooked, same with the younger version is seems as the western standard for acting his going down the toilet, great germ are emanating from the east.

Acting aside the reason this drama should not be pass over is probably because of the message that is conveyed a simply touching and adorable story. With a powerful message of forgiveness.

So if you want to watch a drama that is fairly well acted and fairly wonderfully written then this must be your pick.

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Completed
Secret Garden
13 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I was very reluctant to watch this show at first, since the first kdrama that made me fall in love with it was Love Rain, I only wanted to watch shows with Jang Keun Suk or Yoona in it. My tutor kept recommending me this, so in the end, there was an offer and I bought this cd.
I was just going to watch it to pass time. BOY, that was one of the most dangerous decisions ever. After the 2nd episode, I stuffed my homework in a corner and started racing through this show like crazy. I couldn't stop.Whenever I stopped I thought bout this day in day out! I marathonned this show till I couldn't remember where I stopped, and though I told my mum I would watch it with her, I hehe didn't. (though i still rewathced it with her after that). Okay, all these aside. i think you get my drift, this drama was hands-down AMAZING.

Plot: It's the typical rich-guy-poor-girl drama, but I happen to love those dramas a lot! It absolutely doesn't hurt that the leads have an AMAZING CHEMISTRY THERE

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Completed
Lie to Me
10 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2013
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
This was a very unique drama i wasn't bored for a minute.I think that the love between the two leads was beautiful.Also i love the male lead he is sooo cute.Also i you are looking for a real first kiss this is the place to get it and you will not be disappointed.Also i love that it wasn't predictable you couldn't tell what was going to come next or what would happen with their relationship
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Completed
Soratobu Kouhoushitsu
70 people found this review helpful
Jun 27, 2013
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
I have been debating for a while if I should give this drama an overall 9 or give in to the impulse of bestowing it a 10. The "masterpiece" definition always sounds a little awkward to me, it seems to require I were ready to offer defensible reasons for my choices.

But I'm hair-splitting. Soratobu Kouhoushitsu is a terrific drama, one that starts without any pomp or expectations and slowly sneaks into the heart and under your skin. It does so in such a gradual, delicate and suave way the effect is powerful and lasting. By the end, I was so sad to see these characters go I couldn't bring myself to watch the last 15 minutes.
When I begin to feel nostalgic about something that isn't even over yet, it means I'm seriously in love. This is why I am not at all sure I'll be able to convey the feeling with my review, or convince any of you to watch this little jewel of a drama. This is not a rom-com, it's not melo, it's not a thriller, nor a simple life drama; it doesn't rely on plot twists, nor on sexy heroes... and yet my heart has stopped many times while watching.

Perhaps the main reason is in the acting, which is wonderful. I never needed confirmation of Aragaki Yui's acting skill, since I've loved her in everything she's acted in. This role however has sealed the issue. I loved everything about Ina-pyon, from her stubborn and passionate honesty at the beginning, to her compassion and better understanding she grows into. And I adored the chemistry she shared on screen with an outstanding Ayano Go, whom I have every intention of becoming a stalker to.
Honourable mention to Shibata Kohei, the most lovable, unforgettable and adorable chief ever appeared on screen. I'm almost offended that the actor isn't even mentioned in the cast. He was awesome here, the kind of character everyone would like to have as a father, or a superior at work.
Hats off to everyone else, from a gorgeous Renn Kiriyama to a hilarious Mizuno Miki, from a surprising Katsuhisa Namase to a sweetly idiotic Jun Kaname.

I can't possibly not mention the cinematography. Stunning. While watching I had to stop the screen every other minute to get a screenshot. Beautiful colours, terrific attention to little details, masterful use of camera angles. Truly lovely.

The same could be said about the music. Not too many pieces are used, but the few have the ability to enhance the scene and play with the viewer's feelings, just what an Ost should do.

I am well aware that I haven't said much about the main subjects of this drama. You may be wondering at this point: what it is about?
Please, bear with me. If my experience is anything to go by, this is a drama better approached without expectations or prejudice. Let its charm work on you as it did on me, by surprise.

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Completed
Moon Embracing the Sun
7 people found this review helpful
Jun 27, 2013
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This drama is so so FANTASTIC(baby~) that I can't express it in words.I have lived every scene of the drama,this is by far one of my favourite drama ever.

The story was so well written,it is something that is different from your usual South Korean historical drama.I liked the fact that it included "magic" beliefs since my country is one of those countries that in the past and even now still believes in the power of white/black magic.

The acting was great but not outstanding I liked the childrens' acting more,they weren't as emotionless as the olders...also I discovered that I'm in love with Yeo Jin Goo(Jin Goo-sshi just call me Haeri-nuna,ok? :)) ).As for the grown-ups version I can say that I really hated Han Ga In's acting,you may say she is a great actress but to me she is the worse why?I didn't feel any emotion in her acting,her facial expression seemed to be static thru all the drama,it barely changed.It is the first drama I watch with Han Ga In as lead role and since I heard so many people praising her I was expecting something outstanding but she didn't meet my standards.As for Kim Soo Hyun and Jung Il Woo,hell guys,why are you so hot?:((I love them,when I was watching the drama I couldn't decide on which ones side I am.It was a difficult decision(kekek~).Also Kim Min Seo portraited really well the craziness in her character...Iloved her acting.

The music really made it for me I loved and I still listen from time to time to it,especially Lyn's Back in Time OST.It isn't a surprise that it charted in korea for a long time and even got the chance to be 1st on charts.It really is a good song.

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Completed
God's Quiz
16 people found this review helpful
by SeRose
Jun 27, 2013
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
Oh dear. It’s another episodic crime scene investigation story – my least favorite genre ever. But I like to branch out and it turns out God's Quiz was a good place to do this.

The drama is basically carried by its lead man’s peculiar charms. Ryu Deok Hwan isn’t an actor I look at and necessarily think “hot!” but he is every bit as charismatic, and his Dr. Han is what initially attracted me to the drama and kept me going. He’s a smart aleck with zero people skills. You’d think this makes him perfect to work with dead bodies, but he’s not actually thrilled to put his surgeon skills to use doing autopsies, and only grudgingly accepting the post because of his sunbae. Why? “Because it smells so bad!”

Detective Kang is standard female detective fare – sharp and deductive, and she gives Dr Han a lot of crap for his faulty and abrasive manners. They’re totally awesome together. If only the drama wasn’t modeled so much on the standard investigation genre, I’d ship them whole-heartedly. However, watching their friendship (and maybe something more?) progress both at work and out of it is very touching. They make a good pair.

The other cast members make a good mix for the rest of the investigation team. Everyone’s got their personalities and their screen time, and the chemistry among them is pretty good. I particularly liked Park Jun Myun as the ‘matriarch’ of the group who starts off being super unimpressed by our little hot-shot newbie but warms up to him later.

What’s This ‘Quiz’ About?
It's primarily an investigation genre show, however I find that for all the dead and dying people the main plot deals with, there’s a lot more on the discussion table – especially about human life. Maybe because Dr. Han struggles with himself as much as with the victims he investigates, but when he’s not being eccentric, he’s deeply conscious about life and human perceptions of life and death.

"People aren't ignorant about rare diseases, but they are ignorant about humanity."

Conclusion:
As long as I was in the mood for this type of story, God’s Quiz really made my day. I probably spent a great deal of time thinking about it long after I finished watching.

The overall plot arc really brought it together too, and I love the contrast of personalities Ryu Deok Hwan put into his character as someone who often seems shallow, but underneath is really a deeply contemplative human being. Unfortunately, I just wish more could’ve been focused on these things and less on the episodic cases.

Read more + pics + episode reviews on my blog at:
http://shinealightrose.blogspot.com/2013/05/kdrama-review-gods-quiz-season-1-2010.html

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Completed
I Hear Your Voice
16 people found this review helpful
by Alyce
Jun 27, 2013
18 of 18 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
Let me tell you BEWARE!! BEWARE!! THIS DRAMA IS A DRUG!
If you start it once you'll have to go to end.Personally I started this drama because of Lee Jang Suk but seriously it's so GREAT drama that I enjoy all of it's episodes. I liked the story & characters. I truly liked the character of Hye Sung, she is strong & wild & do what she thinks is right.All the actors are great in preforming their characters. SUPERB!!! I want to see that psycho behind the bars. He deserve it. But he preformed his character so good that I actually start hating him then I remembered "THIS IS A DRAMA".
Well this is MUST WATCH DRAMA

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Completed
Bara no nai Hanaya
16 people found this review helpful
by SeRose
Jun 27, 2013
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Need a shockingly good, slightly melo-ish but mostly heartwarming slice-of-life Jdrama with an excellent cast, beautiful and deep characters, that doesn't feel like work to watch, but still keeps your interest? Can I come up with a longer sentence to describe how gorgeous this drama is inside and out? (Given another 5 minutes, I could probably achieve that.) If your answer is yes, then please do sit down and watch Bara no nai Hanaya.

This is such a lovely atmospheric drama, featuring real and recognizable human beings. Eiji is a simple man with a hidden past, and Katori absolutely does not overact in his characterization. He is slow and plodding, and one of the kindest, most selfless creatures you’ll ever see. Yet the drama weaves his past in such a way that the slow unveiling of his life history and the history of the woman he loved is almost as integral to the story as the events that happen in real time. Throw in his obvious affection for Shizuku, and their own adoption of a neighborly grandmother, another loner desperate to feel needed and loved, and just try not having any feels for this beautiful little family structure.

Keep in mind, all this is even before the lovely Mio steps into their lives, cane in hand, full of anxiety and uncertainty about this new direction in her life. And maybe with just a few secrets of her own, hidden behind a web of lies. And perhaps she’s not the only character to have more than one secret.

Conclusion- I love it. All of it. The only reason it doesn't get a perfect score is probably because of some of the pacing issues, but after I’d finished the drama and started to reflect on it, I realize just how lovely it is. I’m not yet that versed in Jdramas, but I think this was a rare find for me.

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Completed
Gu Family Book
25 people found this review helpful
Jun 27, 2013
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 6.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 3.0
A lot of people are scoring this drama as a 9 or 10. I am not.

It's not because of Suzy, I think Suzy is beautiful and fit this role pretty well. Her character was one of the best female leads in an action drama. She was kick ass and yet feminine. Good job on that writers.

And though historicals aren't my favorite,that's not why either...Fantasy is my favorite genre and this had adequate special effects to meet my expectations.

The action...was not a 9 or a 10...it was just okay.

After the first few amazing episodes the story bogged down with the sister and the bad guy for the whole middle of the drama. Things picked back up nearer the end..but you can't make up for 12 episodes of boring.

The main reason I am scoring this lower than others is because I never laughed once...where is the comic relief? There wasn't any. They never once pulled any kind of emotion out of me.(except for lust; Daddy Wol Ryung is hot!) So it gets a 6.

But if there is a second season I will watch it:)

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Completed
Gu Family Book
11 people found this review helpful
Jun 27, 2013
24 of 24 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers
*spoiler free*
I truly enjoyed Gu Family Book .. it's the full package great acting , great directing and most importantly great storyline..
I'd say that characters are its strongest point .Kang chi is so kind, funny, pure and prince like. yeo wool isn't your everyday kdrama lead .. she's strong,confident and doesn't need the hero to defend her!! the supporting cast is so great as well especially females .. they're all strong welled and admirable .. Some people are bashing the show saying that "it didn't know what it wanted to be whether romance or fantasy .. etc ... others said that it went on circles and failed to accomplish its main purpose" I personally think that these people misinterpreted the show possibly because of the synopsis which said that the drama is about a gumiho trying to become a human using Gu Family Book .. which is not precise but true .. did you know that the initial name of the show was "Kang chi the beginning"? that is the core of the drama it's not about a guy becoming a superhero to protect his love ones and seek revenge . it's not about a gumiho wanting to become a human . it's not an epic love story between a supernatural creature and a human girl .. it's all of them .. it's simply a BIOGRAPHY!! even if you have everything planned out , you don't know what fate may throw at you .. life is full of variables and this drama is no different .. It was a great watch that I highly recommend simply because it has a thing for everyone..

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