It had the best potential of all: the ability to create some unforgettable characters. And it truly managed to do so in the beginning, combining a good plot with some seriously beautiful moments, a good dose of weirdness which I'm partial to and great chemistry between the characters.
However, as it sometimes happens with drama crushes, at some point my love deflated. I can't even pinpoint the main reason for this change of heart. It may be the fact that the more I neared the end of it, the more I predicted almost every turn, or because some details became repetitive - and in a drama whose episodes are so short, there's not so much time to lose on the nth flashback. Most likely, I had been waiting for a characters' arc which never truly came, leaving me with that unpleasant feeling you get when, after waiting for hours for an icecream, you finally start eating it and it falls on the floor.
It is, however, a drama fully worth of the time spent on it. As I said, I watched the first 9 episodes with no interruption and a passion I had almost forgotten I possess. While the acting ability of all is not stellar, they certainly compensate with beautiful close-up shots and an amazing collective alchemy among the whole cast.
The music is terrific and perfectly chosen for each scene. I suspect it is partly responsible for my blind love for this drama.
I may rewatch this drama in the future. Not for the plot but for the pleasure of watching these young actors again.
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This review may contain spoilers
First things first: the synopsis to this isn't quite right. 2 guys do fall in love with her, but one becomes a complete ayouknowwhat.(sorry if this feels like a spoiler.)Second, if you have heart problems, don't watch this. It will make you furious and cry alot. If you like dramas about revenge, this is perfect to watch.
Third, this is one of the best dramas I've ever watched, and i don't say that often. It has everything in it, melodrama, romance, comedy, suspense, and awesomeness!
You will not regret watching it, the first episode might make you have doubts, but stick with it!
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This is a story like no other, it will always keep you guessing. If you are to watch it for the first time, do not see it with someone else who has, or just don't ask any questions about what is happening, try guessing and your friend's face will tell you what you DON'T want to hear. Unless you are with someone who can lie for your benefit.
This is a couple that every time I see the poster I get red almost immediatly. I love these two. Whether they end up together or not, is something you never know until THE VERY END of the drama.
I suggest you [reader] that you stop reading, head over dramafever.com or any other site that has it and watch the first episode. But now that I remember I suggest you DO NOT DO IT ON FINALS!!! I did that and I had to wait until I finish all of the episodes to start seriously working on my essays. My mother is rewatching it with me next to her, and I am easily distracted by that piece of pure hotness that is Ren Guxing Xi.
Good Luck and Happy watching! The BEST TAIWANESE DRAMA! And a bonus James Wen appears! He is my second Taiwanese husband (family joke) where VanWuss is my first!
^^
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Flower Boy Next Door is all about unrequited love triangles, and stalkers. Almost every character harbors a one-sided crush for another character. At the center is Go Dok Mi. She is a super emo recluse, who I had a very hard time rooting for, or liking. Eventually we learn about the event that traumatized her, and made her so distrusting of people, but it never quite excused her selfish behavior for me.
For some reason, in spite of her personality, she has two men fighting to win her affection. One is the equally emo Oh Jin Rak, who has been obsessed with her for years. The other is the extremely hyper, über cute, and sometimes annoying Enrique played by Yoon Shi Yoon. Yoon Shi Yoon is the main reason I watched this drama, and he was the highlight for me. He is the glue that holds this KDrama together.
The supporting cast was also pretty entertaining, particularly the the web-toon director and Dong Hoon (my favorite couple), though I am not sure what purpose Chef Watanabe actually served. The character Cha Do Hwi was extremely annoying, so she did a great job. I gave the cast a 7, because I could not find any fault with the acting. They did their best with what they had, which was not much.
The main downfall of this drama is the story, or lack thereof. The love triangles initially were interesting but became predictable, and boring, quickly. Even the big reveal about Dok Mi's past started to annoy me after a while. I wanted to yell "get over it" at the screen so many times. I get that it was a really bad thing for her, but they relied on flashing back to that story a bit too much. Then they tried to throw in a pitiful storyline about video game obsessed fans, but it was too ridiculous to be believed.
Although this is mainly a romance, the main couple was less interesting as time went on. It seemed like such a one-sided relationship. Watching Enrique try to cheer up Dok Mi every episode was really frustrating, and they didn't have an exciting chemistry either. It was a struggle to watch the final episodes. They just seemed to stretch out what was already going to be the obvious conclusion. The cheesy expressions of love didn't help either. At the end they tried to tie up the love lives of each character, and even that was super cheesy and predictable. Again, what was the point of Watanabe?
Overall, I did not like this drama enough to recommend it to anyone. I guess huge fans of the actors will be entertained enough to justify the bad plot. It really was a great start in my opinion, but once the couples became clear, the writer apparently had no clue what to do next. If you think you'll like seeing Park Shin Hye and Kim Ji Hoon play two emotionally detached characters who wax poetic about love, then maybe you'll like this more than I did. If Yoon Shi Yoon's smile is all the entertainment you need, then by all means watch this. I barely made it through the first time, so rewatching this is not an option. Maybe I'd youtube a cute Enrique moment, but that's about it.
For everyone else, don't believe the hype. I'll just pass the advice that I should have heeded myself "don't waste 16 hours of your life".
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The more outstanding characters include Rie (La La), played by Han Chae Ah, and Shunji, played by Park Ki Woong, mostly for the inner struggles they face throughout the show between love and loyalty. They are villains in the show, but the writing keeps pulling us back from completely demonizing them by reminding us of their humanity.
I do wish Mok Dan were written as a more dynamic character. Also, since the actress is a relative newbie, she might be forgiven for a less compelling portrayal of a not-so-compelling character.
Joo Won does such an excellent job with a character that is well written, but could have easily been very one-dimensional if portrayed by a less committed actor.
The noir genre and the dressing of the period lends some benefits, in the form of those snazzy suits and cool fedoras Joo Won and Park Ki Woong get to wear every episode.
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I loved the drama. It doesn't fit the best drama standard but its enjoyable all the same. the actors were great (the villains were of a most devious, powerful and poisonous vein- simply awesome i tell you).
i will not lie to you, it does drag a little bit in the middle but the last episode has you on your toes so i would say its worth it. the story is nothing new, its derivative and cliched but it unfolds well. the characters change, grow and love in a beautiful way. Both the leads are amazing, one astoundingly heroic, cool and strong; the other quirky, funny, and charming. the actions scenes are good and the romance is cute and touching (although i was disappointed with the lack of adequately thrilling kiss scenes).
the music was a let-down. i'm not saying it was bad, but I think it was n't well-suited. it could've been better.
all in all, it's been emotional. i hope you guys like this one too. :)
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The drama is a revenge drama, but its main attraction is the face off between the protagonist and the antagonist. Both of them are equally intelligent and the story is well directed which keeps you on the edge of your seats throughout.
I liked that show always balanced the dark tone with humor and is full of amazing actors.
The several time leaps were interesting to watch. The background score is good as well!!
All in all, a thriller done right and it never feels boring.
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It's something completely new but just very very good! It makes you think about love and makes you feel in the Drama... I even ended up thinking: Will that happen to me, too
The characters are very individual and refreshing! Even though the characters were different they came along well.
The story has many turns and it's not the typical "the bad boy will win, I knew it from beginning" story! Till the end I didn't knew who would "win"- something new for me!
But caution: You should not watch this as a "young or a young minded person" because it's SEX and the City like :/ Don't know if it's something for younger ones :s The rest of Dramaland should definetly not miss the break from the old but gold "bad boy, good girl" story :))
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